King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

Adrik

“Not specifically, but I know of its existence. I still have friends that are very high up in very strategic organizations. They’ve talked about it before,”

he said.

“Is it still going on?” she asked.

“No, not for at least ten years now. There was a kid that escaped one night. He must’ve killed 15 people to get out. They got nervous and sh ut the program down, thinking that he would come for them.”

“That was Ivan,” she said.

“Really?” Vitaliy asked, clearly surprised.

“Really. He told me all about it. If you can find the doctors that used to work there, I’ll happily ki ll them myself,” she said. I could feel her anger come to the surface as she thought about what was done to Ivan when he was younger.

Vitaliy put his opposite hand over her hand that was still holding his arm as we walked. He stopped and turned to both of us. “How do you control that?” he asked, completely shocked. I knew he was referring to her anger, but she was at a loss. It wasn’t at nuclear levels, so she likely hadn’t even

noticed.

“Control what?” she asked. She looked between us, trying to figure out what he was shocked about.

“Your anger. You feel

She’s keeping it under wraps because of you. But I bet if we turn to look,

tell by his expression that Ivan had moved closer to us. I turned to look and sure enough, he was closer, ready for whatever she needed. She looked as well, signaling to him that she was

“How?” Vitaliy asked.

Adrik can feel everything I feel now and same for him. I feel everything he feels. Even when we’re apart, we can still feel each other. It’s partly why they found me and Ivan so quickly. When Ivan and I were taken, I started to be able to feel his anger, which is how it started with Adrik. Then I panicked one night and Ivan was able to feel that too. He isn’t able to feel everything yet, but I expect he will eventually. But all of them have an awareness of me, especially when it comes to protecting me. They don’t need

be admitted to an asylum if

Ivan,” Vitaliy

at both of us, shrugging her shoulders. “This is how I’ve always

other

any signs that we know of yet, although Stephen is very adept at breaking people’s minds already. It wouldn’t surprise me if it had to do

a useful skill to have,”

they’re both closer to figuring it out, but there’s still something holding

looked at her thoughtfully. “You know what it is on at least one of them,

but I try to hot pry in people’s heads without their permission. Stephen has a very dark spot in his past. I’m sure it has to do with whatever that is. Viktor is still mourning, even though he tries to pretend like he’s not,” she said.

no?” he

still heartbroken. He hides it well, but he’s still working through that pain.”

it feels like my heart is breaking open because I miss her so much,” he said, moving

toward him, placing her hand on his arm When he turned his head toward her slightly, she hugged him. I watched my father, who never showed any emotion other than anger, crumble in front of me. He clung to her like she was his lifeline. They stayed silent for several minutes, until finally his hold on her loosened. She stepped back slightly, but kept her hands on his shoulders. “You’ll find her again and you’ll get to fall in love with her all over again. She sacrificed this lifetime for Adrik, but the next will be the reward for that.” She was quiet for a moment, then she said, “you know she’s still around, right? You can still talk to her. She watches over you. She always has.” She glanced at me, then turned back to him. “She says she misses you too and that you’ll always