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 like a raging inferno right

wraps because of you. But I bet if we turn to look,

that Ivan had moved closer to us. I turned to look and sure enough, he was closer, ready for whatever she needed.

“How?” Vitaliy asked.

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

admitted to an asylum if he felt things as strongly

with Ivan,” Vitaliy

her shoulders. “This is how I’ve always been. I

the other

yet, although Stephen is very adept at breaking people’s minds already. It wouldn’t surprise me if it had

to have,” Vitaliy said.

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

her thoughtfully. “You know what it is on at least one of them, don’t

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

wife, no?”

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

have days where it feels like my heart is breaking open because I miss her so much,” he said, moving away so we wouldn’t see the tears in his eyes.

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