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 now,”

under wraps because of you. But I bet if we turn to look, Ivan will be worried

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

“How?” Vitaliy asked.

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

to be admitted to an asylum if he felt things as

with Ivan,” Vitaliy

“This is how

other two?”

adept at breaking people’s minds already. It wouldn’t surprise

a useful skill to have,” Vitaliy

figuring it out, but there’s still something holding those two

“You know what it is on at least

their permission. Stephen has a very dark spot in his past. I’m sure it

wife, no?” he asked.

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

a while. It’s not something you easily get over. I still have days where it feels like my heart is breaking open because I miss her so much,”

“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