Chapter 256

Aurora 's Perspective Through the arm locked around his throat, I could feel his pulse jackhammering, wild and frantic. A choked, gurgling sound escaped him, his face flushing, glasses askew. The scent of fear—sharp, sour, purely human terror—poured from him, overwhelming the smells of disinfectant and dust. Good. Fear was good. Fearful people told the truth. "Don't move! A sound, and I snap your neck!" I hissed, my voice low and guttural, carrying an unconscious, predatory rasp. "Talk! Where is this?! Who are you people?! Why am I here?!" "Mmph… grrh…" He struggled weakly, fingers clawing at my forearm. I eased the pressure just enough for him to breathe and speak, but kept my hand clamped over his mouth. "Talk!" I tightened my grip for a split second. "D-don't kill me!" he whimpered, the words muffled. "I… I'm just a researcher! I just work here! Please…" A researcher? My gut twisted. Not a