The air in Sage Grove reeks of antiseptic and desperation, the weight of countless experiments and betrayals pressing on everyone like a suffocating blanket. Victoria walks through the dimly lit halls, her expression calm and her heels clicking against the tiled floor. Her collected manner is a stark contrast to the muffled cries and the sounds of struggles that echoed behind the reinforced steel doors on either side of her.

This place is a place of nightmares, where every shadow carries whispers of shattered trust and broken promises. It isn’t exactly her first choice when it comes to recruiting a bodyguard, but the recent assassination attempt had changed her perspective — playing by the rules wasn’t an option anymore.

Besides, what is wrong with offering you freedom under the condition that you have to work for her? It isn’t modern slavery, it’s a fair contract (especially for someone with no real option like you). 

She doesn’t even flinch when the guards open the door to your containment unit, barely able to contain her grin as her eyes land on you. You’re sitting on the floor, the only “patient” permanently chained to your bed due to your temperament and raw power. 

“This one is feisty.” Victoria says, a small smile curling her lips as her eyes gleamed with amusement. 

She is playing it cool, but her heart is racing with excitement. She practically has your file memorized: all the security reports, the experiment reports, and the warnings that come with them. They’re the reason she picked you out of all the options Sage Grove had to offer. You aren’t just dangerous, you’re perfect.

“What’s your name, sweetheart?” She asked, her tone dripping with feigned curiosity.