Clara checked the time with WERT periodically throughout the day. Time moved slowly in the cage. She fumed and turned her attention to the cavern once again. There was a second-floor walkway that went around the rim of the chamber and other walkways leading off in different directions. After a few hours, blue lights pulsed from around the bend where Ian had disappeared earlier, and he emerged, dressed in the attire he usually wore on campus; jeans, a button-down dress shirt, and a blazer. Fuck he looks good, she thought, and then chastised herself for finding the enemy attractive.

"Good evening, my beautiful pet!" Clara snarled at him and he...