The Test Subject Series Book 3: Unbound
Author
Tami
Reads
16.1K
Chapters
54
She built a place where monsters could exist without fear. It worked. Until something broke the rules.
Cat is changing. The island is changing. Human recruits have been brought there to help with her mission to breed monsters. But whatever is growing inside her doesn’t belong to anything that came before. It isn’t human. It isn’t a monster. And it won’t be controlled.
Now something ancient is paying attention. And it’s waiting to see what happens next.
Chapter 1: Thirst Traps
CAT
Des stands in the clearing with his back to me, shirtless, the late sun catching every line of his body. His shorts sit low on his hips. Too low. I told him to wear them like that, and now I’m paying for it, because I can see the muscles along his lower back, the ones that tense when he moves, the ones I feel under my hands when he’s on top of me.
He rolls his shoulders the way I showed him, and the movement travels down his spine, slow. His hips shift. Scales shimmer along his ribs—black and gold, there for a second before they sink back beneath his skin.
When he turns, I can see the outline of his cock through the fabric, thick even when he’s soft. My body reacts faster than my head does. I can feel the pull between my legs already, that familiar wet warmth, and I press my thighs together because this is supposed to be work.
I’m imagining what it would feel like if he just turned around, grabbed me by the hair, and bent me over right here.
I need to focus.
“Okay, now bite your lip,” I call out. “Slowly.”
Des turns his head just enough that his jaw catches the light. He bites down on his lower lip like he’s trying to chew through leather.
“Not like that. You look like you’re in pain.”
“I am in pain,” he says. “This is humiliating.”
“It’s a thirst trap video. It’s supposed to make people want to fuck you.”
“People already want to fuck me.”
“People who haven’t met you, Des.”
I walk over and tilt his chin with two fingers. My thumb drags along his jaw before I pull my hand back. If I fuck him every time he stands in front of a camera, we’ll never finish this. “There. Do the lip thing again, but like you mean it.”
He does. And this time it works. Okay, fuck it. The thirst trap video can come later—
“Why is he biting his lip like that?” Mehdi asks from behind me, staring at the screen.
I take a second to tame my dirty thoughts. “Because it’s hot.”
“And who exactly is this for?” Lima adds, arms crossed. He’s been leaning against a tree for the past twenty minutes watching this disaster. He’s up next, and he knows it.
“For people. The kind we’re looking for.”
Des exhales. “I do not like this.”
“You don’t have to like it. You just have to look like you do.”
That earns me a look that could kill most things. It doesn’t stop me, though.
We wrap up the filming shortly after. Des puts his shirt back on like a man who’s been released from prison, and Lima doesn’t even try to hide his relief when I tell him we’ll do his video tomorrow instead.
Of course, the videos aren’t meant to suggest that Des and Lima are available. They are simply supposed to catch people’s attention long enough for me to explain what the island has to offer. And if two ridiculously attractive men happen to be the most effective way of doing that, who am I to argue with good marketing?
When everyone gathers, we sit around the old place where Des and I used to live.
“So you finally decided we’re all moving?” Mehdi asks.
I nod. “Yes. Tomorrow. But first, I want to go over the plan.”
“There’s a plan?” Lima asks.
“There’s always a plan,” I say. “The thirst traps are step one. We post content, we build a following, we get people interested. But followers aren’t recruits. Eventually, we need to find the ones who wouldn’t run if they saw what Des actually looks like.”
“Charming,” Des mutters.
“You know what I mean. People like me. People who would stay.”
“And why do we need more people?” Richard asks.
“Because I can’t do this alone,” I say. “There are too many of you and one of me. If this island is going to work—really work—we need more humans who are willing to be here. Willing to breed. Willing to commit to something most people would run from.”
“So you’re looking for crazy people,” Mehdi says with a grin.
“I’m looking for brave ones. There’s a difference.”
“Is there?” Lima asks, but he’s smiling.
“The videos are already getting traction,” I continue. “People are watching. Some of them are…very enthusiastic.”
“About what, exactly?” Richard asks. “I worked very hard to keep us hidden.”
“Not you specifically. But monsters. Cryptids. Some of them even fantasize about gods.”
Richard stiffens. “Don’t use that word.”
I glance at him. He’s already looking away.
“Right. Anyway, the point is, we start normal, and whoever stays, we push further. Eventually, we find the ones who actually mean it.”
“Isn’t that dangerous?” Des asks. “People could expose us.”
“Cryptid videos have existed for decades, and nobody takes them seriously. There are people out there who genuinely believe in Bigfoot.”
“Hey,” Richard says casually, “he’s a nice guy. Just a loner.”
I stare at him. “What?”
“He prefers living alone. Only meets Sasquatch once or twice a decade.”
“That is information I need to know!”
Richard just chuckles.
While he and Des go back and forth about what can and can’t be shared online, I glance toward Lima. He looks like he wants to say something—his mouth opens slightly. But nobody notices besides me. Richard keeps talking, Des responds, and the moment passes. Lima closes his mouth again. I make a note to ask him about it later.
“And this is how we gain followers?” Mehdi asks. “Shirtless videos of these two?”
“Des and Lima have been working very hard,” I say, proud.
“We haven’t been ‘working hard.’ We have been abused. Clearly.” Des folds his arms.
Lima just shrugs, which makes the rest of us laugh.
“Wait until you see what I have planned next.” I grin at their expressions.
***
After most of our little group disperses, Des and I walk around the island hand in hand. So much has changed.
We’ve recruited more monsters. Richard searched the world and found hidden places where outcasts still lived. I’ve met many of them, but there are so many that it’s hard to keep track.
Mehdi and Nadira will have their own little hut here, and I know it’s going to be adorable. They never decided whether they want baby djinns, though—if that’s even possible. Neither of them knows.
Lazarus will have a small forest he’ll share with three other centaurs and the werewolves. We still haven’t found another incubus, which will be difficult for Sylvan. Maybe we’ll place him near the forest as well, close to the djinn hut.
And the dragons…oh my.
“You’re thinking about them, aren’t you?” Des chuckles.
“How can you tell?”
“The corner of your mouth always curls up when you think of them.”
“It’s hard not to smile. Ruis is such a sweetheart, and Jovi seems determined to outdo him. Sion is just…Sion. Passionate. He’s recently discovered a talent for matchmaking, and it’s hilarious.”
“Matchmaking? Between whom?” Des asks, clearly confused.
“The monsters. They’re not always thrilled about it, but what can you do? Whatever Sion wants, he usually gets.”
“Satis got into trouble as well,” Des says with a laugh. “Did you hear?”
“No. What did he do this time?”
“He heard Nadira wasn’t pleased with how Mehdi treated her.”
“Uh-oh.”
“Exactly. So he decided to ensure she was especially satisfied.”
“And let me guess…in dragon form?”
“Indeed. Mehdi was not happy when he walked in on that.”
I laugh. “I can imagine. But Mehdi cooled down eventually, right?”
“Of course. Especially after he learned the truth—the rumor wasn’t actually true. Nadira never complained. It was simply the kitsune who wanted to have some fun. But Mehdi figured that out quickly and calmed down.” Des smirks. “You turned him into a giant blue soft-hearted fool. He used to be mischievous himself. Even wicked.”
“He was just misunderstood.”
I pause before asking, “Have you seen Veran lately?”
Des shakes his head. “He’s on a mission.”
“What mission?”
“His own.” Des laughs. “He’s decided he’ll find every last monster on this earth and save them.”
“And how exactly does he plan to do that?”
“Via the internet.” Des opens a portal for us.
“That’s actually smart,” I say as we step through. “I wanted to talk to you about that.”
“I’m listening.”
“About the thirst traps…maybe we could do some training, of sorts.”
Des looks very serious, which makes me chuckle. “Training? How?”
“I want you to fuck me, Des. That’s all.” When I say it, he looks surprised, having expected actual training, but he seems very eager to comply.
