CHAPTER 59-LANG'S CAGE
The first thing Logan felt was the stink of antiseptic. Sharp. Bitter. Wrong.
The second thing was pain. Shackles cut into his wrists, Sentinel-forged manacles binding him to a steel chair bolted into the floor. His healing factor gnawed at the wounds, but the metal was too stubborn, too clever.
He opened his eyes slow. No coffin this time. A chamber. Clean, white, humming with machines. Wires ran from his chest, his arms, his skull. The same bindings trapped Jean, Banshee, and Charles nearby.
Banshee stirred, groaning, his voice hoarse. "Wha... where..."
Jean's eyes blinked open next. She sat upright, hair tangled, lips curling into defiance the instant she understood the situation.
Charles... Charles did not wake. Electrodes still clung to his scalp. His face was pale, too pale.
"CHARLES!" Jean pulled at her restraints, teeth bared. "What did you do to him?!"
A door slid open.
And in walked a man who carried himself like he owned the air. Tall, sharp-featured, hair clipped military-short, eyes lit with fanatic fire. A white lab coat hung loose, sleeves rolled. His smile was thin, precise, practiced.
"Stephen Lang," Jean said while gritting her teeth.
The man spread his arms like a preacher greeting his flock.
"At last, you're awake. My honored guests. My prizes. You should feel... privileged. For you are the key to mankind's survival."
Jean spat the words like fire. "You're insane. You're a murderer."
Lang's smile didn't flicker. He paced closer, hands clasped behind his back. "No, child. I am salvation. Do you think I don't know what you are? What your kind represents? A genetic CANCER. A species poised to replace my own. Humanity cannot coexist with predators who wear our faces."
Jean's chin lifted. Her voice was ice. "You're Just another coward hiding behind machines."
The smile faltered. His hand snapped out-too fast, too sharp-and the crack of his palm echoed as it struck her across the face. Jean reeled, head whipping to the side, cheek burning red.
"JEAN!" Banshee shouted, struggling against his bonds.
Logan's heart went feral. His vision narrowed to a pinpoint. Every instinct screamed. His begging to break free. claws shivered beneath the skin of his hands,
Lang leaned in close to her ear, whispering, voice dripping venom. "You won't be smirking when I peel the secrets from your DNA strand by strand."
That was it.
SNIKT.
The sound ripped through the chamber as Logan's claws shot out, slicing his shackles apart in a shower of sparks. His eyes blazed murder.
"LANG!"
He lunged, metal teeth flashing, fury a tidal wave of muscle and rage.
Lang's smirk returned just as fast. He darted back, almost gliding, slipping behind the towering shadow of a waiting Sentinel.
"Contain him," he ordered coolly.
The machine stepped forward, sensors burning red, arms raised like a god of war.
Logan bared his teeth. "Good. Now I don't have to chase you through hallways. I'll carve my way To you."
The Sentinels closed in, and the chamber filled with the promise of blood.