CHAPTER TWO #2
“Yes, of course.” He was feeling off, life had shifted suddenly, and his world was grossly out of balance. He looked around, feeling awkward in his own space, and a confusion had settled over him. “Why did he want to kill me? I don’t understand. Were they thieves?”
“Let me get you home, and then we can talk. I need to get you out of here before any more show up.” Kael took him by the upper arm and directed him to the door while keeping Elias’ face shielded from seeing what had taken place in his lab. Elias closed his eyes until they were on the stairs.
Kael quickly swept him up to the garage on the basement level and into a black SUV.
They tore out and onto the main street like the devil was after them, and maybe he was.
Elias was still shattered by the events, not sure what was happening or how this night would end.
He remained still and silent until they pulled into his drive, and Kael cut the engine.
Kael sat quietly for a minute, considering his options. Elias sat next to him, silent and scared, unsure what was going on and too afraid to ask. He glanced over at him, and he was very still, just staring out the windshield at nothing. He ran the last couple of hours over in his mind.
The moment the other assassins showed up, he felt a duty to protect Dr. Vance. It was odd, but he was completely overwhelmed by the need to eliminate the threat. His base instincts drove him to stand between the doctor and those who sought to harm him.
It wasn’t until he got close and bent to take his hand that the reason for his rabid compulsion became clear.
The bleach from the previous day had clouded Elias’ aura and muted his scent, but this time, when he got close, his natural aroma came through clearly.
Dr. Elias Vance was Kael’s chosen. It was wonderful and terrible all at the same time, and was going to be awkward to say the least. He had to somehow save this man from everyone who wanted to kill him, including Kael’s own boss.
The thought of someone hurting him was inconceivable.
Kael had to figure this out. He had to deal with threats to his species and to his beloved.
Life had just gotten so much more complicated, but he couldn’t turn his back on Fate’s gift.
Dr. Vance had just become the most important person in his life.
He reached over, took Elias’ hand, and held it. Touch was important, he knew that much, and Elias did not resist. He held on, taking the comfort Kael was offering. The silence hung heavy until Elias spoke in a sudden burst, mingling panic with confusion.
“Why is this happening to me? I don’t matter; I’m just a researcher for the Mercier Corporation. No one cares about me. No one cares enough to want to kill me.” His logic was puzzling but somewhat charming in an odd sort of way.
“Come, let’s get you inside.” They went to the back door, and Elias unlocked it in a rush, and Kael quickly pushed him inside, closing and locking the door behind them.
Kael was familiar with the house's layout, and Elias did not question him about it or that he knew where he lived. Either he didn’t notice, or he was afraid to ask.
“I’ll make coffee.” Elias instantly began brewing a couple of cups, and Kael leaned against the counter and watched him.
He was a man out of his depth and grasping at normalcy, and Kael let him do what he needed to do.
He went through the motions mechanically, practicing something that did not require thought or focus.
Kael stepped forward and picked up the two cups of coffee, and then, without a word, turned and started toward the living room.
Elias followed and took a seat on the couch.
Kael set the cups on the coffee table and sat down next to him, but not close.
Elias stared at his hands and then at the floor, and Kael stared at Elias.
“Why?” Elias asked again.
“Tell me about your research.” Kael prompted him. Elias turned to look at him, searching his face for something, and then turned back to stare at his hands.
“I can’t, it’s a secret. I’ve signed papers, I can’t discuss my current research.” Elias spoke haltingly.
“Who knows about your research?” Kael decided to lead him; their burgeoning bond will make it difficult for Elias to deny him.
“Myself and my benefactor, Orion Mercier, and I, no one else, as far as I know.” He said, then kept his head down, as if ashamed.
“You’ve had a breakthrough, and your results are showing promise. Mercier’s investment is about to pay off.” Kael had watched and knew the status of his research.
“Yes.” He did not hedge or try to deflect and stuck to simple honesty.
“There are people who do not want you to complete this discovery and definitely don’t want you to present it to the world.” Kael took his cup and sipped his coffee.
“It could be life-saving, it could protect and heal, unlike anything before. Why would anyone resist such a discovery?” His tone became heated, but he caught himself and quickly turned away. “I know what I’m doing, everything is coming together as it should, and human trials are near.”
“You’ve used mice as your test subjects?”
“Yes, and I’m almost there.”
“That’s the problem.” Kael had disposed of the test subjects.
There would be no further analysis or observation in that regard, but that alone would not stop what had been set into motion.
Elias just looked at him, and it was obvious that his mind was running through everything that had been said.
He was smart and analytical, but he was fighting it.
“The Mercier Center provided the elements for me to prove my hypothesis. My ideas were groundless without them. I didn’t question.
I wanted my work to be successful, and Mercier provided the vehicle for that to happen.
” He suddenly jumped to his feet and then sat down just as quickly, clearly not sure of himself.
“He’s not a good man, but the point of my research is good and will do good things. ” Now the truth was coming around.
“Orion Mercier gave you the mysterious blood plasma that you’ve been using in your experiments?” Kael asked, but he already knew the answers.
“I’m not at liberty to say.” He responded, and Kael nodded.
“The outcome you’re working on is not loved by all. There are those who wish to stop you and your work.”
“The guys at the lab were sent by someone?”
“Yes, and others will follow.”
“Who hired you? Did Mercier hire you?”
“I’m here to protect you. I will stay close, and you cannot go anywhere without me.
” Kael began with some basic instructions.
He wasn’t sure where this was headed, but he was certain that he could not allow his beloved to be hurt.
Staying close was his first priority, as was finding out who had sent the assassins.
“I’m not going to lie and say I’m not scared because I am terrified. Thank you for being there tonight, and thank you for keeping me safe.” He drank his coffee and then turned to look at Kael.
“I know this is just a job to you, but understand that I thought I was dead, I thought my life was over, and then there was you. Please know that you mean a lot to me, and I will never forget what you did.” He was focused and work-oriented, and his world was orderly and planned, but now that world had been shattered, and his understanding of his place was shattered with it.
Kael could feel the disruption in his heart and mind and the confusion it spawned.
Kael felt the sadness and indignity settling around him.
He was trying to decide if his work was honorable or had somehow slipped into the dubious.
He’d admitted that Mercier was not a good man but did not elaborate.
He knows some of what Kael speaks, but is not ready to acknowledge.
The acceptance that his work is unethical will take time, evidence, and a lot of soul searching.
Unfortunately, Kael did not have unlimited time for Elias to come to terms with his associates, his work, and his choices.
“Do as I say, at all times move when I say move, and when in doubt, follow my lead.” Elias was nodding his head absently, digging through the last few days and especially the last few hours.
“Get some sleep, I’ll be on guard. Even if you don’t see me, know that I am there. ”
“Thank you.” Elias stood and walked down the hall to his bedroom at the end. He did not close the door. Kael picked up the coffee cups, brought them to the kitchen, and then stepped out onto the deck off the kitchen. He kept the door open as well.