Chapter 13
Cassia
Save him…
There was no doubt Erik had spoken to me, eliminating my fears, at least for a few minutes.
The shot had pierced Samuel’s temple, killing him instantly. I knew I should feel some level of guilt, but I was elated, my body tingling. I’d also saved Brexin’s life in the process. I was sick at the thought of almost having lost him.
There were signs at least some of the scientists and workers had survived, escaping the melee, but we were unable to find any evidence of where they’d gone. The realization they could attack at any time was never far from our minds.
Brexin had his body wrapped around mine but was unable to stop my body from shaking.
One of the soldiers had located the all-terrain vehicle and we decided to set off sometime before midnight.
Erik’s head was cradled in my lap and there had been no reportable change, zero reactions at all.
I wasn’t certain if he’d fallen into a coma, but I knew that even with his size, the sedative should have already worn off. The prognosis was grim.
Every report, the working computer and as much of the drugs and enhancers as possible had been boxed. We were a long ways away from making any real progress and everything boiled down to whether or not Erik survived.
“Samuel. Who is he?” Brexin finally asked.
“A scientist who worked for my caretaker, the infamous Dr. Forrester. I met him on the shuttle and thought he was a naysayer.” My words had zero emotion. I was completely drained, incapable of feeling anything but sadness.
“Dr. Samuel Winter went to school with Steve Forrester. They were best friends all through college and medical school. Samuel’s father helped finance the project. There were several investors. I never learned the names of the others.” Rowena seemed reluctant to admit the information.
“How do you know this?” I prompted.
“Samuel visited the lab on a few occasions, always talking with Steve behind closed doors and there was always a massive disagreement. I didn’t realize who he was at first, but it’s funny how your memory can trick you, details coming back when you really need them,” Rowena said, laughing softly.
“I’m so sorry I got involved with this. I had no idea what was really going on.
I was promised a fresh start, a new chance.
In truth, I had no choice. Dr. Forrester knew everything about my past, every ugly secret.
He hand-selected the scientists from ones he knew he could manipulate, including Kevin.
I don’t think Samuel appreciated being coerced, but that’s all I know.
But I wanted a new life, devoid of what Earth had become.
I didn’t know I was walking into a lion’s den by coming here. ”
“We were all promised a new life,” I muttered, squeezing Brexin’s hand. “Including me. Dr. Forrester was very controlling in all aspects.”
“You were special to him.” She lifted her head and even in the darkness, I could still see such concern.
“He told you.”
“He didn’t have to, Cassia. He had pictures of you and every accomplishment you ever achieved in a very special drawer in his office.
I heard so many amazing stories and when he told me that you were going to be a part of the experiment, I thought you’d agreed.
I never knew he’d lied to you. He was a true monster, but he wasn’t always. ”
“You were in love with him,” I huffed. “I thought you and Kevin were close.”
She laughed. “Kevin was a true pig. Arrogant bastard. I loved Steve and would have done anything for him. Only when you arrived and started asking pointed questions did I realize that you had no idea about the true nature of our work. I wanted to tell you, but I was terrified that if Kevin found out, I’d be another one of our party who disappeared. ”
Every muscle and tendon in my body was cold. Shivering, I dropped my head into my hands, unable to process or think clearly.
“Why don’t you rest,” Brexin suggested. “It’s been a very long couple of days. We have about an hour to go.”
“Maybe I will.” I closed my eyes, trying to see Erik’s face, holding that in my memory banks. I was cold, so damn cold. I longed for a warm fire and a soft blanket and…
“You’ve been a very bad girl and you need to be punished.”
I glared at him, the man I hated the most. My caretaker.
“I’ve done nothing wrong. Besides, I’m a grown woman.
You can’t punish me any longer.” The smile on his face was evil, his eyes without focus.
He’d lost his mind. I was certain of it.
As he advanced, I found myself walking around the table, terrified of what he was going to do.
We were in the laboratory working. What the hell did he think he was doing?
Within a second, he snagged my wrist, pulling my arm painfully behind my back. “You know how this goes, sweet Cassia. You know what happens with you don’t do everything I ask.”
I blinked, fighting the memories, horrified that he still could manage this much control over me. “You’re not doing this. I won’t take it any longer.”
“You will do as I say.”
I heard the sound of the door opening, was able to see the two goons who worked for him. They never left his side.
“Take my lovely ward to her own very private cell. Let’s see what a few days of isolation will do. That’s always worked throughout the years.” Steve laughed as they advanced, taking me out of his arms.
“Why are you doing this? Why?” I screamed as I was dragged from the room.
“Because I’m God.”
I struggled, begging then wailing. Then I saw his face. His. Face.
“Wake up. Come on, Cassia. What in the hell?”
Brexin. His voice. Soft and comforting. So caring. I finally opened my eyes, the dream remaining fresh in the forefront of my mind. “What just happened?” I jerked up, taking several deep breaths. “Erik. I saw his face. He and I have met before or at least we’ve seen each other.”
“You were dreaming and from what I could tell, it wasn’t a pleasant experience.” Rowena had my hand in hers. “What was that?”
“Your connection?” Brexin asked.
I crowded closer to Erik, leaning down and caressing his face. “There is a forced connection. They did something to both of us before we left.” I was as certain of this as I’d ever been of anything. “Bastards.”
“That’s not why you love him, Cassia. I know the difference.
” Rowena’s soft voice filtered into my mind.
“But you are right. That’s when I knew Steve had lost his mind.
He’d created some ridiculous concoction that he injected both you and Erik with to draw you together.
They couldn’t risk the two of you not forming a bond. ”
I held my breath then burst into laughter. “Let me guess. The investors wanted to make certain that a human female was able to not only get along with these glorious hybrids but could even potentially produce children.”
“There’s more to it than that,” she whispered, “but yes, that’s part of it.
He had to make certain Erik would be attracted to you, but from what I’ve seen, the two of you have a special bond that goes way beyond science.
If Erik didn’t respond or worse, if he… If he killed you, then the entire hybrid project was going to be put on hold and there was nothing he could do about it.
Steve invested everything he had. There was no way he was going to allow that to happen. ”
“This scientist is a nutcase,” Brexin snorted.
“What else do you know?” I demanded.
“I do believe Steve cared about humanity, at least in the beginning. He became greedy and lost his way.” Rowena could no longer look me in the eye.
“You helped Erik escape from the facility. Dr. Forrester couldn’t trust Kevin, but he could trust you.”
“I’m sorry, Cassia,” she managed.
“Sorry. You’re sorry. You had no understanding of what Erik could or would do.
There were no controls. You simply allowed him to escape to initiate some crazy plan?
You were both playing with lives. My life.
Erik’s life. Every fucking human on Earth.
You fucked with them all!” Yelling wasn’t going to solve anything, but right now, all I wanted to do was rip her apart.
I rose onto my knees, getting in her face. “How fucking dare you.”
“Calm down.” Brexin jerked me into a sitting position. “You have to remain strong.”
“She’s right, Brexin. I will do everything I can to help you. I had no idea about the disease and I honestly don’t believe that Steve did either. Please believe me,” Rowena pleaded.
“Oh, Steve knew everything. He played everyone, including the Galerians.” Huffing, I moved closer to Erik.
There was no way any longer of telling the truth and besides, what did it matter?
Tears slipped past my lashes, streaming down my face.
Once I placed my head on his chest and heard his slow heartbeat, I knew we’d lost the battle.
There was no way he would survive. “I do love you. Come back to us. Come back.” The hum of the motor beneath us should be lulling, even comforting, but there was little in my mind but the need for retribution.
One day, I would hunt down Steve Forrester and quite frankly, I would kill him with my bare hands.
The tears continued to fall, soaking Erik’s shirt.
He was so cold, his body temperature having dropped.
He was so close to death. “Come back.” I couldn’t stop sobbing, my heart breaking in two.
I adored the man, loved him and Rowena was right.
The way I felt had nothing to do with any fake connection.
“Cassia,” Brexin said in a gentle manner.
“What?”
“He’s moving.”
Jerking my head, I stared at his face, able to see his lips moving, twitching. “Involuntary.”
“His hand. Look at his hand,” Brexin nodded, a grin on his face.
I sat up, glaring down. His fingers were moving, lifting and flexing. “Erik. Oh, God.”
Rowena took his other arm, feeling for his pulse. “He’s much stronger. We might be out of the woods.”
“Leave him alone!” I snapped.