“So semantic memory works its way into the brain while episodic memories need to be triggered to recall. Sage Development has found a way to shut down the hippocampus and the amygdala, eliminating the bearers’ ability to access personal memories while the rest of the brain functions normally.”
She’s so fucking proud of herself right now she’s practically jumping. I’m not sure I caught all of that, other than they turned off something and left other shit running. Good enough for me.
“Can it be reversed?”
“I haven’t found a way,” she responds sheepishly.
Liar! She has to be full of cancer at this point.
“Alannah can’t remember anything, but Sage Development didn’t get her. Have you been able to figure out what’s wrong with her?”
“She was knocked unconscious and sustained carbon monoxide poisoning in the house fire. From what we can tell, the combination caused traumatic brain injury. It’s likely her memory will come back with time,” Deacon lies.
More like her memory will come back now that you can’t figure out a way to drug my woman.
I nod and lock eyes with big electric blues as Alannah walks out of the changing room in her white hospital gown that hits the floor as she moves. J escorts her over and helps her into the bed. When she settles back, spreading her arms out on the boards again, Deacon quickly straps one down.
“Safety,” he grumbles when Alannah, J and I begin to protest.
Dr. Sadist secures the wrist closest to me, and I hold Alannah’s tiny hand in both of mine. Then electrodes are placed all over her body along with her scalp. The two round disks go on the bump again before her body is covered in a white sheet.
Deacon stares at the monitors which are all reading flat. There’s no beeping or wiggly lines on the screens.
“Subject exhibiting electric shield,” Dr. Sadist reports to Bethany. “Have you been counting kicks, Alannah?”
“Yes,” she answers quietly. “He’s been more active than usual.”
I squeeze her hand. That’s my boy.
“Let’s see if we can get a good look at him,” Dr. Sadist suggests as a machine is rolled toward us by another researcher.
Deacon pulls up Alannah’s gown, and I smother a ferocious growl. With the sheet around her hips, Alannah’s belly is the only thing exposed as the disks are removed, and goo is squirted on her.
“Can you feel the temperature of the gel?” Deacon asks.
“I know it’s cold, but I don’t feel cold. Does that make sense?”
“Yes,” I reply instantly.
Dr. Sadist presses a wand looking thing to Alannah’s belly and we all stare at the screen in anticipation. After messing with a few buttons and knobs, the steady whoosh of my son’s heartbeat enters the room.
I swallow back my tears and look down at my woman who’s silently crying, her eyes locked on me. We stare at each other and listen to our son, enjoying this special moment. I smile broadly at her before swiping her cheeks with my thumbs since she’s tied down and can’t do it herself.
“There he is,” Dr. Sadist says so wistfully it sounds like Sorcha’s voice. I spin to find my mother, but of course, she’s not here.
My eyes move to the screen as I gaze with awe at my son’s wiggling body. He looks so tiny and vulnerable. My inner caveman surges to the surface, and I have an overwhelming urge to rip the straps off Alannah. I need them safe. That’s all my brain can register as I stare at my unborn, innocent child.
“He’s measuring well above gestation,” Dr. Sadist notes. “Big like his daddy.”
Her kind, cooing voice forces me to look away. I don’t want to share this with her. I want to be in Kansas City with Caelan, Chann, Cait and my dead parents. I don’t want to experience something this good in a place so depraved.
J catches my eyes with his and nods proudly at me, encouraging me to stay in the moment. He had this once, and it was ripped away from him. I nod back my respect for his ability to go on. If I lose Alannah and my son, I won’t be doing anything other than dying. I can’t live my life without them.
My woman squeezes my hand, and I look down at her serene face. She’s so strong. I don’t know how she’s managing all of this and still looking so peaceful. My sleeping tiger.
“Well, he’s doing just fine. I’m going to do an internal exam now,” Dr. Sadist announces, shutting off the sonogram. “Everyone can leave the area.”
Bethany and the other researchers move away as Deacon pulls the curtain closed until he spots me.
“You too,” he grunts.
“He stays with me,” Alannah demands.
“Of course,” Dr. Sadist agrees with a look at Deacon that tells him to shut up.
I know she’s not on our side. She wants my son. That’s all this is about. She wants to harvest my baby and keep him here until she figures out a way to kill him. Over my dead fucking body and we all know that’s a tall order.
Deacon and Dr. Sadist settle Alannah’s feet in stirrups before the sheet is pushed up.
“I think Doctor Slone’s got it under control,” I snarl as Deacon tries to get a view of my woman’s pussy. I don’t give a fuck if he’s seen it already. He’s not going near it while I’m here.
“Maybe you should step out until this is done,” Alannah suggests.
“Alannah, I’ve done all of your exams. I’m a doctor,” he scolds her.
“And I was your girlfriend then. Now that I’m not, I don’t feel comfortable with you having your face in my crotch,” she growls.
There’s my tiger.
“Deacon,” Dr. Sadist prods.
He harrumphs but obeys, leaving the area.
“A little pressure now, Alannah. Let me know what you’re feeling.”
“Not much,” she responds. “I know what you’re doing, but it’s not as uncomfortable as it usually is.”
Maybe sex won’t be much fun for Alannah right now. If she can’t feel what’s being done to her, I doubt my dick’s going to feel good. That’s a truly depressing thought.
“Your cervix has completely sealed,” Dr. Sadist complains.
Then she slams tools down on the table next to her.
“Easy,” I warn the temperamental doctor.
She shoves to her feet and yanks at the bun her hair is always in.
“Whe…If…if she goes into preterm labor, I have no way to get to the fetus,” she stumbles.
She doesn’t mean if. She means when. That’s what she was going to say. This bitch wants for force Alannah into early labor. That’s why she was so excited my son’s big.
“He’ll protect himself. He already has. I don’t think you need to worry about it. I think you should stop testing Alannah though. Everything you’re doin’ to her results in a shield,” I point out.
“You’re right. I can’t risk testing her for other shields. If we drown her, I won’t be able to save the baby.”
“What?” Alannah asks in shock, struggling against her straps. “You wanna drown me? Are your fuckin’ nuts?!”
Here comes my tiger.
“It’s standard testing protocol,” Dr. Sadist scoffs.
I release the arm closest to me, wanting to allow Alannah to flip out with freedom. She quickly sits up and releases her other wrist before curling into a ball, leaning toward me as I stand at her side.
“I’m done with this shit. I’m ready to go home, and I’m takin’ Drake with me. You’re insane, and this place gives me the creeps,” Alannah growls.
“That’s not in the best interest of your son,” Dr. Sadist argues as Deacon enters the area, readying for a fight.
“And bein drowned is?” she retorts quickly.
“You agreed to standard testing protocols.”
“I didn’t think standard meant waterboarding. What’s next? You’ll shoot me through the eye with a bow and arrow? Punch me in the stomach until my uterus falls out? What the fuck are you hoping to discover?”
“Alannah, calm down,” Dea
con tries to soothe her, which pisses me the fuck off.
My woman ignores him while waiting for the good doctor to answer.
“We’ve never had a bearer like you. It’s my duty to discover the ins and outs of how this pregnancy is affecting you. But as I stated earlier, the more I test, the more resistant you’re shields are becoming. That’s not conducive to the safety of the fetus,” Dr. Sadist drones emotionlessly.
“You said Sage Development was a threat to me. Deacon swore people were looking for me after he ran tests at the hospital. I saw the men in suits show up. So why do I feel like I’m in more danger here than when I was out in the world?” Alannah asks pointedly.
“You’re not,” Deacon answers. “You’re safe here. This is the only place that can protect you. I know this is difficult. We should have eased you into testing. But please don’t put yourself at risk because you’re angry. You almost lost the baby the last time you did that.”
“What?” I snarl.
“When I remembered your face, I got angry. I don’t know why. I can’t explain it, but I was furious. I took off running away from the cabin Deacon and I were living in. I was on foot in the snow without a coat. That’s when the bleeding started,” she explain guiltily.
“While you were running?” I ask, not believing my baby would do something like that.
“After Deacon found me,” she whispers, studying her hands.
That motherfucker. He did that, gave her something to keep her where he wanted her.
No matter how furious I am right now—I’m fucking livid—I need to play this the right way.
“Alannah,” I say kindly. “We can’t leave here. Between Sage Development, the pregnancy and our lack of memories, it’s not safe for us to be anywhere but here. Testing will stop now, and we’ll see where we go after the little man joins the world.”
Peering up at me from beneath her long lashes, I see a war within her electric blues. She’s trying to play this game right along with me, but she’s at a disadvantage. I need her to follow my lead.
“No more testing?” she asks the room, not looking away from me.
“Not until after you deliver,” Dr. Sadist confirms.
“Okay,” my woman relents, leaning her head against my chest.
I lock eyes with the evil browns of the woman hell bent on hurting Alannah. But when Dr. Sadist looks at me, it’s with reverence as though I’m the answer to all her problems in life. She’ll do what she has to in order to keep me within her grasp. I have the power as long as I manipulate it the right way.
“Alannah doesn’t feel comfortable with some of the attendants. She’s formed a bond with J. Can he remain with her full-time?”
“J?” Dr. Sadist calls out as Deacon scowls at me.
J quickly rounds the curtain with worry on his face.
“Alannah would like you to remain with her for the duration of her stay here at Canyon Nine. I know your duties as the lead require you to do rounds of rotation throughout the facility. Perhaps R could fill in on your rotation and report to you,” Dr. Sadist says.
“I’ll work it out with my team. There shouldn’t be any issues,” J assures her. “Alannah, why don’t you come with me so you can get changed?”
Good man. Thank fuck I found him.
I help Alannah off the table and pass her over to J, who leads her from the curtained area with a protective arm around her shoulders.
“Forty-two,” Dr. Sadist says solemnly. “This pregnancy is an unknown for me. I understand you have a connection to Alannah, but our priority is to your son. She’s not a bearer, and she’s carrying a fetus who exhibits many shields we’ve not yet encountered. I want you to prepare yourself for what may come.”
“You don’t think she’ll survive the delivery,” I state as opposed to asking.
“There’s no way to know. I’m just communicating my concern.”
“Would you be telling him if Alannah didn’t break up with him yesterday?” I sneer, nodding at douchebag Deacon.
“I had the same conversation with Deacon the first day he contacted me.”
“We’re here because once I figured out something was different about this pregnancy, I was sure Davina was the one person who had the best chance of getting Alannah through this,” Deacon interjects.
Davina Slone. The sadist has a full name. I kind of liked her just being the evil doctor, but knowing her name gives me power. Personal information can be a lethal sword in the hands of a skilled warrior.
“Thank you for protecting her and my son,” I force out. It doesn’t sound appreciative. It sounds as painful as it felt, but I said the right words to the prick.
“I didn’t do it for you,” he scoffs.
Now he’s the dick in the room.
“Deacon,” Dr. Sadist warns.
“All set,” Alannah announces, waltzing in the area with a broad smile on her face. “You’re comin’ with me, right?” she asks me as her smile fades.
“I am. I’m gonna go to the common room for a bit first. I need to work out. J can take you upstairs and come back for me in an hour or so.”
Her big blue eyes are searching my face for something, but I remain neutral. I’m pissed. I’m tired. I’m stressed. I need to fucking hit something.
She nods and leaves the area as quickly as she entered. I lift my chin at J from around the curtain, silently instructing him to tend to my woman.
“I’ve informed the bearers that you’ve been undergoing some intensive testing to explain your absence,” Dr. Sadist tells me with a look reminding me to keep my mouth shut about Alannah.
I nod and turn on my heel to leave the lab of mind fuckery. Bethany grasps my forearm before I get too far, darting her eyes around the room. When she doesn’t find prying eyes, she pulls me down and whispers into my ear, “Don’t let Alannah take the pills.” Then she presses her lips to my skin and moves away.
I swallow thickly as worthless L approaches me. He silently leads me back to the common room, seemingly spacing out the entire journey. I roll my eyes at his incompetence as he opens the door to the common room.
I’m instantly hit with worried eyes and abrupt stops in conversation.
“We were so worried,” Thirty-nine exclaims, racing toward me from a card table. “The last time…” he trails off unable to meet my eyes.
“They’ll have to try harder than that to get me outta here,” I assure him lightly, bumping his shoulder with my fist.
He lets out a ragged breath as Alex and the dragons approach.
“Wanna hit the gym? Kinda sick of bein’ stuck in a bed,” I lie.
I avoid making eye contact with Alex. I’ll lose my shit. I’m teetering on the razor’s edge of sanity. The only way I know how to exercise this shit from my system is to beat it out.
They all nod, and we briskly walk toward the gym. Once we’re in the space, I declare, “I need to hit somethin’…hard.”
Thirty-seven tips his lips in a cocky smirk, running a hand through his shaggy blond locks as his soft blue eyes glimmer with something primal before saying, “Let’s go, rookie.”
I smash my fist into his mouth, knocking him a few feet back. Finally, my lungs expand and contract normally for the first time since my life was destroyed in the bunker Bert built to protect the people he loved the most in this world.
I need blood.
Crimson.
Bright red crimson blood is covering most of the white surfaces around us. Our clothes, the padded gym floor, a few walls and I think I spy a slight spattering on the ceiling. My heaving chest is rising and falling against the floor as my arms shake from exhaustion.
This is my chance. I have my canvas prepared, and now it’s time to create my masterpiece. I roll toward Thirty-seven since he’s the most recovered as my first victim. He smiles broadly at me with a mouth full of blood before spitting on the mat.
I crouch in front of him, grasp the back of his neck and pull his head toward mine until our foreheads are leaning o
n the others’ shoulder. From the vantage point of the cameras, it should look like I’m apologizing. Instead, my finger begins to feverishly write in the pool of blood between our bodies.
He tenses and tries to pull away, but I hold him steady as I bullet point what’s going on.
We’re being watched and listened to.
I remember everything about my life.
I was taken by Canyon Nine not Sage Development.
My woman has now been taken and is here pregnant with my child.
I need your help to escape so I can keep them safe.
There’s a long pause as I swipe away any evidence of what I’ve just told him. Either he helps or he hurts. I didn’t have a choice. I had to put myself out there.
“Anything,” he whispers, squeezing my neck tightly.
With a relieved nod and a revitalized effort, I approach Thirty-five and Thirty-six. Their reactions are almost identical to Thirty-seven’s. It’s tense at first, confused in the middle and when I make my request, they both whole-heartedly agree.
I save Alex for my last secret conversation. The dragons are huddled together, surely writing to each other. Neither of us is bleeding, so this is a little trickier. Alex has a few gashes on his face from my fists, but he’s not leaking a drop of blood. I find a big puddle where we both lean against the wall with our shoulders touching and our hips separated. We have a long conversation in the tiny space. Only a word or two at a time, but we talk, we plot and we scheme.
I’ve got everyone I’m going to get on my side. I don’t know if I should trust Bethany. I’m still mulling that over. There’s no benefit for her to tell me something like she did. People don’t do shit out of the goodness of their heart. But the dragons are. I didn’t promise them anything when I asked for their help. Down at the fiber of their being, they’re good men. I can tell. I can feel it when I’m around them. I needed to blow off steam, and they allowed me to brutalize them for my own benefit. They hit back, but I pummeled them.
“Shit,” J hisses, pushing open the gym door and getting a good look at the mess I created. “Do you three need the infirmary?”
The dragons all shake their heads in unison before climbing to their feet.
Misunderstood Miracles Page 13