Maya reached up and prodded the spot, feeling her sticky blood where the bullet grazed her. “It’s just a scratch,” she sighed. “But that won’t matter if we don’t get out of here.”
Pounding on the observation window captured her attention and she noticed Jim and Laney in the nearby room. The looks on her friends’ faces were grim.
“Help me with this!” the chameleon bellowed from across the room as he shoved the equipment off the heavy steel lab table.
“Are you all right?” Vintor asked, concern lacing his deep voice.
“Yes. Go help him,” she insisted as she sat up and swung her legs off the gurney.
Vintor rushed over to the chameleon. His gait faltered a bit as the room filled with carbon monoxide. The chameleon waved Jim and Laney away from the thick plexi window and her friends clamored out of the way, their eyes going wide.
“Please work,” Maya rasped in the thinning air as the pair picked up the table and swung it at the bullet proof glass.
The window warbled like ripples on the surface of a pond as they struck it repeatedly. She desperately wanted this to work, but the window was specifically engineered to be impenetrable. Maya squeezed her eyes shut and concentrated on breathing. It was becoming increasingly harder to catch her breath. She couldn’t fathom how the men were managing as they frantically pounded away.
So close. Anger and sadness swamped her. Vintor had been so close to getting out of here. If it weren’t for his sweet foolish honor.
Her eyes flew open when she heard a loud crack. She looked at the failing frame around the window. Vintor and the chameleon were hunched over, their broad chests heaving. The exertion was clearly getting to them as the breathable air became scarce.
“You can do this,” she choked as she encouraged them.
Maya nearly fell to the floor as she staggered toward the struggling men. They hammered several more times. The crack by the window frame spidered up the wall, but the damn thing refused to give way.
Son of a bitch. They needed something more.
She frantically looked around, the edges of her vision growing dim. Her gaze fell on a damaged equipment stand.
“There. Stick it in the crack and leverage the window out,” she managed to gasp.
Vintor staggered to the metal stand, grabbed it and wedged it into the crack they made between the window and the wall. The chameleon helped him as they shoved hard, their muscles straining from the effort. Maya silently cheered them on since she no longer had enough breath to speak as she collapsed on the floor in a boneless heap. Her eyelids grew heavier, making it impossible to keep them open.
Vintor quo Fortis
Come on.
Their progress on the window was slow going. Vintor glanced over his shoulder to find Maya collapsed on the floor.
Goddess no!
He grit his teeth as he shoved harder, his muscles and lungs burning. There was a pop as the crack along the window frame grew. He dug his fingers into the fissure, gripped the frame and tugged with all his might, a growl ripping from his throat. They leapt back when the window finally pulled free of the wall and clattered to the floor.
Vintor barely pulled in a breath of fresh air before he rushed to Maya, scooped her off the floor and leapt through the opening they’d made.
“Oh God, is she all right?” Laney cried as she pulled away from Boaz and rushed toward Maya. “I don’t think she’s breathing.”
“Come on, goddess.” Vintor jostled Maya and rubbed her chest.
He was frantic as he looked down into Maya’s face. She was gorgeous, but he hated the peaceful expression she wore. He wanted to see those intelligent dark eyes flashing up at him.
“No, she is, it’s just very shallow.” Jim held two fingers beneath Maya’s nose. “She’ll come around now that there’s fresh air. We should go before they lock this place down.”
Vintor took a deep breath and studied Maya closer. Her chest was subtly rising up and down. The old medic was right. She just needed more time in the fresh air.
“I think I saw an exit back the way we came.” Laney headed toward the hall.
“Female. You have no sense of self-preservation,” Boaz hissed incredulously as he hooked Laney around the waist before she could forge ahead.
“I know where you’re talking about. I’ll check to make sure the coast is clear.” Jim led the way.
“Thank you,” Boaz hissed in appreciation.
Jim nodded and exited into the hallway to check it out. The medic couldn’t understand either of them the way Laney and Maya did, but he seemed to intuitively comprehend.
“We’re still good.” Jim popped his head back in a moment later.
They swiftly backtracked down the empty corridor. From what he understood there weren’t a lot of people with access to this sector but the few that did appeared to have already evacuated. He just hoped they weren’t too late. If they were locked inside the facility it was game over.
“There.” Laney pointed.
“It’s still open,” Jim sighed in relief as he shoved open the door.
It led to a stairwell. Vintor was impressed at the speed the old medic took the stairs up. The human was just as eager to get out of this place. Maya startled in his arms and he glanced down. Her large, deep brown eyes looked panicked till she focused on him.
“Maya, it’s okay, we got out of the room,” he reassured her. “Are you all right?”
Maya leaned into him, one of her small hands tenderly placed over his heart, her fingers lightly stroking back and forth as she sighed. The gesture made him soar. Not only was his bonded all right, but she found comfort in seeing him.
“Yeah. I am now. This is the best dream ever. I really love your chest.” She grinned up at him.
As much as he loved the way she was responding to him, there was something funny about her. Maya had been through a lot, but she’d been level-headed. This seemed uncharacteristic. Vintor paused on the stairs and adjusted her in his arms. He felt the crusted blood on her head. The spot where the damn projectile grazed her no longer bled, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t damage or swelling he couldn’t see. He repressed the growl building in his chest. If he ever saw that vile medic again he would pay for this. Vintor lifted Maya’s chin and stared into her eyes.
“I think something is wrong. Her pupils are dilated.” Vintor glanced to Jim who had paused a few steps up.
“Emil probably drugged her. We’ll figure out what it is later,” Jim commented as he quickly looked Maya over.
“He did. I think.” Maya blinked several times, some of the alertness returning to her gaze. “How are we getting out of here?”
“The building is under attack and being evacuated,” Laney replied from Boaz’s arms.
“Evacuated?” Maya looked around frantically. “Who could possibly be insane enough to attack this place?”
“We don’t know, but they’re locking everything down,” the old medic replied, sounding harried as he continued upward.
“Thank you, but you risked too much coming for me. You could’ve already been free.” Maya frowned.
“There’s no way I was leaving you behind, you’re my mate,” Vintor rumbled.
Maya gave him a wan smile then grew quiet as she tucked her head against his chest. He instantly regretted bringing it up. Humans mated differently, and he hadn’t been gentle or given Maya a choice. And though she might appreciate being rescued, that didn’t mean she wanted to remain by his side.
Vintor shook free of his depressing thoughts as they reached the landing at the top of the staircase. Carefully he opened the thick metal door and peered out. This wasn’t another hallway, it was more like a tunnel, dimly lit, and broad enough to fit a vehicle with rough walls and dirty floor. The tunnel was empty, but he heard the sound of people and sirens in the distance.
“I smell fresh air,” Boaz commented, his voice wistful. The poor male had been a prisoner for a long time.
“We’re almost the
re.” Laney smiled at Boaz. The male hugged her to him and nodded.
Vintor looked the direction it was coming from. He could almost make out a light at the far end. He also saw another barrier recessed in the wall.
“Let’s go before they seal that barrier.” Boaz took two steps toward the doorway.
Suddenly Vintor caught another faint scent he recognized. It was the acrid artificial musk worn by a human male, a very specific human male.
“Hold on, Boaz.” Vintor swiftly grabbed Boaz’s arm before he could cross the threshold into the tunnel. “An old friend’s coming. Take the females while I hang back.”
Boaz took another sniff then hissed in anger.
“Keep her safe.” Vintor was glad Boaz was a large male as he passed Maya over.
“Wait, Vintor, we can all make it,” Maya frantically insisted.
“No, goddess, the general left the barrier open for a reason. I bet that bastard medic warned him. Once I distract him, go, quickly.”
Vintor burst into the tunnel with a feral growl. Behind him he heard Boaz and Jim takeoff running with the females. Just as he suspected, the general emerged from a recessed spot in the wall. The human was bold, he’d come alone. Vintor ran at Frank, putting himself between the human and his friends. He had to get to the general before he reached the controls and sealed them in.
He closed in fast and relished the flash of fear in Frank’s eyes. The general lifted his weapon and aimed it. Vintor lunged for the male as he fired. Whatever happened, Maya had to get free.
7 Or Maybe it’s a Train
Maya
Gunshots rang out and Maya jumped in Boaz’s arms.
“Vintor! We have to help him.”
She scrambled to look over the chameleon’s shoulder but couldn’t see what was going on. Boaz didn’t even slow once they passed the barrier. She couldn’t believe they were leaving Vintor to face Frank alone. He rescued her and she was just leaving him.
“Please.” Maya struggled to get free.
“I promised to get you safely out of here and that’s what I’m going to do,” Boaz insisted as he tightened his grip.
“It’ll be okay,” Laney tried to console her, but based on her expression even she wasn’t convinced.
Maya blinked to hold back the tears burning in her eyes.
“We can’t just go racing out there. There won’t just be civilians,” Jim pointed out as they neared the end of the tunnel.
“Put us down and camouflage yourself,” Laney suggested.
“Yes, we can walk,” Maya added.
“Maya,” Jim said sternly. He must have read her mind.
“Please don’t take off,” Laney implored as Boaz set them down.
Jim wrapped one arm around hers. Obviously, he didn’t trust her to not run back down the tunnel. Her gaze swung toward Laney when she mimicked Jim on her other side.
“You guys, we can’t just—I can’t…” she looked back down the tunnel.
“Come on,” Boaz said.
It was strange hearing a voice come from the concrete wall. She’d seen a few chameleons camouflage themselves, but it never ceased to amaze her. The mottled shades of gray even shifted to match the variations in the cement as he crept along the wall. To keep from breaking down, Maya focused on him as Laney and Jim ushered her forward.
“There’s more people coming out,” someone hollered and rushed forward.
“Are you okay?” a base paramedic asked.
Maya shielded her eyes against the sunlight as they exited. The tunnel came out somewhere near the Air Force base golf course, but it was still in sight of the nondescript DOD facility.
“No, my friend here was hit by stray gunfire,” Laney replied to the paramedic.
“Dammit, why the hell are they using live rounds in a training exercise involving civilians? This thing has gotten way out of hand,” the paramedic barked as he led them to a nearby ambulance.
So that’s the story they’re telling everyone.
Maya glanced at the EMS vehicles, Humvees and the scores of people milling around with Spec-ops watching the perimeter. Most of the people here, though part of the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, didn’t have the clearance she did.
“Who knows? We got out rather late. Maybe they assumed all of us were already clear,” Jim quickly covered.
Maya looked past the paramedic as he examined her head. She couldn’t see where Boaz had gone. None of the uniforms were acting suspicious so she assumed he was safe. If he was smart he would get as far from here as he could. A sudden distressed murmur spread through the crowd as everyone stared into the sky.
“What the fuck?” The paramedic’s hand froze at her temple. He staggered back and gaped at the sky.
Maya followed his wide-eyed gaze in time to see a handful of sleek silver vessels land outside the building they just vacated.
Well, their lie just backfired. No one’s going to believe those are experimental craft.
She knew what went on below ground but still the sight was distressing, though not enough to hold her attention. While everyone stared in awe and growing panic at the alien vessels, her gaze was riveted to the tunnel exit.
Come on, Vintor, where are you? He had to make it out, he just had to. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself if he didn’t.
The distressed murmur moving through the crowd grew louder. Even the Spec-ops were having difficulty holding it together.
“I think it’s time to get out of here,” Jim whispered.
“No, I can’t find Boaz.” Laney panned the crowd frantically.
“I’m with you.”
They all turned at the sound of Boaz’s voice coming from inside the ambulance. She looked closely and realized he was crouched by the front seats. He must’ve snuck in through the open side door. Laney relaxed and smiled. Maya thought she made out a grin on Boaz’s camouflaged face, too.
“I’m not leaving Vintor...”
Two jets flying overhead followed by a deafening explosion cut her off. They were so close to the strike zone the aftershocks rocked her a moment later. Her hands flew to her ears as she stared at the smoke and billowing fire coming from the front of the detention facility. Undeterred, the silver alien ships parted the smoke and shot into the sky. They flickered and disappeared into thin air, camouflaging themselves like Boaz.
Oh, sweet Jesus. She stared in horror and disbelief at the carnage. The Air Force bombed the parking lot and part of the building. And for what? It didn’t even slow those ships. She covered her mouth to keep from screaming at the injustice. Her government had just massacred God only knows how many people.
“Get in the ambulance,” Jim hissed low. He kept an eye on the paramedic frozen in shock several yards away while heading for the driver’s seat.
“Come.” Boaz pulled her and Laney into the back of the ambulance.
Maya looked frantically at the tunnel exit. She knew they needed to go before the crowd recovered and total chaos ensued, but she couldn’t bear the thought of it. Not after what Vintor had done for her and tried to do for her people.
“No, no, no. I see something.” Maya grabbed Laney’s hand, stalling her as she was about to shut the ambulance doors. She was positive she saw movement in the tunnel.
“If we’re gonna get out of here before they lock the base down, we gotta go now.” Jim turned over the engine and started to pull away.
“Please,” Maya begged.
“Jim, I think she might be right,” Laney exclaimed, and Jim slowed as he passed the tunnel.
She knew she hadn’t just imagined seeing movement. Everything faded away as she focused on the giant red man sprinting out of the tunnel. She didn’t even have to call out to him; he instantly zeroed in on her. Her heart sped up. Vintor was larger than life and such a welcome sight. She held her breath as he leapt into the back of the ambulance. Jim flipped on the siren, hit the gas and sped away.
“You made it.” Maya tried not to tear up as Vin
tor shut the rear doors and turned those serious dark eyes on her.
“That explosion helped. But it was so close I worried something happened to you.” Vintor’s brow furrowed. He reached forward and tugged her into his arms.
Maya leaned into him and stroked his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat. He was alive and well. She followed the tattoo peeking from the neck of his scrubs along his collar bone to his shoulder.
“You’re hurt! I knew you were acting like a shield when we escaped.” Maya grimaced at the bleeding gash on his shoulder.
“It’s fine,” he insisted as she reached for supplies stashed in the ambulance cabinet.
“No, it’s not. I hope you took care of General Frank.” She tore open a pack of gauze and pressed it against his wound.
“No,” Vintor growled in frustration. “If he didn’t have that weapon I would’ve been here sooner. Thankfully I move fast.”
“You were dodging bullets!” Maya screeched. “Nope, I don’t want to hear anymore.” She shook her head and looked him over for injuries he was stoically hiding. Maya sighed, finding none.
“I’m taking the route past the hospital. It’ll look less suspicious,” Jim commented over his shoulder as he drove.
“We picked a good vehicle. I hope they don’t try to stop us,” Laney fretted.
“We should be prepared if they do.” Maya glanced around the ambulance. They didn’t have much to work with. She looked at the gurney and smiled. “Laney put on the medic jacket and join Jim up front. Boaz, do what you do best and Vintor, up on the gurney. I’m sorry to say you didn’t survive the attack.” She tossed a sheet at him.
“I can play dead,” he chuckled as he lay back on the bed.
“And I’ll play doctor. I’ve already got the outfit.” Maya pointed to her lab coat then covered him up with the sheet.
Maya took a nervous look around to reassure herself everything was in place as they drove past the hospital and approached the south gate. She and Jim were dressed like doctors not medics. Laney wore the paramedic’s jacket paired with black dress pants. Vintor was covered from head to toe but dwarfed the gurney by a mile. And Boaz, though camouflaged against the rear doors, close-up it looked like the ambulance had grown a tumor. Maybe if the guards at the gate didn’t look too hard they might not notice all that was wrong with the scene.
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