The Anomaly Trilogy Boxed Set

by Hackett, Anna

  He’d never really worried about doctor-patient issues before Haven. He’d always been too busy with his experiments and their results to concern himself with people.

  Probably why he’d missed the signs that he’d overstepped the bounds of what was right and crossed far, far into the wrong.

  Gage wouldn’t repeat the same mistake with Cate. He’d do what he could to help her heal and get back to her own life.

  A muffled noise deeper in the building distracted him. Lifting his head, he strained to hear any more sound. It was close to eleven at night, so all his staff members were at their homes scattered around the island. Cate was the only resident in the center.

  He didn’t hear anything else. Had to be imagining things.

  He shuffled a few papers on his desk, trying to decide if he should head back to his small cottage behind the center or fire up his computer and do some work.

  What he really wanted to do was spend some time with Cate.

  He sighed. She was crying out for contact. That bastard Leven had treated her like a wild dog that was his to command.

  She needed to know she was a person.

  Gage knew he had to fight the urge. He shouldn’t be spending time with her in the middle of the night. And no more taking flowers and gifts for her.

  She was a patient. Maybe he’d get that tattooed on his arm so he wouldn’t forget. The CIA had let him bend many rules. It had become a bad habit.

  A door slammed somewhere in the medical center. Gage leaped to his feet and skirted the desk. A dark shadow appeared in the doorway.

  Gage froze. “Cal? What are you doing here this late?”

  The leader of Haven stood in the doorway. As always, the mind raider was a dark, dangerous presence.

  “We’ve had a security breach.”

  His friend’s tone made Gage’s heart stop. Without words, he knew. “Cate.”

  He ran, leaving Cal to follow.

  The door to her room was open. The small desk had been tipped over and the yellow daisies he’d brought her were spilled across the carpet, trampled.

  “What the hell happened?” They’d promised her sanctuary. “Where is she?” He’d promised to help her.

  “The infrared sensors picked up someone heading this way. Came up from the beach.” Cal headed back into the hall. “Come on.”

  The men ran side by side, bursting out of the medical center and heading into the palm trees.

  “Is it Leven?” Gage said.

  Cal was quiet for a moment. Never a good sign. “I didn’t tell you, but Leven’s been using a lot of influence and money to pinpoint Cate’s location.”

  “What?” The thought of that man getting his hands on Cate again had Gage’s vision flashing red.

  They’d promised her she’d be safe. He’d failed her.

  “I didn’t want to worry you,” Cal said.

  “Damn it, Cal! We could have been prepared for this.” Gage wasn’t a soldier or a security expert, but they could have done something. He’d always believed Haven was impregnable. Cal was always updating the security system, installing new technology. “How the hell did they get onto the island?”

  “They had help.” A grim tone. “From someone in our security. He’s being dealt with.”

  God, even their own were turning on them. All because Gabriel Leven wanted Cate back. Why? What was so special about her?

  But now wasn’t the time to think about that. First they had to get her back.

  He willed her to hold on. I’m coming for you.

  Chapter Two

  Cate kicked like a wild woman.

  Her captor dragged her through the palm trees, and no matter how hard she dug her feet into the ground, it didn’t slow him down. He wore a black wetsuit and she’d seen the flash of a mask covering his face.

  She tried to scratch him, elbow him, with no success. She looked around for something—anything—that she could use as a weapon. Nothing.

  She looked down at her hands. They were weapons. Her mind shied at the thought but a curl of something flickered through her belly. She swallowed and squeezed her eyes shut.

  Gage’s face flashed behind her eyes.

  That was enough to steady her. As soon as Gage saw she was missing, he’d come for her.

  Her attacker grabbed her hair, swinging her around. Tears stung and blurred her vision. He tossed her onto the ground and she sprawled there, rocks cutting into her palms.

  She looked up. The man yanked the mask off his face and vague memories pushed to the front of her head. This man chaining her to a chair. Laughing.

  He was one of Leven’s inner circle.

  Dappled moonlight flickered down through the trees, covering her with stripes of shadow. Suddenly she was back in the tiny cell where Leven had kept her chained.

  She heard echoes of her victims pleading for their lives. Felt warm pleasure flooding through her as she stole a soul.

  Leven’s man crouched in front of her, snapping her back to the present.

  His face was hard, with a wide scar along his jaw. “It’s good to see you again, Cate. My name’s Jagger.”

  Her lips trembled. “Go to hell.”

  “Mr. Leven sent me to get you back.”

  Leven. The man who’d ripped her life open and forced the dark part of her out for the world to see.

  She looked up, saw the smile on Jagger’s thin lips. She spat in his face.

  He wiped his cheek, no expression now. “Lucky for you Mr. Leven wants you alive.”

  “I’m not going back.” She rose to her knees.

  “Cate.” Jagger shook his head. “I need you to come with me. Quickly and quietly.” The smallest smile. “You fight me, then I’ll hurt you.

  And take pleasure in it.

  Her stomach turned, bile rising in her throat. He’d get off on hurting her. She pressed her palm to her stomach. Just like she did when she stole a soul.

  She wasn’t like this man. She couldn’t be.

  “Let’s go.” Jagger reached for her.

  Cate sprang up and ran. She made it three strides before he was on her. He tackled her to the ground and she hit hard. Her cheek scraped along the dirt and his heavy weight crushed the air from her lungs.

  She wriggled, trying to get free.

  His breath was hot on her ear. “The hard way then?”

  She felt the sting of metal under her ear and froze.

  “Don’t stop now.” His voice deepened. “I’m happy to split your soft skin. You know all about pain, don’t you? It feels good watching someone else’s suffering.”

  Cate stared at the ground, numb.

  “Takes your mind off your own pain,” he finished in a whisper.

  She tasted blood in her mouth. Realized she’d bitten her lip deep. Quit being a powerless wimp. Do something. Fight. The blade travelled over her shoulder, down her arm, along her side.

  “Leven can’t wait to punish you for leaving.” Jagger laughed. “I can’t wait to watch.”

  No. She bucked upward. Jagger swore and the blade sliced into the skin at her waist. He forced her down with his weight and dug the blade deeper. She cried out.

  “Leven wants you alive, but he didn’t say anything about hurt and bleeding.” Jagger cut her again.

  She couldn’t go back. She wanted to be the woman who’d laughed with her students, who’d gone out for coffee with friends every Saturday, who’d never, ever thought about killing someone. And she sure as hell wouldn’t be this man’s play thing.

  She felt the familiar prickling across her hands. Oh God. Her heart thumped like a trapped animal in her chest.

  With an agonizing sob, she reached up and clamped her hand around his thick wrist.

  He didn’t realize at first. But as she started to steal his soul, his body jerked. He managed a mangled shout before the knife fell away

  His pulse turned to an erratic spasm under her fingertips. Oh, it felt so good. Her own pain drifted away under the lash of pleasure. Her torme
nt, her guilt, her terror, all of it melted away and there was just her and the amazing power she’d been born with.

  The man writhed and fell off her, but she kept her grip on him. She sat up and saw his face. His mouth was open in a silent scream. In his dark eyes, she saw him relive the horrors he’d inflicted on others. Saw them come back on him.

  She felt the final rush of energy, and closed her eyes to savor it. Then he flopped back. Still.

  Cate released him, staring at her hands. She started to shake. What had she done?

  Suddenly people ran out of the trees. Cate lifted her head and her gaze collided with Gage’s.

  For a second, she was frozen. Twin desires tugged at her with vicious hands—one wanted to revel, the other was horrified.

  Gage’s brown eyes were wide as they took in the body beside her then swung back to her.

  Oh God. She scrambled backward, a sob caught in her throat. Dimly she was aware of Haven’s leader, Callahan securing the area.

  Cate stared at her hands. She was dangerous. To everyone around her. How could she ever trust herself to step foot back in her classroom? Spend time with her parents and friends?

  Gage kneeled in front her, his fingers touched Jagger’s neck. Gage pulled back. “Are you okay?”

  “I killed him.”

  Gage’s gaze moved over her. “He hurt you.”

  “He works for Leven.” She pressed her palms to her eyes. “I killed him and it felt so good.” Her hands dropped and she looked into that raw-boned face. “How can it feel so right?”

  “All addicts ask the same question.” He reached out a hand, maybe going to touch her face, but then he dropped it. “It feels right but it’s destructive.”

  She stared down at the lovely yellow shirt she’d taken so much pleasure in before. One side of it was covered in blood. Funny, she couldn’t even feel the wound. “It’s never going to get better.”

  “That’s not true—”

  She knew it. She knew she’d never be the same. She stared at him. “Please, Gage—” a desperate plea “—kill me. Kill me now.”

  ***

  Everything in Gage rebelled.

  Theo had begged Gage to kill him. The thought of this woman being snuffed out, being put down like a dog…

  She’d suffered enough. Gage moved closer, hated when she curled in on herself. “No.”

  Her blue eyes shimmered. “I’m a monster—”

  “No.” He shook his head in a violent move. “I won’t let you give up.”

  “Gage—”

  “No! No more about killing.” Jesus, her shirt was covered in blood. “How badly are you hurt?”

  “I’m not sure.” She plucked at the soaked shirt. “He cut me.”

  Gage didn’t like the amount of blood soaking into the fabric. He needed to check the wound and get it treated.

  Most of all, he didn’t like the look on her pale face. Her blue eyes were wide, her pupils dilated from shock. Damn Gabriel Leven to hell. He’d set Cate back. Way back.

  “I’m going to help you up.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t want you to touch me.”

  “You’ve lost too much blood. You’ll need my help.”

  Cate twisted her hands together. “I can make it.”

  Gage stood, jaw tight. “Okay. But if you fall, I’m carrying you.”

  She pushed to her feet, more than a little shaky. Her gaze was on the ground. “I don’t want to hurt you—”

  “Not going to happen. I trust you.”

  “But I don’t trust myself.” She started back toward the lab, her gait slow and jerky.

  God. He followed her, battling the urge to scoop her up or at least take her arm. He kept a sharp eye on her, watching to see if she stumbled or fell.

  Ahead the low wood and glass building that housed the medical center came into view. It was nestled amongst the trees, designed to blend into the island’s landscape.

  He led her inside and into an exam room. She settled onto the bed with great reluctance.

  Her gaze stayed on the floor as Gage snapped on some latex gloves. Moving slowly, his hands went to her side and the blood-soaked fabric. “I’m going to take a look at the wound.”

  When she gave a tiny nod, he pushed the shirt up.

  Gage probed the wound. Leven’s bastard had sliced her badly. With methodical movements, he tugged the trauma tray over and went to work cleaning the wound. Afterward he wiped the cut with antibiotic solution. “I’m going to use some adhesive.”

  She blinked. “What?”

  “Liquid stitches. It’s a medical glue I can use instead of thread.”

  She nodded dully. “Leven wants me back.”

  “Leven isn’t coming anywhere near you again.” Gage carefully applied the adhesive. He finished by placing a large bandage over it. “I’ll get you some clean clothes and you can wash up.”

  Cate lifted her head. “I want to go back to my room.”

  He reached out. God, he wanted to touch her. Slowly he traced a finger down her cheek in the lightest of strokes. He wished he wasn’t wearing the glove and could feel her skin. She looked young and fragile, and he hated seeing blood smudged on her face and misery in her eyes.

  She pulled her head back, averting her gaze. “I’m a killer. It’s in my DNA. I should be locked away. Forever.”

  “This is a step backward, that’s all. Are you going to give up so easily?”

  “You think this is easy?” She slid off the bed. Striding across the room, she flung an arm out. “I killed a man. And I liked it. You think I can go back to teaching fifth graders how to spell, or go out with my friends in public—” her voice broke.

  Gage swiveled the stool. “I don’t know if you can go back, but I sure as hell know you can go forward.” He told himself that every day. After the terrible things he’d done to so many people, he’d had no choice but to move on.

  Her shoulders slumped. “I just want to be the woman I was.”

  But that woman was someone who’d never been addicted to soul stealing.

  “Cate!” A woman rushed into the room.

  Gage watched Dr. Ellie Akita, clad in stripy pajamas, stop inches short of Cate. The pretty doctor’s Japanese heritage showed in her fine features, dark eyes and fall of straight black hair.

  “Are you okay?” Ellie asked her gaze scanning Cate’s bloody shirt.

  Cate’s gaze dropped to the floor. “Gage bandaged my cut. And I…I…”

  Gage moved forward. “She killed Leven’s man in self-defense.”

  Ellie’s jaw was tight, but her eyes were soft. “It’s going to be okay.”

  Gage sensed a presence and turned. Cal loomed in the doorway wearing his impassive ‘leader of Haven’ look.

  “Leven’s man had an underwater scooter on the beach,” Cal said.

  “And the man who helped him breach island security?” Gage demanded.

  Cal’s face was thunderous. “He’s been dealt with.” Cal’s dark gaze went to Cate. “It’s time we find out why Leven wants you so badly.”

  “I don’t know,” she whispered.

  Gage hated that Cal scrutinized her so hard. Like she was the enemy. Ellie sensed it too because she took a step closer to Cate. Gage could have hugged her.

  “Do you have any skills other than soul stealing?” Cal asked.

  Cate frowned. “Of course not. I’m not a mind raider or time thief.”

  Gage’s tense muscles relaxed. She didn’t know what Cal was talking about. She wasn’t enhanced the way Cal was. “We’ll keep working to find out why he wants her. Right, Cate?” Gage waited for her nod.

  “In the meantime, Cate needs to stay in her room.” Cal’s gaze flicked to Gage. “Secured.”

  Gage stood slowly. “You let Leven’s man infiltrate the island and you want Cate locked up, like a criminal?”

  Cal was silent for a second. “You questioning my orders, Doc?”

  “I’m—”

  Cate reached out a han
d. It hovered above Gage’s arm for a second before it flitted away like a butterfly. “It’s okay, Gage. He’s right. I should be locked up.”

  No. Gage wanted to hit something. It was a foreign feeling for him. He was used to burying his frustration in lab work.

  “Come on,” Ellie said. “I’ll take you back. You need a shower and some sleep.”

  Gage watched the women leave. “This will set her back weeks.”

  “I’m sorry for that, but she’s relapsed. It’s my responsibility to keep the residents safe. Until we’re sure—”

  “She was forced to hurt that man. She had a knife jammed in her side.” Gage shoved his hands in his pockets. “She isn’t going to hurt any residents.”

  “You basing that on facts or your gut, Doctor?” Cal tilted his head. “Or maybe something else?”

  Gage fixed his gaze on the wall. “She’s a patient.”

  “Yes, under Ellie’s care. We both know you never spent a day treating patients until you came here.” Cal waved a hand. “I know you have the degree and the skills, but you’re a scientist first.”

  “Cate’s still a patient.”

  “Yet you feel more for her than just a doctor-patient relationship.”

  Gage plucked his glasses off his nose and cleaned the lens with the edge of his shirt. “I need to stay away from her and let Ellie do her job.”

  “Ellie’s good but you’re better. The best anomaly doctor in the country. On the planet, except for Leven’s Frankensteins.”

  “I’ll help her. That’s all I’ll be doing.” Gage’s fingers tightened around his glasses and he slipped them on before he broke them. If Cate wanted her old life back, he’d damn well help her get it. Even if a part of him hated the idea of watching her walk away.

  Cal was silent but Gage knew him well enough to know his very sharp mind was spinning, analyzing, assessing.

  “Why’d Leven come after her?” Cal said.

  Gage frowned. “He wants her ability.”

  “Why?” A muscle in Cal’s jaw ticked. “There are other soul stealers. Why this one?”