Something big was happening to her. Sharing her faith with Gatlin made her realize she still believed strongly in the things her grandmother taught her. For the first time in a long time, she thought she could use her faith to stand up and fight.
Fight what? The abstergent being injected into her brain? Not likely.
Again, she wondered if God would forgive her for being forced to forget Him. Or would He prefer her to go down fighting—dying—if need be?
Returning the rock to the nightstand, she sat on the bed and slid Granna’s lamb from under her pillow. What if instead of struggling against the injection, she complied, trusting God to supernaturally block the abstergent from her brain? Nothing was too difficult for God, right? If her soul survived, it would be what Granna Grace called a “testimony.” Her story would inspire countless other people.
Or was she merely trying to avoid conflict? Compliance would be the easy way out.
“God, I’m so confused.” She slid the Bible from the torn stitching, wondering why Lukas hadn’t made her hand it over.
16
Lukas magnified the image on his flexpane, leaned forward, and traced a finger over the scarlet glow. Vibrant and full of life, Briar’s Agathi were truly beautiful. He clicked on the screen, creating a graphic of how the area would appear when the Agathi were dissolved. Gray. Desolate. Dead.
Animal brains were different. They weren’t equipped with Agathi to begin with. The area didn’t exist. As for the human brain, there was an actual space for the Agathus—that little hook that resembled a thorn. He clicked on it again, returning Briar’s Agathi to radiant crimson.
Through the years, Lukas had exhaustively studied functional Agathi. Countless times, he’d viewed images nearly identical to Briar’s. This, however, was the first time a shudder trailed his spine. Although Lukas didn’t believe in Christ, he knew thorns were significant to the Christian religion. A symbol of Jesus Christ’s suffering. The connection was almost too coincidental.
Very soon, this thriving area of human brain would be gone forever. Dissolved away.
Could he justify that, truly?
The situation would be different, were he burning off a field so that more bountiful crops could grow. What he was about to do was more like dumping acid onto the field so that nothing could ever grow there again.
Actually, it was exactly like that.
~*~
“Is it complicated to use?” Reid asked. “The videos on MediVid make it appear fairly easy.”
Lukas opened his rubber-gloved hand, revealing more of the cranial drill. “It’s designed for simplicity—and safety. The distraction of a complicated tool is the last thing one needs when penetrating the skull.” He pointed the instrument toward her. “Unlike the older model, this one makes it impossible to drill too deeply. When the tip comes into contact with the scalp, it evaluates the skull’s density. The drill automatically shuts off when it sufficiently perforates the cranium.” He passed her the device. “Employing a neurosurgeon is merely a precaution. Operating the drill is so simple, Gatlin could do it.” He frowned. “Not a good idea. Roxy would be in trouble.”
“You’d hear no complaints from me,” Reid mumbled. “I’m sure the mutt would be more agreeable following a lobotomy.” She turned the instrument over and grasped the handle. “Lighter than it looks.”
Lukas took the drill back, polishing the stainless-steel tool before placing it into a custom case. “I’ve equipped it with a sterile 16mm bit. The retractable tip will keep it contaminate-free.”
“And the procedure will be performed soon?”
Lukas ignored the question. “I started Briar on a daily regimen of neuro protectants last week to prevent disruption to the blood-brain barrier when the skull is perforated.”
“That didn’t answer my question.”
Lukas stepped away, locking the silver case into the implement vault.
“Lukas?”
He turned from the safe to find himself nearly nose to nose with Reid. He tensed, hoping she wouldn’t embarrass herself by offering more unwanted advances.
She sighed and tilted her head. “So, you have some kind of hang up about administering the abstergent to Briar. I get that. But waiting is dangerous. You have to go through with the project as planned. Schedule the neurosurgeon—or grant me the authority to do so.” Her green eyes skipped back and forth, gazing into one of his eyes, then the other. “Today.”
Lukas’s blood simmered. “I developed the abstergent, and I will see that it is administered when the time is right.” He thumped his index finger against his chest. “Me. Not you, not my brother, and not my father.”
“I’m well aware you are the creator of the all-mighty Stone’s Abstergent. Just as I am aware I am nothing but a lowly laboratory technologist—your assistant. But I’m wondering if you’ve forgotten what—make that who—is at stake here. Briar’s birthday is three days away. Three days. As precious as she is to you, I can’t understand why you are dragging your feet when it comes to injecting her with abstergent. If you wait, she will end up in the ARC. And we both know what happens inside those walls. Is that what you want? For Briar to be probed? Experimented on? For her to end up some zombie with drool on her chin? Or worse?”
“Not you, too.” Lukas shook his head at the ceiling. “With your level of education, I thought you’d be above believing old wives tales.”
She offered a stiff shrug. “Most rumors contain a kernel of truth.”
“With the level of security surrounding the ARC, and the credentials required to get within a mile of the place, it’s ludicrous to believe that Frankenstein nonsense.”
“Perhaps I’m a superstitious nitwit. Briar will soon find out. You and I will never truly know.” She let out a wistful sigh. “All that aside, people are getting anxious, Lukas. Are you planning to put off the procedure until the serum spoils? Hasn’t it neared the end of its shelf life? Think of all the wasted funds and resources. Investors will be furious—especially your father. It won’t look good for your mother either, working to become a congresswoman while her son squanders time and money.”
“Enough.” Lukas sliced a trembling hand through the air. He knew how Jekyll felt as he’d morphed into Hyde. “Again, I will offer the explanation not owed to you.” He struggled to hold his voice steady. “According to policy and procedure, I cannot inject the subject with abstergent until the antidote is complete. Perfecting the formula has turned out to be more complicated than I anticipated.”
Reid nodded. “Policy and procedure. Can’t go against the handbook.” She tapped her chin. “Hmm. If only we knew who penned the protocol, we could explain the situation and maybe have the rules amended. Oh, wait. I remember who wrote it. You did.” She marched to the door, slamming it behind her.
Lukas chewed the inside of his cheek. Could Reid be right? And Father? Was there a nugget of truth buried inside the farfetched rumors about the ARC? Maybe he should do some online investigating.
He walked to the counter, picked up the flexpane, and smoothed the creases from the surface. In the search bar, he typed Alternative Research Center, Fleetwood, Montana—then cleared it out before it generated results. Searching for propaganda about the ARC would make him exactly like the people he despised—tale bearers who believed everything they heard. This was the age of progressivism. People didn’t experiment on other people—or even on animals. And they certainly didn’t chop up brains.
The thought was absolutely barbaric. He wouldn’t get caught up in superstitious nonsense. Neither would he let Reid whip him into a paranoid frenzy. Briar’s birthday was still three days away. He still had time.
A slow smile lifted the corners of his mouth. But first, to put the finishing touches on a birthday surprise he’d cooked up with Derby. He cleared the pane’s history and left the equipment room to search for his friend.
17
Thankful for the darkness, Briar pressed her lips together, only to have them split apart again.
She couldn’t recall ever having such a stubborn grin. “So, where did you say we’re going?”
“I didn’t.” Lukas glanced her direction then returned his attention to the road. “Not the first, fifth, or tenth time you asked.”
“Looks like we’re in the middle of nowhere.”
“I can turn the car around and take you back to the lab, if you prefer.”
“No, no. That won’t be necessary. I’m enjoying the ride.” She flexed her toes, unable to believe how light her leg felt without the shackle. It didn’t really matter where he was taking her. She was free for the time being—and loving it.
Lukas turned the steering wheel, his high beams splashing onto the empty, neglected parking lot of what appeared to be an abandoned building. “Here we are.” He cut the lights.
She squinted, trying to make out a figure bustling around a large shadowy object. Suddenly, flames erupted. Her heart leapt as Lukas exited the car, the briefly opened door letting in the loud hum of a motor. What in the world was going on?
He circled the vehicle and opened her door. “Come with me,” he shouted above the noise.
She took his outstretched hand. He led her in the direction of the motor, toward the bustling man and the flames. Her eyes and mouth grew wide as she recognized Derby and the realization of what she was seeing dawned on her. Derby was inflating a hot air balloon—in the dark.
“What’s this about?” She was breathless. Lukas couldn’t have heard her over the continuous roar.
“Happy birthday!” he shouted, sweeping an arm toward the balloon. “You’re going up!”
He must be joking. “Haha, very funny. Birthday prank.”
He grinned. “I’ll be right back.” He jogged to his car, turned on the headlights, and steered in Derby’s direction. Pulling closer, he spotlighted the balloon and got out, leaving the lights on.
Briar’s heart filled and turned upright, simultaneous with the balloon.
Derby turned off the giant fan motor, leaving her ears ringing. “She’s ready to rise.”
Lukas gazed at Briar. “Yes, I believe she is.”
This couldn’t be happening. She was still back at the lab asleep. She had to be. “Are you serious?” Briar yelled, forgetting Derby had cut the motor. Her voice echoed through the isolated parking lot.
“Serious as a functioning Agathus.” Lukas offered her a wink.
“Funny.” She tried to glare at him, but the unshakable grin was back.
Lukas scanned the sky. “Sunrise will be at seven. The weather will be cool and clear with a south wind at eight miles per hour—perfect day for ballooning. But the high will only be forty-six degrees, so you’ll need to keep your jacket on.”
“Wow. Somebody really did their homework.”
“Actually, Derby did the homework—all the work, actually. I just told him the date and time. Fortunately for me, the weather is supposed to cooperate.”
Briar raised an eyebrow. “Perhaps there was some divine intervention.”
He grinned, white teeth flashing in the glow of the headlights. “I won’t argue with you on your birthday.”
She gave a single nod. “Good.”
“I have to get back to the lab. Derby will take it from here.”
Briar frowned. “What—you mean you’re not going?” She didn’t have to try hard to sound disappointed, though she realized he’d prefer to spend his morning in a pit of vipers than a hot air balloon.
“Not on your life.” He gave a small jump and planted his feet against the concrete. “That’s as high in the air as you’ll ever see me. Besides, I want to get back before Reid wakes, to cover our tracks.” He gestured to Derby. “I leave you in good hands.”
She stepped closer. “Thank you, Lukas, for all of this. It’s a dream come true.” She pulled to her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
He turned to look at her. “Happy birthday.”
Briar drew in a breath and held it. With his words, he’d wished her a happy birthday. But his eyes wished something else—something vital that pumped through her heart and rushed through her veins.
He smiled and turned away, patting Derby on the back as he walked to his car.
A longing she’d never known threatened to overtake her, tempting her to run straight past the hot air balloon and into his arms. Forget spending the morning in the clouds with Derby. She would rather spend it watching the sunrise with her head on Lukas’s shoulder.
She pushed the breath from her lungs. No. That was ridiculous. He’d gone to all this trouble for her. She craned her neck, taking in the massive balloon. The ride would be incredible. A beautiful farewell to her Agathi. The glorious and final sendoff for her soul.
Would Lukas do it as soon as she returned? Would he be waiting for her at the lab, syringe in hand, neurosurgeon by his side? And there would be Reid, front and center, smirking hard enough to make her face stick that way.
“You ready, Miss Briar?”
Derby’s words jarred her back to her senses. She nodded quickly and smiled. “I thought you’d never ask.”
“I’m going to give you a little boost into the gondola.”
“Gondola? Is that a fancy word for basket?”
Derby chuckled. “Yep.”
She tiptoed next to the gondola and gripped the edge. Derby helped her inside and climbed in after. “She’s going to make some noise.” After stretching on a pair of gloves with leather patches on the palms and fingers, he reached overhead and pulled the trigger of a blow torch, blasting fresh fire into the balloon.
Briar’s stomach leapt as the basket lifted from the earth. She’d expected a tingly feeling she’d read about, similar to a rising elevator or an ascending airplane. This was neither.
Silence enveloped the basket as Derby let off the trigger. A sensation unlike any she’d experienced, stole her away. She closed her eyes, surrendering herself to the dawn-kissed sky.
“Nice, isn’t it?”
Nice? She opened her eyes. Nice is how a person described the clerk at the grocery store, or maybe the weather. Not this. She lowered her gaze to Derby’s truck, now visible in the approaching daybreak. “It’s phenomenal,” she whispered. Mesmerized, she watched the truck slowly shrink to the size of a child’s toy. Peace settled over her, so foreign she almost didn’t recognize it.
She jerked, the loud hiss of the torch startling her as Derby squeezed the trigger. Poor guy, she’d nearly forgotten he was there. Enthralled by the brilliant golds and pinks of the sunrise, she hadn’t said a word in ages.
“Pretty smart of Lukas, putting the Stone Labs logo on a hot air balloon. Good publicity. I’m sure everyone stops to stare when you float by.”
“No logo today. We’re incognito. The envelope’s a loaner, it just happens to be a similar shade of red. The Stone Labs balloon is being recoated. It’s a good idea to have that done once in a while. Keeps the fabric from becoming too porous and prevents rips. The process will cost Lukas a heavy chunk of change, though.”
“Guess it’s worth it, if it keeps his balloon in the air.”
Derby chuckled. “Yeah. Spends all that money to ensure the balloon he’ll never, ever step foot in stays in tip-top shape. That Lukas is one of a kind.”
“He sure is.” Briar closed her eyes again, unable to believe a captive could feel so free.
~*~
Lukas unlocked the door and stepped inside. He stood still for a moment. Good. Everything was quiet inside the lab.
He glanced at his cuff. 7:30 a.m. Reid wouldn’t be up for another half hour. Last night he’d told her he would be performing Briar’s final tests this morning, tests that required Briar to be asleep. As a precaution, he’d assigned Reid to another area of the lab for the day. She was to work in the data room compiling a detailed report for his father—far away from where he and Briar would be working. Under no circumstances were he and Briar to be disturbed.
Reid had said she was relieved, making some adolescent comment about being glad she didn�
�t have to look at Briar all day. He’d wanted to fire back with a few pre-pubescent insults of his own, but decided it wasn’t worth the fallout. Not today.
Lukas stepped lightly down the hallway to his office and locked the door. He glanced at the hot air balloon picture on the wall, thrilled at how pleased Briar had been at daybreak. He imagined her floating through the sky, the morning sunlight in her hair. He wished he could have stayed to watch her expressions change as she went up. At this moment, Derby Jenkins was the luckiest guy in the world.
Lukas doused the tiny ember of jealousy before it could smolder. Perhaps he should have put his own fears aside and hopped into the gondola with her—after he’d taken a strong sedative, of course.
Who was he kidding? His fear of heights was severe. The thought of flying—or floating, made him sick to his stomach.
He turned from the picture. Just as well. He’d needed to return to the lab, anyway. To make sure Reid didn’t become suspicious.
He unlocked his third desk drawer and slid out a small packet. Briar’s fleshcard. Exactly where he’d left it—without Reid’s knowledge.
He slipped the small package into his left jacket pocket. Briar’s ankle monitor was in his right, and the GPS receiver was in the front pocket of his slacks. He felt like some kind of secret agent. Stirred, not shaken… Or maybe he had that backwards.
He frowned, not sure where to place the items. He wanted the equipment far from Reid’s reach. For all he knew, her hair pins could jimmy those wimpy desk locks in a flash. He could imagine Reid as a secret agent as easily as he could fancy himself one. More easily. Oversized sunglasses and whispered cuffphone conversations were part of her daily routine. Agent Reid. Double-Oh-No-I-Broke-A-Nail.
Reid had keys to every door in the lab, except to the apartments. She only had a key to her own. However, Lukas had keys to those as well. He locked his office and stepped lightly down the hallway, a safe hiding place in mind for Briar’s equipment. He’d conceal it in her room.
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