by Marie Harte
He cleared his throat. “Look, it’s no secret I’m new to dude-on-dude action.” Eli ran a hand through his hair, needing a cut soon. He liked it super short, but since becoming Circ, the stuff grew out fast. “And the whole everybody-together scene took a little getting used to, but I like it.” He grinned, trying to hide how uncomfortable it was to have so little control when that thing inside him wanted sex. How strange to find himself belonging with the others, accepted for himself when he’d always lived on the outside, protected in his isolation.
But not anymore. He had a weird kind of family now.
Alex nodded. His expression soft, compassionate. The bastard.
Eli continued to talk, unable to help himself. “But her… She’s different.” They both looked at Kennedy. “I can’t explain it, but I’m sensing you and she connected on another level. And she did something to me too.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Nothing too freaky other than getting me off.” Yeah, Alex didn’t look too pleased at the mention. Not like he had any room to judge. It wasn’t like the guy and Kennedy were married or anything. Yet Alex seemed a little jealous, and even Gideon didn’t act that way with Bailey.
Eli understood the emotion, though he didn’t feel that way about Kennedy. No, he felt a little possessive himself. About Alex. Shit.
Eli growled. “It’s like we’re all together now. You, me, and her. And she’s not really pack.” Not until Gideon okayed it, which still stuck in his craw.
Eli was his own man, his own boss. But now every damn thing had to go though Gideon first. What made it worse, he kind of liked having the structure of a hierarchy. Gideon led with Bailey beside him, keeping the team at ease by regulating their emotions when they grew too aggressive. And when the other guys felt easier, so did Eli.
He liked that Kennedy felt safe enough to sleep with them in the room. That she’d trusted enough to take Alex and Eli into her body. Oh man. So much for just having an awesome lay. Now he had…feelings.
Alex frowned. “You feel her, don’t you? In here?” He tapped his chest.
Eli gave him a glum, “Yeah.”
“Hmm. I thought that was just me.”
Eli shook his head. “You need to tell Gideon about this. Maybe she’s fuckin’ with us. She’s a telepath, right? She could be feeding you some BS about bonding or making you think you want her.” Eli glanced at her, then away. “Although she is beautiful. Not a hardship to get with her.”
“I know.”
Great, now Alex looked worried.
Tired of it all, Eli settled back on the bed, having passed the torch of anxiety. He hated dealing with this kind of shit. “She’s your problem. You worry about her. I’m catching some z’s.”
“Yeah, yeah. Because it’s not like you slept earlier. What are you, a cat?” Alex glared at him for a moment, then shook his head and moved to Kennedy’s side. He slid into bed with her, their scents mingling, overlapping. A mated pair, Eli’s beast thought with contentment. Another member to strengthen their pack and make more Circs.
Eli rolled his eyes. Oh yeah, he could just see Alex loving that idea. Knocking up the new chick who might or might not be working with the enemy.
Letting his buddy deal with the mess, Eli closed his eyes. Time to conserve his strength for when the shit really hit the fan. Because he had a feeling Lang’s Circs would want their girl back, and Kennedy didn’t seem all that keen on returning.
******
Edwin stared at the B series, minus Caldane, who was still undergoing a new therapy, one that would hopefully bring his more animalistic tendencies under better control.
Myers and Yates sparred with each other while Sheer watched, a smirk on his face. Then again, Sheer always wore that expression, as if he knew a secret no one else did.
Next to Edwin, Duane made notes, taking readings from the nodes attached to the three Circs.
“I upped their dosage, as you said, sir.” Duane continued to type into his laptop. Average in height, appearance, and manner, on the surface, Duane Smith appeared no better than Edwin’s errand boy.
But that subservient nature masked a sadist and brilliant mind. A microbiologist by trade, he’d attracted Edwin’s attention over a decade ago during a lecture he’d been giving. Duane’s questions had been insightful, and much more broad thinking than his more pedestrian classmates.
Yes, Edwin had done well to take Duane into his confidences. He had so few people he could trust. Granted, the money they’d appropriated from their last benefactor had made it easy to buy loyalty, but that loyalty only lasted until someone else paid better.
Not with Duane. Edwin’s assistant had seduced and then served as a spy in Amelia Norton’s camp. He still held Ted Norton’s, Amelia’s father’s, trust, surprisingly. So while the ex-senator continued to push his agenda to find out who had killed Amelia, Duane fed him information leading to the suspicion that the murders and mismanagement of funds had come from rogue Circs. Not from Edwin.
Though ninety million dollars was a lot of money to go missing, to a billionaire oil tycoon like Norton who had people to manage his money, that ninety million could easily be made to seem as if in another account of his. His accountants continued to try to straighten out the mess, taking a long time and moving things around at Edwin’s request. Again, a case of money buying services he would otherwise not be able to afford.
Edwin studied the Circs, not pleased at the slowness of their reactions as compared to the mutants he’d been tinkering with. “It’s unfortunate that the serum so degrades the mutants’ mental processes. Their speed, endurance, and strength is remarkable. Yet the Circs we have that can withstand the serum without it rewiring their brains tend to be a step too slow.”
“Yes.” Duane paused in his typing. “But according to these readouts, Myers and Yates have gotten faster. In fact, Myers is outperforming both Yates and Sheer. Looking over his last test results, you’ll see that his mitochondrial output has increased. His ATP production is twice as high as Sheer’s.”
“And what is his accelerated growth in comparison to Caldane’s?” Excited at the thought that Caldane had contributed to Myer’s physical progression, to know he hadn’t in fact made a mistake in letting Caldane live, Edwin felt renewed hope.
Duane looked up the data and beamed. “It’s close, sir. Caldane’s mutated DNA had the effect you were hoping for.”
“Yes.” He watched Myers roar at Yates, then come in for the attack. To no one’s surprise, though, Yates outmaneuvered him, pulling Sheer into the fight.
Though Myers had more muscle and power, Yates’s brainpower continued to prove the factor that contributed to his victories. Involving Sheer made sense, because Sheer didn’t tolerate anyone overcoming him. Something in the male’s psyche had turned him into the monster he was today, and it had to do with sex, violence, and being muscled from behind.
Edwin imagined a sexual assault of some kind when Sheer had been in a more youthful state of his development.
Which made him think…
He ignored the sudden change in hormone levels and aggression in the Circs. Duane watched with fascination as Yates and Sheer ganged up on Myers, always tempted by harm done to others.
A weakness, but Duane was allowed his frailties. Especially since Edwin capitalized on them to his gain.
“I’ll be back in a bit, Duane. Keep an eye on them and run the next series of tests, hmm?”
“Yes, sir.”
Edwin left him and went in search of the Level 4 subjects. He despised the fact they had to work in this modified environment, but since the laboratory’s security had been compromised with the escape of Kennedy Knight, he’d had no choice.
Now working in a secondary location on a deserted ranch, he had no worry of passersby or witnesses to his particular brand of science. A front company owned the fifty acres of land, and the makeshift lab served well as a temporary setup.
Yet one more reason to wipe the A series from existence. They continued to make pr
oblems when Edwin had enough to do just keeping his work in order.
He found the females in their respective rooms, paired with Circs packs that had much less power than this earlier series, yet the females seemed to balance them in a way that created a healthy environment. Of the four remaining psychics not counting Charlotte, whom he kept sequestered since he needed her mind intact more than he needed her effect on his Circs, the females seemed to have adjusted fairly well.
None of them seemed pleased about their pairings, except for Nivia. And he attributed her acquiescence with the brain damage she’d suffered when put in with the B series. Back when he’d tried to keep Caldane with the group. Unfortunately, Caldane had a negative impact on Sheer, causing the pyrokinetic to turn wilder and angrier. His rages had become dangerous.
Caldane and Sheer had used Nivia a little too hard. The same force that had altered Myers had destroyed something vital in Nivia she’d never get back. Even her telekinetic powers had weakened. But she still served a purpose. Even now she was breeding, and she satisfied the team currently taking their turns with her. Keeping them stable and useful. A good fit.
He checked on the women, pleased at their progress. The Circs continued to mate, less with each other and more with the females. Procreating to satisfy a need to continue the species. Another female was pregnant as well. So at least he had success in one area of research. He’d take the subjects back to the main laboratory on the island soon enough.
But in the meantime, he needed information from Charlotte. A glimpse into the future he knew she’d provide—if she wanted to remain safely out of reach from the monsters who wanted a bite of her.
Ten minutes later, he left her with a satisfied smile. He knew exactly how to get Kennedy back, Palmer once again under his thumb, and finally rid himself of the A series once and for all.
And now, time for lunch.
Chapter Eight
ALEX DIDN’T KNOW what he expected. Lang was too smart to have stuck around after Kennedy’s escape.
He glared at the dashboard while Eli drove them to meet the others. Kennedy remained quiet in the backseat. She hadn’t done more than blush and stammer since she’d woken that morning, as if she wanted nothing to do with him anymore.
His beast didn’t like it, but it still had her close, so it let Alex deal with messy human emotions.
“We knew it wouldn’t be easy,” Eli said. He glanced at the rearview, keeping an eye on Kennedy.
Alex wanted to yell at him to watch the road. He didn’t. Because he had no business being so overbearing when it came to Kennedy. She’d had sex with both of them of her own free will. No one had forced her. And she’d had no problem being with Eli.
As much as he liked that she’d wanted them both, a part of him didn’t like it. And that confused the hell out of him.
Eli sighed. He’d been doing that a lot that morning. Alex growled.
Behind him, he felt Kennedy stiffen. He couldn’t explain it, but he was so attuned to her scent, sounds, and the sight of her, any action on her part drew his attention.
He forced himself to relax and turned on the radio.
They met up with Gideon and the others at the hotel. As Eli parked among the Mercedes, BMWs, and sports cars in the underground garage, Alex looked behind him and scented worry coming off Kennedy in waves.
Eli met his gaze and shrugged.
Alex huffed. “I’m still not sure it was a great idea to stay in such a public place. I don’t care how often we use the service elevator, their security knows we’re here.”
“Yeah, and Carter is using their security to keep us in the clear. It’s a piggyback that works.” Eli grinned. “Plus, I like my comfy bed. The one last night sucked. After not having money my whole life, I’m down with living in luxury. Even all this—” he motioned to himself “—isn’t too big a price to pay.” He laughed then left the vehicle after tossing Alex the keys. “I’m heading up. Meet you in a few.” He glanced pointedly at Kennedy and walked away.
Alex left the vehicle only to join Kennedy in the backseat. She shied away from him. “Okay, let’s talk.” He kept his voice soft, not wanting to alarm her. Well, not more than she was already freaked out.
She blinked at him, and tears pooled in her eyes.
“Aw, honey. What’s wrong?”
She burst into tears, and he did what he’d always done when Katie was sad. He took Kennedy in his arms and hugged her.
“It’s okay, baby. You’re okay. I’ll keep you safe.” He rocked her until she stopped sobbing. Then he pulled her into his lap, pleased to feel her fit so easily in his arms.
She gave a shuddering sob. “I’m s-sorry. That’s been building for a wh-while.”
He smiled over her head, tucking her face into his shoulder. “You earned it. Dealing with Eli is only slightly better than dealing with Lang.”
She laughed and hiccupped, but no more crying.
He let her pull back and wipe her eyes, thinking she looked even more beautiful after having been sad. The woman was gorgeous.
“I know. I’m an ugly crier.” She sighed. “God, this is so messed up. It just really hit me this morning.” Her face turned pink.
He knew she had to be recalling last night’s marathon sex.
“You have nothing to be sorry about with me. Or Eli.” He paused, thinking. “Kennedy, how long have you been Circ?”
She blew out a breath. “What time is it?” She gave a sad laugh. “I was changing, gradually, for a while. Maybe two months, maybe less. But then I was injected with something yesterday, something that put it all together, I guess. I’ve never been like…this…until you.”
“Oh man.” He stroked her cheek, understanding so much more now. “It’s a lot to take in. But you’re not human anymore, baby. You’re Circ. That means you’ll want a lot of sex. And you’ll become different, more.” He held his hand before her and let his claws out. “See? We’re aggressive. We like to fight, and we like to fuck,” he said bluntly. “It’s just who we are now. You might get fangs too. Bailey has ‘em. And your skin can harden if you focus. Well, some of the guys do it automatically. It’s a defensive mechanism.”
She stared at him, wide-eyed. “I saw some of that at the labs. But, can I see yours?”
It took him a moment, then he curled his lip and let his fangs down.
She fingered one, and then she pushed up, impaling her thumb on the tip. A pinch of blood hit his tongue, and he shuddered. Because it tasted good.
“You like that.”
He couldn’t read what she felt from the blank statement. “Yeah. I guess.” He cleared his throat. “I’m not a vampire.” They both laughed. “Sounds crazy but I mean, the stuff Lang is doing isn’t so much science fiction, is it? He took a bunch of psychics—me and the guys and Bailey—and turned us into fighting machines. We’re different now. This change, it’s permanent.”
He let that sink in before continuing. “It’s a new way of life, Kennedy. I don’t know what you left behind, but you need to know you have a place with us.” He was speaking for the whole of them but didn’t care. Something about her drew him. And it was more than just the physical. She belonged. He couldn’t explain it better than that, even knowing it made little sense.
“What if I don’t want to be with you?”
That hurt. But she was being honest. “Then we’ll make sure you get somewhere you’ll be safe. The thing is, I’m not sure where that might be. You’re different now, and you’ll have different needs. Being with others like us is a safety net of sorts. But you do have a choice, I promise you that.”
She squeezed his hand, still sitting in his lap. “Thank you.”
He couldn’t help it. He leaned forward to plant a gentle kiss on her lips. When his beast wanted to deepen the kiss, Alex pulled back. “Sorry. My beast likes you.”
She sighed. “Mine likes you right back. And…so do I.” Her shy smile made him feel funny inside. “I’m sorry for acting so weird earlier. I’m just…
It’s so different right now. I can’t believe last night happened. Hell, that any of this is happening. I was in those hellish labs for months, but this… It’s a lot to take in.”
“I know. But you’re not alone. All of us were changed against our will. I didn’t know they’d done anything to me at all. I’ve always been a little different. Bailey was the same. They drugged her, and she had no idea. Maybe talking to her will help.”
Because woman to woman might be easier on her.
“Okay.” She didn’t move.
He didn’t want to shake this fragile trust. “I hate to take you off my lap, but if we don’t get moving, Eli will come down here looking for us. Or God forbid, Carter.” He grinned, thinking of his giant blond friend and his attempts at humor.
Kennedy shifted off him and left the vehicle.
He joined her and locked up after them. “Stick by me and it’ll all be okay.”
She grabbed his hand and held on, and despite the shitty situation that had led her to them, Alex loved holding her. He squeezed, let his beast cover her in his scent, and felt her relax.
And everything was right with the world.
Kennedy grew more nervous as they approached the seventh floor. Being near Alex made her feel safe. And she was no longer so embarrassed about sexing up two strangers all night long. Hearing Alex calmly accept what they’d done, that they were not human and had to play by new rules, made a lot of sense.
At least, now that she could think past her blind panic that her life was over.
And she still had to get Charlie back. So much change in so little time. Though she’d been with the Level 4 project since its inception, it had been a platform she understood. Psychic research done with other real psychics. Finding people who could do the impossible, like her, had been a blessing. She’d made a few friendships she’d treasured. And then her friends had disappeared.