Kory led us down a short corridor that opened up to a square space—one entire wall covered in clear glass. I stepped closer, my curiosity getting the better of me. I had to know what lay on the other side.
I couldn’t help the gasp that escaped me. It looked like I was staring into an old army hospital wing, with dozens upon dozens of white beds forming straight lines across the floor. Only there were no war soldiers filling the beds, only Polynesian men. Hooked up to IVs. All seeming asleep. I saw no monstrous forms, no bug-like faces, no wings…
“I don’t understand. Are these the ones being changed into Defenders?” I asked.
“They are already Defenders. These are some of the last ones to receive Sammy’s DNA. They’ve all been sedated, in case you’re wondering, so they aren’t in their defender form right at the moment. Once they have completed the process, they will be like Kalepe. Free to roam around and be normal, until they are needed to transform.”
“And then what happens?”
“When I need them, they will be ready,” he said, not really answering my question.
“So they don’t just fly around like us?” I asked, wondering just what these Defenders were really like. Maybe they had less control than what Kory was making it out to seem. Maybe they were a little more like Jaxon after all.
Kory gave me a strange look, and I realized my blunder. “I mean, like you do. And I will soon,” I quickly added.
“No, they don’t,” he said with a tight jaw. His face brightened a bit. “But that part has gotten better, thanks to your contribution from your sister.”
“What do you mean?”
He seemed to hesitate. “Well, one drawback to being a Defender is that they aren’t quite as human as you will be as a damsel. Or what you see me as now.”
“Less human, how?” I loved that as Jocelyn, I got to ask questions without him getting suspicious.
“You and I still look like ourselves—are roughly the same shape and size. Defenders get much larger. Their wings are different. Their faces are… not quite the same.”
So in other words, I wanted to say, they are every bit the monster Jaxon is.
I stared out the glass, getting a rough estimate of how many beds there were. Three rows of twelve. Makes thirty-six. Thirty-six bugs. I wanted to puke.
“So Kalepe and the rest of the islanders are already Defenders, just not in their form then?”
Kory nodded.
“So how many are there total?”
“Kalepe was part of the first batch. I only did it to twelve with him. Wanted to make sure it’d work and have no adverse reactions. When I saw how well it worked, we set up this room. I think we’ve filled it three times now already.”
Three times thirty-six, plus twelve. My head was spinning. There were over a hundred bugs! How many more did he plan to change? Time to find out.
“You said these aren’t the last ones. How many more do you need to change?”
“There are still twenty more Defenders I need to give Sammy’s DNA to. They will be next in here, after these guys are done. Then everyone will be back to normal.” Normal. Ha. Hardly. “Can I see them?”
“Who?” he asked.
“The ones you haven’t given Sammy’s DNA too, yet. You said it made a big difference. Just wanted to know what they were like.” I pointed out the glass. “Before this.”
Kory’s lips hitched to the side. “I was planning on showing you, but now I’m not so sure.” “How come?” I turned to face him.
“I don’t want to freak you out since they are very different from what you’ll become.”
“Are you worried that I’ll change my mind?” I tried to give him a reassuring smile. Really, I was dying to see these raw Defenders. Were they more like Jaxon? Because what I’d seen of Kalepe, he seemed a lot more in control of his inner demon. Did my DNA really make the difference? If it did, why hadn’t it worked on Jaxon? I more than remembered how he’d already sampled my blood, deep within his cave.
I tried not to shudder at that memory and took a step closer to Kory, hating I had to reach out and caress the face I wanted to slap. “Nothing could change my mind. I want to understand the world I’m going to be part of, that’s all.”
Kory leaned into my hand and kissed it. Ugh…
“Okay. But promise me that you won’t freak out, kay?”
“You have my word.”
He pulled my hand down from his lips and led us from the room, back into the corridor. This time, we veered to the right. A few paces down, he stopped and turned toward a metal door. It seemed out of place, since the rest of the doors in the place had been made out of wood.
Seeming like he came out of nowhere, Kalepe was suddenly standing behind us. Sweat beaded on his forehead, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. Did he run here?
“Didn’t want you going in alone, just in case,” Kalepe explained quickly, swiping his forehead with a handkerchief.
Not noticing any pockets in his lavalava, I wondered where the cloth had even come from. When he tucked one edge of it in at the side of his clothes, my question was answered. Seeing how tight Kalepe’s muscles were at the moment, the danger of the situation weighed down on me. Twenty bugs were on the other side of this door. Maybe I will be seeing Kalepe in his Defender form after all.
“Thanks, Kalepe, but I’m sure we will be just fine.” Kory proceeded to pull a key from his pocket. With a few twists, he unlocked the door.
He pushed it open, and I sucked in my breath. Here goes nothing.
Even expecting to see a barrier between the Defenders and us, I was still shocked at the cell-like cages before me, two rows of ten, with a narrow walkway between them. Within the barred-up up cages, monstrous, brown, winged bodies lay sprawled out. Most appeared to be asleep or resting. Some gazed about with boredom. One look at their oversized heads and bulging, black eyes caused adrenaline to tingle through me. It was unearthly quiet.
Kalepe wasted no time and stepped further into the room, between the cages. The Defenders stared back at him with little interest. Kory pulled me in as well, licking his lips and fidgeting with my fingers. For all his show of bravado, the way his eyes darted to the cages and back at me, I could tell he wasn’t as comfortable in this room as his comrade was.
I squared my shoulders, telling myself there was nothing to be scared of. They were all in cages after all. I’d passed the first few when Defender heads began popping up. Necks turned my way. One by one, their nasty black eyes honed in on me.
I gulped back the panic. It was like seeing twenty Jaxon’s, only bigger, blacker, and with even more fanged teeth. Almost in unison, heads reared back and a fever-pitched roar ripped through the room. Instantly, the Defenders were on their feet, grasping through the bars with clawed hands, all trying to reach me.
Kory jumped back immediately, pulling me back with him, cursing as we went.
Kalepe doubled back too, muttering, “Wow, wonder what’s got them all fired up today?”
I had a hunch I knew what it was. Sensing the bugs’ lust for me, I didn’t protest as Kory led us out of the room and back into the corridor. I hadn’t realized how badly I was shaking until he wrapped his arms around me. I caught the funny look he tried to hide when I met his gaze.
“I’m sorry, Jocelyn. They don’t usually act like that.”
I wanted to say, Wanna bet? Instead, I said, “I’m fine. It was just a little freaky, that’s all.”
“It was freaky,” Kalepe confirmed as he joined us. “They are settling down now, sir.”
Kory nodded back. “Good. We’re going to my hut to rest before tonight’s activities.”
“Good idea, sir. I will stay here and make sure they all calm down.” Kalepe rubbed the back of his neck. “It will be good when this is all over. Nice to have my friends back again.”
I stared at him, realizing how true his statement was. Those weren’t just monsters to Kalepe. Just like Blake with Jaxon, Kalepe was anxious for his f
riends to overcome the beast within them.
Kory cleared his throat. “I hear you there, Kalepe. But thanks to Jocelyn here, we are that much closer to the end.”
Thanks to Sammy, you mean. Now, I just need to figure out what the heck she did.
Chapter 32
As the light of day faded, the small hut Kory called home darkened. He rose up from the hammock bed we’d been resting in. Luckily for me, he hadn’t pushed too much more than kissing. The way his eyes kept darting to me, questions forming but dying on his lips, I hoped the deepening frown on his lips meant he was truly concerned over my sister’s welfare. Not that he’d become suspicious of me somehow.
Kory lit several kerosene lamps with his back toward me. “The electricity here is spotty. Best to always have a few of these handy.”
“This island is gorgeous, but it’s pretty remote. Seems like hardly any electricity would make it harder for your operations.”
He turned around, bringing his lamp with him, the light bouncing crazy shadows off his face.
“We don’t need as much technology as you think. Once the serum was perfected, the actual process of administering it is pretty straightforward. Just need some beds and IVs. And a backup generator in case the power shorts out.”
“So how did you perfect the serum? You didn’t do it here, then?”
One brow shot up before he sat down next to me, laying a heavy hand across my stomach. “Why the question all of a sudden? You never wanted to know about this stuff before.”
“I don’t know. I guess being here makes it all so real. Since I’m about to take the plunge, I want to know more.” I prayed he’d buy my reasoning.
He stared at me for a minute, and then slowly grinned. “Don’t get me wrong, I like you wanting to know more about what I’ve created.” He dropped down to let his lips brush against mine.
I suppressed my gag reflex. You’ve created something you don’t know how to control, Kory, I wanted to shout at him.
“So tell me more about it,” I urged, trying to escape his lips.
“Well…” He leaned back a bit to my relief. “I didn’t do it alone. I had some help from amazing scientists. I have to be honest; they had a lot more to do with the actual developmental phase. I simply brought them the original bug DNA I’d gotten before.” I said nothing at his slip in terms, calling his precious Defenders bugs. It was the bug he and Blake had killed.
“I’d done one test before, and it… didn’t go as planned,” Kory continued.
Yeah, no kidding. Poor Jaxon.
“So, I recruited some experts to make sure that didn’t happen again. You get to meet them soon, at tonight’s party.”
The missing ancients and Kate? I sat up a little. “Oh good. When does the party start?”
“We could head down to the beach now, if you’re feeling up to it. Shouldn’t be too long until the food is ready.”
“Great. Let’s go,” I said, jumping to my feet, pushing past Kory, who laughed at my eagerness. “I’m starving.”
Before I could get too far, he wrapped his arms around me from behind. Kissing the back of my neck, he murmured, “I must say, Jocelyn, you’re like a different person here. I think the island brings out the best in you.”
I shrugged off the pang of guilt, knowing Kory believed me to be my sister. I forced a laugh. “Thanks, I think.” Grabbing his hand, I pulled him forward. “Come on, all that island food’s calling my name.”
He chuckled. “Since when has food called your name? Normally, I can hardly get you to eat anything.”
I swallowed hard, realizing how right he was. Jocelyn wouldn’t be clamoring to get to dinner. “Um… since I know I can stop dieting for good once I get that shot,” I said with a grin.
He stared at me, and then relented. “You’re right, there.”
He led us out of the hut, while my mind focused on one thing—find out how involved Kate and the ancients were in all this, and then get the heck out of here.
The island was anything but quiet tonight. Torches lit up several paths leading down to the beach, where bonfires were already lit and roaring with life. The evening tide provided the perfect backdrop to the festivities. Tongans were everywhere, mostly male, but I did spy a few women bustling around the food huts lining the beach. I recognized the outdoor cooking ovens Kory had pointed out earlier. The piles of rocks had been removed, leaves cast aside. Long sheets were spread out over the ground, piled high with not only cooked pigs, complete with snout and tail, but also an array of colorful, steaming food. As we passed, I recognized yams, coconuts, and some fish, but I had no idea what most of it was. I just knew it smelled delicious.
Kory pointed at the food. “That purple stuff is taro, tastes like a potato. That green, spinach-looking thing is called Lu Pulu. Its taro leaves with corn beef, onion, and coconut milk inside. I know it sounds strange, but trust me, it’s delicious.”
I nodded back at him. “Sounds great to me. When do we eat?”
He grinned. “Soon, I promise.”
Kalepe suddenly appearing right in front of us made me jump a bit. Amazing how quiet he can be for how huge he is.
“We are ready for you,” he announced, his grin dimpling his cheeks.
“Perfect,” Kory said. “Guess soon is now.”
* * *
-----------------
* * *
If I hadn’t been so distracted by the four ancients, I probably would have enjoyed my dinner a lot more. As it was, the food passed through my mouth hot, delicious, and severely underappreciated. Really, I was dying for Kory to introduce me to them. They stuck out, even with suntans, their creamy complexion a dead giveaway amongst the deep brown of the Tongan. Once everyone had found their seat on the long, spread-out ‘tables,’ I was disappointed to see the scientists were far down the long line, too far to strike up a conversation with them.
The other distraction was trying to find Kate among the feasting group. Even with the torchlights leaving deep shadows, I was fairly confident she just wasn’t here tonight. I wondered why. Maybe she wasn’t here at all; maybe she never had been. Kory had only mentioned scientists helping him. Maybe we were all wrong by thinking Kate had been involved in this in the first place.
After I’d eaten way too much, and my stomach truly refused to hold anymore, I leaned back a little.
Kory glanced over. “Told you that you would love it,” he said contentedly.
“It’s all amazing. I’ve never tasted food so good.”
Kory gestured to what was before us. “This is all in your honor, Jocelyn.”
“Mine. Why mine?”
“For what you did for the Defenders. This entire village wanted to thank you.”
“But it wasn’t me, really. It was my sister’s DNA that made the difference. She should be the one here, receiving the honors.”
Kory shook his head a bit. “I would have invited her if I could’ve, but it’s hard with… Samantha… and all.”
I bit my lip. “I know. I hardly see Sammy at all anymore. Makes me sad.”
“Oh, really? So you’ve forgiven her then?”
Crap. Guess Jocelyn confides in Kory more than I’d thought. “Yes. Well, if we are both going to be part of this strange new world, it seems silly to hold on to a grudge.”
Kory just stared at me. “Okay, who are you? And what did you do with my Jocelyn?” he asked, grinning.
I flushed, stammering to respond. He couldn’t possibly know, could he?
He pulled me into his arms. “Relax, I love the new you. I never thought you’d forgive Sammy, that’s all.”
I went to respond, but someone else had drawn near. “Kory, may I introduce myself to your lovely friend?” the man asked.
My pulse jumped with excitement. Finally! An Ancient! Now, which one are you? Average height and build, a hooked nose, and silver-streaked eyebrows greeted me. His most notable feature by far was the fact that his eyes were flecked with the same brilliant gold that made his w
ings shimmer in the moonlight.
“Of course, of course! Excuse my manners,” Kory said, jumping to his feet. He helped me to mine as well.
“Jocelyn, this is Alek, one of the brilliant scientists I told you about. He helped make this possible.”
Alek grinned and reached for my hand as I made the connection. Alek was with Galina, the woman who’d invited us in for tea and told us her husband would never willingly help Kory. Yet, here he was, pumping my hand with a grin on his face, not chained in some cellar.
“Pleasure to meet you, Alek,” I said. In a moment of compulsiveness, I added, “I think Sammy might have mentioned you in fact.”
Both Kory and Alek’s eyes widened. Kory’s was more a look of surprise, while Alek’s was one of horror. Oh boy, no turning back now.
“Yeah, I think it was you she mentioned. When she told me about the Outskirts. She said she went to see some of the ancients, I think she called them. I could have sworn she’d mentioned you and… Otto, I think it was.” I knew I was taking a huge risk, but there was no turning back now. Time to shake this bag and see what cat fall’s out.
I knew Sammy had left Tonbo’s theater and gone to the Outskirts before she’d come to see Jocelyn. Sure, I didn’t know what Sammy had told Jocelyn when they’d met that day, when Jocelyn had convinced Sammy to give her the DNA she wanted, but Kory didn’t know that. And neither did Alek. This can work, I reassured myself.
“Why yes, that’s correct,” Alek stammered, clearly trying to recover from his earlier shock. “Your sister did come to see me, like you said.” Alek’s words seemed strained, his expression pinched. “It wasn’t long after she’d left me, and the others, that Kory approached us with this opportunity,” Alek finished, giving Kory a glance.
By the way Kory gaped at him, I got the feeling he had no clue about Sammy’s visit with the ancients.
“Wonderful, well, I’m glad you decided to help,” I said, trying to smooth out the little bump I’d thrown at everyone. “From what I’ve seen, it looks like the Defenders are doing great. Hard to believe they are any different from you and me.” I gestured to Kalepe, who smiled back at me. “I mean, except those Defenders I saw today in the cage, that is, they all just look normal to me.” I let my words tumble out, hoping it came across like friendly babble.
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