Heart's Prisoner (Dark World Mates Book 1) Read online

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  Lana gasped as she sprung upward from her bed. She stared wide-eyed into the darkness and blinked several times, knowing now she was awake. She untangled her legs from the sheets and dragged her feet over the side, sitting with her back bent forward and her head down. She took long, deep breaths and wiped away the damp hair clinging to her brow. She looked down confused and touched herself between her thighs to find her pajama shorts soaked. Cursing, she flung them off along with her drenched tank and padded over to the bathroom.

  These...nightmares were getting out of hand.

  She turned on the shower and set it to cool then forced herself inside, wincing as the water rushed along her back. She tried not to think of the dream as she cleaned herself up but her mind was too wired and her control was slipping. Images of Xerus stepping out of the cell, coming toward her, had been a regular routine in her sleep. But the moments after were new. And disturbing.

  Lana cursed again and shut her eyes, letting the water pour down her head. Images continued to assault her: Xerus inches from her, his tail sliding up her leg, his devilish hands on her hips, nails digging into her skin, pulling her closer. His tongue slipping out between black fangs and...

  Lana shut the water off and stepped out. Shivering, she turned on the heater and a blast of hot air blew around her. When she was dry enough she shut the heater off and put on a robe, wrapping it tightly around her. She walked back out into her room and went for the computer.

  As soon as she logged on she saw a message from Nicole in response to her email. Lana read it carefully, her expression growing more concerned as she skimmed through the message.

  Lana,

  Thank you for your concern for Dr. Kingsley. I assure you he is under the best of care and his condition is nothing to be worried about. But I thank you dearly for making me aware of the situation regardless. If you happen to notice any other odd occurrences down in twelve please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you!

  Nicole Kingsley

  If it wasn't something to be worried about then why did she want to know about any other odd occurrences on twelve? Something seemed off about the message but Lana couldn't figure what. She closed out the email but didn't move from her desk. Just sat for a long time, staring at nothing.

  When the clock read 6:30 and the lights in her room began to slowly turn on, Lana decided it was time she got ready for the day. As she went about her morning routine, making coffee and warming a bagel then setting out her uniform, she heard the ding on her computer of another message coming through. Lana opened her email and saw it was from Jacob.

  Lana,

  Just wanted to give you a heads-up about the Gala next week. You'll be sitting at my table. I will send you a link with more details. Bring a plus one if you like.

  Jacob Hartin

  Lana logged off her computer and sighed. She'd completely forgotten about the event. The forty-second anniversary of humanity's colonization of space and deep system exploration. The generals were to arrive a few days before. She was so swamped with... everything else she didn't care to remind herself about the gala.

  Quickly she dressed and picked up her ISpad and slipped out the door.

  Once inside the lab, Lana went over to her work desk and logged on to her work computer. She set to her daily tasks, organizing notes and reports, studying up on some more of Xerus' language, readying herself for their next lesson. The lights flashed and a bell rang as one of the doors was opening but Lana was so used to it by now she barely noticed. A moment later the door shut and someone walked passed. She figured it had to be one of the other biologists. Trying to still keep an air of professionalism and politeness, she glanced up to greet them with a smile when she froze, her smile dropping straight into a frown.

  Standing a few feet away was a man she had seen only a few times before. He was a lean, gangly sort of man with sad droopy eyes. If Lana recalled rightly, his name was Jeff and he was one of the few people she had seen going in and out of the unnumbered unit. The one leading to the disease and virus lab.

  What made her freeze was that something was very off about him. For one he was still wearing his hazmat suit. A big safety no-no. Secondly, he was bent forward, dragging his feet as he walked, and his mouth was moving as if he were mumbling to himself but what he was saying she couldn't hear. And thirdly, blood was dripping from his nose.

  Lana watched as Jeff lumbered passed. Watched as he went over to one of the computers and attempted to log in to each of the unit's controls and override the security codes.

  Lana stood up. "Ah, sir, I don't think you are supposed to be going in there."

  The man completely ignored her like he hadn't heard a word she said. He gibbered on and continued pressing buttons.

  Dahlia was working close by and saw him as well. She stood up from her desk and looked over at Lana with just as much confusion. Then she turned and quickly made her way toward the security desk.

  Lana looked back at Jeff and licked her lips. "Sir?" She stepped away from her desk and moved closer. With Jeff's back toward her, Lana lifted her hand to touch his shoulder. When she made contact, Jeff twisted around so quick Lana had to stumble back.

  His face was pale and he blinked several times. He moved his mouth and clicked his tongue but Lana couldn't understand his words. He stepped toward her and Lana backed away.

  As he looked just about ready to lunge at her, Torrence, Galger, and five other guards swarmed around them, guns drawn.

  "That's far enough," Torrence said. Raising his gun to aim at Jeff's head.

  Jeff swayed. He murmured something then turned back to the computer.

  "You aren't authorized to access that computer. Back away," Torrence said. Jeff didn't listen. As he began typing madly. Torrence gestured to the others. "Take him."

  Two guards lowered their weapons and went for the man. They grabbed his arms and pulled him back. Jeff struggled against them and fell to the ground where the two men pinned him in place. One took out a pair of cuffs and locked Jeff's hands behind his back.

  "Take him to the medical bay first. Then to level five," Torrence ordered.

  Lana felt a heavy hand on her shoulder and jumped. "You good?" Officer Galger asked, his other hand with the gun still aiming at the man.

  Lana nodded, stepping back.

  Galger looked her over then dropped his gun. "Let's go," he said to the others. He nodded once to Torrence then led the way as they took Jeff–or rather dragged him–out of the facility.

  Dahlia came back to stand beside Lana as they both watched them go.

  "Jesus," Dahlia whispered. "The things that happen in this place."

  Chapter Twelve

  Lana stood in front of her bathroom mirror fixing her hair for the third time and readjusting her dress. She turned one way and then the other, checking out her bare back and frowning. The dress was nice but a little too revealing for her taste. With straps smaller than her pinky barely hanging on to her shoulders and the front exposing the tops of her breasts in a v-neck pattern, Lana thought she might need to wear a shaw just to feel better covered up. Or maybe should have worn her hair down instead. Thankfully the red chiffon went past her ankles so she didn't have to worry about her legs.

  It wasn't her dress after all. She hadn't even thought to bring one with her when she first came to Lazris. No, it was Nicole who had been kind enough to let her borrow the lovely piece.

  She had only a few simple pieces of jewelry that were her mother's: twin pearl earrings, a gold necklace, and a thin diamond bracelet. They didn't go completely but they would do. She didn't wear make-up too often but decided the occasion probably called for it. She rechecked her lipstick in the mirror when the buzzer at her door went off.

  Stepping over to the pad near the door, she looked at the camera feed and when she saw who it was she opened the door.

  "Lana, hi! Oh, you look wonderful!" Nicole smiled brightly. She wore a gold dress that hugged her legs and sparkled. Her hair,
up just like Lana's, had a sparkly diamond clip in the shape of a star. "I knew that dress would work perfectly for you."

  Lana smiled timidly. "It is lovely. But do you think I should bring a shaw?"

  Nicole waved her hand and shook her head. "Oh, I wouldn't, it won't be cold there in the least and I think you look so elegant without one."

  "Alright, thanks again, Nicole." Lana picked up her small purse from the bedside then followed Nicole into the hall. "You look absolutely stunning as well, by the way, the gold suits you."

  "You think? I've never worn gold before. I'll probably blind people." Nicole laughed.

  "Only because of how brilliant you look," Lana said.

  Nicole thanked her as they made it to the elevators. As they stepped inside and pressed the button for level one, Lana clutched her purse tight and chewed on her lip.

  "Nervous?" Nicole asked.

  "Very." Lana looked over at her. "If I say anything stupid in front of the generals, promise to kick me."

  Nicole laughed. "I don't think you have to worry."

  Lana sighed. "I'm afraid of what the others are going to say too. You know they are going to talk about..."

  Nicole put a hand on her shoulder. "I know. Don't let it get to you, Lana. Remember, no matter what, they promised you they would give Asset X a chance. Just try to enjoy yourself tonight and not think too much about it. I know you're stressing yourself over it."

  Lana closed her eyes and nodded. Of course she was stressing out. They had one more week left. Nicole squeezed her shoulder before releasing her hand as the elevator came to a stop and the doors opened.

  The gala was being held in the very foyer of the city sector. The skylight above had been dimmed down to look like a starry night and the fountain–the center point–glowed with blue lights. Lanterns had been set up all along the walkways and the banners displayed a solid silver color with the Lazris star in the middle.

  As her eyes searched around, Lana noticed the drones were gone. The buzzing and whirring and red lights would probably lessen the effect of the party.

  Nicole took Lana by the hand to not lose her in the throngs of people. Men wore black and white suits and the women wore all variants of colors and styles. It was one of the few times on any given base that military men were allowed to wear something besides their uniform.

  As they passed the fountain, up ahead was a roped-off area of tables reserved for the generals, head officers, and those chosen to sit with them. Ahead of that, at the very end of the massive foyer, was a stage.

  Already people were beginning to take their seats and Lana saw Jacob standing by their table, talking with a red-headed beauty.

  When he turned his head and saw them, he grinned and held up his champagne glass. "Lana!"

  Lana and Nicole approached and he hugged them both then looked them over. "You both look gorgeous. Take a seat we are going to begin soon." Jacob put his hand on the redhead's back and whispered something in her ear and she sauntered back to her table.

  Not long after, several men and a few women joined them. Jacob introduced each of the generals all of which wore badges on their suits. There were four in total including Jacob. Two were older gentlemen in their mid-fifties. The third looked like he was in his early forties. Jacob looked the youngest out of all of them. The older ones looked a bit stoney-eyed and tight-lipped but the forty-year-old–General Holk if she heard correctly–had a friendly smile and demeanor, similar to Jacob's.

  As they settled, Lana tensed as Officer Galger appeared and took a seat at a table opposite her and Nicole, behind General Vearez. A dark-complected woman joining him. His eyes met hers and he winked before shaking hands with the others.

  If she had been a fool, it would have been Lana sitting next to him instead of the woman. But thankfully she turned Galger's offer down a few days ago when she already planned on having Nicole as her plus one.

  "Where is Cole?" Lana asked as she saw the seat that was meant to be his at a table nearby empty. Nicole shifted around and Lana saw her mouth turn down.

  "He's...probably still in the lab. Or running late knowing him."

  Lana noticed Torrence wasn't around either but that one didn't surprise her. He was rarely ever off duty.

  As everyone finally settled, several people took the stage at the front. Lana leaned back but barely listened as they droned on about history she already knew and events she had already seen. They gave out a few congratulatory awards and had a few toasts before dinner was finally served.

  "So, Dr. Hart, Jacob has told us a lot about your work. Impressive," said General Holk as he bit into his salad. "You've been working with this specimen for almost two months and have made considerably more progress than the previous doctors so far I've heard."

  Lana took a sip of water and cleared her throat. "Yes, it's been challenging but I feel I've made good progress."

  "So tell us, Ms. Hart," General Williams asked, leaning forward, "Is it friendly toward you?

  Lana straightened. "Yes, I would say so."

  "And you trust it?" he asked.

  "Yes," Lana said without hesitation.

  The generals nodded as they ate and sipped their champagne.

  "Well, that's a good sign then," said General Williams as he cut into his steak. "I trust then you believe that the incident with the bot was just a bad misunderstanding?"

  She chewed on a sliced golden potato and swallowed before saying, "It was. I assure you such an incident won't happen again."

  General Williams raised his brows and nodded again but said no more.

  "I heard it looks like a cross between a lizard and an insect, that true?" asked General Vearez.

  Lana pursed her lips. "I don't know about insect, but the lizard part...yes."

  The older generals frowned as if they were a bit put off, General Holk seemed fascinated.

  "I read through some of your reports. Is it really as intelligent as you say?" Holk asked.

  "Even more so, General, I believe even more than an average human."

  Somehow the generals seemed even more put off by this.

  "More intelligent than a human?" General Vearez laughed. "Hard to believe if it got itself caught, eh?" he said more to the others than to her.

  Heat rippled in her chest and filled up her neck and face as the others laughed. A memory of her first encounter with Xerus flashed in her head.

  "Didn't you say, General Hartin, that the day it was caught it practically led itself into the trap?" General Vearez asked. "What creature could be that intelligent if it just let itself get taken like that?"

  Wide-eyed, Lana looked to Jacob, who merely shrugged and smiled. "Maybe it just got confused. Even smart-asses like yourself get confused every so often, especially when you're down a few gin and tonics."

  The generals laughed and, as if on cue, took long swigs of their drinks. Lana blinked as if she was confused herself. Jacob had never mentioned before about Xerus' capture. Never mentioned that the alien had given itself up.

  Why? Why would Xerus do such a thing?

  She felt a hand on her knee and when she looked over, Nicole smiled at her assuredly. Lana gave her a quick smile back, but deep inside she wanted to scream.

  As dinner ended and dessert and coffee were being distributed, another spokesperson went to the stage.

  "As a thank you to all of you for your dedication and service to the base, we present to you these special gifts sent here from earth. We know how many of you have been away for a long time and hope this will serve as a reminder of your home and how far we have come. Thank you."

  The gifts were sent round by servers, small blue boxes with the Lazris star engraved on top. When Lana opened hers she found a silver bracelet with two charms dangling from its ends. One of the Lazris star in onyx and one of earth cut from emerald.

  "Ooh so pretty!" Nicole exclaimed. "The green almost matches your eyes, Lana."

  That seemed a bit of an overstatement, but Lana took the compliment.
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  "And looks like the men got watches. How nice," Nicole said. Lana looked over and saw them oohing and ahhing.

  "Here, let me help you put it on," Lana said as she saw Nicole struggling to link the chain around her wrist. Nicole gladly gave her hand up so that Lana could put the bracelet on her.

  "Let me help with yours," Nicole said as she let her bracelet slide down her arm.

  Lana wasn't much of a jewelry person but she allowed Nicole to put it on her. She turned her wrist both ways and pretended to admire it.

  As dessert ended, the music, which had been a soft melody in the background, grew louder, indicating the dance floor was opening just below the stage area. Couples made their way over, hand in hand while others got up to mingle. Nicole found a few of her other friends and introduced them to Lana. They talked for a while until Lana had to excuse herself for the bathroom. When she came out and looked around the vast foyer she couldn't help wondering what Xerus would think of all of it.

  She started to laugh softly to herself as she imagined what it be like to see him in a suit tailored for him (if even possible) walking around, trying not to smack his tail against people's back-sides, complaining it was too packed as he towered over everyone, grumbling as he went. He wouldn't dance even if she begged him. But he would watch her. He'd try one of the wines per her request and end up accidentally shattering the glass in his tight grip. She would have to take him to the bathroom to get cleaned.

  It was an odd fantasy but for whatever reason she let it play out in her head. She looked down at the bracelet on her wrist and fingered the charms, smiling.

  "I tell ya, if I had been on that mission, there's no way that thing would still be around. Sure they were happy to get it alive but, come on, what couldn't you find out just by dissecting it?"

  Lana heard this to her right and spotted Galger and General Vearez talking by a pillar. Quickly she stepped behind it so they wouldn't catch her watching them.

  "I mean, okay sure, they could learn where the fuck the rest of em are and that be good for us, ya know, so if shit hit the fan we could be ready for any kind of war. Blow them out of the water before they got to us or something. But the damage that thing did on 421...shit. Straight terrorist tactics. We've seen it all, sir, let me tell ya."