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

  Lana lowered her eyes, not wanting him to see. She wouldn't dare let him see what she was feeling.

  She was so sure. She had been so sure she and Xerus were...But somehow she had been wrong. That was why she needed to speak with him. She needed to know why.

  "Give me this last moment with him. For everything I did, I would at least say goodbye."

  Jacob bowed his head. "Alright. But after that, Lana, I can do no more. I will give you permission to enter the unit this last time and grant you twenty-fours hours to gather your things within the facility. After that, we will...discuss."

  Lana wanted to hug him but Torrence was still watching. Instead, she let out a relieved breath and gave him a little smile. "Thank you, Jacob, thank you."

  Jacob nodded and turned from her, stepping back over to Torrence. "Officer Torrence you will grant Dr. Hart admittance into unit three one last time." Torrence opened his mouth to protest and Jacob gestured to the door. "That is an order. And she will be granted time to gather her things from the facility before her keycard is deactivated is that clear?"

  Torrence went tight-lipped and silent. He chewed slowly on his gum and nodded his head.

  "Good. Dr. Hart?" Jacob waved her over. Lana came to him and followed him towards the facility door. "If they give you issues, don't hesitate to contact me."

  Lana nodded and thanked him once more before he left. She looked to Torrence whose glare was black and cold.

  "Open the door to unit three, please," Lana said as she walked back over.

  Torrence turned back to his computer and punched in the code for unit three. As the door opened and she began straight for it, she gasped as a hand caught her arm and gripped it tight enough to hurt.

  "You can shove a general's cock in your mouth to get your way for now but that won't work in the long run. Asset X is done for and anything you say won't change that." Torrence let go of her with a shove, making her stumble. "Make it quick. You got fifteen minutes."

  Lana twisted around to shout at him that he couldn't treat her like that but saw the other guards watching, none moving to intervene. Hands curling into fists, she told herself it wasn't worth it and to focus on the time she had left. She turned back without a word and rushed down the way toward Xerus' cell.

  ***

  When the sliding door opened to her and she stepped into the room, the first thing Lana noticed was that the screen was down. The second thing she noticed was Xerus' back facing the window, still as a statue. The third thing she noticed was Galger sitting back in her chair, his gun laid out on the table.

  "What are you doing here?" Lana asked.

  As Galger twisted his head around to look at her, Xerus also raised his head slightly.

  "Ah, Hart, come to join the fun? Me and the big guy here were just having a little chat. Just giving him a little run down of what's to come."

  "Get out," Lana said, stepping away from the door.

  "Now that's not very polite." Galger stood up and stretched then took up his gun. "But I'll give ya a pass since you're clearly having a bad day. Or two or three." Galger laughed. He turned and walked toward her, taking his time. "But, hey, don't go getting yourself worked up, eh?" He raised his hand to her but Lana skirted around it before he could touch her. "Alright, sweetheart, alright. No need for the attitude. I'm gone." He smiled. "Just be careful. Spiney here isn't very happy." He sauntered out of the room.

  As the sliding door closed behind him, the silence took over. Lana stood in place for a moment just watching Xerus in his cell, trying to find the words. The glass was still stained of the chimp's blood, now black in color against the red light.

  Lana made her way to the glass. "Xerus," she said in a near whisper.

  Xerus didn't turn to look at her nor did he respond.

  "Xerus, please talk to me."

  When he still didn't speak, Lana placed her hands on the window, her face almost touching the glass. "Fine...fine. If you won't speak then I will." Her voice grew louder. "I just wanted to say that you are an idiot."

  Xerus bowed his head.

  "You had a chance. You had a chance to be rid of this cage and you chose death. And all for what?" Lana's voice cracked. "All for what? Your mission won't be completed. They will take you from here and torture you and you...you don't care." Lana pounded her fist lightly on the glass. "Damnit, Xerus, just tell me why. Why did you do it." She could feel her vision begin to blur. "I thought we had something. I thought you and I were...I thought I could honestly say I was your...your friend."

  A low sound emanated from Xerus and it took Lana a moment to realize what it was.

  He was laughing.

  "You really thought that...?" He said in a venomous tone. "How stupid of you. How sad really. You humans are just as weak in mind as you are in body."

  Lana stiffened, pulling her hands from the glass. "I don't understand."

  When Xerus twisted around to look at her, Lana let out a sharp gasp. She backed away and felt her heart sink.

  Xerus' eyes were bright with fury and hatred, his lips pulled back in a snarl, showing off his razor teeth, giving him an ominous sort of smile.

  "Look at you. So small. Pathetic. Playing with you was amusing at first I admit, but I'm sick of the whole human interaction now. I'm sick of you."

  Lana shook her head and felt silent tears wet her face. "I don't believe you mean that. I don't believe you."

  Xerus slammed his fist so hard against the glass Lana let out a little shriek in surprise. Little sparks of electricity rippled across the window. Lana froze in place, her arms crossing over her chest. Xerus' breath fogged the glass.

  "Believe it," he hissed. "And if you knew what was good for you, you would leave this place entirely. Leave and never come back. Because when I get out of here I will slaughter every single human I see and I will hunt you down personally. You are nothing to me. Just weak, annoying prey."

  Prey.

  That word was an unexpected trigger and an image, dark and twisted, flashed in her brain.

  You will be perfect. My prey.

  And with no warning at all, Lana became absolutely terrified.

  Tears streamed down her face and her breath came in gasps; her heart pounded like she had been running for miles.

  She couldn't seem to form words though she tried; her head shook back and forth in a continuous movement as if she couldn't stop.

  "No...no," she finally blurted. "You won't get out. You won't do that."

  "I will. Mark me, human. Do you honestly think I can't?" He laughed again. "You honestly think your species could have ever captured me on your own? Just as I said, you think too highly of yourselves. The sphere is thinning and the darkness has arrived. And you're too late to stop it."

  Lana covered her mouth and subconsciously lengthened the distance between them, ready to bolt.

  "I needed to be here. I had to bide my time. But that time is done." Xerus lifted his head, his eyes flashing, searing through her. "And so are you."

  Xerus placed both hands on the window and lowered his head, his horns resting against the glass.

  "Run."

  And Lana did. She flew for the door and let out a cry of relief when it actually opened for her. She sprinted down the hall and nearly pounded on the door to be let out. When the door slid open and there was a large enough gap to slip through, she did so, falling to her knees on the ground just outside the entrance.

  "Close it! Close it now!" she cried.

  For once Torrence complied immediately. The door closed and Lana crawled away, fumbling to her feet.

  "Jesus, what happened? You alright, sweetheart?"

  Galger held her arm to balance her and Lana didn't care that he touched her. She didn't care about anything. She wept in front of them, covering her face with her hands.

  "She's having a panic attack," she heard Torrence say. "Take her up to level six."

  Lana allowed herself to be led out of the facility. Through teary eyes, she saw everyone frozen
in shock as they stared at her. But she didn't care.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Lana sat on the medical bed, staring down at her feet, thinking of everything and nothing. Her phone rested on the table nearby and her eyes flashed over to it but it lay silent. Her eyes dropped back to the ground and she clasped her hands together.

  It had been ten hours now since she'd been taken up to the medical bay and she had slept for three. And only because of the medication they had given her. When she had woken up in a near panic, she had immediately gone to her phone and called to twelve. Asking for Torrence.

  "We are watching him carefully, Ms. Hart. I assure you there's no way he can get out."

  "He said he could," Lana protested. "He said he was going to..."

  "I reviewed the footage, I heard what he said. He just wanted to scare you, Ms. Hart. And he did a good job."

  Lana chewed on her lip and shut her eyes, rubbing her temples. Her throat was still dry and scratched from the sobbing and her nose was still stuffed; her eyes were still a little puffy and dark from tears and lack of sleep.

  "He will be taken care of as soon as we get the go-ahead from the generals," Torrence stated. " Until then I have everything under control. Now worry about yourself."

  "I know Galger plans to torture him. You can't let him do it," Lana said, her hand shaking. "No one should go near him."

  "Ms. Hart–"

  "You said you heard him. He had planned to get captured all along, doesn't that concern you?" Lana nearly yelled.

  "Ms. Hart. He probably said that to, I don't know, spare his ego or something. But as I said he is going to be taken care of soon, regardless. Now I have work to do so, goodbye." The phone went dead and Lana wanted to fling it at the wall. Instead, she dialed for Jacob.

  When he didn't pick up she left a voicemail and waited.

  It had been an hour now and still he hadn't called her back. Rising from her bed she began to pace.

  Her thoughts began to shift back to her and Xerus' final conversation but she forced them away. There was no point dwelling on his words now, save for those that put everyone in danger. She felt the stabbing pain in her chest again but she ignored it as best she could. What was done was done. Maybe she had been a fool all along for trusting him.

  The door to her room opened and Lana stopped to stare at the one who entered.

  "You finally came."

  Nicole barely smiled at her as she closed the door behind her. "I'm so sorry, Lana. Are you–"

  "Please." Lana sat back down on the bed. "Don't finish that sentence."

  Nicole came up to stand before her. "I'm sorry I missed your messages. I really am. I wish..." She shook her head. " A lot has happened in the last few days."

  Lana let out a little laugh. "You're telling me."

  Nicole had Lana slide over so that she could sit next to her. "Lana, I'm sorry to hear what happened with Xerus. Some things came up and I couldn't get away. But I wanted to help you."

  "Did these things have to do with your uncle?" Lana dare asked.

  Nicole's lips tightened.

  "You can't tell me."

  "It's confidential, Lana, I'm sorry–"

  Lana leaped from the bed. "Stop saying you're sorry."

  "But I am. Trust me, Lana, if I could tell you everything I would. But this is military protocol. And what's going on right now with my uncle is complicated."

  "He has been failing at his job, is what it is. And don't speak to me of military protocol. Everything here has been against protocol. Torrence has taken over level twelve per your uncle's orders which is insane, you know?" Lana waved her hand. "You told me not to worry before but something is honestly wrong with Cole and I know it."

  Nicole shook her head. "Lana, I think... I think it's best if you leave Lazris as soon as possible."

  "Is that your professional opinion or are you asking me as a friend?"

  Nicole looked up at her and Lana could see she was gravely serious. "Both."

  Lana turned away and rubbed her eyes. "Everyone keeps telling me to go. But something isn't right. And I fear Asset X..." Lana laughed. "I just fear him now. But I feel like I can't leave. Not yet." she opened her eyes and looked back at Nicole. "I think he is going to escape somehow."

  Nicole shook her head, her face paling. "That's not possible."

  "I know and I don't know how but... something is missing in all this. He said he let himself come here, Nicole. Why would he do that?"

  Nicole's face went from pale to ashen. "You think because of his mission?"

  "It must be."

  "But he is set to be terminated in a few days," Nicole said. "And if he claims he can escape why hasn't he tried before?"

  Lana crossed her arms, her throat tightening. "I don't know. But he said he was biding his time. Something must have finally triggered him."

  Nicole hid her eyes from Lana as she rose from the bed. "I am glad you are okay. I'm afraid I can't stay." Nicole went to the door and paused. "If I could change what happened I would," she said softly. She glanced back at Lana. "Be safe, Lana."

  When Lana was alone again, she slumped back down on the bed.

  She should go. What did it matter if she didn't find out what Xerus' mission was really about? Or what was wrong with Cole. Or what secrets were being kept. Her main reason for coming to Lazris had failed. Xerus was beyond her help now. And that hurt more than anything.

  When she was finally able to get a nurse, she asked to be let go from the medical bay. Thankfully, Nicole had given them orders to let her leave when she was ready. Lana picked up her phone and followed the nurse out of the room and out of the facility, where she left her at the elevators.

  As Lana made her way back down to her room, she couldn't help thinking about Xerus again. Despite everything he had said to her, she still hated the fact that, assuming he really couldn't get out, he was going to be tortured and killed. For a second she had the insane idea to ask for a private meeting with the generals to try to convince them to keep him alive a little longer, albeit inside a more secure holding, when the elevator doors opened and her phone went off.

  Thinking it must be Jacob, she picked up immediately. "Jacob I–"

  "Lana, it's Dahlia."

  Lana paused then stepped out of the elevators towards her room. "Hi, Dahlia, is everything okay?"

  There was a long pause then, "I thought it best to tell you right away before you found out some other way. I didn't expect Officer Torrence to tell you or Dr. Kingsley for that matter..."

  Lana stopped at her door, fumbling for her key card. "What is it?"

  "He's dead."

  Lana froze. "I-I'm sorry."

  "Asset X. He's gone."

  Chapter Seventeen

  Lana walked into level twelve uncertain if she was awake or dreaming. She didn't take Dahlia for a liar but still, she had to see for herself. Galger, Torrence, and their team of men all congregated around unit three's door which was now wide open. Speaking in hurried voices, they seemed to be waiting outside the entrance, Galger's face red, while Torrence's was bright with anticipation.

  Lana looked up at the monitors and saw several workers inside Xerus' unit, stepping in and out of his cell which now lay empty. As soon as she made it into the lab, Dr. Yanlin and several lab techs walked out of unit three pushing a large roller table. As the guards backed away, Lana could see a huge shape on the steel slab covered by a sheet. A spiny tail was held up carefully with a metal pole by one of the techs.

  As the guards watched, some of them instinctively held up their guns. They encircled around the lab as the table was pushed into the center, placing it next to a shelf of medical equipment.

  Lana felt her feet move toward the table as if she couldn't control her body. Only when a gentle hand gripped her shoulder did she stop moving.

  When she gazed around, she saw Dahlia standing beside her. The woman's mouth turned up in a sad smile.

  Lana licked her lips, her throat dry. "How?" she cro
aked.

  "They aren't sure," Dahlia replied. "Torrence noticed on the feed the asset going to lie down as if to sleep. His vitals were all fine, he just looked like he was sleeping. He had been like that for several hours. Then suddenly his vitals flatlined. We thought at first there was a glitch in the system. Took a couple more hours to convince Torrence and the others that he wasn't breathing. I called you when they went in to retrieve the body. I'm sorry, Dr. Hart."

  All Lana could seem to do was nod her head. Dahlia patted her on the shoulder and left her alone. Lana watched as Dr. Yanlin and the techs situated the alien's body then went their separate ways, logging on to computers to begin their reports. As Lana took a step toward the table, she could see the guards closing in.

  "I wouldn't if I were you, Dr. Hart," Torrence said nearby. "Thing might be dangerous to touch. And you're only supposed to be here to pack your things."

  "Officer Torrence, perhaps allowing her to see the asset wouldn't be so wrong," Dahlia said.

  "It's okay, Dahlia," Lana heard herself say. "I'll just...start getting my things." Lana forced herself away and went for her office desk. Torrence watched her carefully as she began to close out her computer, transferring all necessary files and credentials. When his gaze finally left hers, she turned to watch him instead.

  She pretended to gather her things for nearly an hour before a tech requested Torrence's assistance in dealing with one of the specimens in unit two. And by assistance, they meant 'shock therapy' as one of the assets likely wasn't complying. When Torrence and his men were out of sight, as were most of the other staff, Lana rose from her chair and slipped around her desk. She made her way over to the table until she was standing beside it.

  For a moment all she could do was stand there. It still seemed so unreal. Still so hard to believe. When only hours ago she feared he would escape. Now, here Xerus was.

  'He had escaped in a way', Lana thought. But something seemed wrong. Very wrong. Her eyes flickered up toward Torrence's desk and she couldn't help wondering if he had cut Xerus' life short. Perhaps gassed his cell or drained it of oxygen. If she could just access the video feed on her computer she could see Xerus' last moments. But that just wasn't going to happen.