Bramford zeroed in on Eden. She and Ashina reported on every nuance of the test subjects. Was the bitch trying to set her up? Or worse, sabotage the operation?
“Ashina is in charge now,” Eden said in a small voice.
Her father looked out over the lab and a view of Ashina’s station followed. The girl was gone.
“I swear she lied about my missing report,” Eden added.
Bramford sat with his elbows on the armrests, drumming his fingertips together.
“I was afraid it would come to this.”
“To what?”
He ignored her. “Proceed as planned, doctor.”
“But how?” he said, once more in view. “No subject, no experiment.”
Poor Father, he looked crushed. This was meant to be the crowning achievement of his lifetime.
“I guarantee you’ll have a subject,” Bramford said. “Just stay on schedule.”
“But who?” Eden said.
Bramford took a deep breath, his hands floating to his lap. “Me, that’s who.”
Her father stared, as shocked as Eden. “You, Bramford?” he said.
“That’s correct. We proceed at 24:00.”
“But I need more time. Even the minutest of changes must be calculated. An unexamined change of this magnitude will seriously compromise the success of the operation.”
“If you have a better solution, doctor, I’d like to hear it. This might be the only chance we get.”
Eden could see the gears turning in her father’s mind. Who else would be brave or stupid enough to volunteer for an illegal and highly experimental procedure?
“Post your genome without delay, Bramford.” Almost as an afterthought, he added, “Without sufficient preparation, I cannot guarantee your personal safety.”
“I’ve taken bigger risks.”
Bramford cut off the link and the images disappeared.
What risks? Eden wondered. He’d lived his life insulated by wealth and privilege. Besides, she didn’t believe he would go through with it. He only was showing off.
It occurred to her that the missing test subjects must have prevented Jamal from leaving the lab. After all, the responsibility ultimately fell to his department. Of course, that explained everything. How had she ever doubted him when he had made his intentions so clear? Time for Jamal to make a righteous move.
Eden looked out the window as the aircraft plummeted through the clouds. Possibly, it was fake, she told herself, just like any other experience she fantasized on the World-Band. She wasn’t really hurtling towards Holy Earth. The orange ring of fire that crowned the mountains above REA didn’t really threaten her entire world. And Jamal was anxious to call her his mate.
The vehicle landed with a jolt inside the ramparts that towered around the upper level. At once, a blaring siren announced the lowering of the firewall. It quickly fell into place with a loud, groaning screech. The security entrance to the tunnels would remain blocked until the fire abated.
Eden leaned forward, itching to see Jamal. She jumped out as soon as the doors slid open.
“You’re coming with me,” Bramford said, taking hold of her arm.
She glared at him. “I’m off duty, remember? You can’t treat me this way.”
“Apparently, someone has to.”
Eden stared at his hand on her, bewildered by the warmth that flooded into her body and a strange knocking in her gut. She felt off balance, even a little unhinged, she hated to admit.
Never mind, her Dark Prince would save her.
THE WORKERS’ smug stares bore into Eden, as she followed Bramford up the stairs to the operating theater. Caught by the boss—weren’t they happy? Why on Earth did she want to be like them, anyway?
Eden’s father turned away from his calculations, a wild look in his eyes. Old stains on his lab coat and his unruly hair added to the impression of a man on the edge.
“Any sign of them?” Bramford asked with a glimmer of hope.
Her father shook his head. “Jamal is questioning our staff.”
Eden’s eyes cut to the workers below, anxious for a sign of him. She was like a small fish looking at a school of hungry piranhas. If Jamal didn’t save her, eventually they would tear her to bits. But her Dark Prince was nowhere in sight.
“I see,” Bramford said, thoughtfully.
Eden figured he would change his mind. She was surprised, and even a little impressed, when he made his determination clear.
“Then there’s no time to lose. Ready, doctor?”
“I’ve run your genome and…” Her father paused to wipe his glasses on his coat though they only looked more smeared afterwards.
“And?” Bramford said.
“There are variations in your code for which I am not prepared.”
“Can you work with it or not?”
“What? Yes, it can be done. But you must know, these variables increase the risk ratio—”
“Whatever the risk, I’m now the guinea pig. Let’s begin.”
“You leave me no choice then.” Her father spoke to Peach. “Start prepping Mr. Bramford at once.”
Bramford hurried ahead of her towards the back of the platform. Eager, wasn’t he? Eden thought. Maybe he’d planned all along to be the test subject so he could keep the technology for himself. Greedy bastard.
Before he disappeared into the prep room, he called to Shen. “Keep an eye on Eden.”
As if it were all her fault. Wasn’t that what everyone thought?
She drifted beside her father and peered over his shoulder. Above one corner of the console was a Holo-Image of one of the original test subjects. At first she saw an ordinary Pearl in his natural coloring. Such images were illegal, except for scientific purposes, of course. Still, the sight of the man’s pale skin thrilled Eden.
Gradually, the newly evolved man came through with dark coloring inherited from the black jaguar, the camouflage spots barely visible on his skin. The eyes, now a pale greenish-gold, had a slight cat-like curve, the face, a feline affect. The jaguar also had given him a more streamlined body. The strong abdominal muscles, a gift from the anaconda. A list of statistics estimated the increase in muscle-to-body fat ratio, strength and speed.
The changes in stage one were dramatic, though the new man would resemble a Homo sapiens more than any of the donor animals. Still, he would be superior to any race. No wonder Bramford seemed so eager to adapt. In any case, she had to admire his courage.
“Daught? What are you doing here?” her father said, turning towards her.
“What do you mean?” she said. “I arrived with Bramford.”
“Indeed?”
“You looked right at me.”
“Did I? You must have appeared out of context—no lab coat, a disheveled black dress.”
Good Earth, was she that invisible? Or was Father just out of step with reality? Probably both. Sometimes she wondered how on Earth she would manage to keep the promise she’d given at her mother’s deathbed.
—Promise you will take care of your father, Eden. He needs help, even if he doesn’t know it.
—I promise, Mother. Don’t worry.
Eden would never forget the relief in her mother’s worried eyes.
At last, her Life-Band received Jamal’s signal. She wanted to lash out at him for leaving her at the dance. But, of course, anger wasn’t an option. Keep your eye on the goal, Eden.
She quickly turned her back to Shen, who stood guard by the prep room, to hide her flashing earring and the desperateness she felt.
Jamal, are you all right?
Sorry, Little Bunny. Strategic problems. Bramford was at the dance so I asked him to bring you back.
You did?
Let’s keep our date, pet. I’m waiting for you in my office.
I’ll come as soon as I can.
Come now.
Jamal cut off, and a silly grin stretched across Eden’s face. He still wanted her.
When she turned round, Bramford lay st
retched out on the test bed. Peach hooked the bindings on his white operating suit to an instrument panel. Eden searched his face for any sign of hesitation, but there was no crack in the iron-willed façade. If it had been her, she would have been scared to death.
“You think I’m crazy, don’t you?” Bramford said, as if he’d read her mind.
“No.” Eden lied.
She saw something flash across his face—anger, resignation, hope?
Whatever he was feeling, his voice never betrayed any emotion. “Sometimes you have to leap or be pushed. I prefer to land on my own two feet.”
“Well, you might not recognize them,” she said, half joking.
“Once we see the cause and effect of our actions, change isn’t so frightening.”
Eden felt the weight of his stare. Possibly, he was really looking at her. Sweet Earth, as if he saw the Real Eden. She forgot all about the procedure and her problems. The busy hum of the laboratory faded away. She felt an odd desire to smile at Bramford. She even suspected he might smile back. Instead, he turned his head and barked out instructions to Shen. She felt like crawling deep into the earth. Crazy to think the cold-hearted tyrant could see anything, especially her.
Her father leaned over Bramford. “This will knock you out,” he said, making an adjustment.
Immediately, Bramford’s eyes glazed over. His last words were to Shen. “Stay close.”
Here was Eden’s chance. Making herself small, she escaped towards the exit. And yet, she hesitated by the door, perplexed by an inexplicable urge to talk Bramford out of his foolish decision. But what did she care when the man detested her?
She hurried into the security area, surprised to find it unmanned. Then she noticed the overhead surveillance cameras blinking. She looked both ways. No one was watching. She took a deep breath and tiptoed behind the security desk just as a series of Holo-Images began to disappear, one by one.
There, could that be? The last images showed her dance hall tormentors, Giant and Squeaky, walking through the main tunnel that connected REA to the Combs. That view also disappeared, leaving Eden in a panic.
They were coming for her, she realized. You can’t escape, Pearly. They would be there any minute. She had to get to Jamal.
She flew down the hallway, retracing the path she’d only just taken from the upper level. Her high heels clattered up several levels of stairs until she reached security. Breathless, she stepped towards his office, when she heard deep, angry voices. Good Earth, she was too late.
“Jamal!” she cried, pushing open the door.
Four men turned as she entered, their faces full of surprise. Eden stared back at them, wondering why these men, the lab guards, wore the FFP uniform. Even Jamal had on the despicable clothes, the beret at a jaunty angle on his head. Braided epaulets, which signified a high-ranking officer, decorated his shoulders—the same shoulders upon which she’d often laid her head.
She heard a muffled sound and saw two male Pearls, bound and gagged, lying on the floor. The test subjects. Above them, the control button for the firewall glowed bright red. It was the only thing in the room that seemed real to her.
“Jamal? What’s going on?” Eden demanded, still hoping for a reasonable explanation.
His eyes gleamed with excitement. In fact, she’d never seen him look so happy. “You’re just in time, pet,” he said.
“For what?”
“Showtime!”
As if on cue, Giant and Squeaky entered the room. Their faces lit up at the sight of her.
“Hello, Pearly,” Giant said.
“My fumbling friends are glad you made it,” Jamal said, not looking happy at all now. “Bramford almost ruined our plan by showing up at the dance.”
Jamal’s friends? He hadn’t asked Bramford to bring her back to the lab? He never intended to be her mate? For the love of Earth, he’d never seen the Real Eden, either. No one did.
Eden’s mind spun, her body felt wooden. She was going to be violently sick. She needed oxy, a lot of it.
“I have to go now,” she said, turning to leave.
Jamal grabbed her arm. “Not so fast. We’re just getting started. You’re my personal insurance policy.”
“What? I’m not helping you.”
“Even if it means convincing the doctor to play along? You wouldn’t want him to get hurt, would you?”
Was this really her Life-Band lover talking?
“Who are you?” Eden said.
“I am the People,” Jamal replied matter-of-factly. “The Federation of Free People is taking back what greed-suckers like Bramford owe us. With your father’s technology we’ll be in control of everything.”
“For Earth’s sake, this isn’t political. It’s about science.”
“Everything is political. The population is controlled by doped oxy and emotionally driven campaigns so the super rich like Bramford can skim cream off the top. Same old story.”
Eden couldn’t really argue with that. But who was to say a new regime wouldn’t also abuse their power?
“Please, Jamal. My father will insist that Bramford use his technology in ethical ways.”
“Don’t be so naïve, Little Bunny,” he said, and she wondered how just last night the pathetic nickname had pleased her. “You see how the boss treats him. Same as he treats you and everyone else—like objects not people. And don’t pretend you don’t agree because I know you do.”
That really stung. How often had she confided in Jamal? Dear Earth, she’d given confidential data to an FFP officer! From the very beginning, he had used her. Time for Jamal to make a righteous move.
“Bramford is a master manipulator,” he continued. “Believe me, even this last-minute decision to be the test subject is calculated. He fears a takeover—which is exactly what he’s going to get. So he’s hedging his bets. If the experiment works, he won’t ever get The Heat. If you can outlive the rest, you’ve got an unbeatable edge. Once he’s in the catbird seat, so to speak, he’ll destroy the lab and kill your father. But I’m going to stop him.”
He shook his head and laughed. “It’s a lucky break. We get the tech, an evolved subject and Bramford, all in one.”
A cold chill gripped Eden’s heart. If the FFP gained control, it would be the end for Pearls. And maybe what Jamal had said about Bramford was true. Either way, she and her father were doomed to servitude or death, probably both.
Jamal ran his hand down her cheek. “Naturally, we have an important place for the doctor in our organization. You’d be surprised how easy I can make things for you.”
Eden spat out her words. “I’d rather get The Heat than be your mate.”
“Be serious, pet. Ashina’s going to be my mate.”
Jamal and that bitch were in cahoots? Eden felt humiliated as she imagined them laughing at her behind her back. And doing things that true mates did. What a fool she’d been.
“I hate you, Jamal,” she said hotly.
He simply shrugged. “You’re still coming with me.”
EDEN STOOD in Jamal’s office among the FFP soldiers, wondering how her dreams had died so suddenly. Because they had never been real, she realized. She only had imagined a better future. In six months, when she turned eighteen, still unmated, she’d be cut off and left outside to die.
She stared with new eyes at Jamal, her ex-boyfriend, struck by how ugly he truly was. His arrogant posturing and the strident tone with which he addressed his team of conspirators sickened her. He was no better than Bramford—even worse. Why hadn’t she seen it before? She faced the sad truth with a heavy sigh. Her desperate need for Jamal’s help had blinded her to his real nature.
But no more, Eden told herself. There was a sort of freedom in being doomed. If she had nothing to lose why not make things a little harder for her traitorous lover?
She glanced around the room, her keen mind puzzling together a plan. Her gaze rested on the firewall control. If she raised the shield, the fire outside would engulf the upper level a
nd snake down into the lab. Maybe she and her father could escape in the chaos. Then again, they might be burned to death. What other options did she have?
Here goes. Eden took a deep breath and lunged for the firewall button with a wild yell. Immediately, the warning siren rang out, followed by the loud rumbling of the retracting shield.
A stunned silence fell over the soldiers. Then Jamal yelled. “Get her!”
Eden tried to duck but once again found herself caught in Giant’s powerful grip. He smiled lasciviously at her.
“You know, you’re a pain in the ass, Eden.” Jamal said. “Most Pearls would give anything to be on my team. What’s wrong with you?”
She wondered the same thing.
“Guess I’m old-fashioned,” she said. “I still think honesty is a virtue.”
“Yeah, you’ve got heart, I’ll give you that. You’ve got one more chance to cooperate. For old times’ sake.”
“You’re going to do whatever you want, anyway.”
“True,” he said, and she watched the lips she once had longed to kiss curl into a cruel smile.
He turned his attention to his band of men. “Remember, take Dr. Newman and Bramford alive. Laser anyone who gets in the way.” His eyes cut over to Eden. “And I mean anyone.”
Father, she thought helplessly. She had to get to him.
As the firewall rose, it exposed the security window to the raging firestorm. Through a smoky haze, she saw the inferno racing towards them. The soldiers lined up in formation, ready to leave, when a loud explosion rocked the building. The roof ripped open, as if peeled back by an unseen hand. The men fell like dominos, pulling Eden down with them. She covered her head as shards of broken glass rained down from the shattered window. Dense, toxic smoke billowed in, and her lungs screamed for air. Then the lights quit, plunging the room into darkness.
Her heart pounded as she scrambled to her feet. She heard the men shuffling, yelling orders. A flashlight beam raced across the walls, sweeping over Jamal, lying pinned under a fallen beam.
“Get Eden,” he mumbled.
She bolted from the room. Blue pinpoint emergency lights in the floor led her down the dark hallway. She picked her way past a maze of fallen debris and stepped into the chaotic, smoke-filled lab. Crackling flames licked through a hole in the ceiling. The loud screams and frantic movements reminded her of the Moon Dance. But this was no party.