He caressed her soft skin along the side of her face with one finger. She didn’t feel cold but he still walked over to the thermostat, paused, debating what would be a comfortable temperature for her. He settled on turning it up to seventy-eight degrees. It would be warm for him but he didn’t want her chilled.
True quickly fled the bedroom to pick up the living room and do dishes. Fifteen minutes later he returned. She slept in the same position. He hesitated before lifting a chair, carried it to the side of the bed and took a seat. He’d remain there until she woke. It was important that she not be afraid. He wanted to be the first thing she saw so he could assure her that she was safe.
* * * * *
Darkness calmly waited until the males entered the men’s dorm before he stepped into their path. Justice, Fury and Tim Oberto didn’t look as upset as he’d expected. A task force team consisting of six humans assembled outside the main doors, appearing to be on high alert, indicated by their tense body language.
“I expected you to arrive at least five minutes ago.”
Justice blinked, his expression calm. “We have a situation.”
“I’m aware. True heisted the human from Medical and took her to his apartment.” Darkness put his hands on his hips. “Flirt is guarding his door to prevent you from taking her back.”
Fury cocked an eyebrow. “Why?”
Darkness hesitated, carefully gauging his words. “Because of what she did for them at Drackwood. I reread her entire file while I waited for you to show—all of it—and no Species spoke bad of her. They were actually flattering in their statements. Were you aware of that?”
Tim cursed. “It doesn’t matter if she was nice to anyone. She needs to be sent to Fuller. She refused to cooperate with the team interrogating her. True was out of line to pull this shit.” He lifted an arm and ran his palm over his bald head in a sign of frustration. “You should have been there to get the information we needed, Darkness.”
He nodded. “Probably, but I refuse to terrorize females. I don’t have access to what was said during her interrogation since no one has bothered to update that information yet. It would have been nice to read.” He frowned. “Your team is lax, Tim.”
“It just happened. They haven’t had time to type out transcripts from the recording and upload it to the database.”
“It’s been over an hour.” Darkness addressed Justice, “The males owe that human a life debt. Did you read their statements when they were released from Drackwood, recounting everything they’d endured there?”
“No.”
“You should before you force this issue. She’s safe and has two males guarding her. She won’t be freely roaming Homeland. I’ll personally guarantee that. She is no threat and is better off staying where she is. If you need an extra male at True’s door, I offer my services as a guard.” He glanced toward the male waiting by the elevators. “Dagger? Front and center.”
The male approached. “Now?”
A sharp nod from Darkness prompted him to speak.
“I was at Drackwood. Technician Shiver never harmed any Species there and I have spoken to most of them. Darkness had me contact the available Species at Reservation that I could reach by phone and I briefly interviewed the ones here, too, from that facility. No one had anything bad to say about her. They actually were alarmed that she’d been taken into custody and asked after her welfare.” He paused. “A large number of them offered to testify on her behalf if she is facing Species law. Two of them, both females, wanted to leave Reservation to come here to be with her. They were worried she’d be frightened. It upset them.”
“I, too, called Reservation while I was going over the reports,” Darkness added. “I talked to a few of the newly freed Species. They spoke highly of Shiver. One female is very irate over her treatment.” He glared at Tim. “You really need to get a handle on some of your team members. It’s unacceptable that the human nearly died when she was arrested and that her already serious injuries were amplified by rough treatment.”
“I reamed their asses,” Tim huffed. “And Justice reamed mine. We didn’t shoot her.”
“That sounds kinky,” Midnight stated, walking out of the kitchen with a bowl of ice cream. “I got hungry while we waited.” She stopped next to Darkness. “Hi.” She waved her spoon at Justice, Fury and Tim.
“What are you doing here?” Fury frowned. “You’re supposed to be on duty at Medical.”
“I’m the female voice of reason and it’s my lunch break.” She dropped the spoon into the bowl. “I didn’t like the human when she was brought in.” She shrugged. “Then she got all doped up and started talking to True. It was real interesting stuff. I changed my mind about disliking her enough to come here to talk some sense into everyone before too many male egos clash.”
“What was said?” Justice leaned against the back of the couch, his posture relaxing.
Midnight set the bowl down on a nearby table. “She had what appeared to be a panic attack at the end of being questioned in the basement. Old Doc Harris was in your office so I had to handle the situation. I thought half a dose of the sedative we keep on hand to deal with our out-of-control males would be fine but it seems I should have used less.” She winced as she glanced at Fury. “Remember when Ellie was in labor? Same thing you were given to calm you. That’s how she reacted. She barely made sense but some of what she said did.”
“I don’t see why any of this matters,” Tim stated. “This Jeanie Shiver is—”
“Enough,” Justice demanded, pushing away from the couch to straighten. “It matters because this human matters to our people and I want to understand why.” He nodded at Midnight. “Continue.”
“She described the effects of the breeding drug.”
Justice’s hands curled into fists. “What does that mean?”
Midnight hesitated. “For some reason, it seems Drackwood wished to test the drug on a human female. She apparently agreed to be the one and allowed them to use it on her in order to save True’s life.”
“He said he never mounted her.” Justice frowned. “He lied to me?”
She shook her head. “No. We have no idea if any other males mounted her. I’ve pondered this since True carried her away. A male on the drug would have killed a human. They aren’t strong enough to survive an out-of-control male in full-blown lust. There were only a few females at Drackwood.” She grew silent, grimly regarding Justice.
“Fuck,” he hissed. “They dosed her instead. Even a male who hated humans would have felt pity watching her suffer, especially if she inspired any of them to feel any type of liking toward her or if they’d been given the drug before.”
Fury growled. “It would have been tempting to just kill her to end her suffering but some may have chosen to mount her instead if she treated them well.”
“Or some may have been unable to resist if they hadn’t had access to a female in a long time.” Darkness sighed. “She is attractive and everyone from Drackwood seems to like her. We’d have done the same for our females to ease the pain of the drug. They would have been careful not to hurt her if she meant something to them. It would explain why she wasn’t killed.”
Midnight drew their attention. “She kept going on about an Agent Brice and what she said answered some of True’s questions. He never understood why those at Drackwood changed their minds about killing him. You know I speak often to newly freed Species. I helped True adjust to life as a free male. I know his history well and it fits.” She paused, as if considering her thoughts before continuing. “I’m intrigued, Justice. It seems there’s a human with a badge who convinced her she was really working for us to help those Species gain their freedom. I believe her when she says he exists.”
Fury shifted his stance. “Are you sure she was being honest?”
She glanced down at his pants. “Do you want to empty out your left pocket to show everyone what you keep there? I already know and I know why you feel the need to keep Ellie’s scent close
at all times.” She smirked as her gaze lifted to his. “That sedative is really strong and gets anyone taking it to make honest statements about things they wouldn’t normally share.”
Color stained his cheeks as he growled. “Understood.”
Justice glanced at him and sniffed the air. “Should I ask?”
“No.” Fury cleared his throat. “The sedative is strong enough that someone would blurt out honest information. Take my word for it.”
“What is in your pocket?”
“None of your business, Tim.” Fury shot Midnight a warning look. “She was very talkative?”
“Yes. She tried to answer the questions truthfully when they took her to the basement but no one believed her. True trusts her now. We should wait until she wakes to get more answers, find out who this human is and figure out how she was used by him.” She stared at Tim. “I have been thinking about this. Is it possible that there’s another website out there that mimics our own? Maybe she saw it and contacted this human instead of us. It wouldn’t be the first time someone tried to mess with Species.” She glanced at Justice. “How did we locate both places she worked?”
He glanced at Tim. “Tell her.”
“The tip line. We paid a million and a half out for the info on Cornas Research.”
“So someone profited from their rescue?” Midnight beamed. “See?”
“It was her,” Tim accused. “That makes it worse.”
Fury frowned. “You know this for sure?”
“No. We received a package in the mail with proof that someone had access to Species not listed in our DNA database three days before we hit Cornas. There were no fingerprints or any way to trace where the package came from. It contained sealed sample bags with Species’ DNA with a typed note. It said we’d be contacted soon and the amount of money wanted for disclosure of the location where we could recover them. Just after midnight on the day we learned of the location a computerized voice message was left on the tip line with a foreign bank account number attached. We paid and they emailed to tell us we’d find our Species locked underground at Cornas Research. Four hours later we hit it.” He paused. “I am pretty sure an anonymous tip with money demands was the same way we learned about Drackwood. Don’t you see? She’s got to be the one who did it. That bitch blackmailed a heavy sum from the NSO. I’m pretty sure we paid over a million on that one too.”
“Another human is involved,” Midnight stated. “He’s going by the name of Agent Brice.”
“Every indication is they are partners.” Tim turned, motioning to his team outside through the large windows. “I’m going to interrogate her myself this time and find out who she was working with. We’ll nail both of these bastards and get the money back.” He nodded at Justice. “They might know more locations where New Species are being kept. I’m concerned the takedown will cause panic if that’s the case and any other locations might kill any survivors. Time is of the essence.”
When the six humans rushed inside the building, Midnight growled, getting in Tim’s face. “Stop. You aren’t listening to me. She believes she was helping, not using us to get rich. It doesn’t fit.”
“Do you know that for certain? I don’t. We paid out a shitload of money and more lives could be on the line. I don’t care if she realized her partner was ripping us off. She knows who he is and they both knew how to find Drackwood and Cornas. There’s too much at stake to give anyone the benefit of the doubt.” Tim spun and motioned to his team again. “Upstairs. We’re collecting our prisoner.”
Justice intervened. “Don’t follow that order.” He stared down at Tim. “I understand the difficult situation you are in but you aren’t sending your team after that female until we learn more information.”
“She could know where other Species are being held.” Tim’s face reddened with anger. “They could be suffering right now. The faster we make her talk, the faster we can get to them.”
“She could have another panic attack,” Midnight protested. “I believe she was used by the human. True does as well.”
“Enough!” Darkness bellowed, his voice chilling. He waited until he had everyone’s attention. “No one is getting near that female without having to kill Flirt and True. They won’t allow you to take her without a fight to the death. Didn’t you hear me about the life debt?” He held Justice’s stare. “I won’t allow that to happen. They are doing what they believe is right. Let them ask her questions, or I will, but this has become a Species matter.” He turned his cold stare on Tim. “Get your males out of our dorm. I like some of them but it doesn’t mean I won’t kick their asses if they attempt to reach those stairs or the elevator.” He glanced at each task force member. “Do you want to listen to me or Tim? Leave.”
The humans backed up, retreating out the door.
Darkness didn’t care that Tim appeared furious. “You should go with them.”
“Don’t threaten me.”
“Call it a friendly warning. The female stays here. I’ll get your answers. You want to know if she was aware of the blackmail and who the male is. I’ll find out my own way.”
Justice nodded. “Darkness will handle this matter.”
Tim gasped. “She’s human, therefore my responsibility. It’s my job to—”
“Follow my orders,” Justice stated. “I understand that you’re angry because you’re looking out for us but Darkness is right. This became a Species matter when the female in question took refuge under this roof.”
“She was kidnapped from Medical,” Tim reminded him.
“Actually,” Midnight countered, “she asked True to hide her. She was pretty out of it but it was clear she wanted his help. Can you kidnap someone who has asked you to move them to another location?”
“No,” Darkness answered. “He hid her inside his apartment.”
“I’m not sure what room he’s keeping her in.” Dagger smiled. “I’d consider that hidden. He was just doing what she requested so it can’t be kidnapping.”
“Goddamn it,” Tim raged. “This isn’t a game. You’re harboring a fugitive from me and my team. I know Species have a blind spot when it comes to anything with a vagina but this bitch managed to rip the NSO off for millions of dollars in a blackmail scheme while New Species suffered. Let me do my job.”
“We’ll handle this, Tim. Why don’t you go review the details of how we learned about Drackwood? That would be very helpful,” Justice suggested.
“Son of a b—”
“Stop,” Justice snarled. “I don’t have a blind spot just because she’s female. I understand you think we’re more likely to believe her because she’s female but do you know what convinces me to allow Species to handle this matter? They care about her. We’re not idiots. Some of them know this female, spent time with her during their captivity, and they vouch for her. That’s what motivates me to walk out the door while she’s upstairs. Go do your job by pulling and reviewing the details of how we found out about Drackwood. You’ll be notified as soon as they learn any new information you can work with. Go.” He pointed to the door. “I’ll remember that you’re so passionate because you care instead of physically tossing you out on your ass for the insult you just spoke.”
Tim stomped outside where his team waited. Justice watched him go, frowning.
“Thank you for backing me up.” Darkness inclined his head in appreciation.
“He’s trying his best to do his job.” Justice paused. “Regulations state that humans are his problem but I disregarded them. Handle this matter. I trust you to keep me in the loop at all times and she’s your responsibility. She’s to go nowhere without a male at her side and to make no outside contact.”
“Understood.”
Justice turned but paused, glancing back. A slow smile curved his lips. “I’m glad to see you getting involved. You’ve been a bit distant.”
“I like True.”
“So do I. You know this could have been avoided if you’d been the one to question her. You??
?re very thorough.”
“I refuse to torture females.”
The smile faded from Justice’s lips. “I never said you had to. You have a very unique history with skills we lack. I doubt you’d have to resort to physical violence to convince a female to talk.”
Darkness lifted his chin, anger flashing in his eyes. “No.”
“You’re aware of what happened when the task force found that female at Cornas since you admitted to reading all available files on Jeanie Shiver. You wouldn’t have allowed her to be harmed by the team if you’d been on scene.”
“I refuse to leave NSO lands with the recovery teams. You never wish to see me in a combat situation, Justice.” Darkness’ voice lowered to a whisper to make certain it didn’t carry throughout the room. “I’ve seen enough death and they turned me into a killing machine. I’m not sure I could turn if off if I had to do it again.”
Fury cleared his throat. “Midnight? Dagger? Please excuse us.”
The two disappeared down the hallway into the library. Justice broke the silence first.
“I understand your fears but—”
“I’m not afraid. I’m what everyone else fears.” Darkness blew out a frustrated sigh. “Our people keep a wide berth from me.”
“You would have handled the situation with Jeanie Shiver better than Tim’s team did. The humans get too emotional in our defense. They believe we’re still too naïve or softhearted. No one could accuse you of that. Will you at least consider handling any future interrogations with females brought to Homeland? You can hand them off to someone else to deal with if you feel uncomfortable but I’d sleep better at night knowing you were the one in charge of gaining information from them.”
Fury drew Darkness’ attention. “You handled this situation extremely well. Justice is wise and I believe you’re not giving yourself enough credit. You’re not a monster. You’re a survivor who had to do the unthinkable but it also makes you the best one for the job. The humans trained you to gain information from other humans. You understand that females and males are not alike and should be treated different. Tim’s team doesn’t make that distinction. No torture or abuse needs to be applied to females unless they have a military background where they’ve been conditioned to withstand emotional triggers.”