Page 29 of Mated to the Vikings

If the man had threatened her, I would kill him with my bare hands, but information was useful.

Brexin inched closer, his keen hearing picking up on every word.

“You’re lying to me and my other companions. In fact, you’ve been lying all along. Haven’t you?” Her voice was rattled.

“You have no rights here, Cassia. You are merely a guest and your privileges can be revoked. I suggest you do as you’re told,” Kevin barked. “If not, I’ll lock you up with these animals. You can finish your examination up close and personal.” He laughed, the same gut-wrenching sound I’d heard the moment he stood over me with a syringe in his hand.

The day my life ended.

“It seems they’re coming for you, Dr. Fields, and they’re not animals. You’re the monster here, not them. Look at them. Take a good look. Is this what you call humanity? Is this what you call evolution? You’re not God. But you are a fucking pig!”

Another massive rumble shook the entire corridor, sheets of metal slinging down all around me.

Brexin snarled, snapping his head in the direction of the noise. “We need to get this over with. I don’t think the compound can withstand another blast.”

“Another minute. We need to know if she’s one of them,” I told him, an ache continuing in my heart.

“How dare you. You come into my environment passing judgment, as if you understand what is occurring on Earth. Well, you don’t, sweetheart. Our experiments could mean the difference between extinction and creating a new life as well as keeping people alive. If these fucking beasts destroy what we’ve worked so hard for, then there is nothing left. Nothing,” Kevin snorted.

I held my breath, trying to fathom what he was saying.

“Extinction. Oh, my God. What you’re really doing here is against all human nature, creating beings from splicing DNA. I should have known better than to come here. Those poor creatures don’t need a psychiatrist. They need someone to rescue them. Including the ones outside. From you! They’re frightened. And they’re angry,” she spat. “Unlock their cages now.”

I’d never expected to hear such empathy in her voice. I faltered, what little remained of my human nature fighting the beast growing from within. What she needed I was terrified would never happen, but I would die trying. I locked the weapon into fire mode, the grip white-knuckled.

Brexin gripped my shoulder, shaking his head.

“Do you really believe this is all there is? You’re a fool, just like I was told.” Kevin laughed.

“What?” she demanded.

“Yeah, something special I heard. Well, you’re nothing to this facility or to our work. These beasts can try to eliminate what I’ve done, but they can’t stop us.”

What the hell was the asshole getting at? Rage rushed into my system, my blood boiling. The only way to disengage the lock was by kicking in the door. I planted my foot against the cold, hard steel, whamming against it.

“What is going on here?” she demanded.

“You’re right. They’re coming, Cassia, and they’re not frightened of anything. Don’t you get that? They are killers. I’m fighting just to keep us alive in this wretched place.” Kevin laughed bitterly.

His lies had destroyed everything. Who was he protecting?

“You want everyone to believe that for what? To keep your little project secret? I know what’s going on here and it certainly isn’t what we were told before we left on this mission. I saw the beasts outside. I came close to one of them. They feel dishonored. And those creatures outside are exactly like the ones in here. What. Have. You. Done? Slaves. That’s what you’re creating. You never had any intention of bolstering human DNA. You’re creating a hybrid race. Aren’t you? So many humans disappeared from Earth and nobody questioned. No one. Where are they? Are they here? You abducted these creatures, you horrible fuck!”

“Shut up!” Kevin snapped.

Electrodes implanted in my brain reacted, memories flooding the forefront of my brain. Horrific experiments. Months of abuse. Locked away in darkness.

And other humans, one ship arriving after another.

“Now,” Brexin hissed. “Now!”

I slammed my foot against the door over and over again, both of us firing our weapons at full throttle.

“What the…” Kevin paled as he stumbled backward, his back hitting the wall. “Erik.”

Cassia scuttled away, her face pinched. There was recognition in her eyes as well as fear. “You’re both here.”

“You are an asshole,” Brexin said, snorting as he pointed the weapon at Kevin. “I will enjoy destroying everything you created.”