and not give up in the face of impossible odds.
The nanites Cin had sent into Lanie’s body notified him that they had finished healing the woman, and she had fallen into an exhausted sleep. Unwilling to kill any of his nanites, if not necessary, Cin ordered them out of Lanie’s body and held his hand near her face. As they streamed out of her tear ducts, Cin reabsorbed them through his skin.
Knowing Lanie needed sleep more than anything right now, Cin grabbed a blanket from the back of the couch and covered her small form with it. Bob eyed them both warily from the end of the sofa but didn’t move from his corner.
Cin petted Bob for a few moments before moving his recliner so he could watch the dark-haired woman while she slept. He had to admit that Lanie was beautiful, and though she hadn’t opened her eyes yet, he knew from her pictures that she had big, warm brown ones.
In all the images Cin had seen posted of Lanie by old friends, she’d had a sparkle in her eyes and an obvious love of life. The first picture he’d seen of her with Jason, there’d been no twinkle or excitement. The light easily seen in the other photos had left Lanie’s eyes.
Like most human parasites, Jason McMaster had immediately started sucking the life out of Lanie the moment he’d met her and continued to do so ever since then. As a foster child on a college scholarship, Lanie had been an innocent and easy target for a sociopath like Jason.
Cin spent the rest of the night going through the information he’d stolen from the databases in the future and calculating Jason’s importance leading to the events in his time. Cin wanted to make sure that when he killed Jason, it would have no adverse rippling effects.
The sun was creeping over the horizon when Cin made a pot of coffee then took a cup outside to enjoy the view. He was finishing his first mug when Bob started hissing and growling. Turning slowly, so as not to startle the cat or his guest, Cin took in the situation.
Pushing back her tousled hair, Lanie clutched the blanket to her chest and stared warily at Bob. Cin sent a warning to Bob's nanites and wasn’t surprised when the cat glared at him before storming out the door to the deck.
“I’m sorry for his manners,” Cin spoke gently to the terrified woman. “Bob and I aren’t used to visitors. I’m Cindrac Miles. Bob and I found you in the woods.”
Lanie blushed a deep pink and reached her hands up to her face before looking at Cin in horror. “How long have I been here?”
“A little over nineteen hours. I’m shocked at how well my home remedies worked on your injuries.” Cin tried to quell her rising fear. “Are you feeling better? Any pain or stiffness?”
“No,” Lanie shook her head in confusion.
She knew Jason had beaten her badly, and her eye was swollen shut when he marched her into the woods.
“Are you sure it’s only been nineteen hours?”
Cindrac turned on the TV and put the remote on the coffee table in front of her. The date and time were displayed on the guide screen, and Lanie’s shoulders sagged in relief when she saw it.
“Can I borrow a phone to call the bus station?” Lanie asked, still marveling over the lack of swelling in her face.
Cin quickly found the nearest bus station, retrieved the schedules and fare information, and posted them on the TV screen. “How about I make us some breakfast first, and then you can call whomever you need?”
Lanie looked around nervously. “I really shouldn’t be here. There’s someone – after me. He’ll hurt you for trying to help me. If you can just point me in the right direction, I’ll leave.”
Cindrac hated the fear in Lanie’s eyes but admired her attempt to protect him from Jason and his powerful family. It was a testament to her character and only made Cin more determined to end the threat Jason posed to her life and future.
“Well, since I’m the one who scared him off, I think you’re safe. Besides, no one knows I live here. I’m completely off the grid, and we’re a good mile through the thick forest from where I found the two of you.” Cin moved into the kitchen, started pulling items out of the fridge, and putting them on the counter.
“No one knows you’re here? How’s that possible in