Deeper than the Night - By Amanda Ashley Page 0,114

of the gun. "Enough questions, doc."

Moments later, Kara ran outside. She gasped when she saw Barrett sprawled across the ledge. "What have you done?"

"Nothing. He's unconscious, that's all. Tie his hands behind his back while I go get the other one."

"Alex . . ."

"No time for questions now, natayah."

She frowned at him; then, with a sigh, she knelt beside Barrett. Removing the sash from her robe, she tied his hands together.

Kara glanced at the passing countryside. "Where are we going?" She glanced into the back seat. Alex had found Barrett's black bag in the trunk and had given the doctor and Jarvis injections to keep them unconscious. Now they were sleeping peacefully in the back seat. "And why are we taking Barrett's car?"

Alex ran his hand over the steering wheel. "It's a nice car, don't you think?"

Kara nodded. Barrett drove a late model Lincoln with leather upholstery and every extra one could imagine. "You haven't answered my question."

"His car has a bigger trunk than your Camry."

"Alex!"

"It'll be light before we get to Silverdale . . ."

"Silverdale!"

Alex nodded. "When the sun comes up, I'm going to climb in the trunk." He shrugged, then grinned. "No sense being cramped in the back of your Camry. Besides, we can't leave his car up on the mountain."

"Why are we going back to Silverdale, of all places?"

"You'll see."

"Alex!"

"If I tell you, it will spoil the surprise. Do you think you can find your way to the lab from here?"

"I found it before, didn't I?"

"It's going to be light soon." He pulled off the road and switched off the engine. "I'm gonna get in the trunk now. We should reach Silverdale about midnight."

"I'm not going another mile until you tell me what's going on."

"Trust me, Kara. You'll love it."

"Stubborn man! Are you sure they won't regain consciousness before we get to Silverdale?"

"I'm sure." He kissed her then, one long sweet kiss, then got out of the car and opened the trunk.

Kara followed him. "Are you sure you'll be all right in there?"

"I'm sure." He kissed her again, quickly, then climbed inside the trunk. "Close the lid for me, will you?"

"All right," she grumbled. "But I can't promise I'll let you out again."

"You will," he said with smug male arrogance.

"Maybe, maybe not." With a shake of her head, Kara closed the lid. Maybe she should write a book, she mused as she slid behind the wheel and started the ignition. Only who would believe it?

At dusk, she pulled over and opened the trunk. Alex grinned up at her, then climbed out of the trunk. "Everything all right?"

"Yes, they're still out." She watched him stretch his arms and legs. "Are you okay?"

"Never better."

They reached the lab an hour after midnight. Kara shivered as she looked at the building. She had hoped never to see this place again.

She waited beside the car while Alex carried Barrett into the building, then came back for Jarvis.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Kara asked as she followed Alex into the lab and shut the door.

"Yes, ma'am."

She followed him down the dimly lit corridor, watched as he placed Jarvis on a metal table. Barrett, still unconscious, was strapped to a second table. An image of herself and Alex strapped to those very same tables flashed through her mind.

"Now what?" she asked.

"A little ErAdonian magic," Alex replied.

And then, while she watched, he filled two syringes with his blood.

Slowly, incredulously, she realized what he was going to do. "Why?" she asked, watching as he prepared to give Barrett a transfusion. "Why are you giving him your blood?"

"It's part of the magic," Alex said, grinning. "Wait and see."

He refused to say more. Taking her by the hand, he led her into the corridor, backed her up against a wall, and kissed her.

"I love you," he said, nuzzling her neck. "Did you know that?"

She nodded, her mind going in circles trying to figure out what he was going to do while her body responded to his touch.

Just when she was about to pull him down on the floor, she heard a low groan.

"He's awake," Alex said, taking her by the hand. "Come on."

Barrett and Jarvis were both awake and tugging against the straps that held them.

"Turn me loose!" Barrett demanded.

"All in good time," Alex said.

"What are you going to do?" Jarvis asked, his voice ragged with fear.

"I'm going to conduct a little experiment of my own," Alex said. "Now,who wants to go first?"
Chapter Thirty-two
Kara shook Barrett's hand, nodded to Jarvis, and then followed Alex out