Deeper than the Night - By Amanda Ashley Page 0,76
his child would have. Years of testing, of never having a normal life, never knowing who its real parents were. Barrett would either keep the child locked away, a secret from the rest of the world, or he would exploit the child like some kind of freak.
Rage added strength to his limbs. With a feral cry, Alex yanked against the straps that held him. The one on his right wrist broke with a loud snap.
Barrett whirled around, the gun at the ready. "Kelsey! Handeland! Get in here!"
With a cry of triumph, Alex jerked his left hand free. Taking a double-handed grip on the iron band across his chest, he gave a mighty heave, but the strap held.
A roar of frustration rose in his throat as Kelsey and Handeland burst into the room.
"Hold him!" Barrett shouted.
Setting the gun aside, Barrett grabbed a syringe from the cart and plunged the needle into a vein in the alien'sleft arm.
With a strangled cry of rage, the alien went suddenly limp.
"Damn, that was close." Barrett sagged against the wall, amazed by the creature's strength. "Kelsey, he's getting too strong. See that he gets more sun." he said. "Joe, replace those straps with thicker ones."
"What set him off?" Kelsey asked.
Barrett shook hishead. "I told him I was going to conduct a new experiment."
"Yeah? What kind of experiment?"
"I want to find out if it's possible for his species to impregnate ours. I thought he'd be pleased at the prospect of a little extracurricular activity."
Joe snorted. "He's a fool if he's not. She's quite a looker."
"Forget it, Handeland. She's not for you."
"Can't blame a guy for dreamin'. I'm gonna get some coffee. You want some?"
Barrett nodded absently. An alien baby. A new source of blood. Perhaps a way to improve the human race. The possibilities were endless and fascinating.
An hour later, the leather straps on the alien's wrists and ankles had been replaced with bands of tempered steel. As an additional precaution, Barrett secured a thick leather strap over the alien's neck so he couldn't lift his head.
"That should hold him," he said. "I want you to make some modifications in here."
"What kind of modifications?"
"We can't expect the alien to mate while he's strapped to a table. I want you to make me a good strong collar for his neck and a chain that would hold an elephant, and another collar and chain for his ankle. And something solid to bolt them to. And I want a bed. Something comfortable. And I want it all stat."
"Right, doc. Anything else?"
"No, I think that's all for tonight."
"Sure you don't want candles and champagne, too?" Kelsey asked with a smirk.
"Just do as your told."
"Right. Joe, give me a hand."
With a last glance at the alien, Barrett turned out the light and left the room.
Tomorrow should prove to be a most interesting day.
Alex shook his head. "It won't work."
"Why not?"
"The sun."
Barrett shook his head. "I think you're lying."
"You've seen how it weakens me. I can't . . . perform during the day."
Barrett frowned. Did he dare let the alien mate at night?
Alex closed his eyes against the sun's heat, wondering if he would ever be free again. He tried to conjure up an image of the cavern in Eagle Flats, the blessed coolness to be found within the thick rock walls, the ageless serenity of the mountains. And, in a moment of utter depression, he wished for death, an end to captivity, to pain.
"I'm going to give you one chance," Barrett remarked. "I've ascertained that the woman is at peak fertility. You will mate with her tonight. If you refuse, if you try to escape, she'll be dead tomorrow. Do we understand each other? Look at me!"
Alex opened his eyes and met Barrett's cold brown gaze. "I understand."
"I'll bring her to you at dusk."
"You gonna watch?"
A faint flush crept up the doctor's neck. "No. I'll examine her in the morning. If you've failed to do your duty, I'll give her to Handeland."
"You're a miserable excuse for a human being."
"Perhaps. But I shall soon be a very wealthy man."
"Yes, but will you be able to sleep at night?"
"Quite well, I assure you. You had better get some rest now. You'll need your strength."
As soon as Barrett left the room, Alex opened his mind. He heard Kara's thoughts almost immediately.
Alex. I've been so worried. What's going on?
Barrett wants a child.
What?
He wants us to mate so he can have the child.
No, I won't do it.
I'm afraid you don't have any choice in the matter.