The Breeding Experiment - Laurann Dohner Page 0,59

his communications device in his pocket. “What is this about?”

“Not here. You’ll thank me for that later. We need to do this in my lab.”

“Why?” Roth studied her.

“You see my blue eye? It’s artificial. It doesn’t just allow me to see, like a real one does. It’s got different settings. One of them includes being able to spot signals…like audio and visual transmitters. My lab is clean. There’s no surveillance. That can’t be said for the rest of the ship. The only places the fleet isn’t allowed to monitor are private crew cabins. It would look suspicious if I asked you to take me home with you, since everyone seems to know you guys don’t like me. Right now, anyone watching us will assume I’m just over here harassing you again, trying to get you to let me run some tests. Now, will you meet me there?”

Roth glanced at them. Drak shrugged. Gnaw was curious, so he shrugged, too. Maith gave a shake of his head.

Their leader blew out a breath. “Yes.”

Maith snarled low.

“Good. Thank you. I promise, you’ll agree this was necessary after we speak. Give it a few minutes and then go to my lab. I’ll be waiting.”

Gnaw and his grouping watched the female walk away from their table. She sagged her shoulders, her pace slow, as if whatever they’d said had deflated her determination. She exited the cafeteria.

“She isn’t to be trusted. Why would you agree to that?”

Roth glanced at Maith. “Instinct. Did you look into her real eye? I saw desperation and honesty there. She mentioned the Elth, and I saw the way she looked at Gnaw. We are going to meet her and find out what the female has to say. Finish your meal quickly.”

“It’s a ruse to get us into her lab. She’ll scan us without our permission,” Maith muttered. “She’s not a trustworthy female.”

“She did reach out to Abby to help Gnaw,” Drak reminded him. “Perhaps it’s about that.”

They all grew quiet, contemplating that. Did the fleet find out he’d actually copulated with Darla? Gnaw pushed his plate away. “I am done. We need to go.”

“Agreed.” Drak stood.

Maith also got to his feet. “I still don’t trust that female. Some humans are bad. She doesn’t see us as males, only test subjects. She’s got more in common with the Elth than other humans.”

“That’s a harsh judgement to make.” Roth led the way after they cleared their table.

They all knew where Dr. Brick’s lab was located. She’d invited them there many times. They did take the long route, though, to avoid passing by Med Bay to reach Dr. Brick’s domain.

The door opened before they could push the chime.

“Get in here. Hurry,” the female ordered, waving them to enter.

Roth went first, followed by Drak and Gnaw, with Maith entering last. The doors sealed and Dr. Brick spun, walking toward the med bed. “Come on. I have to show you something.”

“We are not getting on that scanner,” Maith snarled. “I knew it! This was a trick. We wouldn’t comply so you lied to get us here.” He quickly darted his gaze around. “Where are the hidden scanners?”

“Oh, give it a break,” the female called over her shoulder. “God, you’re such an asshole. You said no. I got it. I’m not tricking you.” She reached the med bed and turned, glaring at Maith.

“You said this was about the Elth,” Roth reminded her. “Tell us.”

Her anger faded. “It’s about the Elth in a roundabout way. They kidnapped Gnaw and everyone on that shuttle.” Her odd two-colored gaze fixed on Gnaw. “It’s about Darla. I scanned her on this bed, with her permission, and found something that I need to show you.” Then she turned her head to Roth. “You’re the grouping leader, correct?”

“Is Darla sick? Did the Elth do something lasting to harm her?” Gnaw stepped closer, demanding that the female answer him.

She flinched but kept her gaze locked on Roth. “Can you make Gnaw stay where he is until he calms down? You have that power, right? Like the alpha of a pack? I could lock the door to seal us inside, but if he attacks it to get out, there are sensors that will alert security. I can’t bypass those. We do not want that to happen. What I’m about to show you needs to stay between us.”

“What is wrong with Darla?!” Gnaw tried to lunge at the female to make her tell him, but Roth and Drak grabbed his arms, halting him in place.

Dr. Brick