I want to study the differences between us, and the similarities."
A cold chill slithered down Micah's spine as he remembered the humiliation of being strapped to the table while Red Hair examined him, thoroughly and intimately. He knew, somehow, that what the man had in mind this time would be far worse that what he had endured before.
"What of the baby?"
"Ah, the child. Of course, I intend to study it as well," the man said affably. "Think what it would mean if this child inherits your power! Think what it would mean for the human race to be able to destroy its enemies the way you do. Just burn them up with a glance."
"Lainey... ?"
"She's quite safe. You needn't worry about her. After all, I'll need her to take care of the child, for a while at least."
Fear clamped around Micah's heart. "And when you don't need her?"
"Ah, let's not think of that now. Tell me, why have you come to Earth? And how do you manage to change shape?" Red pulled a couple of Polaroid photos out of his shirt pocket. "If I hadn't seen it, and photographed it, I wouldn't have believed it."
Slowly, Micah shook his head. He could feel the drug wearing off, but he remained limp, unmoving.
"You will answer me," Red Hair warned, all friendliness gone from his tone. "You will answer me, or the woman will reap the consequences of your disobedience."
"Coward."
"Why have you come to Earth?"
Purposefully, Micah slurred his words, hoping Red Hair would think he was still heavily drugged. "Did not... come here intentionally. Ship... crashed."
"Are there others of your species here?"
"No."
"Where's your ship now?"
"Destroyed... it."
"You're lying."
Micah heard the sound of a key turning in the lock, followed by the sound of Red Hair's footsteps. A moment later he felt a sharp burning pain in his left arm.
"A scalpel can inflict a great deal of pain without doing much permanent damage," Red Hair remarked.
Micah stifled a groan as the man made another cut in his arm.
"I bugged the woman's house," Red Hair said. "I know you returned to your own planet, and then came back. Next time you lie to me, I'll cut the woman. Where's your ship?"
"Valley... behind... mansion."
"Will it fly?"
Micah hesitated. Immediately, he felt the edge of the blade caress his cheek, felt a warm trickle of blood ooze in the wake of the blade.
"Consider your answer carefully, my alien friend. How do you think the woman will look when I cut her cheek to the bone?"
"My ship will fly."
Red Hair made a sound of satisfaction. Then, without warning, he doused the cuts in Micah's arm with a strong, alcohol-based disinfectant.
Micah swore under his breath as the liquid seeped into the wounds, searing his flesh. Moments later, he felt the sting of a needle in his right arm.
"That should help you get a good night's sleep," Red Hair said cheerfully. "I've got a couple of tests to run in the morning."
Micah heard the man lock the door of the cage; then, whistling softly, Red Hair left the room.
Lainey? Lainey?
Micah frowned. Was she asleep? Or had Red Hair taken her away?
Knowing it was useless, he tugged on the chain that secured his hands behind his back. He had to get out of here, had to get Lainey away from Red Hair before the baby was born. But tugging on the chain only made his arms ache and chafed his wrists. Lowering his head, he tried to shake off the mask, but it was securely anchored in place.
And then the drug took effect and he felt himself falling, falling, into a deep black void.
Part One Chapter Twenty-Four
"Wake up, space man." Red Hair's obnoxiously cheerful voice sounded close to Micah's ear. "There's some bread and a glass of water to your left. A basin to relieve yourself in on your right."
"Lainey?"
"She's fine. I'll be back in ten minutes."
Micah sat up. Sometime during the night, Red Hair had freed his right hand. He explored the mask that covered his face. Thick leather straps criss-crossed from back to front, holding it in place. A small padlock prevented him from removing it.
Defeated, he reached for the glass of water and drained it in a single swallow, then reached for the basin, need outweighing his pride.
As promised, Red Hair was back in ten minutes. "Hold still now," he said curtly, "I'm gonna draw some blood."
"You could have saved yourself the trouble and taken it last night," Micah muttered. "It was flowing freely then."