Page 112 of Savage Mates

Before I swung the beam toward the glass, I was given confirmation. Tiny beads of light in bright colors appeared. They swept toward the glass, growing in size.

I approached cautiously, placing my hand on the surface. As before, it was hot. I stood silently, pleading with them. But not knowing if they could also read my thoughts, I asked them one last time for help.

“I know you can hear me. I feel it deep inside. Please help the beautiful lioness lying in the clinic. She’s carrying two cubs inside her belly and they deserve to live.” I hadn’t told anyone I’d felt two forms. Sadly, without an ultrasound I had no clue if either were viable fetuses other than their two faint heartbeats. I could only pray they were. “Plus. There are other animals a couple miles from here. They’re malformed as if you couldn’t finish transforming them. They will die that way. They are dying now. If you have any understanding of how important life truly is, then please finish what you started.”

Maybe I hoped to hear a voice, but when a shape formed as I’d seen before, floating to the glass, I sensed it deep within my brain that they had heard me.

In return, they were talking to me.

They couldn’t help because they couldn’t escape.

Shit.

I swung the flashlight, noticing a tube connecting the vessel they were caged in to another piece of equipment. Moving closer, I shifted the beam from one to the other. The connection was maybe two inches by two. Would it be large enough for them to escape if I pulled the hose?

A laugh bubbled to the surface. Of course it would be. They could become any shape, any size. Any color. They were energy. They were life in mere molecules. Quantum strands.

I placed the gun on the floor, positioning the flashlight in a location that would give me some light. Then I wrapped my fingers around the tube, taking a deep breath before tugging.

It didn’t budge.

Sweat had already formed on the back of my neck. I couldn’t fail.

Using all the strength I had, I yanked on the tube. Suddenly, it popped free. Elation tore through me, a slight moment of giddiness outweighing everything else.

“I thought I’d find you here.” Kyle’s voice echoed behind me.

Stiffening, I glanced toward the glass. The lifeforms were smashing against it.

“Turn around and don’t do anything stupid.”

With no other options, I did as he told me, darting a quick glance toward the weapon.

He laughed, taking long strides forward and snatching it off the floor. “Nice try, Doctor. Now, come on. You’re coming with us.”

“Where?”

“Off this fucking island.” He grabbed my arm, yanking me toward the door.

“Do you not realize there’s a fucking storm outside? The pilots can’t fly in this.”

“They’ve assured me they can.”

“I’m not going.” I jerked my arm, but his hold was too strong.

“You don’t have any choice.”

As we passed by the container holding the lifeforms, there were no more beautiful shapes and colors. The interior was pitch black.

They’d escaped just like I’d hoped.

Now I prayed they’d honored my request, even if they had no reason to trust any humans on this earth.

With the wind wreaking havoc outside, there was no use in screaming. But he had no clue just how close I was with my lions.

I didn’t try to stop Kyle as he dragged me outside. One thing I knew for certain.

There was no way I was getting on the plane.