Viper (Second Wave Book 1) Page 13

  There had been a few times where she had been distracted enough that the one called Decano could have easily disarmed her. But he hadn’t. There were only two reasons she could think of that he hadn’t.

  They were telling the truth and trying not to scare or injure her more. Or they were trying to wear her down because they wanted her alive to see if she had told anyone else what she knew.

  “Hey! Stop with all the negative thoughts. Damn, just when I think you’re calm, and I’ll live to see Viper show up; you get all strange and freaked out. Stop thinking so damn hard.” Niklosi muttered in irritation. He was going to kill Balduen when this was over.

  “Come on Nicky can’t you come up with something better than that? Seriously man, she has your own weapon, quite skillfully pointed at your back.” Balduen said with a grin, hoping that the scared woman wouldn’t notice that he’d moved a little closer. He wasn’t that lucky though.

  “You can step back now. You’re not coming any closer. I can, not only shoot your friend, but there are still a few other victims I can shoot here until you do.” Lara said, pushing the gun deeper into Niklosi’s back while nodding her head towards Traze, Amun and David.

  “Do not underestimate her man! The crazy forest bitch shot me!” Traze yelled out to Balduen.

  David smacked Traze in the back of the head again, while Amun deliberately pressed too hard on his stomach wound causing him to moan in pain.

  “Fuck! All right! Stop it already damn it! Both of you.” Traze yelled at the two men, before turning to Lara. “I’m sorry I called you a bitch. But you shot me, you damn bitch!” Traze turned pain; sorrow filled eyes to her. It swayed Lara more than anything else. He may look like a man, but he was really not more than a child in pain.

  “Is he going to be all right?” Lara asked the doctor, who had been working on the kid.

  Amun turned to look at Lara sadly, “He’ll be fine. I really need to get him in the lab though. Will you let me move him? Please? He’s not much older than a boy.” Amun’s dark eyes, pleaded with her.

  “Oh come on! I’m a hundred and twenty one! I can even drink! Which would really be a nice idea right now. You know… for the pain… damn it! Stop hitting me! Aren’t I in enough damn pain? You’re going to give me fucking brain damage if you keep doing that shit!” Traze turned angry eyes on David when he smacked him in the head again.

  “You’re going to be dead, you fool, if you don’t stop antagonizing her! Shut the hell up!” Grai screamed at his brother through the Shengari’, while dozens of others screamed similar statements at him.

  “Oh my God! I’ve put up with you for a month, and she’s the one who gets to shoot you! Damn it! Shut the hell up before I shoot you next!” David groaned as he slapped his hand over Traze’s mouth to try to keep the boy from getting killed. By Lara or him.

  “Yes, take him in there. For all our sakes." Lara said to the doctor, unsure if she was saving the boy from his own mouth or from the angry people surrounding him.

  This was all so unreal; Lara thought. Like she’d truly fallen down some strange rabbit hole. Even the government, as screwed up as they had become, wouldn’t have people acting this oddly. And the creature the boy had turned into… she’d never seen anything like it. Had she truly lost her mind? She wondered.

  The pain shooting up and down, her spine was the only thing keeping her grounded right now. Concentrating on that pain, Lara reminded herself that it didn’t matter if she’d lost her mind or if any of this was real or not.

  She needed to make sure Viper was safe, go back and get her pack and finish the promise she’d made to John. Then none of this would matter; she thought. She’d go back to her cabin and wait for them to end her.

  Lara had no delusions going into any of this that she would come out alive. Whether or not the information got out, they would still come for her. She and John had both known it and accepted it.

  Lara pulled herself back to the present and watched carefully as David and Amun helped the young man to stand and into the medical room. She knew she didn’t imagine the collective sigh she heard when the door closed behind them.

  “He’s a little hard to get used to, but he’s a really good kid. He’s got a lot of heart.” Decano said, defending the young man as he moved to the other side of the hallway that they vacated. It gave Lara a much clearer view of the man and made her breathe a little easier to have the large man farther away.

  Niklosi sighed, “He grows on you. If you want to move a little so that you can put your back against the wall, I’m ok with that.”

  Lara thought about his offer with surprise. She had been thinking of doing just that. She didn’t like being so close to the door to the room and would prefer the solid wall at her back. Unfortunately, her earlier dramatic move to grab the weapon had nearly put her on the ground from the shocking pain that had flooded her entire spine.

  There was no way Lara was going to try moving that far anytime soon. She wasn’t sure she would be able to remain standing if she did. Her knees were already shaking so badly she was fighting not to let them give way.

  “No… I’m fine right here.” Lara lied, putting a little bit of distance between them, so he wouldn’t be able to feel the weapon shaking in her hand.

  Niklosi could feel the intense waves of pain and confusion pouring from the woman, and he informed Amun and the Tezarian brothers through the Shengari’ that she was deteriorating. Viper and Dread cursed as they ran through the office building in Dillon towards the portal.

  A loud screeching yowl erupted and the commotion down the left hallway drew everyone’s attention. Lara stood in stupefied fascination as a black blur banged in between legs before bolting down the hallway towards her.

  “It’s mine! Mine human! Mine! Finally mine! I finally have a human! She’s mine! All mine! All mine! I can keep it because it’s mine!”

  The loud groans and curses did nothing to penetrate Lara’s shock and horror as the black blur turned into a small black panther that was weaving in between her legs.

  As it talked to her.

  Chapter Eleven

  Lara’s hand shook hard as the small panther wound between her legs, the gown she wore allowing her to feel the soft fur as it rubbed against her legs.

  What the hell was this, Lara wondered as she looked down and saw the animal’s mouth move as it spoke about owning a human. This had to be another dream; she thought. All of this couldn’t be real.

  Monsters who became humans, talking cats… oh yeah, Lara thought, something this fucked up couldn’t be real. She was dreaming or insane. There were no other options that she could think of.

  “Hey, calm down. That’s just Dog’ee. He’s just an excitable little guy. He means no harm.” Niklosi said, trying to calm down the now fear and panic stricken woman.

  Lara just looked at the man and burst into hysterical laughter. She couldn’t help it. The situation was just so screwed up.

  “Don’t upset my human! She is mine!” The cat said to Niklosi as he stood before him, his hair poofed out comically as he scratched at the ground in front of the large Valendran threateningly.

  The sight was so comical and bizarre that Lara just laughed even harder, the tears rolling down her face. When the cat saw her tears, he poofed out even more and took a swipe at Niklosi’s leg with his sharp claws ready to draw blood.

  “You cannot make my human cry without retribution!” The cat cried out as Niklosi tried to avoid the cat’s sharp claws without banging into Lara and making her shoot him.

  “Damn it Dog’ee stop it before she shoots me! I didn’t make her cry or hurt her!” Niklosi yelled at the cat in frustration as he tried to hop and avoid the cat’s swiping paws.

  “I will stop seeking atonement for my human only if she says so!” The cat said on a yowl, narrowing his eyes as he followed Niklosi’s hopping legs as if stalking prey. Lara couldn’t help it; she laughed even harder, the tears pouring down her face as she continued to clutch the shirt of
the hopping man in front of her.

  “Damn it to hell! Will one of you fucking stop laughing and help me out before the cat rips open my leg?” Niklosi huffed out angrily as the cat’s swipes became more calculated and closer to their mark.

  “Dog’ee! Stop that before you frighten your human!”

  Lara snickered, trying hard to stifle the laughter that was causing her back to burn as she watched a new black panther come strolling down the hall as if he or she owned it.

  “But she my human and he made her cry. He will pay for that!” The little panther hissed, putting his front paws down and lifting his back end up as his wide blue eyes darkened and followed each hop of the man, she was holding hostage.

  Lara watched in fascination as the two panthers stared at each other, as if communicating, before the excited little cat stood up and moved to sit in front of her, while the new one moved to stand by the one called Decano.

  Lara just grinned stupidly at the strange little animals. All she needed to finish off her little wonderland was the talking cat. Her delusion was now complete; she thought, feeling detached and strangely calm while her sanity shattered around her.

  “Yeah," Lara said aloud to herself, “leave it to me to imagine a talking cat, named Doggy.” Lara sniggered again, trying not to start another round of hysterical laughter.

  “Hey! It’s not doggy! It’s DOJ-EE! How many times do I have to tell you people it’s DOJ-EE not doggy! DOJ-EE! Say it!” The cat bristled at Lara, who struggled not to laugh at its poofy, anger.

  “Seriously, say it, so he’ll shut up and stay calm.” Niklosi whispered back to Lara, hoping like hell, she’d calm the cat down and save his legs from being laid open.

  Lara could see no reason not to appease the offended cat and grinned as she said, “Doj-ee.” Her grin broadened when the cat’s fur settled down, and it began to purr loudly. For some reason, Lara was glad that the brave little delusion was now happy.

  Lara grinned and looked in bemusement at the end of the hall where another commotion was occurring. It would probably be another talking animal; Lara thought, her mind becoming numb as the pain in her back became almost unbearable.

  She almost dropped the gun when she saw Viper push his way through the crowd and begin walking slowly to her. Her mind registered the men walking behind him, but dismissed them as she looked Viper up and down to see if he was hurt or being forced.

  “Lara… it’s me. Are you all right?” Viper said softly. He could feel the intense pain radiating from her body from halfway down the hall. He was immediately concerned and called out to Amun, who said he was ready for her in the MedLab if they could get her inside.

  “Viper? Are you all right? Where have you been?” Lara asked, looking behind him to the tall, thin man who was walking close behind Viper.

  “I went to see my… friend, Ratoka. I was going to be right back. You were supposed to stay and heal.” Viper said softly, trying not to upset her. Her emotions were so confused he was afraid that he would shake her already tenuous hold on her fear and panic.

  “You went to see a friend? And left me in… in…” Lara gestured around her wildly, “in what the fuck land! By myself! Seriously?” Lara looked at Viper incredulously.

  Viper flinched as he looked around, trying to imagine how she must have felt when Traze changed form, and the cats started talking to her.

  “It hasn’t been pretty man.” Niklosi told him aloud, having figured out what he was thinking. It hadn’t been too hard to do. The whole situation was strange… even for them.

  Viper turned to glance at Ratoka, who had stopped behind him when he had. Ratoka was no help and just nodded to him. Turning back to Lara, Viper sighed.

  “I know this all seems really… strange to you. I tried to tell you at the cabin, but you didn’t believe me. These,” Viper said moving his arms to encompass the hallway. “Are my people. As odd as that may seem. We’re below ground, in an abandoned mine that was converted into a command center.”

  Viper was hoping some basic facts would help her to understand a little more and calm down. Her fear and confusion, as well as her pain, were pulsing from her like a heartbeat.

  Lara looked around at the people blankly; the the excitable little cat just grinned at her, causing her to have to stifle another burst of laughter. Luckily, the thought of the pain it would rocket through her back helped her to quell the urge.

  “I understand. You mistake your confusion for a lack of sanity. I can assure you that you are wholly sane. If you will allow me, I can assist you.”

  Lara stared at the tall, thin man who stepped out from behind Viper to speak to her. She knew she should do or say something, but her body no longer seemed to want to listen to her, as if locked into the position she was standing in.

  She was completely still as the man walked slowly up to her, the room seemed to hold its collective breath as everyone waited to see what would happen. As crazy as it seemed, even to her, it was the psychotic cat that pulled her out of it.

  An earsplitting yowl rent the air as the black ball of fluff ran between Lara’s legs and with feet flying and slipping on the smooth floor it slid into the front of the tall man’s legs, stopping him from getting to Lara.

  She shook her head slowly, as of coming out of a trance, and watched as the cat regained its feet and stood with its fur poofed out in front of her.

  “She my human and she not want you touching her!” Dog’ee said, his brilliant blue eyes warning the man to stay away. The entire room groaned in frustration, all hopes that Ratoka could calm the woman dashed in seconds.

  Viper sighed and moved around the hissing cat and walked right up to a stunned Lara, who was staring at the cat with a bemused expression.

  “It’s all right. We are both safe now. I promise.” Viper said softly as he looked into her confused and pain filled eyes. He brushed a stray strand of hair out of her face and tucked it gently behind her ear, while his other hand easily pulled the weapon out of her hand.

  His concern grew when she didn’t even flinch when Niklosi moved quickly away from her, snatching his weapon back from Viper as he did so. Viper ignored the quiet grumbling around them as the hall emptied and only a few remained.

  “She bad hurt. She need Amun.” Dog’ee said, rubbing against Lara’s legs trying to comfort her.

  “Lara, can you walk?” Viper asked her softly, drawing her attention from the cat.

  Lara nodded her head and Viper slowly turned her back towards the MedLab door. “Your back is in bad shape and you need to lay down so Amun can see if it’s still all right. You do remember being hurt on the roof right?” Viper turned to Lara and asked.

  When she nodded her head he continued, hoping to keep her distracted enough to get her to lay down. “Amun had to work on your spine. It’s really important that we make sure that you’re alright and didn’t do more damage. I promise not to leave you this time.”

  Viper breathed a sigh of relief when he was able to sit Lara down in the bed beside Traze. He then instantly regretted it.

  “Oh hell no! You are not putting the crazy forest ninja in here with me! What the fuck is wrong with you? She shot me!” Traze said and Viper could feel Lara tensing as if to get up.

  “You’re right, you idiot! She shouldn’t have to put up with your ass while she tries to heal! Not one word! Not ONE!” Grai said angrily.

  The entire room watched in shock as Grai picked Traze up like he weighed nothing and gently laid him over his shoulder before turning to Lara and Viper.

  “I apologize for my brother’s lack of manners. If you will excuse us, there is another MedLab, far away from this one that he can be put in.”

  Everyone was silent for a long moment before David finally stood up and headed towards the door. “I suppose I should see where my charge has been placed this time. Let me apologize, in advance for all further offenses that he will commit to you, near you, about you…” David’s voice was abruptly cut off by the closing of the door.r />
  “Well… uh… let me formally introduce myself to you this time. I am Doctor Amun Nassur. You had an infection in the bullet wound in your shoulder that was easy to repair. It was the trauma to your spine that concerns me. Can you please lay flat?”

  Lara looked at Viper, before looking away almost embarrassed that she had. Viper could feel her hesitance and moved to the other side of the bed to help her and to stay out of the way while he stayed by her side.

  Lara gave Viper a grateful smile as she took his offered hand and tried to lay back down. The pain shot through her spine so hard she went rigid and cried out.

  “Easy, easy. Viper, keep hold of her shoulders while I ease her down.” Amun said, supporting her back.

  Lara panted slowly through the pain as they laid her back down on the same bed she’d escaped from earlier. She had started to panic when the strange cat jumped up on the bed beside her, drawing her attention.

  Much larger than a housecat, more like a small dog, the cat took up the entire space between her and Amun.

  “Dog’ee, you can’t sit there; I need to be able to check her to make her better.” Amun said, trying to keep his frustration out of his voice. He’d never had such a hard time trying to heal someone before, and it was irritating.

  Especially since he wanted nothing more than to get back to his reports and scans from earlier. This might work out better though, he thought looking at Viper.

  “I stay with my human!” Dog’ee said defiantly swishing his tail, unknowingly smacking Lara in the face.

  “Dog’ee! Come, you can sit in this chair while Amun does what needs to be done for her.” Ratoka said, the tone of his voice telling the cat it wasn’t a request.

  Lara heard the cat huff before it jumped off the bed and padded silently to the other side of the room to the robed man. She looked up at Viper and pulled him down closer to her face.