Enigma:What Lies Beneath (Enigma Series Book 1)

by Kellen, Ditter

  “Move back this instant,” the gray-haired one demanded from behind her. “If that thing gets loose, you could be killed. And we have no idea what type of diseases it carries.”

  Abbie spun around. “Just stop it, Henry. He’s alive. Does he look like he’s trying to break free to you? Have you no heart? We have to do something before they get here. He will die at Area 51.”

  “It’s not our problem, Abbigail. Their crew is already on the way. There’s nothing we can do.”

  Hauke listened to the exchange, understanding enough to know that the one Abbie referred to as Henry planned on sending him somewhere to die.

  He could feel his strength returning with the help of the blood now inching through his veins. The hunger for more grew by the second, and his fangs began to throb in time with his pulse.

  “I’m disappointed in you, Daddy.”

  Hauke didn’t miss the catch in her voice or the parent reference. He’s her sire. He filed that piece of information away for a later time. His first priority was to get out of there and find the group that had been with him before the explosion.

  His heart ached with the knowledge that his sister might not have survived. If she’d died, he would destroy every last human involved in blowing the oil well that separated Naura from him.

  “What do you expect me to do? Take it home with me and set up a college fund for it? Come on, Abbie. Be reasonable. You saw the X-rays. That thing may resemble us to a degree, but that’s as far as it goes. Now keep your distance while I check on the incubated samples. It’ll be gone soon, and we have no choice but to forget we ever saw it.” Henry stalked off, leaving a fuming Abbie to gape at his back.

  The door suddenly opened, admitting a short, beefy man wearing dark blue clothing. Something shiny hung from his shirt. He stood there for a moment, leering at Abbie before coming fully into the room. “What are you doing here, Doctor Sutherland?”

  It would appear that Abbie was a healer, Hauke noted, watching the man in blue slowly advance forward.

  “My father called me to bring him a case of files he’d forgotten.”

  “I thought you weren’t allowed back inside the building. And who is that behind you on the bed?”

  Abbie crossed her arms over her chest. “I was laid off, Donald. Not fired. This man is sick. I wouldn’t advise you come any closer.”

  The guy’s beady gaze wandered slowly over her body. “It doesn’t surprise me that you were dismissed.”

  “I’d be willing to bet not much does surprise you,” Abbie retorted.

  Hauke didn’t need to open his mind to feel the venom in her words. They fairly dripped with it.

  “I think I’ll just double check with your father about you being up here. Where is he?” Donald turned toward the door Henry had disappeared through only minutes before.

  “You can’t go in there, Donald. He’s spinning samples at the moment. You’ll run the risk of contamination.”

  Donald stared back at her with traces of suspicion and lust swimming in his eyes. Lust won out in the end.

  “Fine. I’ll be in the restroom if you need me…for anything.” Donald winked at her and sauntered across the room, disappearing behind a row of bottle-filled shelves.

  Hauke bit down hard enough that one of his incisors pierced his bottom lip. He would kill the man for his filthy thoughts of Abbie. Hauke didn’t need to touch him to read his intentions.

  “Abbie.” Her name came out in a whisper only to be swallowed up by the insistent noises of the room. He tried again. “Abbie.”

  She spun around to face him with surprise registering on her face. “You can speak.”

  He attempted to lift his arm, but the restraints held him back. It would be easy to break free, apprehend her, and escape back to his home. But the thought of frightening her in any way was unacceptable to him.

  “Ubi ego sum?”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t understand?”

  Though Latin was commonplace among his people, Hauke spoke many languages. English had been the most difficult to learn due to the backhanded slang most humans used. The need to practice it over the years had been rare since he’d only come in contact with a small handful of them.

  He cross-referenced words in his mind. “Where am I?”

  “You’re in a lab. Someone found you on the beach. We thought you were dead.” She cleared her throat. “Wh-what… Who are you?”

  “I am Hauke. Son of Klause. What means Area 51?”

  She averted her eyes. “Are you in pain?”

  That would be an understatement. He ached from head to feet. Even his hair seemed to hurt. “No pain.”

  “You must be thirsty.” She darted away before he could answer.

  He would have laughed if it wouldn’t hurt to do so. Any other time, he’d enjoy teasing her. And there would plenty of times, of that he was certain.

  Hauke tested his bonds. Simple. They thought to hold him with their straps.

  Abbie returned to his side, holding a clear plastic cup. He gave her a questioning look.

  “It’s just water.”

  “Something floats inside.” He’d never seen its contents before.

  She glanced down at the cup, and her lips twitched. “That’s ice. It keeps the water cold.”

  Her voice took on a husky tone as she leaned over him and slid her arm beneath his head. “Here, try it.”

  Heat and energy radiated from her in the way Hauke imagined the sun would feel on his skin in that moment.

  He breathed deep, taking in her essence. Her spirit was strong, and he felt his own rise to the surface, seeking, craving. Mate.

  A possessive growl rumbled from his chest, and she stilled.

  “Do not fear me, Abbie.”

  “Did I hurt you?”

  He only shook his head.

  The sincerity in her voice made him want her more. Emotion poured from her in waves. Her concern over his pain touched him in ways he didn’t understand.

  She lifted his head off the pillow and brought the cup to his mouth. “Small sips.”

  The cool liquid touched his tongue, and he bit back a groan. Hauke drank slowly to appease her. If she had any idea he was capable of breathing underwater, she’d probably be horrified. No, he rather enjoyed her caring for him.

  Her soft breast pressing against his cheek nearly drove him to insanity. He wanted to turn his face to the side and nuzzle her.

  She removed the drink from his lips and eased her arm out from under his neck. Hauke missed her touch instantly. He watched her set the cup on a side table and busy herself with the tube attached to his arm.

  “Thank you, Abbie.”

  She blushed but didn’t say anything.

  “Your sire.” He nodded toward the other room. “He is concerned for your safety.”

  “My Sire?” She gifted him with a small smile. “Where do you come from?”

  He ignored her question. “What means Area 51?”

  Hauke felt her emotions shift. She was like an open book with her expressive features and guileless eyes.

  She hesitated. “It’s a place where they… um… I have never actually been there.” She appeared flustered. “Shit. I’m going to get you out of here. “

  The sound of footsteps could be heard coming from somewhere in the back. Abbie quickly put space between her and the bed. The anxiety radiating from her was suffocating.

  “It’s just Henry.”

  The whispered words did little to slow the growl rising in Hauke’s throat. He didn’t trust Abbie’s father.

  Hauke studied the older man as he progressed into the room. He was hiding something, and Hauke wondered how much of it had to do with the prize he had strapped to the bed.

  “One of the samples was compromised. I’m going to need another.” Henry went to a stainless steel side table and opened the drawer. He withdrew several items, laying them on top.

  “What are you doing with that?” The spike in Abbie’s adrenaline wasn’t lost
on Hauke.

  “I’m going to sedate– ”

  “Like hell you are.” She practically spat the words.

  Henry barely spared her a glance as he lifted a vial from his coat pocket and set it beside the other items on the table. He tore open something that appeared to have a miniature blade protruding from one end, and plucked up the small glass bottle in his other hand. After holding them both up to the light, he pierced the vial with the sharp point.

  “I won’t let you drug him, Henry. Not gonna happen.”

  Her father raised an eyebrow. “I refuse to go near his mouth unless he is incapacitated. I’m not running the risk of being bitten, and neither are you.”

  Chapter Four

  Hauke watched as Henry proceeded to withdraw his small weapon from the bottle he held and lay it aside before rummaging through the drawer once more.

  Hauke realized the older man intended to inject him with something foreign that would render him unconscious. He had to agree with Abbie. How had she said that? Oh, yes. Not gonna happen.

  “I’ll get the samples. I’m not afraid of him.” She extended her hand, palm up.

  “Not in a million years. Now stand back.” Henry snapped on some strange-looking hand coverings and began to rip open a package that held a small wooden stick with cotton encircling the tip.

  “What are you giving him and how much?” Her voice grew in volume.

  Henry rattled off the medication’s name. “And just enough to put him out until the crew gets here.”

  Hauke felt a shift in Abbie only seconds before she snatched up the small silver blade on the table and pierced her father’s upper arm.

  “Abbie?” Henry stared at the place she’d impaled him, and then lifted his gaze to his daughter. Hauke could practically taste the man’s confusion and disbelief.

  “Forgive me.” The whispered words seemed torn from her soul. Tears swam in her eyes but didn’t spill over.

  Henry staggered back several feet before dropping to his knees. His eyes rolled up in his head. and he toppled over.

  Aware she’d felled her own father for him, Hauke watched Abbie in disbelief and no small amount of pride. He said the first word that came to mind. “Angel.”

  “I’m no angel. I’m an ass. One that just ruined the relationship with the only family I have left.”

  “Why would you assist me?”

  “You saved me once, long ago. And I repay my debts.”

  It stung Hauke to be referred to as a debt. “You owe me nothing.”

  “I couldn’t let them take you to Area 51. It had to be done this way.” She looked everywhere but at him.

  Understanding dawned. Her father couldn’t be held responsible for Hauke’s escape if he was incapacitated. And it would appear Hauke had felled Henry and took Abbie as a hostage. More pride settled inside his chest. She had intelligence also.

  A door opened across the room before Hauke could respond. The guard wearing the blue clothing came into view, his strange black shoes clicking on the floor as he stomped his way toward them.

  He slowed his steps when he noticed the unconscious doctor lying at Abbie’s feet. “What the hell?”

  “He’s hypoglycemic, Donald. I just gave him a glucose tablet under his tongue.”

  Hauke could hear the nervousness in her voice. Apparently the one known as Donald could as well. He studied her for a moment; seeming to gauge her words.

  The guard broke eye contact and peered down at Henry. “He’s never mentioned being a diabetic. I’m calling for help.” He unhooked a small black device from his belt and pressed something on its side.

  “Wait.” Abbie threw up a hand and took a step in Donald’s direction. “Don’t do that.” She’d obviously forgotten she still held the pointed-tipped evidence.

  Warning bells went off inside Hauke.

  The guard’s energy changed to something dangerous. “What did you do, Doctor Sutherland?” He shifted the communication device to his left hand and unsnapped the holster that housed a weapon with his right.

  With a flex of his taut muscles, the straps across Hauke’s body snapped like paper. The glands surrounding his fangs swelled on cue, and the normally soft as silk barbs on his wrists and ankles grew erect to razor-sharp intensity. His protective lenses slid back to reveal brilliant green eyes that burned with rage.

  He had one thing on the brain as he shot from the bed and slammed into the guard. Protect Abbie.

  * * * *

  Abbie’s gasp was drowned out by the deafening explosion of a gunshot. She stared in shock as a very naked Hauke straddled the guard with one of his huge hands wrapped around the man’s throat. The implications of that were shocking.

  Hauke had broken through his bonds and attacked Donald before her mind could register he’d left the bed. If he killed everyone in the building, it would be her fault.

  Blood from Hauke’s infusion line dripped onto the tile to pool near Henry’s shoes.

  What have I done? Abbie was suddenly terrified. She thought of her father lying defenseless on the floor, and Willie with his laughing eyes sitting at the front door probably humming while eating a snack his wife had packed for him. She had to do something.

  Donald’s gun lay a few feet away where it had landed after he’d been tackled, and Abbie made a dive for it.

  She snatched it up and pointed it at Hauke’s massive chest. Her hands trembled so hard she had trouble holding the gun steady. “Let him go.”

  Hauke lifted his head and pinned her with a glittering green stare. “He dies.”

  “I can’t let you do that.” She was surprised at the strength in her voice.

  “He meant you harm.” His fangs peeked out from under his top lip as he spoke, and Abbie realized how inhuman he really was.

  “It doesn’t matter. Now please, back off. I don’t want to shoot you.”

  Hauke held her gaze for what seemed like an eternity while the guard’s face continued turning purple.

  Without breaking eye contact with her, Hauke drew back a fist and slammed it into the guy’s chin, snapping his head to the side. Donald went limp.

  Then the impossible happened. One minute she had a gun trained on Hauke, and the next, he stood behind her with an arm around her neck.

  Abbie went completely still, afraid to move. It wasn’t that she would have actually shot him, but he didn’t know that. She only knew she couldn’t stand by and watch him take the life of another human being. Not even one as horrible as Donald.

  “I will not harm you.” His deep voice rumbled in her ear.

  “How did you— ”

  The high-pitched sound of an alarm unexpectedly blasted through the building, and Abbie felt Hauke stiffen against her.

  A pained sound wrenched from him, and he released his hold on her instantly. She spun around in time to watch him stumble back with his hands covering his ears. The look of agony on his face couldn’t be mistaken.

  “What wrong?” she shouted, taking a step toward him.

  He jerked his head toward the red flashing light in a corner of the room, and realization dawned. The high-pitched sound coming from the alarm affected him somehow.

  “They’re coming. We have to hurry!” she yelled over the screaming siren echoing throughout the room.

  She had to get him out of here before security arrived. They would shoot him where he stood if they saw her father and Donald unconscious on the floor. She knew exactly how it appeared.

  Abbie realized she still held the guard’s gun and quickly stuffed it into the waistband of her jeans before grabbing Hauke’s arm and giving him a tug.

  She led him over to a locker that stood against the wall and jerked one of the doors open.

  There were several different size scrubs stacked inside, and she grabbed a pair of bottoms from the extra-large pile. “Put these on. We have to get out of here.”

  Hauke accepted the pants and had them on in record time, but not before she caught a glimpse of him below the wais
t.

  He seemed to have the same equipment as any other man, but bigger. Much bigger. Heat crept up her neck and into her face. Yeah, that image would stay with her for a long time to come.

  Averting her gaze from Hauke’s masculine form, Abbie took one last look at her father before jogging toward the exit with Hauke tight on her heels.

  Seconds before they reached the door, the screaming siren abruptly stopped. Abbie glanced over her shoulder and noticed the instant relief on Hauke’s face. She spoke in a hushed tone. “Stay close.”

  Pulling the door handle down, Abbie gave it a little tug and peeked into the hall. The sound of shouting followed by footsteps could be heard coming up the corridor, forcing her to quickly abandon the idea of making a run for the stairs.

  “They have keys. We have less than a minute before they reach us.” She eased the door closed and reengaged the locks.

  If her heart beat any faster, she be in tachycardia in a matter of seconds, she acknowledged with a shuddering breath.

  Hauke glanced around the room, his glittering gaze touching on every object visible. “Stand back.”

  Abbie watched in wonder as he sped over to one of the sterilizing machines and lifted it from the floor. She knew it weighed over four hundred pounds.

  Muscles strained and bulged under the heavy burden as Hauke carried it over and deposited it in front of the door. It would only be a temporary block from the guards, but maybe it would buy them enough time to escape.

  “This way.” Abbie ran over to a window as a loud click sounded and shouting ensued from the other side of the door.

  She easily sprang the locks and slid the glass up to peek over the ledge. “Son of a bitch,” she growled, taking in the scene below. It was a long drop from the second floor to the ground.

  Hauke was immediately at her side. “We go down from here. Do not think, Abbie. Follow my lead.” He threw a long leg over the windowsill and disappeared from sight.

  Abbie’s breath caught. She couldn’t believe he’d just dropped from at least twenty feet up.

  She peered over the ledge to see Hauke standing with his feet planted apart and his arms extended out. She could barely hear over the cluster of people attempting to fight their way into the room.