Enigma:What Lies Beneath (Enigma Series Book 1)

by Kellen, Ditter

  Hauke cupped her face in his big hands. “We do not know that you have been infected. Do not worry yourself this way. You will become ill.”

  He leaned in and touched his lips to hers, speaking against her mouth. “Your scent reminds me of an early morning sunrise as it warms the water’s surface.”

  His words melted her insides. “You have a way of saying things that brings them to life in my mind. Don’t ever change.”

  Hauke pulled her to him, slanting his mouth over hers. The pressure of his hold, his kiss, and his heat left her breathless.

  “Open for me, my mate.” The mental command was gentle yet firm, demanding no more than she was willing to give. And she was willing to give it all.

  Abbie closed her mind off from everything but Hauke. The feel of his tongue sliding ever so softly around hers while his powerful shaft pulsed against her stomach left her weak with an intoxicating need to be possessed by him.

  “Take me,” she mentally begged, grinding her hips against his ever-growing erection.

  “Are you ready for me? I do not want to hurt you or the babe.”

  “More than ready. I need to feel you inside me. Now.”

  His fingers slipped between their bodies, and a groan escaped his throat as he came in contact with the evidence of her need for him. “I can feel your heat.”

  Wrapping his large hands around her waist, Hauke lifted her and guided her to his erection.

  She could sense the effort it took for him to hold back, to keep from impaling her. It only made her want him more.

  Through the haze of desire swirling through her body, she slowly sank down onto his thick shaft. The feel of him stretching her became overwhelming, and her head dropped back in abandon.

  “I will not last long for you,” Hauke growled as he broke off the kiss. “It is taking enormous effort to hold back.”

  His words, coupled with the gentle movement of his hips, sent her over the edge. “Come with me,” she mentally cried, contracting around him.

  Hauke jerked her to him and thrust, his body shaking with near-violent shudders. The primitive sounds he made sent her into another whirlwind as she rode out her orgasm through a haze of undeniable passion.

  They clung to each other for what seemed an eternity before Hauke stirred beneath her. “You unman me, my mate.”

  He eased from her body and tucked some of her hair behind her ear.

  “That was amazing, Hauke. You drive me insane with lust every time you touch me. You’ll never understand the depths of my feelings for you.”

  “I am linked to you, sweet Abbie. Know that I return your feelings tenfold.”

  She kissed his chin. “I am learning to read your emotions as well, which is why I don’t feel any insecurity with you.”

  A knock on the door silenced her confession. “Dinner’s ready,” Tony called from the other side.

  “Thank you. We’ll be right out.” Abbie laid her head on Hauke’s shoulder. “I’d rather stay in here with you until the water gets cold.”

  “You need to eat to keep up your strength. Besides, you are eating for two now.” He coasted his hand down to cup her abdomen. “My son.”

  A pain passed through Abbie’s heart at his words. If she’d been infected back at that lab, Hauke would lose her and his child.

  * * * *

  “How the hell did you lose them?” Glenn Anderson paced the floor of the lab at Winchester Industries, trying to calm himself in the midst of all the chaos. It wasn’t working too well.

  Harold Newman, the lab’s owner, faced him without flinching. “Your men were guarding the building, not mine.”

  “Anthony Vaughn is behind this. Of that, I have no doubt.”

  Newman had the audacity to laugh. “Then why hasn’t he been caught?”

  “You think we haven’t tried?” Glenn snarled. He wanted to slap the smug look off Newman’s face so bad his palm itched. “Vaughn is ex-CIA. He’s not easily found. Hell, he doesn’t even exist any longer, and God knows who he has helping him in this.”

  “Then I suggest you find out before this goes any further. If Abbigail Sutherland escapes with that child, we may never find a cure for this virus. The whole world will be at risk.”

  Anderson ran a hand down his face and dropped heavily into a chair. “Are all the bodies accounted for?”

  It was Newman’s turn to grow contrite. “Not all. Phillips hasn’t been found, and one of the test subjects escaped.”

  “Jesus,” Glenn swore, jumping to his feet to pace once again. “I want them located at once. I’ll bring in more troops to comb the area. I suggest you get this place cleaned up. It looks like a bloodbath in here.”

  He turned to go. “And Newman? Instruct your people not to speak to the press. The last thing we need is an obstruction from the media. There’s enough damage control going on as it is.”

  “Mallory Cahill is not going to be easily swayed.”

  “Should I know who that is?” Anderson stopped at the door with his hand on the knob.

  “She’s a reporter for the Daily Sentinel. She’s known as the great white, because of her ability to always get the story. Like a shark circling her prey, she won’t stop until she’s had her fill.”

  Glenn considered his words carefully. “Then do what most shark hunters do—dangle some bait beneath her nose until she’s hooked and then mount her head on your wall for all I care. Just keep her under control.”

  “Whatever you say,” Newman quipped, plucking the phone from his belt. “I’ll set up an interview for tomorrow.”

  With a nod in Newman’s direction, Anderson left the room, pulling the door closed behind him.

  He hated like hell to have to report this latest catastrophe to Jefferies, but report it he must.

  The Secretary of Homeland Security hadn’t been happy about Anderson shooting the alien inside the bunker, but he’d been left with little choice. Anderson said he’d had no doubt that he would be dead right now if he hadn’t pulled the trigger.

  It was far too late for regrets, Glenn thought, storming down the hall toward the exit. There were at least six escapees running loose in the city, and one of them carried the deadly Psinum Incola virus.

  Damn it all to hell…

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Hauke studied the contraption that Abbie’s uncle had confiscated from a dive shop a few counties away. The men who Tony used to bring guns and supplies were always discreet and never seen. Tony referred to them as ghosts.

  “I do not understand how this works.” Hauke touched the sleek black material in wonder.

  Tony explained the logistics of the dive gear while packing a few weapons in a waterproof bag. “Once she gets down there, she won’t be able to come back without this suit. It produces gasses she will need to prevent oxygen toxicity.”

  Hauke had to admit the suit fascinated him. It enabled a human to become as a Bracadyte, if only for a brief time.

  “I’m attaching extra tanks so that she can return once this is all over with,” Tony muttered, sealing the bag of supplies. “Is she showing any signs of being infected yet?”

  “Nothing thus far. I have prayed to your God to spare her life. Perhaps he has granted me this one gift.”

  Tony stared at him for a long moment before speaking. “Prayer’s good, I suppose. It never worked for me. Then again, I wouldn’t expect it to after some of the things I’ve done.” A haunted look flickered in his eyes but left as fast as it appeared.

  “I do not know what you have done that is bad enough to anger your human God. I only know what you have done for Naura and me. Surely He would grant you some measure of respect for your courage alone.”

  “Yeah, well, I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you. I’m sure He turned his back on me long ago.”

  Hauke looked up as Abbie entered the room, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Her face appeared paler than usual.

  She glanced at the wetsuits on the table. “Why are there two of them?”r />
  “Because I’m going with you to make sure you don’t run into any problems.”

  Hauke threw a hand up. “I do not think that is wise. The Bracadyte have strict rules about their need to remain hidden. I cannot guarantee your safe return if you are discovered.”

  “I wasn’t asking for permission. If Abbie goes in her current condition, I go with her.”

  “But what if you’re caught?” Abbie interjected, taking a seat on the couch to pull on her shoes.

  “I’ll take my chances. As soon as I see that you made it inside without mishap, I’ll be on my way. I can handle myself, kid. Trust me in this.” He touched the weapon at his side.

  “Please don’t kill anyone, Uncle Tony. Those are Hauke’s people.”

  “I’m not planning on it. I won’t use force unless it comes down to me or them.”

  “We do not possess the human weapons.”

  Naura’s soft declaration caught Abbie’s uncle off guard, if his body language was any indication. He rolled his head on his neck as if uncomfortable with her scrutiny. “Then there won’t be any need to use mine, will there?”

  Something tangible passed between them. Hauke could sense it as surely as if he’d physically felt it.

  He cleared his throat and addressed Tony. “My father is a ruthless king. I cannot guarantee that you will come to no harm.”

  Tony gaped at him. “Your old man’s a king?”

  Hauke’s lips twitched. “I do not think he would appreciate being referred to as old, but yes, he is the king.”

  “Well, I’ll be damned.” Tony grabbed the bag he held and threw the strap over his shoulder. “Then I’ll be extra careful not to shoot him.”

  The rest of the morning went by in a flutter of chaotic packing and running into one another on trips back and forth to the car.

  Hauke had noticed the sheen of sweat on Abbie’s forehead along with the occasional shiver that passed through her body.

  He stopped her on his way back inside to grab another load. “Are you not well, my love?”

  She smiled at him but wouldn’t meet his gaze. “I’m fine. Just a little morning sickness. I hear it gets worse in the second trimester.”

  “Abbie?” He laid his palm against her forehead and his heart sank. “You have a fever.”

  “It’s nothing. I feel perfectly fine.”

  “You are not fine. Go rest. I will come get you when we are ready to depart.”

  Her shoulders slumped in defeat, and fear swam in her beautiful hazel eyes when she looked up at him. “It’s happening, isn’t it?”

  “I do not know the cause, but I feel sure that our healer will be able to help. I beg you to go lie down and save your strength.”

  He stood in the doorway as she trailed across the room and curled up on the couch. Her body appeared small and frail, huddled in a ball with an occasional shiver passing through her.

  Fear for his mate consumed Hauke in that moment. If she had been infected, he honestly didn’t know if the healer could help her, but he had to try. If she died, he would follow her into the next life.

  “I can help her, my brother.”

  Naura’s voice inside his head brought him up short. He stepped out onto the porch and met her gaze across the yard.

  She stood next to Tony, who was currently arranging items in the trunk.

  “No. You would not survive,” he mentally shot back.

  “And you will not survive either, if she dies. I have never known a love so deep as the one you have for Abbie. It would be an honor to give you this gift.”

  “I love you for your offering, flesh of my flesh, but I forbid it. I could not live with the knowledge of you giving up your life for my happiness. The answer is no.”

  They stared at each other for long moments before Hauke broke the mental connection. Another soul as precious as Naura had yet to live. Her heart had a purity very few possessed, and he would never permit her to sacrifice herself for him or anyone else. No matter how much he loved them.

  * * * *

  President Reuben Howell hung up the phone and buried his face in his hands. He’d just been briefed on the situation in Florida, and the news hadn’t been good.

  The plans to ship the aliens to Area 51 were now shot to hell. They had escaped along with one of the test subjects that had been kept at the lab, which meant anyone that came in contact with the infected man ran the risk of exposure.

  “Damn it,” he growled, spinning around in his chair to gaze out the bulletproof window in his office. If Abbigail Sutherland and the aliens were not found soon, Reuben’s chances of reelection were slim at best.

  The door opened behind him, but he didn’t turn away from his view. “What is it?”

  “Sir? Doug Jefferies wishes to speak with you.”

  “Send him in.”

  A soft murmuring of voices could be heard briefly before the click of the door sounded. Reuben swiveled his chair around to face the Secretary of Homeland Security. “Have a seat, Doug.”

  Jefferies sat in a chair in front of Reuben’s desk and steepled his fingers beneath his chin. “Gerald Kerik has decided to bring in the CIA on this.”

  “I see. I’m sure he knows what he’s doing. He didn’t become Secretary of Defense by being an idiot. Are you going to be able to work with him on this?”

  “I’m sure we can put our differences aside to handle the situation at hand. And I agree, it may take the CIA to catch an ex-CIA agent.”

  Reuben wholeheartedly agreed. “Vaughn’s file was destroyed years ago. According to Kerik, he was often sent in to take out multiple targets.”

  “Yes. Apparently his family was slaughtered in front of him by one of the terrorist groups he’d been working on. A bloodbath that ended with the decapitation of his wife.”

  The president recoiled. “My God. How the hell did he make it out alive?”

  “The sparing of his life had been intentional albeit a mistake on the part of the terrorists to leave him suffering.”

  Vaughn had gone back in the field almost immediately following the deaths of his family. He became a killing machine, taking more lives than were probably necessary until he eventually found and slaughtered the ones responsible for killing his wife and child.”

  “Why was his file destroyed?”

  “It would seem the CIA paid him a healthy sum to disappear along with whatever secret agenda they had going at the time. He dropped off the grid nearly fifteen years ago and hasn’t been heard from since.”

  “Until now,” Reuben muttered. “He’s resurfaced like a fungus, deterring every attempt we’ve made at containing the aliens and ultimately, the spread of this virus.”

  Jefferies leaned forward, pinning the president with a hard stare. “Correct me if I’m wrong, sir, but had the CDC not jumped in headfirst and begun tampering with the bacteria for their own experimental agenda, the virus would have died out with the ones in quarantine. Instead, we now have a rabid man loose in the city, infected with a new strain that could have devastating consequences if he’s not found. And soon.”

  “Don’t you think I know that? This is exactly why we need the Sutherland woman. The only hope we have of stopping this lies in the DNA of that alien spawn she’s carrying. Raducha feels confident he can find a cure or at the very least, a vaccine from the fetus.”

  “Why the fetus and not the mother?”

  “Because, Jefferies, that baby carries human as well as alien blood in its veins. Our only hope is finding Abbigail Sutherland.”

  “And if the fetus doesn’t hold the answers?”

  “Then we will have a pandemic on our hands the likes of which the world has never seen…”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Abbie rolled her head against Hauke’s shoulder with a moan. She’d been fighting nausea ever since the car they were packed into had left the cottage. “How much longer?”

  “Not far now.” Tony glanced over the seat. “Are you going to be sick?”

 
“No,” she lied, squeezing her eyes shut. “Just not feeling so great.”

  The bite mark on her arm throbbed in time with her heartbeat, the pain nearly unbearable.

  “What can I do?” Hauke’s deep voice was laced with sympathy.

  “Nothing. I’ll be fine in a minute. A little car sickness never hurt anyone, right?” Her attempt at hiding her discomfort sounded obvious to her own ears.

  Naura abruptly got to her knees in the front seat and turned to face them. She leaned over and took hold of Abbie’s hand. “I can take some of your pain.”

  Abbie was too stunned to speak. She could only watch as Hauke’s beautiful sister locked their fingers together, closed her eyes, and tilted her head back.

  A tingling warmth began in Abbie’s palm, similar to the sensation she’d felt with Hauke, yet different. It spread up her arm, pulsing and heating until it reached the place she’d been bitten. The sting of the bite suddenly left as if it were wrenched from her by force.

  A soft moan came from deep within Naura’s throat. She released Abbie’s arm and returned to her sitting position without another word.

  “It doesn’t hurt anymore,” Abbie blurted out in shock. “How did you do that?”

  Hauke answered for his sister as he put his arm around Abbie and gently placed her head back on his shoulder. “Naura has the ability to heal.”

  Abbie tilted her head back to look into his eyes. “You mean like your healer in Aukrabah?”

  “Somewhat. Many Bracadyte have the power to heal; some more than others. There have only been a few with the gift my sister has.

  “Our healer uses energy to ease pain, speed the mending of broken bones, and assists with child birthing. My sister’s gifts are stronger and more dangerous.”

  “Dangerous how?” Tony inquired from his position behind the wheel.

  Was that concern that Abbie detected in his voice? She filed the thought away for a later time. “I’m with Uncle Tony. How dangerous?”

  “Energy is pulled into her as well as from her.”

  Abbie thought about that for a second. As a doctor, the concept of energy healing fascinated her. “Pulled into her?”