by Lynsay Sands
He'd just been taking one last look around, hoping for inspiration on how to save Sarita before resigning himself to giving himself up to Dressler, when he'd heard that pssst. Now he crept to the woman, hoping against hope that the angels had sent a solution to his problem.
"You have to save Sarita," the woman hissed the moment he stopped in front of her. "I can help."
"Who are you?" Domitian asked, eyeing her warily. "And why would you help?"
"I'm--My name is Asherah."
He stilled at the name, recognizing it. Sarita had said the woman had been present when Dressler had injected her with a knockout drug. This woman had done nothing to help her.
"Again," he said coldly. "Why would you help?"
"Because if you don't get her away from here, El Doctor is going to use her to make you turn him immortal," she said grimly.
"And you do not want that?" he asked dubiously.
"Damned right I don't," she snarled, glancing resentfully toward the labs. "He's tortured us long enough. You need to get Sarita out and away from here to somewhere he can't get his hands on either of you."
Domitian glanced toward the buildings again, debating whether to trust the woman or not. Sarita had said Asherah hadn't seemed to like her much, but she might have mistaken the rage obviously boiling under the surface of this woman as dislike of herself. Either way, it didn't really matter. He didn't see a way to get in without help. If the woman betrayed him and delivered him to Dressler, than she was simply doing what he'd just about decided he'd have to do anyway and turning him in.
"How?" Domitian asked finally, still eyeing the grounds inside the fence. "I can control the guards and make them look away, but I cannot control the cameras."
"There's a blind spot between two of the cameras," Asherah said at once, and he turned sharply to look at her.
"Where?"
"Right here," she answered, nodding toward the fence. "If you stay on a straight line from this tree to that third light on the building, the two cameras on this side of the lab will not pick you up."
Domitian eyed the light she was talking about and then glanced at first one camera and then the other on the corners of the building and thought it might be possible they were angled in such a way as to miss a three-foot-wide strip of the grounds. But then he glanced to the next building behind this one and frowned. "What about the cameras on that building? Won't the one pointed this way catch me?"
"It's not angled right," Asherah assured him and then added, "I use this blind spot to slip away from the labs and go down to the beach for a swim when El Doctor makes me stay all night to watch over one of his horrible experiments. I've never once been caught."
Domitian nodded slowly and then eyed the path she was talking about.
"How do you manage the fence?" he asked after a moment. He could climb it quickly and easily, but Sarita might have difficulty with it on their way out.
"There's a slice in the fence that goes up about five feet. I tied a bit of wire around it in the middle and at the bottom to keep it closed between uses."
"And the men on the security team have never noticed?" he asked with disbelief.
"The men on the security detail are useless," Asherah said acerbically. "They don't even patrol along here. I don't know why El Doctor wastes his money on them. Although, I suppose I shouldn't complain since I wouldn't be able to slip away to swim if they were on the ball."
Domitian glanced to the towers. The two men in the tower to his right were talking and laughing as they smoked. The two in the tower on his left looked like they were playing a game of cards. It seemed none of them were too concerned about the search the other men were involved in.
"Once we get to the wall, plaster yourself against it and follow me to the door, but then just wait there. I will get Sarita out to you."
"I will come in with you and get her myself," he announced grimly.
"You can't," she rasped. "El Doctor is working in the lab. He'd shoot you with a dart the minute you entered and it would all be over."
Domitian's eyes narrowed. "Then how did you get out?"
"He sent me to tell the guard at the gatehouse to gather the men in the towers and go aid in the search. He thinks their absence will encourage you to walk in and give yourself up," she added. "I saw a flash of movement as I came out and felt sure it would be you, so after I passed along the message, I just slipped around to talk to you."
"The gatehouse guard doesn't appear to have listened," Domitian pointed out, motioning to the two towers on their side of the fenced-in area.
"Yes he has," she said and pointed to two men approaching the gate from the other side of the buildings. "He's just slow and lazy. And he probably got talking to one of the men when he called them. Once they all make their way out, we can slip through the fence and hurry to the building. But follow me. If you step outside the blind spot and the cameras pick you up . . ."
Asherah shrugged helplessly, not stating the obvious, and Domitian nodded silently and then glanced again toward the guard towers he could see, noting that one of the men playing cards had stopped to take a phone call. Moments later the man ended the call, said something to his partner and the two men began to descend the ladder to the ground.
Domitian's gaze shifted from them to a third pair of men as they appeared from the other side of the buildings, headed for the gatehouse. That left only--he glanced toward the tower on their right to see the men had stopped talking to each other and one had a phone pressed to his ear. He watched the man end the call and then those two men began to descend their ladder as well, heading to ground. He followed them with his eyes as they trooped toward the gatehouse, wishing he could shout at them to hurry up. It seemed to take forever, although it was probably only five minutes or so. Just long enough for Domitian to come up with another concern.
Spearing Asherah with cold eyes, he asked, "If Dressler is inside, how do you intend to get Sarita out?"
"I have a plan," she assured him.
"What plan?" he insisted.
"She can tell you all about it once she's out. We need to move now," she said and then rushed from the tree to the fence to crouch down and begin removing her ties.
Tense and suspicious, Domitian followed, arriving just as she undid the second tie. Before he could ask his question again, she turned and handed the ties to him. "Make sure you do it up before you follow me. If someone sees the fence torn open they might investigate and block your exit."
Asherah was almost through the hole before she finished speaking. Frowning, Domitian followed, and then paused to do as she'd instructed, slipping one tie through both edges of the fence at about the midpoint in the cut, and twisting it twice to seal the fence loosely, and then doing the same at the bottom of the fence.
When he turned toward the building, Asherah had already reached it and stood with her back flat against the wall, waiting for him. Seeing that she was directly below the light she'd mentioned, Domitian headed straight forward.
Asherah waited until he'd nearly reached her, and then started to slide along the building with her back still flat to it. Following her example, Domitian turned his back to the wall and did the same.
They paused briefly at the corner of the building while Asherah peeked out to be sure the coast was clear, and then they slid around the corner to approach the door. They were nearly to it when Asherah glanced back and whispered, "Wait here. Sarita will be out in five minutes. Maybe ten. And make sure you take the long way back. Follow the edge of the jungle around the labs and house. They are searching the beach by the boats, expecting you that way."
Continuing forward then, she slipped through the door into the lab and disappeared, leaving him to eye the now-empty gatehouse and the path beside it worriedly.
Sixteen
Sarita watched as the silver in Santo's eyes completely obliterated the black of his irises. It was as if the nanos were eagerly responding to the offer, but then Santo turned his head away in refusal.
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"Goddammit," Sarita snapped furiously. "I don't want to be responsible for Dressler becoming immortal. I couldn't live with knowing he was out there hurting others because Domitian couldn't let me die. Don't force him to make that choice."
"Has it occurred to you that perhaps Santo could not live with knowing he had taken an innocent's life?" Victor asked, his voice sharp. "You are asking him to kill you."
"He's an immortal. You all feed off innocents all the time," she said impatiently.
"To live," Eshe snapped. "But we do not murder people to survive any more than an accident victim or hemophiliac would to get the blood they need. We are not animals, Sarita. He will not feed on you. You are just torturing Santo right now, and for no good purpose. Leave him alone."
Sagging against the bars, Sarita withdrew her arms and then turned to scowl at Eshe and Victor. "I don't want to torture Santo or make him do something he might feel guilty about. But I would rather die than allow Dressler to succeed, and I would rather die than allow Domitian to have to live knowing he'd given Dressler the information he needed to become immortal, and feeling guilty for any deaths and torture that follow."
"I know, but--" Eshe began, and then paused and glanced sharply toward the door when it opened.
They all watched silently as Asherah entered, this time alone.
"Time to go," the woman said, unlocking the cell Sarita was in.
She hesitated, but then noticed the knife Asherah had in her hand and approached the cell door as the woman swung it open.
"Sarita," Victor growled.
"Do not," Eshe commanded hoarsely.
Ignoring them, Sarita stepped out of the cell, mentally preparing herself to kick out at the woman. The way she saw it, she'd either beat the crap out of Asherah, get her keys, and free everyone, or she'd fail and die, blowing Dressler's chances of forcing Domitian to give him the information he wanted. Either way, she won. Although, really, staging a breakout and surviving would be the better ending for her, all things considered.
Smiling wryly, at the thought, Sarita started to turn toward Asherah and then stiffened and released a startled gasp at a sharp pain in her side. Lowering her head, she stared with amazement at the knife sticking out of her just above the waist.
Well, that was unexpected, she thought, vaguely aware of the shouts and curses coming from Domitian's family. She lifted her head to stare at Asherah blankly.
"You're not dying," Asherah said wearily as the others fell silent. Sliding the knife back out, she caught Sarita by the arm when her legs immediately gave out. Leaning close she whispered, "You should know by now that there are cameras everywhere on the islands. El Doctor heard your plans to sacrifice yourself and decided I should collect you early to make sure you didn't spoil his plans."
Asherah pulled Sarita's arm over her shoulder and turned to half walk and half drag her to the door, adding, "I'll try to get you out of here. But it won't be easy, and he'll kill me if he finds out I helped you."
"Help?" Sarita asked with surprise.
"Do you think I want that bastard living another year let alone hundreds?" she asked in a bitter whisper. "I'd kill him myself if I had the courage, but . . ." She shook her head and opened the door to the hallway, walked Sarita through, and closed it again.
As she helped her along the hall, Asherah added, "He only has months to live. He has cancer. That's why he stepped up his game. Not because he was worried about getting caught. No one will find this island and if they do, they won't make it ashore alive. The flying hybrids circle a two-mile area around the island, watching for anyone approaching. They would sound the alarm and it would be Armageddon on the water with the human security men and the various hybrids all joining in. So we can't count on help. We just have to hold out for a couple months and then we are all free . . . so long as he doesn't find out how a mortal is turned."
"Kill me," Sarita said at once. "That would stop him. Domitian would never tell him without proof I am alive."
Asherah tossed her an exasperated look. "If I can't kill that animal Dressler, what on earth makes you think I could kill you?"
"You stabbed me," she pointed out dryly.
"Yes, but not mortally. And it's just to ensure El Doctor thinks you're subdued and will not be difficult."
"Yeah, well, I'm afraid I believe it too," Sarita said weakly, aware that she was leaning more heavily on the woman with each step. She also felt lightheaded, dizzy, and she was starting to sweat, all bad signs she knew. "I think you hit something important after all."
"What?" Asherah asked sharply, and eased her to lean against the wall so that she could examine her side. "Dammit."
"That doesn't sound good," Sarita muttered, trying to keep her eyes open.
"I think I must have nicked an artery or something. Just hang on a minute. Don't pass out. I'll be right back."
Sarita nodded weakly, but her eyes were closed and she couldn't see the woman leave, although she did hear her walk quickly away. A door opened and closed, followed by silence and then the sound of a door opening and closing again. Sarita heard returning footsteps.
"Here. I'm giving you a shot of adrenaline and something to slow the bleeding," Asherah whispered just before Sarita felt a sharp pain in her thigh. "It should start working relatively quickly."
Sarita swallowed, and while she waited to feel better, asked, "How are we going to get out of here?"
"Not we, you."
She opened her eyes at that and peered at the woman with disbelief. "I won't be able to get out of here by myself. I can barely stand."
"You'll be fine once the shot kicks in," Asherah assured her.
"But--"
"Besides, Domitian is waiting outside," she assured her.
"He is?" Sarita asked with surprise.
"Yes. I saw him on the camera earlier, sneaking around the fence, trying to find a way in. So I distracted El Doctor until he was past the camera and then made an excuse to leave and went out to lead him safely through the cameras to the side of the building. There is a blind spot," she explained. "Only one and very small. He's waiting for you."
"What about the men in the towers?" Sarita asked with confusion.
"El Doctor sent them to help search the island for Domitian." Asherah eyed her with concern. "How are you feeling?"
Sarita hesitated and then straightened away from the wall, finding she could hold her own weight again. She wasn't feeling 100 percent or anything, but she could move under her own power at least.
"Good. Now listen, it has to look like you escaped and I had nothing to do with it, do you understand? El Doctor will kill me if he thinks I let you go or helped you in any way."
"How do we do that?" Sarita asked dubiously. "I'm injured and you're no weakling."
"There is a stereo dissecting microscope on the wheeled tray. I put it there earlier. When I walk you past the tray, you grab it and hit me on the head," she instructed. "Make it look good. If he doesn't believe it, I'm dead," she repeated. "Once you've hit me just run for the exterior door. Dressler is old, he won't catch you if you are quick, and you only have to make it out the door. Domitian will be there to get you away. Got it?"
Sarita nodded abruptly, her hands clenching, and then asked, "What is a stereo dissecting microscope and what does it look like?"
Asherah blinked and then cursed under her breath, and said heavily, "Just look for a big thing on the tray that looks heavy."
"Right," Sarita muttered, feeling stupid.
"Come on," Asherah said, pulling her arm over her shoulder again. "Lean on me and look weak. And keep your head down so your expression doesn't give you away. You have to fool El Doctor."
Nodding, Sarita leaned on her and lowered her head as they made their way up the hall the last five or so feet to the door.
"Good luck," Asherah whispered just before pulling the door open and urging her through.
"Ah, there you are. I was beginning to wonder what was taking you so long." Dressler sounded
annoyed at the delay.
"I think I wounded her a little worse than I intended," Asherah said apologetically. "She's losing blood fast."
"No matter. It's nearly midnight now. I'm sure Domitian will turn himself in soon and save the day," he said dryly. "And a little urgency wouldn't hurt in helping him make the right decision. Lay her on the table and chain her up, Asherah, so she's the first thing Domitian sees when he enters," Dressler instructed. "I just want to start my notes before the excitement begins."
Asherah squeezed her uninjured side then, and Sarita glanced up to see that Dressler had turned his back to them to bend over the desk and write something in his book. She also saw that they were just approaching the wheeled tray. The only thing on it was something that looked like the microscopes they'd used in high school science class, but more sci-fi-ish to her mind.
Sending up a quick, silent prayer that this would work, Sarita snatched up the weighty microscope and swung it at Asherah. It was heavier than expected and, afraid she'd kill the woman, Sarita pulled back a bit at the end trying to lessen the blow. She still connected with a solid thump and wasn't surprised when Asherah cried out and fell to the floor.
Seeing Dressler straightening and turning toward her, Sarita wheeled the microscope at him and made for the door as quickly as she could. Which really wasn't that quickly, she worried as she staggered forward. Sure she would be stopped by the old bastard at any moment, Sarita put on a burst of speed and stumbled through the door unaccosted. But the effort cost her and she pretty much fell out the door as it swung open.
One minute the ground was rushing toward her face, and the next she was caught up in strong arms and pressed to a hard chest.
"Thank God," she whispered as Domitian's scent filled her nostrils.
"Mi Corazon?" Domitian whispered with concern when Sarita went still in his arms. She didn't answer, and the scent of blood was heavy on her. He took a moment to listen for her heartbeat, his own heart stuttering with concern when he heard how weak and thready it was.
"Rest, mi Corazon," he whispered. "I have you."
Pressing her tight against him, he glanced around to be sure the way was still clear and the men had not returned from their search, and then he moved quickly around the corner and back along the wall. When he reached the light Asherah had pointed out, he hunched over and ran for the fence, making sure to stay within the dead zone between cameras as Asherah had instructed. Reaching the fence, he didn't bother untying the tie, but pushed his way through, careful to avoid any part of Sarita getting caught by the sharp and broken wire.