Jaci's Experiment (18 page)

“I won’t. Please give my thanks to your family, Mick, and accept my appreciation for your kindness. I owe you all a great deal and I’m afraid I will never be in a position to pay you back.”

Mick walked to the door. “Like I said, don’t worry about any of that now. Concentrate on getting well.

The rest will work out in time.”

He gave her one last smile before departing and Jaci felt the weight of the long day settle over her like a blanket. She sank back against the mound of pillows they’d given her and promptly fell asleep.

***

“What’s up with her?” Sam asked Bill in hushed tones as Jaci’s head moved, in the throes of a dream. “She dreams.”

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Sam watched her with envious eyes. “One of her mates is a dreamwalker. I bet she’s with them now.”

“Human mind powers never cease to amaze me,” Bill observed. Both men watched Jaci’s delicate form as a smile lifted the corners of her mouth, even in sleep. “There are those among you who can enter someone’s dreams?”

“It’s a rare thing,” Sam admitted. “But I’ve heard of it before. Her mate’s gift must be really strong to be able to reach her here. Jaci said he’s been learning how to use crystals to boost his range.”

“He’s harnessed the power of the crystals? I know Mick’s been looking into how crystal energy can enhance human mental abilities for some time. Looks like Jaci’s mate has at last found the secret.”

“Imagine that.” Sam thought of the potential uses such a skill could have. Given enough crystals and the right talents, the human race could be a force to be reckoned with once again.

***

Warm arms enveloped her as Jaci floated into the dreamstate. “Are you okay, love?” Michael asked, his voice full of concern. She opened her eyes to find him at her side as David held her in his arms, cradling her against his chest.

“I’m all right. My leg is broken, but Mick O’Hara put it in a cast. Messy and low-tech, but it’ll do the job.”

Her response startled a laugh from Michael as David’s arms tightened around her. He hadn’t spoken yet, his head bowed, his gaze drinking her in. Of the two cousins, he seemed the more affected by her narrow escape. She reached up to stroke his firm jaw.

“Thank God you made it to the O’Haras,” Michael said.

“I had help. Sam and Bill found me in the wreckage and hid me, then carried me to the O’Hara ranch.

Oh! Which reminds me. Please tell Ruth that Sam is all right. He didn’t know about Samantha but he was deeply touched when I told him he had a daughter. He sends his love to Ruth and the baby.”

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“That’s the Sam who found you? We knew him,” Michael spoke since David seemed incapable of it at the moment. “He’s a good man. But who’s this Bill?”

She didn’t know how much she could reveal, though she wanted to tell them everything. Still, she’d promised Bill she wouldn’t speak of his secrets. “They call him Wild Bill. He’s a recluse who lives up in the mountains. Sam partnered up with him, apparently. They’re both on the run, but they are good men.

The O’Haras know them.”

“That’s enough for me. We’ve already talked to Callie, Davin and Rick about how we can get to you.

They think it’s too dangerous right now and after checking the Alvian military communiqués, I have to concur. You’re safe for now. They’re searching the other side of the mountain and further afield. They don’t believe you could have hiked over the ridge and down to the O’Haras without them knowing it.

Apparently they’re pretty cocky about the surveillance they have on the ranch.”

“From what I gather, the O’Haras know exactly what’s watching them and when.”

“That doesn’t surprise me one bit,” Michael agreed as David shifted her in his arms. “Now, just how is your leg? Are you hurt anywhere else?”

“It’s a clean break, Mick said. It should be fully repaired in a few weeks, even without Alvian medicine.

We heal faster than you humans.”

“Thank God for that.” David spoke for the first time and she could see the evidence of tears behind his eyes. “It’s probably best for you to stay at the ranch for now, until you’re healed. We’re working on a way to be together, but it relies heavily on Davin and the O’Haras.”

“I don’t see how, David. I’m a fugitive. You’re still prisoners, even if Davin allows you more freedom than any other Alvian. I just don’t see how we can be together.” She began to cry, much to her dismay, but David held her close, cradling her against his chest as he bent over her. She felt so safe in his arms, so protected and loved. It was a feeling she didn’t think she could live without. But she must. At least for the foreseeable future.

“Let us worry about that, sweetheart,” Michael said, stroking her back with soothing hands. “We have more friends than we thought. If there’s a way, we’ll find it. We have to. We need you, Jaci.”

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“And I need you,” she sobbed. “I need you both. So much.”

David held her tight throughout the storm, sharing in her sadness as they touched, but only in dreams. At length, she regained a measure of composure, finding herself on a dreamy soft couch made out of clouds, seated between the two cousins. She took a closer look at Michael’s face, appalled to find him looking haggard and worn. She reached out to cup his cheek.

“Have you been getting enough sleep? You look so tired.”

A rueful grin passed over his lips before he turned them into her hand to place a gentle kiss on her palm.

“I’ve been dreamwalking pretty much non-stop since that first contact after you crashed. I didn’t want to miss you, love. We were so worried.”

“Michael, I don’t want you to strain yourself on my account. All is well now. I’m among friends and safe for the moment. I want you and David to get some sleep.” She tried to get stern with him, but it was hard to chastise him for something so sweet as worrying about her welfare.

Both men chuckled at her little tirade, David reaching out to turn her on the cloud couch. She moved willingly, though she could easily see from the nebulous setting that Michael’s power over the dream was not total. Usually he conjured detailed settings with furniture and vibrant colors, scents and sounds. This dreamplane was filled with wisps of thought as if they floated among the clouds, only the illusion of fog supporting them. In a way, it was even more seductive than Michael’s elaborate sets.

“Oh, we’ll sleep very well, once we’ve made love to you,” Michael assured her. She was glad to see the sparkle of mischief in his eye. It told her that he wasn’t too tired to play a bit before he left her dream.

David stretched out below her, floating on the cloud, able to move her as if they were in zero-gravity. It was a novel experience, and one that she found strangely alluring. David’s gaze still held shadows.

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“I thought we’d lost you, Jaci.” His words were stark, sounding as if they were ripped from his soul.

“Don’t ever do that to us again. I can’t take it. I need you more than my next breath.”

“As I need you.” Tears threatened once more, but Michael intervened, distracting them all by doing away with their clothing in the blink of an eye. She turned to look up at him, hovering at her side.

“The time for sorrow is over. Now it’s time to play.” He winked and gave her a roguish grin.

“With you, it’s always play time, cousin,” David quipped.

“And with you it’s all work. Work, worry and work. Face it. Without me around, you’d never have any fun at all.”

It was good to hear their easy banter. It refocused her on the here and now instead of her worries about the uncertain future. Daring greatly, she took hold of David’s forearms and sent them both tumbling around the cloud plane, Michael’s laughter following in their wake.

“Now what was that for?” David asked as he grinned up at her.

“Just getting your attention. I could grow old waiting for you to get to the good part.”

“The good part, eh?” David raised one eyebrow. “I think I like the sound of that. In fact, I know for certain that you have quite a number of good parts that I would like to pay more attention to.”

“Such as?” She dared him with a saucy smile.

David slid below her, hovering near her bouncing breasts. He licked out, teasing her nipples with slippery suction as he circled with his tongue.

She couldn’t help herself. She giggled.

“Oh, so you like that?” David teased as he moved lower, licking a line down to her navel and delving within. Her tummy contracted with pleasure and ticklishness, causing another carefree laugh to escape.

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David hovered below her, going lower until his lips teased the apex of her thighs. When his tongue slid into the crevice that hid her clit, she moaned. But Michael was there to catch the involuntary sound with his mouth as he kissed her long and deep.

Michael’s tongue played with hers while David’s teased her most secret places. Strong hands spread her legs, making room for him to delve deeper, lick longer, tease her with his skill.

“Are you enjoying having Dave lick your pussy, sweetheart?” Michael’s gaze was as hot as she’d ever seen it while he watched his cousin go down on her. She could only mutter a muffled agreement as David hit a particularly sensitive spot. A moment later, his fingers stretched her passage, adding to the delicious torture.

Michael repositioned her in the nothingness around them, situating her between the two men, sitting upright with her legs spread as wide as they would go. David had stopped tonguing her clit in order to pay more attention to her breast. A heartbeat later, Michael did the same.

Each had one hand roaming up her thigh and their mouth on one of her breasts. Jaci didn’t think it could get any better, but then Michael’s finger joined David’s inside her. Both slid into her from opposite sides, the very extravagance of the act firing her senses. Not only did she have two men to please her, but they were both inside her. Together. The idea made her think of other things they could all do together, but she feared they’d have to wait until they could pursue those thoughts outside of her dreams, in the flesh.

Michael lifted his head from her nipple to kiss her neck as David did the same. Michael nipped her earlobe as he whispered words of desire that set her senses aflame. She felt her body temperature spike and knew it for a sure sign of sexual intensity. Alvian females were able to regulate their body temperature most of the time. It was critical in population control. Only high internal temperatures would allow the ovaries to expel an egg. In that way, Alvian women were able to control when they became pregnant.

But these two men drove Jaci beyond all control. When she was with them, she could barely think, much less practice the mental tricks that allowed her to regulate her body temperature. If she were with them outside of her dreams, she’d have to be extra cautious.

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More than likely, she’d be pregnant within a week if she were ever to be with them for real.

Suddenly that didn’t seem like such a horrible thing. What could the Alvian hierarchy do to her for gestating without permission? They were already as upset with her as they could be. A little thing like getting pregnant would be a minor trifle compared to what she’d allowed to happen in one careless moment of lab work.

“Hey, Jaci, are you with us, babe?” Michael stroked her cheek with his lips, whispering to her as she let go of the troubling thoughts.

“I’m with you. Don’t stop. Make me forget all our troubles.”

“Happy to oblige, sweetheart.” Michael placed nibbling kisses down her arm as he moved away.

David moved closer, sealing his lips to hers, taking and giving a kiss so filled with passion and promise, she couldn’t think of anything besides him. It was just what she needed. He maneuvered her around on the dreamplane until she was straddling his body, her core throbbing for the hard cock positioned just out of her reach.

“Don’t tease me, David. Please!”

He looked deep into her eyes. “You know this is forever, don’t you? You know I’ll never leave you.

Our separation is only temporary. We will find a way to be together. I promise you. I can’t live without you, Jaci.”

“Oh, David!” He came into her then with a nearly violent shove that made her screech in pleasure on the dreamplane. He pumped into her with hard, desperate movements until she came with a keening cry, shuddering around him as he filled her with his seed. For a brief moment, she wished the seed was real, that the possibility of creating life was real. But it was not meant to be. Not yet.

Michael lifted her away from David after a few moments, when her body had cycled down from the amazing high she’d just experienced.

“I’m sorry, love, but it’s got to be fast. I held out as long as I could so Dave could have you, but my strength is running low.” So saying, Michael lay her down on a cloud and pushed into her from above.

His face was a study in strain, but the satisfaction in his 166

gaze as it met and held hers could not be denied. “God, you feel good, woman. Like a little slice of heaven here on Earth.”

Jaci had barely had time to catch her breath before her desire rose once more to meet Michael’s. He tantalized her, stroking deep within her, hitting that spot that made stars appear before her eyes. Within moments, she was gasping and grabbing at his shoulders as he thrust more forcefully within her.

Michael cried her name as he came with her, the abandon of their lovemaking sending her into a deep sleep almost at the same moment he winked out of existence on the dreamplane, sent back to his own body, thousands of miles away.

***

Over the following weeks, Jaci’s leg healed as Mick monitored her progress. Michael and David visited her dreams every night until she finally made Michael promise to get some true rest between visits. They came every other night now, sometimes to make love, sometimes just to talk over their situation. They were growing closer with each visit, gaining knowledge about each other that they hadn’t had time to share before.

Bill and Sam came and went, doing something to drive the Alvian patrols onto different tracks, away from the ranch. She didn’t ask, but she knew from listening to their talk that they’d shifted the bodies of the Alvian patrolmen to the other side of the mountain, fouling the backtrail. They were doing everything they could to move suspicion from the O’Hara ranch and Jaci was grateful for it. She didn’t want to bring Alvian wrath down on these good people.

Some of the children had come out to meet her. The older ones had brought meals prepared in the big house, under the watchful eye of their mother. Jane O’Hara visited regularly too, sharing talk and a cup of herbal tea with Jaci most evenings. She enjoyed the woman’s company and her wisdom. Jane O’Hara had been through much in her life and had found a rocky path to happiness with the O’Hara brothers.

Jaci envied their happiness, though she knew the family was incomplete. Caleb O’Hara was kept in the city, under surveillance as the subject of intense study. When his 167

years of the study were complete, he’d be exchanged for another brother. It would be decades before the family was once again whole. Decades during which the children would grow into adults and perhaps find mates of their own. Even the Alvian aging gene wouldn’t keep them young forever. Their aging only slowed after puberty and the gene became fully engaged when they reached adulthood. By that time, each of the O’Hara brothers would have missed large chunks of their children’s formative years.

Jaci and Jane often talked of these things and Jane’s desires for humans to live free. Jaci told her what she knew of Mara’s plans, giving the O’Haras as much information as possible. She also shared technical details with Mick about the Alvian genetic modification experiments already underway. She owed these people much and felt a camaraderie with them that she’d never felt with her Alvian brethren. She was so different from most Alvians now, she thought she might as well be human.

“I think it’s time we took off that cast and see how your leg looks,” Mick said one morning when he brought breakfast over from the big house. “Natural Alvian healing rates are much faster than human, so by my calculations, I think it would be safe to try it out today. What do you think?”

“I agree completely. In fact, if you hadn’t suggested it, I would have requested removal of the cast today. It’s been long enough by Alvian standards.”

“Great. I’ll bring over the tools after breakfast. In the meantime, enjoy this.” He laid a platter of cooked eggs and meat in front of her that smelled divine. Jaci enjoyed the rich and tasty foods served on the ranch—so different from the bland sustenance offered in the city.

“Thank you, Mick. And please thank Jane for this lovely meal. I’ve never eaten so well as I have while being your guest.”

Mick left her with a wink and a smile and Jaci enjoyed the delicious fare. About an hour later Mick arrived back at the outbuilding with a small saw and some other equipment he’d need to remove the plaster cast.

Jaci was fascinated by the process and eager to see the result of such simple, rustic medicine. When her leg was uncovered, it looked well enough, but it was weak compared 168

to the other leg. A few exercises would fix that up, along with a few more days of careful maneuvering, but for the most part, she was healed.

“Looks good,” Mick commented. “How does it feel?”

Jaci tested the newly-knit bone’s limits. “Coming along nicely,” she said finally. “A few more days and I’ll be as good as new.” She reached for his hand, clasping it in both of hers. “I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done, Mick.”

He patted her shoulder. “Think nothing of it, Jaci. You’re one of us now. We help each other. It’s the only way to survive out here in the Waste.”

“The Deity of my forefathers was watching over my path when it led me to you, and Bill and Sam. Your family and those men have helped me in ways I could never expect and I will hold you all dear in my heart for the rest of my days. I hope you won’t mind if I think of you as a friend.”

Mick’s smile was the answer she’d hoped for. “You’re definitely a friend of the family, Jaci. Rest easy on that count.”

Jaci felt as if she’d just been given a tremendous gift. “Again you have my thanks. I will treasure your words and your friendship.”

Bill broke the mood by entering the room. He threw off his cloak and collapsed into a sturdy wooden chair by the table.

“It looks like the patrols have given up and gone home,” he reported.

“Are you certain?” Jaci worried that it might be some kind of trick, but she was no soldier.

Bill shrugged. “As certain as I can be at this point. They might’ve left a few men on the ground to follow any sign we missed, but it isn’t likely. The ships have moved off. I’ll keep monitoring the area around the ranch to see if this is just a ruse to smoke you out.” He leaned back, surveying the room. “I see you took the cast off. How long before you’re back to fighting form?”

“A few days,” Mick answered for her. “It healed well, so now all she needs to do is strengthen the surrounding tissue and let the bone finish knitting completely.”

“That’s good.” Bill nodded, his gaze focused inward.

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“Something bothering you?” Jaci asked, watching his expression.

Bill shook his head, but his face remained troubled. “I’m not sure. It could be nothing, but I got a feelingin the woods just now…”

“Trouble?” Mick asked sharply.

“Nothing immediate. But it would pay to keep vigilant. Something about the path bothered me, but I can’t figure out what it was. I’ll keep thinking about it. Maybe it was nothing, but maybe with time, the puzzle with come clear in my mind. I’ll let you know.”

“I’ll tell Justin. He says he trusts your hunches more than most people’s facts.” Mick grinned and the ghost of a smile lit Bill’s face for a brief moment.

“If they’ve truly gone, then Sam and I should go too.” Bill’s gaze moved pointedly to Jaci. “What we need to decide is where Jaci will go.”

“She could stay here,” Mick offered half-heartedly. Jaci knew her presence here on the ranch for any extended time would put the family in too much danger. It was fine while she was immobile, but she’d be unable to hide from the surveillance forever. Sooner or later she’d screw up and get them all in trouble.

“It’s kind of you to offer, but that’s not a good solution,” she said, knowing she didn’t need to go into detail about why it would never work. The men knew she was no covert operator. She was a lab tech—a sloppy one at that. If she’d been just a little more observant, she wouldn’t be in this mess to begin with.

“Then you’ll come with us,” Bill said decisively as he stood.

She knew that wouldn’t work either. “I’d only slow you down, Bill. You and Sam are experienced outdoorsmen. I’m a lab tech with no experience of the woods or living off the land. I’d be a hindrance.”

“But what other choice do you have?” Mick asked with kindness in his tone.

Jaci stood, stretching and placing just a small amount of weight on her newly-healed leg. “I have a few more days yet before I can walk freely. Perhaps some other alternative will arise in that time. If not, I will go with Bill and Sam—for the time being. There’s got to be someplace I can go.”

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Mick came over and patted her shoulder. His gaze was sympathetic. “My brother says everything happens for a reason and I tend to concur after all I’ve seen. I’ll contact Caleb and see if he has any advice for you. I don’t want to believe that your accident was just a fluke. I think there was a higher purpose. We just need to figure out what it is and where you need to be. Don’t worry. Like you said, you have some time yet.”

“Thank you, Mick. Unlike most of my fellow techs, I was always fascinated by your brother’s writings.

If he has any idea about my future, I’d love to hear it, though I’m convinced my own stupidity has doomed me. I just can’t see how dosing myself in a moment of inattention could have any use whatsoever besides screwing up my life and destroying my career. Of course, I’d also never have realized Michael and David were my mates.”

“Fate works in mysterious ways, Jaci. Having Caleb around has taught me that, if nothing else.” Mick winked at her as he moved toward the door. “Let’s see what he has to say first, before we make any drastic decisions.”