Chapter Twelve
Mallory paced the room with nervous steps. Vaulcron had been gone for nearly an hour. What were they doing to him?
The door opened, and a pale-faced Vaulcron entered with an elder man wearing a white coat and holding a black bag following close behind him.
“Are you all right?” Mallory blurted, hurrying across the room to wrap him in her arms. “I was so worried. I thought they’d killed you.”
Vaulcron hugged her back, holding her tightly in his arms. “I am fine. Were you harmed?”
Mallory shook her head, stepping back far enough to gaze into his incredible eyes. “No one’s been in here since you left. What did they do to you?”
“It does not matter. I will tell you about it later.”
“Miss Cahill?” the man behind Vaulcron muttered. “I’m Doctor Lambert. I need to ask you some questions.”
Mallory reluctantly turned Vaulcron loose to face the short doctor. “Questions?”
“If you would have a seat, please?” the doctor suggested, waving toward the bed.
Mallory’s chin lifted. “I’d rather stand. Ask your questions.”
“Very well.” Lambert pushed his glasses up on his nose and pulled a clipboard free from his bag. “Your full name?”
“Mallory Cahill.”
“Birthdate?”
Mallory rattled off her date of birth along with several more personal details he inquired about.
“When was your last menstrual cycle?”
Anger boiled up inside her so strong she couldn’t prevent the words that slipped past her lips. “Go screw yourself, Elmer Fudd.”
The doctor looked up from his clipboard, compassion evident on his face. “You are not the only one with loved ones that you fear for, Miss Cahill. As I told your friend there” —he nodded toward Vaulcron— “I don’t like this any more than you do.”
Mallory understood instantly. Lambert’s family had obviously been threatened also.
She blew out a despairing breath. “My last period was approximately two weeks ago.”
Gratefulness echoed in his eyes. “What type of birth control are you on?”
Mallory wanted to lie, but she knew it would do no good. A simple blood test would tell them what they needed to know. “I have an IUD.”
“And when was it inserted?”
“About a year ago,” Mallory quipped, rubbing her palms up and down her arms.
The doctor continued questioning her for several minutes more before pulling a syringe and several vials from his coat pocket.
He uncapped the syringe and wrapped a blue rubber tie around her forearm.” I’ll try to be gentle.”
Mallory watched as he inserted the needle into her arm and filled his necessary vials. He returned them to his pocket, recapped the needle, and left the room without another word.
“What is an IUD?”
Vaulcron’s innocent question caught Mallory off guard. “It’s a small device, inserted inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy.”
His head tilted to the side. “I do not understand the need to prevent pregnancy. Our females do not conceive often. It is considered a great gift to bear a child.”
Mallory would have been fascinated by his confession at any other time. Not tonight. “Well, human women sure don’t have that problem.”
Vaulcron glanced toward the door before meeting her gaze once more. “I spoke with Zaureth. They are coming by boat and should arrive at Amy’s apartment in a matter of hours.”
Joy soared inside Mallory’s heart. “When you say they, how many are you referring to?”
“As far as I know, there are five souls on the boat.”
“Five?” Mallory hissed. “Five people can’t take on an army, Vaulcron. No matter how big they are.”
“You do not realize what we are capable of. We are not people, Mallory. We are Bracadytes.”
Mallory’s stomach fluttered at the passion in his voice. It was obvious he held great pride for his species. “We are going to get out of here, aren’t we?”
Vaulcron nodded. “You have my word.”
Mallory’s shoulders relaxed some. She trusted the giant Bracadyte to get them out of the mess they were in. And one of them was on his way to rescue Amy as well.
Vaulcron walked over to the tray resting on top of the small table and lifted the lid. “You need to eat. You did not finish your dinner tonight.”
“I’m not hungry,” Mallory assured him, taking a seat on the foot of the bed. “I just want to close my eyes and wake up to find this was all a bad dream.”
Bringing the tray over to the bed, Vaulcron took a seat next to her and set the food on her lap. “If you will not eat for yourself, eat for me. I will only worry for you.”
Mallory peered down at the now cold meatloaf and mashed potatoes. “Maybe just a little.”
Ten minutes later, she’d eaten all she could stand. She pushed the tray toward Vaulcron, which he readily accepted. “You are finished?”
“Yes. I had to force down that last bite.”
Vaulcron picked up her fork and proceeded to consume the remaining meal. “I do love your human food.”
Placing the tray on a nearby table, Vaulcron returned to his seat and took hold of Mallory’s hand. “The land walkers do not know of the Bracadytes’ ability to communicate without words. That will give us the advantage once Tony arrives.”
“I’ve thought about that too. It’s just that…”
“Tell me,” Vaulcron prompted, gently squeezing her hand.
“Where am I going to go once we get out of here?”
“Back to Cuba, with me.”
“And after that? I mean, what happens after Cuba? My career, my life is here in Destin. I’ll never be able to return home once I run.”
Sadness filled Vaulcron’s eyes. “I am sorry, Mallory. Perhaps one day when the military threat is behind us, you can come back.”
Mallory shook her head. “They will never let me live after they get what they want. I know too much.”
“Then do not return to this place. Stay in Cuba with me.”
“I can’t expect you to take care of me. And what about my sister? How is she supposed to survive in a strange place without her sight?”
Vaulcron slowly leaned in and rested his forehead against hers. “I do not have all the answers you seek, but I will do everything in my power to keep you safe.”