Chapter Nine
Naura parted the blinds and peered out the window for the hundredth time. The sun had set long ago with no sign of Tony and Vaulcron’s return.
She closed her eyes and concentrated on her brother. “Vaulcron?” she mentally sent to him. “I am sorry for interrupting your thoughts, but I need to know if you are safe.”
Long moments passed before an answer came. “We were held up at a checkpoint nearby. Do not fear, my sister. We will arrive momentarily.”
Relief poured through her with his words. He had said we will arrive, which meant that Tony was safe as well.
Vaulcron’s voice was suddenly back inside her mind. “Go through the side door in the kitchen, Naura, and push the black button on the wall. It will open the garage door.”
Naura rushed to do as Vaulcron asked. Easing the door open, she located the button situated to the right of the door and pressed it.
She watched in amazement as the wide door rolled up to lie along the inside of the ceiling. Humans were magical creatures, she thought, staring at the driveway in front of her for signs of her brother. If only they possessed as much compassion.
Lights appeared on the road, and the sound of an engine rumbled through the quiet of the night, announcing the large vehicle turning into the driveway and ultimately, the garage.
The driver’s side door opened and Anthony Vaughn stepped out.
Naura lost the ability to speak.
Tony’s normally long shaggy hair was cut short, and his unkempt beard had been removed to reveal a strong, square jaw and a pair of full, gorgeous lips.
He stepped around her, pressing the garage door button on his way inside.
Naura couldn’t move. Her heart pounded hard enough in her chest that she was sure her brother would hear it.
Vaulcron climbed from the back of the vehicle. “You look as if you saw a ghost, sister.”
“No. I…”
“What is it, Naura? You are flushed.”
“It is nothing,” she muttered, standing on tiptoe to kiss her brother’s cheek. “I am only happy that you have returned safely. That is all.”
He didn’t appear convinced, but thankfully he didn’t persist.
She allowed him to take hold of her hand and lead her back inside.
Tony sat at the table, making a sandwich as they entered the kitchen. “We need to talk,” he announced to the room in general.
Naura accepted the chair her brother pulled out for her and lifted her gaze to Tony. It hurt to look at him. She had been drawn to Tony since the first time she’d laid eyes on him, the day he saved her life by offering her his blood.
The horror she’d experienced while locked in the deep recesses of his mind had terrified her. The death of his wife and child had been the most brutal memory that Naura had ever witnessed.
She watched him now, sitting across the table, staring back at her with those lifeless eyes. No emotion swam in their depths. He was no more than an animated corpse.
“Did you hear what I said?”
“I am sorry,” Naura muttered, straightening in her chair. She’d been so lost in thoughts of Tony she hadn’t heard him speak.
“The government has captured two of your people.”
Naura glanced at Vaulcron to find him on his feet, staring at Tony with glittering eyes. Strange that she hadn’t heard him move.
She shifted her gaze back to Tony. “Are you certain?”
“According to Henry, they are being held in Fort Walton, at Eglin Air Force Base.”
“That would be Braum and Gryke,” Vaulcron growled, flattening his hands on the table. “They were thought to have died in the explosion last year. What is This Eglin?”
“As far as the public knows, it’s a military base about twenty miles from here, but it’s much more than that.”
“What do you mean by much more than that?” Naura interjected.
“There are things there that are kept from the public to prevent panic. The base's current primary purpose is officially undetermined; however, it supports development and testing of experimental aircraft and weapons systems.”
Tony took a deep breath before continuing. “The secrecy surrounding the base has made it the frequent subject of conspiracy theories and a central component to unidentified flying object folklore. Although it has never been declared a secret base, all research at Eglin is top secret, compartmented information “
Vaulcron swore a string of human curse words that sounded foreign coming from him. He glanced from Naura to Tony. “How do you know so much about this Eglin?”
“I’ve been there,” Tony admitted, taking a bite of the sandwich he’d recently made.
Vaulcron strode around the table and leaned in close to Tony’s head. His voice came out eerily soft. “Take me there.”
Blowing out a breath, Tony lowered his sandwich slightly. “Were you not listening? You don’t just take someone to Eglin. No one gets in without proper authorization.”
Tony glanced down at Vaulcron’s feet and let his gaze travel up the length of his body. “Besides, they would love nothing more than to get their hands on you. And her,” he finished, jerking a thumb in Naura’s direction.
Vaulcron straightened and ran a hand through his hair. “Then how do you propose we rescue them?”
“I have a plan.”
Naura watched as Tony snatched up his cell and pressed some buttons. Seconds ticked by before he spoke. “It’s me. Here’s what we’re going to do.”