Tiger

  He snarled—a vicious, horrible sound against her ear. She realized he’d just dropped with her in his arms as he straightened, both arms wrapping around her. She stared at two New Species males who were on the roof of the motor home with them. One of them was kicking burning wood off the sides and using a fire extinguisher to hold back the flames while the other one just jumped off the side.

  Tiger followed him to the edge but he limped badly, dragging one leg. Alarm shot through Zandy, knowing he was hurt.

  “Throw her to me,” Bestial demanded from the ground where he’d just landed. “I’ll catch her.”

  “Let go,” Tiger ordered.

  She hated to do it but knew there was no time to argue. The thick smoke made breathing almost impossible and it was probably a miracle the roof hadn’t given way under them so far. Tiger didn’t allow her to stand but instead twisted her in his arms to cradle her there. He lifted her out over the edge and she realized what he intended to do. She said nothing though, the desperation on his features making it clear there wasn’t a choice.

  She dropped when he released her until strong arms caught her under the back of her knees and around her back. It hurt but she didn’t care if it left her bruised. Her head jerked up to stare at Tiger, terrified for his safety.

  He jumped down and tried to land on his feet. A roar came from him as he hit. His legs gave out and he sprawled on the pavement. Zandy struggled in the arms that held her but the male refused to let go. He spun with her fast enough to make her dizzy and ran.

  The jarring motion was rough but she managed to twist in his arms. She peered over his shoulder and saw the third male escape the roof of the burning motor home. He landed on his feet, bent down and grabbed Tiger.

  Glass burst from the motor home windows, fire shot out the sides and Bestial jerked her tighter against his chest. She lost sight of Tiger and the fire as she was rushed through the slightly opened gates of Reservation.

  “Tiger!” She yelled out for him, worried for his safety.

  “Calm,” Bestial demanded, stopping their mad dash. He turned to stare back at the gate.

  Zandy saw Tiger then. He leaned heavily against the New Species who’d helped save her. He avoided putting weight on one leg but his gaze was fixed on her as they entered through the gate. The male held Tiger around his waist, being his crutch. He came right at her.

  Unshed tears filled her eyes. Tiger had saved her by risking his own life. He and the other male stopped just feet from them. Tiger shoved away from his friend and opened his arms, his gaze leaving hers to stare at the one holding her.

  “Give her to me, Bestial.”

  “Tiger—” the man protested but was cut off when she was yanked out of the black-haired Species’ hold.

  Tiger staggered with her in his arms. Two Species officers in full uniform were suddenly there, grabbing him to keep them upright. They gently lowered both of them until she ended up sitting on Tiger’s lap. He slid his arms out from under her legs and her back and cupped her face.

  “I didn’t mean the things I said in the hospital. I don’t even remember waking.” His voice came out softly, pain clear in his tone. “I never meant to send you away.”

  “Are you okay?”

  He growled. “Did you hear what I said? It was the drugs I was given.”

  “Get a medic,” someone shouted. “Both of them are hurt.”

  Zandy’s hands shook as she gripped his shoulders. “It’s okay. Don’t worry about that right now. Is your leg okay?”

  “I broke it again.” He licked his lips. “Are you all right?” His gaze lowered to her cheek. “Where else are you hurt?”

  None of the bruises mattered. “I’m okay. You broke your leg again?”

  “It wasn’t completely healed.”

  “You saved me again.”

  His incredible eyes lifted to hers. “I’ll always do whatever it takes to protect you, Zandy. I’m just grateful to be holding you in my arms again.”

  Her heart pounded.

  “You were almost turned into a fire stick and you are worried about me?” Tiger asked.

  She nodded. “Yeah.” Her brain started to function. “Oh god. I’m on your lap. I must be hurting you.” She tried to ease off him but his hold on her face tightened, keeping her there.

  “I don’t care. I just want you close.”

  “Tiger?” Slade cleared his throat.

  Zandy turned her head to stare up at the man who’d hired her. He stood next to them, his expression grim.

  Tiger growled. “Leave us alone,” he warned.

  “You both need to be taken to Medical right now.”

  Tiger shook his head. “Later.”

  “She’s hurt, Tiger. We don’t know what they did to her. You both need to be seen by our doctors. We’ll keep you close together. May I take her from you?”

  Tiger stared into Zandy’s eyes. “Let him carry you. I can’t.”

  Slade reached down and gently lifted her. Tiger winced and his face twisted in pain, instantly alarming her. She wiggled to be put down.

  “I can walk,” she stated, glancing at the one holding her.

  Slade softly growled. “You two are well matched. Both stubborn and irrational when it comes to each other. Be silent.”

  He spun, striding away to a waiting Jeep. He gently placed her in the front seat and she tried to look around his big body to find Tiger. Slade leaned in close to draw her gaze.

  “Do me a favor, Zandy Gordon. Understand that Tiger has no memory of hurting your feelings and take my word of total honesty that he didn’t mean whatever he said. He deserves some trouble for some of the things he’s said to males who have chosen human females but I never want to see him sulk again. It was painful to watch when he worried about your safety. Forgive him and maybe he’ll return to his rational, mellow ways again.”

  Slade straightened and jerked his head at someone behind her. “Go to Medical. Hurry so she can be examined before Tiger arrives. I doubt he’s in a mood to watch Dr. Harris touch his female.”

  The Jeep moved and Zandy spotted Tiger finally. Two officers supported his body between them, carrying him to keep his weight off his legs. Worry gripped her over how hurt he really was. The driver made a turn and she lost sight of him.

  “Zandy?”

  The familiar voice made her twist in her seat. “Smiley.”

  “I’m glad you’re alive.” He glanced at her and then back to the road.

  “Me too.”

  “Next time you don’t leave Reservation without a full escort.”

  She relaxed in the seat. “Not a problem.”

  “Tiger will be fine. We’re strong and heal quickly. He shouldn’t have been released from the hospital until his bones had knitted firmly but he went a bit insane when he learned of your kidnapping. This set his healing back but it will be fine. Stop worrying.”

  She hugged her chest and fought the urge to cry. So much had happened that she knew it would take time to recover from it mentally. Her emotions were too close to the surface.

  “Don’t shed tears. Tiger will heal.”

  Tiger claimed to have no memory of the episode in the hospital. Her eyes closed as that information settled in. It left her wondering if, in his drugged state, he might have stated what was in his subconscious. Did he think they shouldn’t be together? That she really was the enemy?

  The Jeep halted and Smiley escorted her inside the building. The medical staff was on alert, all of them waiting inside to handle any emergencies sent their way. Zandy was led to an exam room and a female doctor with a male Species nurse followed her into the room.

  “I’m Dr. Allison,” the woman introduced herself. “You are?”

  “Zandy Gordon.”

  “She works here at Reservation,” the male nurse stated quietly. “She was brought in once before to be treated by the younger Dr. Harris after an incident with the protesters at the gates.”

  “Thank you for the history.” The doctor fla
shed a smile. “I’m usually at Homeland but the helicopter crash victims needed my attention so I was brought to Reservation. I’m afraid I don’t know that many of the employees here but it’s nice to meet you. I just wish the circumstances were better.” She put on gloves and gently gripped Zandy’s jaw, turning her head to study her cheek. “Someone hit you?”

  She carefully detailed the attack at her house and consequent kidnapping. The entire story of what she’d endured came pouring out. “So that’s all of it. Tiger needs you more than I do. He thinks his leg is broken.”

  The woman turned her head to glance at the nurse. “Go make sure Harris has it handled, okay? We’d both like an update.”

  The New Species left the room quickly and the doctor smiled tightly. “Tiger is better off in Harris’ care. We had a big argument yesterday. He wanted to leave the hospital but I was adamant he stay there. I’m the last person he’ll want working on him. He’d probably snarl at me if I said ‘I told you so’.”

  “He saved my life. He could have burned to death with me if the top of the motor home had collapsed.”

  “I’m glad to hear it was worth the pain he must be in. Are you hurt anywhere besides your face?” The woman’s gloved fingers touched her bruised cheek, frowning. “What are these red marks from along your jaw?”

  “They put duct tape over my mouth. I used my tongue to wet it and worked it away from my lips but couldn’t do anything about the rest of it. The jerk in charge of that group tore it off right before he tried to kill me. It hurt so bad that I couldn’t even breathe for a few seconds. Ouch! Now it just feels tender.”

  “The skin didn’t tear but it’s going to hurt for a while.”

  “My ribs and waist hurt too. They had me secured with belts that dug into me.”

  “Lie back.”

  The doctor carefully examined her. “It’s just some bruising. I don’t feel anything broken. You came out of this ordeal remarkably well. You’re lucky. Any trouble breathing from the smoke you inhaled?” The doctor cleaned some cuts she found on Zandy.

  “No. It was windy enough to blow most of it away from me.”

  “You can sit up.” The doctor snapped off her gloves. “You were lucky, Zandy Gordon.”

  “Can I ask you something?”

  The doctor arched her eyebrows. “Sure.”

  “Um…” Zandy hesitated. “Something happened that is bothering me. Tiger said some things to me at the hospital when he woke and he claims not to remember it. Do you think the drugs made him blurt out things that he might feel deep down?”

  The woman sighed and glanced at the door, then back at Zandy. “I’m not sure what you were told but you do work for the NSO so I’ll assume you can be trusted. Some of the drug cocktails discovered in Mercile’s files were experimental. That’s what they did. They created drugs to test on New Species. Some of them have reacted quite violently when the drugs were given to them. They were aggressive to the point of being dangerous, while others have had some unique side effects that range from blackouts to severe personality changes while under the influence of some of the drugs. Was whatever he said normal or something you would expect him to say?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “There’s your answer. If it’s bothering you, ask Tiger. New Species are known for their honesty. I’m positive that he’ll want to clear up whatever issue you had with him. Did he threaten you or try to attack? I have spent a lot of time with him and that isn’t normal for him. He’s actually a sweetheart.”

  A bit of jealousy rose. “Have you two dated?”

  Dr. Allison shook her head. “No. You’re not just an employee, are you? I’m guessing you are involved with him?”

  “We were before his accident. He…um, kind of ended it with me when he woke up. He said he doesn’t remember saying any of it and apologized.”

  “You have your answer already. Talk to him. The drugs are out of his system but he’s going to need to go back on them. They accelerate their healing.”

  “How?”

  Dr. Allison hesitated. “You’re with Tiger? I thought those were bite marks when I was examining your shoulder.”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re in love with him. I see it in your eyes when you talk about him.” She smiled. “They were genetically altered. Their DNA was spliced with various animal genes. Mercile was able to manipulate them enough to, well, in layman’s terms, make their bodies go into hyperdrive with certain body functions. Their immune systems are amazingly resistant to illness, disease, and they heal very quickly. The drug cocktail we discovered in the records causes rapid healing. He’ll need more doses if he did in fact break his leg again. It will heal in days rather than weeks. They hate being down and are terrible patients.” A wistful look softened her eyes. “In most cases. I have one patient the drug doesn’t seem to work on at all. He’s in a coma and we haven’t been able to wake him.”

  “I’m sorry. I hope he recovers. Was he in the helicopter crash with Tiger?”

  “No. 880 was rescued and brought to Homeland some weeks ago. I hated to leave him in the care of others but they needed help here. I still have my hospital privileges in this area. Most of the other doctors who have worked longer for the NSO don’t since they were brought in from different parts of the country. That’s why I was called in.” She turned away for a moment then faced her again holding a syringe. “I need to give you this. You have some cuts and this is an antibiotic. I’d feel better giving it to you. I can tell those aren’t fresh, probably happened when you were taken, and germs fester in a matter of hours. When did you have your last tetanus shot?”

  “Okay. I’m up to date on all my shots. I never miss an annual checkup.” Zandy winced and looked away as the needle sank into her arm. She hated shots.

  “That was a strong antibiotic and it’s going to mess up your birth control.”

  “I’m not on anything.”

  The doctor’s eyebrows rose. “You aren’t?”

  “No.”

  “Okay. I’ll spare you the lecture about condoms then since Tiger is already using them. These shots have been known to mess up your cycle. You could skip a period or have two back to back.”

  “I don’t have any diseases. Tiger doesn’t have to use condoms.”

  The other woman turned away to dispose of the syringe and alcohol swab she’d used to clean the injection site. “I wasn’t informed you were his mate. They really need to tell us these things.”

  “I’m not mated to Tiger. I know what the bites usually mean but he just lost control.”

  The doctor spun, a confused look on her face. “Are you guys trying to get pregnant? I’ve never heard of one of the New Species trying that before being mated.” She shrugged. “I guess they are getting more and more modern in their thinking.”

  Confusion filled Zandy. “He can’t get me pregnant.”

  Dr. Allison’s eyes widened.

  “What?” Zandy asked.

  “He didn’t tell you?”

  “Tell me what?”

  “Son of a biscuit.” The doctor looked angry. “Rules state that he has to use condoms if you aren’t mated and he has to inform you that you could get pregnant if he stops using them after you are mated.”

  Zandy was stunned.

  “I’m going to talk to Tiger about this and then I’ll have to inform Trisha. She can take this to Justice.”

  Zandy’s arm shot out and grabbed the doctor when the woman tried to leave. “What are you saying?”

  Indecision flickered in the other woman’s eyes but she sighed. “You work for the NSO so I know you had to sign and read a stack of confidentiality clauses. This is classified information. It’s entirely possible that Species males can impregnate us. Humans. Tiger should have used condoms or warned you that it was a possibility. I shouldn’t have told you anything but I assumed you knew. Damn. I could get into serious trouble for this but it angers me as a woman that he put you at risk. You have the right to know since you?
??re sleeping with him.”

  “We had sex while I was ovulating.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Trust me. I know. Are you saying I could be pregnant?”

  “Shit.” The doctor jerked away and walked to the cabinet. “I hope not. I doubt the antibiotic I gave you would harm the fetus at this early stage but I wouldn’t have given it to you if there was a possibility.” She jerked open a cabinet and removed a packaged kit. She turned. “Open your mouth and let me take a swab. We’ll find out right now. This is why there are rules and Tiger didn’t follow them. I’m a doctor first and I just gave you medication I wouldn’t have if I’d known all the facts.”

  “What?”

  “Just let me do this test. I can tell right away if you’re pregnant. New Species are different from us and you would test positive for higher hormones within twenty-four hours of getting pregnant. I know you haven’t had intercourse with him since his accident.”

  Zandy was in shock as the doctor jerked open more cabinets after dipping the sample in a clear vial with liquid. The doctor bent, watching the end of the cotton. A good minute passed before the woman straightened.

  “It’s negative,” Dr. Allison informed her, showing her the vial. “It would have turned red if it were positive. It’s clear.”

  “Are you sure?” Zandy’s heart was still beating rapidly.

  “I’m sure.” She sighed. “Either Tiger really trusts his nose to tell him when it’s safe to have intercourse with you or he tried to get you pregnant. I strongly suggest you have a talk with him. I’ll report this to my supervisor and she’ll inform Justice North. Trisha will make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

  “Please don’t,” Zandy said quickly. She was still floored by what she’d learned. “I don’t want him to get into trouble.”