Immortal Unchained(102)

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.

"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.