“Devon explained what happened and I agree that your shifts were likely involuntary responses to danger. I don’t think you’ve been defined, but a simple blood test can confirm it one way or the other.”
“Let’s start there. If I’m defined the rest is moot, correct?”
“Correct.” He drew blood from her arm and then paused at the door. “I just need to look at this under a microscope. Can you wait or should we schedule a follow-up?”
“I can wait.”
“Good. I’ll be right back.”
“He isn’t so horrible is he?” Jake pushed to his feet and ambled toward her. She wrapped her legs around his hips as he moved in front of her.
“He’s nice enough—for a doctor.” She smiled.
“So what were you going to tell me?” He grabbed her hips and slid her forward until their lower bodies were flush. “Think we have time for a quickie?”
“No.” She laughed and tried to push him away. “I think we might have time to finish our conversation if you stop distracting me.”
He stilled, hands firmly grasping her hips. He leaned down and brushed his lips against hers but pulled back as she tried to deepen the kiss. “So talk.”
She licked her lips, wanting his mouth back yet needing him to understand why she regretted the night before. “I missed the link as soon as you pinched it off. The next time we’re together, I want you to form it again.”
“My pleasure.” He kissed her then, a deep, consuming kiss that filled her with longing. Then he eased back and nipped her earlobe. “We promised Devon we’d come back when we’re finished here, but they’re going to be busy with the school tours. I think we should wait until after they close before we head back over there.”
“A much better plan.” She reached down and pressed her palm against the bulge in the front of his pants. “Let’s go. Dr. Garran can wait until tomorrow.”
“Not a chance.” Jake twisted away and reluctantly returned to his chair. “We’re going to see this through.”
She offered him a playful pout then slowly licked her lips. “I’m hungry. Are you sure you don’t want to come back later?”
Paul Garran rapped on the door as he pushed it open, postponing Jake’s reaction. “You’re definitely not defined. I took the liberty of running another test as well. Both Dhane and Devon now have an unusual antigen present in their blood. We believe it’s a byproduct of the formula. Your blood contains the same antigen.”
“But I haven’t taken the formula yet. How could I… Devon told you about the injection my father gave me the night I was supposed to be defined.”
“Yes. It would appear her hypothesis is accurate. You were given an earlier version of the formula.”
She shivered as the implications built. Her father was working with the backers. Unless the backers were using him without his knowledge, but that seemed improbable. Nate Fitzroy was not that easy to manipulate. Jake had been right all along. Her father was a traitor.
Jake moved up beside the table and took her hand. “Don’t let this upset you. The important thing is, the formula has been in your system for six years and there have been no side effects.”
“It’s a bit premature for that conclusion,” Garran said. He kept his gaze fixed on his patient, his expression kind. “With your permission, I’d like to run more tests. This is a unique opportunity to study the long-term effects of the formula. I want to be certain Jake is correct before we move on.”
“I agree. Caution is the wiser course.”
“It will take two or three days for all of the tests to process. We can conduct most of them here, but there are a few I’ll need to send out.”
“Then call me when you have the results and we’ll meet again.”
Garran started to leave then looked at her again. “This is encouraging, Miss Fitzroy. If there haven’t been any symptoms thus far, it’s unlikely there will be any abnormal findings. I just want to be absolutely sure.”
“I understand and agree.”
Chapter Nine
Jake pulled into the garage of the safe house and turned off the engine of the borrowed car. Heather hadn’t spoken since they left the clinic. He knew she had a lot to think about, so he’d given her time to process. But now she just sat there staring off into space. What ground they’d gained in the past few days was obviously slipping away. She was back to sullen withdrawal.
“Talk to me.” The garage door closed behind them, so he reached up and turned on the dome light.