Part 24 (1/2)

He pulled her away, wiped her tears, then kissed her lips, licking away the salt as he covered her mouth.

G.o.d, he did care. Too d.a.m.n much.

And that was more frightening than the demons.

He wanted to lose himself inside her again, spend the day forgetting where they were or what they had to do. But they'd already hidden away long enough.

'We need to get something to eat, and figure out the plan for tonight,' he said, after reluctantly releasing her mouth.

'I'm a mess. I'm going to take a shower and get rid of these swollen bags under my eyes.'

'You look beautiful. But take your time. I'll see you outside later.'

'Thank you.'

She kissed him again, and his heart clenched. By the time he walked out of her bungalow, he realized he was well and truly screwed.

He'd fallen in love with Gina, and that had just made his job ten times more difficult.

The Master watched the transformation take place. So painful for these humans. Though this one was almost dead by the time they'd brought him in. It took all the enjoyment out of the process when they weren't fully cognizant of what was happening to them. They had gone overboard during the capture and hadn't listened to his instructions. Now the human's mind was gone and he was useless to them. Those who had done so had been punished severely.

But this one would still prove useful in other, more entertaining ways.

It didn't take long, though the final changes would take weeks to perfect. But they had transformed him enough to send him back out with the others.

'So soon, though?' the second asked.

'Yes. Forpsychological reasons,' the Master said.

'Of course,' the second replied, his dark eyes gleaming. 'You are so evil.'

The Master grinned. 'I am the best at what I do. I know what frightens them.'

He turned away from the second to regard the beast in transformation. Chains secured its arms and legs to the wall, holding it as its muscles broadened and its body strengthened with the hormones and chemicals they'd implanted within it.

Such hideous creatures, yet such utter perfection.

'You may not survive what I have planned for you, but you will be mine in so many other ways.'

The creature lifted its lids, barely aware of what was happening, yet finally regaining consciousness. Not really the same consciousness it had before, but still, a mindless awareness, susceptible to command. As it opened its mouth, the Master saw fangs beginning to emerge where teeth used to be.

The Master swiped a sharp claw down its torso from left to right, cutting a thin swath of flesh open. Blood trickled from the wound and the Master's eyes widened in excitement. He knew those behind him scented the human part of it that still remained. Yet they would not approach.

No, this one belonged to the Master and they knew better. Bringing his fingers to his lips, the Master licked the blood from them. So sweet, so innocent, so sad to have his life cut so short.

The Master laughed.

The wound bubbled, a frothy white substance pouring forth where blood appeared. The cut would scar, forever marking this one as special. The Master slid his claw inside the open wound, emblazoning his own version of a tattoo along its abdomen as the sizzling sound of burning flesh echoed throughout the chamber. The creature didn't even flinch. When he removed his claw, the wound had already begun to heal, but the mark would remain.

Yes, he knew these humans, knew what terrors lurked within their minds.

And their horrors were only beginning.

Chapter Eighteen.

T eam organization was back to normal. Gina was ready and in fighting spirit. She was determined to be a good soldier tonight and do as she was told. That meant being on Derek's team and not deviating from instructions in any way, shape, or form. eam organization was back to normal. Gina was ready and in fighting spirit. She was determined to be a good soldier tonight and do as she was told. That meant being on Derek's team and not deviating from instructions in any way, shape, or form.

At least not tonight. Tomorrow, she'd see.

She actually felt good. Really good, surprisingly. Of course, great s.e.x, a good talk, and a good night's sleep, even with the nightmare, had helped.

For the first time in her life she'd opened up about the night her mother disappeared. She'd expressed her fears about getting close to someone.

And nothing horrible had happened.

'You okay?' Shay asked, approaching her with trepidation as if she was afraid Gina would bite her head off.

Smiling, Gina nodded. 'I'm fine. And thanks.'

'I don't know how you do it.'

'What?'

'Bounce back so quickly. I don't think I could.'

'Oh, I think you could,' Gina said. 'You're stronger than you think. We all are. Look what we've already survived. Sometimes I think we all forget that.' She had, for a while. But the toughness inside her had returned, thanks to Derek. If he could weather the trauma he'd had to deal with, then so could she.

Shay nodded. 'I never thought of that. I guess you're right.'

'Everyone ready?' Derek asked, slipping his shades on.

Gina did the same, slinging her weapon over her shoulder and following Derek into the jungle, Linc and Ryder behind her.

The full moon cast a silvery glow over the jungle, lighting their way through the path. It was hot and muggy, and they hadn't ventured more than a half hour before she was soaked through her clothes and fighting to drag in a breath of air. Even that was thick with humidity and she reached for her canteen to grab a quick swig of water, since Derek seemed determined to run a race tonight.

'You in a hurry?' she asked.

'No. Why?'

'Because I'm panting here. It's sweltering, and you're hustling us like you're on some kind of personal timetable to get somewhere.'

He halted and pivoted, frowning. 'Didn't realize.'

h.e.l.l, the man wasn't even out of breath. Maybe it was just her. She turned to Linc and Ryder. Sweat poured off their faces, their chests heaving with their labored breathing. They glared at Derek.

Okay, so it wasn't just her. And she'd kept up with him easily when they'd raced each other just days ago. So what was up with his sudden gust of inhuman energy and strength?