Page 35 of Tomlin

CHAPTER 18

Etta sat at her workbench, staring blankly at the morchev in front of her. The familiar comfort of her work eluded her today, replaced by a warm, fuzzy feeling that made concentration impossible. She caught herself smiling for no reason, remembering Tomlin’s powerful arms around her. Remembering that he loved her.

But despite that joy, there was an undercurrent of worry. She knew he was more than capable of defending himself, but she hated the thought that he might encounter trouble in his search for Seren. What if he ran into the other Vultor male?

She shuddered, and pushed away from the bench, deciding it was no use pretending to work. She paced instead, wandering from the lab and back. She found herself outside the bathroom, her fingers tracing the claw marks he’d left on the doorframe as he struggled for control.

It means he can defend himself, she reminded herself and moved on into the bedroom. Because she’d still been in bed when he left it remained unmade, and she realized how quickly she’d become used to his fastidious sense of order. She quicklyset the bed to rights and was about to return to the lab to try once again to work, when a sharp knock at the door jolted her out of her abstraction.

Her heart skipped a beat, thinking that Tomlin had returned, but the flash of joy was immediately followed by fear. The Vultor couldn’t have returned so soon, could he?

She tightened her hand around the hilt of her weapon, even though it had been of little use last time, and peered cautiously down the hallway. Her heart sank as she recognized the big figure outside. The Vultor.

She pressed herself against the wall, even though he couldn’t see her through the one way glass, praying he would leave.

Another knock, more insistent this time.

Her palms grew clammy as she gripped the weapon and inched towards the door, wishing desperately for Tomlin’s reassuring presence.

The knocking came again, a rapid, urgent tattoo that set her nerves on edge.

“I know you’re in there, little human. You should have left when I warned you.”

The cold voice dripped with menace but perhaps there was a chance she could reach him.

“I’m going to leave,” she lied. “But I need time.”

The fractured edge to his laughter sent chills down her spine.

“You would have had time if you’d left when I told you to.”

Her grip tightened on the gun, her palms slick with sweat, as she tried to come up with a plan.Tomlin, she cried silently.

“Where’s your alien lover?” the Vultor taunted. “Perhaps he’s run into some… trouble on his journey.”

Her heart pounded even harder.

“What have you done to him?”

“Why don’t you come out and see for yourself?” His voice took on a sickeningly sweet tone. “I’m sure he’d appreciate your help right about now.”

Her hand trembled on the doorknob. For a split second, she considered opening the door, her fear for Tomlin almost overriding her good sense, but logic prevailed. It had to be a trap.

“I don’t believe you,” she called out, proud of how steady her voice sounded. “He can take care of himself.”

Silence fell, stretching on for what felt like an eternity. He was no longer visible through the window, even when she crept closer. Had he left? Or was he simply lying in wait outside?

A new scent drifted into the hallway. Acrid. Burning.

Smoke.

Panic clawed at her throat as she realized what was happening. He’d set fire to the lab.

Her heart raced as she tried desperately to think of a way to escape, but he could be anywhere outside. The acrid smoke seeped under the lab door, filling her lungs and making her eyes water. With each passing second, the heat intensified. She had no choice.

She looked through the window again at the empty porch, then unlocked the door. The metal handle seared her palm, but she yanked it open, desperate for fresh air. As she burst outside, gulping in oxygen, a strong hand clamped around her arm.

“Going somewhere?” The Vultor’s voice dripped with malice.

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