Page 20 of The Price of Peace
Realizing where my hand had landed, I smirked back. “Sorry. I have no control around you.”
“Really?” Was that a purr? Definitely a purr.
The air between us swelled with need as we stared at each other for a heartbeat, then two. Peace took a deep, shuddering breath, blew it out, and stepped back. “We need to search.”
“Agreed,” was the only word I could manage as I swallowed hard and tried to drag my eyes away from hers. There would be time enough for more Peace exploration later. I was a disciplined law enforcement officer. I could do this. Yep, could totally do this. I took my own shuddering breath.
“What do you think they were doing here?” Peace asked, her voice hushed as she stepped cautiously over to a bank of monitors.
“Let’s ask Julie,” I suggested, glancing at the ceiling. “Julie, what was the purpose of this facility?”
“That information is classified. Do you have the encryption key?”
Frowning, I turned to Peace. “Maybe you should ask.”
“Why would I be authorized?” She rolled her eyes. “Fine. Julie, what was the purpose of this facility?”
“This facility was designated as an advanced research station for biological compatibility testing between alien species with shared biological ancestry,” Julie responded.
Peace frowned. “Compatibility testing?”
“Affirmative,” Julie replied. “Research conducted here sought to determine reproductive viability between Pleiadians and other species, such as humans.”
Peace paled, and my expression darkened at the distress I sensed in her. “Were they breeding test subjects?” I asked Julie.
“That information is classified. Do you have the encryption key?”
“Julie! Were they breeding test subjects?” Peace snapped.
“Experiments involved in vitro technologies such as fertilization of ovum, cloning, and genetic editing, as well as mechanical gestation in growth pods.”
Peace’s eyes widened. “Mechanical gestation in growth pods?”
“Correct.”
I picked up telepathically that Peace wanted to throttle Julie but couldn’t figure out how.
“The genetic material—the ovum and live cells for DNA—were those provided voluntarily from the test subjects? Or were they forced?”
“Most of the samples were taken without consent.” Julie’s calm, even tone belied the horror of her words.
Peace and I exchanged uneasy glances before leaving to search the surrounding rooms. The first few were storage areas—long emptied, except for the occasional shattered vial or overturned cabinet. Then we found a research lab.
The room was lined with observation tanks, all of them dark and frosted over from years of neglect. Some were cracked; their contents spilled and evaporated long ago. Others remained eerily intact, faintly humming with residual energy. Peace wipeda gloved hand across one, revealing a skeletal frame within. She screamed and jumped back, hand on her heart.
“Julie,” she said, her voice hitching with hesitation. “What happened to the subject in this tank?”
“Following the termination of the project, all remaining subjects were disposed of.”
I clenched my fists. “Murdered.”
Peace turned away from the tank, hand over her stomach.What kind of monstrous experiments was this Jökull guy running?she asked me silently.
I gathered her into my arms and held her close.Whatever they are, I plan to stop him.
Count me in.
Our bonding marks thrummed between us, and our heartbeats slowly calmed until they beat as one. Kissing her lightly on the forehead, then the lips, I released her. She sighed, pushing back her long, platinum braids and resumed searching the area, carefully avoiding the large tanks.
