Page 158 of The Alpha

Peter’s jaw dropped, and he made a squeaking sound. “Soup bone?”

“That’s what I said, isn’t it? Land sakes, boy, are ya deaf?”

Peter silently went over what the Time Masters and other men that questioned him said about Tylahs. “Sarian, they’re called Sarian.”

“I call them hungry. I’m lucky I wasn’t eaten alive!”

Peter loosened his tie. At least they hadn’t left any manacles on him. He cleared his throat. Time to get down to business. “So, Mr. Slade, sir, are they going to kill us?”

He laughed. “They could have done that by now. But seeing as how I’m still alive, maybe they think there’s still some use for me. Can’t say the same for you, boy.”

Peter straightened. “Don’t call me boy. I’m a doctor.”

“Ya sound like a boy, and ya squeak like a little girl!”

Peter closed his eyes and shook his head. This Slade hadn’t heard him while he was being questioned, had he? If so, how embarrassing! But as he didn’t mention hisscreaminglike a girl, probably not.

Before he could ask his prison mate anything more, the door at the end of the hall was unlocked and opened. More than one pair of footsteps entered, and Peter couldn’t help but scamper back to the cot and fall onto it. He noticed Mr. Slade said nothing more.

Kwaku, the Time Master, came into view first. “Here he is.”

Two Muiraran guards followed and stood on either side of the Time Master as a fourth man stepped in front of the cell. Peter paled and, much to his dismay, squeaked like a mouse.

Dr. Charles’ prisoner, hisprize, stood before Peter’s cell. He considered Peter with his steel gray eyes, and to his surprise,was dressed in a simple loose tank top, athletic shorts, socks and tennis shoes.

He stared at Peter, unmoving, then emitted a low growl.

“Don’t kill me!” Peter begged. He wanted to back up but had nowhere to go. “I didn’t want to hurt her! I was just following orders!”

Mr. Slade chuckled. “Hurt her? Seems I misjudged you, boy…”

“Silence,” The alien snapped. He approached the bars and looked Peter over. “You knew how to find her.”

Peter gaped at him. He sounded… well…

Dr. Charles’ prize clasped his hands behind his back and paced in front of the cell. “You will tell me everything.” He stopped and faced Peter. “Or suffer the consequences.”

Peter frowned. Was this the same Muiraran they captured? His mannerisms were… effeminate. “Um, yeah.”

He arched an eyebrow at Peter then turned to the Time Master. “You see, he’s perfectly cooperative.”

Kwaku scowled at him and pointed at Peter. “He harmed Pari!”

The doctor’s prize popped his neck and cringed?

“Yes, bound her to a table, stuck needles in her, removed flesh…”

The doctor’s prize hissed then growled.

“Yes, let him loose. Lethimquestion dis man,” Kwaku said. “You cannot lock him away just because he may have killed who knows how many men last night.”

“Killed?” Peter said with a gulp.

“Quiet you,” Kwaku snapped.

“Oh, um okay.” Peter sat on the cot and nervously bounced one leg.

Dr. Charles’ prize went to the stone wall and rested his hands and forehead against it. He was breathing hard, and the occasional growl escaped.

---