Page 50 of The Alpha

“Yes, Lord Councilor,” Kwaku said. He looked at the ground, and despite Melvale being slung over one shoulder, bent down and picked up a couple of rocks.

He eyed the two gunmen as their getaway vehicles were skidding to a stop, and threw the rocks, one after the other. Hard.

Lany heard the “uggghs” of both men, before their heads met the surface of the roof.

“Good shots,” Dallan said appreciatively.

The van door slid open, and Shona hopped out. “Hurry!”

Kwaku and Zara put Melvale in first, followed by the girl. Archer loaded their prisoner next, then hopped in and slammed the van door shut while Lany, Dallan and Shona jumped into the car with Evan. More shots fired as the car peeled out and took off with a screech of tires.

“Go-go-go, Dad!” Shona cried.

“It’s a good thing your old man watched a lot of Steve McQueen movies while you were growing up!” he called back.

Lany turned around, saw the compound falling farther and farther back, and breathed a sigh of relief. The worst was over. He hoped.

17

They drove into an old barn they’d found earlier, exited the car and van, and watched as Kwaku opened a door through time. Dallan carried Pari, Markhel had Melvale. The man they took as a hostage was held between Archer and Lany. Shona stood behind him in case he came to.

Dallan watched Melvale’s private quarters being outlined with Kwaku and Zara’s yellow light, and as soon as the image peeled away, Q came running into view. “Melvalesssk!”

“Stay,” Kwaku commanded the Sarian. “Hurry, put them on the tables.”

Two cloth covered tables were set up in Melvale’s living area. Dallan realized he’d never been inside Melvale’s quarters, and looked around the space as he carried the girl to one of the tables and gently set her down.

The door to Melvale’s quarters opened, and Raina and Halden entered with Maida.

The latter started for Markhel, saw that he carried his brother, and stopped.

Markhel carefully laid Melvale on the table and breathed a sigh of relief. “Kwaku…”

“We will tend dem. Go, tell your parents and de king dat we have returned.”

Markhel nodded, his hand outstretched to Maida.

She ran to him, and he locked her in his arms, then kissed her.

Raina and Halden hurried to Pari. “Are they all right?” Raina asked. “Are they injured?”

“We will see,” Zara said gently. “You must leave now, so Kawahnee and I can see to them.”

“What are ye going to do?” Dallan asked.

Zara went to Pari, as Kwaku went to Melvale. “Wash de filth of der prison from dem.” Kwaku began to study the shackles Melvale wore. “Archer, remove dese.”

Archer gave a single nod, pulled a leather billfold of some kind from his back pocket, and opened it.

“He’s going to pick the locks,” Shona stated.

“Aye, Flower,” Dallan agreed. “It’s better to remove them this way than for Kwaku or I to break them off.”

Archer picked the locks in no time, and Zara began to shoo everyone from the room. “We will tell you when we are done,” she assured.

Dallan bent to the unconscious form of their hostage. “Best we lock this one up.” He picked him up one handed by the collar of his lab coat, and didn’t stop when the man’s glasses fell off.

Shona picked them up and followed them out the door.