Page 24 of Savage Mates
Gruesome in my mind.
Growls and vibrating roars.
I’d heard every sound, the vibrations of beasts that had called out to me, nearly breaking my heart and sending me out into the night. Even now, the horrific cry continued echoing in my eardrums.
An animal had been brutally killed. That much I was certain of. Whatever happened, it added to the dangerous aura with the encampment. Evidently, the shrill screams had awakened everyone since Rory and Kyle were openly walking around the buildings brandishing firearms.
The entire incident had kept me on edge.
I’d looked out the window, certain I’d seen the same lions. Watching.
Connecting.
Not just with themselves, but with me.
And God help me, I’d never felt such a powerful draw in my life.
Closing my eyes, I could still see the three lions, their dark, powerful figures stalking the camp in the darkness. There’d been no light, no possibility I’d made out anything other than huge shapes.
But I’d seen them. Their faces. Their huge muscular physiques. There was no doubt in my mind the three lions had ventured into the compound, and why? To protect me against the rogue lions intent on killing every human?
Or was I just crazy or having a moment of wishful thinking? No, I knew what I’d heard.
And what I’d seen.
Entering the room, I immediately headed to my computer, refreshing the screen and entering my password.
I rubbed the scar on my arm as memories of my mother began to fade. She was right. Lions were dangerous, but they were also the most magnificent animals on Earth. My thoughts drifted to the lions from the night before and as I’d experienced then, I was tingling all over. Even with Jonas and Simba, I hadn’t felt such a powerful draw before. Exhaling, I tried to shove it out of my mind, returning to my investigative skills.
A few minutes later, I was faced with a reality.
Kyle Singleton and Rory James didn’t exist.
At least not in the world of scientific research.
I’d found that out early after the existing satellite had been connecting allowing for internet access.
Thankfully, Doctors Adam Douglas and Steve Abbott did, their work in the field of molecular genetics brilliant, their expertise highly respected. Was there any connection to their work and that of Marcus Blackwell? None that I could find, but if I were them, I’d hide any connection.
I’d received confirmation that the two members of Dr. Zimmerman’s research team weren’t who they said they were early on. In taking the morning to set up the temporary laboratory, I’d had to explain how pieces of equipment were put together for the two burly men with sullen attitudes. They hadn’t taken too kindly to being given orders by a woman.
Tough.
According to Dr. Zimmerman, I was in charge of the mission and I planned on taking full advantage of my authority.
Maybe that’s why I was fed up and needed answers. I emailed Dr. Zimmerman, although I had a feeling that he wouldn’t rush to answer given the tone of my email was terse to say the least.
What bothered me was that there was a piece of equipment still locked inside one crate. Padlocked. I’d asked about it twice only to be given partial answers about a new molecular testing system that needed a significant amount of power. A prototype they were eager to break in. The team was definitely hiding something. And I’d been stupid enough to walk right into a project I had no business being in.
“Did you hear the screams in the middle of the night?” Carrie asked in a hushed voice as she moved by my side, placing the crate holding the microscope down on the table.
“Yes, I did.” I’d been shocked neither Rory nor Kyle had raced out from their bunks with guns blazing. Maybe they’d been told to ignore anything that happened in the wild.
She shuddered visibly. “What do you think it was?”
“An animal fight. There could be leopards on the island.” The last thing I wanted to do was to put the fear of God into my assistants. I’d already begun to feel terrible about not doing more research into the location. I’d been so blinded by the desire to see the Cape lion that I’d lost all common sense. Or maybe I’d placed far too much trust in Dr. Zimmerman.
“What if they’re your lions who were fighting?”
