Parahuman (Parahuman Series) Read online

  What Devan was able to see from this microscope was that this wolf was definitely all animal—the nuclei in the center of the cell testified to that. It would have been better to have another wolf sample to compare it to so he could establish if they were completely identical; any slight difference between the two cell samples would be significant. He had to settle for an internet search which revealed nothing irregular. Without realizing it a form of reassurance filled him knowing that the animal’s blood wasn’t anything close to what his was.

  Devan’s blood was a mix of cells that were both animal and human. If you were to transfuse animal blood into a human you would only kill the person, and vice-a-versa. Somehow, because of the genetic manipulation done to Devan’s body he was able to house both of them together, but that didn’t mean he was able to receive human or animal blood intravenously. That’s why he had a supply of his own blood on hand, his was the only blood he could accept; no one else had his type.

  The fact that the wolf’s blood cells were all animal wasn’t completely reassuring though. The animal’s unusual largeness and tenacity just didn’t seem normal.

  Devan made sure to run the standard tests for rabies and other common feral animal diseases. They all came back showing that the animal was healthy…unnaturally healthy. Wild animals typically had some bacteria or worm infestation; it was the result of living and eating in the wild, but this animal had nothing.

  Further appraisal of the blood revealed vaccination antigens. This animal had received the necessary medicines to prevent the frequent diseases that wild animals habitually acquired, but who would give this wolf that kind of medicine and why?

  Devan knew some animals were tagged and followed but they weren’t normally vaccinated. The individuals who were involved in wild animal studies didn’t like to interfere with the natural evolvement of the animal’s existence.

  It was possible the wolves were part of a specially tagged pack…it wasn’t unheard of. There had been no tags on the outside of the animal to attest to this, but it was possible there was an internal device.

  This was going to necessitate another trip to the vets.

  Going through the particulates Devan had collected from the wolf’s coat he found the expected leaves, dirt, and twigs. It all seemed rather standard and he was about to write it off, when he came across a particulate that wasn’t standard; at least for the Colorado region.

  Devan’s ponderings on this interesting detail was interrupted by a rumbling sound. For the last ninety minutes the house had been completely silent, except for the far off sounds of birds, chipmunks, squirrels, and other small animals going about their daily business. These sounds were all background ambiance, which he mostly ignored, but the rumbling of a small engine disturbed that ambiance. He knew it wasn’t Brett because of the distinct sound of the engine.

  Devan went over to the surveillance monitor behind the desk and punched in the driveway. There were cameras situated all around the perimeter of the house and forest to keep them one step ahead of anyone trying to sneak onto the property, and at the moment the driveway camera displayed an ATV coming his way.

  Someone driving up to the house unannounced wasn’t something he was accustomed to. The house was self-sufficient and didn’t require utility workers to check meters, and they didn’t have a mail man.

  Logically, he was confident it wasn’t The Company. They would come at him in force, quietly; not in a one manned small engine vehicle. Punching in the other camera locations Devan didn’t see any other movement, but just the fact that someone unfamiliar was coming to the house set his instincts to ‘run’.

  Going back to the driveway surveillance Devan was able to see that the person on the four-wheeler was slight in frame, and closer examination revealed black hair peeking out from the bottom of the helmet.

  Laney…Devan’s heart stuttered in response.

  Sprinting outside, he was waiting on the porch when she drove up to the house.

  He stood there completely still as she parked behind his jeep and pulled her helmet off. Her hair spilled down her back and Devan clenched his fists at his sides, but otherwise remained still as stone. Her whole demeanor seemed hesitant, her eyes uncertain. She was afraid of him and it tore at his insides.

  She walked up to him. “I just wanted to let you know Jarrod’s fine.” She stopped at the steps of the porch. Her gaze seemed to search his

  “I told you he would be.” Devan’s voice was taut from nerves.

  “Well, it was just a little alarming when he just passed out.” She said, with a slight acerbic tone. “Where did you learn to do that?” Her gaze was intent as she looked at him, and Devan realized he’d forgotten his glasses again. No wonder she was looking apprehensive, after what he’d done his eyes doubtlessly frightened her now reminding her of the animal inside of him. Predator’s eyes may be fascinating to look at, but to forget what they were attached to could be dangerous. He focused his gaze above her head not wanting to make direct eye contact.

  “Where do you think?” Devan answered her.

  “Why would they teach you stuff like that?”

  “I was the prototype for a genetically enhanced soldier; they taught me a lot of stuff.” He replied stiffly, uncomfortable with the subject.

  She was silent for a moment as she absorbed this, and he kept his face impassive as she did. It was likely that everything Devan had told her this morning was actually starting to sink in. She walked up the steps and leaned against the railing of the porch across from him. Devan automatically moved back against the opposite railing, putting distance between them. Being in her presence was enough of a distraction, standing near her would only make it worse.

  “Were you to become a soldier; are those the plans they had for you?” She asked.

  “Brett says no, they were going to let him keep me as his test subject.”

  “You say that so casually, like you were a piece of property.” She frowned.

  “That’s what I was…am to them; a billion dollar piece of property.” Devan stated brusquely. You couldn’t really dispute the origins of your birth.

  “But you’re not.” She stated forcefully.

  Devan shrugged, he was what he was.

  “Are you mad at me?” She asked in bewilderment.

  “No.” He said, frowning at her.

  “You sound upset.” She commented dryly.

  “I’m not.” Devan replied evenly.

  “What you did with Jarrod back at the vet’s; I understand why you did it, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t shaken by it. I’d never seen anything like that before and it alarmed me for a moment. ”

  Her candid statement loosened the vice that had been tightening around Devan’s heart and he let his eyes make contact with hers. She was looking at him with a somber expression that had no fear or anger in it. Maybe he had read her interpretation of the incident wrong.

  “I didn’t want to hurt him; it was the only option at the time.” He offered repentantly.

  “I do know that.” She smiled softly. “The way you tried to keep him away without actually touching him said a lot about your intentions.”

  “Like I said before, I can’t be associated with confrontations of that kind.”

  “I hated that you had to be the one to leave when Jarrod was to blame for it all. I feel like it’s my fault that he keeps coming after you.” She sighed in frustration. Turning away she walked to the swing hanging from the porch.

  “It is.” He answered truthfully.

  She spun around at his comment, her mouth open in disbelief.

  “I’m not trying to be rude or cruel.” Devan said hurriedly, taking a step toward her. “Jarrod has intense emotions in regards to you; it seems to override all rational behavior on his part. So when I declared that it was your fault I meant it in an indirect way. He’s the one responsible for his actions though.” Devan felt like hitting himself in the head; even he knew that definitely could have come out better.

/>   She sat down slowly in the swing, her posture depressed. “He didn’t say anything to me when he woke up. He just looked at me angrily and walked away. We’ve known each other forever, but in the last couple days he’s become a complete stranger to me.”

  Devan was happy and relieved to hear that Jarrod hadn’t tried to go after her; he had not felt comfortable leaving the two girls alone with Jarrod; however, the misery in her voice distressed him.

  “You know, his behavior is indirectly tied to me also. It’s not just you he has intense emotions to.” He presented in hopes of making her feel better.

  “It is not anywhere near your fault.” She stressed heatedly, her posture straightening. “I take responsibility for not seeing his deeper feelings for me, but the way he’s handling them is all on him.”

  Devan stood there silently, not really sure what to say to her on the subject. Relationships were far from his area of expertise. His stomach did the speaking for him by growling…loudly. An involuntary smile broke out over her face. “Are you constantly hungry, because you stomach does that a lot?”

  “Sorry,” Devan apologized. “And pretty much. I let the time get away from me, and it’s past my mealtime.”

  “Hey, when you’re hungry, you’re hungry.” She acknowledged with a grin.

  And as if it was contagious her stomach rumbled also…although not as loudly. She bit her lip trying to stop a smile from overtaking her face. An answering one spread across his.

  “I guess so.” Devan observed, and then they both laughed in unison. That was twice now she had made him laugh and it was amazing how good it felt.

  “Didn’t you eat at The Diner?” He asked.

  “I ordered, but when I saw you drive past I ended up forgoing it to find out what you were up to. Afterwards, I just wasn’t in the mood.” She made a face.

  “If you want to come in I could make you something to eat” Devan offered hesitantly.

  “Sure,” she responded readily with a smile, rising from the swing.

  He led her awkwardly inside the house to the kitchen. Grabbing a pair of glasses he had stored on the refrigerator Devan covered his eyes; being without them around her left him feeling too exposed. She frowned but she didn’t say anything.

  Brett had made an elk lasagna last night, so Devan popped that into the microwave to heat up. Buttering some French bread, he sprinkled it with garlic and parsley and set that in the broiler. Collecting milk, two glasses, a couple plates, silverware and napkins he set them on the table. The act of getting a meal ready eased his discomfiture somewhat. Besides being outside, the kitchen was Devan’s next favorite environment to be in.

  He noticed Laney starring at him with her eyebrows raised in astonishment.

  “Sorry, did you want something beside milk?”

  “No, no, milk’s fine. I’m just impressed by your know-how in the kitchen. But then I’ve noticed you seem to be good at everything you do.” She slipped her jacket off and sat down, taking a sip of the milk.

  “There are quite a few things I don’t do very well.” He contested. The timer on the microwave buzzed announcing that the lasagna was done. Grabbing that and the bread out of the broiler Devan set them on the table. He spooned a heap full onto both their plates and placed the empty lasagna dish in the sink before sitting down.

  “Thank you, but do I look like a growing boy to you?” She chuckled and stared in amazement at the food in front of her.

  Devan looked at both mounds of food. He had never really paid attention to how much girls ate before. “Is it too much?” He asked uncertainly.

  “I normally don’t eat a whole plate full,” she laughed, picking up a fork. “So what aren’t you any good at?” She spooned a small amount of the lasagna into her mouth.

  “I already told you I’m not any good with animals.” Devan recapped, spooning a much larger amount into his.

  “I would assume that’s because of the predator lurking inside of you.” Her green eyes twinkled and she waggled her eyebrows at him. The complete casualness of her statement almost had him choking on the food sliding down his throat. He assisted it down with a swig of milk.

  “Something like that.” Devan choked out.

  They ate quietly for a few moments before Laney broke the silence.

  “So what other things are you possibly not good at?” She reached for some of the garlic toast.

  “This.” Devan admitted, spooning in another mouthful of lasagna.

  “Eating,” she smirked. “Except for possibly taking smaller bites I think you have it mastered.”

  Devan nearly rolled his eyes at her obvious obtrusiveness which surprised him because he wasn’t the rolling of the eyes sort of person. “No, not eating; I’m talking about conversations, one on one interaction, the daily dialogue between two individuals.”

  “You’re not doing to bad at the moment, and anyway, not everyone can be a dynamic conversationalist. Something like that takes practice and it sounds like you haven’t been allowing yourself to get any…practice that is.” She quirked an eyebrow at him as if questioning his logic in not getting any practice.

  “Practice isn’t a viable option in my situation.” Devan snagged some garlic bread, eating half of it in one bite.

  “Only because you’ve made it that way.” She retorted.

  Devan swallowed his bread. “I’ve made it that way because it’s necessary for our safety and the safety of others. The Company is dangerous Laney. To invite people into our lives will only put them in harm’s way.” Devan took the last bite of his lasagna and looked longingly at the half filled plate still in front of Laney. “That’s why I presented the opportunity for you to forget everything you observed; I don’t want you to be in danger.” He gave her a significant look, eager for her to comprehend the harm she was getting herself into, but at the same time he was hoping she would ignore it.

  She actually gave him a sardonic smile as she caught the hint and ignored it…just as he’d hoped she would.

  “I can’t stuff anymore inside of me.” She groaned, slumping back in her seat and pushing the plate away. “Would you like the rest of it?” She offered with a grin.

  Devan had a feeling she had caught his wistful look at her plate. Plucking up her plate he set it atop his―no need to let it go to waste.

  “Did you finally get some rest this afternoon?” She asked, smiling as he dug in.

  “No, I came back and got to work on the samples I collected.” Devan said in between bites.

  The smile disappeared from her face. “You were supposed to be getting rest. Do I have to stand by your bed and make sure you get it?”

  The thought of her doing that almost had Devan choking on his food again. “I’m not really a nap sort of person.” Finished with Laney’s left over lasagna he grabbed the plates and carried them to the sink. He heard the clinking of glasses and Laney’s chair scraping over the floor and knew she was bringing the rest of the dirty dishes. Twisting the water tap he began filling the sink to wash the dishes, but found himself being moved to the side.

  Laney was literally pushing him…and confiscating the plate out of his hand.

  “So you haven’t even sat down since almost bleeding to death this morning?” She accused as she began scrubbing the plate.

  Devan looked at her in uncertainty. Was she expecting him to just stand here doing nothing? He went to put the milk away, which didn’t take long, as he answered her question. “Some of those minutes were spent in a sedentary position. I feel fine.” And he did, the sensations in his arm could be compared to the feeling of an appendage falling asleep; slight pinpricks of needles tingling up and down his arm. His arm was in the process of healing; at a quicker rate than that of an ordinary human.

  She turned away from putting the last dish in the strainer and he became instantly nervous. Now that they’d had eaten he wasn’t sure what to do.

  She wiped her hands with a towel and looking at him with a frown on her face. Devan thought s
he was going to continue criticizing his lack of rest, but she ended up switching topics on him again. “Why do wear those when I already know what’s underneath them. I’ve already told you your eyes don’t bother me.”

  Her reference to his glasses was unexpected, and his hand reflexively rose to touch them. “Going without them makes me feel exposed.” Devan replied frankly.

  “Well, you’ve already exposed yourself around me so you don’t have to keep wearing them.” She chuckled softly. Walking closer she lifted her hands toward his face. His hand reflexively seized hers responding to the threat of exposure.

  They stood there silently for a couple seconds in a stand-off. Devan was intensely aware of her wrist in his grip, of how close her frame was, and of her green eyes trying to penetrate the mirrored glass concealing his. The pulse in her wrist where he had hold of her was increasing in tempo the longer they stood there, and Devan could feel her underlying body temperature rising also. Her scent had permeated the kitchen, and it would linger for days reminding him of this moment.

  “Please, I would really like to be able to look you in the eyes when we talk; at least here in private.” She entreated breathlessly.

  The ‘please’ made it really hard to say ‘no’. Devan slowly released her wrist—recognizing that the much of his reluctance was from having to let go of her wrist.

  She gently slipped the glasses from his face. Devan knew what she was viewing; yellow eyes with overly large black pupils that were probably at this moment constricting and dilating as she gazed into them. His eyes were sensitive to every little nuance of light and emotion, which caused them to constantly adjust.

  “You’re eyes are really quite beautiful,” she said, looking entranced. She remained standing close to him and Devan found himself equally spellbound by the emerald green quality of hers.

  His gaze drifted over the golden tenor of her skin becoming fascinated by the tiny freckles that adorned the tip of her nose. Her mouth parted slightly which instantly snagged his attention and he became equally if not more fascinated by the curve of her bottom lip. There was a new fragrance coming off her skin that was starting to stimulate Devan’s senses in a way that was both disturbing and exciting at the same time. A pulsating urge swelled from deep inside of him, and he almost groaned from the ache of it. The urge, whatever it was, seemed to focus on her mouth because he couldn’t seem to tear his eyes away from their lushness, and the tiny breathes coming out of them.