“Sarita,” Victor growled.
“Do not,” Eshe commanded hoarsely.
Ignoring them, Sarita stepped out of the cell, mentally preparing herself to kick out at the woman. The way she saw it, she’d either beat the crap out of Asherah, get her keys, and free everyone, or she’d fail and die, blowing Dressler’s chances of forcing Domitian to give him the information he wanted. Either way, she won. Although, really, staging a breakout and surviving would be the better ending for her, all things considered.
Smiling wryly, at the thought, Sarita started to turn toward Asherah and then stiffened and released a startled gasp at a sharp pain in her side. Lowering her head, she stared with amazement at the knife sticking out of her just above the waist.
Well, that was unexpected, she thought, vaguely aware of the shouts and curses coming from Domitian’s family. She lifted her head to stare at Asherah blankly.
“You’re not dying,” Asherah said wearily as the others fell silent. Sliding the knife back out, she caught Sarita by the arm when her legs immediately gave out. Leaning close she whispered, “You should know by now that there are cameras everywhere on the islands. El Doctor heard your plans to sacrifice yourself and decided I should collect you early to make sure you didn’t spoil his plans.”
Asherah pulled Sarita’s arm over her shoulder and turned to half walk and half drag her to the door, adding, “I’ll try to get you out of here. But it won’t be easy, and he’ll kill me if he finds out I helped you.”
“Help?” Sarita asked with surprise.
“Do you think I want that bastard living another year let alone hundreds?” she asked in a bitter whisper. “I’d kill him myself if I had the courage, but . . .” She shook her head and opened the door to the hallway, walked Sarita through, and closed it again.
As she helped her along the hall, Asherah added, “He only has months to live. He has cancer. That’s why he stepped up his game. Not because he was worried about getting caught. No one will find this island and if they do, they won’t make it ashore alive. The flying hybrids circle a two-mile area around the island, watching for anyone approaching. They would sound the alarm and it would be Armageddon on the water with the human security men and the various hybrids all joining in. So we can’t count on help. We just have to hold out for a couple months and then we are all free . . . so long as he doesn’t find out how a mortal is turned.”
“Kill me,” Sarita said at once. “That would stop him. Domitian would never tell him without proof I am alive.”
Asherah tossed her an exasperated look. “If I can’t kill that animal Dressler, what on earth makes you think I could kill you?”
“You stabbed me,” she pointed out dryly.
“Yes, but not mortally. And it’s just to ensure El Doctor thinks you’re subdued and will not be difficult.”
“Yeah, well, I’m afraid I believe it too,” Sarita said weakly, aware that she was leaning more heavily on the woman with each step. She also felt lightheaded, dizzy, and she was starting to sweat, all bad signs she knew. “I think you hit something important after all.”
“What?” Asherah asked sharply, and eased her to lean against the wall so that she could examine her side. “Dammit.”
“That doesn’t sound good,” Sarita muttered, trying to keep her eyes open.
“I think I must have nicked an artery or something. Just hang on a minute. Don’t pass out. I’ll be right back.”
Sarita nodded weakly, but her eyes were closed and she couldn’t see the woman leave, although she did hear her walk quickly away. A door opened and closed, followed by silence and then the sound of a door opening and closing again. Sarita heard returning footsteps.
“Here. I’m giving you a shot of adrenaline and something to slow the bleeding,” Asherah whispered just before Sarita felt a sharp pain in her thigh. “It should start working relatively quickly.”
Sarita swallowed, and while she waited to feel better, asked, “How are we going to get out of here?”
“Not we, you.”
She opened her eyes at that and peered at the woman with disbelief. “I won’t be able to get out of here by myself. I can barely stand.”
“You’ll be fine once the shot kicks in,” Asherah assured her.
“But—”
“Besides, Domitian is waiting outside,” she assured her.
“He is?” Sarita asked with surprise.
“Yes. I saw him on the camera earlier, sneaking around the fence, trying to find a way in. So I distracted El Doctor until he was past the camera and then made an excuse to leave and went out to lead him safely through the cameras to the side of the building. There is a blind spot,” she explained. “Only one and very small. He’s waiting for you.”
“What about the men in the towers?” Sarita asked with confusion.
“El Doctor sent them to help search the island for Domitian.” Asherah eyed her with concern. “How are you feeling?”
Sarita hesitated and then straightened away from the wall, finding she could hold her own weight again. She wasn’t feeling 100 percent or anything, but she could move under her own power at least.
“Good. Now listen, it has to look like you escaped and I had nothing to do with it, do you understand? El Doctor will kill me if he thinks I let you go or helped you in any way.”
“How do we do that?” Sarita asked dubiously. “I’m injured and you’re no weakling.”
“There is a stereo dissecting microscope on the wheeled tray. I put it there earlier. When I walk you past the tray, you grab it and hit me on the head,” she instructed. “Make it look good. If he doesn’t believe it, I’m dead,” she repeated. “Once you’ve hit me just run for the exterior door. Dressler is old, he won’t catch you if you are quick, and you only have to make it out the door. Domitian will be there to get you away. Got it?”
Sarita nodded abruptly, her hands clenching, and then asked, “What is a stereo dissecting microscope and what does it look like?”
Asherah blinked and then cursed under her breath, and said heavily, “Just look for a big thing on the tray that looks heavy.”
“Right,” Sarita muttered, feeling stupid.
“Come on,” Asherah said, pulling her arm over her shoulder again. “Lean on me and look weak. And keep your head down so your expression doesn’t give you away. You have to fool El Doctor.”
Nodding, Sarita leaned on her and lowered her head as they made their way up the hall the last five or so feet to the door.
“Good luck,” Asherah whispered just before pulling the door open and urging her through.
“Ah, there you are. I was beginning to wonder what was taking you so long.” Dressler sounded annoyed at the delay.
“I think I wounded her a little worse than I intended,” Asherah said apologetically. “She’s losing blood fast.”
“No matter. It’s nearly midnight now. I’m sure Domitian will turn himself in soon and save the day,” he said dryly. “And a little urgency wouldn’t hurt in helping him make the right decision. Lay her on the table and chain her up, Asherah, so she’s the first thing Domitian sees when he enters,” Dressler instructed. “I just want to start my notes before the excitement begins.”
Asherah squeezed her uninjured side then, and Sarita glanced up to see that Dressler had turned his back to them to bend over the desk and write something in his book. She also saw that they were just approaching the wheeled tray. The only thing on it was something that looked like the microscopes they’d used in high school science class, but more sci-fi-ish to her mind.
Sending up a quick, silent prayer that this would work, Sarita snatched up the weighty microscope and swung it at Asherah. It was heavier than expected and, afraid she’d kill the woman, Sarita pulled back a bit at the end trying to lessen the blow. She still connected with a solid thump and wasn’t surprised when Asherah cried out and fell to the floor.
Seeing Dressler straightening and turning toward her, Sarita wheeled the microscope at him and made for the door as quickly as she could. Which really wasn’t that quickly, she worried as she staggered forward. Sure she would be stopped by the old bastard at any moment, Sarita put on a burst of speed and stumbled through the door unaccosted. But the effort cost her and she pretty much fell out the door as it swung open.