Chapter 12

TWELVE

Samantha

I feel like I'm climbing out of my skin. I don't want to go back to my room, which smells like Evander and sex, nor am I hungry. So, unsure what else to do, I head for the labs.

The elevator opens onto the floor, and I see Dr. Duncan, Dr. Abigail, and Dr. Griffin. Dr. Griffin turns to look at me as the elevator opens, and his gaze runs over me from head to toe. It's a little unsettling, even with his black eye. He's old enough to be my father, even if between his steel gray hair and his muscled body he doesn't entirely look like it. He more so looks like a younger man who dyed his hair to look older.

I try to ignore him and hurry to where Dr. Duncan and Dr. Abigail have their heads leaned together, going over data on their computers together. Then I spot Aydan on the couch by the TV monitoring the dragons. His head jerks to me, and he rises to his feet and heads toward me before I even come to stop in front of the two doctors.

"Sam!" Dr. Abigail says. "We were just about to try to gather everyone together. I'm going to have all our lanyards fitted with ‘pager,' which we'll be able to send messages on, to make communication easier going forward."

"Have you figured out anything new?"

It's Dr. Duncan who answers. "Some absolutely fascinating things, but to be absolutely certain we'd need more data. We're currently only able to make hypotheses based on the information we have."

"As always," I say.

The older man smiles. "As always."

I hear the elevator open, even though no one else seems to be aware of it. Turning, I spot Granger and Evander. Neither seems happy to be sharing an elevator with the other one, but looks of relief flash on their faces when they see me. Evander's strides take him to my side far more quickly, but Aydan shifts closer to me, resting a hand on my hip.

Something dangerous flashes in Evander's eyes. He draws himself up taller, squaring off with Aydan, with me between them. My heart hammers faster, and I swear under my breath. I'm exhausted from all this fighting. Both of these men are going to see me running the hell away from them if they don't stop.

"The doctors say they've gathered some more information," I tell them, choosing each word with care.

"Anything good?" Granger asks.

Dr. Abigail, seemingly unaware of the tension in the room, launches into her findings. "Based on both your accounts, as well as what we're seeing in your test results, we've created a theory about how Awakened Dragons become dragons, in comparison to the Sleeping Dragons… who are quite literally sleeping dragons. Essentially, we believe that in order to unlock the genetic makeup required to become dragons three things are required: one, exposure to a dragon, two, a near-death experience, and, three, a past life as a dragon."

"A past life as a dragon?" I repeat in disbelief.

She nods. "In pulling up your previous test results, we found a strange genetic marker that was present both in your bloodwork and Evander's. We believe the two of you, for example, would become dragons after a near death experience and exposure to a dragon, because you have been dragons before, but Dr. Duncan and I wouldn't, because we don't have those same markers."

"So, you're saying…?" Aydan begins, looking confused.

"Some of the dragons that are reawakening may recognize both Evander and Sam from the past. They've essentially had identical genetic make up each generation, waiting for a time where dragons were reborn into the world, so they too could shift into dragons."

"Whoa," Granger murmurs.

"What's more," Dr. Abigail continues, "we believe that as the Sleeping Dragons descend on the world, exposing themselves to the Awakened Dragons like a virus, more and more humans will shift into dragons. We're talking about a complete restructuring of the circle of life here, as well as the predator-prey relationship."

"Although," Dr. Duncan says, with a frown, "this is all a hypothesis, which may change as we receive new data."

Granger pipes up. "Are you guys still detecting more earthquakes around the world that could indicate more dragons awakening?"

Dr. Duncan smiles. "Yes, although some of the sites haven't produced dragons… yet."

"Have any more female dragons been spotted?" Dr. Griffin asks, flashing me a smile. "Because all the male dragons will have to make a beeline for her unless she's properly fucked, right?"

"Dr. Griffin," Dr. Abigail says tersely. "Enough of that."

Dr. Duncan casts him an angry glare. "The male dragons are not making a beeline for anyone, other than Sam, when they can scent her, so we imagine she's the only female dragon currently awake. Which may say something about the rarity of female dragons, although we can't say for sure with this small of a ratio of dragons."

I bite my lip. "Speaking of which, have any of the dragons started making their way in my direction?"

Dr. Duncan shakes his head. "Two were, but they switched directions recently, and several of the dragons have disappeared from sight for longer than normal. It doesn't necessarily mean we have something to worry about though. The dragons are better at avoiding satellite detection than any large object I've ever seen."

"Okay, good to know," I say, releasing a slow breath.

"You look tired," Dr. Abigail tells me gently. "How about I send dinner to your room and you can get to bed early?"

I'm about to argue when I say fuck it. "That would be wonderful."

Heading back to the elevator, I sense people right behind me and turn to see Granger, Evander, and Aydan scrambling after me. I swear my eye gets a tick. The sensors detect my badge, and the doors open. I slide inside, and they crowd in along with me.

Silence fills the elevator, but I don't bother to look at them, just click the floor our rooms are on. It takes no time at all and then I'm rushing to my room, again, with them on my heel. When I reach my door, I whirl around, and they stop.

Aydan's eyes flash with irritation as he looks from Evander to me. "Want me to grab my dinner and join you?"

"No thanks," I say.

Evander looks pissed as he takes a step toward me. "I can have my dinner sent to your room."

"No thanks," I repeat.

He freezes, then gives me a frustrated look. "You know you have to choose one of us tonight, so why play this game?"

"Actually, if I had to pick someone right now, it'd be Granger." I lift my badge and my room door opens. "Goodnight, guys."

"Sam!" Aydan says, clearly annoyed. "Don't be stubborn. We both know you want me there, you just don't want to upset him."

Stepping into my room, I stare him down. "Actually, the truth is I want both of you. But since that can't happen, I'm choosing neither of you. Now, goodnight."

They both step closer, arguments on their lips. My door slides closed, and I step away, releasing a breath I didn't even know I was holding.

What are you doing, Sam? You know you have to choose one of them by morning. Just choose.

But the thing is, I can't.