STARGATE ATLANTIS: Third Path (Legacy book 8) by Third Path (SGA-23; Legacy Book 8)

Author:Third Path (SGA-23; Legacy, Book 8) [Retail]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Fandemonium Books
Published: 2020-06-18T15:34:23+00:00

Chapter EIGHT

Ember flattened his feeding hand against the console, pressing the handmouth against the cold metal as though that pain would drive out the inward ache. He needed to feed. He could feel his heartbeat slowing, his blood moving sluggishly in his veins, the bitter pulse of need in the center of his chest that echoed in his hand. He remembered all too clearly what Zelenka’s life-force tasted like, strong and salt-sweet; he could imagine Sindye’s, clear and bright, but forced his mind away. Solve the problem, he told himself. Then you can leave Atlantis and drink your fill.

He blinked hard, focusing on the screens in front of him. They had linked to Beckett’s computers, and could study both sets of results: this compound seemed to have promise, but that had been true of the last three as well. “Let’s proceed,” he said, and heard his voice harsh and croaking. Zelenka gave him a look and Ember glared back at him, then turned his attention to the screen, watching the numbers scroll past. They were heading in the right direction, climbing slowly toward a respectable peak — but did it cross the threshold? He closed his eyes for an instant, unable to make the calculation come steady in his mind, and he felt a hand on his sleeve.

“Ember. Are you all right?”

That was Zelenka’s voice — Zelenka’s life-force so close at hand, and Ember closed his feeding hand tight, digging his claws into the heel of his hand. The vein on the back of his hand was throbbing. Just a sip, just a taste, just enough to end the worst of the hunger… Zelenka had had the retrovirus, had permitted him to feed before —

“Ember?”

“I’m fine.” Ember straightened his back, baring teeth, and Zelenka stepped quickly away. Ember’s feeding hand rose without volition, the handmouth gaping, and behind him Sindye cried out.

“Major! Major Lorne!”

Ember froze, closing his fingers tight again, and heard the click of Marines arming their weapons. “There is no — I am —” He stopped, unable to continue.

Zelenka said, “Stand down! Wait, Major.” He took one step closer, though still not quite into reach. “Ember. You need to feed?”

Ember snarled soundlessly. “I am in control —”

“Answer the question,” Lorne said. He had his hand on his sidearm, and at that Ember bared teeth.

“If you shoot me, Major, I will not regenerate. Yes, I am starving, and I must feed very soon.”

There was a little silence, a withdrawal, and then Zelenka shrugged. “Well. I have done it before —”

“But not this time,” Lorne said grimly. “And we’re not discussing it here. Everyone, back to the gate room.”

“The readings,” Ember began.

“I’ll stay with the experiment,” Sindye said, and Ember let himself be drawn away.

“And if I volunteer,” Zelenka began, and Lorne shook his head again.

“Sorry, Doc. I know feeding won’t kill you, but every evidence is that it knocks you out, and we can’t afford to put you out of commission right now. You’re not an option.”

Zelenka said something under his breath.

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