Free Temperature Rising by Alysia S. Knight Page A

not fair. How can they think to compete with him? They’re weak. He’s stronger, smarter, better. They are nothing.” She cried out in pain. Her breathing heavily labored. Her skin was so hot Mac could hardly touch her.
    “We’ve got to bring her out of this,” he demanded, feeling his own panic.
    “Yes,” Dr. Shannon agreed, her own worry plain to see.
    “Laken, Laken can you hear me?” There was no response.
    “Laken.” Mac couldn’t keep from calling her name. She jerked.
    “That’s it.” Dr. Shannon shot him an alarmed look. “Laken, it’s okay. Mac’s here, he has you. Hold her tight, talk to her.”
    “Laken, sweetheart, listen to me, I’m here. I have you. I won’t let anything hurt you.” Fear pounded in his heart, knowing he couldn’t really protect her from this.
    “He’s going to kill again,” Laken cried out.
    “Come on, sweetheart, I have you. I’m right here. You’re safe. You need to listen to Laura.”
    “Laken, you’re going to relax now. Everything is all right. You are going to feel better now. When you wake up, the dream won’t plague you. You’ll remember last Wednesday clearly, but you will not be afraid. He can’t reach you. Do you hear me?”
    “Yes.” Her breathing smoothed and became regular. Her body temperature fell to normal. She let out a huge sigh. A shiver of released tension shook her, then she stilled, calm in Mac’s arms.
    “Very good, Laken. Now, I’m going to count to three, and you will wake up. One, two, three.”
    Mac let out a sigh of his own when Laken opened her eyes. She looked up at him holding her to him with one arm. His other hand still held hers, their fingers interlocked. “Welcome back.” He smiled down, never so happy in his life.
    “Did it work?”
    “Yes, you remembered a few more details, but it was all pretty much the same. How do you feel?”
    “Okay, just a little tired, thirsty.”
    He reached over for her glass. “Here.”
    She took it and drained what was left, and Dr. Shannon refilled it for her to drink again. “Thank you, I’m so thirsty.”
    Mac exchanged looks with Dr. Shannon.
    “That’s fine. You did very well.”
    “What do you think?” Laken looked hopeful for answers.
    “I will tell you, I found it very fascinating. I’d like to go over the tape before I comment more on it. Then, if you don’t mind, I’d like to see you again.”
    “You don’t think I lied then or am making it up?”
    “No, I will try to find some answers for you,” the doctor said soothingly.
    The words seemed to help Laken relax. “Thank you.” Laken glanced at her watch and looked startled. “Oh, my, I didn’t realize it was so late.”
    Mac glanced at his own watch. An hour and a half had passed.
    “That was why I had you as my last appointment. I hope that it’s okay?” Dr. Shannon smiled, unconcerned.
    “Yes, I just didn’t realize that much time had passed.”
    “I understand.” The doctor rose with them, going to the door. They were through it when Dr. Shannon said, “Mac, can I speak to you alone a minute, please?” The woman looked thoughtful.
    “I’ll just be a minute.” He looked down at Laken. “Wait for me, please.” He waited until she nodded before going back in the office. When Dr. Shannon closed the door behind him, he turned to her. “Yes?”
    The doctor seemed to take a second to collect her thoughts. “I wanted to tell you that I believe everything she said. I’m quite concerned about Laken’s fever. The thing is, it shouldn’t have happened. It was extremely high, too high to be healthy for a person. I can’t explain it, but I think it’s a link.”
    “A link to what?”
    “I’m not sure. As I said before, I’ll have to do some research and see if I can find out anything.”
    The sense of dread slipped back into him, but all Mac could do was nod. He was relieved to see Laken waiting for him when he opened the door. A smile crept to her lips and pleasure filled him. She wasn’t mad