Page 110 of Born Savage

Whie the lights in the house had gone off, those created artificially remained our only source.

“Jesus Christ,” Wizard exclaimed. “They are not stopping. What about using the explosives?”

They were our last effort and to be used when all else failed.

The fucking Dwellers were already on the house, beating on and trying to break the four-inch-thick windows. Eventually they’d give.

“Not yet.”

My men knew what to do. At this point I needed to talk to Star. I moved up the stairs, finding the access she’d been talking about. As soon as I managed to open it and held up one of the light sticks, only two faces peered down at me. “Where’s Star?”

Wren was shaking, her eyes as wide open as I’d seen them. She had a firm grip on Jake, who was growling as I’d done only seconds before, the hair standing up on the back of his neck.

“Wren. Please, honey. I need to find her.”

I’d heard almost nothing from her, but when she spoke, every muscle went rigid. “She went to save you.”

I nodded, trying to keep from terrifying her. “Okay, honey. I’ll come back in a few minutes. Okay? Stay put.”

She nodded, backing away so I could close the hatch. As soon as it was done, I flew down the stairs.

“Star went fucking outside. She defied me. I am going to fucking save her. Then I’m going to take my time teaching her a very long lesson.” I moved toward the back door, pulled away by Vicious.

“Take a deep breath, Rage. I think you need to see something.”

“Don’t fuck with me. I will not let her die.”

He huffed. “I’m glad you’re finally embracing your real feelings for her but get your head out of your ass. You’re not the only decent warrior, dude.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?”

As he stormed toward the window, he was already pointing. From where I stood, I could see a huge halo of light. Even before I made it to the thick glass, I realized what was happening.

Star stood several feet away from the Dwellers, who were already turning around to face her. She’d distracted them, calling them in her direction. Her entire body was covered in an orange glow of energy, the air around her vibrating. She had her hands out, slowly walking backward to continually keep them moving away from the house.

“She’s going to fucking get herself killed.” I headed for the door for a second time, yanking aside the chairs, furious with her.

“He’s right, Phoenix,” Wrath insisted. “She’s your partner. Our partner. You simply decided her skills weren’t decent enough. If anything will get her killed, that will.”

I stopped short before I opened the door, my shoulders heaving as I tried to collect enough raw air. “Fuck you, Wrath. Fuck you.”

As soon as I threw open the door, I was hit with both heat and excessive energy. I’d never felt such an intense vibration of electric current in my life. With her, I’d felt a strong connection, but this was different.

Her body was vibrating, wind tunneling around her as if under her control. I walked closer, feeling the others right behind me.

I’d never seen the ability in action, although I’d known she had far more dangerous than she understood. And far more capable. Wrath was right in that I’d purposely underestimated her abilities and why? I could try to suggest I was being chivalrous, but in truth, I wanted to be the hero, the one who wiped away the negativity from my family’s name.

Maybe I hadn’t wanted to remember who I was, the importance of my father’s position or the hatred befalling him and his administration. A safety mechanism. The scientists hadn’t needed drugs. They’d known my mind had required and would find mental protection.

Here we were, fighting what felt like a losing battle, damned as if by the gods, but when we worked together, we could accomplish anything.

As soon as the Dwellers were far enough away from the buildings, she seemed to notice my presence. She lifted her head and maybe I was wrong, but I believed she was smiling.

Just before she concentrated the energy and anger that had been building for years.

I watched in both amazement and admiration as she controlled her skill, her outstretched arms completely relaxed, her fingers conduits for the energy pulsing through every muscle.

And as the men I’d worked with and trusted for years flanked my sides, we watched a spectacular show of power so beautifully controlled I couldn’t breathe.