Page 83 of Born Savage

She brushed loose hair behind her ear, still fiddling with the flower on the glass. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

When I leaned over, to her credit she didn’t flinch, allowing me to move a few strands of hair stuck to her bottom lip. She lifted her gaze, studying me and almost fearful I would hurt her.

The moment was one that caught us both off guard. In her terms of programming, my fighting abilities had been enhanced, pushed forward above all other thoughts and emotions.

In being with her, I’d begun to realize that the boy who’d been crushed by loss hadn’t been lost, nor had the emotions instilled in me by my parents. They’d been loving and romantic, both now attributes infrequent and often used as a weakness. Seeing the tears in her eyes, the fear and the concern for the people she cared about was monumental in ways I couldn’t understand.

“Did anyone ever tell you that you’re extraordinary?”

Her surprise was evident, every muscle tensing at first, but she tipped her head as if requesting I cup her face.

And I did, taking my time to roll my thumb across her cheek. Her soft cheek.

“I’m just a girl searching for her way in the world.”

“Yes, but you are as intelligent as you are beautiful.” We both tensed a few seconds later, uncertain of what we were feeling.

“Thank you. I don’t know what’s happening, Rage. I just… I can’t imagine leaving this place even if Peter is used to hearing me talk about wanting to travel the world.” She laughed, less freely than before and more as if confessing a sin. “I know. Silly. Right? The world is a dangerous place, yet something inside of me is still hopeful.”

“That’s the yearning to live, Star, and there’s nothing wrong with that. I’ll keep you safe and we’ll face whatever is out there together.”

“But why? What is the point? Why are you so insistent on taking me from the only family I’ve ever known?”

“If I knew the complete answer, I would tell you. I know you’ve placed your faith in Peter all these years.”

“He likes you. It’s as if he’s known you all his life.”

“He has, Star. He was with my father in the beginning. I didn’t remember until a couple hours ago.”

“Wow. What is this all about?”

“I think the point is that we’re supposed to figure that out together.”

Her shudder encapsulated her entire body. “If I told you I was afraid, would you think me weak?”

“No, princess. I’d believe you’re stronger than almost anyone.” Maybe she truly was a princess.

I leaned further in before I realized what I was doing, feelings things I’d never felt before. So much was physical attraction, yet there was more, a deeper connection and the reason I was chosen for the mission.

“Rage, I…”

“Shhh… You don’t need to talk.” Our lips were closer, my mind still trying to process the way I felt about her.

I could easily tell she had a quick rebuttal, but footsteps interrupted us. I pulled away, curling my fingers while she stood.

“Maggie?” Her voice was hopeful even in sadness.

“Your mother is asking for you. And Wren is slowly recovering. Come. I’ll show you.” Maggie appeared relieved.

Before Star reacted, she glanced in my direction. I nodded in return, trying to ensure she knew I’d follow her.

People in the bunker were waking up, some moving through the corridors, dressed as if they had work to do. Perhaps nothing had really changed from a time before, only situations altering to fit the chain of events.

She moved past them in a hurry, never stopping, not even looking any of them in the eyes. She was completely focused on getting to her mother. And to the little girl. How the hell were we supposed to take a child with us? Something in the back of my mind suggested Wren was a part of the prophecy. My father had told me once that there were things of this world that were unexplainable but to always have faith.

I’d thought he’d meant in God, but maybe in more than one.

I’d already begun to wish I’d grilled John before agreeing to the mission.