Chapter 9 #2
The white-haired man continued his approach, all while Star seemed less amused and more irritated than she should be at the man’s curiosity. I sensed they were close, not in a way that would make me jealous, but as if he was her mentor.
She’d been taught how to fight by someone, although I had my doubts the seventy-plus-years old man had been her trainer.
When he was standing only a few inches away, he studied me in the same manner as I’d had done since even before I’d signed away my rights on the dotted line in becoming a lab rat. There was something familiar about his smile, although I was still having difficulty as to where and why.
“I knew your father. He was a great man.”
The two short sentences captured my attention more than anything else he could have said. As soon as he made the declaration, Star tensed, but not from anger; more as if she was putting two and two together.
Just like I’d done in a vibrant dream that continued to linger in my mind.
“Who is his father, Peter?” She wasn’t asking me. There was obviously no trust in her mind.
I’d have no issue telling her I felt the same. Drugging a man and his friends before stealing from him, all after a scorching round of sex didn’t make for excessive trust or honor.
“We should get inside. It will be dark soon.” Peter continued studying me without blinking and I was able to see his face years before. He’d had dark hair then, only sprinkled with salt and pepper, his features somehow smoother.
Survival aged a man quickly.
In his gaze, I could almost see memories flow, Peter momentarily lost in them.
“How did you know my father?” He’d wanted me to ask yet wasn’t ready to expose the answer.
“We will talk, son. You and your men will be our guests tonight.”
“Peter. No. They cannot stay here.”
“They can because they must, child,” he told her. “They are not here to harm anyone. They are here for a sole purpose. Remember what I told you and have faith.”
She opened her mouth to retort, but I sensed a level of respect for the man that prevented her from arguing with him, at least while in front of others.
“Put your weapons away,” he continued, swinging his head from side to side, arching a single eyebrow as he looked at me once again. “Including you. This is not an invitation for a battle. We are peaceful here and it will remain that way.”
Peter waited as I gave the okay to my men before nodding. Every action he took was methodical. In taking his time to head to the entrance, I was given a few seconds to study Star. She’d yet to change. The only difference was her long hair had been tied in a haphazard braid down her back.
She was flushed, no longer from the embarrassment I’d seen the moment she’d laid eyes on my cock but from frustration in having her humble abode invaded.
The other men backed away as Vicious walked in front of me.
“Are you sure about this?” His question was presented with more concern than usual.
We’d experienced much together in our training and years on the frontline.
He’d also been a prisoner inside Zenith, tasked to fight to the death.
Our aided escape had increased the bounty on our heads exponentially.
Vicious knew how to handle torture and in return, enjoy the art of brutality.
Yet what we’d endured had also allowed a friendship.
“We have no other choice. Our mission is clear.”
“You’ll need to remind me again about this mission.” Vicious threw a look at the others before stepping aside, allowing me to lock eyes with Star.
The same swirl of irritation with her applied, but alongside an even more intense yearning that was exponentially physical, but there was more. The need to protect her was even stronger now that I knew at least some of the reasons why our connection had been so electrified.
“With Peter indicating you are guests, you will not be touched, but don’t you dare try anything,” she gritted out, her voice little more than a low rumble. “I will gut you.”
The others in her group were amused, but I sensed they were used to her challenging behavior.
Perhaps she hadn’t figured out how aroused her defiance could make me.
My dick was already hard, uncomfortable to the point I’d need to adjust the position.
But certainly not in front of the others, Savages or men.
As the others descended on the hatch, I thought about Peter as it related to Star. Then it dawned on me. He’d been the first to provide assistance with the girl I’d found in the ruins, taking her from me while asking minimal questions.
He’d confused me then, acting as if he’d expected me while soon after, soldiers had descended on the embarkation point and I’d been taken away for punishment. That had included remaining in lockdown for six months.
There’d been no one to ask about the girl and soon after, I’d forgotten all about her. Not by my own accord. Until then, I’d thought of her every night, wondering if she was safe.
Whatever was going on and for whatever the reason the mission had been labeled vital, I had a sense Peter also knew why.
Perhaps he and the prophet were in communication.
What I knew for certain was that Peter had prepared her for whatever this destiny was.
Even if she didn’t want to be told what to do.
I trailed behind the others in climbing down the metal stairs, leaving two of those who working for her to lock up for the night. At least they had a highly secure environment.
There was sparse lighting throughout the corridor I was led through, some of the hue of the same lights used in the tunnels.
Others provided a softer glow to hide the stark features of the environment.
The glow only managed to accentuate the desperation survivors were living in.
While to some this might seem a palace, I knew the opposite to be true.
This was nothing more than an ancient relic symbolizing the very heart of destruction, a tomb waiting to consume its members.
At least given the distance from shore, the walls had yet to be breached by the toxic bodies of water crisscrossing the continent.
It was only a matter of time until nothing underground would be considered secure.
Star maintained a significant distance, flanked by men who would obviously do whatever was necessary to protect her.
While they’d seen better days and had been stronger in their youth and vigor, I held full admiration for their determination to keep her safe.
Yet I’d kill them if necessary.
That’s what I’d been trained to do.
Seconds later, sounds rumbled in the corridor. Someone was running toward us. While my men bristled, reaching for their weapons, I already knew the sound, the weight of feet scurrying down the hallway.
Then a bark, a single yap echoing in the space.
As the child appeared from around a corner, Wrath muttered under his breath. The girl came as a package deal.
She stopped short when she noticed the number of people in the corridor, her eyes opening wide initially from the same level of terror I’d seen before. It struck me how similar Star’s saving of the child had been to years before and just how many things had changed.
“It’s alright, Wren. They’re not going to hurt us,” Star told her. “I will see to that.” The bite in her voice as she turned, finding me through the crowd was meant to annoy me.
Just the opposite occurred.
“I haven’t seen a dog in years,” Shaun said as he crouched to the animal’s level, tentatively reaching behind the pup’s ears to stroke his fur.
“His barking could become an issue,” another snarked. “He should be driven into the wild.”
Star snapped her head toward him. I was fascinated by her reaction, especially since she’d driven the tip of her blade into one of her own.
Wren grabbed the dog by the scruff of the neck, her eyes wild with horror. She understood every word.
The man was shocked, throwing up his hands. It was interesting to note the increase in adrenaline as well as the odor of fear. Another indication many if not all respected her power if not her position.
“If you lay one hand on the pup, you will not enjoy what happens in the middle of the night while you’re sleeping. Do you understand me, Drake?”
“Jesus, Star. It’s an animal, Commander. They carry diseases and could be affected by the radiation. You know what’s happened to almost every other species.”
We all did. What had once been mostly peaceful animals thriving in the forests and trees had changed in the aftermath of the war, vicious predators born in their wake.
“Yeah? So what? Jake belongs to Wren. No one will hurt him. No one.” She even bared her teeth and every muscle was tense from her anger. When he didn’t respond as quickly as she wanted, she twisted the knife until a few drops of blood appeared.
“Star.” Peter’s voice was soft, as if the voice of reason. “No one in this village will touch Jake. I promise you. Now, tensions are high given our visitors. We must pull together. All of us.”
Her eyes flickered recognition of what he was saying, yet she remained tense from uncertainty. We both were.
What no one expected was for the dog to break free, moving through the others toward me. In a surprise, Jake placed his paw on my leg, peering up at me as if asking if I’d keep him protected as well. All eyes were on me, every muscle tense including when I pulled the pup into my arms.
Did they honestly think I was going to kill the dog in front of them? Perhaps snap the pup’s neck? Evidently as the villagers reached for their weapons once again.
Even Drake.
The girl was far more astonishing than I’d given her credit for, placing her small hand on first one then the other. All while shaking her head, a quiet knowing how strong the bond was with Jake.
Very slowly, she moved toward me, uncertain but determined. Just like the child I’d saved.
When she was only a few inches away, her icy eyes reflecting the light, she nodded just once. An acknowledgement. A tether that shouldn’t exist.