Untamed

Chapter 21

chapter

twenty-one

Haven

Ispend three blissful days at Ender’s home.

I’ve been avoiding him ever since he tried to pin that failed mission on me. It is clear to see that he doesn’t possess a lick of honor.

“I got a call from Warrick,” Mercy says.

We are in her bedroom. It is a large, circular room with ivory sheets and pillows.

There’s a bookshelf filled with novels, which no doubt keeps my sister occupied.

As pretty as the interior is, it is impossible to forget who this place belongs to; the steel-barred windows and the constant thud of the guard’s boots outside our door cannot be ignored.

But it comforts me that my sister is safe here.

“He’s coming next weekend. There’s going to be an engagement party hosted here,” Mercy says.

“The Supreme Director, the High-General, and a handful of reporters have all been invited. Ender got me an assistant, who follows me around and overwhelms me with every detail. I’m half-sick of planning this thing. ”

“We’ll have to swap again before the party,” I say. “We can’t trick Warrick.”

“I asked Ender if you could get ready here,” she says. “You can wear my dress. You’ll hate it. It looks like a costume, and there’s no thigh slit. I know you love a good thigh slit.”

I mimic throwing up, and she giggles.

A hard knock makes us jolt.

“Let’s go, Warrick,” Ender orders.

“We’re both Warrick,” I say, to be a pest. “Which one do you mean?”

Ender opens the door, glaring at me.

“The one whom I want to strangle every day,” he says.

“You want to strangle us both,” I say.

Mercy is convinced he hates her more. She says he doesn’t even come to the house anymore. And when he does, he avoids her and vanishes again shortly after.

“I said every day,” he clarifies. “Your sister, I want to strangle every other week. A slight improvement.”

I chuckle at his ill temper, and his brows furrow, as if he’s surprised that I found his comment amusing. I reckon people don’t tend to laugh when he speaks. I doubt they even smile.

“Come on,” he tilts his chin. “The truck is running.”

I hug Mercy tightly.

“Love you,” I whisper. “Be safe.”

“You too.”

I play with the window, but unlike Knox, Ender locks the controls immediately. The second time I try to draw down the glass, it doesn’t budge.

“Spoilsport,” I mutter.

“Child,” he retorts.

I stare at the silver line on his chin.

“Who gave you that?” I ask, pointing at the scar.

“It’s rude to point,” he says, swatting my finger.

“Says the man who is perpetually rude,” I say. “Stop deflecting, Vale.”

“What’s the deal with you and Grayson?” he asks suddenly.

I open my mouth, but he quickly cuts me off.

“I know you aren’t married to him.” He glares at me. “So, don’t even try that.”

“First of all, it’s none of your business, and second of all, Knox told me you did some digging on that. Super creepy by the way,” I say. “Searching me up and all.”

“I’ll tell you where I got the scar.”

I am not that curious about the mark, but getting him to reveal anything is like pulling teeth. I have to take advantage of the moment.

“We’re best friends, and when we’re bored, we kiss,” I say. “Your turn.”

“How can you be friends if you kiss?” Ender frowns. “That makes zero sense.”

“I wasn’t ready for anything serious, and Gray was always gone. A relationship didn’t make sense,” I say. “So, we took what we could get.”

“Sounds like you have a fear of commitment,” he says.

I bristle at his observation. “You don’t know anything about me. Vale.”

“I reckon you would tuck tail at any mention of an arranged marriage,” Ender says.

His eyes dart my way for one, lengthy second.

I turn my head away from him, staring at the passing houses.

“Lucky for me, my sister was born three minutes before me,” I say. “So, I don’t have to worry about having a raging madman for a husband.”

“Your sister is more bearable than you,” he says. I can feel his gaze on me. “I wonder why you are both so different?”

“Sounds like a match made in heaven,” I say, with a fake smile. “Finally, someone who can tolerate your unpleasant personality.”

“A perfect arrangement,” he says.

He doesn’t need to say it, but I know what he thinks of my sister. Mercy is a burden to him. One that he would rather ignore than acknowledge.

“Anyways, that scar, what’s the story?” I ask.

“I was a frightened four-year-old who refused to sit still to get the Bind.”

All the children with powers got their Bind at six. It was rare for one to display signs so early. Ender must have always been an overachiever.

“You were younger than most,” I say.

“That’s why I was so scared,” he says. “My powers came too early, and I hate needles.”

“Me too,” I whisper. “Needles, that is. I hate them.”

We sit in silence for the rest of the ride.

Grayson is waiting in the entrance hall of Block A when we arrive. His hands are shoved deep into his pockets, and his golden hair is boyishly tousled.

“Gray,” I exclaim.

He wraps his arms around me, drawing me to his chest.

“Morning,” he says. His words muffled by my hair.

“Visitation hours are only for recruits in Blocks B and C,” Ender says, in a clipped tone. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to leave.”

“I need to speak to her,” Grayson says. “It won’t take long.”

“Visitation hours are—” Ender begins.

“We heard you the first time,” I say impatiently. “We’ll keep it quick.”

Ender folds his arm across his chest. He’s not wearing his jacket, only a black, snug shirt that highlights his broad chest and reveals his arm tattoos, swirls of black ink twist around his flesh.

I wait for him to walk away and give us some space, but he remains rooted to the floor.

Seconds pass, and it becomes increasingly clear that he doesn’t intend to leave us unsupervised.

I’m not sure why there is so much hostility between them. An altercation likely occurred during the rescue mission that rubbed them both the wrong way.

I grab Grayson’s arm and drag him a few feet away. Boots thud behind us, and when I glance over my shoulder, Ender is closer. He pauses, folding his arms behind his back and staring disinterestedly at the ceiling, pretending like he isn’t stalking us.

“What is wrong with him?” Grayson whispers. I’m sure with Ender’s sharp hearing, he doesn’t miss a word.

“I don’t know,” I respond. “He’s always up my ass and is insanely suspicious about me. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out he watches the cameras in my bedroom.”

“There are cameras in your bedroom?” Grayson asks, brows furrowing in concern. “Why are you in Block A. It’s restricted to high-level officers. I had to call my father to get me temporary access for the day.”

“I can’t exactly speak about it.”

“Speak about what?” Grayson asks.

From his confusion, it is clear he doesn’t know about Ender’s elite unit, Black Star. He’d flip out if he learned I was training alongside a bunch of Gifted and that I signed a contract that said I could die during the program.

Ender is right there, so I can’t speak a word.

“Are you involved in something dangerous?” he asks. “I can help you.”

“No.” I shake my head. “I’m fine. Enough about me, how have you been?”

I touch his jaw, feeling the rough prickle of hair. Grayson always spoke about growing a beard, saying that it would “make him look distinguished.”

“Facial hair growth? I didn’t know you were capable of this.”

Grayson flicks my nose.

“You like it that much, huh?” he teases.

“No,” I protest. “You look like your dad.”

Grayson winces. “You’re foul for that.”

I giggle.

A throat clears loudly, and our heads snap back. We almost forgot Ender was still here. He doesn’t seem pleased by our conversation. Grayson is so easy-going, I have to assume Ender is to blame for this feud.

“I don’t have all day,” Ender bites out. “Come on, Warrick.”

“But we’re not doing anything together,” I say. “My schedule is clear until later tonight.”

“Now.”

I sigh when he takes a menacing step forward.

“Bye, Gray,” I say.

I wrap my arms around him, and he bends down to whisper in my ear.

“I’ll come find you when I can,” he says.

It’s been a long eight months since I last saw Gray. There is so much we need to talk about.

Ender watches Grayson with a murderous gleam in his eyes.

It isn’t until the doors finally seal shut that he vanishes down the corridor.

Why the hell did he make it seem like he was taking me somewhere?

I will never understand that man.

There is a bouquet of white lilies on my desk when I enter my bedroom. I pick up the small white card and snort.

Sorry, you got kidnapped. But I’m afraid you still have to attend morning training tomorrow.

Love Spider

Spider has grown on me like a bad rash. I found him unbearable at first, mainly because he attacked me out of nowhere, but I understand he was testing me for this place. He wanted to make sure I would survive.

A knock sounds on my door, and I unlock it, surprised to find Rei and Flint standing outside.

“We heard what happened, and we wanted to check on you,” Flint says.

I glance at Rei suspiciously.

“Can we come in?” Flint asks.

Rei hovers awkwardly by the door. Part of me can’t help but wonder why she’s here. We are allies on the field, but that hardly makes us friends. I doubt we can be anything more than cordial after what she put me through during my first few weeks here.

I step aside for them to enter. Flint takes the chair near the desk, and Rei sits at the edge of my bed. Even with her shaved head, she still looks beautiful and fearsome. It’s quite annoying that she can look so good with all her hair shorn off.

“What happened?” Flint asks.

“Rebels targeted me to get to the High General, and Knox came along for the ride,” I say. “Ender and the others came to rescue me. It’s a good thing I was with Knox, or Vale might not have bothered showing up.”

“Knox was priority one, apparently,” Flint admits. “But he’s known him longer. They are the closest in their unit.”

“Makes sense,” I say. “I wouldn’t expect him to stick his neck out for me.”

“Isn’t he your brother-in-law?” Rei asks.

I shrug. “He’s not the familial kind. Barely tolerates my sister.”

“Training wasn’t the same without you,” Flint says. “Spider put us through the worst obstacle course when he got back. Broke a couple of arms and a few ribs.”

“Of course he did,” I said. “He’s a little psychotic.”

“A little?” Rei asks. “He’s certifiable.”

I snort, and a small smile crosses her face.

We spend the next few hours sitting over a board game that Flint smuggled into the Forge.

Our personal belongings were searched upon our arrival, and only those deemed necessary were accepted into the military facility.

I’m surprised Flint got away with this, but I’m not complaining.

It’s nice to do something normal for once.

Flint wins five times in a row—twice against me and the rest against Rei—before Rei ends up scattering the pieces in anger, which makes me double over in laughter. I’m annoyed that he keeps winning, but her temper definitely beats mine.

Poor Flint.

“You both are sore losers,” he mumbles, collecting the game pieces from under my bed.

“Let’s play another game next time,” I recommend, for his sake. “Before Rei kills you.”

“This is all I have.” Flint shrugs, setting the pieces back into the box. “Besides, I’m used to Rei’s colorful personality.”

Rei snorts, leaning back against the bedframe. Her shaved head glistens in the afternoon light.

“I can’t believe I let him win so much. I should have just thrown the board across the room sooner.”

“You almost did,” I tease. “Your patience is commendable.”

Rei gives me a sidelong look, half annoyed, half amused. “Don’t make me start on you next. You let him win without even trying.”

I raise my hands in defense. “Escape is not my choice of entertainment. It’s overly complex for no reason. Besides, Flint wouldn’t win against my sister. Her brain is twice the size of mine.”

“Do you think we’ll meet her?” Flint asks. “At the Founder’s Day celebration?”

Founder’s Day is the regime’s most sacred holiday, marking the dissolution of the old government seventy-two years ago and the creation of the Director’s Office.

The streets will be filled with banners, fireworks, and military parades.

Most working-class people get the day off to celebrate.

It is one of three government-approved holidays.

“I hope so,” I say. “You’ll adore her.”

Flint finally stands, stretching his arms above his head. “Well, you need to rest up before training tomorrow. It’s going to be intense again now that Vale is back. Is it bad that I prefer Spider and his tantrums to Vale’s ruthless leadership?”

“Don’t remind me of that monster.” I groan.

Rei stands too, dusting off the chip crumbs from her pants.

Before she leaves, she pauses by the door.

“Be careful tomorrow,” she says. Her voice is softer than usual, and for a moment, I think I catch something almost protective in it. “I don’t think Aric and his friends liked all the attention you were getting when you were kidnapped.”

“Will do,” I reply, giving her a small nod.

They leave, and the room falls silent again. Flint left the board behind. I guess he intends to return here for the next few games. I hide it under my bed. In this place, it would likely be considered contraband.

My eyes glance at the camera. I can’t disclose anything that could endanger me. I need to be careful.

Because I know for certain that Ender Vale is always watching.