Page 34 of Born Savage

“Look, you can’t stay here. It’s not safe. But you’ll be okay if you come with me.” Where I’d take her, I wasn’t certain. Maybe back to the base. I couldn’t leave her here.

When I reached my hand into the space, thankfully she didn’t try to pull away or bite my fingers off. Anything was possible. “Star,” she whispered.

“Your name is Star?”

She nodded, such terror in her eyes. They were unfocused. The girl was in shock. Goddamn it, I wanted to destroy whoever had done this to her.

“Come on, Star. We can’t be here when it gets dark, but I promise I’ll keep you safe. Okay? We’ll find out who you belong to.”

There was a small sense of relief on her face even as the despair continued. I felt so sorry for her, angry that someone would dare do this.

Her actions tentative, she reached out, her courage something I would never forget.

Until I did.

Relief flooded me was I gathered her into my arms. Maybe for once I’d been able to be a hero since I couldn’t save my parents or my little sister.

“You will light the way for the change, Phoenix. You will be the one to bring us from the darkness and she will be by your side to guide you.”

As soon as I opened my eyes, an image burned brightly in the forefront of my mind. But within seconds, it began to fade, details turning gray before slowly disappearing altogether.

But the last words, the ones spoken by John remained in the forefront of my mind.

Very rarely did I dream and never could I remember anything.

But the face of a young girl burned brightly.

Exhaling, I slowly realized I’d fallen asleep inside the building where…

Fuck.

Phoenix. My name was Phoenix. More of my suppressed memories had broken free. Because John had allowed them. Just like remembering where I’d seen Star before.

Every muscle tensed and I sensed the need for oxygen.

After raking a hand across a layer of sweat covering my forehead, I turned my head, scanning the room. Star wasn’t inside. It was late, the sun at a higher level than I’d wanted. Goddamn it. How had that happened and why the hell hadn’t anyone awakened me?

As soon as my feet were on the floor, I realized she’d gotten dressed. And her bag was missing. An undesirable yet knowing feeling slammed into my system.

She’d managed to escape.

What?

I hoped I was wrong, but the little I knew about her and the purpose for heading into the City of Lights, she wouldn’t allow a few guards to stand in her way of a mission she deemed important.

After managing to struggle into my clothes, I threw open the door. Seeing a few of the Savages passed out on the ground brought an anger to the surface I usually tried to avoid.

Especially with those of my kind.

Not today.

First, I checked the cabin holding the child and dog, knowing what I’d discover.

An empty bed.

Vicious was suddenly moving when I returned, barely able to sit up and immediately he was rubbing his face.

“What happened?” My voice boomed, jarring the slumbering giants. My men were down, scattered around as if drunk, but I knew better. In fact, I knew exactly what the woman had done. She’d played us. Correction. She’d played me. Damn her.