Page 86 of Born Savage

He backed away, laughing as he did. I planted my hands on my hips. “What are you trying to say?”

“It doesn’t take a genius to figure out why you were the first person asked to become a Verndari by your own damn father. Come on, man. Wake up. We were created as a tool to overthrow the kingdom.” He was pointing to himself then turning his index finger in my direction. “But you were created in the likeness of a god to lead the people back from the darkness.”

“What?”

“Yep. You have true royal blood in you except you’re stubborn as fuck. Wake up, Rage. You are the Phoenix rising whether you want to believe it or not.”

“Then why the hell were we sent here to claim Star?”

“For the love of all things holy. Because every king needs a queen. Or maybe I should say every president needs a first lady, only after seeing her in action, I might think of it the other way around. She needs a first man.” His laughter filled the corridor as he continued backing away.

“Where the hell are you going?”

“We’re going to get rid of the bodies. Those bastards weren’t random, oh ye leader of all. We need to send a message. Care to help or would you prefer your plebes handle the grunt work?”

“Such an asshole.” I stood where I was, although I was happy to handle some physical labor instead of fume over what I’d heard. I had no idea what to make of what had been said, but it was painfully obvious I’d been blind for far too long based on my need to exact revenge.

That hadn’t changed, but the methodology in doing so would.

I felt a presence behind me and turned to see Star standing in the doorway. By her expression, I knew she’d overheard some if not all of both conversations. She left the door, moving closer.

“How much did you overhear?” I asked.

“Enough to know we’ve both been kept in the dark.” She was as uncertain about the news as I was, her face as pensive if not more than before. When she lifted her gaze to lock eyes with mine, she allowed me to catch a brief glimpse of her fear.

That meant she was very human and created an even more intense need to protect her. “Yeah, that much is true.”

“So there is no other choice but to head to Eden, whether it exists or is simply a story of high hope.” Her statement was matter of fact.

“Yes. But we must place our trust in each other.”

“You sound like Peter,” she said, chuckling. “Trust is very difficult for me, but I will try.”

There was such awkwardness between us. We’d been deemed destined to be together, yet the circumstance while being out of our control carried a heavy burden.

“Wait. There was a storm.” Her eyes lit up.

“Last night. Yes. Why?”

She cocked her head. “In the dream I had, my birth mother mentioned there would be a sign.” I had no way of knowing what she was thinking, but she took off running toward the hatch.

“What are you doing?”

“Come with me. You’ll see.” She was entirely different, laughing as she was running toward the location of the hatch.

I had no idea what to make of the change but knew whatever was going on was vitally important to her. I followed, curious as to what the hell was going on.

With Wrath already heading outside, the hatch was opened. She scrambled up the ladder, backing away and waiting until I appeared.

“What now?” Vicious noticed we’d headed outside, tossing one of the men who’d attacked us into a pile. I shrugged when he questioned what was happening with his eyes.

She ran from one direction to another, finally finding a clearing. As soon as she looked up toward the sky, she clasped her hands across her face and then pointed.

I shielded my eyes from the hazy morning sun, trying to make out what she was seeing.

“A rainbow. That’s a rainbow. Isn’t it? I’ve seen them in pictures.”

“Yes,” I said, inching closer. “That is a rainbow.” I couldn’t remember the last time I’d seen one myself. Watching the way she reacted to something I’d taken for granted was both thrilling and appalling. Where had we gone so wrong? “What do you think this signifies?”