Page 97 of Born Savage

“I just told you, although Phoenix ceased to exist when I signed my life away to the Verndari.”

“Don’t you dare give me that. You lied to me. Your family is the reason we’re in this place. Oh, my God. What is wrong with me? You duped Peter. That’s the only logical answer. Did you drug him?”

“You know better than that. Star. I was a child when the war broke out, a scared little kid. I have no idea what happened, at least not with the lottery, but my father was betrayed.”

“You mean your father betrayed everyone. Isn’t that really what you’re talking about?”

I had no idea how to counter what she was saying. Seeing the horror through her eyes pitched me into another series of unwanted memories. “Star. Let’s talk about this.”

“No. I’m finished talking. I need some time. Do me a favor and just stay the hell away from me until I can figure this out.”

She wasn’t about to give me a choice, walking out but not without shutting down her emotions.

All while she’d awakened mine.

CHAPTER 20

Star

I needed air. Lots and lots of air. And space.

Breathing was impossible, my mind foggy.

While I wasn’t stupid in thinking I could escape or should dare try to navigate finding a way out of here, I was so enraged I knew I could easily do something rash. After a quick look into the bedroom to ensure Wren was still sleeping, I grabbed my sword and rushed down the stairs.

Even before I made it halfway down, I heard voices coming from the kitchen. With how the front entrance had been blocked off long before we’d arrived, the only way to slip out into the night air was through the kitchen.

And walking past the other Savages. And you bet that’s what they were. All barbarians, but created for what purpose?

Yes, it was my nature to question everything, but something was wrong with the entire situation. As soon as I moved toward the kitchen, I felt even more uncomfortable. These were Rage’s friends. Phoenix. God, to think in hearing his name I’d gathered a moment of hope.

Why had my parents allowed me to go with them? Why had Peter acted as if he cared about Rage and the others? I hated myself that tears had formed in my eyes, more confusion settling in than I’d felt in a very long time.

I wasn’t a sappy girl. The emotion held no place in my world, whether because of what was occurring outside the door or because fools were made when weaknesses were allowed. And I certainly had no intention of playing the fool.

Including with a man, no matter the hunger felt when Rage was in the room.

“I think there’s a storm rolling in,” Ghost said.

“You have a nose for it.” Wrath told him. I’d learned about satellites, most either destroyed in the initial blasts or soon after. Predicting weather was often a crap shoot.

“I feel it in my bones,” Ghost added. “It’s going to be a bad one. Snow.”

Wrath grumbled something indistinguishable.

“Did you hear the rumor the Resistance is working on new satellites?”

“Yeah, I’ve heard a lot of shit about the Resistance and the leaders we’ve never even seen.”

“They need to stay hidden. You know why.”

Ghost was right, but given so many years had passed, the rumors surrounding an uprising had turned from being imminent truths to angry stories then fables. Patience had worn thin.

Without making any noise, I moved through the kitchen toward the door. I felt the pairs of eyes on me, the four men paying close attention to what I was doing. Quite frankly, I was surprised I’d made it to the door without being told to stop.

“Star. Where are you going?” Wrath asked the question, the gruffness of his voice indicating he wouldn’t allow me to go very far.

“I need air.”