“Why?” I ask.
“For my database. I gather all the data I can on our world and its dwellers.”
I’m not about to argue about an AI’s hobby. I grab the journal and run for the door.
But right as I’m about to exit the room, a bloody hand appears over my face and pulls me back.
“Oh, Helios. Where do you think you’re going?” says Oliver in a voice from beyond the grave.
I turn on my heels and come face to face with a nightmare. His left side is a bruised mess and there is blood running down his other side, but his eyes shine brighter than ever.
Before he has time to pull me back, Griffin is on him again. He sends him flying through the room. He pulls his two swords out and buries them in his stomach. Oliver gasps, more from shock than pain. He’s not used to being the weaker one in a fight. He’s not used to losing.
I close my eyes to the scene. I know that Oliver’s death will haunt my dreams for a while.
Griffin pulls his swords out in one violent motion. Blood spatters on the floor and on the walls. Oliver isn’t fighting back anymore. He might already be dead.
“Helios, we need to go,” says Beet.
“I know,” I say.
But I walk back into the room, toward Griffin. I call his name a few times. He’s lost to the murderous frenzy and can’t hear me.
I reach for him and touch his elbow. Griffin’s rage turns back on me. I fear for my life for a split second. I shouldn’t have, because as soon as his eyes fall on me, he freezes. He’s watching me intently. I reach for him again and trail my fingertips over his cheek. His skin is scalding hot.
“Griffin,” I whisper. “Come with me. Let’s go home.”
Home, to theBeetle.
He drops his swords to the floor and leans into my touch, letting out a deep sigh. Smoke comes out of his nostrils, as if his lungs are full of fire. It wouldn’t surprise me. Oliver was right. I’ve traded one monster for another. Except Griffin is the kind of monster I can love.
He gathers me into his arms and buries his face into my neck.
“Are you okay?” he asks quietly.
“I am. I just have a few bruises from when the slavers beat me up. They’re dead,” I add when I feel him tense.
“Good.”
“Griffin?”
“Yes?”
“I’ve missed you so much,” I say.
Because it needs to be said. He needs to hear it.
His embrace tightens. “I’ve missed you so much I couldn’t breathe. It felt like I was losing my mind, wondering if you were okay. Wondering if I would see you again. I–”
I pull back just enough to kiss him. He moans as my tongue dives into his mouth. I’m all over him instantly. I wish I could crawl under his skin and join the fire that lives within. His bloody hands grab me by the backside and pulls me to him.
“Huh, guys? You’re adorable, but we really need to go,” says Beet.
“Oh, fuck… Yes,” I say, laughing self-consciously. “Running. We should be running.”
Griffin nuzzles my neck a moment longer, then says, “I’ve put the explosives strategically. The bunker should hold on.”
Griffin is slowly turning back into his normal self, his rage receding.
