Page 78 of Born Savage

“Oh, my God. You didn’t see Jake either?”

He stood to his full height, tensing as much as I was doing. “No. My concern was ensuring you were alright.”

“Oh, my God.” I just realized I was in a tank top, panties and nothing else. There was no time to ask why my clothes had been removed and who’d done so. I had a terrible feeling about Wren. As soon as I tried to move around him, I hit a brick wall again with my feet becoming tangled.

“Careful, princess. We’ll find her.”

I pushed him, not hard enough to budge a man built of steel, but he obliged anyway. “Just let me do this. I don’t need you any longer, Rage. I appreciate what you did, but that little girl is… She was sent to me. I know it. I’m supposed to protect her.”

“We will protect her, Star.”

Angels of Destiny. As noted in the prophecy.

He didn’t say anything nor did he try to stop me, but I sensed he was determined to remain my shadow. Maybe that was exactly what I needed.

As soon as I was dressed, I bolted into the hallway, still somewhat disoriented.

The confusion about my feelings had never been an issue before. I loved my parents, but as with everyone I’d ever met, my mind had been prepared for loss. That was the only way of mental and emotional survival. Doing so had formed protective layers, usually impenetrable.

But the moment Wren had appeared with Jake, evidently the barrier had been cracked if not ripped to shreds altogether. I had no intention of trying to ascertain my feelings for the hulking mass of a man. I had to concentrate on finding Wren.

I moved through the dimly lit corridor, wondering what time it was. Evidently still at night, which was why no one was moving. Sprinting forward, I didn’t care any longer if Rage was following me. If what I suspected had occurred, I’d have my hands full.

If it wasn’t already too late.

The heavy pounding in my chest only expanded as soon as I reached the doorway to the clinic. A surreal scene greeted me, the glow light over my mother’s bed the same, yet there was a more ominous hue. Or maybe I was just imagining a golden glow indicating she’d moved on.

I had to force myself to move closer, hating the fact that my vision was still foggy.

A jangle of something. Now, ears flapping.

Jake appeared out of nowhere, offering a single woof.

Wren. She was here.

“Uh-heh. Uh-heh. Uh-heh.”

The rattled, soft breathing whispered in my ear, the light gasp indicating heavy difficulty breathing. A quick look at my mother and I realized she was sleeping peacefully. Even her color was better, a light flush on her cheeks where there’d been none before. Her condition was improving. How was that possible? Oh, no. Wren.

No. No. No!

I rushed to the other side of the bed and almost fell to my knees.

“Wren. Oh, Wren.” I fell to the floor, a single wail impossible to shut down. As I gathered her shaking body into my arms, the emotions I’d tried very hard to avoid eviscerated me. I crushed her against my chest, rocking her little body. Her arms slumped to the sides, her panting even heavier than before.

Woof. Woof.

Jake was by my side, resting his head on my leg.

I scooted so my back was against the wall, shifting her little legs so she was more comfortable.

“What’s going on?” my father asked after appearing in the doorway.

I peered up at Rage, shaking my head. In my mind, I was begging him to help. “She tried… to heal… Mama. She used her… healing abilities.” I hiccupped, desperate to fix the little girl.

“What?” Daddy moved closer. “She wasn’t here when I left. Oh, my God.”

“Check on Mother,” I told him.