Page 80 of Born Savage

No one really knew how healers had come to pass. Some had said it was passed on how their bodies handled molecules of radiation. Others believed they were angels, coming to Earth to save the righteous and honorable.

While others believed they were the products of the devil tormenting survivors.

Maggie knew I wouldn’t want to leave. “Please. I’ll take good care of both.”

“Jake needs to stay with Wren.” The request might sound ridiculous, but they really did come as a package deal.

“That’s fine. I’ll come find you when the tests are completed.”

Nodding, I backed away, uncertain if I could do as she asked, but my presence would only cause tension.

“Promise me that if anything changes and things are… bad, come find me.”

Maggie touched my arm. “Don’t worry. I promise I will.” Her eyes darkened as her gaze flicked to my neck. I could feel the bruises and knew by the look on her face they’d appeared. “You should take some aspirin. We’re lucky to have a fresh supply thanks to our road warrior.”

I rolled my eyes. Her nickname was perhaps my favorite. “I’ll take some later.”

“You were lucky, Star. Including to have strong fighters by your side. Their heroism saved your life.”

She nodded to Rage, her smile indicating she knew what he and the other Savages had done for us. She was right. Without them, all that we’d worked so hard to build, community and safety would be lost.

“Both Wren and your mother are in good hands.” My father seemed confident, more so than I’d heard from him in a long time.

“Who am I, Daddy? I believe you know exactly who my parents are. I need to know.”

He and Maggie exchanged glances. Another moment when I knew secrets had been kept from me. Answers were buried in dreams my subconscious had fought so hard against. It felt as if there was a sudden ticking timebomb.

“Come with me,” Rage said as he took my arm, but only long enough to pull me from the room.

“I just need to be alone.”

“The last thing you need right now is to be alone. You’re ignited with questions and uncertainty.”

I took long strides down the corridor, which he kept up with, but even in flanking my side, he gave me space. Although inside a steel tank, space was limited. “What I really want is a drink.”

In getting to know him, which had been mostly about ridiculous acts of passion that meant absolutely nothing, the only sounds he made other than his guttural words were expressions of annoyance. To hear him laugh brought a deep well of sensations that I hadn’t anticipated.

“What kind of drink are you talking about, princess?”

I threw him a look and turned down the corridor heading to the commissary, a fancy name for what Peter insisted was a mess hall.

“Have you ever had liquor?”

His sputter was equally surprising and I laughed. Then he laughed. By the time we reached the dining and kitchen area, we were both completely amused. I struggled to remember where the controls were to turn on the light, almost doubling over. My mind was obviously twisted as nothing about any of this was funny and maybe my reaction was nothing but dealing with my own rage, but I felt lighter. And could breathe easier.

“Yes, I’ve had liquor,” he answered, trailing behind me as I moved past the tables and chairs toward the kitchen.

I’d never really cared about even tasting alcohol before. A single swig of wine when I’d turned eighteen had been enough to tell me I loathed the taste of alcohol. It wasn’t like there were real rules any longer that applied with regard to the age of drinking. I started opening cabinets, trying to remember where I’d seen the stash.

As with any commodity, it often came in limited supply, but I had brought back several bottles myself upon special request of a few of our members. There had to be some around here somewhere.

“What are you searching for?” he asked while leaning against the wall.

The fact he was so good looking, completely comfortable in his surroundings was just another blow that dragged me to my most primal level. He was far too handsome and while the man was obviously conceited, from what I could tell it was only about his fighting skills.

“I’ll know it when I see it.” He was still chuckling at me when I finally found the bottle I was looking for. “Are you ready for it?”

“I could say I’m ready for just about anything.”