Their mouths opened as wide as my head.
Neon green shone from within.
The light called to me.
I screamed…
My bedroom door slammed open.
I jerked up in my bed, my eyes flying wide. The blanket twisted around my legs, the soft sheet still clutched in my shaking fists against my chest. Sweat drenched my clothes and dampened my hair. I panted as my eyes darted from side to side, the sun almost rising—enough to light my room through the windows in a subdued glow.
Godric stormed past the entrance of my door that he had cracked in his haste to enter, his nostrils flared and his eyes alert as he scanned the small area. His navy blue pajama pants swooshed with each step he took, checking my bathroom and closet. The useless weapon he thought was dangerous was gripped in his right hand.
Finn stopped just inside my room.
He was only wearing his boxers.
Although, he did hold a wicked blade.
I panted and wiped the sweat from my forehead. The dream had been terrifying. I shook my head to dislodge the memory, my red hair whipping across my shoulders.
“What’s wrong, Poppy?” Godric asked, his search done. The usual beautiful melody of his voice had disappeared, and in its place was a deadly cadence. He placed his weapon on my bedside, still close to him, and sat down on the edge of my bed. His hip pressed against mine. “Did someone break in?”
A delirious gurgle strangled my throat, the noise humiliating. I shook my head and answered breathlessly, “Other than you? No.”
Finn turned and leaned outside my door, barking, “Get back to your rooms now.”
Doors clicked shut all along the hall.
My cheeks instantly flushed with uncomfortable heat. I pulled the blanket back up to my chest, fidgeting with it. “Was I that loud?”
Godric tucked a stray strand of my hair behind my ear, his brutal golden eyes softening. “You were screaming.”
Finn grunted.
I groaned and dropped my head.
Godric probed, “It was just a dream? No one tried to harm you here?”
“Just a dream,” I mumbled. I kept my head down and rubbed at my forehead again. “A bad fucking dream.”
He hummed on a quiet purr. “Do you want me to crawl in bed with you?”
Finn grumbled in amusement, “I’m out of here.”
He shut the door as he left.
I tilted my head back up and stared at him with exasperation. “You cannot be in my bed. You need to follow your friend right on out of here.”
His muscles clenched under his tan skin as he leaned toward me. He whispered, “Are you sure you want me to leave?”
No, I wanted him to stay and hold me tight.
“Yes, you need to.” I flicked a finger at the door, attempting to gain a little control of the situation. “No matter what, this wouldn’t look good if someone came through my door right now.”
Godric’s gaze ran over each of my features on my face, his eyes taking their time to evaluate me. “Do you want to talk about it?”
I shook my head. “It was just a fucking weird dream with black monsters. There wasn’t any hidden meaning in it.”
His head tilted. “Do you have many like that?”
I knew what he was asking.
“I don’t have night terrors.” There were plenty of individuals who did, though. The devastated world was too brutal in some areas, and it took a toll on people mentally. “But I have an occasional bad dream. That’s all it was.”
That appeased him.
Godric kissed my lips with a soft caress, and then he stood from my bed. He tucked his ‘weapon’ in the back of his pants at his waistline. “Try to get some rest. The instructors won’t be up for a few more hours. We were up late until the last test was done.”
I nodded.
But I stopped him when he reached the door.
“Godric?”
“Hmm?” He glanced back.
I stated softly, “Thank you.”
His lips curved and his eyes sparkled. “My pleasure.”
He shut the door silently as he left.
I stared at the long cracks in the wood.
That man I could get attached to.
And he was the last person I ever should.
* * *
I crept out of the Military House. The sun now showed on the horizon, lighting the front lawn in a simple, brilliant view that only occurs in the early morning hours. I pushed my hands into my pockets, a brisk chill in the air. It was a perfect day outside.
There was no way I could go back to sleep.
The dream still lingered in my mind and shivers continued to creep into my tense shoulders.
I trotted down the stairs and lifted my face to the sun, tipping my head back and closing my eyes. I breathed in the fresh air and relaxed my body, pushing away black monsters with gaping mouths. The birds were chirping their calls, and the city itself was quiet.
This is what I needed.
I put one foot in front of the other, strolling down the walkway to the fence. The gate was closed and locked. I couldn’t leave, but it was a joy being outside.
I stared through the spaces of the wrought iron fence and examined each of the buildings across the street. They were new and colorful and were built strong when the rest of the world was still so torn.
The human race was rebuilding.
It just took so damn long.
I peered down in surprise when a particular stalker fox sat down on his haunches next to me. His eyes appraised the area as I had been doing. I shook my head, and muttered, “You have a real issue, mister. Stalking isn’t polite.”
He tipped his head back to look up at me.
His tongue lolled outside his mouth.
“Yeah, you’re cute when you smile.”
I sighed and sat down on the concrete walkway next to him. I lifted my hand very slowly, debated for a moment, and then touched the top of his head. His fur was soft under my fingers. The silver of his coat gleamed in the morning light. I dug my fingers in a little and scratched behind his ear.
He closed his eyes and tilted his head closer.
I snickered. “You’re a weird fox.”
His silver eyes opened. Barely.
My lips trembled. “You don’t need to glare.”
His expression didn’t change.
“Okay. Okay. You’re super cute too.”
His tongue lolled out again.
I laughed loud and clear.
His furry head turned, and he licked my right cheek real quick. Then he sat back on his haunches again, all innocent. His tongue made another appearance as he grinned.
I snorted hard. “You’re pretty sneaky too.”
A throat cleared loudly.
I placed my right hand on the walkway behind me and twisted to see who was there.
Godric sat on the steps of the Military House—no clue how long he had been sitting there. He wore a pair of jeans and a simple t-shirt, his feet bare. His elbows rested on his bent knees, and his hands were clasped together. He was staring at the fox, no expression showing in his eyes.
He stated, “Get out of here.”
His voice didn’t rise. It was monotone.
My brows puckered. He was upset.
So upset he was hiding it behind a mask.
I shook my head. “He’s not rabid.”
Godric kept his eyes on the fox. “Now.”
The fox instantly whined, but he dashed off.
He slid through one of the spaces in the fence. His tail whipped left and right as he ran down the middle of the street as fast as he could. He was just a streak of silver in the light before he disappeared completely around the end of the street.
I stood and brushed off the back of my pants. The birds still chirped, and the sun was getting higher in the sky. I strolled back to the Military House and sat down on the steps. My right side pressed against Godric.
He was warm, but his muscles were t
ense.
My eyes evaluated his profile. “Know that fox?”
Godric still stared straight ahead, and he snorted. “That’s a silly question, pet.”
“Well, you’re acting weird.”
He ignored my comment. “I told you to get some rest.”
“Sometimes I don’t take orders well.”
“And you’re joining my army?”
“I said sometimes.”
I turned my face back to the buildings across the street. Godric wasn’t looking at me anyway, lost in his own thoughts. The magnificent buildings were all I could see.
I sighed in resignation, and muttered, “You built a beautiful city.”
His laughter boomed. And it was extraordinary and resonated deep inside my chest, his foul mood broken. Godric leaned back and placed his left arm behind me on the stair above us. He peered at my profile this time.
“You sound thrilled.”
I shrugged, my lips twitching in humor.
He whispered, “I won’t tell your father you said that.”
I groaned and dropped my head back. “And there you go ruining the moment. You had to bring up my father.”
He chuckled, and his fingers started tracing circles on my lower back—a hidden caress. “My apologies, pet.”
With my head still straight ahead, I peered at him out of the corner of my eye. “Is this why you had Theron watch over King Corporation? So you could be here with me?”
“That’s part of the reason. I needed to see, with my own eyes, how you were doing or if you would be sent home to your father,” he answered honestly, his voice intimate and quiet. “But I’ve also wanted to evaluate the instructors, see how they’re handling new recruits. For the last two years, our numbers for acceptance into the CA haven’t been as high as normal. But, so far, I’m pleased with the instructors’ activities. It just appears those years were a weak bunch of recruits.”
I leaned against his side a little more and turned my attention to him, staring into his fascinating eyes. “What will you do if I’m sent packing? It’s not just my father I’ll be going home to—it’s also Brandon.”
His nose scrunched. “I’m still debating on that.”
I snickered. “You’re adorable when you’re confused.”
“Am I?” he asked softly. He leaned forward just a touch, his heat enveloping my chilled frame. I shuddered in delight, and he smirked. “I’m not confused by one fact.”
Always so arrogant.
“What’s that?” I lifted my red brows.
“That I want you near me.”
This was not where I’d thought he was going with this flirty line of conversation. I blinked in astonishment, and blabbered, “You can’t just say that to me.”
“Does that frighten you, pet?”
A little.
“No.” I huffed. “But if I do have to go home, I won’t live in New City. None of my father’s soldiers do. Brandon certainly won’t.”
“You’re correct about Mr. Moore.” Those tiny circles he kept drawing on my back were so slow and lovely. “I believe General Carvene is grooming him to eventually take his place, so the next general would live primarily in Port, as is typical of the LA.”
I had suspected as much.
I was like a torch passed down to the next leader of the Liberated Army, a prized filly for the great men who opposed the corporations.
My stomach churned at the thought.
“You don’t like what I said.”
I made a face at him. “Quit analyzing me.”
He grinned, his eyes on my lips. “It comes naturally to me. I can’t help it.”
I peered back out at the buildings across the street.
He fully relaxed, staring at the sunrise.
We sat side-by-side in the early morning quiet.
It was incredibly peaceful.
Eventually, I whispered, “This is heading in a bad direction, Godric.”
“I know,” he stated smoothly. He continued to enjoy the view of the glorious sky. “I’ll figure it out, though, pet. Just focus on passing the last test today. You’re the only female remaining now.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
The same male instructor was leading today. He stood at the front of the train while we sat in our seats like obedient little recruits, all eyes on him. There was only a total of forty-four remaining candidates. And it was judgment day.
“This is your final test. Half of you will be invited to the Corporate Army, half of you will go home with your tail between your legs.” He said it all with a smile too. “Today, you will be tested on your strength and endurance. As soon as we arrive, you will participate in an obstacle course.”
I was the smallest here.
This wasn’t going to be fun.
“First, you will each cut down a tree in the designated area. Once you have finished with that, you will swim across the lake. There you will find an agility course. The first half of you to cross the finish line will pass.” He was still grinning. “The rest of you will need to find your own mode of transportation back to the Military House to remove your belongings. If you don’t pick up your items within twelve hours, they will be donated to the poor.”
Okay. That was just mean.
He chuckled and took his seat where the rest of the instructors, along with Godric and Finn, sat at the front of the lavish train. The seven of them started chatting amongst themselves, enjoying the ‘relaxing’ train ride.
I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing.
Cut down a tree?
I’d never done that before in my life.
Swim across a lake?
I loved the water.
Agility course?
I was unsure. I would have to survey the terrain.
I really didn’t want my ball cap, back in my room at the Military House, sent to the poor. But the odds today were a coin flip. I may end up having to steal my hat back from a destitute kid since I currently had no units for a train ride anywhere. If I failed, I would be stuck wherever the hell this train was taking us.
* * *
The train stopped, and the door opened automatically.
I shot from my seat in the middle of the train.
Only two others did the same.
The rest of the recruits watched in confusion.
But we had ‘arrived,’ the test now started.
I made it to the front of the train before the recruit in front of me turned and slammed his elbow right in the center of my chest. I stumbled back against a seat and grabbed at my shirt, my breath knocked out of me.
I choked, “You dumb motherfucker. A fight isn’t how you’re going to beat me today.”
He smirked and turned to the door.
I shoved my hands back, my palms landing on a headrest and a person’s head. I instantly knew it was Godric’s head I was touching by the coarse curls beneath my fingers—and I was standing where the instructors still sat. I shoved off, hoping I didn’t hurt him and jumped to the door.
I kicked Dumb Motherfucker right in his ass.
He flew out the door. “Shit!”
The bone in his right leg cracked when he landed on his side, his leg at an odd angle underneath him. He shouted in instant pain, his face shading to a remarkable tomato red.
I grinned and hurried down the stairs. “Have fun losing today.”
With my chest aching, I ran to a table where there were different types of equipment for chopping down a tree.
“Crap,” I muttered. My hands fluttered over all them, unsure of what to pick. I had never used any of these before.
Well, I had trained with an ax before.
But I didn’t think that was right.
The trees weren’t huge before us in the roped area.
The other man, who had jumped up as the train door had opened too, stopped next to me. He took only a second, his gaze scanning before he grabbed a handsaw. Then he was running to the shoreline of the lake, to the trees there. Thi
s area would have been beautiful just to visit.
“Okay. Handsaw then.”
I grabbed one of the five remaining handsaws on the table and a pair of the many safety gloves. Whoever was stuck with the metal nail files in the center of the table was screwed. I ran down the hill as all the other recruits were shoving each other to get out of the train. Dumb Motherfucker was still moaning on the ground and recruits had to jump over him, dust flying up in his damp face.
I sprinted to stand next to the guy with the other handsaw. I wasn’t above learning while I worked. The way he was holding it made sense, and I positioned my gloved hands the same way. He breathed out every time he sawed, so I did the same.
The train lifted into the air, the blue glow shining below it as it traveled over the lake to the finish line. I didn’t see any instructors nearby—or even Godric or Finn—so they were probably on the train.
Though, there were a few medics close-by.
I was sure they would be busy today.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
What I didn’t get right in my task, as sweat poured down my face, was the extra notch I should have cut into the tree. Halfway through the tree, with my shoulder muscles aching, my saw was hardly cutting through it anymore. I stopped and stood, wiping sweat from my forehead with the back of my gloved hand.
I shook my head in frustration.
Then I merely walked over to the guy’s tree next to me and watched him work. He didn’t seem to mind. He glanced at me once and went back to hacking away at the tree.
“Fuck,” I complained, bending down to stare at the angled notch. That was just as much work as what I’d already accomplished. “I have to do that too?”
He grunted and kept sawing.
A guy ran by and rushed into the lake.
“That’s not good,” I mumbled.
My feet were in motion, running back to my tree.
I worked faster, my muscles screaming in pain.
The sun peeked in the sky, but the shaking leaves of the trees shaded everyone remaining—though the body heat that poured off my body was brutal, my white shirt soaked through. I was extremely happy I had worn a sturdy thick bra today.
More men ran by to the cool water of the lake.
Trigger (Origin Book 1) Page 11
