Given to the Savage(66)

Chapter Sixteen





“Rowan,” Silas whispered, cradling her head to his chest.

Footsteps of what sounded like a hundred men came toward them and Silas began to rise, pushing the one remaining guard away while trying to lift her in his arms. The guard didn’t fight him, didn’t even hold his weapon to him.

“You need to get her to medical,” he said, his expression not what Silas expected.

Soldiers entered, weapons drawn.

“Hold your fire,” the one who had witnessed the murders called out. More running and a man in a uniform different from the others rushed in, weapon ready. He took in the scene, the bloodied, lifeless bodies of Amro and Norrin, the guards who were not dead but passed out. He then looked at Rowan’s limp body.

“He’s right, you have to get her to medical,” he said, approaching.

“Don’t touch her!” Silas countered, shoving him when he tried to. “I’ll kill anyone who touches her.”

“We’re from the settlements. We’re with the resistance,” the man said, putting his weapon away and holding up both hands as if in surrender. “We mean you no harm and she hasn’t got much time. “

Silas looked at them, unsure but knowing the man was right, she did not have much time.

“Bring her yourself then but you need to seal the wound or she’ll die.”

Silas nodded, and with one hand closed tightly around her tiny wrist, followed the men out into the corridor.

“Pick those up,” the leader said, referring to the bodies of Norrin and Amro. “Take them outside, to the platform. We will display them, announce our victory. You six, go with him. Take them to medical.”

With that, Silas was led to a room similar to the first one where he had watched Rowan’s examination. Once there, two doctors stood, startled at the intrusion. Silas lay her down on the examination table.

“Do what you need to do to make sure she lives,” said the guard who had witnessed Rowan kill Amro and him attack Norrin. He aimed his weapon at the doctors. “If she doesn’t make it, neither do you.”

The doctors went pale and were inactive for a moment. Then one moved to pick up Rowan’s wrist. “She removed her tracking device,” one of them said. “Fool.”

“Sew her up and get some blood into her! I mean it, if she dies, so do you.”

“Thank you,” the man said to Silas once the doctors began their work.

Silas looked at him, this young soldier, and nodded, but turned quickly back to watch as the doctors worked on Rowan. All he wanted was to get his family back and to go home. To live in peace. Perhaps that peace was now within reach.



* * *



Rowan’s wrist throbbed. She opened her eyes slowly, the overhead light coming into focus as she did. She turned her head, recognizing where she was, panicking for a moment until she felt Silas’ hand slide into hers.

“How do you feel?” he asked.

“My wrist hurts but otherwise, I’m ok. What happened?”

“How much do you remember?”

“I remember pushing the knife into the captain’s back,” she said flatly. She still remembered the feel of it, the force it took and how, after the initial tear, it had slid easily between his ribs. “I remember you attacking Commander Norrin. Are they dead?”

Silas nodded once.

“Good,” she said, although she didn’t feel good.

“The rebels have taken over this colony and the others are under attack. With Commander Norrin dead, they will be victorious,” he said with a small smile.

She nodded but there was something more important. “And your son?”

“He’s being brought here.”

He looked happy, his face relaxed for the first time since she had known him. She was almost afraid to ask the next question. “What’s going to happen now?” Would she be sent back to the breeder facility? Would he go back to his village, his people?

“Once Tobias is returned, we will be free to return to the village.”

“What? I don’t understand.” Surely they weren’t simply releasing her?

“If you’d like to, that is. I’d like for you to come home with me and my son. You’re free to decide, Rowan. You can remain here or make a new life with us as a family.”

“It’s my choice?”

“Over the last year, the settlements have been joining, preparing for this rebellion. Captain Amro knew of and counted on the unrest, but he miscalculated when he attacked. His plan was to kill Commander Norrin and assume his position, kill the rebels, and take over the colonies. But he didn’t realize how powerful the rebel forces had grown.” He smiled, his expression at ease.