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 tense.
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.