Page 41 of Brone

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The fog picked up speed, swirling around us to reveal a different view. No longer in the grass, a room appeared along with another human.

My visual systems immediately scanned for Nara and this time she was standing in front of a massive desk. Dark shadows ringed her eyes, a black dress hanging on her frame, her brilliant hair pulled away from her face as she stared blankly at the woman in front of her.

The other female sighed, standing up as she went around the desk and wrapped an arm around Nara’s shoulder. “I know it hurts right now, but it will be okay. You aren’t alone. The Global Allegiance is your family now. We will make sure you are taken care of.” The female’s words held a hint of impatience, but my Nara didn't hear it, too consumed with her grief.

I lunged, wanting to wrap my hands around that lying female’s throat, but my fingers wrapped around nothing but air, and I let out a string of curses.

I was useless here, unable to do anything to stop this from playing out. Still, I found myself shouting, “Don’t listen, Nara! The female is lying!”

My hands curled into fists, and I turned my attention to the female and the lies of the Global Allegiance. My frame vibrated with unspent rage, the need to protect my female a living, breathing thing inside my chest.

“You can’t have her!” I snarled at the ghost of Nara’s past. “Do you hear me? One day she will be free of you. And I will burn all of you to the ground if you come for her again!”

My frame gave a jerk, my eyes snapping open to reveal nothing but an empty living room. My ragged breaths filled the air, a heavy ache in my arms, the threats I had shouted still fresh on my lips.

Cyborgs don’t sleep. Was I malfunctioning?I ran a scan and…nothing. Every one of my systems were running at one hundred percent, and no virus had been detected.

I had no clue what had just happened to me. I repeated the scan. Once…twice…three times. Every scan came back the same.No malfunctions or viruses present.My processors had no logical explanation.

And I could think of only one person who might.

It was time to find my creator, Dr. Shaw.

Nara: The Cabin

I bolted up in bed. Memories of the days following my parents’ death along with the day I allowed the Global Allegiance to trap me with their lies skirted along the edges of my mind.

At least this one I was used to. I had been having nightmares about losing my parents since the day of their accident. The ones about the Global Allegiance had started after I had created the Luxury Models and learned the truth of what they had wanted me to do to them.

Shame and guilt were cruel mistresses. I had gotten used to them dodging my steps, especially the last few months. I ignored their continual presence in my mind and glanced at the space next to me. I hid my shock when I saw Ion still on the bed beside me.

One gray eyebrow was raised, blue eyes meeting mine. “Your heart rate experienced a minor spike, but it occurred toward the end of your sleeping cycle. According to my internal clock, you were able to sleep for four hours without interruption with me in the room. If I join you earlier, I believe that the probability of you sleeping for longer is high.”

I flashed him a tiny smirk. “You just want to spend more time in my bed, Ion.”

The Military Model became flustered, his mouth opening before snapping shut.

I decided to put him out of his misery. “Cool your processors, I’m kidding.”

A small bit of tension eased from his frame and he smiled.

“Thank you again.” My tone grew serious.” I know being nice to me probably wasn’t listed as one of your orders.”

He hopped off the bed. “They didn’t explicitly say not to.” His bright blue gaze gave me a once over before he shrugged. “And you appeared to need a friend.”

Was I that obvious?

Yes. You practically begged the cyborg to stay with you.

I huffed. I was going soft…or missing my cyborgs, and I’d never admit out loud, a certain Tank Class. It hadn’t helped that Ion was the same model type. Out of the corner of my eye, I sometimes caught a flash of gray and for a second my heart would pound thinking it was Brone. Then Ion would step into view, and my mind screamed he was wrong-the wrong size…the wrong smile…the wrong cyborg.

Ion’s blue eyes matched Brone’s, but they never carried the intensity or humor I had started to crave. Brone had worked his way under my skin, and even after trying to block off my heart, I couldn’t stop missing his presence.

It was intimidating. Larger than life.But I had started to get used to the feeling.And now, like a fool, I missed it despite knowing that he would never be mine.

I sighed, ignoring the subtle stab of disappointment, as my eyes took in the wrongness of Ion’s smaller build.What are you going to do? Tape couch cushions to his shoulders?I shook my head. I was losing it. Four hours of sleep had helped, but I was still feeling off.

I forced the fog swirling around my brain away, meeting the wrong set of blue eyes. “Friends sounds nice.” I gave Ion my best smile.


Tags: Kelsey Nicole Price Paranormal