¤
Zero was left utterly shocked. He hadn't expected her to react like this. Then again what was he expecting? The girl he adored clung to his shirt, buried her face into his chest and he could do no more but hold her. The best thing she could do was forget she ever met him. Yet he wouldn't dare tamper with her memories—even if he could. A line he'd never cross. With tenderness he stroked her hair, smoothing out the unruly waves of gold. Was he truly leaving her, or did it just seem that way?
"Miss Loretta I can't promise you'll be safe if I stay. You'll become targeted, not just you but everyone else too." If he could make it clear she'd realize the actual danger. "I want to set you free from the war. It's not going to stop until something is done. And I..." He couldn't continue. The words wouldn't form, his head swirled caught in a fog of endless grey and he closed his eyes.
Ren's presence stabbed into him. An urgency to hurry and now.
Zero's senses sharpened in irritation but just as quickly smothered under the spell that was her. She had a way of spurring his thoughts and sending it all scattering white sheets where he was left scrambling to find his train of thought. And he just let them fall. Like snow landing all around him, brushing his skin in absent reminders.
Say goodbye. Walk away. She'll be fine.
Lies. All lies.
All he's desired contained in one person. If he stayed she'd be at risk. If he left, she'd still be at risk. What guarantee did he have to go on? Doc didn't have a track record for keeping her safe. Well, neither did Zero. She'd gotten abducted right under his nose. Another possibility which he hadn't put on the front lines till now: What if Ren was scheming something? This wouldn't be the first offence. Shit. But why would Ren act so convincing? So intent on returning home and looking through Father's work for no purpose? It couldn't be that simple. It was a naive thought. Then what would happen after they cracked Father's work? Why was Zero needed for that? Couldn't Ren just continue this on his own? No, he'd returned to take Zero away, use him for that purpose.
He tasted it in her blood, the feelings she bore. One of the many components that made her irresistible, even now he couldn't pull away from her because she had that affect on him. A powerful one. He didn't know what to do, keep moving or stay? Life or death? Black or white or grey?
Live, Loretta. Live always.
"I want you to come with me." It was crazy, probably wrong and Ren would never agree to it. But leaving her wasn't an option.