Page 45 of Vargan

"Mr. Hargorve," the lead detective continues, "I'm afraid we'll need you to come to the station as well. These allegations are serious enough to warrant investigation."

Victor's facade finally cracks. "This is ridiculous! I'm being set up by that animal!"

"Careful," Ash growls beside me. "That's slanderous language against a protected species."

The detective ignores them both, gesturing to another officer. "Mr. Hargrove will accompany Officer Phillips. Ms. Greene, we'll need your statement as well."

As they lead me toward a cruiser, I strain against the officers. "Wait," I say urgently. "Let me talk to her. Just for a moment."

"Not a chance," he spits back.

I struggle again. "Can't you just give me one damn minute?"

"It'd be the human thing to do," Crow throws in.

The lead detective hesitates, then nods. "One minute."

They guide me to where Savvy stands, her arms wrapped around herself as if holding herself together. When I'm close enough, she reaches out, touching my face with trembling fingers.

"You idiot," she whispers, tears welling in her eyes. "Why did you come back? You were free."

"Not without you," I answer simply.

The officers maintain their grip on my arms, but step back slightly, giving us the illusion of privacy in a courtyard full of police.

"You gave up everything for me," I continue, voice rough with emotion. "Did you think I could just ride away and leave you with nothing?"

"That was the point," she says, a tear spilling down her cheek. "That was the whole damn point, Vargan."

I lean forward until my forehead touches hers, the closest I can get with my hands bound behind me. "I'm going to fight this, Savvy. The murder charge. All of it. It might take time, but I'm going to win and come back to you."

Hope and doubt war in her eyes. "Promise me."

"I promise," I murmur, meaning it more than any vow I've ever made. "And orcs don't break their promises."

"Time's up," one of the officers says, starting to pull me away.

"Wait," Savvy protests. "At least let us say goodbye properly."

The officers exchange glances, then reluctantly pause.

Savvy steps closer, pressing her body against mine, her head resting on my shoulder. "I meant for you to be free," she whispers, her breath warm against my neck. "You're a fool for coming back."

"If you didn't want me to come back," I say softly, "then you shouldn't have given me such a damn good reason to."

She pulls back enough to look into my eyes, her own shining with unshed tears. "What's that?"

"You," I say simply.

Something shifts in her expression—grief giving way to determination. "Then you'd better keep that promise, because I'll be waiting."

I lean down, capturing her lips with mine. She kisses me desperately, her hands cupping my face, holding on as if she could keep me there by will alone. I pour everything I can't sayinto the kiss—all the fear, the rage, the tenderness I've never been able to express.

"Let's go," the officer says more firmly, pulling me away from Savvy. She holds on as long as she can.

As they lead me to the cruiser, I look back once. Ash has moved to Savvy's side, his arm around her shoulders, offering comfort. She watches me go, her expression a mixture of devastation and resolve.

The officer pushes my head down, guiding me into the back seat before the door slams.

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