Page 79 of Red Flag, Green Light

Correct.

Wanted.

By someone other than my brother.

I want to be the reason the world ends, not just a pawn caught in the crossfire, forced to crawl across the board and become someone strong enough to take care of the remaining, near helpless pieces.

It terrifies me to think what Ceres might think of me if she learns that we’ve been chitchatting as girlies for the past five years.

I mean, really, aren’t I emasculated enough?

Sara: I’m here for you if you need to talk, Rouge.

I sigh. Once again.

Rouge: I appreciate you. Don’t worry. I’ll get some content to you before bed. And it might even be a hair’s breadth above half-decent.

Sara: I believe in you.

That makes one of us.

Pushing back from my computer, I drop to the ground in the center of my room and begin doing pushups until I can’t feel my arms anymore.

Chapter Twenty-two

This is more than I bargained for…what a deal.

Ceres

The morning of my birthday begins like any other morning—except for the fact that it very, very, very muchdoes not.

The moment my eyes open and adjust to the dimness of my bedroom with my curtains pulled in front of the sun, I locate a figure leaning against my footboard. Which is disturbing. Because I could have sworn I told him we’d be done if he watched me sleep.

My single consolation is the fact heisn’twatching me until after I sit up. Then his head turns, and his eyes illuminate the dimness. “Morning, little goddess,” he says, tone so gentle. “Happy Birthday.”

My heart shudders because I haven’t heard someone tell me that in…I don’t know. I don’t tend to tell anyone about my birthday, on account of the singing and the attention that tends to ensue. Or, somehow worse, the complete and utter disregard of the information.

Both not knowing what to do during the “Happy Birthday” song and knowing that someone knows it’s my birthday but didn’t bother to remember hurts. Personally ignoring that I have a birthday is the only real solution.

“How did you…” I begin.

A bright pink egg appears between his fingers as he kicks off my footboard and approaches my bedside. “Information like that is online. If you know how to look for it.”

And of course he knows how to look for it, but alsowhywould he bother to look for it?

Lowering his face, he kisses my forehead and gives me the egg. “Shall we?”

“Shall we…what?” Rubbing sleep from my eye, I crack the colorful plastic gift, secure the slip of paper that falls out, and unfold it to reveal a note.

Good morning, my dearest love. Let’s have a little fun today… Your first hint is that you’ll find your next if you complete your morning routine and get dressed.

“A scavenger hunt?” I whisper.

“A town-wide scavenger hunt,” Mars concurs.

My stomach dips. “Town-wide?”

He kisses my forehead again. “I’ll touch-her-and-die anyone just for talking to you. Don’t worry.”

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