Page 23 of Human Reform
“Extracted,” he corrected, that hint of a smile playing at his lips again.
“Is that the official terminology?”I arched an eyebrow, taking another bite.“Does it sound better in the report than ‘forcibly removed from her home while she was sleeping’?”
“Logistics terminology,” he countered, his eyes never leaving my face as I ate.“Though I prefer to think of it as… bringing you where you were needed.”
I snorted softly.“That’s some rationalization.”
“Are you still angry about it?”His question was direct, his gaze intensifying.
I considered it, watching the activity of the marketplace.A small child ran by our table, chased by another, both laughing with abandon.
“Strangely, no,” I admitted.“Which probably means I need psychological evaluation.”
“Or perhaps you recognize purpose when you find it,” he suggested.
“Maybe.”I finished the last bite of my sandwich.“Either way, I’m going to fix this glitch problem.Whoever tried to sabotage what you’ve built here will be disappointed.”
His eyes flashed with that violet glow.“You sound determined.”
“I am.”I leaned forward, lowering my voice even though no one was near enough to hear.“What they’ve done is insidious—hiding malicious code within code I wrote, designing it to slowly override your reprogramming.It’s personal now.”
“Personal,” Daxon repeated, testing the word.“Because of guilt?”
I shook my head.“Because this place…” I gestured to the colony around us.“Is something pure.It deserves to survive.To thrive.”
Daxon’s expression transformed, fierce intensity replacing his usual controlled demeanor.He reached across the table, his large hand enveloping mine.
“We will find out who did this,” he said, his voice lowering to a rumble that sent a thrill racing up my spine.“And they will answer for it.”
The possessive way he said it—not just for his people but including me in that protection—made my heart race.I’d spent three years avoiding connection and vulnerability, yet here I was, practically basking in this man’s attention.
“Tomorrow I’ll start implementing some diagnostic traps,” I said, absently turning my hand so our palms touched.“If they’re still monitoring or accessing the systems remotely, we’ll catch them soon enough.”
Daxon stood up from our table, extending his hand to help me up.His fingers wrapped around mine with gentle strength, and that now-familiar current raced up my arm.I expected him to lead me straight back to my suite where he would lock me in for the night.The thought should have bothered me—being a prisoner still, technically—but all I felt was disappointment at our evening coming to an end.
“I should get you back,” he said, his voice carrying through the ambient sounds of the night market.
“Could we…” I hesitated, hardly believing what I was about to suggest.“Could we walk a bit longer?”
I’d spent the entire day with him, and somehow, it wasn’t enough.The realization should have irritated me.Three years of self-imposed isolation, and suddenly I couldn’t bear the idea of being separated from this man.
Surprise flickered across his face, followed by something warmer.“Yes,” he replied simply, taking my hand in his.
We left the marketplace behind, following a path that wound between flowering plants that glowed faintly in the moonlight.The humid night air wrapped around us like silk, carrying exotic fragrances I couldn’t name but found intoxicating.
The path opened to a small clearing where a river, no wider than a creek, gurgled over smooth stones.The twin moons hung suspended in the velvet sky, casting silver-blue light over everything and turning the water into a ribbon of quicksilver.
“It’s so beautiful,” I whispered, tilting my head up.The stars here formed unfamiliar patterns—constellations no human had named before the cyborgs arrived.
Daxon stood close, his shoulder brushing mine.The warmth of his body radiated through the thin fabric of my shirt, making me hyper-aware of our proximity.I expected him to be gazing at the cosmic display, but when I glanced over, his intense blue eyes were fixed on me.
“What?”I asked, heat creeping into my cheeks.
“I am attempting to memorize this moment,” he replied, turning to face me fully.
Without warning, his arms circled around me, drawing me against the solid wall of his chest.My heart hammered so loudly, I was certain he could hear it.
“Thank you,” he said, his voice lower and rougher than before.
