Glow by Anya Monroe Read Free Book Online Page A

wants us both there.”
    I lace my fingers through hers, and pull her closer. I want her to remember what she and I are capable of, what our love can do.
    “Of course there’s that possibility, but I choose to believe that there was a reason for all of this. For us.” I take comfort in the fact she doesn’t pull away.
    “I don’t know if I choose the same thing,” she whispers back, crushing me with the syllables. She pulls back and searches my eyes. “Integrity knew what would happen if we kissed. He had to have, or he’d never have told Timid to come up the stairs to find us on the ledge. If he knew that, what else does he know?”
    I hear what she says, but Integrity was so convincing, so helpful. Care and him packed the car for us, helped us escape. Someone on the Council’s side would never have done that.
    “I don’t know, Lucy, but we have to make a plan. If Perfection made it back to the Refuge, they’re going to be coming soon. I can’t let that happen to you.”
    “But what about you? I can’t let that happen to you, either.”
    “You mean that? I thought maybe you wanted Charles….”
    “I don’t want either of you, not now. Not like that. But I do want both of you safe. Why can’t that be enough for you?” She shakes her head and steps back, releasing her hands from mine. Our color-wrapped nest disappears.
    “It’s not enough because I know you’re special, you’re meant to be my mate. I want to do this next part with you.”
    “I’m not ready to forfeit my life, Lukas. Not for something I don’t believe in.”
    “I thought you believed in me.”
    “I thought I did too.” She steps away, and runs to the house, not looking back.

 
    17.
     
    Charlie
     
    The morning started off rocky with Perfection leaving, but soon enough I’m on the road to find her, with little besides a pack of food and water, my gun, and myself. Just the way I like it.
    At least before I met Lucy.
    Now I’d like her beside me on a horse, the two of us headed somewhere far away, the ocean maybe. Not after the pompous princess who is, or at least was, my brother’s teenage bride. Not that she isn’t beautiful to look at. And sure, she had some redeeming qualities when we were kids, but God, spending the past six years vying for my brother’s heart has diminished her beauty. Not to mention her depth. 
    But here I am, on the road searching for her. I swear to God if she ran off and got herself killed I’m going to chalk one more death up to my parents’ tally. This wouldn’t even be happening if they had allowed the Cowboy Coalition to infiltrate The Light years ago like everyone wanted. Instead, they decided we needed to wait. They decided discovering an energy source on our own was a better plan.
    What’s the old saying though? Pride comes before the fall.
    Exactly.
    Lucy’s compound is only a few hours from the campsite we made at the bridge. I suppose someone paying fairly close attention would memorize the route. We rode along the highway the entire time until we got to the dirt path the compound is located on. And since Perfection managed to clear the trickiest part, all she has to do is follow the road to the bridge and she’ll make it back to The Light by this afternoon, or sooner depending on when she left.
    Once the bridge is in view I start getting nervous. I don’t want to ride over the bridge only to be held captive by some Humblemen and forced to bring them to Lukas and Lucy. Not that I’d give them up willingly, but still … I don’t want to be put in a position where I have to choose.
    Shit.
    I wanted to find her struggling by the side of the road, desperate for help. If she made it back to the Refuge that means she’ll tell them where we are. Which means we won’t have much time.
    I stop to let Lucky drink some water and rest after riding hard all day. Leaning on a broken log, I work to catch my breath, annoyed that Perfection was able to get away so easily on her own.
    Maybe