The Last Mission of the Living (The Last Bastion #2)(124)

The sadness filling Lindsey’s eyes nearly wrenched Torran’s heart out of his chest. Unhooking the helmet from her armor, she slid it over her head. “I see...I would kiss you hello, but...”

“If you do, we can both get out of here alive with no problem,” he said, and his heart beat so hard in his chest he was convinced it would break his ribs. He was willing to do anything to be with her.

The lights in the helmet flicked on, and when he saw Lindsey’s expression, he knew immediately she would refuse him. Since he was not infected with the modified virus, he alone could return to warn The Bastion. Dismay filled him at the realization, but he refused to believe there wasn’t another way.

“You need to save the world,” she said. “But first, let’s save you.”



*



In the moment when Torran told her about Dr. Curran being infected, Lindsey sadly accepted that life had become a little more complicated. It took all her willpower to tug on the helmet, creating a barrier between her and Torran. She wanted nothing more than to kiss him and hold him close, but that desire had to be denied if they were to save the rest of humanity from the plans of the Gaia Cult.

“You need to save the world,” she said. “But first, let’s save you.”

“I see,” Torran said, and the hurt in his voice was profound, yet there was understanding in his gaze.

Behind her, the door to the laboratory shuddered under the assault of the Scrags. She didn’t have much time before they burst through. The makeshift lab was not a high security room. The door would be breached.

Peering into the containment chamber, Lindsey regarded the two freshly turned Scrags with disdain. “And how did they end up Scrags?”

“I fooled Solomon,” Dr. Curran rasped. Dropping her hands, she revealed an ugly slash across her neck. “She cut my throat hoping I’d try to save myself. So I pretended that a vial with ISPV was the modified virus and she fell for it.”

“And she took it to save herself.” Lindsey watched in amazement as the skin on the scientist’s neck knitted itself back together.

“Yes.”

“And then you took the real virus?”

Dr. Curran nodded.

“Torran, step away,” Lindsey ordered. “Teeny, cover the door in case the Scrags break through it.”

“Yes Mother.”

Opening the containment chamber, Lindsey fired two shots, killing both Scrags. Dr. Curran had the decency to help her drag the bodies out, then sanitize the chamber. The entire time, she felt Torran watching her and longed to rush into his arms. But with the Scrags pounding on the lab door and possibly about to breach it, she needed him to be safe.

“Torran, get inside,” she ordered.

“I’d really rather not,” Torran grunted, folding his arms over his chest.

“The Scrags are going to bust down that door, and if you’re not in there, you’ll end up one of them.”

“Make me one of you,” Torran replied with a stubborn set to his jaw and his eyes flashing with anger.

“You need to go back to The Bastion and let them know what Gaia Cult is planning, Torran. You need to convince them of the truth. I was hoping Dr. Curran would do it, but...”

“I understand that, Linds. But let’s find another way.”

“Torran, please listen to reason.” She’d known Torran would choose to be with her in the dead world, and she’d hoped to send Dr. Curran back with all the evidence she’d compiled, but that option was gone. “We can’t let anyone with the modified virus return to The Bastion. You know what would happen.”

“Fuck my life,” Torran swore fiercely.

“I’m sorry. I am,” Lindsey replied.

The wall around the doorway to the lab was starting to display stress cracks.

“I want to be with you.” Torran stalked over to her and gripped her arms tightly. Staring at her through the faceplate, his dark eyes were volatile with his unchecked passions. Anger and love poured out of his soul and filled her with remorse.

“She’s right, Torran,” Dr. Curran croaked out of her healing throat.

“You’re not a part of this!” he snapped.

“But she is, Torran. She’s what I am, and we can’t go back to The Bastion.” Lindsey sighed and placed her gloved hands on his waist. “Stop being a bullheaded Scot and get in the damn chamber.”

“Mother, the Scrags are about to breach our perimeter.” The drone sounded worried.

With a gentle push, Lindsey directed Torran into the chamber. He backed into it reluctantly, his hands clinging to her arms. When she tried to draw away, he bent his head to kiss the top of her facemask. His lips left a faint imprint.

“I love you,” he said.

The words filled her with both joy and sorrow. “And I love you.”

Lindsey shut the containment chamber just as the wall and doorway collapsed under the assault of the Scrags. With grim resolve, she lifted her weapon and started to kill.



*



Sitting in the containment chamber, Torran waited for Lindsey to return. The gunfire continued for hours as Lindsey and her swarm of drones pushed back the Scrags that had invaded the top floor. Dr. Curran packed her equipment, and when done, sat quietly in a chair, listening to the battle. They didn’t speak, which suited Torran just fine.