The Last Mission of the Living (The Last Bastion #2)(57)

Glancing over her shoulder, Lindsey lowered her voice as she said, “Think it’s safe to hang out?”

“Well, at this point we both know that we’re going on the mission if you don’t flunk your physical—”

“I passed with flying colors, thank you very much.”

“—so we should be fine.”

Lindsey pondered his answer for a second, then nodded. “Then I’ll see you soon.”

A few minutes later, Torran watched as she strode toward him in her charcoal-colored uniform. More of her damp hair had escaped her hairdo, and he found it rather endearing.

“Master Seeker MacDonald,” she said briskly.

“Vanguard Rooney,” he answered, then fell into step beside her. Tucking his hands behind his back, he looked down at her. “So you passed.”

“What did you expect?”

Torran tried not to sound disappointed. “Well, that you would pass. But I’m not certain that’s a good thing.”

“Oh, so you’re the only one who can put their life on the line for The Bastion?” Lindsey gave him a disapproving look.

“It’s not that,” he said, though it really was.

“Right.” Lindsey looked around the very quiet area. The white flagstone courtyard was eerily empty of people. “Is it always like this?”

“Well, during shift changes it gets busy.”

“So much space...” Lindsey’s voice held a hint of an accusation.

“It’s not like they can bring civilians in to camp out in the quad, Lindsey.”

“It’s just that SWD always gets the best.”

“Nah. They don’t have you.”

Lindsey gave him a sharp look, then laughed. “You’re such a charmer.”

“C’mon. My place is over here.”

“We’re flirting with danger,” Lindsey chided him.

“Nah, just flirting.”

Since she had shared her home with him, he was a little nervous, yet excited to show her his abode. His small flat was at the top of a narrow flight of retractable steps in the far corner of one of the giant black buildings. The windows and stone matched, giving the impression of it being one solid structure.

“It’s a bit imposing, isn’t it?” Lindsey remarked, gazing up.

“It’s home.” Torran unlocked the door and it slid open.

Lindsey edged around him and glanced into the flat as the lights flicked on. “Now I know why you didn’t want a city flat.”

The main room of Torran’s home consisted of a small kitchen with a dining area attached and a large living space with an office alcove. Paintings by Torran’s mother decorated the walls, and an afghan she’d made was draped over the black leather sofa. Lindsey walked to the center of the room, staring at the place in awe. When she spotted real books lining a small bookshelf, she hurried over for a closer look.

“My father kept those in the evacuation. When his family was airlifted from Scotland, he took only one change of clothes and used the rest of his suitcase for books. He loved to read, but wasn’t keen on pads. His mother wanted to throttle him.”

“Amazing.” Lindsey lightly touched one of the worn spines. “You do realize that you’re living in the lap of luxury.”

Torran shrugged. “I wasn’t about to turn it down.”

“So,” Lindsey looked around. “Does the sofa become a bed? Where is your sanitation station?”

Walking over to a slightly recessed door, Torran touched it. It slid open to reveal his bedroom. “In here.”

“Get out!”

Lindsey hurried through the door as he turned on the lights. Staring at his neatly made bed, she exhaled. “I hate you. Let me guess. No sanitation station, but an actual bathroom.”

Torran touched another door and it slid open to reveal the very small, but nice bathroom. “The shower is very roomy.”

“You’re a perv,” Lindsey chided him, but peered inside.

Touching her waist lightly, he was both pleased, yet a little nervous about having her in his flat. It was much more sterile than her tiny place. Though his personal treasures were on display, his place somehow seemed devoid of the energy that filled Lindsey’s. It was a bit of a shock to his system to realize that it was because he’d never allowed himself to feel at home in the flat. He’d always regarded it as temporary, yet he really hadn’t considered where home might be.

“So much space,” she said, glancing at him. “Yet when we’re out there, the world is going to seem so vast.”

“The valley felt like that when I was stuck out there. Enormous. Vast. Scary.”

“I hated leaving you,” Lindsey said softly.

“You say that often, you know.”

“It haunts me. Leaving someone behind.”

Torran’s thoughts drifted to his secret mission and he averted his eyes. How would Lindsey regard the situation once it was revealed? Would she see it as a betrayal, or would she understand it was for the better good? Maria was her best friend, and guilt nipped at his conscience. Yet, he had to help humanity survive, didn’t he?

Lindsey’s kiss startled him since he’d started to fall into a spiral of anxiety. The touch of her lips against his drew him back from plunging too far. Deepening the kiss, he pulled her close. After a few intense moments, they separated, a little breathless.