Page 90 of On a Rogue Planet
A lone tear tracked down her cheek.
“I’ve got to find somewhere for you to hide, and then I need to find a way into the maze.” He slid his hand into her hair and tugged her head back. With his other hand, his thumb brushed the tear away. “I’ll get out.”
She managed a nod.
He pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “Stay here amongst the crowd. Smile. Look like you’re having fun. Once I find a good hiding place, I’ll come and get you.”
She nodded again and watched him stride through the revelers. Suddenly chilled, she grabbed a drink off the tray of a passing waiter and gulped it back. It burned a little but as the warmth spread through her, it helped settle her nerves.
“Since your cyborg’s left you all alone, how about that dance now?”
Mal stilled, horror blowing through her. She turned slowly to face Forge.
“I’m not really feeling up for dancing.”
He stared at her. “You didn’t like my show?”
“You killed a man.” She tried to keep the venom from her voice. Thought she might have been successful.
He shrugged. “This is my world. My rules.”
“Life isn’t important to you?”
“By all means, it’s absolutely vital to me.” He glanced around the room. “But not these lives. These insipid, vacuous hangers-on who waste the spark of life inside them. For me, the life I give my creations is what is important. I take things that people likethose around us throw away, then I make something special and give it life.”
“You think you’re a god?”
He chuckled. “God, scientist, creator. In my own little domain, yes, I’m all those things. Now, tell me what you think of my maze? You’re a creator too, so your opinion matters.”
Mal shook her head. “I’m not a creator.”
“You take old things apart and give the parts new life. That’s creation.” He smiled. “We’re alike, you and I.”
That smile made her think of the wraith beasts of Carin IV. Right before they tore their prey to pieces. It made her sick to think he thought they were alike. “I don’t think so.”
His smile slipped.
She swallowed. “I think you have genius. That maze…some of the things in it are incredible. I’m just not sure you’re putting it to good use.”
He stalked closer. “Really?” A dangerous whisper.
“You killed that man for no good reason.”Stars, stop talking, Malin.
Forge’s eyes narrowed to slits.
Time to change the subject. She waved at the room. “Why do you surround yourself with metal creations? Way out here on a rogue planet? Don’t you like people?”
“I have a room full of people here.”
“But you don’t like them. I think you’d love to send them all running through your maze and watch them bleed.”Stars be, Malin, shut your mouth.
“I do prefer machines.” He tipped his head. “Like you. That’s why I thought you’d understand. They don’t disobey you, they don’t break your heart, and they don’t betray you.”
Her chest tightened. “Someone betrayed you?”
His face hardened and he looked away.
Mal took a careful breath. “I know all about betrayal and disappointment.”
