by M. J. Haag
“It’s colder when the fey run,” Cassie said. “Turn your face toward Brog, or it’ll rob you of breath.”
I didn’t need to be told twice. I set my face against his warmth.
“Brog, warn Angel before you jump the wall. It might upset her stomach.”
Wall? That sounded intimidating and promising all at the same time.
“I will,” Brog said.
A moment later, he was moving. The chill seeped through my clothes before we even reached the gate. Brog tried to hold me a little closer as we left Whiteman, but my elbow prevented too much cuddling.
I shivered before too long but didn’t complain. Noise outside of the fence was a death sentence. Even as the fey ran, I could hear the infected call to each other.
“We’re almost there,” Brog said quietly.
I nodded and kept quiet.
“Here’s the wall.”
That was the only warning I had before he jumped. My stomach wasn’t even done somersaulting when he landed on the other side half a second later.
I lifted my head and got my first look at the place I would now call home. The country neighborhood had been converted into an extremist gated community, using vehicles that stood on their ends and were wedged together to form a solid wall. The heavy-duty barrier cut through the trees, some having been removed to create a clear path along the inside of the wall. Based on my view and the lack of the tree branches I could see on the other side, I guessed the fey had done the same outside as well.
“It’s okay,” Cassie said. “I’ll take Angel from here.”
Brog reluctantly set me on my feet as I noted the backs of houses in front of us. Between them, I saw more houses. There weren’t any infected anywhere.
“Thanks for carrying me, Brog,” I said when I realized he was staring at me.
“I will be back in two days, my Angel.”
“Oh, whoa. I’m not your Angel. I’m not anyone’s anything.”
Cassie stepped up beside me.
“Brog, you know that’s not how this works. Just because you’re interested in her doesn’t mean she’s interested in you. And what about Dawnn? I thought you were trying to charm her.”
The fey’s yellow eyes darted to Cassie.
“She told me to go away and never come back.”
Cassie smiled at him. “And you’re going to listen?”
He grunted.
“You’d better head back to Whiteman. Matt needs all the help he can get.”
Brog gave me one last contemplative look then jumped over the wall.
Cassie faced Kerr.
“I’ll show Angel where she’s going to stay and meet you at home when I’m done.”
He grabbed her and kissed her hard. Obviously, she wasn’t Mrs. Felds anymore.
It no longer seemed weird to see the grey-skinned behemoths around. I’d grown used to their pointed ears and lizard-like eyes. However, this level of intensity was new for me. I’d seen them pine for women but hadn’t ever been up close when one scored a kiss. And holy hell was it enough to make me blush.
When he pulled away, I averted my gaze. It wasn’t that I was a prude; I was just jealous as shit. No one had ever looked at me with the complete adoration Kerr was using on Cassie just now. Not even the guy who’d knocked me up. Which was okay with me. He’d been a fun fling but too high most of the time to count on. It was safer just to count on myself.
“Don’t take too long,” Kerr said huskily.
Cassie cleared her throat, drawing my attention as Kerr walked away.
“Displays of affection are definitely their thing,” she said. “Public or private. Doesn’t seem to matter to them.”
“It’s okay. It didn’t bother me.”
She started out in the same direction Kerr had gone. We moved at a much slower pace, though.
“So, officially welcome to Tolerance.” She gestured to all the houses. “It’s going to feel weird at first. Living in a house. Showering. Wearing actual pajamas to bed instead of ready-to-run layers. But you really can do all of that without any fear. The infected never try to come in here.”
An infected called out distantly, and she frowned a little.
“Before this morning, the infected didn’t even come close.”
“What changed?” I asked.
“I’m not sure. But it doesn’t change the fact that they won’t get in.” She pointed up toward the walls, and I spotted the fey walking along the tops of the cars. Movement near the base caught my eye. A fey watched us and waved when he saw I’d spotted him. I averted my gaze and saw another fey.
“They’re all over the place,” I said softly.
“Does that bother you?”
“Hell no. I’m sleeping in my damn underwear tonight.”
She chuckled, getting what I meant. With all these fey, I knew I’d be safe from the infected.
“What about the hellhounds?” I asked.
“Watch,” she said. Almost as if on cue, twin beams of light shot up into the sky from one of the cars.
“Wow.”
“Yep. The lights stay on all night. Keeps the hounds out. Any that get close, the fey go after. Either way, there’s no hounds getting in here.”
“The batteries don’t die?”
“No. The fey and Mya’s dad hooked them up to a solar charged battery bank. All the houses here have been converted to solar, too.”
“I get why you think Whiteman needs to go to something like this. It’s perfect.”
“It has its quirks like any other place. But it’s safe. That’s what counts.”
She stopped in front of a house and flipped the flag on the mailbox down.
“This place is yours,” she said. “There are supplies in the storage shed for the ba—”
I grabbed her arm and looked at her with wide eyes, unable to believe what she’d been about to blurt. A fey crossed the street a few yards away, nodded at us, and cut between the yards.
“Please. Don’t talk about it,” I begged quietly. “I don’t want anyone to know.”
“It’s going to be hard to keep it a secret for very long,” she said. Her gaze held pity and understanding.
“I know. But I’d like your promise you won’t say anything until I’m ready.”
“I’ll stay quiet unless my silence jeopardizes your health. And you should know, once one fey knows something, they’ll all know it. They information-share like crazy.”
“Good to know.” I released my hold on her, relieved she wouldn’t say anything.
“I live four houses down.” She said the house number. “If you need anything, just let me know.”
I nodded and stood on the street, staring at the house as she walked away. I couldn’t believe I got a whole house. Relief and excitement bubbled through me.
“There’s nowhere to go but up,” I said softly, resisting the urge to pat my belly.
CHAPTER TWO
MY STOMACH GURGLED NOISILY, the sound echoing in the shower over the sound of the water.
“I know, I know.” I patted my belly with one hand as I turned in the spray to rinse my hair.
The fact that I hadn’t found a speck of food in the house last night had depressed me a little. But, I understood that food was growing scarcer with the infected making supply runs more difficult. Instead of focusing on what I couldn’t have, I chose to focus on what I could. Last night, I’d slept in my underwear under a thick quilt while the furnace blew warm air throughout the house. This morning, I was leisurely showering for the first time in weeks without the fear of discovery.
I turned in the water again, loving the heat and the scent of soap. I’d even found a razor to shave my pits and legs.
“Heaven,” I said to myself. “This right here is a piece of it.”
With a wistful sigh, I turned off the water and dried off. My clothes waited on the counter. I dressed and then basked in the feel of soft, clean clothes, thanks to the washer, dryer, and privacy I now had access to.
“This is the life, little biscuit. All we need is some food to make it perfect.”
My wet hair hung down my back after I brushed it out. The crazy length is why I normally kept it braided. Plus, the braid helped to keep my hair cleaner, which meant less showering and possible risk of exposure. Now, none of that really mattered.
Smiling, I went downstairs and looked around the kitchen. After I’d thoroughly searched it last night and had come up with nothing, I’d been too tired to search anywhere else. My gaze drifted to the basement door, and I exhaled heavily.
I hated basements. They were creepy before the infected and hellhounds started hiding in the dark. Now, they had the potential to be terrifyingly deadly.
“But people like putting homemade stuff in their basements. And, we like pickles now, don’t we, ninja?”
I shuffled closer, really not wanting to do what I knew I needed to do. Story of my life. And, just like every other time I was faced with a difficult situation, I got inventive. Humming a few notes for Twinkle, Twinkle, I start singing new lyrics to the old melody as I approached the door.
“Step by step I’ll walk downstairs, acting like I have no cares. In the dark so cold and still, an infected waits for the kill. Bite by bite I’d terribly die, and no one here will even cry.”
I reached for the doorknob. Just before my hand closed over it, someone knocked. I jumped, my mouth opening for a scream when I realized the knock came from behind me, not in front.
Releasing a shaky exhale, I quickly put on the two shirts I had waiting on the kitchen chair. Feeling confident that I looked fat and not pregnant, I opened the door.
A young woman stood on the stoop. Warmly dressed, with her light brown hair tucked into the hood of her winter jacket, she smiled at me. She looked close to my age, which didn’t surprise me. The young and fit survived well.
She lifted a plate with a large slice of cake on it.
“Hi, my name’s Emily. Welcome to the neighborhood.”
“Thanks. I’m Angel. Would you like to come in?”
I stepped back and motioned her in, my eyes never leaving the cake.
She laughed and stepped inside.
“I figured cake would help win you over.”
That got my attention.
“Is there a reason I need to be won over?” I asked as I accepted the plate.
“Word is that you just want to be left alone. According to Cassie, anyway.”
“Ah. I do, but I’ll always welcome cake.” I pinched off a piece and ate it. My stomach immediately demanded more, and I tried to look unhurried as I turned to search for a fork.
“I was hoping you’d be willing to come over to my place for a very small party. I love living here. It’s safe. But it’s also boring as hell.”
Whiteman had been boring, too, until the infected found the next, new way in. Boring was safe. Excitement never meant something good. But I didn’t say that. Instead, I plucked a fork out of the drawer and took a bigger bite. The cake was okay. I wasn’t really a dessert person, but any food was much appreciated these days. And parties usually meant more food.
“All right,” I said. “What time should I be there?”
She beamed at me.
“How about just after noon?”
“Works for me.” I took another bite of cake and chewed happily as she told me her house number then waved and let herself out.
As soon as I licked the plate clean, I went to the living room where I’d found a stack of PG movies. I picked a cartoon and turned on the TV, willing to forgo any basement exploration now that my belly was happier.
The clock slowly ticked away the minutes. The moment it said it was noon, I finished getting ready and walked out the door. The brisk air chilled my cheeks as I looked at the numbers of the homes around me. It was easy to spot which direction to go. And easier still to identify Emily’s house, even without seeing the house number. The front door stood partially open, and the soft thump of music echoed from within.
I walked up the front step and saw Emily, another girl, and three fey already inside. The fey were the standard long-haired, well-muscled hotties variety that made me wish I was available for a night between the sheets. The girl I hadn’t yet met had a head of dirty-blonde curls and laughter that held the attention of every fey in the room.
Emily spotted me before I reached the door.
“Angel. Right on time.”
I stepped inside and reluctantly parted with my coat when she asked to take it. While she closed the door and hung my jacket, I looked at the table set up in the living room.
A stack of wine boxes sat on the surface, along with six crystal glasses. My gaze swept the rest of the open concept living room and kitchen. There wasn’t a speck of food in sight.
“Angel, this is Hannah,” Emily said, motioning to the girl with the curls. “And these guys are Shax, Tor, and Gyrik.”
“Hi,” I said with a polite smile.
Gyrik, the closest fey to me, moved even closer.
“Hello, Angel. Can I see you naked?”
Hannah and Emily smothered their laughter as Gyrik looked at me with a hopeful expression. He really was adorable with his earnestness. I hadn’t met one of these grey devils that I hadn’t liked yet.
“Sorry, big guy, but my naked days are on hold until the apocalypse is over.”
He grunted and considered me for a moment.
“That may take a long time.”
“A few years at least,” I agreed.
He grunted, his expression hinting at his disappointment, and I felt bad for him. I wasn’t a body-shy kind of person. If not for my belly, I would have totally taken him to a bedroom and let him look his fill. I’d heard that’s all they wanted—just a glimpse of the female form—because they didn’t have any female versions of their kind.
“I’m sure you’ll find someone willing to take a walk on the wild side with you. Hang in there.” I patted his arm and focused on the girls.
“So, what do you have to eat?” I asked with false cheer.
“Oh.” Emily’s face fell a little. “We didn’t make anything. But…we have wine.” She said the last bit like it was the most exciting thing in the world. A fucking bag of chips would have been the most exciting thing right then.
“I don’t drink alcohol. It’s against my religion,” I lied with ease. “Is there any cake left?”
“I gave the rest to Mya to distract her. She’s a party pooper.”
“That does not mean she poops at parties,” Gyrik said to me. “It means she does not like them.”
“Ah. Thanks for the clarification. Do you have anything else to drink besides wine?” I asked Emily.
“Sorry. Just water.”
Double strike.
“I’ll have a glass of water, then.” I smiled politely while inwardly cursing them.
While Hannah poured everyone else wine, Emily got my water.
“Do you play cards?” Hannah asked me.
“A bit. Mostly kids’ games like go-fish.”
“Perfect. Let’s play that.”
Since there wasn’t any food, I wanted to leave. Yet, I sat at the table and agreed to play cards so they wouldn’t know that I’d only come for the food. I couldn’t afford to raise any suspicions about how truly self-motivated I was.
“What’s everyone going to bet?” Hannah asked, dealing cards.
“I’ll bet a kiss,” Emily said. “No tongue.”
“I’ll bet a home-cooked meal,” Hannah said.
“You should bet a kiss, too,” Shax said to Hannah, looking serious.
“Nah. I’m not in the mood to kiss anyone.”
“Not even me?” he asked.
“Anyone means everyone,” she said. It wasn’t unkind, yet I couldn’t help feeling bad for the guy. He clearly had a thing for her.
“What about a hug?” he asked.
“No, Shax. Dinner. That’s it.”
He exhaled, clearly annoyed, and picked up hi
s cards.
“I will bet a bag of sour cream and onion chips.”
I’d been trying to figure out a way to back out, but his bet changed everything. Mama wanted chips.
“I will bet a hairbrush,” Tor said.
“I will bet a candy bar,” Gyrik said.
All eyes landed on me.
“I just got here and don’t own a thing.”
“Just bet walking you home. The guys’ll be happy,” Emily said.
“And if you two win?”
“Then we’ll walk you home,” Hannah said before downing half her glass of wine like it was lemonade on a hot day.
The fey played with a shrewd deliberation that would have better fit a high stakes poker game than a game of Go Fish. The intelligent way they studied us when they asked for a card told me just how seriously they took this game. The girls were more relaxed. While they waited for their turn, they asked questions about life outside of Tolerance, Whiteman, and anything that the fey found interesting during their supply runs.
It surprised me to hear that Matt and a few fey had left Whiteman to scout possible new locations similar to Tolerance. It also made me twice as grateful that I had left the survivor camp when I had.
We played the first game for almost an hour before naming Shax the winner. The need to pee had me quickly getting up from the table and asking for the bathroom. Hannah walked with me down the hall.
“It sucks he won again,” Hannah said before we reached the bathroom.
“Again?”
“The fey always win. Shax more than the rest. That’s why I don’t bet kisses anymore.”
“Ah.” I really didn’t care about her reasons but felt it would have been rude not to say something before closing the door on her.
When I finished, she wasn’t in the hallway, and I made my way back to the living room. Everyone was sitting at the table while Hannah dealt out another hand.
“This was a nice break from the monotony of fearing for my life, but I think I should head back to my house. I see a nap in my future because one good night’s sleep didn’t make up for all the crappy ones before it.”