Conceived in Blood, A Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian Novel

by Linda Andrews

  Harlan straightened. Shit. How the hell could he have forgotten Sera?

  He moved toward the crowd. He needed to reach her.

  Belle grabbed his arm and held him in place. "Stand your ground. If you leave now, the 'Viders will see it as a weakness."

  He plucked at his sister's fingers. "We left Sera behind."

  God only knew what these animals would do to her, especially if they found out she was free of her ties. As for Sera, she'd probably go haring off, thinking to rescue him.

  Two other 'Viders joined Brolyn near the corpse.

  Harlan recognized the older man and the other woman as Jurors. "What do they do to runaways?"

  Belle's eyes widened and she paled. "She wouldn't."

  His chest tightened. His sister hadn't reacted to the men staked out but she did now. Damn, it must be bad. Real bad. "Yeah, she would."

  He'd beat to death any 'Vider that touched Sera, then he'd kill her himself. He'd told her to live, not do something stupid.

  Belle cleared her throat. "You're worrying over nothing. She would be guarded by 'Viders. There's no way she could escape."

  He rolled his shoulders, easing some of the tension. "Are you sure?"

  "Yes. Absolutely."

  He hated absolutes, they tended to end badly, especially for him. "Will they...hurt her?"

  Rising on her toes, Belle tried to see. "Not without your permission. When you were declared a 'Vider, she became your property, your tribute. They have a Code that will keep them away. Most of them anyway."

  Harlan followed her line of sight to Titan. Obviously, not everyone honored this savage code, or they wouldn't need him to kill one of their own.

  Stepping back, 'Vider Brolyn faced the crowd, who immediately fell silent. "Even from a distance twice that of Titan's claims, the arrow has pierced the raider's throat and sunk deep into the pole."

  Sera had been right. Not that Harlan had doubted her. Of course, she probably hadn't realized they would use a prisoner as a target for the experience. He was glad she wasn't here to see it.

  The old 'Vider separated the corpse's head from his body with a single whack then shaved off the dead man's hair. When he released the head, it swung from where it was pinned to the wood.

  Three females skulked forward and cut the body off the pole. They dragged it to a picnic table near the pen holding the prisoners, rolled up their sleeves and began butchering it.

  Harlan's stomach knotted. That wasn't just cold, it was subzero. "Dinner?"

  Belle turned away from the sight. "No, the meat will still be turned into jerky, so as not to waste it. There were so many killed when the 'Viders took the village, that there'll be communal meals for the next several days. Spoilage is against the 'Vider Code."

  He'd rather starve. "Have you——?"

  She punched his shoulder. "No. How can you even ask? North tried to force me, but I threw up almost right after."

  "North?" He faced his sister. That's the second time the name had been mentioned.

  "My...husband." Belle plucked at her skirt. "Titan is his cousin but the kids call him uncle."

  Harlan swallowed hard. God. He swiped a hand down his face. And he thought Sera naive. He'd known his sister had kids but he hadn't thought... "He didn't share you, did he?"

  "North doesn't share." She rolled her eyes then made a face. "If fact, you'll have to move out once he comes back."

  They weren't going to be here when this North guy came back. Unless... The man fathered the two dead boys and probably the three children he'd seen from the sky in Abaddon. "You don't love him, do you?"

  Tracing lines in the dirt with her toe, Belle shrugged. "He's all I know."

  What the hell did that mean? That she wanted to move this...this murderer with them to someplace other than this hell?

  "'Vider Titan." Brolyn's voice cracked like a wipe through the sunshine. "You are guilty of killing two 'Viders without the benefit of the juror's blessing. Take your place in the ring of mortal combat."

  Hands pushed Titan into the clearing. More hands stripped off his weapons, then his clothes. The man whined as everything was moved out of range. “I had permission. Head Provider Marshall gave it to me along with the arrows.”

  What a little man. Small wonder he was a bully, the man had a lot to compensate for.

  Brolyn smiled. “The Jury accepts your confession and hearby removes Marshall Zuni from office.”

  God, even cannibals had politics. Harlan pulled his shirt over his head and shoved it at his sister. Next, he tugged at the straps holding his throwing daggers.

  Mirabelle pushed the shirt back to him. "You don't have to fight naked. He's been stripped of his 'Vider citizenship. Even if he wins, he'll be chased out of town with nothing but his skin. He won't win, will he?"

  "No, but Brolyn said there could only be one weapon between us. I don't want to be accused of cheating." He had a feeling the punishment would be brutal. Dipping down, he freed his knife from his boots. He patted himself to check for the odd throwing star, found none.

  Brolyn pushed the group back until the crowd formed a ten foot circle around them. "Who will avenge the death of Stiletto and Hammer?"

  That was his cue. Harlan stepped forward. "I, brother of the 'Vider Mirabelle and Uncle to the slain, claim that right."

  He flushed at the cheesy line and hoped to God those weren't his last words.

  With a slight smile playing across her lips, Brolyn stared at his chest. "Is there anyone here who denies his claim?"

  Harlan squared his shoulders and glared at the crowd. What was this? No one said anything about opening the floor for debate. Christ, what if this was just a giant game before they beat him to death?

  The crowd remained silent.

  Thank God. He could probably take on two or three of them, but not all of the 'Viders. At least, not at once.

  Brolyn nodded. "'Vider Harlan, your right to combat has been accepted. Who among you supports his right for vengeance?"

  Around him, men and women pounded on their armor.

  Nice to know they cared, but really, Harlan wished they'd just get on with the fight.

  Brolyn smiled and stepped back. "Talk is cheap, show our 'Vider brother and sister your support for their just cause."

  A handful of men pushed to the front of the crowd. Molded plastic shoulder pads were dumped over Harlan’s head then secured in place. Carved wood and straps wrapped his arms, shins and thighs. A cracked helmet was slammed on his head.

  Damn, they really hated Titan. Harlan was tugged to the edge of the circle and held there.

  Across from him, Titan was beaten to his knees.

  Brolyn tossed a dagger into the center then backed to the sides. "Let the fight begin."

  Shoved from behind, Harlan stumbled forward.

  The crowd cheered and banged on their armor.

  Shutting them out, Harlan ignored the knife. Killing with his bare hands should send the message he wasn't to be messed with. Stopping a couple feet away, he waited.

  Once freed, Titan lunged for the blade.

  Harlan kicked him in the temple. "That's for North."

  Wherever the asshole was.

  Titan's head snapped back and he rolled to the side without the knife. Shaking his head, he staggered to his feet then again went for the blade.

  Harlan let him pick it up, waited for the charge.

  Titan smiled and complied.

  Hot damn, the man was stupid. Harlan struck the blade from his grip, then twisted and snapped his arm. "For Stiletto."

  Titan howled, bone poking through his skin. Holding the injured arm close, he picked up the knife in his good hand and charged.

  When his opponent was close enough, Harlan mule-kicked him in the knee. The leg cracked like dry twigs and bent the wrong way. "For Hammer."

  Titan slammed into him.

  Harlan went down. Heat raced across his belly and his hand came up red. The bastard had cut him. Harlan shoved him off and rolle
d on top.

  The blade flashed in his peripheral vision.

  After several quick chops to Titan's wrist, the knife went sailing. Harlan played rock, strangle, pummel inside his head.

  Fear widened the asshole's eyes.

  A shadow drifted across the arena.

  Brolyn towered over Harlan, holding his crossbow. "For Mirabelle."

  Was this a trick? The rules stated only knives could be used.

  She smiled. "Since Titan is no longer a 'Vider, the code doesn't apply."

  Harlan took the crossbow. Would it even work at this range?

  "No! Don't." Titan squirmed, shoved the tip of the arrow away. "I'll leave."

  "Leave." Harlan rolled off the man. Hardly seemed fitting to kill the sniveling little worm when he was already down. He lifted his shirt, inspected the bloody slit along his belly. No doubt about it, he'd been got good. Guess that was the price of cocky.

  The 'Viders booed.

  Served them right if he deprived them of their blood. Of course, given his enemy...

  Titan staggered to his feet, hopped around Harlan's feet. In one motion, Titan picked up the knife and turned. "Fool."

  Harlan pulled the crossbow's trigger. The arrow flew through Titan's chest and exploded out his back. Harlan rolled away as the body fell. Dusting himself off, he rose to his feet. "Sorry, I don't think I got the trajectory right on that one."

  Something collided with his back. Arms wrapped around his waist. "Dammit Harry, don't do that again."

  He hissed as Belle’s fingers touched his wound. "Just didn't want you thinking I had anything to do with your sons' deaths."

  Brolyn strode forward and kicked Titan over. He stared unseeing at the sky. "Display this vermin for our enemies to see."

  Two men shuttled forward and carried the body away.

  A big man stepped into the clearing. "I challenge the raider in a fight to the death."

  Three others joined him.

  Then four.

  Christ. Harlan raked his fingers through his hair. They were planning to kill him after all.

  Chapter 40

  Belle stepped in front of Harlan and faced the crowd. They couldn't challenge him to another fight, not now. He was hurt and she wouldn't lose him; she'd just found him. "'Vider Brolyn."

  The woman raised her hand and silence immediately descended. "'Vider Harlan's kills were all in Juror approved combat."

  Mumbling drifted through the mob. 'Viders pulled knifes from boots, machetes from belts and swords from scabbards.

  "He just wasn't on our side. Now that the raider knows his true place as a 'Vider, he will fight with, teach us this weapon." Brolyn raised his crossbow in the air. "And with it in our hands, the streets of Abaddon will run red with our enemies blood."

  Belle winced at the cheers. Would it ever stop? Even with the pens overflowing, the 'Viders wanted more. How many people needed to die to satisfy their hunger?

  Harlan couldn't save her; she'd saved him by bearing children. And now the big village of Abaddon would be taken down. There was no safe haven. No one big enough, strong enough, ruthless enough to put down the 'Viders.

  Was it better to live with the winners than die with the innocent?

  She had her daughters, her son and Harlan.

  Maybe that was enough.

  Brolyn lowered the crossbow. "Let us eat, celebrate the victory to come, and the arrival of our newest brother the Great Spanner had sent to us."

  Pounding armor like war drums, the 'Viders melted away to have their tributes serve them.

  Brolyn smiled. "Sit with the Jurors. I shall have your tribute brought to you, 'Vider Harlan."

  Her brother pressed his hand to his stomach. "Let me get this attended to. I wouldn't want to eat and just have the food leak out my belly."

  Laughing, Brolyn smacked him on the back. "That would be a sad waste of meat."

  Belle bit the inside of her lip. Good Lord, when had her brother become such a flirt? "I'll have Nattie patch him up, then I'll return with the children."

  Brolyn shoved a wad of hair at Harlan. "Have your tribute start weaving you a proper shirt. 'Viders should not wear the cloth from unclean animals."

  Harlan hot-potatoed the ball of fuzz. "Er, thanks."

  Belle took it from him and shoved it in her skirt pockets. "Come on, show-off."

  Wrapping his arm around her shoulder, he limped away from the square. "Show-off. Me?"

  "Yes, you." They walked past the last of the tables, when the tributes began serving the meal. The greasy scent of human stew turned her stomach. "Why didn't you just pick up the knife and stab Titan with it?"

  "Because if I had the knife, he would have done anything to get it, making him unpredictable." Blood oozed between Harlan's fingers. "With the knife in his hand, I could anticipate his moves and use his cockiness against him."

  The night grew quiet as they neared the side street where her house was located. "Looks like he used your cockiness against you."

  He glanced over his shoulder as they turned the corner. "They sure get quiet when they eat. Is that a 'Vider rule? No talking with your mouth full?"

  They walked between empty houses and plowed fields fuzzy with new growth. Overhead, a pale ball glowed through the lead-colored clouds. The air thickened with the promise of rain and wind picked papers off the dirt road, swirling it around.

  "She's alright, don't you think? Sera, I mean."

  The grass deadened their footfalls. And the chickens scurried toward their coop.

  "If you really care for her, you'll stop flirting with Brolyn." Belle climbed the steps, two-footed as her toddler did. "Two 'Viders mating is like marriage, no one or tribute can come between them. Sera will be killed."

  "I don't care about Sera. At least, not that way." He paused at the top of the steps and clutched the post with one hand. Beads of sweat streamed down his temples as he panted for breath. "I'm just responsible for her."

  "Then keep your..." Belle's motion included everything from his head to his groin. "between yourself and her."

  Harlan blushed.

  Belle turned away so he couldn't see her smile. She'd made the big bad raider blush. "How long have you two been together, anyway?"

  "Couple days. But it's not like you think."

  The screen door opened as she reached for it.

  Five-year old Cat clutched a bloody rock in her hand. "Momma. Momma, Ginnie won't play 'Viders and Tributes no more."

  Belle's heart sank to her knees. No, not 'Viders and Tributes! She set her daughter to the side and stepped inside. The sweet child she'd rescued lay on the floor, blood wept from the gash on her forehead. Belle set her hand on Ginnie's chest, nearly collapsed when it rose and fell.

  "Where's Nattie?"

  Her friend was supposed to be watching the girls. Why hadn't she prevented them from playing that game?

  Cat scrunched up her freckled nose. "Dunno."

  "Nattie. Nattie!" Silence rung in Belle's ears. She shook the trembling from her arms. Drat the woman for losing her mind when she needed her. Fear hit her back molars. "What about Ester? Have you seen her?"

  Cat tilted her head to the side and stared at the ceiling. "Gone with the lady. Nattie showed 'em the mountain."

  "Belle?" Harlan spoke behind her.

  "Get me some water and a rag." She could clean and bandage the wound, but Nattie was the expert, knew which herbs to mix together to help the healing.

  "Momma?" Cat's bottom lip quivered. "I sorry. I——"

  This poor child harmed and for what... A tidal wave of anger crashed over her. "I told you not to play 'Viders and Tributes. I told you..."

  Her daughter backed away, tears spilling down her cheeks. "I sorry."

  As quickly as the rage came, it left, leaving Belle empty inside. She'd become a monster. Yelling at her daughter. Thinking the 'Vider way was better than death.

  Handing his sister the rag, Harlan dropped to his knees next to Cat. "Hey sweetie, why don't you s
how me your dolly, while Mommy cleans your friend up?"

  Cat's green eyes narrowed, and her hand curled around the rock until it trembled. "You're not my sire."

  Belle shook herself out of her stupor. She had to get ahold of herself, plan. "This is mommy's brother 'Vider Harlan."

  Cat shook her head. "You have hair."

  Harlan smiled. "I'll shave it off, but see..." he lifted the shoulders pads off. "I have the tattoos."

  Cat touched the black leaves crawling over his chest and up his neck. "You a good 'Vider?"

  There was no such thing. Belle knew that now. She had to make a choice, even if it killed her. "Go get your dolly to show Uncle Harry." She squeezed the rag. Water spilled over her fingers. With gentle swipes, she cleaned the girl's wound.

  Harlan leaned against the wall. "Figured your daughters would have a doll. You used to play with rocks and sticks until Ma and Pa bought you that ugly thing with the yarn hair. What did you call it?"

  "My doll was not ugly." Belle finished cleaning and set a scrap of cloth over the wound. She'd have to look at her brother's injury soon. Why hadn't Nattie taught her more than clean, dry and dress a wound? And just where was the woman?

  The hair on the back of Belle's neck prickled. "It's quiet."

  Wincing Harlan pushed away from the wall. "I'll check on them. You were always the most devious when you were quiet."

  "No." Tying off the bandage, she rose to her feet. "That's not what I mean. I mean it's quiet. Too quiet."

  Harlan pulled aside the curtain and peered outside. "We should hear the 'Viders."

  "They're not exactly a quiet lot." Her knees trembled. This had to be bad.

  The back door slammed.

  Nearly wetting herself, Belle spun around.

  Nattie charged through the door, an axe in one hand, a machete in the other. "The 'Viders are dead and the prisoners are on the loose. They're killing all of us, 'Vider and tribute makes no difference."

  Belle blinked. The woman must have gone insane. But the quiet... "What?"

  Setting her weapons on the mantle, Nattie tossed a bundle at Harry, then stripped off her top shirt and used it to tie up her hair. "Figure out which of those TSG-27s is yours and prepare to use it."