Bone Dust & Beginnings (Alexa's Travels Book 1)

by Angela White

  All the fighters stared with stunned joy.

  Safe Haven - All survivors welcome

  NE- WY -Channels 7 & 17

  And along the bottom:

  God Bless the United States and those we leave behind!

  4

  "Have a constant loyalty to New America, and you'll fit with us. Slack off, forget your place, endanger her intentionally or accidentally, and I'll remove you."

  Not quite sure - neither man was willing to challenge that - Daniel's next words eased some of their tension.

  "There will not be jealousy or attempts to control any part of her. She is not yours or ours. We are hers and we share everything."

  Wondering, but not daring to ask if that included intimacy, both rookies continued to listen and do what he did.

  "If you have questions, ask them carefully, respectfully. You can come to me or any of the others. We've all gone through the same training you're starting today," Daniel said this with little emotion, seeing them try hard to copy his steps.

  "The quest matters to you for your own reasons, as it does to each of us, but don’t ever let your needs or desires come before hers. The rest of us will run you out before she has to."

  The biker looked at them with hard eyes, "Do you understand these rules?"

  They both nodded, very aware it now felt like a fool's quest without the woman here.

  "Good," Daniel flipped a hand at the ugly preacher. "You're on my right, blacksmith on my left. No matter what else is going on, unless she says different, do what I do."

  5

  Two bottles crashed to the bunker floor in rapid succession, followed by a small torch. Firelight began to glare balefully up at them from the bunker hole.

  Alexa waved a hand. "Cover it. The wind down there says it'll have enough fuel. No need to advertise where it started."

  That sent her thoughts back to the other Nazis waiting in town. Would those come looking for these? After a moment of consideration, she turned away. It didn't matter. The best had come with their leader, and those hadn't been very good. The flunkies left would likely run, but somewhere, there was a bigger man, and it bothered Alexa to leave him unpunished. It was unlikely that Adrian would have.

  These had said they were meeting their buyer, Roscoe, in Lincoln. Perhaps she and her men would get lucky enough to pass through Nebraska soon. To want deadly gases and chemicals, meant there was someone already in mind to use them on, and her American heart burned with fury. Hadn't all the hell of the War been enough to make men see?

  Slightly off tune to her mood swing, the three men followed her through the darkness toward camp, wondering if she would give a reward. Granted, it had been only a small battle, but they had done well…

  When they stepped into the firelight of camp, the three males shared smiles of resignation as hopes of being the ones rewarded vanished. What they'd done was nothing to what Daniel had accomplished in their short absence. If there was attention given tonight, the biker would be the lucky man to receive it.

  Jacob and David were now dressed identical to the rest, their tools and gear being carried exactly like they should be, and it was easy to see the rookies approved of the new setup from the way they were working. Their hands didn't fumble, but drew needed items without looking as they quickly built side by side, smokeless fire pits in front of a one man canvas that appeared to have been set up, broken down, and repeated multiple times. Near these, was a larger fire with a medium-sized pot charring in the softly flickering flames. Fresh stacks of wood sat nearby, as did seven freshly filled canteens.

  Alexa moved toward them with a lighter heart, her mood suddenly improving. They'd found the first message on the day they'd become seven strong. Fate had led her here. If it also took them away from Nebraska, so be it.

  Daniel hand-signaled an instruction to the new men, then watched Alexa’s face as they hurriedly began serving the meal to the others now sitting in a loose circle nearby. She’d saved him, given him a new reason for living. Did she know how grateful he was?

  The rookies were as careful as their teacher had cautioned them to be, also eager to show the woman they were serious, and the meal passed slowly, enjoyably. While they ate, the others filled Daniel in on the bunker and the clue they’d found. The talk quickly went to planning.

  "We'll hit Cheyenne and try to stock up, unless anyone knows of a better place?"

  There was silence, each of them enjoying the beans and biscuits Jacob had made, and Alexa waited patiently, looking over her men.

  With a quick smile and a thick goatee, Billy was the quiet rebel of her group. He still favored colorful t-shirts under his fighting clothes - the kind with slogans best kept covered around strangers - and if there was a joke to be told, he was the first.

  Next to the Driver, Mark preferred a clean-shaven scalp and spent time achieving it daily. The sexy muscles of his head and arms glistened in the firelight. Each of her men had their own addition to the uniform she’d given them. For Billy, it was the t-shirts beneath his clothes. For Mark, it was the cut-off sleeves of the black shirt that had allowed his skin to acquire a deep, beautiful bronze glow.

  At his side was the preacher. Jacob’s concession to the uniform was the cross he still wore next to his heart. He was a contradiction, her religious killer.

  After Jacob’s scarred face, Daniel was ugliest among them with all his battle-marks. He’d lived for the thrills before the War, and his body had paid the price in stitches, seared gashes, slashes, and gouges that littered his hands, arms, and legs. Only his face was unblemished, showing a handsome profile that had been protected out of vanity.

  David, her future Magic-user, was taller than the rest of her men, both in size and nature, and carried an aloofness that matched her own. Little was known about him other than his skills with metals, with a gun, and his ever-constant loyalty to their quest… to her.

  Back to her side now, was Edward. Easily the most dangerous, the horseman was cool and calm when it was needed. Dependable and ever-loyal, he was also vain and a bit spoiled by his place as her first. He didn’t hold it over the heads of his teammates - he knew neither she nor they would allow that, but he flaunted it around strangers with no remorse.

  Still, there was little she could ask of him that he couldn’t achieve. When she’d wondered if he were the perfect student, nothing had been truer. He soaked up her lessons and repeated them in exact detail. For all his small faults, there was no one better suited to her right.

  Around them, the night moved, but no more so than usual. Shadows gathered, fought, retreated with information. It was happening everywhere, and as long as they weren’t attacked, Alexa permitted it. Mother Nature wanted all men gone, but that couldn’t be allowed to happen. Part of repairing the world included letting Nature see how much respect they had, that Adrian would retrain mankind to honor the planet. If that didn’t work, Alexa planned to do what she always had - fight.

  "If we could cross the Little River, there's a rail yard within a few hours of Laramie," Billy finally offered.

  "That's right. That area was so flooded, it's probably untouched." Mark slapped Billy on the shoulder, not caring that it was rumored to be a hunting ground for some type of mythical creature. "Great idea."

  "And the river?" Alexa questioned, taking things from her kit. No one knew the area as well as Billy.

  "The same way we handled the snakes, if we can find the right setup. Skiffs, if not," Edward answered, a hint of fondness in his usually expressionless tone. He still cherished the memories of their first month alone together.

  Alexa grunted tolerantly. "Supplies will be replenished shortly, and our first sign has been found."

  She looked around at them as her scarred fingers neatly twisted the small papers. "Our true quest for Safe Haven begins. Cry off now if there are doubts."

  There was silence, and Alexa snorted, "I would have been surprised."

  She lit the rolled smoke, inhaling deeply, and passed it to Danie
l first with a nod of approval at the two silently watching rookies.

  "We'll do much together, see much, and our hearts will beat with life."

  She lit a second smoke, took another deep draw. Her eyes went to the darkness that was creeping closer to smother their light. Her tone became grave.

  "We will also face unimaginable danger. Our enemy has begun to gather soldiers as well, and soon, we will be the target of nearly everything that breathes. Many ugly battles wait for us."

  Her gaze went to the new men, already considering Jacob to be her last. The blacksmith had been hers before the first shot was fired.

  "Nature is furious with all mankind. She wants us gone from her shores and forests, our bones rotting under her contaminated waters. Her loathing is so strong that she goes against the limits of her power. Do not trust anything living from this moment on. We have each other for that."

  Alexa stood, eyes telling Daniel that what he'd been seeking had been earned. "Billy will take over the students. Mark and Edward on guard."

  She moved toward the shadows, and Daniel followed, heart thumping.

  6

  Alexa’s cloak covered them almost completely, caught on the tree Daniel was against. Only the barest of their shadows could be seen by the two men on watch, but there was no mistaking the sounds.

  "As you would."

  Daniel’s hands slid behind her jaw, gently drawing her closer, and he groaned as their lips met. He made the sound again when she slid his hand to the snap of her pants.

  The men on duty moved their perimeter back a bit to give privacy, but knew it wouldn't matter. Their leader expected complete control over themselves at all times, but when she took them, she wanted all of them. Noise was the last thing on a man's mind.

  "Ooh…" Alexa slid over him with a groan, pressing close, and his hips bucked in response.

  "Uhh!" Daniel growled in stunned pleasure as she took him, lost in her embrace. "Ohh... never felt... mmm!"

  The two guards shared a look of tolerant amusement and moved back a bit more as vivid blue light streamed from the forest around the couple. In the distance, another fire glowed as brightly, the burning bunker providing their cover.

  The rookies were on guard with Billy, the others in their bedrolls, as Alexa and Daniel returned to camp. Hardened male hearts clenched with emotion as she gently pressed a soft kiss to the biker’s pale cheek.

  "My thanks."

  Daniel flushed with pleasure, voice full of devotion, "My honor!"

  7

  "It doesn't exist."

  "I tell you it does!" Rick snapped harshly, still feeling the sting from the woman's scornful blue eyes. She'd known him for what he was on first glance, and for her to see it so fast, was more proof. Chase a myth? Not the likes of her.

  "Safe Haven exists," the outcast repeated, watching the flames leap from the bunker hole. "Which means the supplies they left at each campsite exist."

  Aware that the other three were looking at him stupidly, Rick jerked a thumb at the bunker. "Why else would they have burned it?"

  "To cover the murders.”

  The scavenger snorted at the old world answer. "Why? You see a police car around here that we should be hidin' from?"

  The others snickered and the treacherous man now leading them ignored the instinct telling him that he couldn't beat the blonde alone or with these idiots. It was a feeling Rick knew well.

  “Be nice to find the supplies they left.”

  Rick sneered, but didn’t bother to tell them that part of the myth was crap. He’d traveled with Safe Haven long enough to know the refugee camp hadn’t had any extra supplies to leave behind for survivors. It was one of those ‘extras’ that always got tacked onto a legend or a rumor. If not for that lie Safe Haven might have already been forgotten.

  "I saw light to the east as we rode up. Clever. If not for being on horses, I wouldn't have noticed. We'll follow, hang back until they make the next find and take over from there."

  "And the woman?" the slowest of them asked.

  Rick leered. "After we...retrain her, we'll take her to Roscoe in payment for our failure here. That way, he'll only kill one of us."

  8

  Alexa's chuckle woke the men on either side of her. Unpleasant, it was a perfect start to the day.

  "There are new rats on our trail."

  She closed her eyes, enjoying the body warmth, their comfort, a bit longer, "We'll handle that along the way, I think."

  Daniel nodded to the guards, sent his eyes over the two quietly working students and then Edward on the other side of them. The sated biker raised a brow, received shakes of the head in response, and he too closed his eyes. Alexa was warm and vibrant between him and Mark, as calm as she ever was, and the two men wouldn't budge until she did. One curled around her, the other securely in her embrace, she was surrounded by their dreams instead of her own.

  "She'll never ask." Billy's words were low, explaining, "She used to wake us up with screams. This works better."

  The students understood what hadn't been said. It was an offer to be made in the darkness of the night and then accepted or refused, but never mentioned.

  The new men had risen slowly, eyes repeatedly going to the sleeping trio as they quickly set up a morning camp. Billy's instruction was almost silent, teaching them the basic hand gestures, and the porridge was bubbling nicely the next time the blonde opened her eyes.

  When Alexa stood to greet the day, their eyes lingered on her dawn-swept hair. Her braids were never unraveled. Instead of a filthy dreadlock effect, it seemed to protect the hair and her head, giving her a cushion that served her well in a fight.

  A simple rinse with her canteen water washed the dust from her long braids and even longer body, and the men all turned their backs to give her a moment of privacy. Unless she called to one of them, it was always this way. She’d more than earned such respect.

  The slight silvering of her hair was something her senior men had noticed, though. It had come over the last month, and each of their adventures sent more of the shiny threads through her blonde locks. It was worrisome, but none of them were sure how to ask about it. As she joined them at the fire, they still weren’t.

  Half an hour after eating, they were on the road again, Alexa leading them proudly. She now had her army. The hardest part of this quest had been finished. Upon starting, fresh from her escape, she'd doubted there were any fighters left to be found, let alone to have come upon ones so strong, so gifted, on their own. They were already a force to be reckoned with and she set her feet firmly. They would go around no more.

  Jendon

  Jendon they call him

  The Troll from the bog

  Banished to roam man's world

  In the storms and the fog

  His yellow eyes flicker

  Greed in their depths

  One he won't steal from

  There be few left

  Traveling merchant

  Gypsy cart and gray horse

  Powerful potions he makes

  Just don't ask the source

  Huge green fists

  Ready to strike

  He hides by the day

  And lurks through the night

  Peddling his wares

  Potions, spirits, charms

  Trading for bone dust

  While memories he farms

  Eat his food

  Drink his liqueur

  And in your life

  You've never been sicker

  Bewitched by magic

  Dreams unprotected

  Secrets revealed

  Weaknesses detected

  The sly salesman

  Clever merchant

  Nightmarish barker

  Kin of the serpent

  Steal you blind

  In more way than one

  Ruing your fate

  Before all's said and done

  Nothing, but trouble

  To no one willingly loyal

 
; Yet it if can be earned

  His value is double

  Beware of Jendon

  Of playing Fate's card

  To cross this one

  You'd better be hard

  -A.W.

  Seven

  1

  The seven fighters moved at a steady pace. In the distance, the landscape was deceptive. One crested hill of muddy brush would reveal miles of pristine land unharmed by the effects of man. An hour later, the trees would begin to turn black and the earth under their boots shifted dangerously to lead them toward whole towns nearly covered in a web of nature that shouldn’t be so thick this soon.

  The four senior men kept the form straight automatically, and the rookies tried to be exact as they filled out the ends of the line. Making little noise against the stillness, quiet words floated back to the new men, who listened intently.

  "Eight by ten, with a short wing."

  "And the rooms?"

  "Three."

  Edward and Mark worked on her wants while she and Billy watched. Daniel looked after the new men when it was needed.

  "Still hearing noise," the biker stated casually, and the faint crunch disappeared. That was Jacob. He had an old injury that made his right foot turn. Likely, it was painful to keep it straight, but Daniel knew the rookie would make sure it was on each step now. Corrections in front of Alexa were rarely given and would not have to be repeated. Pain was nothing to the frost in those chips of ice that she turned on a man, cut him in half with.

  "Carry bags..."

  "Already has them."

  Mark nodded. He should have known she'd be prepared for two instead of one. Their leader was the contingency analyst the old world needed. The government had planned to be back topside in a year, in control. Alexa would have been ready for five.