by Angela White
“Are you challenging me...coward?”
A cold chill invaded the semi–an ill wind that all of the watching women were scared of. They’d felt it before, and none of them were willing to step forward while crammed into this semi. Jennifer’s aim was too good.
“No,” Lilly reluctantly backed down, but only as much as she had to. “Only your right to make us trade our bodies for someone else’s kids. We don’t owe them anything.”
Fist raised, Jennifer lunged forward, ignoring the twinges from her gut. “Those kids are worth your life!”
Lilly cringed back and Jennifer followed; sure this would be going very differently if they were outside. The other women might be just as scared, but together, they were all angry.
“If you don’t take their place, you will be disobeying a direct order and I won’t tolerate that!”
Jennifer pulled the fire back in, hearing the male voices coming closer.
“And you’ll be the first one I fry in the fight,” she told Lilly ruthlessly. “I loathe you.”
Lilly clamped down on an equally hateful retort as the door was shoved up, but her glare didn’t fade.
“Come on out. They’re all dead,” the man at the door called.
The women moved for the door after Lilly, and Jennifer gathered the children that didn’t shy from her gentle touch. They knew they had nothing to fear from her.
“Come on out. They can’t hurt you anymore,” the man helping them down soothed.
Jennifer took her time getting to the door, trying to decide what to do. She watched them carefully help the kids down, talking to them in low, comforting tones. Behind them, Mexican bodies lay strewn about the camp. Would these be better owners than the others? Did it matter? They would still be slaves.
Until my baby comes, Jennifer reminded herself. Then I’ll take them away and we’ll start our own world where men aren’t allowed to be monsters.
You’ll need help with that, the voice inside stated eagerly. Start with the leader of these killers and work your way up, as you did here.
What if these men are just as bad?
You have to keep those kids alive. Do what you can to that end.
But they’ll want me.
Yes. How else did you expect to pay for freedom?
Jennifer guided the final child toward the man waiting at the tailgate, hating the decisions she was being forced to make. Lilly wasn’t the only one who was tired of serving.
With no other choice, Jennifer let herself reach out in more ways than just physically when it was her turn to get out of the truck. “I’m the only one left.”
Doing a quick visual check of the perimeter as the other semis were opened and emptied, Kyle extended a hand. “Good. Be careful, the step’s...”
Kyle’s words trailed off as he looked up, attention instantly snared by the girl standing there. All he could see was her dirty face and a pair of the most amazing golden eyes. He couldn’t judge her age by them, not without more light, but he was instantly curious.
His hand slowly lowered. Who is she?
Jennifer stared back in fascination, thinking he was pretty. She had only seen Mexican males for so long that this one was beautiful to her, just for an instant, because he didn’t look like one of them.
“I’m Kyle.” He peered closer, eager for her to step into the light.
“Jennifer. Jenny, I guess if you like that.”
This time, the sound of her voice hit Kyle like bricks going into water–thick and hard. He stared stupidly. Do I know her?
Jennifer was almost immune to that reaction–it was what she had intended this time–but she wasn’t prepared for the way her heart picked up or how her skin felt grimier than usual. Who is he?
Kyle was aware of Eagles and slaves watching them, but the strength radiating from those eyes was enough to hold him in place. She seemed so familiar!
“I need to talk to whoever is in charge,” Jennifer requested lowly. “I have a problem.”
Kyle’s chest automatically puffed out. “That would be me, right now. What’s the trouble, Jen?”
His tone vibrated through Jennifer’s mind. He sounded so strong...and she needed that.
The slave took a breath and stepped closer, letting him see her stomach and age. “I’m in danger and so is my baby. We need protection.”
“You can go anywhere you want, but we have doctors and we follow the old rules. No one in our camp will hurt you.” Neil’s words floated over the huddling slaves.
Jennifer slowly climbed down from the semi.
Kyle would have helped her, but shock held him paralyzed. Not because of her youth or the pregnancy–he’d seen both before and after the war. It was the attraction smothering him in shards of need, making it hard to think, to breathe, that held him. He wanted her. Desperately.
Kyle drew in air instead of reaching out.
“Will you help me?”
Kyle’s brain was riddled with fog and guilt, and he struggled to think around the confusion. “You’ll be safe with us. We won’t let anything happen to you.”
“In our camp, you’ll have the freedom that was stolen. We’re Americans and so are you. We take care of our own.” Neil was aware of something happening with Kyle, but he was eager to be back in Safe Haven–to see Samantha. He had an awful feeling and no reason for it. She was well protected right now. Wasn’t she?
“If you’re heading out on your own, we’ll give you what supplies we can spare. If you’re coming with us, be in one of the black trucks parked behind those rocks.” Neil pointed the way. “We leave in ten minutes.”
Jennifer felt the hateful glares of the other females. She knew what they were planning–it was hard not to with Lilly rolling up the sleeves on her dress–but the man now staring at her with an open glaze of need was in the chain of command. That was handy information to have.
“Please. You have to keep me away from them.”
Kyle turned to study the small group of muttering females standing across the fire. “They’re the threat?”
“Yes. I won’t make it to your camp.” Jennifer pulled his attention back with her note of panic.
“Why do you need protection from them?” Kyle asked, confused.
“I’d rather not say.” Jennifer looked away. “They’ll be happy to give it to you in full detail.”
Kyle saw one of the filthy females start whispering to a nearby Eagle. He would know soon enough, but hearing it from Jennifer seemed important.
“If you want me to guard you, I have to know.”
Kyle was unprepared for the glaze of cold calculation that fell over her face at his insistence.
“I kill on command,” Jennifer admitted bitterly. “It’s what I did for Cesar in this new world.”
Kyle’s tormented soul fell at her feet, instantly bonded. “Do you, really?”
“As top slave, I played God with all our lives.”
She looked at him with eyes that said there wasn’t much she wouldn’t do to get her way.
“Let’s go, everyone,” Jeremy called. “Just squeeze into the trucks.”
The kids looked to Jennifer, and so did the other women. The adults would wait for her to make the choice and resent her, even while benefiting.
“I’m going with them,” Jennifer told the kids she had come to love. “I’d like you to come, too. I’ll care for you the same as I always have.”
The kids moved toward the trucks without needing to hear anything else, but Jennifer didn’t follow yet.
“Is it okay to leave the fire burning?” Morgan asked, distracting Kyle.
The mobster joined him, deciding.
The adult females headed toward Jennifer, faces set–determined. If only they’d come together like this sooner! Jennifer understood their need to see her punished–she hadn’t looked out for their best interests. In fact, she’d sacrificed these cowardly bitches whenever she could.
Jennifer braced her swollen ankles as Lilly and the others ste
pped over silently shrieking Mexican corpses to get to her. She looked at Kyle, locking eyes with him. She didn’t push or pull–just stared.
Kyle broke into a light sweat, thrown into confusion once again. Her fear was hitting him in waves, demanding that he help, but Kyle didn’t understand how one little group of women could be dangerous to her. It wasn’t as if they were going to attack her or anything.
Jennifer switched her gaze back to the approaching females, hoping the one moment with Kyle would be enough. If not, she and her unborn child might die here.
“Hey!” Lilly led the confrontation. “You’re not going!”
“Make it official, then.” Jennifer got ready, gathering what energy she had to protect her stomach. “I’ll have no problem killing you.”
Lilly hesitated at the tone, but the others didn’t pause in their march forward, and she had no choice. “I challenge you for top slave.”
“Alone?” Jennifer sneered. It would be a group fight and she wasn’t going to use the gun. She wouldn’t take the chance on shooting one of the kids by mistake and she shoved it deeper into her pocket. It wouldn’t help her here.
“We’ve decided to share power.” Grace, another former rival for top slave, stepped forward. “Get her!”
The slaps, kicks, and fists came from too many directions to defend against and Jennifer curled into a ball around her stomach.
“Son of a...”
Kyle and the Eagles rushed into the mob, shoving swinging women aside to reach Jennifer. There was too much blood-splatter on her dress and the ground to determine how injured she might be.
“Get them loaded!” Kyle ordered, kneeling down. He picked the girl up gently, thick arms tense. Touching her was like standing on the threshold of the greatest dream.
Kyle cradled her close as he stood, picking out injuries–new and old–and the other women glowered resentfully.
“Thank you.”
Jennifer’s weak whisper gave him relief, and reminded him of the nightmare with Angela. Ignoring the audience, Kyle quickly took her to his truck, slightly haunted. Not this one.
“Hey, wait!” Lilly shouted, following. “There are some things you need to know about that slave.”
Neil grabbed Lilly’s arm. “Why did you do that?”
“You shouldn’t let the bruja into your camp!” Lilly growled, spinning free of his hold. “She’s trouble.”
“What?” Neil stared, mind also going to Angie. Bruja meant witch, didn’t it?
Lilly didn’t lower her voice. “She had them fighting over her from day one, and she’ll do the same to you. She killed to get top slot here.”
“Sounds like survival,” Neil commented, watching the girl in question peer up at Kyle with a bleeding lip and a dazed expression that the trooper thought would be hard to resist. It was, apparently, because Kyle stiffened and stopped walking.
“She’s done that and then some,” Lilly informed him, subtly moving closer. This man was also in the chain of command. “She made them believe she was a witch, and Cesar put her in charge of us.”
“A witch? What made him think that?” Neil questioned casually, not liking how Kyle was staring down at the girl. He’d started walking again, but his expression was much too protective.
“Bad things used to happen to his men–the ones who hurt her. None of them would cross her again after what she did to Kern.”
“They’re nice to her now!” another woman threw in, arms streaked in blood and bruises.
“She makes deals with the men, and she always gets what she wants,” Gracie added, standing next to Lilly.
Like it’s an honor, Neil thought sarcastically. He was reading the jealousy loud and clear. “Deals?”
“She protects those kids like they’re hers–makes us take their place,” Grace answered.
“She’s steals men’s minds,” Lilly whispered, leaning in. “She’s a threat.”
“If she’s a witch, then why is she a slave?” Neil questioned Lilly coldly. “And why aren’t you dead for what just happened?”
“Cesar won’t let her use it. He threatened those damn kids.”
“It doesn’t stop his men from trying, though. They think if she comes to them willing that they’ll be able to kill Cesar.”
“He keeps her weak–just enough food and energy to keep her and the baby alive.”
“She can’t kill them all, though she’s tried to get us to help her enough times. We knew better than to fight back.”
Neil let the women spew, pulling the details that mattered. Jennifer was special. And that was dangerous because she might not be good, like Angela. It sounded like this one might use her power at will, but that wasn’t the big problem here–the other slaves were.
These jealous, power hungry women not only knew of magic–they had accepted its existence and developed a fierce hatred of it. When they got to Safe Haven...
Neil let the thought go, observing how tenderly Kyle was attending the pregnant teenager. This isn’t good. Not good at all.
6
Kyle slid Jennifer into the seat and hastily backed away. His control was weak compared to the flames shooting through his skin at the contact.
Jennifer looked up to find Kyle staring at her with a dangerously observant expression. Did he understand that she was hated by her own kind? That she was alone and might be easily taken advantage of?
Jennifer winced as her stomach muscles seemed to clamp down. Yes. There was heat growing in his eyes as he studied her. It was a fire that Jennifer recognized, one she would use. Those kids wouldn’t be slaves forever and neither would she.
“Are you okay?”
Even Kyle heard how winded he sounded.
“Yes. Just have to rest for a minute.” The cramps were subsiding. Her back and head had taken most of the blows.
Kyle wanted to be alone with her, and found himself using Adrian for his own gain for the first time, though, it was only a small manipulation. Pregnant sheep were to be protected at all costs.
Kyle hit his radio. “Take ‘em on, Neil. I’ll catch up.”
Jennifer closed her eyes and put her head back, heart thumping. If he hurt her now, she was certain to lose the baby, but a car ride with the other women would do the same. Tears of frustration began to ooze from beneath her lashes.
Neil came to Kyle as he knelt at the open passenger door. He understood when he saw Jennifer’s face. “She can’t travel.”
“Get the others to Adrian,” Kyle ordered. “We’ll catch up.”
Neil shook his head. “Better to stay together.”
Kyle looked angrily toward the satisfied females cramming into the second truck. “Really?”
Neil couldn’t argue. It wasn’t the first time they’d done this, though, both of those trips had seen deliveries with dead mothers and infants that Adrian hadn’t been informed of. “At least pick a couple men to stay with you.”
“They’ve all been on this run from hell for four days,” Kyle stated. “Get them–and yourself–home.”
Neil didn’t pull rank. Safe Haven was exactly where he wanted to be. “All right.”
As Neil slid into the driver’s seat, Lilly delivered another warning.
“It’s a bad idea to leave him alone with her. You might not see him again.”
Neil shifted and hit the gas.
“This witch story looks like jealousy on your part, ladies, and my boss won’t like it,” Neil warned. “He might not let you in. We don’t admit bad people.”
Lilly snorted from the passenger seat. “Then be ready to deny Jenny. She’s as bad as women come.”
Neil didn’t answer. That was an awfully heavy reputation for one pregnant teenager to be carrying. Surely, after spending time around Angela, Kyle would be able to handle her.
Neil keyed the mike. “Base, mission team is headed in. ETA after dawn. One man down, 29 survivors.”
“Copy,” Mitch responded right away. “Boss says to hurry home.”
Neil started to give the usual response and listened to his instinct instead. “It feels like there might be a cat in my barn. Blonde and blue, with hunting claws.”
Neil used the codes with a tremor in his voice, and the former slave in the seat next to him tensed as she noticed.
“Yeah, I’m afraid there is, but the boss says enough dogs are chasing it,” Mitch replied uneasily.
Neil didn’t answer the subtle order to stay focused on his mission. He only drove a bit faster and started preparing himself the way he assumed Marc had while flying to the rest stop. That meant running through anything that could be wrong enough for Adrian to have given that prepared message to their radioman. Adrian had known he might figure something out, so there had to be an answer ready.
Rick had beaten them back to Safe Haven. That was the only answer that fit and it was the worst of the lot. Had he hurt Samantha? Killed her?
Neil went through the worst possibilities first, no longer worried over the slaves’ words or Kyle’s actions. Samantha was in trouble, and he couldn’t help her. It was so close of a mirror to Marc’s pain that acid churned in Neil’s gut. Marc had been allowed to keep his world–Angie would live. What about Samantha?
Behind Neil’s truck, Jeremy was busy singing songs and trying to distract the full load of kids from missing the girl with Kyle. They’d been crying for her, and he had switched off the truck’s radio in favor of the sound of a soothing voice. In the passenger seat, Billy was keeping up with the team vehicle ahead of them and playing along. Their ride, though a bit stressful at this level of exhaustion, wasn’t nearly as long as Neil’s.
Kyle was silent as the teams left, giving Neil a comforting nod as he rolled by. But inside...
Kyle looked down at the crying girl, torn. He wanted her–and he didn’t. She would be his downfall, maybe, or his salvation. The choice would be up to her.
Jennifer began her count, using the only defense she had against the fear. Numbers began flying across her mental chalkboards. In them, were unknown formulas and unthought-of equations. Chemistry, biology, physics, all of them and yet none, this was a complex web of connections and explanations to some of the puzzles and mysteries that mankind would have given anything for only six months ago. Now, it was locked inside this teenager’s brain, a constantly repeating pattern that she used to keep herself from crying or begging, two things Cesar hadn’t tolerated.