by Angela White
The Eagles didn’t want to let Marc go alone, but it was clear from the ants streaming around his feet that he would have protection.
Marc vanished into the library a few minutes after they were out of sight. When he was satisfied there, he took the time to kick in the door to the one store that might have food left. The soldier ants swarmed inside gratefully.
Marc observed them, what they went to and secured first. Those powerful waves of communication came again, strong enough for him to smell in the closed up store, and Marc knew the rest of the colony had been called.
He backed out carefully and looked around the town. It was gone, with enough black mold climbing the buildings to convince him that no one was hiding here.
Can you hear anyone? he asked reluctantly.
No, the demon replied promptly. Let’s go home.
Marc immediately went toward the truck he’d been driving. Safe Haven was definitely that now. He couldn’t imagine living with another group. They were his.
11
“Ug! Pull harder!”
“I’m trying to! I keep slipping!” Tucker panted, heaving, and they managed to get the crate out of the ground. In the struggle, the stack of plastic-covered rule sheets was ripped open. Loose white papers went flying into the muddy darkness.
“Bring the truck closer,” Tucker instructed. “We’re not movin’ this bitch. Too much rain.”
The crate, slowly sinking further into the muddy ground, held supplies they needed now that they’d abandoned Safe Haven.
“Hurry up!”
Anderson ran to the truck, and Tucker began prying the wood open to get at the items inside, cursing the rain.
Anderson pulled the truck too close and bumped into the crate. It sank deeper into the mud.
Tucker began shouting and his words rolled through the storm.
Not far away, it drew the attention of camp followers. These people had been called by the light of safety, but hadn’t gathered the courage to seek it out. They followed the camp instead, banding together and sharing the supplies that were left behind. They were waiting for the rain to clear for this crate, but the harsh male shouts brought them out early.
“We need those supplies,” Everett stated, grabbing his pouch. “You know what we have to do.”
The ragged band of survivors was too busy gathering ammunition to argue. Thievery was something they killed even their own for. Those supplies belong to them. The notes inside always said so and these people followed Safe Haven’s rules.
Everett grabbed at a paper blowing by.
Simon held a torch so that he could read it.
“Safe Haven Rules of Conduct and Penalties…this is from the crate! They’ve gotten it before us again.”
Anger spread through the group. Without those supplies, their few children would go hungry.
“There’s a new rule!” Everett stated, gruff voice now lowered in respectful awe. “Gather, my friends, and learn a new guide to the Promised Land.”
The twenty men and women formed a reverent circle around Everett and Simon, holding hands and humming lowly as the next commandment was put into their minds.
“Stealing is a crime. Stealing is punishable by…” Everett pretended to struggle reading the rain-soaked sheet. “Punishable by stoning.”
Simon, who couldn’t read, gasped with the rest of the group.
Everett dropped the paper and filled his left hand full of stones from his pouch. “We’ve been called into service this night, to enforce Safe Haven’s rules, the written and the unspoken. Are you with me?”
The crowd chanted an angry agreement, “We are called into service. We will enforce the rules.”
Everett led them forward, waving at Simon to put out the torch. “This business has to be done in the dark. It’s why we exist.”
12
“Is that everything?”
Tucker grunted, wiping rain and sweat from his neck. “Yes. Help me secure the tailgate. It’s bulging.”
Anderson and Tucker fought to get it latched, eager to be on the road. They’d never spent so long on a grab.
“Shove, damn it!”
“Can we help?”
The dishonorable Eagles spun around, drawing their guns when they saw who’d joined them.
“Now, my brothers and sisters,” Everett invoked the killing mood. “Let these thieves be dealt punishment according to Safe Haven laws.”
Tucker gaped at the words, not understanding what was happening. “Who are you guys?”
Anderson, a bigger coward, felt trouble coming. He heaved against the tailgate and felt it latch. At the same time, something gave in his back.
“Ahh!” He hit the muddy ground on his knees, groaning.
“What?” Tucker asked, aware of the numerous hands reaching for pouches and pockets. “Get up!”
“My back!”
“Get up!”
“Now, my children!” Everett commanded.
Tucker let go of Anderson’s arm as stones came flying through the rain, trying to protect his face. Rocks slammed into his head and neck.
“Stop!”
“Why are you doing this?”
The group didn’t pause or answer, only returned to humming and chanting while they threw.
“Abuse is forbidden… Rape is a death sentence…”
Tucker could hear the words, the copy of camp rules now twisted into something ugly. He held up a hand, stumbling blindly as his forehead dripped blood that ran into his mouth.
“I’ll shoot!”
Anderson cowered under the truck, trapped by a barrage of sharp stones flying underneath. One of them struck his temple and he slumped to the mud, face down.
“Thieves are stoned...” the group chanted, arms raring back.
Tucker got his gun in hand, but forgot to remove the safety. He fired in vain as the entire group threw at him.
They didn’t stop when he began to scream.
Nor when he fell silent.
It wasn’t an easy way to die.
Chapter Nine
Set Us Up
July 4th, 2013
North of Grenada Lake
3:00am
1
Grenada Lake was almost a paradise. Surrounded by thick woods on one half, the other side included fields, valley’s and even an atv mud track that had become dark with mold. The rest of the area was pristine and the hunters were eager for a run. The boaters in the camp were staring at the dock and the murky water from their windows, but Angela didn’t think any of them would try it. Things came out of the water now and that was a lot of water.
“Mess is that picnic shelter. The center is that fallen tree. Eagle Teams Three, Four, and Five secure the perimeter. Camp standby to unload, get fed, and stay for almost two weeks!”
Tired cheers came from the cars and trucks.
Kyle and Marc were already in the thick of things, and Angela used the privacy to dig deep and listen to the area. There was a bad vibe to the wind, but it felt like they were east of it.
Angela finished her sweep and climbed out into patchy fog. She spotted Kenn nearby. “You my shadow?”
The Marine turned to view their surroundings. “Me and Shawn have you until we’re set up.”
Angela observed the campers and trucks rolling into place, and waved a hand toward the creek they’d chosen on the map. “No one goes in there until it’s cleared and roped. We’ll also need all of this mowed.”
They’d chosen the area because of the bedrock under the thin soil around the spring. If it appeared mushy or weak, they would pick another location to camp.
Kenn didn’t have to write it down, and Angela was glad they were now giving her men who could do that without worrying over her safety. It would make everything easier.
She was well into rounds when Marc finally joined her, taking Kenn’s place.
“Camp’s up and running. Kyle’s got it, three levels on duty, disks are out, QZ’s up, and basically, all is well in our world for the moment.�
��
Angela understood his cheerful tone. Being the one to prove her theory with the ants had sent a fresh rush of glory into his bloodstream. It had an effect on Marc that was magical.
The couple spent the next hour walking the camp, helping where it was needed, then went to the mess, where the lines were thinning.
“What’s set up for them to do?”
“Movies and popcorn in the big tents, game trucks are open, the bonfire’s lit, though if the rain comes back, that’ll be out.”
Angela took the tray from Li Sing with a smile of thanks. He’d come out to serve her himself.
“We’ll have fresh meat for you to work with in the next couple days,” Angela offered, sure he was as tired of cooking fish as the camp was of eating it.
“All good. I made a clam chowder tonight, with no clams,” Li cracked, grinning hugely. “Will tell them it is canned pork.”
Angela snickered. “Works for me.”
They went to the empty center table, each noting who they saw and the general mood of the camp. There wasn’t much talking as everyone ate.
Sighing, Marc gestured toward the cups. “Coffee?”
“Yes, please.”
Marc thought of their moments, and Angela flushed. But she didn’t offer an invitation and he felt the sting. He’d hurt her this time and he wasn’t sure how to fix it. He wasn’t worried about her leaving him over it. He’d seen the signs of ruthless planning enough to know them, but he was certain their relationship was suffering and would continue to.
“You’re doing a good job,” Marc stated suddenly. “They all think so.”
Angela needed to hear that. It was something Adrian hadn’t said to her yet though, and it wouldn’t feel that way until he did.
Marc went to get them drinks and Angela glanced around the mess for trouble. She wanted to be one of those people who only saw the good, but the war had ruined that for her. Now, she had to look for problems and find ways to turn them into strengths.
She studied their perimeter, where the wall was going up. Come daylight, parts of it would come down and more experiments with the ants would take place. She had no idea how something so powerless would be able to help them, but she was determined to bring in assistance from every source available. If the insects continued to protect them, they would be rewarded.
“And I know what they want,” she murmured. The ants had only one real predator that they’d made note of. The bats in some areas were able to carry off the juveniles. Safe Haven usually brought up the shield when the flocks and colonies got too close, only protecting themselves, but that was about to change.
“We’re going to adapt.”
Angela went toward the com truck. The whole camp was hers. She could do with it as she pleased.
And what would please you? the witch asked.
A fresh list started running through her mind. Angela felt the witch stretching.
Start with coffee. Wake me up.
2
“She’s what?”
Adrian tried to be patient. “She’s evolving.”
Neil scowled. “What does that mean?”
“She’ll get a new gift,” Conner explained. He sounded excited for her and both Eagles tried to relax.
“She’ll be okay?”
Conner observed Adrian’s shaking hand as he hit the button on the drip, but didn’t bring it up. “After it comes in fully. Until then, she’ll be blocked.”
“And in pain?” Jeremy asked, not sure how much of that he could take.
“Oh, yes. It changes our DNA, creates new lines of energy and use. At times, she may even scream.”
All three men paled at that. Adrian had already known, of course, but he was hearing Angela’s screams in his memory as he burnt her.
So was Neil.
Jeremy asked the next of their hundred questions. “How long will it last?”
“A few days, maybe a week,” Conner stated. “Unless she fights it. Then it could take longer.”
Neil and Jeremy viewed each other and instantly agreed, “A month. Samantha fights everything.”
“I do not,” Samantha grumbled from the next cot over. Neil and Jeremy rushed to her side. She hadn’t woken when Neil carried her in.
“Did you hear all that?” Neil asked, taking her hand.
“Yes, and I’m not fighting it. I didn’t know what it was.”
Jeremy pulled the blanket up over her arms. “We’ll stay with you.”
“Um, that’s kind of dangerous,” Conner informed them. “The mood swings are…intense.”
Both men assumed the boy had undergone an evolution recently by his knowledge of it, but neither of them could even pretend they were going to listen.
“How do we help her?”
Conner had to look to Adrian for that. He’d suffered through his alone each time.
“You distract her, the same as with anyone else in pain.”
“And give me privacy,” Samantha stated, feeling a little stronger. “Can I go to my tent?”
“How about a tent here in the QZ?” Adrian suggested.
When Neil and Jeremy both nodded, Samantha had no choice but to agree.
“Fine, whatever. Just get me out of here. I need the damn lights off and the talking over.”
Conner gave them a pointed look that was ignored.
Adrian didn’t say anything as the trio left, instead noting how the two men appeared okay at this moment.
“They’re sharing her!” Conner guessed. “That’s why I couldn’t figure out the relationship.” He lowered his voice. “Should I have told them the rest of it?”
Adrian eased down into the cot with a grunt of relief. “I wouldn’t have.”
“Why not?”
“Because it won’t matter to them that for a while she’ll be irresistible. To them, she already is.”
“They weren’t happy with your answers. They wanted more.”
“Angela can give it to them. They’ll go to her at some point.”
Conner was quiet for a moment, considering the things he was seeing and hearing. It was wonderful, frustrating, and layered in dangerous deceptions.
“How did this all come to be?”
Adrian got as comfortable as he could. “I couldn’t stay with you. They’ve been hunting me, testing, stealing what wasn’t theirs to take. And I knew they’d do the same to you. I hoped staying away would be enough…”
“Why did you do it?”
Adrian’s voice was genuinely remorseful. “I loved her, boy, and he took her. While I had her with me, the first months that she carried you, I loved her.”
Adrian let his body melt into the thin mattress. “I still do in ways.”
“She waited for you to come, but he forced her. He used me as leverage.”
“He was supposed to be dead!” Adrian growled vehemently. “I was told he was dead.”
That explained a lot to Conner and allowed forgiveness a chance to start growing.
Adrian tugged the blanket up. “Anyone will tell you how Safe Haven came to be, how I built it, but don’t forget that fate chose me, shaped me. It’ll do the same to you, more than it already has. It will also take the things you love the most and turn them against you.”
Conner opened his mouth to deny that he’d turned, and stopped himself. He sensed the remark wasn’t meant for him. He didn’t have to dig deep to find the source of Adrian’s anguish.
“You’re in love with Marc’s woman!” Conner accused, angry, but not the least bit surprised. “You’re waiting for them to split up to have a shot with her!”
Adrian carefully rolled over and pulled the pillow closer to his cheek. “Not anymore. Now, I’m only waiting to take someone’s place on death’s list.”
“You’ve given up?”
Adrian didn’t answer, willing the boy to leave him alone.
“Why don’t you…”
“Good night, Conner.”
Conner didn’t keep going, but he refused
to stop thinking about it. Despite the lingering anger, Conner wanted his father back. This depressed shell wasn’t Adrian Mitchel and Conner began developing ideas to pull his dad out of it.
The most likely idea was to find a good substitution of either a woman or work, but in the end, he might just have to have what he was craving. It was good here and the top people were great, but Adrian was his dad and that was where his loyalty were.
3
“Hold it up.”
Jeremy lifted the flap higher and Neil ducked into the tent to set Samantha on the bedroll. He put her kit by her feet and left to give her a few minutes alone.
Neil swept the camp, and members of their team. Everyone appeared beat. He’d have to switch this shift of guards out early.
Jeremy lowered the flap and joined Neil. “You want first watch?”
Neil shrugged awkwardly. “I assumed we’d both stay close.”
Jeremy thought for a minute, and then agreed. “Don’t know how it would bother the camp if they knew she’s sick.”
“I’ll make sure it gets around,” Neil told him.
“What do you think’s up with Adrian?”
“No idea, but it’s making people nervous.”
“Son of a…”
They turned to find Kenn nearby, staring up at a hole in his tent. Clearly cut with a jagged edge, the outline was a middle finger perfectly lit by candles.
“That’s good,” Neil admired.
“Who the hell keeps doing this?!” Kenn shouted. “When I catch you, I’ll…”
Tonya jerked Kenn inside the tent.
More laughter floated through the rain at a fresh round of cursing from the tent as Kenn tried to find a way to patch the hole.
Samantha’s soft chuckle had Neil and Jeremy turning around. She was standing in the flap, staring at the prank.
“I love that prankster.”
Her men chuckled in agreement, but Sam could feel them searching her. For what, she wasn’t exactly sure. Did they think a tail would pop out of her ass?
“I’m still too dizzy to walk, I think,” she muttered. “Can you get me to the shower?”
Jeremy reacted first.
Neil let him take care of it. “I’ll get some food. Don’t leave her.”