The Life After War Collection

by Angela White

  Roy crawled from Angela’s lap into Romeo’s thin legs.

  Romeo got the boy on his feet and headed for Doug. Angela’s pain over losing people was intolerable.

  “I’m sorry.” Leeann stood up, blanket in a tight grip. “Please stop. It’s not their fault. I didn’t try hard enough to make them get along.”

  Angela withdrew the tiny bubble of true emotions. She took a deep breath and sat for a moment without speaking. She hated doing this.

  In that time, Leeann became a hero to the other kids for protecting them.

  “I’m going to hold you responsible for them.” Angela was glaring at Leeann now. “Make friends or don’t. What matters is that you do your job, your new duty. Got it?”

  The girl nodded, face streaked with tears. Angela’s displeasure hurt.

  Angela sighed. “Sit. We’ll go over some basic rules now. Remember them. Tomorrow night, I’ll quiz you on it.”

  Kenn heard feet approaching and shook his head, not looking to see who it was. He also wanted to hear the rules of the descendant children.

  “Never without permission. It’s rude to get into someone’s thoughts when they don’t know you’re there. If we can’t trust you to do that, you’ll never be accepted as an adult descendant. We value our privacy above most things that others would tolerate. Never without permission is rule number one.”

  “I told you she has things covered. Be quiet or you’ll interrupt it.”

  Kenn turned to find Kyle glowering at Adrian. The mobster had figured out that he’d been sent away.

  Kenn motioned Kyle to take his place, sacrificing being able to listen for calming the man. Kenn joined Adrian on duty over the level, not speaking.

  Kyle didn’t care about the words at first. He was busy staring at Jennifer and the baby, and then the dangers in the packed chamber.

  Jennifer frowned at him, telling Kyle not to interrupt. It forced him to listen.

  “Never use your gifts unless you have to. Your power is like a health bar on a game. When you use magic, you lose health. It’s hard to refill. We’ll discuss those things during these meetings, but for now, rule number two is, don’t use your magic unless you have to.”

  Kyle approved of that rule. He waited with the adults in the tunnel and the kids in the cubby for the next rule.

  “That’s all for tonight.” Angela hid a smirk at the instant groans and disappointment. The adults were louder than the kids. “The rest of this meeting will be spent talking about the craziness we can expect over the next five days. I’m going to need a lot of help, but the adults are shaken. They don’t know what to do or which way to go. I need you kids to come through for me where they don’t.”

  Shame filled the adults, while the kids perked up in excitement.

  “Can I count on all of you to help get us on the road?”

  Cries filled the bottom of the cave, sending out a wave of good energy that was good for the entire camp. The sound of happy kids was a wonderful noise.

  “It won’t stop when we bugout. Survivors will want to join us again. We miss bad souls because we’re tired or busy, or because the person is an Invisible or has an ability that prevents us from detecting their evil. You kids won’t be suspected. You can listen to everyone. Like you’ve been doing.”

  The adults were dismayed to realize the children had been listening to everything.

  “I don’t want you tattling on people, but I do want you to tell us about dangers. You’re going to become our ears.”

  Adrian remembered his talk with Marc about body parts and jobs. The kids were now her ears, whispering secrets that would protect the future.

  It’s almost complete. Adrian left duty to Shawn and the new shift arriving. He wanted to be certain Simon wasn’t causing more trouble. In his mind was a large form with legs, arms, ears, hands, mouth, and a huge heart. Angela’s time as ruler of Safe Haven would build a foundation that could be followed for centuries to come. The only thing missing was two eagle eyes, but Kendle and Conner were almost home. Once they were put into place around Angela, the magic would carry Safe Haven through an impossible boat trip that was now six weeks away. Everything was about to go faster.

  “What’s going on with our gifts? Why are we becoming closed to each other?”

  Adrian had another moment of ‘thought proven’ as Charlie came from a dark corner. He led Charlie into a deserted spot on level two. “What’s going on?”

  Charlie explained how he hadn’t been on Marc’s grid during the fight in the tunnel. “He and mom were calling for me. Why didn’t they know where I was?”

  “Evolutions.” Adrian’s mutter was followed by a frown. “I forgot about that, honestly.”

  “What?”

  “When we evolve, things shut down during the process. It can be days or even months. Once it stops, a new gift or stronger version of a current gift is available.”

  “For me or my dad?”

  “In this case, you. The evolution cycle blocked your dad.” Adrian swept the resourceful teenager who was wearing his Eagle gear and carrying his kit. “Where’s Tracy?”

  “In the mess, sleeping. Will the cycle stop me from using the gift that’s evolving?”

  “Why do you ask?”

  Charlie lowered his voice. “I can’t mentally touch.”

  Adrian grinned. “Ah.” He leaned in. “Do you, uh, use that skill often?”

  “Not since she got hurt, but things have changed since the quake. She’s…”

  “Better?”

  Charlie flushed, not minding the cooler temperatures or the sharp draft. “Yeah. I’ve been worrying over not being able to…you know, when she’s ready.”

  “Impress her in ways that guys without our gifts can’t?”

  The boy blew out a breath. “Exactly.”

  Adrian put his arm around Charlie’s shoulders. “You could use hands.”

  Charlie stilled. “Touch her?”

  Adrian left him standing there with mental wheels spinning so fast he could almost smell fresh smoke.

  “He may stand there for the next hour.”

  Adrian chuckled as Marc fell in step. “Yeah.”

  “It’s interesting that he comes to you for things like that.”

  Adrian shrugged. “Did you ask your dad or mom?”

  Marc was startled into a laugh. “Not even once. You?”

  “No. My dad was busy and my mom stayed drugged most of the time. I was a virgin until I hit twenty.”

  Marc was surprised. He didn’t volunteer his shadow-draped memories of him and Angie as teenagers, or the girl who’d come before that.

  Adrian took the rope that was still hanging from the residence level, not glancing toward the spot where Samantha and Jeremy had almost died together. “I’m calling it a night unless you want me to do something.”

  “Let’s find two shaken beers.”

  Wondering what Marc wanted to talk about, Adrian kept pulling himself up the rope. “You’re the boss.”

  “Nope.” Marc grinned in triumph, feeling safe to let it out. “The boss is on the bottom level, putting the fear of Angie into those kids.”

  Adrian snickered. “You’re getting better at handling her. Don’t give up when she calls you on it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Adrian waited for Marc to reach the level so he could look at the man. “You think you’re off the hook as a leader. That’s sweet.”

  Whistling, Adrian went into the residence chamber that was untouched so far except for body removals. Mounds of rubble were everywhere.

  Marc followed, frowning.

  “What was that was about?”

  Nancy shrugged at Britani’s question. They were passing the rope that Adrian and Marc had come up. “Don’t know, don’t care. Let’s get this water up to the mess. We have a lot of mouths to feed for breakfast.”

  “Oatmeal again?”

  “Yes. Lunch will be ham sandwiches, though.”

  “Wasn’t the fl
our ruined?”

  “Marc found a way to strain most of the ashes from it. I was the manager in a bakery after my service, so I volunteered to help.”

  “Fresh bread? That’ll be amazing.”

  Nancy responded to the enthusiasm. “Glad you think so. I need someone to mix the dough. We’re making enough for four hundred.”

  Britani made a face. “Four hundred?” She gazed down at the first clean clothes she’d had on in days. “It was nice while it lasted.”

  Nancy felt Adrian’s approval as he overheard. She tried not to respond, but she was helpless against the sensation of his pleasure. Guilt flooded. Nancy marched faster. The sooner they recovered and repaired, the sooner she could leave. Like Samantha, Nancy couldn’t stay here. She would do anything to get out.

  Britani came up slower, admiring the repairs that had been made. Ladders were up, cables were running everywhere to provide power to the lower levels, and guards were standing watch. The smell of dinner–beef and noodles without noodles–was lingering in the air that was almost free from the harsh odor of smoke. Even with all the damage and death, it was beginning to feel like home.

  Britani spotted Gus laboring in the dimness with lamps and plastic bags. Sweating through layers of dirt, he and his brothers were salvaging things from the personal care area that had been crushed by the floor above it. She didn’t distract them. Gus had asked for FND work. Angela had given him a short list. Britani was scared, but controlling herself. She’d decided to stay busy in the mess. She loved to cook. But four hundred? I didn’t think this through.

  Gus knew when she went by. He loved her even more when she didn’t stop. Britani had spent her life caring for others. Gus was determined to become that strong. If he died in the process, at least she would remember him as a man and not as another child to be rescued.

  2

  “I found a case of Little Kings.”

  Marc groaned. “Oh, man. Worst headache I ever had came after Cream Ales!”

  Adrian laughed, tugging the green package free. “Should probably sit for a little while.”

  Marc dropped down on the rubble with a groan of relief. He couldn’t do this if they hadn’t accounted for everyone. Dealing with Adrian required his full concentration. “We’re wearing more filth than clothes. What’s a little spray?”

  Adrian opened the battered case, worrying. Marc wanted to talk now, while Angie was occupied with the kids.

  “Yes, I do.”

  “Good or bad?” Adrian dropped down a few feet away, adjusting for angle and light if he had to defend himself.

  Marc lifted a brow. “Would you like to hold my Colts?”

  Adrian flushed under his scruffy beard. “What do you want?”

  “I promised Charlie personal training from all his idols. Now that he’s taken a life, he needs it.”

  Adrian hadn’t thought Marc or Angela knew.

  “How do you know?”

  “It’s all he’s thinking about. He didn’t like it. He may drop out of the Eagles.”

  “I’m scanning him. I know why he’s not on my grid. I heard what you told him, but why don’t I hear him like you can? That part of him isn’t evolving.”

  “You are.”

  “Yeah.” Marc had wanted to confirm it. “Same time frame as what you told him?”

  “Not even close.” Adrian popped the cap from the beer that had already been sitting for days. A small bit of foam ran over his hand. “Well, that was disappointing.”

  “Faster?” Marc took a bottle and slid it into the hand that Adrian couldn’t see from where he was sitting. Marc’s fingers twitched as he waited.

  “Weeks at the most. When did it start?”

  “The quake.” Marc swept the piles, the damage. He didn’t have an estimate on how long it would take to get the cave in living condition again. The generator had fired up and their solar panels were collecting again, but the survivors were crushed. They needed something good to happen.

  “That makes sense. Many scientific papers were published on theories that evolutionary leaps are the result of disasters forcing adaptations for survival. You’ve figured out you’re not strong enough, so your demon is trying to give you what you need.”

  “That doesn’t sound good.” Marc hadn’t realized his demon had been absent this entire time.

  “Get sleep, drink a lot of water.” Adrian remembered his first big jump in gifts. “When it pops in, it hurts. It’ll last the same amount of time as it took to evolve. Many of us wait until that passes before we try to explore it.”

  “I won’t.”

  “No, I didn’t believe you would.” Adrian tilted the warm beer, drinking enough to keep the remaining foam from flowing over. It gave him a great belch that echoed across the tunnel, making Gus and his brothers chuckle.

  “Will anything speed it up?”

  Marc’s tone was too casual. Adrian stared at him in annoyance. “You used me again.”

  “Not yet.” Marc grinned. “You haven’t answered.”

  Adrian snorted in admiration. “Yes, you can speed it up. Bonding with a mate.”

  Marc’s smile faded. “Full bonding?”

  Adrian looked back without betraying his jealousy.

  Marc shook his head, enjoying the images. “Too soon. Next?”

  “There is nothing else. This isn’t an engine you can modify to get more power. It feeds off love. Nothing else.”

  “I’ll wait.”

  “I wasn’t saying you should or shouldn’t.” Adrian wanted that clear. “You asked. I answered.” He titled his bottle up.

  “It is, right? Too soon?”

  Adrian choked on the drink.

  Marc snickered.

  It bothered Adrian when he did a fast count. Six weeks wasn’t much, but it was enough.

  “I already know that.”

  “Waiting for her to come to you?” ‘Cause that might work.

  “A willing woman is worth waiting for.” Marc’s fingers played with the cap again. He had no interest in drinking.

  Adrian took another drink of the warm beer. He already had a small buzz. Since the war, his drinking had faded into almost nothing. “How long can you hold out?”

  The cap under Marc’s restless fingers popped off, making them both jump.

  “I see.” Adrian belched again. “Well, good luck with that.”

  Marc flung the foam from his hand onto the rocks. “Why do you disapprove? I’d have thought you’d be happy that I’m waiting to knock her up again.”

  “I didn’t say to knock her up at all.” Adrian’s voice dropped to a mutter. “But we both know you get to at least try.”

  “So?”

  “So, nothing. It would make her happy. I don’t care about you.”

  “There’s the truth.”

  Adrian frowned at Marc’s sarcasm. “Did you expect me to declare loyalty just because you’ve accepted things?”

  “A little, yeah.”

  “Good, because I’m going to, but not in the middle of this pit.” Adrian gestured upward. “When you get us out of this mountain and she’s smiling again, you’ll have it without needing to ask.”

  “I can’t imagine that day.”

  Adrian shrugged. “I’ve seen it, but I have no idea how we get to that point.”

  Marc sipped his beer. “Moments like these.” He held out his bottle. “To Angie. The one thing that will always keep us from tearing these people, and each other, apart.”

  Adrian clinked and drank, surprised. He didn’t speak, however. He knew better than to ruin the mood.

  Marc stood up, leaving the bottle. “Again tomorrow?”

  Adrian nodded, unable to make a joke. He was looking forward to it. How did that happen so fast?

  Walking away, Marc didn’t have to hide his triumphant smirk.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Picking Sides

  1

  “That is one of the most awful things I’ve ever seen.” Kenn looked up from the image
s. He’d been hungry until Angela ordered him to check the cameras. “Are we really going to show this to the camp?”

  “Yes.” Angela surveyed the laptop feed. Kenn was concentrating on those who were dying. She was more interested in those who had life yet to abuse.

  “In two days, they’ll all be dead.”

  Angela winced this time. “Yes.”

  “Can’t we wait? Things are so calm right now.”

  Angela left the small cavity that Kenn had claimed for security. “That’s the problem, grunt. The Onion man is coming, remember?”

  “Oh, yeah.” Kenn switched off the feed, then closed the laptop. “In the morning?”

  “Yes. You deliver.”

  Kenn grunted. “Figures.”

  Angela saw Marc duck into the weapons room. Curious, she went to the doorway. Why is he sorting laundry?

  “Making a better bed. I hate lumps.”

  Angela stared. Marc’s jacket was hanging on the wall, drying from where he’d cleaned off the blood with snow before he came in. His bare arms and chest beckoned to her fingers. Come rub me…

  Angela shook off the daze. “Uh, what?”

  Marc chuckled. “We’ve got two weeks’ worth of water.”

  “That’s good.”

  “You can have a shower. I put clean clothes in your kit.”

  “Has everyone else gone?”

  “Everyone who wanted one tonight. The morning line will be irritable and lengthy.”

  “Yeah, maybe I will.”

  Marc glanced up as chills went through his gut.

  Angela was caught in a web of desire. When she’d scoffed at about physical bonding, she’d been upset and not remembering how hard it was to ignore her mate.

  Marc returned to making the bed, hoping she hadn’t noticed his fast scan. Her mood was good for what he had planned.

  “What do you have planned?”

  Marc smiled, not stopping. “I don’t kiss and tell.”

  Angela’s cheeks were pink from the vibes. “You believe I’m going to cuddle with you?”