by Angela White
Glad no one had noticed her mental fight with herself, Angela drew on her stash of patience. She needed to sleep.
“Can I talk to you?”
“Of course.” Angela led the Eagle toward the kitchen as the camp observed, speculating on what would happen.
Greg followed, unhappy with what he was about to do, but there was no doubt that it had to be done.
Angela flipped on the light, ignoring the pet in the charred corner who peered up in wary concern. The kitchen hadn’t been cleaned yet, but it was covered in two prints–one a man, one a cat. The walls were black and ash that was thick across the floor and warped shelves that had tried to withstand the heat. The extinguisher foam had dried into hard flakes on top of the ash, sending up small puffs of dust from Greg’s feet as he joined her.
Angela faced him with a blank expression. “What can I do for you?”
“I was accused of being a traitor. I want you to search me and clear me.”
Angela held out her hand. “We have to be touching for the search you want, but it isn’t needed. We all know you aren’t.”
“But you don’t, not really.” Greg shot an ugly glare toward the vet. “He put doubt in everyone’s mind. I need that gone or I can’t be in your army anymore. I may not even be able to stay in your camp.”
“You’re too closed off for me to read without touching you and I couldn’t do that without you noticing.” Chris paused, and then forced himself to finish it. “I was wrong. Sorry.”
Mollified a little by the explanation, Greg shrugged. “I can get with that. I don’t worry over you the way the others do because the boss trusts you with her life. Don’t make another mistake, though. You’re out of rope. I have a camp of friends staring at me as though I’ve done something wrong. This may ruin my life here.”
“I’ll fix it.”
The trio paused as something moved in the rear corner of the kitchen. They watched in silence as Li appeared, walking between appliances that didn’t exist. All of the stoves and such had been dragged out after the fire, but Theo had chosen not to put them in here because this is where the fire had started and he didn’t want to take the chance on it happening again if there was another quake.
Angela was aware of Chris studying the ghost. She thought the vet would flee, but he stared at Li with sadness.
“He was nice to me.”
Angela’s heart broke again. “I’m sorry.”
The vet shrugged. “We all die.”
“Some sooner than others.” Angela clamped down on her misery. “Li loved to cook. He still is.”
The ghost vanished, leaving a tense silence that spread out to the mess where people quieted to listen.
The vet caught Angela’s order to get lost. “Excuse me.”
Angela touched Greg’s hand. He wanted her to support his innocence and she would if she could. “If you’ve been hiding things, this is a chance to confess.”
“I’m an Eagle in Adrian’s army.” Greg straightened his shoulders. “I have nothing to hide.”
“Then stand and be judged.” Angela’s witch slammed into Greg’s mind without mercy, finally able to break that mental barrier. She’d asked the vet to observe Greg for that reason. He had one door she hadn’t been able to view through.
Welcome home.
The witch purred in response to Angela’s greeting and then dug into her work with a new strength.
Greg tried to hold that final door shut, but the witch wrenched it open to reveal his love for someone who was already taken.
Greg bowed to the power. I never meant for it to happen. I would never come between them like the others have.
You are judged innocent. The witch withdrew, satisfied.
Angela wasn’t. Thanks to Adrian, she knew how dangerous the situation could become. She stared at Greg as she released him.
Greg knew what that meant. “Please don’t. You’ll destroy what’s left of the teams.”
“You could have that honor, if it gets out of hand. He has a right to know.”
“Yeah.” Greg sighed. “I’ll leave when the tunnel opens. As soon as he finds out, I’ll be ostracized.”
“When it opens, if you want to leave us, you can. But wait to tell anyone, will you? I’d like to think on it.”
Greg assumed she was trying to figure out a way for him to stay. He wanted that too, but didn’t see how it was possible. “I’m sorry.”
“So am I.” Angela motioned toward the mess. “Grab some coffee and sit with me for a while. We’ll begin there.”
Greg let out a deep sound of relief. Once the Eagles saw Angela accepting him, the vet’s momentary doubts might be forgotten. All he had to do was make sure Tracy didn’t discover he was in love with her.
In the distraction, Angela sent a hand code order to Zack, who had duty over the mess.
Zack frowned. He didn’t want to give the vet food and water or a blanket. He wanted to put a bullet in the man’s forehead and dump him with the other bodies.
2
“Will he be okay overnight with such a light shift on duty?” An hour had passed since the show, but few inhabitants had gone to bed yet. Kenn didn’t like the mood of the camp, but it was more than that. He just didn’t want to say it.
Angela wiped dampness from her bloodshot eyes so she could see to scan the mess. More tables had been brought in to accommodate the doubled number of citizens in here. Everyone had come for this meal now. With the smell of meat floating through the cave, the mood had lifted a bit. Everyone was having apples that had been foraged from the crushed levels, tea and coffee made with boiled water, fresh bread slices, and chunks of meat that Britani had cooked in condiment packs all day. The resourceful woman had topped the meal off with small bags of trail mix that had dehydrated berries, nuts, and granola. All of those items had been pulled from the rubble piles this afternoon by various crews and camp members who were determined to do their share. Everyone wanted things back in order.
“He can handle it.” Angela swept Adrian’s table, noting Charlie, Zack and his boys, Donald, Allan, James, Peter, and Bruce. All of them had duty together as point guards over the levels, but there would be another dozen Eagles reporting to them–including Greg.
“If you say so.” Kenn didn’t like the idea of anyone performing those duties for Adrian, let alone a 14-year-old boy. Word had gotten around that Charlie was Adrian’s student.
Other than Kenn, no one appeared to care. Around the mess, descendant children and non-magic children were eating together. There wasn’t a lot of conversation, but the awkward gazes from this morning had been replaced with expressions of frustrated annoyance. After they were finished eating, Tracy and the other women were going to help the kids with showers. Natoli and his warriors were sentries over the reading chamber tonight, where all of the children and their guardians would sleep. The entire camp was sleepy, like she’d been hoping for. The true aftermath of the earthquake was arriving in the crash. It would allow these folks to rest, but upon waking, the herd would be even more volatile than they had been today.
Angela inspected the mess again, picking out people she needed to speak to and people that needed to speak to her. She gave Greg a quick glance as Tracy entered the mess.
Greg never glanced up from his bowl.
He doesn’t think about her often. I’ve been monitoring his memories and thoughts since we found out. Angela’s witch had returned in full force, eager to be useful with her new powers.
Angela was curious about those, but she was too tired to explore it right now.
Across the room, Angela noted Shawn and Doug standing behind the table that held Cody, Missy, Leanne, Roy, Romeo and half a dozen non-magic kids. It was clear from Doug’s expression that he didn’t want to be here.
He’s leaving when the tunnel opens. Angela’s witch dug deeper. He is not going with us.
That doesn’t surprise me. Doug has the boys and he feels responsible for Becky. He’ll join her and Seth.
Jimmy pointed at Simon, who was sitting near the center of what he considered his camp now.
“I challenge you for leadership.”
Angela sighed in resignation as the camp lit up with fresh chatter at the second surprise show. She stood up. “There is a challenge for leadership. Before we go to the trouble of the next step, is there anyone who will support Jimmy?” Angela wanted to do it herself, but couldn’t. It would be a conflict of interest. That rule would be added to the new constitution draft while they were on the boat.
“I second Jimmy’s challenge. Simon isn’t fit for leadership.” Neil came through the passage and stood by the surprised doctor. “Simon tried to force Samantha to stay. Jimmy told her it was her choice and ran Simon off.” Neil didn’t mention the gun.
Jimmy was grateful. He didn’t want his citizens to believe that he was as violent as the leader who was leaving. “Simon doesn’t care enough about right and wrong. I demand a vote.”
Jimmy was covered in sweat and dirt. He looked nothing like a politician and Angela was certain that would swing people in his favor. Simon had also spent the day sifting through rubble, but he hadn’t put his finds in the community bin. He hadn’t taken water to the injured or helped with body removals. But Jimmy had done all of that and more. The two candidates were equally dirty, but only one of them smelled good to the five dozen members of that group who were scattered around the mess. In a corner, the Mountaineers watched without comment, eager to discover who they had to deal with in the future. Some of those who were leaving would come here to trade if the mountain camp survived. Angela knew it wouldn’t, but the Runaways didn’t care about her predictions.
The Runaways, Angela finally caved. She had been calling them that in her thoughts anyway and it was on everyone’s lips. The folks going off on their own would forever be known as the Runaways.
Angela held up a hand to stop the shouts and yells from supporters and critics. “In order to call a vote, someone not in leadership has to support your nomination. Neil is a member of my council and cannot do it. Will anyone else support Jimmy’s nomination?”
The mess went quiet for a second and then it echoed camp members who had been helped by the brusque doctor in their time of need.
“Me.”
“I will. He saved my life.”
“Me too.”
“How dare you!”
“You said you were on my side!” Simon shoved away from the table. “Fine! Vote! It won’t matter. I have a lot of friends here!”
Adrian and Marc both stepped closer to Simon.
“We’ll hold a vote.” Angela regarded the fascinated, angry, tired populace. “Everyone meets here in one hour. If you’re not staying in the mountain, get done eating and be out of here before that hour is up.”
Satisfied, Jimmy went to the food line to get a tray. He was soon surrounded by citizens who congratulated him on standing up for something that they felt he deserved.
Simon stormed from the mess.
Marc motioned a guard to follow the man. Marc was glad that Jimmy had challenged the man, but Simon’s words had been true. He did have many friends here–enough to win.
Maybe we can do something about that.
Angela shook her head at Marc’s suggestion. We’re not going to interfere this time. Fate has control.
Marc didn’t argue.
3
“Let’s get clean, huh? Who’s ready?”
Nancy’s over-happy tone drew small cheers from the kids who were picking up on the tension of being on the bottom level while the Mountaineers held their vote.
Charlie observed the stream of kids, impressed with how well the women were handling it. Dirty kids were in a line, surrounded by sentries from Natoli’s camp. Nancy, Courtney, and Tonya were herding the kids toward a tarped area that had been placed behind the edge of the wall by the water chamber, providing a semblance of privacy. As the kids finished, another group of Natoli’s warriors took them upstairs to where the rest of the women and guardians were waiting to get them settled for bed. Dressed in Eagles clothes that had been fastened with string and wires, the children were miniatures of Angela’s army. Charlie observed the difference in their moods. The kids in line were quiet, nervous. The children being taken upstairs were chattering at their escorts non-stop. Being clean was good for them.
The smells were better with the pit closed, but only by a little. Human waste stank. There was no avoiding that. The clothes that were too dirty to be worn again were piled near the water room, drawing Charlie’s attention. He had no idea what his mom planned to use them for, but she’d ordered all clothes to be kept, no matter their condition and he was curious about the order. It was minor, but he kept thinking about the order, trying to figure it out. With his mom, the smallest details were often the most important.
“My shift is about to start. Are you okay down here?”
Tracy nodded at Charlie’s question, waving him on. She was busy trying to convince little Bobby to release his teddy bear long enough to get a shower. “I’ll hold him for you, okay?”
Bobby pulled the filthy bear from her grip. “He keeps me safe.”
Tracy smiled, understanding. “Okay. How about we give him a shower too?”
Bobby glanced down at the toy and then up at her. “Will it hurt him?”
Tracy knelt down. “Let me read his tag. It should say on there, if we can make out the words.”
Bobby kept a tight hold on the bear’s leg as Tracy felt for the tag.
“Actually, you’re right. He’s not supposed to get wet.”
Bobby wrapped his arms around the bear, lip coming out.
Tracy studied the boy, working on the problem. She could take the toy and make the child scream, but she couldn’t stand the thought. These kids had been through too much already.
“I’m the guard here. You know what that means?”
“You keep camp people safe.”
“Yes. You’re camp people. So is your bear.”
Bobby peered at her through layers of dirt and distrust. “Are you a good one or a bad one?”
“One what, honey?”
“Angel.”
A descendant. “Oh. Well, I’m not one of them at all, but I am a good person.”
Bobby was satisfied with that. He shoved the bear into her arms and ran toward Nancy, who was the main shower handler. “Get my legs. They itch!”
Tracy chuckled, standing. She glanced over to find Charlie gazing at her with emotions she hadn’t witnessed since she’d been attacked.
Charlie sent his respect, his admiration. “You are, you know.”
“What?” Tracy blushed at the heat in his gaze.
“One of us and a good person.”
“I’m not a descendant.”
“You’re my chosen mate. When we have kids, you’ll be one of us through that baby until it’s born.”
“That’s not the same thing.” Tracy’s cheeks were scarlet at the conversation, but she refused to deny his words. It was what they both wanted.
“Are you sure?” Charlie hoped he wasn’t pushing her too hard. He wanted her to know that nothing had changed for him except that he’d become a more compassionate person while caring for her.
“Yes. I love you.”
Charlie came over to hug her. “I love you too.”
Tracy sighed in contentment as he held her, rubbing her arms. He never crossed the line, but she knew he wanted to. That made it better. It proved he could be trusted to do the right thing.
Charlie stepped back, full of her scent, her exciting thoughts. “See you after shift?”
“You know it.” Tracy watched him leave, heart settling into a normal rhythm. My life was so empty before that young man picked me up and dusted me off.
“You shouldn’t play with them, not even the cubs.” Simon came from behind the tarp where Samantha and Neil were li
ving. “They’re animals. Be careful or you’ll get hurt again.”
Tracy scowled at the grungy man, smelling alcohol. “You’re supposed to holding a vote right now. What do you want?”
“For you to stay here with us.” Simon leered at her, slimy gaze crawling over her tensing body. “We need normal, breedable women.”
“I’m sterile.” Tracy walked away, hoping that lie would discourage the man. Jimmy had declared her physically as good as new.
Simon studied her ass, belching. “Liar. The boy said when you have kids.” Simon took a small notebook from his dirty jacket and scribbled her name into it.
“Stop!”
Angela’s shout grabbed everyone. Her order was impossible to ignore or resist.
Simon spun around to find the vet standing behind him with a knife and an expression of confusion as he stared toward Angela.
Angela didn’t come down the rest of the way. “He’s about to show up to the vote drunk and lose. We don’t want him to miss that.”
Chris lowered his arm, smirking as he left. “Guess I’ll catch you later.”
Simon gaped at the killer. Angela was gone when he staggered around to voice a slurred protest. “Hey! Where’d she go?”
“The same place you are.” Adrian grabbed Simon’s arm and propelled him toward the ladder. When Angela had exited the mess without talking to anyone, walking fast, Adrian had followed.
So had Marc and several others. They all glanced down with sheepish expressions.
Angela chuckled even though she wasn’t amused. “We’re good. Let’s handle the vote.”
The sentries kept their bodies between Angela and Simon as soon as she reached the next level, all casting dirty glares at the man. If the vet had marked him as bad, he probably was, but Angela’s words had declared him a drunk too and that would hurt the man worse.
Angela didn’t tell them the vet would handle it while the UN or the next calamity hit them. She didn’t know what Chris had pulled from Simon’s thoughts, but it had been about Tracy and bad enough that the vet would have killed the man in front of a line of showering children. “Get a guard ready for him. Simon isn’t going to like the outcome of the vote. He may need to be held somewhere until he calms down.”