Life After War: Books 1-3

by Angela White

  The kids were frowning, leery again at her emotionless words, and she went to them, calming, soothing. "We can't save them, and we can't leave them for someone else to find and be hurt by. It's our duty to do something because we can."

  She continued to sing to them as she got them into the Blazer, and the three Eagles exchanged equally impressed looks.

  "She's a natural. Just like us."

  Kyle nodded at Neil’s comment, thinking Marc was right to want her so badly. She wouldn’t just be someone’s woman or spouse. She would be a mate; some lucky man’s other half. Marc’s? Kyle frowned. He wasn’t sure the Wolfman was that good. "He knew she would be. That's why we have code Raven already. Adrian knew she was one of us the second he laid eyes on her."

  Seth shook his head, voice low. "No, one of him. She's like him."

  Kyle grunted in understanding, remembering riding out the sandstorm. The mobster grinned, eyes flashing. "Kenn's gonna shit."

  Neil didn't echo their smiles. "He's going to mess it up for her if he can. We'll need to keep an eye on things, help out."

  The other two nodded in agreement, and Neil sighed. "Come on. Let’s have a look. Maybe we won't need our guns. Be nice not to do it so up close and personal this time."

  Kyle followed, Seth stayed, both thinking of the last few mercy missions. They had been messy, ugly, and the memories lingered.

  5

  The men were back a minute later, faces resigned. They met the others at the front of Angela's Blazer, all aware of her talking calmly to the kids, keeping them under control like Adrian would have done.

  "We'll do the whole building. She's got three full cans and Seth has two. That's enough to create a barrier and then we'll run a tanker in. Bullets, if any of them make it out." Kyle looked at Angela, who was now standing by her open door, listening. "You'll have little protection while we do this. You should go back and meet the other men. They'll be your escort."

  Angela slowly got into the driver’s seat, not sure if they had missed something important that might explain the warning bells suddenly blaring in her head. She didn't want to leave, but they had gotten the fuel cans out and were waiting for her to go.

  She rolled to the gates, stopping just out of sight. What had she missed...?

  "Get down!"

  The order over the radio made Angela duck as the well-aimed dart plunged through her open window and stuck into the seat instead of her neck. She instinctively hit the gas pedal, throwing them all back in their seats as she headed for the safety of camp, for Marc!

  Her fingers fumbled for the mic as bullets began to slam into the blazer.

  She jerked them to the other side of the two lane road, putting up the windows to protect the screaming kids in the back. “Help! Sniper!"

  The call went over both mental and CB waves and every man she had a connection with felt it, including those who were too far away to assist.

  More bullets ricocheting off the ground in front of them had her veering violently, and she dropped the mic as the blazers tires lifted. Ignoring the shrieks, Angela turned them in a sharp arc, and was relieved to feel earth slam into the rubber. Before she could get out of the sniper’s range, a faded green army jeep appeared on the narrow road ahead of her.

  "Hold on!" She slammed her foot against the brake, throwing them all forward. The jeep rolled slowly closer, cutting off her escape, and the grinning madman behind the wheel was sickeningly familiar.

  "Brady!" Angela slammed it into reverse, vaguely aware of her CB blaring with panicked male voices.

  "Brady!"

  “Get to Neil!”

  Leaving a cloud of dust, she flew backwards into the ravaged airport and the men coming to her rescue scattered as the sniper switched targets.

  The guards returned fire and Angela slid to a stop in the middle of them. Dillan’s jeep was coming fast and so were the slugs, the Eagles now using her armor-plated blazer as a shield. Angela’s eyes searched hard. Where was he? Her heart sank as she picked up Marc’s thought, realized what it meant.

  “Tell the boy about me.”

  "No!"

  Her scream drew attention and the men followed her line of sight to the muddy blazer flying at them from a nearby access road. As they watched, the 4x4 picked up more speed, heading for the grinning madman who hadn't seen him yet.

  “Love you, Angie. I never stopped.”

  “No, Brady!”

  Marc swerved out of the decaying trees and the Eagles saw a rare glint of sun flash off his dog tag, bright enough to hurt. The blazer lunged onto the cracked airport road as the army jeep reached it. Before Dillan had a chance to react, Marc slammed into the driver’s door.

  “Noooo!”

  Flames and heavy smoke immediately billowed into the air from the twisted wreck and Angela was out and running toward it, unmindful of the bullets punching into the debris-covered ground around her boots.

  "Brady!"

  Chapter Forty Nine

  1

  Angela and Neil were there to catch Marc as he stumbled out of the crushed blazer and the Eagles rushed to be sure Dillan wasn’t a threat anymore.

  “He’s dead. Jeep’s a total loss, too”

  Their extra men rolled into view as Kyle’s words gave them their answer and the bullets stopped as suddenly as they’d started, leaving the sounds of burning, cracking wreckage.

  Doug pulled up next to Neil, but it was Angela who took charge as she assessed the damage to the glassy-eyed man leaning against the Trooper. "There’s a sniper. See to the kids in my blazer."

  Doug’s eyes were wide, but he didn’t hesitate, just waited for the next vehicle to go around so he could pull over and climb out.

  "Get her down!"

  Seth's shout at a glint of light had Marc reacting automatically. He swung Angela around as the shot echoed. His body jerked and he grunted, falling heavily against her, as the Eagles returned fire, creating a line of vests between them and the sniper.

  "Brady!" Shoving his long coat out of the way, her hands plunged under his shirt, expecting the worst. Angela sighed in relief when she felt only dry cloth. "You wore the vest!"

  Marc tensed against her arm, heart thumping as his lungs throbbed with sharp, heavy hurt from the wreck. "Eagles are... required to."

  He gently wiped the tears from her dark lashes, smiling when the pain increased. "Anything for you…"

  Fresh tears spilled over. "I can help, hang on!"

  Marc's eyes closed, breathing labored. "Not this… time, honey."

  His eyes shot back open, but they were glazed with coming death. "Always love you!"

  Angela held out her hands and those around her saw them begin to glow a deep blue.

  “This can only be done once without payment. You would continue?"

  The Eagles heard only her answer. "Yes! Quickly!"

  Doors in the halls of her mind opened and power exploded from her outstretched fingers.

  The Eagles watched in stunned silence as thousands of tiny, brightly colored orbs flew from her like shooting water. They hit Marc's chest and sank into him, covering his body with a constantly changing flash of synchronized red, blue, and purple light.

  Those witnessing it were torn between his injuries disappearing and the fierce concentration shining from Angela’s face. She was the magic Adrian had been searching for!

  When her shoulders went from tense to tired, Kyle got the new men up to speed about the airport threat, but didn’t look away from the miracle happening behind the line of vested Eagles. “Top two up high, next five low. Move!” His team quickly set up the ordered guard.

  Angela stumbled as the orbs began to swarm back and Neil was there to gently steady her. He drew in a breath. Her skin felt like it was frying, but there was no sweat. When she trembled under his fingers, the need to comfort her, to hold her, was nearly overwhelming. Neil stepped back instead and pulled his state hat more firmly onto his head. That wasn’t in his job description.

  Marc gaspe
d, sucking air into a lung that hadn’t had any a moment before, and he immediately started to cough, rolling over.

  Angela felt the weariness sinking into her, drifting toward the darkness. She’d done it! She’d… shown her true gifts in front of strangers. The fear returned with that thought. When Marc slowly rose and steered her toward a truck, she went without protesting, too worried to even read their faces.

  Marc opened the door and glared at the driver, Billy, with foreign eyes. "Take her to Adrian. Don't stop... for ANYTHING."

  Angela got in without looking at them, but her heart throbbed when Marc closed the door without even meeting her eye. Now he knew what a freak she really was and so did the Eagles. Brady would stand by her. That's why he'd put her in here, to be safe from the others, but did he need to? Would Adrian's men be able to accept how different she was or would they drive her…

  "Recon team, check in!"

  Angela jumped at the radio call. She waited to see how they sounded during the report, but when her driver only looked over expectantly, she understood. Everyone else was out of earshot and Billy wanted her to answer it.

  "Recon team, check in now!"

  Angela picked up the mic with a feeling of authority that she wasn't sure she wanted. Being careful with her words came naturally as she hit the button. "We had a… delay run into us. We're okay now. Hang on for one of the guys."

  "Do you need more men?"

  Angela heard his real question clearly. Should I come? Do you need me?

  Watching most of the guards, including a slightly limping Brady, pick up the gas cans and head for the main terminal, she was relieved. Still set to get the fuel tankers and eliminate the walking dead taking shelter here, the Eagles didn’t seem to be treating him any differently. Maybe they wouldn’t her either.

  "No. They're about to blow this place, literally."

  "Copy on the noise coming. You found survivors?"

  "Yes and I'm sure they could use a good meal and a hot shower. What's for lunch?"

  Angela wasn't sure where that had come from, but knew instantly it was the right way to help him keep the listening camp and new kids calm. She felt Billy’s approval next to her and realized he’d had her answer the call to calm her down.

  "Ham and cheese sandwiches, applesauce, chips. The entire team is 5-by?"

  Angela grinned as Doug pulled in behind her, driving her blazer full of nervously talking kids. She knew that one. "Roger."

  "Copy. Hurry home."

  "You know it."

  Angela hung it up, knowing she’d impressed Billy, but better than that, feeling more like herself. The short words with Adrian had told her he would handle whatever had happened.

  Her driver returned a small grin and Angela settled back. "Home, please. You drive.”

  Dark eyes set in lines of sorrow and alive with hatred watched the jeeps and fuel trucks move out of sight. Dean was furious and hurt beyond words. His brother was dead! It was the first emotional pain he had felt. Even physical wounds were viewed with apathy (at least they had been until the Witch had taught him fear) and he was unprepared for how awful it was.

  The sense of loneliness, of complete failure, was undeniable and Dean was stunned by the tears that fell. He would bury his brother and then he would make that bitch suffer! If he couldn’t get to her on his own, he’d take over the Slaver’s camp and attack. Vengeance was on the way. It might take a week or a month, but it burned with a red hot fury that nothing would calm.

  End of Book Three: Safe Haven

  From the Author

  Dear Reader,

  It took a long time to get them here, but we’ve finally arrived, and with an ugly glimpse of the new world the refugees must now adapt to. Unable to stop them from gathering, the Slavers and Mother Nature have no intentions of giving up. Neither does Kenn. We can only hope the time he’s spent with the blond leader has been enough to keep him in control.

  I hope you’ll keep in mind that book three was only the first 5 days. Adrian’s Eagles picks up right where Safe Haven leaves off. There’s a lot going on in that refugee camp these days, including small miracles, like Brady not dying and Angela thinking of becoming an Eagle. I also realize you’re wondering what’s been happening on Pitcairn Island. Kendle and Luke have mostly avoided the horrors of the War, but that’s about to change…

  I find myself on Facebook for any number of reasons these days, so if you’d like to check out my wall, you can find a link on the home page of my website (below). I often talk with readers. I also have many betas and work-related contacts there, meaning you’ll get to see parts of the process and help me chose things - like new covers. I always listen to advice.

  I’d like say thank you to my editor and the betas, who spent a big part of their year helping me. Don’t know where I’d be without you. I also have an enormous amount of gratitude for the folks over at the Zombie Squad. Doc, Kutter, Razor, Max, Swoop, Lex, and all the rest. You took the time to drill it into my head and I’m in awe of your patience. Honored to have met you, that’s me.

  Thanks to the ZS, this edition had footnotes. I’m very curious as to how you liked/hated them. This series is a long one, at least nine books. I have folders and notebooks that are overflowing with the next steps in this journey and I can’t wait to share them with you.

  Hey, have I said thank you for your purchase, yet? If you liked this book, I’d love to hear from you. There are comment forms on my site, but I love starting the day by reading a review from someone who loved the story and had to share it where they bought their copy. I check for new ones daily.

  So…ready for book 4 now? It’s available online at the usual places and on my website, through Paypal.

  Have a wonderful year,

  Angela White

  http://www.law-angelawhite.com

  Extras

  Adrian’s Eagles Sample

  4 Deleted Scenes

  DOC Article

  Footnotes

  Character Bios

  Adrian’s Eagles

  "The Slavers are coming... I can almost feel their hate."

  Adrian’s hand rested lightly on his gun. "The Eagles want them to. After all the hell they've caused, my Army can't wait to make them pay."

  The Survival of America: everyone is on equal ground, working for a common goal, yet it won’t happen overnight and not everyone can handle Adrian’s version of safety… including some of his closest people.

  Welcome Back

  1

  The guards were unable to keep from talking about what they'd seen and the story flew through Safe Haven despite the quarantine. Overheard while setting up camp for lunch, small, worried whispers of magic began to circulate, and Adrian headed for the taped-off zone.

  The gossip had few details and would die out quickly, but he was very curious as to the reactions of not only the Eagles who'd been there, but from Angela. The panic in her voice had run through him with a horror he would never forget. Would she now back out of the ideas he'd planted? The life he foresaw for these refugees was no picnic, but as an Eagle, she would face dangers like this daily.

  He spotted her at the center table with the rest of his chain of command, Brady on her right in his crisscrossed gun belts and looking like he'd taken the worst of it. The timber wolf appeared at his master’s side for an inspection and a quick rub of confirmation.

  From there, Dog went to Angela and curled up at her feet, letting her gentle fingers stroke his soft fur comfortingly. The big animal was bonded with Brady. Losing Marc might have sent Dog back out into the wild and he was grateful to the woman and her Witch for saving his Master. She would be well-protected and so would their pup, Charlie.

  Adrian let his sight reach out, that part of him that was able to sometimes see what was hidden, and felt Angela rush out to greet him nervously.

  “The girl in the parka leads their group. She doesn't know she’s pregnant.”

  Was she right to be worried about their reactions? Adrian
looked over the new people, seeing them putting away the food and talking easily with the Eagles around them. They were thin, strong, and young. Smart too, he realized, seeing mended glasses, walkie-talkies, and loaded weapons with extra ammo in reach. They were survivors.

  And his men? Adrian recognized the satisfaction on their faces, the kind that came from winning a battle, and relaxed. She was safe here and he was now looking forward to the unabridged version the camp would never hear.

  Surprising only them, Adrian went straight to the college kids, eager to make welcome the first Angela had risked her life for. It took only a few minutes to see the kids were already won over. He sat with them, pushing more food toward the girl in the parka as he stored every word of their vivid story. When he began to speak of quiet loyalty and of helping, they were hanging on every word.

  Angela felt very exposed, both sides of the caution tape that lined the camp full of those eating, but Marc had almost died for her and she wouldn't hurt him by moving away. She worried over it though, knowing Kenn would see it and be sure there was more than friendship between them.

  “He already knows that. We'll handle it."

  The Leader sounded pleased and Angela was glad he didn’t seem upset that she'd risked so many of his men for so few people. She sent him an apology, telling him she just couldn’t leave them for the team to come back to.

  Adrian turned to her with a silent communication that made the man on her right, Brady, frown.

  “Don't feel that way. Each life to me is without price and I want them all. You won't be punished. The need to help is what makes you one of mine.”