by Angela White
3
Donner stood on a stack of crates, rifle in hand as he addressed the troops. In only an hour, the rumors had circled the battalion and there was no need for a bullhorn the soldiers all strained to hear and passed it back.
Donner knew how to set up a takeover. “Fresh meat for lunch!”
The cheer from that was loud enough to send birds flying and bring spies to their feet with notebooks in hand.
“Fresh ammo for breakfast!”
Another cheer came, this one nearly as enthusiastic. Bullets were always needed.
“I have promotions, awards, and a pass to give.”
Quiet fell as confusion took over as Donner stared at them. “I’ll let forty of you compete for the bunker pass. Who wants to go? See me privately.”
The soldiers muttered, wondering what the chore was.
Donner filled in the blanks with a simple sentence. “Snatch and grab. I only expect a few of the forty to survive.”
There were more mutters as Donner finished his address by pointing to a small dust cloud in the distance. “That’s our food rolling in. Pick the best three cooks and get them into the mess. Steaks for dinner, as rare as you want them.”
He hopped down from the crates and strode toward the coming team and their cargo. The four cows running behind the vehicle didn’t look as good as they had when he’d flown over, but Donner didn’t worry over it. The fresh meat would be enough. He would gain their loyalty through the benefits he delivered and when it all finally came together, south wasn’t the direction they would go. He’d decided on west, toward the skeleton crew of protection the government now had. It was the perfect time to take over the world. He just needed a few Safe Haven descendants to help him control things. After that, nothing would stand in his way.
4
“What are you doing?”
Shawn didn’t answer as he handed Angela a kit and a heavier coat. He pointed toward the truck nearby that was already running.
Angela kept a hand on her gun as she went to check it out. Around her, the camp was emptying and there wasn’t much for her to do. She’d been planning to grab a shower and a snack.
Angela opened the passenger door to find an envelope, a small purple flower, and a grinning driver. “What’s going on?”
Greg clicked his mike once, looking pointedly at the message.
Angela tore open the white envelope to read the small card.
I’m naked, I’m alone, and I have chocolate. Get in the truck.
Angela flush bright red, sensing her driver was aware of what it said. Greg was a great blocker. His thoughts were currently full of gun names, serial numbers, and the various gear for those weapons, something she never bothered to memorize. He knew it would distract her.
Angela read the note again.
Then she got in the truck.
5
Dog scanned the camp as Angela left. She had moved the weaker members of her pack, leaving only the strength and the magic here. For Dog, who caught too many of their thoughts and often sought out Charlie’s one-track mind for relief, the change was stressful All the people here were worrying over the future, and so were the ants. Dog was trying to work with them, mostly to keep busy, but their thoughts were full of anger at the sacrifice being asked of them. They also held loathing for the soldiers. Their communications were buzzing across the wolf’s brain.
Dog padded into the middle of the struggling ants, sending a shout for silence.
The ants around him froze for an instant, then advanced aggressively.
Do it!
The insects weren’t used to challenging things larger than they were and Dog had no trouble shaking them off. He tried to be careful not to step on them, as well, but that was a lost cause as the ants attacked.
Bite too!
The ants began nipping him, using their bodies to shove, and the wolf allowed them to tip him over, completing the run.
Dog stayed laying down. He would have to do the wet work. The ants would make an excellent distraction so that he would be able to get close to his target. That would have to be enough, because these insects weren’t fighters, despite their size and numbers. He was relieved that Angela was only counting on the decoy.
Watching from nearby, Shawn joined Dog, kneeling down as the ants backed up.
“Things okay?”
Dog liked Shawn almost as much as Dale. He pushed up to nuzzle Shawn’s arm for a scratch.
Shawn did it carefully, still not used to the big animal’s human qualities.
Yeah, right there!
Shawn rubbed a little harder, snickering a bit when the wolf began reacting to the urge to roll over and had to stop himself.
Dog got up after a minute, sitting on his haunches to view the Eagle he often walked their perimeter with. I feel your unhappiness.
Shawn’s false cheer fell as the wolf glanced toward the couple walking by. Charlie and Tracy were laughing and whispering, arms around each other. Both males watching them sighed heavily.
“Yeah,” Shawn agreed, forcing his attention back to Dog. “But it’s just not our turn yet, you know?”
That’s not my problem, Dog huffed, rising.
It is mine, Shawn thought. He was happy for the couples here, but loneliness was hard.
“I need to do rounds. Come along?”
Dog padded to Shawn’s heel. Yes. She only gave the ants training lessons today to keep them ready for tomorrow.
“So it will happen then?”
Dog nodded his huge head. Oh yes. Nothing can stop it now except fate. I believe this was her plan all along.
Shawn wasn’t comforted by that, but with nothing to do now except wait, he tried to put it from his mind. He and Dog would walk a while, then come back and surprise Charlie and Tracy.
Dog caught the thought and blew out an amused snort. I’ll jump through the window if you want.
Shawn chuckled. “That’ll kill their mood.”
The pair made it to the rear of the newly shrunken camp, noting Jennifer and Kyle going into the training tent that was empty of people but not gear.
Dog looked up. We’ll make it a two-for-one.
6
“Can I ask you something? You won’t like it.”
Kyle nodded, bracing a bit. “Sure.”
“If I were doing a…hit, what’s the most important thing to remember?”
Kyle’s expression was thunderous and Jennifer was glad she’d waited until they were alone in the training tent.
“Are you?”
Jennifer nodded quickly. Angela knew they would have to release some details to their trainers. “More than one.”
Kyle was instantly terrified. Fear stopped the anger and replaced it with concern. “At the same time?”
Jennifer shrugged. “That wasn’t revealed.”
Kyle’s face lit up and he spun toward the small hay room to take his rage out on the punching bag. He already knew yelling at her or Angela wouldn’t change anything.
Jennifer winced when Kyle swung and blood splattered the bottom of the bag. He hit again, harder, and she forced herself to stay there and watch. She would be facing much worse soon.
Kyle seemed to catch the thought, but before he could begin ranting, Jennifer shoved into his darkening mind. Come kiss me twice and then teach me. I’d like to survive this.
Kyle was stunned with pain and desire, brain and body in opposition. “What?”
Jennifer leaned against the hay wall. “We’re alone and you keep thinking about kissing me. I said you can.”
Kyle was being led away from the danger line and he knew it, allowed it, but only because there was no other choice. Angela would have her way and maybe Jennifer’s life.
Jennifer paled a bit, but nodded. “If that’s what it takes, I’ll give it willingly, Reece. Wouldn’t you?”
“It should be me!” he shot back. “You’re a kid, not a killer!”
Jennifer stiffened. “I’m neither of those things, though
I’ve been both. Now, I’m a mother and there isn’t a hell I won’t smother myself in to save my daughter.”
She went back to their setup and resumed firing at multiple targets as quickly as she could.
Kyle watched without speaking, still running through ways to stop this even though he knew there weren’t any. Angela’s warning was ringing in his ears as Jennifer rolled and fired smoothly. She was mad at him.
“Yeah, a little,” she spit out, reloading. “You expect me to sit by when you risk your life, but I don’t get the same respect.”
“It’s not what I want for you,” Kyle answered. “I know it’s your life, your choice. I still don’t want it.”
“Then we have a problem, Kyle,” Jennifer said, resuming her starting position. “If I survive this run, there will be others.”
If you stay, he thought, before he could stop himself.
Jennifer went through her run again and Kyle felt her waiting, teetering on the edge of a choice, though he wasn’t sure exactly what decision she was stewing over.
“Us,” she filled in, firing too slowly for comfort. “I either have your support or I don’t.”
“I’m afraid you’ll be killed. Or hurt.”
“So am I,” Jennifer admitted, unhappy with her coverage of the two dozen targets scattered around the tent. “But I’m more afraid of hiding and letting everyone else die for me. That’s not the person I am, not after everything I’ve been through.”
Kyle often forgot how much older she was mentally because of the hells she’d suffered. All he could see was a beautiful kid about to give up her life for nothing. In his mind, there wasn’t anything Jennifer could do to help or hinder this war. At least not any more than Angela’s male fighters.
Kyle was unprepared for her reaction to the thought.
Jennifer shoved her gun into the holster and faced him with her hands on her hips. “Do you think she’s doing this so women can be eagles? Or to prove we already are? Do you really think she would ever send females to the front lines if it wasn’t needed?”
Kyle hadn’t been able to come up with a reason and he shrugged. “Then why?”
“Numbers,” Jennifer placated, knowing the biggest answer was one he couldn’t handle yet. “She gave us the numbers, Kyle. Our enemy expects to face an army of men. If that happens, we’ll lose our fighters, our protectors. Safe Haven will be exposed to every group of evil that comes by and it would take decades for those who survive to be old enough for any adult chore, like reproduction.”
Jennifer stared toward where her daughter was currently napping in Angela’s tent, with a guard inside the open flap. “By using women and kids to lure those soldiers into traps, she will have saved us now and for the future.”
Kyle accepted that answer only because he knew it was the only one he was going to get. Jennifer had made up her mind. She was doing this.
“Yes, I am.” She motioned to the target. “But I have to do better. My aim is great, but I have to hit them faster. Help me?”
Kyle nodded, reluctantly moving back to the training position. “You only have one issue that I see.”
Jennifer gave him a go-ahead gesture and Kyle forced the rest of it from his mind. She was doing it. He would help her. “Change the order of your targets. When you face a group, there’s a simple rule to remember. Packing, Possible, everyone else.”
Jennifer raised a brow and Kyle explained, “Those with a weapon come first. Those who might have a weapon out of sight are second. Everyone else comes last.”
Jennifer stared at the targets, quickly picking out those details before firing in the new order.
It flowed better from the first shot and she was grinning as she finished four seconds faster. “Sweet!”
How about that kiss now? Kyle thought, chuckling at her happiness.
Jennifer moved straight to his side and slid into his tense arms. “Here you go.”
At that moment, Dog lunged through the tent flap and slammed into the side of the hay wall, knocking both of them to the ground.
Jennifer landed on top of Kyle and his chuckle gave her the courage to lean down and deliver the promised kiss.
Dog and Shawn stared in resignation at the couple–Dog snorting, Shawn shaking his head.
“That’s not the reaction we got from the camper,” Shawn commented.
I know! Dog whined. At least we got to see some cheek out of that one!
Chapter Five
Bingo Time
1
“Are you finished yet?”
Tonya turned around to snap that she’d be out of the camper when she was done and found Kenn standing against the closed door.
Tonya noted that stare and those smirking lips, and shook her head. “No way. I’ve got work to do.”
Kenn flipped the lock on the door, aware of Shawn and Dog making rounds. “Come here.”
Tonya giggled as Kenn chased her around the narrow area, both ending up in a stall without the water running, but still making steam rise. If the boss could steal down time, so they could they.
Outside the camper, a shadow padded by. Dog hadn’t planned to bother Kenn, but the Marine thinking he had things covered by simply locking the door offended the wolf a bit. He slipped under the camper and came out at the rear, hearing the couple right above him. He slowly used his nose to raise the latch on the rear door to the camper, the one they only used during waste removal times.
Dog nosed the door open.
“Hey!”
“Who did that?!”
“Close the door!”
The wolf casually padded away among the whistles and catcalls. There was more than a cheek showing now.
2
Quinn watched the island woman thoughtfully. He was her shadow this evening, but didn’t expect trouble from her yet. On the road, Kendle had done well at not hurting anyone except for the enemy and herself. Quinn thought the same would apply here.
Kendle stopped on the top of the cliff she’d just climbed for the fourth time. Working on skills and toughening muscles, she was also wearing out her body so that she could sleep. Angela had said she would be given orders when the time came, but waiting sucked.
Kendle glanced down and spotted Quinn again. He wasn’t trying to hide from her and she recognized it as a broken rule.
“Do you want something?”
Quinn easily joined her on the rise, following her lead when she sat down, legs swinging off the edge.
“Thought you might like to talk, now that you’ve worked some of it out.”
Kendle frowned. “About what?”
“Your choice,” he said cheerfully.
“Not really.”
“Okay.”
Kendle waited for him to leave. When he didn’t, she couldn’t find the energy to be upset. That was why she’d chosen to climb up here in the first place.
Quinn was aware of her strength, and of the scratches and bruises that she’d just added to the dozens she already wore. He liked a woman who could take a little pain. He didn’t want to witness it, of course, but a strong woman was much better than a whiner.
“Really?” Kendle chuckled bitterly. “I’m a screamer.”
Quinn knew she meant that in an awful way and slowly patted her hand.
He didn’t speak or linger in the touch and Kendle allowed it. Comfort was something many of these people had tried to give her, but their words were all wrong. Silence was better.
Quinn felt her accept his presence and wiped a mental brow. He hadn’t been sure that she would want him around, but he’d found himself thinking about her a lot since they’d returned.
“Why?”
“No idea.” Quinn shrugged, not upset that she was getting his thoughts so clearly. “That’s why I’m here.”
Kendle realized he was subtly scenting her and shuddered.
“Are you cold?”
Kendle nodded to cover the reaction. She needed a release and whether he knew it or not, Quinn was giving of
f subtle vibes of the same.
Quinn dropped his jacket over her shoulders without touching her, and felt her lean toward him curiously. He asked himself the question quickly, as all men did in this situation.
Do I want her?
Sure.
For what?
Not sure.
Not good. Tell her no.
It was a method of self-preservation that men had learned too well for it to be removed by even something as traumatic as a war. If they thought for one second that they might fall in love, they refused to make a physical connection until the woman had proven herself worthy. In Quinn’s case, he already knew Kendle was and it scared him to find himself sitting here, breaking rules for a possible future with a stranger. He had Marc’s left side. Very few things would be worth risking that.
Quinn stood up. “Excuse me.”
Kendle let him go. She wasn’t confused, just not interested enough to chase Quinn despite the slight attraction. Anyone could give her sex. No one could give her Marc.
3
“Do you think they’re okay?”
Marc handed Angela a cup of hot chocolate and then dropped a second blanket over her shoulders. They were in a small cave, with a fire in the doorway and bedrolls behind it. They’d made love and napped, but when darkness came, she’d tensed again.
“Are you ready to go back?”
Angela was, but she also wanted the time alone with Marc. She shook her head, smiling softly. “Not yet.”
Marc settled down next to her and wrapped up under the same blankets. For a little while, it had been just him and Angie again. He had loved it.
“Me too,” she confessed, feeling drowsy as she sipped her hot drink and leaned against his warmth.
The fire crackled soothingly as Angela snickered. “Bet Shawn’s got his hands full.”
Marc sighed. She couldn’t leave it there. He would have to take her back to camp.
Angela realized she was spoiling the last of their free time and surrendered to the pressure from the witch. “Let’s stay until everyone’s asleep.”
“Really?” Marc asked happily.