by Angela White
“He won’t give you a chance to use those,” Tara whispered nervously. “He’ll attack any second now.”
“Well, we can’t have that,” Angela stated. “Send the signal.”
“We have your people!”
Jack’s happy voice echoed up and down the mountain. “I will kill them.”
The three hostages exchanged glances that said to be ready. Becky and Seth had been found wandering, and Cynthia had been captured while trying to sneak into Vlad’s camp to spy on them. They’d done exactly what they were told to, minus the final moment, and all three of them began to inch into the right positions. Their captors were occupied with the words being flung back and forth, and didn’t notice.
A bottle rocket exploded and Jack waited for it to fade before shouting,” I want my daughter!”
“Come in alone and we can talk!” Angela shouted.
Jack raised a hand to give the order to open fire.
“Coward!”
Marc’s shout was sent with the command of an Alpha, demanding his surrender and Jacks’ attention was snared.
Behind him, Seth and Becky exchanged a look. The rocket was the signal and both of them began struggling with their captors.
In the very rear, Becky also fought, but her focus was on Jack and it was all mental.
Jack felt the pricks at his shield but he had his hands full repelling Marc’s energy. In the battle, his hold over his own men slipped.
“Now!” Tara shouted from Angela’s side. “Do it now!”
Stunned, Jack forgot everything else and aimed for his betrayer.
Taking advantage of the moment, Jack’s horse bucked him into the air.
Jack flailed, all concentration gone.
Gunshots echoed, a large knife flew through the air, and time slowed as Jack arched repeatedly.
Angela watched Jack’s body fly to the ground, blood pouring from multiple wounds and she raised a hand.
Around her, the Eagles ceased fire. Behind Jack’s stunned men, the three Safe Haven hostages began backing out of the line of fire.
Angela and Marc walked toward the group, their shields bright and tight in the early morning. As they approached, they let their eyes glow red and their demon faces bleed through. They didn’t look at each other.
No longer under Jack’s evil control, each of his men made the safest choice and wheeled their mounts toward the road leading down the mountain.
“Take the rear rider,” Angela instructed.
Marc fired once before remembering their shields wouldn’t let anything through. Frustrated by the lack of physical fighting, Marc concentrated on capturing his first mental prey.
Stephens stiffened in his saddle, gaze going to Jack’s corpse, and he turned as if a puppet on strings. He met Marc’s gaze and broke out into a sweat as he tried to resist the order Marc was giving.
Becky came over, not shy around the horse, and placed a hand on the man’s leg.
Stephens glanced down, concentration breaking, and he never saw Seth’s knife coming as it slid across his throat.
Cynthia, assuming they were supposed to kill them all, sent a blast of icy wind toward the retreating figures and it shoved the closest rider hard enough to make the animal slip and take its rider over the edge.
“Enough!” Angela yelled. “That’s enough.”
Marc escorted their people toward the gate, thinking they should leave the bodies for nature to clean up. It would be a warning to all who came here thinking they could take over.
The carnage on the road was ugly, but little compared to their previous slaughters and Angela motioned the Eagles to leave it. Marc was right. They needed a caution sign outside their gates and bones were as good a sign as any.
As they reentered the gates, the Eagles let out a cheer and the refugees in Zone C kept their mouths shut, stunned from everything they’d witnessed.
Angela ignored the large group as she passed them, not sure why they were still alive. In her vision, one of Jack’s men had gotten off a single shot that had lit the entire zone on fire.
“Something went wrong,” she muttered, not aware of the celebrating men and women around her. “What did I miss?”
She shoved by Tara, who grabbed Missy and scurried toward the caves.
“Someone get Jeremy in my tent and do it now!” Angela ordered, ending the noise.
Her tone said they had another problem and everyone resumed the watchful alertness they had started the morning with.
5
“Don’t do it, boy. We don’t have orders for this fight.”
“Well, we should!” Charlie nearly snarled in anger, but he forced his finger away from the rifle’s touchy trigger. “We should be doing something!”
“We are, boy,” Morgan stated kindly. “We’re making sure those gates aren’t breached. We’re tending her herd. It’s a more important job than even she has.”
Charlie didn’t believe that, but a rocket in the air stopped his protest and he watched with the other snipers as the fight started. He’d been happy to be assigned as a sniper, until now. Now, he wanted to be at Tracy’s side. He hadn’t seen her yet today, but he knew she was down there, ready to fight and die upon his mom’s command.
The battle below was over quickly and Charlie was forced to admit that the snipers hadn’t been needed. The Eagles on the ground had been more than enough.
Charlie tried to control his frustration, turning to survey another part of the camp. He hated this feeling of being left out, and he still hadn’t found an outlet for his anger over Tracy being hurt. These days, he spent his time away from his mom and dad because he couldn’t stand to be around them. They didn’t care that Tracy had nightmares, that she jumped when touched, that all the progress he’d made with her had been wiped out in a single night.
“What’s moving behind us?” Morgan directed the sullen teenager to a new path, hoping Charlie would let himself be distracted. He was handling a man’s life and doing a good job so far, but it would get harder from here. Morgan had a soft spot for Charlie. He often reminded Morgan of his own son, who probably would have been in the same classes here, had he survived the war.
“The movement is Samantha’s team coming in.” Charlie turned to regard him. “I didn’t know you had kids.”
Morgan was instantly glad for the opening and took it. “George was a good boy. A little hotheaded when he found a cause, but still good. He was shot by draft soldiers who were stripping our garden.” Morgan sighed. “I was at work when they came. After I buried my family, I set out to kill every soldier I could find.”
Completely distracted, Charlie frowned. “I’m sorry. I guess we’ve all lost someone.”
“And managed to survive,” Morgan pointed out. “Some of us had rougher days or nights than the others, but we haven’t given up. Like your Tracy. She’s a good girl.”
Charlie waited for more, realizing this conversation was preplanned. He could tell by the way Moran kept judging his reaction.
“You blame her? Mad at her?”
“No, I’m not,” Charlie denied, and then realized that he was. “Well, maybe a little, but she has to tell my mom no. She should have said no.”
Morgan studied the boy, trying to remember what it had been like to be so young and full of fire. “None of us will do that, son. Your mom is why we’re here, why we’re alive and free. We need you to understand that.”
“I can’t,” Charlie stated harshly. “And I won’t forgive her, so don’t ask me to.”
“What does Tracy tell you when you say that to her?” Morgan pushed.
“She says I’m wrong, that my mom didn’t know it would happen. She’s covering for a liar.”
“Son, you should listen to her. She went through it. She probably relives it every night. If she doesn’t blame your mom, you shouldn’t either.”
Morgan wanted to add more, but knew it wouldn’t sink in. Charlie would have to keep sorting through this one until he concluded what everyo
ne else already had. Tracy’s abuse had served a purpose and Angela hadn’t let it happen lightly. Despite her hard shell, they all remembered the Angela who cared deeply about them, enough to give her life if it was called for.
“In time, you’ll see her the way we do,” Morgan promised. “Until then, at least try not to hate her. It solves nothing.”
Charlie refused to answer and went back to scanning, but in his mind and heart, a battle was still happening that only concerned his own desires. He still loved and wanted Tracy, but after what she’d been through, he had no right to ask her for more than friendship. It was heartbreaking because he still wanted a future with her and that wasn’t possible now.
6
“Oh, you traitorous bitch!” Vlad swore lowly from his cover of trees. “You killed Jack!”
There was no way that Vlad could go to the body and try to heal him without drawing attention. He was forced to retreat after the remaining members of Jack’s crew, with vengeance burning brightly in his heart.
“I’m gonna make you pay, baby,” he promised, leading his horse away. “The rest of our men are on the way and you are gonna die a horrible death for this!” Vlad’s thoughts went to Adrian. “I’ll have a taste of your pain now.”
7
“There’s the signal. Move in!” Kyle ordered.
He and his team had been watching Jack’s camp since dawn and they rushed in with weapons drawn, even though Adrian was the only one there.
It only took a moment to swing the unconscious man up onto a horse and ride away, but Kyle didn’t like it. He didn’t want to save Adrian. The traitor didn’t deserve it.
The team was quickly out of sight and Kyle shifted so that he could dig a syringe from his kit. He spurred his mount to reach Adrian’s and he jabbed the medication into the former leader’s leg. He then dropped back to watch the effects. If fate were kind, Adrian would wake up off balance and fall beneath the hooves of his horse.
Adrian jerked into alertness and instinctively held onto the fast running mount he was lying over. Pain squeezed his head and he retched as he hung on, stomach protesting.
“Figures.”
The angry voice clued Adrian in to who his rescuers were and he shut his lids as the ground flew by. When he thought he could, Adrian carefully lifted a leg and straddled his horse, sitting up. Dizziness assaulted him and he allowed Whitney to keep the reigns while he tried to recover. Being hit with triple juice and jerked out of it with a counter-drug was rough on a body.
Adrian’s heart gave a nasty thump in agreement and he fumbled for a nitro from the hidden pocket that he’d sewn into every shirt he owned.
Kyle hardened his emotions, not wanting to feel sympathy for Adrian’s weak heart or the abrupt waking. For all he knew, it was another trick.
Adrian waited for his heart to settle into a normal rhythm and then began rooting through the saddlebags of the thundering horse, holding on tightly with his right hand. If he had an episode, the left hand would go numb. He knew that from experience.
Kyle watched Adrian, letting Whitney and the others lead the way. Angela’s message had said they would have a short time to grab their target and then reach their destination before the rest of Jack’s men would arrive. Kyle didn’t intend to be late and he urged his mount faster, forcing the others to keep up. Every second saved now was a second that could be used later.
As they rode, Adrian felt his strength slowly returning and found a moment to be grateful that Angela had provided for him again. She could have left him there to face Vlad’s wrath or be picked off by a predator while unconscious. He owed her more than he could ever repay.
Kyle, sensing Adrian’s thoughts had gone to the boss, said,” She has orders for you, if this goes well.”
Adrian knew from Kyle’s tone that it wasn’t good, but he didn’t waste his mental energy trying to puzzle it out. “What is it?”
“She wants Zone C thinned out–regularly.”
Adrian blanched. How low I’ve been placed.
Kyle understood the feeling, the awful contempt it would give Adrian to do such things, and let it go for now. He wanted to enjoy this hit before he delivered any more.
Adrian swallowed it and pointed to a long, rusting building coming up on their right. “That’s it. Give me the bag.”
Whitney passed a heavy duffle bag to Adrian and then split off to the left to allow Adrian room to go by. Kyle’s team wasn’t staying to help, but each of them rotated on their mounts to watch the former leader jump the gate to the rail yard. If he were successful, they would hear it. If there was silence, Kyle planned to turn around despite his orders not to. Jennifer and Autumn were in Safe Haven and these new descendants couldn’t be allowed to get that far.
8
Adrian was placing the final charge when he felt the first vibration through the rails. Hurrying, he left the explosive area and hoped he was dim enough to those on board.
Instead of stopping to watch the show, Adrian kept running for the horse now grazing in the small thicket across from the rail yard’s main building.
As he jumped on the horse, a new sound came and his heart thumped unhappily. Someone else on horse was flying toward him and Adrian was forced to go west. He disappeared into the thicker woods as Vlad topped the final rise.
Drawn to the approaching train, Vlad dismissed the shadow and headed for the waving men and women.
Out of thought range, the noise of his horse was covered by the squealing of the train’s brakes, and Adrian urged his mount faster.
The passengers on the train had no warning as the C-4 was triggered and exploded. The engine rose into the air, flames engulfing it, and the fireball raced through the terminal.
Another brick of the explosive detonated, tearing through the passenger car and bodies flew through like screams.
A third explosion rocked the train, causing it to roll slowly backwards and the heavy noise of grinding and ripping metal drowned out everything else. When it finally stopped, there was only the sound of hot debris burning, cracking, and shifting.
Vlad gaped at the destruction. He’d jerked his horse to a stop at the first explosion and now he examined the wreckage for any signs of survivors. He was a healer, but there had to be at least a little life left for him to help.
Vlad eased closer to the inferno, noting the main terminal was on fire and burning hotly. It wouldn’t stay up long.
Vlad dismounted and ran toward the passenger car, swiping at flaming wires and wood that showered him in hot sparks.
“Help!”
Vlad rushed toward the voice and shoved his way through the flaming boxes to discover a familiar face.
“Vlad! Heal me!”
Vlad did as Jack’s son commanded, sweeping the area for other survivors.
The boy’s wounds weren’t bad and Vlad left him coughing to get closer to the flaming passenger car. Thick smoke blinded him and Vlad brought up his shield as it got hotter.
“There!” Jay ran by him to grab the shaking body of a thin woman. Her hair was on fire and the boy slapped at it while Vlad sent a light current of healing power through her to calm the seizure.
The roof over the area was in full blazing glory and pieces began to fall on them.
“Get her out of here!” Vlad shouted.
Jay threw her arm over his shoulder and stayed with Vlad as he approached the passenger car that was on its side.
“Get in there!” a voice called. “Help them!”
Vlad recognized Kranten’s voice and kept going into the burning car. He found one other survivor and he had to drag the bald man outside before he could heal him. As he passed under the archway, the entire roof collapsed in a hot shower of fire, covering the passenger car. Blankets of smoke rolled over them as Vlad used the last of his energy to heal the man he’d brought out.
The other survivors gathered around Vlad and kept watch out for another attack. They didn’t speak or cry, or show any emotion except for the rage-filled orb
s that stayed crimson.
Chapter Twelve
One of Three
1
Loud cheers echoed through Safe Haven as those in the small tent watched the train being destroyed. The Eagles that were around Jeremy and his laptop passed the word that Jack’s friends weren’t coming and the camp slowly resumed the work of getting everyone settled in the caves.
After being attacked, the members were okay with sleeping underground while the labor continued and Angela was happy to have them there. It was the safest place they could be, even with constant construction that brought moans and creaks in equal measures.
“Is that it for them?” Marc asked her when they had a moment alone. “Or is part one finished?”
Angela sighed, loving his sharp mind. “One of three.”
Marc grunted his unhappiness, but didn’t give her static over it. Keeping Safe Haven alive and together would always be a full time job. If it weren’t these ass-hats, it would be some other group trying to make a name for themselves.
“Is it something I can take care of?” he asked, hoping for a yes.
“It’ll have to play out this time, Marc,” Angela informed him tiredly. “But we now have a break, so that’s something, right?”
Marc nodded. “I can accomplish a lot in a short time.”
“Good. I have lists.”
“I kinda figured that,” he joked. “When will I get them?”
Angela gestured to Greg, who handed Marc a thin notebook.
“It’s all in there–all the details on what’s coming and my suggestions for handling it. Do the best you can.”
Marc watched her go to their tent and hoped she would be able to sleep now. The bags under her eyes were more pronounced than after her rescue from Donner.
Eager to chase down whatever it was that she had missed, Angela collapsed on her bed without removing her boots and fell into a thin sleep a few minutes later. When Greg took up his post outside the flap, she didn’t notice. There were train stations to be scanned and survivors to be trailed.
2
“We’re not getting any water from there.”