by Eve Langlais
Axel went off with Gunner, leaving Laura alone with Casey. The woman had already gone for a swim and now lay in the warm sun, half dressed, eyes closed as if resting.
Laura didn’t know her well enough to speak. Quite frankly the woman intimidated her.
Casey was the one to break the silence. “So you and Axel...”
The only thing she said and yet the embarrassment proved hot and quick. “We are friends.”
“With benefits,” Casey snickered. “I guess this means you’re not getting traded anymore.”
“Do you think Axel wants me to stay?”
“Who gives a fuck what Axel wants. What do you want?”
She asked, and Laura didn’t have the slightest clue. She’d never been given an option before. “I don’t know what I want. Won’t there be trouble if I am not handed over?”
“We’d handle it. Haven didn’t get its name by accident.”
“Stay and do what though?” Laura knew everyone was expected to do their part.
“Anything you like.”
“What if I don’t know what that is?” What if she couldn’t provide a service Haven thought useful?
Casey expelled a long sigh. “Then you figure it out. Must be something you’re good at.”
“I know how to take care of children.”
Casey snorted. “I should hope so if you decide to have some with Axel.”
The very thought snapped Laura’s jaw shut.
“Don’t tell me you didn’t think of that possibility. You guys obviously did some hot and heavy stuff.”
“No one exactly explained how children are made in the wild.” Although, judging by the innuendo, it had a lot to do with what she and Axel had done earlier.
“The good news is those take time to make. You have time to learn. Time to find yourself a job. Offer something of value.”
“I have nothing of value.” Except… Her mind whirled. “I’m worth a gemminar.”
“I thought we were talking about not trading you.”
“What if we pretended?” Laura paced by the water’s edge. “Hand me over for the power source.”
“And how are we supposed to get you back?”
“Don’t worry about that part.” If she got captured, she’d get scared and her power would do the rest. “I need to talk to Axel. I have an idea.”
She practically pounced on him the moment he stepped out of the forest. The smile he gave her made him look especially handsome. She felt that smile all the way to her toes.
“You’re going to use me,” she shouted, which raised a few eyebrows. Her cheeks heated. “I mean I want you to use me to get the gemminar.”
She didn’t understand why Gunner chuckled and slapped Axel on the back. Axel didn’t say anything as she laid out her sparse plan.
At the end of it, Axel flatly said, “No.”
“Why not?”
“I won’t have you put yourself in their grasp.” He shook his head.
She argued. “It’s my choice.”
“And it’s mine to say no. It’s too dangerous.” He sliced a hand through the air.
It only strengthened her resolve. “You didn’t say it was too dangerous when you came after the truck that had me.”
“We knew what we were facing.”
“Axel’s right,” Gunner interjected. “It’s too dangerous for you.”
“And as we plan to double-cross them, they might be plotting the same,” Casey muttered.
“More than likely,” Axel remarked. “We also need to keep in mind, if we do this, then whatever source Karlos used to set up this deal will be rendered unusable.”
“With a gemminar, we’ll be able to better provide,” Gunner argued in contrast.
Axel lifted his hands. “Just pointing out the tiny details. Not saying I’m against it. I think Laura should be free. We don’t need the gemminar to do that.”
“You do need it. Which is why we’re going to get one.” Laura lifted her chin. “I’m doing this.”
It was Gunner who said, “We should get moving if we’re going to get in position to launch the trap. Daylight is wasting.”
She blinked. “You already planned to double-cross them.”
“They suggested. I disagreed,” Axel growled with a glare at his friends.
“Because you’re worried about me.” She lifted her chin. “I can do this.” She had to if she was to prove to herself, and them, that she wanted to be a part of Haven.
A pacing Axel stopped in front of Laura and tilted her chin. “This will be dangerous.”
“I’m dangerous.” She reminded him.
He stroked her lower lip with his thumb. “And brave. I saw the scars on your back.”
Whipping left its mark. She downplayed it. “The Creche has a lot of rules.”
“But you survived. And now you’re planning to fight back.” His lips stretched. “If we do this, to make it look real, I’ll have to probably tie you up.”
“Keep that kinky shit for when you’re in private,” Casey retorted.
“You guys head out. We’ll follow in a few minutes so we don’t get there too early.” Axel held her hand as they threaded their way through the dormant forest to the buggy. He obviously wanted to get her alone but not for the reason she’d hoped.
“I don’t think you should do this,” he urged.
“Your faith in me is reassuring.” Her dry reply.
“We can carry this off without using you.”
“How? My understanding is you need to produce me before the gemminar comes out of the armored truck.”
“A truck they’ll stick you in.”
“You got me out fine last time.”
His lips pressed into a thin line, and on impulse, she rose on tiptoe and kissed him.
He softened. “You could get hurt.”
“I’m glad you care,” she whispered over his lips.
“I wish we’d practiced harder with your power last night.”
“Whereas I am quite happy with what we did.”
He hugged her close and buried his face in her hair. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
She stroked his head. “Your pep talks aren’t very motivating.”
He chuckled. “We will prevail.”
“Yes.” Because anything else wasn’t acceptable.
They emerged from the thickest part of the woods to find the buggy untouched.
“How come the trees didn’t break it?” she asked.
“The Seimor prefers living things.”
From the buggy, he pulled out her white gown, and while she dressed once more as a Madre, noticing the onerous weight of the mantle, he armed himself.
When they were both ready, she offered him a wan smile. “I guess it’s time to go.”
Before she could open the door and slide in, he’d pinned her to the body of the vehicle.
“Still a chance to back out,” he said.
She shook her head. “I need to do this.” To bring something with her to Haven to prove she’d earned a spot.
“I don’t like it.” His hand wound into her hair and tugged her head back. He kissed her hard and fierce, his tongue pushing past her teeth in a rough embrace that had her clawing at him. When he pulled up the white skirts of her robe, she coiled her leg around his waist, welcoming the hard thrusts. Her head tilted back, guttural cries spilling from her as she found her pleasure riding him.
He buried his face in her neck as their bodies stilled. “Tell me to take you home to Haven. Don’t make me do this.”
“We are getting that power source. You keep forgetting I have magic.”
Easy to sound brave with the fading pulse of orgasm making her strong. Harder as they left their strange and violent bower. The buggy chewed up terrain, bringing them ever close to the meeting spot.
They’d gone over the plan a few times now. The exchange of goods. The way she’d pretend to be docile, keeping her power under wraps until they made the trade and Gunner got
away with the gemminar. Then, hopefully in full-blown terror, she’d unleash her power while Axel led a counterattack to get her back.
Trepidation did fill her at her role in this affair. What if the power didn’t work? What if Axel didn’t come back?
As if he read her mind, his fingers laced around hers. “Tell me to turn around.”
The very fact he offered meant she said, “No. We can do this.” I can do this.
The fear within mocked her attempt at bravery, but with that fear came power. It tingled inside her. Waiting.
Midafternoon, after more than an hour of driving across a barren section of Wasteland, she noticed a change in the landscape.
“What is that?” she asked, seeing a shallow bowl dipping into the land. Lined with more dust and only the occasional rock peeping, it appeared desolate, but it was where he was heading.
“It’s called the Valley.”
“That’s it?”
“No other name. Old Gordie said it’s one of the original craters. In the middle, you can still see the tip of the meteor that caused it.”
“And why are we going into it?”
“Because that’s where we’re supposed to make the trade.” He passed over the lip.
Looking in the side mirrors, she couldn’t help but notice the dust trial he left behind. “Isn’t it kind of exposed for a meeting place?”
“Exactly the point. No one can sneak in to cause trouble.”
It also meant no one could hide. The trail behind them hung in the air like a flag.
“How long do we wait?”
“A few minutes. The exchange happens at dusk.”
“Why dusk?” Only she groaned as she realized why. “This place is like the forest. It comes alive at night.”
His lips curved. “You’re learning. Although the Valley isn’t alive. The nightly storms pulverize anything that dares try and live in its embrace.”
“How bad are these storms?”
“It’s what will hide our retreat. So if you incapacitate your captors before I reach you, don’t get out of the vehicle. Stay inside. I will find you.”
Her fear rose. “Why am I only hearing about the storm now?”
He glanced at her. “Are you scared?”
She nodded, the fear pulsing inside her.
“Which means you can touch your power.” He glanced out the windshield. “They’re coming.”
She noticed the plume of dust and moving vehicles, a pair of them that dipped over the valley lip and headed for them.
“They have two trucks.”
“Already changing the terms of the trade,” he muttered.
“Are we in trouble?”
“Not yet. Could just be a precaution.”
She clenched her hands. “You need to tie me up.
“You couldn’t have said that earlier?” He winked, but she could see the worry behind the teasing.
“It will be fine.” She reached for his hand. “I just have to imagine them as those grotesque things from the ruins.”
He didn’t say much as he loosely wound a rope around her wrists. The other vehicles were close now, only the swirling sand storm they created with their passage hid them.
He pulled her close and gave her a hard kiss. “I will come for you.”
She clung to that promise.
The Enclave trucks stopped over a dozen paces away. No one moved as the dust settled.
Axel looked at her. “Ready to pretend?”
She nodded. She had to lull the Enclave guards into thinking she wasn’t dangerous and get close enough to adhere some kind of device on their suit. Meanwhile she quivered inside, and her power quivered with her, pulsing, demanding release. But not as strong as before. Had she used it all up with the ghouls? Would she even be able to use it against humans?
Too late to figure it out now.
Axel opened his door and grabbed hold of her bound wrists to drag her across the seats. He yanked her free from the buggy. She didn’t fake the gasp at his roughness.
He held her up in front of him, and she gazed wide-eyed at the armored bodies emerging across from her. Two soldiers got out of each truck. Four in total, armed with guns attached to their armor.
Her stomach clenched. Too late to say no now.
“I brought your Madre. Now where’s my gemmy?” Axel drawled.
“No trade until we’ve verified the goods.”
Goods? Anger lapped at some of her fear.
“Hold the female still,” intoned the same robotic voice.
The shortest guard approached and held up a scanner. It passed over her face and marked her features in a blue glow. The short guard returned and showed the screen of his device to the leader
She felt the first tickle of a soft breeze.
Axel murmured against her hair, “You can still get back in the buggy.”
She knew if she accepted, a fight would result. Four to his one, the odds getting better with her magic if it cooperated. However, every second out here meant a delay that might make them vulnerable to the storm. Her hair now fluttered gently.
Best they stick to the plan.
A pair of the guards went to the back of a truck and emerged with a box. They each held a handle and carried it to their leader, laying it on the dirt with a hard thump.
Axel said nothing as a guard flipped the catches and opened the lid. She saw something rather mundane looking: an egg-shaped metal chunk.
“Is it fully charged?” Axel asked.
The leader dropped to his haunches and poked at it. A light appeared for a second, bright and strong.
Axel approached and held out his arm, running it over the device.
“Don’t trust your own eyes?”
“Making sure you’re not double-crossing me,” Axel riposted. “Looks good.”
“We’re not the criminals here,” insulted the leader. “Give us the Madre.”
“She’s all yours. Glad to be rid of her. Damned female wouldn’t stop preaching about how we were all Deviant scum.”
Knowing it was an act didn’t make it easier to run at the guards, to pretend joy at being rescued. “Thank you. Thank you for saving me from the marauders.” She flung herself at the leader, and the disc concealed between her palms adhered to his suit.
She was wrenched clear and half dragged to the back of the truck. She cast a glance over her shoulder to see Axel standing, his expression impassive.
He had the gemminar. The storm approached.
She felt it lifting the tips of her hair, calling to the power inside her.
The guards noticed it, too. The jab in her arm had her noticing too late the needle that put her to sleep.
Sixteen
The moment they got out of the buggy Axel’s instincts screamed to run. The two vehicles weren’t supposed to be part of the trade. The driver was supposed to come alone.
But what could he do? One against four. The odds were slightly against him.
It tempted him to try. He reminded himself they had a plan. He had to get the gemminar away, and she would hold them off until he could get to her.
The plan didn’t mean he enjoyed watching her being dragged away from him. It tore at him. The trunk of his buggy slammed shut, the case with the gemminar stowed safely inside. He wondered if they’d put a bomb in there. A tracking device seemed more likely. Why kill one Wastelander Rat when you could kill many?
As the guard neared the back of the truck with Laura, the other veered for the second vehicle. Axel readied himself to leave. The next part of this charade required him to race for the edge of the bowl in a curve that would allow him to meet up with Gunner, who would swap vehicles with him. Cam and Casey would already be on their way to intersect the Enclave trucks. The rest of the group didn’t know that he counted on Laura being able to help once they reached her.
The plan was iffy, but solid if stupid shit didn’t fuck it up.
So of course, shit happened.
The fuckers drugged her.
>
He only happened to catch a glimpse of the result as Laura slumped. A fleeting mental cry of panic hit him, followed by nothing. The strange inner hum he’d gotten used to in her presence, suddenly gone.
“Laura!” he yelled as he charged forward. Hoping her hug paid off, he detonated the EMP disc.
The leader dropped in his suddenly useless metal suit, leaving the other to hesitate. Axel didn’t. He ripped his gun out of the holster, firing without hesitation, not at the chest, which was well armored, but the joints that were the weakest spot. Knee, elbow, miss, wrist. The damage bought him time he couldn’t waste. The winds whipped faster. Quicker than expected. He turned toward the pair at the back of the truck with Laura.
“Fuck me.” Things got even shittier.
The winds weren’t from the storm. The second truck released a ball drone, the kind big enough to carry people. It scooped up Laura and the two guards and lifted straight up, arcing over the coming storm.
All Axel could do was gape. He couldn’t shoot it down without possibly injuring her.
Couldn’t do anything at all.
The drone rose above the turbulence, which dipped into the valley, spreading in a windy shadow, their taut fingers tugging at his clothes and hair. He dropped the goggles over his eyes and yanked up his scarf. It could only filter so much. He had to move. He ran for the buggy, cursing.
A trap. The whole thing was a trap. He’d misjudged how badly they wanted Laura. Before jumping into his vehicle, he opened the trunk and looked at the gemminar box. Went to lift the lid and it rocked. As if too light.
He might have noticed before if he weren’t so caught up in his worry for Laura.
“Fuckers.” Flipping it open, he glared at the gemminar. Slammed his fist down through the plastic casing to see the bomb inside instead of the expected charged meteorite.
Tick. Tick.
Oh fuck!
He dove but never hit the ground. Didn’t have time. A fist of air shoved him, propelling him far away from the destroyed buggy.
Meanwhile the wind whistled all around, seeking flesh to flay, screaming in his ears. He could see nothing around him. He hit the ground hard and rolled, tucking his limbs, still taking a beating. He spent a moment face down in the dirt.