by Angela White
The woman went toward the house and Luke waited for her to be out of sight before joining Kendle by the fire of the heat-can that also served as an ‘open’ sign.
Kendle held out the photo and Luke stared in shock at the image of Mayor Kraft, an old man in his sixties at least.
“There’s no way that’s this Mayor, right? The last one?”
“She’d have to be at least that old, too. She’s lying.”
Kendle handed him the slip of paper and kept studying the photograph. There was something about it.
“This proves nothing. You know that, right?” he demanded, dropping the yellowed letter on top of the closest box as if it was too hot to hold.
She nodded, but for her it was another clue. That was a page torn from a terrified girl’s journal and it had reminded her strongly of her twin, Dawn, whom she had lost in the war.
“She’s suffering from a trauma, Luke. Something happened when she was a kid and she’s hoping for help. Can’t we check it out?”
Luke stared. “And do what? Force him to acknowledge his daughter? Didn’t seem like she wanted him around.”
“She wants me to kill him for her,” Kendle blurted.
Luke’s scowl took up his whole face. He snatched the items from her hand and tossed them on top of a nearby stack.
“Crazy Bat!” He tugged her close, ignoring her protests. “I’m staying by you until we get the hell out of here.”
Kendle gave in, snuggling into his warm embrace. “You’re the boss.”
Kendle and Luke spent the night in a corner bunk with their blankets and each other to keep them warm, both scanning alertly at every sound of the creaking hut. By the time dawn found the island, they were back in the jungle, leaving the small woman to her craziness.
The feeling of danger Luke had noticed on the way there returned when they finally neared the cabin. He was glad to discover the door untouched, his alarms still in place. He also didn’t find any prints, but there was a clear feeling that someone had been here and he combed the area for any signs. Something was going on here, something dangerous, and he doubted it had much to do with ghosts of the dead pirates who had settled this island. His bet was on the living. They were usually the problem.
Chapter Three
Troopers and Trackers
April 8th
Near Plainview, SD
1
Adrian moved his herd hard and fast after leaving the Black Hills, making almost 70 miles in three days.
Now that they were camped for the next few, his worry was increasing. Every break they took allowed the slavers to get closer. His gut twisted at that thought and he controlled the grimace as he slid into his tent. There were already people lined up outside, and he motioned the first of them in with a warmth he didn’t feel. The heartburn was worse than usual.
He had sent out trucks to clear paths in two directions in case they needed to run, and everyone was on high alert. He could have kept going, got them further away, but his witch said an attack was coming and there was no outrunning fate. It was something he wouldn’t even try. Without her words, what would he be doing right now?
Adrian directed Brady to the empty chair as he stepped inside and the wolf curled up in the doorway. Much the same, he answered his thought, sighing. If the camp knew the slavers were coming, they’d panic and run. They weren’t strong enough yet to even think of challenging the killers.
“What can I do for you today?”
“I’d like to talk to you about some holes in security.”
Despite knowing their deaths might be coming, Adrian couldn’t prepare openly or warn his people, and it was hard to keep his mind on the things at hand. The worry was relentless.
By the time he had cleared the short line waiting to speak with him, Adrian found himself calling out to her. Surely, there was something else he should be doing?
Angela heard him clearly and got up from her seat at his mess table without speaking. She’d been waved into the happy crowd for each meal, and while she was grateful to be welcome, she hated how everyone followed those center people so closely. It’s like… sheep watching the shepherds to know when to run, she thought, finally understanding why the Eagles and Adrian sometimes referred to them that way.
The four men at the table didn’t speak and their eyes followed her toward the men’s tents. A few seconds later, Seth casually followed. Her guards were still mostly unnoticed by both the camp and lower three levels of Eagles, and it had to stay that way for now.
Angela walked quickly through the people she was coming to care for, not responding to greetings or questions. She’d done what they wanted for the last two days. She drove; had a shift with the doctor in the medical tent; spent time with Charlie in his new canvas; had a shower surrounded by shadows; and then went to her tent to spend the night tossing. Then got up and did it again.
It was a routine that she didn’t care for. In fact, she hated it after even such a short time. The sentries that she had begun making friends with in quarantine were hanging back, waiting for Adrian’s choice, she assumed, and she was firmly on the outside. That brief time had given her a glimpse of the world Adrian was offering and she wanted it.
There were three people in line waiting for Adrian when she arrived at his tent and she was surprised when he cut things short with them and shook his head at two more moving his way. Standing in the flap, he motioned her in, and then shut it behind them.
“Thank you for coming.”
She surveyed his spotless canvas home in the manner the Eagles always did, verifying things were okay by the state of his tent.
“If you’re busy, I can come later.”
“Now is better for them too, they just don’t know it.”
Angela heard it in his voice, the assurance he needed, but couldn’t ask for, and gave him a smile that was a bit fuller than she’d intended. “Well then, I’m all yours.”
If only, was his first thought and he smothered it. She already had two dogs sniffing at her heels. She didn’t need a third.
“How are things?”
Angela sighed, impatient too. “I don’t need to be warmed-up.”
Adrian frowned, a bit stung. “I need to know some things about the remaining twin and the slavers. Like where they are and if the brother will come alone or with help.”
Adrian observed in fascination as she searched for him.
“Not far enough. The Black Hills, using our old site.” Her lids opened to reveal a smoky, rolling blue that waited for his next question.
“And the twin?”
“The weaker of the two. He’ll want help, but he’ll sneak in during the night if he has to.”
Her voice sounds like endless minefields, he thought. “We have plans.”
“But, you have no faith,” she warned as the magic slowly faded. Angela couldn’t stifle the yawn fast enough and quickly tried to distract him before he could bring it up.
“I’ve stayed out of sight about as much as I can stand.”
Adrian heard the confirmation of Marc’s words in her tones. “Brady was by earlier and he made your unhappiness very clear. As of this moment, you are free to come and go.”
“But you won’t lift the guard.”
“No.” He saw her brows draw together and shrugged. “They wouldn’t listen to me anyway on this one. Your man has them in line.”
“When?”
“When you’re safe.”
Angela snorted unhappily. “That could be a while.”
Adrian was torn between needing her protected and making it possible for her to stay. “We might be able to change it to no protection during meals and activities with the Eagles.”
She waited, sure he’d give a little more and he let out another sigh.
“No guard during the day, unless we’re traveling, or there’s trouble.”
“Thank you.”
Her happiness faded and he noted the small glint of fear.
“I need something
.”
“Name it.”
“I want that sentry to go on Charlie, an Eagle who won’t let him leave without my permission. Not for any reason or with anyone, but me or Brady.”
“He talked to me about that this morning too, was surprised you hadn’t.”
“I hadn’t made up my mind.”
“So you’ve chosen the other Marine?”
Angela stiffened. After the flashes the witch had put her through last night, the thought of talking about her love life with this man was mortifying. “Things are over with Kenn. I’ll tell him soon or he’ll provoke me into hurting him with it, but I have no idea what he might do.”
“Accept it.”
“That’s my hope.”
“And when you do go to Brady?”
She blushed, but didn’t deny it. “That’s too far away to think about yet. For now, I’d like to be considered single.”
“You’re waiting to discover if Kenn’s going to be a problem? Trying to ease him into the idea of you with another man before you actually do it?”
She gave him a short nod of embarrassment, pale cheeks stained with color at the conversation.
That would give the camp a choice, but it was one that none of them would care for, including her men. And it wasn’t what she wanted, either. He felt that.
“But it will give me the two things I need most, if I’m careful,” she forced out, needing him to know she’d thought it through. “Right now, I’m not strong enough to be an Eagle and the mate to a man like Brady. I’ll be constantly pulled between the two things I love and one of them will suffer.”
“But if you’re already in my army…”
“Then I’d never let it be taken from me. I’d know going into things that I’d still be an Eagle first, no matter what.”
They were the words that each of his highest men had told him in confidence after realizing his dream, and to hear it coming from a female was a bright moment for Adrian. It was not only proof of his hard work and plans; it was also a sign of their future finally starting.
“There’s a private lesson tonight, during mess. First, you have to find it without being stopped by any of the guards. If you still want to be an Eagle when it’s over, you can train publicly.”
2
“You’re sure?”
“Sorry.” Samantha shrugged apologetically. “I’ve never seen him before. Are you certain you did?”
“Yes!” Cynthia snapped. “He was government, I’m positive of it.”
So am I, Samantha thought, but only gave the reporter a cool glare. “Lies like that could get him banished.” She turned away. “Or you killed.”
Samantha entered the area behind the supply trucks, pondering her defense of Adrian. Cynthia was the enemy, representing the old ways that she was always accusing Adrian of. She was so blinded by her obsession to know who he’d been, that she couldn’t perceive her own flaws. The camp appeared to have written her off as another bitter star from their past, but Samantha thought Adrian needed to be very careful or the reporter would figure it out. She was far from dumb.
As for who Adrian had been, Samantha had already placed him. It had come to her late last night and taken only a short deliberation to understand it didn’t matter. It may have if she hadn’t spent the time alone with him in his rig. He wasn’t like the leaders of before–he actually cared. Adrian wasn’t responsible for the mistakes of the old world, no matter who his father was and she thought most of the camp would agree. It was those few who wouldn’t, that would keep the rest of them stirred up until he was forced out and Safe Haven collapsed. Like it or not, he was right to hide it from them.
Samantha mouthed a hello at the ponytailed sentry sitting on a high branch of the tree that overlooked the gun class, enjoying his surprise. Billy hadn’t thought he’d be spotted with all that leaf cover, but Sam was getting better at feeling extra eyes on her. She strode toward the bleachers with a small smile.
Since her ride with Adrian, some of these healing people had also been friendlier, and she was glad, but that feeling of doom was impossible to shake. Even having the doctor tell her all the tests had been negative hadn’t erased it.
“Morning, Samantha.”
The den mother was alone with two steaming mugs on the bench next to her, and Samantha joined her reluctantly. It wasn’t that she disliked the German, she just didn’t feel like listening to her today.
“Morning, Hilda.”
Knowing it was rude, Samantha chose to sit at the far end, not in the mood for all the chats these women wanted to have or the advice they gave. She needed time to think, to figure out how to–
“Death surrounds you.”
Now standing in front of her, Hilda’s words gave Sam a deep chill and she automatically took the mug that was held out.
“It followed you here. You and the other one he wants us to view as a man.”
Ready to do battle to get out, Samantha was unprepared for the woman’s harshly spoken words.
“It is good, ya? You have led them to their deaths. Those they’ve slaughtered will be grateful.”
The woman left and Samantha sipped the strange brew that smelled like tea and tasted like coffee. Was Hilda right? Was it supposed to work this way? If Adrian and his Eagles could handle Cesar, then she hadn’t done anything wrong.
Samantha sighed. That evil man wasn’t the only problem. When the slavers attacked, Adrian would be busy protecting his people from outside threats, not insides ones. With Rick already here, Adrian was in danger.
“Hi.”
Samantha looked up to discover Neil and his team walking by with hands full of equipment and realized they were teaching the class today. She’d noticed him before now, but with the dim sky to compliment the golden flecks in his hair, her body responded. He’s cute.
“Hello. I’m Samantha. Sam.”
“Right on top.” Neil studied his sheet as if he didn’t already know who she was. “You’re early. No breakfast?”
Samantha was aware of his team giving her funny looks. “Not hungry.”
She flashed a smile Neil saw through. “Besides, I wanted a chance to get here first and mess with things so I can pass.”
Neil chuckled, surprised by his instant desire to help her feel welcome. What was it about this group that had come in? Other than Rick, they all had a spark that drew people.
“Come help us set up, then. Better chance that way.”
Very self-conscious, Samantha followed Neil into the midst of the working Eagles and none of them missed the way her hand hovered over the gun on her hip. They recognized the weapon as Adrian’s, but the males were well trained, and none of them asked about her having it, even though she hadn’t been through the class yet. There was only one way she’d gotten the boss’s gun, and they wouldn’t question his choice.
“What can I do?”
Neil gestured at the line of targets. “Help me roll these onto the spots they’re marking off.”
The roller-bound targets were large and bulky, but she was sure Neil could have done it by himself. Make-work to keep her from feeling so alone? Probably, she thought, shoving against the ruts in the ground. It was nice of him.
“This is good. Let’s get the next one.” Neil used a subtle gesture to tell the Eagles to leave the remaining targets for him and Samantha.
His team obligingly labored on other things, and studied them both curiously. Did Neil like the blond woman? Jeremy had mentioned his suspicions to the rest of their team and Neil was unaware of his every expression being scrutinized.
Samantha and Neil placed all the targets onto their marked and measured places, silent except for his directions. Each one took them further from his men and the large rollout put at 200 feet was nearly at the edge of the caution tape.
Samantha saw Neil scan those on duty before sweeping the area himself. Comforted, she asked, “Anything else you don’t really need help with?”
Neil laughed. “I’ll think of something
for you to do, Miss Moore.”
The offer sounded very personal, he realized, but before he could make it clearer, she surprised him again.
“If Becky hears you say that she might try to kill me.”
Neil froze and Samantha realized she had made a mistake. She’d found out by listening to the other women gossiping. Neil knew it wasn’t a secret, right?
Apparently not, because his mouth was open and his cheeks were flushed.
Samantha sighed. I can’t get the hang of things here. “It was a joke, sorry.”
She strode toward the bleachers at a fast clip and Neil stared after her in confusion. Awfully jealous tone for a joke, he thought. What the hell?
She stiffly bypassed the filling seats and disappeared behind them. She wasn’t staying for the practice now. Damn.
The rest of the gun class was tedious for Neil. He kept watching for her to return or even walk by, and he wasn’t paying attention. Usually, this was the best lesson to be in charge of, but shortly after the women began firing, he found himself shuffled to the rear by his own team. It was where they put Eagles who were having a bad day, so that it wouldn’t rub off on the women–something that no one wanted–and it was humbling to find himself in that position. Then it was torture as he spotted the object of his frustrations coming back toward the class, but couldn’t go talk to her.
Samantha stepped around the corner of the bleachers with determined feet. Neil was the one who liked young girls. Why should she miss her test and the hunting trip? She strode to the guard with the clipboard, pretending the trooper wasn’t watching her heatedly. “Am I too late?”
Jeremy subtly rotated so that he could view Neil’s profile. “Nope.”
He waved her to the line, noting the sudden life in his team leader. “Last shooter.”
Neil’s XO took a minute to study her paperwork and her. This was the first woman that Neil had shown any interest in, other than Angie, and who could blame him for that? Neil liked to flirt, especially with little Becky, but he needed someone stronger, and Jeremy began evaluating Samantha as if she were in line to be Neil’s mate.