by Angela White
“He’s good with them.” Angela smiled at Doug, who was still calming the two boys who may not have gotten much consideration from the others because they were Cesar’s sons with Maria. “Maybe they should stay together?”
Adrian shrugged distractedly, busy scanning the camp for the next issue to be handled. “Maybe.”
“Wow.” Angela pointed. “Speaking of changes, check that out.”
Adrian turned, ready to conquer the next challenge.
Tonya approached the fire crew hesitantly, being careful not to get in their way as they put out tent fires caused by sparking radios and panicking residents.
Tonya darted closer before she could lose her nerve. “Is there something I can do?”
Sent by Adrian to help hold the hose, Cynthia spun around, covered in soot and sweat. “No! Get lost.”
The Eagles around were surprised, but Tonya was hurt. She and the reporter had almost been friends before, bonded by their determination to have Adrian removed from power. “Oh, okay. Sorry.”
Cynthia heard the misery, but she didn’t take it back. Tonya had done enough to hurt the dream. Cynthia wasn’t letting her do more.
“I think I can find something for you.” Adrian’s words caused more silence as he joined them. He smirked in its wake. “You won’t mind getting dirty, will you?”
“No.” Tonya was shocked into honesty. “For a change, I actually want to help.”
Adrian stared at her for a long minute, feeling Kenn’s silent plea from across the chaotic camp.
“Is it over?” Adrian demanded.
Tonya didn’t pretend ignorance, but it was a slight struggle to give him what he expected in front of all these witnesses. “Yes and...I’m sorry.”
“So am I.” Amid the murmurs, Adrian pointed toward the shadowy figure of the vet, who was trying to calm the remaining animals. “Go help. He’ll think you’re being punished, so expect to work.”
Tonya didn’t care. She was just glad Adrian was giving her another chance. She wanted it now. Not as much as power, but that need was starting to ease. If Adrian would make it so that she wasn’t an outcast anymore, Tonya intended to forgive and forget. Kenn, along with observing Cynthia and Sam, had converted her.
The vet had noticed Adrian pointing and waited. Tonya’s words as she joined him went a long way in soothing the vet’s growing panic.
“He said to help you, and I’m not being punished. I volunteered.”
Chris wanted to sneer at the whore, but he was too relieved to do more than nod. He’d thought Adrian knew something. He would already have to do something about Mitch. If Adrian had seen him, too, the vet planned to flee.
“Sing to the animals, if you can carry a tune,” Chris instructed grudgingly. “It calms them. If you don’t sing, then hum. You can do that, right?”
“Yeah.” Tonya followed the surly veterinarian, smothering a crude remark about not wanting to get her knees dirty to deliver a hummer.
“Come on, sing,” the vet ordered curtly.
Tonya sighed. Can’t I just fill a water bucket and feed them a brownie? They’ll mellow right out.
8
“I can cook for you.”
Adrian and Angela turned to see one of the new arrivals standing nearby.
Angela studied the short man carefully as flickering shadows moved through camp. “He’s okay, just old and wants to be around people.”
Too busy to be gentle, Angela caught Li Sing’s hurt expression and grunted, “We do need you.”
The man’s expression lit up, and he held his hands together as he bowed to them. “Let me know. Li Sing grateful to have a safe place for his family.”
Adrian waved him toward the mess, where the crowd was gathering. “Help get them settled down. Ask for Hilda.”
The man went that way, motioning for his large family to go back inside their QZ tents. They quickly obeyed and Adrian was struck by the newest part of the camp’s integration plan. Li Sing was spry and he had his family in line. If a few of them joined the Eagles, might not more minorities do the same?
Adrian grunted, having a personal moment. With the situation, he shouldn’t be sparing time on thoughts for the future, but progress on the camp’s reform was something he tended even at the worst moments. All around him, long shadows flickered restlessly. Most were straggling camp members going to the mess as they’d practiced during drills, but some were rushing away from that crowded area, still searching for loved ones or friends. Not everyone was accounted for, and Adrian flipped his radio on, hoping the sparking was over.
An immediate buzz and smoking told him the radios were useless. He quickly unsnapped the box and let it drop to the ground to finish smoldering.
Kyle joined Adrian, spotting Jennifer at the mess with Dog. He knew he had Charlie to thank for that. “We’ll have the perimeter men write down who they’ve come across. What’s next?”
“Roll in camp, and slide us south as you do it. We’ll go from there.”
Making their haven smaller would allow them to keep track of everyone, while helping anyone who may still need it. The sinkholes themselves appeared to be slowing, and nothing new had opened up. Even the animal noises were calming, though, Tonya’s singing left something to be desired, and Adrian hoped the chaos was over.
Samantha moved to Adrian’s side, conscious of the many eyes watching her. Neil and Jeremy were a few feet away, writing down the names of those they had seen on perimeter duty, but she ignored them.
“We need to be on concrete for a while,” Samantha suggested. “That or overtop of something that goes deep enough to hold us in place if the bottom drops out around it.”
Adrian felt Samantha’s concern for the camp, but also the lingering fear that she wouldn’t be believed. He immediately looked at Neil. “Recon for an area according to her specifications. We move at daylight, sooner if the holes grow faster than I’ve accounted for.”
Neil motioned to Jeremy and the two men left the area without even a glance at Samantha.
Sam was glad to see them working together and feeling like teammates again. Clearly, they weren’t fighting anymore, so her plan had worked, but it didn’t stop that ache in her gut. That, too, continued to grow.
Suddenly becoming aware of another potential threat, Adrian let his feet carry him away from the crushed camper. Thanks the way fate had gifted him, all of the major issues were being tended by competent people, but there was a smaller problem that wasn’t being guarded against during the chaos.
Ten minutes later, Adrian and a few of the men were out patrolling with the dogs, using the wolf to relay commands and keep the canines interested as they searched for any intruders. It was not a coincidence that the threat had come from under the ground. Nor was it coincidence that they had all been distracted by the first sinkhole, so that Nature could take a cut of their kids with the second death hole. Things would get uglier now, and Adrian found himself longing for Little Rock, but also dreading it. Once they reached that famed city, he might get a break from this constant stress.
I’ll be dead, but that’s still a break, right?
9
When Zack reached the first sinkhole, he spent a minute helping direct people away from the edges, and then he delivered messages to Kenn, who was keeping watch over the area.
Zack wasn’t a part of any of the aftermath scenarios taking place across camp, and it gave him time to observe some of these people without Adrian’s calmness to shelter their true selves. Like Ray. He was currently fawning all over Dale as he led him from the mess. That would have repercussions, but so would Tonya helping to recapture animals that had gotten free when cages toppled over and locks rattled loose.
Safe Haven’s in the midst of her own global warming, Zack thought. Changes, big and small, were arriving, and the trucker neared the edge of the twenty-foot sinkhole with that thought in mind.
Kenn was taking a minute to get his thoughts together. Why did it feel like they were always under
attack now and doomed to lose?
Kenn raised a brow at his right hand man. “Truce?”
Zack wanted to deny him, but at that moment, the sense of being desperately needed for this camp’s survival was impossible to ignore. “Yes.”
Kenn grinned, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Despite all their security and the magic they had here, he had to tell Adrian they’d lost someone. Behind Kenn, Alex and Anderson were bringing up a towel-clad body. So far, it was the only one, but the blow from this would be harsh for their leader.
“Do you want me to tell him?” Zack offered. A week ago, he wouldn’t even have considered it.
“No.” Kenn noted that Lexa appeared to have broken her neck, meaning it was quick. At least one mercy to tell the boss. “This is part of my job.”
Kenn didn’t want anyone else to witness Adrian’s grief, and Zack’s rage lowered to normal anger. Ass or not, Kenn was loyal to Adrian, and he was good at what he did. After he delivered the news and handled the blowback, Kenn would spend the rest of the wee hours setting this camp to rights. Come dawn, it would be back together.
“Anyone need the doctor here?” John asked.
“No.”
“Not here.”
Kenn and Zack both answered, stepping back to let John through.
John knelt down to confirm what a first glance had already shown. Lexa, the gun store owner from the City of Angels, wasn’t going to join Adrian’s army or any other.
John looked up at Kenn. “Does he know yet?”
Zack found the blond leader now comforting camp members near the mess. “In about five minutes he’ll start rounds, but head here first. Maybe less.”
“Yep,” Kenn grunted. Why couldn’t it have been someone else? Adrian wouldn’t take this well.
“He’ll pick it up from us even if we take her away,” Kenn stated. “Get a sheet. Leave her face uncovered and put an honor guard here. Let him know before he sees.”
Zack took care of it, giving Kenn a nod of respect as he left.
John stood up too quickly and had to sit down to keep from falling. Pain ripped through his stomach and stole his breath.
Kenn offered him an arm, and muttered, “Anne saw, not Adrian.”
John let the Marine help him up, and Kenn stayed with his body shielding the sick doctor from view of most of the camp. “Tell me what you need.”
“He needs a pill and rest.” Anne appeared and took John’s other arm, turning them toward the trees. “He doesn’t want Adrian to take him off duty yet. Help me get him out of sight, and you can scold him from there.”
Kenn grunted, doing as the woman ordered. He wasn’t worried about Adrian–the boss already knew John was getting worse–but he didn’t want the camp any more upset than they already were. It was what Adrian would have done.
Anne didn’t scold her husband, and her touch was gentle, loving. She understood a man’s pride, all too well, but did John understand a woman’s was just a big, just as thick? Did he realize this would drive her harder, make her more determined to be able to protect him? The shootout at the QZ wouldn’t be the last. Even a dying MD was better than none at all, and John was an easy target.
They got him inside the medical tent to find people already waiting for them.
Anne took charge. “Unless you’re bleeding, give me a few minutes to get him settled.”
“She’s bleeding.” Jennifer and Charlie were in the flap behind them, Dog at her side. The girl was pale, pulse in her neck pounding rapidly.
She sank to her knees as another contraction hit, groaning.
Anne let go of John, causing him to grab a cot and roughly slide down on his own.
“Go get your mom and then Adrian,” Anne ordered. “I can’t handle all of this.”
Behind Charlie, lurking to witness the results, Lilly’s face glowed with satisfaction in the light of the flickering fires. An ‘accidental’ punch during the stampede had been enough.
Really makes a difference when you catch them off guard, Lilly thought, heading for the mess to get a cup of hot chocolate. I’ll remember that.
10
Jennifer and John both grunted in relief when Angela’s healing orbs began swarming over them.
Hidden by a small sheet, those in the tent watched the glowing lights behind the partition and wondered.
The Eagle inside the medical tent wasn’t here for the camp’s protection. He and Adrian had exchanged one brief moment that made it clear what Zack’s job was.
“If she uses magic, no one comes out of this tent until you handle them.”
Lurking in a corner near the flap, Zack was now keeping a hand on his gun and eavesdropping on the quiet conversations to see who might be a problem.
The higher-ranked Eagle in the tent was able to see what Angela was doing, but Kyle couldn’t have told anyone afterward, even if he wanted to. He wasn’t watching the healer. He only cared about Jennifer.
“If I don’t make–”
“Sshhh...” Kyle refused to let her talk that way. He wiped the sweat from her brow. “Save your strength.”
Jennifer felt the cramp easing and let out a tired breath. “Didn’t know it would hurt so much.”
John thought of giving the girl a painkiller and Angela shook her head, red eyes glowing. “Do not interfere.”
John hastily retreated and stopped in stunned shock at the pain-free movement. He felt...good!
John sank into a nearby chair and began to weep. “Thank you! Oh, thank you!”
Angela ignored him, straining to keep the orbs working, though, they’d already repaired what damage they were capable of. She was trying to give Jennifer some of her own reserves.
In the far corner of her mind, the witch watched silently.
Angela knew the demon was waiting to be called, but she didn’t want to admit that there was little more she could do without crossing a line that couldn’t be returned from.
What will you do? the witch questioned as Jennifer’s breathing became a low moan on every exhale. You have one life to save, one more time you can fully heal. Will you use it now?
Angela hated the rules, the limits, on her magic. She received only one life credit for each birth and she had used the first for Marc. If Charlie ever needed help, she wouldn’t be able to give it.
Is there another deal I can make?” Angela asked reluctantly.
The witch came closer slowly, glowing crimson in front of an enormous mental construction project. It was one that they’d worked on all of Angela’s life, but only recently, it had begun to take shape. It was as if being around Adrian and his light had increased their mental workers and supplies. Hammering and grunting was a common sound in her thoughts these days.
You can borrow from the mother’s double luck, but the price is moral responsibility for them, the witch finally answered, coming close enough to fight for control if she wanted.
Angela wasn’t concerned. They were a team now, and she confirmed what mattered most to the future. One good, one bad. And we won’t know which?
The witch raised a hand with long, jagged claws. Yes. Let them both die and spare Safe Haven. That’s the choice He would make.
Angela understood that to be the truth, but she wasn’t Adrian, hadn’t hardened that much yet. I’ll tend to them in whatever way is required.
A vivid bolt of crimson light shot from the demon’s hand and slammed into Jennifer’s contracting stomach.
Kyle jerked back, stung by the heat, and Angela held a hand out. “Stay back. She still wants you.”
Kyle scowled, watching Jennifer’s face heat up to match the burning of her skin. “What are you...she doing?” he demanded, alarmed enough to bring Zack toward the partition.
“Closing, cauterizing–”
“Ahhh!”
Kyle shoved through the heat to take Jennifer’s hand at the scream and in his mind, the witch groaned, Yes. Let them feel your love!
Kyle didn’t resist the drawing and Angela allowed the
witch to meddle. With the knowledge of 50/50, it couldn’t hurt. Angela was already planning to have the evil twin removed at the first clear sign and it was heartbreaking. If the witch could stop that future, it was worth whatever mark the demon was currently stitching into their dna. When it came to evil like Cesar and his minions had carried, those kids needed any help they could get.
11
At 4 am, Marc and Kevin were still busy.
All but one cherished camp member accounted for, the smaller perimeter had been secured, and the two men had been sent to gather supplies for the kids who were now set up in large tents with the camp women. In the darkness, the sinkholes were visible because of the torches and guards that were posted. Between all that, these two tired men had helped round up the larger animals, moved vehicles away from the still-crumbling edges of the sinkholes, and taken Alexa’s body to Hilda and Peggy for funeral preparations. Everyone wanted leadership, but at moments like this, no one envied the men who’d actually been chosen for it.
Thanks to Adrian’s efficient setup between teams of Eagles, the outer edges of camp life had been reestablished quickly. Once Marc and Kevin delivered the last load of supplies to the waiting women and kids, both men would go to their higher-ups for a new check-in, an update, and a fresh list of duties to be performed. Marc’s hopes of a beer and Angie’s kisses were long gone.
“I guess its Neil or Jeremy you’re usually working with on things like this,” Marc commented.
“Yeah.” Kevin clapped him on the shoulder. “Nice to have your brain here, but I do miss their arrogant attitudes.”
“So do I.” Marc opened the door. “Not being nagged by Neil, while Jeremy makes faces behind his back, just doesn’t feel right.”
Laughter died at the sight of Matt in the supply truck. The teenager was curled up in the corner, a mostly empty bottle of whiskey still clutched in his grip.
“Adrian’s night just got longer,” Kevin commented with a frown.