Faith barely suppressed a grin. Her pulse raced, and she’d begun to sweat from the fear and adrenaline.
Rowl spread his arms in surrender. “No one’s issue, I guess.” He looked around.
“I want a ward leader who is ready to fight!” Faith said, knowing she had crossed the point of no return.
“Are you running?” he asked, his tone mocking.
“Yes!” she shouted, grabbing Trake’s hand and pulling him toward the central office.
“What are you doing?” Deja asked, catching up to Faith and Trake.
“I’m not sure…no, I’m sure. It’s crazy, I know.” Faith walked quickly.
“What’s crazy?” Trake asked.
Faith ignored his question because she was about to answer it. She strode up to the candidate registration window and peered inside. A man and a woman sat typing on computer terminals.
“Excuse me?” Faith called out.
Both of the workers glanced up.
“May I help you?” the woman asked.
“I was wondering…can I still register to run for ward leader?”
Trake took an audible breath.
The workers looked at each other.
“I don’t see why not,” the woman said. “We just need your ward and your name.”
A few minutes later, Faith arrived back at the clearing as Rowl wrapped up his speech. Followed by Deja and Trake, she was relieved to catch the crowd before it disbursed.
“My name is Faith, and I am running!” she shouted in Rowl’s direction.
Rowl’s back was to her, and he visibly stiffened at the sound of her voice. He slowly turned to look at her. “That’s good,” he said, clearly not meaning it.
Faith ignored him and walked around the clearing, shouting to be heard. “I’m running for those who want to fight! For those who didn’t come out here to just give up! I am running for those who have lost family members and have people they love living in New Washington still being rounded up like animals!” She stopped to take a breath and looked around. All eyes were on her.
“I am running for those who are not afraid! Those not afraid to fight!” she said, tears welling in her eyes.
Spontaneous applause broke out among the crowd.
“If I’m elected ward leader, I will give you everything he promised you.” She pointed at Rowl, who’d stopped mid-step from the hasty retreat he’d attempted when the applause started. “Hell, he can still do it for all I care and still collect the fees,” she directed her comments to Rowl.
He returned a thoughtful stare.
“A vote for me says this ward is a fighting ward!” Faith said, pounding her right fist in her left palm for emphasis. “A vote for me says the Resistance is reborn!”
The crowd erupted in applause and shouts again.
Faith looked at Trake and Deja. They both smiled, and Trake gave Faith a small nod of his head in a respectful bow.
Chapter Nine
The Ward Seven leader sat at a small table in her tent, looking at the tarp floor. Faith had never been so scared in her life. She was even more scared than when she’d been locked up in the prison camp. That time it was only her life at stake. This time she was responsible for others. People might die. Would she be able to handle that? She took a deep breath, feeling the world resting heavily on her shoulders.
She glanced at Trake who calmly sat cross-legged on the double cot. That and the table and two chairs were the only purchases she’d made with the small share of the weekly ward rental income charged to all the inhabitants of the section. Most of the money she gave to Rowl to allow him to continue to run the ward.
They were waiting for Deja so they could finally put a plan into action to make the ward a fighting force. A week had passed, and no one had approached her to join them. Faith had won the election by a solid majority, but it appeared the voters liked the idea of fighting New Washington, not actually doing it.
Deja opened the tent flap and peered inside. “Are you two decent?” She flashed a grin.
Faith brightened and smiled back. Her two closest friends were here. Actually, they were more than that. They were her only family. What if something happened to either of them? Could she live with that? What was she doing putting them in harm’s way? She should abandon this stupid idea and pick out a plot for her and Trake to farm.
Then she remembered her brother and her parents. Could she live with herself if she did nothing? She knew she couldn’t. In the prison camp, she’d faced extreme fear and literally walked away. For herself, she was not afraid to die.
“How’s your girlfriend?” Faith asked, surprising herself with the accusatory tone of her voice.
Deja didn’t belong to her. It had been a blessing that Deja had quickly found somewhere else to live because it had allowed Faith to set up a home with Trake without distractions. However, looking at Deja’s beautiful face and lean body brought out a possessive feeling in Faith.
Deja was a prize. Many men and women desired her, but Deja was attracted to Faith, and she never wanted to lose that. She wanted to always have, if even just a little piece of, Deja’s heart. Because Deja would always have a piece of Faith’s heart.
The stress of thinking about fighting New Washington ignited Faith’s desire to press her face between Deja’s legs. She hadn’t been with Deja since that night in the woods nearly two weeks ago. This time she wanted Deja to dominate her. It wouldn’t be like before. This time they had love for each other.
Faith rubbed her thighs together in anticipation; however, first, they had to attend to business.
Deja sat in the other chair and looked directly into Faith’s eyes. “She is just a friend.” She gave Faith a look of compassion as if she was worried about her.
“I’m sorry,” Faith said, sighing. “That was uncalled for…I want you to be happy.” She offered an apologetic smile, which Deja returned as she touched Faith’s arm.
“How are you doing, love?”
Faith imagined she would feel better on her knees, licking Deja into orgasm.
“So what’s the plan, ladies?” Trake said.
Deja sent him a small grin then turned back to Faith expectantly.
Drawing in a deep, slow breath, Faith was afraid to give words to her plan because that would make it real. “Would we have a chance striking back if it were just the three of us?”
Deja and Trake looked at each other with raised brows. When they returned their gazes to Faith, Trake cleared his throat. “The three of us?”
“Well, yes, what were you thinking?” Faith stood.
Deja got to her feet and placed her hands on Faith’s shoulders, trying to calm her.
“That I would have others fight, but not myself?” Faith asked indignantly.
Trake held up a hand. “I’m sorry, Faith. It’s just…you would have to be trained.”
“How long? How long would it take to train me?” Faith demanded.
“Weeks,” Deja immediately answered, her face so close Faith could feel the heat of her breath.
She wondered if Deja felt even a small portion of the desire Faith was feeling right now.
“Fine, that’s the plan. Starting tomorrow, you both will train me.” She stared at Trake, while involuntarily placing a hand on Deja’s waist as if drawn by some magnetic force.
Deja leaned into Faith’s touch, and Trake placed his fingers on his chin in the thoughtful pose Faith recognized.
“And if anyone wants to join our little force, they can participate in the training. I think that will work,” he said.
“Good. So we’ve established a plan,” Faith said, relieved. She squeezed Deja’s waist and gathered the courage to look. Returning Faith’s gaze, Deja’s eyes swam with desire.
“We have a plan for tomorrow. Tonight…” Faith trailed off, unable to say the words, unable to voice her longing.
Deja grinned knowingly and gave Faith a long, soft kiss. “You want to play,” she said. “You miss me?”
; Faith nodded, her lips slightly open. Deja glanced at Trake, who shrugged his shoulders.
“I knew what I was getting into with her.” The grin on his face showed he was perfectly happy to share Faith with Deja.
Deja kissed Faith hard, her passion matching Faith’s. The Aristo had kept her distance since arriving in camp, after explaining she was giving Faith and Trake time alone, but Faith had missed Deja and the special energy they created together. Now, it appeared Deja wanted Faith as much she wanted Deja, and she wanted Deja very, very badly.
Faith pushed Deja gently away and walked over to secure the tent closure. After tying it shut, she sank to her knees before Deja. Crossing her hands behind her back, she assumed a submissive pose.
Deja glanced at Trake who shrugged again.
“Submissive’s choice,” he said.
Deja glanced back at Faith, her breaths coming faster. She opened and closed her hands reflexively, perhaps trying to decide how to start. Her lips twitched as if an idea had struck her.
She walked to Faith and gently tilted her chin up. Faith tried to show her willing devotion through her gaze. Deja squatted beside her and gripped her neck tightly.
Faith softly grunted, but didn’t resist.
Deja grabbed a fistful of her hair and roughly yanked her head back. At Faith’s irrepressible smile, Deja inflamed with desire, evident by the smell of her wet heat. Faith was giving herself fully to Deja as a gift, showing Deja her love.
Deja quickly stood, trembling as if she were already too close to the edge. “Look at me!” she commanded Faith.
Faith didn’t move, out of defiance, and she knew Deja would understand why.
Deja nodded.
A submissive wouldn’t be punished if she obeyed all orders. Deja swung her arm wide and delivered a stinging slap to Faith’s cheek. “I said look at me!”
Faith slowly lifted her head, still unable to suppress her smile. Her gaze caressed Deja’s face adoringly.
Deja sneered at her as she removed her own clothes. “Keep those hands behind your back, no touching yourself. Next time, I won’t be so gentle.” Deja stripped slowly while keeping her eyes on Faith.
Faith’s breathing accelerated as her eyes raked over Deja’s lean, athletic body.
When Deja was fully naked and her clothes were in a pile on the floor, she looked at Trake.
He attempted a calm façade, but his breathing was short and shallow. Clearly, he was enjoying himself, which made Faith grateful they were so well suited for each other. When Deja was done playing with Faith, Trake would surely fuck her long and hard for being such bad girl.
Deja sat on the cot, leaning back against Trake and spreading her legs before her. She locked gazes with Faith, who remained on her knees, unmoving. “After you make me come…the first time, you can touch yourself while you continue to lick me.”
Faith’s eyes glazed over with desire, and her body gave an involuntary jerk.
“Now crawl over here!” Deja ordered.
Faith unhurriedly moved toward her with her gaze fixed on Deja’s pulsing sex. Faith parted her lips, showing her hungry tongue as she approached.
“Get that tongue over here now!” Deja demanded as Faith took her time getting there, dragging out the moment of expectation.
Finally, Faith’s head was within reach of Deja’s hands. She grabbed Faith by the hair and mashed her face between her legs. Faith’s lips immediately locked on Deja’s clit, and the Aristo’s eyes rolled to the back of her head as she came…hard.
* * * *
Faith stood outside the large dirt circle as she caught her breath. Next to her, Deja also breathed hard. Good, at least I am making her break a sweat.
In an adjoining circle, Trake fended off two attackers at the same time. After a week, Trake’s two sparring partners were the only other members of their Resistance Army. Faith, Trake, and Deja trained each day, informing anyone who asked they were welcome to participate. Days had gone by and no one had teamed up with them. Faith had started to despair until Koll and Wade joined just yesterday.
It was disappointing so few of the camps residents were actually willing to fight, but at least they had their support. Faith had yet to run into anyone who wanted New Washington to stay the way it was.
Faith wiped away a small amount of blood from her lip. As she prepared to approach Deja once again, she concentrated on the fighting forms the woman warrior was attempting to teach Faith. She would have to perform these exercises again and again until they became second nature and she could fight naturally. In the morning, it was hand-to-hand combat; in the afternoon, they sparred with sticks.
Faith heard people approaching, and Deja looked past her with a grimace. Faith pivoted to find a group of three pirates walking toward them. They weren’t really pirates; that was merely a name they liked to call themselves. To Faith, they were common criminals even though they liked to say they were sympathetic to the Resistance. In Faith’s opinion, they were part of the reason there was no Resistance to speak of.
Faith faced the group, her jaw firmly set. She met the leader’s eyes. Dar5 was what he called himself; all the pirates used a number at the end of their name that identified their clan. He was accompanied by Baldy7 and another from the “3” clan. This delegation must have been sent to represent all of them. Faith was afraid they could be an impediment to their cause. The clans numbered over a hundred members, but most of them were children or elderly. Only twenty or so young men, such as the members of the delegation standing before her, went on their usual raids of supply transports.
Dar5 looked at Faith then glanced at Trake, who had stopped sparing and casually walked toward the group. Faith recognized Trake’s casualness as an act and couldn’t help thinking the pirates were really stupid to only bring three people.
“We need you to stop what you’re doing,” Dar5 said. The other two pirates nodded their heads in agreement. “You’re going to bring too much attention to the people in the hills if you get the Resistance going again.”
Faith was incredulous. What gall they had setting up base in what had always been a Resistance camp then demanding that Resistance activities stop. Faith wanted to grab him and poke his eyes out with her fingers. However, she was aware of Trake’s presence by her side. She had no doubt he could take on all three of the cowards. With Deja at his back, success was certain.
However, it wouldn’t help their cause to have people of the camp fighting among themselves. Perhaps this was what the pirates were hoping for by sending such a small delegation? Were these three idiots the sacrifice by the much smarter, elder leaders? It would be a good strategy.
Rowl approached, and Faith groaned inwardly. The pirates were bad enough, but an opposition composed of the pirates and the ward system was too much for her group to handle. They’d come so far. They could have truly revived the Resistance.
Trake stepped in front of Faith. She should be angry at him for assuming she couldn’t take care of herself, but she also couldn’t expect him to stand aside while others threatened his woman. She was his woman, as she whispered in his ear as they pleasured each other every chance they got.
“And if we don’t?” Trake said with an icy voice. He flexed his hands around the grip of the sparing stick.
Deja shifted slightly, probably ready to grab the nearest implement to back up Trake.
We have to stop this; this is exactly what they want! Faith inwardly screamed.
Rowl walked directly between Trake and Dar5 and turned to consider the pirate and his mates. “Ahhh, Dar5, I heard you would be paying us a visit.”
Faith knew Rowl would have control over the ward again once she was gone. She couldn’t blame him for making this move.
“This is no business of yours, Rowl,” Trake growled at him. He was wound up, ready to fight, and Faith placed a calming hand on his arm.
“Oh, but it is,” Rowl said calmly.
Faith was surprised the man was so calm when he was about to rece
ive a beating from Trake. Rowl had observed Trake sparring with Deja many times before Koll and Wade joined them; all the people in the ward had.
Rowl addressed the pirates. “I just came to remind you. You are here as guests of the United Wards, and you are not to interfere with ward activities.”
“That’s bullshit. We had an agreement,” Dar5 argued.
Rowl squinted at the pirate and addressed him in a serious tone. “Not with the inner council who has voted…unanimously.”
Faith hadn’t realized there was an “inner council” or that Rowl was apparently on it or still had access to it. She also didn’t understand why Rowl would help her. She’d figured he would want control of the ward again. However, if he were on the “inner council”, she could see how it wouldn’t be so important to him, especially since he was still making almost the same income.
Dar5’s companions stared blankly between him and Rowl, while Dar5 looked angrily at Trake then at Rowl. He spat at the ground and stomped off, his companions following.
Rowl let out a slow breath as he watched them go. Then he turned to Faith and smiled. “Well then, now that nasty business is out of the way.” He nodded at Faith and began to leave.
“Wait.” Faith stopped him. “Why did you do that for us?”
Rowl paused before answering. “You’re not the only one who has lost family in New Washington. The Resistance is not as dead as you may think.”
“But you were against us,” Trake said angrily.
“No, I had just lost hope.” Rowl looked from Trake to her. “Now we have Faith.” He chuckled at his own joke as he walked away.
“I was wondering when someone was going to use that,” Deja said dryly.
Chapter Ten
On the eve of the first military operation, Faith sat on the edge of the cot and reviewed the logistics on a computer tablet. Her chest was tight, and she had to remind herself to take deep breaths. Anxious and scared, she was also resolved. This was her life, and she accepted that.
After three months, the newly revived Resistance army now numbered twenty-five people. Some of them could die, and she didn’t know how she would deal with it if any of them did, but she would go forward with this plan.
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