The Price We Pay (Life After War Book 7)

by Angela White

  “The baby,” she whispered regretfully. “I’ve done my duty by the camp and I can’t change the past. I wouldn’t.”

  “What?”

  “I’m corrupt,” she choked out. “I took innocent lives. Not the witch, but me, and I can’t go back. What we saw only confirms that.”

  “What can we do?” Marc demanded it in the way that was impossible to refuse and Angela’s eyes grew glassy. Her answer came slowly, chilling Marc as the sound of that dead voice always had.

  “Nothing.”

  Marc refused to accept that and he reached out to the witch. Tell me.

  The witch came forward, easy when Angela was so weak. You have to accept me as he did. Love me too and that power will be great enough to heal any injury.

  How do I do that? Marc protested. We don’t even like each other!

  The witch cackled softly. I adore your devotion.

  I feel the same way, he admitted gruffly. She wouldn’t have been able to survive all this without you.

  The witch gently stepped into Marc’s mind and this time, he allowed her caresses, her greedy whimpers of delight when he didn’t budge. If all he had to do was submit to save Angie and the baby, he could do that easily.

  Never submit to me! the witch roared, lust bleeding over them both. Take me!

  And Marc did.

  Afterward, the witch gazed at him, sated. You have to make a choice.

  The demon had said he wouldn’t like it and Marc hadn’t, but only because there was so little that he could do. Even Conner’s gifts couldn’t fix this while she was pregnant.

  Why him and not me? Marc asked, aware of the irony.

  Adrian’s gifts can heal her because they are matched alphas—another reason to keep him alive. To be perfectly matched, neither can have an advantage. He sees her as an equal. You don’t.

  Marc watched the images of couple making love without rancor, waiting for the witch to explain further. She’d worn him out.

  Love heals all, the witch reminded him of that saying. Give them the time alone and never ask about it. No one has to know, not even you.

  Marc understood the witch meant for him to give Angela the freedom to do what she wanted. I’ll lose her to him, Marc confessed his biggest fear. You saw them.

  I saw a mistake, one that both of you have overlooked in your outrage and shame, the witch responded. What was Eve’s job in the garden?

  Marc ran through the stunning, awful images and stuttered, Uh, m-making babies.

  Was she told who to make them with?

  Not that I saw, Marc said slowly.

  Even the Maker preferred her willing. Don’t you think he saw the romance brewing? He could have stepped in and banished Elliott or killed him, even. Why did the Maker allow their love to grow? To create a child?

  Marc wasn’t comfortable with the topic, but forced his brain to work through it. Whatever the witch was trying to make him understand was important. He knew that by the way she wasn’t ravaging him again. She’d promised to every time he would allow it and right now, he was too tired to resist her subtle charms.

  The witch flashed him a brutal image of Angela and Adrian, snaring his attention back to where she wanted it. The only true sin in the garden was Adam’s reaction.

  How can that be? Marc cried in fury. The Maker promised him!

  The Maker promised him a mate and he assumed it would be her, as she was the only female there. Perhaps it would have been from Eve’s children with Elliot. Who was Adam to assume he knew the Maker’s will? But more than that, they were given the freedom to make their own choices. We weren’t cursed until Adam couldn’t control his jealousy and committed murder.

  Marc didn’t want to believe that and the witch drove in her point ruthlessly. Why would the Maker have a grand plan and then give us free will?

  Marc stopped in his mental protests to puzzle that one out and couldn’t. I don’t know. Why?

  When you have that answer, you’ll be able to understand, the witch stated regretfully. I have to let you figure that out on your own. She has insisted.

  Marc realized Angela was controlling the conversation without them having to deal with the awkwardness and emotions. He was relieved and offended, though he wasn’t sure why.

  She fears your anger.

  I’d never hurt her.

  Every man has, the witch denied. She has made many choices based on that damage. Now, she feels she deserves it.

  She hasn’t done anything wrong.

  No.

  Marc’s mind cleared of everything except for that. She hasn’t done anything wrong.

  She didn’t do it. Elliott seduced her, but if the witch was right, they were both blameless.

  Yes.

  So what did that mean? He had no right to be jealous if she chose to spend time with Adrian? Marc already knew that, but just like with her and Kendle, it would kill him to endure it.

  Don’t ask, don’t tell, the witch tried to inject a bit of levity. Did you notice the peacefulness of the Garden? How the animals who are now bitter enemies, once coexisted?

  I did.

  It was the only time there has ever been peace on earth, the witch pointed out. When Eve and Elliott were caring for the garden and Adam was working for the future. As soon as Adam was told of their love, he broke and allowed the gates to slip.

  The gates?

  Between worlds, she told him. There are many and the Maker loves them all, even those that exist solely because of our nightmares.

  Marc’s mind was spinning.

  Aware that he was near overload for this talk, the witch finished it as gently as she possibly could. Elliot was information. Adam was Labor. Eve was love. Those are your destinies. Fighting them will only curse us again.

  4

  Adrian limped to the edge of the rise, staring down on the lodge with bitterness and longing. The stone throwers had presented him with their energy without him asking for it, and he was almost fully healed. The last wound Marc had delivered was lingering. Only Angela or Conner would be able to finish it, and Adrian knew Angela wasn’t going to. If he weren’t sentenced to death, she would stay clear of him. Marc would see to that.

  Kenn came up behind him and draped a thick blanket over his shoulders. Adrian hadn’t expected the Marine to be waiting when he climbed from the hole, but he had been there with a truck and he hadn’t been alone.

  When Kendle pushed a cup of hot tea into Adrian’s hand, Kenn approved and moved back to take up a sentry post. The stone people had erected tents and even found extras for them, but Kenn doubted Adrian would use his. He was sorting through everything that had happened and scheming on how to get back into Angela’s good graces.

  “I was never out of them,” Adrian said. He had realized he didn’t have to hide anything anymore. He also knew Kenn and Kendle were his when it came to loyalty. “It all worked out exactly as she meant for it to.”

  Kendle knelt down and peered through the ashy rain that was now falling. They were protected by the overhang, but it was still frigid.

  Kenn assumed they would remain here, staring at their obsessions, and he slowly moved towards the new people. Angela would put them in the QZ and then ask for details, if Marc didn’t beat her to it.

  Adrian was aware of Kendle’s warmth as she let their bodies touch and her scent drifted up in tormenting waves. She was still using the vanilla.

  “Why?” he asked.

  Kendle glanced up absently. “I want what she has.”

  “Marc.”

  Kendle shrugged, stare going back to the cabin. “Maybe the power too, and that’s wrong. Right?”

  “Of course,” he confirmed. “And it’s also human. Besides, she needs women like you. The power will come in time.”

  “If I pick Team Brady?” Kendle asked.

  “Not for her. She’ll be relieved if you stay with me.”

  “Do you want me to?” Kendle asked suddenly.

  “Only because I’m afraid of being alone
,” Adrian said without meanness. “I’ll care for you as much as I can. Maybe love would come for us in time.”

  “Yeah, maybe,” she answered, working on her own issues. “I’d only be doing it because if you’re good enough for her, then you must be like him.”

  “I know that,” Adrian ground out. “He did that intentionally, to hurt me.”

  “Did what?”

  “Made you fall in love. He could have given you to Quinn or Shane, or even Shawn, but he chose to torment me with another woman who dreams of him.”

  “He did a good job,” Kendle muttered angrily. She’d never felt so used. At least with Ethan, she’d known he was dangerous to her. She’d thought Marc was one of the good guys.

  “He is, actually,” Adrian was forced to correct. There wouldn’t be any lying allowed in this relationship. “He always does his duty.”

  Kendle recognized the tone. “He’ll demand your death!”

  Adrian snorted. “The camp will. Angela will try to stop them. Marc will get the final choice.”

  “And we both know what he’ll pick, so why are you going back?”

  “Why are you?” he retorted.

  “She might die in childbirth, or choke on a piece of candy,” Kendle answered wistfully.

  “You’re a bitch,” he spat.

  “Well, yeah,” Kendle agreed. “Isn’t that part of why I’ll work so well as a substitute?”

  “Yes,” he answered. “And I’d like to tell you now that when you stop shooting flames, we’re done. I need that fire to make this work.”

  “That’s fine, since I have more heat than you can work off of me in a lifetime. Here’s my caveat: I want to be a real Eagle, preferably XO on that bitch’s team. Can you get me there?”

  He slowly knelt down and took Kendle’s chin in his cold hand. He studied her openly—not her features, but her mind—and it only took a moment to see that she had earned whatever she was given.

  “No need,” Adrian said. “She’ll reward all of her fighters.”

  He dropped his hand, aware of the tingle. They were compatible. “Ask for something you’ll need that she won’t give you.”

  “Time alone with Marc.”

  Adrian rocked back on his heels. “Yeah, that’s definitely one.”

  “Can you?”

  “If I promise him to leave her alone, he’ll sleep with you.”

  Kendle sighed. “It wouldn’t be enough.”

  “Yeah, tell me about it,” he muttered.

  “You’ll try?”

  “Of course.” Adrian shoved himself into the future. “As my woman, you’ll be well cared for.”

  Kendle also took the window of opportunity, sure if she rejected him here, they would have a platonic relationship. He was reaching out and she stood up. “Tell me a little about that, Mr. Mitchel. Marc seemed to think you can make me melt.”

  Adrian moved behind her without responding orally. He didn’t touch her right away, trying instead to see if they had true sparks or if their longings would drive it all. That would determine how their physical moments would have to go.

  “I find you…attractive.”

  “Only passing fair?” he rumbled in bitter amusement. “I could dye my hair.”

  Kendle snorted at that image. “I could get pregnant.”

  Adrian’s breath caught.

  “…would you be willing to go that far?”

  “Only if it got me Brady in the end,” Kendle confessed. “Plus, I don’t think I’d be a good mom right now.”

  Adrian understood. He noted the drooped shoulders and carefully placed his hands on them. “How fast do you want to get over what was done to you?”

  “What did she pick?”

  Adrian didn’t ask how Kendle had known. The grapevine in Safe Haven would always keep people informed.

  “Fast, of course. She considers her options, scans the future, and then makes the choice.”

  “Head-on, huh?” Kendle murmured, becoming aware of Adrian’s warmth behind her and the urge to lean back. “Figures.”

  Adrian waited as Kendle considered her options. When she scanned the future, she didn’t seem to have one, and that made the choice was easier. At least she wouldn’t be alone, and if Adrian could help her over the trauma of Ethan Kraft, it might be enough to hold her for a while.

  “What does fast mean?”

  Adrian was encouraged that she’d asked the correct question, and he stepped forward to provide the warm resting place she’d been thinking about.

  “Mmm…”

  Adrian stiffened. “Is that funny?”

  Kendle turned around, brows drawn together. “What?”

  Adrian realized she hadn’t been mimicking Angela. Their pleasure sounded the same.

  “Damn, he’s good,” Adrian swore.

  Kendle figured it out and she stared up at him. Would it be the same for her? Had Marc at least hooked her up before he’d forgotten about her?

  Adrian felt the request and leaned forward to place a soft kiss to her forehead. “Give me a day and I’ll prove that he did.”

  Kendle allowed him to tug her into his arms, where his body heat immediately swarmed over her. It was disappointing about the kiss, though. She’d agreed without knowing if he would be able to satisfy the itch she had.

  Adrian growled as his male side leapt to the front and he tangled his hands in her short spikes and kissed her as if she was Angela.

  When Adrian ended the embrace, Kendle didn’t move. He could feel her ragged breath against his cheek and he wrapped his arms around her, heart thumping in his chest. “He picked it real well, didn’t he?”

  “Bastard!” Kendle swore, burying her head against his chest.

  “God, I miss him.”

  Adrian sensed she wasn’t referring to Marc and led her into his tent. They had a lot to talk about.

  5

  “Our vehicle won’t start,” Shawn said when he came from back in from loading their gear. “Damn ash clogged it up.”

  Shawn took off his scarf, missing the ski mask he’d left in camp for some unknown reason. “I’m gonna go scout another set, once I make this.”

  Shawn held up a bag of coffee grounds that he had found in the trunk of a rusting car down the block, and the lodge filled with cheering. Samantha’s bean plant had been stripped and used, and was already a memory. Li Sing had been making the coffee with chicory.

  Ten minutes later, the smell of boiling grounds had brought an eager morning chat between the seven people here. Coffee had that effect on people, even if it was cowboy style.

  “Should take us about three hours, unless we can find a road Angie didn’t destroy.”

  Angela gave the expected smile and let her fighters blow off the steam they had left. She’d given Cynthia notes on doing the same for the camp and so far, she hadn’t sensed any trouble there since the quake.

  Jennifer took her mug to the big glass windows, sipping carefully. She hadn’t cared for coffee before the war. It was another welcome change to discover that it hit the spot perfectly.

  “Hot, dark, and bitter,” she muttered.

  Kyle heard the comment and began rooting through the cabinets. “Come on. I know you’re here.”

  The others stared in confusion as he tore through the last drawer and came up with a small yellow box. “Yes!”

  Kyle took the box to Jennifer and held it out in the palm of his hand. “How about hot, dark, and sweet? Like you.”

  Jennifer grinned, taking the sugar. “Silly.”

  “That’s me,” Kyle boasted. He took her place at the window while she doctored the mug.

  “Anyone else?” Jennifer offered.

  “Me,” Becky answered.

  Everyone else passed and Marc took the moment to scan Angela’s thoughts. The darkness hadn’t lifted and he was still worried despite bonding with the witch.

  Bonding? his demon gasped. I can’t walk and you call that gift, bonding?

  Marc snickered, drawing Ang
ela’s attention.

  “Something amuses him,” she quipped, hoping he would leave it alone until they returned to Safe Haven.

  Marc thought fast. “Cynthia and Samantha might be a bit miffed by us sitting here having a latte like it’s a commercial.”

  Angela snickered with the rest of them at the wording, and then allowed her lighter side to surface for a rare moment. “You’re too cute for a coffee commercial.”

  “That is so true,” Becky chimed in. She didn’t like the speculative glances she was getting from Seth. “How about a swimming spot for the Olympics?”

  Marc’s cheeks started to redden. “I don’t think—”

  “Why not the beautiful cowboy in all those cologne shots?” Jennifer added, loving Kyle’s mock growl as much as Becky had when Seth tickled her for her comment.

  Marc’s face was steadily getting darker and Angela shrugged. “I’d need an audition before I pick. Make sure our new ride will fit a casting couch.”

  All three couples broke into laughter as Marc went scarlet and dove at her, gently tickling.

  It was a simple, sweet moment for the pairs, who didn’t get many of those, and Shawn tried not to begrudge them as he joined in the teasing. He left sooner than he’d planned though, and wasn’t surprised when Dog met him outside the lodge.

  Shawn opened the passenger door to let Dog into their ride. “I’m gonna pop it in neutral and let us roll. Maybe the bumps will clear it out a bit and then she’ll fire up.”

  Dog leapt into the seat eagerly. His thoughts were still on the strangely attractive female he’d seen and for a brief moment, he thought again about tracking her down.

  Dog glanced at the door of the lodge, whining. He loved Brady… But I’m not content anymore, Dog understood suddenly. It’s almost time for me to go home.

  6

  The trip back was silent and somber for most of them. Shawn’s idea had worked, saving them time, but to reach Safe Haven’s location, they had to drive through part of Angela’s battlefield and it was gruesome. After days in the elements, the bodies were gory.

  Kyle saw Jennifer shut her lids and immediately understood, thanks to the witch. He slid a quick arm over and tugged her into his lap.