EVO Nation Series Trilogy Box Set

by K. J. Chapman

  “Good book?” I ask. He starts, almost dropping the book on his face. “I didn’t know you read.”

  “Sometimes, I need distraction. I get to be someone else, somewhere else for a little while. It’s not that I don’t want to be here, I just need a break. You get that, right?”

  Opening my sketch book, hundreds of loose papers slip out. “Totally.”

  Adam leaves through the pages, smiling at those of him. “Is that my shoulder?” he asks, giving me a bemused look.

  I shrug. “Some things just draw me. I did it when you were sleeping. What can I say? You have good shoulders.” Sliding the papers back into my pad, I nudge him over. “What are you reading?”

  He holds up the book. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.

  “I’ve not read that one,” I say. Taking the book, I open to the page he has folded down. He’s only one chapter in.

  “I’ve only just started that one. I finished Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck just before I found you. Haven’t had a chance to read since.”

  Turning back to chapter one, I cross my legs under myself and start to read.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Reading to you,” I say, clearing my throat to start again.

  ***

  It turns out that I’m quite the storyteller. Adam laughs heartily as I put on a gruff, pirate voice for the dialogue. Reading for an hour has whisked me away. It’s just him and me watching the adventure unfold before us, safe in the knowledge that we’re distanced from the real danger of the narrative.

  We have somehow found ourselves in a tangle of limbs. Adam lies back with his eyes closed, listening intently as I play narrator. One hand rests on my crossed knee like a steadying weight, the other holds my free hand, drawing circles on my palm with his thumb.

  “That’s all we have time for,” I say, quietly. I place a small sketch of our entwined hands inside the pages as a bookmark. “Rafe was expecting us ten minutes ago.”

  He opens his eyes lazily as if he really has been half dreaming of the sea.

  “You look better, more relaxed. I’m glad,” I tell him.

  Adam stops me as I attempt to leave. “Wait one moment,” he says, his eyes drinking me in. “This is my new favourite memory. I want to remember this in detail.”

  “It’s a good memory to keep,” I say, rubbing my thumb over his pouting lips.

  “This is why I need you, Baby. I remember a lot of… bad things. This memory will push one of those out. I can’t lose you. I won’t lose you.” He sits up on his elbow and kisses me tenderly.

  “Chief,” calls a TORO from outside the tent. “The Governor is asking where you are.”

  Sighing, Adam rolls his eyes. “Reality calls.”

  “That was reality,” I say. “Don’t forget that. Just because it’s a lovely moment in the midst of a load of crap ones, it doesn’t mean that it is any less real. We’ve got to live now in case we don’t get our chance later.” I tuck his book under the pillow and slide my boots on.

  “You will get your chance to live later. I’ll die to ensure that,” he says. The feeling in his words makes my stomach knot.

  “That would sound really romantic if it wasn’t my worst fear.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Adam wasn’t lying about keeping me close. He has me ride up front of the convoy in his truck with the TORO. Rafe follows behind with Fernan and her A Squad. Two transport buses left for Cornwall about two hours before we set off for home. The drivers, Cloakers, and Illusionists of that transport are those who wish to remain with Syndicate. We wouldn’t spare our own. Fernan gave them the vehicles and some inadequate food supplies, but otherwise, they’re on their own. I hope they make it. It felt wrong watching them head out without any other back up, but Rafe’s explained that a return trip to Cornwall means double the risk for us. Besides, right now, we can barely look after our own and we’re down eight vehicles.

  This first mission was a learning curve for everyone. Neither Fernan nor Rafe and Adam can take on people who can’t or won’t aide the cause, and they definitely can’t spare supplies, weapons, or vehicles to get any more people to Grayson. If we are to continue on our detention centre raiding missions as planned, those who can fight can stay, and those who can’t will have to make their own way. Either way, it’s better than being imprisoned in those bloody centres.

  I’m relieved to be getting back to The Hive. We’ve only been gone three days, but so much has happened in that time. I’m desperate to tell Yana about the detention centre. In truth, I want to tell her how kick-ass I felt saving Vin and those trapped EVO, and how terrified I am at the thought that I outed myself in the process.

  The familiar woodland is a comforting sight, and we eventually arrive at the clearing where the vehicles are kept, only there has been a vast improvement. Trees have been cleared to make the space quadruple the size, large amounts of netting and camouflage tarps have been rigged up above us, casting shadows and giving the area a creepy feel, and there are lookouts in tree platforms for Illusionists, Cloakers, and any other EVO who have abilities to conceal or protect.

  Crow awaits us with the gang. He doesn’t half look smug about what he has accomplished- smug and exhausted.

  “He’s done good,” Adam says to me. “We only gave him nine hours’ notice to create this space.”

  “Why so big?”

  “We need the capacity to be able to hold large numbers of vehicles and to accommodate the E.N.C. Some of Fernan’s bases may be compromised in the foreseeable future, so they will relocate here as soon as possible. It’s also a good idea to have more space for when we acquire more military vehicles from the raids. We don’t even believe this to be large enough. There are plans in place to expand more in the coming weeks. More people means we need more supplies, more space, more accommodation, more watch-posts and guards, more waste facilities… it’s endless.”

  “But you’re managing?” I ask, studying his face. He has aged so much in the last few months.

  He registers my eyes on him and breaks the tension in his face with a smile. “We’ll make it work,” he replies, skirting the question. “You don’t have to worry about any of it.”

  “No excluding me, remember?”

  “You’ll have enough on your plate with your new training regime.”

  “What new training regime? Why do I not like the sound of that?”

  He breaks into a full grin now, white teeth gleaming in the dim light. “If you’re in on the missions, then you’re upping your training. The sessions will be longer and tougher without compromise. Rafe and Fernan agree that we need to push the boundaries of our joint abilities and see how awesome we really are. Your control of the electrokinesis is poor, and my telekinesis is erratic. We need to be better.”

  “You told them about our new development?”

  He nods. “They had already guessed. Rafe is going to bust our balls over this. I hope you’re prepared for the training.”

  “As long as I’m doing my bit, then I will work my butt off,” I say, linking my arm through his. “Just make sure to include me in anything you need to, even if you just want someone to listen while you rant.”

  “You’re going to wish you hadn’t said that,” he jokes.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  Breaking up fights between an E.N.C member and a Shift or TORO Squad member has become normality over the last four weeks. The supplies barely stretch, everyone is living on top of each other, and a difference of opinions is wearing on already frayed nerves.

  Fernan’s tent sits in the middle of the E.N.C base and the camp spreads out from it like a village built around a temple. I admit, the theatrics are quite something with these people. I shouldn’t be surprised after spending time in the complex in Italy.

  “Knock knock,” I call, waggling the fabric door with my hand.

  “Come in,” Fernan calls. She sits on her camp bed with her legs propped up on a duffel bag.

  Adam kneel
s on the floor, bent over papers. I’m surprised to find Jonah with him. They both look up as I enter.

  “Hey, Baby, what’s up?”

  “Fighting again. This time, over the latrine duties. It was one of yours,” I say, pointing to Fernan, “and TORO 87,” I tell Adam. “This is the sixth fight in the last forty-eight hours.”

  Fernan groans. “Bunch of god damn children. Can you point him out to me?”

  “Him?” I say, raising an eyebrow. “The fight happened at the women’s latrines.”

  “TORO 87 is female,” Adam confirms, mind back on the papers in front of him. “I’ll have a word. As if we don’t have enough to deal with.”

  The three of them are struggling to ration food, water, and toiletries within their three camps. The only difference in The Hive is that there is electricity. The solar panels allow them to have heated water, which I take full advantage of. I sleep in Adam’s tent, but use the toilets and showers within The Hive. I’m not supposed to be on a side, right? I get to flit, and flit I shall.

  “I was looking for you earlier,” I tell Jonah. “Didn’t expect to find you here.”

  Adam slaps his back absentmindedly. “Jonah knows this detention centre. He’s helping me get a better feel for the place.”

  I stand over them, peering down at the maps and Adam’s scrawled notes. “Is that where Towley had you working?”

  All three of them look at me as if I’ve just farted.

  “Teds, this is the facility where Towley first took you to have the Scrambler implanted.” Adam looks up at me and squeezes my hand. “Sorry, I thought you knew.”

  Jonah taps the map. “This was known as Facility Four before it became a detention centre. It was one of the smallest EVO research facilities in the country, but it had the best labs, scientists, and doctors. You came to me in Facility Four, and then we were transported somewhere off grid. I had to wear a blind fold throughout the flight. I later learnt that it was another top-secret, EVO research Facility- Facility Five.”

  “And we burnt it to the ground when we rescued Wheeler and Coop,” Adam adds.

  “I remember it well. I nearly died in that fire,” Jonah says, straightening his tie.

  Adam merely shrugs. “Well, you’re here now, so all’s well that ends well. Did you still need Jonah, Teds, because I think we’ll have a break for an hour whilst I go and speak to my camp?”

  “Yep, still need him,” I say, holding up my hand.

  My finger and knuckle are out of place. This is the third time it has happened during sparring since training upped another notch. They’re the fingers that were dislocated during my torture at the hands of the government. One hit slightly off point, or one grab by my opponent, and out it pops. I’m sure Crow has realised and uses it to his advantage in our training sessions. It certainly teaches me a lesson because it hurts like hell.

  “I will need to strap this up for a few days,” Jonah tells me. He counts to three and pops my finger back into place on two. I let out a little squeak of pain. “No excuses this time.”

  “Old injury?” Fernan asks.

  I nod, rather than delve into that discussion with her.

  Adam kisses my relocated fingers, and then my mouth. “Are you good? I’ll see you tonight. Are you sure it was TORO 87 before I go and give her grief?” he asks.

  Again, I nod. He rushes out of the tent, followed by Jonah who goes in search of a splint.

  Fernan grips my forearm before the tent door can close behind me. “I saw the footage. They dislocated your fingers to coerce a confession out of you. Did they use the shock rods on you too?”

  Yes, they did use the shock rods on me, and I can still remember the volts racing through my body and my flesh blistering from the metal. More vividly, I remember Cooper and Wheeler being shocked whilst hanging from the chains. Those images cut me more deeply than my own experiences.

  “They burn like the devil, don’t they?” she says, letting the canvas door swing down between us.

  Cal greets me and enters the tent, dragging a man by his scruff. I take it there have been more fights. Not wanting to press Fernan about her comment in front of her team, I leave her to deal with the idiot at the end of Cal’s arm.

  ***

  Adam blasts his electrokinesis at me, and I retaliate with my own. Both streams mix and force the other away. He winks at me, trying to disguise the effort he has to put in to fight me back. I’m getting stronger, and the truth in that statement is clear in his face.

  “Quits,” he calls, and we both stop our attack. “Brilliant! That was the best yet.”

  “Has Rafe said anymore about practising our linked abilities?” I ask, eyeing the massive hole in the crashmats above our heads. The edges are melted and charred from our first attempt at practising our joint electrokinesis. Adam took my hand, and bam, chunks of liquid plastic were raining down above us. Training our linked abilities is now forbidden within The Hive. With the combat fields now TORO and E.N.C bases, finding a secluded, safe area to practise is proving difficult. Not to mention, that other things are taking priority at the moment.

  “He’s not said anything, so we best wait,” Adam replies. “We’re all caught up in preparing for the next raid as it is.”

  I know how many hours a day goes into running the camps whilst planning the raid. I can see how tired Adam, Fernan, and Rafe are, even though they shrug it off.

  “Please, tell me that I’ve got you to myself for a few hours tonight. You’ve been working non-stop.”

  He grins. “You have. Rafe wanted a meeting about controlling the unrest within the camps, but I shot him down. He and Fernan can cope without me for one night.”

  “Good,” I say, placing a kiss on his hot mouth. “You need a break.”

  We collect our towels and drink bottles and walk out of The Tomb hand in hand. As soon as I feel the weight of Rafe’s telepathy in my mind, I know things are about to change. Adam feels it too, because he gives me an ‘I’m sorry’ look before Rafe has even said a word.

  “Celeste is back,” is all he says.

  We set off at a jog to the office. If Celeste is back it means that she has news from De’Laney and Cox. Our night together has swiftly been side-tracked, and of course, it had to be Celeste to interrupt.

  Celeste chats to Rafe in the corridor. When she sees me, she smiles. My confused scowl is probably quite the picture. I’m not sure if I like smiling Celeste. I don’t know where I stand with this strange creature.

  “What’s wrong with her face?” I whisper to Adam as we wait for his Counsel to arrive.

  “She’s trying,” he replies. “I may have told her that making amends with me starts with being civil toward you.”

  I shiver. “I was quite happy with our relationship how it was. This is off-putting.”

  He just laughs and breaks away to speak with the pair of them.

  Shana steps into the foyer, carrying a pile of laundry. Rafe has given her my old room, and although I haven’t seen them in the same air space for more than a few minutes at a time, I know that he likes having her close to keep an eye on her. This woman isn’t the woman I remember, and I think he feels the same. He has some semblance of a daughter back.

  “What’s going on?” she asks me, as those who need to be in the meeting swarm the office.

  “I’ll let you know once we’re done,” I promise her. “I’ll come and find you.”

  Even though no one is consciously isolating her, I can see she is been shoved aside. It’s not a Non-EVO thing; Jonah and Lizzie have important roles to play. It is a Shana thing. I don’t think I helped that fact with our spats at the chapel, or what I said about her when Celeste informed us that she was still alive. I don’t want to push her aside anymore. She’s had that her whole life, and it won’t help her mental health none. Dad wouldn’t want me to be that person either. When I can, I give her the gist of our meetings. I never divulge anything of importance, but enough so she feels like I’m including her in my life at l
east.

  Jude wraps an arm around my shoulder and leads me into the office. “You’re a good girl, Princess. I know this is hard for you.”

  “If I keep her sweet, she washes my clothes in the fabric softener,” I joke.

  Jude scoffs and pulls his hair back into a ponytail. “Whatever, liar. She doesn’t deserve your help, but she is lucky to have it.”

  As I look up into his face, I’m not sure I recognise the man looking back at me. It’s a good thing. Jude was always so angry, so sorrowful. Half of that was grief for Tess, but I think the other half was grief for the sister he had lost. Making amends with Shana has given him a different vibe, an onwards and upwards vibe.

  “How is he doing?” he asks, eyeing Adam across the room. “I know about the nightmares. When they were first happening, Leoni was concerned for him and she told me about them.”

  “They’re bad lately. When he’s running on empty, or something is stressing him out, that’s when they’re at their worst. He’s been practising telekinesis with me, and I’m hoping that will help, but sometimes, our minds just take over. It’s happened to me many a time. We have no idea what things he remembers. The in-fighting isn’t helping.”

  Jude slouches back against the wall. “Things are going to boil over soon. People can be assholes, and assholes expect something for nothing. They can’t see what they do have, only what they’re lacking. I’ve warned Adam and Dad that it’s only going to get worse. The hungrier they get, the more frustrated and cooped up they feel, the more problems they’ll have.”

  “The supply run came back empty handed an hour ago,” I whisper, watching his reaction. “They scouted as far as it was safe to do so.”

  “Something has got to give soon,” he replies. “Surely, they can’t ration anymore?”

  “They have no choice until the detention centre raid.”

  “Are you waiting for an invite?” Rafe’s voice booms across the foyer at us.

  Celeste hasn’t returned alone. Adam talks to a dark-haired man who wears well-fitted jeans and a sweater over a checked shirt. His laced shoes are tan and shiny. It’s been a while since I have seen clean shoes. If this is Ethan, I’m surprised by Celeste’s choice. I think he’s a good-looking chap, but not what I’d call ‘Celeste handsome’. When he notices me, he politely excuses himself from his conversation with Adam and comes over to shake my hand.