Shadow of the Coalition

by Jamie A. Waters

  “I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

  Kayla carefully stood, trying not to jostle her injured arm, and made her way toward her speeder. Other than a few scrapes and some bruises, nothing else appeared to be broken. Unfortunately, her speeder was on its side. There was no way to pull it back upright without the use of both hands. With a sigh, she slumped down on the ground next to it and prepared to wait.

  True to his word, Mack pulled up a short time later. He climbed off his bike and set up the UV guard attachment to shield them from the sun.

  “Shit, Kayla,” Mack muttered as he pulled off his helmet and helped to remove hers. “What the hell happened?”

  She blew out a breath. How was she supposed to explain laying down the speeder to avoid hitting a ghost? He’d think she was touched in the head for sure. “I thought there was something in the road. I swerved, and the rest is history.”

  Mack raised an eyebrow questioningly, but she didn’t elaborate. He carefully helped remove her jacket and took a look at her arm and shoulder. He ran his hand up her arm and pressed his fingers into her shoulder to determine the extent of the damage.

  “For fuck’s sake, Mack,” she cursed, and her eyes began to water from the pain. A wave of nausea washed over her.

  He sat back on his heels and frowned. “Looks like you’re right about the shoulder. I can pop it back in, but you’re done for the day.”

  Kayla squeezed her eyes shut. “Just do it.”

  “It’s gonna hurt, babe,” he warned and tightly gripped her arm. She gritted her teeth and tried to brace herself for the inevitable. He flexed her elbow and rotated her shoulder. A screaming cry ripped out of her throat. The joint popped back into place and she felt an almost immediate sense of relief. It was still painful, but it was much more manageable.

  “You’re not going to be able to use that arm for a few days.”

  Kayla nodded, and he helped her stand. Mack went over and lifted her bike up off the ground. She watched as he crouched down to check for damage.

  “It looks okay except for a few scratches. I’m not sure how well you can ride with only one arm though. I’ll take it over to the side of the building. We can leave it here, and I’ll bring one of the guys back with me to pick it up. Is there anything you need off it?”

  “Just my equipment,” she replied. “Sorry about this, Mack. I wasn’t paying attention.”

  “Don’t worry about it, darlin’. It happens. I’m just glad you’re not in worse shape. You’ve had a rough couple of days.”

  Mack put his helmet back on and pushed her bike toward the building. He grabbed her bag and attached it to his bike before walking back over to her. Leaning down, he helped her back into her jacket and helmet.

  After deactivating the UV guard, Mack sat on his bike. Kayla awkwardly climbed on behind him, careful to keep her injured arm as still as possible. He reached over, grabbed her good arm and put it around his waist, encouraging her to hold on as he fired up the engine.

  Mack drove at a slower pace, but the ride was still miserable. Every bump and turn cause pain to shoot down her arm. It was a rough and nauseating two hours later before they arrived back at Leo’s camp.

  Kristin met them at the entrance and rushed forward to help Kayla remove her gear. “I heard you took a spill. You okay?”

  “Yeah, thanks to Mack.” Kayla tossed him another grateful look.

  Mack gave the bottom of her chin an affectionate tap with his fist and winked. “Anytime, darlin’. Kris, can you take her to get changed and cleaned up? She needs to keep that shoulder still. The jacket helped, but it looked like there was some road rash on her arm too.”

  Kristin nodded and helped Kayla into the lavatory.

  “I’m going to grab some of your clothes. Don’t move that arm.”

  Kayla muttered an agreement and looked down at her arm. It wasn’t pretty, but she needed to see how bad the rest of her looked. Using her good hand, Kayla unhooked her belt and wiggled off her pants. She kicked them aside and assessed her leg. The outside of her thigh had turned several unflattering shades of red and purple.

  Kristin came back with clothes in her arms and scrunched up her nose at the sight of Kayla’s injuries. “Definitely not your best look,” she commented before helping Kayla remove her shirt. Once it was off, they both stared at her arm. It wasn’t much prettier than her thigh. In fact, it looked far worse. The skin on her arm and shoulder was angry, raw, and swollen.

  “Wow, you really did a number on yourself.”

  “No kidding,” Kayla muttered, observing the damage. If she wasn’t more careful, she wouldn’t have to worry about seeing ghosts—she’d become one.

  Kayla climbed into the shower, whimpering and cursing as she washed the grit out of the raw areas of her skin. It was a painful process, but the possibility of infection made it necessary. When the areas were as clean as possible, she stepped out of the shower. Kristin looked up, her eyes wide as she held Kayla’s emerald necklace in her hand.

  “This is gorgeous! Where’d you find it?”

  Kayla hesitated, mentally kicking herself for forgetting about the necklace she’d left in her pocket. It must have fallen out when she undressed. “It was a gift. I had to promise not to sell it. It’s some sort of family heirloom. I felt weird about wearing it though.”

  “A gift? To wear?” Kristin was seemingly shocked at the possibility. “Who gave it to you?”

  “Someone from the towers,” Kayla admitted. “It’s a long story.”

  Kristin’s eyes widened even further and she shook her head, dangling the necklace from her fingers. “Uh uh. No way. You’re walking around carrying something worth who-knows-how-much and you’re not going to tell me? Spill it.”

  Kayla sighed and grabbed her shorts from the counter. Using her good arm, she pulled them on. “Okay, but you better not breathe a word of this to anyone.”

  Kristin nodded, and Kayla briefly told her about meeting Alec and her ties to the towers. She left out the part about the energy, knowing Kristin either wouldn’t believe her or it would freak her out. Kristin’s eyes had practically bugged out of her head by the time Kayla finished. “That’s crazy. So you left the towers because this guy wants to marry you?”

  “In part,” Kayla said as she struggled to pull on her shirt. Kristin stepped forward to help. “I just want to be with Carl, but I think he’s having second thoughts. I needed to get away from all of it for a while, so I came back here.”

  Kristin nodded in understanding. “I can’t believe you were born in the towers. What’s it like there?”

  Kayla frowned. How could she explain? There wasn’t anything she could compare to it. “It’s really different. The people there seem pretty self-absorbed, but some of them are nice.”

  The pretty brunette listened intently while Kayla tried to describe the busy stores and restaurants. When she finished, Kristin sighed wistfully. “I wish I could see it.”

  “It’s a possibility,” Kayla admitted. “I don’t want to get your hopes up, but I was talking to someone about building a smaller tower for the ruin rats. We’d need to figure out how to get the building materials and stuff, but he said it was a possibility. At the least, the idea could be presented to the Council.”

  Kristin’s entire face lit up at the possibility. “Oh, wow. Could you imagine? I used to dream about living in those towers when I was younger. To think it could maybe one day happen. Maybe Marie could actually grow up there!”

  “Don’t say anything yet,” Kayla reminded her. Although, Kristin’s reaction gave her all the more reason to fight for the ruin rats and make the tower idea a reality. “I don’t want to get everyone excited about it when it’s still just being discussed. Someone proposed something like this years ago, and the Council rejected the idea.”

  “I won’t,” Kristin promised as she handed the necklace to Kayla. “You should wear that though. It’s too pretty to sit in your pocket. Hide it under your shirt or something. I won’t s
ay a word.”

  Kayla hesitated and then nodded, slipping the necklace over her head. Kayla tucked the pendant under her shirt to keep it out of sight.

  The girl smiled at Kayla approvingly. “Let’s go put something on those cuts before they get infected. Mack’s probably going to want your arm in a sling for a while too. He’s being pretty protective of you since Veridian’s not around.”

  Kayla grimaced at the thought of wearing the brace, but she followed Kristin out of the bathroom and toward the small medical room. Kristin opened a cabinet and handed her an immobilizing device. With a scowl, Kayla slipped it on.

  Kayla shook her head when Kristin pulled out the small tube of healing cream. She could deal with the discomfort for a few days. The camp’s medical supply levels were too low to use it without dire need. If an infection started to set in, she’d deal with it then. Kristin nodded in understanding and put the medication away.

  After they finished, Kayla headed back down the hall. Leo barked out her name as she passed his office. She sighed and stepped inside the room, prepared to argue with the grumpy camp leader. Mack was already in the room and had obviously told Leo about her accident.

  “What do you want, Leo?” Kayla didn’t bother to hide the irritation in her voice. Her shoulder was throbbing, and she just wanted to go sit down.

  Leo scowled at her. “What the hell did you do? Forget how to ride with your eyes open? What am I supposed to do with you while you’re healing up?”

  “Me? You’re about as useful as a mint-flavored suppository,” she retorted. “Even one-handed, I’m still more useful than you. At least I can reconfigure some of those gadgets in the workroom. You’re nothing but a bag of hot air.”

  “Then get on it, girl,” Leo snapped, but his eyes twinkled with humor. His expression turned more serious as he added, “I’m glad you’re okay.”

  She grinned at him and Mack stood. “How’s the pain? You need something?”

  “No, I can handle it.”

  Mack nodded. “I’m going to head out with Marshall to pick up your bike. I’ll be back in a few hours. Think you can stay out of trouble until then?”

  She gave a one-armed shrug. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  As Kayla turned to leave the room, Leo said, “I hope you do. Sergei is stopping by in a bit, and we don’t need trouble with him. He called to check on the status of the mapping. I told him it was progressing but there would be a slight delay since you were hurt. The rest of the boys will finish it up tomorrow.”

  She couldn’t help but look at the bright side. At least being injured and stuck in camp would give her the opportunity to get more information out of Sergei. She just couldn’t promise Leo she’d stay out of trouble while she did it.

  Chapter Twelve

  Kayla was sitting on the floor an hour later modifying the settings on one of the new terminals they’d received from Lars and Sergei. Her arm was aching more than she cared to admit, and she put down the tool in frustration.

  Sergei tapped on the wall before strolling into the workroom. His hair was pulled back like it had been the day before. He was wearing his UV-protective gear, but his jacket was open, revealing a dark shirt. Some sort of strange device that looked like a weapon was holstered at his side, and he carried a bottle in his hand. Kayla eyed the weapon with distaste. The one she’d borrowed from Brant was still in her bag. Ruin rats didn’t carry such high-tech weapons because of their extravagant cost and upkeep, but maybe it was time to reconsider.

  He gave her an appraising look. “I heard you were injured. How do you feel?”

  Like hell warmed over. “Just a bump and a couple of bruises. I’ll be fine.”

  Sergei extended his hand to help her off the floor and gestured to the sling once she was standing. “That looks to be a bit more than a bruise. Is it broken?”

  “Dislocated,” she replied and peeked behind him toward the hall. “Is your friend here too?”

  “Yes. Lars is with Leo. They are reviewing images you and your friends gathered today. You accomplished much, even hurt.” He took a step closer to her and examined the brace. “May I inspect your arm? I have some experience with injuries.”

  “Not much to look at, but go ahead. Mack already reset it.” Sergei put down the bottle before removing her arm from the brace. He ran his hand up her arm toward her shoulder and felt the joint. She winced in pain, and he raised an eyebrow at her.

  “You have not taken anything for pain?”

  “No, I can handle it,” she replied stubbornly.

  Sergei chuckled and put the brace back on her. “I am surprised you remained conscious when the arm was reset.”

  She frowned. So was she. “It hurt like a bitch, but I’ve been through worse.”

  He laughed outright. “You have spirit. I am impressed.” There was a hint of admiration in his voice. He picked up the bottle from the floor. “I promised we would share a bottle of vodka. It may help dull your pain. Or I could show you my camp. We could correct your shoulder immediately.”

  Kayla was curious about his camp, but she wouldn’t risk going anywhere with these guys until she learned more about them. There were limits, even for her. She shook her head. “I’ll give the vodka a try.”

  Sergei nodded. She grabbed two glasses from the dining area before leading him to the common room. Sergei took the seat next to her on the couch and removed the protective barrier around the bottle. As he poured the clear liquid into the glasses, he explained that the sheath was designed to keep the liquid ice-cold. He handed one of the glasses to her.

  “Tvoye zdorov’ye!”

  He tapped his glass against hers before downing his drink. Kayla cocked her head at the unusual words but followed his lead. The cold liquid felt somewhat harsh against her throat, followed by a slight warming sensation as she swallowed—an interesting contrast. The taste was quite a bit different from the scotch Carl had given her, but it wasn’t bad.

  “What does that mean?”

  “A toast to your health,” he explained and leaned back, draping his arm across the back of the couch. “It seemed fitting, considering your shoulder. How did you manage to injure yourself?”

  She wrinkled her nose. “I zigged when I should have zagged.”

  The corner of his lips twitched as though suppressing a smile, but he didn’t question her further. Taking another drink, she took the opportunity to study him. Sergei was attractive, but with an unnerving intensity. He exuded confidence and even seemed to border on cocky. Kayla normally liked that in a man, but she had the impression every action and movement on his part was planned and deliberate, which made her somewhat guarded. Her only other option for information was Lars, however, and there was something about the other man that bothered her.

  Sergei refilled his drink and considered her in return. “Leo said you worked another camp. Will you remain here now?”

  “For a little while,” she said noncommittally. “I’m not really sure what I’m doing yet. I just wanted to take a few days to figure things out. What about you? What are your plans when you finish mapping the current district?”

  His eyes twinkled as he reached over to refill her glass. “We have several plans in motion. We wait for now to see results.”

  Kayla resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She’d played these word games with traders more times than she could count. Unfortunately, her shoulder was aching and she wasn’t in the mood to draw this out. It was time to step things up a notch.

  She leaned against the back of the couch and gave him a playful smile. “If you’re trying to go for the whole mysterious and sexy thing, I’d say you’ve got it nailed.”

  Sergei raised an eyebrow. Interest flickered in his gray eyes, and he gave her a slow smile. He reached over, lifted a tendril of her hair, and rubbed it between his fingers, watching her reaction. “I could say same about you, Milaya.”

  Kayla held herself still. It was all part of the game. She took another sip of her drink and peered up
at him over the rim of her glass. “I’ve never been outside OmniLab territory. What’s it like where you’re from?”

  “Ahh. You have interest in my home?”

  When she nodded, Sergei smiled and lowered his hand to the back of the couch. His fingers brushed against her uninjured shoulder. She had the impression he was testing her and trying to gauge her reaction to his touch. What was it with people putting their hands on her? Kayla didn’t like it, but she’d play along for now.

  When she didn’t pull away, he lightly ran his thumb along the line of her shoulder. “I have been absent from my home for some time. For much of the year, it is cold with biting winds. There are large mountains, but our home is also near the ocean. When you look out, there is nothing but water as far as you see.”

  Kayla got caught up in his description. She’d never seen anything like what he described, except in pre-war images. “It sounds beautiful. I’d love to see that.”

  “Hmm,” he murmured and continued to trail the back of his fingers along her shoulder. “A woman like you would be well-received in our Coalition.”

  His words caught her by surprise. She attempted to cover by taking another sip of her drink. “The Coalition?”

  He chuckled and leaned back. “I have been interrogating people for many years, Milaya. Your words say you are not familiar with us, but your eyes and body language deceive you. You have heard of us, yes?”

  “Interrogating? What do you mean?” she asked hesitantly, lowering her glass.

  “I… apologize for any confusion,” he said, brushing off her concerns. “Many words are difficult to translate. I am considered quite skilled at reading people. You obviously do not want me to know you have heard of us. Why?”

  Kayla frowned, trying to decide how much to reveal. There was something strange about this conversation. It was almost as if he were engaging her in some sort of dance, but she didn’t know the steps. Until she knew Sergei’s motivation, he had the advantage. She didn’t like that. At all.