Feral Empires: First Spark

by Stephen L. Hadley

  “We’ll escape tonight,” he said, forcing a smile. “You’ll be fast and strong, right? Like when you killed the Hunter?”

  Kathryn’s eyes sparkled as she flashed a weak grin. She seemed to puff herself up at the slight mistruth.

  “Fast and strong?” she said. “Was not. Blood-secret? More fast. More strong.”

  Liam chuckled. Seating himself beside her, he patted his lap and cocked his head. Kathryn moved unsteadily, but without hesitation. She was already situated and was nuzzling him in preparation when Jenn finally noticed.

  “What are—” she began. Her eyes widened with shock as Kathryn bit down, drawing a grunt. Jenn surged to her feet, snarling a curse and waving her vines to life with a single gesture. “You bitch! Get off him!”

  Liam lifted an arm to ward her off. The slight motion shifted Kathryn’s fangs in the flesh of his neck and he winced.

  “Jenn, wait!” he said. “Just wait. I can explain.”

  “Like hell! Hold still, I’ll—”

  “Jenn, stop!” he snapped, arm still outstretched. He raised the other carefully, cradling the back of Kathryn’s head. “I asked her to.”

  Jenn recoiled a step, eyes widening as if she’d been slapped. “Are you crazy? She’ll kill you!”

  “She won’t. She only takes a little bit and I can heal as fast as she drinks it. It makes her stronger.”

  “You don’t know that!”

  “I do,” he said. “You saw her almost kill that Hunter.”

  “That’s—wait. When did she… the two of you…?” Comprehension filled Jenn’s eyes and the tension drained from her body. Her arms dropped to her sides, vines following suit a second later. When she spoke again, her voice was flat and emotionless. “The barn.”

  Liam started to nod, then froze as the sudden burst of pain made him wince.

  “That’s right,” he said. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. There wasn’t time.”

  “There wasn’t time?” Jenn repeated. She scoffed, shaking her head and turning away. “Fine. I don’t care.”

  “Jenn.”

  “Fuck you.”

  “Jenn!”

  “Liam!” she spat back, voice little more than a mocking echo. She turned, just enough for him to glimpse the small tears welling up in her eyes. “Fuck. You.”

  And with that, she turned back around and hid her face. One hand rose, presumably to wipe away tears, but her vines rose as well. The flattened around her head and shoulders like a hood, shielding her from sight.

  Liam sagged against the wall, allowing the back of his head to land audibly on the wood. The shift sent a jolt of pain racing out from his neck, but he welcomed the sensation. His heart was already aching, so why not the rest of him? He almost wished Kathryn would lose control and take more blood than he could handle. Even passing out wouldn’t feel as bad as this did.

  Unfortunately, she did not. And so, Liam was permitted to sit there, pretending he couldn’t hear Jenn’s muffled sobs. As a result, he was almost grateful for the distraction when another voice broke the silence, sounding horrified.

  “What… what the hell are you people?”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Contrary to his first and second impressions, Julie was actually a rather pleasant woman. Short-tempered and foul-mouthed, certainly, but also an exceptional source of information. Kathryn had fallen asleep shortly after gorging herself on blood and Jenn was still pretending not to notice him, so Liam had turned his attention to the woman rather gratefully. He still sat against the wall, but had moved closer to the bed where she’d taken shelter alongside her children. Adam and Morgan—he’d learned. There, she’d listened to his story, cradling her daughter in her lap and offering sympathetic words at the appropriate times.

  “This world feels like a nightmare, sometimes,” she said, when at last he’d finished. “I’m sorry you three had to get mixed up with this lot.”

  “What do you mean?” Liam asked.

  “Irregulars,” Julie said, practically snorting the word. “Militia. Let me tell you. I’ve heard stories about them since I was a girl. Heroes, fighting the Occs all across the empire, that sort of thing. Load of goatshit. They’re nothing but a bunch of bandits these days.”

  “They’re not all like that,” Liam protested.

  “Well, maybe you met some good ones. But this lot? Don’t give two shits if the Occs kill every last one of them.” At Liam’s look of astonishment, she shrugged and gave a moderating smile. “Can’t stand the Occs either, but at least they show up and then leave. Two weeks ago, these bastards arrive and start stealing food and kicking people out of their homes. We’ll be lucky if we don’t starve come winter.”

  Liam stared down at his feet, surprised to find his boots sprinkled with dried blood. Was that his? Or was it Occ blood? Not that it really mattered, he supposed.

  “We’re going to destroy the Institute,” he said. “I’m sure they have food there. If things are really that bad, we can send some here. You won’t starve.”

  Julie stared at him for a moment, then laughed softly.

  “You’re a good kid,” she said, then paused. “Well, no. I guess you’re older than half the bastards outside. You’re a good man, Liam. I hope you manage it.”

  As the conversation turned to silence, Julie leaned in close. Her face remained rather unreadable, but there was a conspiratorial note to the way she whispered.

  “This is a small house,” she said. “So I couldn’t help but listen, earlier. You want my advice? Go apologize to that pretty, young woman with the plants. Trust me.”

  Too stunned to do otherwise, Liam glanced over at Jenn. She stood in the far corner, as far from him as possible, staring out one of the home’s small windows. Even so, it seemed likely that she would have overheard Julie’s whispered advice. If she had, however, she gave no indication of it.

  “What do I say?” he whispered back, even quieter.

  “I’m sorry. I was wrong,” Julie said with a smirk. “And, I won’t do it again. That usually does the trick.”

  The notion irked him and Liam scowled.

  “I wasn’t wrong,” he insisted.

  “If she’s upset then you’re wrong. Which is more important to you? Being correct or being happy?”

  Now, that rang true. He could stand being wrong if it made Jenn happy. Hell, he’d endure far worse just to see her smile again, even if it was the cold, haughty smirk she so often resorted to. But, was now really the best time? Kathryn was sleeping right there, after all.

  “I’m not sure now is—”

  Julie smacked him, not hard, but hard enough to sting. She eyed him sternly and sighed. “Men.”

  “What?”

  “You want to wait? Fine. Maybe she’ll forgive you, maybe she won’t. You want her to ever sleep with you again?” Julie leaned forward and jerked her head in Jenn’s direction. “Go. Apologize. Now.”

  Liam froze, a sudden blush warming his cheeks. How in the world had Julie known? Was it really that obvious, or had the Institute given her the ability to read minds?

  “It’s called being a parent,” Julie said, grinning. Then, mouthing the word, “Go!”

  Reluctantly, Liam climbed to his feet. He could feel Julie’s eyes on him as he made his way toward Jenn’s side. She could undoubtedly hear his footsteps as he approached, but even so, she did not turn around or even turn away from the window.

  “Jenn,” he said, as tenderly as he could. “Can I talk to you?”

  She made no reply. Taking a deep breath, he continued anyway.

  “I want to apologize. I shouldn’t have kept it a secret from you. I… I had planned to tell you as soon as I got the chance. But, with the Occs and everything else, it just didn’t—anyway, I’m sorry.”

  Still, no response. Reaching out, he gently set a hand on her shoulder. At that, Jenn tensed. She did not pull away, however.

  “I promise, nothing else happened.
You don’t have to worry about Kathryn. I’m not—you don’t have any competition. You don’t have to share. You’re the only woman I… love.” He tripped over the final word for the unfamiliarity of it.

  And yet, at the same time, it felt like the most natural thing in the world to say. He loved Jenn. Of course, he did. And, like Scott had once advised him, he would do anything to hold onto it. He wouldn’t lose Jenn over something like this. He couldn’t.

  Without warning, one of Jenn’s fists slammed against the wall of the house. The booming sound of it was loud enough that he glanced at Kathryn to ensure it hadn’t woken her.

  It hadn’t. Rather than try again, however, Jenn spun round. The skin surrounding her eyes was red and there were fresh tears on her cheeks, but the corners of her mouth were quirked up in a strained attempt at a smile.

  “You idiot,” she grumbled. Stepping close, she buried her face against his shoulder and wrapped her arms tightly around him. Several vines came with them, squeezing him until he felt she might break his ribs. “I was right. You are a colossal fucking idiot.”

  “I’m… sorry?” Liam managed, struggling to breathe.

  Jenn laughed, releasing him with a sniffle and wiping the tears from her faintly blushing cheeks. Her smile widened in earnest and she laughed again.

  “I’m not jealous,” she said, with a playful scowl. “You already said I don’t have to share. I believe you.”

  “Then, why…?”

  “Because it was dangerous!” Jenn said, reaching up to caress his neck where Kathryn’s fangs had pierced him. The wounds were long since healed, but the feeling lingered and flared at her touch. “We had only just met her! We barely knew her and you put yourself in that position! Without telling me! While I was asleep! If it had been a trap, she could have killed you and I would…”

  Resting her cheek against Liam’s chest, Jenn wrapped her arms around him once more. This time, no vines accompanied the gesture.

  “You promised, remember?” she said. “You said I wouldn’t be alone anymore.”

  “You won’t be,” Liam said, with all the feeling he could muster. Catching Jenn’s chin, he lifted it and kissed her purposefully.

  The kiss lingered, neither of them willing to be the first to pull back. When at last they drifted apart, however, Jenn’s smile had faded and her smirk had returned.

  “So,” she said. “You love me?”

  Liam flushed. He did, naturally. They both knew it, and had known it long before he spoke the words. Still, being put on the spot left him unexpectedly flustered.

  “Yeah,” he said, fidgeting. “I do.”

  Jenn made a satisfied noise and leaned against him, yet again. Though doing so hid the majority of her face, the bit he could see was thoroughly red, as well.

  “Smart man,” she teased. Then, more earnestly, “I love you too, Liam.”

  “About damn time!” called a voice opposite. They turned as one to see Julie reclining on the bed, grinning. “Ain’t you two just the cutest?”

  They separated quickly. That turned out to be the wrong thing to do, however, since Julie’s smile only widened. She waved them over, eyes gleaming wickedly.

  “All right,” she said. “Time to listen to Auntie Julie. I’ve got a lot of wisdom for you little shits and not a lot of time to share it.”

  ***

  As it turned out, it took less than fifteen minutes for Auntie Julie to convey her wisdom. Most was interesting, though not particularly relevant to their current circumstances—rumors of Occ and Irregulars activity in the area, mostly. What was relevant, if not particularly heartening, was the fact that, for the past year, the Institute had been sending patrols to each of nearby villages to claim a tithe of their crops and livestock.

  Liam had forced himself not to look at Jenn during that particular revelation. Not that he worried about Julie holding her responsible, but simply because he didn’t want to make her feel as though he himself did. Of course, it did present some very real obstacles to their present plan.

  If the supply convoys were not the Institute’s sole source of imported food, then was there even a point to targeting them? Scott had believed that the Institute’s stolen food constituted only a small part of their resources but Julie vehemently disagreed. And, after hearing her arguments, Liam was inclined to agree with her. Knowing what they did about the Occs, wouldn’t the Institute simply increase the levies to ensure their own were being fed? Even if they successfully ambushed every single convoy that might pass through, there was no possible way for them to guard each and every homestead. Such a fact could easily add months or years to the Institute’s ability to hold out.

  To Liam’s surprise, it was Jenn who comforted him. She reached out, taking his hand and squeezing it.

  “We’ll figure something out,” she said.

  Liam nodded. Of course, they would.

  The rest of Julie’s wisdom turned out to be even less relevant. Or, rather, it was tremendously relevant, though the specifics left both of their faces crimson and stammering answers to the intimate, probing questions she asked.

  As a result, a small part of Liam’s brain was momentarily relieved when he heard the first rounds of gunfire erupt. He was on his feet in a heartbeat, rushing to the window with Jenn at his side. It was still bright enough that he could just make out the movement of forms among the trees beyond the farms, though he did not need to see the details to know who they were.

  “We need to leave,” Jenn announced. She glanced at him. “Now.”

  Liam nodded, glancing down to find Kathryn crowding near. She was only just tall enough to see out the small window, and pushed between the two of them to peer through. More guns joined the chorus.

  “Food?” she asked. “Outside?”

  Liam drew her away without answering. He looked to Julie.

  “Occs,” he said. “It’s not safe here. Come with us?”

  Julie’s face, already pale, grew whiter still. She glanced down at her children, Adam already taking shelter at her hip, and the newly woken Morgan in her arms. From her daughter’s expression, the sound of the gunfire was profoundly disturbing and it would not be long before she began to cry.

  “We’d slow you down,” Julie said, eyes still downcast. She covered the girl’s ear with her palm. “Just go.”

  Liam hesitated. Julie was correct, but if the Occs proved victorious…

  “They’re worth the risk,” Jenn said, coming to his rescue. She stepped past Liam, her vines spreading out behind her and rising like so many arms. “Can you carry both of the children? I promise, the Occs won’t even notice you.”

  The anguish and uncertainty on Julie’s face were palpable but she nodded after a moment. Bending, she grunted as she hauled Adam up into her arms. The boy did not appear thrilled at the prospect of being carried, but the deafening roar of continued gunfire had silenced his protests and he wrapped his arms tight around his mother’s shoulders.

  Liam took the lead, easing the door to the house open. He poked his head out, scanning the surrounding buildings for any sign of danger before proceeding into the road. There was no sign of combatants, Occ or Irregular, and he quickly waved the others to follow. Once again, he felt naked without a rifle and the lack of one was like a physical ache in his hands.

  They moved silently toward the northern side of the village, away from the sound of gunfire. Along the way, they passed several more homes, the occupants of which peeked out through windows in obvious fear. At the sight of them, most vanished into the darkened interior of their homes. A part of Liam wanted to stop and encourage them to join the exodus, but the adrenaline pounding through his veins was enough to keep such foolish ideas at bay. It was challenging enough to move with the six of them, much less an entire town.

  Even so, it wasn’t long until they were noticed.

  The crack of a rifle split the air and Liam backpedaled instantly. His ears rang from the noise, but some pa
rt of him had noticed the muzzle blast and he glanced up. A uniformed man lay on the high, slanted rooftop of the nearest pre-war building. He stared at Liam, rifle pointed directly at his chest, and slowly shook his head.

  The message was clear.

  For a split-second, Liam considered moving anyway. He could survive a single gunshot; that wasn’t the issue. Being shot would keep him limping, if not unable to move at all. And since Jenn and Kathryn would not leave him behind, being crippled would expose them to the rest of the gunman’s magazine.

  Liam slowly raised his arms, empty palms upturned toward the man.

  “Kathryn,” he said, softly. With his ears still ringing, it was tough to judge how loud he was speaking. “Above us. On the rooftop. Fast and strong.”

  He couldn’t turn to look. But, as it turned out, there was no need to. Several more men swept around the edge of the far building, rifles trained on Liam. Then, as they neared and fanned out, several swiveled to target the others.

  Liam’s empty hands balled into fists as they dropped to his sides. He recognized the men—Irregulars, not Occs. And, as if to confirm the fact, Lieutenant Chandler stepped out as well. He had drawn his pistol and kept it pointed at Liam’s forehead as he approached.

  “This is your fault,” the man growled. “Your fucking fault.”

  Liam glanced over his shoulder, taking in as much information as the brief look could provide. Jenn and Kathryn remained still, the former’s vines splayed to shelter Julie and her children as best they could. Despite the multiple guns pointed his way, the sight brought a smile to Liam’s face.

  “Look at me when I’m talking to you!” Chandler bellowed, spittle flying. He stalked forward, pressing the barrel of his pistol to Liam’s brow.

  Suddenly, as though the weapon’s temperature had spread to every inch of him, Liam felt cold. His breath stilled in his lungs, throat closing and chest tightening painfully. The corners of his vision trembled as his heartbeat turned frantic.