New Bloods Boxset

by Michelle Bryan

  I stumble to a finish and utter silence. I don't know if my words make any difference. I look around at their faces, hoping I managed to convince some of 'em, but I know I ain't the best speaker. A body joins at my side and I expect to find Mack, but it’s Ernst who comes to my defense.

  “She’s right. The Prezedant is just a man. One who has become addicted to power and wealth, and will never give up control. Never. So it is up to us to stop him. Your futures and your children’s futures depend on all of us working together to accomplish this. And I for one truly believe that my daughter is our only hope, just like her mother knew she would be.”

  His gaze meets mine, and I swear I see pride shining in his light eyes. My daughter. I cain’t believe he just called me that. Uncomfortable, and closer to tears than I’m willing to admit, I look away and collide with Meela’s steely glare. Raising my chin in defiance, I brace myself for another attack. Instead she sighs, and a wary truce replaces the scowl on her face.

  “She's right,” she says finally, and I almost fall over in shock. “If we don't act, then we eventually die anyway, and I refuse to die a coward. The raiders pledge allegiance, New Blood. I will let my father know of the plan. When shall I tell him we head out?”

  She looks my way, but Mack answers the question. “With the dawn I will send messengers to the muties and to the slaves of Skytown. Our attack will commence in a fortnight.”

  That soon? My gut clenches, but my face remains calm.

  She gives a curt nod, motions to her people, and they stand to follow her out of the hut.

  The other villagers left behind watch them go before settling on Mack and me.

  “So are we all in agreement? Will we make this plan a success?” Mack asks.

  “Of course we will,” Tater replies as he slaps his knees and gets to his feet. “A great day indeed for us all. And it calls for a celebration” His words seem to break the tension in the room, and everyone starts nodding and smiling. “Ernst, didn't I see the raider's daughter delivering you a nice cargo of whiskey? Time to break it out. Like my dear mother would say, 'Remember, your present situation is not your final destination, but whiskey helps the present be a little more agreeable.' I've said it before and I'll say it again, smart lady.”

  For once I find myself agreeing with Tater's ma and her words of infinite wisdom. I guess miracles really can happen.

  15

  Celebration

  Tater's insistence of whiskey, and the villager’s insistence of providing food along with the drink, soon turns into an impromptu celebration. Before you can say shizen twice over, benches and stools are placed around a gigantic fire constructed in the middle of the village. Musical instruments are taken out of storage, and everyone is soon invested in drinking and dancing and eating to their hearts’ content.

  Even Finn has let his guard down, and I watch as he and the other three young'uns laugh and clap to the beat of the music as they wobble and shift about, Cat resting at their feet. The evening has quite the celebratory spirit, but I cain't help but feel underneath there's an air of quiet desperation. Like they all fear this is the last time they will get together for any happy occasion. I hope it ain't so, but that same fear sits heavy in my own heart.

  Belle and me observe the dancers from our side of the fire, but I cain't help but notice the way her eyes keep shifting back to Ben as he drinks and laughs with Tater and Mack. Tater is, no doubt, amusing him with a story of his life growing up in the brothel or something just as rowdy. His laughter floats back to us on the wind, and Belle's lips tilt up in a wistful smile.

  “Go ask him to dance,” I say to her as I nudge her with my elbow.

  She tears her eyes away and glances at me in horror. “No. I couldn't possibly.”

  “Sure you can. It's just a dance. You ain't askin' him to be your promised or anything. Not yet anyway,” I tease, expecting her to laugh. Instead, sadness creeps over her face.

  “He'd just say no. You saw the way he stares after the raider girl. I don't blame him. She's so fetching. Not like me.”

  “Yes, you can. And what are you sayin? You're just as fetchin' as Meela. At least you have a heart, unlike that cold fish. Go ask him.”

  She shakes her head. “No. I can't.”

  “Why cain't you? You want me to do it?”

  Her eyes grow bigger in fear as I start to move, and she grabs my arm. “No, Tara, don't. He's not gonna want to dance with me.”

  “You don't know that unless you ask.”

  “I know. I don't need to ask. He's not gonna want to dance with someone who's... tainted.”

  My brow furrows. “Tainted?”

  “Yeah, you know.” I guess I still look puzzled since she huffs at me in frustration. “You know my background. You know what I was used for besides working the fields in Skytown. I'm tainted.”

  My puzzlement turns to ire at realizing what she's implying. “That weren't your fault, Belle. None of it. What those soldiers did to you was wrong and disgustin', but it weren't your fault. You ain't tainted, so don't you ever say that again. You're possibly the purest, sweetest person I've ever met, and you deserve so much better than that moron kin of mine standin' over there. But if he's the one you're hankerin' after, then he'd be more than lucky to have ya.”

  I ain't prepared for the tears that flood her eyes or the arms that twine themselves around my neck. I stiffen at first, my first instinct to back away, but I force myself to soften and hug the girl back.

  “Thank you,” she whispers in my ear and I nod.

  I ain't sure what she's thanking me for, but if it makes her feel better, thank away.

  “For being my friend,” she says, clarifying the situation.

  “Aye, well, that's the easy part. The hard part is keepin' myself from shakin' that boy over there senseless; he's so daft. He wouldn't know a good thing if it hit him over the head.”

  She laughs and pulls away as she wipes her eyes, and it lifts my soul to hear her laughter. “Speaking of good things,” she says. “Where is Jax? I thought for sure he wouldn't leave your side. He hasn't taken his eyes off you since we got back from the out lands. Or you him.”

  I startle in panic. “Is it that obvious?”

  “Well, to me it is because I'm a hopeless romantic. But I don't think the others have noticed too much.” She grins mischievously. “Have you two kissed yet?”

  I narrow my eyes at her. “Why you askin'? You ain't in on no bet are ya?”

  “Bet?” she questions.

  I shake my head. “Never mind.”

  “Well, have ya?” She ain't letting me off that easy.

  I cain't help the flush of embarrassment as I squeak, “Aye.”

  She squeals and claps her hands in excitement, causing Ben and Tater to look our way. I make eye contact with Ben, and I nod my head slightly in Belle's direction then toward the dancers, hoping she don't notice. She don't seem to. Ben just screws his face up in confusion, and I sigh under my breath. Daft as a dirt dog and only half as pretty.

  “Oh, my gods. I'm so happy for you. What was it like?”

  “What was what like?” a deep voice asks from over my shoulder, and both Belle and I jump like we’ve been caught with our hand in the choc-o-let tin. I whirl to Jax, my cheeks flaming.

  “Nuthin'. And ain't anybody ever told you it's rude to listen to other people's conversation?”

  “Aye, but you two looked like you were talking about something real important, so I figured I had a right to know.” He grins at me and raises a dark brow, and I get a sneakin' suspicion he heard way more than he's letting on.

  “Well, you figured wrong,” I snap, more flustered than angry. “Me and Belle, we were… havin' girl talk. Nuthin' at all to do with you.”

  He knows I'm lying through my teeth, but he plays along. “Girl talk. Hmm. I didn't think you two even realized you were girls.”

  “Ha ha. Real funny, mule turd.”

  “What's funny?” Ben asks as he joins us. “You talk
in' 'bout those faces you were makin' at me earlier?”

  “Ben, Belle wants to dance,” I interrupt, pushing the startled girl his way and practically into his arms.

  “Okay.” He shrugs at the kerfuffled Belle. “All ya had to do was ask. Fair warnin', I'm a real good dancer, so try to keep up.”

  He grabs her hand before she can protest and herds her toward the crowd. She throws a look back over her shoulder, part fear, part gratitude, and I give her a thumbs-up.

  “What makes me think Ben's just been had?” Jax questions, amused.

  “Dunno what you're on about,” I say. He chuckles and links his fingers through mine. I stiffen in surprise, still not used to the displays of affection, but he don't take no notice.

  “Finn looks real busy,” he says, glancing the boy's way. “Good. I don't want anyone interrupting. Come with me. I have a surprise for you.”

  I let him lead me through the village and away from the crowds, hoping nobody ain't paying any attention to us. But nobody questions where we're going at all. The path grows a lot darker the farther we get away from the village, but it don't take long for me to realize he's heading to my favorite get away spot up in the hills.

  “We're climbin' up?” I ask, and he nods in the moonlight.

  “Yup.” He lets go of my fingers since we need both hands to grab hold of the rocks and shrubs to help boost ourselves up the craggy cliff side, but the loss of his touch leaves me aching for more. We make it up the hill after only a few mumbled curses from him as he loses his footing along the way. He ignores my stifled laughter as he helps pull me up over the ridge. We stand there, hand in hand, catching our breath, until I notice the small glow of a fire over his shoulder.

  “What the…?” I drop his hand and move toward the glowing flame. Then I see what else the mysterious fire highlights.

  A blanket is laid out on the ground in between the fire and the rock I usually sit behind to cut the chill of the wind. I move closer to it, noticing the small basket, the couple of tin mugs, and the bottle of raider whiskey nestled in the curve of the rocks. I turn to Jax in confusion. “What's all this?”

  He joins me by the fire. “I should think it's obvious. A picnic.”

  I keep staring, dumbfounded. “A picnic?”

  “Yeah, for you and me.”

  “For you and me?”

  “Are you going to repeat everything I say?” he asks with a laugh as he grabs my hand and tugs. “Come on. Sit.”

  We do just that, settling down in fronta the fire, the warmth from it heating my already flushed skin even more. He picks up the bottle of whiskey and the two tins. “You wanna try some?”

  “I guess so,” I say. I watch in silence as he opens the bottle and pours the drinks, handing me mine. I lift it to my nose and smell, and I swear just a sniff scorches the inside of my nose. He holds his tin out to mine, and we clink them together.

  “To us and new beginnings,” he says, and I cain't help the smile that tilts my lips.

  “To us,” I echo as we both down the shot of whiskey. The cough is uncontrollable as the liquid burns all the way to my gut, and my eyes start watering.

  He laughs as he takes the tin outta my hand. “You okay?”

  “Aye,” I croak in between coughing. “It's good.”

  His laughter grows. “It's terrible,” he says. “I don't know how Tater has such a love for this shite.”

  “Me either,” I say, glad we agree on this.

  His quiet laughter floats on the wind. “Last time I take advice from Tater.”

  My brow furrows in disbelief. “Tater told you that was a good idea? And you listened?”

  “I know, right? What was I thinking? His idea of romance is paying the ladies of the brothel beforehand.”

  I crack up at his words, and my laughter echoes into the star filled sky. The burning in my throat and gut is fading, replaced by a warmth that radiates out right to my toes. I'm sure it's all due to the whiskey and nuthin' to do with the way Jax is staring at me right now, the reflection of the fire in his eyes. I clear my throat and swallow.

  “You did real good today,” he says.

  “Thanks,” I say, but I feel all tongue-tied and swallow again. “I ain't sure how I feel about what I did. I mean, I know fightin' the Prezedant is the right thing—hell, the only thing we can do. We cain't let him win. But what if he does win? What if Meela's right, and I've talked 'em all into walkin' to their death? I don't know if I can live with that, Jax.”

  Jax shakes his head and moves closer to me. He reaches out and grabs the hands resting in my lap.

  “Hey, you didn't force anyone to do anything they don't want to do. What you said was one hundred percent truth, and they know it. And yeah, not all of us will make it back.” I start at his words, but he tightens his grip on my hands. “But that is not something we discuss tonight, okay? Tonight is our time, Tara. Tonight, we appreciate us, and the time we have together. I didn't drag all this up here and nearly break my neck for you to talk about what may or may not happen, got it?”

  I nod. “Got it.”

  A companionable silence falls between us as we just sit holding hands, surrounded by the crackling fire and the blanket of stars above our heads. It's real nice, being with Jax. He don't even have to say a word. Just being around him fills me with a happiness I ain't felt for a very long time. It feels like I'm finally at peace.

  “I ain't ever had anybody make me a picnic before. It's real sweet of ya, Jax,” I say finally, breaking the silence.

  He flashes me his dimpled grin. “Don't be fooled by it. There's an ulterior motive behind this.”

  “Oh?”

  He nods and leans toward me so close our noses almost touch. “Aye. There's something I've been craving for a long time.”

  My breath catches in my throat, but I manage to squeak out, “What is it?”

  He's so close now his breath tickles my cheek, and I can smell the whiskey on his lips. So close that I gotta remind myself to breathe.

  “Something I got a taste of in Skytown and has been in my blood ever since. A yearning so bad it's all I can think about, night and day. Something only you can give me right now.”

  My heart is poundin' so bad I fear it's gonna crack my chest open. “I dunno what ya mean—”

  “Choc-o-let,” he whispers against my cheek. “I want choc-o-let. And it's behind you in that basket. Belle would only give me some if I agreed to share with you. So, uh…yeah, can you pass it over?”

  “Wha… you jackass.” I push on his chest, and he falls over, laughing so hard he can barely breathe. My own laughter hides my disappointment as I punch him again in the arm. Grabbing the basket, I find the choc-o-let sitting right on top, and I pull it out and rip the paper off.

  “Just for that, you ain't gettin' any,” I say as I attempt to fit the whole piece in my mouth.

  “Oh, no you don't.” He tackles me, and I land on my back, him on toppa me.

  The sweet delicacy flies outta my hand and I cry, “The choc-o-let.”

  “The hell with it,” he growls as he finally does what I've been wishing for ever since we hit the top of this stupid rise. His lips crush mine, and all the beauty of the stars, all the deliciousness of the choc-o-let, none of it matters to me. Not at this moment in time. All I care about is Jax.

  He kisses me like he's dying of thirst, and I'm the only water around. His heart thuds against mine, and a shiver racks my body from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. It's like I'm cold and burning up, all at the same time. A heat burns low in my belly, and it ain't caused by no Chi. Its cause is all Jax.

  I kiss him back, pouring my soul into the kiss. I cain't get enough of him. I run my hands up and down his arms, his back, trying to pull him closer. He rolls me over so that he's on his back, and I'm laying on toppa him. His hands twine in my hair, holding my lips prisoner, and I don't even care that I cain't breathe no more. I'll die real happy.

  “You sure they went this way?”

&
nbsp; “Aye. Dey gotta be up 'ere.”

  “Mistress, you up there?”

  The voices become more real and insistent, and finally I pull away. We're both breathing hard as I stare down into his face, dazed. “Did you hear—”

  “Mistress, you there?” The sound of falling rock warns us someone is climbing up the cliff.

  “Unbelievable,” Jax groans as he rolls from underneath me and helps me stand up. “What do we gotta do around here to get some privacy?”

  I fight against the disappointment in my gut and try to plaster on a nonchalant look as Talbert's head finally pokes over the rise.

  “Dere ya are. We been lookin' all over for you two, we 'ave.”

  “Well, now you found us,” Jax says, frustration clearly evident in his voice. “Spit it out. What do you want?”

  Talbert looks a little taken aback at Jax's harshness, but he wisely chooses to ignore it. “Mack's been lookin' fer ya both,” he says.

  “Mack? What for?” I ask.

  “Da raider girl is back, but she got some injured folks wit 'er. Mack says to get yer arse back as soon as ya can. Somethin' real bad is happenin' out in the sand lands.”

  16

  Change of Plans

  I follow Talbert and Beanie, trying to swallow the fear threatening to choke me. The voices and cries coming from the village center are made more noticeable by the lack of music. They ain't celebrating no more.

  I cain't see no sign of Mack or Ernst in the crowd of people, but Finn heads our way soon as he sees us. “You gotta go to Ernst's shanty,” he calls out. “Mack took the injured raiders there.”