The Life After War Collection

by Angela White

  “I’ve got another place,” Sally muttered. “And once the snow comes, no one will get in there.”

  She stormed into the house for more gear and Dog slowly climbed into the trailer and lay down. He hoped she was going in the right direction. If not, he would get out the first time she stopped.

  Sally didn’t blink at the sight of the wolf, who had obviously decided to go with her. She was glad of the company, though he would have to make room for her two inside mutts. There hadn’t been any fighting between them so far and Sally didn’t expect there to be any now. Animals made more sense to her than people and she was going where the beasts could barely roam, let alone man.

  Dog tolerated the heat of the small animals that the woman thrust into the trailer, ignoring their excited, yapping descriptions of the place they were headed to. Dog didn’t care if there was land to wander or ponds to swim. He was still following the winds in search of his mate and he wouldn’t stay with Sally much longer. As soon as his leg healed a bit more, he would vanish.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Healing

  September 15th

  1

  “You guys did a good job,” Marc praised, scanning the newly gated stairs leading up to Zone C. With the sun sinking, it was perfect timing for a test of visibility. “Very good.”

  They’d been driving up to deliver supplies and test the sullen refugees, but now the Eagles could go up the stairs in protection. The gate was electronic and there were multiple doors for people to go through so they would be separated from anyone else. It wouldn’t stop a bullet, but it would prevent a riot from easily entering Safe Haven. Intruders would have to go over top of the ten-foot, barbed wire that was patrolled day and night. Marc was satisfied that they now had a basic defensive setup in place, but he planned more. The towers were still going up, aided by all the lumber that Shane’s team had collected and Marc planned to put small bunkers in next–stocked with water and weapons.

  “When will we tell them?” Zack asked, still studying the Zone C people as they scurried through the open gate and vanished down the hill in the loud gas-guzzlers. They had no schedule for gathering supplies, and people came and went during both gate opening times.

  “Soon, I think,” Marc stated. “They should have been gone already, but plans changed.”

  Becoming aware that he was discussing a magic issue with someone who wasn’t a descendant, Marc chose not to close off. He dug into Zack’s mind instead, searching for trouble.

  “No need for that,” Zack stated, not resisting. “I’m not happy with her. I may never be, but I know she didn’t want Crista to die. I’m trying to accept the rest.”

  Marc was relieved to discover that was the truth and he indicated toward the training tent. “Want to go spend a few minutes making the rookies look bad?”

  Zack chuckled. The new men and women were easy to rile and slow to think–like most of them had been upon first joining Adrian or the service. “Sure.”

  The two men headed for the noisy tent and Angela approved. She was on her way to the mess to have a snack, get updates, and then go to bed. Marc had things covered.

  Angela grabbed a cold coke from the barrel, remembering to fasten the lid to keep it that way, and took a seat at the empty center table.

  “Can I get you a tray?”

  Angela shook her head at Tara, frowning. “Li brings them out. Thank you.”

  Tara shrugged awkwardly. “Sorry. I didn’t know that.”

  Angela scanned the woman and then Missy, who was humming happily at a rear table with crayons and a coloring book. “You guys okay?”

  Tara took a breath. “As much as we can be. She didn’t need to witness the action today.”

  “She said she did,” Angela refuted.

  “She’s just a baby!” Tara snapped. “She needs her mother to make those choices.”

  “Maybe,” Angela compromised. Li Sing sat a foil-covered tray in front of her, frowning at Tara.

  “Are you on duty right now?” Angela asked.

  Tara lifted her broom resignedly. “Sweeping, getting trays for the old people, helping with the kiddies.”

  Angela recognized the tones, but didn’t comment on the unhappiness. If Tara wanted a different job, she would have to ask for it.

  “Let me know if I can get something for you,” Tara offered, returning to her half-hearted sweeping.

  “Uh-huh,” Angela murmured. She wanted to take time to talk with Tara, to dig down and figure out what her problem was, but she didn’t have the spare hours.

  Greg dropped down across from her and Angela signaled for him to get started.

  “Doctor said it is Cholera and he’s requesting permission to stay another 24 hours. He asked that we tell his sons they have a newborn and he’s trying to save it.”

  “Fine, but 24 hours is my limit,” she conceded. “He can bring the child here, where we can help.”

  “Good. All crews have finished their first missions and have left for the second half. We’re working on the 12-volt setups in the caves now–the LEDS are up and running–and all of the pipes will go in today and overnight. Tell the camp to expect constant noise for the next two days and then we’ll have the kitchen in place. The bathrooms and showers will be last to go in and we’ll need a large amount of water for the first fills and to check for leaks.”

  “We’ll find it,” Angela promised, thinking of Neil’s run. “Go on.”

  “Vents and fans are running and the smell is fading. We have detectors and extinguishers on every level, and the battery banks are being put in tomorrow. We had a delay with the cords, but they have all they need now, from Kyle’s run. The store they found was stocked and their relief is already loading crates.” Greg scanned his list. “Oh, and the den mothers need their next lists.”

  Angela opened her book and read, “Carpeting, dividers hung, beds and mats brought in, bedrolls and all the spare blankets. Racks and baskets of the goods we use every day. Tell them to get it ready to be lived in.”

  “You got it,” Greg said, writing it down word for word. “Cynthia’s got a final copy ready.”

  He handed her the four-page paper with a slight frown, not sure if Angela would care for the underlying tone of rebellion that Cynthia’s words held.

  “I’ll go over it today and let her know by morning,” Angela said, putting it in her book. “What else?”

  “Kendle’s class starts tonight. She has a full roster of women. No males.”

  “I’ll add a few people to it over the next week,” Angela replied. “They have to comprehend that she’s serious before the men will take any instruction from her.”

  “We drafted a new crew for the oil refinery run. Leaving any time now.”

  “Good.”

  “Okay. That’s it from me for now. I’m about to make rounds of the topside, then hit the caves for fresh news.”

  “Marc has Point,” Angela told him. “I have a bedroll calling my name.”

  Greg spotted Samantha coming and doubted Angela would get to answer it anytime soon.

  Angela sighed, noticing the newest disturbance. “Okay, I’ll be here for a bit yet.”

  Greg smiled his sympathy and left the two women alone.

  “Yes, Samantha?”

  “I got a call that said he has joined the crew and is working.”

  Her team had chosen to stay late and Adrian showing up was a surprise.

  Angela shrugged. “So?”

  Samantha frowned. “So, what’s he doing there?”

  “Sounds like he’s working,” Angela replied, digging into her tray. “When are you going back down?”

  “Now,” Samantha answered, still frowning. “We don’t want him there. The little sleaze is bad enough.”

  Angela looked up, frowning. “If it weren’t for second chances, Sam, you wouldn’t be here right now to complain about my choices.”

  Understanding she wasn’t going to get what she wanted, Samantha stomped from the mess.


  Angela tried not to snicker, not wanting it to get back to Samantha that she was enjoying this. Because I’m not, Angela consoled herself. I just happen to find her hypocrisy amusing.

  Angela spotted Seth coming her way and the good feeling faded as quickly as it had come. Seth wasn’t going to be put off by a few sharp words. He wanted answers about Becky and she would have to provide them or he would make up his own.

  “Sit down, Seth, and listen to me very closely.”

  2

  “She’s pissed,” Candy commented as they watched Samantha manhandle the truck down the hill toward them.

  “Boss must have said no,” Cynthia guessed. They’d chosen to ask Angela to transfer Conner from their crew, but when Adrian had shown up and took a place on sniper patrol, Samantha had torn out to confront Angela about it instead of waiting until tonight as they’d agreed on. Conner wasn’t causing problems, but the awkwardness was hard to toil through. Having Adrian here had actually been helpful, as it had kept the boy from staring at Candy on their breaks.

  Candy looked down in time to find Conner standing nearby, gaping at her chest. Again.

  Angered, she spun around and bent over.

  Pffttt!

  Conner froze at the sound, but the smell hit him like a slap and tears welled, as he fought not to breath in more of the noxious fumes.

  He ducked his head, hoping for clear air and got a fresh blast in the face as Candy farted again.

  Conner rolled away and flipped off the tailgate, retching and gasping.

  Candy stood up, patting her enlarging stomach. “That’s my babies.”

  The rest of the crew had busted out laughing, including Adrian.

  Arriving in time to witness it, Samantha was slightly mollified and gestured to the next wreck. “Let’s get to it.”

  Adrian studied the landscape and his son, shaking his head at the boy whenever he got too close to the women. Conner had hormones running rampant, but no self-control and it worried Adrian. I need to pull him in, Adrian thought, and immediately began making plans to do so. Angela would be quicker to forgive him if he was able to save his son.

  3

  Late afternoon faded into dusk and Kendle repeated her motions for the class, though she’d already made the fire several times. Some of her students had caught on quickly and were now watching in complete boredom. The rest were struggling with the difference between tinder and wood.

  “You have to catch the tinder on fire, and use it to make a larger fire,” Kendle repeated for the two women staring at the piles of material as if they were foreign objects. Would the men be this clueless too? Kendle thought they would. Adrian and Angela had been doing everything for these people except teaching them how to survive on their own. Kendle was determined to change that.

  “Kendle to the main gate,” her radio crackled.

  “Copy,” Kendle answered, frowning. “That’s it for tonight, ladies. We’ll meet again tomorrow, same place, same time.”

  Kendle left them to clean up, certain that they wouldn’t, and marched to the main gate. She couldn’t find a reason to be called and it kept a scowl on her face as she passed fires and trashcans that were supposed to keep the darkness at bay. To Kendle, it added a gloomy, smoky air to the mostly empty areas. The herd was in the caves, enjoying the natural temperatures and avoiding the cold wind that was now biting into Kendle’s exposed cheeks. Winter was definitely coming and it made Pitcairn seem even further away.

  “I’m here,” Kendle announced to the gate guards. “What’s up?”

  “Someone needs your help.” Marc came from the shadows. “I’d like you to give it.”

  Kendle narrowed in on the vehicle flying up to Adrian’s locale. “She wants it, you mean.”

  “Yes. She’s very close to Kyle,” Marc stated, watching Kendle’s reactions flash across her face. “Will you use your gift and help him?”

  “I don’t trust him,” Kendle argued. “I still think he’s wrong for what he did to her.”

  Marc rotated toward the shadows. “Ask Jennifer what he did to her before you make up your mind. That’s not asking too much, is it?”

  No, it’s not, Kendle agreed silently. She didn’t mind the thought of healing Kyle. It was carrying out Angela’s orders like a flunky that rankled.

  “Then resign from her team,” Marc warned, leaning against the gate where he could study things unobserved. “Resign and go live with him.”

  Kandle had already considered that. “I can’t. He’s not you!”

  Kendle stomped to the gate that led by Zone C and her annoyance with each stop to go through a gate was clear in her mutters. She didn’t respond to the drunken shouts that came from the secured gates of the refugees. She stormed by them and disappeared into the tree line that surrounded Adrian’s camp.

  Marc was relieved. He also cared for Kyle and they needed his strength here. He hadn’t been happy to hear about the accident, but he had been glad for the report on Dog. Knowing the wolf was still alive was a comfort. Marc still had hopes he would return.

  4

  “She won’t come,” Jennifer stated. “She hates me. I’ll ask Conner when they get here.”

  “Conner chose to stay and guard the girls,” Adrian informed them, coming through the trees. “Samantha wanted to get an early start in the morning.”

  Jennifer frowned. “We’ll go down to him.”

  “No,” Kyle ground out, leaning against the hot hood of the station wagon. “I don’t want it from them.”

  “Kyle!” Jennifer scolded. “Don’t be that way. You need help.”

  “Not from them,” Kyle insisted, dripping sweat. “Traitors!”

  “That, we are,” Adrian agreed, dropping down by the dead fire ring to build a fresh blaze. “The reasons why don’t matter.”

  “I didn’t come for your excuses!” Kyle swore, avoiding Jennifer’s calming hand. “You betrayed us.”

  Adrian kept building the fire as he replied, “It worked out pretty well for you. Got the high place, the respect, the girl, and the job you asked for.”

  “I earned all of that!” Kyle shouted.

  His face twisted at the agony from the strain and Jennifer slapped him on the arm. “Shut up!”

  Surprised, both men fell silent.

  “Get out here and help him!” Jennifer shouted. “I know you’re listening. Come out!”

  Kendle stepped from the shadows to Adrian’s right and none of them could read her expression.

  Kendle tried hard to keep it that way as she approached Kyle. Jennifer, she ignored.

  Kyle tensed as Kendle’s hand curled around his wrist and then his body arched as her light shot into him with the force of a train. It lit him up in a shiny blue glow that glinted brightly enough to cause even Kyle to shut his lids.

  Kendle let go of the connection, panting a bit. She’d shoved it in him quick and hard, and it had drained her to do it so fast.

  Adrian gently helped Kendle to stand up straight and kept an arm around her waist when she trembled. “You can stay here tonight.”

  Kendle didn’t argue. She let him lead her into his tent and lay down on his bed, inhaling deeply of his scent. Angela was right. It was intoxicating.

  Adrian secured the flap without glancing at any of them, including Kyle, who was quickly recovering his strength.

  Adrian pushed off his boots and socks, and then dropped his shirt in the corner before joining Kendle on the bed. He heard their company leave, and didn’t care.

  Kendle felt the power in the air, the need and the concern, and she lifted her arms to him, unable to fight it any longer. She needed to feel alive and Adrian could give that to her.

  Adrian slid into her hot arms with a groan as their skin met and he lowered his mouth to hers. He sent his hands and his magic over her willing body and she arched beneath him in pleasure.

  Kendle hung on as Adrian’s mouth lowered to deliver a dizzying numbness that sent her flying through the clouds. Each cloud she
blew through refilled her energy and life force until she was so full she felt like she might burst.

  Adrian pushed deeper, groaning as she climaxed around him. “Yes, yes!”

  They came down the hill of light together and Adrian kissed her gently, wishing it were someone else.

  Kendle kissed him and then shoved him off her before things could restart. “I can’t take that again yet.”

  Adrian gathered her against his heat before covering them up. “You’ll come to crave that feeling.”

  Kendle didn’t doubt it. Sex with Luke had been satisfying. This was…indescribable.

  Adrian lay quietly until she was snoring lightly, and then slowly ran a hand over her stomach. He didn’t need a child right now and the spell would keep her from catching pregnant. It wouldn’t succeed every time, but it would on first use. After this, he would have to be more careful.

  Adrian thought of Marc’s words about bringing Angela to him and felt his flesh respond, but his heart cried out in denial. Angela wouldn’t allow Marc to bring her here and she certainly wouldn’t submit to his touch. It would never happen.

  5

  “Don’t ever make that suggestion again!”

  Marc winced at the shrill snap. He’d told her Adrian was expecting a visit and she’d gotten so angry that Marc had felt the need to take a step back. He hadn’t, of course, but the urge had been there.

  “Why are you pushing me?” she asked suddenly.

  “I want the baby. I witness Neil and Jeremy making it work, and I think about the future, and you’ll need–”

  “Stop.”

  Marc did. He wished she wasn’t pregnant now, though. It was endangering her and that was terrifying.

  “For me, too, but I need a few more days, Marc and then I can take a break,” she confessed. “Just a few days.”

  She doesn’t have one, the witch claimed, ignoring Angela’s protests. It’s her or the child.

  “No!” Angela was sorry she couldn’t quit shouting. “I have another option.”

  Angela sat down in the chair. “Have Conner and Kendle meet me in the doctor’s tent in the morning. He’ll still be gone, so we’ll have privacy.”