by KM Fortune
"I will," he said. "Now, I guess I better get in there." Before he could take a step, Raven leaned into him and kissed him hard on the lips. Matthew felt it to his toes, and the crowd went berserk. The wagering renewed with gusto, but Matthew ignored it all. At that moment, nothing mattered but Raven. She pulled away far too soon.
“For luck,” she said. All Matthew could do was nod.
“Awww, did you all see that?” The Duke yelled to the crowd interrupting the moment. “We have ourselves a little romance here.” The audience ate it up and The Duke laughed. He looked at Matthew. “Get yourself in the ring, Loverboy,” he snarled and stepped aside while Matthew took a deep breath before stepping into the cage.
HECTOR, WITH HELEN close behind him, ran through the twilight. Even though the light was fading quickly, the two of them had no trouble navigating around fallen logs or other obstacles. One of the perks of night vision, Hector thought as they crossed a rutted road and around the debris from a long-ago wreck. Looking back at it, he reconsidered going onward. The abandoned hulk of a van, although rusted out badly, was still intact enough to provide some shelter from the cold night. Even with warm traveling clothes and thick hides, it was never fun to sleep on the ground out in the elements.
Slowing, Hector looked around. They were miles to the south from the hidden valley now. It was not the direction he might have initially set out, but after discovering a squad of Prince Edward's soldiers was patrolling the area to the north, it was the best option. "What is it?" Helen said coming to a stop beside him and scanning the terrain. "Did you see something?"
“No,” he answered. “Nothing actually. I think we’ve moved fast enough to lose them for now. I’m sure our scent will be easy for them to follow later, but I don’t think even Edward’s gang will try to follow us too closely in the dark.” Helen nodded her agreement.
“So, do you want to sleep here then?” she asked. He looked at her and had no doubt she was tired although she was trying hard not to show it. Unlike him, who roamed the high desert for years, she was cooped up in the palace. Running for her life through the night was probably not part of her regular exercise program, he thought with a small smile.
“I think stopping here will work. I can go hunt us down something to eat if you want,” Hector offered. Helen took his arm and moved in close.
"No," she said. "I don't want us to be separated. Not tonight. Let's just get some rest." Hector slid his arm around her and pulled her tight against him. He kissed the top of her beautiful, silver-furred head and felt her purr into his chest.
“You’re right. Let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow we can figure out our next move,” he said.
“Any idea what it might be?” she asked quietly. Hector sighed.
“Not exactly. All I know is we need help if we are going to seize our kingdom from Edward,” he answered.
“But who?” she asked. Hector squeezed her harder, hoping to reassure her, as he looked off into the night. Who indeed, he thought.
“I have an idea,” he answered with more confidence than he felt. His mind turned to Raven. She was good and brave and, most import, just. When she heard Prince Edward was going to be king, she would want to do something about it. Wouldn’t she? he wondered. Hector had to hope she would, but for now, he had a more difficult task. Finding the woman who could be anywhere.
CHAPTER 12
Gabriel watched the group of men from the Patrols pass. At one point, he could have pegged them with a snowball if he chose to do so. It was a tough decision, but at the last second, he decided to wait. Now that they were descending into the growing nightly gloom, he questioned his motives. The woman who ambushed him apparently had an agenda to get into Eden and find Hannah. There was no way she would succeed. Unless ... Gabriel thought and then shook his head. It was a sin to even contemplate helping. The question in his mind was if the little girl truly needed saving. She was bonding with The Creator in ways far beyond Gabriel’s simple understanding. She knows The Creator’s childhood name is Brian for crying out loud. Yet, a part of Gabriel was not sure the closeness was in the child's best interest. If only he knew the long-term plan The Creator had for Hannah, but then he bowed his head and acknowledged to himself it was not his place to question his Maker. I made a mistake. I should have called out. The girl could not be safer if The Creator watched over her. But what about Samuel? The thought made Gabriel uneasy. His colony brother hated the child, even though to hate was a sin. There simply was no other word for how Samuel looked at Hannah and maneuvered to make her life difficult. If the little girl needed rescuing, it was from him. All of which led Gabriel back to being conflicted. Before he could puzzle out what to do next, the woman came closer to him. "Why did you do that? Why were you silent?" she asked in a hiss. Gabriel understood her confusion. He did not have a clear answer himself.
"I want to take you to see Hannah," he finally admitted, puffing out a frustrated breath. "But storming the North Gate will only get us both killed." He watched a mixture of emotions cross the woman's face. She was surprised by his answer, but wary as well. Plus, he could tell she was not used to being told outright she was wrong in her plan to take an aggressive approach. After a moment, she gathered herself and nodded. As much as he did not want to be, he was impressed when she did not argue and was ready to listen.
“So what is the best approach?” she asked.
Gabriel knew his next sentence might be his last. If the woman, who was clearly not like the other waste people he had encountered, took his statement the wrong way, she would surely shoot him. Regardless, it was the only feasible option. Deciding his best approach was to be straightforward, he lifted his chin and told her his idea. "You will have to come in with me as my prisoner," he said. The woman stared at him with a blank expression. Gabriel was not entirely sure what he suggested even registered until a small smile turned up the corners of her mouth. It was followed by a chuckle, which then grew into a full-fledged laugh. Gabriel lifted his eyebrows and watched as the amusement ran its course and finally, wiping her eyes with her gloves, the woman nodded.
“You’re serious, aren’t you,” she said. It was not a question. Gabriel answered anyway.
“Yes. If you try your way, you will not make it within three feet of the gate before being gunned down,” he said. The woman rubbed her chin thoughtfully, no longer amused.
"So," she said. "I'm supposed to untie you and basically put my life, and perhaps the girl's life, in your hands. One of the Patrols. The vilest enemy of my people. Based on what? You not yelling to alert the Patrols who just passed us?" Gabriel understood her distrust. He hated her for what she represented too. The only thing motivating him was Hannah.
"It's complicated," he answered, not sure how else to explain. Again, the woman nodded as she pulled a large hunting knife from the scabbard on her hip. Gabriel watched her carefully, but was resigned to whatever came next. Overall, he had no regrets. If she killed him, Gabriel would accept it. He was her enemy, same as she was his. The woman stepped up to him and held the knife out.
"Put out your hands," she said, a look of determined resolution on her face. Slowly, Gabriel raised his arms. The woman paused and stared at the bindings around his wrists. Gabriel knew to keep his mouth shut. There was nothing else he could say to convince her to believe him. Suddenly, the woman moved with such swiftness and strength, Gabriel barely saw the knife blade as it flashed forward and cut through his ties. He was free. Now he could do anything, including fight the woman and escape. He lifted his eyes, and they locked with hers. She still held the knife, but now it was pointed down toward the ground. She is trusting me on this, he thought and realized as much as he cared for the little girl and keeping her safe, it was nothing compared to what the woman felt. Strangely, this insight touched him. Making up his mind to see the plan through, Gabriel held out his hand.
“My name is Gabriel,” he offered. The woman paused, but then grasped his hand hard in hers.
“Willow,” she sa
id. “Now what is the plan?”
RAVEN LOCKED EYES WITH The Duke as Matthew passed him. The wiry cowboy did not look happy, and for a brief moment, she regretted kissing Matthew. Why did you goad him? she thought, but then lifted her chin. Because he doesn’t own me. The Duke seemed to see her resolve and his look turned to one of admiration. A smile played on his lips, and he dropped her a wink before turning away to announce the champion. Using the same sort of showmanship as he had with Matthew, only this time singing the fighter’s praises, Raven watched as a muscular man, his body laced with tattoos, appeared in the aisle. He was not much taller than Matthew, but his arms and chest were massive. It looked like the champion could easily break Matthew in half. You have got to be kidding me, she thought and glanced at The Duke. He was watching her and chuckled when he saw her look. Something about the laugh bothered Raven more than anything else so far. The Duke was up to much more than a harmless fight. She could feel it.
Stepping back to let the champion enter the ring, she noticed the tattoos were faces of men in horrible pain. “You don’t suppose those are all guys he’s beaten, do you?” Raven heard Toby ask his brother.
"For Matthew's sake, I hope not," Brody answered. Raven hoped not too and reached for Kit's hand. The woman took it and squeezed gently as if trying to convey reassurance. Suddenly, Blaze was beside her too, and all of them watched the show together.
"Alright then," The Duke said now that both fighters were in the cage. "Are we all ready for a fight?" The crowd roared its answer, and The Duke smiled broadly. "Everyone got their opening bets made?" he called out. Again, the crowd shook the building with their reply. Raven had never seen anything quite like it. She knew she had been to sporting events, but the feeling of danger from the onlookers permeated the air. Raven moved in tighter with her group. "Perfect," The Duke said and turned his attention to the two men standing in the ring with him. "Fair fight, got it, boys?" he asked them. Raven saw Matthew and the champion both nod. The Duke removed his hat and held it high, preparing to signal the start of the battle, and then he dropped his arm and ducked out of the ring.
Raven watched as the two men circled each other, sizing up their opponent. She was relieved to see Matthew looked confident with his hands raised and in loose fists. Perhaps he will be okay, she thought and in the next moment, the champion charged in like a bull. Only by dodging at the last possible second, Matthew missed taking the brunt of the attack and got out of the way. Again, the champion closed in, tried a vicious flying knee at Matthew’s head, yet Matthew ducked to the side. He had yet to throw a punch. The crowd booed. It was clear to Raven they wanted blood and she worried they would settle for nothing else. As if realizing this, Matthew waded in and on the champion’s next pass, threw a right jab and caught the champion on the temple. “Good job, Matthew!” Raven yelled but then watched in horror as the muscular fighter only paused to look at Matthew, completely unfazed. Then he laughed and the crowd jeered. The fight was ridiculously one-sided and Raven knew Matthew stood no chance. Suddenly, The Duke stepped back into the ring and waved his arms over his head.
"Stop!" he yelled. “Enough of this already. I want entertainment!” An expectant hush rolled over the room. Raven watched as The Duke slowly turned, clearly wanting her to know the message was specifically for her. A sick feeling started to build in Raven's stomach. "How about we liven this up a bit?" he asked the room. The audience screamed their answer, and the words cut through Raven like a blade.
“Deathmatch,” the people chanted. “Deathmatch!” Raven watched The Duke nod.
“No!” Raven yelled to be heard over the chanting. “We never agreed to that.” Seeing The Duke did not care, Raven opened the cage’s gate and stormed to the center of the ring. The crowd loved it. Blaze was right behind her. The Duke only smiled as they approached.
“Problem?” he drawled.
“You said this would be harmless!” Raven accused. The Duke laughed.
“Harmless for the crowd,” he said. “I never said anything about the fighters.” Raven had never been so angry. Pushing past the still laughing cowboy, she grabbed Matthew’s arm.
"We are leaving," she said and pulled him with her. Suddenly, The Duke stopped laughing, and in a flash, he had his gun in his hand. It was pointed at Matthew's head.
"No one is leaving until I say so," The Duke said. "We are having a Deathmatch, or I blow his brains out right here." Raven shook her head, unwilling to be bullied.
"You wouldn't!" Raven said through clenched teeth. Slowly, The Duke smiled. It was anything but friendly, and he gently cocked the revolver. A hush fell over the room, all eyes filled with eager anticipation.
“I would. Happily,” he said. “But there is another way. Maybe you should think about that for a second.” Raven caught her breath and knew she had been tricked. She looked to Matthew and then to Blaze. There was no doubt in her mind The Duke would kill them both in the end. There was only one choice to make.
"All right," Raven said. "Let them all go and promise you will never hurt them." The smile on The Duke's face widened, and now a twinkle had come to his eyes.
“And if I do?” he asked, but she could tell he already knew the answer. Raven shook her head, hating what she was about to say, but knowing it was the only way to keep the people she cared about alive.
“I’ll marry you,” she said.
THE END
Want to know what happens next? Go on to the serial episode installment of Book 9 – Tribulations
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
When KM Fortune decided to write Forever Winter, she had no idea it would become popular with readers and fans. What started out as nothing more than an endeavor to write a set of short serial books about a strong female protagonist set in a challenging dystopia, has become an intricate story with many unique characters. The best part has been the amount of fun she admits to having with the stories. Even though there is a master plan for the chronicles, the individual details of the journey continue to enlighten and engage her as she writes every Raven Winter adventure. KM Fortune hopes each and every reader is enjoying them too.
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