by Angela White
By the time she finished dressing and made it to the flap, Angela had cooled herself off with a mini-rant, but the anger and frustration was still there, boiling under the surface. It wouldn’t take much to set it free.
You need a release, the witch stated tersely. We both do.
Angela sent a mental curse to the witch, feeling the loneliness rise at the thought of Marc.
“Go do something useful!” Angela spat.
The witch withdrew angrily as Angela turned to Kevin.
“Where the hell do you have me today?” Angela snapped.
He held out a slip of paper. “Team leader for the supply run.”
Angela broke into a reluctant grin. “Really?”
Kevin was now very glad they’d done it. “Yes. It has to be undercover, though.”
Angela was torn. She didn’t want to leave the herd unattended, but she did want out for a while.
“Adrian will care for them,” Kevin soothed, also glad that Zack had told him she would need to hear those words. He wouldn’t have known on his own.
“Okay. Now?”
He waved toward the busy QZ. “Slip into the clothes laying on your cot and get there without being noticed. Easy for an Eagle of your level.”
Angela laughed and the shield above them roiled with calming blue.
Adrian observed her happiness in secret, sure she wasn’t aware he’d set it up. When he got as frustrated as she appeared to be, going on a run always helped. It didn’t erase the nerves, but it definitely helped keep them under control.
“Should she be leaving camp?”
Adrian shook his head, unable to speak, needing the air. The sight of her happy was so rare that it was enough to distract him from everything else.
“Do you want me to go along, too?”
Adrian nodded gratefully. It was something he couldn’t order or ask for openly. It was another one of those things the Marine needed to give willingly and he had.
Adrian smiled this time, shocking Kenn with the wave of happiness and he left the Marine standing there, trying not to draw the notice of the woman going to the mess. She would get updates, get changed, and then get gone. The only thing better than making her happy for a couple hours like this would have been going with her.
Adrian waved at the parade of children going by. Field trip day had finally come around for them and they were clearly as ready for it as Angela was. They were jumping, skipping, chattering excitedly on their way to the training tent and he chose to go with them instead of keeping to the solitude of rounds. He didn’t have to worry about it until she left. That wouldn’t be for at least fifteen minutes. He would spend it with his kids.
2
Emptying the waste tanks on the campers had become an FND job under Angela’s reign. She wasn’t quick to hand out hard duty and those slots were no longer filled with grumbling troublemakers. Eagles now did that nasty work.
Jeff wasn’t trying to score points with the bosses by taking a turn on camper work. He was simply tired of the smell and the gauges always sitting at full. A man never knew what camper would be open for his morning business and that was dangerous with the coffee Li Sing served.
Jeff began refilling the tanks with clean water and carefully rinsed the sewer hose that he’d used to empty the tanks. He then went to the rear of the cart to get the chemicals, feeling content with the work he was doing. He was leading most of the prepping classes that Angela had rolling and he’d helped with a number of others, as well. He was also running the Kai lessons for Neil, doing a steady job of shoving the rookies through so they could start training. All the camp members who were staying were taking the classes unless they had a medical reason not to. Angela wanted them to be able to fight at least a little and buy themselves time to make a run for it.
It occurred to Jeff that nearly every class she had going on was for personal or group survival, not battling the coming government. It didn’t make him feel any better, though he respected her for trying to make sure some of their people would survive. If she was only preparing them for flight, then she hadn’t seen them winning.
“Just the opposite, probably,” he told himself, emptying the tanks again to complete the rinse, then adding fresh chemicals. “If that happens, they’ll split up and I need to pick who to go with.”
Thus, another reason for the FND work. Jeff didn’t have a very high opinion of his worth despite the steady accomplishments. He’d been beaten down during his life too many times to think he’d be chosen to stay with Adrian or Angela unless he was one of those people who could do any chore they needed handled.
Jeff stripped his gloves and told the duty guard that the camper was now open for business.
“Looks like you missed something,” Alex said, pointing to a long hose in the grass.
“Damn,” Jeff swore. “Thought I put that up.”
A bit embarrassed, he headed for the hose. As he neared it, Jeff realized it was too long to be the sewer hose. He drew his gun.
Crista was working out with the team near the creek and she stumbled when she spotted Jeff with his gun out. She caught herself before she hit the ground, then took off running toward him. With her gun in hand.
The other rookies understood there was a problem and hurried to back her up. Also with their guns in hand.
When Jeff began firing, they followed his lead, never questioning what they were killing.
Adrian watched it happen with pride–in his own achievements–but also in Angela’s. These females never would have come forward and done so well without her rising to the challenge first.
Adrian went to the mess, where lunch was being cooked. The kids were getting samples from Li. The smells of fresh corn and cabbage were enough to make everyone drool.
“Look out!”
Adrian spun in time to see Tracy being dragged into the creek by a long arm that wasn’t human.
He rushed to help, but was easily beaten by the two teenage boys that flew by him and dove into the creek without any thought of their own lives.
“Get them out of there!” Angela shouted, running full out from the mess.
There was no doubt that she would be the next one in the water.
Adrian motioned to Jeff and Alex, then tackled her.
“Get off of me!”
Adrian yanked her up and shoved her into the arms of the waiting Eagles. “Stay on land! That’s an order!”
Angela was still struggling to get free when Adrian dove into the water.
3
Charlie gasped air in and returned to the bottom of the creek, where the snake had Tracy wrapped up. He shoved his mouth to hers, sending his thought. Breathe slower. Eagles are here.
Tracy was in panic, thrashing wildly, and Charlie held her still so that he could force the air into her. As soon as she took it in, he lunged for the surface, lungs on fire.
“There he is! Grab him!”
With no time to explain, Charlie dove back under to avoid the hands and swam down to find Adrian with his mouth to Tracy’s.
Grateful, Charlie treaded the bottom and waited until Adrian had to go up for air.
Around them, the Eagles were hacking at the huge snake with their knives, but doing little damage. When the python began to roll, Tracy was ripped from Adrian’s arms.
Magic burst out in a blaze of heat that seared the water.
The snake recoiled, loosening its grip, and Charlie tugged Tracy’s limp body from its reach. He shoved his mouth to hers as he propelled them to the surface.
Not about to let go of her, Charlie shoved her against the bank and began doing CPR.
On his right, Adrian popped up and took over the chest pumps while Conner came to their left to help hold her up.
Tracy coughed violently and sucked air into a burning set of lungs, and Charlie leaned back.
Not sure what was going on, Tracy clutched at his arm. The teenager slid an arm around her waist as they carried her onto land.
Charlie san
k down next to her as she went to her knees, taking ragged breaths. He didn’t feel the entire camp’s attention on them as he leaned his head against hers.
Tracy felt his magic warming her, easing the panic. “Thank you.”
Charlie shuddered with the adrenaline rush and the terror that was slowly subsiding. “I almost lost you.”
Charlie’s words caused approval and surprise in equal measure.
Embarrassed and cold, Tracy tried to make light of it. “One less rookie to care for, right?”
“Don’t do that!” Charlie growled, sounding so much like his father that all of those listening realized he’d grown up again.
Tracy sighed, shivering. “Ok-kay.”
Charlie took the blanket from Adrian and wrapped it around her shoulders, then stood them up. “Come on. I want you checked out.”
Still appearing unaware of his audience, Charlie didn’t look at anyone else, only the woman shivering against his hip as he led her away.
Angela watched, resigned. Charlie and Tracy were a match. He’d chosen his first mate, too young or not, and there was nothing she could do to stop it that wouldn’t destroy her own relationship with him.
“It could be worse,” Adrian stated, also watching the couple talk quietly as they entered the medical tent.
Angela shrugged. “It’s not her I mind, you know? He’s just not supposed to be ready for this yet.”
“You’re the one who isn’t ready.”
She snorted. “You can say that again.”
Adrian waited for her to blast him about being tackled, but Angela only returned to the mess for updates before she left camp. She’d been about to sit down when the panic wave from Charlie had hit her. Adrian had been right to hold her. She hadn’t been able to stop herself.
Relieved, Adrian motioned to the dripping men and women to get changed, and the crowd slowly dispersed.
Left alone to clean up, Jeff and Crista examined the thing that had started all the trouble.
The item wasn’t a hose or a snake, but a long worm. Jeff intended to ask Samantha if it could be used for the garden or if it would ruin the plants. He knew most worms could be cut and they would regenerate.
Crista held the bag for him to put it in, hating the way it still twitched even after taking quite a few slugs.
“There’s another one,” she pointed out.
Jeff peered at the bank, where a smaller worm was wriggling over the carcass of the snake that the camp would assume the Eagles had killed with their knives. Only those who had been in the water and felt that anger knew differently. Marc’s son was incredibly powerful.
“Carnivores. Dump it in the fire,” he instructed. “Were not contaminating our food source.”
“Surprised you thought about it at all considering how rough you are on using only natural supplies in the lessons.”
Jeff took a minute to explain, “Sometimes things happen for bad reasons, but still give you something you can use. It was just a thought.”
“A good one.”
Jeff heard the invitation and sighed tiredly. “I can’t spend time with you anymore, not if you’re going to date Zack at the same time.”
Crista stayed calm. “Okay.”
When she turned toward the camp, his frustration level hit the bar and Jeff opened his mouth without knowing what he was going to hit her with.
“I want you.”
Crista turned as if in a daze, showered in his heat. “What did you say?”
Jeff flushed, and didn’t repeat it. That wasn’t what he’d meant to say. Was it?
Crista came to him, hands on her hips. “And that’s how you decided to tell me? What the fuck?”
Jeff was startled into a cackle at her words. “Wow. That mouth, lady…”
Crista smiled. “Does that mean we can have a couple’s tent? I get lonely at night.”
Jeff drew in air, body reminding him how long it had been since he’d gone to sleep with someone breathing against him. “Uh, yeah…but Zack…”
“Is a friend. Nothing more.”
Jeff tried to think. “You’re not dating him?”
“Did it look that way?” she teased, snickering. “Oh I’m sorry.”
Jeff laughed as he realized she’d goaded him into the breakfast offer and the attention. “Wait until I get you alone!”
“Why wait?” Crista asked, leaning close. “You can yell at me while I change clothes. I’m all wet.”
Jeff stiffened, gasping at the feel, and then he swept her into his arms and over his shoulder.
Crista’s delighted giggle echoed across the camp.
4
Cynthia slung her gear into the front seat of her assigned truck for the run and found herself searching Kevin’s surprised face.
“What are you doing here?”
They asked the question at the same time.
Cynthia recovered first. “I told you I’m her XO.”
Kevin recalled the conversation as she climbed inside, still wondering about the other things she’d mentioned.
Kevin wondered if Angela had put them together intentionally. He wasn’t sure if she’d done the schedules herself or if this was one of the senior Eagles trying to help.
Cynthia hated the tension, but couldn’t find a way around it. They’d all killed Matt. It wasn’t something she could just forgive and forget.
Kevin left her alone as she checked gear and fidgeted, waiting for Angela’s updates to be over so they could go. But he watched her.
Cynthia huffed in annoyance. “Stop staring.”
Kevin leered. “I’m smelling, too. You did your hair. Nice.”
Cynthia smoothed her newly shagged locks down self-consciously and returned to randomly pulling things from her kit and searching them over. She’d covered this last night, but she had to do something to fill the space where the eager conversation should have been. She still wanted Kevin. She just couldn’t have him.
Kevin picked up the mic, feeling her need for him to be busy, but he didn’t look away. It was the closest they’d been since the 4th of July and he wasn’t missing any of it.
“Do we have everyone?”
“Roger that. Five minutes.”
Kevin got the map out and pretended to survey the area they were going into. It was a short run to a nearby warehouse that housed a maintenance department. They were hoping to find a stock of jet fuel to add to the reserves and for use in battle plans. Some of Angela’s outlines called for a lot of firepower and they were pulling it from any source they could think of.
“At some point, I need you to show me how to use this,” Cynthia informed him, holding up a taser. “Do I just aim and fire?”
“It’s a little more complicated, but that’s the basics,” Kevin stated neutrally.
Cynthia instantly became sarcastic. “Well, that cleared it all up.”
Kevin’s face tightened. “It shoots out darts that send a current. It’s not rocket science.”
Cynthia’s face turned red.
“If it was, you’d be the last one to give instructions for it,” she fired back. “It’s a little more complicated, but that’s the basics,” she mocked, missing his hands tightening on the wheel. “Never mind. I’ll ask someone else.”
“Might as well date someone else, too,” Kevin drawled bitterly. “I don’t think I could have stood the attitude.”
Cynthia gasped in hurt anger and snapped her mouth shut. Fuck you!
Kevin glared. “Right back at ya, toots.”
Cynthia and Kevin both caught it at the same time and gaped. He’d read her thought!
5
“That might not have been a great idea,”
Angela turned to find Kevin and Cynthia trading what she assumed were harsh blows by the way they were wincing and scowling. Their mouths stayed closed though, and Angela shrugged. “We’ll find out.”
Adrian didn’t say anything else. She was following the notebooks to the letter when it came to training and prepara
tions, but everything else was her own.
“Some of the personal things came from your notes,” Angela reluctantly confided, not wanting to talk about love or lust with him.
Adrian knew she meant the way to help match make, but her methods were more obvious than his.
“I can get away with it. I’m a woman. It’s expected, up to a point.”
“Fair enough, but there are other things they expect, too, that you aren’t doing.”
Angela waved Zack over as he came through the camp with an open notebook, jotting ideas down.
“Like what?”
“Hope.”
Angela was instantly flashed to her problem of bringing them together. Instead of the anger spewing forth, she tried something new. “What would you do bring them together, that I haven’t already done or read?”
“Give them a cause, something…someone, to care about.”
“They have you.”
“No!” Adrian’s sharp tone drew attention and made the nearby Eagles tense. “They have to have a common cause. The freedom of everyone is not enough to hold them. It has to be personal.” Adrian pushed out energy, was strong enough to force it over her. “Tell me what we need. Do it now.”
There was no refusing such a command from the Alpha. The witch opened the farthest door in the halls of their manipulations.
Inside the door was a beach of golden sands and tall, green cliffs. Playing in the surf, was a small child with violet eyes and black hair.
Angela whimpered, filled with the urge to touch her daughter, the one who was yet to come.
Adrian stared not at the child, but at the happy couple watching the toddler play. It wasn’t Marc standing by Angela’s side, though that was clearly his daughter.
The door slammed shut.
Angela’s happiness over the run was destroyed and she ripped them both apart with her pain as she repeated, “That won’t happen!”
It was what Adrian’s heart had been saying all along, but he’d seen the vision. The future wasn’t always set, but that moment in time was.
Adrian got up from the table with one parting piece of advice. “They love him. He’s the camp’s martyr. Use it or lose them.”
