LAW Box Set: Books 4-6 (Life After War Book 0)

by Angela White

Cynthia wasn’t sure how much they had now and shook her head. “Not yet. I need to know where we are on food and water before I lift it.”

  Kevin wrote that down and continued on to the next of his ten items. “How many shower campers open?”

  “Three.”

  “Is that enough?”

  “We have to be careful with our water,” she answered. “And I don’t have the totals yet, remember?”

  Kevin flushed, trying hard to act as if she was Angela so it wouldn’t be as awkward. “Right. Um, what about the animals? No one can find the vet.”

  Cynthia sighed. “Draft some people for feeding and watering. Maybe the kids can do some of it, or the older people.”

  “Good idea. Okay, the last harvest gave us seeds that we’re drying. Should we restart the garden or wait for spring?”

  “Restart it now,” she instructed.

  “Can I ask why? We’ll still be finding stashes of can goods for a while.”

  “Because the winter may not let up by spring,” she told him, handing over the last schedule, his.

  Kevin didn’t let himself read it yet. Camp business came first. “We have questions from the camps around ours about leaving. Many of them have people of their own to prepare for the season change.”

  “They can go,” Cynthia stated. That, at least, was one area she didn’t have to worry over. The Eagles and other fighters in Safe Haven were no longer afraid of magic and the descendants were tired of hiding it. If they were ever attacked again, there wouldn’t be any hesitating. The problem in camp was how the pieces of Angela’s plan were coming out, showing her to be so totally ruthless. It had shocked and amazed all of them to discover that Angela had planned to be captured all along.

  “Cynthia?”

  She glanced up to see they had more men standing around, waiting for her last answer. She shook her head to clear the thoughts that were suddenly flying at her faster than she could examine. Had Angela done all of this on purpose?

  “Repeat that, please.”

  “Is it okay to get a mass grave going or should we stick to individuals?”

  That was an ugly thing to consider.

  Cynthia held up a hand, turning to view the camp. These people would want to pay their respects, but with more than two dozen funerals, it would run into dreaded monotony and not be given the honor that each life deserved. “Mass. And I’m sorry for that.”

  The men understood and were glad of the choice for more reasons than the work that could be done quickly with some heavy equipment. They hadn’t wanted to spend the next four days saying farewell to the deceased. They wanted to be sure they were still alive, to celebrate their impossible victory.

  Kevin motioned the others to go on and handed her the paper with his final three questions on it. “They’re a bit personal.”

  Cynthia read them without a change in expression.

  Can you find a replacement for me? I can’t do this job anymore.

  If so, can I leave come dawn? You don’t need me.

  Please forgive me?

  Cynthia felt the weariness, and the guilt, but the relief was greater. She hugged him tightly. “Thank you.”

  Kevin understood she wanted him to go. That was the final push he needed. He started to remove his Eagle jacket.

  Cynthia shook her head. “You’re always one of us, Kevin. Come back when you can live here. We’ll still need you.”

  He smiled at that, glad to know it wasn’t banishment that would follow him. He headed for the gate, where he already had a truck waiting. There was another person in that vehicle who’d had enough of Safe Haven as well.

  Jeff held out the joint as Kevin slid into the passenger seat. “Hit this, turn up the music, and we’ll forget about them.”

  Kevin did as he was bid, but he knew forgetting was impossible. He was walking away from the greatest thing he’d ever done. The rest of his life would be wasted trying to figure out why he hadn’t been able to make it work here.

  Fate watched the truck roll quickly into the night and be swallowed by the darkness, but instead of sadness, there was hard, cruel amusement. Just because someone left Safe Haven behind, it didn’t mean that Safe Haven would leave them. Magic like that couldn’t be erased by time or grief, no matter how deep.

  5

  “The Maker’s Call has been made.”

  The voice was unfamiliar to most of the soldiers it controlled from the private complex inside the Utah Bunker. There was no reason to be friendly with subordinates. That philosophy ran these tunnels.

  “We’ve tracked it. Donner has them at the Mercer labs in Dalton. We’ve prepared a team to intercept them.”

  “Good. Keep me posted,” Benjamin ordered.

  The leader of the bunker hadn’t been more than a Secretary before the war, but Benjamin had outlasted all those above him to claim this position during the chaos.

  The room emptied as the man in charge opened a thick, laminated book. In it were symbols of the Freemasons, the Knights Templar, and other mysterious designs that had haunted them throughout history. The truth of it all was in this book.

  Benjamin glanced at the orders he’d removed from the safe, as he had been instructed to do upon confirming that one of the forbidden calls had been made. He lifted the orders and the book together, then slowly slid them into the fireplace that the Presidential suite had come with.

  In minutes, all paper proof of the conspiracy was only a charred frame that couldn’t be used against any of the Masons who had survived. And there were quite a few still. Across the world, bunkers like this one held remnants of the elite who had perpetrated this evil on the world. If anything came from the Call, there would be no evidence.

  It was a bit like shutting the stall door after the horse ran away, but Benjamin didn’t refuse the orders that had been written decades ago, when the scientists had started trying to determine what combinations of descendants could bring the Maker. He wiped the computer files reluctantly.

  Sad in ways he couldn’t express–he’d enjoyed gazing at the images and stories before bedtime–Benjamin pulled up the latest figures for his bunker. He sat stewing over them, as he did every day at this time.

  It wasn’t good. There was less than four months of food and water to sustain the two thousand people still here. Half of those were in cells, draftees that he’d refused to release because of needing their skills, but that would change. Once he let them lose, those men would overrun every town they came to. Benjamin had to be prepared for them to try to do the same to this bunker.

  “It’s time for us to relocate,” he chose, reaching for the files that explained in detail how to move people onto the rail system and get them settled in the next shelter. It would use a lot of fuel and time, nearly three of the four months they had left here, but there was no other choice. And if there were no other bunkers in reach, the order would have to be made to reclaim the topside. He could send his little ants scurrying from their holes to reestablish the government’s hold over this country. He’d kept enough men in each bunker to do so. All he needed was a bit of time, a little luck for a smooth ride to the next site…and maybe a descendant to guide the way.

  Benjamin pushed the personal files button to stare at reproductive stats for this bunker in the nine months since the war.

  Live Births: 14

  Stillborn Rate: 19

  Current viable breeding population: 178

  Bunker Sterile Rate: 69%

  The next stats weren’t more encouraging.

  Ragonidusin Infection levels: 27%. Increasing by .3% daily.

  Deaths: 9,432.

  Daily Deaths: 25.841

  Current terminal population: 142

  Current Healthy Population: 2342

  Extinction odds would rise with every month that passed, until people finally began to notice and panic. He had to get them topside before that happened.

  Benjamin hit a last button and leaned back with his drink in hand. The image on the screen was of
the Maker’s Call, the energy sent out. It was blinding even for a fictional representation, with no one able to determine what was behind the light.

  Benjamin didn’t like surprises. Donner going rogue on them had come as one and now, the major had accomplished his life’s goal and sent out a successful call. What would come of it?

  The scientists had assured Benjamin that it would amount to nothing, but he’d felt the power of the call even while buried a mile beneath the ground. That sort of force was bound to draw attention from someone. Or something.

  Donner’s obsessions had been tolerated because of his exemplary record of getting their jobs done. To lose him now, when he was needed the most, was an intentional blow that Benjamin intended to see the Major hung for. The descendants who’d made the forbidden call would also have to be handled. Two matched alpha’s running around the country was worse than a camp of oddball powerhouses. Alphas were a real threat.

  Benjamin knew what to do about those. Once he was sure there wasn’t going to be an answer to the call, he intended to destroy Safe Haven and all of the magic users there. Two large warheads would remove all traces of that rebellious camp and Donner right along with them.

  “One more day,” Benjamin promised. “Make it count.”

  6

  “It’s the Ghost!”

  Those words were said with same fear as the other moments in this war, but it wasn’t enough to make these soldiers flee in terror. They had survived all five rings of Angela’s plan. They had come here to make sure Donner kept his word. He’d promised them Safe Haven and failed to deliver that, but the woman in his custody was worth more. As long as Donner had her under control, they would all be safe and fed. Many of Angela’s gifts were known. These soldiers now had a bloodhound to track food and gear. In this apocalyptic hell, that advantage would keep them all alive.

  “Move in!” Marc roared. He was first in the wave of fighters that burst from the buildings and trees nearby to attack the men on guard around the lab.

  The demon wanted to help, but Marc didn’t need it. His fury lashed out through his Colts and then his knife when there wasn’t time to reload. He sliced through the men and leapt over their useless barricades to charge toward the only door.

  Kenn followed Marc, their places now switched except for Tonya being here. She kept pace with them, firing steadily as they ran. When she had to reload, Kenn took up the slack, clearing the soldiers closest to her. These men hasn’t expected a full-on frontal assault after all the sneaking tactics that Angela had employed. They’d clearly forgotten or refused to believe who her mate was.

  Kendle wasn’t using her gifts either, preferring to feel the blood spilling around her fingers, but Becky quickly used her power to hit the soldier running up on them while Kendle was distracted.

  Angry that the brunette was so careless, Becky ran toward Neil and partnered with him as they followed Kenn and Tonya into the main driveway.

  Kendle barely noticed being left, too busy causing crimson to shoot from the screaming man’s eyes with her thumbs.

  The soldiers weren’t helpless. As the alarms on the facility began to blare, they grouped together, firing rapid shots that forced Eagles behind whatever cover they could find. A wise man among these fighters grabbed at his grenades and the sound of thunder lit the area.

  Marc was almost to the door, uncaring of the explosions, the shrapnel, the flames. All he could see was the sentry on the door, who would have the code.

  Out of ammo, Kenn ducked a swing to lift the soldier into the air. He tossed the shouting man into two soldiers grabbing Tonya’s arm and the trio went down together.

  Kenn landed on the pile and shoved his knife through two eyes hurriedly before they had a chance to do the same.

  Kenn jerked Tonya to her feet. He shoved her after Marc, who wasn’t stopping for anything.

  Kenn grunted as pain sliced into his arm and he ran faster, almost dragging her along.

  Tonya was trying to keep up, but amid the chaos, she was lost. She wanted to help, to fight, but panic was telling her she had no business here.

  Tonya spotted Becky walking calmly through the rubble, waving her hands to deflect bullets and grenades, and quickly looked down, not wanting to witness anymore. She would pretend she hadn’t seen that. It was too much to accept right now. Or maybe ever.

  Marc reached the door, arm drawing back to threaten.

  The Private tipped his cover. “Damn, Marc. I thought I was gonna hafta to do this alone.”

  Marc didn’t spare time for the grin, just looked at the door.

  Seth quickly opened it. As Marc vanished inside the dark lounge, Seth was a clear target. A nearby soldier fired at him in betrayed rage.

  Neil shoved Seth, hard enough to knock him into the wall and then over the railing. The slug plunged into the wall where Seth’s head had been.

  Almost to them now, Becky beamed. “Guess we’re even now, Neil.”

  Seth picked himself up and followed the others into the complex, glad they’d finally chosen to attack. He’d felt Eagles out there last night, but hadn’t been able to contact them without drawing attention from the twitchy soldiers. He’d been ready to trigger the fight himself to keep from hearing Adrian scream anymore. Donner’s torture had been continuous until a few hours ago. Whatever Donner wanted, Adrian hadn’t wanted to give it to him.

  That was proven further when they entered the bottom cells and found the room where Adrian had been held. His bloody Eagle jacket in the corner was collected by Kenn.

  “He ran!”

  Marc’s anger echoed through the complex. The heartbreak underneath it was crushing.

  “Donner ran. You coward!”

  The fighters began stripping the facility, waiting for Marc to choose their next course. Except for Kenn. He knew what Marc would do from here.

  Kenn motioned Tonya toward a dark hallway. “Come on.”

  Tonya went curiously, relieved no one had mentioned her lack of fighting skills yet. “What are we doing?”

  “Looking for a…” Kenn grunted, forced to use arm strength to turn the handle and force the door open.

  Tonya shined her light into what was obviously a tunnel made for a subway car of some sort.

  “Go get Marc,” Kenn ordered. “And then go to camp. I’ll meet you there.”

  Tonya didn’t like being ordered around, but she knew he was right. She would only distract him from helping Marc.

  Tonya ran a hand over Kenn’s filthy hair and he sighed, tugging her close for the hug she seemed to want. “Jeez, woman.”

  Tonya chuckled and then went to tell Marc they’d found the hole Donner had gone into.

  7

  Marc looked down at the wolf, who had stayed on the outer edges of the battle to pick off the wounded soldiers rather than to come down into the tunnels. The wolf didn’t like the underworld, but he’d been sitting by the door when Marc came out.

  Can you track her, like you did with me?

  Dog whined, head lowering. Yes.

  Marc understood the wolf’s reluctance. Being underground was like a cell.

  Will you find her? Look after her until I can get there?

  Dog moved through the door without saying anything else. Marc needed him. He would conquer his revulsion to do his part.

  Marc waved at Seth. “Burn it all after we’re gone.”

  “You got it,” Seth vowed, arm around Becky’s shoulders.

  “Kenn’s been trimmed,” Tonya said, jerking the medical kit from her belt.

  “We leave in ten minutes,” Marc ordered. “Wounded will head for home. Everyone else, get set.”

  Seth understood he was supposed to return to Safe Haven after covering their trail into the tunnels, but he had no interest in being in camp unless Becky was there.

  “I’m going with Marc,” Becky said quietly.

  Seth sighed. “I figured. Kenn?”

  The Marine grunted, more at Tonya’s rough handling than the request. “
She’ll cover it. I’m going along to bring the other one home.”

  Marc growled, storming inside, but didn’t override the order. Adrian would be brought in alive to stand trial and hopefully hang.

  8

  “There’s a call coming in,” Trey said, reading the instrument panel of the gently swaying train car. They were in the front two, using the rear for storage of their prisoners.

  “The bunker finally noticed we’re rolling,” Donner stated, “Put it through to the rear car.”

  Trey hit the buttons, telling the person to hold, and Donner moved carefully though the small train to get to Angela and Adrian. He turned activated the screen on the wall and flipped the light switch.

  The face that appeared on the screen was young. It was something of a surprise to Donner, who had only dealt with leaders his own age.

  “I’m Benjamin Harker, President of these United States.”

  “You already know who I am,” Donner stated, evaluating his boss.

  “Yes, I do!” Benjamin smiled thinly at the sight of Angela handcuffed to a cot, appearing to sleep peacefully. Adrian was hanging by his arms in the corner of the railcar. “Double standard?”

  “Yes,” Donner snorted, moving to block the man’s view of both prisoners. “Well?”

  Benjamin stared back impassively. “You gave away your location. This is a courtesy call before we shut you down.”

  “I wanted you to find me,” Donner refuted. “And you can’t blow up these tunnels without hurting your own escape plans, so don’t try to bluff me, young man. She already did and my patience is thin.

  Benjamin was insulted. It came through in the darkening skin, the narrowing eyes and thinning lips. He slowly poured himself a drink before responding, “You’re absolutely right, Major. There’s no need to lie to each other. Tell me what you want.”

  “Time for it to work.”

  “Then the call was successful?”

  “Unknown. You felt it on your instruments?”

  “Of course. We know of any mass use of power or force on American soil. The sensors miss nothing.”