“Sir, if I may?” Phelps said in a tentative voice.
“What is it, Captain?”
“The men are worried about the siege,” Phelps said.
“The siege? What about it?” Sikes demanded.
“They’re afraid it will hurt the people within the walls.”
“Hurt them? What a load of bull. We’re liberating them,” Sikes said.
“I know, Sir, but they’re scared their families will starve or that the machines will harm them,” Phelps continued.
“Do you really think I’d destroy the city or its inhabitants? Tell the men the machines will focus on the wall and nothing else. Plus, it’ll be months before Prime’s stores run dry. I know that for a fact,” General Sikes said.
“If you’re sure, Sir.”
“Are you questioning me?” Sikes demanded.
“No, Sir! Of… of… course not, Sir. I’d never dare question you.”
“Because if you do, it’ll be your head on a spike serving as an example for the rest. Understood?” Sikes bellowed.
“Sir, yes, Sir!”
“Tell the men their families will be fine. I have no desire to take charge of a ruined city filled with corpses,” the general said. “And if anyone dares speak against me or my orders, they’ll pay the price. Dissenters will not be tolerated.”
“Yes, Sir. I’ll make certain of it.”
“While you’re at it, send out more hunting parties. We need food, or we might as well pack it in,” Sikes said.
“The fishing parties are reporting success, Sir,” Phelps said, an eager expression crossing his face. “I’ve set them to making more nets. It seems the river is teeming with fish, enough to feed us for years to come.”
Sikes grunted with approval. “Anything that will fill the men’s bellies is welcome, though I daresay they’ll grow tired of fish soon enough.”
“Yes, Sir. Will there be anything else, Sir?” Captain Phelps asked.
“Have the scouts returned yet?” Sikes asked. “The ones I sent out to look for the Exiles?”
“No, Sir. They have not.”
Sikes frowned, but he decided to give it a few more days. At that moment, the wind shifted, and the smell of raw sewage filled the tent. He gagged and covered his nose with his shirt. “Do something about the latrines, will you? That stench is enough to drive anyone mad.”
“Yes, Sir,” Phelps said, his cheeks growing pale once more. Gaining the general’s favor was tricky. It was withdrawn as quickly as it was given, and his displeasure carried severe consequences—the deadly kind.
“The last thing we need is for some vile disease to run through the ranks. You’d better make sure the men cook their food and boil their water. If I get even a whiff of cholera, it’ll be the death of you.”
“Ye… yes, Sir,” Phelps said, hovering in the doorway.
“Well? What are you waiting for? A permission slip? Get moving!” Sikes bellowed.
Phelps hurried away, and General Sikes stepped outside the tent. His gaze roved across the encampment: A sea of rough shelters, fireplaces, wagons, and carts surrounded by a makeshift wall of rubble, rusted cars, wooden stakes, and piled rocks.
Soldiers went about their business with bowed heads. They glared at their previous home, Prime City, now taken over by the enemy. Its thirty-foot wall mocked them with its stalwart appearance and hid the interior from view. No one knew what was happening inside the city. They could only guess at the treatment their families were receiving at the hands of the rebels, and they relied on Sikes for all their knowledge.
That was precisely the way he wanted it. No one was allowed near the wall. Any talks or negotiations were between him and Callum, held alone and in private. If the soldiers knew that their friends and family welcomed the new regime, they’d give up their arms. They’d deliver him to MacNamara on a silver platter, hogtied with a bow around his neck. Nobody wanted a civil war with brother pitted against brother, except for Sikes. He didn’t care how many died or who paid the price. Prime was his, and he’d fight for it until his last breath.
“Mark my words,” the general growled, waving one fist at the city and its new leader, Callum. “I’ll smash down those walls, and you’ll be sorry, old friend.”
Chapter 14 - Kat
Kat wound her way through the bustling activity that filled the ground floor of the hotel. With war on their doorstep, preparations were in full swing, and she’d commandeered the community center for her purposes. The goal was to set up a medical center to treat future casualties of the siege. Though she, Callum, and Patti hoped their plan for a bloodless war would work, they couldn’t count on it. While Callum oversaw the defenses and Patti looked for volunteers, Kat was busy with her own plans.
Prime City had only one hospital that catered to the citizens, and it wasn’t much to speak of. With that knowledge in mind, Kat raided the city’s stores for everything that remained. It didn’t matter how old or obscure the equipment; if it had a use, she wanted it.
Some of the supplies were sent to the hospital, and the rest to the temporary medical center. The hotel’s private medical staff joined the team with volunteers to fill out the ranks. Anyone with medical expertise was welcomed with open arms.
With a nod of satisfaction, Kat surveyed the beds and mattresses that filled the designated wards. A wooden counter with locked cupboards and a storeroom housed all their medical supplies, and a row of wheelchairs and trolleys stood waiting.
Nurses dressed in practical clothes made beds, folded linen, cut old sheets into strips, and rolled those into bandages. A doctor checked her stores, marking the dispensary contents down on a clipboard, while cleaners disinfected the surfaces.
Doctors and nurses weren’t the only staff sharing their expertise. With old-school medicine in short supply, they relied on herbalists for natural remedies. Herbal teas, tinctures, compounds, powders, and syrups were common, and ether was used as an anesthetic.
It was not ideal, but it was what they had. Even Kat couldn’t remember that much of the days before the Shift. For most, that time of their lives was a distant dream and pining for it served no purpose. After spending twenty-five years in the prehistoric world, they’d given up hope of rescue. No one was coming for them, and nobody ever would.
With a sigh, Kat sank down in a chair. She’d been up since dawn, and her feet ached. A young woman brought her a cup of tea, and she accepted it with a grateful smile. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure, ma’am,” the girl said before returning to her duties.
Kat took a sip of the hot brew and groaned. “Now that hits the spot.”
She stretched her denim-clad legs out in front of her and tugged at the sleeves of her cotton shirt. Ever since Dorian’s execution, she’d felt different. Not only had her fears and anxieties eased, but she also felt like a new human being.
Her old clothes were the first things to go. She didn’t feel comfortable in them anymore, and they belonged to the old Kat. The one who had to preen and simper on the arm of her powerful lord and master. A trophy mistress.
Now she preferred a simpler look. Plain shirts coupled with jeans and boots or sneakers. Gone were the days when she spent hours in front of a mirror fussing over the tiniest detail of her appearance. In the morning, she threw on whatever felt comfortable and tied her hair into a ponytail. That was it.
She had no idea how Callum felt about the change, but she knew she’d never go back. Like her scars, the new Kat was here to stay. She was older, wiser, and kinder. She feared both more and less, and her core was vulnerable. This she’d learned, but she also knew she was a survivor. More than that, she wanted to help others wherever she could.
During the town meeting, the people had sided with Callum against the general. His plan met with approval, and many looked forward to a quick resolution to the siege. With a handful of prominent citizens acting as go-betweens, the city’s mood was one of cautious hope. It energized her, and she wanted to contribute. “It’s time to give back w
hat I took over the years.”
“What’s that, my love? What are ye muttering about?” Callum said, popping up at her side.
She tilted her head back and graced him with a lazy smile. “Oh, nothing much.”
Instead of returning her smile, he sat down with a heavy frown. “I’m afraid I have bad news, lass.”
Kat sat upright, retracting her legs. “What’s wrong?”
“The general is smarter than I thought. He put his men to work building medieval war machines,” Callum said.
“War machines? Like catapults and stuff?”
“Tis what I fear, and worst of all, they’re finished.”
Kat smothered a gasp. “What does that mean?”
“It means we have to prepare for the worst, lass. They’ll attack soon, and it won’t be pleasant,” Callum said.
“What about the citizens? The people?” Kat asked. “I know that most of them agreed to support us against Sikes, but how long will that last once the attack begins?”
“I know what ye mean,” Callum said. “It’ll be rough, to say the least. The general will hit us with everything he’s got, and people will get hurt. Some may die.”
“What do we do?” Kat asked, her chest filling with panic, an all-too-familiar sensation of late. Her hands began to shake, and she balled them into fists.
“We need to step up our plans. The volunteers are going out tonight,” Callum said. “Even so, it won’t be in time. I’ve cleared the areas close to the wall, and ye might see an influx of people looking for a place to stay.”
Kat nodded, sucking in a deep breath to calm herself. “I can tell the staff to prepare extra food and beds with those who have nowhere to go.”
“Thank ye, lass. Patti and her people are doing the same. They’ve got families with extra room opening their doors.”
“That will help a lot.”
“Aye, but I’m worried about ye, lass,” Callum said, reaching out to take her hand.
“Why me?”
“Ye need to prepare yerself for the worst.”
“The worst?” she asked, uncertain what he meant.
“When it starts, it’ll be loud, and ye’ll be scared,” Callum explained. “I’ll try my best, but I canna be here with ye all the time.”
Understanding dawned, and her throat grew thick with unshed emotion. “That’s… that’s sweet of you, Callum, but I’ll be alright.”
“Are ye sure? I know how hard it’s been fer ye.”
“It has,” Kat admitted, “but I’m feeling better. A lot better. Besides, if something happens, I’m surrounded by medical staff.”
Callum sat back in his chair. “This is all such a big mess. I dinna know if I’m the right man fer this.”
“What do you mean? Of course, you are. The city couldn’t ask for better,” Kat exclaimed, leaning forward in her chair. “Don’t doubt yourself for one second.”
“Tis hard not to,” Callum said. “Regardless, I’ll do my best.”
Kat reached out and squeezed his hand. “That’s all we can do, my love. Our best.”
***
That evening, Kat prepared for an early night. She stripped off her clothes and pulled on an old t-shirt. It belonged to Callum and was far too big for her, but she liked wearing it for his scent. It was warm, rich, and soothing, exactly what she needed after the day she’d had.
With her bare feet, she padded across the room toward the balcony. Outside, all was quiet. The moon and stars were hidden behind a thick bank of clouds, and a cool breeze stirred the curtains.
Her gaze swept across the city. Callum was out there somewhere. With him were a team of brave volunteers: Men and women willing to infiltrate Sikes’ army and spread the truth. It was a risky venture. They had to get inside the camp without being spotted, and then they had to disappear within its ranks. Many things could go wrong, and all she could do was pray. Come back to me, my love.
Come morning, she’d ask him to move in with her. At the moment, they slept in separate rooms even though he stayed over at times. But life was short, and she didn’t want to waste one more second of it. Hell. Maybe I’ll even ask him to marry me.
With a broad smile, Kat walked toward the bed and reached down for the covers. Then, an odd noise reached her ears, and her hand froze in mid-air. It sounded like a whistle, but it was much louder. A terrific boom followed a split-second later, and the world shook beneath her feet.
A spurt of terror flushed her veins, and she collapsed to the ground. Seconds later, another blast bombarded her ears, followed a third and a fourth. With her hands pressed to her ears, Kat curled up into a ball. She lay on the carpet, unable to think or even breathe.
This was far worse than she’d ever imagined. None of Callum’s warnings or descriptions had gotten even close to this unadulterated hell. Her brain seized up, unable to function beneath its burden of fear.
Without realizing it, Kat began to moan. Her cries soon turned to screams as the pounding continued without relief. She rocked back and forth, a terrified child robbed of her senses. Tears poured down her face and pooled beneath her cheek.
Suddenly, a rough pair of hands hauled her upright. A stern voice yelled in her ear, “Kat! Snap out of it. Wake up.”
When that failed to rouse her, a stinging slap burnt the skin of her cheek. With a gasp, Kat opened her eyes and sucked in a deep breath. “Patti?”
“Yes, it’s me. Now get up. You’re better than this. Fight it,” Patti commanded.
“I… I don’t think I can,” Kat admitted. “I’m not strong enough.”
“Nonsense. Of course, you are, and in any case, you don’t have a choice,” Patti said. “Now that it’s begun, it won’t stop. Sikes will keep this up day and night.”
“You can’t be serious,” Kat said, her worst nightmares realized.
“Deadly serious,” Patti said, coaxing Kat onto her bed.
Kat shook her head, palms pressed to her ears. “Make it stop. Make it stop.”
Patti grabbed her arms. “Kat, look at me. It won’t stop, and you’ll have to learn to live with it.”
“Live with it? How?” Kat asked, horrified.
“For your sake and Callum’s. He needs you to be strong now. He has a city to defend, and he can’t do that while he’s worried about you. Got it?”
“I… I think so,” Kat said, and she did. Patti was asking her to pretend she was okay. To act as if nothing was wrong even though she was dying inside. I did it for years with Sikes, Douglas, and all the rest. I can do it for Callum.
“Don’t worry. I’ve got a little something here to help you,” Patti said.
Kat brushed away her tears. “What’s that?”
Patti produced two items from her pocket. One was a pill bottle. “I had a woman make these for you. They’ll help you sleep.”
Kat took the bottle with a dubious frown but jumped when a fresh series of booms rang out. Desperate for a remedy, she asked, “Will it work?”
“They work, trust me. You’re not the only one with nightmares,” Patti said with a grunt. “Take two an hour before you go to bed.”
“Okay,” Kat said, tipping two capsules out into her hand. If they’d help her sleep, she was willing to try anything. She swallowed them with a sip of water from the glass on her bedside table. “Thanks.”
“That’s not all. I got you these, as well,” Patti said, handing over a pair of earplugs.
Kat grabbed them with shaking hands. “Oh, thank God. You’re a miracle worker.”
Patti stood up. “Now let’s get you into bed.”
Kat allowed herself to be tucked away like a child. It felt nice to be pampered, and she managed to smile at Patti despite the fear. With the covers pulled up to her chin, she said, “Good night, Patti Fry.”
“Good night,” Patti said, squeezing her shoulder.
Kat yawned. The pills were working their magic. “Please, stay until I fall asleep.”
“Alright. I’ll stay,” Patti said. “Now,
put in those plugs and close your eyes.”
Kat obeyed, and the noise faded to a bearable level. With Patti’s warm presence close by, she fell asleep within seconds. Her last thought was for the people of Prime and how frightened they must be. Please, let our plan work. Stop Sikes before he kills us all.
Chapter 15 - Callum
Callum slipped through the shadows like a ghost. Despite his size, he made little sound. A natural-born hunter, his senses were well-developed. As a youngster, he’d grown up on a large Scottish estate that could only be described as magical.
He’d explored its vast wilderness of rolling hills, secret glens, craggy mountain peaks, and rough shorelines. Many a day was spent out in the forest hunting rabbits and deer. He often swam in the loch’s icy waters, caught fish in the river, and roasted plump pheasants over hot coals.
His favorite lookout point was a jagged cliff that jutted out over the ocean. He’d stand for hours gazing at the stormy grey seas while the wind tugged at his clothes. Far below, the waves crashed against the base of the cliff, sending up a spray of saltwater.
It was a wild time. A time when the blood ran free through his veins and his feet bore calluses from his travels. He became proficient with a bow and arrow, a rifle and shotgun, and even a slingshot.
He was grateful for those days. In a way, it prepared him for the prehistoric world and its many dangers. A broken leg, an infected scrape, hunger, thirst, and exhaustion were never far away. They lingered in the background, waiting to pounce like a hungry wolf.
Callum slipped around a corner and spotted a small knot of people. One of them was Patti dressed in a thick jersey, jeans, and boots. The breeze lifted her auburn hair and waved it around like a flag. With her were the volunteers, dressed in the uniforms of the Watch. Their expressions were somber but eager.
“Good evening, Mrs. Fry,” Callum said.
“Good to see you, Mr. MacNamara,” she replied. “These are your volunteers. They’ve been briefed, but please, be careful down there.”
“Of course,” Callum said, eyeing the assembled men and women with approval. “They look like a solid bunch.”
The Extinction Series | Book 4 | Primordial Earth 4 Page 9
