“Not an animal, but a man. A starved man at that.” Food wasn’t the scarcest thing in our world.
“But a man who knows patience will reward himself with something much better.”
An idle thought entered my head. “You aren’t thinking… you don’t plan to have us both.”
He coughed. “Wouldn’t that be nice? No. I know of plenty of good men who would deserve your sister and would help with the baby. It’s you I want. No need to be greedy.”
“Did you know there was a time when some men had two wives?” I picked the blanket back up and wrapped it around me.
“I really can’t picture that. Here, sit.” He led me over to a small couch by the fire. I sat down, enjoying the warmth again. He sat down right beside me. “Think you can share that blanket?”
“I suppose I don’t need to be greedy either.” I opened the blanket so he could get under. Wearing only a t-shirt while he only wore shorts made things seem too intimate. He wasn’t a bad man. I knew that now. I also knew being his wouldn’t be terrible. He’d treat me well enough, and if I could keep Quinn and Bailey close it might just be good.
He seemed to read my mind. “We’ll make sure your sister lives near us.”
“Good.” I closed my eyes, the warmth finally forcing me to succumb to sleep.
“You should lie down.” Bolton took my arm.
I opened my eyes long enough to let him lead me to the bed and help me slide underneath the sheet. I felt the bed shift beside me as Bolton laid down, but I couldn’t fight the exhaustion enough to stay awake.
Four
Sun streamed through the window, and I struggled to push through the fog of sleep. I was in a bed, but it wasn’t my own. The shirt I wore wasn’t mine either. Most importantly, the hand on my breast certainly wasn’t mine. After a moment I realized where I was, and what man lay beside me.
“Bolton,” I hissed. When he didn’t stir I pushed away his hand.
His leg was draped over mine, reminding me that I was wearing absolutely nothing under the oversized t-shirt.
I pushed back the covers, hoping by some luck my clothes had dried by the fire overnight. Although a section of my dress was still a touch damp, my underwear and bra were completely dry.
I found the bathroom and happily changed back into my clothes.
“Kayla?” Bolton called from outside the door.
“Be right out.” I finished dressing, washed up, and opened the door.
Bolton was dressed in a clean shirt and pants. “You worried me.”
“Why?”
“I thought you’d left.” He leaned against the door frame.
“You really thought I’d just skip out?”
“If you didn’t trust I’d help you.” He crossed his arms.
“Well, I’m still here.”
“Yes you are.” He grinned. “I slept well, did you?”
“I’m sure you slept well.”
“What’s that mean?”
“Your hand wandered.”
“Oh.” He smiled. “I guess that’s why my dreams were so good.”
I shook my head. “Think you can push off those thoughts long enough to do all that planning you promised we’d do?”
“Yes, but not until I find us something for breakfast.”
“Breakfast? Here?”
“Just give me a second.” He walked into the tiny kitchen and started opening cabinets. “Peaches okay with you?”
“Yeah. Sure. You leave canned fruit here?”
“Uh huh. We buy the fruit and can it all summer.” He opened a jar and handed it to me before searching through a drawer for some spoons.
“Thanks.”
“It’s not fancy, but not so bad, right?”
“Nope. Not so bad.”
“I hear in the city they eat food that has no taste or flavor. It’s like this artificial mush.”
“Why? They have more money than we do.” I ate a peach, savoring the sweetness.
“Yeah, but they grow everything inside now. It’s more efficient and safer.”
“Efficient but useless if you don’t get to eat the good things in life.”
“Let’s grow a peach orchard.” He took the can from me and scooped up a peach with his spoon.
“A peach orchard? Do you know anything about growing fruit?”
He finished his can and set it aside on the counter. “No, but it can’t be that hard. I wonder how different it is than growing wheat.”
“Or cotton. That’s what we grow.”
I finished my fruit and washed off the spoons. “All right, time to plan.”
“First off, you can’t wear that.” He pointed to my dress.
“You want me to dress like a man, right? That’s not a bad idea.” In fact it was a great one.
“Yes. Then we cut your hair and—”
“No.” I cut him off before he could continue.
“No, what?” His brow furrowed.
“We’re not cutting my hair.”
“Listen, I love it too, but we have to be practical.” He ran his hands through my hair.
“I promised my mom I wouldn’t cut it, and I’m sticking to that promise.”
He nodded. “Then what’s your suggestion?”
“Do you have a hat I could borrow?”
“Yes. Okay, so that covers appearance. The hope is that no one even sees you until we get to Central. You’re going to sit in the back and cover up under something if we see anyone on the road.”
“Then what?”
“Oh no. You’re the one who wants to break into Central. I will get us there, and then it’s your turn to figure things out. My guess is it won’t be easy to walk in.”
“Except for me. I’m a young woman, they’d take me in.”
“No. Absolutely not.” He shook his head. “Who knows if you can ever break out? There has to be another way.”
“We need help.”
“Ethan.” He said the name and then looked away.
“What about him?”
“He might be able to help.”
“You think we should find him?”
“It will be easier to find him than to break into Central.” He spoke quietly. He wasn’t thrilled about getting Ethan involved. Neither was I.
“That’s true. But it’s not going to be easy.”
“He’d do anything for you. We just have to get in to see him.”
“Do you know anything about the Sray club?” From the letters Thomas read to me that’s where he lived now.
“Not much, but they aren’t supposed to be as bad as the Reine.”
“I’d hope Ethan would never join something like that.”
Bolton’s face fell. “Me too.”
We spent the rest of the day packing up supplies. As much as I hated weapons, I proved to Bolton I could load and use a shotgun. If using a gun was the only way I could make it to Quinn, I’d be prepared.
We packed the truck and left about a half-hour after sundown. We rode in silence. I couldn’t see much in the pitch black night, but every so often a set of glowing eyes pulled my attention. The animal population was thriving. With fewer humans they had more places to roam. We were the only ones at risk of going extinct now.
I fought to keep my eyes open. I couldn’t afford to fall asleep. I knew I could trust Bolton, but I had no idea what we might run into.
“You can rest,” he said gently as if reading my thoughts.
“No. I’m fine.”
“You’re not. I can tell.”
“You’re tired too,” I pointed out.
His eyelids were heavy. “Yeah, but I have to drive.”
“Do you want me to do it instead?” I gestured at the wheel.
“Do you know how?” he asked with a smile.
“I can drive a tractor.”
“Of course you can.” He laughed. “I’m fine driving. Thankfully we’re going to have just enough gas.”
“Have you ever been to the city?”
“Is that your way of trying to scare me?”
“Why would I want to scare you?”
“I don’t know.” I could think of one good reason. He didn’t want me running away.
“It’s dangerous for everyone, but you’re going to be even more at risk.”
“Because I’m a girl.”
“Yeah, and you’re young.” He turned onto another road. “Central is snatching up everyone young now. Even the big clubs are getting desperate.”
“We’re all desperate.” We were. Every last one of us.
“What’s that?” I squinted to get a better look at the lights up ahead on the road.
“I don’t know.” Bolton gripped the wheel. “But get in the back. Find something to cover you up.”
My years of hiding on the farm paid off. I crawled into the back and found an old tarp. I lay flat on the floor and pulled it over me.
Bolton slowed the truck, and I took in a deep breath.
“State your business.” A booming voice called in through the window.
“Bringing this truck into the city for sale,” Bolton’s voice remained calm.
The sound of footsteps had me panicked. “No one is buying trucks in the city. The gas prices don’t warrant it.”
“Oh?” Bolton feigned innocence. “I heard there were some buyers still.”
“Get out of the vehicle,” the voice boomed.
“I am on a tight timeline. I have committed no crime, and I respectfully ask to be allowed to continue on my journey.”
“Respectfully declined. Get out of the vehicle.”
“I can’t do that.” Bolton stepped on the gas.
I flew across the back, smacking my head as he cruised forward.
The sound of sirens in pursuit made my head injury seem like nothing.
“I’m going to slow down as close to the train station as I can get. While they’re busy with me, you need to run.” Bolton kept his eyes focused on the road. “Do you know how to tuck and roll?”
“I can’t just leave you.” I felt a surge of guilt. He’d helped me so much already.
“I’ll be fine. You need to get Bailey and Quinn.”
He was right. This was no time for sentimentality.
He slowed down the car. “Get ready.”
“Get out of the vehicle!” A voice boomed.
“Run,” Bolton whispered. “Go now.”
I didn’t wait. I pushed open the door and rolled out onto the street below.
I stumbled to my feet as he continued driving forward slowly.
I heard the sound of gun fire and ran, trying to block out the shouting coming from behind me.
I refused to think about Bolton. He might have made it. They might not have killed him. I fed myself the lies as I ran without any idea of where I was going. He’d said a train station was nearby, but I couldn’t find that now. It was far too risky.
Instead I kept running. I reached the woods and kept running. I didn’t stop until all the noise from the road disappeared. Then, and only then, did I stop to find a place to hide. I climbed into the branches of a tree and hoped for the best. I also mourned the loss of the one ally I had. I may not have seen the bullet pierce his skin, but I knew how likely it was. He’d sacrificed himself to give me the chance to save Quinn and Bailey. I wouldn’t waste my chance.
Five
I spent the rest of the night in the woods. I waited while dogs ran through the woods, presumably to find me. I waited while trying to ignore the sound of boots crunching on the leaves below me as men searched the forest. They knew I was there. Whether they’d seen me run, or the Reine had filled them in on my disappearance, they knew I was out there. Thankfully they didn’t know my name. I wasn’t forced to listen to my name being screamed through the darkness. Instead it was girl and blondie, or Goldilocks, a reference to a story I vaguely remembered my mother telling us as a child.
I waited until the sun was up to leave the woods, going with the opposite logic Bolton and I had used. I hoped it would be easier to blend in when more people were out and about.
I found the train station easily enough. The problem was figuring out how to buy tickets when I had no money. Sneaking onto the train was risky, but I had no other options.
I adjusted the hat on my head and tightened my borrowed coat around me. The station was busy, which was both good and bad. The crowd made it easier to disappear, but it also meant greater potential of getting caught. I avoided eye contact whenever possible. I allowed myself to get pushed along with the crowd onto a train. Evidently you didn’t need a ticket to board, but I knew they’d check for one later.
The few seats on the train were taken, which was fine by me. I felt far more vulnerable sitting down than I did standing.
I positioned myself as close to the door as possible in case I had to make a run for it.
I kept my eyes down, but even then I couldn’t help but notice a man looking at me. He raised his cap ever so slightly and seemed to be trying to meet my eye. I turned away from him. I didn’t need to attract any attention. I needed to reach the city and disappear into a crowd. It would be my best chance.
The same man inched closer to me. I saw his boots moving closer to my own. I tried to quiet the shivers running through my body. I had to stay calm, or I would give myself away.
“Tickets!” A booming voice called. This was it. We’d just left the first station so I knew I wasn’t going to get off the train anytime soon. I need to come up with another way out.
“Two tickets please.” A male voice said from right beside me.
I kept looking down hoping I’d get lucky and the conductor wouldn’t notice me.
A hand clamped down on my shoulder and squeezed. “I’ll hold onto your ticket for you, son.”
Son? I was too afraid to look up to see who had made the statement, but I had a nervous feeling it belonged to the same man who had watched me earlier. That set of boots was now right next to mine.
The train lurched on past two more stops that looked similar to the one I’d gotten on. I wasn’t sure what the city would look like, but neither of these stops looked anything like the city that had been described to me. There were no large buildings, and there was still the occasion patch of woods.
The hand clamped down on my shoulder tighter as we pulled into the next station. “Follow me, or your secret is revealed on this train.”
I froze. I’d known the guy wasn’t helping me for my own good, but his words sent a chill through me.
When the door opened, he yanked me out. I had no choice but to follow. To yell would only attract more attention and put me in even more danger. I could handle one man. I just had to stay alert.
He tugged me away from the train as it started to leave the station.
I didn’t fight. I would be better off if I could get rid of him in private. Then I’d at least have a shot of making it to Ethan undetected.
“Stay quiet,” the man hissed.
I was being completely quiet, so I wasn’t quite sure what he meant. I didn’t respond as he moved further away from the station.
I watched everything as he pulled me down the street. I studied street signs, cracks in the sidewalk, anything I could use later to retrace my steps.
His grip tightened on me as he pulled me into an alleyway.
He pushed off my hood. “Blonde?” He grinned, running his hands through my hair. My father was right. I should have cut it. My hair was only getting me in more trouble.
I said nothing. Instead I bided my time.
“Are you listening, girl?”
I nodded.
“I am taking you back to my apartment. You will say nothing and make eye contact with no one on the way. If you disobey, you will be punished.”
“I understand,” I said in barely a whisper.
He smiled. “Very good.” He looked into my eyes. “I don
’t know how you came to be on that train, but I don’t care. You are mine now. Do you understand?”
I nodded, understanding playing along would be to my advantage.
“Are you sure you do?” He leaned in, his lips inches from mine. “Will you prove it?”
I nodded, and he grinned. I noticed a paper in his pocket, and recognized it as a map. I had no idea if I’d be able to make any sense out of it, but I had to have it.
He reached out to touch me, but I didn’t give him a chance. Instead I kicked him hard between the legs with my boot, the way my father had taught me. The man fell to the floor. He grabbed for my ankle, but I shook him off after pulling the map from his pocket. He crawled to his knees, so I ran. Remembering at the last minute to replace my hood before disappearing into a crowd.
I opened the map while I walked, hoping that if I stayed in the rhythm of the crowd, no one would notice me, and I wouldn’t walk into anything. The map wasn’t particularly detailed, but it listed the major clubs. I found Sray; it wasn’t too far away. I needed to pass a large warehouse, a building with a spire on top, and then take a right. I folded the map and put it in my pocket.
I looked up at the tall buildings, trying to find one that looked like a warehouse. They all looked the same. Then like a beacon I saw the spire. I tried to turn right, but the crowd was too dense.
“Watch it!” A man yelled when I knocked into him.
I didn’t reply, afraid my voice would give me away. Instead I ducked down and slipped away to the right.
The street was empty. The further down the street I went, the quieter it got. The crowd had been dangerous in its own way, but at least I felt hidden. Now I was out in the open. I wrapped my arms around myself as I searched each building for a sign that it was the Sray club. Finally, I saw it. A small bronze plague on a large metal door.
I took a deep breath as my father’s old saying swept through my head: Out of the frying pan, and into the fire.
Six
After everything I’d been through, knocking on a door shouldn’t have been so hard. It took me three tries. The first two attempts I dropped my hand before my knuckle could make contact. The third time I forced myself to do it. I hit my knuckle against the hard blue door of the Sray Club.
Corded (The Corded Saga Book 1) Page 4
