by Angela White
“Not even wolves, from what I’ve examined,” John stated. “It’s a group of abandoned pets.”
“All right. Anything else?”
There was quiet and Adrian gave Charlie a nod, glad he’d drafted Matt to help.
“Good. Enjoy that warm bread. Only picnic baskets in the vehicles for dinner tonight.”
There were grins and groans at those words, and not only from those at his table. Some of their travel days, like this one, would now start at noon. Each car was packed with a basket of cold dishes that would serve as the evening meal, so they could keep traveling until after it got dark. When they camped, everyone would be on their own time, with only warm tents waiting for their tired bodies.
Adrian subtly searched the people for problems and was pleased not to discover anything that couldn’t wait. Becky and Rick were still exchanging the occasional glance, but she was sitting with her mother. Neil had assured him he’d told the teenager to stay clear of the suspected traitor. If she didn’t, Adrian would take matters into his own hands.
Like he would with Cynthia, if Jeremy didn’t make peace. Those two were also exchanging glances, but not the friendly kind. The reporter was sharing some of the glares with Samantha, who sat with Hilda at one of the women’s tables. The college kids Angela had rescued were also there, the pregnant mother now glowing with the knowledge that in the height of winter, she would have a new life to care for.
Adrian saw Dog pad to where Charlie was sitting with Matt and stood up, gathering his trash. Good. “We leave in twenty. I’ll be around.”
Kenn felt the air at the table cool and turned resignedly to Zack. For a few days, he’d been mostly at peace. “Make sure it all gets put where it belongs?”
Zack’s mouth was too full for speech, but his hands directed Kenn to the bulletin board, where Angela’s name was under shotgun.
That old, familiar rage flooded and Kenn shoved away from the table to keep from saying anything. What else had happened while he was gone?
Kenn went to the training tent, where Jeff would be helping pack things up, like usual. That Eagle was on his side and Kenn needed an update. How much power had she gained while he was away?
6
Angela climbed into the lead rig and shut the door, aware of all the attention it drew. Usually Kenn rode with Adrian. Today, her name had been on the board.
Angela lit a smoke and got comfortable, wondering what Adrian wanted while hoping her being here didn’t cause more trouble.
Adrian was waiting nearby, discovering who had a real problem with the driving change. Other than Kenn and a few of his allies, no one seemed resentful, just curious.
He went to his rig. The camp would be told he had medical questions, the Eagles would think he needed her gift, but deep down, it was her safety. He wanted her with him.
“So, you don’t have any work for me?” she asked as he got in and shut the door.
“You sound disappointed,” Adrian commented as he settled into the seat.
Angela pushed a curl aside, noting members hurrying to load up now that the boss was ready to go. “I kind of expected it. I brought a book.”
Adrian picked up the mike, chuckling. “You won’t need it.” He hit the button. “This is Eagle One. We leave in five. Count-off.”
Angela waited patiently, let him work, but she was keenly aware of him, aware of his strong life-force and his musky, man-smell. She was careful not to glance at him, afraid he would read the unease. The spark between her and Marc was powerful, but the raw, primitive flames in Adrian’s quickly hidden looks made it dim in comparison. She was in love with Marc, always had been, but something was growing between her and Adrian and it made her nervous. If anyone found out…
“Ready?”
Angela jerked as he leaned over, pulling a map from behind her seat.
She let out a sigh. “Sorry, yes.”
Adrian gave her the map, tone light. “Which way?”
Angela studied the noisy paper, concentrating. After a moment, she pointed. “People near Chadron, food and water in McCook.” She raised a brow. “That’s what I’m up here for, right?”
Adrian shifted into gear, giving the same answer he’d spoken the first time she’d shown an interest in being an Eagle.
“Among other things. Tell me about the people. I’ll send a team for them.”
“We met them right before Kenn found us. They have our predator problem, too.”
Angela told him the story quickly. “If Marc had been alone, she wouldn’t have helped him, but she was fair. Even gave us the supplies we traded for, trusted us to leave our part of it where we said it would be.”
It’s no coincidence, them being so close to where Kevin said the den is, he thought. Fate was providing another opportunity.
“I might be able to convince her to come with us.”
Adrian was quiet, considering. No one would like it, but Angela was an Eagle and a member of Kyle’s team. The slavers were at their old site, still on the far side of the Cheyenne River. It would be at least a week before the Mexicans could get to the state line, no matter what route they took. More than enough time for a quick team to roll in, wipe out a wolf den and evacuate any nearby survivors. Still, it was a risk. He would have a…talk with Dog about his assumptions.
Adrian heard her sigh resignedly; ready to accept the “no” she expected. He felt his plans shift again. She wanted more and he would give it to her.
“Okay. I’ll tell Kyle, you tell Marc.”
Angela was surprised into a challenge of his honesty. “And Kenn?”
“Will be taught to handle it.”
Realizing he meant it, she beamed, lighting up the cabin with happiness. Her first overnight mission. She paused. Wasn’t he afraid she would be in danger?
“Terrified.”
Angela liked the connection that sometimes allowed him to pick up her thoughts, like with Marc, but the honesty meant more. “Maybe they gave up.”
Adrian slid his sunglasses into place. “Maybe.”
“But you don’t believe that?”
“No, be careful. We need you with us.”
She glanced toward the long line of people behind them. “I need to be here. It’s where I belong now.”
“How’s the training going?”
She didn’t whine. “Okay.”
Adrian wanted more details, but didn’t push. Instead, he listened and could hear her thinking about how hard it was to train with all the attention on her.
“Thank you, for adding me to the tests,” she said quickly, not wanting him to know that it was only one set of eyes that bothered her. She used to be so comfortable with Marc around…
“Uh-huh,” Adrian grunted. No one knew yet. Even the Eagles wouldn’t be told until the last minute. Which was good, because he didn’t have it all sorted out yet.
Angela didn’t tell him that she didn’t either, but at least there was a bare plan in her mind. When they settled for the night, she would attend the ‘leaders only’ meeting and get things rolling.
She started to ask if Kenn would be told she was taking the level test, but they were both stunned into silence at the horror coming into view.
The schoolhouse was small and old, clearly unused even before the war. It was two-storied, with thin trees and high grass, surrounded by open land and birds. Big black crows, feasting on bodies. Hundreds of the flying carnivores flew around the area, fighting, falling.
The remains are drying up, Angela thought, failing to get an accurate estimate as the crows rapidly changed position
“Convoy halt.”
Angela jumped at the call, and was glad when Adrian hit the private communication button on his belt.
“There are tracks up here. Four, fall out and search for survivors.”
“Copy.”
Angela spotted the deep skid marks in the muddy weeds as Adrian picked up the main mike again. “Radio silence is over. Get my waves rolling, Mitch, now.”
7
Adrian had them make camp after their normal time for evening mess, aware that people hadn’t adjusted to the new hours yet. By making their departure time later here and there, they would spend more day hours aware of their surroundings and less night time when they could be attacked without warning–like with the wild dogs that he now suspected were responsible for the death-scene they’d rolled by. Those four-legged creatures were a threat.
That thought had him sweeping for Angela’s shadow as she opened the door. Anything might lurk in all those stalks. “Wait.”
“He’s right here.”
“See you later.”
Angela swallowed an automatic response, unhappy with herself. “I’ll be in the training tent after the leader’s meeting. I’ve got a game calling for me.”
Adrian chuckled, sensing a wall of determination slowly gliding into place. “You’ve done your work. Now it’s time to play?”
Angela ignored the part of her heart that didn’t want to leave his side yet. “Sort of. It’s also a workout for my patience. Kenn’s still got that damn high score and I want it!”
Adrian chortled as she and Seth entered the slowly forming camp. They hadn’t spoken much beyond the obvious things and it had been peaceful. It had also been torture, keeping his eyes off the skin showing from under that black tank top.
He saw Kenn getting out of his Bronco with a gunnysack, Zack emerging from the passenger seat with folders. The Marine would put the photos in his tent later and Adrian was dreading them, yet dying to know what his enemy looked like.
Because of her injury, Angela wasn’t supposed to be taking her level test this time around, but the public schedule just posted said she was indeed going to, and word had already traveled Safe Haven. The Eagles were more than upset.
They stood in small clusters, smoking and glaring at her angrily. Their thoughts were full of fear, worried over who would be sacrificed so she could play games.
As soon as the camp was settled in, Angela went to the training tent for the meeting she wasn’t allowed to attend. It was the top Eagles all in one place, and she wanted to talk to them.
When she got to the large tent, the leaders and their supports were currently arguing over who would give her the cage match. They were pissed at finding out from the sheet, but not at Adrian for withholding the information. At Kenn and Brady, who they believed to be the reason their boss had to lie about it.
Angela couldn’t argue. The camp wasn’t showing any signs of concern, only her men were.
“There’s no way, not against any of us!”
“She’d get hurt.”
“One hit and she’ll be done.”
“And then one of us will be gone, ‘cause the sheep won’t let that fly.”
“Maybe you’re all underestimating her.”
Kenn was surprised to hear Kyle defend the idea. He’d been quiet so far, listening eagerly, but now he demanded, “You think she could last in the cage with me?”
Kyle said what all of them were thinking.
“She survived you beating on her for years. Who knows your weaknesses better?”
Kenn was in Kyle’s grill a second later and everyone in the training area stilled.
“You should be careful!” Kenn growled at the tanned man in hatred.
Kyle let his own personal fury show. “And you should have been banished!”
“Stop it!”
Angela’s voice echoed through the tent, drawing everyone’s attention, including the two men about to exchange blows.
This has to stop now, she thought as an awkward silence fell. First, how to get rid of Kenn?
She shrugged out of the rookie jacket and tossed it at the Marine, who caught it on-the-fly. “You still want me to quit?”
Kenn was aware of the dirty glowers going from her shoulder to him, and kept quiet.
“Well, tough shit! Your wants don’t matter here anymore.”
Kenn’s face became ugly and he threw the jacket to the ground. “I’m already aware of that, you sneaking bitch!”
He pushed his way angrily through the men and exited the tent as Angela walked towards the center and slid onto the edge of the gun table.
“My joining has caused a split among Adrian’s Army. I told my team on the very first day that I’d bow out if it endangered his dreams and I meant it. If I have to resign to fix this, I will.”
“Adrian wants you right where you are,” Seth stated firmly.
“It’s causing fights and I won’t be the reason his plans fall.” She paused, encouraged that they were willing to listen. Even Zack was keeping his mouth shut.
“The women here want this. They’ve come to me already, given their support. They’ll follow me in and I know that’s another part of what holds you back. I understand better than you might think, but let me ask you something. Did you really and truly like the women of the old world? Didn’t you get tired of being the reason everything was wrong, of carrying all the weight? It doesn’t have to be that way now. We can share it. All you have to do is teach us.”
Jeremy started to protest, but stopped and Angela insisted, “Please. I prefer blunt honesty to political correctness. It saves time.”
The Eagle grunted. So did he. “Most of us don’t think you should have to. Men are the protectors here and that’s the way it should have been all along. Might have been part of what was wrong before.”
“I agree.” She surprised them. “Most females would still want their old lives, but for some of us…the war unlocked prison doors. The women who came out of those ugly cells are a new generation, searching for where we belong.”
Jeremy didn’t betray himself this time, but she read it anyway. “I know. You don’t think a woman, especially one who looks like me, can take the hard choices, constant training, and nasty battles, right?”
There were nods, some reluctant, some not, and Angela gestured. “That’s why I’m here. I’m hoping to make a deal.”
“What sort of deal?” Chris asked warily. “We won’t steal Adrian’s thunder.”
“And I wouldn’t take it if you did,” she confirmed. “If I fail the cage, I’ll resign. If I pass, I get treated like any other Eagle.”
There was silence for a shocked moment, and a worried anger that she would have to talk to Marc about privately. “Before the war, we were all something else. Now, we’re soldiers in Adrian’s Army and I want that place as much as any of you.”
“It’s about more than you, though,” Jeff spoke up and his neutral tone was something of a surprise to Zack. “If one of us hits you, we get banished and it won’t matter if it’s in the cage or during a workout.”
“That’s a law for members. I’m an Eagle.”
“The camp only cares that you’re female,” Zack pointed out snottily. “What happens if you draw Kenn’s name for the cage on a level test? He can’t make any exception by Eagle rules, but by our laws he’ll be banished.”
“Not if I kick his ass.”
There were disbelieving noises from many of the men. Kenn had taken down Doug.
Angela didn’t support her words with boasting. When her silence caused the scorn to fade, she continued. “If I had…teammates, who were willing to teach me, I’d have nothing to fear from him or any other man. And that, the sheep would support completely.”
Angela added another layer of pros before any of them could give a con. “If they know a woman wants this life, they’ll let her have it because of Adrian’s rules, but only if she’s accepted.”
“You’ve already got Adrian’s support. You don’t need the Eagles,” a high-pitched voiced called out, causing attention to shift. “Just do what I do and keep your head down.”
Angela found the man in a corner, alone, and ignored the witch whispering for her to let it go. “You don’t get it, Ray. If I did like you, I wouldn’t have his support, and honestly, why are you still here, when they don’t want you either?”
The man’s hands came up. �
�I want a place by his side, too. They have no right to deny me that!”
“They have every right. Your very presence in this tent tonight is a lie. You pretend not to be something that you are, so that you can keep being something you’ve been ashamed of your entire life. You hide from your team and from the camp. Even around Adrian, you’re too closed-off. With that kind of web around you, being hit on in the shower is the least of their worries. You have no trust with them and I won’t live my new life that way. For me, it’s all, openly, or nothing.”
The Level One Eagle wanted to argue, but shifted for the door instead, muttering about female dogs under his breath.
Angela silently thanked Ray for his unknowing help. He might be Kevin’s right hand now, but the man would never be a true leader here until he stopped running from who he was and what he wanted.
“I won’t be treated like that and stay anyway. If I lose the cage match, I’ll pull out.”
There was another silence and Seth raised a brow, hiding his thoughts. Damn, she’s good. “And what exactly do you mean by treated like one of the team? ‘Cause sometimes, that’ll be hard no matter how well you fight.”
“Let Adrian make those calls. It’ll be his choice then, like it should be anyway.” She moved toward the flap, rotating her sore arm. It felt different with the stitches out. “You could even make it a semi-private match, so the camp doesn’t see this first one, only the Eagles. That way, whoever might hit me won’t get in trouble and I still get my chance to prove I belong in his army.”
She cast a lingering glance at the rookie jacket still lying on the dirty floor and each man there felt an instant kinship with her because of it.
“I’m going to want that back.”
As she emerged into the chilly darkness, she found Adrian waiting.
“This is what you want?”
“Yes,” she stated firmly, feeling naked without the jacket. “You’ll play fair and not help me?”
“Yes.”
“Hell, maybe I’ll flunk out and be happy as the second doctor. Marc sure would be happier that way.”
