by KM Fortune
“No!” Hector roared and sprang forward to catch Helen as she fell. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw both Prince Edward being swarmed by guards to arrest him and Matthew and Kaleb racing to his side to help. Hector lowered Helen to the paving stones of the street and looked into her beautiful feline face.
“It will be okay,” she reassured him. Hector nodded back to her, wanting to believe what she said as he felt her hot blood flow under his paw.
MATTHEW LET THE COOL water run over his hands as he washed the blood off. It spiraled down the silver sink basin and he watched as it disappeared. Taking a deep breath, he turned and beside him stood a rat mutant dressed in livery and holding out a towel. Trying not to succumb to the utterly surreal feeling he had about where he was and what he had just done, Matthew took the cloth and began to dry himself.
"So when will we know? When will she wake up?" Matthew heard Hector ask from beyond the doorway, which led into a large sitting room. Following the sound, he stepped into the space and saw the large cat mutant pacing the floor, a look of deep worry and frustration on his features. Kaleb stood patiently to the side.
"In the morning, perhaps," the dark-skinned doctor explained. "The best thing she can do now is rest." Hector stopped mid-stride when he saw Matthew.
"And do you agree?" Hector asked. Matthew nodded. The emergency surgery on the queen had gone as well as could be expected. There were antiseptics and some medical tools available to use, plus with Kaleb's knowledge as well as his own, they had been precise in their actions.
"We can only wait now," Matthew said. "Helen is strong, but she lost a lot of blood. Still, we were lucky no major organs were injured." Hector ran a paw over his face.
"Okay," he said after a pause. "But you guys will stay with her, right? Just in case?" Matthew nodded and saw Kaleb do the same.
"All night. As long as it takes," Kaleb said.
"Yes. Simon is with her now, but we can take shifts," Matthew agreed. "Perhaps you should attend to other things rather than stay here and worry?"
Hector took a slow, deep breath and then let it out. "You're right," he said. "Things are a little crazy right now with Helen hurt and my brother in chains." Just then, Blaze, still dressed in combat gear, followed by the twins and four of Hector's guards walked into the room.
"Speaking of that guy," Blaze said as he leaned his rifle up against the wall and unsnapped his helmet. "The palace is secure. We went room by room, including the hidden tunnels you mentioned. All clear."
Hector nodded. "Thank you," he said. "The last thing I want to deal with right now is some sort of insurrection in the palace by Prince Edward's devout."
"What will you do with them?" Blaze asked. "Especially your brother." Hector shook his head and began to pace again. Everyone stepped back to give him room. The beast was big and agitated. It was clear by the set of his jaw, his intentions toward his brother would not be merciful. We really need to get him to relax, Matthew thought, knowing it would be about impossible. Maybe some wine. Before he could suggest it, Simon burst into the room. Everyone froze, including Hector, and Matthew could see the dread of what he might hear twist the cat mutant's features.
"I think she's going to be okay," Simon said to Hector, for once getting straight to the point. He smiled. "And she's asking for you." Hector blew past the little man, nearly knocking him off his feet, and left the room. Matthew let out the breath he did not know he was holding and saw the others around him do the same.
RENO WAS AT ITS FINEST. Neon lights blazed out of the night's darkness, casting the snow in hues of red, blue, and green. Raven could see the awe and wonder in both Willow and Gabriel's eyes. Raven knew, under the circumstances of the new world, there indeed was nothing quite like the Biggest Little City in the World. I bet Las Vegas isn’t even standing anymore, she thought with a sigh. As Gabriel rolled them up to the main gate, the guard stepped out of his shack. Standing in front of the barrier blocking the road, he held his rifle loosely in front of him but kept the point down.
"Hold it," he said once the jeep stopped. "Who are you and what do you want?" Raven leaned forward in her seat so the man could see her easily.
"Hi," she said. "Remember me? Raven? The Duke's fiancé?" The guard's mouth dropped open and he raised his weapon at Gabriel and Willow.
"Get your hands up and get out of the vehicle," he barked. "Now!"
Raven waved her hands. "Whoa! That's not right," she explained. "These two rescued me." The guard looked uncertain and did not appear willing to lower his gun. Raven saw Willow's hand slip ever so slowly to the grip of the handgun she wore on her hip. Seeing things could become ugly quickly, Raven clambered out of the jeep. "Wait," she said. "Just get on your radio and call The Duke. Think of the reward he will have for you." This registered with the guard and he smiled as he backed away toward the shack. Still not willing to take his eyes off Raven and her friends, he grabbed his radio off of the counter and keyed the mike.
"Main Gate to Base," he said. There was a pause and then a reply.
"Go, Main Gate," the voice on the radio said.
"Yeah, so, uh ..." the guard muttered, suddenly seeming uncertain. He’s not convinced it is me and not some sort of trick, Raven thought. Things are probably in total chaos since I was kidnapped. She walked around the front of the jeep and held out her hand.
"Give me the radio," she said. The guard hesitated but then complied when Raven's hand did not waver. "Thank you," she said taking it from him. Suddenly it squawked again.
"Everything okay, Main Gate?" the voice on the radio asked.
Raven pressed the button on the side of the receiver.
"Everything is wonderful," Raven said with a playful smile at the guard. "Just trying to get through this gate."
"Wait, who is this?" came back the answer over the radio.
"Raven Winter, from the City of Angels," Raven answered and realized it was time to take the bull by the horns. Now she had Willow and Gabriel. Plus, she was confident Matthew, Blaze and the others would return soon. It was time to get to the bottom of things. Lifting her chin, she keyed the radio again. "And I'm back to see The Duke."
TO BE CONTINUED
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NOW FOR A PEEK INTO THE NEXT EXCITING EPISODE OF THE
DYSTOPIAN SERIAL NOVEL
FOREVER WINTER
BOOK XI: DEFIANT
Raven Winter is back at the forbidden city, but this time she brings firepower with her. Taking control of her life again, she visits the pit to see the tent city Kit describes with plans of her own. Unfortunately, now things in the colony, Eden, are starting to unravel and Hannah is in greater danger than ever.
BOOK XI - CHAPTER 1
Blaze ate breakfast at the long dining room table in the cat mutant's palace. Matthew, Kaleb, Simon and the twin brothers were with him as all of them waited for Hector to return. The night had been long as they waited to hear more about the condition of Helen, but so far nothing. Blaze had been told she was awake and in good spirits and he was relieved. Although he held no love for cat mutants in general, Helen was better than the rest. Besides, Blaze knew Hector would be too distracted to help them if something happened to Helen. But now it is time to refocus this circus on saving Raven, he thought and took another bite of the venison steak. He just hoped they would not have to wait much longer. Even with the vehicles, it was at least a day’s drive to get back to Reno and the days were starting to add up since he last knew Raven was safe. Or as safe as she can be considering she is with the cowboy. Thinking of The Duke nearly made Blaze’s food stick in his throat. The hate he felt for the man was almost overwhelming. More than once he had fantasized about killing him. It could n
ot happen too soon in Blaze’s mind.
As Blaze sat stewing in his need for vengeance, Hector strode into the room and dropped heavily into the chair at the end of the table. He puffed out a breath and rubbed his face with his paws. The cat mutant looked exhausted and Blaze knew the stress of everything had been hard on the beast. It did not mean Blaze was going to wait to press him for help though. “Hector,” Blaze said. “Now that you’re here, I need to know when you can mobilize help for us to go to Reno.”
Hector leaned back in his chair. ‘Whoa, let me catch my breath, why don’t you?” he said. Blaze felt his face start to turn red. He’s going to back out on his word, he thought. Seeing Blaze’s expression, Hector held up his paw. “Don’t get excited,” he said. “I know this is important. I owe Raven as much as anyone. What do you think it is going to take?” Blaze paused. It was a good question. His plan was always to just go back with guns blazing and taking Raven out of there. Was there a better way?
“We have what he wanted,” Kaleb said. “Or at least I hope we do in those boxes of disks.” Blaze saw Matthew frown.
"To be honest, Kaleb, I don't know if I want to hand those over to The Duke if we don't have to," Matthew said. Blaze saw the group all look at each other openly confused.
“So we risked our necks for nothing?” Toby asked.
“Yeah, what was the point of all of that?” Brody added. Matthew took a bite of his food and Blaze noted he did not look at all apologetic, while he chewed and swallowed.
“The information is valuable,” Matthew replied. “We needed to recover it, but if it falls into the wrong hands, such as The Duke’s, it will be used for the wrong purposes.”
“As much as I appreciate and admire your valiant stance on this matter, I see no option but to return to Reno with the particulars we now possess,” Simon chimed in. “Else we have no access to the technology required to interpret the facts and figures secreted away on those disks.” Blaze rolled his eyes and picked up his mug to take a drink. Once again, he had no idea what Simon was talking about. In Blaze’s opinion, the only upside to the strange, little man’s antics was how much it drove Hector crazy. As if on cue, Hector let out a low growl.
“Speak English,” Hector said.
“We need a computer,” Matthew explained. Hector raised his bushy eyebrows.
"Well, why didn't you say so?" Hector said. "We have one of those. A whole bunch of stuff actually."
WHEN THE LANKY COWBOY in the broad white hat came striding into the conference room of the casino hotel, Willow was not sure what to think. He was not what she expected at all and she felt almost disappointed. This is The Duke? The man who runs the forbidden city and is feared across the high desert? she thought. Instead of being the devil she always imagined, he was surprisingly handsome with sharp blue eyes over a white mustache. "Raven!" he exclaimed as he went to her and grabbed her by the shoulders. "They promised me you are not hurt, but I didn't let myself believe it. Are you okay?" he asked. Willow watched as Raven placed her hands on his and nodded.
"I am fine," she answered. "Shaken up at first, but now everything is good." She gently but firmly lifted his hands from her and stepped back. Looking over, Raven motioned Willow and Gabriel forward. "My friends rescued me. I'd like to introduce them. This is Willow and Gabriel." The Duke looked up and raised his eyebrows when he seemed to realize strangers were in the room. Willow did not miss the calculated appraisal in his eyes, which was gone in an instant. A smile crossed his face and he stepped forward with a hand outstretched. Willow and then Gabriel shook it in turn.
"Well, then I owe you each a great debt," he said. "I'd like to show my gratitude. Have you eaten? Do you need a couple rooms to kick back and relax in?" Willow looked at Gabriel. He shrugged.
"Hot food would be appreciated," he said. "Not to mention a place to wash up." The Duke looked the old soldier up and down.
"I bet," he said. "Probably like to get rid of some of that caked on blood, right? What the heck happened to you anyway?" Willow coughed and looked away, but not before The Duke noticed. "Wait, you did all of this to him?"
"It's complicated," Willow and Gabriel said at the same time. The Duke laughed.
"I'm sure, but no kidding around, if you pack a punch like that, I have quite the proposition for you," The Duke said becoming serious. "We call it Fight Night." Willow saw Raven raise her hands to stop the conversation in its tracks. There was a flush on her cheeks and angry look in her eyes.
"Absolutely not," she said and stepped over to put her hand on Willow's arm. "Don't listen to him. Let's just get you to a room where you can wait for something to eat and you can tell me everything that has happened since I last saw you." Willow nodded.
"And you can do the same, but where are the others? Where are Blaze and Kit?" she asked. Raven looked over at The Duke.
"They will all be back soon," she said with a note of defiance in her voice. She looked hard at The Duke. "Right?" The Duke grinned.
"No doubt," he answered and then hooked a finger at a couple of men standing near the wall. "Guys, get them rooms and order any food they ask for, got it?" Willow watched the men jump at his order. Handsome or not, one thing was clear. The Duke was the man in charge and Willow could not help but wonder what it would mean in the long run for her.
Initially, Samuel had no idea how he was going to administer the poison from the foxglove plant he gathered. Hannah was never alone now, either with The Creator or two of the brotherhood selected to care for her. After The Creator’s last sermon, there was a shift in the sentiment toward the child. Now she was revered as some sort of blessed object. Favored by The Creator, so His followers believed she was extraordinary, he thought.
Samuel found the entire idea ridiculous. She was nothing but a dirty nomad child, taken from the plains, to be raised for her reproductive organs. How everything had become so twisted, Samuel did not know. “But I alone will rectify it,” he murmured as he mixed the batter for the tea cakes he was making. A simple shortbread cookie. One he could make himself, without the aid of the colony’s culinary team. They had been surprised when he showed up in the massive kitchen and offered to make him whatever he required, but Samuel dismissed them without explanation. His unwritten authority among the brotherhood made it unwise for any of the cooks to question him further. They don’t know how far I have fallen from The Creator’s grace yet, he thought. His power was fading, and he knew it. What he was about to do would change everything and all that remained was putting his plan in motion.
Finally, the cookies were ready and dusted with sugar to hide any bad taste from the poison. Now the question was how to slip them to Hannah without everyone knowing he was the one who made them for her. The last thing he wanted was to have accusations thrown at him when she died. If it got out he was cooking in the kitchen not long before the tragedy, it might seem curious, but Samuel knew with no witnesses, nothing could be proven. I can talk my way out of it, he thought. Being clever was how he rose to the top of the brotherhood in the first place. So, let’s be clever now. How can I make this work? Then Samuel had an idea. Giving the tea cakes to Hannah directly would be risky. He needed her to happen across them somewhere she trusted. With a smile, Samuel placed the treats in a paper lunch bag with an apple and a piece of cheese and left the kitchen. What he was about to do would be difficult and risky, but Samuel knew his devotion to get it done would carry him. It was time to visit the colony’s gardens once again.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
KM Fortune writes unique women’s adventure stories set in challenging futuristic fantasy and science fiction landscapes. Go to the KM Fortune Facebook page at facebook.com/kmfortuneauthor and click the Sign-Up button to stay connected with her.
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