The Price We Pay (Life After War Book 7)

by Angela White

  “I could be over it in a second,” he whispered in her ear, feeling the need for more this time. She’d said she wouldn’t let him touch her yet, but the rebellious teenage hormones inside said he could change her mind.

  Tracy felt his power swirl over her and settle down against her back as she turned toward him to protest.

  He closed his eyes and the sensation grew stronger, as if he were standing behind her. He brought those mental arms up and slowly ran them over her shoulders.

  The towel slid from her wet body, and they both froze as need, and fear filled the camper.

  “It’s okay,” she soothed, aware of nipples like rocks. “Breathe, honey.”

  Charlie laughed, unable to keep the presence behind her as he took in her glistening body without clothes.

  Tracy held still, letting him view what he was eventually going to have. “You like?”

  Charlie nodded, sweat breaking out on his neck.

  Tracy knew she shouldn’t encourage him at all in this moment and still found herself saying,” Make it quick or we’ll get caught.”

  Charlie’s eyes widened as he picked the images from her mind and he hesitated, not sure if her viewing that part of him was good idea. What if he wasn’t built the way she was used to?

  Tracy sensed his withdraw and understood as much as a female could. She leaned against the wall and rested her cheek against his. “I won’t look, okay?”

  Charlie was ecstatic when she turned around and gave him a pose that had been in his dreams for weeks. Matt had explained what would ease that distraction and it had only taken once to understand the attraction.

  Conscious of time ticking away, Charlie stepped into the stall with her.

  Angela motioned a guard over to keep people away from that camper and then headed for the front gate with guilt riding her harder than it already had been. Another piece of the darkness puzzle had cleared and it was heartbreaking.

  You could stop it, the witch stated quietly. Save her.

  No, I can’t, Angela responded. An amazing destiny waits for them, a lifetime of serving the greater good. I won’t interfere.

  The witch fell silent, worried about her host. Angela’s behavior was almost the complete opposite of how she’d been when the war came and the demon slipped back to resume studying the data scrolls she’d returned with. There was something going on that the witch hadn’t been told or allowed to see and it was terrifying. The darkness on Angela’s soul was growing and the witch had no idea what to do next. If Brady couldn’t help her, no one could.

  Deleted Scene #2

  Shawn stared in surprise at the woman and her daughter. He could see the signs of abuse and desperation, of a long journey where they were likely the only survivors, but it was the glow around the woman that had snared his attention. He couldn’t look away from her.

  Tara stared back, also in shock. The stranger was cute and well-built from what she could see, but it was the warmth in his eyes already waiting to greet her that was startling. She didn’t know him yet. Did she?

  Shawn waited for Angela to tell him what to do and he scooped up the little girl without much thought. She didn’t weigh much.

  The child slapped Shawn lightly on the cheek. “Hello!”

  Shawn recoiled, almost dropping her. “What the hell?”

  The little girl clung to his arm and managed to kick him in the shins.

  Shawn let go, hopping on one foot. “Stop it! No, really! Quit!”

  “Missy.”

  Tara’s voice slammed into Shawn like a bullet and he forgot to cover himself. The little girl shoved her knee up and Shawn hit the ground, still staring into Tara’s stunning brown eyes.

  Angela bent down to give the girl a short piggyback ride, while Greg helped Shawn. He would need a minute to recover from that first meeting.

  Author’s Hand Scratched Map