Six weeks after the surrender of New Colorado Protectorate
Todd stretched awake and yawned. Out of habit more than anything else, he reached down and ran his hand through Nick’s hair. There was a cool breeze wafting through the windows, and Nick’s breath was warm and soft against Todd’s chest. The air had that definite winter is coming nip to it. With all the people still making their way into Yellowknife, Todd hoped winter would wait another month or two before hitting them full force. Those traveling from the southern portion of New Colorado Protectorate would be especially ill prepared and have trouble adjusting to the colder climate and mounds of snow Elk’s Ridge and the entire region often boasted.
Nick inhaled deeply and shifted a leg between Todd’s thighs. Just then, Todd had other—more personal and pressing—matters to think about besides when the full force of winter might or might not hit. Trickling only the very tips of his fingers up and down Nick’s spine a few times produced the reaction Todd was looking for. Nick quivered and moved in closer, rocking his hips gently against Todd’s thigh.
“Morning,” Nick mumbled and swirled his tongue around one of Todd’s nipples, then sucked lightly.
Todd bent his knee and lifted his thigh, pressing up hard against Nick’s groin. He wrapped both arms around Nick’s shoulders, holding his mate in place with a powerful grip until Nick was squirming and gasping against him. Nick clenched the blankets on either side of Todd. When Todd rolled his leg side to side, Nick gasped out short, shallow breaths and locked his legs around Todd’s thigh, moving faster.
The muscles of Nick’s arms and back tensed to the point Todd thought they might snap. Todd swung his other leg over Nick’s ass, trapping the man and exerting constant pressure against Nick’s cock, but not giving Nick any relief. Heat from every point where Nick’s skin touched his own coursed through Todd, and with it lust-driven power. Todd had long ago discovered how deeply his physical power affected Nick. The more he used it, the more Nick craved it, and the response was always incredibly satisfying for them both.
His cock was seeping and hard to the point of almost being painful, so Todd didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about his next move. He simply acted. Rolling to the side, Todd sat up long enough to flip Nick to his stomach. Todd took a bottle of oil from beside their bed and spread generous amounts on his cock. Then he turned his attentions to Nick’s ass, teasing his mate with slick, oiled fingers.
Putting away the bottle, Todd snagged Nick’s tether from its storage place on the table. Grasping Nick’s wrists, Todd wound the tether around them, then looped the free end through the metal ring on Nick’s slave collar. He shifted to a better position and grabbed Nick around the chest. Leaning back, Todd pulled Nick onto his lap. Gulping in air, Todd eased into Nick and pulled his collar more tightly around his neck at the same time.
Nick was moaning, struggling to inhale deeply as he leaned his full weight back against Todd. His hips jerked and ground against Todd, driving him deeper. When Todd could stand it no longer, he pitched forward so Nick was underneath him. Releasing the collar to let Nick drag in deep, desperate breaths, Todd grabbed his pelvis with both hands. He loved how Nick’s round, firm buttocks felt pressed tightly against his groin.
It didn’t take long before Todd was thrusting his cock into Nick. Sheer pleasure coursed through Todd with each throb. He leaned forward and kissed Nick’s neck, then sucked on his mate’s shoulder. Shivering and panting, Todd rested his forehead against Nick’s head for a few seconds.
Easing out of Nick, Todd moved a hand around and gripped his cock, pumping until Nick was begging for release.
“Okay, Nicky,” Todd whispered. Nick’s entire body seized and jerked, his arms and legs shook, and Todd felt his heart hammering.
After a few minutes, Todd untied Nick’s wrists and chuckled when Nick stretched and murmured, “Need coffee now.”
“Then I guess you volunteer to make coffee and breakfast, and I get first shower,” Todd snickered and ducked away when Nick took a halfhearted swing at him. He leaned closer again, hooked an elbow around Nick’s neck, rubbed the top of his mate’s head, then kissed the same spot before darting away again.
Very soon the aroma of brewing coffee drifted into the shower. Finished, he dried off and pulled on some fresh clothes, then wandered into the kitchen. Nick pulled a pan from the oven.
“We had some of those rolls from the new place Sal’s kids opened up, so I reheated them.” Nick poured Todd some coffee and set a plate of rolls and some butter on the table. “You know, I was thinking. If we play our cards right, I bet we can eat most of our meals at all the diners and hardly need to cook for ourselves.”
Todd sipped his coffee and leaned against the counter. He chuckled. “How do you plan to pay for all those meals?”
“We’re sentries. Remember the city council asked if part of our payment could come in the form of trades?” Nick grinned and shrugged. He straddled one of the chairs and took a roll, slathering butter over it. “Time to negotiate. And set up a schedule. It would be awful to ignore one of our fine eateries in favor of giving another one more business.”
Nodding, Todd picked up a roll, buttered it, and took a bite. “Something we should definitely think about. I like to cook, though.”
“I don’t.”
“Yes, I know, and you’re terrible at it.” Todd looked up when someone knocked on their front door. He heaved a sigh and grumbled.
“You expecting anyone?”
Nick shook his head. “No. But that’s not unusual.”
Todd put down his mug, shoved the last of his roll into his mouth, and answered the front door. “Holy—” He darted forward as soon as the door was open and grabbed the arms of the young man standing there. “What happened?”
The man, who was really no more than a boy of twenty at the most, stood swaying on their front porch. He wore the dark clothes customary to couriers, but they were torn and bloodied, and what Todd could see of his skin was filthy. The boy stumbled forward and would have fallen except for Todd catching his arms and steadying him. A horse stood in the drive, its head down and breathing hard. The horse was just as dirty as the man. Todd could hear the animal huffing from where he stood.
“I-I have correspondence for Todd Ruger from Larry Witze,” the young man said, his voice weak and raspy.
“I’m Todd Ruger. Come on, sit down.” Todd put an arm around the man’s shoulders and guided him to a chair. “Nicky!”
The kid held out a piece of paper in a shaking hand.
“What are you…shit! What happened?” Nick rushed forward and took the kid’s other arm, helping Todd ease him into the chair.
“Larry sent him with a message,” Todd said and opened the paper the man shoved into his hand.
“Sit there.” Nick put both hands on the boy’s shoulders for a few seconds and pushed him back. “You’ll be alright.” He ran back to the kitchen, and Todd heard the clinking of glass and water running. Nick was back almost immediately and kneeling in front of the young man. “Drink this. Are you hurt anywhere?”
The kid pulled his shirt open and revealed a collection of small cuts and scrapes. “I haven’t stopped since leaving the outskirts of New Colorado City.”
When Todd let his hands fall to his sides, Nick stood and faced him. “Todd, what does it say?”
“What medical care does he need?” Todd nodded to the courier.
“Looks like exposure. He needs rest, food, and hydration.” Nick smiled down at the young man. “You should feel a lot better in a few days.”
“My horse…” the young man said and started to stand. Nick shoved him back down.
“Will also be taken care of. There’s a clinic in town. I’ll take you there.” Nick reached out and took the paper from Todd.
“Take care of him. I’m getting some supplies together and heading out as soon as I can,” Todd said. He tried to retrieve the paper from Nick. Jerking his hand back, Nick stuffed the paper in his pocket. “Nick! Did you read that?”
“Yes, I read it. You can’t go back alone. That’s not an option! I’ll get him to the clinic, and you get our supplies together.” Nick was shouting, and the poor courier looked incredibly uncomfortable. “I’m going to get the carriage out.” He looked down at the young man. “Drink the rest of that water. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
Todd stormed out and headed to the barn. Nick was right behind him. He stopped long enough to grab the reins of the courier’s horse. Nick led the animal to an empty stall and pulled his tack off. He shoved the saddle into Todd’s hands.
“Nick, I can hide the fact I’m an owner. You can’t hide the fact you’re a slave. Larry wrote that message, so he might still be alive.” Todd stopped and looked around. He put the courier’s saddle with the others and turned back to face Nick again. His voice cracked and he swallowed, clenched his hands into tight fists, and closed his eyes. A few deep breaths, and he opened his fingers.
Nick dumped grain into a bucket in the stall, threw in a few flakes of hay, and took the water bucket to fill. “We did this once before.”
“And we both almost died!” Todd shouted.
“Yes, I know!” Nick barked. He ran a hand through his hair and continued in a more even tone, “If your father and Jimmy are still alive, getting them out will be safer with us both there to help them.”
Todd shook his head. “They’re not. Larry talks about them in past tense.”
Nick’s face softened. “If you try to leave without me, I’ll simply follow you. Acting as if I don’t know where the prison is or how to get there won’t do you any good. We’ve hidden our identities before.” He stopped and pulled in a deep breath, looking at the ground for a few beats. “Damn, you remember…” Nick bit his lip and strode forward.
He wrapped his arms around Todd and tugged the man close. “We’re in this together, remember?”
“Nick, I can’t ask you—” Todd shuddered and eased away from Nick. He stepped back, turned partially away, and wiped a hand over his face.
“What you can’t ask me to do is stay here. I won’t. Your father sent us information about where the second book is. That book has the current record of all the owners and slaves. Maybe it has their locations, too. If the West Caldera militia find that bit of information, who knows how many people they’ll track down and execute. Don’t let Jimmy and your father have died in vain by not giving yourself every advantage in following through.” Nick led one of their horses to the center aisle and was getting her harnessed.
Todd nodded. He wasn’t thinking straight. “I’ll get everything together. You get the bleeding boy out of our living room and to the clinic.” When he left the barn, Nick was right beside him, leading the horse to their carriage.
“You’d better be here when I get back,” Nick said and pointed at Todd while leading the horse harnessed to the carriage to the house. Todd smiled and nodded.
When Nick returned, Todd could see the relief all over his face and realized Nick fully expected Todd to have left. Nick was courageous, and just how much he was showed when Todd least expected. This was one of those times. Todd wasn’t sure he’d have trusted Nick as much if their positions were reversed.
Nick pulled the carriage to a stop and jumped down. He ran to Todd and threw both arms around Todd’s neck, holding Todd tightly. Todd wrapped his arms around Nick and returned the hug. “We’re in this together,” Nick whispered.
After a few minutes, Nick pulled away and held up his hands. “One of the new doctors had an idea for me.” Nick’s arms were bandaged so the brands on his wrists that were Todd’s initials were nicely covered. “She attached some fake sutures at the bottom, see? I stopped and talked to Stefan. He and Millie will watch the farm again.”
Stefan owned the lumber mill where Todd sometimes worked, and Millie was his grandmother. Their family also owned and operated a large general store and was among the first people they had befriended when they arrived in Elk’s Ridge. For a time, Nick had been the town’s only doctor. Now there were two more. They’d arrived with the first few waves of refugees and set up a clinic, something Elk’s Ridge had never had before. The previous doctor and Nick’s teacher, Phillip Porter, had run his practice from what was now Todd and Nick’s home.
Larry’s message was a simple one. The record book John Ruger had been assigned to search for, he’d found. He, along with Jimmy Cantor and Larry Witze, had been caught by the West Caldera militia, and the three of them had taken up refuge in the prison outside the city. The same prison Todd had been incarcerated in for a short time, and where the pyrahni had mounted an attack on a group of slave owners. The same prison confining that group of pyrahni. How Larry had managed to get a message out to Todd and Nick was a mystery.
The fact was, Todd’s father, who hated the institution of slavery and the fact his son had been forced into becoming an owner, might be responsible for saving hundreds of owners and their slaves.
“What does Larry mean about ‘first home’?” Nick asked. He took a deep breath and removed his collar and held it in both hands, running his thumbs over it a few times. Without saying a word, he hung it on a hook in his horse’s stall. Todd didn’t question Nick’s placement. Obi, Nick’s horse, was cherished by Nick as much as the collar. Todd sometimes joked he wondered who Nick loved more, Todd or Obi. He followed when Nick led Obi outside and swung up and into the saddle.
Todd stuck his foot into the stirrup and hoisted himself onto Arenite. “My dad was alive long enough to tell him that. He’s talking about the first apartment we lived in. It’s an old, sturdy building, and I used to play in little passageways between the apartments and under them in the basement. There was one he made into a hidden safe.” Todd sighed and shook his head, nudging Arenite to a canter. It was good to be riding his steady and dependable horse again. “I’d forgotten all about it.”
“Is it close to the prison?”
“No, but it is on that side of the city, which is probably how they ended up in the prison. It’s pretty much a straight shot from the apartment building to the prison.”
Nick nodded but didn’t say anything as they rode out of Elk’s Ridge. There wasn’t much to say.
* * * *
Todd and Nick had made the trip between Elk’s Ridge and New Colorado City so many times in the past few years they knew every back trail and out-of-the-way stopping point. When getting there fast, they had a regular routine. Ride for eight hours; rest the horses and themselves for eight. Much of the terrain dictated they move at a slower pace, so that helped assure their horses didn’t become exhausted. Nick spent several hours of his days at home exercising and working the two horses, keeping them in excellent shape.
“For two guys who are supposed to stay out of this area, we sure do have to come back a lot,” Nick said. They were preparing to travel again after a rest period.
Todd snorted. “Tell me about it. I keep thinking it’ll be the last time.”
“I don’t think that’ll ever happen. But it would be nice if at some point in the future it wasn’t illegal for us. Some people from West Caldera want to hang on to the idea former slaves and their owners need dealing with.” Nick swung onto Obi’s back, adjusted the saddlebags, and followed Todd along the trail. “I’m sure I’m not the only one who wishes they’d leave us alone. They’ll never understand that many slaves, like me, were happy with their lives.”
“Were?” Todd asked.
“You know I’m very happy with my life. Don’t do something stupid when we get to New Colorado City to screw that up.”
When they arrived at the prison, it was nearing sundown. Shadows arched across the street in eerie lines. There was the distinct odor of charred flesh mixed with burnt cloth and wood. The closer they got, the quieter Todd became. His expression was a mixture of somberness, grief, and nausea. Nick nudged Obi in closer until his leg brushed Todd’s and he could rest his hand on Todd’s thigh. After a few beats, Todd reached down, took Nick’s hand and squeezed.
Taking advantage of the encroaching darkness, they rode completely around the outside of the edifice. The prison had always been a large, imposing place. Now it was blatantly ominous, dark gray rising against the black night sky. Nick was reminded of haunted castles he had read about.
“I don’t like this at all. There’s no one here. I don’t even see vermin,” Nick said when they were back at their starting point.
Todd nodded but didn’t say anything. He motioned to the opposite corner of the building, then pointed to Nick before he gestured toward the front gates. Nick nodded that he understood. The last time they had been at this place, they had found a more secretive way inside leading to the prison’s basement. Nick spun Obi around. Picking up the pace, he rode to the far end of the building and stopped, making sure the coast was clear. He turned in his saddle for a few seconds to watch Todd ride to the main entrance.
Moving Obi ahead slowly, Nick leaned down for a better view while he searched along the foundation of the building. He was hoping the section of broken iron grating hadn’t been repaired. When he found it, he silently cheered and kept on riding, turned the corner, then stopped and slipped off Obi.
Dropping the reins, he patted the horse’s neck. “I’ll be back.” He left his horse in a spot where there was more tree cover, making it darker and not easily seen from the main road.
Staying close to the wall, he moved quickly to the unguarded, damaged section of the wall and pried up the window there. It was an uncomfortably tight fit, but he managed to shimmy through without raking his skin across jagged and broken metal, then dropped into the basement of the prison. The place was dark other than the minimal light coming in from the ground-level windows. He tried some of the lights but none worked. Not wanting to waste time with them, he took a small Faraday flashlight from his jacket pocket and cranked it to life.
Waving it around as he walked, he could see signs of fighting. Much of the equipment had been smashed. Plumbing pipes were severed and dry. Nick doubted there was running water to the structure anymore. His light fell on splotches of blood, but no flesh and no signs of bodies.
There were bodies here somewhere, however. Nick could feel desolation and smell death. He shivered and picked up his pace. Being down here alone wasn’t very appealing, and Nick didn’t like leaving Todd by himself, even for the little bit of time necessary for them to secure this wing of the building. He was worried about what might be found and didn’t want Todd to face anything or make any gruesome discoveries alone. They needed to do this quickly, and separating for a bit was the most efficient way to complete their task. The only reason they had decided to search this way was because Nick hadn’t sensed any life in the building. Todd and Nick had both been raised in a “the job comes first” climate, but there were times Nick hated the philosophy that was drummed into them both.
“Screw the damn job,” Nick muttered.
Breaking into a jog, he made his way to the main floor. The sensations of desperation and fear increased, making the hair along the back of Nick’s neck prickle and rise. Despite the fact he wasn’t overexerted, sweat trickled between his shoulder blades. Fear for Todd ramped higher. There was a central section other parts of the prison branched off from. The subdivision he was in contained the offices, prisoner visiting areas, the kitchens, and dining halls.
Hearing movement from the dining hall, Nick hurried in that direction. “Todd!” he shouted. As he ran along the corridor, he glanced behind him a few times. Nothing was there, at least nothing he could see.
A shiver ripped down his back when he heard more sounds coming from inside the dining hall. He reached the door and was about to yank it open when it swung outward.
“You okay?” Todd burst out of the dining hall and ran into Nick, then grabbed his shoulders.
“Y-yeah…I…this place is…” Nick shivered and ran a hand through his hair. “Unsettling,” he finished softly. He dipped his head toward the door. “What’s in there?”
“Nothing pleasant.” Todd gently pushed Nick farther away from the door and shoved it closed. “It’s not as if we have happy memories of this place, and that room is where we were attacked by pyrahni.”
Nick nodded and took a few deep breaths. “It was more like I was forced into attacking and trying to kill you.” Nick’s voice cracked and he stared down at his boots. They swam through the tears there that he hastily brushed away.
Todd’s fingers against his arm made Nick startle and flinch. He nodded to the corridor that would lead to the cell blocks. “Let’s get this over with.”
They made their way in silence to the group of jail cells where Todd had been kept a prisoner for a few days. There was no mistaking the fact a fire had ripped through this section of the prison. The odor of charred flesh mixed with burnt-out wood and seared metal hung in the air all around them. Black streaks stretched across the stone walls, marking a trail to where the fire must have originated.
Finally they came to a cell at the far end. As they approached, a dozen or so bodies were visible inside. They’d been neatly laid side by side. It was impossible to tell much about their identities, but some of their weapons and other odds and ends of metal were scattered among the remains. Nick stuck close as he and Todd moved around the grisly room. Nick saw evidence of injuries, telling him these people likely didn’t die in the flames, but this was their burial. Burning the bodies assured they wouldn’t become angry spirits.
Stopping beside one long skeleton, Todd stooped and picked up a handgun. He flipped it around and examined the butt. “This was my father’s.” Todd’s words were spoken in a hoarse whisper.
“There is nothing we can do here.” Nick slid an arm around Todd’s shoulders and was grateful when Todd allowed himself to be led away. The body the gun was beside could have been John Ruger. It was the right length, but there was nothing else to identify it. “Do you think whoever did this knew it would prevent them from becoming ghosts?”
Todd shook his head. “Doesn’t matter if they did or not.” He wiped a hand over his eyes and looked back. “That was the right thing to do, and something I never wanted to have to do to my dad.” He shrugged. “Whoever did it, for whatever reason, has my gratitude.”
Nick wanted to reassure Todd he’d have taken care of burning the body, but there was no way he could think of to word that sentiment that wouldn’t sound like revenge. The relationship between Nick and John had been strained on the best day. So, Nick mulled over his feelings in silence.
John Ruger was an angry man, and Nick was convinced, given the opportunity, he’d become an even angrier spirit, though Nick never wanted to see that happen to anyone, especially John. With Nick’s luck he’d certainly attach himself to Todd, which meant Nick would have to deal with the pissed-off ghost of the elder Ruger forever. He’d had nightmares about being haunted by John Ruger. Maybe now those would stop.
Todd was quiet as they made their way outside, and Nick didn’t attempt conversation. There would come a time when Todd would open up and talk to him. Nick needed to exercise patience in a way he rarely was required to.
Their next task was to search the section of the prison where pyrahni prisoners were kept. The pyrahni ability to affect human thoughts and memories meant certain precautions were taken when they were incarcerated. Nick and Todd had assisted the prison personnel in securing the area and the pyrahni.
Nick wandered among the cells. Wires ran from the outside solar panels to the iron doors. “Looks like these were burned out, too.”
“Yeah,” Todd said. He gave one cell door a rattle. “They were still locked inside. At some point the iron would heat up enough from the fire and expand. Even if someone wanted to get them out, it wasn’t going to happen. The doors would be jammed shut.”
It was clear the pyrahni’s cells had been burned out; whether by accident or intentionally didn’t matter. The result was the same. Bodies littered that area, but not in the orderly fashion of those in the previous section, and they filled most of the cells.
“The way they’re positioned makes it look like they were alive when the fire hit this section,” Nick said softly. He peered into a few of the cells but decided against going inside for a more thorough examination. “I didn’t like any of them, but burning alive is a horrible way for anything to die.”
“They would have done the same, or worse, to their prisoners,” Todd said softly. “I guess we’ll never really know what happened here.”
A complete search of the prison turned up no other caches of bodies or anything else important or salvageable. Nick kicked some rubble with the toe of his boot as they walked through the prisoner intake area. “The entire inside of this place has been leveled. I wonder how big the battle here must’ve been.”
“Things we’ll probably also never know, and I’m not sure I want to know every detail,” Todd said. “We’ve learned all we can here. Time to go.”
Wasting no more time inside, they retrieved their horses and rode away from the prison, this time heading toward one of the more densely populated areas of New Colorado City. The neighborhood where Todd had lived during Nick’s first days as his slave was much nicer and had been destroyed in one of the first clashes with West Caldera. This neighborhood was closer to the city center and close to where a sentry saloon used to be.
Nick was a little sad as they rode down the street to see the saloon in shambles. “I had a real love-hate relationship with that place.” He pointed to the saloon. “I hated how some of the other sentries treated me and thought you should share me. But it was the place you brought me to play pool.”
Todd chuckled. “I used to love the looks on your opponents’ faces when you’d kick their asses at the game.”
“Think the apartment building is still standing?” Nick asked as they rode.
Todd shrugged. “It must be. Larry’s message said they’d gone there first to hide the book. I’m more worried about anyone who might be living there.”
Nick looked around as they traveled. “There are a lot fewer people here than when we last came through.”
“Hopefully they headed for greener pastures and safer places to live.” Todd pointed to a building on the corner of that street and the one intersecting it. “That’s the one. When I was a kid, it was a lot nicer here.” He pointed in a different direction. “See that? It was a nice library, and there was a school and a park over that way. Next to that was a bakery. The owner used to give me free cookies.”
Nick smiled. “My kind of place.” He stopped Obi beside Arenite when Todd came to a halt in an alley beside the building.
“There’s a service door on this side. It leads to the basement, and we can get to the passageways between the apartments from there.”
Todd tried the door. The handle turned but the door remained closed. “Stuck,” Todd grumbled and glanced around before he gave it a few hearty yanks. Finally it popped open with a loud creak. Nick winced, and they both held their breath while each looked in a different direction. No one came running or shouted out of a window.
“I think we’re safe,” Nick said.
Bobbing his eyebrows a few times, Todd smirked and slipped through the door. Nick was right on his heels. There was a short hall and landing with stairs going up and another set going down. Todd and Nick moved quickly down the steps. When they reached the bottom, Nick wasn’t able to closely examine the open space since Todd jogged through and Nick wanted to keep up. What he was able to glimpse was a line of storage areas divided by chicken wire along each wall. Todd went by those and to a ladder attached to the wall at the far end.
He scrambled up the ladder and stopped about ten feet off the ground. Prying a door open, Todd grabbed the rung above him and went in feet first. Nick crawled in after him. “It seemed a lot bigger when I was a kid,” Todd muttered and scooted forward on his rear.
Nick snorted and pulled himself along on his belly. “It’s hot in here and it stinks.”
“We won’t be in here long, don’t worry. It’s only a few yards.” Todd came to a stop and held out a hand. “Can I use one of your knives?”
“Uh-huh.” Nick fumbled around for a few seconds before pulling one of the smaller blades he carried from a sheath on his arm, and handing it over.
Todd used the end of the blade and wedged it into a spot in the passageway. The metal there swung open and a book dropped out. Catching it, Todd rifled through the pages. “This is it.” He stuck his hand into the hole up to his elbow, and Nick saw him rummage around. “That’s all that was in there.” He stuffed the book into his inside jacket pocket and waved Nick back the way they’d come.
When they reached the outside and their horses, Nick was just about to breathe a sigh of relief, thinking they might just get out without incident, when voices made them both turn around. Nick’s shoulders slumped forward and Todd mumbled, “Crap.”
Soldiers would have been preferable to the thugs they currently faced down. There were three scraggly men, and one of them had the reins to both Obi and Arenite in his hands.
“Those are our horses,” Todd said in a flat, even voice.
“Not anymore,” one of the men snarled. “Empty your pockets.” The other two men had pistols trained on them. One guy looked behind them and shifted nervously from one foot to the other.
Nick and Todd glanced sideways at each other. Nick scratched the back of his neck and Todd blew out a long-suffering sigh.
“I don’t have time for this,” Todd grumbled. Nick fought the urge to smile; instead he put a gruff expression on his face. “Fine,” Todd said and threw both hands in the air. He took a step forward to meet the guy. “You got us.”
Nick crossed his arms over his chest and shifted his weight. Dipping his head at Todd, he said, “It hasn’t been the best day. You might not want to irritate him.” That drew the attention of all three men to him.
“Stand still and shut up, or your day will get much worse,” one of the men snapped. In the next instant, he was flat on his back.
Todd moved like a striking rattlesnake. He kicked out, connecting with the man’s midsection. Grabbing the guy’s wrist as he doubled over and pitched forward, Todd spun him around and disarmed him all in one smooth move. Holding the man in front of him, Todd had the gun pointed at the closer of the other two men.
“Go ahead. Shoot me.”
“No!” the man Todd held squawked.
Nick scratched his nose and bit back a laugh when Todd threw the guy into his two buddies. All three men went tumbling to the ground in a tangled heap. Nick darted to Arenite and pulled Todd’s rifle from the scabbard. He spun and took aim. Todd kicked one man in the head, rendering him unconscious, and fired a shot at the second man that winged his shoulder.
Cocking his head, Todd said, “Next?”
The third man tried to scramble away, but Nick cleared his throat and nodded at the rifle he held, then shook his head. The man froze and stared up at Nick.
Todd disarmed the men. “Get your friend and get your pants off.” The men grumbled but had no choice other than to comply. Todd ripped their pants to long strips and tied the three men together.
“I’ll send the first militia I find for you.” Todd nodded to their horses. “Time to go.”
They’d ridden a few blocks before spotting one of the West Caldera militia. Todd flagged the woman down and handed over the weapons he’d taken from the muggers. “We found these in that alley back there.” He pointed out the direction. “I think there is some sort of gang using the area as a weapons stash.”
“I’ll need your names for statements,” she said and took out a small notebook.
The woman glanced at Nick and he nodded, pointing over his shoulder, when one of the men they tied up started shouting. “It sounds bad.”
She blew a whistle and a few more of the militia arrived. “Wait here,” she said to Todd and Nick, then turned to the others. “Some sort of gang activity.” She pointed to the alley.
“Yes, ma’am. Of course. Anything to assist,” Todd said and smiled.
The minute the soldiers were in the alley, Todd and Nick turned their horses and nudged them to a gallop.
“Fools,” Todd said and shook his head.
They headed back to the part of the city closer to the prison. The road leading to it was one of the lesser traveled, and therefore safer, thoroughfares leading out of the city. After they were beyond the prison, they slowed to a more relaxed canter to still travel rapidly but not wear the horses out as fast. Nick knew the plan without having discussed it with Todd. Get as far away from the city as they could, camp, and then they’d examine the book more closely. In the meantime, Nick had time to figure out the best way of helping Todd deal with the loss of his father.
When Nick had to constantly prod Obi to keep up the quick pace Todd was setting, he knew it was time to stop. Leaning to the side, he grabbed Todd’s arm and slowed Obi to a walk at the same time. Todd was forced to do the same, or he would have been pulled off his horse.
Todd turned around and glared. Nick tilted his head and stopped Obi. “They’re tired.” He patted Obi’s neck. “I’m tired, and I don’t care what you say, you’re tired, too.” Making a big show of looking up and down the road, he continued, “No one is following us, and there is no reason we shouldn’t make camp.”
Without waiting for Todd to answer, Nick jumped down from Obi’s back and led him off the road in search of a decent place to spend the night. Nick glanced back when Todd mumbled something that was no doubt uncomplimentary as he climbed off Arenite, loosened the saddle girth, and took the horse’s reins, trailing after Nick.
When the road was no longer visible, Nick stopped in a clearing. There was a stream running closer to the trees, a few bigger boulders scattered about, and cover from the surrounding trees. “This looks nice. How is this?”
Todd threw a hand in the air and dropped it to thump against his leg, then shrugged. “Good as anywhere.” He pulled a small shovel from his saddlebag and went to work digging up grass and creating a fire pit.
Nick silently strung rope from one tree to a second before he removed all their supplies and packs from the horses. Next the saddles and bridles were removed, replaced by soft, woven halters so Obi and Arenite could eat and drink comfortably. After they had their fill of water from the stream, Nick secured them to the rope, making sure they were close to grass for grazing.
Every minute or two, his gaze shifted to Todd. The man had shed his jacket and shirt, leaving him in only an undershirt and jeans. He’d moved some smaller rocks into a ring and built a small fire in the center. The sun was going down and the temperature was dropping, but not so much that cold would be an issue, even though the sky was crystal clear. Todd already had coffee brewing and some stew heating. “We’re too good at wandering around out in the middle of nowhere,” Nick said and settled on the ground beside Todd.
Todd chuckled. Another few minutes and he was ladling stew into a bowl he then handed to Nick. They ate in silence, and when they finished, Nick piled some of the grass Todd had dug up with leaves and spread their bedrolls across the makeshift cushion. Taking his jacket, Todd moved to the bedrolls with Nick. He pulled the book from his pocket and took a folded piece of paper from the inside, then held the book out to Nick.
Nick opened the book. It was the list of living owner-and-slave combinations. He divided his time between examining the contents and watching Todd as his mate unfolded the paper. His hands began to tremble and tears rolled silently down his face. Nick reached out and gently took the paper between a couple of fingers and read it. Nick immediately recognized John Ruger’s handwriting.
Todd,
The information contained in this book is safest with you. I know you’ll do the right thing and take care of it. Jimmy didn’t make it, son, I’m sorry, but I took care of him. That was damn hard. If I didn’t hand this book to you personally, I didn’t make it either, and for that I’m sorry. Please make sure I don’t cause trouble for you and Nick. Asking you to do that is something I’m deeply sorry for.
Don’t tell Nick this, but he’s an alright guy. He stood up to me to protect you. I hope the information in this book makes up even a little bit for how things were between him and me.
Stay in Yellowknife. Hold each other tight and take care of one another. Be safe. I might not have been the best father, but I always did love you, and I’ve always been proud of the man you’ve become.
Dad
Nick didn’t know what to say, but he did know what to do. Folding the letter carefully, he tucked it into Todd’s jacket pocket.
The book was thrown into the fire. Scooting closer to Todd, he put his arms around his mate and tugged Todd in close, whispering, “We’re in this together.” Todd shuddered, turned, and pressed his face to Nick’s shoulder and cried.