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“I’LL TAKE THESE to the mess tent.” Gaar took the bag Trinity was carrying and headed across camp.
The two of them and Mirra had gone to one of the islands to gather food. It’d been a good day. Actually, the last few days had been better than good. She and Hugh had spent a lot of time together either in camp or in the woods. He was teaching her how to play poker and she was teaching him more about the forest.
Gaar stopped by Tatania who sat with the other Handlers. She said something that made him laugh, taking years off his face. The two of them were getting close. Trinity wouldn’t be surprised if a baby Gaar made an appearance in the near future. Since Hugh wasn’t in the yard, she walked toward his tent, trying not to smile. Poker wasn’t the only thing he’d been teaching her. She still hadn’t said anything to her parents about her relationship with Hugh, so they had to sneak away to be alone. They didn’t do anything besides kiss, but the kissing was so good she never wanted to quit.
Voices came from the tent—Jackson’s, Dad’s, Hugh’s and... she stopped. The House Servants sent to check out the tunnels were back. Their temporary hiatus of peace was over. They’d be moving out soon. Tomorrow. The next day at the latest, unless there was a problem. She moved closer to listen. There were two tunnels that were no longer accessible but the backup route was close enough to their destination. Everything was in order. She should go inside and show her support, but she didn’t move. They’d all be leaving to fight. Some of them would die. Their side might lose. Tears burned at the back of her eyes as she turned and headed into the woods. The forest was dangerous but the creatures only hunted to eat, not because they hated or wanted to subjugate.
She climbed a tree. She had a view of the camp so she wasn’t actually alone. Hugh didn’t like her taking off by herself and she was trying to make him happy. It was hard. She’d been on her own for so long but his request was reasonable. He didn’t care if she went into the forest, just not alone. He preferred her to travel with Gaar or Mirra but didn’t fuss too much if she took one of the Guards or House Servants. Say sat in a tree not too far away, watching her. Hugh still refused to count Say as a companion for her. If he’d do that she’d almost never be alone.
She waved at Say and then turned back toward camp. She didn’t want this war, none of them did. She only wanted to live her life in peace. Jackson came outside, walked over to Gaar and the two of them went inside Hugh’s tent.
She wanted to race into the forest and leave this war behind her, but she couldn’t. All her friends were going to fight. She wasn’t scared of dying—living in the forest and being on the run these last few years kept death as a constant companion. She was afraid of living if something happened to someone she loved.
Hugh and the others came out of the tent. He moved into the center of camp. Jackson, her dad and a few others separated from him, gathering everyone together. It was time. She couldn’t hide any longer. She dropped from the tree, wiped her eyes and joined them.
She rested her hand on her knife as she passed the group of Stockers, but none of them approached. Everyone seemed to be saving their aggression for the coming battle. She stopped near the back of the crowd by Mirra and Nirankan. The Trackers usually avoided camp because there was too much temptation to feed, but they’d been hanging around lately, knowing the AC would soon be attacking the city and the war would be over one way or another. All the Trackers had agreed to fight with the AC except the one who’d chased her and Jethro over the falls.
“Everyone.” Hugh’s voice was loud and commanding. “The tunnels are ready. You all know which team you’re on. I’ll need to speak with the leader of each group and their second in command. Jackson will let you know when.”
There were a few murmurs and nodding of heads.
“The teams will begin moving to their locations tomorrow morning. Different times for different groups, but we’ll all be on our way before noon.” He looked out over the crowd. “I want to thank you all for your service and your bravery.” He moved through the crowd, patting shoulders and shaking hands. “You should be proud of what you’ve accomplished. You go to fight not as individual classes as those in power want us to remain, but as one group, one people united in our fight for equality.”
There were a few claps.
“I know it hasn’t always been easy”—his gaze fell on the Guards and then the House Servants—“to put aside our differences.”
There were a few laughs and a couple of nudges between the different groups.
“But we have. No, let me change that. We’ve accomplished so much more than that. Many of you are friends with others from different classes, something the authority believes to be impossible, but it isn’t impossible because we aren’t that different. We all want the same thing. Freedom to live where we want. Freedom to travel where we want. Freedom to be friends with who we want.” His eyes met hers for an instant. “And freedom to love who we want without fear of retribution.”
Her throat tightened. She might lose him. She wanted to take his hand and lead him into the forest where she could keep him safe, but he’d never hide from this fight.
“But even that isn’t enough.” He ran his hand through his hair. “No one should have the power to decide who breeds and who does not.”
“Yeah,” yelled a few voices.
“No one class should decide who is free and who lives in cages.”
“Yes,” yelled a few more voices.
His voice grew soft. “No one should hold the power to decide who lives and who dies and that’s what we’re fighting for. We’re seeking justice for those who’ve been executed for no other reason than their class. We fight so our children can grow up in a world where atrocities like that do not happen.”
By now the crowd was roaring.
“Good luck to all of you. Hold your lines and keep each other safe. Win or lose, we’re in this together.” He turned and strode into his tent.
The crowd cheered. Jackson plucked two Guards from the group and followed Hugh.
After she packed her few belongings, she sat outside, watching Hugh’s tent as people came and went. This was her last night here. This would be the last night alive for many of them.
Dad came and sat next to her. “I wish you’d go to base camp. Sue could use your help.”
“She has Reese.”
Dad rolled his eyes and she laughed. Reese was scared of her own shadow.
“Sue will be fine,” she said.
“I’d feel better if you were there to keep your mom and brother safe.” He squeezed her hand. “This might not end well, you know.”
“I can’t.” She was an asset. She couldn’t let them leave her behind.
“I figured you’d say that,” he grumbled and then sighed. “At least we’ll be together.”
“What do you mean?” Last she’d heard she was to stay with Gaar and Mirra.
“I’m traveling with Hugh. There’s no way he’s going off without me. He may not be my biological brother but...”
“I was told to stay with Gaar and Mirra.”
“Hugh has the three of you assigned to his team.”
“What about Jackson and Travis and—”
“Jackson is leading the group to go to Jeth...to free the captives in the Warehouse District. Hugh doesn’t think Jeth...” He cleared his throat.
“You can say his name.”
Dad glanced away. “Hugh doesn’t think Jethro will hurt Jackson and that gives us an advantage. Although, I don’t think Jackson will hurt Jethro which leaves us with a disadvantage.”
“Jethro stabbed Jackson.”
“According to Hugh and Jackson, it was an accident.”
“I don’t trust him.” She knew what Jethro was capable of better than any of them. He wasn’t the same boy as before but no one seemed to believe that. “Jackson shouldn’t go alone.”
“He won’t be alone. He’s going to have a large group including Travis, Mirabelle and Sikka.”
“At least he gets a Tracker. That’s some consolation.” Plus, Travis hated Jethro. He’d kill the Almighty if he got the chance.
Jackson came out of the tent, glanced around and then waved at them.
“I’ve got to go.” Dad hugged her. “I love you.”
“I love you too.” She kissed his cheek.
Jackson and Dad went into the tent. She couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to any of them. Life shouldn’t have to be this way. Why couldn’t the Almightys see that what they were doing was wrong? If they’d listen, this war could be avoided.
Dad and Jackson came out of the tent with Hugh. They talked in low whispers for a moment or two and then Hugh went back inside and Jackson and Dad each headed off in different directions across camp.
She stared at Hugh’s tent. He was the authority’s main target. If they caught him, the war would end. He was the glue that held the classes together. He should stay safe not run to the front lines, but he refused. She’d argued with him and so had the others. He was stubborn and arrogant and...she loved him. It hit her hard like a slap in the gut from a Cold Creeper’s tail. She loved him. She had for a long time. Jethro had been a dream; Hugh was her reality. She needed to tell him how she felt. She hurried across camp and stepped inside his tent. He was bent over the table looking at a map.
“Hugh.” Her voice was raspy and her palms were sweating.
He turned. His eyes were tired. Her nervousness fled as she walked to him and touched his cheek.
“I’m glad you stopped by. I wanted to see you before tomorrow.”
She swallowed. “I love you.”
He stiffened slightly, his eyes searching hers for the truth. “Really?” A half-smile spread across his face. He looked younger now, unsure of himself.
“Really.” She kissed him.
“Are you sure?” His hands were on her hips but there was still tension and uncertainty in his face.
“Yes. I’ve been in love with you for a long time.” She bit her lip. She needed to tell him the truth. “But I was afraid. Afraid you didn’t feel the same. I’m not very good at understanding males, but mostly I was afraid that if we tried being together and it didn’t work, I’d lose you as my friend.” Her hands clasped his arms. “You’re the best friend I’ve ever had and I...I can’t lose you.” But she might tomorrow.
He lowered his head and kissed her but too soon, he stopped. “I love you too.”
“You do? You really do?” She’d known he was attracted to her and she’d thought he cared for her, but she’d never been certain because he was always pushing her away and fighting with her.
“Yes. More than anything.” He pulled her close, kissing her again and again.
Several glorious moments later, he stepped back, running his hand through his hair. “You should go back to your tent now.” His breathing was fast and his voice was thick with desire.
“I don’t want to.” She moved toward him. He was close to losing control. She’d never pushed him before, too scared and unsure of herself and him, but this time was different. She loved him and he loved her and this might be their only night together.
He closed his eyes and she ran her hands up his chest.
“I love you, Hugh. I choose you as my mate.” She started pushing up his shirt.
“We can’t.” He grabbed her hands, stopping her.
“Why?” She looked up at him from under her lashes. It drove him crazy when she did that.
He shook his head, a slight grin on his face. “You’re not going to make this easy, are you?” He dropped her hands and moved a few steps away. “I don’t know why I’d think you would. You’ve never made anything easy on me.”
“What have I done to make things difficult for you?” She didn’t want to argue with him, not now, not tonight.
“What haven’t you done? You don’t obey me.”
“I do too.” Her hands went to her hips. So, an argument it was. “When you tell me to do something that makes sense.”
“Exactly. You second guess everything I say.”
“You’re not Araldo, Hugh. You aren’t always right.”
“I’m your leader. Your chosen leader, if you recall.”
Unbelievable that he’d pick an argument right after she’d offered to mate with him, but there was no tenseness around his lips. He wasn’t angry. He was distracting her. Well, she’d had enough of that. She moved closer to him. “I know what you’re doing and it isn’t going to work.”
He stumbled back another step. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His feigned look of innocence made her laugh.
“You’re trying to make me angry enough to leave.” She stalked him across the tent. “It’s not going to work.”
He stopped when his back was against the wall and she stepped closer until their bodies almost touched.
“Kiss me,” she whispered.
“Trinity, stop.” His voice was firm as he grabbed her shoulders, lifted her and moved her aside. “We can’t...I don’t...”
He didn’t want her. All her confidence disappeared. She turned and headed for the door, blinking back tears.
“Shit.” He raced after her, pulling her into his arms. “Don’t cry, honey.”
She rested her head against his chest, breathing in the familiar scent of him. She was so confused. She didn’t think he was playing with her like Randy had but...
He took her hand and led her to the table. He sat down on a chair and pulled her onto his lap. “I don’t want you to think that I don’t want to do this.” He lifted her face until her eyes met his. “I do. I want to be with you more than anything.”
“Then why—”
“We go to war tomorrow.” He wiped her tears away with his thumb.
“I know.” She turned her head and kissed his hand. “I want to mate with you. This may be the only chance we have.”
“You’re killing me.” He took in a huge breath and slowly let it out. “We can’t. I mean...I won’t. I won’t risk getting you pregnant. If something happens to me...”
“I don’t care about getting pregnant. I want to have your baby. It’s natural for mates to have offspring.” She kissed him, it was slow and sweet.
His hand ran up and down her back as if he couldn’t touch her enough, but he turned his head, ending their kiss. “I want that too, but not now. If things go wrong tomorrow, I want you, Gaar and Mirra to flee. Take everyone you can and go. I won’t risk you being pregnant and on the run. That’d be hard enough but then you’d have a baby to protect. We can’t take that chance. I won’t take that chance with you.”
“I won’t leave you.” There was no way she was fleeing if he were caught. She’d save him or die trying.
“I may be dead.” He kissed her long and hard. “I can’t risk your life. I can’t lose you.”
She glanced down, staring at his chest. Her face heated. She couldn’t believe she was going to say this. “Kim said something about things...um, things couples use to prevent pregnancy.”
“Did she? Isn’t Kim just a fount of information? Maybe, you should stop talking to her.” The tone of his voice told her he was teasing.
“Couldn’t we use something like that?” She was begging and it’d be humiliating but he loved her. She was sure of it...or mostly sure.
He took her face in his hands and forced her to meet his eyes. “Trust me, if I had any of those things, we wouldn’t be talking right now.”
The desire in his eyes restored her confidence. “Jackson might have some.”
“He’s gone. He left to talk to our teams of scouts once more before tomorrow. We thought it best to make sure there wasn’t anything going on we needed to know.”
“Oh.” She sighed. “I guess, I should go then.” She tried to stand but he held her on his lap, his hand caressing her leg. “Did you change your mind?” She sure hoped so because she really wanted to be with him.
“No.” His eyes were dark with passion. “But there are other things we can do. Things that can’t get you pregnant.”
She had no idea what he was talking about.
“But if we do any of these things then you’re marrying me.”
“I don’t care about marriage. That’s an Almighty custom.” They’d chosen each other as mates. That was enough for her.
“But I do. We’ll get married and then we’ll have kids.”
She shrugged. “Okay. See, I’m agreeable.”
He laughed and then sobered. “Are you sure about this...about you and me?”
She stared into his blue eyes—warm and kind and honorable. Even if they won the war, life for them wouldn’t be easy but she couldn’t imagine being with anyone else. She nodded.
They stood and he took her hand in his. He turned off the lamp and led her to the bed.
“I love you, Trinity. I love everything about you, but”—he kissed her fingertips—“you’re going to have to be very, very careful with your fangs and claws.”