Watch Your Six!
1
“Is everyone clear? I don’t want any screw-ups.”
There was silence and Jack twisted around on his horse, pausing to regard his men. “Not like last time. Canada got out of control. I know it was mostly Major Donner, but I also know you guys helped things along by not following my orders to the letter. That won’t happen again.”
The five men also stopped, each giving the expected nod without a comment. Jack didn’t like it when other people talked. Everyone knew that.
“Good. If there’s even one survivor, we’re done as a team,” Jack warned them. “I’ll draft a new crew.”
Again, none of the men spoke. When a new crew was drafted, the old one was executed, and Jack had full authority to make such a switch whenever he felt like it.
Jack spent another moment studying his men, using his Alpha gift to force his will on any rebellious thoughts he found lurking. Resisting was impossible.
Satisfied he had his men under control, Jack surveyed the area around the large camp. He would concentrate on Safe Haven itself when he reached those shiny gates, but out here was the more important area. Mountain terrains made for fun hunting grounds and he had brought his men in from the opposite side, so that they would have the advantage from the beginning. It had also toughened them up from their month of recovery at their base. Canada hadn’t gone well.
“But Safe Haven will,” Jack muttered, narrowing in on one of the many ledges surrounding his newest target. Roughly half a mile from where he now sat, the area was covered in tall, thick trees and the light foliage that appeared undisturbed. But, it felt like there might be someone spying from there and Jack didn’t want the people in there to have any warning. Jack quickly blasted the area with his Alpha power to capture the person. Only one in a million descendants was immune to him–a gift that had provided countless victims.
Traveling mentally with his power as it rushed out, Jack immediately sensed the presence of at least two descendants, though they weren’t here now. They had been recently, he knew. Descendants always left bits of their light wherever they went. It faded after a few days or a week, unless the person kept using the same area. After regular use, the trail would build up and become blindingly trackable.
Jack also found half a dozen soldiers sleeping inside snowy tents, but no one else, and he slowly withdrew without disturbing the men. They were the least of all possible threats, but Jack was suddenly certain he would end up killing them. Fate often worked that way.
Jack stored his gift and slapped his horse with his hand. The animal took off toward Safe Haven’s main gate, shuddering heavily at the unexpected action.
Reminded of the animal’s previous owner, Jack dug his spurs in as he viciously yanked on the reigns. “Control your disgust or I’ll slit your throat!”
The quarter horse forced himself to obey instead of attacking like he’d done upon capture. The evil human had already taken his balls. Life was all he had left to lose.
Behind him, Jack’s men exchanged a dangerous glance and then followed their boss. They kept their thoughts carefully blank, but in their hearts, Jack’s death replayed like a broken record.
Each of them planned to participate. They had never made the mistake of speaking about it or exposing the goal through their occasional private thoughts, but it was in every look that they shared. Big Jack Devine wouldn’t be forgiven. He would be slowly consumed.
Adrian shielded himself as the riders went by, able to scan lightly without drawing notice. An old enemy was here and Jack hadn’t suffered much from time. Power radiated from the riders in ominous waves that traveled outward and upset even the animals. Jack was a lethal force and it showed.
Adrian dug a little deeper into the rear rider, trying to figure out where Jack’s usual bodyguard were, but the shields around the riders were formidable and Adrian reluctantly withdrew to get ready for whatever Angela chose to do. His advantage was that Jack’s Alpha power didn’t work on him and he would be careful with it.
“We have a shadow,” the rear rider stated.
“Yes, friends can pop up anywhere,” Jack said cheerfully. “We’ll be covering that shortly.”
Safe Haven’s tall gates appeared in the near distance and Jack grinned. “Let’s see how fast we can get an audience with their Alpha.”
“Are we attacking now?” Kranten asked, eager to spill blood for any reason.
“Let’s see what type of a hand they’ve gathered here first,” Jack drawled confidently. “We could use a few replacements to cover us from the last time we took a settlement. Our town is a bit light on women still.”
“And if they’re not like us, or if they’re not weak enough to enslave?” that rear rider asked, hating the thoughts of Canada that Jack’s comments constantly brought up. The fire had been Donner’s idea, but Jack had lit the fuse.
“We take them.” Jack ordered, orbs crimson. “I want my property!”
“You’ll get it, boss,” Vlad promised. “We’ll do it right.”
2
“What is that?” Kendle asked, pausing in the long lesson. “I can’t… That’s screaming!”
The sound was coming from the cave where their people were and all of them ran for the flap. They emerged into a dreary dawn over thin slush and ran for the cave.
“Hey, there!”
The ugliness in that unknown voice said Daryl had just been marked for death and he instinctively grabbed Kendle’s arm and swung her around to stand by his side as the others went to help Angela.
The screams grew louder and Kendle was able to make out the words. “Daddy! Daddy’s here!”
It was Missy, trying to warn them that her father had arrived.
“Sounds like trouble,” that ugly voice commented happily. “Maybe we can help.”
Daryl and Kendle stared at the group of riders outside their front gate, instantly on edge. If the glowing red orbs hadn’t given the strangers away, the fiery halos of their protective shields would have. These were descendants and unlike Safe Haven’s people, these were evil. It was obvious in the menace that struck Daryl and sent his heart into a terrified gallop. He didn’t know why he’d already been marked, but the feeling grew stronger as the men stared at him.
Kendle stepped in front of her weaker partner instinctively, drawing on her own reserves. She also felt the evil surrounding them, sampling their scents, her gifts. This was worse than trouble.
Aware that she was alone in this fight for the moment, Kendle opened all of her mental doors to be ready. As soon as an aggressive act was made, she would open fire in every way.
“Ah, there’s no need for that, my friend,” the leader of the newcomers stated pleasantly. “If you give me my property, I’ll even leave without anyone dying. Better offer than I’ve made anyone else, dear.”
Kendle didn’t doubt that, but she chuckled as if she had the upper hand. “Stand by for the boss, mouth.”
The leader frowned at the insult, eyes glowing darker.
“You can’t use that on me!” Kendle sneered. “I’ll drown you in your own shield.”
The leader’s eyes returned to those pale orbs of death and devious pleasure, and Kendle stopped gloating. His thoughts were open to her and the blood in them was tempting. He wanted everyone here dead. Kendle could almost agree with him and felt her rage rising.
“Keep pushing those images,” Kendle demanded. “It’ll flip me and I’ll take us all out. Been on the edge of it for a while now.”
The pictures disappeared and a large scowl placed itself across the man’s weathered countenance. “Who are you?”
“More than you can handle,” Kendle answered. “And that’s just me. You’ll meet the real power any second now.”
An instant later, Angela came from the cave with Marc on her right and Jennifer on her left.
Other people peered out, but no one else left the den, and Kendle thought that was wise. If this got ugly, inside the stone was the safest place for their herd. Kendle wanted to be surprised at her longing to spill blood in defense of Safe Haven, but there was no time to ponder it as Angela approached the gates.
“Welcome to Safe Haven refugee camp,” Angela stated warmly, hands resting on her guns. “What can we do for you?”
The leader surveyed Angela, as did the other five men, and Marc took the moment to return the favor. He found power and problems, but not anything that they couldn’t handle if they were careful. In fact, Angela’s level one females could probably handle half of these guys on their own.
“Do you think so?” Angela asked Marc, intentionally interrupting the newcomer before he could answer her.
“Probably, but it’ll cause damage.” Marc lifted a brow. “Is this what you want?”
“No, but it may have to happen,” Angela warned, ignoring Jack’s growing anger at being treated this way.
Samantha had joined Jeremy topside, taking a place behind Angela. She swept the threats, lingering on the big man by the leader’s side. He appeared more dangerous than the others.
Samantha felt the man’s leer go over her and knew she’d been claimed.
Jeremy flashed a harsh glower of hatred toward the man. “Over my dead body.”
Vlad laughed. “Exactly what I was thinking!”
“This is that moment,” Samantha muttered, finally understanding what Angela had been trying to tell her all along. “And we have to let them go.”
Jeremy wanted to know why, but waited. There was too much danger to be distracted right now.
Tara and Missy appeared in the cave entrance, but didn’t come any closer. Tara hovered over the child, twitching in agitation as she stared at her ex.
Angela spoke to the leader silently. You can’t have them. I’ll kill them both before I give that power to you.
You will return my daughter! Jack growled. The bitch, I don’t care about.
Angela shook her head. “Never.”
Jack leaned back on his tall mount, contemplating Angela and the others with her. There was a thick shield over the rest of the camp–to hide how weak they were, he assumed–but that wasn’t a guess that Jack was willing to risk his life on openly. Missy’s warning to avoid the Ghost at all costs had scared him and that mysterious man could be hidden under that shield. Even if he wasn’t, the four descendants in front of him were priceless and he was sure to lose them in a fight. His own crew was recognizing the gifts here and already growing eager to consume them.
Jack dug deeper into the man at Angela’s side, and didn’t like the resistance he found there. He wasn’t any happier with the reaction of the teenager or the blonde woman flanking her, and reluctantly made the call. “I’m leaving, but I guess we both know it’s temporary.”
Jennifer had the camp completely covered and Marc was busy digging into their evil minds for plans or weaknesses. She needed to draw this out a bit. “How about arranging visitation?”
Jack recognized the ploy, but played along. “I never considered that.”
“Will you now?” Angela asked politely. “We don’t have to destroy you.”
Jack laughed, denying the feel of death hovering on his shoulder. That was the image Angela was sending and he was loath to admit, even to himself, that she was intimidating while doing so little.
“I’m so much worse than intimidating,” Angela stated matter-of-factly. “I’m as evil as you, and your death will come exactly like the nightmares you often cried about as a child in the labs–quick and unexpected.”
Jack paled and then the red bloom of anger came to his cheeks. “I’ll see you again, fire walker, and of course, your friends. You’re very weak friends.”
Jack wheeled his horse around and his men followed with sharp jerks on the reins that filled the air with the protests of their horses. They were out of sight before the dust settled.
Angela looked at Marc, hating the order she had to give now, and found him already taking gear from the belts of those around them.
“I’ll send a small team to catch up, if you want,” Angela offered, also hating what she had to give next.
“No, quicker now and alone.”
“Yeah,” Angela grunted. “Take Kendle.”
Marc, realizing how hard that was for her, kissed her as if they were alone.
Kendle turned away, anger growing, and she motioned for the gates to be opened. She suddenly couldn’t wait to be out there killing someone.
Marc let go slowly, pulse rapid, and Angela chuckled. “Nice. Hurry, will ya?”
Marc rubbed her still flat stomach. “Before you know it.”
He was gone a minute later, vanishing into the early morning drizzle with Kendle as if they were about to drop off the planet.
“And in a way, they are,” Angela muttered. She also knew they wouldn’t be alone for long. Another descendant around here needed to know where Jack was going, which meant one of her men would have to compromise.
Angela hoped Adrian would do it. Marc wouldn’t be in the mood for anything but blood after the images he’d witnessed in Jack’s thoughts. Big Jack Devine had come for death and he was going to get it, one way or another.
“Thank you.” Tara and Missy came to Angela, both pale and clearly uncomfortable.
Angela studied the woman harshly, letting the truth bleed through for a single moment. “If Marc gets hurt, you better watch your six!”
Those who heard it thought they understood Angela’s caution, her warning. People would blame the new woman if anything happened to Marc.
Tara, however, took the warning to heart and quickly got out of Angela’s sight. She had read more into it than that. If Marc were injured or killed, Angela would pay it forward.
“Why did we let them go?” Jeremy asked Samantha as they moved away from the others.
“So she can draw them back at the right time,” Samantha answered evasively, realizing Angela might not want that known. “So what’s the snack today? I’m starving.”
3
Marc and Kendle hit the bottom of the main road less than five minutes later, loaded with the basic gear they’d both had on them and a few quick items taken from those nearby. Neither of them worried over it. Pulling their needs from the land wasn’t as hard as it used to be when they’d both been alone in their minds. Now, there was power as well, and the need to catch up to Jack and his crew was hard to fight. It told Kendle to be ready to kill, to bathe in Jack’s blood to save Marc, who would now be Angela’s sword of justice.
Kendle hated anyone having that type of power over Marc, but it wasn’t as if he was going to refuse. Being allowed to kill, expected to kill, had to be freeing.
“It is, in ways,” Marc admitted, always scanning people now. “It’s also heavy.”
“Because you’re not a killer,” Kendle stated. “Unless it’s called for.”
Marc didn’t answer that. He would murder several people, if the opportunity presented itself the right way. And he wouldn’t ever regret those deaths.
“Do they deserve it?” Kendle asked uneasily.
“To me, they do.”
“Then, they do,” Kendle tried to comfort. “You’re a good man. You won’t randomly kill.”
“Uh, Kendle, I need to tell you something.”
“Yes, Marc?” Kendle simpered.
“You’re making me sick with the hero worship and you’re giving Angie thoughts about removing you once you’re no longer useful.”
Kendle froze, a bit stunned at the abrupt topic change.
Marc looked over his shoulder at someone behind them. “Can you do something with her? Angie’s patience has limits, even when she has plans running.”
Kendle stared in surprise as Adrian emerged from the lightly wooded cliff directly above them. On foot, he wasn’t out of breath yet despite running to stay caught up. Marc was built that way, too.
Marc caught the thought and sneered, “This should be a fun trip with you comparing us the entire time. Should we hold still so you can get some of it out of your system now?”
Furious with herself and him, Kendle swung down from her horse.
She strode off angrily and Adrian took her mount without commenting. Marc had blasted her out of the water and he might not be done firing yet.
Marc snorted. “The boss set it up so we’d have to do this together. She’s hoping we’ll work out our differences on this run.”
“We certainly didn’t on the last one,” Adrian stated lightly. He didn’t think it was possible. Marc wasn’t the forgiving type.
Marc didn’t respond to the comment or the thought, and Adrian scowled. “Are we in for another Brady run through hell?”
“Her mind was closed, so I’d say yes to the hell,” Marc replied, trying not to enjoy Adrian’s discomfort. “As for me, no. You’re not worth my time anymore.”
Marc lightly snapped the reins to catch up with Kendle. He swung her up onto his horse, and then neatly slid to the ground.
It was so Indian-like that Adrian gaped. Was Marc part Indian? He got on with them amazingly well.
Prying, Adrian caught a glimpse of a forlorn man on a shore as a boat sailed away and he quickly slipped out, hoping Marc hadn’t noticed the slight intrusion.
Adrian shut his mind down, storing the new thread for later. When he didn’t have to protect his thoughts, he would explore that. From a first peek, it said Marc wasn’t leaving with them.
Adrian’s tiny heart thumped happily.
Marc knew what Adrian was thinking, but the blond traitor hadn’t stayed for the thought that always followed the image of remaining in America. Angie always jumped off the boat and joined him on the shore. She wasn’t going to let them be split up and if Adrian thought that was the final plan, he had a huge shock coming. Marc had considered telling Adrian that Angie had made a contingency plan. If he refused to leave, so would she. Marc had chosen to let her have that moment of revelation and enjoy knowing that no matter how Adrian plotted or schemed, nothing would work. He and Angie couldn’t be parted now. Neither of them would allow it.
4
“Company!”
Angela turned toward the gate. Marc and Kendle had only been gone a short time.
As Angela walked, a number of Eagles fell in step with her. Marc hadn’t left any specific instructions, but he hadn’t needed to. Jack and his red-eyed men had been enough to snap the sentries into full alert. Around the camp, the sense was the same.
Angela knew their unease wasn’t good, but there were many types of descendants and her people had a right to know what they were up against this time.
Angela paused at the gate, out of sight of the new people, and scrutinized them mercilessly. Unlike the morning visitors, these ten men weren’t descendants. The clue was their horses. Angela’ recognized the brands immediately–three small ‘J’s.
Angela went to the gate, hands resting on her guns. “Hello. Welcome to Safe Haven.”
The ten men all took their hats off at the sight of her, and their leader dismounted. He walked toward the gate, stopping when the guards’ guns followed him.
“No need for that with us. We want to talk.”
He edged closer; rotating his hat in restless hands that were covered in thick callouses. “I’m Darian. I have some questions.”
The leader was tall and thin, familiar to some of them, and Angela placed him before he could reveal his identity. “You’ve come for justice. For Dari.”
Darian paled a bit, head lowering. “Maybe, maybe not. We’ve heard you handle things fairly.”
“We do,” Angela confirmed. “And your twin sister was no different.”
Darian raised a face that was lined in grief. “You found her guilty.”
Angela nodded again. “She wanted descendants to rule everyone else. She refused my offer to change her mind.”
Darian sighed unhappily. “I can believe you, but my people will want more.”
Angela waved a hand at the gate. “You may enter and file the complaint. The rest must leave. They cannot stay with us.”
Darian waited for the gate to open and then said, “I accuse you of murdering my sister. I demand a trial.”
Gasps and mutters filled their small audience, but Angela smiled as if she’d been expecting it.
“I grant your demand, Darian. Please leave your weapons outside the gate. You will not roam freely within my walls.”
“But I will receive justice,” the man insisted quietly, removing his gun belts and giving them to an uneasy guy on a small, branded gelding. “If it isn’t a fair trial, my people will come here and attack.”
“All trials in Safe Haven are fair,” Angela stated evenly. “But we don’t rush things. You’ll be here a while.”
Darian stepped through the gate and around angry, armed Eagles with no signs of fear. “Got nothing else to do now. She was my only family.”
Angela winced. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“You killed her!” Darian’s countenance blazed with the first emotion he’d shown. “Why do care for my pain?”
“Because you’re not like your sister,” Angela answered, signaling for the gates to be shut. “I can read that, you know. Your loyalty is misplaced.”
Darian took a deep breath and allowed Kenn to lead him into the smallest QZ. “A trial will tell.”
Jennifer joined Angela as Darian was taken to the farthest tent from the gate. “Is that another problem?”
Angela, who still studying their newest guest, replied, “If I get enough time to prove it, no. If he makes up his mind too quickly, then it could become one.”
“How about I assign a personal guide,” Jennifer suggested, thinking they had several people here who needed to be occupied.
“Agreed,” Angela said. “Put a list together. I’ll pick from it tonight, if he passes the medical.”
“Yeah, about that,” Jennifer said. “Should his first impression of you come from Doc Savage?”
“No, but he’ll understand that even people who hate me agree I’m fair. Let it go for now.”
“I’ll have the list ready,” Jennifer promised, not following when Angela left. Jenny hated the thought of Angela being seen as a cold-blooded killer. She never did that without a need and this new guy had to understand that.
5
“Let’s hear about our target.” Marc had spent the first hour of the ride deciding how best to handle the situation and the people. Now, he was ready for details.
Adrian, still in the rear, caught up to be right behind Marc.
Still leading, Kendle fell back a bit to listen.
“He’s what I am,” Adrian stated, lighting his last stale cigarette. He didn’t plan to dig through the dead land for more. “We trained together, ran together, hunted, competed. They finally split us up when we started using our men in battles of will.”
Marc’s face tightened at the lie, but he didn’t interrupt.
“When you what?” Kendle didn’t have that self-control and shut her mouth when Marc glared at her.
“Give me his profile,” Marc instructed, not sure why Adrian was stalling. Because he didn’t want Kendle to know what a POS he really was? Probably.
“It’s hard to talk about,” Adrian grunted. “You may think spilling your guts is easy, but you don’t have all these secrets.”
“No, I don’t,” Marc acknowledged gleefully. “I’m not slime.”
Adrian’s demeanor went from sullen to ice and Marc let out a sound of annoyance. “Finally! Now get to it.”
With his emotions shut down, Adrian’s voice became the monotone of information that Angela was used to.
“He’s an Alpha with the ability to control others. He can kill you like Becky–with his mind–but he’s limited on range and strength. He can’t handle too many opponents at once and his focus can be broken that way. He hates humans and has always wanted control over this world so that he doesn’t have any rules. If that’s his daughter, he won’t stop coming until he gets her or he’s killed.”
“His crew?” Marc encouraged, storing the note of eagerness under Adrian’s words. If Adrian wanted to be the fighter for this one, Marc would let him and study that fight for his own coming moment with Safe Haven’s former leader.
“They’re the true power. Between them, they have his ass covered too well for an open attack. There are usually twelve of them. We need to split them up. If we can’t, each of us will take one of his men and hope to duck his mental hits during the fight.”
Marc didn’t correct him on the plan, but he already had his own ideas.
“Vlad is the brute strength and their healer. He never leaves Jack’s side. Kranten is the fighter. His spells are deadly. Stephens is the seer and he spends his free time scanning. He doesn’t miss much.”
“Any others?” Marc asked, not liking the admiration in Adrian’s voice.
“He’ll have a few people hidden at a base, but they’ll be messengers and supply finders–not fighters.”
“But they can fight,” Marc insisted. “At least a little or they wouldn’t have made it onto his crew, right?”
“That’s safe to assume,” Adrian admitted. “But Jack is very careful to keep full control of anyone who has real power. Those he leaves behind will be the weakest.”
“Tell me how he usually attacks in a large situation.”
“Head-on, when I knew him,” Adrian stated. “I doubt he’ll use any setup I’m familiar with.”
“He knows you’re here?”
“He didn’t detect me when he came in, but he’ll figure it out. He’s not dumb and there aren’t any fresh rumors of my death.”
“Stay low until I tell you otherwise,” Marc instructed.
“You got it.” Adrian didn’t want to confront Jack. He wanted to know the man’s goal for Safe Haven first and even if they killed Jack and this crew, someone as bad would be sent to replace them.
“You think so?” Marc asked.
“Yes. Angela removed a group of women that were well liked by their people. In fact, Dari may have even been in the chain of command among Jack’s camp.”
“Have you been to their site?”
“No. They were based in Pennsylvania after the war. Command didn’t want us in the same state during the apocalypse. Jack wouldn’t get his mission finished if he knew where I was.”
“What was the Canada mission?” Marc asked.
“Gather all descendants and eliminate witnesses that couldn’t be converted to a military frame of mind.”
“What went wrong?”
“They had survivors,” Adrian answered. “Tara and her daughter, maybe, but there could have been others according to the story we got out of Donner. It was sloppy work.”
“And you wouldn’t have handled it that way,” Marc guessed bitterly. “You would have cornered them like rabbits and opened fire.”
“Yes,” Adrian confirmed. “And so would you, so stop the Mr. Perfect act or I’m not going to be able to work with you.”
Marc’s anger flared for a brief instant and then he surprised them both with a chuckle. “Fine. Just remember you asked for that.”
Suddenly uncomfortable, Adrian continued his profile of their targets. “They were scouting us. The next move will be to send for more men. Surround the site, demand a surrender while waiting for his men, then attack.”
“Simple,” Kendle commented, proud of herself for staying quiet so far.
Marc didn’t stop her coming questions. Letting her go for a minute might give new leads. She knew how to fight and to view a battle.
“It is simple,” Adrian said. “Jack can’t let his plans get too big because his men would have to be allowed to think for themselves.”
“He controls them at all times?” she asked.
“It has limits. They have to be in range and when he’s asleep, the line is broken. He uses mental charms to bind them for those free hours.”
“Clever,” Kendle muttered, leading them slowly down the path that still held the visible tracks of Jack’s crew in the slush. “What about his attack methods?”
“Much like mine,” Adrian answered. “Open and heavy.”
Marc snorted, but didn’t say anything.
Adrian flushed, waiting for Kendle’s next query, and the sound of Safe Haven echoed down to them. Pounding, voices, animals and kids–it sounded like a beautiful place for any person to be.
“We’ll always be a target,” Marc murmured. “So we have to stay on offense.”
Marc realized he was pondering aloud and growled, “As you were!”
Kendle resumed gathering information. “Where should we be looking?”
“Behind him,” Adrian stated, a bit surprised at the insight. “He always thinks he has his ass covered.”
Aware of Marc listening, Kendle asked, “How can we split them up?”
Adrian frowned in concentration. “We…pick them off from a distance.”
“Is he likely to fall for that?” Kendle kept at it.
“No. We’ll need them to split up on their own.”
“And that might happen if we each have something they want,” Kendle stated. “What can they be bought with? Women? Girls? Whiskey?”
“They’re not as simple as a drunken pedophile,” Adrian snapped, tiring of answering their questions. “Fear rules them. You’d have to eliminate Jack’s control.”
“Are any of his men willing?” Marc interjected, not letting Adrian stop yet.
“Vlad wasn’t, even when the first teams were put together. Jack’s father had saved Vlad’s family during some ancient turf war and he’s been with him ever since. Rumor says Vlad’s father paid the debt with Vlad.”
“He paid for a debt with his child?” Kendle was stunned by the awful things these supposed powerhouses had done to each other.
“Vlad’s family had too many kids. It helped them more than paying a debt would have. Because of it, the boy was able to go to school, be fed every day, and have friends.”
Kendle didn’t want to hear that lifestyle being defended and shot one of her last few questions at him. “What will happen when he sees you?”
Marc gauged Adrian’s reaction. He’d already wondered that.
“Stop at nothing to collect any bounty on me, I’d guess. But it’s been a long time and Donner is dead now. Jack liked Donner. They were together for a long time before the war. He may order me killed and take my body to base.”
“Why did Angela send you with us? What do you know about this run that Marc doesn’t?” Kendle asked what was on Marc’s mind. “And why didn’t she kill them at our gates? Why let them reach their people?”
Adrian didn’t respond.
Marc sent a glower. “You said you wouldn’t withhold any information. It’s the reason we didn’t hang you.”
“I came up with two options. You won’t like them,” Adrian warned. “I didn’t.”
“I’m listening,” Marc stated coldly.
Adrian shook his head. He and Marc would never be able to spend time together. He’d ruined all chances of that. “The first is that she wants his men or some of his people. She wants us to judge them guilty or not, so she can try to add them to the herd.”
Though not awful, Marc didn’t like that option. “And the other?”
“Isn’t is obvious?” Adrian asked. “She isn’t settling for a small team of killers. She sent us to judge them and draw in their entire camp.”
“We’re not capable…” Kendle fell silent. Yes, they were. The two men with her were lethal and she was a killer of a variety that even a descendant could be shocked by. Their people would easily conquer any others.
“What the hell is wrong with that woman of yours?” Kendle demanded.
Marc didn’t respond. He was too busy being impressed. When Angie made plans, she went all or nothing. Hoping to confirm one or the other, Marc asked,” What equipment did she send you?”
“A notebook, glasses, map.”
“Recon,” Marc recognized.
“We’re letting them reach their people? Call in backup?” Kendle asked.
Marc nodded. “Unless the boss says otherwise, we’re doing exactly that.”
“And when will we know if that’s the right choice?” Kendle insisted, not willing to trust Angela.
“We won’t,” Marc answered. “Not until we get home and she tells me what the plan was.”
“So we won’t know.”
“We’ll know when we inspect them,” Adrian soothed, sensing Marc running low on patience again. “If they’re good people trapped by Jack’s crew, we’ll rescue them. If they’re willing warriors on his side, we’ll kill them all.”
Kendle gave Marc a hard look. “Some loving wife you’ve got there.”
“She isn’t his wife!” Adrian barked.
Silence echoed between all of them for a long moment where Marc enjoyed the awkwardness. He saw no reason to break it and shook his head at Kendle when she would have continued. “Track them. That’s it for now.”
Kendle did as she was told, mind flying with ideas for both possible situations.
Adrian also remained silent. Jack and his crew were deadly. So was Marc. It would be an interesting trip at the very least; one that would distract him from his misery and might even allow a bit of rest, since he knew Angela would be alone at night right now.
Marc caught the thought and managed to keep himself under control. Adrian’s wealth of information would eventually run out. And then I’m gonna gut you like a fish.
“We’re close,” Kendle said suddenly, stopping her horse. “I can feel the edge of a shield.”
Marc sent his grid out and found their targets. They were traveling with their protective shields up and Marc stopped by Kendle. He turned to tell Adrian to go dim, and found the man gone.
“Good. Stay that way, will ya? It does something for me.”
Adrian grunted through his magic, letting them know he’d heard, and Marc was satisfied with the plan he’d put together. “We’ll escort them out of here–openly. When we go back, you’ll keep following and get their base location. Kendle and I will be waiting.”
“You got it,” Adrian answered, swallowing the urge to pull his gun and shoot Marc now, while there was a tiny chance of success. Even if he managed to hit Marc, Kendle would heal him. Now wasn’t the time. “Take the horse. It’ll make noise and give me away.”
Marc swung up onto the mount and caught up with Kendle, who had cleared the trees and was now staring at Jack and his crew. That group was aware of her, but all their expressions darkened when Marc joined her. They clearly weren’t happy that Marc was part of the escort.
Kendle didn’t respond to the man in the rear who beckoned suggestively, and neither did Marc. This wasn’t a social call and Marc glowered with pale red orbs until the group picked up their pace a little. He wanted these men away from Safe Haven, away from his family. They were dangerous–more so than Donner or any of the troops that had been sent to capture Angela.
“They feel the same way about you,” Kendle told him. “Their thoughts are full of the Ghost rumors they’ve been hearing.”
“Good,” Marc stated. “Saves me time.”
“Time for what?” she asked, loving being alone with him again.
“To kill them all, of course,” Marc answered evenly. “I have no doubts about Angela’s wishes. These descendants are a threat–one that isn’t supposed to come back and haunt us later.”
“How do you know that?” Kendle asked, a bit snottily. “She didn’t say it.”
“Because she sent her pet killer,” Marc answered, jerking a thumb toward where he could still feel Adrian. “If she wanted peace, she wouldn’t have sent the three hardest people. She could have sent Jennifer and Cynthia.”
“But Jennifer’s a killer,” Kendle protested.
“No, she’s a defender,” Marc corrected. “Jennifer still values life. We don’t.”
“I value some lives,” Kendle argued quietly. “I’ve healed people, you know.”
“And that’s another reason I think so,” Marc stated. “If this is a peaceful mission, why did she give me a killer that can heal and a ruthless traitor?”
Kendle couldn’t argue with that and didn’t try. Some people needed to be gone and Angela was wise enough to know that. It made Kendle grateful but also made her hate Angela more. There has to be something that woman sucks at!
6
“Don’t do anything,” Jack instructed. “Let them think we’re going home.”
Jack’s men knew this ploy too well to make a mistake on this simple part, but no one reminded him of the fact. Jack’s tone said he was offended that these Safe Haven people thought he could be escorted out like a bag of trash. There would be a payment for that. Then to add insult to injury, they only had two escorts–for six men. Jack had expected triple that amount.
Jack studied the female, recognizing her as the one who had challenged him openly at the gates. …Kendle. He already had plans for that smart mouth, and if her fighting skills were as good as appearances suggested, he would make a nice chunk of change from selling her to the men in their town. Their warriors needed women who could take a hit or two during the fun. It always improved the will to work.
Aware of being studied in the same manor, Jack delivered a charming smile to their escorts and then rode north. When he was ready, hell would break loose, but until then, it was a quiet ride through a quiet area.
“Maybe we’ll make this our base, when it’s all over,” Jack murmured. “That cave could be a good place to spend a winter.”
“Our people won’t like it,” Vlad commented, not worried over Jack’s reaction. He knew the boss wasn’t furious right now, so it was safe for other people to talk.
“They will if we let these Safe Haven people finish it first,” Jack stated.
“True,” Vlad agreed. A fully outfitted cave was different from a hole in the ground. “Have to kill the rats already there.”
“Most of them are on the list anyway,” Jack confirmed. “We’ll keep a few to get us through the cold weather.”
“Good,” Vlad said. “I get my pick, like usual?”
“Of course,” Jack promised. “Any of them, except their leader. She’s mine.”
Vlad nodded. He didn’t like brunettes anyway. The tall, willowy blonde had stood with a guard on each side of her and he wanted that. If two men were protecting her, she had to be worth taking.
“What about their fighters and snipers?” Kranten asked, eager to have battle plans sorted.
“We’ll try to remove them all in the first control wave I send out,” Jack replied. “We’ll handle it just like my little seer said to.”
Stephens held silent. His vision hadn’t matched Missy’s, but Jack was terrified of dying. He would only believe his daughter when it came to the time and place and little Missy had told him there was one way to conquer Safe Haven. Stephens didn’t agree, but he knew better than to say so. Calling Jack’s daughter a liar was a death sentence that would be immediately carried out.
“Are you sure she’s wrong?” Jack drawled menacingly.
“No,” Stephens answered quickly. “Only worries.”
“Then keep it to yourself!” Jack snapped.
Stephens pulled his thoughts in tight, and then found something else to dwell on. Jack’s mood wasn’t good, but it could always be made worse and none of them wanted that.
Annoyed, Jack slapped his horse with his spurs and got them moving faster. He wanted to be with the rest of his crew, where he felt safe. The glowing orbs of their two escorts were a warning and Jack intended to heed it. He wouldn’t be caught off guard. Safe Haven would.