All around me, fingers were tightening on triggers, heads spinning, and well-fed necks craning eagerly to see…

  “Halt there!”

  I let the gun drop gently to the roof before I climbed down, put my hands up. “I’m Angelica Pruett, winner of a Games Challenge. That’s my prize.”

  Scars had already identified us, and she had no choice but to stick to it now or her team would find out she’d been behind the attempt. I wasn’t sure how I knew the guard was the one who’d paid the scavengers, but I was certain. Maybe she’d wanted Jason, but more likely, the Network was pulling her strings, too.

  Instead of snatching her up by the throat like I wanted to, I didn’t make eye contact as I stepped by. The Network couldn’t find out we were discovering their secrets, their weaknesses. Not yet.

  I ignored the fear and the secret anger of the mob that was now gathering around the site for the dead body show and souvenirs. I would check on Jason while they verified that my gun was legal, and then we would continue onto the delayed train to wait for the departure. The medics there would tend him, and I would keep my gun in hand the entire time.

  Jason

  I had taken the train with Rankin once, and loved it. I’d memorized the layout while doing errands for her, and I moved through the compartments to where I’d heard the conductor tell Angelica her cars were as I woke. I didn’t feel hurt, just tired, but even that was fading. Rankin had often called me hard headed. So, she’d been right. Who would have guessed?

  Angelica walked behind me, ignoring the bright passengers and their surprised, hungry expressions at me and the blood on my clothes. I wondered what she thought of these Network people. They were about the only kind who could afford this ride, and I moved a bit faster through the next compartment door. Those we passed flinched back in fear at the sight of my owner, and her dark, deadly eyes.

  The Network Rider was a sleek, black and gold train with fifteen long cars. The front half was control and guard’s quarters. The center was passenger cars and services. The last was for those special folks who could afford the privacy, and it pleased me to pass Rankin’s door as I headed that way. The Head Defender had her own den in the guard’s area, and though I wasn’t sure how she’d managed that, I was smirking about it as we moved through the next corridor. If only for a little while, I’d left my terror behind and her dark door was proof of it.

  On the way through the service area, Angelica gestured at the medics and the neutered males fell in behind us. I instantly felt protected, cared for. What a dangerous sensation!

  Angelica had the two cars right after the service area, and I typed in the code I’d heard the conductor rattle off, and then held the door for her, like I’d always done with Rankin.

  “See to him.”

  Angelica’s voice was menacing, and I sat obediently on the edge of the couch.

  I listened to the medics talk while they tended me, glad the gash in my head was shallow. Angelica had killed for me… again. I should have been scared or maybe even upset it had happened, but all I could feel was grateful.

  She not only wanted me, she was strong enough to keep me. If only I knew more about her… didn’t feel so vulnerable. I needed to get stronger, not allow myself to sink into being cared for, or worse, pampered. I suspected Angelica was capable of that, and much more.

  “Amazing shot.”

  One of the medics muttered it as he placed a bandage on my head that I knew I’d have off the second they were gone. From the corner, Angelica stood guard over me with a gun in her hand, and the same unreadable façade she’d conquered the Games with.

  I gave her a soft smile as the two medics left. “Thank you.”

  She didn’t respond in any way that I could see, but a feeling of safety swept over me. She was imposing, intimidating, and in no way easy to ignore. When she was in the room, there was electricity I had no resistance against. I found myself thinking about her lips as our eyes stayed locked, recalling the taste of her. She was a tattooed, muscled mystery who I found violently sexy.

  I realized I was starting to sweat. Shaking my head in pleasant surprise, I also realized that waking to find her standing over me with that syringe had changed something. I now liked it that she wanted me so much. Before, it was a means to an end, but after this, I suspected we might get closer. I could trust her to come for me, and to be lethal while doing it. That went a long way toward allaying my fears, and I gave her another smile, not speaking.

  The heat in her returning look had me taking that first step toward her.

  Angelica tensed when I got close, eyes flickering a bit as I raised a slow hand to her cheek. “Thank you.”

  I stroked my fingertips across her skin, not flinching when her fists clenched. I wasn’t as afraid of her now. Another delightful discovery that made me bolder than I’d planned to be.

  “I’d like to repay you.”

  Her body tightened, face flooding with need… I watched that rigid control snap into place before she spoke.

  “Not for any reason, would I ever accept you that way.”

  Her breath caught, voice like gravel. “It will be hard to let you go, but don’t mistake my need, for greed. When the time comes, I will walk away.”

  She moved toward the next door, the sleeping car. “And I won’t turn back. It’s how the Pruetts survive.”

  I let her leave, torn. I believed her, mostly, but there was no way I would give up this dream of freedom. I’d had it for too long to casually throw it away for a woman I’d known less than two weeks… no matter how interested my mind and body seemed to be.

  The Network

  “Is the tracker in place?”

  The voice was one that would have shocked the citizens it ruled.

  “Yes, working too, but we’re out of range once they hit the Borderlands.”

  The answer also came from a surprising source, but the two Network council members were alone again in the spacious upper tower of the complex.

  “Like the other one.”

  “Yes. When we attack, we’ll know it’s the right place by the light.”

  Meaning the soldiers who would be sent. These two, and the rest of the Network council, hadn’t left the safety of the complex in more than three decades. Not since the last shift in power meeting that had given them control, and the final steps of this plan. Knowing it would come to fruition during their rule was incredibly exciting.

  “What’s the distance on the tracker?”

  “Two hundred miles.”

  “Impressive. The scientists have been busy. Today, they gave me a report on the latest cure. It’s been successful eight of ten times.”

  “You sound happy about it. When they’re all cured, we’ll lose control.”

  “I’m not happy they’ve been successful. I am, however, overjoyed to now have something to use against the Coast in the West. As long as we hold that little secret, our sister complex will not revolt.”

  “That’s brilliant. It solves the ambush problems for our soldiers when we travel to the Borderlands for the meeting… Wait. How soon will it go public?”

  “Never, though a few trades are already in the works with the West Coast council and Canada. We need them to understand who holds the power. They’ve begun cleansing their populations, but it’s… unpopular among the masses. They’ll never get a cure, only a very limited supply of the vaccine. That will give them control over their citizens, and us a much-needed reprieve.”

  “One we’ll use to get our new toys in working order.”

  “Yes. There are hundreds of warheads under the ground in the west. Even bad odds say a few of them will be useable.”

  Far below these two remorseless leaders, the timed utilities flickered on to spotlight an enormous billboard of the last episode’s final match. The tattooed woman on that canvas was bloody, dangerous.

  “What about them? When do we stop playing with fire?”

  There was an amused chuckle and a shrug. “They’ve served themselves through the Network for a very long time. When our generosity finally runs out, we’ll get rid of every last wild Pruett left in New America.”

  “And, until then?”

  “We’ll be careful. There’s still a lot of time before the meeting. Track them and keep in contact with Rankin, but leave them alone otherwise. We need them caught off guard. If they suspect a double cross, we may lose all we’ve built.”

  “Would they come here…attack the complex openly?”

  Now the leader’s voice held a tremor of unease. “It’s what I would do.”

  “Is there a contingency plan in place, in case they do?”

  “Of course.” The Head of the Council moved away from the window. “You know how to run, right?”

  “Yy.. es.”

  “Good. They won’t give you that chance, but it’s good that you know how.”

  Jason

  The view out the window was depressing and I turned away. The train was traveling through water zones now, the kind that kept the Network in control, and the people were awful to see. The workers were paid well according to Rankin, but the conditions were lethal. Only one in every ten drillers survived their fifteen years underground to get those full benefits.

  The motion of the train was soothing, but the feeling of rolling out of New Network City, was wonderful. It made me cheerful, and I started with the questions as soon as Angelica came back through the door.

  “Have you thought about your mate questions yet?”

  Angelica stopped, shoulders tensing. “No.”

  I stood up, drawing her attention to my body. “Would you like to…”

  “No.”

  “Okay.”

  Angelica wore the same clothes out of the complex that she had during the games, and I already loved watching her legs move in those tight black pants. They weren’t as nice as Rankin’s fighting clothes, but Angelica’s fit her better and seemed to be more useful. There were pockets and pouches all along them and the inside of her thick cloak. The shirt was a long sleeved button-up, over a half top that exposed her flat stomach and made my mouth feel heavy as she adjusted her clothes. I looked away before she turned her head.

  The buffet car on the train was one to rival the live bachelor meals at the complex. Everything from expensive pastries and chocolates to succulent meats were spread out on long tables that never emptied. It was a luxury my new owner didn’t splurge on. We ate from her packed supplies, the dried meat and hard bread filling, and she watched me with heat that made me feel safe instead of a prisoner.

  Angelica

  I waited for the sound of the shower, liking his neat fetish, and then began gathering a few of the things I’d scrounged from the Network.

  I had a quick delivery and update trip to make, and now, while Jason was busy, was best. He didn’t need to get involved with me and the family business any more than he already was. As my mate, he would have been welcomed, though. I wondered what type of partner he might have become, and then stopped myself from taking the painful dream any further.

  As I closed the door behind me, I did a slow sweep to make sure the five guards I’d hired were on duty outside this car. The time for dreams might come again if I could find a replacement among Baker’s rebels, but either way, now wasn’t the place for it. I had a small window before those the Network sent after us would catch up, and I didn’t plan to waste it. There were contacts to be made, and dragons to be slain.

  Jason

  Drawn by the sounds Angelica made as she packed the small bag, I watched her leave. She’d left her gear, meaning she was coming back… There were rentable males on the train. Was that where she was headed? I certainly hadn’t given her any relief.

  Shower still running behind me, I cracked the main compartment door, and was a bit hurt to see that was indeed the car she disappeared into after a quick haggle with the guards.

  Seeing my protection was about to settle in until she came back, I slipped into the hall with a feeling of scared excitement. This was a side of my personality that I had to keep hidden from Rankin, but also the Network. Males who showed my levels of excitement were often castrated.

  I didn’t see anyone but my guards as I slipped into the drafty hall. It was normal for the train to only carry a few dozen passengers and their kind spent the ride in one of the service cars, getting their hair (and other things) blown or bloated.

  Whirrrr…

  I grabbed the wall for support as the train shuddered, picking up speed. The feel of flying along inside it wasn’t one I cared much for, especially in the wind. It rattled the cars, mainly in the curves, sending waves of unease through my stomach and chills down my back from the added draft.

  I walked up to the guards on the renting door, and donned a timid expression. “She told me to follow.”

  They knew better than to argue and their hungry curiosity trailed me as I slid in behind my new owner. Belonging to a Pruett had its advantages. Just inside the door, there was a long banister with thin poles on the top and I stayed behind it.

  Consoles and computers on one end, each rental car was filled the rest of the way with a wide, well-padded, bench-like seat. It ran the length of both sides and provided numerous spaces… positions.

  On the walls above these benches, were titanium cuffs welded into the frame. More cuffs clinked against the edges of the long bench seats, muffled a bit by the plush covering that allowed for comfort while enjoying the allotted hour.

  A closer inspection of the car revealed drawers under the benches and I assumed it held all the day to day necessities for these slaves. So far as I knew, the train males were never allowed out of these cars, unless they were with a renter. And since most renters were desperate Changelings, walks in the sun between stops were a rare treat. Couches and pillows overflowed with naked slaves, and their used, fragile skin. Their eyes were hollow (dead) and my stomach turned at the thought of seeing Angelica rent one of them.

  She had moved to the front of the car, where another set of guards lurked. She held out a slip of paper and I watched in shock as they left her alone with the half dozen men. She would use all of them?

  Now the males were taking notice… recognizing her? I couldn’t be sure.

  The door behind me slid open and I lunged for the corner, yanking a hanging cloak over my head as heavy steps entered.

  “We’re all full here.”

  Angelica’s voice was hard.

  I heard a snort.

  “All of them?”

  “I’ll only be an hour.”

  There was a heavy pause, and I felt the newcomer deciding if she wanted to challenge Angelica.

  “Fine!”

  The door opened again, heavy feet leaving, and I slid the cloak back enough to see Angelica now standing in the center of the room.

  “Pruett.”

  At her announcement, the males came to life!

  “How is Baker?”

  “Did the rebels make it to the Safe Zone?”

  “Any news of the West Coast?”

  Angelica punched in a series of choices on a small wall screen, and the males hurried to serve her as the food appeared. They joined her for the meal without permission, digging into the whole chickens like they were starving.

  I listened, realizing they probably were. The Network doled out one meal a day to the males and that included the Games prizes. They never let us forget that we were at their mercy.

  “He lives. That’s all I know at this point.”

  “And the Network?”

  “As strong as ever,” Angelica muttered bitterly.

  Their faces fell and I realized these males were like some of the Bachelors - careful information exchangers.

  “That was the new Head Defender’s personal guard that you sent out.”

  Angelica’s voice sounded as surprised as I felt. “What’s Rankin doing on this ride?”

  “On the way to meet up with troops, we heard.”

  “Or to reclaim her property...”

  That had me tensing. I’d waited too long to tell Angelica all of the truth. Now these strange males would expose my shame.

  “He looks remarkably like his Father.”

  “Does he?”

  “Yes. His father was one of us. His Mother found him pleasing and bought him. They had a good life together, but she burnt out. When Rankin wanted found out, she was in no position to defend them.”

  “Rankin killed the entire family. Jason was the only survivor.”

  “But only because she knew how he would look when grown...”

  Angelica’s intelligence was scary.

  “Her second chance to have what she hadn’t meant to kill?”

  The males confirmed it.

  “We all think so. It’s no accident she keeps him so thin. If he were bigger, she might confuse him for a ghost and snap before she can legally buy him.”

  Angelica knew now. Shame filled me, the kind that I understood I didn’t have to carry, but didn’t know how to get rid of it.

  “That explains a lot.”

  “She’s a hard one - likes the begging.”

  “Explain that.”

  “When she chooses one of us, there’s never satisfaction, only pleading for relief that doesn’t come.”

  “She makes her men suffer our torment.”

  “Yes.”

  Angelica turned her head toward the corner I was hiding in.

  “And she’ll come for him - no matter if it goes against the Network?”

  “Oh, yes. We’re out of New Network City. She won’t rest until he’s hers again and you’re dead.”

  Angelica gave them that harsh, fighting smile, and the tame train males flinched back.

  “I’ve played this game before, and now I’ve got nothing to lose.”

  “But your new mate…”

  “Will be freed.”

  “Ahh.”

  They touched her in sympathy, not drawing any of her heat or tension like I did, and I wondered what it was about them that killed the need. Was it because they were used already? She didn’t seem the type. More likely, it was because they were so thin, so hungry.