“Another plot twist,” Candice stated, staring at my bandaged arm. “And here we all thought this would be a relaxing vacation.”

  There was a sarcastic snort of laughter from the group that had me controlling a flinch. Dust coated the uneven floor around us in thin waves that would soon turn to piles and I shivered at the thought of Angelica being alone in that violence.

  Outside, the sky rumbled in warning. The dry crack of the coming dust was the same as a thunderstorm to these males, and I wasn’t surprised to see a few of the rebels cringe.

  “That explains where they went.” Daniel commented, voice rumbling.

  Candice ran a loving hand over his, drawn, and Daniel flushed in happiness.

  They seemed perfect for each other. I was willing to bet on their children being immune. The magic was hard to miss.

  “Some of it,” Candice answered, sharp gaze back on me. “Still, it’s odd that she would leave so soon…”

  “She’s gone already?”

  My worried interruption drew surprised attention from her family.

  Once again, I flushed. It seemed like that was all I could do. I just wasn’t comfortable around people, men or women. “She was good to me. I wanted to say goodbye.”

  Candice gave me another of those appraising stares. “She may stop back after she finds your admirer.”

  I gaped in shock. “Just her? That’s not enough against Rankin!”

  I was surprised by the fresh snorts and scornful laughter.

  “With you burning in her guts, Angel doesn’t even need Sam with her.”

  I was relieved to know she wasn’t alone, but the rest of the conversation and plans to get me settled were vague voices. Angelica had gone to stand between me and Rankin. I might never see her again.

  Angelica

  It felt good to be on guard.

  I’d missed it during the last months, and I used my sharp senses to pick out any sign of human movement in the roiling waves of dust that surrounded everything. We’d spent a few hours combing the area before the storm got too bad to see, but hadn’t found anything.

  We knew we still had a tail. We’d seen too many ground-level clouds even before The Ring had attacked to assume otherwise, but Rankin was slick, staying out of sight. Now that we’d reached the first stop and joined Baker, another attack was likely.

  Even if she couldn’t get a call through, it was only a matter of time before the Network chose to handle things remotely. I was hoping we still had a few days before they ran out of patience. I had plans of my own I wanted to see through. When Rankin came in to make the verification, I planned to grab her and dole out a fast match of justice. If I couldn’t get to her, I’d make her come to me.

  I wondered what secrets Jason might have told Baker by now, but I thought it didn’t matter at this point. The problem was bigger than Rankin, and we all knew it. Once this tracker was off our scent, the trouble would come anyway. The Network was unpredictable, and I’d never known of a family to go against them the way ours was now. Guessing what might happen was impossible.

  “I think it’s time we talked.”

  Sam and I were sheltered against a stone wall a mile from the cave. Once the storm let up, the view of the rebel hole-up and the rocky ground around it would be unblocked, but for now, anything moving was only debris or the dead.

  I let out a sigh. “Get it over with then.”

  “He doesn’t really want to be free, and I know what you want. What’s the problem?”

  That image of another woman being filled with life, loving his children, came to my tortured mind. I winced at the sharp pain. “The future.”

  “Your kids might not be infected.”

  Sam and I weren’t as close as I was with Candice and it surprised me that she knew my deepest fear. I didn’t answer. We both knew the odds on it.

  “So, what will you do?”

  I revealed the plan with no interest in my voice. “Pick a replacement… Start taking services, I guess.”

  “From Baker’s rebels?”

  “Where else? I took the best of the Network lot.”

  Sam chuckled. “I knew this trip would be worth the ride.”

  I snorted at her wild optimism as I did another quick sweep. Seeing nothing but howling sand, I let myself ask a question I’d always wondered about. “Don’t you feel it, Sam? Doesn’t it burn you up inside, too?”

  I was gratified, and shocked, to see her eyes blaze with pain for a brief moment before she smothered it. I expected something sharp, or even a fight to distract me. What I didn’t expect, was her brutal honesty.

  “So much that I go out and spill blood to keep from taking them against their will.”

  She saw my shock and smiled, a bit bitterly. “We’re Pruetts, right? Willing matters to all of us.”

  Somehow, I’d never thought of my sister having a conscience, and to know for sure that she didn’t rape males had me viewing her in a new light. I’d always assumed she took what she wanted. What an act she’d played!

  “It helped a little, being at the Games. I had a place to put it,” I confessed.

  My sister’s expression was one of guilty obsession. “A service is better than the pain.”

  I nodded, but inside, I knew the way she relieved it would never be enough for me. It had eased the fire to spill blood, but the cure, my vaccine against this torment, was Jason.

  I turned back to the barren landscape with a heart that refused to stop bleeding. I kept the conversation going to be distracted from it. “Do you think you’ll ever settle down?”

  I wasn’t sure Sam was going to answer, and that was another surprise. The wild sister I’d grown up with would have quickly denied such a future for herself.

  “I don’t know.”

  I gaped and received an embarrassed shrug.

  “It’s hard to see, to be around, and not want my own.”

  I knew that feeling all too well. I smiled bitterly this time. “The Games are open…”

  Again, I was surprised by the hesitation in my sister’s low tone.

  “I know...”

  “Or, you could stay and help with the rebels. You already know Candy’s hoping for it.”

  Sam smirked at that challenge, seeming more like my sister than she had since meeting us at the train.

  “Do I get to sniff the rebels, too?”

  I laughed, grateful for my family. “We’ll hunt together.”

  Sam returned my leer, but there was a serious note to her words that caught me, held me.

  “What do you hope to find in them?”

  I sensed my answer mattered to her, and gave the truth. “Remission.”

  I was braced to take her surprise or even scorn, but not more pain from my rock-hard, wild-as-hell sister.

  “I used to believe in that, too.”

  I couldn’t stop myself from asking, despite our usual habit of leaving each other alone. “What happened?”

  “Nothing.”

  Sam waved toward the group of females who were currently on guard inside the cave.

  “I’m closer to them than my own parents. I take a service when it gets too bad for the blood to push it back. I’ve lived this way for twenty years, and never once in all that time, did I find a male that I hurt to be away from.”

  Sam’s face tightened into that hard mask we all expected from her. “I lost faith.”

  She swung around to sweep behind us. “He’s drawn to you.”

  A clever switch of topics to keep me from questioning further, it worked. “It doesn’t matter.”

  She snorted, but didn’t push, and I wallowed in my misery while she looked out for me, like she’d always done.

  “One of my Runners wants him - if he chooses to be a renter.”

  “No!”

  Sam’s harsh laughter brayed out. “Those Network bachelors must be something.”

  I didn’t answer, but inside, I suspected right then what she might end up doing and she had my full support. With any luck, I’d be there to cheer her from the stands and guard her back like she would have mine if there hadn’t been other duties for her to perform then.

  Jason

  “Where is he?”

  “Outside, still.”

  “It’s only been five hours. Should he be so… upset already?”

  “No, but in this case, I think they got close on the trip here.”

  “Owners are our safety net.”

  Daniel’s words to the women drew my interest as I listened to them eat, laugh, and talk… about me.

  “Without an owner, a bachelor is defenseless.”

  Daniel’s voice held shame that I recognized - didn’t I have my own?

  “They make it so that’s all you want. When you don’t have it, the sense of being lost is hard to handle. It’s why most males are sedated when they leave the complex.”

  There was pride in those words and I assumed he hadn’t been drugged either upon leaving with a Pruett. It was another thing we had in common.

  “We’re heading out in the morning. Should I stay close to him?”

  I heard Candice snort.

  “She won’t let him travel through here alone. Free or not, he still has a protector. I’m betting she’ll return at dawn with the guard crew. Bachelors aren’t the only ones who get attached.”

  They moved toward another area of the cave as the meal finished, and I realized she’d said it to make me feel better. Had it?

  Maybe, I admitted. Knowing I might see Angelica as soon as morning had me reconsidering my plans. Could I change what I’d always wanted, if it meant I got to stay with her? I hadn’t expected being away from Angel to bother me. We’d only had a short time together, but there was no denying that I was now feeling empty on the inside.

  I watched the other males flinch from the storm that was full on us now, following Daniel further inside the tunnel, but I didn’t share their worries from the whipping wind. I had a small lea where I was sitting, and Rankin was still my only terror in the darkness.

  I’d come out here to be away from the sound of Angelica’s name on everyone’s lips, to get myself together. Many of the rebel males were interested in my former owner. If she wanted one of them, willing wasn’t a problem, and after spending time with her cousin Candice, I understood.

  She was so kind to Daniel, so loving! They were a reminder of my parents, of that happy family I wanted returned. It had hit me hard, watching them, that even if I never had a child, at least I would have that caring bond with Angelica. We’d been in enough uneasy situations for me to know she wouldn’t ever force me, wouldn’t take what I offered and use it against me. She would become my obsession, like Candice was for Daniel.

  Those two hadn’t been more than fifty feet apart the whole time I’d been here and it was both encouraging and awful. I wanted that life, but I’d also spent years dreaming of what I needed from freedom. Having a family mattered to me. I had to hug my own sons, feel that connection, that sense of love that no anger could break…

  But now, I also wanted Angelica.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jason

  The sound of the returning crew was one I couldn’t ignore, and I followed a small group of males out to the wide tunnel just inside the main entrance. The sounds were good - boasting - and I scowled over the relief I felt. I’d been terribly worried for her safety - a Changeling!

  The incoming Runners were also coated in thick desert dust, heavy layers that fell to the floor as they shook themselves off. I hung back as they moved into the morning-brightened cave, seeing Sam in the lead. Where was my Changeling?

  Angelica came through last… found me first. Her expression immediately lightened, saying she’d been worried for me as well. It was so odd that we would feel this way already, and I gave her an uneasy smile.

  She seemed to sense my reluctance, because her expression grew shuttered. I wasn’t surprised when she turned away, but the need to recapture her gaze was unexpected.

  Why was I so drawn to her? No other females had that effect on me - not even Candice and she was incredible to see as she helped the rebels. They’d finally distracted me with that last night and I’d snoozed in the corner afterwards, refusing a bed. Outside, the storm was almost gone now, but the dust coated everything. It was in our hair and shoes, and even on the tables. It would take a lot of sweeping, but I could already see places where it appeared someone had tried to conquer the dust and given up. Once the wind finished settling down, it might even be possible.

  I ignored the successful gloating of the louder females, instead straining to hear what words were being exchanged between Candice and Sam. I made out a few parts - no signs of Rankin, two-day wait on the storm, not leaving in the morning - but the noise grew as more males came into the tunnel from workouts and chores. I had to settle for staring hard and trying to read their lips.

  “She likes you…”

  Angelica had come up behind me, gravelly voice in my ear.

  “If that’s what you want, Sam would take a service…”

  “I don’t.” I flushed at my own quick denial of her coming offer to make the arrangements, but didn’t censor my words. “She’s not you.”

  Angelica flashed pink orbs, and quickly pulled it back in.

  “There might be females at the Safe Zone - ones who would give you children.”

  Telling me she knew what stood between us. Instead of another protest, I turned back toward the large group of rebels now heading for the dining hall. As they moved by, their attention was on us… Angelica.

  I felt that jealousy again and didn’t like it. “Have you chosen one of them?”

  I knew she frowned by the sudden rush of hard bodies moving away from where we were standing.

  “No.”

  “I’ll still help with that… if you want.”

  I wasn’t sure I could stand much of it, but the thought of her being alone with them didn’t sit well, either. Why? Because I wanted her, was the obvious answer, but I wasn’t sure in what way. She refused to take a service or have children, while I didn’t want to be owned, and longed for my family returned. What did that leave?

  “It’ll have to wait until we reach the Zone,” she finally answered.

  “We could do it on the way. Narrow it down a little by your list.”

  That sent her mind to the questions, to our moments on the train. I knew because it did mine too, and I felt the heat already coming from her body, increase.

  “You don’t have to. I’ll…”

  Sounding tortured, she spun away from me and I reacted without thinking. I grabbed her arm and jerked her around.

  “You’ll what?” I demanded, not caring that males were rushing for help, sure I was about to be hurt in retaliation. I knew better.

  Angelica didn’t move away from me, but she didn’t lean into my arms either.

  “I’ll pick one later!” she ground out through clenched teeth.

  I shifted my balance so that we were flush, and felt her breathing grow rough. Need flashed out, sharp and hot enough to burn me. Damn. Now, I wanted to kiss her again.

  “Am I still… Are we…” I drew in enough air to allow a full sentence. “Can I stay with you, until we get there?”

  For an instant, I thought I’d gone too far. Angelica’s eyes faded to deep, full red and the muscles against me swelled, vibrated with tension. Prepared to accept what I’d drawn, I waited as calmly as I could, determined to get what I needed - time alone with her.

  After a few seconds, Angelica closed her lids and I felt that dangerous heat recede.

  “Yes.”

  I’d expected the opposite answer and I reacted instantly. I blasted her with my emotional voice. “Good! I don’t feel like myself when you’re gone. I don’t want to eat or sleep, and I…I’m sure it’s because I missed being close to you!”

  A harsh shudder went through Angelica and she turned us, moving our bodies into the darkest shadows of the corner.

  “I’m sorry!”

  Her tone was guilty, greedy. Her mouth slanted over mine, searing me with the heat I’d missed. Need, hot and heavy, settled into my legs and began moving upward.

  My tongue slid along hers, and my pulse increased, the blood rushing. No, Sam wouldn’t be able to make me feel this way, and neither would Candice. This was the Pruett I wanted.

  I jerked Angelica closer, throbbing against her when she moaned lowly against my lips. I liked the sound of that - a lot.

  Angelica came back to herself all at once, ending our kiss. She took a single step back, eyes flickering dangerously.

  “What game are you playing?”

  I honestly wasn’t sure. I just couldn’t seem to leave her alone. I dropped my head.

  “Tell me what you want.”

  “To be…” I hesitated. I’d already seen that Daniel was free to do as he pleased, even though he was owned. Was that enough for me? At least for now?

  “You don’t know!”

  Her lowly-growled discovery had my cheeks turning redder.

  Angelica moved back another step. “I don’t want a…”

  “I haven’t offered one,” I countered quickly.

  Angelica nodded tightly. “Until we reach the Safe Zone, I’ll keep you close. After that, you need to make a final choice.”

  “Between you and freedom?”

  Angelica gave me a sad look. “Only you can answer that, Jason.”

  She turned toward the hall, where Baker was lingering, listening.

  “But, I need you willing, and there’s little I won’t give in return.”

  Did that mean she was weakening on her stance against kids? Could I treat her that way, knowing I’d worn her down, made her go against her ideals?

  Angelica stepped past Baker with a shake of her head, meaning he wasn’t supposed to comfort me or explain. I was glad when he disobeyed her and moved my way.

  “If you plan on staying with her, then make it clear to the other males. Right now, she’s considered fair game.”

  He stepped around me to get to the main door, and I realized he hadn’t gone against Angelica at all, but he had managed to rile me. Had he known it would or did the rebel leader really want me to give the other males my approval?