“I love you,” Marc whispered. “I’m sorry.”

  Angela pretended she was already asleep, heart breaking. She would have her own atoning to do when this was over, but she didn’t know any other way to get Marc’s cooperation on this one. Kenn had forced him into killing the snake women, but he’d only been able to because those females were a serious future threat. There was no way Marc could be pushed into sacrificing one of their kids and at times like this, deep in the safety of his arms, it was hard to imagine that she could be so heartless either.

  But I am, she reminded herself, starting to drift. I have to be. I’m the leader.

  Chapter Ten

  Fireworks, Anyone?

  1

  “She’s getting worse.”

  Neil rolled over to look. Samantha had begun shivering around dawn. Jeremy was taking the first shift holding her as she groaned and thrashed.

  “The sedative’s wearing off.”

  Jeremy smoothed her hair from her brow. “What else can we do for her?”

  Neil watched her shiver, wondering if she even knew they were there. “I’ll go find out.”

  Jeremy settled back as Samantha appeared to calm, eager to catch a few minutes of snoozing.

  Neil quickly pulled on his boots, and went out into bright sunlight and activity everywhere. Games and booths were being set up by the lower level Eagles, fireworks were being wired, and Li Sing had all the smells of a great celebration floating through the camp. It was such a difference from what he was used to that Neil stopped to gape.

  “It’s something, huh?”

  Neil nodded at the friendly female voice, a bit dazed.

  “Are we still on for tonight, Neil?”

  The trooper glanced down to find Bridget at his side, smiling generously.

  “No, I can’t. Sam’s sick.”

  Bridget frowned. “Jeremy’s with her, right? You could sneak away for a little while.”

  Saying Samantha’s name reminded Neil that he needed to hurry. He shrugged, moving on. “We’ll see.”

  “That’s not a no,” Bridget whispered, leering as if Neil had said something sexy to her. These Safe Haven women just had to know how to set things up. Then, they could have whatever they wanted.

  Neil found Adrian alone and drilled through his new shield to get some answers.

  Adrian, in pain and worried, didn’t want to cooperate. He repeatedly insisted that Angela had those answers, but Neil refused to leave emptyhanded.

  “I don’t care that you’ve given up,” he stated firmly. “I only care about helping Sam. What should we do?”

  Adrian sighed. “You have to distract her. I told you that.”

  Neil scowled. “How? She’s in too much pain for talking, let alone games or books.”

  Adrian grimaced, but stuck to the plan. “Give her a shower, feed her, smoke one with her. Take her by the booths if she has the energy. She’ll absorb the happiness of the camp and it will help.”

  Neil didn’t think that was nearly enough. “What else?”

  Adrian didn’t have much else to say. “Keep her sedated.”

  “We tried that. She’s already coming up from the full dose John gave us.”

  Adrian relaxed. “It’ll be over soon then, within the next day. Get her out in the sunlight. It’ll speed it up.”

  “What happens then?”

  “She’ll have a new gift to master. Has she said anything about what it might be?”

  “No.”

  “When she does, make sure you tell Angela.”

  Neil scowled and left the tent without promising that he would. What was Adrian’s problem?

  Neil made it to the tent to find Jeremy and Samantha sleeping. He quietly lay down on his bedroll and let himself drift off. He would take Adrian’s advice, but when they woke up, not now. All three of them needed more rest. Two hours wasn’t enough to get through much without showing signs of stress and there was a thick sense of bad times coming.

  2

  Kenn spotted the tripwire and deftly avoided it.

  “Missed me, you little shit,” he boasted, still not sure who his tormentor was.

  “Maybe next time,” Kenn bragged, ripping the line away from his tent flap as he ducked inside.

  Wooshhh!

  Kenn shivered as the icy bucket of water splashed over his shoulders and down into his jeans like a small waterfall. “Son of a…”

  Kenn stormed from the tent, fists clenched. “I am gonna find out. When I do, payback will be swift and merciless.”

  Those close enough to hear him didn’t doubt the threat even as they snickered. More than one of them made a mental note to talk to the person they thought was responsible.

  Kenn stomped by the group standing outside the medical tent, and their unsuccessfully hidden smirks and snickers.

  “Someone’s going to be in big trouble when he catches them,” Angela commented, turning away to hide her own cackle of vindication. Every time Kenn got hit with something, the past faded a bit more for her.

  “As long as they keep being careful, they’ll be all right,” Conner stated, keeping his gaze away from the angry man.

  “You sound like you know something…” Adrian’s low words made Conner inspect Angela warily.

  Angela sighed. “I’ll talk to Charlie about it later.”

  Conner was now slightly worried. “He’s not gonna get in trouble is he?”

  Angela chuckled. “No. At least not until he’s been rewarded.”

  “What about Tracy?”

  Angela stared in surprise. “She’s in on it?”

  Conner realized he’d told too much and stopped talking.

  Angela picked out that female going into the hair tent and moved her way.

  Behind her, Conner and Adrian exchanged glances, but didn’t interfere. She was Charlie’s parent. She had every right.

  “If my mom had been more like her, would she have walked out of the Major’s compound?”

  Adrian gave a short nod. “I believe so.”

  Conner waited for something more. When there was only silence, he glared. “What’s wrong with you?”

  Adrian remained silent.

  Conner grew frustrated. “You’ve quit. You can’t do that, not now. They need you.”

  “No, they don’t.”

  Conner stared for a long minute, searching, and then turned away. “Maybe you were right to pass it on, then. At least she still has some hope.”

  Adrian had never felt more alone.

  3

  Angela ducked into the hair tent without triggering any alarms, but when she motioned Candy out, the female in the chair knew there was a problem.

  Angela slid into the second seat and swiveled it around. She leaned back and folded her hands across her lap.

  “Let’s you and I have a talk.”

  Tracy slowly took the hair cover from around her neck. “Okay.”

  Angela studied her, openly scanning for the information she wanted.

  Tracy brought up the wall that Charlie had taught her, but wasn’t sure how much of it she’d covered.

  “Interesting.”

  Tracy flushed at the sarcastic tone. “It isn’t what it looks like.”

  “It looks like you two have been sneaking around and enjoying it. Making Kenn pay has grown into something else.”

  Tracy was quick to deny. “That was all me. Charlie doesn’t know I’ve still been doing it.”

  “Why would you?”

  Tracy looked away. “For what he’s done. He deserves to pay more than what he got.”

  Now knowing how Charlie had convinced her, Angela continued, “What are your intentions toward my son? Is he an easy way into the chain of command?”

  Tracy was horrified. “No! We’re friends!”

  “And when he pushes you for more?”

  “He won’t do that,” Tracy lied.

  “He is below the age limit for another four months,” Angela stated coolly. “I will not be lenient.”

  Tracy realized she wasn’t being told to stay away, that she wasn’t good enough, and took hope. But she needed to hear it and forced herself to ask, “What about when he reaches the age limit?”

  Angela swallowed the disgusted motherly anger. “It has to be his choice, his idea. Otherwise, everyone will assume you’re with him for the chance at power.”

  “But you’d know differently, wouldn’t you?”

  Angela didn’t like to admit that the start of a real bond was already glowing brightly in Tracy’s heart. “Yes, but if you break the rules, that won’t matter. Unlike Jennifer and Becky, my son hasn’t been abused that way. If you want him, you’ll wait for him. When it comes to Charlie, you only get one mistake.”

  “And then you have me banished,” Tracy guessed quietly.

  “No,” Angela corrected. “Charlie will. You’ve already figured out how determined he is, and he promised you things that only he can deliver, right?”

  Tracy didn’t answer–didn’t need to.

  “Once you hurt him, he’ll bring down a wall and never let you in again. Be sure, Tracy. Friendship might be better for both of you.”

  Instead of continuing to deny it, Tracy chose to offer what so few would-be daughter-in-laws refused to give, the truth.

  “I don’t want to feel anything for him. I don’t understand it. I have access to power in a lot of ways, but your son is the only one who doesn’t make me feel dirty.” Tracy made a face absently. “If I could be sure it’ll stay that way, I’d already have asked for your permission to date him come October.”

  Angela liked the courage it took to admit that, but didn’t let Tracy off the hook. “Don’t use him as a test dummy, either. He’ll be willing, but I’ll shut it down. You make that choice long before it ever goes past friendship.”

  “I will,” Tracy agreed. “After the way he’s stalking Kenn, I refuse to get on that side of him.”

  Wise, Angela thought. Charlie would be more ruthless than Marc in time. She hated that, but this new world would demand it in exchange for survival.

  “I can stay away until he’s legal...if you’d rather.”

  Angela didn’t hesitate. She could only interfere so much and then she would have problems with Charlie. “He’ll make his own choices on who he wants to spend time with. You just be sure those moments don’t cross a line and I won’t stand in his way.”

  “Thank...”

  Charlie ducked into the tent, face angry, and both females braced for his reaction.

  “Matt’s cornered near the supply trucks. It’s Timmy and Mike again.”

  Angela left the tent at a fast clip, keying her mic. “Cynthia to the supply trucks.”

  Charlie quickly caught up. “What can I do?”

  Angela sighed. “Go lie to Tracy–tell her you didn’t overhear any of that so she’ll quit stressing about you having the upper hand. I need her mind in the plans our team is working on.”

  Charlie grinned, running back the way they’d come.

  Angela sighed in resignation. What would those family gatherings be like? She snorted at herself and waved Kevin over. They had to live until then to worry about it.

  It’s under control, Marc sent. Matt ran off.

  Angela didn’t change her direction. The plans she’d made for Zack’s future criminals would start now.

  Before Angela got to the supply trucks, the fog bank reached the tents and enveloped her in feathery gray wisps.

  Her protection stayed close.

  Angela felt them on her heels, but the presence in front of her made her pause. She didn’t know them… “Who is that?”

  “It’s Chris. We’ve got more trouble with the animals.”

  Almost instantly, Angela felt the familiar vibe of the vet and followed him to the animal area, spotting the issues. Cages were empty, feathers and blood littered the grass, and the wolf was standing protectively in front of the remaining pens.

  “Someone or something broke in and took the animals we’ve been using for food. Even the cows were turned out.”

  Angela frowned. “Someone or something?”

  The vet studied their perimeter, where the ant colony was beginning to pour from their hills. “We were raided.”

  Angela took stock again, trying to view it the way Marc and Adrian would.

  The cages weren’t turned over, implying a person. The wolf wasn’t glaring at their perimeter. He was observing the vet.

  “What happened here?” Kyle asked, coming to her side.

  Angela saw the vet flinch and revised her suspicions. The vet was too timid to be a part of this. “We don’t know. He thinks it was the ants. I think someone in camp is a serious vegetarian.”

  “Where’d all the blood come from?” Shawn asked.

  “Open cages don’t mean all the animals fled,” Angela pointed out. “We had a predator come in after they were opened.”

  “Some PETA plan, there,” Marc scoffed, gesturing to the nearest Eagle. “Call in a crew and clean it up. We’ll secure new animals while we’re here.”

  Angela glanced at Dog. Is there something I need to know about the vet?

  The wolf stared at her in concern. His mind is closed to me.

  Angela sighed. Same here. I’ll put him under watch after this is settled and we’re back to normal.

  You mean when Adrian once again runs the herd?

  Yes, Angela answered his doubt firmly, heading into the main camp. I don’t want this job. It’s too heavy for my shoulders.

  Dog stared as she faded into the fog. But you’re their last line now. He’ll never fit that role alone again.

  4

  “Why are my boys in a QZ tent with their shit?”

  Zack’s question was upset enough to bring guards closer.

  “Because I want them to think they’re being sent out of Safe Heaven,” Angela answered matter-of-factly.

  Zack did what few of them had expected. He admitted his shame. “I ain’t done right by them.”

  Angela wasn’t able to have mercy. “We’ve let them off the hook too many times. Matt’s violent reactions have endangered the camp, and your boys are responsible for a good portion of his misery.”

  “They miss their mom,” Zack tried to explain.

  Angela cut him off. “If you can’t change their behavior, they can’t stay. It’s that simple.”

  “I’ll get them in line,” Zack vowed. “Quickly.”

  Angela studied him as if she didn’t have much faith. “Not yet. I get them first.”

  Zack swallowed a protest. Angela wouldn’t hurt his sons. “Whatever it takes to clean this up. They need to be here.”

  “I agree,” Angela said, waving a hand toward the flap. “Make them think they’re leaving–without you. We’ll start there.”

  Zack didn’t want to grin, but couldn’t help it. That threat alone would keep them in line for a while. Controlling his sons had never been a priority, but Zack now realized what they did would also change his place here, not just his own actions.

  “It’ll work. I’ll make it happen.”

  Angela didn’t doubt it. Zack was part of their core team now. He wouldn’t give that up lightly.

  5

  “It’s windy,” Samantha muttered, not opening her eyes. “Someone close the flap.”

  Neil forced himself into alertness first, looking at the doorway.

  “It is closed,” he grumbled, yawning. He turned his head to check on Samantha and began kicking Jeremy, unable to speak.

  “What?” Jeremy grudgingly rose up to find out why he was being abused

  “Must be a hole,” Samantha complained. She stretched gingerly. It was too bright to even consider peeking.

  “Sam!”

  Neil slid back and Jeremy followed his lead, both keeping their hands up in defense.

  Samantha stared in amazement at the tent, at the dozen objects whirling around in the air. Pencils, a notebook, her knife, all spun by in a blur of activity as Sam realized where it was coming from.

  “I’m doing this,” she said in wonder.

  Neil ducked the notebook and knocked the sheathed knife out of the air before it hit his face. “We noticed.”

  The pages fluttered, some ripping as the notebook picked up that blurry spin and began flying again.

  The pencil smacked against Jeremy’s wrist as he blocked. “Can you shut it down?”

  Neil grunted, “Close the flap!”

  Samantha concentrated and the objects stopped spinning all at once. They thumped to the canvas.

  Samantha giggled happily as the men relaxed from their defensive positions.

  Neil studied her warily. “You’re better?”

  Samantha did a fast evaluation of herself. “Other than the headache.”

  She grimaced. “There’s still some burning, too. It must not be over yet.”

  Both men scowled, exchanging glances as they stood up and began gathering the fallen objects.

  Samantha raised her hand and a sharp blast of wind ripped the notebook from Neil’s hand. Papers floated over the floor as Samantha’s laughter rang out.

  “This is great!”

  Her men couldn’t resist her happiness, smiling.

  Samantha began blasting things around and Neil ducked again, going for the flap. “I’ll stand a post.”

  Jeremy dodged the knife and took a hairbrush to the hip. “Wait, I’ll help.”

  Behind them, Samantha let herself go. The tent came alive with spinning, whirling objects that slammed against the canvas walls.

  Neil gave a polite nod to the camp members who were being drawn, and took up a place near the flap.

  “She’s having a rough afternoon,” Jeremy explained to the group of women going by.

  Sam’s cackle echoed from the tent.

  The women all raised a brow, mouths opening, and Neil scrambled for an excuse. “It’s PMS.”

  Hilda motioned for the females to keep going. “That’s not how I remember it.”

  The thumps continued, getting harder and louder, and it was impossible to not to feel content as they listened to her explore the new gift.

  6

  Samantha came from the tent a bit later. “I’m hitting the shower. You think there’s anyone there now?”