No, I realized. They were depending on Angelica for that. And they were sure she would win. I didn’t catch a hint of doubt, of worry for their youngest family member. All I saw was confidence in a fellow Pruett.

  “She’ll do it because they’re for freedom.”

  Baker’s voice was moving away, heading in to moderate the newest possible match. It was clear he was eager.

  “That is what you asked for, wasn’t it? Freedom?”

  “How can I be free, if she owns me?”

  Baker’s response was curt, impatient. “Considering the brand on your arm and your current state of no rules, I’d say it would be a lot like it is now.”

  The rebel leader snorted impatiently at me. “Do you think she’ll be different? Chain you up? Beat you?”

  I quickly shook my head. “No.”

  “Then you’re worrying over a future that can’t even happen until we take down the Network. After that, we’ll have the vaccine and your children can grow up normal.”

  They left me standing there with those words beating around in my brain. It was something I hadn’t thought about, even though I’d been there for the negotiations with the lepers. When the Network fell, we would control all of the vaccine. Our kids could be born immune. The life I wanted with Angelica was entirely possible… if we took down the Network. If we lost, we’d all be dead anyway and it wouldn’t matter.

  It was a terrifying revelation, but also a liberating one. I had nothing to lose by spending time with Angelica, bonding with her, and everything to gain by staying close and in the fight.

  My feet moved me away from the mate-picking area. I felt her in there, waiting for me to do as I’d said, but with these dangerous thoughts beating in my brain, I needed to see something first, to confirm a last doubt.

  I moved toward the female tunnels, wondering if my being here would put me in danger from the few Runners who’d chosen to rent a male. None of the tunnels here had any light except for the corn candles set into carved holders spiked to the walls, and the feeling was eerie.

  The cloth door was open, as were most of those around me, providing a variety of sights that sent heat into my cheeks.

  I tapped gently on the stone. “Anyone in?”

  There was a giggle, followed by a low male growl and I peered around the corner reluctantly.

  “Why did you pick me?”

  It was usually the males who asked that question, and I moved back out of sight to listen. I respected the pretty-boy - Greg had chosen his mate - and I wanted a confirmation from him.

  “You’re different, you make me feel things I never have, and… I won’t need the drugs.”

  I eased out of the room and closed the door as sexual tension flared behind me. I would have thought he’d be bleeding by now, but it sounded like they were taking the time to know each other first. That was what I needed with Angelica - to know her better and to let her know the real me.

  “And I won’t need the drugs.”

  Neither did I. That one tiny thing, the physical reaction, was what made the choice in attraction, in immunity. How frustrating nature was to hide something so complex inside something so simple! And how amazingly hard to know if that reaction was lust, or the awareness of something more, hoping to be given the chance to grow.

  I moved back down the tunnels with my mind full of discoveries, finally starting to understand that the future I wanted most was possible. Baker was right. Angelica would never chain me or hold me against my will - and I would be loved. She might not think she was capable of it, but after everything I’d seen from her and her strangely wonderful family, I knew better. She would be my slave if I wanted, as Rosa would be in time to Greg if he needed it of her.

  “But I won’t ask for that.”

  I ignored the reactions of those few around to hear, no longer caring about the danger. These were Pruetts, I was safe… but was I ready to let Angelica know I was hers for the taking?

  Yes. Baker and Greg, along with my own eyes, had given me the last of the clues I needed to be able to agree to what she needed. We didn’t have to be apart anymore…

  I swung the curtain open to the matching session, ready to declare myself.

  Angelica

  I swallowed a groan as the curtain opened and yet another willing male moved into the room. The smells of them were torment. Just because I wanted only Jason, didn’t mean their interest wasn’t flaring along my nerves like flames.

  Baker had them staying back, and I was sitting in the center of the floor, with the note-writer that Jason had recorded the list into. I opened it with steady hands and a hurting heart.

  “If you hear something on my list that you don’t like or fit, please leave,” I began. I understood that Jason wasn’t going to help me with this and I didn’t blame him for it. In his shoes…

  I sighed, scanning his notes.

  Black hair - long

  Size - big

  Beard

  Add 25 pounds?

  Sense of humor

  Courage - follow instincts when alone

  Smell good

  No kids – big problem

  Hates the Network

  Knows she’s burning up - how can I help when she won’t take a service?

  Hunt with them - check out family - who gets me?

  Remission

  No friends - Pure

  I started with the one he’d underlined, knowing that only for him, would I ever budge on it. “I won’t have kids.”

  There was a small exodus, where I let out the breath I’d been holding. I was afraid they were all so determined to be with a Pruett that they would sacrifice their own desires and I couldn’t have that.

  “I… I like black hair.”

  Now there were disappointed mutters and a large number of feet leaving. I didn’t raise my head, thinking it would be so unfair to find one who resembled him - to pretend I had him when I didn’t.

  “I’d like to have someone who will hunt with us.”

  As I went over the list, the number of males in the room slowly lessened and took my small hope with it. At this rate, I would exclude all the rebels and never pick a mate. If I just gave in to…

  I glanced up for the first time since seeing how many of these rebels wanted to belong to a Pruett and found Jason standing by the entrance.

  I couldn’t read anything in his expression, and didn’t assume he’d changed his mind. I closed up my misery and sent my attention back to the remaining males. They were waiting eagerly for the next qualification, and I made a rough count of thirty. All that black hair to roam, and my hot gaze still found Jason first.

  I stood up, slamming my mind shut to that pain. “I’d like a pure mate.”

  Baker consoled the renters as they left and I saw Jason’s smirk from the corner, his clear satisfaction that only five males remained. He didn’t want me to find a replacement, but he wouldn’t be mine, either. What did he feel as he watched me do this? Was it clawing angrily at his heart like it was mine?

  I thought that unlikely and moved toward the nearest of the remaining males with a blank face. I would survive.

  “Can I… I’d like to smell you.”

  There were chuckles and one flinch of worry that narrowed the list further.

  I hadn’t mentioned I needed courage, all of them thought they had it, but this first male, standing up tall and steady, really did.

  His scarred hand went out to mine and I let him take it.

  “I’m Troy.”

  He placed a soft kiss on my skin and pink tints came into my sight.

  His smile widened a bit. “I like you, too.”

  Troy was clearly versed in dealing with Changelings and I sensed he wasn’t pure by the same standards as Jason. This one had been loved before, knew how to use it to his advantage.

  I drew my hand back slowly, thinking I didn’t like his boldness, even though I needed the courage. How strange!

  I leaned in quickly, placing my cheek against his, and wasn’t at all surprised when Troy turned his head.

  I hesitated, thinking if I let him kiss me, I had to allow the others… but there were only four more and I thought I could take that much to be sure none of these would do in Jason’s place.

  I met Troy’s eager lips…

  It was like kissing a wet slip of rubber, and I pulled back quickly, moved on. Maybe he could be taught not to slobber? I scrubbed my sleeve across my mouth in revulsion.

  The second male was the one who’d flinched, and I slowed my movements, trying not to scare him further. He was darker skinned than the others, all satin-sexy and stocky, but he shied back before I even leaned in. Next!

  The third male resembled Jason more than the rest. The shade of their hair and skin was close, and those pale blue eyes were very close to gray. I studied his patiently waiting face. Yes, I could pretend with this one.

  “What’s your name?”

  Unlike during the Game, I didn’t brace, hoping the sound of his voice would give me heat.

  “Brian.”

  It did, but only the kind that made my stomach crawl and I moved onto the last without scenting him.

  The fourth male was more than the others in about every way. He had more height, more muscles showing, more sexual appeal. His ebony hair was in a long ponytail, and I liked the way the stubble made him appear fresh from bed.

  Ready to be disappointed, I stepped closer.

  “I’m Nathan.” He extended a hand, sending out a sharp, sweet smell that immediately had my head snapping up in attention.

  He leaned toward me, showing his boldness. “It’s nice to meet you, Angel.”

  I heard a low growl echo in the room as our hands touched, but I was pulled into a hazy desire that had a sense of calm boredom.

  I jerked my hand back, sensing the fate that waited with this one. Yes, we were compatible but only enough for me to burn-out.

  “I’m sorry.”

  I spun for the door, humiliated, but was stopped by Baker’s amused voice.

  “You’ve got one left.”

  For an awful instant, I thought he meant himself.

  I turned around to see the perfect male that I now dreamed about almost nightly, thought about first as I woke, couldn’t, no matter how hard I’d tried, put out of my mind.

  Jason waited patiently, hands shoved into his pockets. “Won’t you come check me over?”

  I slowly shook my head. “It’s too much, Jason. Don’t do this.”

  His face flooded with guilt and I knew what he had planned. Thanks to my flipping for him, he knew how much control I had, how far he could go. He wasn’t afraid of my hidden Changeling anymore and he wanted me enough to force things this way. He would lay down a time frame and I would be honor-bond to stick to it.

  Heat blasted through my cold heart and I took a few steps closer. “For how long?”

  “A year to start out. More if we… still feel the same way.” His quick answer said yes, he needed a time-limit to feel safe in his future, his freedom.

  I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Why are you giving in?”

  “Because if we take the Network, we’ll have the vaccine.”

  I was smart enough to add up those clues, and instantly furious with myself for missing it. Another world opened in front of me, one where I carried Jason’s growing child.

  He took the steps that brought us within a foot of each other. “It’s a hope, right?”

  I nodded shakily, not bothering to ask what would happen then. After a year, if he didn’t want to stay with me, I would let him go. Until that time, there would be no children… unless we took the Network and the vaccine.

  “Angel?”

  My flames blazed, but I pushed reality into his plans. I had to be sure I understood. “And if we get the cure?”

  He flushed, but didn’t hesitate. “Once a year, you must ask me if I want to be freed.”

  I waited. Surely there was more? It hit me then that he was searching for a match, too. I’d seen, and been a part of, too many moments here to miss it. He wanted the freedom to pick his own mate - even the way he’d handled this moment proved it. So long as it was his choice, he would stay with me, I was suddenly sure.

  I dropped my head, afraid he would read my eagerness and changed his mind. “There isn’t anything you can ask for that I won’t try to give you. Once we take the vaccine, that’ll include a family.”

  I watched from under lowered lashes, seeing Jason’s happiness. He’d needed to hear that and I vowed to reassure him more often. If that was all it took to make him content in my protection, I would see to it devotedly.

  Jason stepped closer, hand coming up to slide behind my hair and cup my neck. “Can I stay with you tonight?”

  I knew what he meant by that, what he wanted to be allowed to do for me, and I gave a short, nervous grunt. “From this moment, you don’t have to ask.”

  His mouth moved toward mine. “Thank you for taking what I can give.”

  I groaned as our lips touched. “Thank you for picking me.”

  It was the right thing to say.

  His hands tightened, tongue shoving in to claim my mouth and I held still while he sealed our service contract, but inside, I hurt.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Jason

  “This is yours.”

  Angelica sat a small box on the table next to our empty plates and I immediately recognized the train logo. It was the most expensive chocolate sampler the desert car offered.

  “I can get you something else, if you don’t care for them.”

  I shook my head, touched. “I love these. Thank you.”

  She grunted. “Sure.”

  It was hard to chew and grin but I managed. We were all gathered for a warm meal of rabbit soup, our first half of the long day spent foraging the remains around us for supplies.

  The chocolates were even better than I remembered and I gave Angelica a wider smile as I chose another from the layered box. “Would you like one?”

  Angelica shook her head. I got the sense she liked observing me as I enjoyed the treat and I eagerly sucked the gooey chocolate from my fingertips.

  Her face turned red, watching me clean myself that way, and I felt my body respond. There was no doubt that we were a match there.

  Around us, the others were going about the evening as usual. Before each guard change, the males painted themselves to blend into their surroundings, and I compared it to Sam’s big Runners as I ate my treat.

  The rebels had done a great job, but those stunningly painted hands and faces paled in comparison to the perfect cover of the animal skin cloaks on each of the big females. They rippled, blending into the stone almost perfectly as the females came in for a meal. The cloaks were two-sided, one slate, the other vivid and I marveled at the cleverness of it. I was sure I wasn’t the only one to do so.

  “We have some new faces.”

  Greg’s words turned all heads to the four new males who came into the tunnel behind him. Thin and wild-faced, the two in the front stayed frozen in the doorway, viewing the females here like they were contagious.

  Baker moved toward them, and drew recognition immediately.

  “It’s him!”

  “I told you we were headed the right way!”

  Baker held out a hand. “Welcome to freedom.”

  He shook with them, drawing out their story in short words and comforting tones.

  Our newest rebels were William, Noah, James, and a forth man that Baker hadn’t gotten to yet. These males were jumpy, but the fourth man lingered in the corner. He swept the center group with a gleam of satisfaction, lingering on Candice and Daniel, and then came back to the rebel leader. Did he know them?

  “Welcome. I’m Baker.”

  “Keith.”

  “So, where are you from?”

  I listened closely to the fourth man’s answer, not caring for him. The other newcomers were raggedy, two of them barefoot, and one in moccasins, but this fourth man was fully dressed and not starving.

  “From the complex - I was a Games bachelor.”

  Now I frowned openly, drawing Angelica’s attention. I’d been under the Network’s dome for 15 years. I’d seen or heard the name of every bachelor who was a part of a prize lot and this man, with his unscarred hands and unafraid attitude, hadn’t been among them. I had vague memories of the other three, though Noah - the one with the bald head - I hadn’t placed to a Game yet. The other two were from the aquatics floor.

  “Come have a meal and meet everyone.”

  The handsome man and his ragged purple stripe were directed to Baker’s table with the other new males. My heart thumped. Had we let in a spy?

  Angelica

  I knew of Jason’s unease before he spoke. I’d felt his tension, picked out the cause of it not long after. As I studied Keith, I understood.

  The one with the purple stripe hadn’t been a bachelor. There was no way he could have been - not without flinching at the female growls of approval as he and Baker stepped by Sam’s area.

  The animal Games were the most brutal the Network offered. No one ever came out of those cells with emotions intact, and certainly not manners. All of the others fit that part more than him with their fearful glances. One of them, Noah, was even resting a hand on his belt knife as the Runners cackled loudly about fresh meat.

  I squeezed Jason’s arm, knowing what he was about to say. “You’re sure you’ve never seen Keith there?”

  Jason nodded, keeping his voice low. “He’s dressed as an animal Games prize, but look at the rebel by Daniel. He has the same purple stripe, but no welcome, and no recognition, either. Those guys go through hell and they get close. There’s no way they wouldn’t at least know each other.”

  I saw how our Animal Man’s gaze kept returning curiously to the newcomer, like he was trying to place him and couldn’t. I stood up.

  “Stay here.”

  “Yes, Angel.”

  Jason triggered my heat intentionally, like Sam had during the Hound attack. It told me he was worried and wanted me alert enough to be safe.

  I turned toward Keith with pink eyes.