It was a fear Senna shared.

  “True, but it’s our only other option. We know back the way you came leads us almost directly to their camp,” David pointed out, and Senna’s stomach curdled at that possibility.

  “We don’t have much of an option though, do we? I can’t be caught again, Franklin. None of us can afford that. I vote we take the chance, get as far as we can. They won’t be checking, they don’t of an evening. It’s as if they don’t have the stamina or—”

  Senna turned her head to Erin, aware of the importance of that statement, even if no one else was. “What? What do you mean by they don’t of an evening?”

  Erin twisted in the seat, releasing a hiss of obvious discomfort. “They almost shut down. The adults with them take over minimal control, but their job is mainly to drive and direct. None of them are military trained though, so…” She shrugged, and Senna closed her eyes, offering thanks for this tiny grain of information.

  “Have we ever seen them active at night?” she wondered aloud.

  Franklin simply frowned. “Not a lot. We had the massed attack on the base, but that’s about it. I wonder if there are ranks of soldiers and ranks of others to do the more menial tasks. Some prepared for night maneuvers and others for day. That would make sense.”

  David gathered Erin closer at Franklin’s words, at least until she yowled with pain.

  Senna tossed the information about in her mind. Some created to fight during the day but unable to be useful in the night, while others the opposite. Splitting resources. Perhaps that could be used to our benefit. So long as the intel was sound, of course.

  “We have to get back as quickly as we can and tell Jonah what we’ve learned,” Senna said.

  “I agree. So, highway?”

  “Yeah. Let’s get back to base as fast as we can.”

  CHAPTER 14

  The journey took two days, and Franklin knew Senna was concerned about Erin. She dispensed analgesics and fretted. They pushed the vehicle hard, but by the end of the second day the base was a beacon on the horizon.

  “Thank heavens,” he muttered, and Senna glanced at him. She didn’t speak, but he could tell she agreed with his comment.

  The vehicle ate up the road, a series of motley vehicles following the same path catching his attention.

  “Stop!” called David, and Franklin looked around, stunned.

  Nonetheless, he glided the vehicle to the side of the road and noted the collection followed suit. David and Erin were out of the car and hurried to the lead vehicle. He and Senna followed slowly.

  David and Erin embraced a grizzled, older couple and introduced them as Astrid and Jude, and Franklin knew this was the crew coming to bolster the crews working night and day at the base.

  “What the hell?” Astrid exclaimed after David had introduced her. The older woman’s graying hair was scraped back in a messy topknot.

  “We were jumped just outside the township. We haven’t yet managed to get word to Cam,” said David as he dragged his hand through his hair. “I’m not sure they’ll go further but…” He shrugged as waves of frustration rolled off Jude.

  “We’ve got ways to contact them. Let them know,” Jude, a grizzled man of indeterminate age, rasped, then returned to his vehicle. It looked like a wreck, yet the purr of the engine belied its state.

  “How?” demanded Franklin, but the woman—Astrid—simply winked.

  As they neared the base, they slowed, scanning for signs of incoming warriors, Franklin’s hackles rose.

  “I wonder if they’ve got the cargo onboard yet?” Jonah queried of Senna.

  “They were taking a day or so, since the process of getting the colonists into the stasis pods is slow. I think once they cleared the medical process there was talk that they would be placed in family groups, their personal items loaded into the allocated containers.”

  The cars came to a halt and Franklin and David climbed down to confer with Astrid and Jude and how the next short while may proceed.

  Without much further chatter, they broke away and headed back to their vehicle, Erin remaining in the back seat and David sliding in beside her.

  The vehicle purred as Franklin touched a finger to the ignition point and they glided back onto the road, all the while aware that ahead someone might be watching.

  They approached a bridge, the small river below full, thanks to the seasonal northern rains. The vehicle clattered on, crossing the river, and once they’d cleared it, he saw them—a knot of children waiting in silence at the second bridge, their stances wide, like conditioned fighters. Sentinels refusing them passage.

  “Shit!”

  Senna reached for her pistol. “I can take them.”

  He grunted, seeing only three. Behind him came the rustle of movement, and he guessed David had also pulled out his pistol. “There’s more than that,” Franklin muttered, and he noted others climbing from below.

  He stamped on the brake, indecision warring inside.

  Reverse and retreat. Wait for reinforcements.

  Push onward. Drive through the mass, and hope we can shake them off before we reached the gates.

  “We should stop, Franklin. What if they have Mother of Satan?” Senna’s words exploded in his mind.

  He growled with fury, threw the gear stick into reverse, and the car whined as he floored it, retreating to the bridge and off the other side. “Senna, get in contact with Jonah. We need reinforcements.”

  The car spun, a wild fishtail movement that sent them flying against the seat. Erin cried out, and David cursed.

  “There’s two hours until sunset. They’re probably the daytime contingent. If we hunker down, we can wait them out.” Erin groaned from the rear seat.

  He considered her words. “Perhaps, but they may have reinforcements on the way. We need to move.”

  He spied Astrid and Jude and all the others loaded on the truck, and pulled alongside it. “We need to back up. There’s a roadblock of sorts ahead.”

  Astrid’s eyes narrowed. “Roadblock? What kind of blockage?”

  “Children,” Franklin groused.

  “Hmm. They’ve got bio-tech, right? I might have something that will assist.”

  Franklin watched as Astrid ducked down then reappeared with an overlarge knapsack in hand, and they waited for her to dig in the bag and pull out a box. David had explained that she’d previously worked for Max-Corp, a communications and electronics company, and insisted she’d be as good as her word.

  She fiddled with knobs, pressed buttons, then lifted the flap to show more buttons. It only took her a few minutes while they anxiously watched the children advance.

  Franklin kept a close eye on their movements, preparing mentally for the attack to come. They stilled, faces frozen in surprise.

  “That will give us a couple of minutes. We should get moving though,” Astrid called.

  Franklin couldn’t explain how he felt, but nonetheless, he followed her instruction, and they moved the vehicles like a snake through the statue-like children. With everyone they passed, he stared. In their gazes he read hatred and fury, but they were as if frozen.

  “How the hell did she do that?”

  “I don’t have a clue, but I’m sure glad she’s on our side,” breathed Senna.

  “She’s a wonder, isn’t she? Saved our asses back with the copter,” David offered from the back, reinforcing Franklin’s own thoughts.

  The last car cleared the second bridge as the children broke free of whatever had stopped them. Their movements were jerky, and Franklin pushed the vehicle faster, not intending to hang around long enough for them to regain their full capacity. He’d already seen what they were capable of.

  They whizzed along, spearing toward the gates, but before they could make it, he glanced in the mirror to see the children were now running.

  He pressed the accelerator all the way to the floor, opened the channel to the base. “Open the gates. We’ve got vehicles entering and we’re under threat.”

  It was the best he could do, but the gates swung up, only about halfway, but enough for the vehicle and the truck to slide in before the gates clanged shut.

  Gaining the second gate, he chanced another look in the rearview mirror and noted the children had stopped, fingers curling into the wire as their faces pushed against the mesh.

  The frantic thud of his heart slowed, and he released the oxygen he’d sucked into his lungs, the exhalation deep.

  “We made it,” murmured Erin, and he grunted.

  Thanks to Astrid and her magic box. He’d be sure to mention that to Jonah, and maybe he’d ask her to build one for him.

  Senna sat on the steps in the gathering gloom. Having sent a message to Franklin, she hoped he’d join her.

  The sound of footsteps had her scanning the horizon. Franklin made his way in her direction, his outline strong and sturdy. “Franklin.”

  He stepped up as Senna stood. “Hi.”

  Shyness overtook her, and she dipped her gaze to the floor. “I’m, uh… I’m glad you could come.”

  “There isn’t anywhere else I’d rather be.” The timbre of his voice rippled through her.

  On the steps behind her was a bag of meals, prepared by herself from the mess and the MRE’s she’d stashed for their mission. “Would you join me?”

  His nod warmed the cold knot in her belly, and he took her arm once she’d scooped up the bag. The glasses and bottle clanked and he turned. “What’s that?”

  “I organized some dinner for us.”

  He didn’t speak, but neither did he pull away. Senna wasn’t sure if that was good or bad, but she was also aware he was probably feeling at sea.

  “I thought we could go sit in the courtyard. I saw there were some seats there, and I hoped…that is, it would be nice to have dinner alone. Just the two of us.”

  Being the instigator wasn’t something she’d ever done before, but with Franklin she was willing to take the chance.

  “That sounds great,” he said, and they walked slowly in the direction of the tables and chairs.

  “Did you know, in ancient times courting couples would walk arm in arm in the twilight? I never really got that before.”

  “Is that what we’re doing, Senna?” He stilled and she stopped.

  I’ve said too much. “I… Uh, not necessarily. I was just making conversation.”

  He reached up, framed her face with one meaty hand. “Really?” There was an undefinable quality to his voice, like a siren’s call.

  The touch of his hand, featherlight on her skin, drugged her.

  “Senna? What are we doing?” Franklin’s voice whispered over her senses, pulling her in.

  “I… I don’t know.”

  “I want you, Senna.”

  Her heart lurched. Want. She knew that emotion well. “I want you too.”

  He closed the distance between them, the kiss so light it nearly didn’t happen, but the intimacy of it was obvious.

  The kiss ended quickly, a touch and a promise. “Let’s go eat then.”

  Franklin curled his arm around her waist, locking her in step with him. He didn’t restrict or demand, simply was there beside her.

  He stopped at the first table. “This one?”

  “Yeah.”

  The settled onto the seats, and she pulled out the glasses and bottle of wine she’d arranged from the Officer’s Club. “Michael got this for us. I thought it might, you know, be nice.”

  Feeling like a fool, she reached in and tugged out the two beef stew meals. “I don’t have the facilities to cook, so…” She shrugged but he smiled.

  “My favorite.”

  Senna laughed. “I’m feeling foolish.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I should be cooking you a meal, and setting an elegant table with a snowy white cloth. Instead, here we are with MRE’s and a bottle of wine I organized someone else to get.” Exasperation colored her words, but he laughed.

  “Senna, we’re on a base, with possible incoming at any time. You took the initiative, came up with the goods. Don’t beat yourself up. You did good!”

  He sounded so sincere that tears pricked. “I just wanted to do something special. To let you know I think you’re special.”

  He leaned in, so his lips were mere millimeters away from hers, and his warm breath caressed her flesh. “You have. Thank you.”

  Sure he would kiss her, shock and a sense of loss assailed when he moved away. She might have mewled, and he smiled. “Soon.”

  She stared, aware her mouth was open. “Why?”

  “Absence and all that. Let’s be patient. Let this feeling grow, because anticipation is sweeter.”

  Argh! Her mind reeled, and she thought of a million retorts, but they were too late and beneath her.

  Instead, Senna set about setting out the meal. Some cheeses Clarissa had sent to go with the wine and fruit. Delicious and succulent pears.

  He popped the top on the stew and smiled. “How do we heat this?”

  In the bottom of the bag was a small box, which she pulled out. It unfurled to reveal a small heater, and one by one she heated the stew and spooned it into bowls.

  “I used to like stew, but it’s getting a little old now.”

  He nodded. “I know. I mean, Clarissa makes a mean one, but I wish there was something edible in the mess hall, then there’d be an alternative.”

  “I guess we should be thankful we have an alternative. Those who’ve only got the mess…” Senna shuddered, and he laughed.

  They finished the meal, washed it down with a glass of wine, and enjoyed each other’s company for the next little while, but as the night wore on, the awareness between them grew.

  Once they’d finished, he cleared his throat, and Senna couldn’t contain the smile.

  “Help me carry this back, Franklin?”

  She dropped their items into a basket, and he hefted it easily. When Franklin held out his hand there was no other option but to accept it. Anything else would bely the question that had been asked.

  At her building, he paused. “Are you sure?”

  Senna reached for the basket as he frowned, then she laid it on the steps. “I was ready before you, Franklin. Don’t make me wait longer.”

  The desire that had pooled spread, like a wave of delicious hunger, so that every synapse yearned as they kissed. It was soft and drugging, but as they pulled away, the hint of fire remained.

  Without another word, he lifted the basket and followed her up the steps to her floor. They moved along the concrete, feet tapping in unison, and as she reached for her door, the hunger roared. Senna’s fingers shook as she swiped the card, fumbled, and it fell. She swore loud enough to make him snort as she fished around.

  Card once more in hand, she concentrated, and the door opened. He pushed her in then followed. The basket fell with a thud to the floor as they reached for each other.

  “Clothes…” she whispered as they came together, his mouth roaming over hers, seeking access to her mouth, and she opened for him.

  He groaned and tugged at her shirt; restless, wordless demands for them to be naked. Her eyes fluttered shut as the carnality tore at her senses. Overload breached as the taste of him, heady and all male, surrounded her.

  The rasp of his facial hair scored the flesh of her cheeks, and she didn’t care. All she needed now was him, the slide of his skin against hers as he filled her.

  “More,” she demanded, tugging away, eyes opening as she reached for his uniform shirt. Buttons popped as she yanked, and his fingers burrowed beneath her t-shirt. He grasped the band of the material and pulled, causing Senna to raise her arms on a curse as she spied the miles of flesh. The material slid over her face and fell to the floor.

  Senna put both hands on the shoulders of his shirt and pulled, watching with fascination as it slid, before the material caught on his wrists.

  He laughed and the ripple of muscles dried her mouth. “Undo them,” she rasped, reaching behind to pop her bra. It sagged and she pulled the cloth away, watching the dilation of his eyes as he fumbled with the hidden sleeve buttons.

  “Like what you see?” she asked.

  “Oh yeah, but if we keep up this speed, we’re going to be over before we start.”

  She laughed, and once he’d finally divested himself of the shirt, she plastered herself against his chest, welcoming the heat and scent of him. “If this time is fast, then you’ll have to promise me slow for next time, tiger,” she whispered, laying her lips against his.

  Her fingers caught his belt, unfastened it, and she worked at the button and snap of his pants. Franklin responded in kind so that soon the only layer of fabric between them was his underwear and the legs of their pants, held in place by boots. Senna toed hers off and watched as he bent, unfastened the long strings, then shucked them.

  Arms entwined, they danced their way to the bedroom and fell onto the bed, hands grasping and sliding, their lips locked, and her senses wildly overexerted. Her nipples grazed the hard flesh of his pecs and she moaned.

  He chuckled and rubbed against her.

  She squeezed her eyes shut. “More, Franklin. Touch me.”

  Franklin muttered something and slid his hand beneath the band of her underwear, sliding them down until he covered her mound. His hand burning her, Senna couldn’t hold back the buck or the moan that erupted from her throat.

  His mouth, the wet suction of it on her breast, spiked her blood pressure. “More!”

  One finger threaded its way between her legs, finding the moisture and sliding within, and she moved, giving him full and unfettered access to her core.

  Franklin lifted away. “I want to be inside you, Senna. This is your last chance to tell me to stop.” The rasping words betrayed his hunger, as did the graven features.

  “I don’t want you to,” she whispered.

  “Senna?” He slipped away, giving her a moment to regain her senses. She replied by shucking her panties and tossing them. “Come here.”