Chapter One
Aftermath
November 27th

 
1
“Is anyone here?”
Marc walked the last bloody corridor on the bottom deck of the UN ship, gun holstered. The bright paint couldn’t hide what the boat really was. He hoped it sank after they sailed away, then broke into a million pieces on the ocean floor. There were cages and torture rooms, and a holding pen with bodies being kept for identification purposes. Blood splatters and sprays decorated the walls, floors and windows. Marc tried not to step in it, but broken furniture and bodies made some of the rooms hard to get through. It was gruesome.
The inside of the ship was a mirror of the outer shell–blue and white with tiled floors and offices that held scenes from Marc’s nightmares. The UN troops hadn’t stood a chance. Most of the killing blows he’d identified had come from the rear. More than a few had been using bathrooms or showering when attacked. He was impressed and horrified.
Marc cleared the final room, but he knew he wasn’t alone. He used his grid to narrow down a dot less than two feet from his position, then sent out an alpha command. He needed to get back on their ship. He’d already been gone too long. He could feel Angela and others worrying.
“Don’t hurt me...please?”
Marc scooped up the pristine boy, automatically holding his little hands. Marc didn’t know how the kid wasn’t dirty, but it was more disconcerting that he wasn’t knocked out. Angela’s spell had covered both ships.
“Angela?” The boy opened a powerful mental line. He dug into Marc’s thoughts with ruthless glee.
Marc wanted to be kind, but there wasn’t time. He sent a minor zap. “Never without permission, Dion.”
Dion nodded, retreating. “I’m sorry.”
Marc released the boy’s hands and hugged him as he trotted up the steps. “You’ll be okay now. We’ll help you.”
Magic pressed in on Marc. By the time they reached the top deck, he was healed.
Marc traversed the ramp and jumped onto their boat, long coat flowing out. “Unhook us. Let’s float!”
People snickered, hurrying to do as ordered.
Grant, waiting nearby with his security, came over to supervise.
Marc took the child to Angela.
Dion slid into her arms and wrapped himself around her like he’d always been there. “Forever?”
Angela kissed his cheek and hugged him. “Even longer if I can.” She put him on his feet. “Go below and let them make you sleep. I’ll be here when you wake.”
“Yes, Alpha.” The child strode through the surprised camp members who retreated to clear a path.
Marc scanned the deck; half the bodies had been removed. He went to help.
“I need time with these people.” Angela handed a paper to Kenn as he joined her. “In the next three hours.”
Kenn read it, holding tight so the morning draft didn’t rip it from his fingers. “Together or apart?”
Angela refused to think about everything she’d just gone through. There was work waiting. “Both. You’ll see to it for me?”
Kenn knew what she needed. “First meeting is in the command cabin with Jennifer. Ten minutes.” He departed without waiting for an answer. He needed time to organize the rest of it.
Angela motioned Grant back toward the bridge. “We’ll disconnect the ramp. You sail us south.”
Grant knew the crew needed the experience, but he couldn’t help several glances over his shoulder as he went up the metal steps with Ray on his heels. If they made a mistake, it could damage both ships.
Angela wasn’t worried. The crew she’d chosen for moments like this was solid. It was their nerve once out on the open ocean that she doubted.
“Where do you want me?” Ivan finished reloading his gun and holstered. He’d wiped off most of the blood from his hands, but they were all leaving ugly footprints across the deck and stairs.
“Point man for this shift, with a rookie.” Angela motioned toward the man coming up the stairs from the infirmary. Jeff had helped get the western UN kids sedated while Marc cleared the UN ship. “Settle him back in.”
Jeff fell in with the soldier he’d briefly met at the mountain camp. They’d clashed then, making this moment important. Jeff didn’t intend to hold a grudge. If Ivan had been given point, he deserved it.
Ivan held out a hand. “Bygones?”
Jeff shook, heart lightening. “Absolutely.”
Ivan took his notebook out and handed it to his new trainee. “We’ll walk the ship and handle issues that come up. Read that as we go but remember to pause and...” Ivan stopped as Jeff rotated to view Angela and what was going on around her. He handed the scruffy man a pen. “That’s perfect. Once a minute, you do that for me and I’ll make sure you get the coldest beer I can find.”
Jeff was already annoyed with the new need to verify her safety. He was picking up Angela’s excitement and grief. It sucked. “I’d rather have a decent cup of coffee and a hot shower.”
“Deal.” Ivan led the way through the crowd that was now observing the shoreline. A few refugees were swimming toward the ships, not caring that their fellow men and women were being claimed by the ocean. Sharks were all through the rough waves, but the furious refugees refused to give up.
The camp leaned on the rails and each other as America faded. The two tugs laboring to get them out into open water shot streams of purple, blue, red and clear liquid in large rainbows to mark the beginning of their journey. The water came from the same nozzles they would use to fight any fires. The Water Salute was a ceremonial custom to celebrate the arrival or leaving of certain ships. The camp clapped at the display, but no one’s heart was in the response. They were leaving their homeland. It was almost gone already.
Angela watched it too. Thick depression settled onto her shoulders. Welcome back.
Her depression smiled warmly and began causing pain. We’ve missed you.
She had been so torn up over never seeing Adrian again that she’d been able to block the other emotions. Now, her worst enemy had returned–her brain.
Angela sniffed, standing straighter. I have work to do. I’ll catch up with you later.
The depression bowed out in favor of adrenaline. The terror squeezed harder as she began the next stage of her plans, of Adrian’s plans that she’d added to and expanded. Here we go. “I want the team leaders for a few minutes–now.”
Ivan and Greg, both frowning, marched through the crowd to pass her instructions. They’d been warned to observe Angela for signs of mental cracks and they’d just found one.
 
 
2
“Mom wants you two topside with the team leaders. I’ve got things covered down here.” Charlie waited for them to react, expecting trouble.
Harry and Courtney left without a protest to the lanky boy. They were eager to go up and make sure things were okay. It helped that everyone down here was out cold except for Kendle and they knew she wasn’t a threat to Charlie. The island woman wasn’t dangerous to anyone but herself and maybe Angela. Harry believed Angela was in the clear on that too, though he wasn’t sure what would happen to Kendle now. The alpha bond was strong. As it strengthened, the darkness would be replaced with light. Harry didn’t know how the boss planned to bond with Kendle against both their wills, but he looked forward to watching it happen.
Charlie took a folding chair from the wall and opened it next to Kendle’s cot. “They’re gone. Don’t know how they missed you being awake.”
Kendle stared at the ceiling. “They didn’t. They just don’t want to speak to me.” The sound of her own voice being so weak scared Kendle. I’m dying again. She was touched Charlie had come to say goodbye. No one else had yet, not even Tommy.
“They don’t know what to say. They’re waiting for instructions.” Charlie sat, scanning her bloody clothes and wrinkled skin. “Are you injured?”
Kendle snorted and then groaned at the pain. She’d never felt this weak. “Mortally wounded, boy. She nailed me with one shot.”
Charlie couldn’t help the pride. “I’m awake enough now to see how she does things like that. She learned to use people against themselves.”
“Adrian taught her that. Marc abandoned her. Kenn hurt her. Adrian took what was left and rebuilt her.”
“Why can’t you let them do that for you?”
Kendle’s eyes shut.
“I already know. Just say it.”
Kendle held in tears. “I don’t want to change. I like the blood, the killing. I don’t want to stop.”
Charlie put a hand on her wrist and gently began pushing energy into her. He couldn’t stand the sight of her withered body anymore. He was glad she was cooperating in these first steps of reform. It would have hurt him to leave her like this. He knew what it felt like, thanks to his manhood test. He wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
Kendle groaned at the new pain. “Why?”
“For my dad.” Charlie increased the strength, sensing a guard coming down the hall to relieve him on his mom’s orders.
“Won’t matter… That stings!”
“True, he hates you now. He might vote to let you die, but it would damage him inside. We don’t want that.”
“Angela sent you.”
Charlie let go of the magic, stopping before he was drained. He never wanted to experience that again. He stood and put the chair away.
“Everything okay in here?” Ian scanned, missing Kendle’s returning health in favor of a long stare at the bloody UN kids in the cots.
“It’s getting better.” Charlie waited, controlling his breathing and the urge to yawn in front of the blabbermouth.
Ian motioned at the door. “Monica wants you in the gymnasium. Use the stairs to the left.” Ian grinned. “Tracy is waiting for you in the lobby to the right.”
Charlie grunted. When he got to the intersection, he jogged up the stairs to the left.
 
 
3
“Sign the logbook!”
Kenn’s voice carried through the noises and chatter, bringing calm. Despite his flaws, people trusted the beefy man to care for the camp. It was good to have him back.
“Get your name in the logbook or I’ll be on your ass tonight while you’re trying to sleep!”
People hurried to sign the book in Kenn’s hand.
Ivan signaled his crew to join him, certain he would need them as he did rounds. There was a lot to cover on a ship this size and they weren’t using radios until land was out of sight in all directions.
Jeff stayed by Ivan, trying to reabsorb the routines. Once a minute he checked on the boss. Now that he was back with Safe Haven, Jeff wanted to readjust as quickly as possible. He had a lot riding on the future.
“We all feel that way.” Ivan was skimming as many thoughts as he could. This was a bad time for things to go wrong. “Welcome home.”
Jeff grunted, but didn’t distract the man with conversation. He could almost feel the heat from Ivan’s mind as he ran through routines and possible problems, while keeping track of thoughts and behaviors of the camp, as well as his team. Jeff was impressed. When he’d first met Ivan, he hadn’t thought the younger man could handle team lead, let alone point. It was more proof that Angela was right in her choices. Jeff was finally able to let go of his anger at her. It was a relief.
Ivan pointed at a cluster of camp kids hanging over the nearby rail. “James.”
James trotted over to collect the fascinated children who had probably never been on a boat.
“We’re clear to go!”
Marc’s loud call echoed to the bridge, where Grant was pacing, eager to be under way. His adventures with Safe Haven were finally beginning.
Grant pushed buttons and flipped switches while he went over the steps in his mind, wanting to be positive he didn’t miss anything. They couldn’t just stop at a store if something went wrong.
Ray patrolled the bridge, rotating between the three entrances. They had one captain. Grant was the most valuable member of the camp. When Angela had told him that, Ray had been shocked she’d given him protection duty. It was an honor to be trusted with such a huge responsibility. He would kill or die to keep their captain safe.
Grant liked the protection, but he was too tense to thank the cute man as they began to slide by the bloody UN ship. The blue-bottomed vessel appeared to be four stories, but Grant wasn’t sure if his estimate was accurate. There could be another level under the water. The rest of the ship’s deck was lined in cargo areas and windows, all dotted in cameras. Dozens of portholes glared at him.
The camp fell silent as they got a clear view of the carnage the kids had wreaked upon the enemy. Somber deliberations and concerns became the focus. Many people glanced toward the steps to the infirmary and toward Angela, who had decided to bring the kids with them to the island. They trusted her, but with all the bodies in sight, they couldn’t help worrying.
Angela headed for the stairs. I made the right choice. They’ll see it in time.
Angela descended to the quarantine area first. She was glad to find heavy security, but she still gathered energy to bring up a strong barrier if it was needed. The vibes coming from this area weren’t good and she’d already died once today. She didn’t want to do it again so soon.
Kyle spotted Angela coming and slid into the entrance to provide front cover protection. “We’re doing the debriefing. It’ll still be a few before we can call them clear.”
Angela saw Jennifer sitting with the strangers and ignored Kyle’s silent request that she not enter. She went to Jennifer, aware of the growing tension. The new people didn’t like her or want to meet her. That’s new. Angela took the chair on Jennifer’s right and crossed her arms over her chest. Kyle had chosen a security office on the bottom deck, near the loading center. There were three cluttered desks and three office chairs along one wall. Across from them was a leather couch and a bathroom. Two tiny windows provided enough light to see this room hadn’t been cleaned out yet. Angela made a mental note on it. The folders on the wall shelf might help them with running the ship, though she wasn’t sure if this small office would have important details.
“Hiya, boss. Having a good day?”
Angela grunted, refusing to think about how it had felt to be dead. “You tell me.”
Jennifer shrugged, consulting her clipboard. “Just getting started, but I doubt there’s an issue here. Leftover resentment for us not taking them in before now, for not stopping as the convoy passed, for not being strong enough to stop the war. You know–the usual crap broken folks hang onto when their world has been destroyed by the government we took out.”
Angela swept the starving man and woman, then the dirty child. “She still looks ill. Did you give her the medicine?”
“Most of it.”
Jennifer wrote that on her clipboard. “What happened to the rest?”
“Traded for food so she didn’t starve!” The mother glared at Angela. “I won’t thank you for taking us. You didn’t stop!”
“The medic will be down shortly. Give her all the medication this time.” Angela stared back, expecting a continuation of the rant.
Jennifer cleared her throat to break the thick awkwardness. “Food is on the way. After you eat, you’ll get showers and clean clothes. Over the next few days, we’ll find jobs for you.”
The mother didn’t glance away from Angela. Hatred shined through her blue eyes.
Jennifer waved her pen in the air. “Hey!”
The woman’s attention snapped back to Jennifer.
“I like you so far. Don’t screw that up. Right now, I’m the only friend you have here.”
Hatred flashed brighter, then faded into bitter resignation. “She should have stopped for us.”
Angela studied the man and child, digging in for problems. The mother was trouble. Her hatred might never fade.
Leeroy tried to give Angela a smile, but his nervousness turned it into a sneer.
Angela understood. “I’m sorry for everything you’ve gone through.”
“Thank you.”
“Why are you being nice to her?!”
“Hush now, Rachel.” The man took her hand to prevent the coming shout. “You have to let it go.”
Rachel slammed her body against the chair, avoiding his comfort.
Leeroy sighed. “She’s upset.”
Angela and Jennifer waited for him to say more.
“We’re from Alabama. We’ve been run out of every home we tried to build. Damn draft got us the first time. Then the looters and scavengers, then soldiers again. After that, we had to hide from…”
“People like me.” Angela didn’t want them to know Jennifer was a descendant yet. It might shut off the teenager’s connection with them and prevent the family from settling in.
“Yes. They wanted to make us slaves.”
“There’s a lot of that going around.” Angela inspected the girl, hating the shudders hitting her small body. She motioned to Kyle. “Check on the medic.”
“Why don’t you just heal her?” Rachel couldn’t stop her rage.
Angela leaned forward. “Will it get rid of your hatred?”
Rachel opened her mouth to lie… “No. I loathe you.”
Angela sighed. “Also a lot of that going around.” She held out a hand to the woman instead of her daughter. “Trust goes both ways, Rachel Norton. Show me yours and I’ll show you mine.”
Rachel paled. “I don’t want to touch you!”
“I don’t like you much either, but if you’re staying on this ship, you have to be cleared.”
Rachel slowly extended her hand.
Angela opened the door to her mental crypt.
Rachel stiffened as they made contact.
Angela blasted the woman with her pain. She clamped a hand around Rachel’s wrist when she tried to pull away. “Feel it for a minute, then tell me how angry you are.”
Rachel gasped, jerking to get her hand back.
Jennifer shook her head at Leeroy when he would have tried to help. “She’s showing her why we didn’t stop. Your wife is getting the answer she demanded.”
“Don’t hurt my mommy!”
Angela slammed the barriers shut and let go, on the edge of crying from reliving so much pain. “She’s not a threat. She just pissed, like the rest of us.” Angela stared at the little girl.
“What’s she doing now?!”
“Relax, Rachel. If she wanted you all dead, she would have left you on the beach.” Jennifer caught Angela’s thoughts. “Getting worse, yes. She needs the medication.”
“Morgan’s got his hands full with beach injuries.” Angela sighed. “Will you let me treat her? Before the war, I was a doctor.”
Rachel gave a short nod, heart still breaking. Her hatred wasn’t gone, but it was weighed down by Angela’s pain. “Don’t hurt her because of me.”
“She loves kids. She wouldn’t do that.” Jennifer studied the pale, blond parents while Angela held out a hand to the brunette child. She found adoption memories in Leeroy’s mind and let the discrepancy go.
The thin girl shivered. “I don’t feel good.”
“I’ll make that go away.”
“Will it hurt?”
Angela smiled. “Not even a little, Sandy.”
The girl responded to the wave of peace, smiling back. She took Angela’s hand…then crawled into her lap.
Angela hugged her, eyes shutting. She shot currents of energy into the girl, unable to stop the tears. The love of a child was the only thing she truly enjoyed now.
Angela rubbed the girl’s arm and gently slid her back into the chair. “Better?”
Sandy yawned. “I’m hungry!”
The Eagles chuckled.
The girl’s family gawked in surprise despite knowing it would happen. They’d never witnessed magic, though they’d been around descendants since the war. Those people hadn’t been willing to waste magic on normals unless they were getting paid for it.
“Thank you.” Leeroy clasped Rachel’s hand. “She’ll be okay now.”
Rachel tried to force an apology, but Angela stood up and staggered from the room before she could get it out through the remaining anger.
Jennifer motioned Kyle to escort the boss, then turned back to the family. “Now that we’re done with this, we’ll get you settled in a cabin near the deck. You can rest and eat while we wait for your bloodwork to come back. Sound good?”
Rachel was still staring at the doorway. “She’s a hard one. Why did she cry?”
Jennifer sighed, brushing dark hair off her shoulder so she could see the clipboard. She hadn’t had a chance to pin it up yet. “She regrets not stopping, but don’t mistake that for a weakness you can use. Her choices are always based on what’s best for our camp.”
“Meaning, if I become a problem, she’ll remove me?”
Jennifer turned cold, pinning the woman in place with glowing red orbs. “She won’t have to. I’ll do it.”

 
Chapter Two
Extinction
9am
 
 
1
“Boss.” Kyle retreated to allow Angela into the command room where Jennifer had just been directed to wait. Two Special Forces men were also here with her. Angela had Jennifer under strict protection. That was making Kyle nervous.
Angela waved at Autumn, who was dozing in a pumpkin seat at Jennifer’s feet, then joined the teenager at the long table. It stretched the length of the business room and was lined in gray plush chairs with ergonomic designs and high arm rests. Angela enjoyed the comfort as she sat down, admiring the cherry walls and neat white ceiling. A television in a wooden cabinet sat at the far end of the room, next to a small wet bar. The door in the rear led to a two-stall bathroom she hadn’t explored yet beyond verifying it was empty through the open door. This was a very nice room.
Jennifer got right to the problem. “You’re not taking me with you to the meeting.”
Angela began putting books and papers onto the table. “No. I need you to take my place if I don’t return.”
Jennifer was thrilled, honored, scared. “Who are you taking?”
“My dream team.” Angela didn’t elaborate. She’d chosen her companions as soon as she’d come up with this crazy plan, but she’d had to narrow it to the four allowed instead of the six she wanted. Now that the moment was only hours away, she was suddenly glad to be leaving the others here to help keep things together. “My notebooks will be delivered to you if something goes wrong. Read them from cover to cover before you make any decisions.”
“Why do you want me to hide?” Jennifer couldn’t take Kyle’s tension. She was picking up his bad vibes through the door. “What did you see?”
“Darkness and anger.” Angela handed her the slip of paper she’d shown to Marc on the way here from Ciemus. “Check it against the logbook after Kenn gets all the signatures.”
“I will.” Jennifer slid that to the top of her mental priority list. “What else?”
Angela waited for Jennifer to get her pen out, then began rattling off things she didn’t have covered yet.
Outside the door, Kyle’s concern changed to fury. They had another assassin in camp and this one had been sly enough to get on board with them even though they had a dozen descendants scanning thoughts. Kyle was sick of it. What do we have to do to verify people?!
Kyle’s anger was on his face. Camp members and Eagles who came by his post kept going. That expression did not encourage conversation.
Marc also kept walking, aware of Kyle’s problem. He didn’t remind the man how important it was to keep cool until the moments came. Kyle knew his job better than almost anyone here. Marc had faith in him–so much that he hoped Angela had chosen to take the mobster along tonight. He wouldn’t hesitate to protect her from whatever came.
Marc shifted the sleeping child to his other shoulder as he walked, noted who was working and who seemed lost or upset. All the unconscious passengers needed to be secured before the sleep spell wore off. According to Adrian, there was a charm for removing memory, but Angela had made a deal with a higher power to cure the rage illness instead. Marc approved, but he liked knowing they may have a secondary option if things didn’t go well tonight. He refused to consider more about that moment. He assumed Angela had it covered. She’d been too ready with her responses to the Messenger. The only thing he didn’t understand was how she was hiding her plans from the other player in this awful game. The Messenger could read minds.
“Yes, but never without permission still means something to them.” Adrian fell in behind Marc, also carrying a child to the infirmary. “When they find a mental crypt, they avoid it unless invited.”
Marc winced. Angela was hiding in her crypt of horrors when she made plans because she wasn’t safe anywhere else. “I hate that.”
Adrian grunted. “Yeah.” He put the bloody girl in one of the few remaining bunks, aware of sentries showing up to take places in the shadows.
“Will you let me help you now?”
“With what?”
Adrian respectfully entered Marc’s mind and waited by the black door.
Marc went back up the nearest stairwell, already working on familiarize himself with every entrance and exit on the huge ship. He was also stalling. He didn’t want Adrian to view his shames, his regrets.
Adrian waited. He refused to contemplate why he was offering, needing it to happen because of the trust they’d been building and not for either of them to gain something from it.
Marc opened the mental barrier, wincing at the immediate screams and shouts. His mother’s tones barreled out.
Ungrateful son! Devil’s spawn!
Marc paused in the hall as other voices joined in. He couldn’t help the shame and guilt as mental gunshots rang out; females fell. He’d always followed orders, no matter how bad they were.
Adrian stepped inside the drafty, bloody room, able to view the scenes playing out in each glass box. It was ugly. Some of it, he never would have suspected of the man standing stiffly in front of him.
Adrian pointed to the largest box, where a young girl stared at them in hatred. The ghost had grown bitter while waiting for Marc to release her. “Tell me her name.”
Camp members walking by understood the guys were working on something and didn’t interfere, but they did try to read it.
Marc would have shut the door, but Adrian put a hand on it, wincing when Marc shoved, pinching the mental grip he’d taken. “Tell me her name.”
The Marine shuddered. “I don’t want to.”
“Because you loved her.”
Marc’s nod was curt. “It’s all I have left.”
“She grows angrier by the day. It bleeds into your life.” Adrian stepped further into the crypt. “She’s the ugly voice in your mind telling you it’s never going to be enough; you’ll never be good enough to make up for whatever you’ve done.” Adrian put a hand on Marc’s shoulder. “Let her go. We’ll do it together.”
 
 
2
A deck below them, Angela paused, drawn by the moment. This was something she couldn’t do for Marc. She’d never discussed it with him because she hadn’t thought he would ever allow anyone in that deep. Letting go of a ghost was hard; a deep bond had to be severed. She was grateful Adrian wasn’t making Marc do it alone.
You asked me to help him in any way I can, Adrian sent. And I like Marc. I always have.
Angela knew that to be true. Marc’s respect meant a lot to Adrian, though Marc didn’t believe it.
Angela withdrew, letting them work while she switched to the next item on her list. “I don’t want you to view every situation like I have or like I would.” Angela placed her hand on Jennifer’s wrist. “I chose you for the differences between us, not the similarities. Don’t ask yourself what I would do, or even what Adrian would do. Handle it as if you’d never met either of us.”
“Why?” Jennifer was confused. “You’ve gotten us this far. Your methods clearly work.”
“They work in the short term. I chose to do things that way because we’ve only had a short-term future since the war. I’ve cleared that hurdle for you. You can consider the future and long-term plans. I sacrificed a lot so you don’t have to be held back like I’ve been.”
Jennifer didn’t think Angela had held back at all. It added more respect, and a little fear, that Angela could have done worse in their challenges to get here, though Jennifer didn’t know what those choices might have been.
Angela sent an image of being in the bunker with Donner. “I could have joined them, gathered them all together and wiped them out.” She sent her memory of planning the poisoning deaths of Sonja’s train of fighters. “I could have destroyed their town and hunted the survivors.”
Jennifer observed as Angela chose a few other moments in their fast, brutal history. In every case, she could have done more or worse, but she’d refused to eliminate as many lives as she needed to in order to ensure total peace for their camp.
“Do you get why?” Angela rubbed her boots against the carpet, then forced herself to stop. She didn’t want to get it dirty. Her filthy clothes and worn gear were out of place in here.
Jennifer ran through it again, searching for a common thread. When she grasped the end, the rest of it lit up in her mind. “Extinction.”
Angela leaned back, satisfied. “Yes. Our population has been decimated over the eleven months that we’ve been nomads in our own homeland. I’m not sure two million citizens exist in America.” Angela’s depression flared. “Over the next four years, ninety percent of those will die. I’ve seen it. I couldn’t keep killing them.”
“You’re letting nature do it.”
Angela was glad the girl was catching on quickly, but it wasn’t quick enough. “Survival of the fittest, Jenny. The true survivors who should pass on their genes will be here when we return.”
Jennifer brooded. “I don’t like that.”
“I don’t either, but the world is based on it. If we help the weaker people, we take away from our limited resources, and we may all die together. I chose to follow the natural order of the planet.”
“That’s why Safe Haven stopped taking in refugees!”
“Yes, along with smaller reasons. Most of them have reverted to doing anything to stay alive another day. We don’t have the ability to change them back into civilized souls. We’ve stayed good because we’ve had leaders who made better choices, but also because we already had a strong moral ethic. That isn’t something you can give to people once they reach a certain age or stage in life. That’s why prison never reformed criminals. It just gave them other criminals to socialize with. Some things can’t be fixed. I accepted that. You’ll have to do the same as you sail, or you’ll stop at every town and village on the way and get wiped out on supplies and lives.”
Jennifer grasped the lesson now and hated it. “I’m not sure I want this job anymore.”
“Tell me about it.” Angela lit one of the few remaining smokes and inhaled deeply. She was very sore and running low on energy. Dying had drained her. “While I’m gone, you should be sequestered. Spend the time working. Pick a council, a support structure, security and a method of governing.”
“When you return, you’ll go over it for things I missed?”
“And things I’ve missed. Then I’ll merge it.” Angela exhaled. “Or you’ll do that with my notebooks and lead our camp to a place where they can sit and stand in safety.”
Jennifer stiffened, heat flowing out. “There won’t be any sitters in my Safe Haven.”
Angela emitted a sound of relief. “That’s why I chose you.”
 
 
3
“Tell me her name!”
Marc shuddered. Adrian was using his alpha command. It was strong. “Brady. She’s a Brady.”
Adrian stared at the girl in shock. He’d been expecting Angela’s name. “What?”
Marc didn’t stop the tears. “My sister’s name was Melanie.”
The girl in the crypt began screaming awful accusations that made Adrian wince. He wanted it to stop and there was only one way to do that. “Tell me what happened to her.”
Marc ran a loving finger over the glass box. “My mother drowned her when we were five. That’s when I locked up my demon. I was scared.”
“Finish it now. Let her out.”
Marc’s voice broke. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell anyone, Melanie. I love you. I’m sorry.”
The box exploded. Invisible glass shattered into a puff of blue dust that took the form of the young girl. No longer screaming, she stared at Marc. I love you too, brother.
Adrian felt Marc’s pain deeply. The girl had been more than a sister. “She was your twin. That’s why you’re a hardass loner. Your mother killed your twin and made you hide it.”
“Yes.” Marc stared, heart lightening. “I’ve carried that my entire life.”
Adrian felt only sympathy. “You were a scared kid. It wasn’t your fault. You held onto her memory out of grief, not guilt. It’s okay to let her go.”
Marc tried to smile at the girl, aware of the dust breaking up, of her leaving him. “I’ll see you again, some day.”
The girl laughed, sending fresh pain through Marc’s heart, but only from her loss, not from anger or bitterness. She vanished, leaving the two men alone in Marc’s crypt.
Adrian was tempted to smash the rest of the boxes. He wanted Marc’s soul freed.
Marc almost told him to go ahead. It was easier to do these things when he wasn’t alone.
“We’ll have a beer after the meeting, if there’s time.” Adrian left the mental hall of horrors. “If you want to do another one then, we will.”
Marc closed the black door. One hell at a time.
Adrian snorted, walking in the opposite direction. “If only it worked that way.”
 
 
4
“It’s chow time, Safe Haven.”
The radio jerked passengers from their activities, reminding them breakfast had been missed. The refugees had arrived before most of the camp was even awake.
“The cook informed me they have fresh biscuits and gravy, eggs and bacon. Anyone want to steer while I go eat?”
People who had been reluctant to go below now pushed toward the stairs to the lower decks at Grant’s cheerful announcement. Fresh biscuits and bacon were magic words to Americans.
The stairs from the top deck and activity levels filled with passengers chatting about everything that had happened. The returning members were quickly surrounded. Doug and his boys were greeted with curiosity about the adventure. Roy and Romeo hadn’t been infected by the refugee children, but Angela had insisted they be taken to the infirmary anyway. Doug was escorting them there now. When Kimberly told Romeo that he was almost angry enough on his own and didn’t need the UN drugs, she’d been right. Many of Safe Haven’s orphans had gone through too much since the war. There would be repercussions for that. Human brains didn’t do well with trauma.
Seth was shunned and walked alone even in the crowd. Most of the Eagles felt the way Jeff did. Seth had abandoned the camp. He would have to earn his way back in.
 “Shift change in one hour.” Kyle and a few Eagles moved through the crowd, passing messages. The smell of perfume was cloying after so much time outside. It reminded Kyle of being closed up in the mountain. By the time the quake had hit, many women had stopped wearing it to avoid offending everyone. “We need volunteers to go to the bottom deck and help Samantha with the garden. Have lunch and then go below.”
Kyle made note of camp members who pointed in recognition of the busywork. People wanted to be occupied to avoid contemplating what they were all leaving behind. Neil had already taken Samantha below. A few people had gone with them then instead of watching America fade from sight. Theo and Debra were there.
The ship around them bobbed lightly in the water considering how large and heavy it was. The slight sways and creaks caught many of them off guard and even sent some people into the walls as they gravitated toward the galley. It would take a bit before they became accustomed to this method of transportation.
Kyle nodded to Doug, who was carrying his insulin kit and a bag of items for his boys. He was certain the big man had stories to tell, but Kyle had a nagging sense of doom in the rear of his mind that he hoped was just tension about the meeting tonight. As far as he knew, he would be here with Jennifer while the others went to determine their future. He expected problems while they were gone. He was trying to memorize all the corners and doorways on the ship in anticipation of a surprise attack. Unlike the halls on the lower decks, the employee areas weren’t lavish or decorated with more than signs reminding them to be polite to the passengers. White walls and floors showed a multitude of tracks and debris that would need to be swept once their cleaning crew was rolling. The survivors on this ship were half dressed, sandy, soaked, sooty and wounded. The injuries were mostly minor, but everyone knew they’d just had another moment like at the hangar. They were lucky to be here at all. The Ciemus women were the same as the rest of the camp–disheveled, slightly wounded and grateful to be breathing. They were also in mourning over their dead. Safe Haven hadn’t counted those losses yet, but Kyle expected it to be ugly. It always was.
Kyle didn’t acknowledge Seth as the redhead walked by. Seth had protested Becky’s sedation, but he’d concurred she was dangerous. He hadn’t given them details yet, other than to tell them Allan had died during the rescue of the UN children. Kyle wanted time alone with Seth to verify the former Eagle wasn’t hiding anything. Everyone who had returned would be evaluated for problems.
Kyle spotted Jennifer coming through the next intersection, still under double guard, and couldn’t help a quick stare. That’s my wife. The special moments with her had been amazing and would live in his brain forever, but knowing she loved him enough to marry him was more valuable.
Jennifer smiled, reading his thoughts and everyone else’s in the corridor. She didn’t want to be distracted, but his happiness was impossible to resist. He was nothing like her former abuser. Kyle was her soulmate. She never wanted to be without him.
“I don’t know why you care. You threw him away!”
Heads swiveled toward the loud voice.
Brittani put her hand on her hip, stopping. “You’re just some skank he took up with because I hurt him. He won’t stay with you.”
People in the hall retreated.
Trinity didn’t back down. “Like I said, I don’t know why you care. He isn’t yours.” Trinity strode away without worrying about being hit in the back. Brittani wouldn’t be in the Eagles if she didn’t have honor, but more than that, Trinity wasn’t afraid of taking a hit for what she wanted. If the woman attacked, she would be sorry.
Brittani thought about it, but in the end, the Ciemus blonde was right. She had no claim on Gus. Brittani went the other way at the intersection, deciding the garden crew needed an extra set of hands.
Jennifer, Kyle and the Eagles around them made mental notes to put the brief confrontation in their nightly report, then continued toward the galley. They were all glad it hadn’t been worse.
Neil appeared in the hallway ahead of the crowd.
Seth felt the glare and looked up, pausing.
Eagles stopped again, expecting this situation to come to blows. Unlike Brittani and Trinity, these two were likely to get violent.
Neil waited for Seth to react, anticipating putting the redhead on the ground. He knew there would be a punishment and didn’t care. Seth had abandoned the camp. If it had been up to Neil, all the people who left them would have been refused reentry. Angela was too softhearted in Neil’s opinion.
Seth glowered back. He still felt Neil was responsible in ways for what happened to Becky. Because of the choices the former state trooper had made, Becky’s life had been forever changed. Seth hadn’t forgiven him.
Charlie appeared behind Neil. He knew better than to touch the furious man. “You have a meeting. The boss said to hurry up.”
It took every bit of willpower Neil possessed to follow the order. Seth’s challenge was in his tense body and rebellious eyes, but Neil was also able to scan his thoughts. Being connected to Samantha had indeed rubbed off. Neil was now able to read the mind of anyone he concentrated on, providing he’d had a physical moment within the last day. Ever since Angela had told them power rubs off, Neil had been keeping track of it. He now knew how to use that advantage without compromising the choice he’d made a long time ago. It was the only way he and Samantha were comfortable with him accessing magic. Samantha won’t like this.
Everyone except Seth breathed a sigh of relief as Neil vanished down the hallway behind Charlie.
Charlie followed him, hand on his gun belt. He was Neil’s escort to the command center where Angela was holding meetings. The teenager hadn’t been called in yet himself, but he expected to be. Charlie didn’t know how well that meeting would go, but he was determined to try saying and thinking the right things. He needed to be allowed to continue his relationship and also some parts of training. The time with Kenn, Adrian and Kendle had revealed he had a lot to learn about human nature and how to be a man. Now that he had a baby on the way, he needed to fast-track that education. He could only do it if he was allowed to stay close to the fighters who were mentoring the younger generation.
Dog padded down the hall with the passengers who were once again gravitating toward the galley. Behind him, the cats were running to catch up and jump on for a ride.
Dog increased speed, huge paws weaving in and out of the camp with expert movements meant to evade the tabbies.
Not to be outsmarted, the agile felines both leapt onto the side rails of the hallway and launched themselves into the air.
Dog yelped as the cats landed and dug in to keep their precarious positions. He howled and took off running.
People hurried to get out of the way, but the wolf was impossible to avoid as he reached a cluster of folks waiting to get down the stairs to the next level. He slammed into Doug’s leg, knocking the big man forward.
Doug smacked into the three Eagles he had been chatting with. People fell like bowling pins.
The cats were dislodged. The big male from the bunker landed on Doug’s arm and ripped into his skin as it tried to hold on through his flailing movements.
The other cat thumped into the wall above the stairs and crouched against it, hissing.
Dog took off down the stairs. You humans can handle that.
Jennifer laughed as she went to help untangle the body pile.
Doug tried to shake the cat from his arm, causing it to dig in deeper. Blood dripped onto the floor.
Tonya came up the stairs, travel bag around her neck. She glared at Doug from under her hoodie. “Hold still!” Tonya grabbed the cat by the scruff of the neck and ripped it off his arm.
“Ow!” Doug cringed.
Tonya snatched up the second cat and cradled them both on her shoulders. “Did the big man scare my sweet little babies?”
She hurried down the steps as Eagles snickered.
Jennifer patted Doug on his uninjured arm. “Welcome home.”
While Jennifer was distracted, Kyle tried to scan her. Much like Neil, he had figured out a pattern, but the only thing she was contemplating was how good it was to have more Eagles to do the job. Jennifer didn’t like training rookies. Kyle assumed her meeting with the boss had gone well. He wasn’t eager to know the details, however. Jennifer knew Angela’s plans now. He had already guessed what duty his wife would be given if Angela didn’t return, but he couldn’t protest because Angela was right. Jennifer was the only one who might be able to lead Safe Haven to the island in that situation.
Jennifer descended the stairs and entered the galley, trying to remember the route for next time. It was the quickest way here. Her meeting with Angela had been over for half an hour, but she had decided to do a quick round of the infirmary before tackling her next chore, which was rounds over breakfast and then the bridge. She’d convinced Angela that hiding would be a mistake, at least until the team left. Everyone in the infirmary had been unconscious, and the security there was light. Jennifer didn’t know if that was a good idea considering how violent some of the passengers were, but the guards needed to be rotated. They’d been on duty since before dawn. She was freeing one of them by doing this sweep of their most important areas.
Jennifer took a post in the far corner. She wanted to be able to view around the lines forming at the counters. Orange chairs and white tables designed to hold ten people each lined one entire side of the long, wide room. The other was filled with orange stools in front of a stainless-steel counter. Pull down shutters between the counter and cooking area were up, letting the camp see Brittani and her family preparing the meal. Narrow windows with dusty blue curtains gave dim light and a view of endless water surrounding the ship. Many camp members were sipping drinks and watching the waves with pensive expressions. Dark blue doors at either end kept a steady stream of people coming through the linoleum galley. The drink center by each door was already creating two minor traffic jams and blocked the view of the guards. Jennifer made a note in her book to have it repositioned.
Jennifer nodded to a few people but tried to appear standoffish. She didn’t want to be distracted by conversations. A lot of people wanted to speak to her about how it felt to be married because they were considering doing it too. Jennifer didn’t want to tell them Angela wasn’t going to approve their impulsive unions. They had too many other things to worry about.
Jennifer swept the wide galley, noting Candy staring at Connor, and Shawn being invited to sit with Ivan’s team. Little Missy was by his side and appeared happy. Shawn was also thrilled to get the invitation, telling Jennifer the Eagle had been accepted back into the fold. Jennifer guessed it was because his excellent marksmanship had saved lives today, but she hoped it was more than that. Shawn wasn’t a threat to Missy. He was a threat to anyone who would try to hurt or use her. All Safe Haven’s orphans needed that type of support. When she was older, the story might change, but that was at least a decade away. Shawn had redeemed himself for the Tara mess, though people were curious about his relationship with Pam and Morgan. However, the threesome had only had one walk on the beach together and then one meal at the same table. It was too soon to ask how it was going. It was obvious they hadn’t had time to judge yet.
Jennifer, along with the rest of the Eagles, watched the people who were either known for rocking the boat or suspected of it. All of them centered on Connor as he left the counter with a full tray and walked to where Candy was sitting alone in a small booth. Jennifer expected him to set the tray down and leave. She knew he had duty in the animal area shortly.
Connor did set the tray in front of Candy and try to leave. After their moment together and his giving himself away by being able to go through Angela’s shield, Connor had decided to slow things down. He didn’t want to ruin the progress he was making with her or the camp.
Candy was hooked. She grabbed his wrist, forcing him to look at her. “You can’t be banished right now. Join me?”
Connor knew he should deny her request, but he wanted nothing more than to spend a few quiet minutes with her. “It’s not a good idea.”
Candy released him and pointed at the seat. “Sit.”
Connor did.
Candy beamed, making his heart pound. Connor couldn’t resist smiling back, blue eyes gleaming. He loved it that she was making their relationship public. The Eagles would be forced to accept it and so would Angela.
Becoming aware of the glowers and mutters, Candy got nervous. She reached for her cup and knocked her spoon to the floor.
Connor retrieved it in a flash, then took it to the dirty bin. He retrieved a clean set of silverware and brought it to her without acknowledging the surprise of their witnesses. He resumed his seat, putting it next to her hand.
Candy gave him a grateful smile as she opened it.
Connor took the cream and sugar packets and began to doctor her coffee. He already knew how she preferred it.
Candy worked on slathering gravy over top the biscuits, groaning. “I can’t wait to eat this. I’ve almost forgotten how fresh biscuits and gravy taste.”
Connor nudged the mug toward her and then began to open the fruit cup. “Try to force a little bit of this down too, if you can.”
The couple went about their business, trying to ignore everyone around them. Distracted by her good thoughts, Connor missed the responses to him caring for her needs. Most of the men here had doubted Connor had the maturity to please Lee’s pink-haired widow, but Candy appeared happier and healthier than she had in months. It was hard to hold a grudge against the boy in the face of that. A few of them decided to stop trying and marked him off their list of suspects to be observed or removed. Conner was one of them now.
Jennifer fingered her wedding ring absently, comforted by the feel as she swept to see who was here and who wasn’t. The list of names not here shouldn’t have been troubling, but it was. She didn’t see Adrian, Gus, Seth, and several others the Eagles were worrying over.
The camp, on the other hand, wasn’t discussing anything except the story of Angela dying and being brought back. Jennifer was suddenly sure she’d been allowed to come here to keep the fragile peace if they started to freak out. So far, the camp was only curious and grateful.
Jeff joined Jennifer in the corner, now wearing rookie Eagle gear that was too big for him. He’d lost weight while roaming the wastelands.
Jennifer frowned. “Why aren’t you taking a break with your team? I know Ivan invited you.”
Jeff didn’t want to explain it to the teenager. Jennifer was more like the boss than the others here were. “Too many memories at one time. Needed to breathe.”
Jennifer snickered. “And you’re avoiding Kevin, right?”
Jeff nodded. “I expect him along at any point. I don’t want any part of that.”
“Sounds like you didn’t like him.”
“I don’t.”
“Well, then I have good news.”
Jeff read her thoughts and grunted. “Doesn’t surprise me that he’s dead. I am surprised Brandon left, though.”
“I was too.” Jennifer brushed lint from her Eagle jacket. “Angela said he’s hoping for a fresh start where his name won’t be held against him.”
“Good luck on that. Mitchels are trouble.”
Jennifer silently concurred as Conner gave Jeff a dark glare. “Even the ones who seem okay turn out to be a problem.”
“What about that one?” Jeff went along with what Jennifer wanted, but he didn’t think the boy deserved a chance to fail on his own. His father’s choices were enough for Jeff.
“We’re watching him. He thinks we don’t know he can move through our shields undetected. The next time he does it, he’ll be out of the Eagles and maybe tossed overboard. Kyle has no patience left for that family either.”
“Good man.” Jeff glanced over, noting her hair was down. The long brown waves were pretty. She’d always kept her hair up before. “Right? He’s treating you okay and all that?”
Jennifer laughed at the gruff tone. “And then some. No worries.”
Jeff was glad. It would suck to lose another man he’d admired before Adrian’s betrayals.
“If he hadn’t gone after Angela, would you still feel the same?” Jennifer was curious how deep Jeff’s bias went.
“She’s the reason he didn’t turn us over to the government. If he hadn’t gone for her, we’d all be dead.”
“Do you believe that or is it your anger talking?”
Jeff sighed. He did want peace, but anger was hard to let go. “I’m not sure.”
“Fair enough.” Jennifer didn’t push or dig into his thoughts. The other descendants were doing that while she had him distracted.
Jeff glowered. “Why?”
Jennifer scowled back, aware of Eagles edging closer to them in case she needed backup. “You left us. We don’t care why. You won’t just be accepted back in after that. All of you have to earn it.”
“I will. I want to be here now. That makes a difference.”
“Not to me. At least Adrian never abandoned us. Excuse me.” Jennifer marched away. She took a post in the opposite corner to observe people.
Jeff knew he’d failed a test, but he refused to lie about how he felt. Kimberly would be safe here. That was why he’d returned. Even the survival of humanity wouldn’t have been able to bring him back.
Descendants who’d needed to know his loyalties marked him off the list and switched to the others who had joined just before they sailed.
Jeff was confused. That gives me a pass? Man, I’m confused.
“Me too.” Neil appeared by Jeff’s elbow, making the man jump. He hadn’t heard Neil’s arrival.
“Why did you bring Seth and Becky back? We need you, not them.”
Jeff snickered. “Still got a thing for her, huh?”
Neil spun away, going to the booth with Doug and Ivan’s team.
Jeff grinned. It was easy to get under Neil’s skin now. That hadn’t been the case in the past.
Jennifer glanced through the porthole window, seeing only water. Jeff had Neil pegged right. Neil was worried his attraction to Becky would ruin his relationship with Samantha.
Neil caught her attention. Will it?
Jennifer had already peered into that future, but it was dark. She sent the image to Neil, shrugging sympathetically. It won’t clear until you make a choice. Jennifer took pity. I’m doing a round of the bridge next. Escort me and we’ll talk?
Neil immediately followed Jennifer from the galley, eager for the advice. He hadn’t had a chance to discuss it with Angela yet and he was afraid to bring it up to Samantha. The last thing he needed was for her to suspect he was considering cheating. I won’t ever do that, Neil vowed.
Jennifer didn’t call him on it. Instead, she tried to figure out what he needed from her that she was able to give.
“I need to know if I owe her, like Seth says. Is it my fault she got hurt?”
The pair climbed the stairs, followed by her shadows, while the rest of the camp ate, settled down somewhere to sleep or stood guard. The relocation from land to sea was being accepted by everyone, but it was still daylight. When darkness fell, all that might change.
 
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