Hard Times by Angela White
 
 
Chapter One
Direct Hit
 
1
Mark yawned as he entered the small cockpit. “How long until we get there?”
They’d been flying for four hours now. Mark assumed they should be arriving shortly. South America wasn’t that far away in his mind.
Wyatt checked the screen on the plane’s dusty console. “About three hours.”
Wyatt was enjoying the job. He loved flying.
Wyatt’s dark, wild hair made him look like a mad hatter, just without the hat. Mark liked it, but he still preferred his bald scalp. Hair was a lot of work.
Mark examined the map that showed their location. The icon was over South America now. On the edge of the screen, a blue patch indicating the Pacific Ocean drew his attention. “Where’s Pitcairn Island?”
Wyatt pushed a few buttons, changing the map; a dot lit up in bright red.
Mark frowned. “It’s tiny.”
“Yep.”
“Is there a place to land?” Mark might have wished for a negative answer another time. His adventurous side wanted to jump out of a plane; he never had, but with several injured people, and a pregnant woman along, it wasn’t a good idea.
“There’s a small runway. Or at least there was before the war.”
Mark heard the doubt in Wyatt’s tone. He chose not to ask for more details. “Do you need anything?”
Wyatt yawned.
Mark slid into the comfortable seat that he assumed was for a copilot. He didn’t touch anything else. The plane was a button and dial-covered mystery to him. “What would you like to talk about?”
Wyatt was glad to have a distraction. Now that the adrenaline had worn off, he was getting sleepy. Most of his team had already crashed, trusting him to get them to the compound. It was a big honor. “You pick first.”
Mark had a question ready. “Is Damon still a threat to my boss?”
“Of course.” Wyatt scanned the thick white clouds and dark sky in contentment. Up here, everything made sense to him. “Mitchels can hold onto a grudge forever.”
“Then why didn’t he attack her when you three were alone?” All of their team was curious about the sudden peace between Alexa and Damon.
Wyatt shifted in the seat, relieving pressure on the leg that kept trying to go to sleep. “I assume because our mother and teammates were still in danger. However, he seems mellower, so maybe he decided not to follow through.”
Mark’s tone sharpened. “With the plan you two made.”
“What plan?”
Mark’s eyes narrowed. “You shouldn’t play games with me. I’m a sore loser.”
Wyatt was certain that was the truth. He examined the ground below them for lights. He was hoping for signs of survivors in every area they flew over, but so far, there hadn’t been any. “I believe he’s trying to let it go. Things might be okay now.”
Mark could only hope that was true and watch the man in case it wasn’t. “Your turn.”
Wyatt glanced over. “Were you really a convict?” He’d heard the rumor weeks ago. Mark certainly looked the part. The fighter was still wearing the bloody cover from their recent adventure.
Mark wasn’t ashamed of that anymore. “Yes. Problem?”
Wyatt chuckled. “A bonus, actually. Most of us have been in a slam at one time or another.”
Mark refused to relive those memories. “What were you in for?”
“Assault, a few times. I liked to get drunk and fight. It wasn’t a good idea when it was at a grocery store or a church picnic.”
Mark didn’t ask; he didn’t want to know what had triggered those moments. “How did you guys escape from Joel?”
Wyatt froze.
He thawed slowly, tone dropping into a dangerous register. “Pick a different topic.”
Mark assumed the man had been abused by his father before that escape. He moved on. “Why did you propose to Alexa when you knew your brother wanted her?”
“I asked her first. Damon didn’t know.” Wyatt increased the oxygen levels in the plane to adjust for the height they were at. “Why do you care?”
“Just trying to figure out the sibling dynamic. At times, you two seem very close. At others, not so much.”
Wyatt thought of the vicious fight to get out of Joel’s grip and swallowed a shudder of rage and pain. Port City had been a mild ride on a Ferris wheel in comparison. “Damon and I would, and have, killed for each other. We’re as close as brothers can be.”
“Cool.” Mark kept pushing, trying to find out more about the family. He was still surprised that Alexa had allowed them to come along. “What about your sisters?”
“What about them?”
“Do you feel the same bonds with them?”
“No. We barely know Alice and Madelyn.” He delivered a warning glance. “That doesn’t mean we won’t protect them.”
“They’re family.”
“Yes. Damon and I grew up together, but alone, you understand. It was just us until we were in our teens.”
Mark continued to tug on that thread. “Do you think Alice will be a good mate?”
Wyatt realized why Mark was asking. “She’s a good kid, but she’s a lot younger than your religious man.”
Mark nodded. “That’s why I’m asking.”
Wyatt yawned again. “They’ll probably be perfectly happy together for the rest of their lives. Assholes.”
Mark laughed. He’d been determined to dislike Wyatt, but the man was winning him over. “Your turn.”
“The pony-tailed guy implied he would make Damon a hybrid if he left Alexa alone.”
Mark was surprised. “Billy doesn’t have that authority.”
“That’s what I told Damon when he asked if I thought the offer was legit.”
“So he’s all nice now because of that.” Mark grunted. “I knew he couldn’t be trusted.”
Wyatt took offense. “And you guys can? All you do is lie.”
Mark shrugged. “We do what the situation calls for. Alexa taught us well.”
“Whatever. Your turn.”
Mark understood Wyatt was disappointed. The man wanted to be like them, too.
Mark didn’t encourage that, though he was curious why his teammate had suggested it. He assumed Billy had been testing Damon’s true character. “Why were all Mitchels required to spend time with the giants?”
Wyatt tensed again for an instant. Then he recovered. “So we would learn how to kill them.”
Mark couldn’t argue with that answer. He also didn’t ask Wyatt about the time he had obviously spent there. His reaction said it had been hell. “Your turn.”
Wyatt took a chance. “Is there room on your crew?”
Mark laughed.
Wyatt sighed. “Yeah, I guess I knew that. Your turn.”
“Hang on.” Mark went to the cockpit doorway for a sweep.
Emmie’s team was in first class. The new people were there, too, resting and trying not to show how scared they were of flying. Mark thought they’d gone to sleep so they didn’t have to be stressed during the flight. Smart.
The plane itself was dusty, but still in great shape. All it needed was a good wipe down and it would be ready for ungrateful, indifferent drones to fill it up. Mark shook off the old memories.
Most of Alexa’s team had moved into coach for rest and recovery, even Alice, who had refused to be parted from Jacob. The Preacher hadn’t argued this time. They weren’t an official couple yet, but everyone knew it was coming.
Colton’s team was sprawled throughout the business class section. Snores were coming from there, telling Mark they were fine, though it sounded like some of them were talking. Not everyone was asleep.
The only person still moving about the plane was Ria. She was running the food and drink compartment, keeping good smells flowing. Daniel was snoozing nearby, occasionally coming fully alert for a scan.
There was nothing wrong that he could see. Mark returned to the copilot seat and resumed their conversation. “Is there anything I need to know about this compound we’re stopping at?”
“Like what?”
“Is it a bunker?”
Wyatt fought another yawn. “Not exactly.”
“Who runs it?”
“No one.”
“I’m confused.”
“It’ll be easier to let you see it.”
“Do we have enemies there?”
“Not for long after we arrive. Alexa will sort them out like she does everywhere she goes.” Wyatt had great respect for her. He also had deep bitterness.
“Who are the nomads?”
“Families who escaped the government and managed to stay on the run. Also some of the founding lines who refused to participate in society in general.”
“Is there power? Food?”
“All of that and more. We’re covered.”
“Your turn.”
Wyatt finally asked what he really wanted to know. “Why did she let Levi’s team take the lead through that stadium?”
Now Mark tensed. He didn’t want to answer that question. “She didn’t give anyone the lead.”
Wyatt frowned at the evasion. “She slid aside. On our teams, that means the next crew takes the lead.”
Mark nodded. That was also how their team worked. “Addison’s crew was behind us.”
“And yet, Levi ended up in the lead.” Wyatt regarded him with a hard expression. “She showed us the doors hanging in those tunnels and she still let us get separated. So how did that happen?”
Mark stalled. “You’d have to ask her.”
“I’m asking you.” Wyatt glared. “I don’t believe she lost control of her anger and made a mistake. That’s Adrian Mitchel’s daughter! She doesn’t make mistakes that cost lives.” Wyatt’s voice deepened, drilling in his point. “I was your teammate for this run. You owe me an honest answer. Did she kill Levi?”
Mark slowly nodded. “Maybe. He was a terrible team leader, a bad person, and he was never going to change. This way, he died a hero.”
Wyatt rotated toward the huge windshield, where a dark sky framed the empty space. “Thank you for your honesty.”
“Is this going to be a problem?”
“No. And yes,” Wyatt explained, lowering his voice. “We all knew Levi wasn’t worthy to lead that team, but most Mitchels have flaws, so we’ve overlooked it. His widow probably isn’t going to see it our way. When Eva finds out, she might demand justice from the council.”
Mark realized that could happen. Two of the council members were here. “What will come of it if they rule in her favor?”
“Death. We’re not allowed to kill each other.”
“She killed Elliot, through Monica.”
“True, but no one here is going to petition the council on his behalf. Levi’s death is different. His team loved him even though they didn’t respect him.”
Mark thought fast. “How can I get ahead of it?”
“You can’t. What’s done is done.”
Mark decided to discuss it with Alexa later. “Your turn.”
Wyatt leaned over to whisper. “Do you think your boss would let me in on one of your physical moments? I’ve never had an eight-way.”
Mark got up and left the cockpit. “Well, so much for liking you.”
Daniel was in a front row seat, arms crossed over his chest. He opened one eye as Mark came through. “How are things in there?”
Mark took the stewardess chair. “Sleazy…and dangerous.”
The plane hummed smoothly around them. Mark was still impressed by how quiet it was inside. He was sure that wasn’t the case outside. Anyone alive down there was definitely hearing their passage. He studied the sleeping passengers instead. “How are things back here?”
“Too quiet.”
Both men looked toward the next compartment, where a curtain was dividing their team from these others. Alexa had put them on guard duty out here, shut that curtain, and then all noise had stopped. That had been hours ago.
Daniel assumed they were all sleeping off the fun time from Port City.
Mark was worried; something was wrong.
“Maybe she’d like an update.”
“Great idea.” Mark slid between the seats of sleeping fighters, being careful not to wake them. Guard duty was always easier when people were sleeping.
Mark pulled the curtain aside and swept the compartment.
Alexa shoved her arm over her face to wipe away the sweat.
Edward tossed restlessly under the thick airplane blanket.
Jacob curled onto his side, holding his cramping stomach.
David jerked on the rope around his wrist, trying to reach the itchy patch of scales on his hand.
Billy moaned lowly, cradling his bandaged fingers.
Alice struggled to measure out a dose of medication, hands shaking.
“Ah, hell.”
Alexa looked up at Mark with feverish, worried  red eyes. “Get out.”
Mark closed the curtain and stumbled back to Daniel, bumping into seats, waking people.
Daniel jerked awake, coming fully alert in seconds. “What’s going on?”
“They’re sick–all of them.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The boss, and the others, are sick.” Mark stared at Daniel in terror. “That’s why she sent us out here.”
“We’re in charge.”
“Yep.” Mark dropped into the seat next to him. “Hard times are here.”
Drawn by the worried vibes, Bradley and Colton hurried toward the curtain.
Emmie, Damon, and Madelyn came from their section, bumping aside the four refugees from Port City.
Daniel frowned at them but didn’t say anything about it.
The four new people moved over for Colton’s team to come through. They were fast learners.
Eva’s puffy lids said she’d been crying again. Everyone else still appeared tired and wired. Mark thought that might be from the tension of flying, but he wasn’t sure. Mitchels were hard to pigeonhole into one stereotype.
Alexa’s rough voice echoed before anyone reached her. “I don’t know if it’s contagious yet. Keep your distance.”
The men all stopped short, concern for their own lives replacing their concern for hers.
“Daniel and Mark have point.” Alexa knew that declaration was needed.
Mark swallowed the acid in his throat and tried to look like he could handle it.
Daniel immediately became determined to make his mistress proud. “We need better antibiotics. Can we get that at the compound?” He assumed their wounds were infected.
Emmie disobeyed Alexa. She peered into the coach section.
“It’s hard to say. The compound had everything you could imagine before the war. Now, it hasn’t been restocked in years.” Damon fought the need to look through the curtain like his mother was doing. He was trying hard to obey Alexa’s code and that meant following all of her orders.
Emmie ignored Alexa’s weak glare to study the sick men. “What are their symptoms?”
Alexa forced herself to answer, but it stung her pride. She was used to being the boss. “Extreme energy drain. Sore throat, upset stomach.” She swallowed the water Alice forced into her hand and then tried not to drop the cup. “A fever that comes and goes without a set pattern, though it gets higher each time. Nightmares…rough thoughts.” Alexa didn’t tell them about the voices in her mind right now. None of them belonged to her and all of them were evil.
“Show me their wounds.” Emmie didn’t go in and do it herself. She needed to finish verifying the cause.
Alice opened the bandage over Jacob’s hand; he didn’t wake up.
Emmie frowned at the infected wounds. The splinter holes were bright pink.
Alexa pulled up her pant leg to reveal the vulture bite. It was also infected and instead of bright red, it was glowing pink, with pink puss leaking down to discolor her sock.
“It’s magical. It’s only effecting the injures they got in Port City.” Emmie retreated and shut the curtain. “Alice isn’t sick and she’s been in there for hours.”
Most of their passengers breathed a sigh of relief. Even descendants feared outbreaks.
“Alice was shaking.” Mark wasn’t convinced, mostly because he didn’t respect Emmie enough to trust her word on it.
Emmie scowled. “She’s trying to keep Alexa happy and she’s worried about her new boyfriend. It’s nerves.”
“Do you agree with that, Boss?” Daniel also wasn’t going to take Emmie’s word for anything.
“Yes.”
Daniel winced. Alexa sounded like she was ready to fall over.
“So what works on magical issues?” Mark wanted a solution, fast.
“You have to use something from whatever caused the infection. Then you have to brew the cure with it.” Emmie shook her head when the men looked at her. “I’ve only heard about it. I buy my potions; I never brew them.”
“The compound has several brewing rooms.” Damon headed toward the cockpit to check on his brother and update him on their new situation.
Asher gestured. “They’re vampires. Why aren’t they safe?” He’d assumed Alexa was now immune to any type of illness.
Bradley filled them in. “It’s in their bloodstreams. Anything that effects the blood can affect them.”
“Well, that sucks. I wanted it to protect me from exactly that issue.”
“Worried over STDs are ya?”
People laughed at Bradley’s joke.
Mark and Daniel didn’t. The sense of time already running low was becoming clear.
“We didn’t bring anything with us from Port City.” Madelyn was one of those who’d wanted to loot. “She told us no souvenirs.”
Alexa tossed a pouch against the curtain that thumped lightly to the carpeted floor of the plane. She’d taken several items from that miserable place. “Who else ignored my order?”
Eva began digging in a pocket. So did Mark and Daniel.
The others stared in disapproval. They’d tried hard not to break that rule, but Alexa and her men hadn’t.
Emmie held open the pouch Alexa had tossed, collecting the items. She saw bloody splinters and a gory cheetah claw in the bottom.
“Why isn’t Damon ill?” Mark pointed at the man’s scabbed hands as he went by. “He was hit with shrapnel from the door that he went crazy on while we were separated.”
Emmie shrugged. “I assume the doors weren’t infected with whatever was on the trees.”
“Elliot did this.” Bradley was furious. “And William.”
Daniel nodded. “It has to be. They fired one last bullet our way and landed a direct hit.”
“How could he infect trees and giants, but not doors?” Alice was keeping up with the conversation while working.
“He probably sent in infected refugees.” Ria didn’t look at anyone as she gathered a fresh pot of water for coffee. “A lot of groups went into his gauntlet. Few ever came out.”
“And what about Eva?” Mark pointed again. “She was scratched by the cheetah that killed Levi. Why isn’t she sick?”
“I don’t have an answer for that except maybe Elliot wasn’t able to make sure all of the cats were infected. He left that to fate.”
Ria’s answer made sense to Mark. He turned toward Daniel. “What’s first?”
Daniel froze for an instant. Then his training took over. “We land, get to a brewing room, make the cure, fuel the plane, and fly out. Easy-peasy.”
No one laughed. The fear coming from the coach section was still growing. Alexa was afraid.
That meant everyone else should be terrified.

 
Chapter Two
I’m Jumping
 
1
“We’re here.”
Wyatt’s happy call drew people to the windows and the cockpit to get a view of where they were about to land. Dawn’s breaking light forced them to shield their eyes on one side of the plane.
Mark slid into the copilot seat and swept the unfamiliar terrain below. Wyatt had them about 1000 feet above the dense jungle. They had a clear view. But nothing else is clear.
The jungle below them spread into the distance in every direction, covering the ground completely. The only landmark he saw was an old bridge that barely stood out in fading gray hues. “I don’t see a runway.”
Wyatt chuckled. “That’s because there isn’t one.”
Daniel was standing in the cockpit doorway behind them, also viewing the inhospitable area they were about to be trekking through. He’d never seen so many trees in one place. He doubted that someone with a parachute would be able to thread that needle it was so dense. He had little doubt the hard ground below those trees would be a knee-high deep maze of debris, vines, foliage, and bugs. I hate bugs!
Wyatt adjusted the oxygen level for their new altitude and then took the plane a little lower.
“If there’s no runway, where are we landing?” Mark didn’t detect anything that resembled civilization at all. There wasn’t even the edge of a roof or a chimney peeking out from among the huge trees.
Wyatt pointed. “That’s where. Easy-peasy.”
Mark and Daniel stared in horror at the long concrete bridge that ran between two deep gorges. The drop off on either side of that bridge had to be at least 100 feet, but that wasn’t the problem. The bridge itself was cracked and falling away in places. There were weeds, rocks, and tree limbs all over it. And it was only about 50 feet wide.
Wyatt laughed excitedly as he gently rotated the plane to circle back over the long bridge. “I love my job!”
Mark blew out a rude noise. “I always heard Mitchels were crazy.”
Daniel figured out what had to happen. He clapped Mark on the shoulder. “It looks like you’re going to get to jump out of a plane after all.”
“You’re crazy, too!”
Wyatt chuckled. “My brother Damon will go down and get it cleared. He loves pretending he’s a bird.”
Daniel tried to estimate how long that would take.
Mark beat him to it. “The bridge is over a mile long. It will take him days to clear it.”
Wyatt shrugged. “Your boss did ask you if you were ready to learn something new.”
Mark groaned as he realized Daniel was right. “I’m jumping out of a plane.”
Alexa’s scratchy voice echoed through the plane, “Don’t say I never take you anywhere.”
Tense laughter filled the cockpit.
Daniel returned to the first class section, going to Damon. “Has does it work?”
Damon was already zipping his jacket, storing his cloak, and making other preparations for the jump. “We use a rope system so he doesn’t get lost. I jump first. It’ll be a rough landing, but he’s a tough guy. He can take it.”
Damon went to the rear of the plane where the parachutes were stored. “It won’t take as long as you’re thinking. Small rocks and weeds aren’t a problem. It’s the bigger tree limbs and vines that can get tangled around the front wheel and flip us that we have to worry about. We’ll have it cleared in a couple of hours.”
“Do we have enough fuel for that?”
Damon shrugged. “That’s my brother’s area. You’d have to ask him.”
“Why aren’t you worried?”
“Because I’ve done this before, and I’m a Mitchel. Duh.”
Daniel resisted the urge to smack the snotty out of the grinning man. He motioned Mark to follow Damon.
Mark did, not asking questions yet. He was still trying to adjust to the fact that he was really going to do this. Despite his joking excitement a few hours ago, the thrill of it was already gone for him. All Mark cared about was finding the cure Alexa and his team needed.
Daniel went to the curtain and opened it. He needed to give his boss an update.
Coach class was covered in trash and debris from Alexa’s pouches and pockets as she tried all the medications and potions she’d brought. None of them were working.
Most of the ill men were sleeping now, though not peacefully. Daniel saw she’d untied David’s wrist and hoped that meant the man was getting better, but he knew not to count on it. The entire area was full of thick fear. “It may draw a lot of attention if we’re up here floating around like a butterfly for hours.”
Alexa held a cup to Edward’s cracked lips so he could get a drink. “Handle it like I would. Handle everything here like I would.”
“I will. What can I do for you before we go?” Daniel wanted to use the hours they would be in the air productively.
“Just take the biggest threats with you so there’s less for me to handle while you’re gone.”
Daniel’s mind immediately went to Damon. He nodded. “I’ll cover it.”
Daniel took a minute to consider the situation and figure out what Alexa would do. He scanned the other people who were listening while looking out the windows to catch a glimpse of where they were going. Not everyone had been here before. “We’re going to assume there will be problems on the ground when we land. We’ll set guard stations at each end of the bridge to protect the plane. Half of us will go to the compound and the other half will remain here until we make contact. Those who are staying will be offloaded right before we leave.”
Daniel didn’t give anyone time to argue. “I don’t want guns used on this run. We have no idea how many people might be around here and we’re already making a lot of noise flying overhead. Use your knives and staffs. Save your bullets.”
He regarded the four new people, assuming they would need to be protected. They weren’t covered in scars and gore like everyone else. “You’ll all stay on the plane with Ria and Alice. Help with anything they need.”
The leader of the four-man group puffed out his chest. “We’re Mitchels, son. We’ll pull our weight. We’re going down now to stand guard.”
The other people in this section watched them and listened, but they didn’t volunteer to go along. Even most Mitchels had a line of sanity. Jumping out of a plane would be crossing that.
Daniel realized he liked that idea better. He gave a curt nod. “Remember what I said. No bullets.”
The arrogant, graying man sneered again. “You need to stop forgetting who we are.”
Daniel understood some of his instructions were repeats of things these teams already knew, but he didn’t care. He’d been told to handle it how Alexa would and that’s what he was doing. “Let Damon know you’re going along; make sure there are enough parachutes.”
The four men strode into the rear with their noses in the air.
Daniel brooded. I’m starting to understand why people don’t like Mitchels.
Keeping track of his thoughts, nearly everyone laughed. They were used to that reaction.
A low groan from one of Alexa’s men silenced the laughter. Emmie and Colton’s team were just as concerned as Mark and Daniel were. They had expected Alexa to walk into the compound with her cool, collected leadership to negotiate any terms that needed to be settled. They didn’t like it that her men were now going to handle that.
They also didn’t want to do it themselves. Mitchels liked having someone else to blame if things went wrong.
 
 
2
Damon helped Mark put the harness on. “You’ve seen it in movies. It’s exactly like that. You pull the handle and the parachute goes up. You’ll get jerked around and then you’ll start falling. The parachute will catch the air and then you’ll be floating.” Damon snapped the harness around Mark’s narrow hips. “Or it won’t open and you’ll fall faster. If that happens, you pull this cord here for the backup chute.”
Mark didn’t need to ask what would happen if the secondary parachute failed to open. This dusty rear section held rows of hooks that stored everything from parachutes to goggles. Mark grabbed a pair and slid them on top of his head. He wanted to be able to see where he was falling to. “When do I pull it?”
“If we go up too far, it will be too hard to make an exact landing. We’re only going to be about 500 feet above the bridge. Count to five and then pull it, just so we clear the plane. If you pull it sooner than that, the opening chutes could get sucked into one of the engines and then we all die. If you pull it later, the chute won’t have time to fully open and you’ll splatter on the ground like a big bug.”
“Comforting.” Mark held still while Damon attached the parachute bundle to his harness. He didn’t trust the man for this, but there wasn’t another choice. He assumed Damon wouldn’t try anything until after the plane was on the ground because his family was up here too.
Damon quickly strapped on his own harness, where he had already attached the parachute bundle.
The four new people were doing the same for each other. It was clear that they had done this before even though they were afraid of flying. It made Mark respect them. It also made him feel like the odd man out. He didn’t like that. “Is there anything else I should know?”
The new man stepped in front of Mark and tightened his harness a little more. “Don’t stand pat when you hit the ground. Fold and roll. If you keep your legs tense, it will break both of them when you hit the ground.”
The man returned to his team, also tightening all of their harnesses. “He’s going to attach a rope to your ankle. It may pull you around a bit. Try not to let it pull your boot off or you’ll turn into a kite and we’ll lose you somewhere down there in the jungles of Peru.”
Damon tied the rope in place on his own leg and then did the same for Mark.
Mark made sure the rope on his leg was knotted correctly, then he replayed the words. “We’re in Peru? That is so cool! I always wanted to come here.”
The new man smiled. “You’re about to get a view of it that most people never did even before the war.”
Mark let the excited feeling rise in his throat to smother the fear. “All right. I’m good. Let’s do this.”
Damon went over to the emergency door and unlocked it. “Remember what I said. Count to five and then pull.”
Wyatt’s voice came over the speaker. “You’re clear for jumping for the next sixty seconds.”
Damon jerked the door open, letting in a horrible rush of air that blew things around and took Mark’s breath away from the temperature difference.
He pulled his goggles on and watched Damon jump out of the plane like he was diving into a swimming pool. The rope between them quickly began to uncoil.
The new man shoved Mark forward. “Go!”
Mark didn’t have time to settle his nerves or even take a deep breath. The rope went taut and jerked him out of the plane.
The new man laughed as he stepped to the windy doorway. “I’m not sure he can count that as jumping.”
 
 
3
One. Two. Three. Four. Five! Mark jerked the cord to release the parachute with his heart pounding painfully, his lungs barely working, and his bladder protesting. Free falling through the sky wasn’t fun.
The parachute immediately deployed in a long stream.
Mark held tightly to the harness, swallowing a scream as he was roughly jerked 20 feet into the air by the parachute and then dropped. He flinched to the side as another parachute deployed right next to him.
There was no time to enjoy the view or even to make sure they were on target for the bridge. The world spun crazily as he waited for the chute to decide his fate.
He moaned in terror as he continued to fall. The chute didn’t open!
He was yanked into the air again and then hung there as the parachute fully opened and caught the wind. Mark sucked air into his lungs, remembering he needed to breathe.
The rope around his ankle tightened. Mark instinctively wrapped coiled the rope around his leg and then put his free leg over top of his boot to make sure it didn’t come off, remembering the warning he’d been given.
The rope jerked him down, putting pressure on his ankle until he thought it might snap. Then the pressure released and he was floating through the air like a bird.
More parachutes opened above him as the new people deployed. All of them put their hands together as if they were praying and leaned forward as much as they could, enjoying the ride. They enjoyed flying; it was the plane they didn’t trust.
The ground rose up at a blurring speed. Mark barely had time to remember not to tense up and then he slammed into the ground next to a long molding tree limb.
Mark tucked and rolled, crying out at the harsh impact.
The four new people landed on their feet and walked off the force of the impact that carried them halfway down the bridge. They quickly detached their cords, letting their parachutes fly with the air over into the gorge.
Damon didn’t land quite as well. He hit his knees and rolled, becoming tangled in his cords.
Mark flailed for purchase as he and Damon both slid toward the edge of the bridge. He caught part of the rocky frame and used his leg to pull Damon toward him with the rope around his ankle. They both slid to a stop with inches to spare.
The new people hurried over to help them, laughing.
Mark stayed still, heart thudding stiffly in his chest. “That was not a fun ride. I want a full refund.”
Damon snickered as he recovered, unwinding himself from the cords so he could stand up. “I thought it was great.”
“Well, you’re crazy.”
Damon shrugged. “That isn’t the first time I’ve heard that today.”
The four new refugees split up as soon as they helped Mark to his feet and unhooked his cords. Two of them went to each end of the bridge and began a short patrol, scanning the jungle for problems.
Mark and Damon both took a minute to regain their breath and scan the bridge for a better view now that they were on it. Huge tree limbs and thick vines met their gazes.
“Damn. This may take a little longer than I estimated.”
Mark wasn’t mad about it. The view from the plane hadn’t revealed the extent of the debris. He got up and went over to the nearest pile while drawing the longest knife from his belt. “Let’s start with chopping the vines loose and then we’ll roll the logs off the side.”
Damon didn’t argue. He got to work a few feet away, hacking at vines that were twined around and through the bridge.
Mark did the same, occasionally glancing up to verify that the plane was still circling above them even though he was able to hear it too clearly. He couldn’t help it. His team was up there while he was down here. He wouldn’t be able to relax until they were back together.
Trying to push away the nerves, Mark bobbed his head toward the refugees now standing guard. “Who are they?”
Damon didn’t look up from the tangled vines he was chopping through. “Distant cousins. I believe the leader’s name is Bronco.”
Mark swung his knife, making a face. “What kind of name is that?”
“He broke horses before the war. I never learned his real name.”
“Can he be trusted?”
“As much as any Mitchel can be.”
“So, no.”
Damon grinned. “Exactly.”
“You guys are a very resourceful family. If you developed some ethics, your reputation might not be so bad.”
Damon switched angles on the vines to get at them from the other side. “ Who says we want a better rep?”
Mark didn’t know how to respond. He finished with the pile of vines near his boots and then moved a few feet away to work on the next set, while pondering the oddness of the Mitchel family. He still hadn’t figured out how Alexa had managed to turn out so well when the rest of her family hadn’t even come close.
“It’s because of her father.” Damon had a brief moment where he considered explaining to Mark how bad his own father had been and then decided not to. That was the past. It didn’t matter now.
Mark was looking forward to meeting Alexa’s father despite all the bad stories he’d heard. Anyone who had been able to turn out a leader like her had to be worthy of respect.
Damon finished with the tangle of vines and then used his foot to roll the log to the side of the crumbling bridge. “This is going to make a lot more noise.”
Mark was already braced for it. “If someone comes and they need help, you take one end and I’ll take the other. We’ll meet in the middle.”
“Agreed.”
Both men kept an eye on the ends of the bridge and their guards while they worked.
Above them, the plane circled continuously, waiting for them to finish.
“Incoming.” Bronco’s quiet call drew all of them. They turned and found a small group of undead trudging toward them.
Mark and Damon both got ready to help if it was needed.
Bronco drew his knife and ran forward, stabbing it into the eye of the nearest zombie. His partner did the same next to him. Both men spun around and kicked out in tandem, knocking down two more undead. They followed up with fast stabs that put the zombies down permanently. Very little noise was made.
Mark watched the fighting with a bit of longing and a lot of respect. It was obvious from just this quick moment that Bronco and his team knew what they were doing. The fact that they were older but not covered in scars said they were better at it than he’d given them credit for.
Bronco and his partner resumed guard duty while wiping their knives clean so they were ready for the next use.
Mark swept the plane above them and then got back to work.
Next to him, Damon scanned the gorge and moped. He resumed pushing the log toward the edge while trying to keep his mind clear of bad thoughts. Alexa wouldn’t be happy if he pushed Mark over the side. But my mother would. It’s a good thing I don’t care about her opinion.
Mark felt the danger rise and pass just as quickly as it had come. He stayed ready to defend himself if Damon decided this was the time to show his true colors. Mark had already decided he would snap the man’s neck so there wasn’t even a chance that Damon would revive as one of the undead. If he turned on them, he was a goner in every way.
Around the bridge, the jungle rustled unhappily at the sight and sounds of humanity trying to reestablish itself. Angry animals fled deeper into the trees, alerting the residents that something was happening.
 
 
4
A few miles away, a family of nomads came out of their cave home. All tall, thin, and covered in traces of their environment, the three men and one woman were a tough clan of survivors.
“That was a 747!”
“Can we fly that?”
“Yes. I was trained on one.”
“How do you want to handle this, Mom?”
Rosetta patted her empty holster. “We see if they can be taken quickly.”
“Anyone flying a 747 now can’t be an easy fight.”
“Neither are we.” Rosetta began checking her weapons and gear. “Remember who we are.”
“Abbots don’t shy from any challenge.”
“Abbots are a founding family. We don’t need anyone to survive.”
“We hate Mitchels!”
Now that the family mantra had been recited, they all felt better. Being banned from the compound hadn’t killed them; it had made them stronger.
 The boys headed toward the bridge, following their mother. That plane was their ticket out of this jungle. All they had to do was claim it.

 
Chapter Three
Static Noise
 
1
“Yo, point man.”
Daniel went to the cockpit at Wyatt’s call. “What’s the problem?” He could already tell from the man’s tone that there was one.
Wyatt gestured toward the dashboard that was full of buttons, switches, and displays that Daniel knew absolutely nothing about.
“We’re getting low on fuel.”
Daniel peered out the window toward the bridge. There was still a large section of the bridge that was covered in vines and logs. “They’re not finished yet.”
“It won’t matter if we run out of fuel.”
Daniel reached for his radio and then realized he hadn’t told Mark to keep his on. He tried it anyway, hoping the convict had remembered. “We have a fuel problem up here. Can you guys work any faster?”
To Daniel’s relief, the radio lit right up with Mark’s tired voice. “Not a chance. You wouldn’t believe how thick these vines are. It’s keeping us from removing the tree limbs.”
Daniel scanned the dashboard of the plane, looking for the fuel gauge. “How long?”
Wyatt shrugged. “I’d say half an hour, but sometimes these things suck it down faster than they’re supposed to, especially when we’re doing circles. They prefer straight lines so the fuel tanks are always in balance. Sometimes it throws off the sensors and gives a bad reading.”
“So it’s possible that we have more fuel than what’s showing?”
Wyatt nodded. “But I wouldn’t wanna count on that, would you?”
“Absolutely not.” Daniel keyed the radio. “In 15 minutes, this bird is going to be on the ground. Remove the biggest obstacles. Tell the guards I said to help you now. We’ll try to keep an eye out for trouble coming your way.”
“Copy that.”
Daniel didn’t stick around to watch. He went to the business section and motioned to Colton. “Get your team on the windows. We’re the eyes in the sky.”
Colton quickly divided his crew between the two sides of the plane so they were able to see the bridge even while the plane made another turn.
Daniel went to the curtains on the coach class, but he didn’t open them this time. Alexa had closed them a short time ago. Daniel was glad. It hurt him to see how ill his team was and not be able to do anything about it. “Fifteen minutes until we land, Boss.”
Alexa didn’t answer.
“She’s…resting.”
Daniel snorted at Alice’s rewording of the obvious. “Make sure they’re all secured as much as you can. It might be a rough landing.”
“She had me buckle all of them into a seat a little while ago.”
“I don’t suppose there’s any change?”
Alice’s voice dropped into a grim register. “Nothing you want to know about.”
Daniel was already sure he had an idea. He’d heard the noises. His team had emptied their stomachs now. Without any fresh food coming in, their systems would weaken quickly. Vampires survived on blood, but they’d learned it wasn’t enough to keep them active. That was something he and the team had discussed at length during their winter break. It explained why so many vampire victims also had missing flesh. Their new bodies needed fuel from multiple sources.
That actually made sense to Daniel, considering the enhanced strength, speed, and sight that had come with this changed form.
“Where do you want me?”
Daniel saw Ria was now wearing her fighting clothes, had her cloak tied to her leg bands, and a rusty gun was on each hip. Despite his order of no guns for this run, Daniel approved. If the plane crashed, making noise would be the least of their concerns. “Help Alice with the boss.”
Ria immediately went into coach class, tugging the curtain closed behind her.
Daniel scanned, looking for anything he had missed. He wasn’t sure exactly what to do during a landing, other than the things the stewardesses had told him on his flights before the war. “I think our trays are already in an upright position. Buckle yourselves into a seat and hold on.”
Daniel thought about it and then grimaced. “I suppose a prayer or two wouldn’t be a bad idea either.”
“Already on it!”
Daniel was relieved to hear Jacob was alert enough to respond, but he was disheartened by the fear he heard in Jacob’s voice. The Preacher was worried that he was going to die.
So am I. Daniel went back to the cockpit and sat in the copilot seat. “Tell me what to do.”
Wyatt evened them out for the 32nd time. “I need some static noise.”
Daniel stared at the man. “You’re kidding, right?”
Wyatt grunted angrily. “No! I usually have my brother in my damn ear at this point, rattling off some insane shit about his latest adventure with a female or death. I can’t take all this quiet!”
Daniel realized Wyatt was scared, too. He pulled up the most recent story Alexa had told them. “I guess you already know Alexa was only 13 when they sent her to live with the giants…”
Wyatt shifted in the seat to get a better placement for his feet and arms. “That’s a good one. I wasn’t even in school yet when it happened.”
Daniel was caught off guard. “I thought you were older than that.”
Wyatt made an adjustment to the flaps, slowing them a little more for the turn in hopes that it would save on fuel. “I’m 19.”
Daniel made the connection. “If you’re that young, then you haven’t made this landing very many times.”
“No.”
Daniel suddenly didn’t want to know, but he force himself to ask anyway. “How many times have you done it?”
Wyatt gently rotated the plane again, ignoring his sore arms. “Twice. I crashed the first time. I did manage to keep us on the bridge so we ended up in the jungle instead of the gorge. The plane was a total loss.”
Oh, shit. Daniel swallowed nervously. “What about the second time?”
Wyatt blew out a nervous sigh. “Ask me again in 15 minutes.”
 
 
2
“Clear the runway! Clear the runway!” Daniel let go of his radio and held onto the arms of the chair as Wyatt took the plane toward the farthest end of the bridge. It didn’t look like the hard-working clearers below had gotten enough done, but they were out of time. The fuel light was blinking and alarms were going off, taking the choice out of their hands.
Daniel observed tensely as Wyatt hit buttons and adjusted settings.
“Keep talking!”
“While you’re landing?”
“Talk!”
Daniel tried not to think about how fast the ground was coming up to meet them as he struggled to remember where he had been in the story. “She stayed there in the mountains…”
“Talk, damn you!”
“She drove all of the giants out of the mountain! She hunted them with the female wolf at her side! She stayed there doing that for a year!”
Wyatt adjusted the nose of the plane. “Here we go.”
Daniel kept babbling about the wolves and giants while his stomach dropped into his boots and his balls shrunk up against his leg.
The plane tilted dangerously as it hit an updraft and then evened out again under Wyatt’s skillful hands. He took them lower, cutting the engines to slow them.
The six men on the bridge ran toward the end to get out of the way, while hoping they had cleared it well enough for the plane to land. All of them were covered in dirt, sweat, and dread.
In the cockpit, Wyatt lined up the nose with the runway and took them to the ground.
 
 
3
Mark automatically ducked as the plane went over him. By the time he looked up, the front wheel was touching down. “They’re going too fast!”
Damon knew that too, but there wasn’t anything he could do about it.
They watched as the plane bounced and roared across the bridge, sending debris in every direction, and creating new noises that thundered through the jungle.
 
 
4
Wyatt activated all of the emergency controls, still trying to slow the plane. It skidded to the side, heading for the edge as he overcorrected. “Dammit! Why aren’t you talking to me?!”
Daniel resumed jabbering, hoping he was able to hold his bladder as the edge of the bridge zoomed toward them and their passengers were tossed around.
Wyatt held the wheel loosely as it vibrated roughly in his hand.
The plane bounced over debris that hadn’t been cleared and then continued on, stealing his breath. It shuddered sideways on the makeshift runway, headed for the opposite side of the drop off.
“I only needed 5000 feet. I only needed 5000 feet!” Wyatt pulled back on the wheel as the plane shuddered again, throwing up large clouds of dirt and debris.
Daniel drew in a shaky breath as the plane finally slowed. The end of the bridge was still coming too fast, however.
Wyatt spotted a large log in the middle of the runway and winced. “Roll right over it! Come on, you big bitch. Roll right over it!”
Daniel realized if they hit it the wrong way they would flip. He refused to shut his eyes.
The front wheel of the plane hit the log and bounced into the air instead of tripping over it. The log was knocked into the gorge, clearing a path for the rear wheels. The plane slammed down and slowly came to a rough stop, momentum broken by hitting the tree limb.
Wyatt brought them to a complete stop with sweat dripping down his neck and a huge grin on his face. “That’s my baby!”
Daniel wasn’t surprised when the man reached out and rubbed the plane like it was a woman. He had the urge to do the same thing. “I’ll say one thing for your family. You’re never boring.”
Wyatt’s laughter echoed through the dusty cockpit and sent good vibes over their shaken passengers.
 
 
5
“Can we go make contact now?”
Rosetta shook her head. “Not yet.”
The nomad family was sitting cross-legged under a huge Macua tree near the center of the drop off by the bridge, hidden by foliage and the brown clothes they were wearing. Even their hats were a deep brown that blended in perfectly. Bugs crawled over them unnoticed as they waited for their mother’s order to strike.
“But we’ve been out here for three hours now, watching them clear.” Luis kept his voice down even though he was protesting. He knew better than to give them away without her call. “The plane’s on the ground now!”
“A bird that size needs a lot of fuel. Let them fill it for us. Then we’ll shoot them and take their bird.”
Luis rotated toward his mother quietly, surprised. “We’re not trying to buy a ride first?”
Rosetta’s face tightened under the dirt and wrinkles. “No. Those are Mitchels. We’re going to kill them all.”
 
 
6
Mark stared at the huge, humming plane. “I have a stupid question.”
Damon paused. “I’m bored anyway. I didn’t get to enjoy that ride in. What’s up?”
“There’s not enough runway to takeoff. How does that work?”
Damon wiped debris from his arm. “We just turn it around.”
Mark doubted that was going to be as easy as it sounded. “Is there some sort of special gear for that?”
“Nope. We attach ropes and pull it.”
Mark scowled. “There isn’t enough space for that. It’s too big for a U-turn!”
“The wheels swivel, like an office chair. We do have to worry about getting too close to the edge, but it should be fine.” Damon trotted toward the end of the runway they hadn’t finished clearing. “We may need this room, however.” He motioned to the others. “Let’s get on it.”
Mark followed him, but the sense of being watched made him glare over his shoulder. He hadn’t felt it until now. Anyone dumb enough to attack us won’t survive the attempt.
 
 
7
In the plane, Daniel hurried toward coach class to check on his team. He had a bad feeling.
He ignored the groaning, disheveled people who had been tossed around during their landing. He opened the curtain and immediately groaned. “Down boy!”
Daniel hurried over and began to pry David’s hands off of Alice’s neck. “That’s not how we train our rookies!”
David’s eyes glowed bright pink and then shut. His body relaxed, allowing Daniel to release Alice from his grip.
“He thought she was Alexa.” Ria had also been trying to help, but one big shove from David’s huge arm had knocked her across the plane.
“Are you okay?”
Alice and Ria both nodded, not sure who he was talking to.
Daniel took rope from his belt to tie David’s wrists to the arm of the plane seat so he couldn’t do that again. “We’re having some fun now, huh, Boss?”
Alexa didn’t respond. Her nightmares were holding her prisoner.
Daniel felt death turn his way and immediately rolled forward. He hit the seats next to his team and fell in an ungainly heap at Ria’s feet.
Behind him, Edward lashed out with his knife, lids still closed. “Get away from her! I’ll slit you from end to end!” Only the buckled seatbelt kept him in place.
Daniel picked himself up, a bit embarrassed and a lot relieved that his fast reflexes had kicked in. “Tie them all down.”
He went to handle Edward himself. The man’s words implied he was protecting Alexa in her dreams. Daniel approved completely. He liked the thought of her not having to go through the nightmares alone anymore.
“I didn’t know we could do that.” Ria took rope from her pocket and went over to restrain Billy, who hadn’t moved or made a sound in hours.
“I believe it has something to do with the soulmate connection. I heard her and Edward talking about it once.”
“I don’t believe in soulmates.”
Daniel wasn’t surprised. The life that Ria had led wouldn’t have allowed for such fanciful notions. “I didn’t think they existed either, but my time around Alexa has opened my mind to a lot of things I didn’t believe were possible before. Now I just seriously doubt it.”
Ria chuckled, tugging the rope tight but not so much as to cut off Billy’s circulation. He wasn’t a prisoner.
David liked how careful she was being with his teammates. He looked over at Alice, who was rubbing her throat. “Are you two going to be able to handle them while I’m gone?”
Alice snorted, voice coming out in a harsh rasp from being strangled. “Nobody can handle your team.”
Daniel laughed. “And that’s a fact.”
“We’ll be fine. Hurry up and bring back what she needs.” Ria didn’t like seeing Alexa this way. She much preferred the image of Alexa blazing guns through every town she reached. Ria hoped to be like her one day.
Daniel gestured toward David. “Stick by him and that just might happen.”
Ria frowned at the words. She didn’t care about having her mind read. “I’m not interested in a relationship.”
“I was thinking more of a mentorship. He seems to like you and you need a friend. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”
Ria nodded but didn’t promise to take his advice. She didn’t trust any of the men on Alexa’s team yet. That would only come with time.
David groaned, fingers reaching out around his restraints.
Ria quickly went over and rubbed his scarred hand comfortingly. “It’s okay. We’ve got you covered.”
The blacksmith immediately calmed, falling into a deeper sleep.
Daniel left the area, tugging the curtains closed. The girl may not want a relationship, but she was already in one. At some point she and David would both figure it out and react accordingly.
Daniel went to Colton, who was standing with his team near the exit. “Pick two of your most dependable people to stay here, along with Eva.”
Daniel wasn’t willing to take a pregnant woman along for this run since he didn’t know what to expect from it. “I want you to lead us in. We’re also taking Wyatt and Damon. You can leave the new people and the other half of Emmie’s crew.”
“What about me?” Bradley didn’t like being ignored even though he wasn’t anxious to go hiking through the jungle.
“You’ll stay here and protect your fellow council member.” Daniel didn’t want to be responsible for keeping Bradley alive. The man had done all right at the end of the run through Port City, but before that, Alexa had had to protect him in every way. It was only fair that he now returned the favor.
“You got it.” Bradley moved to a chair closer to the coach class curtain.
“I’m going with you guys.”
Daniel nodded. He was glad to have Asher along. The man’s fighting skills would probably be needed. “Lock this plane as soon as we’re off of it and go dark. If you have problems, use the radio on Alexa’s belt, but be careful reaching for it. She doesn’t like being touched.”
Eva nodded, aware that the man was talking to her and not Emmie. It was clear that he didn’t trust any of Emmie’s team. “Just hurry.”
Eva was anxious to be in the safety of the compound. Sitting on an open runway in a plane four years after the war was a bad idea for anyone, no matter their family name.
Alexa jerked awake, eyes glowing. The bright pink light slowly faded.
“Boss?”
“Yes, dear?”
Daniel grimaced. “Can you call Jendon?”
Alexa swallowed thin saliva over her parched throat. “I already tried. We’re out of the country. I don’t think he can hear me now.”
Mark frowned. “Why do we need him? We’ll use a compound brewing room, and these items, and be good to go.”
Colton answered him. “Who’s going to brew it?”
Mark hadn’t thought of that. “Damn.”
Colton didn’t rub it in. “Exactly. This was made by a master brewer. Not just anyone can mix a cure.”
Mark went to Alexa. “Could you? We can carry you in.”
She reluctantly denied it. “Not this one. Cures aren’t my strength.”
Daniel tried to be positive. “Maybe someone will be at the compound who can be convinced to do it.”
Alexa shivered. “That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.”
Daniel wasn’t sure if the shiver was from her illness or a worry about what they would be facing, but it didn’t matter. They needed the cure and the fuel. They were going. Daniel began checking his gear. “Get ready. We leave in five minutes.” Daniel wanted to be here if someone made contact now that the plane was on the ground.
Wyatt came from the cockpit, also checking his gear. “Isn’t anyone going to tell me what a good job I did?”
“No!”
“Nope.”
“Absolutely not!”
Wyatt put his nose into the air and headed toward the exit. “So rude. I think Alexa is rubbing off on all of you.”
Daniel grinned. “That’s the best thing I’ve heard all day.”
“Daniel? A word.”
Daniel hurried to the seat next to Edward, relieved that their XO was alert enough to talk. “How are you feeling?’
“Please don’t ask me to talk about my life.”
Daniel burst out laughing.
Edward struggled to focus. “You remember when she was taken from us right after Mark joined our crew?”
Daniel went still and cold as those ugly memories flooded his mind. “Yes.”
People listening tensed at the dangerous anger now filling the plane.
Edward spoke through the pain in his throat. He’d never been so thirsty. “You were on the edge the entire time.”
“Yes.”
“Don’t let that happen now. Keep it cool and calm, like I would.”
Daniel realized Edward was giving him a talk about leadership. He frowned. “I don’t need this. I’m not that guy anymore.”
Edward looked over at Alexa in concern. “We’re all that guy over her.”
Daniel waited, not sure what to say.
Edward shut his eyes. “If you go rogue, we’re all going to die right here in these seats. Mind my words: cool and calm.”
Daniel grunted. “Cool and calm. Got it.”
Edward sighed. “I hate it when you blow me off.”
Daniel didn’t deny it. “I’ll be fine. Mark will keep me cool and calm.”
Edward chuckled dryly. “That’s not his job. It’s yours.”
Mark frowned, not liking being left out of a conversation that included him. “So what’s my job?”
“To think.”
Now Mark groaned. “We really are doomed.”
“Just be yourself. That’s always been enough for me.”
“But will it be enough for this run?”
Edward didn’t answer.

 
Chapter Four
You Were Rude
 
1
“It’s time to roll.”
Colton’s call put a stop to all the light chatter that had been happening. Everyone who was going moved toward the exit.
Those who were staying exchanged nervous glances. No one wanted to be away from their team. Dividing them had effectively killed most of the excitement of reaching their destination. The only one who seemed happy about it was Emmie. She stayed in her seat with her arms crossed over her chest and waited for them to leave.
Daniel caught the vibe. He glared at the woman. “If anything happens to them while we’re gone, you’ll be the one I hold responsible for it.”
Emmie rolled her eyes. “Get on out of here, big man. Save your threats for someone who gives a damn about them.”
Daniel stepped toward her.
Wyatt and Damon both slid between them, hands dropping to the weapons on their belts.
Mark took the spare mag from his belt and slid it under the curtain so Alexa would have extra ammunition if she needed it. “Come on. Even unconscious, the boss can handle her.”
Daniel had to be satisfied with that. He delivered one last warning glare over the shoulders of her sons and then headed to the exit.
Colton looked at Bradley. “Keep the peace, if you can.”
Bradley grinned. “It’s just another Mitchel family meeting. What could go wrong?”
Weak chuckles followed the team out of the plane.
Bradley quickly shut and locked the heavy door without staring at the jungle around the bridge. He was already sure he would get an up close view at some point.
For a moment, there was silence throughout the plane as they listened to the team leave. Crunching boots was the loudest noise. It was impossible to be quiet when walking over years of debris. Then the normal sounds of a jungle environment flooded in, preventing them from hearing anything else.
Bradley took a seat and leaned back. “Seems like a good time for a nap.”
Eva scowled at him, voice full of disapproval. “How are you still alive?”
Bradley shrugged. “I have always depended upon the kindness of my team.”
She sneered. “Your team isn’t here this time; you need to pull your own weight.”
Bradley didn’t move from the chair. He already knew what she wanted. “If we set a guard post outside, it’s just going to endanger us and draw more attention to the fact that we’re here. I say we maintain a low profile.”
“Overruled. I want guards at both ends of the bridge. I also want barricades build.”
Emmie looked at Eva, surprised she was giving orders.
Eva tapped the knife on her belt. “Get up and organize it and do it right now.”
No one was sure who was in charge since Alexa was ill. After a quick moment to think, Emmie and Bradley both decided they didn’t want leadership right now.
“The grieving widow has spoken.” Bradley amiably rose from his chair. “I need four volunteers.”
Bronco and his team all looked over.
Bradley waved them off. “You guys already guarded the bridge on a shift and helped clear it so we could land. You’re on the next rotation. Take a break.”
Bronco’s team was glad to hear that even though they were hard workers. They were filthy and sore, scraped and bruised in places from the fight to get out of Port City. The work they had put in here had reminded them they’d only been out of that gauntlet for a day.
Madelyn stepped forward, ignoring the surprised look from her mother. Emmie’s opinion actually meant very little to her. Being around Alexa had reminded Madelyn that not all Mitchels were needy and greedy. “I can do a shift.”
Bradley smiled at the timid girl. “Good. Who else?”
Three members from Colton’s team also stepped forward. They had no problem following Eva’s orders while their team leader and XO were gone.
Bradley motioned. “Get off your ass and come lock the door, but be quick to open it. Get someone watching the windows in here in case we need to make a quiet flight.”
Now that Bradley had stepped up, his voice rang with authority.
Eva reluctantly stood from the chair. “Ria can take a shift on the windows. There isn’t anything she can do for Alexa and her men that Alice isn’t already covering.”
Ria immediately came out of the sick area and went to the cockpit so she had a clear view of one end.
Emmie gestured. “As soon as you’re all out, I’ll take a post over the rear.”
No one believed she would actually do it, but Bradley was encouraged anyway. He had doubted Emmie would follow anyone’s orders except for Alexa. Even if she only occasionally did a patrol, it was still better than nothing. With half of their teams going to make contact with the compound, they were now short on manpower.
Emmie locked the door as soon as they were out and then headed for the rear of the plane, surprising everyone who was left on board.
Bronco’s team settled back in their chairs and hoped nothing went wrong. They were all eager to be in the compound. It was the only place where the four of them had ever felt like they belonged. As far as they were concerned, it was home.
Silence went through the plane. Then Alexa’s tired voice broke it.
Alexa reached out and put her hand on Alice’s wrist. “I’m sorry.”
Alice regarded her in surprise. “You haven’t done anything wrong.”
Alexa let go of the girl. “Do you believe the person who puts ugly things into motion is guilty even if they don’t actually raise a hand toward that plan?”
Alice slowly nodded as a ball of acid began to form in her stomach. “Yes. In fact, I believe they’re more responsible than the people who actually carry it out.”
“So do I. That’s why the apology.”
Alice knew Alexa didn’t say she was sorry very often. She also knew the woman wasn’t known for explaining herself. She stared, not sure if she should ask for more details. She’d always respected Alexa and now that she was possibly paired with one of Alexa’s men, it was even more important for her to do the right thing.
“Who are you loyal to, Alice?” Alexa reclined her chair and pulled her cloak over her body as chills ran down her length and then back up.
Alice considered the question carefully, but there was really only one answer. “My sister.”
“Is Madelyn worthy of that?”
Alice suddenly felt as if she were making a life and death decision for her family. “I believe so. I can tell you about her, if you like.”
Alexa nodded. “The static noise would be nice. At your leisure.”
The voices in Alexa’s mind had continued to multiply. She needed something else to drown them out.
Alice got a blanket from one of the compartments and came over to Alexa. She covered the fighter from boots to chin. “Maddie stood up to Joel, for me.”
Alexa’s eyes opened in surprise. “Do tell.”
No one Alexa had ever known had gone against Joel and lived. Even Adrian had avoided that evil man.
“After Emmie left Joel, he took his anger out on her kids. As you know, he was more than obsessed with her.”
Alexa refused to be drawn into those memories. She’d spent a month with Joel during her family tour. “Yes. When Joel wanted something, he took it.”
“Old magic forced his hand, but it couldn’t stop that hand from turning into a fist.” Alice tried not to get sucked into those memories either. “Most of the scars my sister and I carry came from our father’s hand. He believed our pain would bring Emmie back to him.”
“And when it failed to work?”
“He decided one of our deaths would do it.” Alice’s voice dropped into anger for the first time since they’d met. “He put little straws into a hat and made us draw. The smallest straw would get his knife...”
Alexa waited for the girl to recover. Her mind was making her relive the moment anyway.
“As soon as I pulled the little one, Madelyn attacked him. She used magic and the fighting skills we’d been practicing. He swatted her down like she was a tiny spider on his wall. And then she got back up. Every time he hit her, she got back on her feet. By the time it was over, he was so impressed that he let her live.”
“And how did your life get spared?”
“A call came in. The government wanted Joel to handle Safe Haven. He decided to keep me for my fighting skills. He said it would make him feel human again to have a full team around him during a blood battle between clans.”
The evil voices in Alexa’s mind had been pushed out by the story the minute Alice had referenced Safe Haven. She waited impatiently for the girl to go on.
Alice’s voice was rough. “Joel had to agree to some terms from the UN. One of them was making deals with pirates. The other was Joel’s relocation. He was being sent to the International Detention Center to assume command there and take control of the battle.”
“I assume you four were supposed to be with him.”
Alice shuddered. “We waited until moving day, when the top decks were filled with fighters. We teamed against them and fought our way through. When we escaped, Joel killed them all.”
Icy pain came over Alice’s expression. “We took an emergency pod to the nearest landmass and disappeared. We weren’t able to bring my little brother, Joey. What he must have gone through after we left haunts me every night.” Tears rolled down Alice’s cheeks.
Alexa felt bad for the girl. It was a reminder of her own guilt for the things she’d done to survive. “You only get one life.”
“That doesn’t mean it’s okay to sacrifice other people for it!”
“Nothing about survival can be divided into neat lines like right or wrong. Life is a precious, terribly amazing gift. It’s not wrong to want to preserve that, even at the cost of others. It’s also not right.” Alexa shrugged. “It is what it is.”
“I hate that saying!” Alice scrubbed the tears from her cheeks.
“Same, but there are no words I can offer that will erase your pain or soothe your soul. I can’t do that for any of us. We make our decisions and then go on from them as best we can. Sometimes those decisions are wrong; sometimes the decisions are right.” Alexa’s voice dropped to a mutter. “In the end, it probably doesn’t matter anyway.”
Alice understood what she meant and took immediate offense. “How can you have Jacob, a Preacher, on your team and believe that?”
Alexa didn’t see a reason to lie. “Because deep down Jacob has the same questions that everyone else does, but there are no answers to be found in this life. At some point, we’ll die and then perhaps we’ll have those answers. It’s the only hope there actually is.”
“You see death as hope.” Alice snorted. “That certainly explains why you act like you’re crazy. You are.”
Alexa chuckled tiredly. “You’ll be good for him. I officially approve your match. The rest is up to him.”
Caught off guard, Alice smiled warmly. “Thank you, Alpha.”
“It’s my honor.” Alexa settled down to sleep. “And your death if you betray him. Be sure you can escape the legacy of your family, Alice. I won’t be merciful and neither will he.”
 
 
2
“There’s something going on with my mom.”
Bradley looked at Madelyn in surprise. That was the last thing he had expected to hear from her.
They’d been working for almost an hour in silence. He’d expected a complaint or a request to go back to the plane and rest.
Colton’s laboring team was also surprised. They tried to make less noise while rolling tree limbs into a small barricade so they could hear the conversation.
Bradley recovered. He resumed shoving the next thick tree limb toward the other workers. “What makes you think that?”
Madelyn gestured toward the plane. “Someone else was given the lead and she didn’t offer a single protest. That’s not right for her. She also took your orders, from a man. I believe Emmie just wanted everybody out so she could be alone with Alexa while she’s sick.”
Bradley glanced at the plane and then got back to work. “Alexa isn’t so weak yet that she can’t defend herself.”
“It didn’t feel like it was going to be a physical attack.” Madelyn doubted her mom would try that without all of her team to help. When it came down to it, Emmie was a coward with excellent fighting skills. It was an odd mix.
Bradley didn’t want to get involved, but he was part of the family council; he didn’t have a choice. “Is there something the council should know?”
Madelyn shrugged. “I’m almost sure there is, but she didn’t let me in on it. I just wanted to give you a heads up.”
“You wanted to make sure you weren’t going to be blamed for whatever she has going on.”
Madelyn nodded. “I am a Mitchel. Covering my ass seems like a good idea.”
“Fair enough.”
“Alice isn’t in on it either. You’ve seen she’s been helping Alexa the whole time. I want that clear.”
“As long as that holds true, the council will not punish you or your sister for the actions of your mother.” Bradley met her eyes. “What about your brothers?”
Madelyn turned away.
Bradley grunted, showing harder on the heavy log. “In our family, silence is not golden.”
 
 
3
“We’re being watched.”
Everyone nodded at Mark’s comment. The jungle around them was very quiet even though their steps were not. When the animals went silent, that was an obvious sign of a problem.
“We’ll handle it if we need to.” Colton kept them moving along the unmarked path through the trees. He knew the way from memory and from time. It was just under an hour’s walk from the bridge. Half of that if they were running. He’d made the trip both ways.
Daniel moved out of formation again and used his knife to carve a small ‘A’ in a nearby tree. Then he hurried back into the line.
He’d been doing that since the bridge fell out of sight, not caring if it offended their guide. He and Mark didn’t know where they were. If something happened that they got split up, it would be very easy to get lost. There was almost no daylight here under the tree cover and no distinctive landmarks. “So tell me about this compound.”
Asher dropped back next to Daniel to fill him in. “You’ll love it. Food, good people, and no undead.”
Wyatt stepped next to Colton and tossed his arm around the man’s shoulders. “I’d like to talk to you about something.”
Colton coolly shrugged the arm off. He didn’t like Wyatt enough to be touched by him. “I’m all ears.”
Wyatt looked back at Mark and grinned cruelly. “Did you know Alexa killed your team leader in Port City?”
Colton stopped.
A cool breeze blew through the jungle, ruffling leaves and sweaty hair.
“Say that again.”
“You son of a bitch!” Mark marched forward, fists clenching.
Asher shoved Mark back while facing Wyatt. “What did you say?”
“I said Alexa killed Levi. She gave him the lead by sliding aside. She knew it wasn’t safe. She set him up. She killed your leader.”
Colton’s team stared in shock.
Mark went around Asher. “Why would you tell them that?!”
Wyatt shrugged. “If it was my team leader, I would wanna know.”
“Bullshit.” Mark thumped Wyatt’s chest with his hand. “You just can’t help starting trouble!”
Wyatt’s happy demeanor fell to the ground. An asshole took its place. “You were rude to me. There had to be a payment for that.”
“I’ll give you a payment!”
Colton held up a hand. “Stop.”
His team waited for his decision, hands slowly moving toward their weapons.
Mark also waited, but only because he wasn’t sure if Colton had spotted a problem they needed to handle before he beat Wyatt’s ass.
Colton resumed his walk with stiff shoulders and a furious facade.
“Aren’t you going to do anything about it?” Wyatt hurried to catch up.
“You gossip more than a woman. Shut up or go back to the plane and wait!” The fury in Colton’s voice was clear.
Wyatt got back into the line with a huge grin. That tone said Colton wasn’t going to let it go. That was all he’d wanted, for now.
“Hey!”
Wyatt turned around to gloat.
Mark punched him in the mouth as hard as he could, splitting his knuckles open on the man’s teeth.
Wyatt dropped to the ground in a heavy thump, knocked out.
“Now I’ve been rude!”
Colton kept walking. “You hit him; you carry him.”
Mark started to refuse.
Daniel motioned. “Do it.”
Mark obediently scooped Wyatt’s limp body over his shoulder and resumed the trek through the jungle.
Heavy acid began to burn a hole through Mark’s stomach. He had little doubt that Wyatt had accomplished what he’d set out to. The mood had gone from tense to pissed. He was right. There would be a payment for this and Mark was suddenly terrified that Alexa would be the one to cover that bill.
“You were about to fill me in on the compound.” Daniel tried to break the tension with a different topic but inside, he was also worried about how this would play out.
Colton’s voice stayed perfectly calm, but the pulse in his jaw beat erratically. “You’ll see it for yourself in about five minutes.”
Daniel was surprised. “We’re that close?”
“Yes.” Colton didn’t look at any of them. “We’re actually overtop of parts of it right now. The tunnels stretch for miles.”
Daniel groaned as he understood where they were going. “Underground. Wonderful.”
“It is, actually.” Damon went by Mark, not caring that the convict was carrying his brother. It wasn’t the first time Wyatt had angered someone that much. “It’s self-sustaining, for the most part, and there are so many tunnels that there’s always an escape route.”
Mark and Daniel weren’t impressed. Their adventures underground hadn’t been pleasant. They savored the dense trees, oily vines, and dim view while they could.
Colton marched steadily through the foliage, keeping his ears open for trouble, but his mind was a whirlwind of chaos with only one line repeating in the center. Alexa killed your team leader.
If that was true, an ugly choice was coming that would destroy the peace and put yet another clan of Mitchels at each other’s throats. This is how blood feuds start.
Colton didn’t want that, but he also had a duty to Levi. If Alexa had killed him without a great reason, they would go to war until one side or the other was dead.
 
Hard Times
Alexa’s Travels Book #8