Pick A Target
1
The light had begun to fade as the caravan made camp in the middle of 34, out of sight of Sturgis, SD. With a darkened skyline to cast distant shadows, it was another rare place Adrian had found for them. The only signs of the war were ones he couldn’t hide, like mold growing up weakening trunks and bodies of mauled pigs. The Eagles would get those out of sight and people would avoid the trees. Adapting had become a part of life for the refugees of 2012.
The center fire and corner cans pushed back the blackness as the perimeter was taped and secured. A full team of rested men took up posts over their surroundings, along with a dozen camp members. Then the entire area became a flurry of activity in the sharp wind. Men moved gear and equipment from trucks; women and kids ran for bathroom campers as soon as they were open. Dogs yipped and yapped in anticipation of their after-mess feeding. Safe Haven came alive with harsh noises and chaotic movements that were now part of a well-rehearsed script. They’d done it many times.
Angela exited the Blazer that Neil and Kyle had already flown from almost before it was stopped. She found Seth waiting nearby. “Guess you’re the first wave?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Seth threw her a charming smile. His freckles were vivid in the dusky emerald light.
Angie snorted as she slung her duffle bag over one shoulder. “All right, Sir Eagle, here’s my plan. First, I need a shower. After that, I’d like to be fed and smoked, then sleep for a week. That okay?”
Seth gave her half a graceful wave. “Your wish is our command.”
Angela’s light laughter mingled into the rest of the setup noises, delivering a tiny wave of peace that those closest responded to with a lifted mood.
Kenn had point during setup, which meant continuously helping and supervising until the infrastructure was in place and people were settled. He did it with his usual thoroughness, but Tonya’s words echoed in his mind as he labored.
Joined Adrian’s super-troopers.
In time, she may not even answer to him.
Kenn wanted to go to the quarantine zone, but by the time camp was up, mess was called. Being at the boss’s center table was something he tried not to miss. During, Adrian had asked detailed questions of the dirty steelworkers he’d invited to eat with them. Kenn had stored the knowledge the Miller family was doing something quiet for the boss. Normally, he would have dug into that a bit, but right then, all he’d wanted was to go find out what was going on with Angela. He needed to know if she’d really used her power in front of the Eagles.
What does it mean to me if she did? Will I defend her? Help them drive her out? If I do that, I lose my place with Adrian...
Kenn suffered through the meal, smile plastered on as tales continued to spread. If she and Marc were both allowed in Adrian’s army, he was beat. The bond men formed from training and fighting was fierce. Add that to the spark the couple already shared, and he really wouldn’t be able to keep them apart. Adrian was right about that.
Kenn now suspected his boss had known Angela was an Eagle as soon as he saw her. Adrian recognized power and talent in many forms. There was no way he would let it go to waste. Angela would be a part of Safe Haven–the real one the camp people avoided.
What does that leave? If I can’t reach her, I have to handle it from the other side. I have to tank Marc, or everyone will see how good he is.... And risk my place anyway to accomplish it.
Subdued, Kenn continued to stew.
Those around him continued to notice.
2
“The movie party is a distraction, right?”
“Uh, yeah.” Kyle was surprised to be around a woman who was so quick on the pickup. He was also unhappy to be the one telling her the changes she had to make. He had waited until she ate, hoping she would be more receptive to their plan. “It makes them feel safe and gives us time to accomplish things without having to answer their questions.”
Angela inhaled and put the blunt back into circulation. It was one of many traveling the companionably crowded little mess. She got the feeling the Eagles didn’t share all the stashes they found on runs.
Kyle kept going. “There are some things we need you to do, like change your clothes.”
Angela blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Until we put more miles between us and them, we’re requesting that you dress like an Eagle. You’ll be harder to pick out. Get changed.” Kyle revealed a black duffle bag and set it on the table. We’ll all miss the sight of her bare skin under those thin tank tops.
Angela studied the tanned man. “You would, huh? ASAP?”
Kyle didn’t meet her eyes. “Yes. With your hair up, from a distance, you’ll look like one of us.”
Angela opened her mouth to protest.
Marc slid onto the bench next to Kyle. “That’s nothing. Wait for it.”
Dog laid down at his feet.
When her eyes narrowed, Kyle heard Adrian’s words again. Marc is the only one who can stand her heat.
“What else?”
Kyle’s lips thinned. “We want you to stay out of sight until John clears you. We’re putting up one big tent. You’ll be in it with us.”
Thunder filled her expression at Kyle’s words. “You mean during the day, right? At night, I’ll be in my own tent.”
Mindful of the warning he’d received, Kyle gave control to Marc with a subtle gesture.
“No, Angie. You can’t even have an area partitioned off because any sniper worth his salt will know you’re there. We’ll all be in bedrolls and keep our vests on.” Marc cut her off before she could protest. “It’s just a couple days and then you can go on like before. We need time to put some things into place.”
Angela scowled. “What things?”
Kyle jumped back in, not wanting Marc to be burned too badly. “Bulletproof canopies over the areas you use and later, a 3-plate-thick steel roof for the entire camp.”
Angela raised a brow, feeling guilty. “That’s a lot of work. You sure I’m worth it?”
“Yes.”
“Aye.”
“Absolutely.”
It was an echo from the men at her table and from the other Eagles listening to the conversation. She blushed, heart warmed, but the anger was still there. “Then I agree, but someone else will have to drive for me tomorrow. There’s no way I’ll be able to sleep in a tent full of men, no way.”
Kyle glanced at Marc. “We’ve got it covered.”
“If you say so.” Angela lit a smoke. “What else is on the list about me?”
Kyle hesitated, not expecting the question. “Camp stuff.”
Marc wasn’t the only one who noticed she didn’t protest when Seth slid onto the seat next to her, gently bumping shoulders.
“You’re putting us in a rough spot.” Seth stole one of her fries. “We don’t know how much Adrian wants revealed to you.”
Her puckered brow remained, but she didn’t give the impression she minded the scold or the playful greeting. Jealousy went around the table at their fast friendship, hitting Marc harder this time. He knew he had nothing to worry about, but the openness in which their friendship could be had, hurt. His own moments with her would be stolen, brief. Neil said this was a perfect foundation, but Neil wasn’t the one with this need burning in his guts.
“So, let me get this straight. You think I’m gonna accept these new chains, knowing they’ll last more than a couple days, and I’m not even allowed to ask questions and get honest answers?” Angela snorted at the silence. That was exactly what they expected. You guys don’t know me yet, but you will. “How do you plan to explain those changes? If the camp finds out about me, I’ll have to run.”
“We lie.”
Doug’s calm words drew her surprised attention to the table behind them. “What?”
Doug was still purple and yellow from Marc’s single hit. “We lie. We’ll tell them it’s for the camp’s protection.”
Not certain she believed that would succeed, Angela shrugged. “Anything else I should know?”
“He wants you checked out on the gun class.” Kyle waved it off. “But we’ll do that in the morning after you’ve calmed down and gotten some sleep.”
“Oh, hell.” Marc dropped his head, groaning.
“Are you kidding me?” Angela blew out a frustrated snort, hand sliding to the Python on her hip. “Pick a target. Better yet, let me pick one.”
“What did I say?” Kyle glanced around in confusion.
“Let’s go.” Angela’s fingers flew over the .357, checking it with a familiarity the men knew only came from being comfortable with the weapon.
“Now?” Kyle still didn’t understand what he’d done wrong. “Won’t it bother you?”
Her eyes were cool blue flames in the dimness as she sharply flicked the cylinder shut. “I either can or I can’t, right?”
“But, now?”
“Yes.” Angela spoke slowly, tone biting. “Putting holes in something sounds good.”
Chuckles and snickers came from the Eagles.
Kyle raised a bushy brow at Marc. “What level?”
Marc was always awed by her strength. He had expected this to intimidate her, but here she was, mad instead. “At least level three, but she’s hot. Right now, she’ll hit whatever she aims at. Make it a challenge for her nerves too.”
Angela was suddenly flooded with memories of him doing that on the way here, bitter pain brewing in her heart. She missed those nights alone with him.
“What kind of challenge?” Kyle didn’t think he could treat her like the men.
“She’s just a girl.” Marc leered. “Any level man should be able to beat her.”
Angela’s fury rose to another level.
Kyle pushed the button on his mike before she could unleash the four letter words he felt coming. “Four to Eagle. We’re doing the test...now.”
“Level Two.” Adrian added to the anger he could feel radiating from her as he keyed the mike. “But first, explain the consequences for failure and let her withdraw if she wants to.”
“Son of a bitch!”
Angela’s voice was clear over the radio, causing a myriad of chuckles and frowns.
“Copy.” Kyle let go of the mike.
“Pick a damn target!” Angela holstered with cool, icy movements.
“I’ll get the rollouts.” Seth stood, eager to see the action. She didn’t sound like she was bluffing.
Seth didn’t make eye contact with Neil, who now had point, or with Kenn when he spotted him lurking in the shadows outside the QZ. That black clad Marine could probably hear at least half of what was being said, but Adrian’s right-hand would have to suck it up.
Kyle scanned the benches. “Who’s the best shooter among the level two’s?”
Alex raised his hand. “Yo.”
Kyle waved him over. “This is a test, Eagle. You will win.”
The bald math teacher from Montana acknowledged the order. He didn’t glance at Angela as they waited for the opposite side of the small mess to be cleared.
Kyle nudged the duffle bag toward her. “As far as the camp knows, you’re sleeping in the medical tent with the new girls.”
He was relieved when she took the bag with an annoyed movement.
Angela went to the stairs leading into the cooking area of the mess truck instead of leaving the canopy to go to the quarantine zone bathroom.
Maria came out a few seconds later, moving fast.
The Eagles shook their heads in admiration and amusement. Angela definitely wasn’t a coward. That was something they respected. Her animosity toward Maria wasn’t questioned. Men might enjoy the show, but they wanted no part of the catfight.
3
A small group of camp members waited at the caution tape. Those who had heard her and understood the first female was taking a level test–Tonya, Hilda, Cynthia, and Becky–were in the front. The rear included Eagles who had heard the stories but hadn’t gotten to go along for the rescue.
Kenn casually joined those rear men. Unwilling to miss Angela’s first test, he stood stiffly with the others and tried to hide his worry. If she failed, he was safe. If she did well, everything he had built here might fall.
Angela’s emotions were boiling. The horror-filled day and new restrictions had her feeling as if she was on fire. She stood where they told her, nodded when they said something, and waited impatiently for the release she needed. She cared little for their words of having to give up her gun if she failed. After all the time alone with no rules, it was suddenly too much. She couldn’t wait to fight back in the only way she was allowed. Calm down and get some sleep, my ass!
Marc noted the furious heat lurking under her cool gaze, and knew she was about to do some of the best shooting he’d seen from her. When she got into the groove, things rolled.
“All right, let’s do this.” Kyle set a box of ammo on the table. “We’ll give the lady a few warmup shots. As a level two, Alex doesn’t need it.”
“Neither do I!” Not waiting for them to give her a clear line of fire, Angela’s hand felt like it belonged to someone else as she drew and shot from the hip.
Men froze in training positions, apprehensive as she aimed and fired, slid to the right, fired, fired.
Counting off six shots, Angela deftly reloaded on the move, using the speed loader positioned on the left side of her belt where it could be grabbed by her free hand. With a practiced precision all the men approved of, she snapped the cylinder of the Python shut with a flick of her wrist and fired off the last two shots.
“Bulls-eyes in all 8 targets!”
“Damn.”
“Wow!”
The Eagles were shocked.
Angela’s furious rage melted into cool anger as her fingers reloaded the two expended rounds, then topped off the speed loader.
The males noticed her automatic reload as well.
“She shoots like Adrian. You see that hip action?”
“And with a gun too big for her hand!”
The level men cheered again.
Kenn tried to appear proud as people slapped him on the arm, but his stomach twisted. It came as no surprise she was so good, though Marc had only had weeks with her. Hadn’t he known it would be this way all along? It’s part of why I didn’t want her here. Now everyone would know it all came down to male insecurities and pride. To hell with Marc! Angela is the real threat to my place.
Kyle shook his head, smiling. “Shoulda known. That’s a pass and then some.”
Angela didn’t return his grin. “Move ’em back.” She saw his jaw tighten at her tone. “Providing Alex can match?”
Kyle looked at Marc.
Marc snickered at the mobster’s helpless expression. “I didn’t challenge her. I know better. A higher level shooter maybe?”
Alex cleared his throat. “I’m a level two Eagle, but I’m a level six shooter.”
The teacher turned and fired, matching her quickness with grace.
“Bulls-eyes in all 8 targets! Matched!”
The men cheered again at Neil’s call.
Angela refused Alex’s apology. “Don’t be. It’s all or nothing with me too and I’m not a sore loser.” She beamed. “I am a sore winner though. I plan to rub it in.”
It was a loud, tension-relieving hour for most of them. Angela and Alex matched each other shot for shot until she finally missed at 100 feet. It also had a good effect on the camp. The normal noises gave proof to the tale of today’s chaos being a random attack on an easy target.
Most people on both sides of the caution tape enjoyed the competition, but others worried. Their fears ranged from isolation and betrayal, to the future and how to prepare for it. They were all wise to be concerned. It was almost fate’s turn to flip a card.
4
“Don’t like the movie?”
Angela hadn’t heard Adrian’s approach. She tensed, hand dropping to her gun despite the two guards hanging back to give her space, and Dog pacing a perimeter. She was sitting in the middle of a moldy picnic table, smoking a joint. She stared at Adrian for a long moment. Was he here to scold her for leaving the QZ? I’m really not in the mood.
When he only stared back, she finally shrugged. “Not really. That one bothers me.” She offered him the smoldering weed.
Adrian hit it hard as he sat down next to her. It was closer than either of her men would like, she was certain. The sky above them was black, with no stars or moon visible. It was depressing. The dying leaves rustled with the breeze in a sad howl of mourning. Angela shivered. Our enemies are closer now. Their hatred is too clear!
Adrian followed her thoughts as much as he could with his weak mental gifts. “Is it because they burn the witch at the end?”
She didn’t pretend ignorance. “Yes.”
Neither did Adrian. “That’s why I picked it. That scene will bother the hell outta my men and make them determined to keep it from happening here.”
Angela was too tired to be upset. “Is there anything you leave to chance?”
Adrian blew out a steady stream of smoke. “Not if I can help it, and you shouldn’t either. There’s too much at stake.” He scanned her, noting Kenn’s ring hanging from the thin gold chain around her neck. The Marine was using it as proof that she was his wife. “You going to watch the next movie?”
“What is it? Witches of Eastwick? Harry Potter?”
Adrian’s tone deepened. “Excalibur.”
Angela broke the connection, feeling the hunger, the witch inside, stir. “What’s the camp viewing?”
“Bruce Almighty, then Independence Day.”
She chuckled, able to recognize the usefulness of both films, but also the irony.
The wind dropped suddenly. They could almost make out the words of those in the big tent before it gusted and they were alone again. It came to her then, what he needed, but couldn’t openly ask her for yet. She felt no reason to delay him discovering her other gifts. She had basically brought a man back from the brink of death. If that didn’t freak him out, nothing would.
Adrian felt the change in the slender woman next to him. He stayed still as the soft hum of electricity filled the air. Her breathing was shallow, a bit faster than normal. Adrian stored the details as cool wind brushed her hair against his arm and filled his nose with vanilla.
“They will come in the darkest hour of the wake.” Her words carried to the guards. “They hate you. They will behead your men while you watch.”
“What should I do?” Adrian was ready to grab his notebook.
“You’ll know when the time comes.” Her eyes flew open in the darkness.
His pulse sped up as the witch studied him.
Angela was helpless to control the actions of the hunger inside when the witch surged forward. “You have great secrets, but there is more support for honesty than you’ve given them credit for. Tell the truth now, before it all comes out.” The witch spoke to him directly, dripping need. “I’d protect you.”
Angela tried to pull the witch in, but it continued to remain in front.
“Or find you a new herd to care for…”
The lust rolled off her in waves. A hundred times stronger than in the training tent with Seth. Adrian froze, too aware of her as a woman to turn away. He had time to notice she wasn’t wearing a bra under her tank top, unable to keep his eyes from dipping, and then those red orbs locked onto his. A current of need ran the length of him as her nostrils flared; the woman inside scented him.
Sweat, fresh cut straw, and underneath, man. The witch ignored Angela’s protests as she inched forward.
Adrian stared, drowning in her glowing depths. He knew he had to stop this. A single word would help her regain control, but he couldn’t wait to taste her, to claim her.
The witch slipped into his mind. I’m hungry.
It was something Angela would never have said. The spell broke. He became immune to the lust. “I feel her fighting. She’s not willing.”
The witch sent erotic images through his mind. “She wants this as much as you do. She fears a bond with a man she can never have.”
Adrian opened his mouth.
Angela fought to get through. Think!
The witch flinched.
Adrian froze as flames shot up around them.
“I will have this!” The witch leaned in.
It cleared the final layer of haze for Adrian. “No.”
The witch and her fire faded.
Angela slid onto her knees, winded and mortified at her lack of control. She had never been around her own kind before and Adrian was definitely that.
When he would have helped her up, she flinched. “I’m fine!”
Adrian guided her to her feet anyway, making her look at him in the process. “Is this you?”
Angela snorted at the serious question. “No, it’s the Sandman.”
Adrian kept full eye contact and hands on her skin. “Take what you need. I give it willingly.” His words had an instant effect, as he’d known they would.
Thunder crashed as she drew energy from him, followed by the angry waves of a salty ocean, and then it was just them, the dead night, and two very curious Eagles.
Angela’s voice trembled with renewed energy. “I’ll show you something beautiful as a reward for your strength.”
Adrian felt her cool, soft presence in his mind, so unlike the feverish heat of the witch. He struggled to control his thoughts, to keep her out of his desires.
“This is what I see.” She blew into her cupped hand.
Her sweet breath rushed into his lungs. A map of their country appeared in his mind, black as death.
Gone! There were only charred outlines of apocalyptic landscapes…but as the brilliant sun sank, thousands of tiny lights appeared, scattered across the states.
“Campfires.” Adrian blinked as the vision panned out and even more flickers appeared in the darkness.
“My people!” He struggled to memorize their locations. “I’ll never get them all!”
“We’re not meant to.”
The map vanished at Angela’s words.
Adrian kept his eyes shut, able to see it in his mind.
Angela resettled on the table, letting him work. In the distance, lightning flashed violently.
Adrian was in heaven and hell at the same time. So many! How do I know the ones I remember are the right ones?
Angela exhaled. “Fate controls that, not you.”
Finished with his mental imaging, Adrian joined her on the table, frowning. “You use a lot of energy to do these things.”
“Yes, and to keep the witch in line.” Angela was mortified. “I’m sorry.”
Adrian was thrilled. “It’s the energy she wants?”
Angela frowned. “Yes, but it creates a bond and I think you already knew that.”
“But having it confirmed makes the choice easier. It can be done in dreams?”
She sensed where he was going. “Yes. Don’t you worry about keeping things under control?”
Adrian shrugged. “Good leadership is control. Let her have their dreams. You’ll be in some of them anyway. Pretend you don’t know. With her satisfied, you’ll be in charge and your gifts will grow.”
Angela regarded him coolly. “If I let her loose, your men won’t be good enough. She’ll go straight to the top.”
Adrian felt need rise back up to lash him with stinging flares. “I won’t turn her away twice.”
Angela shrugged, but he understood she was against that as lightning flashed again, illuminating her features. “What about time alone with Marc? I can make some arrangements.”
She brightened at the offer before going dim again. “No. I’m fine without it. I always have been.”
“You’re doing more now.” Adrian motioned toward camp, sure the electrical storm would make the herd uneasy. He was glad when she followed. “Let her out at night. It’s just a dream.”
“Maybe.” Angela wasn’t sure she was strong enough to keep the witch in line anyway. The power inside liked it here and Adrian had given her free rein.
