Adrian's Eagles: Book Four (Life After War) (28 page)

“There are seven females, plus one injured woman who may not live through the surgery. Split ‘em between two tents and give them access to showers, a hot meal, and clean clothes. John will be busy for a while so I’ll handle Adrian and the Eagles first.” She paused, able to feel the raw emotions of the two men waiting on the other side of the caution tape. They stood only a few feet apart and both waited with hard faces for her to give Seth the instructions.

“Let the camp women know this group is terrified of men. Have them send in the Den Mother and someone to run errands, Becky maybe. If she makes a mess on one of the Nuns, they’ll only forgive her for it.”

Angela turned toward the tape, where four shadows now waited. “And have him check it. Feels like I forgot something.”

Angela stopped a few feet away from the tape as Seth followed her orders and went straight to Adrian.

“John’s needed, so I’ll be staying here until he’s free.”

Kenn eyed her coldly before turning into the darkness. “Don’t let her lie, Brady. She went.”

Angela’s eyes were cool, waiting, and Charlie spoke up. “I just wanted to know you were okay.”

She gave him a small smile. “I’m fine.
 
Helping out.”

The boy moved into the darkness, followed by Dog and she greeted Marc with a raised brow. “What?”

Marc read the fresh knowledge of life and death on her. “I wouldn’t have told you no.”

Angela turned away, ending the fight before it could start. “I didn’t know I needed to ask.”

Marc let her go, understanding she was wound up. From her tones and Adrian’s glowing face, she’d done well. Marc wasn’t surprised. She really would have made a good Marine. Now Adrian was giving her the chance to be one and Marc had little doubt she’d take it. Full of thoughts he was afraid to face, the Wolfman headed for his tent to toss and turn before starting his shift as her morning shadow.

5

Hours later, all the Eagles were out of the
Qz
, including Angela. John had cleared her right after them, claiming the camp needed to have a doctor on that side of the tape, too.
 
She hadn’t argued. After a shower and a fast meal, Angela found herself drawn to the off-limits area. She was allowed to be there now, but if it was already crowded, she would keep going.

Seeing the training tent was indeed full of Eagles, Angela darted behind it and scaled the nearest moldy tree, finally stopping when she had a clear view of not only the area below her, but also the sprawling refugee camp. Her actions tonight had her seeking isolation so she could think and she’d had no trouble evading her rookie guard.

Angela inhaled deeply, pushing away the hurt part of her heart that still wanted to go back and make Marc understand how badly she needed this. Eventually, he would accept it, right? If he could hang on a bit longer, they could be together. That thought sent chills into her stomach and she felt her anger fade back into that calm peace that had come immediately after proving herself to Adrian.

The sky above her was endless black, the grit almost impossible to see against it, and she studied the camp from her vantage point. Some of their magic had begun to create a thin bubble of protection that dimmed and glowed according to the mood of the people… of their Leader. It was fascinating to watch and she wondered if anyone else could see it.

The dome flashed suddenly with bright red streaks, making her frown in concentration. Was something wrong? She hadn’t matched all the colors to their emotions yet, though bright shades were definitely better than dark. Right now, half the bubble had crimson streaks moving toward where she was, but there wasn’t an alarm so she waited, watching.

Magic flashed out, a green and gold that was spellbinding. It calmed the crimson into a pale orange and Angela shivered. It was so vivid, so close!

“He shrinks it tightly around you.”

“You spend too much time in his dreams,” Angela told the Witch sharply.

“And what dreams. How high he’d place you!”

“Stop.”

The Witch fell silent and Angela was glad. Mental arguments were distracting and she wanted to figure out a color or two if she could. She already knew three. Light blue was calm and peaceful, content. Red was a problem or worry. And that crimson-killing green and gold? That was Adrian.

“Right about here…”

The three guards on the ground were rookies-in-training, her real protection detail now settled into their own hiding places and Angela kept quiet. She didn’t feel the need to add to the trouble they were already in for losing sight of her, by calling attention to their lack of awareness. All they had to do was follow the training she was sure included the perimeter above them, too.

“Sometimes, a lady wants to be alone, guys.”

Samantha’s voice, so nearby, startled Angela into drawing her gun. Her finger let go of the trigger with not much room to spare and she heard the Storm Tracker’s gasp.

Angela forced herself to put the .357 back in its holster, heart thumping. “Clearly, I didn’t see you.”

Samantha’s eyes said she was impressed, but also uneasy to see a woman be so fast with a gun.

“My apologies, really. I sort of thought you might… already know I was here.”

“Try looking up next time, rookie! You ever see a Raven on the ground?” The senior males below faded into the darkness, shaking their heads.

The two women let the silence hang for a bit, sharing smiles each time one of the bewildered rookies below craned their heads up to verify they were okay.

Sam hadn’t planned to be in the training area and wasn’t sure if they might now tell her to get back inside the camp perimeter. This was an off-limits area, but she’d been having the feeling someone was watching her and climbed up to see better. No one had shown themselves, and once high enough, the vivid colors of the camp had kept her mesmerized.

“He’s very protective.” Sam commented when two more rookies joined the guards below.

Angela kept her voice low. “Good reason to be.” Needing the woman to know she understood, Angela let a bit of her own worries out. “They’re coming soon. We have to help him.”

“I want to, but other than… some forewarnings, I can’t do what you’re doing.”

Angela raised a brow. “Bull. You and I both know there’s more to your skills, than have been used.”

Sam flushed, but didn’t deny it. “If they find out…” Her whisper was laced with bitterness and longing in equal amounts. “I want it, too, but they’ll burn us. These sheep will panic and we’ll be caught in the stampede.”

“So you worry about getting hurt again?” Angela asked softly, sure she had been through the same hells, and worse.

“No.” Samantha’s voice was broken. “I worry I’ll get these people hurt.”

Angela shrugged. “That’s a worthy argument, but don’t forget to weigh in how much difference we can make when he has all of this in place.”

“I have. And I’m watching, seeing where I can help.”

“Me too. The Eagles are another way to do that, you know.”

Sam snorted, drawing attention again, and her voice lowered. “Me? Just can’t see that happening.”

“But you’ve thought about it or you’d be hiding in a tree somewhere else. Like the rest of us, you’re drawn to it.”

“Yes. I want what you’re building, what he’s about to offer to all the women here.”

“Good. Watch what I have to go through and get ready for it. Jeremy and Neil will help you.”

“And Adrian? Won’t he want to handpick the females who do this?”

“We pick ourselves, Sam. If you want it, grab it. Let him know you’re ready for the chance and he’ll see to it personally.”

The man now standing below them keyed his mic. “All levels to the tent.” Adrian faded into the background, able to feel her indecision. Would she show?

“They don’t want you there, right? Because you’re female.”

“Yes. They see only my weaknesses, but that will change,” Angela promised, emboldened by Adrian’s presence. She came down the tree and moved stiffly into the training tent, to be flanked by Kyle and then Neil. The crash of silence was instant.

Adrian stepped in behind them, moved toward the front of the tent. It was all part of the plan.

“Come morning, I’m officially opening Eagle tryouts to females.”

There were hardening faces, but no response and his set tone warned them to choose carefully. He motioned toward the back of the tent. “Our first female rookie has been chosen. “

Angela flushed under all the appraising, hostile glares, and raised her chin. How many of them could have made that shot tonight?

“Those who would speak against it, I’d hear now.”

Nearly every head turned toward Kenn, who had fallen into his customary place on Adrian’s right. Only Angela noticed Marc’s grimace from the back corner.

Kenn wanted to speak up, but knew his place would be gone the second he opened his mouth. Hands clenched, the Marine stared back impassively, while horrible thoughts crashed in his head like waves.

Adrian softened his tone a bit. “Imagine the camp’s women armed and sure of how to use those weapons.”

There were a few snorts and Adrian let a grin crack his hard face. “Yes, pissing them off will have more… serious consequences.”

There was laughter to break the tension and Adrian used his magic, pushing it out to influence. “We need them trained and ready to fight alongside us.” His glowing blue eyes found Angela again in the back of the tent. “You’ll start with her.”

Flushing darker, Angela unknowingly sent out her own wave when she smiled hopefully. “I’m all yours, gentlemen.”

There were more snorts and smiles and eyes rolling, but no one spoke against it. What Adrian wanted from these men, he got.

6

“I won’t do it.” Zack’s voice was loud and whining. “I don’t care how good she shoots. I
ain’t
helping with no lesson that she’s a part of.”

They were still in the training tent, roughly half the Eagles now getting things set up for the next days scheduled events.

“Not even if it’s what your boss wants?” Seth inquired, always hoping for an excuse to get the trucker tossed out of the Eagles.

“My boss says she belongs in the Mess or babysitting,” Zack retorted, drawing frowns from everyone listening.

“Kenn is not in charge here,” Neil stated harshly, coming back through the tent flap from a check-in. “And he may not even be a member of this camp much longer.”

The Trooper moved toward the hayroom. “I suggest switching your loyalties, Zack, or maybe you’ll be with Kenn when he goes.”

Zack’s face tightened. “I don’t take orders from you, O’Neil, and I won’t do it. Someone trade me?”

The men mostly wanted to, not eager to have any woman under Zack’s thumb for a lesson, but before one of them could volunteer, Marc’s voice echoed from the far corner.

“I’ll do it if you’re so worried about serving with a female.” The tone was full of contempt. “Some Eagle.”

Zack spun around, but stopped at the sight of Marc standing up straight, clearly hoping he’d drawn a reaction.

“She don’t belong here!” Zack protested, expecting a few of the men to agree, but there was only silence as Marc moved closer.

“Neither do you, shithead.”

Marc’s body was tensed, ready for the fight and Zack flushed, but didn’t push back. After seeing him take Kenn out so easily, the trucker wasn’t about to issue a challenge.

“I won’t do it,” Zack repeated, seeing the Wolfman was now within lunging distance. He was unprepared for Marc’s grin.

“It’s probably for the best anyway, Zack. She’d feel bad for killing you.” Marc looked at Kyle as he appeared in the flap. “The coward here just switched me for tomorrow’s gun class.”

Kyle nodded eagerly as he stepped inside. “I’ll let the boss know.”

Zack paled, despite his brave words of only following Kenn, and the watching Eagles grinned. Word would get back to Adrian about it and there would be a punishment for the trucker, even if it was one he didn’t recognize as a correction. Probably he’d end up babysitting or escorting the females around camp.

“Yeah, run to Adrian whenever something doesn’t go your way,” Zack sneered, hoping Lee or Jeff would come in and support him. One of those men was close enough to have done so, but he was too distracted by the thoughts that had been running in his head for the last few days. They were about his missing wife and Angela’s abilities.

“I’m covered,” Zack continued to insist. ”I
ain’t
switched shifts with anyone the whole time I’ve been here. Pretty sure that’ll give me the right.”

The trucker’s boast was true, but none of the hard eyes on him relented. Zack’s face reddened in anger when Kyle pinned him with unforgiving words.

“If you don’t think Adrian will know the real reason, you’re dumber than you look. And if you think he won’t make you pay for it, then you’re too stupid to be one of us.”

The Mobster turned toward the hay-ring, where Neil was lounging in the doorway, listening. “Come on, guys. Let’s get things set up for tomorrow.”