Resist (The Harvest Saga Book 2)

Resist

Copyright © 2014 by Casey L. Bond. All rights reserved.

First Edition.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior express permission of the author except as provided by USA Copyright Law. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of a copyrighted work is illegal. Copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by fines and federal imprisonment.

This book is a work of fiction and does not represent any individual, living or dead. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version, Cambridge, 1769. All rights reserved.

Author photo taken by Sarah Dunlap.

Book cover designed by Casey L. Bond.

Professionally Edited by Anna Coy of AGC Editing and Services.

Paperback and E-book formatted by Nadège Richards of
Inkstain Interior Book Designing
.

Published in the United States of America.

ISBN-13:
978-1500361808 

ISBN-10:
1500361801

—My first acknowledgement is to God above for his abundant blessings in my life. I don’t deserve them, but am so thankful for His love.

—They say it takes a village to raise a child. Well, it takes an army of fabulous people to bring a book to life. I want to thank my parents, my supportive husband and our wonderful daughters. They never stop believing in me and for that I’m eternally grateful.

—My extended family and circle of friends are amazing. I appreciate and love you all so much.

—The support of fellow authors and amazing book bloggers is something I never expected, but cannot imagine being without. My bestie, Rachael is always there for me to bounce questions off of, chat with, plot with and lifts my spirits with the smallest kindnesses.

—I love my IndiePendent girls: Rachael, Delisa, Amber, Cassy, Savannah, Tara, Annalisa, Alissa, Renee, Kay, Ashley J. and Ashley R. Who knew sporks were such funny things?

—Anna Coy is an amazing editor and I’m fortunate to call her my friend. Without her insights, this book wouldn’t be what it is and neither would I. Thank you, Anna.

—Nadège Richards is an amazingly talented young woman who has graced my books with her distinct Inkstain design. I appreciate her more than she will ever know.

—My street team, The Bond Girls, and my PA’s Michelle Hart and Giana Racine are so amazingly supportive. I feel like I have my own cheerleading squad and am so thankful for all of you!

—I want to thank my beta-readers. They combed through the manuscript with fierce precision. I appreciate it so much more than they will ever know. Thank you Sherry Bayless, Jilda Holton, Lisa Lovejoy, Ericka Pasco, Cristie Lagarde, Marnie Warren, Kris Seek, Beth Maddox, Wendy Martin, Karen Dailey, Tia Miller, Kimber Linnell, Jessica Watts, Mary Ann Bailey, Nicole Dunton, Maria Garcia (Quimataz), Dana Blizzard, Jennifer Pierson, Michelle Hart, Delisa Lynn and Rachael Brownell.

—And finally, to the readers who take the time out of their busy lives and schedules to read the words and stories that I wrote: Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for the gift of your time.

Morning sunlight trickled in from
the small window above me. Dust motes flurried through the beams of light. I didn’t have their energy. I snuggled deeper into the covers. My body and mind were so tired. I was tired from traveling, tired from thinking, and from the procedure the Greaters had performed on me before I left Olympus. My abdomen might never be the same.

I peeked out from my blanket cocoon and breathed deeply, watching the visible breath escape my mouth, swirling delicately in the cold morning air. Late fall in Orchard was always cold. No doubt, there was frost on the ground this morning. A light knock sounded at my door. “Abs?”

Gray. I peeked out at him. “Yeah?” My voice was still raspy from sleep.

“I have to report to the guard station.”

I sat up, covering myself with the blanket. “Guard station?”

“Yeah. Kyan had to report that I was here. The guards already knew you were here somehow.”

“They knew I was here? Did they know I was coming?”

His burnt orange eyes burned into mine. “I don’t know. But, hopefully I’ll find out.”

I nodded.

“Look, I’m not sure if they’ll let me come back or what my duties in the village will be from now on. Kyan said things are bad now. I just want you to know that I...”

I looked down at my blanket. “I know, Gray. I know who you are. But you can’t let them know. You have to be the Greater guard they expect. You have to be one of them. If not, you’ll pay. We all will.”

He moved across the small room. The mattress dipped when he sat down beside me and his scent settled between us. Beyond that, the wood of the cabin still smelled fresh, still occasionally cracked as it dried and settled in the autumn air and sunshine. This and two other new cabins had been the assigned projects for everyone to work on since we were taken away. They had to keep the villagers busy.

“I’ll never hurt you, Abigail.”

His voice was so soft, yet strong and honest. “I know.” I gave him a small smile and reached over for his hand. “Things have always been hard here, Gray. I can’t imagine that they’re that much worse than before.”

He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing thickly. “Still. I’ll try to look out for you.”

“Thanks, Gray. For everything.” I scooted toward him and hugged him tightly. I could feel his sharp inhalation. His hands awkwardly splayed across my shoulders.

He stood, walked across the small room, pausing again at my door to look back at me. He took a deep breath, pressed his lips into a flat line, and stepped out the door. His footfalls echoed along the floorboards as he made his way out of the cabin. The front door slammed loudly behind him. Two more steps across the porch and he was gone. Gray was gone. He was a guard. I knew it would happen. I just wasn’t ready for it to happen yet. I clung to him like a child to a security blanket since arriving back in Orchard. It was time for the separation.

When Kyan came into the cabin an hour later, I’d pulled myself together. Kyan was lucky. His home was placed just beside a small stream. He also had a well and water pump in the cabin. I’d been able to wash up a bit in the cool water and had just put on some water to boil for laundry. He had quite the pile amassing in his bedroom. I’d kept myself busy making the beds and getting the kitchen in some kind of order. 

He sat a large wooden crate down near the fireplace. “Thought you might want these.”

I walked over to the crate and almost screamed in joy. “You found my clothes!” Shuffling through, I found my most comfortable pair of jeans, a long-sleeved tee, my bra, a pair of panties and warm socks! Kyan chuckled as I ran toward the bedroom as fast as my feet would carry me. It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate the dress that the Lesser from Olympus had given me, but it was scratchy and had holes in the worst locations imaginable. It had definitely seen better days. Oh, and it was a dress. I hated those.

Tugging my shirt down, I stepped out of the bedroom. Kyan’s eyes traveled up and down my body. I cleared my throat. This was going to be uncomfortable.

“You look like my Abby Blue again.”

He grinned, breaking the awkwardness into a million little pieces. I ran into his open arms, reveling in him, in comfort. “You smell like paint,” I murmured into his shoulder.

“Yeah. There’s a team painting the inside of the depot building today. Sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m just glad to be home.”

He squeezed me tighter. “I’ve never been so worried in all of my life.” There was nothing tentative or awkward about his touch, not like Gray’s. It seemed like Gray didn’t know whether to return my hug or run away as fast as his feet could carry him sometimes. I pulled away from him.

“Where’s Gray?” he asked.

“At the Guard Station.”

Kyan visibly stiffened. “Why is he there?”

“He’s a guard, Ky. You know this. They asked for him. He had to go. And he’ll have a job to do here.”

“I don’t like it. He knows too much.”

“He’s a good guy. He won’t say anything. Before he left, he said he’d never hurt me.”

Kyan’s eyes flashed and he curled his lip up, a tell-tale sign that he was aggravated. “You have no idea what’s going on, do you?”

I swallowed and stepped back. “No, I don’t.”

“Well, you’re about to find out. The council would like a word with you.”

My palms started to sweat. My throat became dry as the desert sand. “Why?”

“Why do they ever do anything? They have some sort of agenda. Let’s go, Abby Blue.”

He held the door open for me and closed it gently behind him. I kept remembering the last time I’d been in front of the council. Of course, there was a new face and Preston was gone, but I doubted the corruption had been extinguished.

I walked as one whose fate was certainly unsure, but surely condemned. Kyan took my hand. “Don’t worry. I’m with you.”

“You have to promise me something.” I stopped in the middle of the trail, my arms hugging my body in the cold air.

“What?” he asked, ticking his head to the side.

“Promise me.” I crossed my arms.

Kyan shook his head. “Not until I hear what you want.”

“Stubborn.”

He laughed. “Just like you.”

“Fine. From here on out, you have to make sure you steer clear of trouble, even if I’m drowning in it. You have to keep the line of communication open between our village and the girls still being held in Olympus. You can’t sacrifice them to save me.”

I could see the little muscles flex in his jaw. “Come on, Ky. You know I’m right.”

“Fine. I promise. But, I don’t like it.”

“That’s fine. You don’t have to like it. Let’s just hope I can stay out of trouble for a while.” Trouble was the last thing I needed, regardless of the type. I’d been in enough since the Harvest. My abdomen still bore the yellowing spider-webs of bruises that were only now beginning to fade. And, though I loved my jeans, the dress had been looser and more forgiving on those bruises.

We crested a small hill and almost ran right into four Greater guards. Clad all in black with enormous guns strapped across their shoulders, the one I guessed was in charge, barked at us. “Move it, Lesser scum.”

Ky grabbed my elbow and pulled me off the pathway. He lowered his head as they continued by us. What was going on? I lowered my head, but looked from Ky to the two guards who trailed behind the first two. Making eye contact with them was my first mistake.

The one closest to us stepped so close to me that the toes of his shoes made contact with mine. “Did you look at me, Lesser?”

I didn’t know what to say. I glanced at Ky. “Yes. I’m sorry. I wasn’t aware that I was doing anything wrong. I’ve been away from the village.”

“I don’t want to hear your excuse.” Spittle from his fleshy lips hit my face. His nose was scrunched and his face was bright red, almost as red as his hair. If he got this angry just because I looked at him, I’d hate to see him when I really did something wrong. He looked me up and down. “Wait. You’re the Prince’s Lesser whore?” A ridiculous smile stretched across his face.

“I’m no one’s whore.”

“Brave little thing. Brave, but incredibly stupid.” He grabbed my chin. “Never make eye contact with a Greater. You aren’t even worthy to look in our direction. Understood?”

I looked down, which made him laugh. “Ahh, she gets it.” The other guards, who had stopped to watch, chuckled.

“Come on, Ardis,” one said.

He moved my face up making it difficult to keep my eyes averted. They were almost closed. “You know, we use them to do our dirty work. They are good at laundry, cooking, and cleaning. Do you suppose they would be good at other things?”

His plump finger scratched down my cheek. “She is pretty. I’ll give the Prince that. I’ll bet she’s good at all sorts of things. Aren’t you?”

Kyan stepped closer to me. I wanted to motion for him to keep his mouth shut but I was too afraid to move. I definitely didn’t want to call attention to Ky. They either hadn’t noticed his movement of didn’t care. “Permission to speak, sir?”

Ardis let my face go and stepped back away from me. “Since you asked nicely, permission granted.”

The other guards chuckled.

“The council has requested her immediate presence.”

“Oh. Oh, no. Far be it from me to disturb the schedule of the all-powerful council,” he teased. “Go. Take her to them. We’re finished here.” I could feel the moment when he looked at me again. “For now.”