Lissa covered her mouth. These weren’t random Slains. This sounded like family, someone close to John Slains. Her hopes sank further. After hearing the children’s voices, she’d allowed herself to dream about someone decent moving in. Apparently not. Once the Slains were a permanent fixture, it was a matter of time before they found her home. A month. Maybe two. She felt ill. She’d have to leave.
“I don’t want his men here,” said the wife. “Maybe xTerra will keep them so busy, he won’t have men to send to join us. Especially not Bobby. Nephew or not, he’s a monster-in-training. My brother is insane if he thinks having first cousins marry each other is okay. It’s bad enough that he refers to them as “betrothed.” Bobby cornered her last week and groped her. Then, he complained her boobs weren’t in yet. Our Daisy is only twelve.” Her voice dropped to just above a whisper. “If I hadn’t interrupted and kept her with me since, I know what would have happened.”
Lissa shifted closer. She tried to peer around the corner of the house to get a look at this couple so she’d recognize them later. Steps came her way, and she froze. She held her breath at the swaying branches, praying they wouldn’t notice. With her heart drumming hard, she waited. Their voices would have to suffice.
The wife continued. “We’re out from under his roof, and I intend to keep it that way. No daughter of mine is going to be a child bride. John Slains and his delusions about building an empire make me sick.” Her voice harsh with anger despite her quiet tone.
“If it wasn’t Bobby, he would marry her off to some other full-grown man the second she turns thirteen. I spoke against a couple of matches, but he won’t change his mind this time. Hewants to keep it all in the family. You know how John is when he’s stuck on something. Mountains couldn’t budge him.”
“Over my dead body,” said the woman, steel in her voice. “We’ve got a chance out here to force some distance. The second-best thing about moving here is leaving John’s bitch wife, who encourages him. You’re often away from the stronghold, but I couldn’t take another day in her company.”
His tone became soothing. “I promise we’ll find somewhere safe. When the men come in force, we could run.” His deep voice remained calm. “All four of us.”
“Run where?” she said, her tone bitter. “We’ve burned a lot of bridges in this neighborhood. Nobody will want anything to do with us.”
Lissa’s lunch sat heavy in her stomach. These people sounded like they didn’t want to be Slains anymore. Her mind whirled. Perhaps there was a way for them to break free. Maybe she could make them allies, then she could still fish here and wouldn’t need to be afraid of giving away the location of her home.
“You think their xTerra plan will work?” The woman’s question brought Lissa’s attention thudding back to the ground.
The blood drained from Lissa’s face as the woman’s words sank in, and her hands clenched at her sides. The planned attack was on Cam’s home.
“The explosives should blast through their walls. The guys just have to get close.”
“Coming at them from both directions at once could work.” The wife sounded confident. “They guard their gate, but the towers mostly operate independently. Or so the source says.”
Explosives? The source? The Slains had someone inside. Lissa felt like throwing up. She couldn’t let Cam’s home be destroyed. So many people lived there and were part of the rebuilding of society. This would be devastating. Worse yet, whatif he was injured in the attack? It was all she could do to keep her feet in place. She needed to warn him. If his people were prepared, the Slains would lose their advantage and might still be stopped.
She almost stepped out of concealment to present her plan to the couple. But the idea of speaking with strangers and putting herself in danger prevented her from moving. Her feet remained rooted.
She bit her lip. Maybe working together, she and Cam could help this couple remain free.
The thumping of the kids returning jolted Lissa into action. She couldn’t afford to remain stuck here until after dark. She had a garden to plant this evening and travel preparations to make. Tomorrow, she would leave. She slunk out of the bushes at the far end and bolted behind the building, taking a chance that the new occupants were all occupied exploring their new home.
Lissa ran back to the stream and followed its course until she blended into the distant landscape as she returned to the bluffs via a different, more circuitous trail. It took longer, but at least she’d be safe.
She scrambled up a steep section of the bluffs and headed for home, already making travel plans. Her first worry was what to do about Mira and Luna. To travel with speed, she’d have to leave them behind. They often came and went through an upstairs window, so she could lock her door. With spring rain, water shouldn’t be an issue, but even if she left a dish out for them, it would evaporate before she returned. She’d have to trust they could take care of themselves for the week it would take for her to hike to xTerra and back.
Of course, they’d be fine. They were cats.
Still, if she didn’t come back, it would be like abandoning her family. She’d have to return. This was her home.
Chapter 17: Cam
April
Cam poured a scalding hot cup of coffee, dropped in a spoonful of honey, and added a splash of milk from the Outpost’s solar-powered fridge. He yawned, swirled his spoon, and took a sip of hot caffeinated beverage. xTerra rarely traded for coffee, but he’d enjoy this while he could. Then it would be back to tea. He thought back longingly to Lissa’s hot chocolate supply in Nebraska. She’d been fortunate to find her cache, as traveling traders wouldn’t find her remote location. Nor would she appreciate their arrival.
He stowed thoughts of Lissa as he busied himself for the expected scouting party from xTerra. They should be here any minute. He glanced out the window as headlights approached on the road from the bunker city. His current watch partner would remain here, while Cam and Kory Walker—someone he now considered a friend—would make a full perimeter patrol. Not only were members of the Watch going, but a handful of civilians who were potentially interested in joining.
It wasn’t the best time to include inexperienced hunters or new recruits, but the captain wanted to get more people acclimatized to the world outside xTerra. Even if Cam disagreed with the timing, he would escort this group and follow orders. He downed the rest of his coffee, washed the mug, and grabbed his loaded backpack.
He strode toward the van as the occupants unloaded. The packed mud of the Outpost parking area muffled their footsteps. His eyes widened as his middle brother stepped out, looking around, clutching his overstuffed pack like a pillow. Aiden’s eyes met his and flicked away.
What the hell was he doing here? Aiden was the least likely of his brothers to join the Watch. He watched his brother grapple with his heavy pack. After all these months, maybe Aiden had decided to try something different. Maybe he wanted to rebuild their relationship. That was a positive step. Perhaps he was also looking to contribute differently now, since he no longer worked for their mother as mayor. He’d been her number one errand boy.
Cam rubbed a hand along his stubbled jaw and stepped forward. “Aiden. Welcome. I didn’t expect to see you here.” Cam glanced at the enormous pack. It slipped from his brother’s grasp and landed in a puddle with a splash.
Cam stretched to help.
