Bone Dust & Beginnings (Alexa's Travels Book 1) (3 page)

His jealousy flared, and Regan stepped closer. "You'd deny a government search?"

Edward grunted. "I'll let you know when I see government.
They
bring papers."

Which wasn't always true, but the insult was clear enough. Edward watched the guard’s eyes narrow without worry. The redhead
wore the weapons of a fighter, but the fit was awkward. It wasn’t something that could be said of
himself
. His own guns were an extension of his body, and always ready for use.

"We’re going to search it." Regan warned. “If you interfere, I’ll shoot you.”

Edward sensed Alexa listening from the open hatch, felt her agreement.

"You can try..." He glared in warning, eager to show his new Mistress a bit of his talents. “You can also die.”

Regan went for his gun at the challenge, and the soldiers with him did the same.

"Down!"

Edward hit the floor at her order, not needing to draw. Alexa handled it, Colts crashing.

Her first two shots were the best, hitting three of the men. One was Regan, and he was saved death only by the smallest of flinches. The slug slammed through his arm and punched a hole in the tent. Her other bullet went through two necks within an instant of each other.

Regan returned fired wildly in surprise, sending a bullet into the tent floor near the cellar entrance. “Get her!”

Beside him, the two remaining soldiers darted forward.

Alexa fired again, sent them into the side of the tent with gaping holes in their foreheads.

The tent teetered from the weight, ripping at the seam. Gusts of sand flew into the canvas.

Edward was amazed. Five seconds and five bodies… except one of them wasn’t dead yet.

Alexa didn’t come out, and Edward followed her lead, staying behind the counter. He did slowly draw his gun - in case she needed him.

Regan was crouched behind an overturned display - cursing his choice to come in before backup arrived. Commander Corbin had said it was okay to grab her if Regan thought he could. That one-eyed man was also on the way, but it would be hours too late. There was only one thing to try - the truth.

“We have your brother.”

Silence…

“He was in Ocean City, waiting for someone.”

Alexa surprised both men by answering.

“You know
who
he waits for.”

Regan grimaced, shifting his gun to his uninjured hand. All bunker guards were required to shoot well with both. “Yes, but you’re not going to make it, are you?”

“Perhaps I’ll go further than your narrow mind can accept.”

Alexa’s taunt had Regan snarling. “We’ll never let you bring Adrian back! If he comes here, Corbin will slaughter every child he holds!”

Edward felt the air thicken. Death was sweeping their way again.

“Why does it matter to you, killer of the innocent? He won’t keep you around so long as that.” Alexa laughed harshly at him. “You have no value.”

“I will when I bring you in!”

“You can try… and you can die.”

Regan charged the hole.

Crrackk
!

A simple shot, Alexa watched her enemy fall with satisfaction blazing across her cheeks. For his crimes, Regan deserved worse that a fast bullet to the throat, but it would do.

She holstered her gun as voices came from outside the tent. The shots were bringing the townspeople… the next danger.

Edward spun for a corner, grabbing the two large kits he'd made while she slept. He slung one over each shoulder while moving back toward the hole.
"Coming down."

"Clear."

He moved swiftly, landing a second after she did. "Front path."

A row of blue lights came to life at his command, showing the exit. Alexa nodded - glad of the mental map he’d just given her.

The lights went out, and her eagle-eyes saw him grab two more bags, then head for the smallest of the exits.

"They're coming," he warned, moving faster.

Alexa followed him, listening to the angry, worried mutters of the merchants above them that were discovering the bodies. The surviving government was brutal. Hours from now, only tumbleweeds would remain in Lexington.

Edward noticed that she followed him silently - not even shifting gravel despite the darkness and unknown terrain - and felt a wall of excitement rise up. He was glad she couldn't see him right now, see how openly happy he was. His second chance, his
real
life, had begun!

Alexa smiled indulgently in the dark, estimating they would travel half a day in these caves before he led them to light. He obviously knew them well, and she turned her attention to the next steps, content to let him lead. Come daybreak
that
would change.

1

They emerged from the reeking ground almost eleven hours after the map winked off, and the dimly fading sunlight was a secret relief. Man wasn't meant to live under the ground, and they'd felt that clearly while listening to the angry earth rumble and mutter above them.

Eager to be in the light, the sight of their company as they emerged was not pleasant.
 
Snakes - some the size of decaying trees - were spread out over the rocks and boulders that lined the entrance, effectively trapping them.

Alexa pulled a plan from her bag of tricks, slowly drew the crossbow from her belt. She motioned to Edward, and they carefully eased back inside the shadows of the dank cave.

Alexa knelt quickly, adding and then baiting a string with a shiny lure that she didn't hesitate to fire after only a bare glance for aim.

The arrow sailed from her crossbow, shooting out into the dim sky with a whistle that drew attention instantly.

Unlike the juveniles who made a mad dash, the larger snakes watched it start to fall, estimating, before they too slithered toward it, snapping and hissing at each other.

Alexa made a quick gesture Edward couldn't mistake and headed for the entrance. She jumped up the side of the stone like a cat, and he followed, being as quiet as he could. He hated snakes even more than wolves.

Alexa took them toward the top, never unsure in her footing. They were fifty feet up before she even paused for a look. Seeing movement at the base of the cliff, she immediately went back to climbing.

Edward followed, careful to place his bigger feet where hers had been. Without being told, the man knew she was also picking the ledges with his weight in mind, and the beginnings of real trust started to grow.

Alexa paused, scowling, "They're coming."

Looking down, Edward couldn't see anything.

She shook her head, digging one-handed through the kit while holding onto the ledge.
"From the inside."

He could feel it as soon as she said it - the vibrations under his hands as the reptiles slid through the gaps and crevices, shifting smaller rubble. They were right behind these walls.

"This is your first test. It's a bit rougher than I had planned to start you with, so watch me closely and continue to live your new,
real
life."

Alexa tied a thick rope around her waist, one with a small, hard knot at the other end, which she tossed to him.

He caught awkwardly in his surprise. Had she pulled that from his thoughts? How strong was she?

Edward did better with the rope already around his own waist, only needing the hand knot and the throw.

"Slack, is the key,” Alexa informed him quickly. “Stand pat while I jump."

Edward started to wrap the hand knot tighter and stopped, searching for better footing instead. At that point she began jumping, and his grip on the rope was unbreakable.

Alexa swung a leg out to stop and landed gracefully on a nearby ledge.

“Shit!”

She looked back to see the stone under Edward’s feet crumbling, hungry fangs lunging…

"That's mine!" she roared, snapping the rope backwards.

It jerked him off the edge and out of reach.

Alexa’s arms bulged with straining muscles as she guided the falling man to the ledge below her.

Edward caught himself, remembered to breathe.

"Ready?"

He nodded, his heart not quite steady, and braced as she jumped again.

It was exhausting work, but very effective. Fifteen minutes later, they were around the side of the granite cliff. It would take weeks for the hungry reptiles to get through the mountain and at least two days to go around.

Alexa began to move them downward, body draped in a fine sheen of sweat. Corbin and his henchmen wouldn’t be able to see smoke from a fire, either, thanks to the mountain blocking their view. She would be able to sleep.

Edward was glad to see flat ground gradually moving closer. His arms were on fire, back and neck screaming. Alexa had to be feeling the same or worse, but the horseman didn't hesitate to jump and let her swing him. She was in the lead now.

2

Alexa and Edward sat side by side in front of a small fire, freshly washed and fed. Mugs in hand, they leaned against the stone cliff and watched the odd slowness of nighttime in Afterworld surround them.

They’d hunted together, using knives, and Edward hoped he’d pleased her with his talents there. The rabbit hadn’t been a real test, but it had been a neat kill.

Edward studied the purple sky, the layer of thick grit that never seemed to dissipate. Somewhere up there, was a space station…with the bodies of those who’d been there when the War came. Had they run out of water or air first?

It was a morbid thought, and Edward struggled to ignore the old feeling of rage. Those who’d destroyed the world hadn’t been punished. That still sat wrong with him.

Alexa listened to the sounds of the night. The wind was restless, upset, and showers of blackened leaves rained own on them steadily. Nature hadn’t liked helping her escape.

Edward broke the silence reluctantly, “Was it the redhead who shot you?”

Alexa glanced over. It was only fair he gained some idea of who their hunters would be, what they were capable of to attain their goals.

“Regan, yes.”

“Why?” Edward couldn’t find a reason to kill a female. Take them hostage, yes, but killing instead of selling them? It was unusual for Afterworld.

“I escaped...” Alexa’s voice faded into a low mutter as she took two pouches from her cloak pocket.
“And was found.”

Sure of the next question, she gave him a tolerant nod.
“As we smoke.”

Her fingers began to twist the tobacco, and the night around them seemed to slow even further.

“I spent two months hiding underground, evading patrols. The first time I came up, Regan was waiting.”

Edward listened intently as she told him of her battle for survival in the Wastelands.

Then

She'd stayed below ground as long as she could.

And it wasn't a surprise that there was someone waiting topside for her. Only who it was, caused concern. After letting her escape, Regan should have been punished, not sent out to collect her. Maybe it was an awful coincidence... except it didn't feel that way.

Alexa slowly pushed the cover aside, other hand ready and willing, but barely able. She’d regained little strength during her months of hiding. Her kind was not meant to be alone for many reasons.

Regan tensed, sensing more than seeing movement. He'd been here for a week, instinct guiding him. That skill had allowed him to pick up his victims trail time after time. Here and now, it had led him to Alexa.

Her escape had forced big changes at the compound, including the transfer of a large number of the Descendants. His own part in it hadn't been discovered... but had lingered just the same. It was one of those moments he'd do anything to change…

The cover moved.

Regan's hand tightened on the rifle. On the other side of the hole, four men waited for his call. They'd been relaxed a minute ago, but he'd chosen these men for their brains, not their brawn. Slowly, he motioned for them to get ready… and they did.

Regan planned to dart her and take her back to Commander Corbin. He had volunteered for this duty for many reasons, but payback wasn’t the top of the list - earning marks with the boss was. If he became one of the favored, he would be free to kill while guarding the sessions. He’d strangled normal survivors and found no thrill in it any longer. Someone with power, though, a Descendant…

The waves of menace coming her way were impossible to miss, and Alexa closed the lid. In desperate need or not, she couldn’t go up there yet. She could wait for the cover of darkness, and hopefully, there would be a layer of fog. She had two other exits, but they were both a mile away in different directions and her weakened condition wouldn’t allow it. She needed to go topside and use her remaining energy on a meal. Unless she stole some of what she needed…

Alexa carefully found a corner and slid down against the wall, one of her Colts in hand. The other claw-like talons were against the earth, drawing on a third option she had employed many times, but never from this source - if the enemy was out of reach, simply convince (or force) someone else to strike them in your place.

Regan scowled in frustration as the lid slid closed. She knew they were here. Would she run for a different hole or wait for the right moment to fight?

The evil guard grinned, thinking of the glimpse he’d gotten. Emaciated and clumsy in weakness, he’d barely missed having enough time to load a dart before she’d dropped into a hole. The shock of seeing her out in the open gathering water had cost him precious seconds she’d used to vanish.

He hadn’t been sure if she’d spotted him or not, but that was a given now. However, her kind needed energy and she clearly hadn’t had time to search for any while the government trucks rolled in and out. After her escape, the big bunker had ordered most of the Descendants transferred to other locations, and the traffic had been steady - enough to keep Alexa in hiding. What had she been living off of underground? Raw, whatever it was, because smoke drew quick attention. It meant people or trouble, and there hadn’t been any reports of either.

Regan grinned, feeling more confident. She would wait for dark and come up with the intention of killing, but he’ would have a nice surprise in place for her instead. The thought of going in to ferret her out never crossed his mind. Underworld was lethal by itself. Add in Alexa, even unarmed, and the odds of coming back up shrank to zero.

Moving slowly, Regan waved at his men to back off and meet up half a mile to the south. They would still be able to see her cubbyhole with the binoculars, but she wouldn’t be able to hear their plans or movements. When you dealt with a Descendant, Corbin said it was best to be as meticulous as possible, and while Regan knew he couldn’t be perfect, he had every intentions of winning this battle. He was taking her back… and dead was acceptable.

Meeting up with the sixth man guarding their transportation, the recon team gathered around the dingy green hardback, working out a plan.

Under their feet, Alexa did the same.

4

North of them, the Spirit of Nature was dozing. When winter came, she would expend her stores of furious wrath, but in the harvest time, Nature like to rest. It was a reward for the hard work of the reproductive season… and of gathering.

Her army was growing relentlessly. In less than two years, the last of mankind would be exterminated from shores around the world. The southern lands would be the final holdouts, but without the Alpha, a Beta, and a few others, human’s had no chance of winning the war they’d begun.

Even if all those needed were to find each other - something the Mother would never allow - they would still have to travel to where she dwelled. It was the only place to close the gates, the only soil where the Spirit could also be the flesh – where she could be challenged and possibly even defeated. Should such a group make it to her shores, Nature would still be a formidable opponent, with legions of faithful followers for the fight. She enjoyed watching humans kill each other... helping it along.

“Warning…”

Drawn into alertness, the Mother marked the feeling of a Descendant, and forced herself to start waking early. Someone was gathering energy from the dirt… taking what wasn’t theirs!

Nature’s fury rose quicker than her alertness, and she retaliated without thought or pause.

5

As soon as the ground began to shake, Alexa was on her feet and moving for the cover. Being buried wasn’t in her plans, only a much-needed distraction and a small bit of energy to start her next bid for freedom on.

Gun in hand, she shoved the lid over and hoisted herself into the daylight. All she had to do was get out of sight during the chaos.

The tremor raced through the ground like a bomb blast directed right at them, and the guards were caught unaware. The earth under their boots split, cracking violently in protest.

“Stay still!” Regan shouted.

The men ran instead, jumping gaps that opened as a loud roar rattled their heads. So much for them having brains…

“There she is!”

Regan turned too late to stop his second in command from being shot in the head before he could lower the hand he had been pointing at her with. Regan fired toward the shadow fleeing through the shower of falling leaves. Damn quake!

Regan fired again and had a moment’s satisfaction when the shadow filched, stumbled.
He’d hit her!

To his frustration, she took of running, telling him it wasn’t a serious injury.

The tremor’s strength increased noticeably, and the ground split open near where she’d emerged. Finding her gone, the roar grew almost intolerable.