Changeling Winds: Episode Two (The Bachelor Battles Book 2) (27 page)

“Remission.”

My heart thumped. Jason had gone to Baker to talk, about me.

“Now, you understand?”

Jason’s voice was full of discovery. “Yes. I never thought a Changeling could be so strong.”

Baker’s head turned toward my lurking place, and then returned to Jason.

“The Network thinks it takes two willing partners who have an attraction. What they don’t realize, is that they’ve missed a part of the equation.”

“Love…”

“Yes. There’s no true match without it, no remission, no immunity.”

“But with it…”

“A whole other life, one where the children are normal and this ugly world begins to heal. It’s a future the Network will stop at any cost.”

They moved into the dining hall, and I noted Jason’s expression as he saw I wasn’t there - disappointed.

Bang!

All through the tunnels, rebel males cringed, but not Jason. I remembered Candy’s warning about storms, and realized he didn’t have that weakness to be conquered. I’d watched for it during the dust storm, but all I’d sensed then was surprised excitement and assumed he was too distracted by driving to be scared.

Baker also noticed it and gave Jason a pleased smile that made his chin go up in pride.

Full of their words, I headed for my room. That was the piece I’d been missing. For remission, there had to be love, and, if Jason wasn’t even willing to be mine…

The heaviness settled back into my chest, and I swallowed my rage as best I could, hatred brewing. This was all the Network’s doing. Instead of spilling blood in the Borderlands, maybe I’d splash crimson over New Network City.

Jason

I followed her carefully, slowly, trying to give her time to get settled. After the trip to get here, and then standing guard duty all night, she had to be tired. I was, and the thought of sleeping with her was the clearest thing on my mind when I tapped on the dusty door board.

“Come in, Jason.”

Not sure how she’d known who it was, I stepped inside. Angelica’s room was curved around a waist-high wall of stone, providing a measure of privacy, and I wondered if Baker had given her this one intentionally.

Angelica was standing by the fur bed in her half top and shorts, sexy muscles glowing in the dim candle-light as she watched me. I swallowed. Where was the air?

“There’s another stack of furs in the corner. They weren’t sure if they should set it up for you or not.”

I flushed at the thought of these free men discussing our personal life, and saw her tired frown.

“Make your choice, Jason. I need to sleep now.”

I couldn’t say it, not with those slightly pink eyes on mine. I dropped my head to mutter, “Together?”

Instant, sparking heat.

“Yes, please.”

It sent me to our kiss in the brick shelter on the way here. I heard the same excited, sad longing in her tone, and stayed where I was.
“Just to sleep?”

Angelica grunted in annoyance at my slightly disappointed tone. “Yes.
Now.”

I didn’t wait to be told another time.

As I curled my body around hers, the feel of her skin against mine, the sound of her low groan ringing in my ears, I felt another chunk of my desire for freedom fall at her feet. There was no longer any denying that this was where I wanted to be. I just didn’t see how it could work out for either of us to be happy.

Angelica

Jason held me close and tight, like I needed, and I let his scent pull me toward sleep as my mind flew over sudden, unwelcome truths.

I would surrender to keep him - first, my morals for agreeing to a service arrangement, and then probably my hard line over children not long after. I wanted him too much, needed him too badly now, to refuse anything he was willing to give.

Jason tightened his grip, as if feeling my waves of pain, and I let out another low rumble of contentment. For this moment at least, he was mine, and I drifted to sleep with him securely in my embrace.

Network

“Rankin got a call through. We have a location.”

“Great!”

“Send the explosive now.”

“Wait.”

A lower ranking council member had been studying the radar. “There’s another squall moving into that area.”

The storm flashed onto the main screen, causing mutters around the council table. Even the protestors at the border would take shelter from that monster.

“I’ve never seen anything that big!”

“It’s the Changeling Winds.”

“If those winds are strong enough, it will deflect too much of the blast. Sitting for five hundred years hasn’t helped the strength.”

There was silence as they waited for the Head of the Council to make a choice.

The walls behind the members weren’t adorned with the same bloody images that graced the lethal halls below. In this sterile room, there was only one picture - the original ten founding members of the Network. The rest of the walls in the triangle meeting room were as naked as the day they were designed.

“Tell her to stay close and contact us after the squall. As soon as it lets up, send the explosive.”

The West Coast representative hesitantly spoke up, drowning out the beep of an incoming message. “Are you sure about crossing Rankin? If she survives, it’ll be another enemy to fight.”

There were scowls at the continued questioning, but the Head of the table paused to consider it. This coastal observer wouldn’t be taking any information away from here - plans had already been made for that - but Rankin’s reputation for paying it back double was half the reason she had been given the job.

“Perhaps we’d better send two planes, just to be sure that doesn’t happen. Our hands are full enough without adding more loose ends to be handled later.”

“There’s a call waiting for you.” The interrupting member’s voice from the far end of the table was tense. “It’s the UN representative.”

“Transfer it to my private residence.” There was no mistaking the anger under the calm words. The head of the table hated answering to outsiders of any kind.

This was the second call from the negotiator, and everyone doubted there would be a third. They were about to be given a final timeline, an ultimatum for surrender.

The tower meeting room cleared slowly, each council member curious at the private talk. They’d handled the first call together, though it hadn’t gone well. New America was now a target of the outside world, and if the inspectors made it through the wall, the rest of the world would be right behind.

Chapter Seventeen

Jason

The rebel workouts were interesting.

I’d woken alone, and wandered until I found the large group of training men and women in the back tunnels. Once I’d observed the lessons taking place, I hadn’t been able to leave.

Candice and Baker had two completely different methods of training, and it was amazing to have them in the same room, using both ways, during the same lesson.

“Lean in. Use it!” Baker demanded, seeing the big female’s eyes turn pink.

“But she’ll…”

“No, she won’t.” Candice confirmed their safety. “The Runners are often hired to escort males to their new owners because of their stamina. Now attack her!”

Greg lunged forward, invading the big female’s space, and we all tensed as Rosa’s tattooed hand swept out at him.

“Now jump!”

Candice kept him moving, following her orders as he evaded the fast swipes and swings.

Behind her and Daniel, were the two men who had flanked them as they’d come outside to greet us. I recognized them both as Games bachelors. The size of the one, and the purple hair of the other, marked them, but I’d also seen them in the halls…and the renter’s cells when Rankin had taken me down for my lessons. I’d been right across the hall, listening to the screams.

I shuddered. There were a lot of faces here that I recognized, and I tried not to draw their attention.

 
“Now!
She caught your scent! Do it now!”

Baker’s words sent Greg in to press his mouth to Rosa’s. The Runner, and the rest of us, froze.

Greg pushed his advantage, using his voice as he drew back. “You taste nice.”

Rosa shuddered, eyes flipping to pink.

“Now!”
Baker ordered.

Using a gentle move, Greg slid a leg behind Rosa’s and took them to the ground. He landed on top, with a knife at her throat.

The room erupted in cheers, and Candice and Baker began directing the rebels into a line to take a turn.
It was easy to see that Greg was determined. Not only did he have his freedom to fight for, he also had sons being held by the Network. His face was untouched, but his hands! They had so many scars and scores that, well, if it had been an up-close view, I might have guessed it was a hide that had been damaged by axe blows.

Still on the floor, Greg’s attention was on Rosa, seeing the pink with streams of red. If he ran, he could be in danger, and I wondered if Candice was strong enough to stop Rosa if she snapped.

As I had the thought, Greg tossed his knife away and delivered a brilliant smile. “You really do taste nice.”

The big woman groaned. “Call in the next fool. I’m at my limit.”

We all expected Greg to get away from her - certainly the others were backing up, moving for the doorway. It was a surprise when he laughed.

“Lightweight.”

His teasing broke the tension, and helped the big Runner find her control. Her eyes slowly slid into black and she let Greg go as he stood up.

“Maybe we could do it again sometime,” Greg suggested, holding onto her hand as he pulled her up, and the big woman flushed. He leaned closer, too much for us to hear, and whispered something.

Whatever it was, it had the big female reaching out to jerk him up against her body.

“Be sure. I own. I don’t rent!” she spat it at him.

Thanks to my time with a Pruett, I was able to read the fear behind her anger. Like Angelica, she had hopes of a match!

Greg’s eagerness didn’t cool at the warning or the hands-on treatment. “Pruetts are for freedom. As long as I still get to fight, that’s good by me.”

The room was silent as we realized we were witnessing a domestic arrangement… or maybe something more, judging from those flickering pink eyes.

“If I accept, how long will you honor it?”

Greg finally found his reluctance, flushing, but we were unprepared for the honesty.

“Until I no longer please you.
When that time comes, I’m to be set free, not sold or passed to another owner.”

Rosa smiled in shocked joy, large hand rising to gently touch Greg’s cheek. “You really want to be mine?”

Greg chuckled, hand coming up to keep hers against his skin.
“As much as you want to kiss me right now.”

The playboy leaned forward, invading Rosa’s personal space, without hesitation this time. “You can, if you want… to seal our arrangement?”

Rosa’s eyes deepened to red orbs, and she led his thin frame from the room amid laughs and approving words. It was another successful match.

As the next female moved toward the center of the room, I thought about what we’d just witnessed. Greg was smart and courageous, things the Runners respected. He was also attractive with his curly brown hair and those matching chocolate eyes. Even his scars went in his favor, proving he was tough, but I thought the speaking was what had swept Rosa off her feet. Our voices wore away a Changeling’s control, something few of us were brave enough to use openly.

It made the other rebels eager to claim a female for themselves, and tension sparked as they all turned saw the Runner who’d replaced Rosa while they were distracted.

Sam swept the willing, curious faces and lifted her head arrogantly. “I’m no lightweight, gentlemen. I’m a
Pruett
. Put your tongues back in, and come work for a taste of my lips.”

Candice and Baker laughed with the room and I chuckled in admiration, leaning forward. This should be good.

Angelica stepped into the room, drawing my instant attention, and I watched her move to the far corner. I didn’t think she’d noticed me yet, and I wondered if she was a ‘test subject’ for this class. I smothered the jealousy.

We were going through the Runners. Two others had already fled in defeat before Rosa, eyes showing different shades of need. Baker would be busy overseeing a lot of agreements tonight - and making sure the cuffs held.

Angelica

I tried not to stare at Jason, studying the training room instead.

It was bare except for the training equipment they’d managed to salvage from Stone Mountain. Only the mats were familiar. Compact and inflatable, they would protect the males a little, as would the bulky clothes. Homemade candles lined the walls and tables, and rebel guards now stood stiffly at the main entrances and exits. The Changeling Winds were moving through the Borderlands and it was making everyone uneasy.

Some of the males sat in groups, talking quietly or playing hob jong as they attended the lesson. Others were reading or writing, something I found unusual and wonderful. Few of the males in New America knew how to do both, but ours would have that advantage. I’d begun to notice the other differences, the strength of these males. While part of them were inept and as apt to flinch as to fight, the rest were harder. They went about their lessons and they learned from each other, built on it to get what they needed or wanted. They were like Jason.

Jason

I could feel Angelica stealing glances at me, and wondered again why she was here.

Sam was still in the center of the room - over half the students defeated, sent to view her from a distance as she lashed out and rocked her newest opponent off his feet.

The male thumped to the mat and scrambled back as she stepped forward, laughing. “Next!”

Her eyes had never once flipped into a shade other than black. Sam was stronger than I’d given her credit for. How could she resist so many males tempting her? They hadn’t been gentle about it. One of them, the animal-like man with a purple stripe, had even tried to force a kiss. Her slap had sent him to his knees and roused anger in the hall. With that move, Sam had turned the session from a lusty frolic, into a scene of battle.

Candice and Baker were staying mostly quiet now, only occasionally offering an idea or switching out males. Their pleased attitudes said they’d been counting on this.

Thud!

Another man went to the floor and no one else stepped up to challenge her.

“She’s like Rankin,” one of them muttered with a hot, hateful glare that Sam leered in response to.

“Maybe she and I will cross paths again before this is all over.”

That thought hadn’t occurred to the males, and they immediately began to view Sam as their champion, the one who might be able to do what we all wanted to - kill Rankin.

“Who wants to go next, or is this lesson over?”

Sam’s tone said she had more to dish out, but I saw the hesitation when the next rebel accepted her challenge.

“Just me.”

Baker took a moment to shed his shirt, revealing a thick, tan chest with scars running the length. Under those badges of courage, were hard muscles and cool control. I leaned forward eagerly.

Baker’s voice began steady, firm. “Some Changelings are harder to judge.”

He moved a bit closer, circling her, and Sam held still, allowing him to teach.

“We all know there are ways to make them snap, but you don’t want that.”

He stopped suddenly, voice dropping into a tone that had even Candice and Angelica tensing.

“You want them enthralled, mesmerized by your tone, your words… your intent.”

His leer went over Sam from head to toe, and her lips tightened into a thin line.

“At this point, you have the advantage. She doesn’t know what tactics you’ll pick, but she’s not concentrating on forming a plan against them. She’s being slapped with your voice,” he stated, tone rumbling into a base that promised pleasure. “She wants you.
Use
it.”

Baker lunged, big arms wrapping Sam up tightly around her throat and chest. Instead of struggling, she let him ease her to her knees.

“If I tightened my grip, I could put her to sleep or even kill her. Distraction is a very valuable tool.”

As Baker let go of Sam and moved back, I narrowed in on his pounding pulse. I recognized that reaction. He wanted her.

Sam rose to her feet, sensual Pruett lips curving into a challenging smile. “And what if they’ve lost the element of surprise? What happens then?”

Baker shrugged. “Then they fight or submit. It’s their choice to make.”

“Meaning males feel this fire as much as the females do?”

His face tightened. “We don’t turn into animals, but yes. We feel it.”

Sam moved toward him, now the one on the hunt. “So they should be careful not to fall for the same tricks, right? Like if I did this…”

Her hand slid along the bare flesh of his tattooed arm and moved toward his shoulder.

Baker’s hand caught hers in a tight grip. “While the woman is so close, they should use the moment to distract her further, so they can use their weapon.”

Baker demonstrated by jerking Sam up against his chest and slanting his mouth over hers.

Sam didn’t resist. She also didn’t appear to respond, but when he drew back, we all saw the pink orbs.

Baker’s tone was compassionate, a contrast to his words as he stared into Sam’s weathered face. “Every Changeling has this weakness. All it takes is the courage to use it against them.”

“I have a question, Mr. Rebel Leader.” Sam’s tone was unreadable as he let her go.

Baker nodded, staying close enough to kiss her again. “Yes, Sam?”

“I’ve been told your name is on the renters list and the private sheet. Is that true?”

I listened intently, very curious. Renters could be had for a price if they were willing, but private sheets were exclusive arrangements. How could he do both?

“Yes, my services are available.”

“How much?”

Heat sparked between them, and I sensed Baker would have given her more than just the next answer if they’d been alone. “I’m a provider, not a whore. I prefer to service a select few.”

Sam’s expression grew arrogant. “Pruetts make service contracts so they don’t have to share. I’m no different.”

“They also become attached…protect their males to the point of obsession…” Baker probed.

Sam lifted her head. “Not this one.”

The disappointment from Baker was a surprise to us, and a shock to her.