Crimson Read online

  chapter nine

  R

  ed turned over to find Morgan gone. The tent flap was closed, keeping the light at bay, which was probably why she hadn’t noticed. She stretched, then glanced down at her watch: six o’clock.

  Red jolted out of bed. How had she managed to sleep so long? She never slept all day, especially surrounded by strangers. The Sand Moles had kept their word and provided shelter for the night. They’d even shared their food, although Red still had no idea what she’d eaten. She’d been so hungry and so sick of nutri-bars she didn’t care. Whatever it was had tasted good and managed to stay down despite the oppressive heat.

  Even now her body lay covered in a fine sheen of sweat and grit. She dressed quickly, strapping on her laser pistol before untying the flaps to the tent entrance. The sun and the heat smacked her in the face, causing her to flinch.

  She squinted, cupping a hand over her eyes, and scanned the encampment. She spotted Morgan seated next to Demery at a makeshift table under a lean-to not far from a cooking fire. It wasn’t much shade, but it was better than none.

  Demery was back in his white protective suit. He waved when he saw her and motioned for her to come over.

  “Why did you let me sleep so long?” Red asked.

  Morgan looked up from his steaming drink and grinned. “You needed it after last night’s hike and exercise.”

  Red opened her mouth to ask what exercise, then quickly shut it. Heat flooded her face and she cleared her throat. “What are you drinking?” She nodded in the direction of the cup.

  Morgan’s amber eyes twinkled, but he allowed the change of subject. “It’s some kind of tea, or so Gray told me. Tastes more like gasoline.”

  “Gas what?” Red asked.

  Morgan shook his head and laughed. “I forgot that you were born after the gas disappeared.” For a second his rugged features showed his true age. He wiped a hand over his face. “Years ago cars and just about everything else ran on a fuel called gasoline. It was made from oil. Wars were fought over it. Countries destroyed. Races obliterated. That’s how the last war started, but it quickly morphed into something bigger. It’s not important.” He brushed his dark thoughts away with a wave of his hand. “The only thing you need to know is that gas burned and tasted like shit, if you happened to get it in your mouth.”

  “Thanks for the warning,” Red said. “I’d still like some.”

  Morgan chuckled. “Sure. Take a seat.” He patted the bench beside him and poured her a cup.

  Red took one sip and nearly spit it out. Fire shot down her throat and out her nose as she breathed in sharply and exhaled. Her face puckered and she coughed. Morgan slapped her on the back until she stopped.

  “I tried to warn you,” he said.

  “Yes, you did. I should’ve listened,” she said. “It’ll definitely take some getting used to.” Red raised the cup to her lips, but this time tipped it slowly. “Find out anything while I was asleep?”

  Demery leaned forward. “Gray thinks he may know of a place that might house the type of equipment we’re looking for.”

  “May? Might? Either he knows or he doesn’t,” Red snapped.

  “Someone woke up on the wrong side of the tent today,” Demery said.

  She ran a hand through her hair. “Sorry, I’m just used to having solid intel. I don’t like guesses.”

  Demery nodded. “Understood. Unfortunately, we won’t know for sure until Gray’s scout returns.”

  Red met Morgan’s gaze. “And exactly when will that be?” she asked.

  “This evening,” Morgan said.

  “I don’t like the idea of losing that much walking time,” she said, glancing around at their hosts. “I wouldn’t want us to overstay our welcome.”

  “I don’t either, but we’ll lose a lot more if we go off on a wild boar chase,” Morgan said. “This is the last place you want to get lost.”

  “Agreed.” Demery grinned through his faceplate. “No sense in wandering around in this heat, mon. Won’t get far if we’re baked. Sun will be down soon enough.”

  Red nodded and finished her drink. Morgan handed her a plate of food, none of which she could identify. “What is this?” she asked. She wasn’t as hungry today as she’d been last night, so the food didn’t look near as appetizing.

  “It’s better if you just eat it and try not to think about it,” Morgan said.

  “Okay.” She shrugged. It couldn’t be worse than some of the things she’d eaten in her life. She’d gnawed on a few bodies when she was in her Other form and didn’t even know it.

  Red picked up a piece of mystery meat and plopped it in her mouth. It was dry. Really dry. She poured herself another cup of tea in order to wash the food down. She doubted the drink was the real thing, considering how rare and expensive tea was these days. Good thing, too, since this beverage would likely kill any bacteria lingering in the food.

  She took a sip to knock back the flesh clogging her throat. “It doesn’t get better,” she said, swallowing hard. “So what are we supposed to do until the scout arrives?”

  Morgan’s smile turned seductive. “I can think of a few things.”

  Red snorted. “Not going to happen. The tent was hot when I left. I can’t imagine what it’s like now that the sun’s hitting its side.”

  “Spoilsport.” Morgan teased. “I guess we’ll just have to occupy ourselves by trading for more goods.”

  “What are you going to do, Demery?” she asked.

  “I have some business to take care of. Plan to make a few trades of my own. Need to locate Reaper if possible. Still hoping Gray knows how to find him. After that, I’m going to entice a few of the men into playing a game of zigzag quartz.” He pulled out a worn deck of metal cards. “I’m feeling lucky.”

  “Is the man you seek nearby?” Morgan asked.

  “Probably not. He doesn’t get along with Gray’s group or any other for that matter. I’m hoping he’ll be camped on the way to the next place we journey. If so, we can drop in for a quick trade.”

  “We’ll see,” Morgan said. “Don’t have a lot of time for side trips.”

  “It’s important that we make time,” Demery said. He didn’t elaborate further.

  Morgan shook his head. “That wasn’t part of our agreement.”

  Demery stilled. “I didn’t realize we had one, mon.” He left them sitting at the table, staring at his retreating back.

  “Looks like we’ll be stopping,” Red said.

  Morgan met her gaze. “Looks like.”

  While they waited for the scout to return, Red and Morgan managed to trade extra charges of ammo for a few canteens and a portable food storage case. Red hoped they weren’t out here long enough to make use of the case. She wanted to find someplace to get a communiqué out, not learn survival tips for no-man’s-land.

  Morgan went back to the tent to rest. There wasn’t much else to do. Red found Demery under a lean-to collecting what looked to be valuable stones from a couple of the Sand Mole men. They didn’t look happy, which meant Demery had obviously won the zigzag quartz game.

  “Did you find out about your friend?” she asked.

  “Friend?” Demery frowned. “You mean Reaper? He isn’t my friend. He’s the most vicious snake I’ve ever encountered and a hell of a zigzag quartz player. Far better than me.” His brown gaze dropped to the metal deck in his hand and his full lips thinned.

  “I thought—” She stopped midsentence. “Then why are you looking for him?”

  “He has something of mine. I told him the next time I was down here I’d stop by and pick it up.”

  “Sounds serious,” she said, keeping her voice light.

  Demery gave her a strained smile. “Not really,” he said. “With all the tactical team training, I haven’t had the chance to return and retrieve it.”

  “What is ‘it’?” she asked. Red couldn’t imagine anyone leaving anything of value in this place.

  “You could say it’s a family heir
loom. It’s of personal value to me, but wouldn’t mean much to anyone else,” he said. “Reaper’s been keeping it safe for me, while I’ve been away. I don’t want to impose on his hospitality any longer.”

  “Makes sense.” If someone had something that was dear to her, she’d want it back, too. Of course if it were something really valuable, Red wouldn’t have let it go in the first place. So why had Demery?

  Night descended on no-man’s-land, bringing the predators with it. Red caught glimpses of movement by the sand dunes, but the fire moat surrounding the Sand Mole encampment kept them at bay. The scout arrived shortly after eight. He was a wiry man with a thin beak of a nose and small dark eyes that took in everything, but gave little away. His scraggly brown hair curled at odd angles around his head, making him look as if he’d been hit by lightning more than once in his lifetime.

  He entered the encampment after giving a two-bark signal followed by one clap. One of the women broke away from the group and rushed forward with a canteen in her hand. She threw herself in his arms and kissed his cheek repeatedly.

  “Welcome home, Jeb,” she said, leading him over to the center table, which turned out to be the communal gathering place for the Sand Moles.

  “I bring news,” he said, exchanging greetings to those he passed. People gathered close so they could hear what he had to say.

  “Do tell,” Gray said, clapping him on the shoulder. “We could use some good tidings.”

  “Word has arrived that—” The words caught in his throat at the sight of Red, Morgan, and Demery, choking him into silence.

  Gray frowned. “Jeb? What’s wrong?”

  “Who are they?” Jeb stabbed a finger at them accusingly.

  Gray motioned for them to approach. “This is Hunter, Red, and you know Demery.”

  Jeb nodded at the vamp, but didn’t acknowledge Red’s or Morgan’s presence. “Have they joined our group?” he asked, his gaze taking in their clothing.

  “No.” Gray shook his head. “They are just passing through. They’ve been enjoying our hospitality, while awaiting your return.”

  Jeb blinked, then his beady eyes narrowed. “Why were they waiting for me?” he asked. His wiry body coiled, ready to spring. Morgan couldn’t tell whether he was set to attack or retreat.

  “They hope you can help them. I fear I’ve bragged about your extensive travels. I told them that if anyone knew where communiqué equipment could be found, it would be you.”

  An uneasy smile touched Jeb’s face. “Why thank you, brother. I do believe I can be of assistance to the strangers. I know of such a place south of here.”

  “That’s wonderful,” Gina stepped forward before Morgan could stop her. Waves of excitement poured off her, flowing onto the group.

  Morgan didn’t want to dampen her enthusiasm, but he knew something was wrong. He could smell it in the little man’s sweat. It stank of deceit and lies. Jeb’s body twitched and Morgan closed the distance between him and Gina.

  “Where is this place?” she asked, inching nearer, not noticing the change in his demeanor.

  Jeb watched her closely, his eyes cold and calculating as if he were waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

  Morgan’s muscles tensed, ready for an impending attack.

  Jeb noticed Morgan’s close proximity and casually shrank back. “It’s two days’ journey to the southwest about an hour from the old coast,” he said.

  The move was casual. Morgan doubted anyone noticed but him.

  Gina turned to Demery. “Do you think you can find it?”

  “Are you talking about the ruins near Verde?” Demery asked.

  “No.” Jeb shook his head. “You’d need to head an hour south of there.”

  “Okay,” Demery said. “I know the general area. I think I can find it.” His attention was caught by the woman he’d slept with the previous night. “Be back in a minute,” he said, not waiting for an answer.

  “Who do we contact once we arrive?” Gina asked.

  The man looked at her as if he were considering his answer carefully. “You need to speak with Razor. Tell him Jeb sent you. That should at least get you past the towers.”

  Gina smiled. “Thank you.”

  “Don’t thank me yet,” Jeb said, before turning back to Gray. “Mind if I have a word with you in private?”

  “Of course,” Gray said. “Excuse us a moment. Feel free to continue to enjoy our hospitality until I return to see you off.” He nodded in the direction of the musicians, who began to play.

  Morgan watched the two men walk several yards away. He couldn’t hear everything they were saying with the music playing, but he could make out a few words. He caught enough to confirm his suspicions. There was definitely a problem. Jeb knew who they were and why they were here.

  “What’s the matter?” Gina asked, brushing a hand over his arm.

  “You need to start using your senses,” Morgan snapped, staring at Gray and Jeb, who kept their backs to them.

  Gina slowly drew her hand away. “Why? What’s happened?”

  “That man, Jeb. He was lying about something. I could smell it reeking from his pores. Even if he hadn’t, his body language screamed deception. He knows who we are and he’s up to no good.”

  “I—” was all Gina had a chance to say before he cut her off.

  “No excuses,” Morgan said. “Our lives are in danger. Don’t let their hospitality cloud your judgment.”

  Gina’s jaw clenched. “Do you think he’s lying about the location?

  “No.” Morgan stared at the men, who were now looking back at them. “It’s something else.” He ran a hand through his hair, disheveling it. “Something having to do with us.”

  “But no one knows we’re here,” she said.

  “I can’t hear them over the blasted music.” Morgan’s hands shook in frustration. How was he supposed to protect Gina if he couldn’t even hear himself think?

  She stepped closer. “Do you think Gray made them play louder on purpose?”

  “Maybe.” Morgan took a deep breath. The scent of the people nearby hadn’t changed. Whatever was happening was coming directly from Jeb, and now Gray. “Get your things together. We may need to leave in a hurry.” Morgan kept his attention on the men and the group around them. He sniffed the air every minute to make sure nothing had changed.

  With luck, they’d be able to leave without any problems. So what if Jeb knew their real names? It didn’t mean anything. Or at least it shouldn’t.

  Jeb and Gray glanced back once more, their gazes moving assessingly from him to Gina. This time there was no mistaking the speculation in their eyes. Something Jeb said had changed Gray’s opinion of them, and not for the better.

  Red watched the exchange for a moment, then walked off toward the tent they’d stayed in the night before. Demery caught her right before she stepped through the flap.

  “What’s going on?” he asked, wiping his mouth as he exited from a nearby tent.

  Red pressed a hand to her chest. “Not sure. Morgan is spooked about something. Said Jeb was lying. He knows who we are.”

  Demery glanced over at Morgan. “Did you pick up anything?”

  Red felt a blush of embarrassment. “I didn’t think to try.”

  Sympathy filled Demery’s chocolate brown eyes as he tore his gaze away from the men. “It takes time,” he said. “You’ll get it eventually.” He cupped her elbow and squeezed, then released her.

  Would she? Or would she end up dying before she learned how to use her abilities? Red didn’t have a terrific track record when it came to embracing the wolf inside of her.

  “What are you doing?” He nodded toward the tent she and Morgan had shared.

  “Morgan said to pack up our things. We may need to get out of here in a hurry.”

  “Right.” Demery slipped around the back of her tent toward his own. He returned in minutes, bag in hand.

  “That was quick,” Red said, shoving the supplies into the ext
ra tote they’d brought along for this purpose. She filled the food case next.

  “If Morgan says we may need to leave in a hurry, I’d like it to be with my things. Wouldn’t want to get caught without my protective suit.” He grinned.

  “I’m going to find out what’s going on.”

  Red shoved the rest of their belongings into the bags and dragged them to the center of the compound. She placed them on the ground near her feet and nodded to Morgan to let him know they were ready.

  Gray and Jeb had returned to the group. They were now seated at the long metal table, while Jeb ate. Something in Gray’s demeanor had changed. He still wore an easy smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes, and tension filled his lean shoulders, making them stiff beneath his baggy clothes. Morgan was right. Something was wrong. What had Jeb said to him? Red had never seen the man before today. Yet she was detecting hostility. They needed to get out while they still had the chance.

  “We’re leaving now,” Morgan said to no one in particular. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

  Red watched Gray and Jeb pause as she hoisted two of the bags onto her back. Everyone around them seemed to notice the change, too, because the music stopped abruptly.

  Gray rose slowly from the table. “I’m afraid we cannot allow you to go,” he said.

  Red’s ears were ringing from the blood pounding in her head. Her hand slipped to rest on the pistol strapped to her thigh.

  “We aren’t asking,” Morgan said, his voice raspier than it was moments ago. His fists were clenched at his sides.

  The wolf was riding him hard. Even now his eyes were changing color and his hair was beginning to thicken to a rough mane.

  “The situation has changed,” Gray said, nodding to the people around them, who slowly pulled out their weapons.

  Red stepped forward. “We don’t want any trouble.”

  “I appreciate that, Ms. Santiago. It is Gina Santiago, isn’t it?” Gray asked.

  Red felt the blood leach from her face. She glanced at Morgan, who’d stiffened at the sound of her name being mentioned aloud. He’d been right, when he’d said Jeb knew their true identities.