Holocaust (The Deadwood Hunter Series Book 3) (21 page)

Lucy pushed her out the exit, her head protruding between the small gap in her door. “Now, darling, do run along. I’m rather busy and you, well, you have
your people
to save.”

Lexia stuck her foot in the way preventing Lucy from closing the door. “They’ll leave before they stay here and starve.”

“Oh, they are welcome to, but first they must get past the savage wolves, and then survive in a world that considers them dead.” Lucy smiled, looking down at Lexia’s foot.

Lexia stepped back and walked away. Lucy was right; she was the only one who could walk around with human eyes. The hunters couldn’t walk back into their normal lives; they weren’t normal anymore. Sarah had to come through. She and her friends needed to give them new lives and take away the hunter gene, but before they’d even step out of the shadows, Lexia had to eliminate Lucy and the rest of the board.

Silence and the faint smell of charred metal filled the cargo hold. Lexia walked over the small pile of blackened boxes. Opening the lid, she looked at the contents. Shriveled boxes and burned canned food. The burned-out truck had been pushed to the side, leaving enough room for other vehicles to enter and exit.

The injured had been moved to Medical and now all that was left were the odd bloodied rags.

“Lexia,” hissed a voice from the shadows.

Turning, Lexia looked at Andy hiding between the trucks. “Andy, how’d you find me?”

Andy waved a tablet in the air. “Got this connected up so I can walk around unseen.”

“Very clever.” Lexia smiled as she walked over to him while double-checking there weren’t any other auras in the vicinity. “What can I do for you? If you’re after a hearty meal, you’re shit out of luck I’m afraid.”

“Yeah, I kinda heard the tail end of your conversation with Lucy,” he said, giving her a sheepish smile.

“Are you always watching?”

“Not all the time.”

Lexia laughed. “Being watched is the least of my worries. Please tell me you’ve found something.”

By the smile that lit his face, she knew he had. “Plans,” he said, waving them in the air.

Lexia quickly grabbed them, stuffing them inside her jacket. “Thank you, Andy.” Her head whipped around. “Someone is coming. Hide.”

Lexia walked away from Andy hidden in the shadows, meeting the person coming toward her. The aura was moving fast, and when they reached Lexia, they were out of breath from running. It was the young woman she’d told to call the medics early that day.

“Maura,” she panted, “I’m so glad I found you. Quick, quick, come.” The woman ran before Lexia had a chance to ask what was wrong.

Lexia followed, knowing what was wrong before they reached their destination. The noise coming from the mess hall sounded like a riot. Pushing open the double doors, it looked like one too.

There seemed to be two crowds, but Lexia couldn’t understand what had split them. She was used to the elite fighting with the other hunters but as she scanned the crowd, she noticed elite on both sides. Derrick as always was in the middle trying to calm them, arms stretched wide to delay the inevitable fight.

“What is going on?” Lexia yelled, tapping into as much of her power as possible. She wanted them to see Maura’s cold gold eyes when they looked at her.

However, there was no need for them to answer. As she neared, Lexia saw the cause of this argument. Someone had pinned a list to the wall, a list comprising of those Lucy had chosen to feed; the hunters not on the list would
receive adequate substance.

“Adequate substance, is she for real?” Lexia muttered. “Fighting about this will solve nothing,” Lexia said, raising her voice so all could hear.

“You would say that. You’re on the list,” someone behind her spat.

Lexia spun around but couldn’t place the voice. More shouting erupted and within seconds, hunters started pushing and shoving each other. Punches were thrown; weapons drawn. Stumbling away as someone knocked into her, Lexia pushed her way through and out of the crowd.

Seconds later, Derrick made his way to her side, then Belinda, Marcus and Alice.

“How did I make it on that list when I can’t fight for shit?” Alice asked.

“Because you’re my friend,” Lexia answered.

“I thought you spoke to Lucy,” Derrick pointed out.

“I did. Not that it did much good. She basically said she’d taken care of those who mattered. Evidently, everyone on that list.”

“And the rest?” Belinda asked.

“She doesn’t give a damn about them.”

“So do we just let them kill each other? Less mouths to feed,” laughed Alice.

Lexia watched the hunters and how quickly they turned savage. Lucy called shifters animals, yet looking at the race Lucy Hunter created, Lexia thought she was wrong. The hunters were animals, wild, senseless, beasts, who turned without a second thought.

“She’s testing me,” Lexia observed.

“How so?” Derrick asked.

“Lucy said everyone is replaceable. I called them
her people
and she laughed in my face. I could easily sway them to revolt. My next move determines if I’m with her or against her.”

“So are you with her or against her?” Belinda asked.

“Against her, always, but I’m not ready for them to join me. Lucy needs to believe I’m playing the good daughter until everything is in place; otherwise, we risk missing a piece of the puzzle, and in another ten, twenty years, someone else will be in our position.”

“How are we solving this problem then?” Derrick asked.

“Like this,” Lexia said, stepping into the crowd. She pushed the hunters out of her way, sending them toppling to the floor, bringing down others like a line of dominoes. A member of the elite rushed her, his fist aiming for Lexia’s face. Dodging the fist at the last second, she struck out with her own, clipping the side of his jaw and followed with an upper cut, sending him like a sack of potatoes to the floor.

Reaching the wall, Lexia ripped the list from the wall; waving it above her head, she shouted, “See this list?” She ripped it down the middle, then again in half. As the crowd grew quiet, all that could be heard was the tearing of paper. “It’s gone. You have nothing to fight for anymore.”

“Just because you’ve ripped it up doesn’t mean we are getting fed,” called a voice.

“You’ll get fed, every single one of you. I’ll make sure of it.”

“How you going to accomplish that then?” someone asked with a disbelieving laugh.

How am I going to accomplish that?
Lexia stood silent, her brain working overtime for an answer. “I’ll…hunt,” she said a little unsure.

“Hunt? You’re going to hunt for food?” came a reply.

“Yes, we’re surrounded by miles of forest, full of animals,” Lexia replied, her voice sounding surer.

“I’m not eating shifter,” someone laughed. “Can you even hunt animals? Thought you were only good for killing people,” another shouted.

“Laugh all you want, but there will be no more fighting between yourselves. There are shifters on our door, killing us off one by one, and if we fall apart and start killing each other, we might as well open the front gate and let them in. Now, it’s lunch time. I suggest everyone eat what is available and by dinner, we’ll have a fully stocked kitchen.”

The crowd parted as she walked away. Derrick followed her to the door, Alice and the others not far behind. Derrick stopped her in the corridor. “How many animals have you caught and gutted?”

“Gutted? Oh, God, that sounds horrible,” Lexia responded, feeling a little queasy.

Alice burst out laughing, clamping her hand over her mouth when Lexia glared. “What?” she asked sharply. “You’re a mass murderer and the thought of gutting a rabbit makes you feel sick. That’s funny.”

“She’s not a mass murderer,” Belinda defended.

“What else would you call slaughtering innocent people?”

“That wasn’t her,” Belinda said angrily.

“Enough.” Derrick fixed his gaze on Alice. “If you have nothing nice to say, keep your mouth shut.”

“Didn’t you live on the run, boss? Surely you hunted for food then?” Marcus asked.

“I was on the run with a panther, Marcus. I sat around the fire while he did the work. But don’t worry. How hard can it be? Like Alice said, I’ve killed plenty of people; rabbits should be easy.”

“I’ll come with you,” Derrick offered.

“No, I can’t guarantee your safety. The wolves have obviously decided hunters are fair game after what Lucy did. Plus Andy came through, so this hunting trip is the perfect excuse to leave the compound,” she said quietly, aware there were cameras and Lucy could be listening.

“Okay, be careful. I know you’re strong, but that many wolves at once…not even you are invincible, Lex.”

“I’ll be fine. Go get some food before there’s none left. Alice, stick with Derrick.”

“Yeah, I know. You can’t handle another death, blah, blah…your ledger is full,” Alice said sarcastically

Looking at Alice, so full of hatred and rage, felt like a knife to the heart. “No, Alice,” she said sadly. “I can’t handle losing my best friend, no matter how little there is left of her.”

Chapter 28

Noticing a rise in temperature, Lexia made a stop at her room, changing her heavy jacket for the lightweight leather one hung in her wardrobe. Making sure the plans Andy had given her were safely tucked out of view, she changed her boots. Favoring the standard issue boots for walking the rough terrain, Lexia tied the laces and headed to the armory for a quick weapon change. No one questioned her when she signed out an air rifle, but when she reached the gate, Clive didn’t want to let her out.

“I-I’m not sure, M-Maura. There is n-no note to allow you a-access outside,” he stammered, not quite meeting her eyes.

“Clive, open the gate before I do it myself,” Lexia snapped.

“But–”

Running out of patience, Lexia slammed her palm against the Perspex separating them. “Look, I’m sure you’ve heard there is no food.  I’m going to solve that problem. If my mother says anything, tell her I used force. Now, Clive, press that button. Please.”

The gate opened, granting Lexia freedom.

Softly stepping through the trees, Lexia headed for the last known location of the alpha pack, her gun raised and ready to shoot any animal that crossed her path. The first appeared only minutes into the journey. Looking through her scope, Lexia adjusted for the slight breeze and fired. Hitting the rabbit in the eye, she killed it instantly. Walking over, Lexia stared at the poor animal she’d killed to feed a race that mostly deserved to starve. She’d not killed in a while, and it wasn’t something she missed.

“Sorry,” she whispered, picking the animal up and carrying on. “Unfortunately, yours won’t be the last blood spilt today or the next. This forest will run with blood before it’s over.”

She wished there was another way, but no amount of wishing could erase what had happened, what her mother had created. No person within that concrete hole asked for the hunter gene, but most had given into it completely. Several loved the power flowing through their veins, and the thrill of the kill. No cure would ever save those people; they already had darkness within them. The gene simply gave them the excuse to revel in it.

The higher she went the less prey she passed, until the forest was completely empty of life. Which could mean only one thing; the wolves were near. Yet it wasn’t a wolf she came across first.

The glint of gold caught her attention. Looking up, she saw Caleb, his dark gold coat glinting in the sun. His eyes closed, head resting on two front paws, she smiled as his tail swished at a fly. A tear rolled from her eye, but she swiped it away, feeling silly for becoming so emotional, yet she couldn’t help the swell in her chest, the feeling of being so privileged to see these magnificent animals so relaxed in their world.

“Enjoying your nap?” Lexia called.

His eyes opened, seeking her out. Giving her a quick look, they closed again.

“I’d join you but I’m a bit weighted down, and you know, no time for napping, I’ve my mother’s death to plot.”

The leopard stood, balancing on the branch. His back arched as he stretched, his butt pushing into the air, tail twitching as he yawned.

Lexia burst out laughing. Shaking her head, she asked, “Shall I go find the alpha pack and leave you to your sleep?”

Bounding in a few graceful leaps from the tree, the leopard disappeared into the trees, returning a minute later in human form, dressed in khaki shorts. “Lotta rabbits there, Lex,” Caleb observed, wrapping Lexia into his arms.

“I’ve a lot of mouths to feed. Wolves decided to blow up the last of the food,” she answered against his chest, for a second, allowing herself the comfort of a friend’s touch.

“Best bleed them then, before the meat spoils,” Caleb answered, stepping back.

“Eww, really? Can’t the kitchen staff do that when I get back?”

Caleb laughed deeply, his eyes dancing with mischief. “So the mighty Lexia cuts down her enemies without a second glance but a few rabbits turn her into a girly-girl?”

She knew he was only joking, but his words hurt. There’d been a time when Maura had been in total control that she’d not looked back. Now though, she was in full control but the lives Maura cut down would stay with her forever. There would always be a second glance; she’d never escape.

He must have felt her shift in mood because the laugh died in his throat. “Hey, I didn’t mean anything by it,” he said, pulling her against him again.

“I know,” she whispered. “Still hurt though.”

“You seem different, Lex,” Caleb said, peering at her. .

“I do?” She didn’t feel different, just more broken.

“Yes, for starters, your eyes are blue.”

“Oh!” She brought her hands to her eyes as if she could feel the change in color. “It’s exhausting keeping the power inside at the surface. I need the mask, but I hate it.”

“What’s changed? I’ve watched you for a while now, but something has shifted. I mean, at first there didn’t seem to be any of you left. I followed the body trail. Then with spring, things started to change; the trail went cold. It took me a while to find you again. I watched you running from your invisible demons.” He frowned, trying to work out the change. “You’re not running anymore.”

“No,” she answered sadly, shaking her head slowly. “No more running. It’s time to face my demons head on.”

He reached up, gently running his hand across her forehead and through her hair. Lexia closed her eyes against the pain of being touched so softly; she avoided this. The more they cared, the more it hurt; the more human she became and the more she felt. As much as she hated it, she needed Maura to keep the things she’d done at bay. Without Maura inside of her mind, she’d have been buried under a mountain of guilt and self-hatred weeks ago.

“What about the demons inside your mind. How do you rid yourself of them?” he asked.

“My demons are under control. That’s all you need to know.”

His eyes flicked from one eye to the next, trying desperately to read her. She wasn’t sure if he saw her ultimate plan hidden within the depths. If he did, he chose not to question her further.

“Best help you with this meat then,” he said, holding out his hand. “Knife.”

Lexia placed the knife she’d received on her twentieth birthday into his open palm. “Thanks. Are the wolves around?”

“Oh, so you weren’t just coming to keep me company then?”

She smiled. “No, I actually have something to deliver.”

“Rabbits?”

Chuckling, she answered, “No, blueprints. Time to plan the compound’s burial.”

“Few clicks east. I’d had enough of the mutts. Needed some space.”

“Thanks.” Using her sweetest tone, she continued, “So…I’m short on time. Can I leave you to this?” She gestured at the rabbit he was currently skinning. “I need to find the wolves.”

“Go.” He laughed, pointing the knife at her.

Heading in the direction Caleb had said, it wasn’t long before the wolves found her. Seeming to appear out of thin air, they’d surrounded her in seconds. Growls carried on the warm breeze as they closed ranks, giving her no place to run.

“Always such a warm welcome, Grey,” Lexia said, eyeing the largest of the wolves. “What do I have to do to earn your trust?”

Shifting, Grey answered, “You’ve earned our trust.”

She laughed sarcastically, giving them all an angry glare. “My twisted, psychotic mother gives me a warmer welcome.”

“What do you expect, hunter. You’ve killed one of our own,” snarled an alpha from behind.

Turning to face the wolf who’d shifted to speak, she watched another two shift also. They stood glaring at her with disgust. Grey was the only one of them who’d ever shifted to speak before but they obviously couldn’t contain their words anymore.

“Our friend is dead because of your kind. We should have never trusted you.”

“I did warn you,” she answered simply.

“What would you have us do? Run away with our tails between our legs?” one snapped.

“No. You should have had patience. Instead, you jumped into a fight you couldn’t hope to win and now I have more problems on my hands.”

“Is that what you are? Patient?”

“I am trapped. I have no choice but to wait for the opportune time to strike. Of course you could run head first into this battle, slaughter hundreds, but the people behind this program are not just inside that compound and every time you lose your patience, you run the risk of the board going into hiding.”

“We’re watching them,” he argued.

“They are not stupid. They’ve gone all this time without being uncovered. We need to strike at once and they need to not see us coming.”

“Lexia is right,” Grey interrupted, the weight of his voice pressing around them.

Snarling, the other eight directed their gaze at Grey. “Are you siding with her?” one barked.

“Yes,” he growled back.

Caleb chose that moment to step from the trees, the rabbits skinned and tied together. “Rabbits…” His voice trailed off as he looked up. One of the alpha wolves pounced at Grey, his snarl filling the quiet forest.

Lexia stepped back, avoiding the fighting, just as a set of angry blue eyes locked with her.

“Lex,” Caleb yelled as the wolf leaped.

Lexia didn’t move. She stared into his blue eyes as he sailed through the air toward her, knocking him sideways when he came within inches of her.

“Get back,” Caleb insisted, pushing her behind him.

“Caleb, I don’t need protecting,” she retorted, stepping around him. “Stop this,” she yelled, running toward the fighting wolves, stepping between them. “I know tensions are high, but this solves nothing. However these,” she continued, pulling the blueprints from her jacket, “these will help us put an end to the bloodshed.”

They paused, looking at the paper in her hand. “You got them?” Grey asked after shifting.

“Yes, now which one of you is ex-military?” Lexia asked.

“He’s not here. We have another few men camping deeper into the mountain,” Grey answered.

“A few?” she questioned.

“Yes, more arrive each day. Word’s out that we’re making a stand. I think you know one of them. Sammy?”

“Sammy? He’s here? What the hell is he doing here?” She shook her head angrily, “I told him to go home.”

“That’s the thing, Lexia. We shifters can’t go home. Not until this is over. We used to be a strong people but now we hide amongst the humans, living as them.”

“I just don’t want anyone else getting hurt,” she sighed.

“It’s inevitable,” Grey replied.

Lexia didn’t answer. She had no reply because he was right. Before this war ended, there would be more than just people being hurt. They’d be killed, and she couldn’t find a way out of it.

“I need to go. Please stop blowing up our supply runs,” she added as she turned.

“I can’t promise that,” Grey replied.

“Thanks for skinning the rabbits, Caleb,” Lexia said as she picked them up.

“Out of food already? We only destroyed two trucks,” Grey said.

Lexia paused. Looking back over her shoulder, she answered, “Lucy’s made a list of those she’s going to feed. I came out here to find food for the rest.”

“Send for more supplies. We’ll leave the trucks,” Grey sighed.

“It’s too late, Grey. Lucy’s locked down the compound. No one in, no one out. Whatever she plans is very near and she doesn’t need every hunter to accomplish it. She’s made a list of who she wants and the rest…well the rest are replaceable. Her words, not mine.”

“Do you have any idea what she is planning?”

“None, move quickly, Grey. Time is short,” she threw over shoulder as she walked away.

Caleb caught up a few seconds later. Weaving through the trees, he kept up with Lexia’s quick pace with ease. “Don’t go back.”

“Not this again. I have to, Caleb.”

“No you don’t,” he snarled, frustrated.

Letting out an angry breath, Lexia stopped in her tracks. Caleb narrowly avoided colliding into her.

“I do. I have a mission to end.”

“You’re not a soldier, Lex. You’ve given Grey what he needs. Let the wolves finish it. Come with me now before you’re hurt, or worse, killed.”