{Phoenix, AZ | Iona-28}

Another day, another pile of bombs. Lynn helped Smith construct homemade explosives every day. One time, she asked why so many, and he answered, “You know, for the big ones.” She didn’t press any further. Tonight, she bounced out of Iona-28’s armory, already mentally preparing for the load up within the next day or so. They’d inventoried every weapon, practice ones included, then stockpiled them into one of the convoy’s semis and the train’s freights. She traveled with one or the other, depending on if she needed to make any stops along the way. Given the July heat in Phoenix, the train appealed more than the trucks.

One of Frullop’s human men knocked into her shoulder as he passed through the hall.

No way would Lynn tolerate attitude from the extras. “Excuse you!”

He kept walking without a backward glance.

Lynn growled, “Asshole,” and rubbed her shoulders. By Iona-10 the Shadow had observed discrepancies in security, weapons, and cargo reports. Miscommunication between Xelan and Frullop’s men led to fruitless supply runs and botched outreach attempts with survivors.

After Corpus Christi, tensions mounted. It was Froot Loop’s recon team who had failed to report on the Tantamount, and an energy thrummed through the place as if Frullop’s men waited for any excuse to throw down. Well, they’d underestimated Xelan’s crew. They’d gathered almost enough evidence to take them before The Brethren.

Lynn closed her eyes. Especially considering the most recent revelation. John, the last nail in their coffin, returned from his mission tonight. She both dreaded and hoped for it. How fucked was that?

Tears? Nope.

Lynn headed for the nearest restroom. She couldn’t have that. Every night after their working shifts, they gathered for combat training before dinner. Everyone. With a certain someone in mind, mascara would not run on her watch.

Lynn gauged the state of her twisted out hair in the mirror. Maybe one of the girls would help her color it. She checked her light makeup and clocked the dark circles under her eyes. It was another problem for another time. She lost herself in her head as she exited the room. Adjusting to travel life had worn on her. She promised herself at the next Iona station she would just stay behind. But only if—

The subject of Lynn’s fantasies nearly collided with her in the hall. “Pablo!” Her crush looked a little worse for wear with his short curly hair growing into a messy fro and bags showing under his eyes. He spent every night and day in the infirmary. He seemed desperate to learn everything he could about all practices of medicine.

“I just want to help where I can,” Pablo had told her once. Nothing Lynn had said assured him that he helped plenty.

“Hey, Lynn,” he called, his voice less than casual. He locked his gaze with hers and leaned against the wall. Scrubs suited him very nicely. The burgundy brought out the flecks of gold in his brown eyes. Did he get taller?

Lynn asked, “Did you learn anything today?”

“God, did I ever.” Pablo crossed his arms over his increasingly broad chest as he reflected on his day. “I’m learning orthopedic surgery right now. We could have really used that back at Fair, but now? I can help set bones, properly. Of all kinds.” Lynn liked the way Pablo lost himself in his work. She wished he didn’t need to. He asked, “What about you?” He indicated ahead of them, and she walked in step with him to the gym.

“Bombs.” Lynn nodded her head.

Pablo chuckled, and she soaked up the sound. He asked, “Whoever thought you’d get tired of making explosives?”

“Hey!” Lynn went for mock-offense. “I enjoy building traps, too. I can’t do anything like that while we’re moving all the time.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Pablo started, “Oh yeah, about that, I’ve been meaning to ask you—”

“Hey, guys!” Andrew called from behind.

The interruption was fine. It was okay. Andrew would not interrupt Lynn talking to Pablo unless it was important. He totally knew what these moments meant to her. She asked, “Is everything okay?”

Andrew gave them grim eyes, and Lynn heard Pablo swallow hard beside her. The question came out before she could contain it, “It’s true, isn’t it?” She tried but failed to keep the tremor out of her voice. Her breath left on a shudder. Something warm enveloped her hand.

Lynn looked down at the lighter, larger hand in hers and then back up into Pablo’s warm eyes. Without a word, they said, ‘You’re not alone.’

Andrew walked, and they followed, all the while he glanced around them. “We’re waiting for John to return from the last messenger run to confirm. But yeah. Lucas is pretty sure. We’ll have to tell the others when they get back.”

“God, how could this happen?” Pablo asked.

Andrew stopped outside the gym and turned to them. “This won’t slide. We’ll—”

One of Frullop’s people walked by. He paused and grinned at Andrew. Then he entered the fitness center. Andrew gave both Lynn and Pablo a shake of the head. The pressure was ready to pop. They entered the gym behind him. Each one spread out and started warm-ups.

Lynn’s head snapped up when Brethren members walked into the space reserved for minions. Frullop and two in charge of the region, Dolor and Tempest. The silent members glanced at their associate, who seethed. After scanning the crowd, they took seats on the far end of the bleachers.

Frullop’s rage filled the several thousand square foot enclosure. Something had happened. Did Frullop know about John? Frullop ordered, “I want Andrew and the rest of the Progeny group up here.” Lynn, Pablo, and Andrew joined Frullop without a word or a glance at each other. He continued, “We’ll have a special event tonight. Everyone else to the stands.”

They complied.

With his eyes fuming, Andrew asked, “What’s going on?”

“You three must give a special demonstration of your abilities on order of The Brethren.”

Lynn shifted uncomfortably, and Pablo echoed her. They didn’t have special ancestors or any abilities. Why were they being tested? It was best not to mention any disadvantages aloud, though. Lynn asked. “Who are we fighting?”

Froot Loop answered, “Each other. Starting now.” Lynn’s brows popped to her hairline. He continued, “Don’t stop until I say so. And don’t hold back because she’s a female, gentleman. We respect equality around here.” He sneered at her.

Lynn wondered if all three of them were considering the same option. Fuck this shit and beat this dude’s ass, instead. But they needed to bide their time and wait for the others to return. With a ruckus, Lynn unzipped her coveralls and stepped out of them. Beneath it, she wore tight workout shorts and a tight t-shirt. Confidence infused her at the sight of her well-earned body. She assumed a solid fighting stance. “Ready, boys?” She certainly was.

Well, that was until Pablo stripped off his scrub top. Wide, capped shoulders, striated arms, proper lats, abs for days—Something caught her attention to the side, and she spared Andrew a glance. He tapped the side of his lips indicating hers and mouthed, “Drool.”

Lynn returned in silence, “Fuck. You.”

Andrew blew her a kiss, flipped his brown hair from his face, and set into his stance. Cocky, capable, and one of her favorite people in the entire world, he held up both his hands and flagged them to bring it, simultaneously.

Pablo advanced slowly, checking for any weaknesses in Andrew’s guard. Lynn entered Andrew’s space without hesitation and swung for his face. He blocked, grabbed her arm in the process, and tossed her to the floor.

Pablo took advantage of the distraction and roundhouse-kicked Andrew in the ribs. He evaded with a glorious backflip.

From the stands, Froot Loop called, “This is not a team game. Fight each other.”

Andrew rolled his eyes with his back to The Brethren. The three circled one another, feeling each other out. Lynn jumped in the center, dropped to the floor, and kicked Andrew in the shin.

He stumbled down.

Pablo kicked Lynn in the face. She blocked and avoided the urge to crotch-shot him. One day, she planned to carry his beautiful Nicaraguan children. She had to keep the big picture in mind.

Andrew leapt over her and tackled Pablo. They grappled and tumbled some. She realized at the same time as Froot Loop that they were stalling the fight.

Again, the guy’s unwarranted rage suffocated the vibe in the room. “Andrew.”

“Yes?”

“Get in the stands.”

The Progeny growled, “Why the fuck—”

Frullop said, “Because I want to see them fight. You’re a Progeny. You have a birthright to be here. They are extra mouths to feed.”

Andrew seethed. “They help just like anyone else here—”

“The Brethren have voted. Without you. One of them hospitalizes the other, or neither of them stay.” Frullop finally laid out the entire plan.

And Lynn did not like it. Various reactions erupted from the crowd. She heard Smith and Six protest.

Andrew gripped Lynn’s hand. “They’ll be back soon. Both of you hold out until then.”

Lynn glanced at Pablo while an awful plan took shape in her thoughts. He knew how to fix major injuries. He also knew how to inflict them.

Lynn pulled Andrew down for a hug and whispered, “Don’t stop us. I’ll be okay.”