Spirits of the Earth: The Complete Series: (A Post-Apocalyptic Series Box Set: Books 1-3) by Milo Fowler (paper ebook reader .TXT) 📕

us off.” She knows Milton’s thoughts and repeats them out loud. “They knew where we were going, all along.”

Milton nods. “They’re quick, I’ll give them that. They beat us to the Homeplace, and they’re not letting anybody in or out. Luther’s trying to negotiate with them, but it’s not going all that well.” He looks at the young man beside her. “Your people are a damned stubborn bunch, kid.”

Lemuel nods, but there’s no arrogance in the gesture. “They have Gaia on their side.”

Part IV

Negotiation

15 Cain18 Months After All-Clear

I have reached the end of my patience. Killing Victoria outright and being done with her is still an option on the table, but she is my eyes, after all. Without her, I would not be able to see what I am now seeing—or not seeing, as the case appears to be.

“Gaia-dammit woman, how could you lose them?” I growl, low and menacing, as I clutch her wrists.

“There is one among them with a gift…like my own. She may be using it against me to misdirect us, to blind me from their true course.”

I glare at her for a moment before returning her slender hands to my temples, restoring my view of the warriors I sent after the UW scouts and their meddling rescuers. Luther’s flying man would have been bad enough, but there is also a black armored vehicle impervious to bullets that we must contend with. Undoubtedly, it came from Eden.

“If I did not know better, my lady, I would think you didn’t want me to find them.” I press my thumb against her jugular and feel its strong, throbbing pulse. “But you would not risk your life for these strangers...”

“We will find them,” Victoria says without pause, reclining naked beside me in the bed. My far-sight combined with her telepathic abilities creates the virtual reality we share; flesh against flesh keeps the connection strong. “But we may have to look…farther.”

I gesture toward my men who grow more frustrated with every dead end they face. They stomp their feet against the cold night, having returned to the location where the flying man frightened them off. But there is no vehicle and no tracks; only half of the weapons they discarded earlier during their retreat remain.

“They grow more impatient by the minute.” As do I.

Victoria guides them eastward from there, certain the United World scouts went that direction. Toward Eden.

“We can send them northward as well—or split them up to cover more ground,” she suggests.

“Enough time has been wasted. There is less than an hour before sunrise. They shouldn’t have to deal with the goblyns after hunting in vain all night.” I shake my head as I watch Vincent do his best to rally the men. “Send them to Luther.”

Victoria blinks at me in stunned silence.

“Don’t give me that look, woman. Luther has been pestering us for months now. It’s high time we returned the favor and paid him a visit.”

“With over a score of armed warriors? You really think that would be wise?”

“You live to obey.” I narrow my gaze. “Don’t question me.”

She never backs down. I once appreciated that personality trait in her. “Our people have always lived at peace with—”

“We are not going there to start any trouble with them, only to head off the UW scouts if that’s their destination. Luther will understand. He is a reasonable man.” I pause, musing half to myself, “He can’t possibly be in league with them.”

Victoria shifts her weight. “I wouldn’t know where to begin looking. I have no idea where Luther’s people are.”

Can it be that she’s led the warriors astray on purpose? Is she stalling now?

“Send them to the mountains. Luther and his nomads hide among the rocks—like frightened squirrels.”

She shakes her head. “There are hundreds of caves in those mountains. Do you honestly expect our men to search every last one of them?”

“Ye of little faith,” I chide her. “Do you forget that we have Gaia on our side? Truly, woman, I sometimes wonder whether you are one of the faithful.” My upper lip curls back into a sneer. “If you have passed infidel blood on to my child, I will slay you both in this very bed!”

“Gaia helps those who help themselves, my lord,” she is quick to recite the catechism. “She is not to be summoned at our every whim.”

I regard her for a moment in silence. The woman appears to be sincere. “We follow the will of Gaia by hunting down these United World spies invading our land. She will bless our efforts, once we stop chasing our tails and do what must be done.” I clench my jaw, and the muscle twitches like a snake. “She told me this moment would come, that we would join forces with Luther’s people to rid this continent of the UW.”

“They may not see it that way, my lord,” she cautions me, her voice low. “They do not follow Gaia’s ways. Sending warriors to their hiding place—”

“It is up to you to make matters clear to Vincent and Markus. Tell them to keep the men on a tight leash. Luther’s infidels are not to be attacked, verbally or physically. They are to be treated as allies until we have possession of the UW scouts.”

“And then?”

Luther would know better than to think his people are any match for mine.

“They will let our men go without incident.” I point at my disgruntled warriors. “Now tell them where they must go, and tell them why. But most importantly, tell them Gaia will lead them. She will direct us to Luther’s cave. I will see her guide us by her light.”

I can see plainly that young Victoria does not agree with this course of action, but she knows better than to disobey me. At Vincent’s word, the men tighten their belts and adjust their weapons; then, in a blur of speed, they are off, racing across moonlit sands like ghosts on the wind. Hovering above them as a camera would