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

soon.” I smile broadly, my face hidden under my hood’s shadow. “The time has come, Luther. Our two peoples will be united as one, just as you have wanted for so long. We will go with you to Eden and rescue your children, to take back what is rightfully yours!”

I chuckle in the silence as Luther’s people glance at one other and at my warriors, who have not lowered their weapons. He must see the writing on the wall. His people do not stand a chance against mine. Will he risk more bloodshed?

Luther’s goggles remain fixed on me. “It is what I’ve prayed for…that our two peoples would become allies one day.” His voice breaks, as though he is suddenly overcome with emotion. “We must endeavor to put this tragedy behind us…and focus all of our energy instead on what lies ahead. As we…work together to—”

“You can’t be serious!” says the woman at his side.

“Of course he is,” I reply. “He has no other choice. Can’t you see? His dream has come true, but it will not be what he has envisioned. I will be the one leading our merry expedition to Eden.”

“Like hell you will,” she growls.

I raise my voice, echoing with authority, “Lay down your weapons. Markus, Vincent—escort Luther’s people down here. They are to take nothing with them but the clothes on their backs. Collect whatever you find inside the caves—weapons, food, water. We have a long journey ahead.”

“What about the cyborg?” Vincent calls down.

“Send him to me,” I reply. Samson’s arms are weapons that cannot be removed. Or can they?

Luther’s people resist as my warriors move roughly among them.

“Tell them to cooperate, Luther, and no one will be harmed.”

“You’re a liar!” the woman beside Luther shouts, standing her ground. He puts a hand on her shoulder, but she shakes him off. Feisty.

“You see my men standing among you? Every one of them has been blessed with supernatural speed, which only one of your people possesses—that flying man who takes to the skies.” I make a deliberate show of scanning the grey heavens above. “Where is he now, by the way? Not much of a hero, if you ask me. Forsaking you like this.”

“If it is your desire to join us on our journey, then why demand that we lay down arms?” Luther holds out his gloved hands. “We face a common enemy. Why disarm us when we could join you as allies?”

Instead of answering him, I address all of his people. “You will cooperate. Resist, and my warriors will overpower you—faster than you can blink.” I nod to Markus. “They won’t be returning to this place. Take anything of value that you find.”

“Yes, Lord Cain.” He vanishes in a blur of speed.

My people shove Luther’s into a single file line to descend from the ridge where others will guide them down.

“What do you hope to achieve here?” demands the UW scout’s translator.

I glance up at him, then her. “Don’t you know?”

“There’s no place to hide in these Wastes. The UW will find you and exterminate you.”

Gaia would never allow such a thing; I know this with all my heart. She will go before us and behind, clearing the way to Eden while covering our tracks, keeping us hidden from the United World’s advancing troops.

But I won’t waste my breath sharing this with an infidel. Such faith can only be understood by a true believer—like Luther. Unfortunately, he has chosen to place his belief in an ancient god who turned his back on creation long ago, allowing the powers of the world to destroy every last plant and animal species that once thrived on the earth’s surface, not to mention the majority of its human population.

“We want the same thing.” I turn toward the empty vehicle. “To save the world!”

I have to get out of this heat. Stepping over the lifeless bodies of the three UW scouts, I reach the driver’s door and try the handle. After a brief whirring sound from the mechanism inside, the door drifts upward with a blast of hot air. A vehicle such as this should be capable of cooling its interior if it has enough fuel, and if the engine is running. I tap the screen beside the steering wheel, but it remains dark. No way to tell how much fuel is in the tank.

I curse under my breath and look out the windshield. Asaph holds a ready position, weapon aimed at Luther’s people as they descend from the ridge, grumbling and complaining along the way.

I beckon to the youth.

“Lord Cain!” Asaph approaches the vehicle without his aim faltering.

“Put that down.” I push the rifle muzzle aside. “Vincent has things under control.”

“I don’t trust these people.”

I slap the vehicle’s roof with my gloved hand. “I need you to take a look at this machine. See if you can get it running.”

Asaph nods quickly, slinging his rifle over one shoulder. He’s always been good with machines. Some say it is his gift from Gaia, to understand the components of a mechanical thing by looking at the whole.

“What type of ignition?” He peeks in the open door, stepping over the bodies yet to be disposed of. “Key or voice print? Thumbprint, perhaps?”

I grit my teeth against a spasm of pain and apply more pressure against my wound. “I was hoping you would be able to tell me.”

“You should have someone look at that.” He frowns at my bloody hand. “Perhaps one of Luther’s people—”

“Focus, Asaph.”

He taps the screen on the console just as I did. No response. He shakes his head. “No key slot. It must be configured for one driver in particular.”

I scowl at the bodies.

“If it was a voice print…” Asaph turns to stare through his expressionless goggles.

“Try their thumbs.” I lean back against the vehicle and prepare to watch the grizzly task.

Asaph retrieves a sharp knife from beneath his cloak and sets about dismembering the limp digits. Then he tries each of them, pressing the flesh flat against various points