Free Conceived in Blood, A Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian Novel by Linda Andrews Page A

daughters too." Titan paused by the dead girl and stroked her hair. Pulling a long thin knife from his shirt, he scalped the girl in a few long swipes. "I can use a new shirt."
    OhGodOhGodOhGod. They wore people's hair.
    Tucking the trophy into the sack at his waist, he hefted first one corpse onto his shoulder then the other. Humming, Titan marched from the clearing.
    Her rescuer hauled her to her feet and pulled her into the forest. "Come on."
    Sera stumbled after him. This had to be a nightmare. Kids didn't kill kids; uncles didn't stab nephews in the throat and wear people's scalps.
    He shook her. "Pick up the pace. If those 'Viders catch us, they're not going to care if you're a raider or not. You will die slowly. Horribly."
    Right. She boxed up the images in her mind, tucked them away into a dark corner and slapped 'do not open until forever' stickers on it.  
    Then she ran.
     

Chapter 10
     
    The woman must have lightning in her veins. Pain plated Harlan’s ribs as he panted for breath. He pumped his arms and legs faster, closing the distance between them. Pine needles and grass deadened their footfalls. It was good she could run fast. Hurdling a bush, he landed on a rock. His ankle twisted and the abuse blazed a trail up his calve and thigh muscle.
    Unfortunately, she was circling back toward the ‘Viders.
    Heading into a ravine, he launched off the side. His arms wrapped around her chest. As they fell, he turned his body to take the brunt of the landing. Jagged rocks dug into his back. The impact knocked the air from him, and stars danced in his peripheral vision.
    She jabbed her elbow into his gut. Twice. Three quick kicks to his shins followed.
    Dammit! Didn’t she have enough sense to figure out he was the good guy here? He sucked in a breath, wrapped his legs around her before she went crazy-mule on him again then rolled over, pinning her beneath him.
    She squirmed then clutched his finger and tried to pull it off his hand.
    “Stop!”
    Ignoring him, she attempted to bend his finger backward.
    God damn it! He jerked free before pressing his forearm to her throat then squeezed. “Do you want to die?”
    She stiffened under him and stopped struggling.
    That was better. He eased up a little. But just a little. She’d try to get away as soon as she saw an opportunity. It was an admirable quality——one that would take her far. One that he could use in his attacks on the ‘Viders. Too bad Sera was a woman and easily overpowered. Her skin was soft as if she hadn’t toiled in the sun, and her hands... There wasn’t a callus in sight.
    She cleared her throat. “If you plan to turn me over to those bald-headed barbarians, you should just kill me now. Because I will kill you at the first opportunity should you try.”
    Harlan snorted. That and a knife shoved against his throat might make him a little leery. “I’m Harlan Westminster. Tribute liberator and raider.”
    She glared at him. “I don’t feel liberated now. Nor did I feel free when you tied me up and threatened to torture me.”
    That was the thanks he got? He had saved her from a ‘Vider. “And if I was gonna cut you up for information, I would have done it instead of just yakking about it.”
    His gut had told him she was different. But how and in which way, he still had to determine.
    “Good to know.” She wiggled and her backpack crawled up her back. "Now get off me."
    “Not until we establish some ground rules. A raider can’t be too careful these days.” The face of the boy Harlan saw murdered flashed through his mind. “I’m getting blamed for all sorts of things these days.”
    "Must be your winning personality." She blew her bangs out of her eyes. Leaves stirred near her head.
    That almost sounded like an insult. Harlan stared at her smooth cheeks--pink and velvety like an exotic fruit he once stole. This woman shouldn't be here. This Sera didn't fit in this world, nor the one before the 'Viders came. She was too... He groped