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

for the word. Too delicate. Yeah, that fit. Even her name sounded like nothing more than a breeze through the trees.
    "Enjoying yourself?"
    Yeah, he was. But telling her so would have her rabbiting even faster. "Don't flatter yourself, Peaches. If I want a woman under me, I pay a good price for it."
    Sera turned her head, rested her ear on the ground. Tremors seized her body.
    God, was she having some type of seizure? He rolled his body weight to his limbs.
    She inhaled then coughed. "Oh my God! You're bragging about paying for women to have sex with you?"
    Obviously, she wasn't from around here. He had a reputation as being generous in more ways than one. "They enjoyed it and most can't wait until I come back."
    "I'll bet," she snorted.
    Now that was insulting. "Finish your laugh riot quickly, Peaches. Soon, these woods will be crawling with big bald baddies."
    She pressed her lips together and turned to face him. Her fists bracketed her head. "What makes you think I want to stick with you, let alone learn some ground rules?"
    Harlan ran his finger along the soft underside of her wrist. "If you want to live, you'll stick with me and learn the rules of this place."
    "Is that a threat?"
    "That's a fact, Peaches." He leaned over her pack. Her hair smelled of sunshine and flowers. Of course that didn't prove she was from the fairyland of Dark Hope. The high muckety-mucks in Abaddon were too good for lye soap, too. "You were running back into the 'Viders waiting arms."
    She bit her lip then sighed. "If I follow your rules, you'll teach me what you know and answer all my questions."
    "Yep." Harlan's muscles tensed. That was a little too easy. Maybe she planned to send his balls into his throat, if he freed her now.
    "I mean real answers not some made-up crap because your male ego can't admit not knowing something."
    His jaw ached as he rose. Maybe he should leave her here. Life was peaceful when there weren't women about. He started up the side of the ravine. But he had wanted to save one; she was one.
    If he left her here, she'd likely be killed.
    Hell. He raked his fingers over his scalp. He had enough blood on his hands for this and the next two lifetimes.
    Rolling to her feet, she brushed the dirt and leaves off her chest. When she looked up, her brow was furrowed. "I'm sorry, I'm not fluent in silent brooding."
    Harlan held out his hand to her. "I said I'd answer your questions."
    "Alright." She slipped her palm against his then scrambled out of the ravine. Stopping, she set the toes of her shoes against his. She scratched her cheek and left a smear of mud behind. "What are your rules?"
     Smiling, he ducked his head. That smudge would make listening to her fancy words all the easier. "Stay close. Move fast. And shut up when I tell you."
    She blinked.
    Rats rustled in underbrush. Shadows cloaked the woods.
    "That's it?"
    He nodded, then shook his head. "No, there's one more thing. Give me your boots."
    She looked down at her feet, shifted her weight from foot to foot. Her tracks dug deeper into the ground.
    Harlan pulled his knife. Maybe he should add another rule, just for her. No questioning his orders.
    Her lips parted and she gasped. "I'm leaving footprints."
    Well, how about that. She got it.
    Crouching, she jerked on the laces and yanked them free of their respective holes. "I don't think I'll be able to walk very far or very fast without shoes. I only went barefoot when I snuck into the Burbs."
    "I thought you said you were from Dark Hope."
    She toed out of her boots. Pink bunnies grinned from her white socks when she pushed pebbles out of the way to stand. "The Burbs are on the outskirts of Dark Hope. It's where most Outlanders live so they don't get overwhelmed by the city."
    Outlanders like him weren't allowed to sully their precious city. So much for paradise. Picking up her boots, he sliced the deep treads off and tucked the rubber into his pocket.
    She crossed her arms over her chest. "What do you have against