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Moments later, he saw Eva. She was with her father and another man closer to Eva’s age.
He had broad shoulders, black hair, and dark eyes. He was wearing camo pants, and a handgun was strapped to his thigh. The man’s jaw was hard set, and a vein pulsed in his neck as his eyes bored into the crowd.
Krieger’s stomach turned. The man radiated danger and worse...
They walked onto the stage as Samuel waved his hand and waited for silence. “We have just received word of approaching soldiers from Stone Haven. I want everyone to remain calm. We will meet them on the field and try to defuse the situation in a peaceful manner. Please return to your homes and await further instructions. Soldiers—with me!”
Families filed out of the hall as whispers erupted among them. Krieger weaved past them in the opposite direction—he had to reach Eva before she left. She no doubt would want to go out onto the field. She would need protection, and after what she had done for him, the least he could do was offer his help. She may not know it now, but he was prepared to defend her.
Chapter 2
At first, Eva thought Krieger’s fever had returned, making him irrational and delusional. He was in no condition to start duty.
If her father was unable to reach a peaceful resolution with Stone Haven, a battle may ensue. And he was in no way ready for that.
“I’m sorry, you just can’t. You only woke from your coma yesterday.” She moved around him as she gathered her gear.
Her room was small, but with his large frame taking up space, it seemed claustrophobic.
He took hold of her hand, forcing her to look at him. “You need me.”
She shrugged out of his hold, her cheeks heating at the contact. Why did he have to be so pretty?
She cleared her throat. “I’m glad you are so... gung ho about helping protect Everwood, but today is just not the time to start.”
Eva resumed packing her weapons. Her dresser drawers held more than just clothes—it was a wooden chest armory.
Her knives slid into the hemp fabric bag easily, but her guns had to be jammed in until they fit. When she was done gathering them, she hauled the bag over her shoulder and made her way to the door.
He stepped in front of her, blocking her path. His broad chest heaved with deep breaths as he looked down at her from his towering height. “Please, I want to help.”
“Look, you wanted to be a soldier, then your first lesson is how to take orders. You are to stay in Everwood until otherwise commanded.” She studied him as he processed her words, then walked around him to the door. “Return to your room, and get some rest. I will need you in working condition soon.”
Her hand rested on the frame of the exit when another horn blew. She had to go. She glanced over her shoulder, her breath quickening as the bellow of the horn called to her once more.
She left him standing in the middle of her room and tried to ignore the protest in her gut. Why did it bother her to leave him?
He was her charge, one of the people of Everwood she was trying to protect. That’s all.
She made her way to the elevator, which was a wood platform connected to a pulley system that lowered them to the ground. Some of the men preferred rope ladders, the stairs, or just plain tree climbing.
When it reached the ground, she found her father. Her people carried extra gear as they made their way to the field. The mile-long walk toward the border would not take long.
She strode by his side. “So, what’s the plan?”
Samuel loaded a pistol, adding the bullets with ease. “I ask them to leave. Nicely.”
She grunted. “And what if they don’t?”
He shoved the gun into his waistband and positioned his shirt around it, giving her a hard look.
He traipsed fast, keeping a steady pace. His face was stern and steadfast. Samuel Wolf wanted a peaceful resolution; she just wasn’t sure if he’d get it.
Birds sang their songs as the morning dragged on. Feet ruffled the dead, drying leaves on the ground. Metal clashed against metal. The smell of wet grass and gunpowder filled the air, causing her stomach unease.
Shit, she hated the moment right before a confrontation. The unknown of combat, and the wait for certain bloodshed. The things her nightmares were made of...
In a fight, adrenaline stocked her veins, piquing her awareness. The sheer will to survive, to keep her people alive, was a strong force within her.Greater than even she would like to admit. But the moments before sent her mind reeling.
