Apocalipstick (Hell in a Handbag Book 1) by Lisa Acerbo (the best e book reader txt) 📗

“I have no idea. If I could have thought of a solution, I would have tried to handle it. That’s why I’m telling you about it. I’m afraid to go to Mack or Jim.”

“Why?”

“I’m not really sure where their alliances are. They’ve been with Tundra for longer than I have, and she’s been trying to make them believe things will change now.”

“Will things change?”

“I don’t know. Not the way they hoped for. Tundra tells them life will be different from when she used their blood to stay strong and healthy to fight Streakers, but Tundra still visits them from time to time even with the evening hunts. I think she’s forbidden the other two to do anything. At least with me.”

“I noticed the marks. Maybe Jim and Mack like it. Could they be doing it without being forced into it?”

She rather enjoyed it.

“I wouldn’t say they’re forced. More so coerced these days. Tundra claims sharing our blood allows her to do more for us. To be the leader she needs to be. By supplying the New Race, we better our lives.” Lilly’s voice dropped into a whisper. “It was always awful, especially with Gunnar. He thought his liberties extended farther than they did.”

Jenna paled. “What should we do?”

“I don’t want to leave. They told me if I don’t share blood with them again and soon, they will find a way to get the group to kick me out of the inn.”

“It would never happen.” Jenna shook her head.

“You don’t know how convincing Tundra can be. Be careful. Tundra has developed a close relationship with Aiko, Bethany, and Victor. I’ve seen her hanging out with John, too.”

“I’ll watch my back, but I’m sure nothing will come of this. Peter has a sway with the New Race here, and Caleb would never do anything to hurt me.”

“You don’t know how devious Tundra is. She’ll get to Peter and Caleb, give her time.”

“You make Tundra sound like pure evil.”

“She wants power.”

Jenna had reached the large meadows that ran parallel to the inn. The horses pawed and pranced, wanting to show their speed.

“Do you want to let them lope?” Jenna asked.

“Sounds fun.” Off they went, Clydesdales galloping through the meadow, hooves beating steadily on the ground.

For the moment, she forgot the plot Tundra spawned. The wind rushed against Jenna’s face and the horses’ muscles danced under her. She and Lilly raced across the open field, enjoying the moment.

22

Perfect moments don’t last, she thought after tucking all the animals away in the barn for the night. Cat twined his way between her feet, preferring the hay loft to the indoors. The air was brisk when the sun sank behind the horizon, and she wished for a jacket.

She went to the kitchen, grabbed a battered, chipped bowl and headed back outside to collect what little remained of the vegetables. Jackie could add them to the salad planned for dinner or use them tomorrow. While easy to gather, the vegetables were fewer in number. The group would soon have to start using the canned and preserved ones, but at least now, they had a large food supply. What a change from the previous year, scavenging along the roadsides, living day by day.

Jenna glanced at her feet and realized she needed to scavenge some new socks unless they found sheep and a loom. With cold weather, they needed to stockpile many items besides food. While plans were in place to plant wheat, soybeans, and corn in the spring, this winter might be a lean one for the group in many ways, especially if more people appeared at their door. They had survived worse times, but winter was all about death and destruction.

Footsteps approached from behind. They’d been so quiet, Jenna didn’t even have a chance to turn before the bowl with vegetables hit the ground and shattered. The rough sack thrown over her head scratched her cheeks. A powerful blow rendered her unconscious.

When she emerged from the blackness, waves of nausea rolled through her.

“We’ve got the bitch where we want her. No escape from the dump we’re going to drop her at.”

Jenna’s head pounded, her tongue stuck like glue to the inside of her teeth, sealed by the metallic taste of blood. The words she heard made spiders crawl under her skin.

“What are we going to do with her?”

“We’ll have some fun, and then make sure no one ever finds her. Without this one in the way, the New Racers at the inn will be easy to convince, even do-gooder Caleb.”

She dry-heaved behind the sack, lurching side to side.

They were on the move in a car. Jenna recognized Tundra’s voice in front of her.

“Do we really need to get rid of her? She was causing problems, but there has to be other ways to make our point?” Gunnar’s words were deferential.

“I’ve explained this to you before. I’ll try and make it simple. We’re superior, and the little bitch will never buy into that. Always causing problems. New Racers are the future of the world. Humans serve us. Humans are not equal, and we need to demand their blood. They have a sweet setup at the inn, and I’m going to claim it. I will lead the new world. If you are of a different opinion, tell me.”

“No,” Gunnar said, but he sounded unsure. “You’re right. I just hate to waste perfectly good food.”

“We don’t need to get rid of her quickly. She’ll be around for your use for a while. Take what you want when you want. Have some fun for once,” Tundra said.

Jenna’s skin crawled when she listened to the conversation, but the lull of the ride made her slip in and out of consciousness.

“Wake up sleepyhead,” Tundra’s voice rung in her ear.

Jenna couldn’t imagine where she was, or how long she had been unconscious during transport. She had no memory of being hauled from the car.

Wrists tied, she couldn’t move her hands, and when dumped onto a bed, she couldn’t cushion her fall