Page 52 of Demon Shock

I started down the road, and they kept pace. She sat back in her seat and sighed, petting Pete. When I glanced at her, she was staring straight ahead, wearing a small frown.

“Are you angry?” I asked.

“No, I’m wondering what life will be like now. It’s kind of annoying thinking of how much time I spent learning somethingthat doesn’t even exist anymore. I think that’s why I like the idea of Unity and gardening. No matter what, growing food won’t be a waste of time.” She looked down at Pete and played with his ear.

Heat flooded my shaft at the thought of her touching my ear like that.

She sighed again. “I’m a logic-based person. Logic says I probably won’t ever see my family again, and I guess I’m feeling a little lost.”

I reached across the seat and threaded my fingers through hers.

“There might not be as many humans as there were, but there are still survivors out there. If your sister is as smart as you are, you will see her again.”

The corner of Ava’s mouth curved. “Smart? I was just plain lucky. The world has changed so much, Gyrik. I really hope they survived it.”

I rubbed my thumb over her soft skin. “The world has changed, but not all of the changes are bad.”

“Tell me the good ones so I can focus on those.”

“Cleaner air. When we first arrived, the air tasted bad. It’s different now. Better. Humans now have the freedom to do what they want. Ryan told us how the world was. You needed to work, not to survive but to please others. Slaves to those who had more money and power.”

“Eh, I’m not sure that’s how I would view that, but I understand what you’re trying to say. Not all changes are bad. The airiscleaner. And it’s quieter. Soothing.”

Her fingers traced over mine before she pulled away and looked out the window again.

Unity’smain gate opened as we approached. Ryan waited inside near the space he’d made for the supply trucks to park.

“That’s Ryan?” Ava asked as I stopped the truck. “He’s a lot younger than I’d imagined him.”

I glanced from her to him. She was studying him closely. Why? Did Ava think Ryan was handsome?

Looking at Mya’s brother, a man who was always willing to help and support us, I wondered if he would be opposed to living in a different community for a while.

He grinned at me and waved as I passed Repeat to Ava and got out to hurry around the truck to open the door for her. I passed the cats to my brothers and took her hand to help her down.

“Hey, Gyrik. Mya radioed you’d be joining us with a new friend.”

Ava smiled and held out her hand to Ryan. “I’m Ava.”

I took her hand in mine and brought it to my side. She looked at me with surprise, but that faded as she smiled, and a pretty pink flushed her cheeks.

She glanced at Ryan. “Sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m used to it. I heard you brought some very welcome pets.”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure Repeat’s engaged.”

Ryan laughed and nodded while my fingers traced over Ava’s. Would she give me a ring to claim me as hers like Brooke claimed Solin?

“Allow me to give you a tour.” Ryan motioned to the street, and I listened to Ryan tell Ava about Unity as we walked with him.

“My sister mentioned you recently learned what’s been happening these last few months. It must be a bit of a shock.”

“Yeah. It’s going to take some getting used to.”

“I bet. Honestly, the worst part is going to be that you can’t run to the corner store for milk and eggs when you run out. But that’s what we’re hoping to make Unity into, maybe not the corner grocery store but the place you can go to for some of the things you used to find at one. Produce first. Eventually more, like milk and eggs.”

“I saw the cow in Tolerance. Gyrik mentioned you have some here, too. I didn’t know about the chickens, though.”

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