Page 34 of Rarely Pure and Never Simple
"You can bet you'll find out that the government has the rest. Kidnapped them for some horrible experimentation."
Blaze ran both hands back through his hair, trying to stifle the constant simmer of irritation. "Not everything's a government conspiracy, McKenzie. You need to get out more."
"I get out plenty. I see what's going on in the world, even if you still want to walk around blind. Probably getting more action than you, too, from the sound of things." Shudder turned his sun-bright smile on Damien again. "He's much nicer when he's just gotten laid."
"Shut the fuck up, Eugene."
"See what I mean?" Shudder's smile took on a hard edge. "Keep using my birth name, Blazey, and I'll slap the cuffs back on."
"Still can't handle a man unless he's tied up."
"You liked it. Don't lie." Shudder's slide into anger ended before it had a chance to catch fire. "Tell me who you're looking for. I'll see if they're willing to talk to you."
A raised eyebrow was Damien's only reaction to the exchange. He pulled out his palm phone and tapped up the holo screen to show Shudder the kids. Which just confirmed that the kids were here with Shudder, close enough for Damien to know which ones.
"They might be using different names, of course. Do you recognize them all?"
"I do." Shudder leaned back against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. "Understand, if I let you talk to them, that's it. You can't contact their guardians or the school without their permission."
"I understand all about vari kids not having enough choices. If they've chosen to be here, I won't jeopardize that."
Shudder gave him a slow nod. "I believe you mean that. Blazey might be another story."
"Blaze is here to protect me, nothing more. Hired muscle."
Damn.That hurts worse than getting shot.
"Ha! He's never just hired muscle." Shudder's laugh sounded ragged around the edges. "Come on. Let's see what we can do."
He led them back out through the low-ceilinged main room where young people lounged here and there at some of the long tables and then back out into the sunlight.
With a mad grin, he spread his arms and declared, "Welcome, gentlemen, to McKenzie's Redoubt! You'll understand if I'm not thrilled about moving the operation. We have everything we need here. Steady water supply. Caves for living space and growing food."
A small flock of rust-red chickens hurried past, clucking and scolding.
"A bit of livestock. I've been at this hiding out stuff for seven years now. This is the best we've had."
Little vines of sorrow invaded Blaze's aggravation. It didn't help his mood. "Why the hell would I bother to turn you in now? I could've tracked you down any time since you turned rogue."
Shudder shrugged. "Bounty's bigger now. Maybe it didn't tempt you before."
"Nice. Good to know what you think of me."
"You don't think much of me, either." The regret in Shudder's tone only lasted a moment before he was grinning again, waving Toby over to his side. He spoke in low tones to the young man, their heads close together. Then Toby hurried off toward the caves dotting the left side of the canyon. "Toby will let them know. If they want to talk to you, they'll join us. This way, please. I've been a terrible host so far."
Damien said in his soft, deadpan way, "We didn't exactly call before we showed up."
Blaze stumbled over a hump in the path, too shocked for any smartass remarks. Damien had made a joke. His comfort level with Shudder was just too… something, disturbing, disquieting.
Straight and proud as ever, Shudder led them to a group of three laurels under which sat several flat boulders in a convenient seating arrangement. A quick parade of young people brought water flasks, plates of bean cakes, and damp cloths for Damien. He took these with soft murmurs of gratitude and sat for several minutes completely absorbed in washing his dust-and-blood caked hands and face.
Unable to take his eyes off those deliberate, careful movements, Blaze tried for casual as he watched Damien through half-closed lids. "How're you doing, Twitch?"
"Better. It's better."
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. That's twice I didn't keep you safe. I'm getting slow and careless."Good."
The kids in question started to arrive, taking seats closer to Shudder. A girl with huge brown eyes arrived first, chewing on her nails in agitation. Then a boy and girl arrived together, so remarkably similar in appearance that they could have switched clothes and genders at will. Another boy strode up and flopped down at Shudder's feet, defiance in the set of his jaw. A willowy girl of nearly supernatural grace followed, and finally, Mohawk girl, who took the seat nearest Damien.
