Bethany

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BETHANY PERCHED ON the counter and leaned her head against the window of the train. She was mesmerized by the passing land. Traveling at this speed should have been thrilling, but it looked like they were headed into nowhere.

Lucas hadn’t come back last night, and the only thing that kept the worry from eating her alive was the amount of Tech it took to keep the lights on, the showers hot, and the stoves burning. When she finished the batteries Lewis and Clark gave her, they brought her to the engine car.

The wood and fuel burning in the boiler was hot enough that she didn’t need to heat any hot water to add to the hopper, so then she was dragged into the kitchen where she watched Lem make lunch for fifty people.

The burn of the Tech as she became a conduit for the systems on the train was exhausting, but it was constant—which was less of a strain that doing a lot of little projects. The generators were almost at full capacity, and after that, she could take a break and try to sleep. God knew she was tired enough not to let the worry hit her.

Jesse sneaked in, and Lem slammed a few pots, making sure she knew he was ignoring her. Jesse had a contented grin on her face, but it didn’t stop her from ogling Lem’s backside. Bethany rolled her eyes. She didn’t see the attraction. Lem was a bean pole who was noncommunicative on good days and surly on bad days.

“Has Lucas come by yet?” Jesse asked.

Bethany shook her head and closed her eyes as a flash of red pain hit her in the temples. She eased back on some of the power. The lights dimmed but stayed on. Breathing through her teeth, Bethany said, “No, I’m wondering if something happened. Lisa hasn’t seen him either.”

“He’s back. He stopped by to report to Clark.”

Slam went the pan of noodles on the counter.

Bethany hid a smile at Lem’s jealousy and eased away from a few more outlets. The showers would be tepid at best, but she wasn’t running a hotel. “Is he okay? Why hasn’t he come to see me?”

“Probably exhausted,” Lem said and tried to slap Jesse’s hand when she reached for a piece of meat.

Sliding off the counter, Bethany said, “I should go see if he’s in the bunk.”

“He’s a keeper,” Jesse said. “He wouldn’t bang Lynn even when she begged for it and Clark ordered him to.”

“At least someone has the courage to say no to him,” Lem said with a sidelong glance at Jesse.

Bethany felt her heart flutter. “He didn’t get in trouble, did he?”

“Nope, it appears they want to keep you happy. Besides Lucas had news. Everyone at the next station is dead. We’re traveling right into a trap.”

“You don’t have to act so excited about that,” Lem said.

“It ain’t a trap anymore if we know it.” Jesse sneered at him. “Clark has the Shifters leaving the train before we get to the station to see if they can mess up their plans.”

“You know, all I hear is Clark, Clark, Clark.” Lem mimicked Jesse’s voice. “Where’s Lewis?”

Jesse frowned. “I haven’t seen him since the first night.”

Bethany shrugged and jumped off the counter, slicing the link between her and the generator. “Well, I’m beat. I’m going to try and get some sleep.”

“Or something.” Jesse grinned. “Don’t let that big Shifter go to waste.”

“I don’t plan to.”

“I just don’t understand women,” Lem said.

“Why?” Jesse said. “What’s not to understand?”

“Nothing,” he said.

“Now who’s being cryptic?”

“I’ll see you guys in the morning. I’m going to take some sandwiches, and Lucas and I will eat in our rooms,” Bethany said, but Jesse and Lem had squared off.

And because they were distracted, she snagged a pitcher of lemonade too. She had guzzled half of it by the time she got back to their compartment. The cold and wet was wonderful on her dry throat, but it was the sugar that brought her back from exhaustion.

The hunters were out, probably getting themselves ready for the counterambush. She set the pitcher and the sandwiches down on the table and peeked up into Lucas’s bed. He was there. Sleeping deeply, and wonderfully naked. She slipped off her clothes, folded them neatly, and climbed up next to him.

“I missed you,” she said, sliding up his body. Her thighs caressed his stomach. “I know you can hear me.”

Bethany kissed his cheekbone, tasted the wind and the sun on him as she licked down his neck. His erection poked into her stomach. Distracted, she stroked the soft skin. Pressed a kiss to the lip. Rubbed her cheek against his hardness.

“I kind of like you this way, helpless and still. I can do anything I want to you.” She threw her leg over his, feeling his cock against her pussy. “Oh yeah.” She leaned in and kissed his lips. “I miss your kisses, though.” She stretched to trail her nipples over his mouth. “Now, I know you’re really out.” Bethany reached down and guided him inside her. “Oh.” She gave a little cry. “Even unconscious, you’re the best fuck I ever had.” She began to move up and down. “I hope you don’t mind me using you to get off on. I figured this beat having you hear me masturbate. I’d just be thinking about doing this anyway.”

Bethany bounced faster, reaching her hands up to touch the ceiling of the car to give her more leverage. Her breathing began to get heavier as she rocked faster. “Wake up, Lucas. I want to feel your mouth on my breasts. I want your hands on me, like this.” She rubbed her hands over his washboard abs, over his chest that was lightly dusted with wiry hair. She loved the powerful feeling she got from knowing that he could feel everything but was powerless to stop her. Stroking his arms, shoulders and muscles, she enjoyed the ride, getting herself off quietly with a shudder and a sigh. Then she cuddled up against him.

“Thank you,” she whispered in his ear. “Now, I’m going to tell you my fantasy. When we’re safe—and we will survive this ambush and whatever else this stupid caravan throws at us—I want to be blindfolded and tied-up. I want you to make me helpless and then do anything you want with me. Like I just did to you. Do you think you’d like that? I hope so.” She kissed him again. “Jesse told me about what happened in the caboose.”

Bethany blinked back tears. “No one has ever been faithful to me. Thank you,” she said again. Lulled by the rise and fall of his chest, the steady beat of his heart, and his warmth, Bethany let the worry leave her and fell into a deep sleep.

“Help me!”

Bethany jerked awake and nearly banged her head on the ceiling. Lucas was still out beside her and even more impressive, still erect. She ran a loving hand up him and felt him respond. Could he be waking up? She grinned and began to stroke him faster, loving the velvet heat of him.

“Help me!”

Bethany jerked away. “Who is it?”

“I’m trapped.”

Tilting her head, Bethany realized the voice was coming through the radio waves.

“Where are you?”

“I’m in the generator.”

“You’re a Tech?” Bethany leaped down and started getting dressed. “I didn’t see you. Lewis and Clark said the only other Tech committed suicide.”

“It’s not suicide if it’s not intentional.”

“Who are you?” Bethany asked, feeling goose bumps erupt over her even though she was now fully clothed.

“I’m Vera. I’m from the Colorado River tribe.”

“Bethany, from the Eastern Bluffs. Are you dead?”

“Do I sound dead?” Vera’s voice was electronic but sarcasm colored it.

“Where’s your body?

“Don’t care. I don’t need one anymore.”

“But you’re trapped.”

“Come and see. I’m in the generator.”

“Why didn’t you talk to me this morning?” Bethany stopped speaking aloud and concentrated on the radio waves as she made her back toward the engine room. The day was in full swing, and the dust nearly choked her. They would reach Ohio by dusk, which seemed a pretty dangerous time for an ambush. But Lewis and Clark must know what they were doing.

“I wasn’t fully able to access myself until you powered up the train.”

The conductor nodded at Bethany as she made her way through to stand behind him. The generator was at her feet, so she knelt to check it.

“Get me out,” Vera said.

“How?” Bethany said, still using the radio waves to talk to her so the conductor wouldn’t think she was crazy.

“Pull me out by reversing the flow of energy.”

Bethany held out her hands and tried, but nothing happened. “It’s not working.”

“Hmmm,” Vera said. “I think you’re going to have to leave your body and come get me.”

“That’s crazy, I can’t do that. Would you steal my body if I could?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You’re not a machine.”

“Would I die?”

“You can never die. You are energy.”

“I mean my body.”

“Who cares? Flesh is weak.”

“I’m beginning to like my flesh.” Bethany thought of Lucas, and a tingle of desire went through her. She couldn’t wait until he was awake, and then it would be his turn to use her.

Vera sniffed. “I want another machine. An electric train or maybe a car.”

“Good luck with that,” Bethany said. “We’ve got horses and wagons on these freight cars.”

“Motorcycle?”

Bethany thought briefly of her bike, but she left that back in the Bluffs. “No, and even if we did, there isn’t any gas.”

Vera cursed. “I guess we’ll have to wait until we get to Bellevue.”

“If we get there. The station is under attack.”

“I haven’t waited for another Tech to be so stupid to join this trip to let this opportunity slip by. Do you have any other electronics with you?”

“Just my portable media player.”

“That’s not big enough for my essence. I’ll have to stay here until we get to Ohio. Then we’ll try this again.”

“I’m not sure about leaving my body. That sounds impossible and probably not a good idea.”

“You won’t be out for long. You’ll get pulled back in by hunger or thirst or having to void your bowels.”

“Well, that’s comforting.” Bethany made sure the sarcasm was apparent. “How did you get stuck then?”

“A troll crashed into the train car I was in. I was able to channel myself into the generator, but he killed my body. Ate most of it too while I watched.”

Bethany felt her gorge rise.

“But don’t worry. Hide and you should be all right. The trolls don’t search. They just eat everything in sight.”

“Who taught you how channel yourself into the machine?”

“No one,” Vera said. “I figured I pulled energy one way. So I tried pushing it to see what happens. You can fly on the radio waves. Fly like those bird Shifters. Speaking of which...”

A hawk landed on Bethany’s shoulder and nipped her ear enough to make her yelp, but not draw blood.

“You all right, Lady Tech?” the conductor said.

“Yeah.” Bethany rubbed her ear and tried unsuccessfully to shoo the bird off her shoulder. “Just checking the generator. I’ll be going now.”

“Got about three more hours until the station.”

“Thanks,” she said and left the engine room. While they traveled between the cars, the bird flapped his wings to keep his balance but gripped the shoulder of her leather coat hard enough to stay with her.

Bethany opened the door to their compartment, and Lucas shifted before the door closed. He was on her as soon as it clicked shut. He ripped part of her shirt hauling it up over her head. She began to protest when his mouth closed over her breast and his hand cupped over the other one. Her head went back. Yes. This. Sitting on her bunk, she said, “Welcome back.”

His tongue lapped over each puckered nipple and sucked on them until her cries were hoarse. The only sounds in the car were her harsh breathing and the suction sound of his mouth ravaging her breasts. He still hadn’t said a word to her.

“Lucas?” She ran her hands through his silky hair as he continued to kiss down to her stomach. The kisses were rough, stopping just short of biting. Bethany was so ready for him again. She would never get enough. Still, a trickle of uncertainty made her ask, “Are you mad at me?”

It hadn’t occurred to her at the time, but maybe he felt used and taken advantage of. If you took away the world-class fucking, they didn’t really know each other at all. What she thought of as kinky, he might have thought of as...rape.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t think...” This couldn’t be happening. Did she just ruin her chance at happiness? “Please. Forgive me.”

He pushed her flat on her back and stripped off her boots and pants, leaving her only in her panties, which he shredded off her with a slow intent that had her thighs quivering. Lucas slapped a hand on her thigh. She jumped at the sting. Then he flipped her over and pushed her fully into the berth.  Pulling the curtain closed behind him, he spread her legs wide.

“Mmmm,” she said into her pillow, already wet in anticipation.

When his finger entered her pussy, Bethany gasped and clenched her muscles around it. He put a second finger in, curled them slightly, and twitched them back and forth. She moaned, and he caressed his free hand over her ass. He couldn’t be that mad, if he was trying to make her come.

Pumping his fingers with deep strokes, Lucas held her shoulder to keep her down. Bethany’s nipples rubbed against the bed as she thrust back on his fingers to hit just the right spot. She shouldn’t be enjoying this so much, but she liked the rough treatment almost as much as she liked it when he was gentle. But she couldn’t let go, not knowing if he hated her or not.

“Please,” she sobbed. “Oh please. Say something.”

“Come,” he said in a harsh voice, his fingers sweet and ruthless. When he felt her start to shake, he removed his fingers and slammed his cock into her.

She wailed at the harsh hit of orgasm that bordered on pain. Lucas pounded her into the bed until she heard the frame crack. He pulled out to coat her ass with his cum.

Bethany moaned in short gasps. “Lucas,” she said over and over again. She was so close to another shuddering orgasm. He had to know it. He coated his finger with the thick cum and gently probed outside her anus. She quivered.

“I’ve never”—her voice hitched—“done that.”

Lucas grunted and tickled around the rim as Bethany squirmed. Pushing one finger, he chuckled at her gasps. Pressing her flat with a strong hand, he nudged her legs wider.

“Lucas,” she sobbed. “Talk to me.”

“No.”

Moving his finger slowly, he used the knuckle of his other hand over her clit. She was dripping wet, so when he stuck a second finger slowly into her tight hole, she sighed at the ease he entered her. He fucked her ass gently with his fingers while his knuckles continued to rub her clit. Liking the rhythm, her body shaking, Bethany pushed back on his fingers. He pulled them out, and she breathed a disappointed sigh. She was dancing on the edge of an orgasm. It was so near, but the delicious rubbing of her clit and his probing fingers was enough. He must not hate her. If he hated her, he wouldn’t be playing her body like a well-loved guitar.

Lucas slipped his cock back into her pussy. When she tried to turn over, to look at him, he slammed both palms on her shoulders and rotated his pelvis until she grunted under him as thought and rationality fled.

He was rough and fast, but he didn’t come. He pounded into her more, giving her what her hips wanted as they rose up to meet him. Just as she began to shake, that delicious clenching before she came, he quickly pulled out and her howl this time was rage. Looking over her shoulder she saw him squirting the barely needed lube on his cock. He put the tip of his penis against her anus again, and she cringed.

“It’s too big,” she said.

He pushed the tip in.

“Go slow.”

Lucas chuckled, inching in bit by bit, until his whole body was shaking with the effort.

When he was deep in, he leaned down so his chest covered her back. Bethany gave a little moan as he began kissing her ear and neck.

“How do you like being used as a fuck toy?” He growled in her ear.

“I like it,” she half laughed.

“Me too.” He smiled against her cheek and rocked them both gently.

“You’re not mad?” Relief hit her, and muscles she didn’t know that were tensed relaxed.

“That I woke up alone, yes. That you made love to me, no.”

“I was beginning to worry that I made a big mistake.”

“But you did it, anyway.” He picked up his pace, and she made a soft cry of pleasure. “Do you like this?”

“It’s different.”

“Yes,” he said. “It is. I’m glad you noticed.”

She laughed. “It feels good. You fill me up more. But I like it better in the other hole.”

“This one?” he said, reaching down to put two fingers in her again.

“Yeah,” she said shakily.

“I’m going to come inside you.”

“There’s not enough room,” she choked out as he begin to stroke faster.

“You first, though, Bethany mine. You first.” He ran his tongue over the shell of her ear and nibbled on the lobe.

“Lucas,” she screamed, her body vibrating as her body gave in to her demands, and her orgasm hit with the force of a meteor.

“Mmmm,” he groaned. “You’re going to be sore. But that’s okay. You’re not going to be doing anything in the fight but staying safe.”

Bethany opened her mouth to tell him about Vera, but he picked up the pace to an almost painful level, and she gripped the bed and rode out the waves of intensity. By the time he exploded inside her, she had trouble remembering her own name.

She vaguely recalled him lifting her in his arms and carrying them both naked to the showers. Bethany wasn’t even embarrassed by the knowing looks. She had enough sense to warm the water before it cascaded over both of them. He washed her gently, taking a great deal of time to soap her breasts and between her legs. She returned the favor. All the while he kissed her slowly, passionately, as if he couldn’t bear his mouth to be away from hers. When she began to lose the water temperature, he dried them both off and then carried her back to their compartment. He tossed her up on the top bunk and followed.

“I don’t have much time until I have to go out on patrol. I want you to stay here. The train itself will be safe.”

“Unless we run into trolls,” Bethany said, remembering what Vera said.

“Not this far east. Next leg of the trip—if there is one, we might see some.”

“What happens if this is the end of the line?” Bethany propped her head up on her elbow.

“We continue west, with or without this caravan. Unless you’ve changed your mind?”

Bethany pulled him in for a fierce kiss. “You’re not getting rid of me so easily.”

“Good.” He kissed her again, holding her tight against him. “I can’t promise about the future. I just know I want you.”

“I want you too,” she said. “In case you hadn’t realized it.”

“When you took advantage of me, that was my first clue. I would have killed anyone else who took liberties like that. But you’re my mate, and my body is yours. As yours is mine,” he growled into her ear.

Bethany ran a possessive hand up his leg and side. “What if we get separated?”

His grip tightened. “Don’t follow me. If I’m captured, don’t let them take you too.”

“I’m pretty sure if they can overpower you, I don’t stand a chance.”

“Run and hide. Go back to the Bluffs.”

“No,” Bethany said. “Not when I’m this close to my brother.”

“You don’t want to be in their hands, at their mercy. Daniel might not even be there.”

“Everyone needs Tech. It would be in their best interest not to abuse me.”

“I don’t think they care.” Lucas sighed. “But you might have a point.”

“So do we have a plan?”

“Once we get to the Nevada shore, I’ll have a better idea. Let’s just get there first. I’ve spent two years trying to get back there.”

“And you still don’t have a plan?” Bethany said.

He thwacked her on the ass. “The plan is to infiltrate the prison, free my pack, and make sure that the scientists can’t continue their work.”

“You’re going to kill them?”

Lucas didn’t answer for a bit. “Does that bother you?”

Bethany sighed. “You seem very matter-of-fact about it.”

“They deserve it. You’ll have to take my word on it.”

“I do,” she said. “I just realized that I’ve been hoping my brother is there. But if he is, he’s in trouble.” Bethany clutched at his shoulders. “What do they do to Shifters there?”

“If he survived the experiments, every day is agony.”

Tears leaked out of her eyes. “He could very well be anywhere or dead or...” Her voice caught on a sob that shook her.

Lucas held her but said nothing.

“I’m okay,” she said a few minutes later, wiping her tears with the heel of her hand.

“If Daniel isn’t there, we have a deal. I will stay with you until we find him.”

Bethany nodded. “Right.”

“And after we find him and my pack is safe, we can discuss us in a more permanent relationship.”

“Do you think we can be together? Will your pack allow it?”

“If we save them, I don’t think they’ll hold you being a Tech against you.”

Bethany snorted. “You’d be surprised.”

“I think we’ll be fine. It’s only been a few days, and I’m not bored yet.” He flashed her an easy grin.

“I want a chance,” Bethany said. “I want to be in your life.”

Lucas rubbed her back. “We’ve got things to do first. We have to get to know each other when it’s not a crisis.”

“I know.” She laid her forehead on his. “I know.”

Lisa came in after a few hours. Bethany and Lucas hadn’t been sleeping, but Bethany jumped when the door opened. For a moment, she wished she could keep him safe in the train with her, but she realized Lucas wouldn’t be caged.

“Are you two decent?”

“Does it matter?” Lucas answered back.

“No, but we’ve got to go out with the rest of the Shifters. Half of us are going on the ground, the other half in the air.”

“Which one are you?”

“Ground.”

Lucas grunted. “I’ll go with you.”

“I was hoping you’d say that.”

Lucas leaped from the bed and was in cougar form by the time Bethany had the blanket wrapped around her. The slowing of the train made getting down from the bunk less than graceful, but she was still able to open the door of the compartment for them and watch them leap from the train.

Bethany realized Lucas hadn’t said good-bye to her. She sighed and got dressed, feeling abandoned yet not really understanding why. It figured. She found the man of her dreams, and they might not live out the week.

Luckily, Lem had plenty of work for her to do to keep her mind off her love life. Even better, none of it involved her channeling energy through her body. She helped serve dinner to the remaining caravan members and clean up afterward. And in keeping busy, she almost missed the first attack on the train. What she thought was just railroad sounds turned out to be the first wave.

“Get down on the floor.” Vera’s voice compelled her to hit the deck without thinking. The tinkling of glass as rifle fire exploded into the kitchen car prompted Bethany to hide under the long prep table.

“What’s going on?” Bethany said.

The brakes on the train screeched, and anything that wasn’t bolted down—including Bethany—slid hard and fast into the front of the car. She banged her shoulder hard and twisted to avoid a falling shelving unit. Covered with cornmeal, Bethany dragged herself free.

“They blocked the tracks.”

“The Shifters were supposed to clear the way,” Bethany said. “Can you see Lucas?”

“I can’t see much of anything. But we’re here. At Bellevue station.”

“I don’t hear any more gunfire,” Bethany said. But she did hear running feet and shouted orders to hold ground.

“Want to go out and look around?” Vera asked.

“I’m not much in a fight.”

“If they can’t see you, they can’t shoot you.”

“I’ll stay here, thanks,” Bethany said, trying to hide among the debris.

“You may be able to see Lucas,” Vera taunted.

“That’s not playing fair.”

“All you have to do is concentrate on my voice. I’m going to direct you. Just follow me. I’ll pull you and then you pull me and then we’ll be free.”

“This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever done.”

“Come to me, now.”

Bethany closed her eyes as her arms and legs jerked.

“Not with your body. That’s just useless meat. See the waves? Like the radio waves?”

“No, I feel them, though.”

“Push into them. Be the music.”

Bethany thought about songs and which ones made her float free and away from her problems. Her portable media player flared up and started to shuffle through songs. “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” flitted up.

“Get serious,” Vera said. “Get angry. Get moving.”

“I can’t,” Bethany said.

“Focus. Concentrate.”

But Bethany couldn’t do it.

There was roaring, and the gunfire started up again. This time from inside the train.

“Are they boarding us?” Bethany said.

“Everyone’s leaving the train.”

The train rocked as an explosion hit. The briny smell of bleach hit her again. “Oh no,” Bethany said, scrambling up to her knees.

Lem pushed his way into the car. “We gotta get out of here.”

“What’s happening?” Bethany let him pull her to her feet and together they ran through the dining cars.

“They’re trying to blow up the train.”

When they got to the car connectors, Bethany saw a war going on. There were Shifters fighting nomads, and the hunters were trying to lay down covering fire.

“Where are we going?”

“To the station. Clark says we’ll be safe once we get inside the terminal.”

“I’m not sure I trust Clark.”

“What are your choices?”

Bethany sighed. “I’ve got to grab my things.”

“No time.” Lem started to strong-arm her off the train.

“I’ll be right back,” she said, twisting away and running through the compartments.

“What’s worth your life?”

“My daddy’s gun and bullets.”

Lem sighed. “Okay, I’ll go see if I can find Jesse and Karen. You get inside the terminal. Don’t make me come looking for you. We’ll be right behind you.”

Bethany put on a burst of speed and made it back to her compartment. She refused to look at the bodies in the corridor. There was blood, but no one was moving. The gunfire had stopped, and she was able to take all her gear and Lucas’s in quick movements. She jumped off the platform that she and Lucas had made love on and hit the rough cement. Concentrating on being as inconspicuous as possible, she ran for the terminal.

A woman with many piercings in her face whooped and tried to swipe her head off with a crude rock hammer. Bethany shot her in the chest and sidestepped around her. Reaching out with her senses, Bethany felt the station humming as Vera tried to push some power. With a grunt, she shot a load of power that lit up the night with floodlights and whooping alarms. The distraction was enough that she was able to shoot her way into the station.

The station was half of a building with a great crater leading down into tunnels. Wires, junked cars, and other debris piled to make a barrier. Bethany headed past rusted metal, leapt over piles of crates. Once she was behind cover, she cut off the energy, dropping everything into darkness. She hoped the Shifters could use the distraction to their advantage.

Running deeper into the terminal, she turned on the floor lights and the ventilation system. She saw her human friends enter the station. She, waved them into the tunnel she was in.

“Can you keep the lights on?” Karen asked.

Bethany nodded and sat down to get closer to the electronics. She felt Vera calling to her, but her voice was distant. The station was like a dormant volcano, and she was the catalyst. Freeing energy into the subterranean wires started the central air system and the power doors. More people flooded in from the train as new entrances came live.

“Don’t leave me,” Vera wailed.

Bethany’s body twitched, and she felt blood spurt out her nose. Then she was free, floating above the station. She looked down on her body, looking so still. Lem and Jesse were clutching each other. Karen guarding all of them with a nasty-looking crossbow. Drifting down the corridors humming with energy, Bethany fired up a few electric engines on rusted trucks. With a push, they spurted forth, and she gloried in the power as she piloted them through the main doors, surprising a group of nomads off their feet. Bethany lost control of the trucks, and they idled.

“Over here.”

Bethany darted toward the voice and saw Vera for the first time. She was chained to the train, a willowy blonde with hooded dark eyes and nightmarish scars all over her naked body.

“Free me.”

“How?”

“Pull. Break them.”

Bethany yanked them, but nothing happened.

“Not like that. Come closer.”

Bethany drifted so they were nose to nose.

“Like this.”

Vera attached her mouth to hers, and the world exploded. Chains flew everywhere, and in the bowels of the tunnel, an electric engine train fired its cylinders. Laughing, Vera grabbed her hand. “Let’s go into the trucks you’ve brought us.”

“I don’t know what to do.”

Vera gathered her energy around her, thrusting Bethany into the engine, and just like that Bethany was the engine.

“Drive!” Vera said and drove a tight, fast victory circle before speeding off.

Bethany flexed her mind. Felt the brake, the gas pedal, and the engine humming like her heart. She laughed and revved the engine. It was like riding her bike—no, it was like she was the bike. They frolicked around the battle, startling the nomads—chasing them away.

But then Bethany saw a familiar cougar. Lucas was lying on his side, bleeding, possibly dying. She beeped the horn until rescue came.