Chapter 10
One Month Later
Krieger emerged from his hut hidden within the trees, leaves settling at his feet and rustling as he moved across the balcony. The air was crisp and cool, heavy with the smell of snow. A few flakes fell as he rounded and climbed the stairs to the next level.
After returning from their mission, Eva had spent a week in the medical hut, recuperating from her injuries. He had his wounds attended daily and was able to check on her while he was there. Her wounds hadn’t deterred her from bossing the poor nurses around, to the point of annoyance. No doubt they were relieved when she was discharged from their care.
While she was recovering, Eva had spent her time doing research, looking through their medical books for information about his condition, ultimately diagnosing him with generalized amnesia—when a person loses memory of their identity and past life. She read that it’s usually brought on by trauma or a stressful event and that his memories could return, slowly or all at once. Getting his memories back seemed farfetched, but it was good to know it wasn’t out of the realm of possibilities.
Eva seemed anxious to get back to her duties around Everwood, but she did make time to finally give him the tour of the settlement.
He might not have remembered who he used to be or where he came from, but after spending time on the road and now having viewed Everwood fully, two things were certain.
One, Everwood was a safe haven of epic proportions. Eva had shown him everything from the supply room, the weapons room, the six greenhouses that grew a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs—some grown by hydroponics—to the room they dried the furs in and a smoke hut for meats. They even had a wash cabin, one for men and another for women.
And it was just how Eva had said, everyone had a job. There were candle makers, metal and woodworkers, clothes makers... It was modern living in a postapocalyptic world.
The second thing he was sure of, he was completely screwed. His thoughts plagued him—he couldn’t stop thinking about her. Dreaming of her. Wanting to be close to her, to know her. What started out as repaying a debt, of watching her back, had now become more. For him.
It was apparent that Eva had put her wall up again, keeping him at a distance. Most days, she had been all business, giving orders to her crew, preparing the settlement for winter, and training. But he couldn’t help but remain as close as she would let him, for there were certain times of the day, like now, when she would allow him a glimpse into her world.
If she needed to get to know him slowly, this Angel, then he would wait for her; he was a patient man. Wasn’t he?
It was early morning as he entered the dining hall; only one soul sat at the tables—waiting. Waiting for him. . . His heart pounded as he gazed upon her. He eased into the seat across from her as she slid his tray of scrambled eggs and cup of tea in front of him.
Her long, golden hair was braided over her shoulder, but a few soft waves escaped the binding and framed her face. “Good morning.” Eva glanced at him, meeting his eyes, which was a rarity these days.
She was the hardest worker he’d seen here. He found she woke before most and was the last to go down at night.
In the morning, when others still slept, they would have breakfast and talk about their day, what was planned ahead and sometimes small tidbits of gossip. She had confided in him about her conversation with her father after returning from their mission. Apparently, Samuel hadn’t taken the news of her getting shot, or their observations of the weather pattern worsening, very well. But who would have?
She had also told him these meetings were her way of keeping an eye on him, to make sure he was fitting in and answer any questions he had, but Krieger couldn’t help but wonder—no, scratch that—hope that maybe it was more than that. Because sometimes, if he was lucky, Eva would grace him with a smile.
“Derek is getting some of the young trainees together today, he said you asked to help.” Eva shifted her weight, as if the thought of him and Derek together made her uncomfortable.
He nodded as he swallowed a mouthful of eggs, then he said, “I thought he could use an extra set of hands.”
Keeping a watchful eye on Derek had become a top priority for Krieger. The guy wasn’t right. His stomach twisted every time he remembered Derek’s angry, possessive behavior when he’d found them at the lean-to.
“That was nice of you. Just be careful.” Eva finished her hot tea and set the cup down on the tray.
Her warning wasn’t without merit. Derek had said few words to him since returning to Everwood yet wasn’t shy about sending death glares his way. Yeah, back at you, buddy.
“Honestly, I thought it would be a good way to bury the hatchet with him. I’m a part of this crew whether he likes it or not, Eva.”
She shoved her tray away and crossed her arms. “I just don’t want anyone to get hurt, we need all hands on deck to prepare for winter.”
“Oh, is that it? I thought for a second you actually cared about my well-being.” Krieger grinned as he waited for her reply.
She looked up, a flush of color tainting her cheeks. “I-I care about everyone’s well-being, Krieger.”
“Ahh, yes. But I’m your favorite. Aren’t I?” he asked with a wink.
Her lips twitched at the corners, then turned up into a smile. “My favorite pain in the ass maybe.” He let out a hearty laugh as she stood. “Come on, let’s get to work, the settlement is starting to stir.”
They stood and reached for their trays at the same time, their hands brushing against each other. His heartbeat sped up at the contact, but she dropped the tray as if she had been stung and eased back from the table.
“Eva?”
She let out a deep breath and shook her head. “I’m fine, just jumpy is all.”
He let go of the tray and stepped toward her.
“What are you doing?” She gasped as he closed the space between them.
The need to touch her, to be close to her, was overwhelming. He couldn’t remember his life before this, but surely, he had never felt this way before? This girl held a power over him he couldn’t explain. They shared a connection, he felt it. Couldn’t she?
He laid his hands on her shoulders, and her breath quickened as he slid his hands down her arms to lace his fingers with hers. When he pressed his forehead against hers, their eyes locked and he inhaled her sweet lavender scent.
A moment later she squeezed his hand tight, then jerked away from him. Not the reaction he was hoping for.
“Krieger...” Eva looked like a caged animal as she backed away from him. “I-I can’t do this right now.” She looked around the hall, then said, “I’ll meet you at the arena in a few minutes.”
As she turned and walked out of the door, Krieger let out a breath. Would she ever let him in, truly?
He grabbed the trays and set them on the food counter, then made his way to the rope ladder. Once he was on the ground level, he walked over to the training area.
To his surprise, Derek was already there, arranging the weapons they would be going over with the trainees today.
Derek glanced in his direction. “You showed?”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
As Derek set up the last of the weapons, he turned and faced him. “Just to gain points with Eva? Don’t think I haven’t noticed your early morning meetings with her. You and her, man, ain’t never gonna happen.”
Them be fighting words.
Krieger took a step toward him so only inches separated them. “You don’t know her.”
A sneer marred Derek’s face as he laughed. “You don’t even know yourself. You really believe she would have you? You’re a liability. A large child she feels protective over. That’s all.”
Before Krieger could reply, Derek shoved him hard, and a feeling Krieger had never felt before took over him. He swung with his right fist and connected with Derek’s jaw. Derek landed on his back and touched a streak of blood at the corner of his lip.
A second later, Luke and John entered the training area and jogged in their direction. The young trainees followed and approached them, their eyes wide with curiosity.
Luke moved to help Derek stand, but he shook him off. “Leave me!”
Sensing the tension, John approached Krieger and said, “Why don’t you help cut wood today, they need strong guys for that—”
“No, we aren’t finished here.” Derek stood, violence radiating off him. “All right, Krieger, let’s do this.”
Luke stood between them. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Derek, think of the trainees.”
“Let them watch, it will be a good training lesson.” Derek wiped the blood from his face and moved to the training circle. “What do you say, Krieger? Unless you’re worried about what Eva would think, maybe you need to go ask her permission?”
Krieger removed his sweater and adjusted the black T-shirt he’d worn under it. “Show me what you got, Derek.” If he wanted a fight, then a fight he would get.
The leaves crunched under Krieger’s boots as he entered the training circle. The trainees moved around them, soft whispers erupting. Would they think their newcomer trouble to their settlement? Or had they seen Derek in a new light?
Crouching, Derek said, “Luke, say when.”
Luke heaved a deep sigh, then backed out of the circle and motioned for John to go. “Shiiiit, guys, come on...”
John turned on his heels, leaving the arena and disappearing down a bridge as fast as Derek was losing his patience.
“I said, say when, Luke!”
Luke raked his fingers through his hair, shaking his head, and muttered, “When.”
Wasting no time, Derek rushed at Krieger, slamming into him with all his weight. Krieger expected this move and braced for the impact, using the momentum to swing Derek back to the ground. From a ground position, Derek swung his leg to collapse the back of Krieger’s knees. When Krieger’s back met the decking, Derek jumped on top of him and landed a punch to his nose. As Derek was gearing up for another punch, Krieger caught hold of his wrist, and with a firm hold, he yanked Derek’s arm to an awkward angle and tossed him to the ground.
Blood dripped from Krieger’s nose, but he wiped it away and lunged for Derek, lifting his body over his shoulder as Derek pounded his fists into his kidneys. With ease, he launched him over, tossing Derek’s body like a rag doll.
Derek rolled to a stop and lifted himself up onto his haunches.
Krieger approached him and said, “Enough.”
With heaving breaths, Derek spit, then said, “It’s enough when I say it’s enough.”
Before Krieger could even blink, Derek spun and donkey kicked him square in the chest.
Krieger’sbackside hit the arena floor, knocking the air from his lungs. How far was Derek going to take this?
The thought lingered as he readied for another kick from Derek. In one fluid motion, Krieger caught Derek’s foot and twisted, then stood up, holding his leg. Derek’s face kissed the wooden floorboards as Krieger forced him to the ground. Derek bucked and jerked, trying to free himself of the hold. With frustration taking hold, Krieger applied pressure onto his limb—Derek’s groan of pain filled the air.
Krieger tightened his grip as he said, “It’s enough, Derek.”
“Screw you, Krieger,” Derek spat as he tried once more to remove his leg from Krieger’s grasp, with no success.
“Stop! Stop it right now. Both of you,” Eva yelled as she ran into the training circle with John.
Krieger let go of Derek’s leg and waved Eva away. “Stay back, Eva.”
Ignoring him, she helped Derek up. “What kind of example are you both sending to these new trainees? You should know better, Derek.”
Derek spun on her, shrugging out of her hands. “Forget you, Eva. If it wasn’t for you acting like a lovesick schoolgirl, falling all over him, this wouldn’t have even happened. You’re the one that should know better.”
Facing him, Eva said, “Don’t bring me into your shit, Derek. If you want to act like a child, then you’ll be treated like one. As of right now, you’re on suspended duty.”
Derek’s brows dipped, and his hands fisted at his sides. “We will see what your father has to say about that.”
With her hands on her hips, Eva squared her shoulders. “Oh yeah, Derek? You’re gonna tattletale to Daddy on me? That’s original.”
The air was thick with tension, and in that moment, Krieger saw the shift in Derek. Horrified, he watched Derek draw his hand back, intending to hit Eva.
Oh, hell no!Without hesitation, Krieger stepped in front of her, and his fist connected with Derek’s face first.Derek staggered backward, holding the side of his face.
With the immediate threat gone, Krieger turned to Eva and said, “I think it would be better to—”
Eva’s eyes widened, and she shoved him out of the way. “Move!”
Derek held a wooden sparring dagger and aimed his swing at Krieger, but when he swung it, the weapon came down on Eva’s forearm. Crying out in pain, she dropped to her knee with a moan, holding her arm against her body.
Krieger felt all-encompassing rage as he spun on Derek, ripping the item out of his hand and tossing it to the ground. He backhanded him, then gripped his shirt. “What’s wrong with you?”
Derek’s eyes went wide. Anger and shame swirled in his dark globes as he watched Eva on the ground, holding her injured limb. Creases etched Derek’s forehead, and the corner of his lips turned down as he realized what he had done.
Krieger released him and turned back to Eva. She looked to him with unshed tears glistening in her eyes. The pain of her arm? Or the situation?
“Let’s get you to medical,” he said as he knelt down next to her.
“No, I think it’s all right, it’s just bruised.”
A thudding sounded behind Krieger, and he turned to see Derek running from the training arena, pushing past Sarah as she approached the circle.
“Sorry I’m late, guys, what did I miss?” she said as she turned and watched Derek disappear into the settlement.
Eva stood with Krieger’s help, massaging her arm. Then she addressed the trainees. “Okay, show’s over, let’s get everyone lined up so we can start our lesson for the day.”
Krieger studied Eva’s face. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
But she would not meet his gaze. “I’m fine. We need to get this lesson done so we can help the others with winter prepping.” Turning from him, she walked over to the crew. “Let’s get them all wooden daggers.”
Luke nodded and went to a trunk tucked to the side of the arena and handed John the items to be passed out. Krieger took a deep breath, rubbed the blood from his nose, and joined John in passing out the faux weapons.
Two hours later, the trainees left sweaty and fatigued. Sarah, John, Luke, Eva, and Krieger sat in the middle of the arena, sipping water and munching on some dried meat.
“I miss pizza,” Sarah said as she ripped another chunk out of her jerky.
Laughing, Luke said, “Hell, I miss a lot of things, soda being one.”
Krieger noticed Luke’s smile drop and wondered what his story was. “How did you and John come to Everwood, Luke?”
Luke finished his meat, then picked up a leaf and studied it. “It’s not a terribly impressive story.” He looked from the leaf to John, who was staring hard at the floorboards. “We lived in Vermont and had heard of survivors who were thriving in the Adirondacks. Our father was determined to get us here, so we spent the better part of a month surviving on the road, making the trek. He didn’t know exactly where it was, only that it was in the higher elevations. I’m pretty sure he cried when we finally saw some men working on building a wall around a settlement that was lifted off the ground. ‘Tree-topia,’ our dad had called it. That was seven years ago now.”
John was still looking at the wood floor when he said, “Dad has been gone for five of those years.”
“I’m sorry. How did he die?” Krieger asked.
Luke set the leaf down and met Krieger’s gaze. “He went out on a scouting mission and never came back. Weather? The Others? No one really knows.”
“I know he’s proud of the men you and John have become, Luke. You both are vital members of the settlement, and I’m proud to be able to work with you guys,” Eva said as she tucked a stray golden hair behind her ear.
Sarah reached out, placing a hand on John’s shoulder, and said, “I am too! Now let’s talk about something a little more upbeat. Who’s excited for the Harvest Celebration? Less than two weeks now. Eva, do you know if any special theme or activity is going to take place this year? Your dad puts it on every year, you must be in the know?”
With awkward movements, Eva shifted. “Oh, I-I guess, I’m not sure.”
What did she know about it? Something that made her uncomfortable? Krieger couldn’t help but wonder as Eva’s cheeks turned beet red.
Sarah leaned forward and swatted Eva’s knee. “Yes, you do—spill!”
Avoiding Sarah’s close scrutiny, Eva stood, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, concentrating a little too hard on her water canteen. “I really don’t, but I’ll let you know if anything comes up—”
“Hey, I heard there was a real good fight earlier.” Tucker Sanders’s voice carried across the arena as he eased down the stairs to join them.
Krieger’s stomach swam with unease. Word of the fight was already getting around. Eva rolled her eyes at the statement as Luke and John stood and met Tucker halfway.
Sarah approached Eva. “Sorry, Eva, I didn’t mean to pry. It will be even better if I’m surprised!” She gave Eva a big smile. “Gotta go. The kitchen is expecting me to help with dinner prep. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”
As Sarah bounded up the steps, Eva started to pick up the rest of the wooden daggers.
“Hey, Eva,” Luke called over his shoulder, “Tucker needs help with the weapons inventory. We’ll catch you later, okay?”
“Okay, see ya,” Eva said, setting the items back into the trunk they came from.
Krieger got to his feet and picked up the last two weapons before approaching her. Gently he placed them in the trunk—his hand brushed against hers. “Anything you want to talk about?”
She shook her head. “No.”
He couldn’t help the grin on his face. “Still not gonna make this easy, are you?”
Her mouth cracked, a corner of her lip turning up. “Never.” She closed the trunk and took another swig of her water, her gaze traveling to the tree canopy.
Birds above them sang their songs as squirrels chased one another across a branch, acorns and dried leaves falling before them from the squabble. Eva’s smile widened as she watched in awe. She really did love it here. In this tree-topia, as Luke’s father had called it. But then her smile faded and her stare became hard. She was clearly deep in thought. What bothered her so? Didn’t she know she could tell him anything? That he would gladly share her burden?
“Are you sure your arm is all right?”
She nodded. “I’ve had worse.”
Not thinking, he reached out and brushed his knuckles across her cheek. “Eva, is there something bothering you?”
Excitement lit her eyes as she said, “There is something I would like to show you.”
“Okay, show me.”
Eva shook her head. “I can’t for a few days, you’ll see why. But you’ll go with me?”
A cool, gentle breeze nipped at their skin. That stray hair she had tucked behind her ear had come free again and was whipping at her nose.
Tenderly, he took hold of it and swiped it back into the rest of her hair. His hand lingered, cupping the side of her head. Her eyes never left his, and her features grew soft as her mouth parted and she inhaled sharply.
“Angel, I’d follow you anywhere. You just say when.”
She pressed her hand over his, and she gave him a soft smile—
“Eva!” She jerked back as her father’s voice reverberated over the arena, her attention centered on Samuel.
“You better go, Krieger. See if Luke and John need your help at Tucker’s place.” He was about to turn and go, but her hand on his stopped him. “I’ll see you tomorrow for breakfast. Okay?”
Warmth bloomed within his chest as he smiled and nodded. “Tomorrow, then.”
He walked to the stairwell Samuel occupied. His features were flat and unreadable as he moved past him. “How are you today, Mr. Wolf?”
“I’m well, Krieger. You fitting in all right?”
“Most days, sir.”
Samuel nodded. “You have a good one, Krieger.”
Tension rolled off Eva’s shoulders in waves as she approached. Did her father hear of the fight, is that why he came to the arena today? Or was it something else?
Krieger smiled at her over his shoulder, then bounded down the stairs, but he stopped on the platform below. Eva and her father’s voices carried down the steps. German, they were speaking in German. She had told him of her skill, but he hadn’t heard her speak much of it. Why did they speak in German? And why was the term ausl?nder being used so much?
Samuel bellowed, annoyance and anger lacing his tone, and Krieger suppressed the urge to go back to her. This was her father, he wouldn’t hurt her. Would he?
Her voice remained strong as she spoke firmly to him. The intensity seemed to taper off as they communicated back and forth. What secrets were they keeping? And why did his stomach squeeze with unease at the thought? Something wasn’t right...