Skye's Sanctuary (The Sanctuary Series Book 5) Read online

  We walk side by side through the security building and out into the bright sunshine. She pauses on the steps and looks up at me.

  “You think I’m being too soft on them.” She searches my face and apparently sees what she’s looking for. She nods to herself. “You would have expelled or executed them.”

  “Yes, I would have,” I admit. “But I’m not Warlord anymore. The decision is yours.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  Skye slips her hand into mine, and together we walk to the palace, our discussion on the future of our Sanctuary.

  Nine

  Skye

  The day after the Warlord confirmation ceremony, I wake with a headache. As I roll to my side and push myself up, I realize I feel achy all over. It’s been a rough few days and now my body is paying for it.

  Then again, Wolfe and I had another bout of wild sex after the ceremony. The aches could definitely be sex related. I check the time. I have an hour before I need to be at a council meeting, the first since the Warlord ceremony and the first meeting that will include Alfie of the Mountain People and Erin the Anarchist.

  I gather my bathrobe and walk from the bedroom to the large washing room where a massive tub the size of a small pool is located. Silas had it installed while he was Warlord, but no one has used it in over a year. It has been cleaned and prepared for my use. I run the water until it’s hot, sitting on the edge of the tub until it’s full. I add some essential oils and slip into the water.

  It feels heavenly on my sore muscles.

  I close my eyes and lean back against the edge, allowing my hair to trail in the water. The strands are long and thick and take forever to dry, but I can’t bring myself to cut it yet. The life of a warrior doesn’t lend itself to beauty, and my hair is my one vanity. I’ll deal with the tangles later.

  It seems like a trivial thing to worry about my hair when the weight of a city now lies on my shoulders. Taking on the responsibility of a Sanctuary is an enormous commitment. The more I think about it, the more oppressive the weight feels. Almost unmanageable. Wolfe’s faith in me, and my desire to create a viable home for my people, is the only thing that stops me from refusing the responsibility.

  I think of Silas and wonder why he became Warlord. I know the how, but I never thought to ask why. He’d been the advisor to the former Warlord and eventually ousted the man by swaying his security force.

  Now that I’m seeing more of the inner workings of a Sanctuary and coming to understand the enormous effort it takes to keep it running, I can see more clearly Silas’ weaknesses. He loved opulence. He loved women. He loved ceremony. He hadn’t loved responsibility. Wolfe had taken on security for the Sanctuary while Hannah had managed the harem and the inner workings of the palace. I had helped to organize social programs throughout the city.

  What had Silas done?

  I abandon thoughts of my former husband for now. I’m not ready to dissect my life with him. I’d felt protected and safe when I lived in the harem. Maybe I’ve been too naïve, but I cherish the memories. I don’t want the way I felt about my husband to change.

  I’m deep in thought when I feel a shift in the air in the bathroom. He doesn’t make a sound, but I know Wolfe is standing close to me. The tiny hairs on the back of my neck prick and a shiver of excitement races down my spine.

  “Good morning,” I murmur without opening my eyes.

  “Good morning, Warlord.” His voice is low and intimate, causing my heart to pick up in anticipation. I crack an eyelid. He’s looking down at my naked body floating in the warm bath water, his lips twisted in some semblance of a smile. “I’m here to report.”

  “Mmmm.” I’m not ready for the more serious aspects of my job, but apparently this is my life now. I roll over in the water and prop my arms up on the edge of the tub. “Wash my back while you report?”

  He grunts and kneels on the step next to my head, reaching for the cloth floating next to me in the water. A wave of his scent hits me, making my mouth water in anticipation. He smells like a combination of leather and man with an underlying scent that’s all him.

  He drags the cloth over my back to the base of my neck, allowing warm water to run from my shoulders and neck down my back. He moves my hair to the side to scrub my skin. I moan in pleasure, my nipples peaking beneath the water.

  “I have a plan to strengthen the wall fortifications,” Wolfe starts. I nearly beg him to stop, but this is my job now. I need the details. “We’re going to reinforce the eastern side, since that was where the wave of Primitives hit after the meltdowns, then I’ll move the work teams around to each section one at a time. I expect the project will take about two years.”

  It sounds like a long time. So permanent.

  “Should we consider an expansion as you move around the wall?” I look up at him. “Like they did in Tucson?”

  The wall was built around several core neighborhoods in Santa Fe, but like many Sanctuary cities, half of the city had been left outside the wall. Vulnerable to both the Primitives and the elements, most of the buildings had fallen into disrepair and are now crumbling and covered in wild vegetation.

  He seems to think about it, then nods. “We could expand on the southern side, move the wall to the water plant. It would make us less vulnerable.”

  “How much extra time would that take?”

  “It would add a year to the construction process, but we could comb the city for volunteers. See if anyone wants to join the new build.”

  I nod and give it a few more minutes of thought while he continues to run the washcloth up and down my back, sending waves of pleasure through me.

  “Okay, let’s do it. I’ll consult with the council today, gather their thoughts and see if they have anything to contribute.” I peek at Wolfe, looking for his approval.

  I shouldn’t want it, shouldn’t need it, but I do. Wolfe is my anchor in this crazy situation.

  “There has been some unrest in the city since the announcement yesterday. A few people who don’t want to see a woman as Warlord.” Before I can give my opinion, Wolfe adds, “This is a security situation that I will take care of.”

  I’m a little worried about the anticipation in his voice. I open my mouth to insist he give me details but decide against it. He knows better than I how our Sanctuary security should run.

  “What about the Anarchists?” I ask, pushing myself up to look at Wolfe. “Have they all been released? Are we sure we won’t have another potential killer on our hands?”

  Wolfe’s eyes darken in anger and I can tell he wishes he had that man at his mercy. A vicious part of me wishes for it too.

  “They’re gone. All have signed statements to the effect that they will complete community service. I’m monitoring them to make sure they don’t come after you. They know better than to cross me.”

  I smile and reach for his hand, allowing him to help me from the tub. “I have no doubt.”

  I dress quickly, brushing my hair until it’s partially dry and twisting it into a knot on top of my head. I dress casually for the council meeting, in a pair of tight black pants and a lace-up bodice that hugs my curves. I add my leather wrist guards to the outfit. They’re more symbolic than practical inside the palace, as it’s unlikely I’ll be attacked by Primitives. I finish the outfit with my leather calf boots.

  Kingston falls into step with me as we walk down to the council chambers.

  “Are you my personal bodyguard now?” I ask him. “You seem to follow me around a lot these days. Don’t you have anything better to do?”

  “Not according to Wolfe, and it’s in everyone’s best interests that we follow his orders. After Denny led you into a trap, Wolfe won’t take chances with your safety.”

  “And you’re one of the few he trusts,” I conclude.

  “Trust is a strong word when it comes to Wolfe.”

  I laugh. He’s not wrong. It’s not an exaggeration to say that Wolfe only truly trusts one person. Me. And that trust is limited. He trust
s me to watch over the city, to never betray him, to give him the same love he’s giving me. He even trusts me to have his back, but he doesn’t trust me to keep myself safe.

  “Will you be joining the council meeting?” I ask him as he opens the door to the fifth floor where the council chambers are.

  “If you’ll have me.”

  I pat his arm, dropping my hand quickly when I catch sight of Wolfe down the corridor. He’s standing separately from the other council members, but he’s watching and listening.

  “You’re always welcome,” I assure Kingston. “Your contributions to this Sanctuary have been noticed and appreciated. We hope to see more of the same from you.”

  The big guard blushes in pleasure and ducks his head.

  He doesn’t have time to respond, though, as I’m engulfed by my women council members. We hug each other and they chatter excitedly about the ceremony. I share their excitement. We’ve seen the first female Warlord crowned. An achievement none of us had thought to see in our lifetimes.

  We sit down together, everyone talking excitedly. I look around at my council, pride warring with concern. I really hope these people can all work together for the betterment of our Sanctuary. Sitting directly across from me is Dorian Milkstone. To my left is Kingston, with Christine, Tabitha and Hannah along his side of the table. On my right is Wolfe, along with Dr. Summers, Anita and Dolly. Erin is sitting beside Dolly, looking out of place but curious.

  Christine sets a plate of chocolate biscuits in the centre of the table before sitting down beside her wife.

  I glance at the clock and say, “We’re waiting on one more person.”

  “A new council member?” Tabitha asks curiously.

  I nod, my eyes on the door.

  “Along with Erin,” I gesture at the older woman who nods back, “he will be our last appointed member. After this, all members will be elected.”

  “Yes!” Anita chirps with a grin. “Democracy.”

  “That’s the direction I’m hoping to move our Sanctuary in.” I can’t help but look toward Wolfe. Not for his approval… okay, sort of for his approval, but I want to know his thoughts.

  His expression gives nothing away.

  “Do you really think a democracy can work?” Kingston asks, scepticism clear in his voice.

  “It worked in the past,” I tell him. “There’s no reason it can’t work now. We’ll have to gradually move toward it, rather than dive in. We’ll need protocols in case a democracy leaves us vulnerable to predators.”

  “The bitey kind or the humans?” Tabitha asks.

  “Both.”

  “Democracy doesn’t work,” Erin mutters from her end of the table, turning red when everyone focuses on her.

  “Why is that?” I ask patiently.

  “If it worked then the Great Fall wouldn’t’ve happened.” She glances around at the others.

  “I think more than an unstable democracy caused the fall,” Dolly says, smiling kindly at Erin. “Countries all around the world fell and many of them weren’t democracies.”

  Erin nods and elects to stay silent. I wonder if she’s thinking over the truth of what Dolly said.

  Two guards show up at the door, escorting my guest.

  “Alfie,” I say with a smile. “Come in, you are welcome here.”

  He looks curiously around the room as he takes a place at the table between Dorian and Hannah. When his gaze lands on Wolfe, he shifts in his chair and drops his eyes.

  I don’t blame the man. No one is particularly comfortable around Wolfe except me, and I’ve had plenty of practice.

  “This is Alfonso Delgado of the Mountain People,” I announce to the rest of the council. “He will represent his people on our council.”

  “Please call me Alfie,” he says.

  There are gasps all around the room, and they bombard Alfie with questions.

  “Are you Outsiders?” Anita asks. “Like real Outsiders?”

  “How did you manage to survive?” This from Tabitha, who looks the least accepting of our new member. I’m not worried. It took her a while to warm up to me too.

  “What’s it like living outside of Sanctuary?” Hannah asks quietly, her eyes large and anxious.

  “How do you sanitize your food and water?”

  “Do your children go to school?”

  “How organized is your society?”

  Alfie calmly answers the questions as best he can, seemingly enjoying the attention of the women at the table.

  I allow the interrogation to continue for a few minutes before I call the meeting to order.

  “We have a lot to get to today, so let’s get started. Alfie, let’s talk about the exchange of resources.”

  By the time we’re finished negotiating, with input from everyone around the table except Wolfe, we’ve agreed on the exchange of several goods and services that will mutually benefit both the Mountain People and the Sanctuary. I throw in enough vaccine for his entire population, asking nothing in return. The more vaccinated humans, the better our chances of survival.

  Alfie expresses worry over the recent weather shifts, which Tabitha believes is caused by the nuclear meltdowns. I promise temporary Sanctuary for Alfie’s people if the weather becomes too extreme for them. They will shelter in the city, knowing that they will be cared for and allowed to return home once the weather event has passed. In return, we will borrow able-bodied people from him to help us with our ongoing wall rebuild.

  When Alfie and I are satisfied with the negotiations between our people, I turn my attention to the medical needs of Sanctuary.

  I look toward Sheela who looks tired and only mildly interested in the conversation going on around her. “How are things at the new hospital?”

  She blinks rapidly and sits up straighter. “Not good, Warlord. I’m afraid we have a situation on our hands that has taken up all of my time. I have thirteen patients in quarantine, all with flu symptoms.”

  A collective gasp goes around the table. We’re all familiar with flu. It has wiped out families and weakened Sanctuaries, leaving them ripe for Primitive attacks. I lost three members of my own family to flu as a child.

  “What do you need from me?”

  She looks grateful for the question, some of her exhaustion ebbing.

  “Hopefully we can contain this to the handful of people who’ve come into the hospital, but if it gets worse, we’ll have to consider a citywide lockdown. Everyone will need to quarantine within their homes.” She looks at Alfie. “The Mountain People should probably keep to themselves until this passes.”

  “Good idea,” I say to Sheela. “Give me a list of everything you need and we’ll see to it. You aren’t alone, you have our full support.”

  A murmur of agreement from the council erases the depression that seems to linger around our doctor. I remind myself once again that she is our most qualified doctor with a Sanctuary filled with potential patients. She needs more. More resources, more staff, more support.

  “It would be easier on me if we moved my lab into the hospital,” she says, looking toward Wolfe. “I know there will be some security issues with the live Primitives, but I’m hoping you can help me with that.”

  “Live Primitives in the city!” Erin says with alarm, clutching the arms of her chair.

  “We’re experimenting on them,” Tabitha says, a mischievous gleam to her eyes. “You should go visit the lab and see for yourself.”

  “Tabitha,” I say warningly.

  “I can help,” Wolfe interrupts, his gaze on Dr. Summers. “We’ll build a secure area into the hospital for the Primitives.”

  “Thank you.” She smiles her gratitude. “We have a section that should work if you’re able to reinforce and secure it.”

  We discuss Sanctuary business until everyone is satisfied that they’ve said their piece, then we adjourn for the day.

  As soon as the room empties, I turn to Wolfe. “Well?”

  His gaze is fixed on me.

  “Do
n’t you have anything to say about my first meeting as Warlord?”

  He shakes his head and tosses a pad of paper at me.

  “What’s this?” I ask, picking it up.

  “The meeting minutes.”

  He leaves without saying anything else.

  I watch his ass flex in a pair of mouthwatering leather pants as he walks away. He is about the sexiest secretary I’ve ever seen.

  Ten

  The following day, I clear my schedule so I can spend the day in the hospital with Dr. Summers. She needs help, and I’m a set of hands she can rely on immediately. I’m confident the rest of my team has their jobs under control. Anita and Dolly are working out at the water plant, Tabitha is continuing construction of the new greenhouses with a team of builders, Christine is working with Hannah on a school program.

  Much to Kingston’s displeasure, I decide to walk to the hospital.

  “Wolfe wouldn’t approve,” he grumbles from next to me. When I don’t answer him, he continues, “You’re too vulnerable out here in the open. After the attack, you should take more precautions.”

  “Which attack?” I ask dryly, then look pointedly over my shoulder at the mini army trailing us through the city toward the hospital. “I think I’ll be fine.”

  “You’re a target.”

  I sigh and give Kingston a long, hard look. “I’ve been a target my entire life. It’s called being a woman in the time of the Apocalypse. Men in power think they can do with us what they please. How do you think I first came to Sanctuary?”

  He flushes and looks away. It takes little imagination.

  Still, I spell it out for him. “I was sold, which is how most women find themselves in Sanctuary. If we’re not sold, then once we get inside, someone helps themselves.”

  “That’s not the same as being targeted for your blood.”

  I shrug. “So there’s a few more people coming after me now. I have more protection and autonomy than I ever did.” I grin, flashing Kingston the sharp edges of my teeth. “I’m also damn good with a blade.”

  “You can still get sick,” he pushes, still trying to stop me.