Ashes to Atom: Spoils: Ashes to Atom, #3

By Ginny Bowman

Trapped at the council meeting, the twins and Chaucer must navigate both the dangers of the wasteland and alliances that aren't always set in stone. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ginny Bowman
• Release date: Aug 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393898450

Book preview

There were no screams, but a frightened murmur rippled through the crowd underneath the mansion. Chaucer hugged Lucy close to his side while James pushed toward the door in the vain hope of learning something new. The ground rumbled, muffled by the bunker’s architecture, but a reminder that whatever had happened it wasn’t over.

If I could have everyone’s attention, Marcus Jacobson’s voice called out over the confusion. Not shouting, but somehow making everyone know he’d better not have to. If you would kindly move further down the corridor, you’ll find the space opens out. We have someone looking after the generator, there’ll be lights soon.

There better fucking be, Cynthia called, sending a nails on chalkboard crawl down the twins’ spine.

Ms. Cabot, Marcus said patiently, shut your fucking mouth.

Momentarily silenced, Cynthia and the others blinked as power was restored to the ancient bunker, two of the servants appearing out of the doorway to the stairwell that seemed to form the core of the structure.

Looks like the games room and library are right underneath us, food area and bedrooms underneath that, one said at the questioning looks.

Radiation? James asked.

Not even a tick, the other responded, holding up her Geiger counter.

Excellent, Marcus said, Stop crowding one another and head downstairs people.

We should see how it is outside. What if it already blew over? Lucy called. She could feel Chaucer’s heartbeat pounding underneath her hand, barely keeping rhythm as he breathed in the crowded space.

Honey— he began, shaking his head to silence her.

We’ll have some men check it out, Megan Jacobson told her reassuringly.

Can’t it wait? Amelia Harrison asked. I know we’re all anxious, but I doubt if even the dust has settled up top.

No, the twins said together, while Chaucer frowned.

Tomorrow. I’m not risking anyone before then, Megan said.

Neither am I, Chaucer said with finality.

Well, if the phone lines were up, no one would have to go out, Cynthia said scathingly.

You volunteering, Mom? James asked.

Send a runner, that’s what they’re for, she said, glancing sharply at Johann Dorsey as he put his hand on her arm.

Cynthia, you should go downstairs. Seems like you might be sick, he said, his grip offering no room for compromise.

The rest of the servants and their masters headed down the stairs in a daze, each with their own worries about the outside world.

Chapter 2

Zeke, Andrew, are you two up for volunteering? Megan asked the next morning as they gathered for breakfast.

I’ll go, James said.

We’ll go, Lucy reminded him.

There are gas masks and hazmat suits in the closest level to the surface, Zeke offered. I noticed when we were closing the doors. I think there’ll be quite a bit of rubble to sort through though.

We’ll be fine, in other words, James said.

Well, Zeke shrugged, better than if we went out in our skivvies anyway.

Good enough for me, James grinned.

How many suits? Lucy asked.

Two, I think? Zeke said.

Enough for me and James then, she said.

Enough for me and James, then, Zeke said. Andrew, who never wanted to go in the first place, took his plate to the corner and quietly leaned against a wall to eat.

My brother doesn’t go anywhere without me, she said, eyes tightening.

That’s not quite true, James told her gently. I’ll be fine with Zeke.

I’d rather have at least one of my people up there, Megan said, No offense intended, but the point of the council is cooperation between the families. Balance.

James leaned down to Lucy’s ear before she had a chance to protest. Someone needs to be here to look after Tommy. I’ll be fine.

You better be, she told him.

Honey— Chaucer began again, cut off by James’ lips.

You don’t outrank me anymore, remember? James smirked, I’m head of my own house now.

He’s got a point, Lucy said slowly, while their mother made gagging noises from the corner of the room. Just don’t come back with any new growths, and as for you,—she put her hand on Zeke’s arm, and squeezed slightly—Thank you.

Any time, Miss Cabot, he said, something in his tone making her blush.

Do you know each other? Marcus asked, eyebrow raised over dark eyes. With the shoulders of an ancient gladiator and a height almost rivaling James, he could stand down pretty much anyone without trying. And as Zeke’s superior, he was definitely trying. He’d given his servants instructions not to bother the other elites during the counsel, orders that it looked as if Zeke had ignored.

Um— Zeke began.

You should compliment your man, Marcus, Lucy said with one of her famous smiles, He made certain that I was comfortable and entertained throughout the meeting, and ensured that I made it to safety when the quakes started. All without ever knowing my family name.

You have my thanks, Chaucer said.

Uh huh, Marcus rumbled. Zeke bounced slightly on the balls of his feet, innocent face waiting for the verdict. Well done, Zeke.

Thank you, sirs, Zeke said.

Megan looked from Lucy to her son, then to Zeke, a knowing grin on her lips. Well, regardless, Zeke you and James will go. Make sure we’ve got a safe place to come out to. Another rumble, smaller than the others, punctuated her point.

They watched Marcus walk with them upstairs, calling for a few more of his people to help in any way they were needed.

Sounds like you had a better time yesterday than we did, Chaucer said.

He was very kind, Lucy said, putting her arm around Chaucer’s waist and feeling his warmth, Has a wonderful rifle, he let me shoot it.

Chaucer chuckled, smiling at Megan when she leaned in. Ten thousand, she murmured.

What was that, love? Chaucer asked.

If you want to buy his contract, she said blandly, I’m not letting him go for less. The man has a gift with firearms, and almost never needs disciplined.

Oh, Lucy said, face clouding. It wasn’t as if she hadn’t known Zeke was a servant, and as a servant, he had a price, but she hadn’t let her mind dwell on it.

I’m sure he’s worth every penny, Chaucer said, arm stiffening around Lucy and steering her toward the stairs. If you’ll excuse us?

Of course, Megan told him.

Are you alright? he asked, once they were in the relative privacy of the stairway.

I’m not the one going outside, she told him, What about you?

Yes darling, please don’t fuss. I meant about Zeke. I saw your face out there.

I’ll be fine, just an uncomfortable reality, she told him with an unconvincing shrug. And I’ll fuss if I want to. What will you do? Fire me?

Don’t tempt me, he said fondly. He reached the door to the residential level and looked back to see her hesitate on the stairway.

Do you remember when you asked me to marry you? she asked suddenly, You were high, but, I mean you’re always high, but—

I don’t see what that has to do with this, he said cautiously.

That’s why I refused, she said. I didn’t want him to feel abandoned. Even if you were high and didn’t mean it.

Oh, that— he said, thinking about that night seven years before. I lied.

You what?

I lied, about being high. I mean, so high I wasn’t in control of myself. I thought it would make it easier, on you. On my ego, he shrugged, leaning on the cold metal wall. I thought you’d leave me once you got your freedom, and I wanted you to stay. Why would you ever want to stay with a john?

She shrugged, not quite looking at him. You were different. You loved me, and you let me know it. I just didn’t want him to think he was alone.

We could still get married, you know, he said voice echoing gently on the stairwell, Make it a double ceremony, I wouldn’t even have to get changed in between.

She snorted, this time turning to face him. Nah, there’s no need. Not anymore.

Well, if you ever change your mind, the offer will stay open, he said, cupping her cheek with his hand before she wrapped her arms around him. How about we go up and wait in the atrium? We can make ourselves just as comfortable there.

Alright, she told him, giving him a squeeze before pulling away and taking his hand.

Chapter 3

Gas masks on, people, Marcus called. Unnecessarily, as most were already adjusting theirs, or at least tying bandanas around their faces to keep the dust out of their lungs.

James and Zeke stepped into their suits, helping each other zip up and clip Geiger counters to the waistbands.

No need for a fuckin’ ground’s tour, Marcus told the pair, Just get a rough feel for the damage and get your asses back here. Clear?

Yes, sir, Zeke said, while James nodded.

They twisted the door handle and pulled, acrid smoke puffing inward. James held up a hand to warn everyone back as he peeked his head out. The wooden supports of the mansion seemed tilted, the floor broken above them, but considering the strength of the earthquake, it wasn’t as bad as he had expected. He motioned again, this time for Zeke to follow him, and they made their way into the once opulent basement.

Their Geigers beeped in a steady rhythm as the doors closed behind them.

James pointed with his flashlight toward the stairs, while Zeke nodded and followed.

I wonder if this was what it was like after the bombs dropped? Zeke said, Originally, I mean.

James shrugged. We don’t know what happened today, he said, adding silently that he had a few ideas and they all sounded like Sigurd fucked up.

Yeah. Sorry for presuming, sir.

Huh? James stopped. You need to cut that shit out.

What shit?

Calling me ‘sir’ for one thing, apologizing for everything for another, James said.

Zeke smiled apologetically under his mask and shone his light through the kitchen door. Habit, I guess. Sorry, I mean, not sorry, but you know.

I used to be indentured to Isaac’s father, I know how it is, James told him, switching off his light in favor of the afternoon sun coming in through the recently cracked windows.

I didn’t know that, Zeke said.

James shrugged. It was a long time ago. Didn’t you see my tattoos?

Frankly, sir, uh, James, I wasn’t paying attention.

I’ll bet you weren’t, James chuckled, heading through the kitchen and into the main hall. So you, and my sister—

I was just letting her fire my rifle, sir, Zeke said hurriedly, I mean, she’s nice. Fun to talk to—

S’ok, James said with a bark of laughter that fogged up the inside of his suit, You guys didn’t do anything wrong. Did you?

Zeke stammered while James smirked, both men sobering at the sight of the first of the bodies.

Stuck half in