Midnight by Ellen Connor Read Free Book Online Page B

through.”
    We need a new system . . . the old one is flawed.
    While Rosa worried the problem, he took a slice of fruit as if he expected her to poison him. Rosa swallowed a sigh and chose a piece for herself. She ate pointedly to prove it was untainted, and then downed her wine. Viv was improving; this latest batch was light and sweet, with no sour maguey taste.
    “Eat as much as you want,” she said. “I imagine it’s been a long time since you had fresh fruit.” Yet he didn’t show any signs of deprivation: no swollen joints or black, bleeding gums. Maybe he had found plants along the way. That hinted at more resourcefulness in the face of hardship.
    The man didn’t reply, instead taking her at her word. He finished half the plate and swallowed from the cup. “What is that?”
    “Agave wine. We also have tiswin , saguaro beer. And honey mead.” That was it in the way of drinks, except for the vodka they’d salvaged. But no one could count on such windfalls. The heartiest learned to fend for themselves.
    From the look of him, Chris was still hungry. At that late hour, the communal meal would be finished. She rose and drew a wrapped basket from her cupboard. The dark sourdough bread made from buckwheat flour still smelled rich and good, even a couple of days later. Because it was near the beginning of the week, she had fresh cheese as well. Wicker had arrived with three malnourished goats, including a buck. The animals had since bred into a small herd that he tended with great affection, which provided milk for the settlement. The old man hadn’t traveled from far away, unlike everyone else, and he’d brought all he could fit in his ancient pickup truck, including the goats. Rosa always assumed that, coupled with his skill at trade and keeping the books, he had once been a farmer.
    Rosa placed the bread and cheese before Chris, along with a knife she’d carved out of deadfall saguaro branches. After studying her for a moment, he dipped the knife in the clay pot and covered the bread with the creamy cheese. He ate as if he hadn’t had a decent meal in years. She didn’t want to feel sorry for him, even though she knew how it felt to be alone in the wilderness.
    “Thanks.”
    “I’d do the same for anyone. Why do you think people stay?”
    “Your natural charm.”
    The quick answer surprised a laugh out of her. Around the bravos she always kept up her intensity, never wanting them to forget who she was. From morning to night she never relaxed, never let down her guard. Never laughed. Yeah, this güero was bad news.
    “Let me know when you’ve had enough to eat. I’ll walk you over to your room above the taberna .”
    He raised a brow. “You think I need an escort?”
    “I don’t trust you. You confessed to consorting with skinwalkers.” She lifted her shoulders, resolute. “That makes you a sympathizer, at least, if not something worse.”
    “They’re not all evil,” he said softly. “Like people, it depends on their natures. If they don’t attack you on sight—”
    Rosa slammed her palm on the table. “They can spread their disease. If you hadn’t noticed, pendejo , the monsters are winning. Humans are the minority now.”
    He fell quiet and finished his food. “This place is amazing. I haven’t had bread in years.”
    “We’re proud of it,” she said, slightly mollified. “You ready to go?”
    Chris nodded and pushed back from the table. Stepping out into the heat shocked the system, after the shady interior of her little house. She’d chosen it because it had the best vantage of all points in town, as well as excellent airflow for cooling. Rosa lifted a hand in greeting as they strode down the main thoroughfare. It gave her a sense of achievement to see everyone turning in for the night or preparing for evening patrols. Another day well lived.
    “There aren’t many women here,” he observed.
    “It’s a problem, but we’re working on population. And we have our first