New West by BA Tortuga Page A

burning. The mountains were burning. His face was burning. Maybe his hair was on fire.
    “Is my hair on fire?”
    “No. No, baby. You’re fine.”
    He didn’t feel fine. He felt hurt. Worried. Scared. His skin was too tight, too hot. Why was he so hot?
    Scared.
    Jesse held on to Ez, though, who he could feel. Solid. There.
    It was so easy, to wander through his head, through his memories. So much easier than trying to focus, to see the world as it was.
    He could feel Ez, pushing at him, trying to wake him up. He just wanted to sleep and wander. Ez, though, Ez was worried. Frightened. A cowboy had to be pretty terrified for it to be that obvious.
    Jesse licked his lips, searching for water.
    Cool and clear, it trickled into his mouth, as if by magic.
    Oh. Oh, good. So good, Ez. He was so dry. He lapped at the tiny stream as if he were an overheated dog, wanting more.
    “Careful, Jess. You’re so dry.”
    He knew that. That was why he wanted water! He rose up a little, trying to reach the canteen, tongue searching.
    “No. You’ll get cramps in your belly.”
    “Ez.” He moved his head and his eyes rolled, pain flooding him. His skull might cave in on itself.
    “Shh. Oh, baby. Your poor head.”
    He gritted his teeth together so hard they squeaked. That didn’t help the pain at all. It just made his teeth hurt, too.
    The only option was to run, push into the wilds of the new pathways burned into his brain. He sank into them, trying to find a way around the fire.
    A way around the pain.

 
    Chapter Eleven
     
     
     
    Ezrah was kind of surprised to wake up the next morning. Cyrus nudged him out of sleep with the toe of one boot, offering coffee.
    “Morning. Everyone good?” Ground still whole?
    “So far, yeah.” Cyrus squatted, sipping another cup of coffee.
    “That’s a blessing. Dooley gone for a looksee?”
    “Yep. He headed out just before dawn.” Cyrus sighed. “We got a problem, boss.”
    “Spit it out.” Hooray. More problems.
    “The boys blame all this on him.” Cyrus motioned at Jesse. “Overhead them making plans.”
    “What? He caused the quakes? Jesus fuck, Cy.” The man knew better. Surely he did.
    Cyrus grimaced. “I know, Ez. You know that. Dooley was the one came and got me, told me to go listen.”
    “I can’t move him, Cy. He’ll die.”
    “Just leave me here and go, Ez. Your hunter, he’s got his hands full with the shakers.” Jesse’s eyes were open, watching him.
    “No. I’m not leaving you.” That was out of the question. Jess had come to help him, and he wasn’t going to repay that by walking away.
    “Take the cattle and go, Ez. It’s okay.”
    “No. I don’t think that’s gonna work, son.” Cyrus smiled at Jess, looking old, the lines around his eyes sunk deep. “I think Ez needs to get you fixed.”
    Jesse tried to sit up and the skin on that poor face. God. God, save them both. Jess grabbed his hand, grip weak as a drowned kitten.
    “It’s okay, Ezrah. You can go. Promise.”
    “Shut up, Jess.” He’d said it so many times when they were kids, it popped right out.
    Cyrus snorted. “I’ll get the cattle to market, any market, and get the money home. God knows what is really out there. You know I will. I been with your people since you was a boy. I got a powerful admiration for your momma.”
    “I know. I just don’t know what to do with Jess.”
    “Take him to one of them tribes he’s good with. Find a healer. They got more knowledge than we do.”
    “Throw the Grounder off a cliff. He was jacking with something under there.” One of the drovers stood there, a long bullwhip in hand, stance threatening.
    Ezrah stood, hands on his hips. Christ, he hadn’t even had his morning piss yet. “You going against me, Gavin?”
    “He’s cursed, boss. Devil himself follows his kind. We’re trying to save you.”
    “I don’t need saving. He’s not the enemy.” He was going to lose his shit and start shooting folks any moment.
    “Enough. Gavin, get