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Chapter 21
Meira
“Is everyone ready?” Dušan asks, standing tall and strong. The wind rustles through his dark hair, a contrast to those hypnotizing blue eyes. They shine brightly today, more than they have before, and behind them is a warrior who’s had enough of running.
“I’m ready,” I answer, as do Lucien and Bardhyl, though both are preoccupied with staring at the army of Shadow Monsters fanning outward in the woods behind Dušan. The creatures look our way, and even I’ll admit there’s an eeriness in having so many of them peppering the woods. Each as gross as the next, they’re just instruments, I tell myself. There’s no soul inside them, no emotion. They’re only empty shells carrying a virus.
“I still think one of us should join Meira,” Lucien says, his voice clipped, and the way he looks at me, his hands sliding into mine, softens me. He’s worried…hell, we all are. After what I just went through earlier today on top of all the other shit, I don’t blame him.
“Agreed,” Bardhyl states.
I swing my gaze over to him standing on my other side, and I lean against him so he knows how much he means to me. “You’re all incredible, but we already agreed. You three are breaking into the compound through the tunnels and I’m waiting near the rear door with this mismatched group of undead so you can open the back door.”
“As much as I hate leaving her too, it makes sense,” Dušan adds. “If she’s surrounded by over a hundred zombies, no wolf will get close to her. Plus, she’ll be waiting for us in the woods, up a tree, so even if the Ash guards are near, she won’t be spotted. And if us three are together in the compound, it’s easier to fight off anyone if we’re found.”
I nod. “It’s the only way to get all of the creatures into the settlement. And if I can get close enough to Mad and get him and his loyal men away from the innocents, then I’ll unleash the zombies on them.” I’m hoping with every fiber of my being that the sight of the creatures alone will be Mad’s undoing. His men will panic, and Dušan, Lucien, and Bardhyl can take him out.
Well, that’s the plan, at least.
Lucien and Bardhyl’s misgivings are written all over their faces. “Really hate splitting up again,” Bardhyl says, with Lucien nodding.
“I know,” I say, “but you may need more of you in there if guards find you.”
“Let’s move,” Dušan commands. He glances at me as his hand reaches for mine. “We’ll take you near the compound, then the three of us are heading into the tunnels.”
Straightening my posture, I step forward, the harsh wind tugging at my black baggy pants and a T-shirt that hangs off my shoulder. I never pictured myself going to war dressed so casually, but armor is not easy to come by in the stash of clothes in an underground room. Plus, my protection comes from the dozens of undead bodies following me.
Slipping my hand in Dušan’s, the four of us hurry into the woods. We maneuver around the standing dead, and it’s hard not to know they’re there. I can’t shake the shivers snaking up my arms at how close the monsters are to my men. The moment we pass them, they turn and proceed to follow. Soon enough, we have a long tail in our wake, with Lucien and Bardhyl extremely close at our backs.
“This is kinda freaky,” Lucien murmurs.
“If I ever come back as one of those things,” Bardhyl says with a soft voice, “chop off my head. I don’t want to lurch randomly searching for food like a creep.”
“Bruh, you’ll be dead and won’t have a brain to think beyond eating.”
“What if we’ve all been wrong this whole time about them? They clearly must have some ability. Why else do they understand Meira’s commands?”
I glance over my shoulder at them, the men’s conversation making me curious about the answer. “Maybe it’s just a muscle memory. A few words they recognize and their meaning? Whatever’s in my blood and I infect them with connects us, so it could be a combo of things.” I shrug, though the thought that my influence may not last forever does cross my mind.
“Guess it makes sense,” Lucien responds, while Bardhyl nods.
Dušan says, “What matters is that right now they want to do your bidding.”
“Absolutely.” I squeeze his hand lightly.
We remain silent for the rest of the trip through the woods, and soon slow down as we approach the rear of the settlement.
When the compound finally comes into view beyond the trees that surround us, my stomach clenches.
Shuffling feet on the ground closes in behind us, and most of the Shadow Monsters have paused, staring my way. Dense trees, and shadows, are the perfect place to hide.
“This spot should work,” I say.
“And this is your tree, cupcake,” Bardhyl says, standing near an enormous fir bursting with heavily ladened branches that span outward at the base and cinch in the higher it reaches for the sky. I can’t help but be reminded of a Christmas tree. Something I’ve seen a few times in old books. A tradition humans used to celebrate. The reason for the festivities wasn’t clear, but it clearly always involved lots of food, gifts, and a tree like this one decorated in the most spectacular colors. It must have been beautiful.
“This will do.” Lucien heads over to the tree, dodging several zombies standing in his path, and we follow him.
Dušan’s grip pulls me to him. “Stay hidden no matter what until we come for you. We’ll be quick to open the rear door from the inside. Just remember how much I love you.”
