The Dead War Series (Book 2): Desperate Times

by Simmons, D. N.

  Cassandra approached him before he could reach the door to the rooftop entrance, stepping in front of him blocking his path. “Darling,” she began, sliding her slender arms around his neck and twirling her fingers in his cropped, dark curls. “I heard your little speech over there. I must say, I don't think I ever recall you being so forthcoming or lenient with a human before. Let alone to tolerate so many.”

  “I am not my sire. Cassian would have kept them in the dark until it was time to feed. If we are to see our way through this mess, some sort of balance must be in place. They needed to know why they were here, why this was the safest place for them and the price for their survival. Besides...” Ovidius shrugged one shoulder. “...That was the extent of my leniency.”

  “There's the man I love,” Cassandra purred before planting her soft lips against his.

  The two shared the moment only two passionate lovers could share before Ovidius broke away, his chest heaving slightly as he fought his rising arousal. Now was not the time. Cassandra slid her hands away from him and stepped to the side. No words needed to be spoken between the two for one to understand the other. They had been together for centuries.

  “The lab is almost ready. They wanted to make sure the bars on the containment units would be strong enough to hold in one of our kind, so I volunteered. It'll do, but we only have five. Have we decided what we'll do if one of us gets infected?” Cassandra asked.

  Ovidius huffed, his frustration showing. “Not really. There's still so much we don't know, like how many humans will it take to cleanse one of us of the infection. I'd much rather come up with a cure for our kind as well as the humans.”

  Cassandra nodded. “So, when will the scientists start? Like I said, the lab is almost done. In about an hour, it will be.”

  “We can't risk them working on the cure in their current state. Cassian and I both agree that they need to be turned first.”

  “Soooo, tomorrow night, then?”

  “It would seem. After their First Rising and Feeding.”

  “Who's going to turn them?”

  “Cassian has decided to turn Vincent personally.”

  “Whoa! That's a major leap up the line. When was the last time he sired someone... Chloe?”

  Ovidius nodded. “Many centuries ago.”

  “Well, well, won't this Vincent be the envy of the ball?” Cassandra speculated.

  “He'll be a lieutenant; of course others will envy him... and hate him. But it is what has been decided. As for the scientist I acquired, I have decided Renee, Dale and Rachel will turn them,” Ovidius said.

  “Good choices. They've each sired before and will be better equipped to deal with the newborns.” Cassandra nodded. “Well, I must return to keep track of the lab. You know where to find me when you need me.”

  “Always.” Ovidius said, kissing her once more before she walked off. Opening the door, he made his way up the flight of stairs to the rooftop and looked out over the trailer barricade. The thick steel wall they had constructed was holding up nicely, but more importantly, it was finally complete. All they had to do now was defend it.

  Chapter Five

  Dante landed on a flat rooftop of a two-story redbrick home. Gently, he let the two humans he was carrying with him go as he leaned against the chimney catching his breath. It would be the fifth stop he had to make since saving Richard and Linda in Indiana. They were now in Alton, Missouri and had he not hypnotized both humans the first time he landed, they would still be hysterical. As it stood now, they waited silently for him to catch his breath and regain his strength. His ability to fly, even at night when he was at his full power served him well for the locations he needed to get to. But during the day and the sheer distance he had to travel was putting him through the ringer, so to speak.

  He eyed the two humans, silently pleased that he had managed to find a scientist from SciTech Labs. No doubt, that would please Cassian. He had mentally compelled both of them to answer his questions during his various stops along the way, if only to pass the time. Doing so, he discovered a lot about them and in particular, he had taken quite the liking to Linda. She was just his type and he'd been tempted on more than one occasion during his flight to let her husband drop to the zombie horde below if only to be rid of the reminder of who he was to her. Her husband. The man she was willing to die with before he'd save them. He would have, had the man not been a SciTech Lab employee. Well, her relationship with Richard may have to change if Cassian allowed it.

  Dante straightened himself and approached the couple. “We're almost there,” he said, wrapping an arm around each of their waists. Instinctively, the two encircled their arms around his neck, holding on tightly as he ascended traveling in the direction of St. Louis. The closer he got, the stronger he felt the connection to the other vampires of his coven, the line that belonged to Cassian. He also felt those that extended from Ovidius as he was also of Cassian's line.

  Finally, he landed on the ground behind the barrier in front of the Costco entrance. He let both humans go, but held their arms at the crook of their elbows to keep them steady. Every time he landed, they both seem very woozy and off balance. Two male vampires from Ovidius' line approached him, one blond and the other had long chestnut curls. Both eyed the two humans he had with him.

  “And you are?” The blond vampire asked him.

  “Dante, from Cassian's line, lord of the southeast district,” Dante replied.

  “Not anymore,” the other commented, brushing his long, chestnut curls from his blue eyes.

  Dante snarled. “Just what in the hell is that supposed to mean?” he growled.

  “Just what I said. Chicago's been blown to fucking bits. So here, you ain't lord of shit. You're a guest in my Master's territory, remember that,” Chestnut Curls said.

  Dante released his hold on Richard and Linda and took one step closer to the offending vampire, standing close enough to the male that their chest nearly touched. “Let's get this straight right now. My Master's coven outnumbers yours by a thousand. All Cassian has to do is give the word, and this city would be ours and I'd be making you my bitch. Show some respect to your fucking elders and get the fuck out of my way.”

  The younger vampire inhaled sharply, his nostrils flaring as he puffed up his chest.

  “Byron, back off,” the blond vampire said, placing his hand on his friend's shoulder and gently pulling him back. Byron allowed the other vampire to pull him back, taking several steps away from Dante. “Apologies.”

  Dante gave Bryon another warning glare, then his hazel eyes shifted to the blond vampire that was showing more common sense than his friend. “Accepted.”

  “Are these humans to be added to the stock,” the blond asked.

  “That's for Cassian to decide,” Dante said. “Now, if you would excuse me.” He took hold of both humans and walked them past the two vampires. Rapping hard on the thick titanium-enforced door, he waited until someone called out. “I'm from Cassian's line, I have two humans with me.”

  The door opened after what sounded like a lot of locks being moved out of place. Dante entered the building, dragging both humans with him. Once inside, the door was closed behind him and he saw for himself the four huge slabs of steel that protected the door that was slid back into place.

  Dante whistled. “Yeah, that's badass.”

  The female vampire who'd let him in nodded in agreement. “We're making sure those things never get in here.”

  “Trust me, from what I've seen, you really don't want anything to do with them,” Dante commented remembering what he could of his own ordeal. “So, were can I put these two? I don't want to put them with the rest. This one here is from SciTech Labs and this is his wife.” He nodded his head at each human as he introduced them.

  “Shit, I'm not sure. I know that they're keeping the ones they're going to turn tonight in a supply closet,” the female vampire said. “Oh, by the way, I'm Sherry.”

  “Dante. Nice to meet you, Sherry.”<
br />
  “Likewise,” Sherry said, giving Dante a head to toe appraisal.

  “A supply closet, eh? Well, I'll store these two in there, then,” Dante said “Where is it?”

  “I'll take you,” Sherry offered, leading the way. “You can put him in there, but not her.” She pointed to Linda. “We're putting the humans with no coveted skills with the Stock.”

  “I've got plans for this one.” Dante nodded his head in Linda's direction.

  Sherry tossed a glance over her shoulder to give the human another look to see what was so special about her. “She your type?”

  “Not jealous, are you.” Dante gave her a wicked smile, all teeth.

  Sherry rolled her eyes and huffed. “Why would I be? You're not my type.”

  Dante laughed. Felt good to do that after the fucking shitty ass morning he'd woken up to.

  “So, you look like you've been through hell.” She gestured to his torn and bloody clothing.

  With a quick glance, Dante nodded. “I have. Was bit by one of those things trying to evacuate my section of the city. Fuckers came out of nowhere and surrounded me. I didn't realize how fast they were and before I knew it, one of them had grabbed me. I felt his teeth sink into my arm and then everything went dark. I came to in fucking Kentucky of all places. Had I not got my wits about me at that time, the Master there was about to take my head.”

  “Did that happen about two hours ago?” Sherry asked.

  Dante pursed his lips as he thought about the time frame. “Yeah, I think so. Why?”

  “Cause that's the exact moment outbreaks were being reported from Kentucky. Seems like you're the reason the virus was spread there so fast. You must have flew.”

  “If I did, then I wonder what the hell made me stop there. I normally can't fly long distances without stopping for a break or two,” Dante admitted.

  “What do you mean?”

  “What part?”

  “About why you stopped there in Kentucky?” Sherry asked, her eyebrows creasing in her confusion.

  “Oh, I'm just wondering in my altered state, was Kentucky my first rest stop or was there a reason why I stopped there, like to feed? I guess I'll never know. I wouldn't have been able to fly to Kentucky straight from Chicago without stopping for a break, not even on my best day. Whatever this virus is, it turns us into supervampires or some shit, once infected,” Dante said, stopping in front of the steel supply closet door.

  Sherry frowned as she thought about how dangerous an infected vampire was to everyone and how she hoped to never have to know the experience or come across a vampire that was. Hell, for that matter, she was hoping to stay on human guard duty and never have to be bothered with killing those zombies all together.

  “Do you feel different now?” she asked apprehensively, somewhat wary of being so near a vampire who'd been bitten by one of the zombies.

  “Why so tense?” Dante asked. “I'm not going to bite you and I'm not infected anymore.”

  “You don't know that! What if the virus is lying dormant inside you now?” she pointed out.

  Dante huffed. “Well, I feel fine,” he said. “Just open this damn door, I'm tired of dragging these humans around with me.”

  Sherry opened the door and Dante took a quick glance at who was inside. The humans panicked and moved to the far wall away from him, their eyes large as saucers as they awaited the stranger’s next move.

  “You've got company,” Dante said, he pushed Richard inside then closed the door.

  Sherry locked it in place then turned back to Dante. “I'm being serious. You've been infected, who's to say the next person you bite doesn't get infected, too?”

  Dante wanted to disregard her notions, knowing they were brought about by her fear, but her fear wasn't irrational and she was giving him things to worry about. Ever since he'd come back to his senses, he hadn't felt the urge to feed, so he hadn't bitten anyone, but the fact still remains that while infected, his bite did infect others. What if it was still inside of him? Would Cassian kill him? Would Cassian kill him just because he'd been infected and the sheer possibility being too much of a gamble?

  “You're right. I don't know for sure if I'm all right. I know I feel normal,” Dante said finally.

  “Well, just to let you know, we're quarantining vampires like you who've been bitten,” Sherry said.

  Dante's eyes flashed red as his hand wrapped around her throat. He slammed Sherry against the steel door and drew in close. “Are you trying to get me killed, bitch!”

  “Get your fucking hands off me!” Sherry croaked out as she struggled to talk against the pressure Dante was adding to her larynx.

  “What the hell is going on here?” Logan asked.

  Dante immediately released Sherry and took several steps back, offering a bow in Logan's direction. Sherry glared at Dante as she rubbed the soreness in her throat before turning her attention to Logan and bowing.

  “I asked you two a question,” Logan said, moving in closer to them.

  “Nothing,” Dante stated hastily.

  “Didn't look that way,” Logan said, eying Sherry's scowl. “You have a different answer?”

  Dante turned to Sherry, his eyes begging her not to voice her opinion, but his expression grew nervous when he could see in her eyes that she was going to do the opposite. His breathing began to quicken, his shoulders stiffened as he waiting for her to condemn him.

  “He didn't want me to tell anyone that he'd been bitten and infected. He needs to be quarantined just in case he's still infected. We don't know if his bite could make more of those things out there or worse, fuck us up. What if we get bitten by a vampire that's infected and we stay that way?” Sherry pointed out.

  Logan cocked an eyebrow. “You're right. Those are the reasons why both of our Masters decreed that vampires bitten by zombies are to be quarantined. There's so much we don't know yet about how this virus affects us.”

  “I feel fine!” Dante protested.

  “I don't give a shit about how you fucking feel! Also, I don't take too kindly to outside vampires threatening my people,” Logan said, stepping closer to Dante, daring him to make a move against him. “I got wind of the bullshit you were mouthing off to Taylor and Byron outside.”

  “With all due respect, we both know it wasn't bullshit,” Dante said. “Sir,” he tacked on, remembering to show respect to his superior.

  Logan scoffed. Ballsy fucker, he thought. “Maybe, maybe not. Regardless, you continue to walk around here like you're running things and you won't live to see either outcome. Do I make myself clear?”

  Dante inhaled deeply, releasing the air slowly as he counted down from ten in his mind. “Crystal, sir.” he said once he reached ‘one’.

  “Good, I'm glad we got that settled. Now, like I said, both Cassian and Ovidius have decreed that you be separated. For your sake, don't make a big deal of it. I'd hate to break every bone in your body after I tell Cassian that his little lord disrespected his orders,” Logan warned.

  Dante stiffened. “Fine. I'll go. I don't want to cause any trouble.”

  Logan smirked. “That's what I thought.” He looked at Sherry and pointed to Linda. “Have someone take her to the Stock.”

  Sherry nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  Logan turned and Dante followed and the two began walking towards the auto shop section of the store. Five powerful and heavily muscled vampires stood outside the door, wicked-looking swords of various styles in their hands. Their menacing gazes fell upon the two approaching vampires and they bowed to Logan once he drew closer. Logan walked past the guards with Dante still following and he opened the door, motioning for the younger vampire to step inside. There where over three hundred vampires standing or sitting on the gray cement floor. The looked up when the newest vampire entered. Most knew who he was, some were from his own district. Dante looked around the area; auto parts, tools, hydraulic lifts and other machinery, nothing noteworthy as far as he was concerned.

  “At least you
won't be alone, so make yourself comfortable. You can all swap stories about how careless you were to get yourselves bitten even after you were told not to.” Logan began to close the door, then paused, addressing the room again. “Oh, and by the way, I wouldn't recommend pissing the guards off. Their tempers aren't as jovial as mine.”

  “Sir, wait,” Dante grabbed the door, blocking Logan from closing it, then quickly released the door when Logan growled low as a warning. “I just wanted to know how long we have to remain here. I mean, why don't you bring me a human now, I'll bite them and if my bite doesn't turn them, we're good, right?”

  “Oh, don't worry, that's in the plans, but we also want to see what happens at night, when your hunger comes alive. If you pass that test, then we'll know for sure that this virus is truly temporary for us. It may even help the research team in finding a cure for it. So be a team player,” Logan said, pointing to the floor. “Sit down and shut the fuck up.” He closed the door, locking it, then walked away.

  Logan found Sherry right where he left her, guarding the humans in the supply closet. “Are you okay?”

  Sherry nodded. “Yeah, that asshole. And I was checking him out, thought he was cute.”

  Logan snorted. “I thought you liked it rough?” he teased.

  Sherry rolled her eyes. “Anyway, how is it out there?”

  “Ugly as fuck. Those things are taking over the entire city and there isn't shit any of us can do to stop it. I must have watched thousands of them make new ones... the way they're multiplying, I've never seen anything like it, ever.” Logan ran his hand through his thick, dark locks as he sighed heavily. “Where's Ericka?”

  Sherry shrugged. “I don't know. She's around here somewhere, worrying about you, no doubt.”

  Logan smiled, then walked away to find his lover and servant. Mentally, he called to her and she told him where she was. He came to an area set aside for the human companions of the lieutenants and Masters. There were a few comfortable looking sofas placed around a large seventy-inch flat screen television. The news was on, showing the carnage that was taking place from the aerial distance of a helicopter. The footage was the same scenario. People attempting to flee, but not being able to outrun the threat, only to become the threat themselves if they weren't mutilated well enough. The warning running along the bottom of the screen informing viewers of the violent images they were seeing as well as giving current updates about what was going on in other locations. All of it was the same outcome only in a different city, state... town. Wherever this virus struck, death and mayhem followed. There were no breakthrough success stories.