The Dead War Series (Book 1): Good Intentions

by D N Simmons

  “Likewise, sir,” Cpl. Marks replied as he gave his all at their last stand.

  “Semper Fi, bitches!” Both men yelled as their final battle cry.

  Beside them, the glass window shattered, splattering them with shards that sliced their skin in places. They shielded as best they could as they moved to the side, trying to prepare for the new threat that came at them from their flank.

  Cassian didn't engage the soldiers in conversation after seeing how close they were to being attacked. With his sword, he advanced on the zombies that were coming at them from the upper level, slicing his blade though their necks at a speed no human could manage. The two soldiers continued to shoot at the zombies coming at them from the lower level, trying their best to keep them at bay as the rose up the staircase.

  Cassian decapitated another zombie, sending its head flying into the air. It landed on the steps next to Sgt. Jackson's feet. He kicked it towards the approaching zombies.

  “A little help here!” Sgt. Jackson yelled, hoping to get the attention of their new companion.

  “Who is that guy?” William asked, looking at the monitor.

  “Hell if I know. He just jumped through the window from the seventh floor. Did you see the way he moved?” Vincent said as he leaned in even closer to the monitor.

  “Watch your backs,” Maj. Garrett told the two remaining soldiers.

  Cassian turned, seeing more zombies coming into the stairwell from the lower level.

  “Follow me,” he said, leading them back to the seventh floor. The soldiers ran behind him carefully jumping over the decapitated corpses. They made it to the seventh level and Cassian closed the door behind them, placing his hand against it.

  “You're going to need more than that to keep them back,” Sgt. Jackson told him. He leaned against the door, offering his help.

  “How did you know there weren't any more zombies on this floor?” Sgt. Jackson asked.

  “Had there been, more would have attempted to attack you in the stairwell,” Cassian said.

  “We need to get to that floor,” Cpl. Marks stated.

  “Seems like I'm going to need more assistance than I thought,” Cassian murmured as he placed his back against the door and pulled out his cell phone, making a call.

  “Who is this guy?” Felicia asked out loud to no one in particular.

  “Can we get a picture on him and send it in for a facial recognition?” Maj. Garrett asked one of the technicians.

  “Yes, sir,” a male employee said, pressing numerous buttons on his keyboard.

  “Need help?” Ovidius asked upon answering Cassian's call.

  “It seems I might,” Cassian replied with a hint of annoyance. He never liked being wrong about anything and he never enjoyed being in a situation where he wasn't in control.

  “Logan should be there shortly. I sent him to assist you against your wishes,” Ovidius stated.

  “Defiant as ever I remember you,” Cassian said.

  “Good for you that I am.”

  “I think I feel him approaching,” Cassian said, feeling Logan's familiar aura.

  “Excellent. Do you need me to join you?”

  “You will be the first to know if I'm that desperate.”

  “Ahhh, you arrogant S-O-B. Very well,” Ovidius chuckled before ending the call.

  Cassian placed his cell back into his pocket. He looked at the two soldiers. “Were you bitten?”

  “No,” they said in unison.

  “Why are you here?” Cassian inquired.

  “Hold on, wait a damn minute, who the fuck are you and why are you here?” Sgt. Nicholas Jackson shot back.

  “I don't answer to you, human,” Cassian replied as he peered at them with lethal intent.

  “Human? What the fuck is going on here?” Nicholas asked once again as he switched positions.

  Instead of his back against the door, now he was facing Cassian with his foot against the door.

  “Who are you?” Cpl. Marks asked. He stepped back, aiming his gun at Cassian.

  “If you want to live one more second, I suggest you lower your weapon, human,” Logan said from behind.

  Both soldiers turned to see another man approaching them. The two soldiers positioned themselves so they could keep an eye on both men.

  “I see you have your hands full,” Logan said, giving Cassian a slight bow as a show of respect.

  Back in Springfield, Vincent and the others watched in silence as they monitored the activity on the screens. They didn't know who the men were or how they got there.

  “Who are these men? Get a picture of the new guy who just walked in. I want to know what the hell is going on here,” Maj. Garrett ordered.

  “Right away, sir,” the same male technician said, trying his best to carry out the Major's demands. His fingers typed furiously over his keyboard as he sent photos of the two men to numerous government agencies.

  ***

  Cassian's smile faded when he looked back at the two men. “Answer my question. Why are you here?”

  “You answer mine,” Nicholas shot back.

  Logan advanced on Nicholas faster than either of the men could see him move. He wrapped his hand around his throat, lifting him into the air as he applied pressure cutting off Nicholas' air supply. Nicholas had to release his gun, as he tried desperately to free himself of Logan's grip.

  “Let him go.” Cpl. Gary Marks attempted to aim his weapon to help his Sergeant, but Logan placed the tip of his sword to Gary's throat.

  “Don't you dare,” Logan made sure to add emphasis to the last word.

  Gary felt the sharp tip graze the skin right over his Adam's apple. He thought it best that he lower his weapon since he was at a disadvantage.

  Logan smiled. “Very good. Now I believe my friend asked you a question. This one here...” He paused to slam Nicholas against the wall eliciting a wheeze from his captive. “... He can't talk as I'm constricting his windpipe. I'll allow him to breathe once you give us an answer.”

  Gary swallowed hard, his Adam's apple visibly bobbing as it brushed against the point of the blade. Since it wasn't a top secret mission, he decided to answer. “We're here to search for any information that can help us come up with a cure. One of the scientists who are behind this is guiding us to his laboratory to gather the resources from their experiments.”

  “One of the scientists survived?” Cassian asked. He made sure to keep his tone even in spite of the optimism he was feeling. There was hope yet if one of the original scientists involve was still alive.

  Cpl. Marks nodded. “Yes, sir. We're to go to his lab on the sixth floor, but we were attacked before we could get to it.” He looked at his Sergeant who was beginning to turn blue in the face. “Please, let him go.”

  Logan smirked then released the other man. Nicholas fell to his side coughing and gagging as he gulped in air. Gary knelt beside him, checking him over.

  “Let that be lesson number one, humans. You don't ask the questions. You answer them,” Logan warned. “Lesson number two: You don't give the orders--”

  “--You follow them,” Cassian finished.

  The two soldiers looked up at the two men, but remained silent. Nicholas didn't know what they were, but he wasn't completely sure they were human.

  Logan smirked at the soldiers before turning to Cassian. “What are your plans?”

  “My plans will most definitely include a meeting with this scientist,” Cassian said. He turned his gaze on Nicholas as the solider rose to his feet.

  Cassian pulled away from the door and with one hand pushed the entire door into the frame, jamming it.

  “How did you do that?” Nicholas asked and was answered by a backhand from Logan.

  Nicholas fell back against the wall, but managed to keep his footing. He reached for his gun.

  “Think again before raising your weapon. I don't want to kill you, but I will. Besides, you were warned about asking questions,” Logan reminded.

  Cassian wal
ked over to the two men, snatching the headset from Nicholas' head. “Is this how you are staying in communication with them?”

  Nicholas wiped the blood from his split lip before answering.

  “Yes.”

  “What about the door, is that going to hold them off?” Gary asked. He didn't want a backhand from the tall man in front of him, but he didn't want to get eaten alive either.

  “Maybe. Maybe not. I suggest we are not here to see if it will or won't.” Cassian looked at the young soldier.

  “We're on the seventh floor; the lab is on the sixth. How are we going to get there?” Gary asked.

  “That won't be a problem,” Logan answered.

  “May I ask one question?” Gary presented.

  “Actually, this would be your third question, but you may ask it,” Cassian replied.

  “Who are you?”

  Cassian gave him a pointed look. “We're the only beings in the world that can help you.”

  The story continues in book two, “Desperate Times”.

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  Desires Unleashed

  Knights of the Darkness Chronicles

  Book One

  Special Note:

  If you love reading about vampires and shifters, then you'll love the Knights of the Darkness Chronicles. Vampires are sexy and bloodthirsty. Shifters are badass and powerful. On top of all that, you ain't never going to read a series quite like this one. It doesn't hold back. It doesn't fit into one genre. It doesn't play nice with others, either. It marches to the beat of its own drummer. It's intelligent, face paced and puts you right into the action.

  Get ready for a brand new kind of vampire/shifter story.

  Praise for the

  Knights of the Darkness Chronicles:

  Desires Unleashed

  "In a time when vampire books have become commonplace, DN Simmons has given her readers a unique voice among the genre."

  - #1 Best Selling Author GA Hauser

  "This author's work is award-winning material, and D. N. Simmons has stepped into the paranormal arena with such greats as, Christine Feehan and Sherrilyn Kenyon" --ParaNormal Romance Review

  "Simmons has written the vampire hit novel of the year! With so many middle of the road paranormal books being published, Simmons took up the torch and blazed a whole new avenue for the readers to delve into." - Janalee Ruschhaupt - Warrior of Words.

  The Guilty Innocent

  "D.N. is a true literary genius!" - Love Romances and More

  In a genre filled to the brim with vampire/paranormal novels, The Guilty Innocent: Knights Of The Darkness Chronicles Book 2 by D. N. Simmons stands out in the crowd.- Reviewed by Janalee. --A Romance Review

  The Royal Flush

  "This series certainly isn't losing any momentum! Usually in a longer series, book 3 is the flop where things are starting to drag or become redundant. That is NOT the case here." - Tiffy Fit Reviews

  "Once again, D. N. Simmons stepped up to the paranormal plate and hit a grand slam with The Royal Flush. This author's intuitiveness to the wants and desires of the paranormal readers will leave your screaming for more before the end of this novel."

  - Paranormal Romance Review

  Hostile Territory

  “The characters are well developed, believable, and lovable. As I said before, Darian is OMG YUMMY!! Sweet and Loving, yet, Firm and Ruthless when called for. I could go on and on cause I fell in LOVE with all of them. Thank you D.N. Simmons for bringing the Knights of Darkness to us readers to enjoy. “

  --Lovetiggi's Book Reviews

  The Lion's Den

  "Simmons is incredible with a pen and paper (or keys and screen, whichever works for her). This book will scare you and probably give you some nightmares, but it is worth it. The Lion's Den will be one intense read you won't soon forget."

  --Offbeat Vagabond Book Reviews.

  "Ms. Simmons is a talented author who is going places. I anticipate seeing her work right alongside Sherrilyn Kenyon and L. A. Banks."

   Love Romance and More

  Unholy Alliance

  Nominated by Love Romance and More For: Best Book of 2012 & Best Paranormal Book of 2012!!!

  Author D. N. Simmons is a writer that will thrill you, chill you and take you in directions that leaves you on the edge of your seat with her entire The Knights of Darkness Chronicles series."

  - Reviewer Dawn Roberto (Dawn's Reading Nook

  I TOTALLY enjoyed this paranormal series. It was sexy, it was gritty, it was horrifying, it was gory, it was heart-warming, and I think that Simmons did a fabulous job of capturing different aspects of "humanity." - TiffyFit (Book Reviewer)

  You've seen the reviews, critics and readers alike love the

  Knights of the Darkness

  Chronicles.

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  Desires Unleashed

  Chapter One

  Detective Warren Davis shuffled through the messy stack of files on his desk. He was searching desperately for his drawer key. He had hidden a box of Crunchy Crème glazed donuts inside and wanted to indulge selfishly in the delicious sugary taste of, in his opinion, “the best damn donuts to hit the 21st century.” Finally after turning his desk into a disaster area, which didn’t take much, he located the key to his treasure. He glanced inconspicuously over one shoulder then the other to make sure no one was watching. He knew how irresistible Crunchy Crème could be and he didn’t want to share one morsel. He slowly turned the key and unlocked the drawer.

  There they lay, the sweets of gods. Warren didn’t know of a soul alive who could turn down a Crunchy Crème donut. Slowly, he opened the box, pulling one glazed donut from the container. He stuffed the sugary treat, in its entirety, into his mouth, taking pleasure in the gigantic burst of sweetness that followed.

  "Mmm, delicious … There‘s got to be some smack in these donuts to have me so addicted,” he thought to himself as he closed the drawer and settled back in his cushioned leather chair. He stretched his long legs out in front of him as he chewed the donut slowly, savoring every bite.

  "What are you eating?” his partner, Detective Matthew Eric, asked as he approached him.

  He stood beside Warren’s relaxing figure, noting the huge bulges in the insides of his partner's cheeks. Matthew Eric stood six-feet-three, very muscular and extremely handsome. His physique reminded Warren of a light-weight wrestler. Matthew’s skin was a perfect soft-golden shade which complemented his light-brown eyes hidden behind the mop of dark brown curls. His hand came up brushing the curls from his eyes as he studied Warren.

  Warren remained silent as he swallowed, forcing one huge piece of donut down his throat then another. He was thankful for the time it gave him to think of a believable lie.

  Matthew looked down at his partner, a smile spreading across his face as he watched Warren nearly choking to rid himself of the evidence. He waited patiently for the lie that would sure enough come spilling from those glaze covered lips. He thought Warren should know better than to open a box of Crunchy Crèmes, and think he wouldn’t have to share.

  “Oh,” Warren managed to say, swallowing the last of his donut. “This? It’s nothing.” He followed up with a huge gulp of his decaffeinated coffee before smiling innocently up at his partner.

  Matthew took one look at his partner’s full-of-crap expression and gave him one of his own. One that said he’d better share the goods, or else.

  “What?” Warren asked, shrugging his shoulders.

  “If you don’t cough it up, there’s going to be repercussions,” Matthew threatened playfully.

  “Are you sure?” Warren asked, smiling slyly.

  “Un-hmm,” Matthew nodded.

  “Okay.” Warren began coughing and gagging playfully, attempting to bring up what he had swallowed.

  Matthew grimaced. “Oh God, man stop it. You’re fucking disgusting. Now, where’s the damn box?”

  Warren laugh
ed as he reached into his drawer pulling out his secret stash.

  “I was going to give you some anyway,” he stated.

  “Yeah, sure you were, ya bastard,” Matthew said, unconvinced.

  He all but snatched a donut from the box then sat back in his chair devouring his treat. After a few minutes, he looked at Warren.

  “Remember when we first shared a box of these donuts?”

  "Yeah," Warren responded, remembering how Matthew had discovered his secret. “What made you think of that?”

  “Don’t know, just nostalgia, I suppose,” Matthew replied.

  “I remember how freaked you were that day,” Warren said.

  “Who could blame me? I think I got over it well enough.”

  “Yeah, you did.”

  As Matthew took another bite of his donut, he remembered their captain wanted to see the two of them in her office. Pronto. After he swallowed, he decided to inform his partner.

  “Hey I forgot, the Captain wanted us in her office ASAP,” Matthew said calmly, as he munched on more of the donut.

  “Oh really? Nothing good can come from that,” Warren said as he reached in his drawer for a third donut.

  Officer Brown walked over—a tall, good looking black man, he was clean shaven, well built and the health conscious/athletic type. He wasn’t the kind of person to be caught dead stuffing his mouth with calorie-laden foods. He looked down at the two detectives and shook his head in dismay.

  “Hey, the Captain is looking for you two. If I was you, I’d hustle in there, on the double,” he said, grimacing in disgust at the two men fattening themselves on the two-hundred-calories-per-serving donuts.

  “Yeah, we know, we’re going now,” Matthew said, rising from his chair.