Dead Hearts (Book 2): Forsaken Hearts

by Susanne L. Lambdin

  “Yes?”

  “It makes sense. But that means Freeborn is still infected. Cadence, too. In fact, Cadence is a carrier, isn’t she, Rose?”

  Rose didn’t like the tone of his voice. “Let’s not jump to conclusions. Something amazing has happened. I killed one of the Shadowguard by stabbing him in the neck with a used syringe that had been filled with Cadence’s blood. I’ve been giving Freeborn direct injections, thinking Cadence might be a type of Maker. I didn’t expect her blood to be toxic to vampires, and yet it saved Freeborn.”

  “Then you’re going to have to be a little more careful, Rose,” he said. “Rafe wasn’t needed after all. Now I wish I hadn’t let Dragon take a team out. Everything we do here is being monitored by the Kaiser.”

  “Captain, you can’t second guess yourself every time something goes wrong. Freeborn’s health is improving, but I do think Cadence needs to be your number one concern. Make sure she is guarded around the clock. If the Kaiser gets his hands on her, things are going to go south fast.”

  “Keep this under wraps, Rose.” Highbrow glanced at Freeborn. “I don’t want this getting out to anyone. Find out what Cadence’s blood would do to an uninfected person. Come to me, not Cadence, when you learn something. That’s an order.” He smiled. “Need anything else?”

  Rose studied Highbrow. His reaction to the news had her worried. Ordering her as camp doctor to report to him and not the commander was wrong. “No,” she said. “I have everything I need at the moment.”

  Echo, the leader of the Blue Devils, burst into the room. “Captain! Blaze and China Star have both been taken! According to Thor, Shadowguard were seen just before they disappeared.”

  Highbrow cursed. “Echo, you and the Blue Devils stay with Rose. They attacked here as well. Bulldogs, on me.”

  The Blue Devils took positions at the windows and doors, while Rose tended to Freeborn. The Bulldogs headed out the door. Freeborn smiled at Highbrow, and he forced a smile in return…until he noticed flesh stuck between her teeth.

  “Where is Logan?” he asked as he walked to the door.

  “I have no idea,” said Rose. “I suspect he left with the Vikings.”

  “I warned Logan what would happen if he disobeyed a direct order,” said Highbrow. “It’s not the first time, Rose, but it will be the last. I won’t tolerate insubordination.”

  Leaving on the heels of the Bulldogs, Highbrow closed the door behind him. “Hey, Blue Devils,” called out Freeborn. “Who do I have to eat around here to get something to drink?”

  One of the guards darted to the fridge, found a drink for Freeborn, and tossed it through the bars. Freeborn growled. Rose tried not to laugh as he slunk bank.

  Freeborn twisted an iron bar around the door to secure the cage, took a seat on the cot and drank her soda. It was clear that no one on the outside could open the cage, but there was nothing to stop her if she wanted out.

  One thing was clear, Freeborn wasn’t a normal zombie, but she was clearly no longer a normal human, either.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Ten

  Dragon found Tandor waiting in front of the gas station. The skeletal remains of a mechanic lay underneath an old Volkswagen. As the vampire approached, Cricket opened the back door of their vehicle. Kirin and Monkey scooted over to make room. Whisper was crouched behind the back seat. The vampire slid in, shutting the door.

  “Did you eat a cat while you waited?” asked Cricket, pushing him away.

  Tandor laughed. “I might have eaten a rat or two.” He patted the back of Dragon’s seat. “I’m glad Lachlan told you where to find me. Let’s roll. We’re making a brief stop at the Cliff Dwellings.”

  Dragon was confused. “Is Rafe there?”

  “No. He’s at the Citadel. Pallaton confirmed Rafe was taken prisoner last night. The Kaiser forced Rafe to call you this morning. The Shadowguard have been watching your camp and the hotel, which is why they’re always one step ahead of us.”

  “Why the Cliff Dwellings? It’s out of our way.”

  “We’re meeting with a local werewolf tribe. I’m going to ask them to provide escort. You girls ever meet werewolves before?”

  “No,” said Lotus. “I can’t say I want to either.”

  “We only know werepumas,” Monkey replied. Her twin sister nodded.

  Tandor smiled. “Werewolves don’t bite. At least not little girls. The tribe spent most of their time in hiding, but now and then they hunt, and when they hunt, they hunt Long Tooths. Nice name for vampires, isn’t it? Don’t worry. These werewolves are very kind and tolerant of humans and vampires they consider friendly.”

  “People? They’re animals.” Lotus crossed her arms. Her unabashed prejudice and negative outlook wasn’t inspiring the troops. She caught the disappointed look on Tandor’s face and mouthed the word, sorry.

  Driving through Manitou Springs, Dragon headed through a rural area with large homes to reach the highway. Cars were haphazardly left in the middle of the street or stuck halfway out of driveways. They traveled west under a clear night sky, passing the Garden of the Gods. He wondered if his team was thinking about the many nights they’d spent in the Garden on patrol, when life seemed less complicated. He turned off of the highway and onto a small gravel road that curved around an enormous rock formation, leading to a secluded area. Dragon pulled into the parking lot, lowered the window an inch, and turned off the engine.

  “Where are the wolves?” asked Lotus.

  Dragon didn’t need vampire vision to see glowing eyes gazing out of the cliff dwellings that were built into the side of the red rocks. “What’s the protocol, Tandor? I don’t want any trouble. Give us a quick list of do’s and don’ts.”

  “This is Cheyenne Mountain Wolf Tribe. It’s true they are werewolves, but even in wolf form, they retain their human personalities. In other words, they’re not wolves and don’t think like wolves either,” said Tandor. “Not long ago, Chayton’s grandmother was bitten by an infected wolf. Believing it to be a good omen, Chayton had her turn the tribe. Chayton is a Navajo, and the wolf is his spirit animal. Don’t refer to the tribe as a pack; it’s an insult. Chayton still likes to act like he’s a wolf, so wait for him to approach you. He’ll let you know if you’re accepted or not. It’s Chayton’s way of running things and has nothing really to do with being Navajo. He’s quite a character.”

  “They’re not like movie werewolves?” asked Monkey. “They won’t eat us?”

  Tandor shook his head. “Luna doesn’t eat people. When she’s in her cat form, it’s still Luna, not a puma. Same thing here. They are people who simply take the shape of an animal. They don’t turn into an animal on the inside. I’m far more dangerous.”

  Leaving his weapons inside the vehicle, Tandor got out and walked over to the middle of the parking lot. He held his hands together and bowed low. Dragon could see glowing yellow eyes within the shadows of the cliff dwellings, which were a small replica of an original Pueblo Indian village. Down a flight of stairs were gift shops, a restaurant, public bathrooms, and a museum.

  “They’re coming.” Lotus pointed out the front window.

  Lighted torches appeared as a group of people came up the stairs from the lower level. More people came out of the tourist shop. Two giant wolves, one white and one red, came trotting out of a doorway in the cliff dwellings and approached Tandor, tails held stiff and straight. The vampire held his hands out. The big red wolf jumped up, put his paws on Tandor’s shoulders, and licked his face. Satisfied, the red wolf dropped back down, and the vampire bent down to scratch behind his ears.

  “Wait here,” said Dragon. “I’m getting out.”

  Whisper didn’t listen. He opened the hatch and climbed out. Lotus, Monkey, Kirin and Cricket followed. A dozen shirtless young men in tattered shorts came up the stairs and fanned out in front of the team. Cricket grinned at one of them.

  “This is Dragon,” said Tandor, addressing the two giant wolves. “I told you about him before, Chie
f Chayton. He can be trusted, or I wouldn’t have brought them here. Don’t worry; we weren’t followed by Dead Ones either.”

  The wolves approached Dragon, growling softly.

  “Dragon, this is Chief Chayton and his wife, Chenoa. They were about to go hunting. Remember what I said, let the wolf come close and stay still.” He laughed when the giant red wolf growled.

  The two wolves sniffed Dragon. The big red wolf’s head rose to Dragon’s shoulders. The white wolf was smaller, and she nipped playfully at her mate.

  “You’ve passed the test,” said Tandor. “Chayton, this joke is getting old. I already told Dragon that you’re not a real wolf.”

  “They look real,” said Dragon. He bowed low in the Japanese fashion. “I am honored to meet you both.” He held his hand out toward his team. “This is Whisper. The girls are Cricket, Kirin, Monkey, and Lotus.”

  “I’m Cricket.” The petite girl grinned at the young man who caught her eye. “I’m a retriever. I mean, I pick up stuff, you know, for the team. I’m so nervous. We’ve never met werewolves before.”

  “I’m Red Hawk,” said the young man. “I turned fifteen last week.”

  “So did I.” Cricket grinned.

  The tallest youth, adorned with a hawk feather hanging from his braid, snapped his fingers. Red Hawk returned to stand in line. The giant red wolf trotted over to the line of young shirtless men and went behind them. When the young men parted, Chayton was standing in human form, wearing a red blanket around his lower half. The chief was no more than thirty years old and possessed the stoic confidence of a man twice his years.

  “It is all right,” called out Chayton, addressing his tribe. “These humans are friends of Tandor’s. You and I need to talk, buddy. What are you doing here?” He put his hand on the vampire’s arm, leading him over to a park bench.

  People of all ages gathered around Dragon and Whisper, ranging from elderly to little babes held in their mothers’ arms. He counted at least fifty people in the tribe. All seemed healthy, happy, and content. Chenoa, dressed in jeans and a ski jacket, came out of one of the cliff dwellings. At her side walked a slender old woman in a long, red wool cape and frayed jeans. Her long silver hair flowed down her back. Her face was strong, with eyes that appeared amber in the torchlight.

  “This is Grandmother,” said Chenoa. “These kids are from the survivors’ camp over at Seven Falls. This is Dragon and Whisper. Dragon is the leader.”

  “Come here, child.” Grandmother reached out and placed her hands on Dragon’s shoulders. “You’re very young to lead a mission.”

  Dragon breathed in the odor of wolf, smoke from a bonfire, and the scent of vanilla. Her voice was soothing. He liked her immediately.

  “This land was ours before the coming of the Dead Ones and Long Tooths,” said Grandmother, “and so it shall be long after their bones turn to dust. We’ve meant to stop by your camp and meet Cadence. We’ve heard a great many things about her. When your camp at Pike’s Peak fell, we feared you had all been killed. Now that the Long Tooths have taken up residence at the Air Force Academy, we must be careful who we allow in our camp. Will you accept something to drink?”

  “Sure,” Dragon said.

  Whisper was singled out by Chenoa and brought over to stand before Grandmother. The old woman released Dragon and went over to embrace Whisper. When she stepped back, the women surrounded Dragon and Whisper, pushing them together. Grandmother approached holding a bowl in her hands.

  “Do not be afraid,” said Chenoa. “You must drink what is offered. It will help you see things more clearly. We aren't doing anything sinister, don't worry.”

  The rim of a cup was placed against Dragon’s lips, and as it was tilted, he drank deeply. The liquid was cool and tasted a bit like water and iodine. After the last drop was swallowed, the cup was removed. Dragon was surprised when a girl came over with another bowl and started sprinkling both them with vanilla.

  “The vanilla oil will cover your human scent. Vampires smell like vanilla to all werewolves and to each other,” said Grandmother, in a strong, unwavering voice.

  After the girl finished anointing Dragon, he felt warmth spreading through his body. He wondered what he’d drank as his body started to tingle. Whisper glanced at him, looking puzzled. He must have been having the same sensation. Grandmother raised her hands over her head. The werewolves started to howl, lifting their voices in song. Dragon looked over at China Six. The girls’ coats looked wet. He assumed they’d been wiped down with the same vanilla scent. As Dragon stared at the tribe, he imagined he saw golden forms that took on the shapes of the tribe’s ancestral spirits. The ghosts stood with the tribe, but no one else reacted to their presence, until he caught Chenoa gazing at him.

  “I see them,” said Dragon, overcome with strong emotions.

  “As do all of us. What you drank has opened your eyes,” said Chenoa. “Our ancestral spirits are always with us, and now they will be with you and your team. Only you and Whisper will be able to see them, and only if they want you to. We can sense that the females in your group are closed-minded and wouldn’t understand, nor appreciate this gift, but both you and Whisper are different. You both look at the world differently and realize there are greater powers at work. Grandmother is the one who showed us how to see them.”

  “Will your husband take us to the Citadel?”

  “Yes, he will,” said Chayton, coming over to hug his wife. “I’m told your girlfriend was bitten by a Dead One. I don’t know if Rafe can save her, Dragon. We’ll take you to the Citadel. We’ve found a tunnel that will lead us inside that the vampires don’t use.” He paused. “We’ll take you to the entrance, but I won’t risk my tribe going in with you. If you are able to free Rafe, we’ll be waiting in the tunnel and will bring you back here.”

  “There are many tunnels beneath the ground, some new, some very old,” said Chenoa. “We don’t know who built the new tunnels, Dragon. They run from the Academy all the way to the Cheyenne Mountains. We never stay in one camp for long, but the tunnels are a good way for us to get around when we’re close to the city.”

  Dragon felt revived and filled with energy. He glanced over at Grandmother as she led the children down the stairs. He imagined her as a silver wolf, jumping over bushes and rocks, hunting for rabbits and deer. Chenoa waved farewell and followed after the rest of the women. Dragon glanced back at Chayton and glanced at his tooth necklace.

  “Yeah, I know. Pretty disgusting. These fangs were taken from the Kaiser’s last wife,” said Chayton. “The vampires have been here for several months. A patrol came in here looking for new recruits. They grabbed my brother, so I took the Kaiser’s wife. My twin brother, Pallaton, is now a Shadow Man. He often tries to hunt us down, but so far has hasn’t caught us yet. Vampires don’t like the taste of our blood, but we’re certainly not friends. The Kaiser is evil, as are most vampires.”

  Tandor laughed. “I heard that, Chayton!”

  “You were meant to,” he said. “The Dark Angels are only friendly, Dragon, because they’ve sworn to protect humans. It’s hard for a vampire not to want human blood. Will power and resolve are the only reasons the Dark Angels are able to be at your camp. The oath they take helps, but its more motivation than anything else. You’re lucky the Dark Angels are around to help.”

  “I know,” said Dragon. “But I’m also lucky Tandor is friends with the Cheyenne Mountain Wolf Tribe. I appreciate what you’re doing for us, Chief Chayton.”

  “Then let’s get going,” Chayton said, waving to his men.

  A howl went up and the young men stripped off their clothes, turning instantly into giant wolves. Chayton tossed aside his blanket and morphed into a giant red wolf. Twenty werewolves followed their chief down the road.

  “Everyone needs to get back inside the Blazer,” said Tandor. “We’ll take Interstate 25 and get off at Exit 149. Monument Creek isn’t that far from there, which is where the wolves will meet us. Moon Dog and Red Hawk will go with
us.”

  The large black wolf with the white-tipped tail and the small red wolf trailed the girls to the Blazer. Kirin and Monkey opened the tailgate, moving back so the wolves could jump in. Both closed the tailgate and got into the back seat with the rest of the team. Tandor climbed up on the roof. Dragon slid behind the wheel, grinning when Lotus had to sit on Whisper’s lap. He headed down the main road. In his rear view mirror, Dragon saw three women running behind the vehicle, keeping up with ease. They stopped at the entrance and closed the gates.

  “Security is taken seriously by the tribe,” said Tandor. “Grandmother looks frail, but she’s Chayton’s second-in-command and a very capable warrior. She’s as strong and fast as any vampire. They all are. That’s why we need their help.”

  Dragon saw the werewolves head off in the direction of the Garden of the Gods. He knew the werewolves would reach the meeting point long before they arrived. Werewolves ran like the wind, and he couldn’t help envying their speed and strength. It almost made him wish he was one of the tribe.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Eleven

  Every sound and shadow caught Thor’s attention as he hiked the trail. Up ahead, he spotted someone lying beside a small creek, their head submerged beneath the water. Thor approached, but Logan grabbed his arm, motioning for the team to hold. Raven looked furious when Smack and Dodger joined them. Logan pulled the body from the water, and found that the boy’s face was missing. A large red A was embroidered on his coat. Another body floated nearby.

  Logan stabbed his knife into the dead body’s head as he turned to Thor. “Want me to fish the other guy out? This one is officially dead.”