The Lost Fallen

by L. C. Mortimer

  No matter what their motivations were, they weren’t good. He’d been hunting fuckers like them for centuries.

  They’d only recently left their mother’s basements.

  “Move,” he said. He’d try this the easy way first. Neither one of them moved. They also didn’t speak. “Get out of the fucking way,” he repeated, and they braced themselves, like they were preparing for a fight.

  Just then, the loudspeakers sounded.

  ATTENTION. ATTENTION. SECURITY ALERT.

  Wrath didn’t wait to hear the rest of the message. He took advantage of the guards being distracted, and he punched them each in the face.

  Chapter 17

  Serenity tried not to get sick. Her stomach turned, and vomit threatened to come up her throat, but she willed herself to stay calm. She had to stay calm because Wrath would come for her. She knew he would come for her. He would figure out something had happened when she didn’t return, and he would come for her.

  He would save her.

  But he needed to hurry, because the magic users in front of her had already started to drain her blood, and vial-by-vial, she was bleeding out. They had hooked up IVs to several of her veins, and she wondered how long they planned to keep her here.

  How much would they take before they had enough and just killed her?

  They weren’t going to transport her anywhere. That much was obvious. They would never be able to get her out of the hospital without being noticed, which meant they were going to kill her here.

  They were going to kill her, and leave her body, and no one would ever know why she had died.

  No one would ever know why she had been chosen, except for Wrath.

  Wrath would know.

  There was no ceremony, no black robes, no chanting. There was nothing that would indicate these were magic users except for the fact that they had tied her to a hospital bed, gagged her, and were draining her blood.

  They spoke quietly to one another, obviously not wanting to draw the attention of the hospital workers. She shook her head. This wasn’t going to work.

  “We’re lucky to have found her,” one of the women said. “You were right,” she smiled at a man who had blonde hair and grey eyes. “They are drawn to chapels.”

  “Second one this month,” the man grinned, and Serenity’s heart sank. This wasn’t the first time they’d done this. This was a group of people who were hunting fallen angels. They were a group of people who weren’t afraid to kill to get what they wanted, and what they wanted was her blood.

  “Are you sure about this?” A dark-skinned woman with bright pink hair stared at Serenity. “She looks pretty human to me.”

  “Idiot,” the man shook his head. “Of course she’s human now. It’s the elements that remain in her blood we want. She might be human, but she wasn’t always, and we need this.” He held up a vial of her blood.

  “It makes the spells more potent,” the other woman explained.

  “I know,” the pink-haired woman said. “But just look at her. It’s kinda pathetic.”

  “It was too easy,” the man agreed. He traced a finger over her angelic scars, and she closed her eyes. She wasn’t going to cry. It hurt so much, and her scars betrayed her pain. They weren’t magical, not really, but they hurt as her life force was slowly removed from her body.

  She had been safe for so long, but now her safety was over.

  Now she was going to be killed.

  She kept her eyes closed, wishing for another world, wishing for another life.

  “Lucky you noticed her sleeves sliding up,” the pink-haired woman, determined to talk, mentioned.

  “When she reached for the chapel door, I saw them peeking out the bottom of her sleeves,” the man boasted. “Anyone else would have thought they were just tattoos. Not me.”

  “That’s why you’re the best,” the other woman said, and Serenity felt sick all over again. He was obviously their leader, and the women were obsessed with him.

  Come on, Wrath, she thought.

  He would come for her, but would he be in time?

  Would he figure out where to find her?

  She knew he was good at protecting angels, but they were separated, and she had no way of telling him where she was. She had dropped her bracelet before they’d tied her wrists, but there was a chance he wouldn’t find it.

  She couldn’t believe he wouldn’t.

  She couldn’t lose faith.

  Not in Wrath.

  Not this time.

  And then she heard it.

  The others did, too.

  The guards outside were talking loudly, and then they were silent.

  “See what they’re doing, and tell them to keep it down,” the man said. One of the women nodded, and opened the door. Serenity’s eyes popped open and she saw him.

  Her guardian.

  He had come for her.

  Wrath had come for her.

  “You messed with the wrong woman,” he said, and he punched the first girl. She fell to the floor in an unconscious heap, and Serenity suddenly heard the loudspeakers from the hallway. There was a security alert. No one was leaving. They were looking for her.

  They were looking for Serenity, and the building was on lockdown.

  “Son-of-a-”

  The man raised his gun, but Wrath was too quick. He kicked, knocking it down to the ground, and followed it up with a fast punch to the jaw. The man toppled over, and Wrath kicked the other woman as she tried to approach him. She screamed, but he hit her, too.

  Soon they were both on the ground, groaning, and Wrath began to yell for help.

  “Security!” He called. “I found her! I found her!” A nurse ran over to the doorway and her jaw dropped when she peeked inside. “Get security. Fast!” Wrath said. He was standing with one foot on the man’s back and he was watching to make sure the women didn’t get back up and try to escape. “Go!” Then he turned to Serenity and their eyes locked.

  It was over.

  It was all over.

  He had come for her, saved her, and she knew he would always save her.

  Within minutes, the police were in the room, handcuffing the magic users, reading them their rights, and unhooking Serenity from the IVs. She reached for Wrath and he wrapped his arms around her.

  “Are you okay? Fuck, princess, tell me you’re okay.”

  She began to cry, but she nodded through her tears.

  “You saved me,” she whispered.

  “I will always save you, Serenity. I will always protect you. Now and forever.”

  Epilogue

  Art classes were for nerds.

  Wrath knew that, more than anything else was true, but he no longer cared. If being a nerd meant he got to express his emotions in a way that was both creative in beauty, then call him the biggest nerd of all.

  When he painted, he was calmed.

  He finally achieved the peace he needed in order to truly relax, in order to feel truly free. He finally achieved a semblance of happiness, and he had Serenity to thank for that.

  The magic users who had attacked her were in jail. They could rot there, for all he cared. He probably should have just killed them himself, but the world was a different place now, and self-defense didn’t always mean you got to walk away. If he was going to protect Serenity, he needed to be a free man. He couldn’t be sitting in prison.

  She was okay.

  He had found her in time and although she was shaken up and scared, she was brave, and she was strong, and she was okay. The police didn’t realize why the group had targeted Serenity, and if Wrath had his way, they never would.

  No pictures had been posted of her, and her sleeves had been pulled down quickly when she was removed from the hospital bed. Her scars were safe, for now. Wrath knew there would be more attacks in the future, but he would be ready.

  He would take care of her.

  He would guard her.

  As he sat in the back row of the art class, he looked at her. She se
emed to glide across the room like the angel she once was, like the angel she still was, if only to him.

  She would always be perfect in his eyes because she was just herself.

  She was just Serenity.

  She was just his.

  He loved her more than anyone had ever loved another person. When he looked at her, his soul no longer felt weak and weathered. He no longer felt tired and anxious. He felt whole, complete.

  He felt happy.

  “Gosh, stop staring,” Clemecia said from beside him, and Wrath turned to his little friend. His companion was so small, but so strong. She had the type of strength people always wrote about, but were rarely lucky enough to see in real life. “Take a picture or something, dude. Sheesh.” Clemecia shook her head, but she smiled when she did, and he nudged her gently.

  “I’m glad you’re back,” he told her truthfully. “You gave us all quite a scare.”

  “I gave myself a scare,” she said, shaking her head. “I never want to get sick like that again.”

  “I don’t think you will,” he told her. “The doctors said you’re going to be just fine.”

  “Thanks for coming to see me,” Clemecia said. “You know, in the hospital. It was scary being there with all the doctors and nurses. It was nice to have a friend.” They hadn’t told Clemecia about what had happened while they were visiting her. She had enough to worry about just being a kid. She didn’t need the fear that people were going to try to kill her art teacher, too.

  “I will always be there for you, Clemecia.”

  “You and Serenity both. I know.” Clemecia flashed him a big smile and he just chuckled.

  “Yeah, Clover. We’ll both be there for you.”

  “Hey! You called me Clover!”

  “It’s your name, isn’t it?”

  She smiled and nodded, and then went back to her drawing. Wrath turned to look at the woman who had saved the day, the woman who had saved his life, the woman who had saved his soul. He looked at Serenity and he realized that his life would never be lonely again.

  Not as long as he had her.

  Not as long as he had hope.

  THE END

  About the Author

  L.C. Mortimer lives in Taiwan with her husband and two kids. When she’s not writing stories, she’s playing video games, which are almost as fun. Her current favorite is 7 Days to Die. Readers can connect with her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authorlcmortimer.

  From the Author

  If you enjoyed this book, would you consider leaving a review? Reviews are one of the best ways you can let other readers know what you loved – or hated – about a book you’ve recently purchased. Reviews also help authors gain greater visibility on Amazon, which lets even more readers enjoy the story!

  Brass Heart Floating

  When Gertrude accepts a job in Yoralil, she doesn't expect the cyborgs to have as much of an impact on her life as they do. The "metalheads" are everywhere in the city, and Gertrude hates it. She spends her days working a useless, low-paying office job in a grimy basement and her nights drinking alone in her apartment. Life in Yoralil is not what she imagined. Her dreams came true, sure, but they were also her nightmares.

  When Jack walks into her life, Gertrude doesn't recognize him as a cyborg at first. He's nothing like any tin man she's ever met. Despite her prejudices against the robots, Gertrude gradually finds herself falling in love with the man despite his damaged shell.

  It's not long, however, before Yoralil finds itself on the brink of anarchy as the MAR prepares to go to war with the anti-robot community.

  Will Gertrude stay in Yoralil and defend the one she loves?

  Or will she do what she's always done, and run away when it matters the most?

  *

  Brass Heart Floating is available on Amazon.

  Lost in the Apocalypse

  Emily spends two weeks trying to find her sister and two weeks trying to get home. When she finally returns to her cabin in the woods, however, it's no longer empty.

  The band of misfits who have taken over her house have no desire to leave. Once Emily gets to know them, she's not so sure she wants them to. The ex-military types are in sharp contrast with Emily, who is a reclusive writer. Still, they manage to forge friendship and build a haven despite the occasional zombie who wanders by.

  Their safety is short-lived, however. In the zombie apocalypse, nothing lasts forever.

  *

  Lost in the Apocalypse is available on Amazon.

  The Forgotten

  It's been nearly eight years since the first reports of a zombie outbreak occurred, and Nicole Blue is tired of sitting around. The zombies pose no threat to her and she's ready to start living her life. She decides to take control of her future and secures a job in nearby Breakside: a town known for its bars and population of zombie hunters. It isn't long before Nicole is fully immersed in her new life, but things are not as safe or as secure as they seem. Does Nicole have what it takes to survive?

  *

  The Forgotten is available on Amazon.

  Just Another Day in the Zombie Apocalypse: Episode 1

  If you like zombies, check out this series from L.C. Mortimer. Each book ends on a cliffhanger and MUST be read in order. Book one is available on Amazon. Keep reading to enjoy chapter one for free!

  Alice opened her eyes.

  She immediately regretted her decision.

  Heat swept over her body. The sun was blaring, and if she had to guess, she was probably burnt. Badly.

  Then again, maybe not.

  She sat up and looked around, shocked to see billows of smoke surrounding the building.

  Fuck.

  Was it on fire?

  Had she really slept that long?

  “Get up,” she shook Mark, who had fallen asleep next to her, and tried to wake him up. “Something’s wrong,” she insisted.

  “Yeah,” he grumbled, rolling over. “You’re waking me up before noon.”

  Something wasn’t right. She stood and walked to the ledge of the apartment building. They had slept on the roof last night after the party. It was just a normal party: nothing crazy, so what was with the sky being so weird? The city wasn’t any louder than usual, but the smoke? That was too close to them for her to be comfortable with.

  Alice looked out over the city and her heart dropped. She was on the roof of a 12-story building overlooking the city of Holbrook, and from what she could see, the world was in chaos. There were cars parked in the middle of the road, people walking and running, suitcases everywhere. Dropped purses lined the street, along with trash and food.

  What the hell was going on?

  It must be some sort of national emergency or natural disaster, but what could it be? She couldn’t see where the fire was. There had to be a fire. There was so much smoke that surely, there was a fire. She just couldn’t see it yet.

  “Something is wrong,” she repeated, but her voice must have sounded more urgent because this time, Mark opened his eyes and sat up.

  “What is it?”

  “I think there’s a fire. I can’t see it.”

  The two of them moved over to the edge of the roof and peered down into the city.

  “What the hell?” Mark muttered. “Was there an earthquake or something?”

  “An earthquake that caused a fire? I don’t think so.”

  They watched as a car crashed into a fire hydrant and water burst out, spilling onto the road.

  “What happened to the fire department?” Mark asked, echoing Alice’s thoughts.

  “Better question: what happened to everyone?” They stared at the madness. Helplessness filled Alice’s heart as she was stuck watching the insanity from their position on the roof. She tried to fight the growing panic in her chest, but soon she had to admit there was a problem, a serious one, and not one they’d be able to solve while they stood around on the roof.

  “We need to go,” she said.

  “Go where?” A groggy voice s
aid from behind them, and they turned to see Kyle. Alice exchanged knowing glances with Mark. They had both forgotten Kyle was there.

  “Something’s wrong,” Alice said, walking back to him. She took his hand and yanked him to his feet. Kyle was a scrawny kid, maybe about 150 pounds soaking wet, and gangly. He reminded Alice of someone’s little brother.

  Maybe everyone’s little brother.

  Kyle lived down the hall from Alice and Mark and he worked as some sort of computer repair guy. Alice wasn’t really sure. The only thing she knew about Kyle is that he was awful at drinking games and she had beat him every round last night.

  “What is it? Like a drill or something?” Kyle rubbed his eyes and moved to the edge of the roof where Mark was still standing. He peered over and immediately jumped back. “Zombies!” He said.

  “Don’t be stupid,” Mark told him, but Kyle was certain.

  “We always knew it was going to happen,” Kyle said. “You jocks didn’t believe us, but we knew. We always knew.” He shook his head back and forth, as if trying to convince himself of the reality, then turned to Alice. “We need to get out of here.”

  “I don’t want to overreact,” Alice said hesitantly, but to her surprise, Mark agreed with Kyle.

  “I know you’re nervous that we’re going to think you’re a worry wart,” he said, not unkindly. “But this is serious, Al. Even if it’s not zombies,” he rolled his eyes. “It’s something. And I don’t think we should wait around to see what happens next.”

  Alice looked once more down at the city, as if staring would make everything change, make everything go back to normal, but she knew as she looked over Holbrook that nothing would be the same again.

  Amid the smoke, amid the flames, amid the cars honking and blaring, she suddenly saw something that made her gag, then vomit over the edge of the roof.