“Because it’s the flower, the nectar the bee gathered, that’s the cure. Right?”
Logan’s eyes narrowed. “Maybe, but tell them it was your own immune system that makes you a bit of a freak. Let’s keep a lid on things for now. I’ll get to work on figuring this out.”
Cadence looked at the sky. “Highbrow’s father is in a think tank in Florida. If we can get word to him that we may have found a cure, then maybe we can save the human race.”
“Slow down,” said Logan. “One step at a time. I’ll help you figure it out, Cadence.
Everything happens for a reason. But you’re right, we can do this. As a team.”
Cadence thought about the possibilities. Her future seemed brighter. As long as there was hope left in the world, anything might happen. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Cadence ran into the waiting arms of Highbrow. He yelped in fright, but was unable to turn her away. She laughed as she kissed him, delighting in his confusion and surprise.
“You don’t have to be scared anymore. None of us do. I’m cured.”
Highbrow frowned. “How is that possible?”
Behind him, Rafe frowned even harder.
Cadence turned toward Logan and smiled. “I’m not sure yet. But I’m back. Join me in my quarters, gentlemen, we’ve much to discuss.”
***
From the fifth floor of the Broadmoor Hotel, Rose looked over the destruction of Colorado Springs. Dusk cast an apocalyptic backdrop of spikes, ruined buildings, and imperceptible alleys. The Dark Angels were making plans behind her. Supply runs, surveillance, and scouting all needed to happen, and happen fast. Sensing a change in the air, she looked down. Through the window, she watched Rafe walking across the parking lot. He stopped in his tracks, looking up at Rose. Picasso laughed at one of Lachlan’s mischievous jokes, the Irish vampire mocking the Kaiser with pantomime. She cleared her throat and the room quieted.
“Tandor?”
“Yes?”
“We have a visitor,” said Rose. “Be a dear and make sure he finds his way up?”
Tandor peered out the window, grunted, and exited the room. Rose looked back down at Rafe. The time was at hand for the Dark Angels to make their move. If they were going to shift the tide of this war against the Kaiser and the Shadowguard, they had to act, now.
***
Cadence walked through the trees with Luna, the moonlight painting them with moving palettes of blacks and pale whites. She couldn’t remember how she got here, but knew they were hunting deer. For food, for sport, and for the communion of friendship. Luna tensed and stopped in her tracks. Her long teeth bared, paws clutching the dirt.
“What? What is it?” asked Cadence.
Luna nodded her head, and Cadence looked further into the woods. A large shadow stood ahead of them, yellow eyes penetrating the moonlight. The shadow stretched out its hand and Cadence heard Luna howl with pain. But when she looked down for her friend, Luna had disappeared, a pool of blood in her place. Enraged, Cadence pointed her gun at the shadow.
“Who are you?” she asked.
With a gasp of her breath, the shadow closed the distance between them and swatted the gun from her hand. Its yellow eyes danced with malicious delight as it wrapped its cold hands around her throat. Experiencing a surge of emotion, Cadence grabbed the arms of the shadow and without effort, ripped them from its shoulders. She leapt, and in a feral rage, shredded the image of the shadow. The piercing, yellow eyes squinted with amusement as deep laugh filled the air.
Cadence awoke in her cabin in a fit of sweat and rage. She heaved for breath, grasping remnants of cloth in her hands. She had shredded her sheets and blanket during her sleep. The need for fresh air forced her outside. She shivered, but not from any sense of being cold.
Near her cabin, she noticed a figure cloaked under the shadow of the night watching her. She noticed a flash of his fangs. Yellow eyes flashed in the dark. It was a vampire. She reached for her gun, realizing she’d left it on her bed. Whoever the vampire was she had a feeling he hadn’t come to make friends. She felt a clear threat. Before she could raise the alarm, the figure vanished into the trees.
From now on, she'd have to be on guard every second of every day and night. Vampires had come to Seven Falls and they meant trouble.
# # # # #
Also by Susanne L. Lambdin
Dead Hearts Series:
Morbid Hearts
Forsaken Hearts
Vengeful Hearts
Defiant Hearts
Immortal Hearts
About The Author
Susanne L. Lambdin is the author of the Dead Hearts series of novels. A Trekkie at heart, she received a ‘based in part’ screen credit for writing a portion of Star Trek: The Next Generation: Season 4, Episode 76, titled ‘Family.’ She is passionate about all things science fiction, horror, and high fantasy. Susanne is an expert on the subject of zombies, and is affectionately known by many of her fans as ‘The Zombie Lady.’ She lives in Kansas with her family and two dogs.
To contact Susanne, learn more about her current and upcoming projects, and join her mailing list, please visit www.SusanneLambdin.com.
Morbid Hearts (Dead Hearts Book 1) Page 24