Dead Hearts (Book 1): Morbid Hearts

by Susanne L. Lambdin

  “Why don’t you have Nomad and Sturgis be our new mechanics?” asked Freeborn. “Most of the trucks we salvaged from the battle are in bad shape. The ATVs need some work too. Of course, I’m just making suggestions here.”

  “Those are all excellent ideas,” said the Professor. “I think Nomad and Sturgis have both proven themselves.”

  Nomad grinned. “Why thank you, Professor. I appreciate the vote of confidence. We have been through some pretty tough times. You can count on us, commander.” He patted Sturgis on the shoulder, who nodded in agreement. “Whatever you need, just ask.”

  “What about Wrench?” asked Cadence. “I saw him during the fight, but I haven’t seen him since. He should remain in charge of the garage.”

  The Tigers shared a sad glance. The Professor met Cadence’s eyes and explained.

  “Wrench’s injuries are more serious than we realized, Cadence. He was bitten and he chose to stay at the Peak. I’m sorry you weren’t told earlier. Highbrow, were any Freedom Army soldiers found?”

  “Just the two we picked up at mid-camp,” answered Highbrow with increased tension. “Uther has a few ideas about using the old fence and generators to set up our own perimeter, but it will take time. We’ll avoid the Peak for a few days until the zombies clear out.”

  “From now on there will be no separation between patrols and soldiers,” said Cadence. She never took her eyes from Highbrow. “I never liked the age requirements or gun restrictions. Everyone is now in the Freedom Army. If Nomad and Sturgis don’t want to be soldiers, they’ll maintain civilian status like the Professor. Is that okay with you?”

  Highbrow glared at her. “Sounds like you have it covered. I’m surprised you asked me to be captain. After last night, I figured Raven or Thor earned the right to be your new right hand.”

  “Raven has some medical training,” Cadence maintained an even voice. “Her father was a doctor, and she was a hospital volunteer. She’s overseeing the new infirmary. I’m thinking about making Thor an officer. He did good last night. I’m impressed.”

  “Then it’s settled.” Highbrow kicked the ice chest hard, wincing. Dodger and Smack chuckled. “Everything we’ve come to know and love in the last year is now gone. You’re in command of the new Freedom Army.” He grabbed another beer, opened it, and took a long swig before continuing. “Bet it makes you proud to have us wearing those damn blue berets. Do we get to wear dog tags too?”

  “You can have a leash,” said Cadence. “Keep it up and I’ll put you in a dog house. What is your problem, anyway?”

  “He needs a rabies shot,” Blaze snorted.

  Freeborn stood. “I’m going to find Dragon and look around camp, but we’ll be back. The fish on the grill smells good.”

  With a gesture for Highbrow to follow, Cadence walked to the side of the cabin. He followed her, still chugging his beer and stopped beside a pool of water. Cadence stalled while Highbrow stared up at a waterfall. Dusk was falling and Cadence imagined two monster children standing on a cliff somewhere watching.

  “You have an attitude,” Cadence began. “Lose it. You’re the new captain and my second. I expect you to carry your weight and stop moping. I’m sorry that Savannah is gone. Rafe is gone too. If I knew where they were I’d go get them, but I don’t.”

  Highbrow gave her a strange look. “They’re alive? How do you know?”

  “Something happened last night that I can’t explain. I didn’t kill all of those zombies. I couldn’t hope to move that fast in my wildest dreams. I took the credit because I didn’t want to alarm the others.”

  “Then who gets credit for all those kills? Bigfoot?” Highbrow finished his beer, crushed the can, and threw it on the ground. “Look, if you’re afraid I’m going to be angry, forget it. You saved my life last night. I owe you one.”

  “I’m not sure what I saw,” said Cadence. “Two little kids found me while I was fighting off those zombies. They were Little Leaguers and both were infected, but they weren’t zombies. They were something else. The girl told me Rafe is alive, that he’s their protector and she’s made herself some kind of queen. The boy was Billy, but he now calls himself Lord Cerberus.”

  “And what about Savannah? How does she fit into this story?”

  Cadence felt a tear escape and brushed it away. Tears weren’t going to soften the blow. Highbrow would not forgive her.

  “A zombie caught me. He was trying to bite me when the boy flew through the air and twisted its head off, and then killed all the other zombies. His strength and speed were unreal. I’ve never seen anything like it. When he was finished, I saw them both with Savannah. They walked into the forest. She went willingly, Highbrow.”

  “And you didn’t think to raise an alarm?”

  Highbrow howled like a mad dog, balled his fist and punched Cadence in the face. She hit the ground and he stood there glaring at her. His face turned blood red.

  “You knew how I felt about her and you didn’t help her! You let those little freaks take her and do God knows what to her, and you’re just now telling me about it? That’s screwed up, Cadence!”

  “They were taking her to Rafe. I’m sure she’s alive. They said they selected her.”

  “Selected for what? Dinner? You knew, Cadence. You knew all this time and you didn’t tell me the truth. I hate you so much right now! You’re so selfish and conceited. Find yourself another captain. I’m going to find Savannah.”

  Cadence stood and drew her gun. It seemed crazy to draw a weapon on one of her best friends. “You’re not going anywhere, Captain.” She wiped the blood away from her nose. “What I saw last night wasn’t normal. Those kids mutated into something else. They weren’t human. I watched that little boy kill more than fifty zombies in less than a minute. There’s no way I could have stopped them. You’re not going after one girl, Highbrow.”

  “Savannah’s not just a girl to me. She’s my…my girlfriend. You didn’t even try to save her,” Highbrow said, holding back a sob. “If you want to stop me, you’ll have to kill me.”

  Cadence put her gun away. “This is stupid. I don’t want to fight with you. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, but I didn’t want you going after her and getting yourself killed. I need you, Highbrow. This camp needs you.”

  “I told Savannah that I wouldn’t let anything happen to her.”

  Cadence frowned. “It couldn’t be helped.”

  “This is how you wanted it,” he shouted. “You wanted her gone and now she is!” He stared at the water, silent. Several moments passed, as did the edge of his anger. “I’m sorry I said I hate you. It’s not true. I don’t, but I’m upset, a little drunk, and I’m not handling things very well.”

  “I don’t blame you.” Cadence reached out to touch him, flinching when he drew back. “I hate myself right now. This is so messed up. I used to be on the swim team. I used to play the sax. It’s another life now. I’m not who I used to be, nor are you.”

  “I think I’m pretty much the same. The only thing that’s changed is my name. I used to be Marc Powers, the math whiz in school, son of the senator-turned-convict. Honest, reliable.”

  “You still are those things, and more.”

  “Who did you use to be? I mean, what was your real name?”

  “Cadence Sinclair. Nightshadow took one look at me when I arrived and said my name was Cadence. I thought he knew me, but then realized it was a coincidence. It freaked me out at first, but Nightshadow didn’t know he gave me my own name. I thought it was fate, so I never said anything.”

  “You do march to a different beat,” said Highbrow, forcing a smile. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t take my frustration out on you. You’re doing the best you can, and you’re right. I would have gone after her and got myself killed.”

  Highbrow put his arm around Cadence, but he wouldn’t look at her. It felt good being held by him.

  “You were trying to protect me. That’s what friends do. I’m going to let you in on a big secret that I’ve been kee
ping from you,” he said.

  “You’re in love with me?”

  Cadence sounded sarcastic, although it was what she wanted to hear. She put her arm around his waist. He was getting skinnier. When she put her head on his shoulder, he caressed her cheek.

  “Well? Why aren’t you saying anything?”

  Cadence lifted her head and looked into his eyes. He was staring at her, but without any notion of romance. She released him, confused and embarrassed, and stepped back. Highbrow caught her by the arm.

  “The Professor found out what was in the black box. It was a classified report written by my father. My dad is alive, Cadence. He’s alive!”

  “What?” It was the last thing she expected to hear. “He’s alive? Where?”

  “My dad is in Florida, in some kind of think tank. That pilot was carrying a report from my father to the President. The Professor thought the pilot might have been trying to deliver it to me, which would mean my dad knows I’m alive. I’d let you read the report, but the Professor burned it. After you told me about those two kids, I knew the report has to be right. It said the virus is mutating. I bet those kids are the next generation of the virus, and if my dad is right, it will keep mutating.”

  “And is there a cure?”

  Highbrow shook his head. “No. My dad said the only cure is death. If they weren’t zombies, and aren’t human, what are they?”

  Cadence’s heart was pounding. “What I saw made me think they were superhuman. Your guess is as good as mine, but if they changed into something else, maybe Rafe did too.” She paused, remembering the dried blood on Rafe’s face, feeling guilty.

  “The Professor said those kids got zombie juice in their mouths or eyes. But what’s confusing is why this is happening now. Before it was the flu that killed people and turned them into zombies, then it was a bite. Think of how many times we’ve come home covered in zombie blood. No one got infected that way before. Maybe it was a fluke, but we won’t know unless we find Rafe and those kids.”

  “They moved like lightning and were lethal. They also seemed older than their years and smart. Too smart for kids that age,” Cadence recalled. “If Rafe and Savannah are with them, I’d say she’s probably been turned as well. I tried to fight back, Highbrow, but the boy had me in some kind of trance. I would have done anything he asked of me, but he let me go and I think it’s because of Rafe. Rafe told them he cared about me, so they let me go. But they made threats against you. So again, I think Rafe is behind it.”

  “I’m glad they didn’t take you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  Cadence was startled when Highbrow pulled her into his arms and kissed her. It was not romantic, but more like the kiss of a friend. His warm embrace and soft lips were what she needed. When he pulled back, she knew what needed to be done.

  “I want to talk to the Professor about your father’s report. We need to tell him about those kids and see if he can figure out what is happening.” Cadence put her hand on his shoulder. “I suppose the next thing we need to do is rescue Rafe and Savannah. Maybe they’ll want to help us. It could be worth the risk.”

  “What will you do when you find them?” Highbrow sounded calm. “If their bloodlust is as strong as the zombies, we may have to kill them. The one thing we can be sure of is that the virus is changing. We haven’t seen any infected animals, but it could be the next change in the evolution of the virus. Zombie rabbits.”

  They laughed at the absurdity, realizing nothing was out of the question at this point.

  “We’ll figure it out as we go along, my captain.”

  Cadence stole a kiss from Highbrow, adding the passion that lacked in his. She took his arm and led him back to talk to the Professor. From the corner of her eye, Cadence thought she spotted the flutter of a bee or a dragonfly. She wasn’t sure, but she took it as a good sign.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Fifteen

  Miramont Castle stirred as night fell. The scavengers had chosen bedrooms and locked their doors. A few passed out in the living room, and some in the study. Rafe didn’t trust the scavengers, and considered them fools to trust their host. He counted forty-nine guests while they slept, including the prisoners. Logan posted guards, but Rafe slipped past unseen. They found sanctuary here and showed no intention to leave. Rafe waited at the foot of Savannah’s bed for her to awaken.

  “Oh,” Savannah sighed. “I must be home in bed. Thank God.” She opened her eyes and cried out in alarm. “What am I doing here? Where are Nomad and Highbrow?”

  “It’s just me. My name is Rafe. You’re at Miramont Castle. Your friends left the Peak, and they may be out of state by now. You’re here with me, and you’re safe.”

  Rafe moved closer. The girl was lovely. She threw herself into his arms and sobbed. He felt tears chase along his neck. He reached up and cupped her face in his hands, drawing her head back. Her tears were tears of blood. Instead of wiping them away, he raised her lip and exposed her fangs.

  “You’re one of us now,” Rafe said. “There’s no going back to the others. Highbrow is no longer safe with you. I think you should look in the mirror and try not to scream.”

  “Why? What’s wrong with me?”

  Savannah pushed Rafe aside and flung herself from the bed. She ran to a mirror and stared at her image. In a fit of rage, she knocked everything off a nearby table. Bottles of perfume and animal figurines fell with a crash. Rafe feared the noise would attract the scavengers, or worse, the children. The drapes were closed and the room was dark, and Savannah’s eyes began to glow an iridescent shade of blue. She grimaced at her reflection and bared her fangs.

  “Am I a vampire?” Savannah pierced her fingertip with a fang and sucked away the blood. “Yum.” She drew her finger away from her mouth. “Did I just say yum?”

  “We have a problem,” said Rafe. “Our queen and lord will be waking up soon. I expect they’ll want to sample the new menu. We have about fifty scavengers here under the leadership of a guy named Logan, along with some of my Freedom Army friends. Logan’s okay and keeps his people in line, but when they get a look at those two little freaks there’ll be trouble.”

  Savannah started opening drawers and tossing garments, searching for suitable clothes. She found panties and a lace bra, then sped over to an ornate wooden wardrobe and swung the doors wide. Inside were dresses and ball gowns, and a few items of men’s clothing. She chose a black silk dress with spaghetti straps.

  Rafe watched as she stripped naked and dressed in her new clothes, returning to the mirror to brush her long, red hair until it curled around her shoulders. He was taken.

  “You’re beautiful,” said Rafe with sincerity.

  “Change out of that stupid Army uniform and put something else on.” Savannah turned, admiring her reflection in the mirror. “I thought vampires couldn’t see themselves in mirrors?”

  “I don’t think that’s really what we are, but I guess it will do.”

  Savannah chose a set of clothes for Rafe. He knew nothing of her, but he imagined she had been much nicer as a human. The virus had brought out a petty, nasty side of her personality, like it had with the children. He himself had experienced no fear since his infection. Savannah tossed a pair of black slacks, a black turtle-neck sweater, and fresh socks onto the bed. She watched as Rafe undressed. When he was standing naked, she moved close and sniffed him.

  “I’d rather you not bite me.” Rafe felt her lips nibbling at his neck, and then her tongue slide along his collarbone. “And we don’t have time for that either.”

  “You’re no fun,” whimpered Savannah. “Don’t you want to play with me?”

  “Not now!” Rafe pushed her away. “There are fifty humans here, and I need to go downstairs before those kids turn this place into a morgue. Something has happened to us I can’t explain. I don’t know if it was my bite or my blood that turned you into whatever it is we are. If our host and hostess turn homicidal, they’ll give birth to their very own vamp family.�
�

  “Really? Could I bite someone?” asked Savannah, clapping her hands. “Every inch of my skin is crawling and I’m so hungry. I like you so much better than Highbrow. Are we going to be together now? Will it be forever?”

  “I don’t know. Stay here and wait for me. I’ll bring you something to eat?”

  “Like what?” she whined, sliding her hands down her neck. “Let me bite one, Rafe. Come on. I’ve done much worse than hide when zombies attacked. Back in Deadwood, I threw a kid into the path of those ghouls so I could get away. I felt bad then, but not now. I’m relieved to finally tell someone. I feel incredible. It’s like being inside a dream where I have so much strength I can tear anyone apart who tries to hurt me. You can’t imagine how incredible it feels to finally be free.” Her eyes were wide, enthralled in a morbid power trip.

  “Our ideas of being free aren’t remotely similar,” said Rafe. “For the first time I know what I’m doing and I want to make up for the wrongs I’ve done. But you . . . you have no remorse or guilt for what you’ve done or for what you’re about to do.”

  Rafe finished dressing, and walked into the hallway. He heard Savannah behind him and moved aside for her to prance out of the room. A few people had come to the third floor looking for rooms, despite Rafe’s warning to Logan. They greeted Savannah, and then turned to follow her.

  Gliding down the stairs, Savannah smiled at everyone she passed. Rafe pushed through the crowd, finding Logan standing at the front door, gazing toward the street. Logan turned and caught sight of Savannah and his entire expression changed. The man stepped back into the shadows as another scavenger walked into the room.

  “Savannah,” the scavenger said with passion. “I’m at your service.”

  Savannah moved closer, sniffing at the man’s neck. The man showed no concern that a predator was ready to seize him. Charm was not a quality Rafe possessed, but Savannah oozed sex appeal on a supernatural level. The humans weren’t able to resist her.