Territory of the Dead (Book 2): Phase Two: Evaluate

by Rose Wynters

  My parents stared at me in shock. They looked as if I had just requested for Jayden to strip off his clothes and have sex with me. They, too, would have to deal with it. I was eighteen, exhausted, and scared of what the future held for me. I was coping with all in the best way I knew how. “Goodnight, everyone,” I rasped out, looking up at Jayden. “I'm ready.”

  We walked out of the room and to the stairs. “I feel a little bit better about Drake, but not much,” I told Jayden, careful to keep my voice low. “How does Kellan expect to keep him fed? I don't get it.”

  We stopped at the base of the stairs. Jayden faced me, his eyes lingering on my neck. “Something isn't right about Kellan,” he muttered back, his own voice low. “When I got outside, the vampire was drinking little bags of blood. Can you believe it? Kellan has them frozen here, Tabitha. I know it because the vampire was complaining about ice in his meal. What the hell would Kellan be doing with them?”

  Jayden stopped talking. His face was scrunched up as if he were completely disgusted. I knew I was. “Normal people aren't stocked with frozen blood in their houses. I think we both know this. Not to mention, frozen blood takes time to thaw. It makes me wonder if he knew the vampire was coming? If he didn't, how could he have thawed it out that quick? None of it makes sense to me, and I don't like it.”

  “I know what you mean,” I admitted, my right hand on the bannister as we moved up the stairs. I took it at a snail's pace. At the moment, I was feeling pretty good, but I didn't want to jar anything. “I understand Kellan is a private person, and I respect that, but not when it puts us in danger.”

  Jayden just nodded in agreement, but he didn't say anymore about Drake. I pointed at my neck and ask, “How bad is it?”

  I was changing the subject, but I couldn't help it. The question was burning me up. I had to know how bad the damage was. After all, I was a girl. Zombies or not, I still wanted to look pretty.

  “It'll heal,” Jayden answered, a smile teasing his lips. “Once it does, you might have two tiny scars but nothing more than that. With those fangs, he had to go in deep. The worst damage is probably underneath the skin. Only time can heal that.”

  With his arm hooked through mine, he guided me up the last two steps. “You'll still look good, though, no matter what. I'm attracted to you, Tabitha, in case you haven't figured that out, yet.”

  I was so surprised by his words that I nearly fell on my face. Generally, men didn't flatter me, so I wasn't quite sure how I should respond. I wasn't exactly hot. I was just average, which worked out fine for me. I didn't care about being the most beautiful person, but I wanted to take care of what I had.

  My feelings for Jayden were complicated. Or were they? Sometimes, I could over-think things, turning something simple into something more complicated than it really was. It was a bad habit of mine. I'd never learned to go with the flow. Maybe it was time I started.

  We stopped in front of my door. It was closed, which was the way I'd left it. I hadn't wanted anyone to discover me gone. I wouldn't make that mistake again.

  Staring up at Jayden, I inhaled deeply and asked, “Would you stay all night with me?”

  His brown eyes grew heated, the gold within them appearing to glow. His arms caged me in, my back against the door. “Tabitha, are you sure?”

  With each word, his face moved a little bit closer to mine. My breath hitched, my pulse accelerating. I wasn't immune to his good looks, not by a long shot, but I had to clear something up. “Yes, but not for the reason you're probably assuming, Jayden. Not for sex. I'm not ready to take that leap. I-I-I just don't want to be alone, not tonight.”

  Our faces were only inches apart. “I don't care about that, Tabitha,” Jayden replied, gently smoothing a strand of hair back from my face. “I just want to be with you.”

  With a sigh, he pulled away from me. Reaching out, he twisted the doorknob. I managed to regain enough control to lean away before the door swung open. “I put some newspapers down for Destiny in your bathroom,” he informed me, changing the subject. “It's probably best to train her to that. It's too dangerous to take her outside, especially at night. I also brought up some food and water. Next time we're in town I'll get some real dog food, if there is any left.”

  I turned around and walked in, flipping on the light. Gently, I put Destiny on the floor. After a moment, she started to investigate her new home. “Thank you for doing all of that,” I told Jayden. “It means a lot to me.”

  He walked in, shutting the door behind him. I didn't complain when he locked it. The real truth was, I was glad he did. A locked door wouldn't keep Drake out, but it would give us a warning, should he decide to come in.

  The idea of him being in the house really bothered me. I hoped my parents were wise enough to lock their own doors. How could any of us sleep peacefully, knowing Drake was there? I shared my thoughts with Jayden.

  “It's hard for any of us to trust Kellan,” he pointed out. “He makes it hard. At some point, we're going to have to start, though. This place is far more comfortable than any other place we could find. Not to mention, it's a lot safer. I don't know what their connection is, but I believe that Kellan knows what he's doing.”

  I still felt uneasy, but there was nothing I could do about it that night. “Speaking of Kellan's amenities, I need to use the bathroom.” Nature was calling, but I also wanted to clean myself up. I felt dirty, and I probably was. Looking down at my shirt, I sighed. Until that point, I hadn't noticed the dried blood on the front. “If this keeps up, I'm not going to have any clothes left to wear,” I grumbled, gesturing at the ruined shirt. “It's not like I was able to bring much.”

  Walking to the dresser, I pulled out my only pair of pajamas and a clean pair of panties. “I'm going to take a shower, but I guess I'll have to skip washing my hair?”

  “Right,” Jayden affirmed, much to my regret. “You don't want to get the bandage wet. The last thing you need is an infection.”

  His words reminded me of my possible zombie infection. I hoped and prayed that Kellan was right. For the first time since we'd opened the door, I was relieved that Jayden hadn't kissed me. What if I had it, and he caught it, too? Once again we found ourselves in another situation with too many questions and no answers.

  “Make yourself at home,” I told Jayden, revealing none of my thoughts. I didn't want to worry him further. “I'll be back in a few.”

  I walked into the adjoining bathroom and closed the door behind me. After a brief moment of debate, I locked it. Jayden had no reason to come in, but I didn't want to risk it. The events of the night were overwhelming, and I needed some time alone to decompress.

  But not for too long. Ever aware of the man in the next room, I quickly stripped off. It was nerve-wracking, inviting him to sleep in the same room with me, but it was also invigorating. My heart pounded so hard in my chest, I felt like it would burst. I couldn't wait to rejoin him.

  Chapter 9

  A brisk knock woke me up the next day. I squeezed my eyes shut, praying that my visitor would just go away. My neck hurt, and I was tired from spending half the night talking with Jayden.

  Jayden! I sat straight up in the bed, my pulse galloping like a runaway horse. I couldn't believe I'd asked him to spend the night. We hadn't done anything, not even kissed, but still I felt like a shameless hussy.

  His side of the bed was empty. I ignored the persistent knocking on the door as I wondered where he was. Did he regret my impulsive invitation, and his acceptance of it? As if my thoughts had summoned him, he walked out of my bathroom with a big grin on his face. “You going to get that?”

  I exhaled in relief, my cheeks burning. It would have bothered me badly if he'd left before I woke up. Although we hadn't had sex, it would have been insulting. I might be a virgin, but I wasn't a hermit. The only reason men left early was because they didn't want to encourage anything more. A silly grin spread across my own face. Jayden hadn't left.

  The knocking turned into outright blows o
n the door. I wanted to think about Jayden's actions, but my visitor simply wasn't going to allow it. There was only one person that demanding. “Just a minute,” I called out, somewhat grumpily. “Good God, have we been invaded or something? Just in case you didn't notice, you're about to break the door.” Jayden's grin widened at my words.

  Standing up, I held a hand to my sore neck as I stumbled over to answer it. I wasn't a morning person, not in any way, shape, or form. I really didn't come alive until noon.

  Unlocking the door, I pulled it open. I wasn't very surprised to see Kellan standing in the doorway, but I was surprised to see he'd brought something. In his arms, he held a large, cardboard box. I was overjoyed to see it was filled with clothes.

  His blue eyes slid down my body, taking in my disheveled appearance and my pajamas before moving over to Jayden. They turned cold and icy, his jaw tightening in disapproval. Pushing past me, he carried the box over to my bed and laid it down on it.

  I shrugged his reaction to Jayden's presence away. Really, it was none of his business. “What is this?” I asked, gesturing to the box.

  He crossed his muscular arms as he stood next to the bed. “I went into Pleasant today and collected a few things. I thought you might need some clothes, so I got you some.”

  “You got me clothes?” I repeated dumbly, staring at him in disbelief. “How did you know my size?”

  “Not just you,” he chided me, my cheeks flaming again. “I got everyone clothing, but the selection is pretty limited. There wasn't a whole lot left. It would seem that someone else had the same idea.” He shrugged. “I really didn't have time to shop by size, but your mom sorted it all this morning. She sent this box up for you.”

  He looked over at Jayden, his expression guarded. The earlier disapproval I'd seen was gone. “You'll find a box in your room, too.”

  “Thank you,” I replied, peering inside. I was relieved to have more clothing to wear, and they didn't look bad. I just hoped it all fit. I was a size twelve, a size that wasn't always easy to shop for. “Wasn't it dangerous to go into town by yourself, though?”

  “I wasn't by myself,” Kellan informed me. “Drake went with me. We got back before the sun came up. As a vampire, he can't be outside during the day.”

  At the mention of the vampire's name, I groaned, but I didn't elaborate on my thoughts.

  “I also wanted to bring some pain medicine up for you. I figured you'd need it. The first day will hurt the worst. After today, you'll be feeling a lot better. I'll check it again when you come downstairs, just to make sure infection isn't setting in.” His eyes slid to Jayden again. In their depths, I saw another flash of disapproval. “You'll find the medicine in the box.”

  “Thank you. Is there anything else?” I was rushing him away, but he left me no choice. With his attitude, I wasn't sure where it was leading, and I didn't want to find out.

  He shook his head. Without another word, he started for the doorway. Breathing out a silent sigh of relief, I waited for him to shut it on his way out. Instead, he stopped and turned back around to face us.

  His dark eyebrows drew together. “I hope to hell you two are using birth control,” Kellan muttered, leaning his frame against the doorway. “But something tells me you're not. Using a worn-out condom from Jayden's wallet doesn't count. Hell, for all we know, he's been carrying it around since he was thirteen.”

  Jayden fairly bristled with anger. “What happens between Tabitha and I is none of your business.”

  “Isn't it, though?” Kellan demanded, his own anger sparked. “If you care about her, you'll make sure she doesn't get pregnant. It's war out there, and it's not the place for a pregnant woman or an infant.”

  “Whoa,” I interrupted, angry about his interference. “Jayden is here because you invited the man that nearly killed me to move in. We're not sleeping together, but if we were, we don't need your advice, Kellan. It's not your place. What happens between us is our business. We don't ask you about your sex life, so butt the hell out of ours.”

  Kellan looked satisfied. It was the only way to describe his expression. Turning, he walked away. I was infuriated when I heard him whistling. He acted as if he didn't have a care in the world. He'd played us. Once again, Kellan had managed to get the information he wanted, regardless of whether or not we wanted to give it.

  I slammed the door behind him, turning the lock for good measure. “God, he really rubs me the wrong way,” I spat out, walking back over to the bed. “He's so arrogant.”

  To my surprise, Jayden laughed. “Sorry,” he said, at my glare. “The idea of me carrying a condom around for seven years is just ridiculous. It would have never made it that long.”

  I stopped and stared at him. Did he mean the condom would have went bad, or was he insinuating that he had used them fairly often? “What do you mean?”

  Jayden shrugged. He walked over to the bed, sitting down on the edge of it. For a moment, he looked uncomfortable. “Surely, you didn't think I was a virgin, Tabitha? I dated in college, and to be completely honest, I had a few one-night stands. What guy in college doesn't? All of that is in the past, though.”

  I laid the clothes out on the bed, but I'd lost my joy in receiving them. “Is it in the past because you want it to be, Jayden, or is it because it has to be? I know what you're telling me, but would you have wanted me if the apocalypse hadn't happened?”

  Sighing, I forced myself to look at his face. I'd been avoiding it, afraid of what I would see in his eyes. “We both know I had a crush on you before, but you weren't interested in me then. So why the sudden change? Is it just because I'm convenient?”

  I hated having to put that in words. In its own way, it was a humiliating statement to have to make about yourself. Jayden sighed, but he didn't immediately respond. That was answer enough for me.

  “Please leave,” I told him, looking down at the clothes as I pretended to be busy. “I need to be alone.”

  “Tabitha,” he sighed out, standing up and walking to me as if he wanted to embrace me. I shook my head to stop him.

  My voice was cold. “I'm fine. I just need some time alone. I want to get cleaned up, and I'd like to try these on.” Forcing the tears back by sheer strength of will, I looked back up and met his gaze. “I got my answer.”

  Jayden glared down at me. “It wasn't a fair question, Tabitha. If that's the way you have to get your answers, maybe it is best for me to leave.”

  I turned away from him, filled with doubt. I was conflicted. Had I sprung an unfair question on him? Giving him the benefit of the doubt was so much easier than facing the alternative.

  Neither one of us spoke. With a loud sigh, Jayden turned and walked out.

  * * * * *

  “Tomorrow night Drake and I are going to the Kisatchie National Forest,” Kellan announced that evening, right as we were finishing up our meal. It was delicious but that wasn't any surprise to me. Mom had officially established herself as the cook, although we all took turns cleaning up.

  “We want to find the research facility,” he continued, ignoring our expressions of disbelief. “Would any of you like to go with us?”

  My parents gaped at him as my dad said, “Absolutely not.”

  Kellan got a similar response as he worked his way around the table. Finally, he got to me. “I'll go,” I replied nonchalantly, spooning some more casserole on my plate. I ignored the gasps from my parents. “I think it's a good idea. I want to know what's happened. If we can find that out, maybe we can find a fix.”

  “I'll go, too,” Jayden chimed in, but he didn't look at me. Things were bad between us. It wasn't a comfortable feeling.

  “Good.” Kellan smiled at us, nodding his head in approval. “There is safety in numbers, and all that.” Somehow, I doubted he needed the numbers, though. Kellan was the type of man that thrived in beating the odds.

  “Where is our lovely bloodsucker, anyhow?” James interrupted, wiping his mouth with his napkin. Despite the apocalypse, he was stil
l perfectly groomed. “I haven't seen him around tonight.”

  I'd noticed his absence, too, but with a great sense of relief. Kellan didn't appreciate James' words, though. His eyes narrowed at James as he wait several seconds before responding. He was letting the older man feel his wrath. James shifted in his seat uncomfortably.

  “He's around. Drake felt it would be best to skip dinner and give you your space. Let's skip the name-calling, though, shall we? Maybe you haven't thought this far ahead, but if you remember, Drake told us that there are more of him out there. Do you really want to piss off the only one that might be able to protect you from them?”

  Kellan glared at James as if he would come last on his list of saving. Having Drake around was bad enough, but Kellan's words reminded me that there were possibly more. It added a whole new element of danger to our lives.

  Hopefully, around meant Drake was somewhere outside, sucking down more of those blood bags that Kellan had stored somewhere. What would happen to us when they ran out, though? It wasn't like I could count them. They weren't in the kitchen freezer, much to my relief. The sight of those would have been enough to drive Mom away forever, never to return. Then who would cook?