Fatal

by T. A. Brock

  Grayson brushed his knuckles across her cheek.

  “Grayson, tell me that we’re together now.” Her voice was rough. “And that means we face things together. Tell me.”

  He squeezed his eyes shut, leaning his forehead against hers. He couldn’t fight this. Who was he kidding? He was the weak one all along. Zombie be damned, miniature humans could be fierce.

  “We’re together now, Cori.” His arms gripped her tighter. “And you know what that means.”

  Chapter 24

  We Aren't All Cuddly

  OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, Cori learned as much as she could about zombies. It wasn’t easy since Grayson didn’t really want to talk about it. Cori understood—kind of. She couldn’t imagine that being a walking dead man, undead—although she refused to think of him like that—was something to be happy about. But with Aiken’s help and the little bits that Grayson told her, Cori had learned a few important details. She knew about their survival. What they ate, how they were killed, and how they aged.

  She was surprised at how much Hollywood had gotten wrong. And at how many human qualities the zombies retained. In so many ways they weren’t different at all—the way they required sleep and oxygen and sustenance. The way they had feelings and desires and needs. The way they used logical thinking. The way they cared.

  That wasn’t your stereotypical zombie characteristic, for sure.

  But Cori wasn’t stupid. She knew that, just like with humans, not all zombies were good ones. If they were, there wouldn’t be a need for Reapers. When hydrated, they were stronger, faster, tougher than humans. Harder to kill. The most terrifying thing: they were invisible. Not literally and physically, but…no one knew they existed. No one knew to watch for them.

  The thought that a zombie could attack and nobody would expect it left her cold with fear.

  Even though she trusted Grayson completely, she was glad Aiken and his pretend parents were there. It felt right that someone was watching over the people of Asher.

  One day when Cori and Grayson were picking up trash along the river, he brought up the subject for a change.

  “We aren’t all nice and cuddly, you know,” he said as he stuffed another aluminum can into the half-full trash bag that swung between them. He’d said it out of the blue and Cori had to think a minute before she realized what he was talking about. “Some of us…well, you just shouldn’t think that we’re safe.”

  Cori eyed him. “You talking about someone in particular?”

  He shook his head, staring at the bag. “It’s just that not all risers value life. There are always rogues.”

  “Rogues?”

  He nodded.

  “You mean…”

  He glanced away. “Live eaters.” His voice was barely audible.

  “They eat…”

  “People,” he huffed, his disturbed gaze meeting her shocked one.

  Live eaters. She felt sick. Aiken hadn’t told her about rogues. Maybe Hollywood was closer than she realized.

  Grayson picked up a candy bar wrapper and jammed it in the trash bag with too much force.

  “Are there many…live eaters?” God. Saying it gave her a chill that wouldn’t go away.

  “No. It isn’t common. And Aiken assured me the Reapers keep on top of them.”

  Cori breathed deep the pine and floral scent of the cemetery, letting the information sink in. She eyed Grayson, the way his jaw clenched tight, the way his brow shaded his eyes. It hadn’t been easy for him to tell her this. And again, his disgust with who he was made more sense. Even if it was misplaced.

  “Okay,” she said. “Call me careful.”

  “Good.”

  Cori counted seven more pieces of trash before he said, “I can only say for sure that Aiken is safe. Anyone else, you should stay away from.”

  “And you,” Cori added.

  He stopped walking and let out a huge sigh that seemed to take most of his tension with it.

  “And me.” He half-grinned. “That’s a given. I could never hurt you, shrimp.”

  Grayson dropped the bag and pulled her close.

  “You haven’t called me that in a while,” she murmured, a pout on her lips.

  “Yeah, I’ve been thinking maybe I should come up with a better nickname for you.” He pretended to think about it. “How about baby?”

  “It’s a start.”

  “Hmm…sweetie?”

  “Better.”

  “Angel?”

  “That one. I like that one.”

  Grayson swept a quick kiss along her jaw. “You really are my angel,” he murmured against her skin.

  She wasn’t sure if he’d meant for her to hear it, but she answered anyway. “Mmm hmm.”

  He pulled back with a half grin—a Grayson grin. “Okay then. From now on I’ll call you angel…shrimp.”

  Even with complications, they were disgustingly happy. Which of course meant that things couldn’t stay that way.

  It was two days before the dance and Cori still didn’t have a dress. She’d never been shopping for a formal before and didn’t have the first clue where to start. She figured a mall would be useful, but there wasn’t one of those in Asher. So, she asked Peg.

  Apparently there was exactly one dress shop in town. Peg had been there just the day before and swore she’d found the perfect dress for Cori. Cori had her doubts of course, since Peg’s style was so flamboyant. Cori preferred to blend into the crowd, not be the centerpiece. The selling point though, was the fact that the dress in question was on sale. If it fit, Cori wouldn’t even have to ask her mom for the money. This was a huge plus because if her mom found out about the dance, she’d want to go all out for it—dress, hair, makeup, shoes, jewelry. And well, Cori just didn’t want to make a huge spectacle of it.

  She met Peg at Judy’s Formalwear that evening. They walked into the dressing room the saleslady had prepared for them and she spotted the dress. Her jaw dropped and her eyes bugged.

  It. Was. Gorgeous. A pale teal that reminded her of tropical beaches, and elegantly simple. It had only one shoulder strap that swept down into a fitted bodice. A spattering of tiny jewels lined the waist before flaring slightly at the hips to a skirt that formed graceful lines perpendicular to the ground.

  “What do you think?” Peg asked.

  “I can’t wear this.”

  “What? Why not?”

  So many reasons, but…“I don’t have the hips for this. It’s…it’s…”

  Peg scoffed. “Perfect? Amazing? Everything you’ve been looking for? Try it on.” She ducked out of the room before Cori could even begin another argument.

  Quickly she slipped the dress on and winced when Peg came back in.

  “Oh, Cori! It’s perfect!” she squealed. “Look at how it brings out your eyes.”

  Cori was afraid to look. She probably seemed ridiculous in a dress way too fancy for her. Grumbling about how silly it was, her eyes floated to the mirror. Then did a double take. Was that really her? She looked so different. She looked…pretty. Could a dress really make that much of a difference?

  “Now, tell me that dress isn’t perfect.” Peg was staring over Cori’s shoulder in the mirror, her green eyes ablaze with excitement.

  Peg was right. The dress was perfect. “Okay, maybe you’re pretty good at this stuff,” she admitted. Credit where credit was due.

  “Of course I am.” Her tone was certain. “What else were you expecting?”

  Cori smoothed the front of the dress, turning from one side to the other. “It’s a little long though.”

  Peg waved her off. “Nothing some four-inch heels won’t fix.”

  “Are you sure?”

  A firm nod. “Absolutely.”

  So Cori bought the dress. And the shoes.

  Two days later she was pulling it on when she heard the front door open and her mom call for her.

  No!

  Cori froze with dread. How could she be home already? She was supposed to be working the night
shift.

  Before she could get the dress off and hide it, she heard footsteps climbing the stairs and then a brisk knock on the bedroom door. She glanced at the closet. The window. Under the bed. Oh, this was crazy. The ruse was up. She was busted. Besides, how much damage could her mom do at the last minute? It wasn’t like she could schedule hair and makeup appointments now.

  Cori flung the door open and was shocked to find her mom beaming.

  “You knew.”

  “Of course I knew,” she said simply. “Aiken’s mom told me. So, it’s a group date then?”

  Aiken’s mom who wasn’t his mom.

  Cori turned back to look at the mirror as her mom strolled into the room. “Yeah, five of us.”

  “I see. That dress is gorgeous, honey.”

  Cori straightened the skirt nervously. “Uh, thanks. I didn’t, you know, want to make a big deal about this. That’s why…”

  “Sure. Why would your first dance be a big deal?” Mom said sarcastically. She smiled though, and Cori felt relieved. “I understand. Your daddy always told me I tried too hard to make you be like me. I figured I should listen to him this time,” she said quietly. “That’s why I didn’t say anything.”

  Cori was shocked and had to look away. She knew what it cost her mom to say that sort of thing, even just to mention her daddy.

  Finally she said, “It’s not such a bad thing, really. Being like you.”

  “Thanks, I think.” She bent and adjusted the hem of Cori’s skirt. “I know things haven’t been…right for a while. And I’m sorry for that.”

  “Things are okay, Mom. We both just need time.”

  “Yeah.” She nodded, sadly, and ran a trembling hand down Cori’s hair. “Well, I’ll let you finish getting ready. I am going to take pictures though, Cori. And you cannot object.”

  “Fine.”

  As she watched her mom go back down the stairs she realized that they’d actually come a long ways since moving to Asher. Things weren’t the same as they’d been when Daddy was around. But then, they never would be, would they? That was what happened when you lost someone so crucial; life changed. Eventually, you had to accept what was different about life in order to keep on living.

  Grayson was surprised at how nervous he was as he pulled up to Cori’s house. Even more so when he saw her mom’s SUV parked in the driveway.

  He looked at the clock on his dash. Right on time, if they were going to meet the others at the school for pictures. It might be a “group date” but he was determined to be the first one to lay eyes on Cori in her dress. If he couldn’t have the night with her all to himself, at least he could have that one little advantage.

  Grayson knocked on the door, anxious to see her.

  But she wasn’t the one who answered. It was her mother.

  “Hello,” she said easily. “You must be Grayson.”

  He nodded because he’d been caught off guard. His anti-social tendencies picked the worst time to show themselves.

  She stuck her hand out. “I’m Elaina, Cori’s mom.”

  Grayson shook her hand and tried to figure out what to say. How stupid that he was tongue-tied. “Uh, nice to meet you.”

  Just then, Cori came up behind Elaina and he was struck stupid all over again.

  “Hi,” she breathed just before her eyes flitted away shyly.

  She was stunning. Beautiful beyond words. Her dress was just as he’d hoped. And her hair was down. Right then, she was lovelier than any angel could ever hope to be.

  Annnnd he realized he hadn’t said anything yet.

  “I-I got you these,” he said quickly just to fill the silence. Grayson held out the box to her. “They’re flowers. For your hair. I asked the lady at the shop what kind I should get and she said those. They’re uh, miniature roses or something…” He was babbling. Like, for the first time ever, he was babbling. He ground his teeth together to prevent more words from tumbling out.

  Cori grinned and opened the box. “Mom?”

  Elaina was grinning too. “Let’s see what we got here.”

  Grayson waited patiently while she pinned the pink-tinged blooms into Cori’s hair. When she finished, Elaina stood back and admired her work. The flowers were perfect.

  Grayson just stared because he couldn’t look away.

  After a second, Cori’s smile faded and her hand went up to her hair. “Umm, are they okay?”

  “Perfect,” he said softly.

  “Okay, let’s get some pictures,” Elaina chirped. “Grayson, you stand right there. Yeah, in front of the mantle. Now, Cori, scoot in close. There you go. That looks good. On three…two…one…”

  There were a lot of camera clicks. Grayson didn’t think he was smiling really, and he kept looking over at Cori, but eventually Elaina seemed satisfied.

  Soon, they were in the car heading toward the school. When they got there, Peg and Rex were already waiting but Aiken was nowhere to be found. Grayson thought since this was all Aiken’s idea in the first place, he’d better show. But he kept the thought to himself.

  “My, my, my. Don’t you look marvelous,” Rex exclaimed as Cori approached. “The flowers were a nice touch.”

  Cori glanced away, clearly not any good at taking a compliment. “Thanks. The flowers were Grayson’s idea.”

  Rex looked at him suddenly, as if he’d just realized Grayson was there. “Hmm, how…sweet.”

  It was in that moment that Grayson realized he hadn’t exactly told Cori how gorgeous she looked. He would have to fix that later since Peg was herding them all into the picture line.

  After a few more camera clicks and some punch/water, Grayson finally had a chance to dance with her. The DJ played a song, nice and slow, and the dance floor filled up quickly.

  “Dance with me,” Grayson whispered in Cori’s ear as soon as the song started.

  She shook her head. “I told you, I don’t dance.”

  Lucky for them, Raina had taught him. One of her many “gentleman lessons,” none of which he’d taken seriously. Except for the dancing, and only then because it had been fun. It reminded him of sparring in a way. Only softer.

  He took her hand and pulled. “It’s easy. I’ll teach you.” This just made her head shake more aggressively.

  “It’s not that I can’t dance, it’s…I just don’t.”

  “Why not?”

  She pressed her lips together. Sighed. “It reminds me of my dad. We used to dance to the credits of Disney movies. When I was little he let me stand on his feet until I learned.” Her smile was so sad there should be another name for it. “Just before…the accident we watched Pirates of the Caribbean. I didn’t want to watch it and I was being a brat. So when the credits rolled and he asked me to dance—” Her voice cracked. Her eyes were filled with a mix of horror and grief. “I said no.”

  Talk about regrets. Grayson could only imagine how Cori felt. Her lip trembled and he squeezed her hand, tried to think of something to say. What could he do to make it better?

  “I get it,” he said.

  She shook her head.

  “I’m willing to bet your dad wasn’t the type to hold grudges. Am I right?”

  She laughed sadly. “You are. He was probably too forgiving at times.”

  Grayson nodded. “And I figure the number of dances versus the number of non-dances leans heavy to one side. Am I right?”

  She nodded.

  “I know what you need.”

  Her brow lifted.

  “You need to dance again. For your dad. For the memory of the one who taught you. It’d be a shame to turn your back on what he started just because he’s not here to do it with you, don’t you think?”

  He hoped he was right. Hoped he was saying the thing that would make her feel better. Grayson held his breath.

  Finally she gave a slow nod. “This won’t be easy.”

  He brought her hand to his lips and brushed the soft skin there. “It wouldn’t mean anything if it was.” He knew this was true because
it was proven by their relationship. It wasn’t easy but it was the most meaningful thing in his life.

  Once he’d persuaded her to the dance floor, he pulled her close. His hand spanned her ribs perfectly. “All you have to do is go where I take you.” He started to sway. “Loosen up. Yeah, like that.”

  Her breath hitched and her hand gripped his jacket so tight it looked painful.

  “Grayson, this isn’t working.”

  A distraction was needed.

  “Shh. It’s fine. You’re doing it. Just relax.” He hesitated, but went ahead and whispered, “I think your dad would want this, Cori.”

  “You’re right.” She eased a fraction.

  “There you go. Perfect. Just try not to think about it too much.”

  “Don’t think about it. okay. Yeah. Umm. So, where do you think Aiken is?”

  Grayson frowned. That wasn’t the kind of distraction he’d had in mind. “I don’t know. I haven’t heard from him. You?”

  Cori shook her head.

  He didn’t want her thinking of the Reaper right now. If anyone was going to be a distraction it was going to be him. Not Aiken.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever told you this,” he began. “But…um…” Why was he finding this hard to say when it was so plainly true? “You’re beautiful,” he blurted, sounding like an idiot.

  She blinked and looked away, the same as she had with Rex. Her shyness urged him on.

  “And tonight,” he continued as they swayed together. “You’re more gorgeous than the stars in the night sky.” Yeah, it still sounded strange coming from him, but it was true so he shrugged inwardly. She needed to know.

  Cori’s flush was so bright he could see it even in the dim lighting. “Thanks,” she mumbled, a small smile curving her lips.

  Dancing was nearly effortless now. Most of her tension was gone and he hoped this memory could overshadow the bad one. Because after what she’d told him, he knew how important it was to her.

  He pulled Cori closer, determined to make this dance count. She was the perfect height for her head to rest against his chest. Grayson frowned. She must be wearing some very high heels. Almost naturally, she let her head fall there and his hand went up to cradle it. Really, he just wanted an excuse to touch her hair again. For a moment he wondered what it would be like to tangle his hand in it, perhaps in a moment of passion.