Dead Hearts (Book 2): Forsaken Hearts

by Susanne L. Lambdin

  “You’re in the wrong place,” said Pallaton. “Come with me. Both of you. We’re getting out of here.” His hand lowered, sliding down her shoulder and causing every hair on the back of her neck and arms to rise. “I have looked everywhere for you since you disappeared, but I never expected to find you here.”

  “We’ve been hiding,” said Blaze. “Are you turning us in?”

  Pallaton took Blaze by the arm and managed to grab Whisper by the shoulder, guiding them both back through the crowd and down a long hallway that ended in a wide area partitioned off by a steel fence. A few small tour groups were walking down a red carpet, pausing to admire the zombies held back by a second fence. There were three pens with nets hanging from above, ready to be lowered in case of an emergency.

  “Last night the Kaiser ordered three attacks,” said Pallaton. “One at Seven Falls against Highbrow; another against the Dark Angels’ at their hotel; and the third at the Cliff Dwellings where Cadence took her new team of mutants. I personally led the attack on the Cliff Dwellings and managed to capture most your friends, including Cadence.”

  “She’s here? Cadence is here?” asked Blaze, excited to hear the news.

  Pallaton nodded and smiled in a sad sort of way. “She is here. I’ve released Tandor, and he’ll arrange to free your friends and get your commander out of here. However, they need a diversion and that’s where you and Whisper come in. Open the doors to the zombie pens and go directly to the main campus courtyard. Tandor will be waiting at the chopper. It’s all arranged.”

  The urge to kiss Pallaton for his help brought Blaze up on her tiptoes. The vampire swiftly caught of her shoulders, forcing her to stare at the zombies. Blaze didn’t mention to Pallaton that their former captain and seven F.A. soldiers were in the pen. The captain watched Blaze with gray film-covered eyes as if he recognized her; it was most disturbing.

  “One more thing,” said Pallaton. “I confiscated several vials of Chameleon Blood from the Dark Angels, which I’ve used to lace the fighters’ protein shakes this morning. Every human fighter is as strong as you or Dragon and hopefully will give the Shadowguard a bit of trouble.”

  “Why are you doing this?” asked Blaze, turning to face her former guardian. “I thought you were a bad guy.”

  “Not this evening,” said Pallaton. “Besides, I owe my brother a favor, so let’s leave it at that. Good luck you two. I must rejoin the Kaiser in his private box, least he suspect I’m a Dark Angel, which is the last thing we want.”

  Blaze blinked and Pallaton was gone. She spotted Whisper in his leprechaun hat working his way through the vampire tour group. While the tour guide explained which city the zombies had been captured in, Whisper lifted the latch and opened the gate to the first pen. Blaze quickly went around the pen, aware the captain was watching her, and reached the second pen. She opened the gate and quickly mingled among the vampires, working her way over to Whisper who fended off an amorous female vampire. Slipping past Whisper, Blaze went over to the third pen and unlocked the door before returning to help him. The female vampire pouted when Blaze pulled Whisper away from her and turned back to her friends. Blaze kept hold of Whisper’s hand, pulling him past the first pen and let out a loud whistle. They both glanced at the captain as his head lifted and he glanced at the open gate.

  “We’ve got to go,” said Blaze, tugging on Whisper to follow her.

  With a loud snarl, the captain pushed open the gate and led the zombies out of the first pen. The door to the second pen opened and more zombies came streaming out, heading right for the vampires. Blaze heard someone scream. A vampire was pulled down by a pack of zombies. Everywhere was confusion and terror as the vampires tried to get away from the oncoming zombies. Blaze and Whisper pushed through the crowd and arrived in a dimly lit hallway with a dozen doors, all painted with a red ‘X’ in the middle. They separated and ran down the hallway, opening each door, and headed toward the exit. Behind them could be heard horrible snarls and growls, followed by more vampires screaming, but neither turned. Whisper opened the exit door, exposing the night sky and a light layer of snow on the ground.

  Running across the parking lot, they reached the main campus. At the sound of rumbling vehicles, Blaze and Whisper stepped behind a bush and watched as an Army truck and a Jeep drove toward the football stadium parking lot. Two hundred Shadowguard in trench coats and black uniforms followed behind the vehicles, fanning out as the vehicles stopped. The back of the truck opened. A large number of human and vampire prisoners jumped out of the truck and started to walk toward the arena.

  “Let’s get a better view,” said Whisper. He pulled at Blaze’s arm and pointed up at a water tower that stood close to the stadium.

  Taking a running jump, Whisper shot into the air and landed on the platform. Blaze took a step back, jumped, and propelled herself upwards. She flew through the air, suppressing her laughter, and landed beside Whisper.

  “Did you see what I just did?” she said. “I bet I could jump even higher!”

  “Hush!” Whisper knelt down and lifted his rifle, peering through the scope. “Pallaton was right. Those are our people down there, but they’re being taken over to fight in the games, not released. I don’t see Tandor.”

  Blaze glanced toward the Black Hawk chopper which stood in a large field beside three smaller choppers. Shadowguard stood guard at every chopper, but she didn’t see Tandor. A line of prisoners were marched past the choppers. Even with burned clothes and bloody faces, Blaze was able to identify Cadence, Xena, Loki, Dodger, Monkey, and Cricket. A red werewolf and three werepumas trotted behind them, all wearing collars which were held by vampire guards, and behind them walked a dozen Dark Angels. More Shadowguard came running from every direction and fell in beside the prisoners, escorting them toward the stadium.

  “I see Cadence,” said Whisper. “She doesn’t look so good.”

  “Where is Tandor? He’s supposed to be waiting for us.”

  Screams coming from the football stadium caught their attention. Their diversion had worked. Costumed vampires came rushing toward the fence, screaming and shouting, pursued by zombies. Vampires leapt over the fence and ran across the parking lot, but many more were trapped at the fence that ran around the stadium. As the vampires tried to climb the fence, it collapsed under their weight, carrying both fence and bodies to the ground. The eager zombies pressed forward, and gunfire erupted as the Shadowguard attempted to hold back the tide of zombies, protect the fans fleeing the stadium, and keep control of their prisoners. Vampires came running out of a nearby building, but Blaze knew at once it was Tandor, Lachlan, and Picasso. They fired back at the Shadowguard and the prisoners headed toward them, racing toward the Black Hawk chopper.

  Blaze and Whisper jumped off the water tower and landed softly on the ground. They lifted their weapons, shooting at the Shadowguard as they raced across the parking lot, pushing through the vampires and zombies, on their way to the Black Hawk. A white werepuma darted across their path, taking a Shadowguard. A tall, young woman in a charred leather coat fell in beside Blaze, running just as fast and hard.

  “Cadence!” shouted Blaze.

  The commander caught Blaze’s eyes and pointed over at the Black Hawk. The spinning propellers tossed up a cloud of dust as they started to whirl faster. Blaze and Whisper rushed over to the other side of the commander and ran with them to the chopper, pursued by vampires in black trench coats. A large vampire guard reached out for Cadence, but Rafe came out of nowhere and tackled the Shadowguard to the ground. The guards surrounded Rafe, while Blaze, Whisper, Cadence and the Dark Angels reached the helicopter.

  Blaze scrambled on board and helped Cadence inside. Whisper jumped in and moved out of the way as the Dark Angels scrambled inside. Not everyone made it to the chopper, though. As the helicopter started to lift, Blaze glanced out the door to see that a red werewolf and four werepumas had been left behind. They were chased off by the Shadowguard and five cyborg zombies, and they sped across the c
ourtyard past Loki and Xena, who’d been trapped under a net. Blaze lost sight of her friends as Lachlan slammed the door shut. The chopper rose quickly and headed away from the Citadel, going south.

  “That’s all that’s coming,” said Lachlan. He sat next to Whisper and met Blaze’s eyes. “I’m sorry more didn’t make it out, Blaze. We did our best.”

  Craning her neck around, Blaze spotted Picasso at the controls with Tandor in the seat beside him. Micah and Ginger were seated on the other side of Whisper. Cadence and four more Dark Angels sat on Blaze’s side. The commander’s coat and clothing were ripped and covered with holes. Blood covered Cadence’s chest and hands. Patches of burned skin could be seen on her face and neck. Blaze knew the commander wouldn’t have lasted long in the arena, not in her current condition. She looked back out the window as the chopper flew over the campus, heading toward the mountains, as guilt set in.

  “Dragon didn’t get Star out,” said Blaze. She glanced at Cadence. “We left quite a few people behind. We’ll have to go back for them, as soon as we can.”

  “I know,” said Cadence. “It’s a miracle any of us made it out. You timed things perfectly, Lachlan. I don’t know how you, Picasso, and Tandor orchestrated our escape, but you did a good job.”

  Blaze spoke up. “It was Pallaton,” she said. “He’s the one who arranged for the diversion at the stadium. Whisper and I let out the zombies, but we wouldn’t have gotten out of the Citadel if he hadn’t sent Tandor on ahead to the chopper.”

  “There are other Chameleons,” said Lachlan. “I saw them. Pallaton must have given Cadence’s blood to all of the human prisoners. The ones I saw fighting against the Shadowguard were incredibly strong, but they’re outnumbered and untrained. I doubt any of them will get far, but we did throw a dent in the Kaiser’s plans.”

  “Rafe sacrificed his freedom to save me,” said Cadence, sounding bitter. “Kirin is dead. I saw her go down during the assault on the Manitou Cliff Dwellings, and she wasn’t with us when the Shadowguard brought us to the Citadel.” She put a burned hand on Blaze’s arm. “I know you are grateful Pallaton helped you get out, but he’s the one who led the attack. I blame him for Kirin’s death.”

  “Pallaton was my guardian,” said Blaze. “He’s the only reason I’m still alive. It’s not his fault Kirin died. He had to lead the attack and maintain his cover. He’s on our side.”

  “We’re Chameleons, Cadence,” Whisper said, shouting over the chopper engine. “Dragon gave us his blood. He’s superhuman, too. I know he would have joined us if he’d been able to get to Star. He told us he wouldn’t leave without her.”

  Blaze leaned against Cadence. “It’ll be good to get back to camp.”

  “We’re not going back there,” said Cadence. “Highbrow threw me out. He threw out anyone who took my blood, including Freeborn and Thor. We’re headed to Chief Chayton’s new camp but we can’t stay long; we will move out in the morning. I’ll find someplace safe for us where we can regroup and recover from our losses.”

  A hundred questions entered Blaze’s mind that she wanted to ask about Highbrow and being exiled. Cadence looked too tired to question, and Blaze was certain her friend was hurting over the recent breakup with Highbrow. It was hard to imagine Highbrow would throw them out just because they were infected. Harder still to think anything could ever separate him from Cadence.

  “I’m glad we have some place to go,” said Blaze, leaving it at that. She looked over at Whisper to get his reaction about Highbrow. Her boyfriend was sleeping. It was the first time he’d slept in days.

  The Dark Angels were exhausted as well. Ginger had her head on Micah’s shoulder and both sat with their eyes closed. The rest of the Dark Angles had suffered injuries and weren’t interested in idle conversation. Only Lachlan remained alert and attentive. Blaze smiled when she saw how the Irishman gazed back at Cadence. It was obvious that he cared deeply about her. Not saying a word, Blaze laid her head on Cadence’s shoulder and heard a heavy sigh come from the young woman.

  Whatever happened now, Blaze knew Cadence would sort things out. She’d reorganize their team and find a new place for them to call home. Everything was going to work out as long as they kept together and didn’t lose faith in tomorrow.

  * * *

  Walking out of the Cave of the Winds, Thor watched a helicopter fly overhead and drop down to land on the parking lot. Rose stood beside him. Several werewolves trotted out of the cave, along with Chief Chayton, in human form, dressed for winter. Phoenix stood at the entrance, accompanied by a black werewolf with a white-tipped tail and a small, tawny werewolf. Freeborn, Lotus, and Smack, wearing winter coats and carrying guns, stood off to the side, silently watching the helicopter land. A side door opened and Lachlan peered out.

  “I guess that’s your cue to leave, Doc,” said Thor. “I don’t know why you and the Dark Angels want to return to Seven Falls, but I’m glad you showed up when you did. We wouldn’t have made it out of the Cliff Dwellings if you guys hadn’t shown up, and for that, you have my gratitude. But you know Highbrow isn’t going to change. Don’t expect him to welcome you back with open arms when you’re infected like the rest of us. There will always be a side of him that doesn’t trust you, no matter what you do.”

  “I have to go back, Thor,” said Rose. “The Dark Angels are sworn to protect all humans. It’s up to you to take care of your own team. Cadence is going to need you now more than ever.” She patted him on the shoulder. “We’ll be in touch. You can count on it.”

  Keeping her head down, Rose ran to the helo as Cadence, Blaze, Whisper, and Lachlan climbed out. The doctor shook Cadence’s hand before climbing inside to join the rest of the Dark Angels. The door closed, and the helicopter started to rise. The small group ducked down to avoid the rotor wash and ran over to Thor and their waiting friends.

  “Thank God you’re all alive,” said Thor. He’d hoped to see Star among the survivors; she wasn’t, and he found it impossible not to feel disappointed. “Is this all that made out?”

  Cadence nodded. “A few more might have escaped on foot,” she said. “Picasso and Tandor will join us here later. I know you expected us to return with Star, but it just wasn’t possible. We’ll go back to the Citadel and rescue our friends, but first, we need time to rest and plan this out thoroughly.”

  A light snow began to fall, pushed along by a cold northeastern breeze. Blaze and Whisper hurried over to Smack and Lotus, excitedly filling them in about the battle and who’d been left behind. Phoenix joined them while the wolves went back inside, leaving Thor with Cadence, Lachlan, and Freeborn. The Tiger guard and threw a fur blanket around Cadence’s shoulders.

  “The storm is going to get worse,” said Freeborn. “Best go in out of the cold.”

  Thor took a moment to stare back toward the Citadel. He remained outside, thinking of Star, as Freeborn escorted Lachlan and Cadence into the cave. Left alone, Thor gazed up at the dark sky as snow fell on his face. Somehow, someway, her new team, the Earth Corp, would regroup and find a way to defeat the Kaiser and his Shadowguard.

  Now that Cadence was back, nothing could stop them. Their team might be small, but they were mighty.

  The fight for survival had just begun.

  # # # # #

  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 c
ontact Susanne, learn more about her current and upcoming projects, and join her mailing list, please visit www.SusanneLambdin.com.

  The following is an

  Excerpt from Book 3 of the Dead Hearts series:

  Vengeful Hearts

  ___________________

  Susanne L. Lambdin

  Available from Theogony Books

  February, 2017

  eBook, Paperback and Audio

  Excerpt from “Vengeful Hearts:”

  Dragon moved into action. He was faster than any vampire, vanishing and reappearing in the center of the zombies, swinging his swords and lopping off heads. The three cyborgs advanced on Dragon, spewing fire from their arms, keeping him occupied as the vampires headed toward him. With a leap, Dragon unseated a vampire, confiscated his motorcycle and zipped around the field.

  “This is new,” Logan said. “I didn’t know Dragon could ride a bike.”

  * * * * *