by Eve Langlais
At the words, Adara moaned, arms hugging her frail form, trembling in terror.
A tremor shook the house, and the cool breeze wafting through the room turned into a raging wind that carried with it the stench of death.
“Shit. That doesn’t smell good.”
Titus didn’t disagree with Logan’s assessment. “We have to leave.” Although he feared it was already too late.
Seeing Adara frozen in terror, Logan scooped her up, tossing her over his shoulder in a fireman’s hold. She didn’t fight it, and Logan moved towards the kitchen, Titus at his heels, but he skidded to a halt as a wall of roiling darkness came creeping up the hallway.
“Don’t touch it,” Titus warned unnecessarily. They spun, only to see the same miasma encroaching from the other direction. They retreated back into the living room with the cackling corpse. Adara moaned and kept her face buried against Logan’s back.
“We need to find another way out,” Logan stated.
“Your powers of obvious observation are on point today.” Grabbing a chair, Titus flung it at the window, the tinkling glass a welcome sound amidst the wailing wind. Striding to the opening, he tore the curtains down and peered outside. No sign of the black fog. Yet. But he somehow doubted the necromancer had neglected this escape. At least it appeared a better chance than what waited in the hallway.
“You go first with Adara. When you hit the ground, run. I’ll try and hold off whatever it is they’ve sent.”
“How do you fight fog?”
“I’m not completely without resources. Now, stop yapping and go quickly.”
“Good luck,” Logan replied, tightening his grip on Adara. Logan ran at the window and dove out. As if that escape was a trigger, the dead ones shambled out of the shadows lacing the front yard.
Titus had to trust Logan’s speed and skill in evading the zombies while he ensured the fog didn’t touch them.
The thing about spells was that they took power. Lots of it. A necromancer, even a strong one, could only pour so much into a trap like the fog before he ran dry. But Titus couldn’t predict how long that would take. The other thing about spells was that sometimes you didn’t need magic to counter them.
Cold, damp fog? Two things in the natural world could counter it. Bright sunlight, which wasn’t likely at ten o’clock at night or…
Titus snared the decanter on the sideboard. Whiskey. Not a very expensive brand. He tossed it at the floor and smashed it. Fumes immediately filled the air. More bottles smashed, the alcohol running along the wood floor, spreading its reach, perfect for the match Titus lit and tossed.
Thank goodness a vampire who didn’t want to get caught, often ensured he carried the means to take care of his scraps in case his dinner proved feisty.
The alcohol ignited, dancing orange flames and instant heat against the encroaching fog. The roiling mass halted, but the spell kept pouring into it, increasing its mass, pushing it past the boundary of safety.
The first tendrils hit the smoke and flames. The heat licked at the mist, and it sizzled. It died with a high-pitched scream. But there was more fog to take its place.
Time for Titus to make his exit. He dove out the window and hit the ground with a roll before immediately springing to his feet. The dead surrounded Logan, his escape hampered by his inability to change and fight. Adara hung limply down his back.
“And this is why you should always have a backup plan for battle,” Titus muttered. He drew his long dagger, a sharp length of steel that almost sang in delight as it left the scabbard strapped down his back and hidden by his coat. While he usually preferred a hands-on approach to taking on enemies, knowing he might deal with zombies—disgusting creatures—he’d brought his old friend along to make things simpler and cleaner.
With a light kiss to his blade and a murmured, “dance with me,” he cut a swath through the dead, his speed and agility allowing him to move much faster than the slow-minded corpses. As soon as Titus created a gap, Logan took off running, Adara’s body bouncing against his back.
Remaining behind, Titus held off the zombies, hacking at their grasping hands, the fingers crooked and clawing, ducking under their slow movements. Limbs lay strewn across the front lawn, yet no sound of alarm was raised. The neighborhood remained quiet.
As suddenly as it had all begun, it was done. The animated bodies hit the ground, lifeless. Which might have sounded like a victory for Titus, but what it meant was that the necromancer poured his efforts into the fog. Glass shattered, and while smoke billowed from the already broken living room, a roiling black cloud poured from the newest opening. It streaked toward him, pushed by an unnatural breeze.
Since its touch would probably not prove conducive to his continued health and wellbeing, Titus sheathed his blade and misted off in the direction Logan had gone.
He met the wolf on his way back and took form. “What are you doing?” Titus barked. “Where’s Adara?”
“In the truck.”
“And you left her alone?”
“There was nothing happening in that area, so I was coming back to give you a hand.”
The wolf worried about him? It was a kinder gesture than he would have expected. “There is nothing left to fight unless you have a giant fan in the back of your truck.”
“So we’re just gonna let that fog creep?”
“I doubt it will be around for much longer.” The necromancer would have to run dry eventually.
As they spoke, they took long strides back to the truck, but Titus didn’t relax until he saw Adara slumped safely in the front seat. “Take her back to your home. Guard her. Call in some of your pack if you have to. Whatever she is involved in, they’re not even trying to be subtle about it.” Even Titus with all his resources would be hard-pressed to hide the evidence currently goring up the lawn of the deceased doctor.
“You think the sorcerer knows where she is?”
“I’d say there’s a good chance he does now that he’s seen our faces. It won’t be long before he puts a name to our faces. And then…”
Logan’s expression brightened. “The zombie apocalypse at my house.”
“How about we try and avoid that scenario? We are supposed to be hunting down the necromancer, not drawing attention to ourselves by playing with his minions.”
“What are you going to do while I take her home?”
“More research. There must be something I missed.”
“What about checking out the asylum she stayed in?” Logan asked.
At the words, Titus raised a brow. “What asylum? None of my notes make a mention of one.”
“It was Adara who told me about it. Said they put her in some kind of psyche ward.”
“Interesting.” Especially the fact, this was the first he’d heard of it. The good news? There was only one in the nearby vicinity.
But first, he needed to feed, and a lot. He’d expended a lot of energy not only fighting but also misting. Especially since, after he left Logan, he misted all the way home.
Retaking his human form, Titus strode through the front door and headed down to his basement room where he undressed and tossed the dirty clothes into the fireplace. Some things, like zombie juice and guts, shouldn’t be cleaned by anything but fire.
He pulled his sword free and, using a soft rag, wiped the blade clean and then polished it. “You fought well, old friend,” he said before placing it in its specially crafted cradle on the wall. It was the weapon his father had given him a long time ago. The only remaining link he had to his past.
Before grabbing a shower, he texted Logan to let him know that he’d made it home safely, not because he cared if the wolf knew, but Adara might. He hoped.
Under the stinging hot water, he finally allowed himself to think over the events of the evening. The necromancer appeared to have a sudden need to erase people who’d encountered Adara and, even more disturbing, showed a desperate need to get his hands on her. The reason still eluded him, just like her secret id
entity did. The one thing he couldn’t deny was his growing attraction to her, despite the fact that she found more comfort in the wolf’s presence.
It annoyed him that theirs seemed like a love triangle reminiscent of that teen Twilight craze, with the exception that the things he wanted to do to Adara were definitely not PG rated. And unlike some feel-good book, he’d have no problem eliminating the competition if push came to shove.
Don’t push me too hard, wolf. I will fight back.
But he’d hold off doing anything deadly for the moment. A little competition in wooing a lady was never amiss. It added to the excitement of the chase. A pursuit made even more intense by the deepening mystery surrounding Adara.
Given the evening’s events, there weren’t many choices open to them. With the initial admitting doctor now dead, the records destroyed, and the follow-up coma institute burned to the ground, that left only one course of action: investigating her stay at the asylum.
Hopefully, it wouldn’t also go up in flames before the sun set the next day. But, just in case it did, he should bring along some marshmallows.
Chapter Twenty-Four
When Adara’s eyes blinked open, it was to see the doctor spread eagle on the wall, his face gray and grotesque, his jaw open wide, his lips even wider on a silent scream.
The blood. So much blood.
He spoke to her.
“Forsaken one. You can’t run forever.”
Then he reached for her, with fingertips turned black, and she screamed.
And screamed.
Hands grabbed her and shook.
“Adara. Adara. Snap out of it.”
The sound emerging from her mouth faded to a treble then a hiccupping sob. When she recognized that Logan held her, she flung her arms around his neck and clung tightly. “I had a horrible nightmare. There was a man. Pinned to a wall. He was dead. And he talked to me!”
“It wasn’t a dream.”
Which meant… “The zombies outside?”
“Real, too. You remember this time?”
Not entirely. It still felt like a dream, a hazy one at that, full of fear and bone-shivering cold. “I remember going to his house and seeing”—the depravity someone could heap on a living being—“the body. Then there was a fog, only it wasn’t, and then we were outside.” And then things got really scary. Her mind had shut down rather than dealing with it.
“You fainted, and I got you home.”
“Where’s Titus?” She glanced around Logan, searching for him.
“Probably sleeping in his coffin.”
She ignored the vampire joke to focus on the important fact. “He’s okay?”
“Depends on your definition of okay. If you mean was he hurt, then no, but he’s still a blood-sucking leech so…” Logan shrugged and grinned.
“He’s a vampire.”
“I thought we went over this already.”
“Yes, but…” It took a moment for her to grasp why this was important. “I remember.”
His brows raised. “Hell yeah, I guess you did. Do you remember what I am?”
“A giant, shaggy dog?” She deliberately teased and earned a mock growl.
“I’ll show you a dog.” He headed toward her, and she squeaked as she jumped out of his bed. Because once again, he’d given her his room.
There was nowhere to go, which meant he caught her, and while her heart raced, it wasn’t with fear this time. More like anticipation.
She tilted her head to peer at him. He met her gaze with a steady one of his own. His arms were looped loosely around her.
The moment was fraught with tension, the kind that had her lower belly flipping. She leaned up on tiptoe, and he met her halfway. His hot breath brushed her lips.
Knock. Knock.
“What the fuck do you want?” he snarled, his frustration palpable but also frightening.
She stiffened in his grip before stepping away.
What am I doing? Almost kissing him. Which felt right and wrong at the same time.
She had no business kissing anyone right now, not with the havoc happening in her life.
“There’re some cops here,” said a voice through the door.
At the claim, Logan’s expression turned dark. “What do they want?”
“They wouldn’t say. Just insisted on talking to you.”
Expression grim, he turned to her. “Stay in this room. Don’t come out. This could take a while.”
“Is this because of last night?”
“Could be. Or it could be something else. Don’t worry about it. I’ll handle it. In the meantime, don’t leave this room. I mean it, honey. It might be best if as few people as possible know you’re here.”
“What if you don’t come back?” She couldn’t help the fear that crept into her voice. In a short span of time, Logan had become a rock for her to lean on. An oasis in the maddening storm of a world of zombies and vampires and dead things that spoke—which, more and more, she realized might not be a fabrication of her mind.
“I’ll be back. Eventually. Once night falls, Titus will be here. You know you can trust him.”
She did, yet that didn’t stop the tremble of her lips. “I’m scared.”
He brushed his thumb over the lower one. “It’s okay, honey.”
Then he was gone, leaving her alone with her thoughts, her guilt, and her questions.
What is happening?
A few days ago, she’d thought herself a mental mess, dreaming up things that didn’t exist. Her mind a foggy place where reality was hard to discern. But now that fog appeared to be lifting, and the real world was more screwed up than she could have imagined.
Zombies existed. And were after her.
Werewolves were real. And sexy.
Vampires actually stalked the night. And one particular vamp stalked Adara.
Because he likes me.
She didn’t exactly understand why. Just like she didn’t get Logan’s interest. Although his was easier to discern. In her, he saw someone weak, something in need of protection. He wanted to be that protector.
Whereas Titus… He was attracted to Adara because she was an enigma. At least that was the only reason she could come up with. It wasn’t as if she were worldly and sophisticated. She was attractive, but by no means Helen-of-Troy beautiful.
There must be something about her that she couldn’t see that these two powerful men could.
Power attracts power.
Except she had none. Did she?
The fog in her brain hadn’t lifted enough for her to say with any true certainty.
A knock at the door had her whirling to stare at it.
Logan? Not likely. He wouldn’t knock. He’d just enter.
She crept to the portal and took a deep breath before opening it.
The man standing there looked familiar. He held up a paper bag. “I’ve got some food if you’re hungry.”
She almost said no, but her stomach chose that moment to growl. Her cheeks heated. “Yes, please. You’re Kevin, right?”
“Yup. Boss left me in charge and told me to take care of you.”
“Is he all right? What’s happening?” she asked as Kevin entered and began pulling wrapped items from the bag.
“Cops took him down to the station for questioning. Seems there was a murder last night and someone placed him in the area.”
Her hand covered her mouth. “He’s been arrested?
“What?” Kevin shot her a look. “Fuck no. For one, he’s got an alibi. Beat me soundly at poker last night, don’t you know. Me and a few other people.” He winked. “Plus, we keep some kick-ass lawyers on retainer.”
“Does he get in trouble often?”
“Logan? Nah. But some of the younger pups tend to get rambunctious on full moons. We get a lot of indecent exposure complaints.”
“Because you’re a wolf.” The more times she said it, the easier it became.
“I am, but you’re not.” His gaze fixed her, the greenne
ss of it also hinting at yellow. Feral and wild. He took a step toward her. “What are you?”
“I don’t know.”
“Logan won’t say.”
“He doesn’t know, either.”
Kevin took another step. “You smell”—his voice dropped an octave—“yummy.”
“So does this burger,” she practically squeaked, grabbing a wrapper and peeling it back. She took a big bite. “Mmm. Delicious. Thanks.”
Kevin shook his head and cursed. “Fuck. Sorry about that. Good thing the boss listened when I told him you should be kept away from other pack members.”
“I’m sorry to be a bother.”
“Don’t apologize. This is the most exciting shit we’ve had happen since my great-uncle went to the zoo, turned wolf, and joined the pack there. He refused to turn back for weeks, claiming he was in love.”
She blinked and said nothing as she chewed.
“My great-aunt was pissed. When he eventually returned, she made him sleep outside.”
“Did she divorce him?” Because cheating was cheating even in the animal kingdom, right?
“Nope. Mostly because he couldn’t do anything as a wolf. Erectile dysfunction happens in both shapes, apparently, and he couldn’t get his paws on any pills to help him.”
“That’s awful.”
Kevin shrugged and grinned. “Depends on who you ask. Which is why I’m saying don’t sweat shit. Your life might be messed up, but we can handle it.”
“People have died.”
“Then we’ll just have to put a stop to it. It’s not like you’re doing the killing.”
But it was happening because of her.
The forsaken one will seed despair to any who offer succor.
The words were faint. Dreamlike and yet terrifying. But they also had another effect.
Strengthening her resolve to find answers.
They’re out there. Somewhere. And I will find them.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Want out. His wolf was very clear.
Me too, buddy. But we gotta play by the rules.
Which meant Logan cooled his heels in an interrogation room. He’d been here for six hours now. A quarter-day of bullshit. The cops kept asking him the same shit over and over.
