Dead Hearts (Book 3): Vengeful Hearts

by Susanne L. Lambdin

  Among his clothes she found a jeweled dagger, as well as a gold pendant with a Celtic cross on a long chain. Both items looked like they came from a museum. She began carrying the dagger in her boot and wearing the necklace, although she hadn’t found any mention of either item in the journal thus far.

  Flipping through the pages, Cadence came across the drawing of a spear. It was labeled: Spear of Destiny. She frowned. There was a quote from the Bible when Jesus was pierced by a Roman spear while hanging on the cross. Someone had circled the word ‘spear’ with blue ink, and had written a note about the blood of Christ being on the spear.

  Before the Scourge, she had read about Hitler searching for the Spear of Destiny. Hitler thought he could use the spear to win the war. After World War II, it was reported the Americans had found it and returned home with it. Cadence jumped when a shadow fell across her table.

  “Steady there,” Thor said. “Didn’t mean to startle you.”

  Cadence smiled, tucking the journal away. “Sorry, I haven’t been sleeping much. Sit and keep me company. Coffee is on its way.”

  Thor slid in across from her. “Waitress! We’re paying customers! Some service over here!” He laughed when Smack revealed her single, middle finger in his direction.

  “Must you be so loud?” Cadence winced.

  “Sorry. I get a kick out of pretending to be an annoying patron. It makes it feel like an ordinary day in the ‘hood.’” He picked up her menu and looked it over. “Sometimes I wish we had meat other than venison. Guess I’ll go with pancakes.”

  “What do you know about monoliths? I’ve been dreaming of the English countryside and a giant monolith in a graveyard. It doesn’t make any sense.”

  At that moment, Smack came over and placed two mugs and a pitcher of coffee on the table. She smacked her gum and gave Thor a once-over. “Whatcha want for breakfast, hot stuff? Oatmeal or pancakes?”

  “Scrambled eggs and four strips of bacon, sweet thing,” Thor said, placing his arm on the back of his seat.

  “No eggs or bacon. Canned soup, oatmeal, fried rice, or pancakes. It’s what we have. What about you, commander? I also made butterscotch pudding. They had no shortage of pudding here, but no canned-beef or tuna. The pudding has a shelf life of like, forever. And of course we have beans. Baked beans. Lima beans. Black eyed-beans. And green beans. But if you ask me, I’d go with the pancakes.”

  “Pancakes!” Cadence and Thor declared in unison.

  Smack skipped across the room to the kitchen, bundled in an oversized sweater pulled over black tights. Tall boots met the sweater at the knees. Her reddish-blonde hair swung in braids across her back.

  “Underneath that chipped fingernail polish and bubble gum is one tough little kid,” Thor said. “Speaking of tough, Star escaped the Citadel. Tandor got here a little while ago with news that the Kaiser sent zombie cyborgs under Shadowguard control to attack the camp. Star showed up just in time to save their butts.”

  “Wait a minute. Were there any casualties during the attack? Highbrow is lucky he wasn’t captured, and his camp wiped out. They should have come here; I told Highbrow to come here, but he’s being stubborn.”

  “Yeah. They lost a lot. Highbrow has asked that you to send help. Do you want to go with me? I was hoping you would. I could care less about Highbrow, but I want to see Star. Plus, while the Dark Angels are at the Citadel getting our people out, we don’t have to plan a rescue, so you’ve got time.”

  Thor had changed since the days at Pike’s Peak. He was a bully then, but now was one of her most dependable team members. She understood his desire to see Star. She wanted to see her too. Leaving NORAD after the camp had been attacked with news of incoming bounty hunters seemed like trouble. She baptized her coffee with sugar. It still tasted awful.

  “I don’t think I should leave. Take Whisper and Lachlan.”

  “If Whisper goes, Blaze will want to go,” Thor said. “I’d rather take Phoenix. You ever noticed Phoenix talking to animals? She can coax a deer right to her, which is why we have venison.”

  “Smack can talk to the dead. I saw her do it the other day. Phoenix and Smack both have new gifts. Heck, even I’m getting stronger. I might be slow to develop my skills, but I’ve noticed a change. I feel more in tune with everything these days.”

  “Maybe I should take Smack in case we run into zombies on the way, she can tell them to attack the Citadel.” Thor grinned. “You look tired. I’ll deal with whatever is going on at Seven Falls. Stay and get some rest.” He noticed the journal and reached for it. “Now I know why you’re not sleeping. You’re keeping a diary.”

  “It belonged to Captain Mallory, my room’s previous steward. I read a little each night before bed, but a lot of it is in Latin.” Cadence pushed the journal toward him. “I was hoping Lachlan would show up as he speaks Latin. It might have valuable information. Like a government conspiracy.”

  “You sure you want Lachlan to go with me? Maybe you and he should read this in bed together.”

  Cadence laughed. “You need to mind your own business.”

  While Thor flipped through the journal, Cadence watched her friends at the counter. Phoenix was downing a stack of pancakes. Lotus served Blaze a bowl of soup, although Cadence noticed the girl showed no interest, spinning her spoon around the bowl.

  A subtle gasp from Thor caught Cadence’s attention. He pulled a folded piece of paper from a slit in the spine of the journal and handed it to her. She opened it and her mouth dropped open—it was a detailed picture of a monolith.

  “Now do you think I’m crazy?” Cadence asked.

  “A little, as I don’t believe in coincidence. I wonder what that is, and why Mallory drew it? And no, I don’t read Latin. You need the Irishman.”

  “Here you go!” Smack returned with two plates of pancakes. “No eggs. No bacon. No toast. There’s syrup, though, and plenty of it.”

  Thor pushed the journal aside and dug into his food with gusto. Cadence took her time cutting the pancakes into tiny pieces while gazing at the drawing, before finally taking a bite. She lifted her fork, missed her mouth, and dripped a glob of syrup on the picture. Annoyed, she tried wiping it off with her finger and smeared one of the runes drawn on the stone.

  “Will you eat?” Thor asked. “Stop worrying about it. People dream about the last thing they see at night. Trust me, it’s not a government conspiracy. That type of crazy thinking stirred everybody up when the Scourge broke out. People said the government released the virus, when everyone knows it was…” he paused, “a virus picked up by a soldier in Afghanistan who returned and spread it here. Yep. Must be a government conspiracy, just not ours.”

  “I’d never seen the drawing before, Thor; you just found it.”

  “Then eat up, show Lachlan, and figure out your little mystery. Maybe you can speak to the dead, too. Maybe Mallory’s ghost is visiting you at night.” Thor stood up.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To find Lachlan and Whisper. Then I’m off to see my girlfriend!”

  Thor headed out. He brushed past Sheena and almost knocked her over. The petite teen entered with Moon Dog, a tall, lanky Navajo with a white streak marking his long, black hair. Wearing simple jeans and sweaters, it was rare to see them in human form. Blaze left without saying a word. The new arrivals sat on either side of Phoenix.

  “We need a team meeting,” Cadence said. She slid the journal into her coat pocket and brought the dishes to the counter. “There’s been an attack at the camp. Thor is heading over there with Lachlan and Whisper. Is Blaze okay? She left fast. What’s up?”

  Sheena spoke up first. “Whisper was out all night. He and Lachlan went to the fourth lake around midnight to hook up surveillance cameras down there. Blaze just went to find them; you know how pissy she gets when Whisper isn’t at her beck and call.”

  “What time is it?” Cadence asked.

  Phoenix glanced at her watch. “About 4 a.m. You want me to head Blaze off before ther
e’s trouble in Lovers’ Land?”

  Cadence’s stomach dropped. “Yeah, go check it out and tell Blaze I want to see her. Lotus and Smack, you two go see if Lachlan and Whisper are in their rooms or at the arcade. I’m going to talk to Tandor about the attack.”

  Smack saluted. “Yes, sir. I mean, ma’am.” She headed out with Lotus.

  “I overheard you talking to Thor,” Phoenix said. “I’ve been having the same dream too, but then I’ve got a poster of a monolith on my bedroom wall.”

  “Okay, now I’m worried,” Cadence said. “I don’t believe in coincidence.”

  Moon Dog and Sheena glanced at one another, stripped, and transformed into animals. The tawny werepuma and midnight-black werewolf trotted toward the door. Phoenix whistled at them, and they shot through the door together.

  Cadence was right behind them. She picked up the light scent of perfume in the corridor and knew it belonged to Blaze, but she wasn’t headed in the direction of the lakes. She followed the scent down the hallway, turning several corners, and arrived at the armory. She opened the door and turned on the lights. Blaze stood in the middle of the room staring off into space, holding an M4 carbine with a grenade-launcher attached. Her behavior was anything but normal.

  “You okay?” Cadence asked. “What do you need that for?”

  Blaze spun around and pointed the weapon at Cadence. “Stay out of my way, Whisper needs my help.”

  Cadence jumped behind a table, and Blaze bolted for the door. Rolling to her side, she pulled out her radio and contacted Freeborn.

  “We’ve got a problem,” Cadence said. “Blaze just left the armory locked and loaded. She said Whisper needs her help, and she seemed spooked. Tell Thor to meet me at the lake. The rest of the team is already on their way.”

  The radio fuzzed.

  Cadence ran toward the stairs leading to the underground lakes. She didn’t think she was running fast enough, but when she caught up with Freeborn and Thor on the next level, she took pride in her speed. Another flight of stairs led into the heart of the compound, with pipes running across the ceiling and walls. They came to the last door in the hallway. No. 4. Thor removed the rifle from his shoulder and opened the metal door.

  “Ladies first.”

  The lights were still out. Phoenix, Moon Dog, and Sheena stood beside the lake. Red flares around them created an eerie glow. Phoenix tossed another flare to the opposite side. The black water rippled, as if something lived beneath its surface.

  Cadence broke into a nervous sweat. On the far side of the lake stood a monolith, hidden by shadow. Hundreds of dead animals surrounded it and lined the lakeside. The cavern reeked of death and decay.

  “Are Lachlan and Whisper here?” Cadence asked, keeping her voice soft. “Where is Blaze? I thought she was coming here?”

  Phoenix lit another flare and tossed it toward the monolith. A figure standing next to the stone was illuminated by the red flash. A monolith resembling the one in Cadence’s dreams was exposed too, but it was not the same one from Mallory’s journal. The cut of the stone was at an angle reaching to a point, while the drawing reflected a flat top.

  Blaze was standing in front of the stone monument. She held her rifle close and stood motionless.

  “What the hell is Blaze doing?” Thor asked. “Blaze? What are you doing? Get over here. Can’t you see all of the dead animals?” His voice echoed through the chamber, causing large ripples to move across the surface of the lake. Something disturbed the water, drawing his gaze. A long, spiked tail slid beneath the top of the water. “Are there eels in the lake? I think I just saw a big one.”

  The werepuma and werewolf crouched low, tails held straight out, their attention fixed on what stirred the water.

  “Forget about the eel,” Phoenix said. “I want to know what’s up with the giant rock. This must be one of those supernatural objects the government collects. Like in Indiana Jones. I bet that rock caused the death of those animals. Shouldn’t someone get Blaze away from it?”

  Thor turned around and shouted, “Blaze, you damn fool! Get clear of that rock! It’s poisoning the air or something. Do you hear me? Move!”

  The monolith started to hum and the ground trembled. The stone began to open at the center, allowing a green light to spread. Freeborn and Thor moved forward, but Cadence wasn’t about to let them be harmed. She pushed through them and ran toward the monument as fast as she could.

  Blaze was bathed in a strange glow of red and green light. She began to scream.

  Cadence launched herself through the air, tackling Blaze and slamming into the cave wall. She lifted an unconscious Blaze over her shoulder, standing.

  A voice shouted a warning. Too late. Cadence was spun toward the great stone, as if an invisible hand reached out and pulled her toward its widening center. Light spilled out, surrounding Cadence and Blaze as they were sucked inside the stone. Everything turned black and Cadence felt her body spinning. She had the sensation of falling, and she screamed as she landed on soft, wet ground.

  Cadence opened her eyes; she was lying on a grassy knoll. A cool breeze blew across her face, and the scent of rain hung in the air. A storm was approaching, and she heard the sound of a tower bell in the distance.

  “Maybe you should get up,” Blaze said.

  Scrambling, Cadence stood and assessed the damage from the fall. She found everything intact and brushed herself off. The journal remained in her pocket, and her sidearm was still in its holster. “Where the hell are we?”

  “How should I know?” Blaze sounded pissed. “The last thing I remember was Whisper contacting me on the radio to say he and Lachlan had found a big, creepy stone at the fourth lake.” She picked the heavy gun up off the ground. “I wasn’t going to shoot you back at the armory; I just didn’t have time to explain what was going on.”

  “All you had to do was tell me about the monolith,” Cadence said. “I’ve been dreaming about one for three nights, and now I know why. This isn’t a government conspiracy, but they were certainly using the monolith for something. I guess that’s what we have to figure out now.”

  Blaze nodded. “Whisper and Lachlan must be here. We have to find them and another stone monument, and maybe we can get back home.”

  Cadence saw a castle in the distance and a nearby graveyard. They were close to the sea. She could smell the ocean and noticed sea gulls flying low.

  “This place looks just like my dream. There’s the church and the same graveyard. That’s where the monolith was. Let’s head to it and try to get our bearings.”

  “You want to go to a graveyard? This place could be crawling with zombies.” Blaze held up her rifle and looked through the scope. “Nope. No zombies.”

  “I think we’re in England. But there are no telephone lines or paved roads. The castle doesn’t look like it’s in ruin, and the graveyard has seen recent use.” Everything seemed surreal, insane even.

  Blaze was ready to throw a fit. “Well, that’s just great. You don’t know where we are, or what we’re doing here, and it’s going to rain soon.”

  “All I can think is the monolith is some type of displacement device that Mallory was studying.”

  Blaze eyed her commander. “Displacement? As in…teleportation?”

  Cadence shook her head. “I’m taking about time, Blaze. We aren’t in the right time. Not anymore. This is the past.”

  “That’s impossible!”

  “Can you explain what we’re seeing?”

  Blaze huffed, for once lacking a response.

  “Anyway,” Cadence said, “we need to find something else to wear. If I’m right and we meet anyone on the road, they’ll be suspicious. Our clothes, weapons, and accents don’t fit in. The last thing I want is to be tossed into a dungeon or burned at the stake.”

  “I can handle myself if we run into Sir Mordred.”

  They walked through tall, wet grass to a path thick with mud. Fresh graves with simple wooden crosses and older moss-covered gravestones d
otted the yard. Celtic crosses marked most graves, with skulls and angels holding roses marking others. A deteriorating stone church stood next to the graveyard. A murder of crows flew out of the failing roof at their approach, startling both young women.

  “There’s a lot of fresh graves,” Blaze said, pausing to get a close look. Her shoulders slumped. “Okay. Maybe you were right.”

  Cadence came to look over her friend’s shoulder. “Well, this is interesting. 1318, 1332, 1344, 1344, 1344. Must be a popular year to die,” quipped Blaze. “Wonder what they died of? Or if they’ll rise when it gets dark. It’s almost dark.”

  Cadence could hear the desperation in her chattering. She patted Blaze’s shoulder. “We’ll be okay. The Scourge hasn’t happened yet, remember? So no zombies. We’ll find a way to get through this. Besides, if you’re right, and Whisper is here, we need to find him first.”

  The sun set with a finality that filled Cadence with dread. Gazing at the newest graves, she placed her hand over her chest and felt the cross beneath her sweater. If anything catastrophic were to happen, it would be at night. A thunderclap announced a sudden downpour. Glancing at one another, they ran through the graveyard, sliding in the mud. They were soaked when they reached the church. Hoping they would not find trouble waiting inside, Cadence opened the door and led the way in.

  * * * * *

  Chapter Ten

  “The Kaiser will see you now. Enter and wait for instructions.”

  Logan glanced at the robot-like guard and wiped his sweaty palms on his long, wool coat. He wasn’t sure he wanted to enter the Kaiser’s throne room. Once known as the Cadet Chapel, it was the most impressive building on campus. History and tradition gave way to its renaming as the Crystal Palace, which served the vampires’ need for flair.

  Lacking any crystal in its construction, it was a slender, triangular structure built of aluminum, glass, and steel. Stained glass adorned its walls, and it was crowned with seventeen pointed spires. The doors opened wide, and Logan stepped inside. He brushed snow off his wool coat before handing it to the guard.