Through the Zombie Glass wrc-2

by Gena Showalter

  “What’s wrong?” Kat asked.

  “Cole wants to meet with me,” I said without any inflection of emotion.

  Inside, I churned.

  I read the text again. My house. Five. Be there.

  Dang it. I’d planned to have dinner with Nana before heading over.

  “When? Where?” Reeve asked, and I gave her the details.

  “Are you going to go?” Kat wondered.

  Hands shaking, I texted Nana. Can we reschedule? I’m so sorry, but something’s come up w/Cole.

  I waited, but a response from her didn’t come.

  To Cole, I texted Why?

  Cole (I’d deleted the part about McHottie): Do I really need a reason?

  Me: 2 talk? Yes. We’ve said all we need 2 say.

  Okay, so that wasn’t exactly true. I still had to drum up the courage to mention his odd behavior, as promised.

  Cole: Who runs this show? Just be there.

  Me: Fine.

  Cole: Your enthusiasm is humbling.

  Me: Go screw yourself.

  Cole: I have. I prefer 2 have a partner.

  I think I gasped.

  “Yeah. I’m going to go,” I said. I wasn’t going to call in sick. I had responsibilities. I’d keep them.

  “Hold everything.” Kat bounced up and down in her seat and clapped. “I think I see one.”

  “Where?” Reeve demanded.

  Kat pointed. “Pull over.”

  Groaning, Reeve slowed the car, eased to the side of the road and parked. I freed one of the balloons and exited. The girls joined me, and together we approached the centerpiece of our project—a dead raccoon, its arms and legs stiff and pointing in the air.

  “Gloves,” Kat said, holding out her hand.

  Reeve dangled a pair just beyond her reach. “These are cashmere, you know.”

  “I’m sure the raccoon will be thrilled,” she replied drily. “Even though I told you to buy latex.”

  “I thought you’d appreciate something softer.” Sighing, Reeve relinquished the gloves, and Kat tugged them on. “I bought hand sanitizer instead.”

  “Balloon,” she said next.

  I handed it over.

  Then Kat crouched over the poor dead animal and tied the ribbon to one of its wrists. There was no wind, so the Get Well Soon balloon stayed perfectly straight, flying proudly over the motionless animal.

  “Your family will thank me for this one day,” she said with a nod.

  “As if we’re really doing any good,” Reeve said.

  “Hello, we so are. People need to be more aware of the creatures crossing the road, thank you, and this is our way of helping. It’s humorous—”

  “And gross,” Reeve interjected. “And cruel.”

  “And they’ll remember,” Kat finished.

  We each snapped a few pictures with our phones, cleaned our hands, got back in the car and hunted the next Get Well Soon victim. I mean, recipient.

  I couldn’t help comparing myself to the animals. A car crash. A part of me dying.

  I prayed I had a better end but had a feeling I was going to have to adjust my to-do list yet again.

  Chapter 12

  Deadly Eyes Betray You

  We dropped Kat off at the school parking lot, where her car waited, and drove home. Another note had been stuck to the bottom of the staircase railing. Sighing, I sailed into Mr. Ankh’s office—only to find him in a heated discussion with Mr. Holland.

  Interesting.

  The moment the men spotted me, they zipped their lips. Mr. Holland had been leaning over the desk, putting himself nose to nose with Mr. Ankh. Now he eased back into his seat, and the two acted as friendly as ever.

  Even more interesting.

  I couldn’t help thinking Mr. Holland was a portrait of Cole in twenty years. Both guys had dark hair and strong, chiseled features. Only difference was, Cole’s eyes were that amazing violet and Mr. Holland’s were an electric-blue.

  “Miss Bell,” Mr. Ankh acknowledged.

  Did he ever go to work? I settled in the only available chair.

  “Good. You’re here.” Mr. Holland massaged the back of his neck. “The three of us are due to have a discussion.”

  “Your newest blood work came in,” Mr. Ankh said, “and the results have me confused.”

  I shifted uncomfortably.

  “The toxin you and Justin shared, the one that is harmful to the zombies,” he continued. “It disappeared in Justin, but it’s now stronger in you. Also, your iron is lower than before, and your white blood cell count is higher.”

  I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or cry. My human side was fighting, but my zombie side wasn’t backing down. “What about the zombie toxin that is harmful to humans? Did I have any traces of that?”

  He frowned. “No.”

  “Why would you ask that?” Mr. Holland said.

  I wanted to tell him, I really did. But he’d killed his own wife when she’d turned zombie. No telling what he’d do to me, his son’s unstable ex.

  If these men left me alive, Mr. Ankh would for sure toss me out. Where I went, Nana went. I would not allow her to be homeless.

  Then, of course, Mr. Holland would tell the others. How would Cole look at me then? He wouldn’t worry about feeding me anymore, I knew that much.

  “Curiosity,” I hedged. In a way, it was the truth.

  Mr. Holland sighed and twisted his chair to face mine. “Well, I’m curious about something, too. I know you and my son broke up. What I don’t know is why. He won’t talk to me.”

  Instant downer. “And I won’t, either,” I said hollowly.

  He began massaging the back of his neck again, a gesture of irritation or distress he and Cole shared. “He’s been sneaking out, talking to people he shouldn’t, making bad decisions, and I’m worried about him. Something’s going on with him, but I don’t know how to help.”

  “Who’s he talking to?” I asked.

  Silent, he ran his tongue over his teeth.

  He wasn’t going to share the information. Got it.

  “Will you check on him?” Mr. Holland asked.

  “Trina and Mackenzie noticed his odd behavior, too, and asked the same thing. I agreed to talk to him,” I said. “I’m meeting him at five.”

  Mr. Holland pushed out a relieved breath. “Thank you.”

  I nodded, saying, “By the way, I saw a rabbit cloud today.”

  The two men shared an uneasy look.

  I could guess what they were thinking. The zombies usually rested a week between feedings. Only once before had the creatures come out night after night, and that was to hunt me with the goal of turning me.

  Were they focused on someone else now?

  “I’ll be called into action,” I said. And I would find out, one way or another, if the other night had been an anomaly or not. If the zombies would once again ignore me. If I would hear crazed whispers. If I would black out and end up at my old home.

  Mr. Holland replied, “I’ll put everyone on patrol tonight and make sure you have a partner who will whisk you to safety if you have another...episode.”

  “Thanks,” I muttered. I left the office and shut myself inside my bedroom. Then I dialed Dr. Bendari. Again, a recording told me the carrier wasn’t available. Dang it. Would he ever again activate it?

  I thought about the journal, my other source of info. Light chased away darkness. Fire burned away evil. The words snagged me. I just couldn’t let them go.

  Sighing, I sat in front of the vanity and steeled myself to look in the mirror. I needed a status report, and this was the best way.

  My gaze met hers. The smudges had actually spread, stretching from underneath her eyes to her cheeks, even delving down the plane of her neck. Shaking, I whipped my shirt over my head. She did the same...several beats after me. Annnd the smudges continued, branching from her neck to her shoulders. The largest smudge rested just over her heart. Once the size of my thumb, it was now the size of a giant’s fist. I trace
d my fingertips over the skin there.

  My reflection never moved.

  Tick, tock. Tick, tock.

  Louder than before.

  She was stronger.

  Fighting a wave of frustration, I injected myself with antidote, just to be safe, showered and dressed in my all-black fighting clothes. I opened my door to head to Nana’s room. I needed a ride to Cole’s. Kat caught me off guard, her hand posed as if she meant to knock.

  “Everything okay?” I asked.

  “Peachy. I came to offer you a ride to Cole’s. Frosty texted. He asked me to meet him at the barn at five.”

  A coincidence? “I accept, thanks.”

  * * *

  The barn was packed with slayers, and I realized I’d misunderstood Cole’s intentions. We weren’t going to talk. He was going to lecture. Not just me, but everyone.

  I’d had too many highs and lows lately to let this disappoint me...much.

  My gaze landed on Veronica, and I had to fight to keep my lunch. She had two black eyes, a slightly swollen nose and a busted lip, and she was peering up at Gavin, who was saying something to her. I quickly looked away.

  “Kitty Kat,” Frosty said.

  “Jerk Face,” she retorted, surprising me.

  His eyes frosted over in tribute to his name. “What’d I do this time?”

  “Nothing. I thought I’d be mad just to be mad and liven things up. We were getting stale.”

  In a snap, he lost his air of coldness. He barked out a laugh. “You’re too sexy for words, you know that?”

  “Actually, I do,” she said, and ran to him, throwing herself in his arms.

  He caught her, and as he spun her around, a sharp ache tore through my chest. I’d had that once. Would I die before I experienced it again?

  Shut up, Downer Ali!

  “What’s going on?” I asked, hating the tremor in my voice.

  Frosty set Kat on her feet but kept her tucked into his side, acting as her shield, her sole support. “Don’t know. Cole has something to tell everyone, but he’s not here yet.”

  “Something to tell everyone...even me?” Kat asked, thumping a finger against her chest.

  “Even you.” He kissed her on the temple. “You’re now an important member of our team.”

  “I am? I mean, of course I am. Duh.” She beamed up at him.

  He cupped her cheeks, ensuring that she couldn’t look away. Tone serious, he said, “You can’t go out at night and fight, since you can’t see the zombies, so don’t even ask. But you can patch me up if I come home injured.”

  “Dr. Kitty Kat,” she said with a nod. “I approve.”

  “I hope you dole out kisses.” He leaned down and pressed a soft one into her lips. “They’re my medicine.”

  “Well, that kind of medicine will cost you. Just...don’t come home injured. I’ll be mad.”

  “You know I hate when my little kitty is mad. Her claws come out.”

  “They come out for other reasons, too,” she purred.

  In seconds, they were going at each other like wild beasts at mating season.

  “Break it up before I break you in half, Frost,” Bronx called, and he didn’t sound like he was joking.

  I found him in the crowd and pulled him into a shadowed corner. “Did you find out anything about Ethan?”

  He nod was stiff. “Yeah, just not as much as I’d hoped. His name is Ethan Hamilton, he’s twenty-one and a business major at Birmingham Southern. He has a fifteen-year-old sister who was diagnosed with leukemia last year.”

  How sad. “What are you going to do about him?”

  Violence gleamed in his eyes. “Besides have a little chat with him?”

  I knew that look. The chat would involve fists rather than words. “Are you sure you want to do that? He sounds like a pretty decent guy, and Blood Lines around his house isn’t that uncommon. And I kind of understood Reeve’s point today, about not being able to do the back-and-forth with you anymore. It might be time to let her go.”

  He peered at me for a long while before saying, “Do you really think you’re in a good enough place to be throwing out advice? No, don’t bother with a response. We both know the answer. So why don’t I live my life, and you live yours?” With that, he stomped away.

  Great. I doubted I could have messed that up more.

  A chirp from my phone. I pulled the device from my pocket and read Dinner’s ready! I made your favorite. Lasagna and garlic bread. I also asked Ankh if we could use his private balcony, and he said yes. I’ve got everything set and ready, so come out here as soon as you’re able.

  My heart twisted. Oh, no. She didn’t know. She—

  Another text came in a second later. I’m sorry, dear. I must have missed your text about canceling. Well, no worries. We’ll do it another night.

  Tears welled in my eyes. Nana had slaved in the kitchen, preparing my favorite meal. She’d probably decorated Mr. Ankh’s balcony with twinkling Christmas lights, just because she knew I wasn’t the biggest fan of the dark. That was how wonderful she was. And I’d canceled on her. For this.

  I was a terrible person.

  I moved back into the corner and called her. “Nana, I am so sorry. I’m at Cole’s gym. He asked to meet. I thought it would be just the two of us, and I’d be able to find out what’s wrong with him, but it’s a meeting with all the slayers.”

  “Ali,” she said on a sigh. “It’s okay. I understand.”

  “I’ll make it up to you, I swear.”

  Another sigh. “We’ll have leftovers tomorrow, and we can talk then.”

  “Yes. I would love that.”

  We disconnected.

  “Hey,” a voice said from behind me.

  Gavin. Every muscle in my body stiffened as I turned and faced him. I made sure to stare at my feet. “Hey.”

  “I came over to tell you I’ve got a date with a very hot chick tomorrow, but I’d be willing to do the unthinkable and break it. For you.”

  Uh, what? “Don’t do that. And I thought you were mad at me for what I did to Veronica.”

  “I was never mad. That would require a range of emotions I never feel. I thought we’d covered that fact about me. So, about our date—”

  I shook my head, oddly charmed. And now mad at myself. “We’re not going out.”

  “Look at me and say that. Maybe then I’ll believe you.”

  I responded automatically, glancing up. Our gazes locked, and...nothing. No vision.

  My shoulders sagged with relief, but Gavin frowned.

  Cole stalked out of the locker room, snagging everyone’s attention. Conversations ceased.

  His gaze snagged on me—no vision—skidded to Gavin and hardened. He climbed into the boxing ring and scanned the now silent, expectant crowd. He looked like he’d gotten in a fight since I’d last seen him. His features were tight with tension, his hair sticking out in spikes, and his clothing ripped.

  I quashed my curiosity.

  “All right, everyone,” he called. “Listen up. We have a new member on our team. You will welcome him with open arms, and you will keep your fists—and weapons—to yourself.”

  Murmurs of astonishment surfaced.

  A new member? Someone we’d want to hurt?

  The locker-room door opened, and out stepped Justin Silverstone.

  Gasps of shock replaced the murmurs.

  Justin nodded stiffly, his puppy-dog eyes guarded. “Before you judge, hear me out. I made a mistake when I left, and I know it, and I’m sorry. What was done to Ali’s grandfather...her home... I had no part in that, you have my word.”

  “Liar!” Trina spat. She pointed a finger at Cole. “He betrayed us once, and it cost us Boots and Ducky, and now you’re going to give him the chance to do it again?”

  “We need all the help we can get right now,” Cole said, and I heard the rigidity in his voice.

  Boots and Ducky. Cole bore their names on his chest.

  Justin straightened his shoulders. “I�
�m back, and I’ll do whatever it takes to prove my intentions are honorable.”

  “This is stupid,” Lucas snapped. “I’m not working with him.”

  “You will.” Cole eyed the crowd through narrowed lids. “You will or you’re off the team.”

  Chapter 13

  Let the Dead Heads Roll

  In a daze, I made my way to the back of the barn. The slayers had settled in the chairs, all of them cursing and preparing to push their spirits from their bodies. Justin included.

  What a shocking turn of events.

  Trina gave me a slitted look, and I knew she was commanding me to speak with Cole ASAP.

  Soon, I mouthed.

  Had Cole welcomed Justin because he hoped to keep his enemy close? Or did he actually trust Justin? Was he using Justin, pretending to trust him in the hopes of gaining information about Anima?

  Was Justin sincere, or was he acting as a double agent?

  So many possibilities.

  One after the other, the slayers stood in spirit form. Except me. I tried, again and again, but each time I failed.

  As I struggled, it felt as if someone was holding on to my spirit, forcing it to stay where it was.

  Gavin and Veronica took off, followed by Trina and Collins, then Lucas and Mackenzie, Cruz and Bronx. Although it seemed otherwise, no one but me had a partner tonight—and I hadn’t yet been told who that partner was. Everyone was to branch in different directions to cover as much ground as possible. However, no one was to engage until backup arrived.

  “What’s wrong?” Justin asked me, hanging back.

  Was he my partner? No, surely not.

  “Nothing. I’m fine. I can do this.” I closed my eyes. Drawing on every ounce of my considerable determination, I imagined my spirit rising and felt my body respond. But when I opened my eyes, hard hands clamped around me and jerked me back into the chair. What the heck?

  Justin shrugged, muttered, “Good luck,” and took off.

  Cole crouched in front of me, the only slayer left. Oh, crap. He was my partner, wasn’t he? He looked at the door, then me. The door, me. Indecision played over his features. “Problem?” he asked.

  Why not tell the truth? “Yeah, but I don’t know what it is.” Unless...was Z.A. now strong enough to hold me in place?