Day Soldiers (Book 4): Evolution

by Brandon Hale

  “But Cassius will still be around,” Lily said. “You’re right. That is scary.”

  “After a few generations of peace,” Scott said, “people will wonder why we ever fought them in the first place.”

  “Damn.”

  “Yeah. Damn.”

  “I knew peace was my enemy,” Lily said, “but I never thought of it as humanity’s enemy too.”

  Scott cocked an eyebrow. “How is peace your enemy?”

  “Think about it,” Lily said. “I was eight years old when the war began. It’s the only life I’ve ever known. My dad raised me to kill vampires.”

  “He did a good job,” Scott said with a smile.

  “Yeah,” Lily said. “I’m damn good at killing vampires. I think he’d be proud.”

  “I think I understand,” Scott said. “What happens to you when there are no more vampires to kill?”

  “Yeah,” Lily said. “I think that’s the biggest downside to this whole living forever thing.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “By living forever,” Lily explained, “I’m pretty much guaranteed to outlive my usefulness.”

  “There’s a flip side,” Scott offered.

  “I’m listening.”

  “Maybe,” he went on, “living forever means we’re the only people who will be able to stop Cassius when he finally makes his move.”

  “Yeah,” Lily said. “I guess there is that.”

  “Besides,” Scott said as he got up and walked around the desk. He sat on the edge, directly in front of Lily. “If this peace thing turns out to be real…”

  “I’ll feel pretty damn stupid about the whole keeping my existence a secret thing,” Lily said with a smirk.

  “That’s not what I was going to say,” Scott said.

  Lily unsuccessfully tried to prevent a smile from sneaking onto her face. “Do continue, Mr. President.”

  “If this peace thing turns out to be real,” Scott said, “is an eternity with me really that bad?”

  “You think you’re so charming, don’t you,” Lily said, “with your perfect hair and your arrogant smile.”

  “I do,” Scott said. “I really do.”

  “Well,” Lily said, “I suppose I can imagine worse fates than being stuck with you forever.”

  Scott’s grin widened. “Lily Baxter, I think that’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

  Before Lily could reply, the communicator on Scott’s desk beeped. He leaned back and pressed a button. “What’s up?”

  “A snag.” It was Cooper.

  “Go ahead.”

  “I talked to Ellie and Carl,” Cooper said. “They’re currently in a vehicle, high-tailing it to the nearest airport. I didn’t have to ask them to come home. They’re already on the way.”

  Lily leaned toward the speaker and said, “Why?”

  “Apparently, there was an assault on a town up there. Old school assault, with the ugly guys.”

  “That’s not surprising,” Scott said. “The reason we sent them was to investigate sightings. Why are they rushing back?”

  “Well,” Cooper explained, “apparently these guys were searching for somebody. Somebody specific.”

  “Who?” Lily asked.

  “You.”

  Scott and Lily exchanged glances, then turned back to the speaker.

  “Me?”

  “Yeah. They turned a local who worked for the Day Soldiers. He was just a computer jockey. Nothing important. Apparently, the vamps thought that meant he had unrestricted access to our databanks.”

  “And they were looking for Lily?” Scott asked.

  “Sounds like it. The vamps questioned the guy, demanding to know where Lily’s hiding. When that failed, they turned him. Somebody out there knows you’re still kicking, kiddo. Somebody undead.”

  “I’m almost relieved,” Lily said.

  “I’m not,” Scott countered.

  “Anyway,” Cooper went on, “they’re on their way. And they’re bringing company. They have the soldier’s wife. She staked her husband after they turned him, so she’s the only person who can give us a run-down on what happened.”

  “Contact them again,” Scott said. “Tell Carl to take no chances. His mission there is over. He’s to get back here immediately. He can’t stop to rest. No hotels, no sleeping in the car. He can rest when he’s on a plane headed to Virginia.”

  “That’s a bit of an overreaction, don’t you think?” Lily said.

  “No,” Scott said. “If there’s a vamp in Colorado looking for you, Carl and Ellie can’t stay there. If they get captured and turned, the vamps will know exactly where you are.”

  “I’m pretty sure Carl knows to hurry,” Cooper chimed in, “but I’ll call him back, just to be sure. I’ll let you know as soon as they’re on a plane.”

  “Thanks, Coop,” Scott said. He turned off the communicator and looked at Lily. “Looks like Cassius is putting several pieces in place. And it looks like I’ll be staying in Iveyton a few more days.”

  “Yeah,” Lily said. “Something’s about to happen.”

  “Something big, I think,” Scott said.

  “I think so too,” Lily agreed.

  “How do you feel about that?”

  “You know,” Lily said, “I’m ashamed to admit it, but I’m kinda looking forward to doing something again. This waiting shit is getting old.”

  Scott laughed. “Nothing to be ashamed of, chief. If it’s gonna happen, I’d rather it happen sooner than later.”

  “Besides,” Lily said, “let’s be honest here. Peace sucks. I’d rather be killing bad guys.”

  “I’m not sure if that’s supposed to be funny or scary,” Scott said.

  “Yeah,” Lily said. “I’m not sure either.”

  Chapter 3

  The Road Home

  The Day Soldiers transport blasted down the old Colorado road.

  Susan sat in the back seat of the vehicle with Ellie and Carl, quietly listening as the two soldiers got their orders from someone named Cooper. Susan sat by one window, Ellie was in the middle, and Carl was at the other window.

  Susan listened to the soldiers intently, but not for herself. She knew Travis could hear everything she heard. Once the call from Virginia was done, Ellie began to question things.

  “I don’t understand,” Ellie said. “Why the big rush to get out of Colorado? I understand we need to get Susan to Virginia, but what’s with all the ‘Don’t stop for anything’ crap? Do they think we’re incompetent?”

  “Think about it,” Carl said. “These vampires are taking orders from a pretty vamp.”

  “So?”

  “You need to remember your studies,” Carl chastised. “The Purge, Ellie. These bald vampires were pretty much wiped out by their blood sucking cousins. They’re not friends. Whoever is commanding them must be extremely powerful. It’s the only explanation for their willingness to follow his orders.”

  He thinks I’m powerful. I’m touched.

  “I still don’t get it,” Ellie said. “If he’s that powerful, shouldn’t we be hunting him down?”

  “The Day Soldiers should hunt him down,” Carl said, “but not us. Think, kid. This vampire is looking for Lily. He’s willing to turn soldiers into vamps to find out where she is. And only two people in all of Colorado know the answers to the questions he’s asking.”

  Susan saw understanding fall across Ellie’s face.

  “Us,” Ellie said.

  Carl nodded. “Us.”

  Damn. He’s thinking too much. My plan was to separate these two to make it easier for you to ambush one of them in my tomb. Now, that won’t be easy.

  “So it’s true,” Susan said, ignoring the voice in her head. “Lily Baxter is alive.”

  “Of course not,” Carl said quickly. “But we have other information the vampire could use. Very important information about the Day Soldiers infrastructure.”

  He’s lying. I see her quite often. She actually comes to visi
t me occasionally.

  “I still think we’re being overly cautious,” Ellie said. “No offense to Susan, but her husband wasn’t a soldier. He worked in an office. I think one of us should be escorting Susan to Virginia while the other one leads a team to find this vampire.”

  “Spoken like a true disciple of Lily Baxter,” Carl said.

  “Wait a minute,” Susan said. She was looking at Ellie. “Your eye patch is on your right eye.”

  Carl laughed.

  “I know my mind isn’t what it used to be,” Susan went on, “but I was sure that patch was on your left eye earlier.”

  “It was,” Carl said. “She wears it as a fashion statement.”

  “It’s not a fashion statement,” Ellie said. “I wear it to throw off my enemies. It makes me look battle-hardened.”

  Inside her head, Susan heard Travis laugh. I like this girl.

  “She wears it to look cool,” Carl said.

  “It’s psychological warfare,” Ellie argued.

  “Well, it’s not working,” Carl said. “I’ve been with you on several missions since you started wearing that thing. I’ve never seen a vampire scream, ‘She’s got an eye patch! Run!’ It might be time to come up with a new fashion accessory to strike fear into the hearts of your enemies.”

  I’m gonna have fun with this.

  “You’re a crappy dad,” Ellie said.

  “I’m a great dad,” Carl countered.

  Okay, Susan. In a few minutes, I’m gonna try to split up the family. Whether it works or not, that’s the end of my contributions to our plan. After that, it’s all you.

  Susan sat silently, waiting for the voice to continue.

  You’re about to pass under a big ass branch that’s hanging over the road. As soon as the vehicle is under the branch, one of my boys will drop. As soon as he hits your roof, you have to scream, “Lock the door!” Of course, you’re actually gonna unlock the door, but the scream will make your friends think you panicked. If the door is already unlocked, the scream isn’t necessary. Check it. Now.

  Susan looked at the door. It was locked.

  Okay. So when my boy lands, say your line and unlock the door. He’ll take care of the rest.

  Susan quietly waited for the moment to come. She wasn’t happy about this particular plan, but she knew she had to obey. She was too close to a cure to ruin things now.

  And… now!

  As the vehicle passed under the branch, a very loud Thud! came from the roof.

  “Lock the door!” Susan screamed. She quickly pressed the locking mechanism.

  “No!” Carl yelled. “The door was already—”

  Susan’s door flew open. White clawed hands reached inside and grabbed her.

  As Ellie scrambled to draw her gun, the vampire looked at her and screamed, “She has an eye patch! Run!”

  I told him to say that!

  The vampire pulled Susan from the vehicle.

  They landed on the dirt just beyond the road. The impact sucked the air from Susan’s lungs. The vampire pinned Susan to the ground. On the road, the vehicle slid sideways as the driver slammed its breaks.

  Susan struggled to fight off the hideous creature, but it was simply too strong. It held both of her arms to the ground as it sank its teeth into her neck.

  Susan screamed.

  A second later, the vampire was gone. Susan looked up just in time to see Ellie and the vampire tumble over the hillside by the road, disappearing into the woods beyond.

  “Ellie!” Carl yelled as he ran to the edge of the road.

  “What happened?” Susan said as she climbed to her feet.

  “Ellie tackled it to get it off of you,” Carl said. He flipped on a flashlight and pointed the beam of light into the woods. “Ellie!”

  “She saved me,” Susan whispered. For the first time, she felt guilty about the plan. Not guilty enough to abort, of course, but still… she felt guilt.

  “Get back in the car,” Carl said. “I’m going after her.”

  “Sir!” It was one of the soldiers from the vehicle. “We have to go!”

  Carl spun around. “Don’t be stupid. I’m finding my daughter.”

  “Sir, look!” The soldier pointed behind the vehicle.

  “Oh my God,” Susan whispered.

  At least a dozen vampires were racing toward the vehicle.

  “If we don’t leave now, we’re all dead!” the soldier yelled.

  “No!” Carl yelled. “We fight.”

  “Sir, if we fight, we die.”

  “THEN WE DIE!”

  “Dad, go!” It was Ellie’s voice, from somewhere in the woods. “I’m too far down this hill. I’ll never make it up there in time. Don’t worry. The vamp down here is dust. I’ll be fine. Just go. Draw them away. I’ll catch up.”

  After an eternally long moment of deliberation, Carl said, “Get in the car. We have to draw them away.”

  As soon as they were in the vehicle, the driver slammed the accelerator.

  “I’m sorry,” Susan said.

  “We’ll lose these guys then go back,” Carl said. “She’ll be fine. Ellie’s a good soldier.”

  “No.”

  Again, it was Ellie’s voice. This time, her voice came from the speakers in the vehicle. She was on her communicator.

  “Ellie, stay put,” Carl said. “We’re coming back for you.”

  “No, Dad,” Ellie said. “I’m fine. The vamps ran right by. They’re focused on you. If you stop, they’ll catch you. We can’t risk them killing Susan. I’ll make my way to the recruiting station. It’s not far.”

  “Ellie…”

  “Dad, I’m not a kid. I’m a trained Day Soldier. I can take care of myself. Besides, whoever is looking for Lily thinks we’re both in that vehicle. Why else would they send a horde after us like that? As long as they’re chasing you, I’ll be fine. If you circle back, they’ll figure out what you’re doing and come looking for me.”

  Carl sighed. “Okay. Go straight to the station. Stay near the road. Those mountains have more than just vampires. You’re dangerously close to werewolf territory.”

  “I know,” Ellie said. “I’ll stay near the road. And if anything happens, I’ll contact you.”

  “Be careful, kid,” Carl said.

  “Oh, and Dad?” Ellie added. “Did you hear what that vampire said?”

  “I heard,” Carl said. “Don’t get cocky. Clearly, they were listening to our conversation.”

  “From a mile away? I don’t think so. Admit it. The eye patch is badass.”

  “Gloat later. After you get to the station,” Carl said. “Let me know as soon as you’re there.”

  “Copy that,” Ellie said. “Going silent unless something comes up.”

  “I love you, kid,” Carl said.

  “You too, old man. Ellie out.”

  “I’m sure she’ll be okay,” Susan offered.

  “Something’s not right here,” Carl said.

  “What do you mean?”

  Carl sat quietly for a few seconds, then said, “I’m not sure. Something feels… off. Why did that vampire say that about the eye patch? It doesn’t make sense. And those vamps chasing us... they couldn’t possibly be from your town. It’s almost like they were waiting for us.”

  Susan was suddenly very nervous. “Maybe they contacted each other telepathically.”

  “Maybe,” Carl said, “but that still doesn’t explain the eye patch thing. That vamp was clearly being a smartass.”

  “Had to be a coincidence,” Susan said.

  “No,” Carl said. “I think it’s you.”

  Oh shit. Well, we’re busted. You blew it, Susan. If I ever get out of this damn tomb, I will absolutely kill you.

  “I don’t understand,” Susan stammered.

  “I’m very sorry about this,” Carl said, “but I’m gonna have to ask you to take off your clothes.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I think you’re bugged,” Carl said. “I think they’re l
istening to us. The car’s computer would have picked up any foreign objects placed on it. That just leaves you. I promise, I’ll avert my eyes, but I have to inspect your clothing.”

  Oh man, that joke backfired in a truly awesome way. Well, go on. Strip.

  Despite the taunts from Travis, Susan was incredibly relieved as she removed her shirt.

  Chapter 4

  The Outpost

  Ellie took off her eye patch and put it in her pocket. Really, the only reason she wore it was to annoy Carl and right now, she needed the depth perception.

  She climbed back up the hill and stood by the side of the road. Around her, the woods were pitch black, but she was wasn’t very concerned about the werewolves. Werewolf territory didn’t extend to roads. Their territory began about two miles into the forest on either side.

  Ellie guessed the town was about three miles south, which meant the Day Soldiers recruiting station was no more than three miles to the north. Of course, she knew it was a recruiting station in name only. The real purpose was to keep an eye on the werewolf borders to make sure none of them wandered into human territory. The soldiers at the outpost were the ones who originally spotted the renegade vamps in the area.

  Ellie considered going back to the town, but decided against it. She knew Carl would freak the hell out if he discovered she went back. Besides, if she didn’t report that she was on her way back to Virginia soon, she knew Carl would stick Susan on a plane then head back to find her. Susan was the only living witness who saw the mysterious vampire looking for Lily, so keeping her safe had to be given the highest priority.

  “Guess I’m following orders for a change,” she whispered as she started walking toward the outpost.

  Ellie arrived at the outpost at about four in the morning. It was a small block building on the side of the road, surrounded by forest. The only thing that made it recognizable was the Day Soldiers logo on a steel front door. She walked up to the door and pressed the buzzer to be let in.