“We’ll take you near the compound, then the three of us are heading into the tunnels.”
Straightening my posture, I step forward, the harsh wind tugging at my black baggy pants and a T-shirt that hangs off my shoulder. I never pictured myself going to war dressed so casually, but armor is not easy to come by in the stash of clothes in an underground room. Plus, my protection comes from the dozens of undead bodies following me.
Slipping my hand in Dušan’s, the four of us hurry into the woods. We maneuver around the standing dead, and it’s hard not to know they’re there. I can’t shake the shivers snaking up my arms at how close the monsters are to my men. The moment we pass them, they turn and proceed to follow. Soon enough, we have a long tail in our wake, with Lucien and Bardhyl extremely close at our backs.
“This is kinda freaky,” Lucien murmurs.
“If I ever come back as one of those things,” Bardhyl says with a soft voice, “chop off my head. I don’t want to lurch randomly searching for food like a creep.”
“Bruh, you’ll be dead and won’t have a brain to think beyond eating.”
“What if we’ve all been wrong this whole time about them? They clearly must have some ability. Why else do they understand Meira’s commands?”
I glance over my shoulder at them, the men’s conversation making me curious about the answer. “Maybe it’s just a muscle memory. A few words they recognize and their meaning? Whatever’s in my blood and I infect them with connects us, so it could be a combo of things.” I shrug, though the thought that my influence may not last forever does cross my mind.
“Guess it makes sense,” Lucien responds, while Bardhyl nods.
Dušan says, “What matters is that right now they want to do your bidding.”
“Absolutely.” I squeeze his hand lightly.
We remain silent for the rest of the trip through the woods, and soon slow down as we approach the rear of the settlement.
When the compound finally comes into view beyond the trees that surround us, my stomach clenches.
Shuffling feet on the ground closes in behind us, and most of the Shadow Monsters have paused, staring my way. Dense trees, and shadows, are the perfect place to hide.
“This spot should work,” I say.
“And this is your tree, cupcake,” Bardhyl says, standing near an enormous fir bursting with heavily ladened branches that span outward at the base and cinch in the higher it reaches for the sky. I can’t help but be reminded of a Christmas tree. Something I’ve seen a few times in old books. A tradition humans used to celebrate. The reason for the festivities wasn’t clear, but it clearly always involved lots of food, gifts, and a tree like this one decorated in the most spectacular colors. It must have been beautiful.
“This will do.” Lucien heads over to the tree, dodging several zombies standing in his path, and we follow him.
Dušan’s grip pulls me to him. “Stay hidden no matter what until we come for you. We’ll be quick to open the rear door from the inside. Just remember how much I love you.”
Before I can respond, his lips are on mine. I lean against him, my hands on his chest, and kiss him back, not ready to part ways. His arms let go of mine and they slide around my back. Breathless and hot, I fist his shirt, needing more of these soft, cushioned lips, and the way his tongue explores my mouth.
Someone clears his throat. “Careful you don’t give the zombies any ideas.” The mirth in Lucien’s voice has us breaking apart, and I roll my eyes at him.
Lucien takes the chance to close the distance between us, drawing me by my waist to his body. His kiss is instant, those wicked lips rolling against mine, his grip digging into my hips with need.
Fingers crawl up my back, when I realize it’s a third hand and not Lucien’s. Breaking from our kiss, I whisper to him, “Please take care of them.”
“Love you, babe. We got this.”
When I turn to Bardhyl, he grabs my waist and has me off my feet in seconds. I gasp and grip his shoulders as I snap my legs around his hips. His lips are on fire. And we kiss like this is our last day on Earth, ravenous and desperate. I adore how he’s always rougher with me, and I’m left with bruised lips afterward.
In moments, he pulls from my