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They’d attacked another small settlement. She meant to search for water during the zombies’ feast, but the brutality of the attack unnerved her, and she hid in an empty building and curled into a ball. Why didn’t she try to save someone? Even one person? Coward, her mind screamed at her. Her conscience demanded action even as logic told her it would’ve been pointless.

You can’t keep hiding. Her brother’s voice drifted in between her hands that were clasped over her ears.

Damn it. No escape from hearing him because he wasn’t really there, but god she wished he was. The hole in her heart would never heal from his loss.

“I’m not hiding,” she snapped.

So, you’re in that position, under a shelf, in a building because… his voice drifted off.

“You’re supposed to support me. Not pick on me.”

I’m your brother, that’s what we do. He chuckled.

She pinched her lips in annoyance. “Not you. You were always nice to me.”

That’s not true. Stop putting me on a pedestal. No one is perfect.

Her ghost-brother was a lot more annoying than the real one.

“Maybe you did pick on me, but you loved me, and right now I need you to love me. Not make fun of me. I’m fucking scared, Liam.”

Sorry, princess. I guess death has made me snarkier.

“It’s okay. Staying alive in this crap has made me more bitchy.” She wanted to open her eyes but understood if she did, he would be gone again. The idea of being alone was agonizing.

You don’t have to do this.

Her brow furrowed. “Do what?”

You’re not built for vengeance. Let go of it. A good queen doesn’t get lost in vengeance.

“Are you kidding me? There is no way I’m letting this go. This is the closest I’ve ever come to actually being able to do something to stop them. I promised.”

I know, but I don’t want to lose you, Renny.

“Lose me? I don’t care if destroying the zombies costs my life. Think of all the human survivors I could help. You know how hard it’s been for them – for me. If they knew there was a king, or that zombies could talk… I’m still trying to figure out who the chosen are, but it’s the first time I’ve really believed things could be different – better.”

I’m not talking about your life.

Renee stopped breathing when she felt a slight pressure on her shoulder; it was so similar to when her brother would touch her shoulder to calm her. It almost made her open her eyes. As fearful as sensing his touch made her, it also thrilled Renee because it was almost like Liam was there with her instead of only in her mind.

Things are changing. Open your eyes. His voice drifted off.

Her lips trembled because she understood when he sounded like that, it meant he was leaving again. Nothing she had tried in the past kept him with her. Perhaps the trade was any sanity she had left. She was tempted to let the horror of the world tear her mind apart just to be with her brother again. It wouldn’t be real, but she wasn’t sure if that mattered long-term.

No. She couldn’t let go of her self-imposed purpose, not yet. Not until she discovered the thing that would change the tide in the war for survival with the zombies. The sound of Brie’s voice signaled for Renee to uncurl from her fetal position and climb out of the abandoned building.