Page 31

Brie took Renee around and introduced her to so many chosen Renee couldn’t remember half their names. Most of them didn’t use their human names and instead chose things they identified with more now. It varied from terms or objects that sounded like something from a movie to words or phrases that made little sense.

Renee particularly liked the one who’d taken the name Mace. Not only because his name sounded cool, but he was hilarious and went out of his way to make her laugh and feel welcome. Although Mace was a giant creature towering over the others with a scraggly beard, he reminded her of a giant stuffed teddy bear. She wouldn’t tell him how bizarre a juxtaposition he was because Brie said he was a good berserker for them, and he’d probably be offended being compared to something soft and squishy.

Renee was stunned when Mace introduced her to his wife, who was half his size and also a chosen because he’d accidentally turned her after he’d become a zombie. Daisy, who named herself after her favorite flower, wasn’t angry about it at all. Daisy told Mace and the others she now had more time with the man she loved unless their human prey were successful and killed them. The verbal exchange somewhat grossed Renee out, but she didn’t comment.

Renee wouldn’t classify the interactions she had with the other chosen as normal , in the manner it would’ve been with humans, but it wasn’t as weird as she thought it would be, probably because she was one of them. Hearing them speculate about the state of things in the horde was fascinating. The chosen considered themselves something akin to the shepherds of the masses. Their duties included leading, protecting, and providing for them, but with no expectation of anything other than loyalty in return. How was it that a bunch of zombies seemed more honorable than humans?

“Shouldn’t we be heading south?” Hatchet asked and scratched at her neck. Although clean, her clothes were a bit rough and needed to be replaced.

Renee’s head was on overload trying to remember all the unfamiliar names and faces, so she remained quiet and listened to them all speak. It was odd to Renee that they all spoke so well. She had no issues understanding them, although the cadence differed from humans or Brie.

The king, well, he was in a class of his own. His deep voice was a treat to her senses because she didn’t just see or hear it, she always felt it. It made it easier to understand him. Her mouth twisted at the thought of him. She wasn’t supposed to be thinking about him.

Brie’s lips flattened. “We go where he leads.”

“I know, but the temperature is shifting faster this year. It’s going to be a hard winter.” Hatchet answered. Hatchet wasn’t particularly tall or short. She was of average height and very muscular. Her threadbare clothing clung to her well-toned form. Renee wondered if she’d been an athlete in her former life as a human from her style of clothing and well-built physique.

“Tell me about it. The nights have been brutal,” Hawk complained.

Renee wasn’t sure if he was called Hawk because of his sharp facial features or his shock of white hair, maybe both.

“That’s because you’re too thin.” Hatchet smacked him on his back and laughed.

Hawk was thin, but as Renee’s eyes scanned the room, most of the chosen were. It made sense, depending on when they were recruited. If it had been a couple of years after the downfall, when food was scarce and tough to scavenge, any remaining humans lost any extra fat they may have been storing as their bodies went into survival mode.

“We will endure, as we always have,” Brie commented.

Renee’s eyes flicked to her friend. Something in her voice was off. It sounded like Brie, but not, at the same time. Listening to Brie’s voice shift reminded Renee how Zane sounded when he said awful things about humanity or when he would comment about the superiority of zombies.

“I know, but there are still problems with some of the families. If food gets scant, you know how that will turn out.” Hawk’s tone sounded grim before his entire body shook, then he straightened.

Renee studied the odd movement and found it reminded her how a bird would shake and ruffle its feathers.

“There are always problems with certain families,” Hatchet said with a frown.

“It won’t m-matter. If it gets too loud…” Nail said and twitched beside Renee.

Nail was an interesting creature. Taller and gaunt like most of them, he reminded Renee of the old pictures her mom would show her of her aunt, her mom’s wild and rebellious sister, also the only fun aunt she’d had. Nail’s dark brown hair was long, to the middle of his shoulder blades, with both sides shaved. His black jeans, concert tee, sleeveless jean jacket covered in metal band buttons and patches, tattooed arms and neck, wrapped with a spiked choker and numerous leather studded bracelets, gave him an intimidating appearance but when he spoke, his voice was always soft, and he seemed unsure of his words. He was the least threatening zombie she’d met.

Renee almost asked what conflicts zombies could have within a horde, but of course, it was over food. No, that wasn’t fair. It was about food, but it was more than that. Apparently, a couple of the groups within the larger group of the horde, believed other families had taken more than they needed, and others were suffering because of it. Renee paid close attention when Nail spoke. He had a pleasant, calming voice, it reminded her of Liam’s.

“I j-just mean-” Nail began but was cut off by Hawk.

“We can move them toward the rear, though if Flint realizes why his group was moved, you know how he’ll react.”

“I get that, but we can’t have them bickering. If he finds out, you know what will happen to all of them.” Hatchet said and leveled her gaze at Hawk.

“Or maybe us if we’re involved,” Nail whispered. His right hand drifted to the studded bracelets on his left wrist and he fidgeted with them.

He? Were they talking about Zane? The only thing they seemed reluctant to voice was anything to do with their king. They were every bit afraid of him as Brie seemed to be. Movement from the corner of Renee’s eye drew her attention. It was the chosen she’d spotted several times before.

Every time Renee tried to look at him, he migrated away yet still seemed interested in her. He was only a few inches taller than she was, with a lithe frame and long, straight, black hair. His mouth appeared wider than it should’ve been, which enhanced his already feral appearance. Long claw-like nails were at the end of each finger. Oddly, as threatening as he looked, he seemed shy and wouldn’t meet her gaze. Maybe he wanted to be her friend. Renee turned to search for him as he blended into the crowd when Brie spoke.

“Move them toward the rear. If Flint starts shit, tell me as soon as it starts. Don’t try to fix it. I’ll take care of him,” Brie said sternly.

The others nodded, but still seemed nervous about the idea.

“He’ll fall in line, or he’ll get left behind.” Brie averted her eyes.

Hawk lowered his head as Hatchet slid her eyes aside. Renee scanned the group and realized that Mace and Daisy had shuffled away during the discussion about Flint’s group. She wondered if they were friends with Flint or just didn’t want to be involved.

Renee tried to control her curiosity, but the words tumbled from her mouth before she could stop them. “What do you mean, left behind?”

Brie turned her head toward her and grimaced. “It’s punishment. The horde’s survival is above all else. If certain… members don’t comply, they’re locked away somewhere or chained to something to starve until they turn into shamblers. Eventually, they’ll rot until they die.”

Renee’s hand flew up to her mouth at the idea. “Will they know what’s happening?”

“For the most part, yes. Especially if they are chosen,” Brie answered.

“We can tell when we’re slipping if we don’t eat,” Hatchet added.

“Yeah, even in the haze of hunger, you can sense your mind going. I guess it’s sort of like what used to happen to older people?” Hawk’s face twisted in concentration, which only sharpened the edges of his cheekbones.

“But… the one whose arms were ripped off…” Renee started, but then stopped, unsure how to phrase her question.

“As long as someone fed them, they’d still keep their thoughts. Although, that’d hurt like a motherfucker.” Hatchet chuckled.

Renee didn’t see the humor at all.

“The virus tries to keep us alive at all costs, for as long as possible.” Hawk ran his fingers through his white hair.

“Hawk, shut up,” Brie snapped.

“What?” His tone sounded almost offended.

Brie slid her eyes towards Renee as Hawk pressed his lips together. Why weren’t they allowed to talk about “the virus” in front of her?

“I’ll tell you about our plans for the next few months as soon as he decides and gives his commands,” Brie told him in a very formal tone that didn’t sound like her as she backed up, gesturing for Renee to follow her.

“It was great to meet you. I can’t wait till we can hang out again.” Renee glanced at everyone in turn, giving them her best smile, which probably wasn’t great. Liam always told her she had a “model’s smile,” but Renee was pretty sure he was only trying to make her feel more confident.

Hawk stared at Renee like he didn’t have a clue how to respond to her departing remarks. Nail cracked a tiny grin, and Hatchet laughed. Damn it, she was screwing this up too.

Hatchet moved around to her and smacked her back several times. It knocked the breath from her lungs. “Our king, as we heard you like to call him, picked a friendly thing, didn’t he? I think you’ll be a good influence on all of us.”

Renee didn’t know what to make of Hatchet’s statement, but Renee sensed the heat in her cheeks as she waved and wandered a few feet from them. She was still processing the conversation when Brie’s words interrupted her thoughts.

“Do you want to stay with me for now?”

Her words tightened Renee’s chest, and she threw her arms around her friend, ignoring how uncomfortable it made her. “Yes, thank you so much.”

“We’re going to have to work on how friendly you are. It’s freaking everyone out. Nail looks like he’s gonna pass out, and I’ve yet to see one of us end up unconscious,” Brie told her with levity.

Renee squeezed her hand, then released it. Sure enough, Nail frowned at her words before he cracked a smile and shook his head. He also had claws like the shy chosen she’d lost track of. Probably making a fool of herself, she waved to everyone as they left. Not probably, definitely… she definitely looked a bit unhinged.