Read Online Thirteen Roses Book Four: Alone: A Paranormal Zombie Saga by Michael Cairns - Free Book Online

the beginning of something, so much larger than—
    The zombie lurched at him, teeth bared, and his hand moved before he thought about it. The knife went in its eye and the blood and liquid was warm on his hand. He snarled, opened the back door, and tossed the corpse onto the floor, spitting on it for good measure. He flicked the blood off his hand and onto the body. Damn bastard sneaky thing.  
    It was smart, smart enough to trick him. But not smart enough to be scared for its own life. It was, he knew, a bad combination. With another growl he leapt out and slammed the back door. He wouldn’t give up, not yet. There was potential here.  
    He turned on the engine and stared at the zombie trying to climb the front of his van. He didn’t want to go back to the hospital. Luke and Krystal wouldn’t be back till late and when they did they’d still chat and talk and waste time. No one wanted to make decisions.  
    He’d avoided thinking about the demon all week but he couldn’t avoid it any longer. They’d made a deal, of sorts. He was keeping the hostages alive, just like he’d promised, even if he hadn’t kept them in St Paul’s.  
    So they were in the hospital, surrounded by devices, and now Luke was going to take them out to the country. God wanted to keep them safe, and Luke was helping with that. But God wanted him, Jackson, to begin the re-population and that wasn’t happening. Maybe he should speak to Az about it. Maybe he could recharge the devices at the same time.  
    He put it in first and put his foot down, smiling at the crunch from beneath his wheels. Stupid bastards.  
    The reception area was still quiet when he sneaked in. They probably didn’t even know he’d left. He headed up the stairs and was about to enter the private room when loud voices drew him to the main room. He poked his head in and found maybe thirty of the ladies in a gaggle, all speaking at once.
    They were fine to look at but he’d be so happy if they all shut up. One pulled herself free of the press and approached him. He hadn’t bothered learning names, but she was particularly fine, hips swaying back and forth. He should have learnt hers.  
    ‘Hi, Jackson, my name’s Harriet.’ She stuck her hand out and he wrapped it up in his.  
    ‘Hi, Harriet. What can I do for you?’ She wanted him. Her eyes were telling him quite clearly what he could do for her.  
    ‘We’re leaving.’  
    His hand fell away and his mouth opened. For the first time in his life, he didn’t have anything to say.  
    ‘Can you tell the others please?’ She sounded like she was in a church meeting, discussing next week’s bake sale. ‘We, as a group, feel unable to remain here while Lucifer is part of this. So we are returning to the cathedral where we feel we have a better chance of accomplishing something worthwhile in the new world.’
    She turned and stomped away. He watched her arse and found his thoughts turning all sorts of ways. Then what she’d just said sunk in. She was right. Why was he still here? Why was he following Luke? He was a free man but he’d let himself be suckered by the smooth tongue of the great deceiver. God must be furious with him.
    He ground his teeth together and approached the group. They quietened, recognising him as the leader already. ‘I can’t tell the others, I’m coming with you. You’re right, how could I be so blind?’
    Harriet stepped closer. ‘You’re coming with us?’
    ‘I am. Unless…’ He worked hard to keep the smile from his face. ‘You’re right about Luke. But the men in St Paul’s aren’t any better. Trust me, I know. How about we take a couple of the devices and head out on our own?’
    Harriet raised a perfect eyebrow and his eyes strayed from her face to her tits where they pushed against her t-shirt. He held his breath.  
    ‘We will discuss it. I don’t like the thought of returning either so perhaps a new way might be best.’
    She turned, dismissing him with a wave of