Read Online Vampire Apocalypse: Descent Into Chaos (Book 2) by Derek Gunn - Free Book Online

breath. What was
worse was that Regan took the opportunity to jump down to her and
help her to her seat. She really didn’t want to appear weak, and
certainly did not want Regan to appear any more dashing and helpful
than he already was. He grabbed her by the arm and squeezed hard as
he directed her to her seat. She didn’t have the energy to resist
and had no choice but to let him lead her. She seethed with anger
but maintained a congenial smile throughout; there was no point in
giving him any more ammunition.
    She dropped into her chair with relief and Pat turned
to her, concern etched all over his face.
    “I’m fine,” she whispered and winked at him. Regan
took his time returning to his seat, and by the time he had settled
himself the room had become quiet again.
    “As I was saying,” Regan continued, “what one member
of the community does directly affects the survival of all of us.
If one person eats more than their share or doesn’t do the tasks
assigned to them then we all suffer. After all, we are in this
together, wouldn’t you agree, my dear?”
    Sandra could see exactly where he was going but had
no choice but to agree. “What you say has merit,” she answered,
“however...”
    “There is no ‘however’, my dear,” Regan interrupted
and Sandra suppressed the urge to slap the smile from his face. But
the damage was done—a low mumbling of resentment began to spread
through the room. “Eating more than one’s share is only a minor
infringement; what young Peter has done is far worse. His actions
threaten to expose us all and put our families in the gravest
danger.” The mumbling in the room grew louder as Regan expertly
steered the people where he wanted them.
    “We can’t just sit here and hide for the rest of our
lives!” Sandra could feel her control slipping as she formed her
response, and her voice cracked slightly as she tried to be heard
over the growing noise. “We are running low on fuel and food and do
not have enough of either to survive in the long term if we do not
get them elsewhere. Peter and the others are out there risking
their lives—yet again, I might add—so that you can feed your
families and keep them warm over the next few months.” She paused
for breath and the room quieted as her message began to get
through. “Yes, it’s a risk, but their plan is an excellent one that
will set our neighboring factions against each other while we
benefit. The gains from their excursion will see us all comfortable
and safe during the winter, and by next spring all the work we are
doing in the fields will bear us enough food so we can be more
independent. Until then, we have to get our supplies anywhere we
can.”
    She was getting through to them, she could feel it,
and took a moment to glance over at Regan. Outwardly he remained
calm, but Sandra imagined she could see gears smoking in his head
as he frantically tried to regain the initiative. She decided to
push on with the committee’s main argument.
    And in so doing made her mistake.
    “The serum is killing families all over…”
    “What proof do we have of that?” Regan’s voice easily
cut through the rumblings of approval for Sandra’s impassioned plea
and the crowd went suddenly quiet.
    Sandra faltered as the question took her by surprise.
“What do you mean?”
    “I mean…” Regan rose from his chair and a hush fell
over the room as every eye followed him. Sandra might not agree
with him but she had to admit the man knew exactly how to work a
room to his advantage. “And this is meant as no disrespect to
Doctor Smith, but are we certain of that? We keep hearing of this
impending disaster, but what if the results were misinterpreted? I
mean Pat is very good at his job, but how qualified is he to make
that call? What kind of doctor did you say you were, Mister
Smith?”
    Pat Smith flushed and his podgy cheeks grew redder
under the intense scrutiny. He was a private man, more at home in
his lab than trying to calm