Page 32 of Princess
“Will the necros be able to call for the zombies in the center?” Cooper asked, trying to get a better understanding of the type of facility they weredrivingto.
“Zombies are different, these are the versi. The versi are controlled by the necros. The minute the necro stops controlling the versi, the body will drop where it stands, still dead. Zombies are undead beings that have no purpose; they are wanderers, the unholy dead. They are hard to kill but once they are dead, they stay dead. The versi are controlled and does whatever the necros want them to do and are much harder to stop because they are already dead, basically puppets,” Teague explained, as a loud thud sounded from the roof as somethinglanded.
“What the—” Toma cursed, swerving the van trying to throw off whatever was ontheroof.
“We’ve got company!” Teague yelled over the roar of the engine as Toma punched the gas. They flew down an unmarked road with no other cars in sight. Cooper reached for his firearm, pulling it out of his holster as another thud came from the roof. Toma slammed on the brakes, causing Cooper to crash into the back of the passenger seat, while Toma and Teague were both jerked by theirseatbelts.
He glanced up, watching as two male figures slowly climbed to a standing position a few feet in front of the van, their silhouettes highlighted by the van’s headlights. The disheveled figures continued to stand in front of the vehicle,unmoving.
“Shit!” Tomacursed.
“Zombies or versi?” Cooper asked, flipping the safety off hisweapon.
“Versi,” Teague said, opening his door and climbing out. He pulled his sword out of the sheath on his back, stalking over to theversi.
“Stay here,”Tomasaid.
“Like hell I am,” Cooper muttered, getting out of the van behind Toma. There was no way in hell he’d hide in the van, cowering like a little punk. The versi moved faster than the eye could see, attacking Toma and Teague. Neither Toma nor Teague hesitated engaging in battle with the dead puppets. Cooper tried to aim his gun at the versi but couldn’t get a shot off for fear of shooting Nadira’s brothers during thebrawl.
Movement out of the corner of Cooper’s eye caught his attention. A tall thin figure in a long dark hooded cloak with glowing amber eyes could be seen standing near the woods. Cooper quickly glanced at Nadira’s brothers as Teague sliced the head from the versi he battled. Cooper took off towards the hoodedfigure.
“Freeze!” he yelled as the figure turned, disappearing into the woods. He let loose a curse as he ran in the direction the figure entered into the wooded area. He heard his name being called behind him but he didn’t want to lose the hooded figure. The darkness made it harder for Cooper to see, the moon providing scant light. He slowed down, lingering by a massive tree, trying to listen to sounds of the woods. He held his breath, listening to faint footsteps moving away from him. Without making a sound, he slowly made his way around the large tree, catching a glimpse of the hooded figure slowly disappearing around a largeoaktree.
Cooper slowly crept around the same tree holding his firearmsteady.
“Detective Cooper,” a voice said as he paused besidesthetree.
“Show yourself,” Cooper demanded, his gun not wavering. The figure appeared seemingly out of thin air. “Don’tmove!”
“Detective Cooper, this is such a pleasant surprise,” the figure said, his amber eyes glowing from underthehood.
“Who the hell are you? How the fuck do you know my name?” Cooper asked, trying not to show hissurprise.
“We know everything there is to know about you, Detective. Even who you spent the night with last night,” the figure said, not hiding the maliciousness in hisvoice.
“Who. Are. You?” Cooper demanded, leveling his gun, his finger steady on thetrigger.
“My name is Xalak Magnus and Nadira is my soon-to-be betrothed.” Xalak pulled the hood off of his head, uncovering shoulder-lengthdarkhair.
“Betrothed?” Cooperrepeated.
“She hasn’t mentioned me? I’m not surprised; we’ve yet to meet in person, but that will soon beremedied.”
“How is Nadira your betrothed when you haven’t met?” Cooper didn’t take his finger off thetrigger.
“My father, King Sodan has been negotiating with her father, the King of the vampires. She is to be mine,” Xalak said, a ghostly smile spreading across his face. “She can have her fun with you now. Whatever you think you may have with her will now come toanend.”
“What is between Nadira and me is none of yourconcern.”
“Oh, she is much my concern. Give my betrothed a messageforme.”
“What?” Cooper asked, confused. His arms became weak, dropping to his side, his gun falling to the ground. He stumbled as his vision began to spin. Xalak took a step towards Cooper. Cooper’s knees gave out as he landed face first on the soft dry ground. Xalak stood over him, his amber eyes staring down atCooper.
“Tell my betrothed, I’m coming for her,” he said as Cooper’s world wentblack.
