Jade: Earth's Last Hope Against the Undead Read Online Free Page B

descended into the underground facility
the more she began to wonder how long this had been here and why
hadn’t she ever noticed it in the few times she'd come to visit
these historical grounds?
    They were led from a vast conference room,
through a weight room, and other various rooms for singular
purposes. Their path continued down a long narrow hall that must
have extended some forty yards out under the surface. At the end,
they were each offered a room of their own. They accepted most
appreciatively.
    “You can rest for now. We can go over the
rules later, when you are up to it.” Kat eyed Trent, perhaps a
little more than Jade liked. “But don’t go wandering off too far.
One can get lost in here.”
    Jade looked at Trent and he grinned. Jade
couldn’t tell if it was the result of Kat flirting with him or
because of the enticement of good sleep. Either way, after that
glance he put a calming hand on her shoulder and patted it before
disappearing into his room. Jade entered her room and closed the
door.

    In her dreams, she saw Trent. He stood along
a watery embankment, looking at her with tantalizing eyes. She
drank him in, smelling him, knowing his scent well. Then she was in
his arms, strong and supportive. He huddled over her, pressing her
face into his neck. Her arms wrapped around him and he shrouded
her.
    Jade woke, her sheets wet with sweat. She
was hot and, though awake, still caught in a dreamland state where
Trent was hers for the taking. She closed her eyes, trying to stay
in that world. But the image of Trent faded to one of a woman named
Hiru. Confused, Jade lay awake for a very long time before giving
up and opting to check out the facility.
    Her door popped open and Jade stepped out
into the hallway. The lights were dimmer now, their power beginning
to fade. She pulled the door shut, but not closed all the way, and
preceded down the corridor.
    When Jade reached the stairway, she quickly
ascended; surprised no one else was awake. She wondered what time
it was, if someone might be awake up on top. Surely there would be
a guard at the very least.
    As she reached the strange circular room, it
too was empty. Whatever candles had once lit the place had since
been doused. She found the other stairway and began the long climb
upward.
    When she neared the top platform, Jade
hesitated, letting only the crown of her head surface as she
scanned the surrounding area. When she was convinced it was safe,
she climbed up and stared into the canopy above.
    Hints of bright moonlight streamed down upon
her, and for the first time in a while she felt safe. She extended
her arms, stretching out her fingertips, and imagined the thin
streams of moonlight somehow revitalized her.
    Then a noise startled her and she quickly
made her way behind one of the big limbs, trying to use it as cover
so she wouldn’t be discovered. Her eyes keen on the stairwell, she
watched as Kat rose from the depths below, also taking in the
night. But soon there was company Jade had not expected. Kat
addressed a vampire right there on the platform.
    Concern overwhelmed Jade. What have we gotten ourselves into?
    She instantly lost that sense of being safe.
It was clear the vampires had found these people and, although they
were safe from the zombies, they were still very much in
danger.
    She thought she could possibly make it to
the stairs without being seen, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to
leave just yet. Jade's stomach fluttered, demanding her to remain,
as she hoped to hear some details.
    As much as Jade wanted to stay, she knew she
could not. She made her way quietly to the stairwell, not alerting
either of them to her presence. She began to descend into the
darkness. Before she could no longer see Kat or the vampire, she
paused. To her surprise the vampire’s eyes centered on her, wide
and dreamy. The look on the woman's face was one of curiosity. She
squinted, her face scrunching up.
    Could this be Hiru? Jade didn’t think so.
    Still, she