Thirteen Roses Book Three: Beyond: A Paranormal Zombie Saga Read Online Free Page A

it wouldn’t work. While there was government anywhere on Earth, there would be someone to fight back and a return to the fear.’
    ‘Aren’t you the government now, though?’
    ‘We aren’t government. Rulers are not needed when God’s love shines on all. All men are equal—’
    ‘Which explains the different colour robes.’
    ‘The robes are sigils, signs of the each man’s role in the new world. They no more confer importance than name or skin colour.’
    ‘But he still called me ‘the black man’.’
    ‘You are rare among the soldiers here in England. In America and Africa you would blend in, one of the flock. But here, we are a mostly white congregation.’
    Jackson nodded and sniffed. No surprise there. ‘That ain’t the most complex of plans, you know. I think I could run that one.’
    ‘So what should we do now? The plague is not yet gone but our ladies in waiting must awaken soon and take on food.’
    ‘So? Wake them up, give them food and put them back to sleep. But hey, they can do their job with the gas masks on. So can you.’
    Etienne’s face paled slightly and he shook his head. ‘I won’t be taking a role in that part of the plan. That is for the young men who have been checked and tested. Speaking of which, if you wish to be a part of it, you too must undergo testing.’
    ‘You don’t need to test me, I can get it up.’
    ‘The testing isn’t for that. It is to ascertain whether you have any genetic defects or diseases that may be transferred to your child.’
    ‘Nothing wrong with my genes.’
    ‘That’s very reassuring, but you will still have to be tested.’
    Jackson sniffed again and folded his arms. ‘Didn’t answer my question. Why not just get on with it, gas masks and all?’
    ‘That isn’t how the Lord would wish it. These are the first children to be born into this world.’ He stopped and looked at his hands. Jackson saw that they were shaking. He was gripping the edge of the desk like he was about to fall off the floor.  
    ‘What?’
    Etienne shook his head. ‘Nothing. We had an incident while you slept. It’s nothing.’ He cleared his throat. ‘These are the first children to be born into the new world and they must be the result of true unions, unions of love and tenderness.’
    ‘Hang on. These women you got. Did they volunteer for this?’
    ‘Some. A few. Most were… convinced.’
    ‘Then there’s no way there’s to be any ‘tenderness in these unions’. You’ll be lucky if your soldier boys don’t get their dicks bitten off.’
    Etienne frowned. ‘That remains to be seen. Once they understand what has happened in the world while they slept, I believe they will see the true extent of the blessing we have bestowed upon them.’
    Jackson snorted. ‘We’ll see. So when do they take off the gas masks?’
    ‘We are testing the plague. We have a good number of test subjects we are exposing at regular intervals. Once one survives, the masks come off.’
    ‘Do you have any idea when that’ll happen?’
    ‘We expected it to have already happened.’ Another frown. ‘No, no idea.’
    ‘When you said you have complex plans, what you mean is you have a vague idea of what you think’s gonna happen, right?’
    Etienne flushed and tapped the desk. ‘Reaching this point has taken many years of careful planning and manoeuvring and—’
    ‘And now it’s a free for all. You need me more than you think.’
    ‘We don’t need anyone. We don’t need me. The soldiers of God will operate without any single part in place. It is how we have been so successful for so long.’
    ‘Mmm. What now?’
    Etienne opened his mouth but a soldier popped his head through the tent flap and cleared his throat. ‘Leader, apologies for the interruption, but the second captive has woken up.’
    ‘Splendid.’ The frown left Etienne’s face as he beamed at Jackson. ‘This is what now. I have a task for you. You are here because you are chosen by God,