What Remains: Wasteland Read online

  Hunter paced across the room, running his hands through his hair as he mumbled to himself. He’d cursed several times before facing Kace again. “So these motherfuckers are alive?”

  Kace sighed. “In a manner of speaking. Nothing remotely human returns. Our friend here has the ability to control what systems it turns on. Basic motor skills, digestion when needed. Even primitive speech in the way of grunts and groans. But nothing of the host remains, at least not that I’ve witnessed. So yes, they’re technically alive, but mere husks for this invader. That’s how they seem to withstand extreme weather and periods of hunger. The parasite controls how much digestion takes place, not to mention when, along with metabolic rate. A few bites can feed it for months. And it can regulate blood flow, allowing some parts of the corpse to rot in order to save itself. It’s the perfect machine executing a very thorough survival regime, and so far, it’s proven unstoppable.”

  Emersyn exhaled, shaking her head as she gazed at the screen. “How the hell do you know all this?”

  Kace sighed. “My field was cell regeneration. To be specific…neurons. If we can learn how to regrow these cells we have a chance at curing paralysis. I’ve spent nearly a decade inside the human brain, trying to get it to do what these parasites have accomplished overnight. As sick as it is, this is a bloody scientific marvel.”

  Hunter scoffed. “Call me crazy, but I could have done without this giant leap forward.”

  Kace raised his hands palms up. “I agree. Don’t get me wrong. This is as horrific as it gets, but I can’t deny that there is some incredible science at work here. Science light years ahead of anything I’ve ever seen. The kind that’s either a blessing…or in this case…a curse.”

  Hunter moved over to them. “So where does this leave us? How the hell do you combat a ‘scientific marvel’?”

  “It’s like the old saying…the best defense is a strong offense. In this case, the best scenario is to stop the parasite from latching on to the neurons to begin with. In essence, to prevent the infection from ever taking hold.”

  Hunter furrowed his brow. “And how the hell do you do that? You just said you’ve never seen anything like this before!”

  “That doesn’t mean I can’t find a solution. And what I have now is pretty damn close.” He flicked to another image. “See this slide? It shows the infection after the blood is treated with a series of injections containing competitive binding agents. See how the parasites are unable to attach to the neurons because the sites are already taken? If they can’t hijack the cell and take control…”

  “They can’t turn you.” Emersyn gave him a genuine smile, walking over and planting a warm kiss on his cheek. “This is amazing. You…I mean…” She laughed. “Damn. Has anyone ever told you smart is sexy?”

  Kace’s cheeks burned as he brushed his fingers over the spot she’d kissed. “Actually no. Not even once. But I’ll take whatever I can get.” His smile faltered a bit. “But as great as this is, it’s far from perfect. That’s why I said these zombies are far more capable than what we’ve seen. This could just be the start. If it figures out how to utilize more of the brain without losing control…” He shook his head. “And my solution isn’t foolproof. It’s almost as if the parasite alters itself…evolves, or maybe regresses. I’m not sure, but not all of the tests are successful. Sometimes the parasite manages to break the other bond, though I have no idea how. I’m still missing something.”

  Emersyn whistled. “Missing something or not, it’s a hell of a lot more than I’ve ever seen. And even if it could protect a fraction of the survivors…at this point, any help might change the tide in our direction.”

  Hunter moved in behind Emersyn, resting one hand on her hip. Kace didn’t miss the way Em’s breathing hitched, stalling for a couple of heartbeats before resuming at an increased pace. Or the way her body tensed then relaxed, her eyes drifting closed for one glorious moment. He glanced at Hunter, but the man seemed oblivious to her physical reaction.

  Hunter gave her a squeeze. “I hate to be a buzzkill but…if it’s not quite ready, why call for a pickup? Other than maybe the microscope, we won’t be able to carry anything with us, and we certainly can’t take any samples. Not if there’s a chance it could cause an outbreak. And why the hell did you use Morse code? If it wasn’t for Darcy, we wouldn’t be here.”

  Rhys stepped inside the lopsided triangle. “I called because things were getting pretty tight here. Food supplies are practically gone and to be honest, living underground is starting to make me batshit crazy. I wasn’t sure how long it’d take to get a response, if ever, and I needed to know where I stood. If I’d have backup or be on my own in this. I know Kace needs more time. I’m just not sure how much more I can give him.” He smiled at Hunter. “And I used Morse code because the damn mike broke. Kace was able to hook it up to an old keyboard so we could at least type a message and send it out as an endless loop. We can’t receive anymore, either.”

  Kace gave Rhys’s shoulder a pat. “I know it’s been hard. I’m not the most social person. I get caught up in my work, and Rhys is left to make endless rounds on his own.”

  Rhys chuckled. “Caught up? You get so distracted I have to eventually tell you to stop after three days straight. You’re definitely my definition of the mad scientist.”

  Emersyn scrunched up her face. “Nah. He’s too pretty to be a mad scientist. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a nerd as fit as you, not that I’ve known many. But you certainly don’t scream ‘geek’.”

  Rhys grinned. “That’s because my little brother has another obsession. Mixed martial arts. The guy’s pretty damn dangerous up close.”

  Kace slapped Rhys’ chest. “Which my big brother reminds me is great for fighting humans but not so when zombies are involved. The guy’s paranoid I can’t handle myself out there.”

  Rhys turned toward him. “Maybe it’s because every technique you have involves grabbing, hitting or kicking your opponent.”

  “Which is completely different than being defenseless. Just because I’m close doesn’t mean I’m going to let them touch me.”

  Rhys gave him a cocky smile. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but the very essence of your fighting style is through touching your prey. Them. You. It’s all the same in my books and a recipe for getting yourself dead. Or undead or mostly dead or whatever the hell you say they are.”

  Hunter shifted over, finally releasing Em. “So how much more time are we talking about?”

  Kace pursed his lips. “A week. Maybe two. If there’s a chance I can get the serum working for a broader spectrum, it’ll be worth the extra few days.” Kace motioned to Hunter’s leg. “Besides, you aren’t fit to travel for a bit, not if you don’t want to reopen that wound. And Em’s still seeing double…” He dodged the slap she aimed at him. “It’s the only explanation for you saying I’m in any way sexy.”

  She laughed, the lilting sound like a warm summer breeze rustling through the trees. She gave Hunter a pleading look that had the man sighing in obvious frustration. Apparently, Emersyn didn’t lack in any female persuasion skills, and Kace doubted either of the men had ever turned her down.

  Hunter huffed. “Fine. We’ll start with a week and reassess from there…as long as Rhys is okay with it.”

  Rhys shrugged. “At least I’ll have the two of you to share in my pain. And we should have enough supplies to last us that long.” He shook a finger at his brother. “But that’s it. That fence isn’t going to hold them out forever, and we need to be clear of here before their sheer numbers knock it down.”

  “Agreed.” Kace motioned to the door. “How about that coffee now?”

  Emersyn smiled. “I just hope you’re better at brewing a pot than your brother because his shit could stop a bullet.”

  Rhys held one hand to his chest. “First you knock me on my ass, now you’re insulting my coffee. Does your cruelty know no bounds?” He shook his head as he made for the doorway. “And to think I told my broth
er you were sweet.”

  Hunter shuffled forward, grabbing Emersyn’s arm as she moved to follow them. “Em and I will catch up with you two in a moment.”

  Kace glanced between the two. There was a sudden intensity in the air, and he had a feeling there was something significant about them staying behind—alone. He glanced at Rhys, but the man just shrugged and headed down the tunnel.

  Kace nodded. “Fine. I’ll set out a cup for both of you.” He gave Emersyn one last look then left, his curiosity damn near bursting.

  Hunter watched the other men leave, his heart slamming against his ribs, his palms feeling as if they’d suddenly been immersed in water. After years in the military and another fighting creatures without souls, he wasn’t one to scare easily. But just the prospect of talking to Em had his head spinning. Em. The woman he’d spent the last few years working beside. Who’d had his back through more firefights than he could count. The one person he knew would be there for him, whatever the reason. And the same girl who’d blown him away with three tiny words.

  I love you.

  Of all the possibilities he’d imagined, that wasn’t one of them. Like Rhys, he’d always thought she’d had a thing for Billy, or even Rhys for that matter, but not him. Sure, he’d discovered how much he cared for her once she’d pulled away—that she was far more than a friend or comrade and had been for some time—but he hadn’t thought his feelings were reciprocated. Not after the way she’d shut herself off after she’d had to shoot Billy. Now he wasn’t sure where he stood.

  Em’s body visibly stiffened, and he could hear her trying to calm her breathing. Good. He didn’t want to be the only one stumbling through this. The only one with anything to lose.

  He waited until Rhys and Kace’s footfalls faded into silence before releasing her arm. He couldn’t think clearly when he touched her, and he knew he’d need every ounce of blood in his brain if he wanted to avoid making an incredible fool of himself.

  Emersyn glanced back at him, her bottom lip snagged between her teeth. She looked innocent and dangerous all at the same time, and he couldn’t stop from brushing his fingers along her jaw. She closed her eyes, leaning into the gentle embrace before taking a shaky breath and pulling back.

  She forcefully swallowed as she gazed at the door. “Something wrong?”

  Hunter resisted chuckling, knowing it wouldn’t go over well. “Guess that depends on your definition.” He took a step closer. “We should talk.”

  Em cringed slightly, again glancing at the door. “Or we could forget I ever said anything and go grab coffee.”

  “Is that what you want? To just brush it aside like it doesn’t mean anything?”

  Anger flashed in her eyes as she turned to face him. “Of course it means something. Hell, it means everything. How do you think I’ve been able to keep going all these months?”

  “Then why the hell don’t you want to talk about it?”

  She threw up her hands, looking at him as if he’d lost his mind. “Because it’s nothing more than a pipe dream. A reality that’ll never come true.” She sobbed once. “Sometimes I think it’s a never-ending nightmare I’m cursed to relive every day.”

  Hunter swore and moved without thinking, grabbing her vest and pulling her hard into him. Her hands palmed his chest in reflex as he snagged one arm around her waist, tugging her flush to him. She’d just raised her gaze to his when he crushed his mouth down on hers, kissing her with brutal intensity, needing her to feel all the emotions he’d held back.

  Emersyn stiffened then molded to him, her hands fisting around his shirt. He waited to see if she’d push him away, nearly creaming his shorts when those small fingers urged him closer, one hand releasing to curl around his neck. Her nails scratched his scalp as she cupped the back of his head, willingly opening for his tongue. He dove inside, finally tasting the pure essence of her. It was hot and sweet, and he loved the way she tangled her tongue with his, making him work to keep control. Not that he’d expected any less from her. She was far from submissive.

  Emersyn’s breath warmed his cheek as he released her, peppering kisses along the sleek column of her neck. Her skin was slightly salty, and he wanted nothing more than to strip her down and lick every inch of it—from the sweet spot behind her ear to the sensitive arch of her foot. He groaned, imagining the way her body would give as he joined with it, sinking deep inside her. He’d never wanted any woman with the blinding need he felt raging within him.

  Hunter worked his way back up to her mouth, dropping a kiss on one edge. Her eyelids fluttered open, and he stared at her, drinking in the brilliant green of her eyes. He’d never noticed the wedge of amber in her left iris, or how the color gleamed when she looked at him. Emersyn drew a shaky breath then leaned in, offering her mouth again. He accepted, taking her gently this time, allowing her a chance to anticipate every stroke of his tongue and how he shifted to align his already erect shaft with her groin.

  She moaned into his mouth, the raspy sound swallowed by their kiss, as she arched her cleft against him, a whimper of sheer lust muffling free. He growled against her lips, shuffling them back until she hit the wall, trapping her body against his. He released her mouth, nipping at the hollow of her neck. Her head fell back, granting him better access, and he licked a path beneath her shirt to her collarbone, planting an open-mouthed kiss on it.

  He smiled at her hushed gasp, raising his face to hers. “Tell me this is still a dream, and I’ll walk away.”

  Again her eyelids fluttered open, only there was more black than green this time, a clear indication she was just as affected as him. She licked her lips, her rough breath huffing against his neck. “God. Hunter.”

  He smiled. “Damn. You’re so fucking beautiful.”

  He leaned in, tracing one hand down her side, hearing her breath hitch as he grazed the side of her breast. Her nipples tightened against his chest, and it took all his control not to rip open her top and suck the tiny beads into his mouth.

  Emersyn mumbled under her breath, finally palming her hands against him again. “Wait. Hunter. Please.”

  He grunted his reply, brushing his thumb over one distended nub, groaning when it got impossibly harder. God, he wanted her.

  She pushed against him this time. “Hunter. Stop.”

  The word hit him like a slap to the face, and he moved back, giving her space. She took the opening and darted past him, practically running to the other side of the room. He watched her back hunch as she stood facing the wall, her body heaving with apparent arousal.

  Hunter sighed, leaning against the wall in the hopes of staying on his feet. “Emersyn?”

  Her shoulders bunched at the sound of her name, and she took a deep breath before spinning to face him. Tears pooled in her eyes, but it was the pained look on her face that cut the deepest.

  He ran a weary hand through his hair, wanting to pull some of it out. “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong because I thought this was what you wanted when you told me you loved me?”

  Her head tilted to the side, and a wash of tears escaped, falling like shimmering diamonds on the floor. “It is and I do, it’s just…”

  “Just what?”

  “This can’t happen.”

  Chapter Five

  Emersyn stood there, watching an array of emotions crease Hunter’s face before he shook his head and pushed away from the wall, covering half the distance between them. He seemed reluctant to get any closer, but she could tell he was itching to grab hold of her and shake some sense into her. Instead, he fisted his hands at his side, looking every inch the lethal soldier she knew him to be.

  He clenched his jaw, taking a noticeable deep breath. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

  She moistened her lips, cursing the lingering taste of him on her mouth. It was sweet and hot, and it made her want to rush across the room and kiss him again. She wrapped her arms around her chest, hoping to stop her body from trembling. “I think you know.”

 
He snorted. “Well, obviously, I don’t, or I wouldn’t have asked. Why, exactly, can’t this happen?”

  “Because it’s against those bloody rules we agreed to.”

  He scrunched his face up in a ball. “What rules, Em?” He waved his arm in the air. “You mean the command center? They won’t have anything to say in the matter. We wouldn’t be the first team to decide that there’s more to life than these endless fucking missions. Hell, Colby, Barrett and Darcy just jumped ship, and no one so much as batted an eye!”

  “Which is exactly my point. It was Colby, Barrett and Darcy. Together.”

  Her words seemed to take him back, and he clenched his jaw, glancing away as if thinking something through. Pain shot through her gut and seized her heart, making it hard to breathe. The last thing she’d ever wanted to do was hurt him, but the sooner he realized they couldn’t be together, the better.

  Hunter released a long breath, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “You mean the family unit.”

  “Minimum of four to a grouping. And the last time I counted, we were only two.” She gave him a sad smile. “Unless you want to leave. Break rank and find somewhere new.”

  “There isn’t anywhere else. At least, nowhere safe. And if you think for one second I’d risk your life…”

  Her smile faded. “Which is why this can’t happen. If we cross this line, we’ll never be able to go back to being teammates. And I can’t risk that. You mean too much to me to lose you completely.”