That’s the point, Zeke. They rise after they’re dead.

He heard Pepper’s soft laughter, still betraying a little of her anxiety. Her face had been so strained. She’d looked so alone, so vulnerable when he’d left her. He kept her with him, bridging the gap so she could hear the conversations as the team reported in. He’d needed to hear her laughter even if it was tense.

They slipped out of the boat and onto the pier, two dark shadows reclaiming the night, moving into the trees to make their way around the house toward the east and Mordichai.

Mordichai heard the soldiers coming. With enhanced hearing, vision and smell, it wasn’t that difficult to locate the exact position of each of them.

I’ve got my sights on a big bastard. He’s got to be a good six-six, Malichai informed them from the rooftop. Can’t see his partner yet.

Mordichai saw the big man’s partner and for just one moment he stopped and shook his head. The man’s entire body was distorted, bones so thick the skin stretched taut over them. He looked like a caricature of a man.

Whoever this Braden is, he’s no Whitney, Mordichai informed the others. I’ve got eyes on his partner, Malichai; it’s going to take a bit to bring this one down.

Wyatt didn’t like the sound of that. He pushed his way through the grass and brush, moving fast, trying to swing around to get into a position to aid Mordichai. Coming in from your right. Malichai, take the shot if you have it.

Malichai didn’t hesitate. He squeezed the trigger, once, twice, a third time. Aiming for the eyes and throat. He didn’t think the soldier’s thickened bone armor was going to stop a high-velocity bullet from his sniper rifle, but still, Wyatt was worried about the zombie apocalypse and he didn’t want to take the chance of helping the other side.

He watched the big soldier go down hard. He kept eyes on him, certain he wouldn’t get back up again, but one never knew, not with enhancements and some kind of healing super drug. The soldier didn’t so much as twitch.

A sound warned him. A soft footfall, or maybe the breeze switched directions for just one moment. He rolled fast, nearly going off the roof. He’s on me. They’re diversions, Wyatt. I fucked up.

He felt the bite of the knife sliding into him. The blade was razor-sharp and it cut through skin, muscle and everything else in its path without even slowing down. He knew he was going to die. The knowledge hit him even as the soldier withdrew the knife and came at him a second time.

The soldier’s body jerked, his expression changing from satisfaction to shock. His eyes went wide. He staggered, recovered and turned. Behind him, Malichai saw Pepper, the knife in her hand dripping blood.

What the hell? Pepper, get out of here.

She backed away from the soldier, focused totally on the huge man. Malichai knew she was drawing the threat away from him in order for him to get on his feet. His wound was low, kidney low, and he couldn’t exactly get back there to staunch the flow of blood, but she was so small and fragile, looking more vulnerable than ever.

Malichai’s down. I’ve got one on the roof and three others in the yard getting close to the house.

Pepper didn’t sound fragile and vulnerable. She sounded totally cool and in absolute control. She looked so small. He hadn’t even been able to see her around the soldier. She was that small in comparison. Malichai was terrified for her. He had to get on his feet. He had to.

The soldier didn’t so much as glance at him, already dismissing him as a threat. He smirked at Pepper. “I’ve been wanting to meet up with you again. This time it isn’t going to end the way it did last time.”

She kept gliding backward, drawing the soldier toward her and away from Malichai. “You mean when I wiped up the floor with you? Is that what this is, Pierre, revenge? You and the others? All seven of you?”

Pierre spit on the roof and kept walking toward her. “We agreed whichever got to you first got to keep you.”

Pepper didn’t so much as glance at Malichai when she reached for him. Can you get off the roof? Slide down the side, if you can. I’ll keep him busy until you’re safely away.

Wyatt will kill me if I leave you alone with that monster. He tried to move and nearly panicked. His body felt paralyzed. No matter what his brain said, he couldn’t get on his feet.

Without warning, his brother was there, coming up over the side of the roof, one arm hooking around Malichai’s chest, under his arms and then he was over Ezekiel’s shoulder and Zeke was dragging him right off the roof. Leaving her. Pepper. Wyatt’s woman. Alone with the hyped-up monster.

The moment Ezekiel had Malichai safe, Pepper moved with blurring speed, racing straight at Pierre, the man who would take her children, probably kill them and then do whatever he wanted to her. At the last minute, when he’d braced himself, ready for her, she took a dive, sliding under him, slamming her blade into him and continuing on to the other side of the roof and then over.

She heard him scream, a terrible, ugly sound she was certain she would never forget, but she landed softly, on the balls of her feet and raced around toward the back of the house where she knew the other three soldiers were working their way through Trap’s intense security system.

Wyatt caught a glimpse of Pepper running fast, using her crazy speed even he couldn’t match, tearing around the corner of the house and out of his view. He sprinted after her and his speed wasn’t anything to sneeze at. Zeke, how bad?

Nonny’s helping me with him. It’s bad. He’s losing a lot of blood. I’m putting a line in him now.