Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 112398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 562(@200wpm)___ 450(@250wpm)___ 375(@300wpm)
Here, the buildings were closer together, what likely amounted to their main street. The road was narrow, but angled parking spots were situated in front of the shops and restaurants.
I ran alongside them, jumping over garbage cans and flowerpots and dodging any fucker who tried to get in my way, shifting my body so I could glide around them, ignoring the assholes who were busting out windows and wreaking whatever havoc they could find.
One objective in mind.
Metal screeched as the tractor tore through the cars that had been left in the middle of the street, busting through them as well as any people in his way, both Laven and the deranged.
A man sat at its helm, his skin bubbling and blistering, appearing as if he were getting ready to explode. Nothing but evil twisted his malicious face, no thoughts other than the one that had taken over his mind.
“End her.”
“End her.”
I could almost hear it radiating from his spirit. Crawling out of the vile depths of his being.
I was not going to let that happen.
I finally made it far enough up the sidewalk that the tractor was nearly parallel to me.
It was old, the color a faded yellow with a big metal scoop attached to the front, no tires but instead those giant metal tracks that marred the ground.
Thank fuck there was no cage on it to protect the driver.
Turning on my heel, I began to run toward it. Winding between two degenerates who were so far gone they were fighting each other, I jumped onto the hood of a car in front of me and used it to propel myself over the heads of the fiends who writhed around the tractor.
I landed with an oomph on the back fender that covered one of the enormous metal tracks.
I didn’t hesitate to throw myself on the bastard’s back, knife drawn and ready to drag it across his throat.
But he flailed. Motherfucker was stronger than I was prepared for. He pushed to standing, and he swung me left to right as he dug his nails into my forearms.
Adrenaline surged, aggression curling through me as I tried to hang on. To end this monster, another who would do anything to hurt the one person who meant everything to me.
The one who meant everything to humankind.
Everything depended on her survival.
And that love poured out with the hate. With the violence that thrashed inside me. “You piece of shit. I’m going to end you,” I growled in his ear.
“No, she’s mine. She’s mine.”
He roared, a sound that wasn’t human, a booming of the Kruen that reigned inside him. He clawed at me, and I fought, trying to tighten my hold, but he managed to rip my arms free.
With a bellow of rage, he tossed me off.
I flew backward.
I fought to regain my balance on the small metal platform when I landed, but the momentum was too great, and I tumbled over the backside. I barely caught myself before I fully hit the ground, elbows hooked on the metal frame of the tractor and my feet dragging on the pavement behind me.
I fought it.
Fought with all the strength I possessed, reminding myself of my purpose.
Of the one thing I’d been sure of when I’d first sought Aria out.
I’d accepted it from the beginning.
My fate already sealed.
I would gladly give my life if it meant she got to live.
If there was a chance for peace and harmony.
Something better than this horror that had become our lives.
Something better than the horror that had become this world.
Muscles straining with the effort, I clawed my way back up. No doubt, the driver had believed me long gone and was back to focusing his ill intent on plowing through the cars and people in his way.
And I could see them just up ahead.
The ring that surrounded Aria.
At least a hundred Laven, who had gathered around her to create a barrier of protection.
Gratitude squeezed my chest in a fist. A sudden overwhelming thanksgiving that almost made me want to weep.
I could feel their goodness radiating against the evil that encircled them.
As they moved below the cover of foulness that churned and swelled over them.
The ones who walked in darkness.
Willing to sacrifice everything.
And I knew I stood in those ranks.
I would give it all.
Without giving the fucker the time to anticipate my return, I fisted a handful of his hair and jerked his head back, and I dragged the knife across his throat before he even knew I was there. Blood gushed, and I tossed him off the seat.
He toppled off the side of the tractor, just another monster getting consumed by the swarm.
I jumped into his seat, and I fumbled around to find the brake, hitting it hard once I did.
The tractor ground to a halt.
A couple of the demented tried to climb onto the tractor in their hunger to get to the wicked destination they were heading toward, and I stood, kicking them off as they scrambled to get on from all sides.