Dawn of Darkness (Daeva, #1) by Daniel A. Kaine Read Free Book Online Page B

clean, but we've had
reports of minor activity nearby, so we need to be damn sure. The
last thing we need is to find out there's some hidden tunnels
beneath the ruins, crawling with vampires."
    Sergeant
Locke took a roll of laminated paper out from a compartment under
his seat, and laid it out across the raised structure between the
two rows of inward-facing seats. It was a map of the areas
surrounding Rachat. The area we were heading to was circled in
black ink. He pointed to it, making sure we all took
notice.
    "This is
Marmagne. We'll be arriving here," he said, pointing again, "by
what's left of the main road. Marmagne was the site of a
large-scale battle some forty years ago, back when I was still
learning to crawl. The centre of the town was spared, mostly, but
any buildings still standing may be in the process of collapsing,
so caution is advised should you need to go inside. Also, our
scouts have marked some of the structures as priority targets." He
pointed to several small crosses on the map. "If the enemy is
present, this is where they'll most likely be hiding, as these
buildings are mostly intact. Any questions?"
    We all
responded with a, "No, Sir."
    "Good.
When we arrive, I'll be handing over command to Captain White.
Since this is your first time out in the field, I'll be evaluating
your performance out there. I'll be staying with the Wisent to
monitor your progress via the radio, and to await the supply
convoy's arrival."
    Sergeant
Locke handed a headset to each of us, and we put them on. We took
it in turn to check they were working, by pressing the small button
next to the ear piece and reporting in.
    It wasn't
long before the Wisent lurched to a stop, and a voice from the cab
told us we had arrived. We hopped out and were greeted by the sight
of jagged hills of copper dirt, and the haunting remains of what
was once a small community. Houses lay in ruin, some of them
recognisable only by the house-shaped stumps of white stone and
wood. A church stood defiantly amidst the graves of its neighbours.
Long-dead trees scattered the landscape, rising like ghosts from
the dried, cracked earth, with their withered bark and
out-stretched limbs. The wind whistled through the ruins, carrying
with it a chill that penetrated me to the core.
    A tap on
my shoulder snapped me back into reality. The others were huddled
around the back of the Wisent, studying the map and waiting for Ash
to give our orders.
    "Lucas, I
want you to head through the centre of town. See if you can get to
the top of the church steeple and watch for any movement. Kat and
Mik, head towards the old mill on the north side of town, then
swing round and check out these buildings." He pointed to the map,
showing our intended route. "Brad and I will go south to the
farmhouses, and we'll meet up with you guys on the far side. After
that, we'll fan out and head back through to check all these
ruins."
    We nodded
in agreement, and I silently cursed Ash for pairing me up with
Katiya, though I understood his reasoning. He and I were the only
two of the group with a psychic ability. That alone meant we'd be
in separate groups. Brad didn't have an offensive ability, and so
Katiya was the only choice remaining. I understood, but that didn't
mean I had to like it.
    "We're
not expecting any contact, but stay alert and let's get back safe.
Move out!"
    Katiya
and I began our trek through the deserted town, checking each of
the crumbling ruins for any signs of life, or un-life. Luckily,
most of the buildings had only a single floor remaining, and with
half of their walls missing, there wasn't much place to hide
anything.
    "This
sucks," Katiya moaned as we checked yet another empty house. "All
clear... again."
    It felt
like an eternity passed before we came to the end of the street. So
much for an exciting first time outside the city, I thought. I was
expecting more than some old ruins and a dead landscape. A large,
barren field lay before us, with our destination on the