The New Night Novels (Book 1): Rippers: A New Night Novel

The New Night Novels (Book 1): Rippers: A New Night Novel by Ashlei D. Hawley Read Free Book Online Page A

Book: The New Night Novels (Book 1): Rippers: A New Night Novel by Ashlei D. Hawley Read Free Book Online
Authors: Ashlei D. Hawley
Tags: Zombie Apocalypse
hands of the humans. It was the first rule he’d been told: avoid giving humans information about their kind. Do not kill them, turn those who would jeopardize the exposure of the vampire population, or speak with them about vampirism. Jameson assumed, ‘don’t hand over a document containing information about the genetic makeup of vampires,’ fell in the category of giving humans information.
         So he couldn’t hand it over to the humans at the CDC. He had to find another vampire to give the flash drive to. The necessity to find another of his kind when the only one he’d even met was Joselyn would be frustrating to no end.
         “I really don’t know,” Jameson finally answered. “I think I need to find someone who knows more about viruses than I do and hand it over. If this is a virus, maybe it can be cured.”
         Leland wanted to be excited about that possibility, but what good would a cure do him now? He’d already lost anyone he could have cared about to the potential virus.
         “Well, good luck with that,” Leland said. The heaviness in his voice made Jameson look at the kid with a bit more compassion than he had been. He was sixteen-maybe seventeen. He’d decided to try drinking away his recent experiences but had had no luck, even though it smelled as though the effort he’d made should have about covered horrific family murder memories. He was alone; truly alone from what little he’d said about himself.
         Though the kid was too proud (and possibly too scared) to ask, Jameson was currently the best option for an adult who wasn’t slaughter mad who could lead him to some kind of safety. The kid had done well enough on his own so far, but what if this thing had spread farther than their little town? Leland seemed competent enough, but he was a kid on his own with no place to go. The more Jameson thought it through, the more he felt like an utter asshole for being so obsessed with the flash drive. He may not have been human anymore, but the human contact he’d given a kid who’d obviously experienced major trauma had been shit.
         Joselyn had told him he was the strongest-willed person she’d ever met. Jameson told himself he could keep from munching on Leland at least until he found some humans he could send the kid along with.
         “Hey, it’s no solid plan, but it’s better than hanging out in a corner store until someone drops a bomb on this place or more sick people overrun us, right? You want to try to find someone to give this to with me?” Jameson said. He attempted to bring some brightness to his voice. If he focused on raising the kid’s spirit, maybe he would stop getting so distracted by the alluring aroma of blood beneath his healthy, dark skin.
         “Really?” Leland stopped squeezing the back of the chair he stood behind and brought his wide eyes up to meet Jameson’s. “I mean, I’ll try not to slow you down. I can run.”
         “Can you fight?” Jameson thought the question was more important than the kid’s ability to keep up. If the vampire ran at full speed, Leland wouldn’t even be able to see him, let alone keep pace with him.
         “I haven’t much,” Leland admitted, “but I can learn. I’m tough, and I’m strong.” His dad had taught him there was a distinct difference between the two. He sought to be both.
         “We can only travel at night,” Jameson said with no explanation. He didn’t even know what answer he would give if Leland asked why, but thankfully, he didn’t. “We move quiet and smart. No cars, no guns.”
         “No guns?!” Leland protested. Jameson relented with a sigh.
         “Fine, if we find a gun we can take it with us. But you need to listen to what I say. You need to trust me.”
         “We have to trust each other.” Leland’s firm voice reflected in a sheen of steel in his onyx eyes. The kid had spirit, Jameson thought. There were far worse

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