The Last Bastion of the Living (The Last Bastion #1)(119)

The sparse tree line they were moving along ended abruptly just ahead. They would have to sprint across open ground toward the foothills. The formations were steep, but Denman was hoping the higher they climbed the more hiding places they might find.

“What about the last two Anomalies?” Maria wondered aloud. “Did you see what happened to them?”

Denman shook his head. “No, no. Though, I somewhat suspect they may have ducked into the carrier. At least, let’s hope so.”

With a sigh, Maria scrambled over some roots jutting out of the rock, tilting her head to gaze up along the steep incline that seemed to rise up to the very top of the mountain itself. She wasn’t too sure how well she would be able to climb. The pains in her body were worsening.

“Okay, we need to run until we reach that patch of pines over there, then start climbing. There are plenty of boulders and spots to hide up there.” Denman pointed to their destination as she stepped closer to him.

“Okay. I’m ready.”

“You sure?” Denman touched her sweating face lightly with one hand. His hand was icy against her skin.

“Yeah, I’m sure.” Maria gave him a slight smile. “I’m a total bad ass.”

“So I noticed.” Denman said, returning the smile.

“I’m glad you’re with me,” Maria said, tears suddenly in her eyes. In her mind, she saw Omondi and the others engulfed in flame.

“I’m glad I’m here.” Denman enfolded her in his arms and rested his chin on her shoulder.

Clinging to him, Maria felt hot tears sliding over her flushed cheeks. “If we make it we have to have that barbecue by the lake. Just your family and mine.”

“I’d love that,” Denman answered. He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You and Megan will be best friends. I know it.”

“You and Dwayne will get along really well.”

“You’ll have to tell me more about him when we’re somewhere safe.”

Maria peered into the darkness as Denman stepped away. A handful of tiltrotors were skimming low over the ground. The rest of the fleet had returned to the city. There would most likely be patrols and cleanup crews out in the valley for weeks before declaring it officially cleared. Denman and Maria hopefully wouldn’t be trapped out here that long. Evading the patrols for so long would be difficult, if not impossible.

Denman extended his hand toward her. She took it.

Together they ran across the wide expanse of empty land through trails of smoke drifting on the wind. The city loomed to their left, alive with lights. Behind them were the smoldering remains of the hydroelectric station. Their heavy boots pounded against the dark earth and patches of new grass. The foothills loomed beyond a thin smattering of pine trees that were black in the pale light emanating from the city and moon.

Plunging into the deep gloom of the trees, they were among the Scourge before they realized it. A cluster of thirty or so stood in the pines staring silently toward the rock face of the mountain.

Maria gasped, her heart beating violently in her chest. She tugged at Denman’s hand, trying to escape his hold and the Scourge surrounding her.

Instead of letting her go, Denman pulled her into his arms. Cradling her against him, her back to his chest, he slowly scooted them past the swaying forms. Maria clutched his forearms with her fingers, her eyes wide with fright.

She was alive again. Would they sense her?

The Scourge remained silent as they passed. None even acknowledged their presence.

“Your father said that it’s the virus inside that tells the Inferi Scourge which are their own,” Denman whispered.

Maria kept herself pressed against the hard surface of Denman’s armor. They moved carefully in sync past the swaying Scourge, the pine needles and dry twigs crackling under their feet. The milky eyes and vacant faces didn’t alter in the wake of their passing. At the edge of the trees, Denman let Maria slip from his arms and took her hand.

Studying the path they had just taken, Maria noted that not one Scourge had awakened from its torpor. For a second she considered going back and hitting one of them to see if it responded.

Instead, she followed Denman over the rugged ground.





Chapter 34


“Dad, this is so beast!”

Dwayne couldn’t help but grin at his son’s exuberance. Studying his child, he could see his genetics stamped on his features. This was true immortality. Not a virus. One generation carrying forward the genes of the former. “Hunter, is Allison with you?”

“Yeah! We’re out near the capital with our friends. You should be here. It’s wild!” Hunter’s face kept blurring across the screen as he was jostled about by the crowd.

Allison’s cute face peeked at her father. It was off-center on the screen, but he could see her bright blue eyes gazing at him happily. “Dad, this is so freakin’ cool! The Maelstroms sounded like thunder! This party is so wild. I wish you were here with us! We keep trying to reach Caitlyn, but I guess she’s working.”

Caitlyn shook her head, keeping out of frame. Like her mother, she wore her emotions too clearly on her face. It was best if her younger siblings didn’t see her, or they would know something was amiss.

The twins scrunched their faces together so they could both gaze into the camera and smile at their dad. Dwayne felt his heart stutter and the overwhelming love he had for his kids stole his voice for a few seconds. The twins chattered on about all they were seeing, gleefully carried along by the crowd converging on the capital building.