The Virus Within: Third Wave (Book 2)

Chapter 69

I lingered in the shadows beside a garage and watched the guards ready themselves for the night. There were two guards by each gate, which was typical of most Strongholds we'd visited on this trip. They seemed more relaxed than most I'd seen, as if their roller defenses had repelled every foe so far.

This place has clearly never been visited by a Nightstalker. It was a good thing light or fire kept the deadly creatures at bay, assuming they could turn enough lights on in time.

Another ripple through my instincts announced the second the sun completely left the horizon. Darkness would fall much faster now, stealing the last glimmers of light from the sky. I waited and bided my time, although my eyes never ceased to scan the fence and its defenses from behind my sunglasses.

Nearby voices caught my attention.

"I'm going to grab a shower before heading back," John said, yawning.

"Fine by me," Logan replied. "I had one this morning."

"I'll meet you back at the house." John's footsteps headed the other way.

Well, well, well... I tilted my head as my instincts geared themselves up for some sort of ambush. It wasn't dark enough to easily stalk him, but when Logan's footsteps headed in this general direction, my lips pulled back from my teeth in a silent grin.

The garage was right beside the path that led to the house, so he was just following the dirt track. There was no possible way he could have known I was here, so I slipped around to the other side of the garage, keeping to the shadows.

Now that I was facing the path he was on, I casually leaned against the wall and crossed my arms as I waited. Sometimes simply appearing where people didn't expect to see you was more effective than an actual ambush. Especially in the dark.

Logan casually strolled down the path, absently gazing around as he enjoyed the cool evening air. His eyes skimmed over my location without seeing me in the deeper shadows. This is too priceless...

Once he was directly in front of me, I commented in a faintly bored tone, "Enjoying the evening, I presume?"

He jumped and inhaled in surprise as he spun to face the direction of my voice. At the same time, his hand dropped to his belt knife in an automatic reflex. I didn't let my amusement show on my face, although his reaction was exactly what I'd been hoping for.

Even though I had given away my location, it still took him a few seconds to spot me in the growing shadows. The scent wave of surprised fear and adrenaline was normal when startling someone, although Logan already realized who had spoken, and he exhaled in relief.

"Must you attempt to scare the living daylights out of anyone who crosses your path?" he asked, half-amused with only a hint of irritation, but still getting over his shock.

I chuckled faintly. "In theory, no, but in reality, I find it interesting to see how people react." This was the second time I'd startled him in such a fashion, so he likely assumed it was a habit of mine.

He shook his head, then glanced at the fence. "I suppose you're waiting for it to get darker before heading out?"

My posture and tone remained relaxed, concealing my true level of focus. "Yes, but since you're here, I have several questions for you."

He blinked in confusion. "What kind of questions?"

"Why exactly are you traveling with us? What is your angle?" There was an edge to my words.

My unexpected question had him shifting his weight uneasily. "I want to go to Ironwind. If they accept zombies, then they can't be as bad as the place you found me at."