The Girl Who Kissed the Sun (Death Fields 4)

Jude scoffs. “You trust him? He’s one of them.”

“Chloe has a plan and Cole revealed it to me in its entirety. This whole base, and the soldiers and survivors in it, are just a means to a bigger end. If we don’t get out now, we probably never will.”

“Okay, then what’s her big plan?” Paul says, arms crossed over his chest. I’d already given him the bare facts about his vaccines and why it made him different. He’d quietly absorbed that information and then jumped into the fight in Dublin. I now do my best to explain it to the group.

Davis frowns so hard I think maybe he’s going to break his brain, but he finally says, “If Chloe finds out that the two vaccines combined will results in making a Hybrid-Hybrid—”

“A Mutt,” Jude interjects.

Davis sighs. “If they make a Mutt what will she do?”

“She’ll kill everyone on that has the first vaccine,” Paul replies.

The implications are heavy. People down here will die. Many will. It feels like I’m running. Maybe I am.

“Right now she has no idea what happens when you mix the two vaccines. Cole has managed to keep this from her by acting like the other Hybrids and basically just keeping off her radar,” I clarify. “It’s possible Erwin and those who stay can get the jump on her.”

“Maybe,” Davis says. “But what if she figures it out and just destroys everyone. What if she wins?”

I look around the table. Everyone is listening. “That’s why I’m here to let you know that I’m headed north. If she wins and she secures Erwin’s army as her own, she’s going north. Specifically, Western Kentucky.”

“What’s in Kentucky?” Parker asks.

Paul answers before I can. “Alex.”

I tense my jaw while the others look between us. “Yes,” I admit. “How did you know?”

He shrugs. “Just a guess, but it makes sense. Cole wants you to find her.”

I take a minute to explain everything Cole told me about Jane’s compound in Kentucky and what Chloe’s plans are once she crosses Tennessee. Their expressions turn grim as the reality of how big the battle ahead is going to be.

“So you’re leaving?” Jude asks. He leans back in his seat, arms crossed over his chest. “I guess the only surprise is you telling us.”

“Jude…” Parker warns.

“No,” I hold up my hands. “It’s a fair statement. Usually I come and go. I know that. I haven’t always been a consistent member of this team, but I’ve always had your back. This is my offer to let you know if you want to come with me, I’m happy to have you. Each of you have proved yourself capable in a fight. But don’t feel obligated. Hell, I wouldn’t begrudge you if you packed a bag and made a run for it. Things are about to get rough no matter what decision you make.”

“When are you headed out?” Davis asks.

“In two days. I need to give Erwin a heads up. I’m headed there in the morning.” I have one other stop to make first, but I keep that one to myself. I look around the table, meeting the eyes of my team members and friends. “Meet me at the front gate at 6 a.m. if you’re coming. If not, no hard feelings and good luck.”

Chapter 10

Erwin reacts to my announcement about the Hybrid Army as though he knew it was inevitable all along. He agrees to my final requests and slips me a small, heavy envelope with instructions to open if I’m ever in a jam.

“When Chloe finds out the two vaccines combined cause a uncontrollable variation of super soldier, she’s going to burn this place to the ground,” I tell him. “There’s still time to run.”

The General leans back in his seat. “I’ve never been one to run from a fight.”

“And everyone else?” I brought a lot of the civilians in personally. I’m not sure this is the end they saw coming.

“I’ll give them a choice, but I bet more will end up with me than you think.”

I nod, giving him a final, well-deserved salute.

“Go.” He waves me off. “Prepare the North so they’re ready when I get there.” Those are the crazy bastard’s final words. I guess it’s easier than saying goodbye.

That night, I enter the family barracks and request a meeting with Dorothy and her family. They are barely settled in and the men eye me suspiciously, but the matriarch of the family greets me warmly. We bonded in that kitchen.