Live Free or Die Complete Series Boxed Set: Age Of Madness - A Kurtherian Gambit Series Hayley Lawson (ebook reader play store .TXT) 📖

effect would it have on you? Would you be strong like Afana?” This was the question Ryder had been dying to ask, and it felt weirdly personal.

Massimo let out a little laugh. “I wasn’t expecting that question from you. For one, I’d become younger again—I’d go back to how I looked the day I was turned.” Massimo leaned into Ryder. “I was way better looking than Leandro or Carter. I know I’m not supposed to say that about my son, but I was. I have good genes, what can I say?” Massimo had a smug grin on his face. “I’d be as strong as a hundred men, and as fast as the wind.” Massimo smiled fondly, remembering the good old days.

This is the Massimo I need, so here goes nothing. “I will give you my blood to get you younger and stronger to help my friends,” Ryder offered earnestly.

Massimo shook his head in horror. “No, no, no. I don’t drink human blood. I just don’t.”

“But if it will make you stronger, we’ll have a better chance,” Ryder pleaded.

Massimo turned away from Ryder. “I can’t. I won’t become a monster like Afana. I knew Afana before the World’s Worst Day Ever, and he was a monster even then. I’d hoped Bethany Anne had taken care of him, killed him before he could hurt anyone else. I didn’t know he was still alive. I’m sorry, Ryder, but I won’t turn into him. Not for anything. I’m sorry.“

“Let me get this straight. You knew Afana before the world went to shit?” Ryder asked in her no-fucking-around voice.

Massimo had a guilty look on his face. “Yes.”

“And he was a monster then?” Ryder quizzed.

Massimo hung his head. “Yes.”

“And were you?”

Massimo shook his head frantically. “No! Of course not!”

Ryder threw up her hands. “Well, I don’t get it then. Why would you turn into a monster? After meeting you, I’ve realized that there are good vampires.” Ryder paused and pointed her finger at Massimo. “This had better not be an act. Although if it is an act, it’s a good one. I’ve seen how you are with Leandro and the people in Pinewood. Everyone loves you. Are there other vampires who are good and still drink human blood?” Ryder wasn’t completely sure she wanted the answer. Up until a few days ago she’d thought there was only one vampire, and that had been bad enough.

“Yes, there were other good vampires. Bethany Anne and Michael, to name a couple.”

“And did they drink human blood?”

“Yes.”

“So you’re one of the good guys.” Ryder smiled. “I could also do with you being one of the strongest and fastest. And if you could make Carter think he’s ugly, that would be a bonus. Offer’s here when you’re ready.” Ryder didn’t want to push too hard. She wanted to give Massimo time to think.

Massimo shook his head. “I don’t think I’ll ever be ready.”

“Why do you think people are going Mad?” Ryder asked, changing the subject.

As though Ryder’s question was a cue, a Mad woman bounded out of the woods toward them on all fours like an animal. Her nightdress was ripped and flapped in the air like a superhero’s cape, but this was no superhero. It was a Mad who was out for one thing.

Fresh flesh.

Her red eyes were filled with rage, and the speed with which she was moving was shocking.

“Mad!” Ryder yelled. In an instant Carter had his axes ready to throw, and Ryder had her bow. Massimo and Leandro didn’t need weapons.

They were the weapons.

“She’s mine!” Carter yelled.

He launched his axe at the Mad woman. It landed in her shoulder and parted the nightgown, the blood from the wound poured out to stain the tattered material. The force jerked her body backward.

She clambered unsteadily to her feet. The tattered nightgown flapped in the breeze, revealing a single breast.

Carter danced from one foot to another, blocking Ryder’s line of sight on the Mad.

Ryder growled and lowered her bow. “What the fuck, Carter! Are you waiting for her to ask you on a date or something? Put her out of her misery.”

“I’ve got it,” he said as he threw another axe, which landed in her other shoulder.

All the axe did was stall her a little.

“Are you sure you don’t need help?” Ryder snarked.

The Mad staggered toward them, and Carter was down to just his knives now His face reddened as he missed with the first, then the second.

The Mad was nearly on them, and Carter was out of knives to throw. He looked like he was going to run at her.

That man was crazy! He’d rather chance being attacked than ask for help. Ryder wasn’t going to let him risk his life. She had just got used to having him around.

She darted forward and shoved him to the side, bringing up her bow to release an arrow at the Mad as Carter stumbled. Her arrow struck true, embedding itself in the Mad’s forehead. The woman fell to the ground before Carter had even recovered his balance.

Carter spun to Ryder. “She was my kill,” he bitched. “One day one of us will save your life.” He grinned in appreciation.

“Yeah,” the other men agreed. So far Ryder had killed a Mad for each of them.

“I have a feeling you’ll have plenty of chances before we get to the bunker.” Ryder grinned. She joked, but only because she had a sinking feeling about what the future held.

The gang carried on walking. They had a lot of ground to cover today and these attacks were putting them behind schedule.

Massimo picked up their conversation as though the attack hadn’t happened. “As you were saying, I think the Mad have some kind of disease,” he told them. “I’m not sure yet how it’s spreading, other than by bites. It could be something in the saliva.”

Leandro narrowed his eyes at that. “Like getting a vampire bite, but it makes them Mad instead?”

Massimo looked thoughtful for a moment. “Maybe. Who knows?” He nodded at the house up ahead.