Killing The Dead (Book 15): The Gathering Storm Page 18

  Gregg grinned and swept his arm out at the small crowd around us. “We brought some friends.” He paused and looked at Isaac. “Well, some friends and some former abductors.”

  “I’ll explain later,” I said as she gave him a questioning look. “For now I’d like to just get on board and sit down.”

  “Whatever you say.”

  Two more black-clad figures appeared beside her and thumped their breasts. One stepped forward and spoke.

  “My Lord Death,” she said, raising a few murmurs from the crowd. “How may we serve you?”

  Lily linked her arm with mine and flashed me a sympathetic look.

  “You’ve had your fun running around the countryside. Back to being in charge now,” she said.

  “Yes, well I have a few ideas of what we can do next. But for now.” I looked at the crowd of people. “I just want to go home and sleep.”

  “As you command,” Lily said and pulled me close.

  Epilogue.

  I sat up and stretched, feeling a twinge from my back. I ignored it and pulled on a clean shirt before climbing out of bed. Jinx looked up, ears twitching and I ruffled her fur before heading to the bathroom.

  A knock came on the door just as I was finishing up my morning ablutions and Gregg strode in without waiting for a response.

  “Morning, mate.”

  “Barely,” I said with a glance at the clock on the wall. “What do you want?”

  “Wow, aren’t you a happy chap when you wake up. Not sure how Lily puts up with it.”

  He grinned at my expression.

  “Do you actually have a reason to be here?”

  “Yes. The boss asked me to get you. There’s a boat arriving.”

  “What does that have to do with me?”

  “First one with rescued people, mate. Have to get the welcome mats out and look our best and all that.”

  “Still not sure what that has to do with me.”

  “You’re part of the government, mate. Same as me. We have responsibilities.”

  I just grunted at that. It was an honorary position at best and I had enough to deal with anyway. The Dead were growing in number and that necessitated a few organisational changes in the hierarchy.

  When Samuel got back it would help but until then, I had to do everything myself. Though the food supplies he was going to bring back from the bunker would help out a great deal. You can say a lot about Genpact but they were prepared.

  A decades worth of food for five hundred people would help bolster the island supplies and there were a few places along the way that he was going to look at too. All being well, we would start having some regular supply runs to keep us going until we were settled on the Isle of Man.

  I pulled on my jeans and shoes and followed Gregg out into the hall. Jinx trotted at my heels and I shook my head. She’d stuck close to either me or Lily ever since my return.

  There was an endless number of salutes and greetings from the black-garbed minions as I passed and four of them fell into place around me as I stepped outside the sports centre. They seemed determined to ensure I wasn’t abducted again and I was in no shape to argue for the moment.

  It was a short walk to the docks, but even so, I had to take it slow. The antibiotics were doing their job but I was still not up to full health.

  The crowd parted before us and more than one fearful glance was directed my way. They knew who I was and more than that, what I had done. The people we had brought back had heard or seen far too much and were a little too willing to share that gossip with everyone.

  There were few who had killed a Reaper and none had killed as many as I had. That seemed to be a source of interest for people and had helped build my legend, which in turn, helped with recruitment.

  Lily and the weasel-faced minister she was friendly with broke off their conversation as I arrived. Lily smiled warmly and the other woman gave me her best glare. I grinned mockingly in reply and her eyes narrowed.

  “Why am I here?” I asked as I endured a warm hug from Cass.

  “Sorry,” Lily said. “Special request.”

  She wore a mysterious smile as she said it and I couldn’t help my frown. I turned and watched the approaching boat silently. It had been a pleasure craft before the fall but had a surprising amount of space judging by the number of people crowding its deck.

  It glided in to a stop and lines were thrown as crew jumped to the dock and tied it off. I grew bored with waiting and reached down to pet the dog. There were a great many things I could have been doing rather than standing on the cold dock.

  “Welcome,” Lily called out as the small crowd approached. “We’re so very pleased you could make it.”

  “Thank you, dear,” a familiar voice said and I looked up in startled surprise as a woman turned towards me. “Hello, Ryan.”

  “Mother,” I said with a sinking feeling.

  Note from the author.

  Another episode done. Lily and Ryan are reunited and preparing for the invasion of the Isle of Man. With their friends and allies, they will seek to secure that island for their people and truly begin with the rebuilding of civilisation.

  Not that there won’t be problems to come. A family reunion may well be awkward considering that Ryan murdered his own brother. Whatever complications that might bring will surely not be helped by the Genpact people who have no intention of sharing the world once the zombies are gone.

  Halfway through season three with plenty yet to come. I hope you enjoy this story and keep on following Ryan and Lily.

  Richard