Adrian's Undead Diary (Book 6): In the Arms of Family by Chris Philbrook Page A

certainty of someone who has lost touch with reality, but the genuine knowledge of someone who knows they are right.
    “Warden? Odd choice of words.” Kevin looked at her. He was skeptical, but inside he felt her words ring true.
    “You are the protector. My protector. You were sent here by a greater power to save me, and help us unite The Trinity. You, I, and one more are part of the solution to ending this,” Michelle said.
    “Are you saying Warden because of my hat? It says Warden Protective Group on it.” Kevin pointed at the front of the white cap he perpetually wore. His company’s logo was centered on the cap.
    Michelle looked up at the white cap suddenly, as if she hadn’t seen it yet. She smiled again, pleased. “Wow. You will know The Warden by his garments of white. That’s so funny.”
    Kate looked at Kevin, and when she saw the seriousness on his face, she suddenly became frightened. Her fear and uncertainty grew when Kevin spoke again.
    “Have you dreamt of a white room? Have you spoken with the dead?” Kevin asked her, interrogated her. He seemed desperate to hear her answer.
    Michelle nodded slowly once more, and both Kate and Kevin felt like they were in the presence of very wise person. “I have spoken with the dead in The White Room. I know what’s happening. I was there when it started. The first undead. Once we’re away from here, I’ll explain everything, but I have the feeling if we stay here much longer, we won’t see noon.”
    Kate and Kevin gave the blonde woman hard looks. Kevin nodded in agreement, conceding, and he led her into the wide bellied aircraft where it was safer.  
    Kate had no idea what was happening but was very afraid.

    *****

    The plane was in the air minutes later, and once they leveled out at their cruising altitude, heading towards the Azores, Kate put the autopilot on and made her way back to the bay to listen to the story Michelle promised she’d share. It was still loud in the plane when she got to the back. Everyone not caring for Jaden or operating necessary equipment to keep the bird in the air was gathered around the radiant blonde. She had a following already.
    Michelle was seated on a small crate of ammunition in the center of the gathered men. She looked very small, and very much out of place surrounded by the rough and ready warriors. Despite their softened visages, blood soaked and tired bodies, they were still quite frightening people loaded down with their guns, blades, and bullets. Even at rest they exuded potential violence.
    Michelle took a deep breath, and in a voice loud enough to be heard over the buzzing of the prop engines, she began her tale, starting with the village in the Congo, just before that fateful meeting the glade.
    All told, her story took an hour, and not a single word was uttered by anyone else as she told it. They were transfixed by every moment of her tale. They listened as she told of the cold voice in the glade, the sick taste of blood on her tongue, and of little Oudry leading her. They listened to her tell the story of her father in The White Room, and of the smell of lilies and the sweet flavor of honey. The gathered warriors listened to her talk of The Trinity, and her role in it, as well as the role of Kevin as The Warden.
    In the end, most of them believed her immediately. They’d seen enough in the past 24 hours to find very little in the realm of the impossible. Those who were skeptical were brought to bear by Harold.
    Kyle was the person most against her tale. He believed she was a fool, a lost religious nut wandering in the African sun for far too long and he had no qualms about sharing his disbelief. “I don’t buy it. It’s bullshit. Crazy dreams, sun stroke, peyote, whatever. Sounds like Latter Day Saints rapture bullshit.”
    Hal looked up at Kyle and shook his head. “Mate, remember the priest in Mildenhall? Bloody bastard KNIGHTED Kevin. Then he sank that sword six inches into the concrete like it was