Tall, Dark & Apocalyptic by Sam Cheever Page A

move!” The man’s face was in shadow and apparently he couldn’t see Audie either because he lifted the sword in warning. “Identify yourself.”
    Audie recognized the voice. “Grimm, it’s me, Kord.”
    The other hunter lowered the sword slightly, stepping closer. “Audie? Where the hell have you been? We’re being overrun by your girlfriend’s buddies.”
    Audie stood slowly, clenching his jaw against a groan of weariness. Whatever the gnome had done to him it had pulled all of the energy from his cells. He struggled just to stand. Audie braced his legs and looked past his friend. “She’s not my girlfriend. What do you mean overrun?”
    Grimm lowered his sword and closed the distance between them, narrowing his eyes as Audie reached out and leaned a hand against the greasy wall for support. “You look like hell, Kord.”
    Audie snorted. “Yeah, it’s been an exciting few…hours.” He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Tell me what’s going on, Grimm.”
    Grimm frowned, resting his sword tip on the ground between his legs and leaning on the hilt. “Apparently the woman sent reinforcements. We’re under attack by the zombies.”
    ~ TD&A ~
    Yeira scrambled down the face of the hill, tears sliding soundlessly down her face. The raven had exited the lair along with her, but it flew to a large, barren tree and perched there, watching her silently with its cold, black eyes.
    She fell to her knees on the dusty ground, feeling the heat of the poisoned dirt even through her leather pants. She swallowed dust and choked. Her heart pounding, Yeira took a deep breath to ward off full-out panic. Glancing toward the skeletal upper branches of the dead tree, she clenched her fists. Yeira couldn’t believe Edwige had killed her own people. But if the raven’s presence there wasn’t enough proof, it was clear from the raven’s message who was responsible.
    Eventide, lovey. Witching hour.
    Yeira shuddered. They were the words Edwige had used to warn her when retribution was about to fall on their enemies. They were meant to keep the dark witch’s faithful in line. A stark reminder of what would happen to anyone who dissented. And the practice had worked so well just the words struck terror in Yeira’s heart.
    The raven cawed and Yeira jumped. They were waiting for her answer. She licked her dry lips and pushed herself upright. She wouldn’t cower in front of the witch like a frightened child. Though there’d been a time when she’d done just that.
    No longer.
    Yeira had made her decision and she would see her task finished. After all, she’d already decided she would die. What did it matter if Edwige killed her, or the hunter?
    The thought made her stomach twist. When she didn’t show up again, Audie would think she’d deserted him. She needed to get a message to him somehow. Or to the healer.
    If Edwige killed her, someone else would have to find and destroy the dark one. Yeira bit her lip, thinking fast. Her skin burned and she scratched at it absently, coming away with blood on her fingers. The poison of the dead land was starting to work its evil magic. She’d expected to let the Healer fix the damage when she was done there.
    Yeira glanced toward the tree again and squared her shoulders. It would be a race to see which would kill her first. She started toward the tree where the raven perched. As the creature screamed again and lifted from the branch, the dust behind Yeira swirled and a cloud of the burning stuff floated over her, just before two strong pairs of hands clasped her arms and yanked her into the void.
    ~ TD&A ~
    Yeira stumbled as her feet hit the ground and fell forward, barely catching herself before she landed face-first on the hard marble. She shoved upright, reaching for her weapon as she swung around. She’d expected to see the dark witch—or even the hunter using his translocation magics—but the slender form standing before her, staring at her with a clear blue gaze under a thick