Live Free or Die Complete Series Boxed Set: Age Of Madness - A Kurtherian Gambit Series, Hayley Lawson [books you have to read TXT] 📗

on her arm that he hadn’t noticed. She’d given Massimo her blood. Looked like Leandro wasn’t the only one who’d had a life-changing experience yesterday. They’d gone from father and son to wolf and vampire.

Massimo had finally given in to drinking human blood. All those years of me having to force him into drinking rabbit’s blood every morning, and as soon as a pretty girl walks in the house my dad is no longer a vegetarian? Bloody typical.

The thought of drinking made Leandro remember that he needed to piss. He made a beeline for the exit and ran into the woods as far as he could so no one could see him.

He loved being able to run as fast as a speeding bullet, but he hated some of the other aspects of being a wolf.

Namely, pissing in public.

Chapter Ten

Just before sunrise, the group left Massimo’s house and headed for Afana’s bunker. Fluffy and Koda were at the front, leading them on the fastest route to the bunker. Fluffy knew a quicker route than the one Ryder had taken. This route took them around the mountains where Carter lived.

Ryder filled Massimo in on what had happened to Javier as they walked. “It’s scary to think there’s another way to turn Mad, isn’t it? I thought getting bitten was bad enough.”

“It is, really,” he agreed. “How are we going to defend ourselves from something we know nothing about? I wonder if it is airborne after all.” Massimo shook his head. “No. If it was, we would have all turned by now. It must be something that is already inside us, as I originally thought. I hope Afana has a computer and it’s possible to link it to the outside world.” Massimo’s eyes widened at the thought, “Maybe there is someone out there who knows what’s going on.” Massimo nodded as he spoke. “There has to be. And we need to find that person before it takes any more good people.”

Ryder smiled. “I hope you’re right, and if you are, I’ll help you find them.”

Massimo’s eyes crinkled with joy. “You are a sweetheart. Let me check with the others to find out how long it will be before we’re there.” He jogged over to Fluffy and Koda at the front of the group.

Massimo really did have a spring in his step. My blood is damn good stuff! Ryder thought and snickered. Time to wind Carter up… “Where’s that lovely sweater Tightwad knitted for you?” Ryder asked, referring to the colorful sweater Tightwad had given him the night before. It looked like a fairy had farted on it, and it suited him perfectly since it matched the bows in his braids. Tightwad looked like he was wondering the same thing. He was wearing his colorful sweater, why not Carter?

“I didn’t want to get blood splatters on it.” Carter looked at Ryder as though it were obvious.

Tightwad had a look of horror on his face. “Oh, I hadn’t thought of that. I should go back and change.” Tightwad stroked his sweater fondly.

Carter smirked. “I have to say, Ryder, you’re clearly dressed for a fight.”

Ryder looked at her clothes—the ones she always wore—and back at Carter. “Go sit on a cactus.” She laughed. Ever since she’d seen the cactus, Ryder had been waiting for an opportunity to make a joke involving the spiky plant.

Carter only looked confused; the joke was lost on him. Next time, she would use it when Massimo was around. He would get it.

Ryder stroked Black Beauty. “Aren’t you two riding together?” Ryder asked Carter and Graham. Graham had Black Beauty hitched to the cart, which was filled with extra weapons and other supplies.

“I fancied getting the blood flowing in my legs,” Carter responded.

“What, instead of the blood being pumped to your dick?” Ryder snickered. Carter and Graham couldn’t contain themselves and cracked up.

Carter’s eyes widened. “Jeez, Ryder, you’ve got one dirty mouth.”

Ryder grinned. “It comes with living in the bunker for years.”

Massimo jogged back to the group. He didn’t walk anymore; everything was a jog or a skip, like a school kid.

“Hey, Massimo, do you know Darth Vader?” Carter asked.

Ryder looked at Carter, puzzled. “Who’s Darth Vader?”

Carter gasped. “Oh, he’s Luke Skywalker’s father.”

“Spoiler!” Massimo shook his head. “You’re not supposed to tell people what happened in the movie.” He rolled his eyes, wondering how Carter could reveal such a big secret.

Carter was confused. “What? Why?”

Of course, he wouldn’t know the rules since Massimo hadn’t told him. He’d shared Carter’s first movie, and hadn’t told him the rules. “My bad. I should have told you. When you watch a movie, you don’t tell others what happens, in case they want to watch it,” Massimo explained. “Anyway, back to the question. I’m afraid I don’t know Darth Vader or Luke Skywalker.”

“How about lightsabers? Does Graham have one of those? That would be one killer weapon.” Carter waved his axe around like it was a lightsaber, making the swooshing sound.

“We don’t have any,” Massimo admitted. “But it would be good if we did.” Carter kept on with the swooshing noises as he swung his axe. Massimo smirked. “The Force is strong with you.”

Carter’s face lit up, and his eyes widened. “Really?”

Massimo nodded. “Really.”

Koda raised his hand, and the group instantly stopped with their weapons in their hands. They were ready for anything. Koda pointed at the woods to the left that wrapped around the mountain.

They all waited for something to happen, then the leaves rustled and a red-eyed figure appeared. The Mad was covered in angry red sores, her clothes were ripped, and she had blood around her mouth.

Carter recognized the woman. “Rebecca, is that you?”

“If it was, it’s not anymore,” Byrant said. He was right. The Mad sprinted at the group.

“Kill shot,” Ryder yelled. “Don’t waste bullets!”

Byrant had his gun pointing at the woman. “Do it, Byrant,” Everyone shouted at once. Carter had been working with him last night to build his confidence, which had taken a hit after he’d choked during