End Zone

Also included in this download is the first book in my Enchanted Secrets series. Follow Kristen Middleton on Bookbub Follow Cassie Alexandra on Bookbub www.kristenmiddleton.com www.cassiealexandrabooks.com Prologue Travis He inhaled deeply, enjoying the smell of rot and decay as the zombies stumbled around in the indoor amusement park below. To him, the scent of death meant victory was on the horizon and this brought him great pleasure. Smiling in approval, he reached for the cigar tucked behind his ear and bit off the end. Lighting it with his fingertip, he wondered how the ally from the east was faring, not that it truly mattered. The human population had dwindled to such an insignificant number, that it wouldn’t take much to control the remaining survivors. Just as predicted. He looked up toward the glass ceiling of the mall. “And you thought that you could outwit Lucifer? Obviously, you underestimated his power.” Lightning flashed across the sky, followed by a thunderous boom that made his teeth vibrate. He sneered. “Really? That’s all you got?” Jennifer, his newest follower, cleared her throat. “Excuse me, sir?” He turned around to find the lovely and easily manipulative young woman standing next to a man dressed in black. “Good evening,” said the stranger, his blue eyes twinkling. He was in his sixties, with white hair and a kind face that hid the true nature of the soul lurking inside. Travis puffed his cigar and released a thick stream of smoke. “Well, look what the cat dragged in. I was just wondering if and when you’d show up.” “It wasn’t an easy journey here, let me tell you.” “If it were easy, then I’d be concerned.” The priest hesitated. “You’re not exactly what I expected.” “Sorry to disappoint. He made me leave my horns at home. True story.” The priest’s laughter turned into a rattling cough. “Sorry,” he said in a raspy voice as he pulled out a handkerchief from his trouser pocket. “Bronchitis.” He tapped his cigar, sending ashes to the ground and grunted. “I take it that a celebratory stogie is out of the question?” “Probably not a good idea, sir.” The priest wiped the spittle from his mouth and then shoved the handkerchief back into his pocket. “It’s an honor to finally meet you, face-to-face. I’ve waited so long... I -” “Save the handshake,” he interrupted as Father Brambati raised his hand and took a step toward him. The priest froze. “Of course.” Travis nodded toward Jennifer. “Leave us.” She lowered her eyes and walked away while the priest turned and watched her hips move in a way that would shock his church congregation. Travis chuckled. “Ah... the sins of the flesh.” The priest licked his lips. “She’s a lovely young woman.” “Be honest, she’s not really your type, however, is she? A little too... womanly?” Father Brambati’s face turned red. “Hell, I’m not judging you.” He smiled darkly. “We’ve always admired your insidious ways, Father. Anyway, all of that aside, I have some excellent news.” The priest leaned forward in expectation. “We’ve located the child.” Father Brambati’s bushy white eyebrows shot up. “Is that true? Are you certain?” “The signs that Lucifer mentioned pointed to the small group of survivors from this part of the world. When I finally located these people, she was among them.” He tilted his head. “She?” “Yes, the infant is a girl. It just goes to show that the man above tried to pull one over on us, but,” he smirked, “He failed.” Father Brambati frowned. “Well, I hope you’re right and this really is the one we’ve been searching for. It will certainly save us a lot of time.” “We’ll know soon enough,” he replied, his eyes turning the color of molten lava. “If that little s**t really is the second coming.” 1 Belinda ––––––––