City of the Fallen by Diana Bocco Page B

minds working in the lab, but none of them was a trained physician. In fact, none of them was truly an expert in the human body.
     
    Up until this very moment, there had never been any alliances between vampires and humans—and with good reason. The more humans knew about vampires, the more chances they had to fight against them. A few centuries ago, he wouldn’t have even considered letting a human into his secrets.
     
    But these were different times. Desperate times. And letting a human work alongside his scientists could be the only hope both species had for survival.
     
    He grabbed the back of his neck and sighed. He could feel things slipping out of control a little bit more every day. If he didn’t find an answer soon, everybody would be in trouble.
     
    He groaned and sat back against his chair.
     
    This was far from his dream of a vampire-run world. It was a lot closer to his idea of a nightmare.
     
    A soft knock on the door brought him back to reality.
     
    “Come in.”
     
    Miles had two guards with him when he stepped into the room. They looked somber and Marcus could smell the blood on his clothes. Vampire blood.
     
    “What happened?”
     
    Jaco took a step closer. “Two rabids got into the compound.”
     
    Marcus stood still, absorbing the news.
     
    “How?”
     
    The guards wavered slightly under his gaze.
     
    “We don’t know, My Lord. We have guards on every corner. And the rabids are not exactly the quietest, but we still didn’t hear them getting in.”
     
    Marcus turned to Miles for an answer.
     
    “I don’t know what to say,” Miles answered. “ Jaco’s right. We have no idea how they got in. Unless…”
     
    “Unless they got in through the tunnels somehow,” Jaco interrupted.
     
    Marcus’ expression hardened. “How could they get in through the tunnels? There are only two exits to the outside through the tunnels and they can only be opened from the inside.”
     
    Then he paused and studied Miles’ face for a second. “Are you saying somebody let them in?”
     
    “I don’t know,” Miles said. “Maybe.”
     
    Jaco shook his head. “And if that’s the case, we have bigger problems ahead, because we found two more rabids right outside the compound, near the east wall.”
     
    “They put up quite a fight,” Miles added. “And we lost two humans in the chaos. Shredded to pieces in seconds.”
     
    “Three humans,” Marcus corrected, remembering the girl on the gurney.
     
    Miles studied him with interest, but said nothing. “We managed to kill all the rabids we found, but unless we figure out how they got in, I don’t think this will be the last time we have to deal with them.”
     
    “They’re getting desperate, My Lord,” Jaco added. “And the hungrier they get, the bolder they’ll get too.”
     
    Marcus knew it. It could only get worse from then on unless something changed. It was time to stop waiting and start moving.
     
    “Miles, put a search party together and send them out. Make that two groups, actually, and send them in opposite directions. Canvas the surroundings and search for hiding places. They’re hiding somewhere, so let’s find out where before they decide to attack again.”
     
    Miles nodded. “I can take a search party up north…”
     
    “No,” Marcus interrupted. “I need you here. I want to spend some time figuring out the safety of the tunnels and the walls. Jaco can take one of the groups, and find somebody to lead the second one.”
     
    Miles groaned softly but said nothing.
     
    “Grayson would do,” Jaco said.
     
    Miles nodded. “I agree.”
     
    Marcus got up and walked towards the window. The compound was quieter than usual. He figured all the humans were hiding, trying to cope with the events.
     
    “What’s the nearest town?” Marcus asked without turning around to face the guards.
     
    “Franklin, I think,” Miles said. “About four hours away, but it’s been abandoned for years.”
     
    “Even more