Thirteen Roses Book One: Before: An Apocalyptic Zombie Saga by Michael Cairns Page A

wars. Dad, just think of it.'
    'We destroy it.'
    'You can't. It's not yours, it's mine.'
    Alex stared, his mouth open. Jason looked past him and he realised what he was doing just a second too late. His son dashed past and grabbed his notebook off the desk. He was out the door before Alex had even turned. He looked at the test tube clutched in his hand. He could smell roses.  

Interlude

    They'd tricked him. Somehow, they'd tricked him. The list made it quite clear which direction was the right one and he'd steered him expertly. Now the Seer was telling him his latest subject was going to help destroy the world.  
    How was that the right direction? He was supposed to be a guardian, a protector of the world. Instead he'd scared one man into making a decision that would bring the most terrible pain to every living soul on Earth. A small part, almost too quiet to hear, giggled.
    And what about the others? He peered out at the thousands of chambers. In a few decades, they'd all be out of a job. That wasn't going to be popular, particularly with the angels who'd spent the last however-many thousand years trying to make things better.  
    The flower seller dropped the list and stalked across his chamber. He stepped out and dropped. The Dome of the Father grew bigger as he fell, imposing and, as always, faintly reminiscent of a huge breast. His wings caught the currents and he soared and turned until he reached the entrance. It was busy today.  
    He squeezed past a couple of goat-footed demons and headed for the bar. Seph would be there by now, as would Az. They should be the first to know. Truth was, they were the only two in here who might be able to hear it without attacking him. Being made of pure energy meant no dying, but pain was in plentiful supply.  
    The bar was heaving, the conversation high, and he stopped at the door. Something was already happening. There was a buzz in the place, more than usual. Herc ambled over and gave him a nod of his enormous, ram-shaped head. 'Evening, Luke.'  
    'Hi Herc, what's going on?'
    'You haven't heard?' He had an impressive rumble to his voice. 'The Father is coming to visit.'
    The flower seller, Luke, went cold and shivered. Rubbing his upper arms, he raised an eyebrow and strove to keep his voice steady. 'Why's that?'
    'Big news, apparently.'
    'Oh.' The goosebumps racing up his arms faded and he relaxed. 'Any idea what?'
    Herc shook his massive head. 'Not a clue, you know they don't tell me anything. You'll know when it happens though, don't worry.'
    Luke gave him a nod and sidled through the door, picking his way through the crowds until he reached their table. As suspected, Seph and Az were there. Az had his head down and scratched furiously between his horns, mussing the dark hair that sprouted there. As always, Luke resisted the urge to have a go himself.  
    Seph raised an eyebrow and waved to a seat, pouring him a drink from the massive jug dominating the table.  
    'Join us, please. We have so much to celebrate.'
    'You do?'
    'But of course, my fine friend. Today, I cleared my week. Four-two up with a day in hand. Az brought quite astonishing pain and suffering and started a war. Between us, we've kept the balance very nicely. I do so like to think of us as a microcosm of the world down there.'
    'So what am I?'
    'Ah, you, my friend, are the random. You're the thing that no one expects. How's your week?'
    Luke shook his head, staring down into the dark liquid thrust before him. 'I don't know. I think I'm three-three with all to play for, but, well...'
    Az heard the note in his voice and raised his head. His thin yellow eyes always seemed to see more than the others. It was why he was so unpopular. That and the ten feet of muscled red demon that came out when he got particularly drunk or angry.  
    'Yes?'
    Luke held up both hands, beginning to think this wasn't such a good idea. 'Well, I think I ended the world.'
    'Oh.' Az took a long swig of his drink, put his head back down