The Dead War Series (Book 2): Desperate Times Read Online Free PDF

He pulled out his cell phone, dialing his second in command, Sajan. When he didn't answer, he called his lieutenant, Chloe.
    She answered immediately.
    “Yes Master?”
    “Cease your harvest of Chicago. It is doomed. For now, focus all of you attention on readying our stronghold,” Cassian ordered. “I'll be there shortly.”
    “Very well, Master.”
    He ended the call and sat back, gazing out of the window, frowning at the gruesome sight below. Not in all of his time of walking the earth had he been witnessed to such devastation. Such hopelessness. Anger began to rise inside and he took deep breaths to calm himself. The last thing he wanted to do was rip the young scientists’ head from his shoulders in a fit of rage. He studied the unconscious human in front of him, wondering if he'll be able to come up with a cure and how long would it take? He sat, thinking about other strategies as the helicopter continued its journey towards St. Louis.
     
    ***
    Sajan landed on the rooftop of Costco for the fourth time on his round trip from Chicago to St. Louis. He had with him a doctor and a nurse, both were unconscious. Several of Ovidius' vampires guarded the rooftop, keeping an eye out. One of them bowed then opened the door so that he could take the humans inside.
    “If you don't mind me asking, who are these two, sir?” Gavin asked. Being a lower level vampire, he had to show respect to his elders as was the custom.
    “Found them hiding in a tree with several zombies clamoring for them. Both are from the medical field, so they will be of use to us,” Sajan replied, walking past the vampire and taking the stairs two at a time carrying both humans over his shoulders. He took the humans to the area where they were keeping the ones who would be 'of service' as Cassian ordained.
    “I just got a call from Cassian,” Chloe said, approaching him. “He said to cease our harvest of Chicago. I guess they're planning on bombing the city now.”
    “So that must have been him calling me earlier. I was in flight, couldn't answer,” Sajan said as he finger combed his dark, brown hair. He pulled out his cell phone and checked the missed calls log and snorted. “Yes, it was him.”
    “I wish we could have brought more, I feel as though we'll need it, but we did what we could considering the horrible timing of this thing,” Chloe said.
    Sajan shrugged. “Ovidius ordered his people to bring more humans here, as well. We're not done harvesting, it's just Chicago is off limits, plenty of people here.”
    “I would think all of Illinois is doomed.”
    “We have St. Louis for now. So, how are preparations going?” Sajan adjusted his shirt, tucking the ends back into his pants.
    Chloe nodded. “For such a short notice, they are very organized.”
    “He's a child of Cassian, did you expect him to be anything less?”
    “No. We've tripled out human stock. Another good note being a lot of vampires from our territory have made it. I've put them to work, doubling our efforts here and around the city. Mobile homes have been brought in for our comfort and security.”
    “The grounds look well-fortified.”
    “For the most part. There's still some work to be done.”
    “We have to work quickly then. I've already seen those things attacking humans at the border.”
    “How far away were they?” Chloe asked, her voice going up an octave in her concern.
    “I'd give it twenty minutes to a half hour at most before they come knocking on our doors.”
    “Shit!” she hissed.
    “Regarding Cassian, where is he at now, did he say?” Sajan asked, one eyebrow arched.
    She nodded. “He was in Springfield, but he told me he's on his way here.”
    Sajan smirked. “I suppose he wasn't concerned about the vampire Master there... what's his name, William?” His words were seasoned with a definite hint of sarcasm.
    Chloe snorted. “That child?” She laughed, unable to contain it. “Oh please, he wouldn't dare challenge Cassian. Not if he