The Virus Within: Third Wave (Book 2)

Chapter 80

Nina eagerly nodded in acceptance of my terms. "Of course."

This lady was far too enthusiastic about meeting zombies.

"Don't look so excited. These two have never been close to humans, and they aren't exactly thrilled about testing their control. You can bring two vials of controlex since they might take those with them, but don't bother packing the cure."

Nina schooled her features so she didn't look like a kid before Christmas and nodded in a more diplomatic fashion. "Duly noted. Do we know what time they will be ready?"

"About two hours after dinner."

Nina's eyes still betrayed her excitement. It was an effort to keep from sighing.

"Is there a dress code?" Jess asked, glancing down at her grass-stained jeans. "Or anything I should know about meeting strange zombies?"

"Be polite, minimize your scent, don't stare at them, and remember they aren't huge fans of humans." I rubbed my chin, trying to think of anything else my sister needed to know. "There's a good chance Kelly might come closer to greet you. Keep it friendly, but don't intrude on her space or be too forward."

"I'll try."

"No worries," Nicky piped up. "I'll come along and keep her out of trouble."

"So says the one who's most likely to cause the trouble," Daniel muttered.

Nicky snorted. "Right. I'm better at reading Nightstalker body language than you are. Your presence is going to unnerve them more than anything I can do without coffee."

Daniel frowned at her logic, but he also knew the two Nightstalkers would be keeping an eye on him just because of his rank. He finally looked at me. "Is it wise for her to come along? How many people should we allow in this welcoming group?"

"She'll be fine as long as she behaves," I replied. "I'd keep it to our current group. They aren't used to crowds, and this will be the most people they've been around since they turned."

"Um, I planned on picking some herbs to the east," Jess said, fiddling with her napkin. "Is that going to bother them?"

"Stick within eyesight of any trail the side-by-side can fit on, and you'll be fine," I reassured her.

"Could I also convince you to come along and find a few herbs for me after lunch?" Jess asked. "There's a dozen types I've been trying to find for a week, but I think I need your nose again."

"Sure. Daniel just won't have as much help with the fence today."

He waved that concern off. "No worries. One day won't make much difference. Besides, I was bored last night, so I had the guards turn on a couple of the floodlights to light up the area where we left off, and I kept digging."

"In that case, I'll assume it looks like a minefield," I said dryly. "Have any zombies fallen in those holes yet?"

"I didn't check this morning, although I think I heard one fall in while I was working."

"I wonder what would happen if zombies dug through the ground like gophers?" Nicky pondered, nibbling on a piece of toast.

"Sounds like a good horror story," I commented. "I'll let you think about that one while you work."

"Nah. Nothing's worse than imagining zombies sneaking up on you when you're outside the fence."

"Do you mind if Logan comes along on our patrol and helps me find some plants?" Jess asked me. "They aren't in my books, so I don't know what they look like."