When Dead Men Bleed | Dead Men BOOK 1

Introduction - Part 2

Chaos.

I leap over the railing just after Cayla, but she beats me to the corpse as I'm shoved backwards, my head barely missing the railing as several other wolves and various flesh-eating creatures rush by me, pouring into the ring. When I get to my feet and move toward the body, it's picked clean, leaving behind nothing but bones. Several witches gather around, screeching and mumbling to each other about how they can use the bones in several recipes and spells. The irritation from the lanky guy carries over and I grit my teeth. There isn't even a shred of skin left. I'd jumped too late.

The monster I am is unsatisfied. I wanted that meat. That flesh. I'd never tasted it fresh before and it isn't fair that everyone else did. That the girl I like did.

I simmer as I saunter back over to Cayla, blood smeared across her cheeks and her pupils dilated as she cleans herself up with napkins Etem had grabbed for her. She barely notices me as I hop back over the fence and lean against the railing, trying to calm myself down. Etem flirts with a girl to his left.

She sighs, leaning against the poles as the creatures return to their respective places. Across the way, I see a rich-looking, mold-crusted zombie that looks like he's seen three generations munching on the brain, his eyes rolling back with euphoria.

Fire flares within me.

Zombies don't feel many emotions, but anger... anger is probably the most potent.

"That was amazing," Cayla breathes, appearing drunk as she sways into me gently, fanning the flame. "I've always wanted to try a fresh human."

She licks at her bloody fingers, moaning.

Jealousy grips me, cold and hard. Doesn't matter if I like her. Right now, my anger is being pointed directly at her happiness. I wanted a taste.

I stare at the spot the man had been only minutes before.

Hunger.

The vampire, wiping his hands on a white cloth, saunters over to the human female, nodding in her direction. Craze fills her eyes as the vampire turns to the audience.

"This was the last ranked fight of the night," the vampire says, his voice echoing around the room as he speaks into the small microphone on his lapel, pushing his short black hair back with one long-nailed hand. "We will free this human from our captivity if she so chooses, should she win the championship in a few weeks at the hub of our operations, unless there is anyone here who would like to fight against her. Perhaps a zombie or wolf that didn't get a taste of the undefeated tank this young girl took down."

There's a stiff silence in the crowd, murmurs loud against the shuffling of feet.

I feel something bump me.

Looking over my shoulder, it's the same dude. The tall, lanky, slender-man-looking-dude.

I grit my teeth.

Raise my hand.

The zombie within is hungry.

Starving.

"I'll do it." My voice is loud, snapping Cayla out of her trance.

"What? No, what are you doing? You're a zombie! She went for a headshot for that guy. Are you nuts?"

"I know how to fight," I argue, my eyes dead-set on the vampire in the center of the ring.

"Yeah. From the internet. And movies you grew up watching."

"Better than nothing," I spit, venom making my tongue tingle.

"Don't be dumb, dude," Etem advises, leaning over Cayla to grab my arm. "You can come back next time. Now you know what this place is about and you'll know what to expect."