Zone Zero: Vengeance (Book 3 of 3)

Chapter 26

There is less than an hour till the sun rises and Alex still hasn't returned.

Leif and Odin left hours ago leaving me alone with a sleeping Annerly once more but instead of getting some sleep myself I stayed awake watching her.

I let my eyes follow the rise and fall of her chest as she inhales her breaths only to release them again. Her tiny hands fidgeting every now. Even a small smile would reach her lips when her dreams made her particularly happy. I just hope that those dreams are of her mother and father and that they follow her into adulthood.

I know I will never be able to replace Logan and Jade as Annerly's parents but I also know that I won't stop trying either. This child has fast become my entire world and I intend to give her everything I have.

Three small knocks on the door alert me to Alex's return and I am quick to open the door to him. He stands tall in the suit he left in alongside Gable and Imani.

Gable went with him into the zone while Imani stayed with the other vampires just outside the wall. A tactical move just in case something were to go wrong. From the way Alex's suit is still intact, I would say there was no need to worry.

"Hey," I say meekly before opening the door fully to let all three enter. They do so swiftly and begin to fan out around the living area.

Imani stands by the fire while Gable drops into the couch and throws his head back against the leather. He looks exhausted. They all do.

Alex heads to the kitchen and I follow him silently. Once there he opens the fridge and helps himself to a blood bag before leaning against the sink.

He is staring at his feet as he drinks and I begin to notice the way he won't look at me. Something is wrong.

"How did it go?" I ask softly.

Alex doesn't look up from his feet.

"What happened?" I ask a second question hoping to pry him from his shell.

"We came to an agreement." He finally states.

A small grin reveals itself on my face but falls just as quickly when I see how Alex does not share my happiness.

"That's what we wanted. Why aren't you happy?"

Alex finally pulls his eyes from the floor and directs his gaze at me. He looks worn and tired. The meeting must have been an excruciating matter for him.

"They agreed to release all vampires. They even agreed to donate blood until we can begin production of the synthetic blood we once made before the war." He says casually.

"That's great news," I add quickly.

"On one condition."

My face drops when he adds that last part.

"What condition?"

"That every human being held by vampires be returned to the zone within 48 hours."

My eyes crinkle as I try to see the bad side of this arrangement. So some vampires will lose their pets and living blood bags but it means that we will all live to see another day.

"I don't see what has got you so worried then. Vampires will be set free and the humans can go home. Then we can all live in peace. That's a win in my book." I say to him as I cross the distance between us and wrap my arms around his waist.

Alex just stares at me with concern etched into his features. I must be missing something.

"They want all humans returned. That means Annerly as well."