Zone Zero: Vengeance (Book 3 of 3)

Chapter 29

Alex's POV

A knock at the door wakes me from my much-needed slumber but I am slow to rise. I don't want to leave the confines of this bed because it feels familiar to me.

If I close my eyes and focus hard enough, I swear I can feel the warmth from Evie's body next to mine but I know it's not true. She isn't here with me. Its a facade. A fallacy that I can only hope and pray will become real soon enough.

The truth that she is gone hits me all over again when I reach out to touch the empty side of the bed where she should be.

She isn't here. She is at the lake house where we first made love, protecting the child that she has taken over responsibility of.

I finally force myself out of bed and open the door to a smiling Gable.

"I've got the location."

He is beaming from holding such important information and it causes my lips to curve upwards as well. Something that I haven't done since Evie left.

"Where?" I ask.

"Pripyat."

"Pripyat? But there's nothing there. Except..." I begin and Gable nods and finishes for me.

"The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station."

I shake my head at the thought of it.

"The radiation inside should still be lethal to humans in large doses. Are they really that stupid to use such a place as a base for their weapons operations?" It's laughable to think that the UN would submerge scientists to threatening levels of radioactivity just to create a weapon that could destroy all vampires. I guess humans really are their own worst enemy.

"The radiation levels have dropped significantly over the years but the people there still need to wear protective clothing at all times. They also swap the workers every 3 days so not to expose them too much. The humans must be serious if they are harnessing the radiation of Chernobyl into a weapon."

Gable is right.

The humans are completely serious and must have had this plan in place for some time. Whether or not Cail knew about this is yet to be seen but now that I am in charge I can't let this continue.

When the Chernobyl Disaster happened it caused 49,000 people to flee from their homes in fear of radiation and so many deaths over the coming years.

"The entire site should not even be habitable by humans for at least another 20,000 years, so why there?" I ask mainly to myself.

"They knew we would never look for them there. Why would we search radioactive ruins when human life cannot be sustained there? It's actually genius." Gable responds.

"Maybe so." I say as I sit down on the edge of my bed.

"Do you think Cail knew about their testing?" Gable asks, leaving against the door frame with his arms crossed against his chest.

I look to my old friend and shrug. That's a question to which I have no answers. But it was also one I was thinking of.

"I honestly don't know. But if the humans are using the site at Chernobyl to test weapons against us, then we should search other sites once considered uninhabitable," I say and Gable nods in agreeance.

"Good idea. They could have test sites everywhere for all we know." Gable says.

"Let's just hope they only have the one."

.....

I am pacing the kitchen of the loft while Gable sits at the breakfast bar with his phone pressed against his ear. Imani is on the other end relaying him information that is vital to our next move.

The last few hours have been some of the most stressful I have ever lived through and depending on what Imani says next, they could get worse.

"Ok. Keep looking." Gable ends the call and places his phone face down on the bench before standing and leaving the kitchen area.

My eyes trail after him and watch closely as he retrieves his laptop computer and brings it over to the breakfast bar as well.

"Imani said they found what they think is another test site in Japan. She is sending me the satellite pictures right now so we can see for ourselves." He says as he boots up his computer and retakes his seat.

I move to stand next to him so I can clearly see the computer screen and wait for the pictures to appear. I don't have to wait long before they are full size displaying what looks like the original bomb site of Hiroshima, Japan.

"Hiroshima." I whisper.

My mind takes me to the memory of learning what happened that day during World War 2. So many lives lost. Innocent lives. People were literally obliterated and turned into ash as the atomic bomb exploded. All that remains of those unlucky souls are shadows on the pavement.

"Imani said she has Viktor and about 10 others tracking any and all movement within a 1000 mile radius of the zone." Gable informs me.

"Make it a 2000 mile radius." I add before turning and heading into the lounge area to retrieve my jacket and phone. "I have some phone calls to make. Let me know if you find anything more."

I adjourn back into my bedroom and close the door behind me. I quickly begin to dial the number I said I wouldn't but she needs to know.

The line rings a few times before going to a generic voicemail. I double guess myself about this whole idea but find my mouth forming words before I can even stop it.

"Im sorry for calling you. I know you said you needed to be away from me to keep Annerly safe, but I need you to know..." I hesitate telling her what I know. What good can come of it? She needs to keep her mind focused on that child and not about what is going on between the humans and vampires. This is my war, not hers. "I just wanted to tell you that I miss you. So much. And I promise that I will make this world safe for you both. Neither of you will ever have to hide away again. I love you, Evie."

I hang up the call and plonk down of the edge of the bed. I wish she would have answered so I could hear her voice. Her sweet yet husky voice that sends chills down my spine whenever she says my name.

I want to hear my name on her lips again. I want to taste those lips again. I want to taste every inch of her again.

My phone buzzes in my hands alerting me of an incoming text message and I am quick to open it.

It's from her.

I miss you too.
Can't wait to see you in the new world.
Xoxo

I read the message a dozen times to make sure I'm not dreaming. Then I do what I know I have to in order for Evie and Annerly to remain safe.

I delete the message and my call history. Any sign that I know her whereabouts now no longer exist.

A/N - Double Update!!!!!

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