Lori Handeland - Moon 05 - Midnight Moon by Midnight Moon

Author:Midnight Moon [Moon, Midnight]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2010-12-24T00:09:27.344000+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

"What have you done?"

Mezareau's thunderous voice made both Murphy and me jump, then glance up from the pile of flesh and bones at our feet.

The bokor didn't appear happy. Several villagers who hadn't been in the village before now cowered at the edge of the trees as if they planned to run should I produce more powder. Too bad I was all out.

Mezareau stalked toward us. When Murphy stepped in front of me Mezareau backhanded him so hard he was lifted off his feet and flung across the yard.

My eyes widened. That kind of strength wasn't quite human.

Mezareau grabbed me by the throat. Without thinking, I ground my palm against his cheek, leaving the remnants of the powder stuck to his skin. The only reaction was a tightening of his fingers until I saw stars.

I grabbed my knife, but he shook me like a dog with a rope, and the weapon flew from my hand. I probably didn't need it. The way he was behaving, silver wasn't going to kill him, either. And wasn't that a cheery thought?

One more brain-jarring shake, and he dropped me to the ground. "What did you do?" he repeated.

I managed to stay on my feet, barely. A quick glance at Murphy revealed he was unconscious, but I swore I saw him breathing.

"Zombie-revealing powder," I answered, voice hoarse and wispy.

"I tested your powder." He sniffed. "Harmless."

"Tell it to your friends."

His eyes narrowed. "What is the formula?"

"Little of this, a lot of that."

"Any salt?"

"No."

"Then it cannot work."

That's what I'd thought. Until today.

Of course, until today, I don't think I'd tried it on an actual zombie.

Mezareau stared at me with an expression of dawning understanding. "It is not the ingredients that provide the power, but the one who combined them. You are far stronger than I realized."

I rubbed my throat reflectively. "That makes two of us."

Mezareau threw out his arms to indicate the village, the trees, the land. "This place is special. That is why I chose it. The longer you are here, the more potent you will become."

"Sounds like bullshit to me," Murphy said.

He'd managed to sit up. One eye was already swollen shut. He looked more like a pirate than ever.

Mezareau turned his gaze — hazel in the early-morning light — toward Murphy. The expression reminded me of wild cats I'd seen on Animal Planet — right after they discovered delectable prey.

"You would be the best judge of bullshit, would you not, monsieur?"

"Got that right," Murphy muttered.

The two of them stared at each other like two beasts over a single bone. If they fought, I knew who'd win — and who'd die.

"What's the problem with salt and zombies?" I blurted.

The staring continued for several more ticks of the clock before Mezareau glanced away. "They are mutually exclusive," he said. "A zombie cannot exist if touched by salt; salt cannot exist within a zombie."

"What do you mean, within?"

"It is amazing how much salt is contained in the human body. However, to be raised from the dead, there can be none within.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.