Read Hunger Chronicles (Book 1): Life Bites for Free Online

their complaints in physical ways rather than talking to me.”
    “I didn’t kill Roy, did I?”
    “Which still amazes me. I want to kill Roy.”
    I smile at the moment of camaraderie. Almost a week of nighttime travel from the dive Marine had recruited me at to this base has given me insight into the man leading this rag-tag militia. Dependable in a kick ass kind of way, somewhat desperate—had to be to have recruited me—and determined to win, no matter the cost. He is a marine to his core. But he’s also a man, one who becomes tired and exasperated just like everyone else. And right now I can tell he is worried over his decision to bring me here. As much as he may want to, he won’t kill Roy. Now more than ever, Marine needs every man he can get, and for that reason he won’t want me killing Roy either. Or anyone else under his command.
    “It’s okay, sir. I promise to play nice. They’ll get used to me.”
    He blows out a deep breath, shuffling his papers together and gathering them up. “I hope you’re right.”
    Taking that as a dismissal, albeit, not an encouraging one, I leave the room. John is waiting in the hall, feet crossed as he leans against the white-washed cement. I hide my surprise, tipping my head in acknowledgement.
    “Get everything straightened out?” he asks.
    “Straightened out?”
    “It was killing you to sit there while Brice spun his tall tale.”
    “Fairy tale, more like.”
    John’s lip quirks up at the side as he nods. Wow, he does know how to smile… kinda.
    “Nothing like that,” I say as I start down the hall. John falls into step beside me. “Marine, um, the commander was just wondering how I was fitting in.”
    “And the bloody clothes didn’t tip him off?”
    “He’s half thankful, half disappointed I didn’t kill Roy.”
    “Understandable. Everyone wants to kill Roy.”
    I do an unladylike snort in response. I have a feeling Roy and I might end up having that in common. Marine is right. My being a vampire is going to cause issues. Which really bites. I don’t relish the thought of being back on the surface scrounging for wandering zombies and begging sanctuary from the desert wildlife that guard their dens.
    And then there is the whole having run away from the hive thing. I go back out there, wandering around, and there is a very good chance I’ll eventually cross another vampire’s path. And if that happens…well, I could bet my Queen would hear of it. And the prospect of that is enough for me to do just about anything to stay hidden down here. Even biting my tongue, and playing nice.
    We reach the end of the hall where the lifts are. I press the down button and wait. John is silent beside me and no diversion to the uneasy path my thoughts are trekking. Overreacting. Chances are slim that the queen would waste the energy to cross territorial boundaries to hunt me down, and I’d crossed at least two. No, my queen may have wanted my heart carved out of my chest, skewered with a stake, and then roasted over open flame, but she was also the type of queen who wouldn’t want to owe another hive ruler any sort of debt.
    The lift finally arrives. I roll my shoulders, shrugging off the worries I can do nothing about and follow John inside. He presses the button for A-level. My floor too.
    “Want to get some grub?” John asks as the lift starts its slow decent.
    I turn to look at him, trying to figure out his game. Is he asking because he wants to quiz me more or is this some sort of misplaced idea of getting-to-know one’s teammate?
    “I’m a vampire.”
    “I’m not up on my research. Do vampires eat or not?”
    I narrow my eyes. At some point he’d gotten a chance to wash the paint off his face. He’d also deposited his guns back in the locker room. I realize he’s younger than I’d originally pegged him. The weapons, the grim scowl, and the camouflage clothing had made him fade into the background. But now I can see that his eyes, really nice eyes