Free The Fangs of Bloodhaven by Cheree Alsop Page A

a reminder than the equality that has existed since the Ending War doesn’t apply to subspecies, or the Queen and her Lessers for that matter.”
    “Dr. Transton,” Adrielle tried to cut him off.
    The doctor waved his hand. “No, let me explain. I can tell this, uh,” he smiled at Everett, “Everett, is a bit confused. You know that after the Ending War seventy-five years ago the five great cities of the Pentagrin were built for the survivors, correct?” At Everett’s nod, Dr. Transton smiled. “Good, good. And since the ruling government was demolished, a new form of ruling had to be established. With good intentions, the Kingship and Lessers were formed.”
    “To oversee to the survival and progress of the human race,” Everett stated, repeating the words from his father’s history book.
    Dr. Transton looked pleased. “Yes, Everett. That’s right. But you see, there has been no progress since the Ending War. The Kingship rules in fear, and fear compromises growth.”
    “But the cities...” Everett began.
    Dr. Transton nodded. “The five cities are the pinnacle achievements of the remaining human race. They are self-sustaining, yet linked together around Regent which keeps our honorable queen safe.”
    Everett wondered if he imagined the irony that touched the doctor’s tone when he spoke of the Queen. He had never heard anyone talk about the ruler of the Pentagrin in that way.
    “Dr. Transton, I’d like to continue the tour,” Adrielle began, her eyes wide with worry.
    Dr. Transton clasped his hands behind his back and walked away from them as he spoke, entirely oblivious to Adrielle’s request.
    “They have protected the human race, yes, but fear of the monsters created by the fallout has kept them from exploring our new world, advancing knowledge, or seeking to reclaim that which has been lost.”
    At his pause, Everett asked, “What’s been lost?”
    Adrielle threw him an exasperated look.
    “Satellites, my boy,” Dr. Transton replied, stalking back toward them with a fervent light in his eyes. “We took so many steps backwards in the age of technology that we’re stuck with corded phones and computers that no longer have access to what they used to call the Internet. Our stream of information is limited to books.” He looked at the ceiling as if wishing he could find the answers written there. “The nuclear explosions in the atmosphere during the ending War produced electromagnetic pulses stronger than anything humans were prepared for. The pulses surged through everything even remotely conductive, antennae, pipelines, power lines, and satellites, frying every electronic object with so many volts of electricity that they were beyond repair. We lost so much we don’t even know where to start.”
    “With honeybees,” Everett dared to say.
    Dr. Transton looked as though he was ready to laugh.
    “Come on,” Adrielle said, tugging on Everett’s arm.
    “Wait a second,” Everett said. “My dad’s busy experimenting with honeybees. He’s convinced that if we can create species strong enough to withstand the diseases that resisted the fallout, we can begin to farm again. Farming leads to a new life.”
    Dr. Transton nodded with an enthusiastic smile. “People will realize they can take their lives into their hands again. They don’t have to live on bioengineered food products made in top floor growing chambers. They can do more than sit in offices and live from nine to five. Families could camp.”
    “What’s camping?” Everett asked.
    “I have a book about it,” Dr. Transton told him. “It shows going to the forest and sleeping in a tent, which is some sort of a canvas triangle, on a matt, by a campfire.”
    “Sounds dangerous,” Adrielle said.
    “Dangerously wonderful,” Dr. Transton replied. He put a hand on Everett’s shoulder. “I’d love to meet your father. He sounds like a very enlightened individual.”
    “He is,” Everett replied with a smile.
    Dr. Transton’s