Free Zombies Sold Separately by Cheyenne McCray Page A

Dragon. “Colin is originally from Campton, a village in Otherworld, but he has lived here in the Earth Otherworld for some time now.”
    “What, get kicked out of Otherworld for pillaging and burning down the villages?” Ice said.
    “Yes.” Colin’s expression was completely serious. “And for eating the peasants and a king or two.”
    Ice smirked, obviously holding back a laugh. He might be a real jerk at times, but he knew when he’d been upped one.
    Although for all I knew, Colin had eaten villagers in Otherworld.
    “Colin has been in the metalwork trade,” Rodán said. “He is excellent with any weapon imaginable.”
    I don’t know why, but we all looked at Mandisa and her poison-tipped arrows.
    “Almost any weapon,” Colin said with a smile, as I heard his voice for the first time. Low, vibrant, as smooth and rich as chocolate cream. “Abatwa Fae and Elves are masters like none other when it comes to archery.”
    Rodán nodded to Colin. The Dragon gave a slight bow of his head then stepped back so that Penrod was in front. Rodán gestured to the Sprite. “Please welcome Penrod to our team.”
    “A Sprite ?” Kelly sounded like she was going to choke on something. “The Great Guardian chose a Sprite to be a Tracker?”
    Only the tiniest flicker of Penrod’s floppy ears told me Kelly’s statement had affected him in some way.
    Rodán, a master at taking control, being in command, continued in a way that washed right over Kelly’s words. “You all should remember Negel,” Rodán said, “a Sprite who was instrumental in defeating the Vampires just weeks ago and who gave his life for one of our own.”
    A low murmur and a few nods around the table, along with glances my way.
    “Penrod is Negel’s younger brother.” Rodán looked at the Sprite before turning back to the Trackers. “Penrod was a professional thief.”
    Even I dropped my jaw.
    “A thief,” Fere said with a scowl. “You expect us to work with a thief?”
    “Didn’t see that one coming,” Nadia murmured from beside me. “The GG never ceases to amaze me with her wisdom.”
    At that moment someone could have told me there were two moons in the sky instead of one and I would have believed it. Lawan acting totally out of character, Rodán introducing a Dragon and a thief into our circle, and Nadia making a disparaging remark about the Great Guardian?
    I wondered if the two moons that had to be out there now were both full.
    “Yes, Penrod was a thief, but that was many years ago,” Rodán said. “He served his time, reformed, and then he served his people using his considerable skills in keeping order. He has proven his character and brings to our table many talents.”
    Penrod vanished.
    Paranorms can often see through glamours, but no one can see through a Sprite glamour.
    It was only moments before Penrod reappeared. Only now he was holding a broadsword.
    Fere’s broadsword.
    The stunned look on the big Tuatha warrior’s face was truly a joy for me to see.
    It was even funnier when seconds later the warrior was holding his sword.
    As Penrod reappeared again, Fere growled and surged to his feet, gripping the hilt of his sword. “I will slay you if you touch anything I own again.”
    A couple of laughs and a few coughs around the table greeted Fere’s anger.
    The Sprite gave a slight incline of his head but there was a glint in his eyes.
    “Penrod is a Tracker now.” Rodán’s voice was a little rougher than it had been. “You have only to remember that. What he did in the past will serve us well as a team. Keep this in mind—Penrod is no longer a thief. He is a Tracker. You will treat him as one of our own.”
    Fere growled again but sat while he continued to glare at Penrod.
    “My apologies.” Penrod smiled which almost looked more like a fierce scowl as he showed his sharp, pointed teeth. “I wished only to demonstrate my abilities.”
    “Accomplished.” Rodán gestured to two of the three seats open at the