Free Frequency (The Frenzy Series Book 3) by Casey L. Bond Page A

the Elders told us to kill any that come near. If it can make it that close to us, it’s a threat. Simple as that.”
    That was the first time I met Roman, and I hoped it would be the last.
    As my baby sister chewed her berries and offered to share those that remained, I took only a single one. Tartness and sweetness exploded in a symphony of sadness, on what should have been a great moment of sisterly bonding. I couldn’t get the cursed man’s face out of my mind. I couldn’t erase his moans from my memories. I couldn’t help him and I couldn’t shake the fact that I didn’t trust the night-walkers.
    “Listen, Porsch,” I said. “The Infected are real. I’ve seen one. They were dangerous and disgusting and…” I grabbed her upper arms and stared in her eyes. “No matter what, you have to promise me never to go into the forest alone. NEVER. No matter what. No matter if someone else is across there and in trouble. You stay put. Get help. But never cross the tree. Okay?”
    Porschia nodded, her eyes wide and solemn. “Okay, I promise,” she said earnestly, purple berry skins still stuck in her teeth.

 
     

     

     
    Tage paused at the crossing as he noted that the tree he’d felled was askew. The recent snowfall had melted, swelling the river. The only viable option was to use the old trunk that had served us for so long. He pursed his lips and asked, “Can you make it across?”
    “Of course,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I actually feel okay.”
    He shoved his hands into the front pocket of his jeans. “You have no idea how relieved I am, Porsch.”
    I swallowed. “Me too.” I thought I’d lost everything.
    “I thought I’d lost you,” he continued, his brows pinching together. “And that would have killed me.”
    My chest tightened and dragonfly wings tickled the inside of my stomach. I smiled, unable to tear my eyes away from his somber gaze.
    “I know how you feel,” he continued. “You’ve made it clear. But you mean everything to me, and I want you to know that in case something happens.”
    “What would happen?”
    He shook his head. “I don’t know, but crazy shit keeps going down and I’m afraid we’re going to get caught in the crossfire again. Who knows how it’ll end? So I just needed you to know that before we went any further.”
    I nodded, my throat clamping shut.
    Tage nodded back and made his way across the new trunk laying across the river. “Less slippery,” he called back to me.
    My boots felt too loose. Feet didn’t shrink, did they? I crossed carefully, one foot in front of the other, listening to the water churn and feeling the wind comb my hair over my shoulder. Tage waited on the other side with his hand stretched out to me. I took hold of his and let him help me the last few steps.
    Grinning at him, I said, “I made it.”
    “You doubted it?”
    “You didn’t?” I teased.
    “Not for a second,” he returned. “Or I would’ve carried you across. I won’t let you fall. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you survive whatever storm is coming, Porsch.”
    “I’ll protect you, too, Tage.”
    He snorted. “Like I need it. I’m the most amazing vampire ever.”
    “And so humble,” I added with a giggle.
    “Always. You ready to find some innocent, unsuspecting animals?”
    “I’m ready to feed my family,” I answered honestly. Killing anything bothered me, but they had to eat and protein was important. I would fill the hollow of my brother’s cheeks if it meant slaughtering a thousand deer.
    “Can I ask you a question?”
    He chuckled. “Of course, kitten.”
    “Why did you come here? There must be other surviving communities. Why Blackwater?”
    “When I left home, I just started walking. I did pass by other settlements and cities that managed to survive the Infection, but I didn’t stop until Blackwater. My mind and gut said to keep walking. I approached from the south and went straight through the city. I could see smoke rising