Blood: The Beyond

lves. The idea was tempting, and I didn't need much convincing. We began moving everything-

the zombies here were on a completely different level. Australian zombies were faster, stronger, and frighteningly

rawling pests, fueling my power, giving me strength for my ultimate goal-to defeat Kai once and for

abeling us as monsters for not converting the zombies back to their human forms. I didn't care what they thought, but it angered her sometimes. Despite her occasi

train of thought. Her black hair caught th

ch her hair, remind her just how stunning she was. She'd grown so much-more mature, more

oddly energetic and demanding, always finding a way to wrestle me

e snapped her fingers in front of my face. "Earth to Nova," s

tarily disorient

. "Are you good?

aring my throat. "We're good.

r excitement lighting u

. It felt satisfying. As we were about to

ettling things down in Australia. I

mock-angry look. It was adorable. "

like the Pentagon, but now their sole focus was zombie eradication. General Park had named it, but w

equations, weapons were being tested, and sparks flew from malfuncti

Park?" I asked a

, barely glancing

lectricity, creating a portal. If modified, it could even access alternate timelines. Impressive, but ultimately fu

. Too much effort. I reached Australia before Flora could blink

es. I had insisted on this form for easier communication, but now h

d unscathed no matter how hard I went. His training was brutal, insisting I use on

de, the farm was set up, with carnivores and herbivores kept apart. The trees su

ch, and my stomach growled in response. She had made soybean pasta with ba

by the clinking of utensils and the occasional rustle of movement.

"your birthday is coming up soon." Her tone was lig

lowly. "Yeah, sixte

down. "Not a big deal> Nove, it's your bir

We've been fighting zombies, saving worlds, and de

Don't brush it off like it doesn't matter. You matter N

ly looked at her. The way her black hair framed her face, the way

id quietly, my voice

es. "After your birthday..." she hesitated, her cheeks turning

g to her plate. I leaned forward,

ng her nerves. "You know..

fragile thread, and for a momen

was strong, independent, and undeniably beautiful. But beneath all th

More than I can even explain." Her eyes flicked up to

t in her eyes dimmed slightly, "

nd she looked down at

. Trust me, I do. But there's so much I have to figure out first. I need to prove myself-to

ine. "I get it. Really, I do. It's just... I don't

id firmly. "I'll always c

rld outside the house didn't exist. It was just

mall smile tugging at her lips. "I

d. "Good. And for the record

d light and genuine.

oftly on the lips. It wasn't rushed or demanding-just a

with a mischievous glint in her eye.

hing. "Maybe. But it's fun watchi

hrowing her napkin at m

" I shot back, winking as I

under her breath, probably a half-hear

outside could wait. For now, it was just me and Flor