Sing for the dead london.., p.1
Sing for the Dead (London Undead), page 1
Sing for the Dead
By PJ Schnyder
Book two of London Undead
Kayden, a lone were-leopard allied with the London werewolf pack to keep the zombie infestation in check, is used to working solo—until he discovers a beautiful fae woman surrounded by the aftermath of battle. He’s immediately drawn to Sorcha, but quickly discovers she’s much more than a pretty face.
Half Bean Sidhe and half berserker, Sorcha trained over centuries to become the perfect warrior. She agrees to work with local weres to investigate a new type of zombie capable of coordinated attacks—and is partnered with Kayden. He’s strong, darkly handsome and completely unafraid of her. And his kiss fills her with insatiable desire instead of bloodlust.
As Kayden and Sorcha work together, their attraction grows and their deepest scars are bared to each other. But with the force behind the deadly new zombies poised to overwhelm the city, Sorcha can only pray that the next time her bloodlust strikes, Kayden isn’t among the fallen...
33,000 words
Dear Reader,
I’m on vacation, camping in the semi-wilderness. No, not when you’re reading this (well, maybe, who knows?) but when this letter is due to our production team. So I’ve chosen to hand off my Dear Reader letter responsibilities to the team for the month of November and let them tell you all about the fantastic lineup in store for you. We’re a team who really enjoys the books we acquire, and I know they’ll be glad for a chance to convince you to give one a try. In the meantime, I’ll be back next month. Happy reading!
Angela James, Editorial Director
Dear Reader,
Editorial assistant Stephanie here. Since Angela is “camping” (all I’m saying is that camping seems to involve a lot of tweeting), I’ve compiled a few fun facts about this month’s new releases. What kinds of great books do we have in store for you this time? Will I get in trouble for making fun of my boss’s camping skills? These are the questions I will strive to answer for you today.
Redemption by Stephanie Tyler, new adult, post-apocalyptic
Stephanie Tyler returns with book two in her post-apocalyptic new-adult motorcycle club series.
Redemption continues the story of the Defiance MC with Mathias and Jessa’s story. If you missed book one, Defiance—Cas and Tru’s story—you’re missing out on a fantastic world and some swoon-worthy romance.
—Angela James, Editorial Director, Carina Press
Snowbound with the CEO by Shannon Stacey, contemporary romance
Shannon’s books are must-reads if you love contemporary romance.
Shannon Stacey’s holiday novellas are becoming something of a delightful tradition at Carina Press, and we’re happy to have the latest in our hands!
—Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press
Chance of Rain by Amber Lin, contemporary romance
We’re happy to welcome Amber to the Carina Press family!
This small-town reunion romance gripped me from the first chapter and wouldn’t let go. The tortured alpha hero, who just happens to be a Navy SEAL, also didn’t hurt!
—Tara Stevens, Assistant Product Manager, Digital Products
Take Me Home by Inez Kelley, contemporary romance
Inez writes contemporary and fantasy romance for Carina Press. Her new lumberjack series had the (admittedly largely Canadian) team intrigued from the start!
Maple-syrup maker Kayla falls for a sexy lumberjack with a bitter past and a wary heart in the first of her new Country Roads series featuring loggers in the Allegheny Mountains.
—Deborah Nemeth, Freelance Editor, Carina Press
Slow Ride Home by Leah Braemel, contemporary Western romance
Leah writes wonderfully sexy, emotional romances for Carina Press, including Texas Tangle and Tangled Past.
Leah’s lovely writing drew me right along into a sensual story of love, heat and scandal. With cowboys. Look for more of the Grady family to come. Did I mention there are cowboys?
—Brendan Flattery, Digital Production Coordinator
Love a Little Sideways by Shannon Stacey, contemporary romance
Shannon’s bestselling Kowalski family miniseries is a must-read for contemporary romance fans.
What begins as the annual Kowalski Camping Trip of Doom turns into a brand-new start for an unlikely couple—charming, funny proof that what we think we want and what the heart wants isn’t always the same thing.
—Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press
Sing for the Dead by PJ Schnyder, paranormal shifter romance
PJ writes futuristic science fiction romance and paranormal romance for Carina Press.
The exciting second book in the London Undead trilogy brings readers back into a world where zombies have taken over London. Now the werewolves who’ve stepped up to fight the creatures have a new ally—a member of the Fae who jumps right into the middle of the fray!
—Mallory Braus, Freelance Editor, Carina Press
Through the Black Veil by Steve Vera, urban fantasy
You may remember us gushing about Drynn, Steve’s first book in this series.
In book 2 of the Last of the Shardyn series, our fearless heroes have returned to their magical homeland to warn everyone about the danger threatening to destroy their world.
—Rhonda Helms, Freelance Editor, Carina Press
Improper Arrangements by Juliana Ross, erotic historical romance
Juliana writes sizzling historical romances set in Victorian times for Carina Press.
The follow-up to Improper Relations features a mountain-climber hero, Eli. He is my favorite type of hero: rugged, handsome, rough around the edges, mysterious. Love him!
—Carly Chow, Assistant Manager, Digital Commerce
Finessing the Contessa by Wendy Soliman, historical romance
Wendy Soliman writes wonderful, exciting historical romances. The first two Forsters books are currently available from Carina Press.
In Wendy Soliman’s Regency romance Finessing the Contessa, Lord Robert Forster is drawn to the brilliant Sicilian he meets at a chess match, but is she a spy or an innocent pawn in a game of international espionage?
—Deborah Nemeth, Freelance Editor, Carina Press
All In with the Duke by Ava March, male/male historical romance
Ava March writes can’t-miss historical male/male stories for Carina Press.
Max Arrington, the Duke of Pelham, has vowed to never again let a handsome face blind him to a man’s true intentions. But the beautiful Tristan Walsh is too intriguing for Max to resist, and it’s not long before their wicked nights together turn into something more.
—Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press
For Her Eyes Only by Shannon Curtis, romantic suspense
This is the third book in Shannon’s exciting McCormack Security Agency series.
For Her Eyes Only features an admin assistant pairing up with the MSA’s undercover expert to investigate a murder. I loved the sexual tension between the hero and heroine!
—Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press
Getting Rich by Monique Domovitch, cozy mystery
Monique’s first novel with Carina Press, Getting Skinny, had us all eager for the follow-up.
Just when she thinks she’s on the verge of getting rich, Nicky Landry finds out somebody is out to get her—and whoever it is has murder on the menu—in Monique Domovitch’s second Chef Landry Mystery.
—Deborah Nemeth, Freelance Editor, Carina Press
No Place Like Rome by Julie Moffett, action-adventure, mystery
In addition to writing the Lexi Carmichael mysteries, Julie also writes Scottish historical romances!
Our favorite geek girl is off to Rome with the sexy and mysterious Slash to solve a case involving the Vatican, a dead body, some steamy kisses from her partner, and a top-secret encrypted file that even she can’t hack.
—Alissa Davis, Freelance Editor, Carina Press
Season of Seduction, erotic holiday anthology
Five Golden Rings by Jeffe Kennedy, erotic romance
Jeffe writes steamy erotic BDSM romance for Carina Press, as well as (also steamy!) fantasy romance.
Jeffe Kennedy heats up the season with this sultry, adventurous Facets of Passion novella set against the balmy days—and scorching nights—of a high-powered woman’s holiday-vacation-turned-sexual epiphany.
—Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press
Naughty Nicks by Christine d’Abo, erotic romance
Christine’s Long Shots series, about a BDSM club and its patrons, includes a choose-your-path erotic romance!
This sexy and emotional novella features an interesting holiday business—stripper Santas! There was so much great tension between the heroine and her hero, who also happens to be her boss.
—Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press
Ménage on 34th Street by Elise Logan and Emily Ryan-Davis, erotic ménage romance
We are proud to welcome Elise and Emily to the Carina Press family! This is their first book with us.
Katrina and Liam have a happy marriage, but they’ve always felt there’s room for more. When their friend Hunter returns from active duty, they know exactly what that “more” is. Now if only they can convince Hunter...
—Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press
Matzoh and Mistletoe by Jodie Griffin,
Jodie writes about true-to-life characters exploring their sexy sides in her Bondage & Breakfast series.
This BDSM novella has a lot of things going for it—it’s sexy, emotional, and there’s a really hot cop. Jodie is known for writing wonderfully realistic characters, and she doesn’t disappoint here.
—Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press
Gifts of Honor, military holiday collection
Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail, contemporary military romance
Stacy writes both paranormal and contemporary romance for Carina Press.
Stacy Gail gifts us with the sweetest of holiday reunions for a wounded Army Ranger and his one true love. Patience and forgiveness meet sharp wit and sizzling attraction!
—Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press
Hero’s Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley, contemporary military romance
Rebecca’s debut book with Carina Press, a fantastic sports romance called The Striker’s Chance¸ came out in September.
Three days before Christmas, a surprising phone call from an old love changes absolutely everything in this compelling novella.
—Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press
Dedication
For O, Dougie, Glickman, Goeggel and Pehush. Thank you for the childhood memories and inspiration in the middle of a zombie apocalypse.
Acknowledgments
My thanks to the awesome editors of Carina Press for helping me build and polish this story. Too often, you are unsung heroes.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
About the Author
Copyright
Chapter One
Sorcha ran.
Taking the Serpentine bridge helped speed her along, man-made though it was. Crossing running water posed no deterrent for her. Others of fae blood might have paused in the hunt, but the zombies shambling through the bare trees in these parks were not her quarry.
No. Pursuit was not her purpose. Rescue was.
The feeling of wrongness, the taint of spoiled magic, worsened as she crossed from Hyde Park into the Kensington Gardens. Perhaps the lake separating the two parks kept some of it from spreading. What humans called the Long Water remained relatively clean of the pall of death exuding from the land. The trees in Kensington Gardens were bare skeletons this deep into winter in London—sleeping, but restless, tugging at her heart. Would the trees be too sickened to bring forth new life after their roots had bathed in blood? Parks like these provided sanctuary for the lesser fae and Fair Folk living in cities such as London. Without them, the fae who’d made the city their home, braved cold iron, would fade. And for every city lost, the Under Hill shrank as well. Even if mortals ruled the world, the fae needed to maintain a presence in order to keep the balance of things or their world would fade from existence.
She’d been sent to investigate why the fae of London were disappearing, and she’d found death walking.
Stupid humans, coming in after dark, to hunt and be overwhelmed, to loot and be taken by surprise. Perhaps such short lives made for stunted memories. Though the zombies found prey too often in these gardens, the humans kept coming. She didn’t Sing for those, the ones who’d done humanity a favor by taking themselves out of the gene pool. No. Her Songs aided the passing of worthier souls.
A tortured cry rang out in the night, sending ripples through the magic saturating the land, tainted as it was.
She ran harder. Perhaps she could be savior this time, and not simply witness to death.
The zombies were gathering, called not only by the sounds of struggle, but also by the disturbance. Like sharks drawn to an injured fish in water, it was as if the zombies could sense easy prey. Unnatural as they were, she’d no doubt zombies were animated at least in part by magic of some kind.
The parks used to be the reservoirs of old magic in the city. They’d become death traps.
As she broke through the trees, a brownie stood atop a mound in the children’s playground, a curved dome with tunnels for children to crawl through in play. Good that he’d chosen higher ground, bad that he’d allowed himself to be surrounded away from any trees or route of escape. Maybe the mound had reminded him of a hollowed hill, the way the tunnels led beneath it. Gentle in nature, brownies like him tended places and buildings, their magic sympathetic to home and hearth. They weren’t bred to fighting, weren’t trained as soldiers the way she’d been. While he could turn boggart and create minor havoc, he wasn’t meant for true violence and was no match for the dead trying to eat him.
But she was.
Red haze encroached on her vision. Sorcha reached for her swords, drawing them free without slowing her pace, embracing the sweet song of savagery rising in her blood.
With an effort, she held back the rising tide and the red haze, binding it tightly with her will. There was an innocent on the field and she couldn’t afford to lose control, but she could harness a few drops of it to lend her strength.
Running past the mound, she’d sliced through two zombies before they realized another being was amongst them. Turning, she whipped her blades around and beheaded two more. The others moved toward her, distracted from their prey. Or perhaps they were excited by the scent of her living flesh.
She grinned. Excitement danced along her nerves. The red crept closer on her vision.
Not yet. After she’d saved the innocent, but not yet.
She planted a front kick into one zombie’s chest. The smell of rot clogged her nose and black blood streaked the sand. She spun, lunging forward and impaling another. Then she pulled back with a yank and brought her sword around in an arc to remove its head from its body. Always remove the head, slice through the skull or crush it. Otherwise, the blighted things would rise up and continue trying to feed.
The brownie cried out again, the horrible agony of the scream dousing the heady burn of combat from her mind like a bucket of ice water. Sorcha spotted a zombie sprawled across the mound, rotting hands wrapped around the brownie’s leg. Another sank its teeth in his shoulder.
“Bloody hell.”
She might not be in time. She fought harder, spilled more black blood and fouled brain matter onto the sand of the playground.
In a moment, she was up on the mound. One of the two zombies lifted its head—dead eyes fastening on her as it bared its teeth. The blood of the brownie stained its lips and chin red. The thing launched itself at her. Fast—too fast. She barely raised her swords in time to remove its head. But the force of its charge drove her off the mound. The others hadn’t had this...ferocity.
The second zombie charged her as soon as her back hit the hard-packed sand. It wrapped both hands around one of her swords, trapping the blade between them and bearing down with all its weight. Releasing her other sword, she groped for her combat knife. The shorter knife came free of her chest harness sheath just as the zombie snapped its teeth less than an inch from her face. Fetid breath choked her and black blood splattered cold across her face as she drove her knife into the side of its head. She rolled until the zombie lay on the ground and she could struggle to her feet.
On the mound, the brownie moaned.
No. No. Please, let me have come in time.
“Hush.” She hastily retrieved her knife and wiped her swords. Sheathing all of them, she freed her hands too late, too late. “Shhh. I am here. I will help, but you mustn’t cry out anymore. It will only call more to us.”
His mouth worked, but no words came. Fae blood pumped from his neck in time with his heartbeat. She clamped a hand over the wound, applying pressure and what minor touch of healing magic she had. A cold fist of despair tightened in her chest. She could slow the bleeding, but hadn’t the true power to save him. Her talent lay in the dying, not the living.
Tears sprang to her eyes. Her stomach lurched.
He was full fae—of the wee folk. And he’d valiantly kept the small playground taint-free until tonight. Every corner showed his care, from the upkeep of the huge wooden pirate ship to the clean white of the teepees nearby. The sensory trails were clear of ice and snow, leaf litter and most importantly, no hint of tainted magic lingered.
