The Queen Of Zombie Hearts

“Hey, was there a fight in here today? Any kind of yelling match?” Any hint that my friend had been spotted?

Her brow furrowed with confusion. “No. Why?”

Rather than answer, I threw a twenty on the table. “Never mind. I’ve got to go.”

She didn’t try to stop me as I stalked outside. I leaned against the brick wall, as if taking a moment to warm myself against the cutting breeze. Really, I was scanning the shops across the way. Clothes. Clothes. Coffee. Shoes. Bakery. Cloth—

Coffee.

He could stay there longest, without drawing notice.

I rushed over and entered the warmth and deliciousness of the caffeine-scented shop. I studied the occupants, my nerves about to reach the breaking point, and—

Found him!

Joy. Such profound joy. He was in the corner, looking out the glass window. He’d hidden his pale hair under a hat. The coat he wore had to be stolen, because I’d never seen him wear it, and it wasn’t his size. It was also pink with purple flowers.

I walked to Frosty’s table, pulled out a chair.

“Get lost—” Relief eroded all hints of anger. He leaned toward me. “Thank God it’s you. Tell me everything you know. Start with information about Kat.”

“She’s alive and well and desperate to see you.”

He closed his eyes, one of which was black, and sagged against the table. “You have no idea how badly I want to see her, too, but when I searched Ankh’s place last night, she was gone.”

“There’s a secret passage that leads from Ankh’s to an underground facility,” I said. “She was staying there.”

“Was?”

“As of this morning, she’s back at Ankh’s. He’s refortified the security.”

Frosty’s hand curled into a fist. “I’ve been so worried....”

“I know,” I said, patting that fist. “Why didn’t you come to the Wok and Roll when I arrived?”

He frowned. “I didn’t see you.”

“But you were supposed to meet Gavin there.”

“No. I was supposed to meet him at the coffee shop across from the Wok and Roll.”

I’d blame Gavin’s confusion on blood loss.

“Is he okay?” Frosty asked, an edge to his tone.

He expected bad news. “He will be,” I said, determined. “Right now, he’s in pretty bad shape. Cole, too, though he’s doing much better. He was shot.” Keep it together. “They’re both with Mr. Ankh.”

“Good. That’s good.” A grim cast overshadowed his expression. “Cruz is—”

“Yeah. I know.” The sting of tears. Shut down the waterworks. Now. “Trina and Lucas, too.”

He ground his fists into his eyes. “What about the others?”

“I wish I knew. You haven’t heard or seen anything?”

“Only that Justin and Jaclyn are missing.”

Had the twins been kidnapped? Or were they dead?

Jaclyn and I weren’t the best of friends, but we were no longer enemies. I hated the thought of her out there, suffering—or worse.

“I planned to give Gavin five more minutes,” Frosty said. “Then I was going to head out and start searching for the others.”

More proof that ticking clocks sucked. Had I arrived a few minutes later, I would have missed him. “What happened last night? With you, I mean.”

Bleakly, he said, “I was at home, in bed but still awake. I heard a squeak and tried to sit up. A hard hand slapped over my mouth, and a needle jabbed into my neck. It was an instant mind-screw. I was dizzy. I was weak and compliant. The guy must have drugged my guardians, too, because he was able to get me downstairs and out the front door without their interference. Then he made the mistake of putting me in the front seat of his car. The moment the dizziness eased, I was able to force him off the side of the road, get out and head for the gym.”

“But it was already burning to the ground,” I confirmed.

“I noticed armed men chasing an injured Gavin and did my best to gain their attention. I succeeded, but it took almost two hours to lose them and another two to make it to Ankh’s. I kept passing out. Then I came here.”

So. Anima hadn’t wanted to kill Frosty. But they’d certainly wanted to kill Cole. Why?

What was their plan? Their purpose?

“Do you know where any of the others might have hidden?” Bronx. Mackenzie. Veronica. Collins.

“Bronx...maybe. I was going to check a meeting place of ours when I left here.”

“I’ll go with you. Just need to tell Cole what’s going on.”

“He micromanaging?”

“Something like that.”

I texted Cole and Kat at the same time. Found Frosty. He’s alive & well. We have lead on Bronx. More soon. & Kat...I’m sorry. I will make it up 2 U, swear!

Cole’s response came seconds later. Keep me updated.

Kat’s came a few seconds after that, and only after I’d read it did I chill. Bring my boy toy home & all will B 4given.

Oh, how I loved that girl. She wasn’t going to hold a grudge or even yell at me.

“So,” Frosty said as we stood. “I have to ask you a personal question, because our next move hinges on your answer.”

I tensed, unsure about what he could possibly want to know. “Ask.”

“How do you feel about stealing cars?”