Authors: Tamara Rose Blodgett

Tags: #Young Adult, #Fantasy, #tamara rose blodgett, #dystopia, #paranormal romance, #death screams, #Dark Fantasy, #death whispers, #Zombie, #Science Fiction, #death series, #death speaks

Death Screams (41 page)

Affinity for the Dead.

Clyde was so graceful but there was something that lurked underneath the surface of his body, the rot-gone. The zombie strength boiled where no one could see it, his intensity and strength underscored by his focus as he strode to the witness chair. He turned, pivoted smoothly and sat, running a hand down the front of trousers that looked like some kind of itchy wool blend. Prosecutor had backed up when he came and now he pressed forward.

Clyde gave him untroubled eyes while the Judge outright stared.

It was worth that. It wasn't every day you'd get a zombie in your courtroom as witness.

Prosecutor turned to the Judge. "Some latitude Judge?"

"Very little, counselor," the Judge said, his eyes like raisins pushed into fleshy dough, trained on gangly Prosecutor.

Prosecutor frowned. Then he turned those baleful eyes to me. "I would ask that Caleb Hart compel his zombie to be fully truthful so that we may have an unfettered and true account of the events of two weeks ago."

"Objection!" my attorney ranted. The crooked mouth was
so
hanging around for the duration because he was so lawyer-in-a-box about the whole deal.

"I'll allow it," Jowly Judge said. I had to tip my head to my breastbone to keep a hysterical fit from starting. I bit the inside of my mouth. When I looked up Clyde gave me a knowing Mona Lisa smile.

It about did me in.

The Judge gave me a strange look and said, "Come forward, young man."

I did, stepping into the circle with Toothy; Clyde sat in the witness chair like he was getting ready to sip tea with his favorite friend instead of getting nailed for crimes.

His Master getting nailed.

"Mr. Hart, you are aware you're still under oath?"

"Yeah," I looked at Toothy and grinned like an idiot. It was that or laugh.

"Is something amusing, Mr. Hart?"

I swear I could hear Mom groan in the audience. Hell, I was gonna have to get control of my shit. I mastered my expression with a supreme effort, internally thanking whatever was holy that the Js weren't around for this.

"No sir," I said, covering my mouth and trying to look subtle.

"Good. Compel your zombie to be fully truthful."

I turned to Clyde, the jury members leaning forward.

"Clyde," his gaze glittered in understanding, missing nothing. "Please tell these guys everything that happened that day."

He looked at me. "I will, Master."

I turned to Crocodile. "Satisfied?"

He smiled, feral in his supremeness and nodded. "Quite, Mr. Hart."

He turned, ready to drill Clyde. But I knew that Clyde was from a bygone era, was smart. Better... he was mine. Fueled by my energy, more alive than most but with one foot in the grave.

A paradox.

"State your full name for the record," Prosecutor said flatly.

"Clyde Thomas." Clyde stared at him.

Unblinking.

Prosecutor jerked the sides of his jacket down with deluded self-importance.

"And how old are you sir?"

"Twenty-nine."

Prosecutor smirked. "In real time, Mr. Thomas."

"One hundred twenty-seven," Clyde answered instantly, a smile overtaking his face.

"What are you?" Prosecutor shot back.

"A man," Clyde said, mirth seeping into his tone.

Prosecutor flushed a deep, brick red in response to Clyde's subtle rankling of him.

"You know what I'm asking so answer it."

"Counselor!" the Judge admonished and Prosecutor flicked his eyes to the Judge, then back at Clyde.

"You must ask the right question, counselor," Clyde said in a measured tone.

Prosecutor's hands clenched into fists as he struggled to control a temper he usually had no trouble containing.

I had that effect on people. Nice to know my zombie could be a team player.

"Fine. Are you a zombie?"

"Yes."

Prosecutor straightened, satisfied that he once again had the upper hand.

I smiled, I knew he didn't.

"Are you dead?"

"Yes."

The jurors gasped.

I whispered something to my attorney who nodded in agreement, Clyde's eyes shifting from Toothy to me.

My attorney stood and the Judge's eyes went to his. "Yes?" he put up a palm to halt the interrogation from Toothy.

He huffed, folding his arms across his chest.

"May I interject a question on behalf of my client?" my defense attorney queried.

"That is not usually allowed," the Judge said, his eyes shifting from me to my attorney.

"It brings balance to the current question."

The Judge leaned back in his chair, his bulk making it creak in protest. He steepled his fingers. "It better balance it alright."

"Yes, Your Honor, I think it does."

"Approach the witness and ask your question." Then, "No," he paused, looking at the two lawyers like sharks circling each other in a fishbowl, "you tell him the question," he pointed at Prosecutor, "and he will address the... witness," he said, indicating Clyde.

My attorney walked to Toothy, telling him the question and Prosecutor backed up. "No! I will not, it makes no sense," he said in an astounded answer.

My attorney stared at him until Prosecutor's eyes fell, then he hissed out, "It's relevant and you know it!"

Toothy pegged his hands on his skinny hips, then narrowed his eyes at Clyde.

Seconds passed, the courtroom held its collective breath.

Finally he asked, "Are you alive?"

Clyde paused for a heartbeat, two. Then his eyes shifted to a point in the audience.

Bobbi Gale. He looked at her when he answered.

"Oh yes."

The courtroom was instantaneously plunged into a vortex of noise and chaos.

The gavel came down on top of the Judge's great wooden desk, over and over again.

"Order!" he sputtered.

Clyde's eyes met mine.

We smiled at each other.

It was gonna be okay.

DEATH WEEPS
(#5) and
UNREQUITED DEATH
(#6)
available now!

A Love Letter to My Readers:

As of March 31, 2011, it's been a year now since my first book,
Death Whispers
, was published. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you that has supported my writing.
Without my readers, I would not have an audience for my work.
Many of your emails, support via recommendation, encouragement and critical feedback/reviews have allowed my improvement as a writer and as a human being. Words are an inadequate thanks for the depth of my gratitude to you. Please know how much your support has meant, and will continue to mean in the future to come.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart~

If you enjoyed this book, please support the author by posting your review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iBookstore.

Please also consider recommending or reviewing the book on your blog, Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.

Acknowledgments:

You
, my reader! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!

Danny

Lisa

Beth & Dianne

My Beta
(who masquerades as such but is really a closet editor :)

My editor,
Stephanie T. Lott,
for giving my work the polish it needed!

And the two girls from the beginning:
Evie S.
and
Shana B.
, thank you, words aren't enough~

My four boys and all their friends for making the dialogue possible...