Chapter 1

Adrian's lightning struck without mercy.

I dodged on instinct. Even as a high-tier zombie, I couldn't withstand the full force of his lightning. A bolt grazed my left shoulder, tearing open the rotting flesh and filling the air with the stench of burning flesh.

I curled up in the rubble and screamed like an animal. Still, I used my intact right hand to protect the ring finger on my left hand.

My silver-white engagement ring was still there. Even as my body rotted, I cleaned the dust and dried blood from it every morning.

Erin clung to Adrian's jacket and hid behind him. "It actually dodged. This zombie is smarter than the others. Its energy core must be really powerful. Don't let it get away."

Adrian's dark eyes reflected my wretched form.

Just two weeks ago, those eyes had looked at me with love. That day, White Pine Training Camp was evacuating the last civilians. Adrian had pulled me behind the helipad and knelt in the dust. Then he slipped the ring onto my finger.

"Layla, once this mission is over, we'll get married in New Avalon. I don't care how small the wedding is or how many people are left. Just come back to me. I'll protect you for the rest of my life."

I smiled and said yes.

Now, he stood in front of Erin to protect her. "Don't be scared. It's just a zombie. It won't get away."

Just a zombie. Those words made me tremble harder than the lightning had.

I struggled to my feet as black blood dripped from my mouth. I wanted to tell him that I was Layla. I tried to give him our old safety signal: one finger to the heart, then two taps on the wrist. It meant "I'm still alive."

But my hand was no longer the one he knew. My arm was bruised and rotten, and my nails had become long black claws. Even I could barely recognize myself.

Erin suddenly screamed, "Watch out! It's going to attack you!"

Adrian's face turned cold. "You asked for it."

Another bolt of lightning struck my knee.

Bone cracked. I dropped to my knees, unable to feel my legs. Black blood filled my mouth, stopping me from saying a word.

Adrian stared at me like I was nothing but rotting flesh. He was New Avalon's strongest lightning Awakened and the Supreme Commander's only son. Yet all he cared about now was the healer beside him.

Erin looked out from behind him and covered her nose. "It reeks. Just kill it. Everyone's waiting for us. I promised I'd bring a high-tier energy core back to the fortress and show everyone."

Adrian nodded and slowly walked toward me with his sword.

The blade scraped against the broken stones with a harsh screech.

It sounded like a countdown to my death.

I dragged my broken legs across the ground, leaving a trail of black blood. But Adrian kept coming. Nothing about me seemed familiar to him.

He raised his sword.