MILDRID’S POV “The time is near, Tim, all preparations must be done in earnest” I informed beta Tim. “We've got everything under control. I believe our zombies are undefeatable. The dead zombies will always be ahead in the event of eventualities. Now we have a strong immortal army backing us up” he replied. I took a look at my zombies, there were five of them accompanying us through the market place and they look just like humans. No one will be able to suspect what they are. I felt fulfilled at my accomplishment. Very soon I will be the only power in the land. I have come to get some rare herbs and roots needed for some rituals that must be performed before the arrival of the queen. The herbs that I seek have been banned by the Pack due to their lethal and complicated nature and so to get the sellers to admit possession, one must know the herbs very well. But not to worry I am already familiar with the sellers after patronizing them a countless number of times so it won't too long to get all I need and return. “You are right but we need to build their strength. They need to be fed” I whispered. “Then we must see to it that they are fed. There must be an operation for that tonight” he replied. “That is a great idea, but I have a better plan,” I revealed. “And what is the great plan, my lady?” he inquired. “Wait for it, beta Tim, you wait for it. I will reveal it tonight” I replied. “Hey, you guys should stay close to us and try to maintain your distance from people. You know the risk in that” beta Tim cautioned the zombies. “We will, master” they all chorused. They are not required to say more because every one of their activities takes a lot from them. Moreover, all they know is been fed. They are hunters, and they hunt only for blood. “You must not get too close to humans during the day. I don’t want you drawing any attention to yourselves” I cautioned too. They don’t think anymore. They don’t know night from day and they might decide to attack someone in broad daylight. Such action would cause panic among the people and draw unnecessary attention to us. We want to operate discreetly for now. “Very soon, we will make a zombie of every single soul in the three brother Packs,” I said.“That will be very fabulous, my lady. We need to gather as much army to ourselves” beta Tim replied. We got to the shades of the traders of the rare herbs. I moved from stall to stall whispering to them and negotiating the prices. The prices of things have drastically skyrocketed since the war and most of the rare herbs are hard to come by. Nevertheless, I was able to get all that I needed and paid for them and then we made our way back to the cave where my zombies are kept in the meantime, waiting for when to strike. When I succeed in conquering the land, I will build homes for them as they would be no need to hide anymore. The land would be theirs. This would be a success great enough to crown my endless years of waiting. I will claim what I longed for and bring justice to myself. “My lady,” one of the zombies called. “I thought we are going to get something for ourselves?” he asked when he saw that we are leaving the market. “Yes we would, but that would be tonight. Remember you are not to make people know what you are, it is dangerous for now” I cautioned. * I looked at the clock, it was already ten o’clock and so I announced to beta Tim. “It is time for the zombies to go hunting for precious blood” “Oh yes. Everywhere is very dark now and prey can be gotten easily in the dark” he replied. “Did you say they would go hunting by themselves?” he asked. “They can, Tim. It is part of the training process for them. It will make them more prepared for the battle” I explained. “My lady,” he called. “What is it?” I asked. “About my sons, Carl and Hedrick, you were going to make them the leaders of the zombies,” he said. “Yes, but they are not recovered” I replied. I know that he would bring up this issue sooner or later but I know the right answer for him. It is time he chose between power and family. “But... but my lady, you were going to get a great witch for them” he stuttered. “We have been very busy, Tim, and you can see that. Moreover, once I have more zombies than is required, of what use would your sons be?” I asked.“My... my...” he stammered. “Tim, you have to learn to make your choices in life. And when you do, endeavor to make the right ones” I said. “M... my... lady” he called. “You will be immortal, Tim, you will outlive your sons and the sons after them. Of what use do you think you will be to your fifth generation? They won't even want to associate with you and trust me, you would not want that either. You have all the powers, Tim, and I, and the zombies are your family now. I know it is not in the strict sense of the word, but we are your only true family that will never abandon you no matter how long you remain on earth” I enunciated. He hesitated to speak at first but after giving my words a considerable thought, he replied. “You are right, my lady, I would not trade what I have at the moment for any other thing. It is just that I was thinking that since Carl and Hedrick are strong they would be of immense benefit to us” “Yes, and that is what they will be. As soon as we claim over the three brother Packs, I will get a strong witch to heal your sons. Or better still, I will force the queen to undo her spell before she meets her doom” I replied. He grinned. “That would be even better, my lady. She should be made to undo it and only then would we give her a desirable death” he gnashed his teeth. “Now let’s go meet the zombies outside,” I ordered. As we arrived outside, the zombies were already lined up waiting for us. All of them are now in their zombie nature screeching and ready for blood. I went straight to address them. “My zombies, you will go for your first hunt tonight. I give you the freedom, to drink as much blood as you can and grow our brotherhood. For your task tonight, you must go and get your family members. If you love where you are then you must bring every other member of your family to join us too. Leave now, you have until cockcrow to return with as many zombies as you can gather” Without waiting for another second, they all ran away in different directions. “The invasion tonight would be massive and create tension among the people. What are we going to do when the people become too conscious?” Tim asked. I smirked. I need to start coaching him on how to be as devilish as I am. “They will have no choice, Tim, I will poison their main source of water” I replied.