

The Virus Within: The Unranked (Book 4)
In a world reshaped by the undead, where humanity clings to Strongholds and Nightstalkers like Trinity walk a razor's edge between human and monster, an unsettling calm has settled. But peace breeds complacency, and two bizarre new zombies have just appeared, shattering the fragile normalcy. Could they be the echoes of a dead scientist's horrific experiments, a new mutation, or something far more sinister? Join Trinity, a sardonic Nightstalker with a keen eye for danger, as she navigates the treacherous landscape of a world where the greatest threats aren't always the ones that shamble. Prepare for a journey where every shadow hides a secret, every step could be your last, and the line between hunter and hunted blurs with terrifying speed.The early morning sun cast long shadows across the dusty road leading to Ironwind Stronghold. A solitary figure, me, Trinity, walked with an unhurried grace, sunglasses shielding my eyes from the glare and the world. Ahead, a lone zombie half-jogged, its mindless hunger drawing it towards what it perceived as an easy meal.
A low, guttural growl escaped my throat, a sound that instantly halted the creature in its tracks. It stumbled, then, recognizing a fellow zombie, lost interest, turning its shambling gait towards a distant horseback rider. That rider, Daniel, already had a dozen followers, a typical morning entourage.
He waved, and I offered a single, noncommittal wave back, enough for him. "Welcome back, Trinity," he called, easily guiding his horse around the now-detouring zombie. "Leading the morning horde away, I presume?"
"There are a few on the far side of Ironwind, but this is most of them," he replied, his voice fading as he continued his task. "Have a good day!"
"You too," I muttered, turning my attention to the clueless zombies who, having lost interest in Daniel, now saw me as their nearest target. Another growl, sharper this time, sent them shuffling in a wide arc around me, following Daniel's path. Some things never changed. The world was still full of the dead, and the living were still just as oblivious.
