Gena Showalter: The Queen Of Zombie Hearts

I have a plan.

We’ll either destroy them for good, or they’ll destroy us.

Either way, only one of us is walking away.

In the stunning conclusion to the wildly popular White Rabbit Chronicles, Alice “Ali” Bell thinks the worst is behind her. She’s ready to take the next step with boyfriend Cole Holland, the leader of the zombie slayers…until Anima Industries, the agency controlling the zombies, launches a sneak attack, killing four of her friends. It’s then she realizes that humans can be more dangerous than monsters…and the worst has only begun.

As the surviving slayers prepare for war, Ali discovers she, too, can control the zombies…and she isn’t the girl she thought she was. She’s connected to the woman responsible for killing—and turning—Cole’s mother. How can their relationship endure? As secrets come to light, and more slayers are taken or killed, Ali will fight harder than ever to bring down Anima—even sacrificing her own life for those she loves.

Praise for Gena Showalter

‘Put me down as a fan of Gena Showalter. I love her writing style and the attitude she gave Alice completely entertained me. There was never a dull moment and I loved every moment of Alice in Zombieland. I am so pleased that it lived up to my expectations.’

—Book Chick City

‘Readers will love the brave girl trying to reclaim her life…’

—RT Book Reviews

‘…a zippy story with crossover appeal that highlights the power of guilt, faith and self-confidence’

—Publishers Weekly

‘Showalter has created a promising playground for future story instalments.’

—Kirkus Reviews

‘…the novel was original, highly addictive and entertaining. Showalter is beyond good at what she does and I highly recommend reading other books she has penned.’

—Parajunkee's View

GENA SHOWALTER

is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author whose teen novels have been praised as ‘unputdownable.’ Growing up, she always had her nose buried in a book. When it came time to buckle down and get a job, she knew writing was it for her. Gena lives in Oklahoma with her family and two slobbery English bulldogs. Become a fan on Facebook and visit her new White Rabbit Chronicles website at www.wrchronicles.com.

www.miraink.co.uk

To Mom and Dad. Just because.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text I have a plan. We’ll either destroy them for good, or they’ll destroy us. Either way, only one of us is walking away. In the stunning conclusion to the wildly popular White Rabbit Chronicles, Alice “Ali” Bell thinks the worst is behind her. She’s ready to take the next step with boyfriend Cole Holland, the leader of the zombie slayers…until Anima Industries, the agency controlling the zombies, launches a sneak attack, killing four of her friends. It’s then she realizes that humans can be more dangerous than monsters…and the worst has only begun. As the surviving slayers prepare for war, Ali discovers she, too, can control the zombies…and she isn’t the girl she thought she was. She’s connected to the woman responsible for killing—and turning—Cole’s mother. How can their relationship endure? As secrets come to light, and more slayers are taken or killed, Ali will fight harder than ever to bring down Anima—even sacrificing her own life for those she loves.

Praise for Gena Showalter Praise for Gena Showalter ‘Put me down as a fan of Gena Showalter. I love her writing style and the attitude she gave Alice completely entertained me. There was never a dull moment and I loved every moment of Alice in Zombieland. I am so pleased that it lived up to my expectations.’ —Book Chick City ‘Readers will love the brave girl trying to reclaim her life…’ —RT Book Reviews ‘…a zippy story with crossover appeal that highlights the power of guilt, faith and self-confidence’ —Publishers Weekly ‘Showalter has created a promising playground for future story instalments.’ —Kirkus Reviews ‘…the novel was original, highly addictive and entertaining. Showalter is beyond good at what she does and I highly recommend reading other books she has penned.’ —Parajunkee's View

About the Author GENA SHOWALTER is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author whose teen novels have been praised as ‘unputdownable.’ Growing up, she always had her nose buried in a book. When it came time to buckle down and get a job, she knew writing was it for her. Gena lives in Oklahoma with her family and two slobbery English bulldogs. Become a fan on Facebook and visit her new White Rabbit Chronicles website at www.wrchronicles.com .

Title Page www.miraink.co.uk

Dedication To Mom and Dad. Just because.

Epigraph ROSES ARE RED VIOLETS ARE BLUE BE VERY AFRAID WE’RE COMING FOR YOU.

A NOTE FROM ALI A NOTE FROM ALI Are you ready for this? The romance and sizzle...the betrayal...loss...pain... The end? I thought I was. I had begun comparing myself to a coin, with life on one side and death on the other. I’d felt as though I’d been tossed in the air, only to tumble down fast and hard. Which side I landed on would be totally up to fate. But I’ve learned not everything that happens is meant to be. Think about it. The fact that I ate a bagel with cream cheese for breakfast—not fate but hunger. The fact that I lost my mother, father and beloved little sister in a car crash—not fate but panic. The fact that four of my friends were gunned down in one night and two others were killed soon after—NOT FATE! Evil. Fate and meant to be come down to one thing. The tool we’ve been given to shape our destinies. Choice. Mine...yours...theirs. Good, bad. Ugly. Here’s mine: Months ago, I decided to join a crew of slayers and spend my nights fighting zombies. Yes. Zombies. These vile creatures live among us, invisible to the ungifted eye. They emerge at nightfall, hungry for human spirits, the essence of life. They feast, and they poison, and if ever you’re bitten, your spirit will rise, starved and ready to devour. I considered zombies the worst enemy ever to walk the earth. I was wrong. Humans can be more dangerous than monsters. There’s a company out there. Anima Industries. They control zombies, and they’ve decided slayers are a problem with only one solution: extermination. Now, slayers have a choice. Go underground...or go to war. In other words, hide our coins or toss them ourselves. We’ve lost so much already, and there are so few of us left. The smart thing to do is pack up and hide. Live to fight another day. Screw smart. We’re tossing. One way or another, we will destroy Anima for good—or they will destroy us. But this time, only one group is walking away. Our choice is made. Ready or not, here we come. See you on the other side, Ali Bell

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25