“Shit.” Lalo’s pulse thundered in his chest. His adrenaline roared. “Shit. Shit. Shit.”
The woman bent her knees and shot toward him. She landed with a thud near his feet, bits of mud smattering his pants. Lalostumbled back as she straightened to her full height. Her dark hair clung to her face, and her gown was soaked to the bone. Her lips pulled back, exposing her fangs.
“Mother is angry,” she hissed.
“M-Maricela?” Lalo stuttered. “Is here?” But how? How had she found him?
“You will come with me,” the vampiro ordered.
If Maricela got her claws on Lalo, there was no telling what sort of tortures she’d inflict on him. Going with this wretch wasn’t an option.
What would Carolina do?
He chuckled inwardly because the answer was clear.
Lalo struck. Full force, he slammed his fist, knuckles first, into the vampiro’s nose. Her head knocked back at an impossible angle. But just as quickly, it popped up. Her lips stretched into a wicked smile. Black gore flooded out of her nostrils and stained her fangs.
“Good gods,” he gasped.
She shrieked and lunged, trying to tackle Lalo, but he held his ground. Her mouth snapped open and shut as she went for his neck, but Lalo clamped his palm over her face just before she found her mark.
Fight dirty,Carolina had said.Do whatever it takes to survive.
Lalo scanned the desolate pueblo until inspiration struck. He shoved her back, and she tripped into an overflowing horse trough.
He ran for the schoolhouse with what strength he had left.
Just as he made it to the fence surrounding the school, claws scraped down his shoulders. Lalo gritted his teeth and flung out his arms. Something snapped, and he roared as he tumbledinto the mud. Lalo rolled onto his back just as the vampiro pounced.
Her glowing eyes widened when she landed on top of him. Her pale face grew ashen. Shakily, she reached for her heart where a sizable splinter of wood had pierced it through. Lalo had broken it off the schoolhouse fence.
The vampiro coughed and black spittle ran down her chin.
“You will pay dearly for this,” she whispered.
Lightning struck as she crumpled to the ground.
Lalo lay there for a moment, letting the rain wash over his skin. He wished the downpour could wipe away his sins. Could sweep away the dirt and grime covering his body and the wretched guilt that plagued his soul. He’d killed again. Even though she’d wanted to harm him, it felt terribly wrong. But what was he to do? It was her life or his. He had to fight back, didn’t he? There was no way he’d simply back down when he and Carolina might be able to end the death curse.
The sound of a heartbeat snapped Lalo out of his musings. He shot up.
A bear of a man stood just outside the cantina doors with a shotgun clutched in his hands.
“Did you kill it?” he shouted.
Lalo eyed the corpse. “I think so.”
“Are you hurt?”
Lalo shook his head as he dragged himself to his feet. He had a few scrapes, but they were already mending. His borrowed clothes were a lost cause though. Other than knowing Maricela might very well be somewhere nearby, he was fine.
“I’ll send for the guard to come fetch the body,” the man hollered. “Good job, kid.”
“Thanks. I guess?”
“Care for a drink?” the man asked.
Lalo wiped the rain from his eyes. “It’s only seven in the morning, señor.”
