I readied myself to use another blast of IR, not just to keep the shield around me, but also to light up the night sky.
I was in a residential area, but the Other realm would protect itself from the Common realmers, whispering that the weird surge of light was a flare or firework. As long as the brightness wasn’t too protracted, it would be fine. If the light lasted too long, even the Verdict would have trouble explaining it away.
I turned to face my attacker, and he slid out of the remaining shadows with lazy grace, not attempting to get closer to me. A predator toying with its prey. Fool. I’d show him I was no meek mouse.
I catalogued his appearance: dark hair, pale skin, eyes a shade too bright. He wore an expensive coat and the kind of cold smile that had been practised in mirrors for decades.
Definitely a vampyr. Could it be Jude? Could this be his next body? It seemed coincidental that I’d just left his crime scene, and here I was, about to be attacked. But then, Jingo had yet to attack me. His interest seemed more of the carnal type.
The vampyr’s eyes flicked down to my briefcase, then back up, interest sharpening. ‘You shouldn’t walk alone at night, little girl.’
Little girl. Jingo didn’t call me that. He called me Inspector, the same way Robbie did. Not Jingo then. Justa vampyr with a chip on his shoulder. One I was happy to rip off.
I smiled. ‘I’m not a little girl, and you shouldn’t approach armed Inspectors at night in dark streets.’
I reached out to Loki.We have some vampyric company. Stay back while I deal with him. I won’t be long.
I felt Loki’s grumpy assent, but his lack of fear for me was gratifying.
The vampyr laughed, low and warm, and vanished, shifting into the shadows. He was trying to unnerve me while he waited to pounce.
He’d need more than shadows to freak me out. I kept my nerve and set the briefcase down to free my hands.
I cricked my neck and dropped the air shield. I was in the mood to scrap and prove to myself I wasn’t that scared little girl anymore.
The briefcase held nothing of real value, only potions and the like. Mainly I carried it for sentimental value, but I wondered if it would distract him, if he would try to seize it. I’d let him, I decided, and take it from his unconscious body later.
I stared into the darkness, eyes straining to detect any hint of movement before he dived at me.
Behind you!Loki warned, giving me a split-second warning that was everything and felt a smidge like cheating.
All the same, I took the advantage and spun to face my attacker in the nick of time, giving him a roundhouse kick for his efforts.
Groaning, he phased away, disappearing into the shadows again, waiting for the next opportunity to strike.
I jumped up and down lightly on the spot to keep myself limber, ready.
One moment he was in front of me, and the next he was at the edge of the streetlight, flying towards me with unnatural vampyric speed, fingers reaching for my throat. I twisted and slammed my elbow back into empty air as he blurred past me again, boots skidding on tarmac as I pivoted to keep him in sight.
He didn’t stop moving.
‘You won’t get a clean shot, Inspector,’ he taunted, circling, never stopping. ‘I’m too fast, and you’re too human. Your end is certain. Do give in with good grace.’
‘I don’t think I will.’ I deliberately put on a more laboured breath to trick him into thinking I was growing slower, tiring after a long day.
He lunged at me.
I let the IR fade. I wasn’t in the mood to use light or wind. I was in the mood to use my fists and my rage. And maybe the switchblade Robbie had insisted I carry following our engagement.
I ducked under the vampyr’s swipe, came up with steel in my hand, and tried to drive it hard into his ribs. He parried the strike in the main, but I still scraped the blade along his skin. He hissed, more surprised than hurt, and backhanded me across the face hard enough to spin me. Pain flared, sharp and bright.
All right, maybe Ishouldhave used the IR, but Jingo’s stunt had me simmering in a foul mood, and grappling with this asshole would sort me right out.
‘Fucking bitch!’ he spat. ‘It was just orders before, but now I’ll enjoy gutting you!’
I rolled my shoulders. Orders, huh? He wasn’t here to deliver a message then, but death. Fine with me. A fight for my life was just what I needed to get the blood pumping.
He came in low, and I slashed at his knee with the blade. He snarled, the pretty veneer cracking, fangs flashing as he leapt back.
