I know Des is thinking the same thing when our eyes connect once more, silent communication passing between us right before he whirls on the two vampires behind us and I charge forward to face off with the two in front.
Samuel lunges toward me inhumanly quick. I barely avoid his outstretched hands, relying on my shifter speed to twist out of reach at the last possible second. I swing my sword, grazing the back of his arm as he flies past me.Dammit.Instinct has me spinning to my right in time to meet the second vampire’s strike. Crimson eyes stare into mine with hatred as he reaches for my throat. For a second, my mind screams in panic before I shove the emotions aside. Adrenaline punches through me like an electric rush through my bloodstream and as one curled hand wraps around my throat, I sink my blade into the vampire’s stomach.
I refuse to be weak and give in to my fears. Not this time.
He stills, eyes wide and I use his surprise to my advantage as I drag my blade upward, angling for the heart. Before it can connect, Samuel sinks his fangs into my shoulder from behind. I scream. My muscles spasm and I fight the urge to wrench away knowing I have to take care of the vamp on my sword. I won’t get lucky like this again.
Fighting through the burning pain, I ignore the scent of my own blood as he feeds from me. “I hope I taste like shit,” I scream as I force my blade higher, knowing vampires don’t typically like the taste of our blood.
I cut through muscle, hitting bone and drag my blade the final few inches to the vampire’s heart. At the last second, he grasps my blade, blood dripping through his fingers as the enchanted steel slices into his hands, but it’s not enough to halt my momentum. The blade slices through his organs like warm butter.
The crimson of his eyes dims and his legs give out. My saber slides free as he falls to the pavement and I whirl on Samuel at my back. His fangs tear free from my shoulder, and I snarl as pain spears into me.
Facing him now, my breaths are labored, my neck slick with dripping blood, but I ready my saber for his next attack. His lips curl into a smile and he uses his thumb to wipe the trail of blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. With his gaze on mine he brings his blood coated finger to his mouth and sucks on it provocatively. He moans.
“Mmm… an acquired taste but one I happen to enjoy.”
I shudder and tighten my grip. Chancing a look, I flick my gaze toward Des. He’s still locked in battle with the other two vampires, both of them circling. Blood drips from a wound on his side but he seems to be holding his own.
“You wanted round two. Come on, then,” I taunt.
He eyes my sword warily and I take a chance. I shift my grip, holding it backwards by the guard and I throw the sabre like a javelin aiming for his chest as my shift tears through me. The sword distracts him as my bones snap, fur covering my arms. My face morphs into that of my wolf and without hesitating, I lunge.
He doesn’t see me coming. I tackle him to the ground and clamp my teeth around his throat, ripping the flesh free. The taste of undead blood fills my mouth and I gag.
Shoving away from him, I stagger to my feet only to realize the asshole is still alive. He clutches at his throat, the skin torn open and his esophagus lying beside him. I see the bones of his spine through the wound and revulsion has me keeled over at the waist.
A curse has me turning to see Desmond deliver a killing blow to one of the vampires as he decapitates him with a wicked slice of his blade. The remaining vamp eyes him cautiously before turning, and in a blur, he disappears.
Des staggers toward me, blood soaking through his shirt. I rush to catch him as his knees buckles. “Just need … to catch … my breath.”
Samuel makes a curling sound and I curse.
“Fucker’s still —”
“Alive. I know. I’ll handle it.” My words come out garbled but they’re coherent enough in my between form.
After helping Des into a seated position against his SUV, I stalk toward Samuel and pick up my sword. His mouth opens and closes but with most of this throat gone, he can’t form any words. He can still heal, recover from his wounds, but I refuse to keep living my life looking over my shoulder. I shift back to my human form, my shirt torn and hanging from my shoulders, but I no longer care.
He took something from me and dammit, I’m going to get it back.
I drag the saber against the pavement as I move closer to him, letting the tip of the blade scrape the ground as I get closer. Small sparks flicker as it strikes and I watch, my eyes cold, as the vampire’s legs flay, his efforts to get away pathetic.
I don’t say a word. I don’t need some long drawn out monologue. I just lift my blade once I’m beside him and bring it down over his neck in one swift motion, making sure to hold his gaze as I deliver the blow. I want him to remember my face as he rots in hell.
His head rolls across the ground and I force myself to turn around and walk away. I’ve killed three people now. A part of me thinks that should bother me but … it doesn’t.
I find Des where I left him, phone in hand as he mutters to someone where he is and what his injuries are. I settle in beside him, knowing there isn’t much I can do until help arrives.
Thankfully, his color is still good. The Lycanthropy virus should repair the damage soon enough. Doesn’t mean the injuries don’t hurt like a bitch though.
Ending the call, he leans his head back and closes his eyes. His chest rises and falls and despite appearances, I know he’s awake.
“That wasn’t the first time that vampire’s tried to kill you,” he says. It’s not a question but I answer him anyway.
“The night of the game was the first.”
He nods, eyes still closed. “That why you never showed?”
