I see Connor’s shape emerge from the smog. He spots me and starts running. I’m running too, half blind from tears. When the distance is nothing but a few steps, a shadow emerges behind Connor as if out of thin air, and then the blade of a sword cuts through my brother’s neck. It happens so fast that he doesn’t have time to scream.
“No!” I cry.
All the noises fade into the background, muffled. The sound of my heartbeat pounds in my ears. Connor’s tiny body falls as if everything is happening at a snail’s pace, and then a raw scream erupts from the pit of my stomach, clawing its way out of my throat. I fall on my knees and attempt to put his body back together.
A male laughs, a wicked sound that ought to chill me to the bone, but all it does is fill my heart with rage. I look up, glowering at the evil male who killed my brother.
“You’re next.” He walks over slowly, unfazed.
My heart is pumping so fast that I fear it’s going to leap out of my chest. I look for a weapon in my vicinity, anything I can use against this monster.
“No one is coming to save you, boy. Any last words?” He lifts his sword, ready to deliver the killing blow.
A burning fence collapses next to me, and the heat from the smoldering debris singes my skin. It’s like an answer to a prayer.
“Fuck you!” I grab a piece of glowing orange wood, mindless of the burn on contact, and throw it at the monster in front of me, hitting him in the face.
He steps back, roaring with fury.
Heart racing, I spring to my feet, still carrying Connor’s body, and run.
“I’m going to get you, vermin! You’re going to beg for a quick death.”
I’m not afraid of dying. Now that my entire family is gone, I have nothing to live for. But I won’t give that arsehole the satisfaction of killing me. I can’t hope to outrun him, though. I have to find a hiding place.
I see a half-collapsed stable ahead. It’s badly charred, but not in flames, so it will do. I slide Connor through a small opening first, but before I can follow him, I’m yanked back and tossed into the air like a piece of rotten meat.
I land on my side, and something snaps. “Ugh!” Excruciating pain shoots up my arm, making me dizzy. I clutch it against my stomach as I slink backward.
The monster who killed Connor is smirking as he approaches. His eyes glow crimson, and his partially open lips reveal long fangs. My fangs are on display too, but they’ll be of little help against a male three times my size and carrying a sharp blade.
He laughs. “I’ll have fun making you scream, you little bastard.”
Movement in my periphery draws my attention. The tall male who was riding the black horse before is charging towardthe vampire in front of me. The monster turns and assumes a defensive stance.
“Raphael. I should have known.”
“Kurgan.”
The male called Raphael attacks. He’s just as big as the enemy. It doesn’t take long to notice they’re equally matched in skill and strength. I’m transfixed by the fight, unable to move. I should run away, but Connor is in the burned stable on the other side of the two males fighting to the death. I can’t abandon him.
Too focused on what’s happening in front of me, I don’t notice someone approached me from behind until they grab me by the hair and pull me up. I yell, and Raphael looks in my direction. Kurgan takes advantage of his distraction and knocks Raphael’s sword away. I can see it already—the fight will end with Raphael’s death, and it’s all my fault.
A hiss cuts through the air, followed by a thump. I’m suddenly free, and the arsehole who was holding me is on the ground, struggling to breathe. An arrow pierced his throat. I should finish him off while he’s incapacitated. He’s dropped his sword—I could use it to cut his head off. But my attention diverts to the fight. Raphael is on his knees, looking up in defiance at Kurgan.
“Any final words,Your Majesty?” Kurgan asks with glee.
Your Majesty?
“Rot in hell,” Raphael grits out.
“You first.” He raises his sword high, angling the blade so he can cut Raphael’s head off just like he did to Connor.
No!
I grab the discarded sword, and with a battle cry, I charge. Kurgan turns toward me, surprised, but then the malice returns to his evil gaze. I know he’ll strike me before I can reach him, but I don’t care.
Suddenly, his chest explodes in a shower of blood and torn muscle, and protruding from within, a clawed hand holds his heart. Kurgan’s mouth slackens, and his eyes round. A moment later, his body topples forward, and behind him, Raphael stands, clutching the heart.
