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I kicked out as the vampire drew closer, his fangs dripping with blood.
“Rayne,” Waleron said, “use your ability.”
He hauled me to my feet, and I put my palms on his chest and, instantly, his bloodlust swarmed into me. His coldness. The rage. And even his desperation.
I sucked his emotions into my body, trembling as the darkness dragged me under.
I saw the moment he noticed what was happening, but by then, it was too late. He was already weak as my ability removed him of all emotions. He fell to the floor lifeless.
“Good girl,” Kilter said then tossed me something. “Use it for the manacles. Then get to the front door. My Ink will come for you.”
I picked up the small metal key and quickly inserted it into the lock. The chains dropped from my wrist and I ran. My legs trembled as I dodged in and out of overturned furniture.
“Rayne, hit the floor,” Waleron shouted.
I dove to the ground just as a vampire swept down from the second floor. I rolled to the side beneath a table as Waleron sent a bolt of energy toward him, knocking him off his feet.
I jumped up again and swerved around Jedrik, who tackled a Long Neck that was reaching for me.
I grabbed the door handle and tugged it open.
A scream emerged as I came face to face with a tall, broad man who filled the doorway and blocked my escape. I froze, my feet glued to the floor, eyes wide with horror, as I stared at his furious expression. But he wasn’t looking at me, he was looking at the fray behind me.
“Get back,” he shouted.
He pushed me aside so hard, I landed on my knees to the left of the door. At first, I thought he was an enemy, but when a Long Neck attacked him, I realized he’d been shoving me out of harm’s way.
I watched as he slammed his fist into the Long Neck’s chest and yanked out his still-beating heart. My stomach lurched and I looked away. The Long Neck writhed and screamed before it shriveled up and disappeared only to emerge again in its original form—a cockroach.
The man stomped on it.
He briefly glanced at me. “Stay there.” Then he went into the heat of the battle. I noticed he headed toward Delara, who struggled against a blue-haired vampire. She was on the defense and losing.
I climbed to my feet again, noticing Waleron look at the scary new guy and nod. The guy in return did the same. Animosity was evident, but they were willing to put it aside for this fight.
I kept my back to the wall, sliding toward the door again when I saw Abby suddenly vault away from the Ink holding her. The beast, which had scales and looked part dragon with its body and yet stood on two feet like a human, appeared shocked and confused. I looked across the opposite side of the room to Kilter, who staggered then fell to his knees.
“Kilter, you’re too weak. Call your Ink to you,”Waleron ordered.
Abby ran toward Damien and Liam. Neither one had any clue she was free and was going to jump right between them.
I took off after her. “No, Abby,” I shouted.
I ran hard and fast across the living room into the next room, but I knew I wasn’t going to be able to intercept in time.
I was too late.
Abby ran right between Damien and Liam and took a kick to the gut when Liam aimed for Damien. She went flying five feet through the air and landed in a heap on the floor.
Both men stopped and stared with shock. Then a deep, deafening roar emerged from Damien’s throat. They both went for her.
But I was closer.
I landed on top of her, shielding her with my body. I looked up to see Damien struggling against a vampire’s hold and Liam standing over me.
He grabbed my forearm, ripping me from Abby. Then he threw me like a rag doll. I bounced off the wall and hit the floor.
My vision blurred as pain shot through my shoulder where I took the brunt of the impact.
