Three new vampires burst in from the kitchen and charge at Rafa. He drops to one knee and swivels like a well-oiled and angry turret, blasting the heads off of each one, 1-2-3! Then he sprints towards the window.
“Front yard’s clear. Let’s go!”
He fires a single shot into the kitchen arch on the way back to me before lifting me up and throwing me over his shoulder, just like the last time we were running from bloodthirsty vampires. (Not even two hours ago!) Thenwe’re moving. Leaping. (Out the window?) Landing. My head is still in so much pain, my eyes have clenched back shut.
The Hunter fires one more shot using his free arm, there’s an inhuman death shriek somewhere in the direction of Stryker’s house, and we’re running.
“Well, this ismuchbetter, Hunter.” The elf sounds like he’s right behind us. “We’re both hurt. There’s no real cover out here. And I see dozens more of these creatures down the road. You do realize they will run us down like dogs?”
“Bitching noted. Could the magic watch help us?!”
“I’m sure it could.Ifyou can convince your little friend to give it to me!”
“It’s pretty clear that’s never going to happen, elf.”
We slow to a stop. I’m put on the ground. I feel Rafa’s strong palm wrap around the back of my hand. He’s twisting my arm behind my back.
“What are you doing? Your excessive use of firepower might have temporarily given them pause, but they will come for us!” The elf sounds scared, but he’s not leaving the Hunter’s side. Things must be really bad.
“It just needs to be in your pocket, right, Alvin? Here you go.”
Both the watch and my hand are shoved into my back pocket. The pain in my chest doubles (didn’t thinkthatwas possible) and I cry out. I cough up more of myself onto the pavement. I can barely think.
I can’t even sense if Collin is there.
“You’re wasting time!” The elf’s voice is high-pitched. “The artifact requires incredible inner strength. He is in no condition to use it!”
Rafa fires another shot at something behind us, down the street. Velvet footsteps in the distance stop, and then spread out.
“Then you better get him in condition, since clearly you either can’t or won’t leave. I’ve seen just a hint of what that artifact can do. If you don’t want to be torn limb from limb, release him from the Obligation!”
There’s a long moment’s pause. A seething exhale. Then:
“Fine. But you better save me.” The elf’s moist lips grind into my ear. “Alvin Alonso, I release you from your Obligation to deliver me the watch. Our pact is null and void.” His voice is full of anger—and fear. “Now show me you deserve my mercy!”
The pain and self-hatred evaporate immediately. I still feel exhausted, but my head clears. I slide my hand off the watch in my pocket, and Collin’s soft hand-stitched leather boots materialize on the pavement in front of my eyes. I twist awkwardly onto my back and lift my gaze up his gray wool trousers to catch his bright blue eyes. He’s happy to see me and just as adorable as ever.
Then his face constricts with horror.
“Oh, Jaysus!” he says, taking in my crumpled form. “What did she do to you?”
His eyes sweep around, registering the elf, Rafa, the street—and the many dark figures slowly converging on us from fifty yards away.
“Holy shite, what’s all this?”
“Collin…Helpus…” My words barely rise above the level of breath.
But it’s enough. He glances up for only a second, and then he has the answer.
“Hallowed ground.” Collin points ahead, determined, urgent. “There’s a church just around the corner through that yard. Rafa’s fast enough to get you there in time, and itwillkeep them out!”
I repeat what he says, as best I can. Rafa throws me over his back again, and we’re on the run.
Behind us, there are over twenty vampires, spread out. When we were sprawled on the street, their approach toward us was not so much a charge, but a creep. I suppose facing an armed Hunter makes even bloodlusted paranormals cautious. But now that Rafa has started his sprint, they all bolt forward at full speed. Predators and prey. A pack of wolves after a wounded buck.
And they are faster than he is. Especially since he has to carry the deadweight of my chunky butt. Rafa must be running at close to twenty-five miles an hour, and they still catch up to us. Their deformed, animalistic faces snarl just a few feet away. Rows of white fangs too big for their mouths. Hungry red eyes. Then one lunges forward.
A pale, gnarled hand with six-inch claws thrusts toward my face. I reflexively raise up my arms for all the good it’ll do me. Rafa kicks something hard in front of us without stopping—and the flesh on the vampire’s hand flays back away from me, as if skinned by some invisible force.
