“AH!”
Now it is Leonardo the Bloody who cannot hold back his cry. William pries the dagger from his fingers right as Lenny pushes his own joint back into place.
The two vampires orbit each other.
“I was a boy of eight when I met Grandsire,” William says. “My cousins and I were introduced to him together, yet I did not speak a word to him until we shook hands in farewell.
A line forms between Leonardo the Bloody’s eyes. He looks torn between attacking and. listening.
“I said,A leader dwells in solitude…”
“What a touching story.”
“When my cousin Freddy and I were nine, Freddy pushed me out of the way sohecould sit next to Grandsire.” William tosses Lenny’s dagger in the air, watches it spin, and catches it.
“I had always been a mild-mannered child. But when Freddy pushed me away, I felt a rage the likes of which I had never known. And I charged at my cousin.”
William tosses the blade up again. It spins higher this time, and he catches it.
“My attack was so brutal that Grandsire had to intercede to save Freddy’s life. It was the only time my parents ever had reason to punish me. But from that point on, Ialwayssat next to Grandsire.”
William tosses the dagger a third time, and it flies so high that it is harder to keep it in sight. And before William can catch it, the ancient vampire leaps for the blade—
That is when William strikes.
His fangs stab Leonardo the Bloody’s neck, jaws firmly clamped around him even as the ancient vampire struggles to shake William off. Then William catches the blade in his hand and brings it to Lenny’s throat.
“I have never lost a fight,” William murmurs into his ear. “Now submit or die.”
“Die.”
William knew this would be the stubborn vampire’s answer. And yet, he also knows he cannot kill Leonardo the Bloody.
The surviving vampires are too few, and the ancient being’s experience exceeds any of theirs. Besides, far from winning him Lenny’s supporters, it is more likely to drive them away for good.
“Not a killer, are you?”
William looks down at Leonardo the Bloody, who seems to sense his hesitation. “You may be a Stoker, but you are young. We could learn much from each other. I propose we rule together. What say you?”
“Let us strike a compromise,” says William. “We sleep now, and we rule together later.”
“No,” Lenny says with a growl.
“So be it.”
And without warning, William slices Lenny’s neck open, again and again and again, not giving the vampire a chance to heal. As blood gushes out, Leonardo the Bloody grows weaker, until he finally crumbles.
Fabiana approaches William with a second flamethrower they obtained, just like the one he gave Trevor. Yet instead of setting the defeated vampire on fire, William looks out at the others watching. “Anyone else want to fight my death-sleep plan?”
No one stirs or speaks. Not even Osorio.
“Then follow me now, and together, we will bring back our lost brethren. Who will volunteer to carry Lenny?”
Silence still. Then Anne steps forward.
“You’re not going to burn him?” she asks.
“We have lost too many already,” says William. “I am not interested in making you fear me. I would much rather bring you hope.”
