Judging by their thick glasses and heavy clothing, he suspected these security guards were on their way to becoming full blown Savages, but their employers made sure they didn’t go over the edge. These creatures would be of no use to those in the club if they couldn’t at least tolerate some sun.
Barely visible in the light of day, a red light flashed over the sand from the boathouse, and Mike recognized it as a beacon used to alert security they had people or vamps trying to escape. There were probably caves nearby that these security members hid in during the day in case someone went for the boats.
The blaring siren of the alarm sounded for a few more seconds before abruptly ending. There was no need for it now that the human inside had done their job and notified their masters they had escapees on the beach.
“Shit,” he hissed.
“Aida!” Mollie breathed when Doug and Aida skidded around the corner of the house.
“There’s more behind us!” Doug said and nudged Aida toward them.
“We have to get to the boats.” Mike lifted Mollie and ran toward the dock.
The second he started sprinting, the security guards broke into a run too. They’d been more than content to prowl forward before, but now they had a chase, and like their masters, they also loved to hunt.
His feet skidded to the side when they landed on the metal dock, and he almost went down but managed to keep his balance. His wounded leg throbbed like a son of a bitch as the bullet worked its way free of his flesh. Gritting his teeth, he pushed himself onward as an excited shout erupted from the security guards. Doug’s feet pounded behind him, and the first thud of the Savages’ feet hitting the dock reverberated it.
He didn’t dare glance back as he slid to a halt next to the yellow boat simply because it was the closest one. He placed Mollie on the bow and turned back for Aida when Doug stopped beside him. He set Aida next to Mollie as Doug leapt over the side, and fumbling through the keys, slid the first one into the ignition.
Mollie scooted across the front of the boat and slid over the side to where the seats were before turning back to help her sister climb down. She searched for Mike, but he was not behind Aida as she’d expected.
“Mike!” Mollie shouted while he untied the first line connecting the boat to the dock and then the second. He didn’t jump into the boat but put his foot on the front of it and shoved it away from the dock. “Mike!”
Mollie scrambled to the front of the boat as he remained standing on the dock with thosethingscharging at him. The creatures desire to slaughter anything in their way emanated from them as inhuman sounds issued from them and the dock bounced beneath the weight of the approaching stampede.
“Mike!” she screamed as the creatures closed in on him.
“Get in the boat, Mike!” Doug yelled as he tried another key.
Mollie swung her rifle free and barely aimed before she started firing at the vampires. Bullets bounced off the decking, one caught a vamp in the shin, and another in the shoulder, but they did nothing to deter the monsters bearing down on Mike.
Mike didn’t dare jump into the boat; if he did, the Savages would only follow him straight to Mollie. By staying on the dock, he provided a distraction to the vampires and would be able to take out some of them while Doug worked on finding the key.
Mollie steadied the trembling of her hand as adrenaline coursed through her. They were only feet away from Mike, and he showed no sign of getting out of their way. Aida fell at her side and started firing her weapon as the first one crashed into Mike’s chest and knocked him back.
“No!” Mollie screamed.
Tossing the rifle onto her back again, she scrambled off the seat and onto the front of the boat. Her feet slid on the smooth yellow surface as the rocking boat and the swaying dock caused water to splash over the sides of both.
She remained crouched to keep her balance as she scurried across the front toward Mike. They’d only floated a few feet away from the dock, and she could still reach it. She was about to leap off the boat and back onto the dock when Doug snagged her leg and snatched her back. Pain lanced through her knees when they smacked off the boat’s surface, but she bit back a cry.
“Here!” Doug thrust the key ring into her hand. “Don’t try the silver ones.”
Before she could reply, he darted across the front of the boat and leapt onto the dock. Running forward, Doug crashed into the vamp Mike was fighting. The vampire was knocked to the side, but he dragged Mike with him until they almost toppled into the water. Mike caught his balance at the last second, and palming the creature’s face, he pried the vamp off him and tossed it in the water.
Mollie reluctantly turned away from the fight as two more of the guards reached Mike and Doug. Scrambling back to the driver’s seat, Mollie set her rifle on the ground next to her where it would be within easy reach. She fumbled through the keys, ignoring the silver ones in favor of the gold. She settled on one and slid it into the ignition and tried to turn it; nothing happened. The next one was the same.
Grunts and cries filled the air as the thuds of fists hitting flesh and bone shattered the stillness of the once tranquil day. Aida stopped firing her weapon once the battle ensued and they were all so close together. Mollie didn’t dare look up; she knew she’d only panic if she saw what was happening.
He’s fine, she told herself.Stay focused.
Sweat coated her as she fumbled for another gold key. There were at least a dozen keys on the chain, six of them were silver and the rest gold; she was running out of options.
What if the ring doesn’t possess the key to this boat?Don’tthinkit,don’tthinkit. But it was already too late; the thought had embedded deeper than a hungry tick.
The boat bounced on the sea and water splashed over the sides when something slammed into it. She looked up in time to see a vampire crouched on the front of the boat with its fangs extended while it leered at Aida.
Mollie fumbled for the rifle, but Aida lifted her gun and shot the creature point-blank in the face. It squealed as it fell over backward. Mollie turned her attention back to the keys.
