AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I found myself up against the Amazon Bitch again. She grinned when she saw me, her fangs sharp and glittering.
“I remember you, D’Artigo. You might want to rethink your company, you know, considering how ethical you consider yourself. Your companion has kil ed more humans by his own hand than al of us combined.” She jostled, her breasts bouncing lightly beneath the lamé suit. She must have just gotten implants before her death, because gravity was no threat to her and never again would be.
I circled her, aware that Roman and Terrance were engaging one another.
“I remember you, too. Decided that leather chaps weren’t the way to go, final y?”
As we sidestepped around each other, two cautious rhythms keeping pace, I zoned out the rest.
Fight your own battle, I’d learned early. Fight your own battle, and keep up your shields so you know if someone else is incoming on the side or at your back. A shriek echoed behind me, but I didn’t turn. Somebody was getting munched on.
Letting my fangs descend, I gauged her strength. If I remembered right, she and I were fairly matched, though I’d recently drunk Roman’s blood and that would give me an edge. Even now, I could feel his essence drifting through my body, his energy infusing my own, and I focused on that, cal ing it to the forefront, encouraging it like I might encourage a shy cat or a reluctant child.
My opponent arched her eyebrows and licked her lips. “You’re delicious, Menol y. I can hardly wait to sink my teeth in you and drink you dry.”
And then she flew at me, and we engaged. I dodged to the side, whirling to land a kick on her lower back as she stumbled past. She lurched but was quick to rebound. She turned, running to leap into a cartwheel, flipping once, twice, and then right over my head. When I saw what she was doing, I launched myself into the air to catch her mid-flip, and we both went crashing to the ground.
Over to my left, Roman and Terrance were grappling. Terrance might not have been an old vampire, but he was strong and Roman had his work cut out for him. They rol ed on the ground, seeking purchase with their fangs.
And out of the corner of my eye, I saw that the children were engaged in battle—a blur of cloth and skin as they danced with death and fought against Terrance’s guards. The scent of blood hung in the air, driving everyone into a stronger frenzy.
I tried to ignore it, tried to focus on my enemy. We were rol ing now, with my hands around her throat and her fingers scrabbling for my eyes. I launched a kick, bringing my knee up to land against her stomach. She moaned and lost purchase, and I rol ed her over onto her back, pressing my fingers against her throat. She didn’t need to breathe, but if I could break her neck, I’d have the advantage and be able to kil her before she healed.
I straddled her, squeezing my knees against her. Bringing my hands up over my head, I clasped them together, then swung them whistling down toward her face. She struggled, trying to get her hands free from where my legs had pinned them against her side, but she couldn’t, and my fists made contact, crushing her nose, breaking through the cartilage and bone. Even then, she’d heal if I didn’t do something to prevent it. I looked up and saw one of Roman’s sons staring at me. He tossed me a stake and I caught it firmly in my hand and brought it down into her chest.
The Amazon shuddered once, turned to dust, and was gone. I grabbed up the stake and pushed myself to my feet, turning to see that my weapons benefactor had been watching me, not interfering, but standing guard.
I grinned at him. “Thanks!” And then turned to see what was going on.
Terrance and Roman were stil fighting, but most of the other vamps had been dispatched.
Roman’s children were wel trained, although when I counted them up, I saw only fourteen. Two lost.
Just then, Terrance managed to break free and came racing my way. His face was a bloody mess of fang wounds and his clothes were ripped to shreds. Instinctively, I leaped into his path to stop him, holding out the stake that I’d kil ed his girl Friday with. He careened out of the way just in time and caught the railing overlooking the lower levels. As he dropped to the floor below, I didn’t even think twice. I went racing up and launched myself over the side after him.
As I hit the floor, Terrance disappeared from sight, but I’d seen the direction in which he’d gone.
The lower levels of the Fangtabula were a labyrinthine maze. I came out of my crouch and hit the ground running. Behind me, I could hear others fol owing. Roman was right behind me, and several of his children behind him.
I raced forward, my feet skimming the floor. Up ahead, down a long dark corridor that was painted black with the same checkerboard floor, I saw Terrance disappear into one of the rooms.
When I came to the door, I didn’t think twice but slammed it open with my foot and dove through the opening.
Terrance was on the opposite side, holding a young girl to his chest, his nails conveniently placed at her jugular.
“Come one step closer and I’l kil her.”
I stopped, putting the brakes on. I could not endanger the child, even to kil Terrance. But Roman continued forward. I grabbed his arm.
“No—that’s a little girl. Look at her—she’s terrified!”
“Col ateral damage.”
I couldn’t believe that Roman was wil ing to put her life in danger. “No! I won’t be a part of it.”
“Leave me be, woman!” Roman shook me off.
Terrance laughed. “And that is what makes you weak, girl.” He neared the opposite door.
