Page 114 of Let Sleeping Vampires Lie

Con grunted, breath leaving him in abrupt bursts.

I moved.

The world swayed.

Fire still licked under my skin, searching for more fuel. I staggered once, then forced my body forward, my spear clutched so tightly my knuckles burned.

A single enhanced soldier remained between me and the exit. He had somehow avoided the main sweep of my fire, shielded by a fallen column and the timing of his charge.

He raised his weapon toward my head.

Con saw it.

He twisted under the mercenary’s weight. Pain carved lines into his face as broken ribs protested. He still managed to kick out, unbalancing his opponent enough to roll sideways.

The bullet meant for my head grazed his shoulder instead.

Blood sprayed across the floor. He faltered.

I forgot restraint.

I drove my spear forward, cutting through the smaller soldier’s throat. I ripped it free in a smooth arc and kept moving, too close now to risk another wave of fire.

The tall mercenary straddled Con.

Not to crush.

To hold.

His remaining fist drew back, knuckles lined with metal.

If he landed one more full strike, Con’s skull would crack like glass.

I threw myself the last few steps and drove my spear down.

The spear punched through the back of the mercenary’s neck and burst out through his collarbone. He jerked, body spasming.

I braced my foot against his shoulder and yanked the spear free.

Blood sprayed.

He dropped.

Con sucked in a ragged breath and rolled to his side, coughing.

His eyes were open.

Barely.

“You took your time,” he rasped.

My heart lurched. “You’re heavy.”

He tried to laugh and winced instead. “You set half the hall on fire.”

“I didn’t touch the buyers.”

“Small comfort.”