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I landed behind a blue pickup and shifted shape, keeping as low as I could as I regained human form. If I could incapacitate two of the cars, distract the guard, then get Evin out in the third vehicle, I might not have to fight the other men at all.
It was a lot of "ifs" but I really had nothing to lose by trying - nothing except all the bruises I'd get if I did have to fight them.
I checked which of the cars had keys in the ignition, and discovered both the blue pickup and the white Toyota did. The pickup had a bigger engine, but the Toyota looked newer and was a four-wheel drive. In the end, I decided on speed over versatility and reached through the open window, grabbing the keys and slipping them into my pocket. The other set of keys I tossed as far away as I could.
Then I reached down and withdrew a knife from one of my socks and crept across to the Toyota. One of the trucks had an air compressor on board, so merely letting out the air wasn't going to work. The tires were thick and new, and it quickly became evident that no matter how strong I was, a little steak knife just didn't have the strength to do little more than scratch the rubber. It might damage an ordinary car tire, but not to these.
I crept over to the next truck. Luck was with me this time - the back tire was almost bald. I picked out what looked to be the thinnest spot and punched the knife into the middle. After twisting it around to ensure a largish hole, I pulled the knife out. Air began to hiss, sounding overly loud in the hushed darkness. I crept around to the other side of the car and peered around. The guard hadn't moved. In fact, he wasn't even looking in this direction.
I took out the second rear tire, then wrapped the shadows around me and rose. I still needed to immobilize the other car. If the steak knife wasn't strong enough, maybe there was something in the back of the pickups. After all, men the world over seemed to carry all sorts of tools in their cars.
It turned out these men were no different - there was an unlocked tool kit in the back of the pickup, and inside I found a solid-looking screwdriver. It mightn't have a point, but when you were a dhampire, you didn't need one.
I paused and smiled at the thought. One more piece of the puzzle that was me.
Whatever had been done to my mind, it obviously wasn't holding. I wondered if that were deliberate, or whether it was just luck.
Although fate didn't often throw luck my way.
I shoved the screwdriver into both the back tires, listened for the hiss of escaping air, then placed the screwdriver back into its box.
And noticed the flashlight sitting nearby.
Perfect. Just perfect.
I grabbed it and retreated, running into the darkness and looping right back around the encampment until I reached the hills on the far side.
Once there, I turned on the flashlight and climbed to the top of the hill, pointing the light straight at the campfire, so that the waiting men couldn't fail to see it.
"Well, well, look at that." Denny's harsh voice carried easily over the sand. He rose from the log on which he'd been sitting, and, even from where I was standing, I could see the triumphant twist of his lips. "Our quarry has arrived, boys."
They laughed - a harsh, drunken sound. They were stupid to drink so much, but I guess they didn't know what they were dealing with.
"Where's Evin?" I asked. I didn't actually want him moved, but even in their alcohol-fueled state, they might think it odd if I didn't at least inquire about him.
"He's safe," Denny assured me. "Come down and see for yourself."
"I think I prefer to remain where I am for now."
"Come down, or we'll slice your brother's pretty face open."
I contemplated them for a moment, seeing their jubilation, smelling their anticipation, then said, "You know what? The drive out here has given me a lot of time to think."
"Now, that ain't a good thing, little lady - "
"Yeah, it is," I said. "I was stupid to come out here without help, so I might just go back and get some."
"You do that, and he's fish food."
"But I have the note threatening just that. Hurt him, and you'll be prime suspects."
And with that, I turned and ran in the opposite direction. For several seconds, there was no reaction, and I inwardly cursed. Damn it, they needed to come after me. It was our only chance of getting out of there without a fight.
Then I heard cursing, and Denny shouting orders, and I smiled. They'd taken the bait. And they were too drunk to realize one of their number was missing.
My feet flew across the sand, moving so fast I was barely leaving tracks. I raced up the next hill, then plunged down. But at the halfway point, I stopped and shoved the base of the flashlight into the sand, so that the bright beam cut skyward. Then I shifted shape, flying as hard and as fast as I could back to where Evin was.
Denny and his two friends had split up, Denny taking the direct route while the others approached from either angle. They were nowhere near as fast as I'd been, but then I suspected that had more to do with the alcohol in their systems than the fact I was half vampire.
