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He heads for me, but then Lawrence intervenes and cuts the guy’s head clean off him, putting him out of his starving misery.
“Everyone get back into the vehicles. We must go. If one is here, more will follow. It’s a mere inconvenience, but they have nothing to lose and will try to disable the vehicles.” Lawrence swivels on his feet. “Come now.”
Sawyer reluctantly heads back to the vehicle, and we climb into the backseat. Lawrence gets behind the wheel and Monroe and Knox fill the other seats, forcing the other two guys to go with Cooper. I can’t help looking at Cooper out the back window. He sits in the front seat, letting Falo drive.
We only get rolling for a minute before something smashes into the side of the vehicle, and I stare in shock at a vampire, flashing his fangs. Shadows dance and move around us, managing to keep up with the pace of the vehicle. I don’t know how vampires move so fast, or maybe this car just goes too slow, considering that it is an ancient gas guzzler, as Sawyer called it.
“Fuck, I’ve never seen so many.” Monroe shifts in the front seat and peers out the window. “It’s like they knew we were coming.”
His words strike something deep inside me. What if they did know we were coming? What if Alexander decided he was going to try something else to get me back. I wouldn’t put it past him. He could offer any of these guys a chance at a better life if they get to me.
“This is purposeful. It’s obviously a planned attack. Fucking Aris.” Knox grabs my hand, holding it even though Sawyer has a firm grip on me. “These guys aren’t outcasts. They’re Strip dwellers. I’ve seen some of them before. I can—”
Lawrence jerks the wheel, swerving as a vampire darts in the road. The Strip dweller wants to face us head-on. He launches at the windshield, smashing it with his fist. I screech out in fear. The window shouldn’t shatter so easily, but this vintage car can’t withstand the same amount of force as the newer ones. It makes me wonder why Lawrence even bothers with it.
Dust engulfs the vehicle, and we bounce and hit the dirt. We’re so close to La Vega, yet I’m not sure we’re going to make it.
“Fuck. We have a flat tire. We’re going to have to go by foot.” Lawrence throws his door open, stabbing a vampire in the chest with his blade, sending him back. “Sawyer, keep Hayley safe. Keep her up on your shoulders and out of reach.”
The world blurs as Sawyer flips me up and onto his shoulders. I squeeze his neck with my thighs, gripping onto his hair to not fall over. The last thing I need is to crash to the ground when it looks like at least two dozen vampires circle us as if we’re their prey. My fear instincts go crazy, and I intake a couple deep breaths.
Alexander isn’t in power because he’s dumb. His intelligence helps him hold control. Of course, he would think we would go against him. His inability to trust anyone makes it easier for him.
“Head for the city!” Knox calls, rushing ahead and swinging his fist, knocking another Strip dweller out of the way.
The world blurs around me as the vampires speed forward too quickly for me to focus on anything, my mind disoriented from the sudden movement. I hold on for dear life, praying that we make it.I close my eyes, choosing to shut the world out as blood splashes over me and hollers and screams fill the air. The scent of rancid blood permeates my skin, the strip dwellers’ blood nothing like my guys. I don’t want to devour them. I want to run away. I want them to stop.“We need to fucking split up from Lawrence.” Sawyer keeps his voice low, managing to whisper the words to Knox. “This might be our chance. If we can get away, we can strategize better.”
“I think we need to wait. We need to get her to the destination first.” Knox remains by Sawyer’s side, ensuring no vampires get within reach of me.
The terrain changes the closer we get to the wall, and old houses and other buildings grow up around us as if the city once expanded far beyond the main Strip. Except whatever is out there isn’t on our side. It’s as if it’s an urban wilderness. I’m sure it’s monitored by the leadership as not to allow anyone to live here, though I don’t think it’s livable with how none of the houses seem to have any tinted windows or windows at all. Many roofs are gone. It’s a complete war zone from the past. And it doesn’t expand out for very long. Just up until we reach the towering wall.
“Alex! Show yourself! You think you can send your army to stop us, but you’ve severely underestimated our ability. We have a deal to make.” Lawrence stops at the wall and spins on the balls of his feet. “You have one minute before we return to The Whiskey and prepare an attack on your city. Don’t think we aren’t capable. My reach and alliances expand far and wide. Opal was always rather open and discussed many things in great detail. How do you think I managed to get into your city in the first place? I’ve only been nice because of her. Now that she’s gone, you better fucking show yourself is all I have to say.”
A figure blurs from one of the houses, and an unfamiliar vampire in an Aris uniform jumps on Lawrence’s back, stabbing him in the process.
He growls and spins, throwing the guy off him. It doesn’t take long for Lawrence to decapitate him, sending his head flying across the broken street.
“You still have it in you, you dirtbag. This was all a test to see if you were worthy of such a deal.” Alexander materializes a dozen feet away, and a spotlight shines down on all of us. I shield my eyes from the blinding light, trying my best to keep my shit together.
“Fuck you. You were just attempting to destroy any possible alliances I had brought with me. If you weren’t afraid, you’d have met me face-to-face and alone. I see that you still have the leadership under your boot.” Lawrence tips his head up toward the wall and wiggles his fingers. “Maybe they’ll reconsider your position and their decision from years ago.”
Baring his fangs, Alexander says, “Never. You’re not worthy of the city.”
Alexander is one to talk. My anger rushes through me when he locks his gaze on mine. Something indecipherable crosses his face, and he raises an eyebrow. It brings me back to being his baby doll and his property. Just being near him reminds me of all the pain and heartache, all the abuse and the disgusting situation he put me in. It opens up a wound that I thought healed over, but now I realize it wasn’t healed. It was just bandaged.
I clutch onto Sawyer, trying to remain in control. He holds me by my knees. I realize I might be choking him with my thighs, but he doesn’t complain as he tries to get me to loosen my hold.
And then I do.
But it’s not to relax on his shoulders.
I manage to use him to stand up, balancing on his shoulders for the second it takes for me to position my body for a leap. No one has a chance to stop me as I fly toward Alexander, my body and mind disconnecting as I let my dhampir nature take control.
Alexander’s eyes widen, and he opens his arms and braces for my impact.
Except this time, I’m more powerful. I’m not his weak little donor. I’m not afraid of him.
I’m going to rip his fucking throat out.
