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She wasn’t sure if any of them recognized him.
“What? No welcoming committee?” the guy spoke and she immediately froze upon hearing his voice.
“What are you doing here, Karpov!?” Kellam growled at him, standing in front of his sister and Raphael.
Thorne, Hendrik and Renwick did the same. Mina was barely conscious, using the last morsels of her energy to remain awake, to find out who was really behind this whole thing.
“I see Goldilocks isn’t feeling all that well,” Karpov hissed, taking a step inside. “But, she’s obviously much better than our good friend Dante over there.”
The floor creaked underneath his leather soled boots. He was pale and looked as if he’d just gotten out of the hospital. His frame was weak but Mina and the rest of them knew better than to underestimate his strength simply based on the way he looked.
“You killed Dante?” Kellam asked. “Why?”
It didn’t make any sense. They could have worked together, seeing they were already on the same side. The dark side.
“He was becoming a nuisance,” Karpov shrugged his bony shoulders, taking another step towards them, shortening the distance. “I bet you are all wondering how I knew you were all here.”
Kellam just eyed him, knowing that he could attack any minute. This monologue was just a distraction. He probably had his goons outside, waiting to do his bidding and attack the moment he gave his orders and with Mina down, there were only five of them - not nearly enough.
“You had a mole,” Karpov continued, “I was in on your plan from the start, from the moment your sweet Goldilocks stepped foot into that grimy bar, up to the point where you all headed over here thinking you’d be fighting Dante. How ridiculous you all are, really.”
“What do you want, Karpov?” Kellam snarled at him. He wasn’t much of a talker.
“You know very well, vampire slayer,” Karpov purposely refused to say his name. “I want the book.”
“Or what?”
“Or I will kill every single person in this room, except for you. I will allow you to live, knowing that the blood of your sister is on your hands.”
Those words sent shivers down Kellam’s spine. Mina heard them as well. She swallowed heavily. She was in no condition to fight. They would have to defend her. That thought burned furiously inside her mind.
She knew that there was a battle raging inside Kellam. He had to protect the book, he was sworn to protect it with his life but was he willing to give the life of his sister for it? She wanted to shout at him that her life didn’t matter, the book was far more important but she had no strength to do any of that.
“Tell him…” she whispered into Raphael’s ear, pulling him down by his elbow. “Don’t… give… the book…”
Raphael moved her hair from her sweaty forehead. She was even paler than a minute ago. He hoped that the tourniquet was doing its job at stopping the bleeding, if only for the time being. Once this shit storm was over, they needed to get her to the hospital, or anywhere where she could get proper medical help. He shuddered at the very thought of what could happen if they didn’t.
“The book isn’t here,” Kellam said, sounding a bit uncertain.
“Well, of course it’s not here in this house!” Karpov roared with laughter. “But, you know where it is.”
“I do…” Kellam swallowed heavily.
“Then, you’ll take me to it.”
“What guarantee do I have that everyone will be safe?”
“None,” Karpov shrugged his shoulders indifferently.
“Then, why would I give you the book?” Kellam snarled.
“Because, you have no other choice,” Karpov said, knowing he was right.
Mina was barely able to follow what happened afterwards. She saw Kellam leap at Karpov. Obviously, Karpov wasn’t expecting this but the surprise factor gave them all an advantage. Hendrik and Thorne helped Kellam but Karpov was able to call for backup and, within seconds, the room was filled with snarling vampires, who seemed out of their minds. They were foaming at the mouth, biting whatever was in their way.
“Watch out! Don’t let them bite you!” Kellam shouted, fighting off the avalanche of oncoming vampires, who seemed to be constantly pouring in through the open door.
Raphael managed to pull Mina to safety in a corner of the room, and placed a big table in front of her. He remained there, making sure no one hurt her. Mina was able to see what was going on but she was unable to move. Her arm was on fire and fever was shaking her violently. She knew that the best way she could help them right now was to stay put and not try anything.
