Chapter 25

 

“Do you think that was Will?” Paul asked Chen.

The Asian man nodded. “It sounded like him.”

“We need to help him.” Alex yanked at the ropes.

Paul scowled. “We need something to cut them. Something to – “

The front doors of the barn eased open and Luther made a harsh barking sob when Tyrone and Stephanie slipped inside.

“God, Luther. Keep it together, ya fuckin’ baby.” Tyrone rolled his eyes as he opened the door of the stall and grabbed Chen’s sword. Stephanie picked up Paul’s sword and knelt beside him as Tyrone crouched next to Luther.

“Lean forward, Luther.” Tyrone pushed on Luther’s back and slid the sword behind him. He sliced through the rope connecting him to the metal hoop in the wall before carefully cutting the rope around Luther’s wrists.

Luther groaned with relief and rubbed at his wrists for a moment before suddenly grabbing Tyrone and hugging him tightly.

Tyrone hugged him back, clearing his throat roughly, before pushing away. “God, you’re such a pansy, Luther.”

“Fuck you, Tyrone.”

“There was another loud howl from outside as Luther stood and limped to the stall. He grabbed Alex’s sword and went to work freeing Chen as Tyrone freed Mannie.

“Hannah and Will are out there?” Mannie asked.

“Yep. So are Reid and Selena.” Tyrone confirmed. They’re going to kick some leech ass.

Mannie staggered to his feet. “We need to get out there and help them. These vampires are fucking strong and – “

He weaved unsteadily and Mallorie, rubbing her wrists gingerly, steadied him around the waist. “You need to sit down, Mannie.” She touched the lump on the top of his head. “You’ve got a concussion for sure.”

“I’m fine!” He insisted vehemently.

“You’re not fine.” Mallorie replied. “You go out there, you’re just going to get yourself killed.”

“I won’t, I – “

“She’s right.” Chen interrupted. Alex and Paul had gathered around him and he stared unblinkingly at them. “Remember your training. Alex, do not let your anger cloud your judgment. Paul, keep your sword down.”

“Yes, master.” They replied in unison.

Chen turned to the twins and Stephanie. “The three of you will stay in here with Mannie until we are finished. Do not – “

“No fucking way!” Luther snapped. “Those fuckheads killed Constance. I’m not staying in here, Chen. You can’t make me.”

He stomped to the stall and picked up two wooden stakes. “I’m going out there.”

“If Luther’s going, I’m going.” Tyrone grabbed his own stakes as Mallorie gathered the remaining guns. She stuck one in the waistband of her pants, handed the other to Stephanie and gripped the final one tightly.

She squeezed Stephanie’s shoulder. “Keep Mannie safe, Steph, alright? If any vampires come through that door, make sure your shot is to the heart.”

“Alright.” Stephanie stood in front of Mannie. “Don’t worry, Mannie. I’ll keep you safe.”

“Thanks.” Mannie grunted before sinking to the ground and leaning against the wall. He stared at the others. “Be careful out there.”

Chen nodded and the others followed him out of the barn.

Mannie struggled to his feet and held his hand out. “Get me a stake, Steph.”

“You’re not going out there! You can’t and I won’t let you!”

“I’m not.” Mannie eyed Judd who was hanging limply with his head down and his eyes closed.

Stephanie handed Mannie the stake. He stood in front of the vampire and Stephanie watched nervously as he touched the leech’s shoulder.

“Judd?”

There was no reply and Mannie spoke louder. “Judd, look at me.”

Judd sighed and opened his eyes. “I’m thinkin’. I can’t remember that fella’s name. I don’t know why. He was the last drink I ever had and I can’t remember. Was it Terry?”

“It’s over, Judd.” Mannie said.

“Is it? You gonna let me go?” Judd said hopefully.

“I’m going to set you free.” Mannie replied. “Are you ready?”

Judd nodded before staring over Mannie’s shoulder. “It wasn’t Terry. Something with a G maybe.”

Mannie plunged the wooden stake into Judd’s chest. The vampire’s back arched and his eyes widened.

“Gary. His name was Gary.” He whispered.

Mannie wrenched the stake free and stepped back. He staggered on his feet and Stephanie hurried over and led him away as Judd, a smile on his face, disintegrated into ash.

* * *

 

Hannah, adrenaline singing in her veins and the pure, unfiltered joy of hunting lighting up every nerve, raised her swords as the vampires advanced. Beside her, the short-haired vampire appeared in a flash and slammed into Will. Her mate gave a short howl of pain as he was driven deep in to the forest, the vampire clinging tightly to him.

Before she could turn and go after them, Olof was standing in front of her. He smoothed his hair back, a few strands had loosened from the bun, and smiled at her. “I find you interesting, my dear. Very interesting.”

Vaguely she was aware of Selena and Reid being surrounded by the four remaining vampires and she prayed that Tyrone and Stephanie would free the others in time to help them. As Olof took a step closer, she tightened her grip on her swords and grinned fiercely at him.

“I don’t find you interesting at all. You’re just like every other leech I’ve met – boring, and too stupid to know they’re about to die.”

Anger flashed across his face. “You do not want to call me that again, Lycan bitch.”

“What?” She taunted. “Boring? Stupid?”

With a snarl he dove at her. He was quick, quicker than even Samuel, and three months ago she wouldn’t have stood a chance. He would have gutted her and feasted on her blood before she could have even reacted.

But she was different now. Her wolf, ruled by a simple, animalistic need for survival, surged within her and she whipped to the right with ease. The leech’s hands gripped air which only seconds prior had been her smooth throat, and he blinked in surprise as he stumbled over his own feet and fell.

She laughed loudly, a sound that was half-howl, and her eyes glowed as Olof leaped to his feet and hissed angrily.

“Too slow!” She crowed at him.

She had never felt so alive or more powerful in her life. Every muscle in her body was vibrating with power, and her Lycan senses had kicked in with a rush that left her breathless with excitement. She could hear the mosquito’s buzzing, the leaves on the trees trembling in the wind, and the rustling of the small creatures hiding in the forest. She inhaled deeply. Her mate’s scent filled her lungs, blotting out the other smells, and she smiled happily as her fangs popped out.

She would kill this troublesome little worm and then she would find her mate. She would take him deep into the forest and they would hunt and mate until the sun began to rise over the horizon. They would –

Olof, his body a blur, reached for her and she snapped her teeth and sliced him across the stomach with the sword in her right hand. He screamed and scurried backward, clapping one hand over the gaping wound in his flesh as she howled again.

“You make this too easy, leech.” She snarled.

The pain on Olof’s face was replaced with amusement. A small trickle of fear slid down Hannah’s spine when he moved his hand and she realized the wound had already healed. Olof straightened his torn suit jacket and tightened his tie.

“Perhaps I should start making an effort then, she-wolf.” He said.

“Perhaps you should.” Her voice was deepening and hair was sprouting on her cheeks as her wolf tried to take control. She fought against the shift, knowing she needed her swords, and Olof cocked his head at her.

“Why do you fight against the turning? Is it not better to let it free? What use are silly human weapons when you have a beast inside of you?”

She didn’t reply and, moving more quickly than she could ever have imagined, the leech snatched her around the waist, lifted her into the air and threw her into the forest. She crashed into a tree, her head slamming against the bark hard enough to make her see stars and she yelped in pain when two of her ribs broke with a harsh snap. She dropped to the ground, panting loudly and her wolf howling for its freedom, and searched frantically for her dropped swords.

“Looking for these?” Olof appeared in front of her. He held her swords in his hands and he lifted them to the faint light of the half-moon, studying them carefully as they gleamed dully. “I’ll ask you again, what need does a Lycan have for swords?”

“Fuck you.” Hannah growled as she climbed to her feet. Behind her, hidden by the thick trees, she could hear her mate and the leech fighting viciously and she took a small step backward.

Olof laughed. “I’m really not that interested in you, my dear. You’re pleasant looking enough but the smell of your wolf is enough to turn any man away. Now, stop moving away and pay attention. You will answer my question or I’ll use your own swords to slice you apart.”

He giggled like a small boy and studied the swords again. “Oh, this is going to be fun.”

* * *

 

“Selena?”

“Yeah?”

“I was thinking when we’re done here, we should go for tacos.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“What? I’m starving. Don’t you like tacos? I’d be willing to go for Thai food. You like Thai food?”

“Now is not the time, Reid.”

“Fine, but when we’re driving aimlessly around town later tonight trying to decide what to have for dinner, you’re going to wish we had made the decision now.”

“Reid – “

“I’m not trying to sway you or anything but you might want to consider the tacos. They’ve got a higher caloric value and you’re going to need your energy for what I’m going to do to you later.”

“Oh really?”

He grinned at the hint of curiosity in her voice. “Really, really. We’re talking shenanigans, sweetheart. Lots and lots of sexual shenanigans. Until you can’t stand and I have to carry you around the – “

“Halt die Klappe, Dummkopf!”

“What did he just say?” Selena asked.

They were surrounded by the four vampires and she gripped Reid’s hand tightly as she raised her gun.

“He’s asking me to go for drinks with him later.” Reid said cheerfully.

The vampire gaped at him. “Habe ich nicht!”

“Of course you did.” Reid replied. “Listen, I’m flattered - maybe even a little curious - but you see this lady beside me? She’s the jealous type. And I know she’s small but believe me – you do not want to piss her off.”

The vampire made a snarl of rage and lunged at Reid. Reid pushed Selena back and fired. The leech dodged the bullet and landed on him with a heavy thud, knocking him to the ground. His gun fell from his hand and he twisted for it as the vampire pounced on him.

“Reid!”

He could hear Selena screaming and her gun firing. The vampire on top of him winced when a bullet grazed his neck, drawing a spurt of blood that spilled down his shirt, but didn’t release his grip around Reid’s neck.

“I am not allowed to kill you,” he hissed, “but ripping your foolish tongue from your mouth will not wound you mortally.”

Reid clamped his mouth shut as he reached blindly for his gun. The tips of his fingers brushed against the hot barrel and, ignoring the sizzling pain, he wrapped his fingers around it and dragged it closer.

The vampire squeezed his throat and traced his mouth with one cold finger. “Open up, Dummkopf. I will make it quick. It might not even – “

A look of fear blanketed his face, as he stared down at the gun jammed against his chest.

“Good bye, fuckface.” Reid said and pulled the trigger.

The sound of the dry click made his face drop as the vampire laughed and knocked the empty gun out of his hand.

There was a soft, whistling rush of air and the vampire blinked in mild surprise. A thin line of blood appeared on his throat, and the vampire’s head slid from his body and landed in a soft thump on the ground next to Reid.

Blood poured out of the vampire’s headless neck and Reid groaned and shoved the body off of him. “Gross, dude.”

He wiped the blood from his face and stared up at the Asian man holding the bloody sword. “Thanks, Chen.”

Chen bowed slightly as Reid’s eyes suddenly widened. “Selena!”

He jumped to his feet, looking around frantically, and sighed with relief when he saw her standing with Mallorie. The two women, along with Paul, Alex, and the twins, had surrounded the three remaining vampires.

As the vampires hissed in fear, Paul glanced at Chen.

“Master?”

“Begin.” Chen said softly.