Luke lowered his head to the pommel of his wooden rudis and whispered the ancient incantation that activated the rudis’s true power. White light trailed down the silver filigree delicately crisscrossing the wood and down into the vampire before returning up the blade and into his forehead. He stood up, pulling the rudis from the dead vampire, and shook the dust of what had been Guillaume Geefs off his wooden blade.
“Pablo, Delilah. We ready to go?”
“Almost.” Pablo, still naked but back in his human form, squatted down and rammed a stake through the heart of a decapitated vampire, sending it permanently on its way.
“Pablo, go put your clothes on. We need to go. Luke and I can take care of the rest of the fangers,” Delilah said.
“Yeah, good idea.” Pablo walked over to a pile of clothes and started dressing. “Hey, everyone else, let’s get dressed and out of here. Follow your preplanned escape routes. Then, when you’re sure the coast is clear, meet at the pub. Beers are on me.”
Cheers rose from the werewolves who’d changed back to their human forms while a few who still hadn’t let out appreciative yips. The last few werewolves began their change and dressed themselves.
Luke stepped into the middle of the dance floor. “Great job everyone. Thanks for making this a smooth operation. See you all at the pub!”
* * *
Henry watched as the one they called the Wood-Fanged Demon slipped out of his bar. No humans had been harmed, so the authorities wouldn’t need to snoop around. He’d be able to return to business as usual as soon as he sent in his crew to clean up the mess.
He turned to address a figure standing in the shadows behind him. “Should we try to follow them, My Lord?”
“No. He can sniff out a trap or a tail. Best not to risk any more of our soldiers.”
“As you wish, My Lord. If you don’t mind me asking, why didn’t you let the sculptor take him out for you?”
“There was no chance of that ever happening. That fool never would have been able to beat the Hunter. Besides, he’s mine to kill.”
“You sound as if you know him well,” Henry replied.
“I do. Of old. Of very old…”
Henry nodded, waiting for information, not sure if he could press the one the council had sent to rule Portland.
“You’ve done well, Henry. Your services won’t be forgotten.” He reached out and patted Henry on the cheek a couple times and turned around. Before he completely disappeared into the shadows, he turned his head and made eye contact with Henry. “But in the future, refrain from calling me a buffoon too many times.”
Henry bowed, trying to keep from shaking. The deadly quiet tone of his lord’s voice smashed the threat home. He knew that tone of voice brooked no argument.