That was the exact wrong thing to
say.
Jared charged.
As I dropped down, Toby lifted the pistol and fired, hitting the Master Vampire solidly in the chest. "Karl,” I barked, “free Lucas."
As Jared stumbled back, I leapt and tackled him. After spilling to the ground, he slapped me hard across the face and dug his claws into my side. Grunting in pain, I lunged for his throat. The wound in his chest was already starting to heal. I felt my heart sink. This was a battle we weren't going to win. He caught my head only inches from his throat. My mouth wide and fangs bared, I strained with every ounce of my strength. I heard the crack of my pistol again and saw Luther fall into a dead heap next to us. While I was distracted, Jared brought his leg up and kicked me off. I hit the concrete wall with a thump and crumbled to the floor.
Looking up, I watched Jared leap to his feet as Toby carefully aimed the pistol. Toby's face was cool and calm as he took his time. Toby pulled the trigger again, and the Master Vampire's head snapped angrily back as a bullet ripped into his skull. Toby fired again, and again. Jared finally fell.
I heard something clatter to the ground at my feet. Turning my head, I saw Lucas slide off the wall and yank the amulets around his neck free. Karl stood warily before him, several bolts from the restraints still in his hands.
Cracking his knuckles as if ready to play the piano, the Warlock snatched Jared from the floor with an unseen tendril of power. Holding the Master Vampire in the air, Lucas gritted his teeth. Swinging Jared across the room, Lucas slammed him against the same wall he had just been pinned to. When he snapped his fingers, the restraints on the floor disappeared and reappeared around Jared's arms and legs. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Lucas turned to me. “Take my hand,” he said, his low, gravelly voice oozing with raw, undiluted rage. “All of you! Take my hand now!" Standing slowly, I watched Jared struggling against the restraints. The concrete around the bolts was beginning to crack. I looked to Lucas’ outstretched hand. I wasn't sure what to do. When, and it was just a matter of time, Jared freed himself, he would kill me, yet Lucas could easily do the same. It was a leap of faith.
Had to make the decision right now. Snatching Karl from the ground, I grabbed Toby and took Lucas’ hand. The Warlock turned and grinned eerily at me. I had a sudden sinking feeling as the pungent odor of sulfur hit my nose.
Everything melted away.
Chapter
Jared charged.
As I dropped down, Toby lifted the pistol and fired, hitting the Master Vampire solidly in the chest. "Karl,” I barked, “free Lucas."
As Jared stumbled back, I leapt and tackled him. After spilling to the ground, he slapped me hard across the face and dug his claws into my side. Grunting in pain, I lunged for his throat. The wound in his chest was already starting to heal. I felt my heart sink. This was a battle we weren't going to win. He caught my head only inches from his throat. My mouth wide and fangs bared, I strained with every ounce of my strength. I heard the crack of my pistol again and saw Luther fall into a dead heap next to us. While I was distracted, Jared brought his leg up and kicked me off. I hit the concrete wall with a thump and crumbled to the floor.
Looking up, I watched Jared leap to his feet as Toby carefully aimed the pistol. Toby's face was cool and calm as he took his time. Toby pulled the trigger again, and the Master Vampire's head snapped angrily back as a bullet ripped into his skull. Toby fired again, and again. Jared finally fell.
I heard something clatter to the ground at my feet. Turning my head, I saw Lucas slide off the wall and yank the amulets around his neck free. Karl stood warily before him, several bolts from the restraints still in his hands.
Cracking his knuckles as if ready to play the piano, the Warlock snatched Jared from the floor with an unseen tendril of power. Holding the Master Vampire in the air, Lucas gritted his teeth. Swinging Jared across the room, Lucas slammed him against the same wall he had just been pinned to. When he snapped his fingers, the restraints on the floor disappeared and reappeared around Jared's arms and legs. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Lucas turned to me. “Take my hand,” he said, his low, gravelly voice oozing with raw, undiluted rage. “All of you! Take my hand now!" Standing slowly, I watched Jared struggling against the restraints. The concrete around the bolts was beginning to crack. I looked to Lucas’ outstretched hand. I wasn't sure what to do. When, and it was just a matter of time, Jared freed himself, he would kill me, yet Lucas could easily do the same. It was a leap of faith.
Had to make the decision right now. Snatching Karl from the ground, I grabbed Toby and took Lucas’ hand. The Warlock turned and grinned eerily at me. I had a sudden sinking feeling as the pungent odor of sulfur hit my nose.
Everything melted away.
Chapter