Page 9 of Hunters and Prey

"Good. We're on the same page. Stay close."

She walked to the alley, slowly, carefully. There was nothing at first; then, when they reached the middle, five vampires appeared, blocking either way.

Viola watched them carefully, taking their measure.

They were filled with mortal blood and vitality. Strong, eager to complete their mission. Young.

She shed her coat, revealing the twin swords at her side.

"I hate to kill when I don't need to," she told them quite truthfully. "I'd give you a chance to walk away if I could."

But she couldn't. They'd seen him, smelled him. They could track him.

Which meant they were already dead.

Viola had been training with those two swords since childhood. When Liz Eirikrson found her in an orphanage, she’d said she had the eyes of a warrior. Liz asked her if she would like to learn to fight like boys, and pave her own way. Viola hadn't quite understood the question at the time, but she said yes to the grand, elegant lady, who took her with her, carrying her on her hips, never minding that her dirty hands spoiled her white dress.

Liz had put one short sword in Viola's hands the next day. By the time she was twenty-one, it had become an extension of her right arm, as familiar and as deadly. Then, Viola was turned. All vampires were fast and strong, but some had specific gifts, powers. Viola hadn't thought she'd been blessed; for years, she believed that she had nothing other than her strength. If it was enough for Liz, it was enough for her.

Then, one day, hunting down a rogue in Egypt, she was taken by surprise—their enemy had an accomplice who hit Liz from behind, managing to draw some of her bright blue blood.

Viola screamed, throwing her sword right at the rogue's partner. Weaponless, she wouldn't have managed to block the rogue's next assault, but her arm rose instinctively, calling to the weapon. It flew right out of the dead vampire's throat and into her grasp.

That day, Liz gave her her second sword.

Viola smirked. It had been a long time since she'd truly been able to play.

"Stay against the wall, and scream if anyone gets too close," she told Tom, letting go of her swords.

They trailed after her, listening to her commands.

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