Page 30 of Song of the Shadow Prince
“Arya?” I murmured under my breath, incredulous.
Peering around the corner of a building, I saw her standing in a dimly lit alley, her posture tense and defensive. Facing her was a tall figure with pale skin and sharp features—undeniably a vampire. His eyes glowed faintly red in the darkness. Looming over Arya, his expression was one of irritation.
“Lady Arya, we’ve been more than patient,” the vampire spoke, his voice smooth and cold. “You promised the piece would be ready days ago. Where is it?”
Arya’s eyes darted around, her confusion evident. “I—I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she stammered. “What piece?” She looked over at her servant Maeve, who shrugged and nervously nibbled her lip.
“I don’t know, my lady,” Maeve whispered. “You never associate with vampires; I don’t know what he could be talking about—”
The vampire’s eyes narrowed and he took a step closer, his fangs glinting in the moonlight. “The art piece, Lady Arya. The one commissioned monthly. You’re late, and we’re not pleased.”
Panic flickered across Arya’s face. “There must be a mistake. I haven’t been working on any art piece. I don’t even know how to draw!” She laughed and cast an anxious glance at Maeve.
The vampire’s expression hardened. “A mistake? I think not. You’ve been working for us for the last two years, so don’t play coy. You were given a significant advance for this commission. Where is the piece? If you don’t have it, then where is the money?”
I realized Arya was involved in something much deeper than anyone possibly realized. Maybe Arya wasn’t lying, and she truly had lost her memories. The girl looked absolutely lost.
“I don’t have it!” Arya exclaimed, her voice filled with frustrated annoyance.
The vampire sighed, his patience clearly wearing thin. “Very well. If you cannot produce the painting and you won’t give us back the money, you will pay with your body. That was the deal. Your choice, Lady Arya.”
Arya scoffed. “That’s not an option.”
At her words, three more vampires stepped out of the inky shadows, their eyes gleaming with predatory hunger. Arya glanced around, her confidence wavering when she realized the odds were against her.
The vampire tilted his head, intrigued. “There are no other options.”
Arya chuckled with a confidence she shouldn’t have. “Of course there is. There’s option three.” Arya set her jaw and a determined glint entered her eyes. “Maeve,run!” She pushed her servant in the opposite direction.
Maeve hesitated for a split second before bolting down the alley and disappearing into the night. The vampires chuckled darkly as they advanced on Arya.
I watched from the shadows in rapt fascination as Arya took a deep breath and steadied herself. She was no pushover.When the first vampire lunged, she gracefully sidestepped and delivered a sharp elbow to his ribs. He doubled over in pain and surprise flickered across his features, which gave her enough time to kick his legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground.
The second vampire rushed her, but Arya was ready. She spun around, her leg sweeping in a wide arc to connect with his jaw. The force of the kick sent him staggering back, his fangs bared in a snarl. She followed up with a quick punch to his throat, cutting off his angry growl and leaving him gasping for air.
The third vampire tried to grab her from behind, but Arya twisted out of his grip and raked her nails across his face. He hissed in pain and clutched his cheek as blood oozed from the scratches. Without giving him time to recover, she launched a knee into his stomach hard enough to make him double over.
This was not the Arya I’d known for ten years.
Despite her initial success, the vampires quickly regrouped, their anger and bloodlust intensifying. Arya fought valiantly, her movements quick and precise, but she was outnumbered, and she was human. One vampire grabbed her arm and twisted it painfully behind her while another punched her midsection.
Arya grunted in pain, her strength waning. Her eyes bounced around the alley wildly. With a desperate, last-ditch burst of strength, she broke free from their grip and ran, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as she disappeared down the alley and around the corner.
That was my cue. I stepped out of the shadows, moving swiftly and silently, intercepting the vampires before they could chase after her.
The lead vampire sneered at me. “Another fool to the slaughter?”
I smirked, my eyes narrowing. “Perhaps, but you’ll find I’m not so easily dealt with.”
The vampires lunged at me simultaneously. I sidestepped the first and delivered a powerful kick to his midsection that sent him careening into the alley wall. The second one swung at me, but I ducked and countered with an uppercut that snapped his head back.
The third vampire managed to grab my arm with a grip like iron, but I twisted free and drove my elbow into his face. He staggered back, clutching his nose.
The lead vampire quickly recovered from the surprise of my attack and charged at me with renewed fury. We exchanged blows, each hit resonating with a dull thud in the confined space of the alley. He was stronger, but I was faster.
I caught him with a sweeping leg kick that knocked him off balance, then followed up with a punch to the jaw that sent him sprawling. The other vampires hesitated, glancing between me and their fallen leader.
“Get out of here,” I growled. I lifted my hood and allowed my inner dragon to peek out, flashing a warning they couldn’t possibly misinterpret.
