Page 18 of Softer Than Stone
I crouched low, ears swivelling as I tuned into the hum of the car engine fading in the distance. The scent of burnt earth and incense still clung to the air, mixed with Waru’s fear—a smell that cut through me like a blade.
Each step landed with a soft tap on the pavement, creating a steady cadence as I pressed on, eating the distance between me and the bastard who’d taken him.
The taillights swerved sharply, disappearing behind a cluster of dilapidated buildings. I slowed, ears twitching as I approached. The unmistakable scent of Waru and the… I scented the air… vampire filled my nostrils, leading me to a grimy workshop tucked at the end of a dark alley.
A growl rumbled in my chest as I crept closer, claws scraping against the ground. Waru’s voice filtered through the night, muffled but frantic.
“Please! You’ve got the wrong person—I don’t know you!”
The sound sent a surge of rage through me. My tail flicked, muscles coiling as I crouched at the edge of the alley.
Through the workshop’s cracked windows, I caught glimpses of movement. A tall figure—the vampire—dragged Waru roughly towards a table, shoving him down into a chair. Waru fought back, his jaw set with defiance even as fear poured off him in waves.
I couldn’t hear Kent or the others, but I didn’t need them to tell me what to do. The lion in me demanded action.
The vampire turned, pulling out a blade that glinted under the harsh fluorescent lights. Waru flinched but didn’t look away. My claws flexed, scraping the concrete surrounding the workshop as I fought the urge to roar and charge blindly.
I couldn’t storm in like a reckless beast. I had to be smart. Silent.
The door stood ajar, the vampire’s arrogance leaving him careless. My size meant brute force would work, but subtlety might buy me the few seconds I needed to take him down without putting Waru at risk.
I crept closer, each step precise, my paws silent against the ground. My heart thundered, every instinct screaming to protect the man I’d barely had time to know but already couldn’t imagine losing.
The scent of Waru’s fear sharpened, and my growl slipped free before I could stop it.
The vampire froze, head snapping towards the door. “What the hell was that?”
Dammit. So much for subtlety.
With a snarl, I surged forwards, hitting the steel door at full speed. It buckled inwards with a deafening crash, sending the vampire staggering back.
The room erupted into chaos.
Waru’s eyes widened as he caught sight of me, his lips parting in shock. “Chris?”
The vampire recovered quickly, snarling as he drew the blade and lunged towards me.
Big mistake.
I roared, the sound shaking the walls, and launched myself at him. My claws found flesh, raking across his chest as my massive body slammed into him. The blade clattered to the ground as he crumpled under my weight.
But I didn’t stop there. Not until I was sure he wasn’t getting back up.
Waru’s voice broke through the haze of fury, trembling but strong. “Chris, stop! You’ve got him!”
I turned, panting, my massive frame heaving with adrenaline. Waru stood frozen, his eyes locked on me, wide but full of something I couldn’t quite place.
Relief. Or I hoped like hell that was what it was.
I stepped closer, lowering my head as my tail flicked behind me. Waru reached out hesitantly, his hand trembling as it brushed against my mane.
“Holy shit,” he whispered, his voice cracking. “You came for me.”
His touch grounded me, pulling me back from the brink. My instincts wanted to keep going, to rip and tear until the threat was nothing but shreds—but Waru’s hand on my fur reminded me why I was here.
I huffed softly, nudging his chest with my nose. He exhaled shakily, his fingers curling into my mane.
“Thank you,” he murmured.
