Page 2 of Royal Bite
Her heart pounded. She sent up a small prayer to any of the gods who may be listening. A rough hand forced her face toward them. It gripped her chin hard and wrenched her to look at the monster standing in front of her. Stormey assumed he was the leader.
“She smells good,” one of his vampire goons groaned. “Let me get a taste of her.”
“No, you don’t get to go first,” the other one snapped.
“I get first bite,” the one holding her growled.
Stormey shook at the sight of his fangs descending. They were massive and sharp. They would tear into her flesh and make minced meat of her.
“Maybe I will leave something for you two.”
“Let me go,” Stormey whispered. Her body trembled out of control.
Apparently, her plea was hilarious to them. The three barked hefty laughs at her expense. There were other vampires dragging a man toward an alleyway. He begged and pleaded with them, but they ignored him.
“Oh, no. You don’t get to go anywhere.” The leader pressed closer to her.
She turned her face away from him, his tongue connecting to her cheek. She whimpered, nausea overtaking her. She tried to lodge her hands in between them so she could push him away, but it was like shoving a steel wall. He didn’t budge.
“Please,” she cried out.
“Damn, you taste good,” he breathed.
His hands went to her hair and grabbed her low ponytail, tilting her head back. She struggled, trying to break free, but he was overpowering her. The other two licked their fangs and narrowed their gazes on her, waiting for their turn at her. Stormey grew frantic and jerked her knee up, connecting with his inner thigh. He howled and backhanded her. Pain burst out on her face from the force of his blow. She fell back against the wall and tried to break free but was snatched by her waist.
Stormey screamed.
“Help me!”
“No one will come and help you,” the second one growled.
Stormey was slammed back on the wall. The leader glared at her. He gripped her by her throat, crushing her windpipe. She scratched at his hand, trying to free herself so she could breathe. Her lungs burned the second they tried to bring in air.
“What the hell?” The third one paused. His eyes grew wide while a thin line of blood appeared on his neck. An arrow protruded from the side of his neck. He fell to the ground, his body shaking.
“Fuck, it’s royal guards.” The second one turned and backed away.
“They aren’t going to take my meal from me,” the leader snapped.
He drew Stormey to her and bent his head with the intent very clear. Stormey cried out, bracing for the pain she knew was coming. This was it. The end of her life was upon her. His body jerked repeatedly, his hold on her neck loosening.
He fell to his knees before her. She stepped back, tripping on her feet and landing on her bottom. The vampire fell toward her. Stormey darted to the side and avoided having him fall on her. She glanced down. Large holes appeared on his back. A dark substance leaked from them, staining his jacket. Her three attackers appeared to be dead.
Stormey glanced up and took in the fighting that ensued around her. She stared, mouth agape, as she watched the royal guards swarm in, fighting the vampires who had been attacking the humans. Their uniforms were dark with purple patches that symbolized the house of Princess Hegna Riskel, the eldest daughter of the vampire king. These highly trained warriors overtook the area and were no match for the lousy vampires who overran her town.
She scrambled to her feet and pressed her back against the wall. She wasn’t that far from the inn and knew she would have to take the risk and run. With a prayer on the tip of her lips, she took off toward the tall building on the corner. The sounds of swords and weapons firing filled the air. She didn’t look back but kept her eyes on the door.
Stormey arrived and found it locked. She jingled the handle frantically and glanced behind her. The fighting was growing more gruesome, and her heart all but leaped into her throat.
“Open up! It’s me!” She banged on the wooden door.
She peered through the window and took in the sight of Melissa rushing toward the door. It flung open with Melissa ushering her in.
“Oh my god. Are you harmed?” Melissa asked. She slammed the door shut and bolted it locked.
The hotel’s foyer was empty. Stormey glanced up the stairs. A few faces peered down at her. There were protocols they had to follow when under attack. The hotel would go on lockdown to protect the employees and patrons. She was lucky Melissa had even come and opened the door. To protect everyone, they could have left Stormey outside.
“Thank the fates, no.” Stormey raced over to windows, unable to resist looking out. She pushed the drapes aside. The scenery out there was growing worse. Where the hell were all of these vampires coming from?
