Page 11 of The Vampire's Thirst
Whoosh. Flames shot from the front of the automobile. A loud noise sounded as glass sprayed the backseat. She closed her eyes, but shards stung her cheek. A big hand reached in through the broken window to yank open the door even though it was all smashed. A man’s head moved into view before he crawled into the car to wrap an arm around her. He ripped off her seatbelt. He was so strong.
Fire surrounded them, but he ignored it to drag her from the backseat. Before he pulled Chiara free, she snatched her stuffed monkey. Her mother made her promise to keep it close. No matter what.
The man’s arm curled around her head while an explosion blasted her ears, shaking the ground. The man didn’t talk. He just nestled her against his chest, holding her tight so she couldn’t see anything, jostling her when he ran fast.
His arms were thick. She clung to the one with the painted bird. Its eyes were red, mean-looking, but its feathers were beautiful, colorful blues, greens, and reds. She held onto the wings for comfort as they rippled under her fingers, letting her know she was safe.
Blood trickled into her eyes. The man growled. When she lifted her head, she saw them. Fangs. Real fangs. Not the wax kind for Halloween.
Chiara wasn’t frightened. She was fascinated. Her fingers, moist with the blood which leaked from her forehead, reached out to touch his white teeth, but the man gripped her wrist gently while he pulled her away from his mouth. He closed his lips, twisting his neck suddenly, his attention caught by a sound she didn’t hear.
She listened. Sirens.
Carrying her further from the burning car, he settled her in the grass off the road. “When they get here, you yell,” he said.
“Wait!” She desperately clutched his arm. “Get my mommy and daddy before you go. They need help, too.”
Sad, black eyes locked on hers. “They’re past help, kid. You’re alone now. Do as I say. Yell when the humans get here.”
“No. You have to save them.”
He pinched her chin between a thumb and forefinger. “They’re gone. Nothing you or I can do. Get it? Take care of yourself now.” He pried her fingers off, backing away.
“Don’t go. Please.” She wept, tears running down her cheeks. Her tiny hands fluttered when she reached out for him.
“Crying doesn’t help anything, kid. Get tough, and don’t let anybody mess with you. You’ll do great.”
Turning, he ran toward the woods, looking over his shoulder when he made it to the trees. “Remember. Shout out when they get here.” Then he drifted away like smoke.
A deep growl woke her from her reverie. The patient’s eyes snapped open. They were as black as a raging, angry storm. When he shifted his arms, or tried to, he snarled, baring fangs.
Oh, shit. They’re bigger. They’re sharper than I remember.
****
A chill skittered across his body, irritating his nerve endings.
Someone is using a spell. The warlock?No.Somebody else.
Dax drew shallow breaths, careful to keep his chest from expanding. Noscent of the demons or mage.
His memory surfaced fragment by fragment. He’d killed one demon and was well on his way to ending the second when the warlock interfered. Lights out. Now he was here.
Where?
He cracked his lids enough to see a sliver of light. Someone was in the room. Out of squint-range. He’d have to take a risk if he wanted to assess the sitch. His lashes fluttered. Up. Down. A female blinked in and out of his vision. He couldn’t hold his eyes open.
Dax tried to sit.
Not happening.
His hands were bound with something.A rope?He was in a bed.No.Not soft enough. A pallet on the ground.
Unbidden, a growl rumbled from his chest as his sandpapery lids scraped open. He flipped his arms a few times, testing the bindings. Then he stopped to glare at his captor.
No challenge.
She perched on a chair, her body tilting forward, poised for a fast escape. Dark curly hair hung to her waist. Plump lips wrapped around her thumb as she chewed on a nail.Lovely.Her eyes were bright though jittery.Good. She should be afraid.
