Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 121008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
Vampires are fast. They talk fast and move even faster when they need to. When battling a vampire, it’s more important to rely on my instincts than my eyes. Sometimes a vamp can move faster than the eye can track. It comes down to anticipating the next move. Vampires are immensely logical creatures. They train extensively and tend to do everything by the book. It’s why Dante has trouble fitting in. Dante thinks more creatively than the majority of his brethern.
In this case, the vampires’ slavish devotion to the method is about to come in handy.
In my mind, I number them one through fifteen. Eight tumbles straight into Two across the ring the vampires have formed. Both are struggling to get back to their feet. It gives me a chance to concentrate on the next assault, which will come from Twelve and Five.
I thrust out with my sword, catching Twelve in the belly as I kick out in perfect precision, shoving Five back. I twist slightly to take out Ten and Three in the same fashion.
Instinct takes over as my sword becomes bloodied. I am no longer thinking about Meg or Dante or even Cian. The sword and I move in perfect harmony. The blade becomes an extension of my being. In so many ways, I enjoy this place. I relax, letting my hearing confirm the order in which they will attack. I dance as they play out the scenario, my sword finding purchase in their strong bodies.
Every time I sink the sword into another body, my hunger grows. This. This is my curse. This is the payment for avoiding the bond. I want to kill. I need to kill.
The horn blares, calling an end to this round of fighting. It’s an intrusive sound. An unwelcome sound.
I breathe deeply, fighting the instinct to attack the gnomes as they run onto the field to pull off the injured competitors who have called for quarter. They wouldn’t come out at all if they knew what was going through my rage-addled brain. I want to skewer the little ones. They would look so good on my blade. A dark voice in my head whispers to me. It’s their fault. They’re on my killing field. They should expect death. They’re dragging off my prey before I even have a chance to finish them. It’s my fucking right. The voice is so strong, I turn to raise my sword and take care of the interlopers when the sight of Meg’s face stops me.
She stands, her fingers gripping the railing and her face pale. I can feel her worry. She’s worried for me. She shouldn’t be worried for me. She should be scared of me.
It’s enough to pull me out of the impending rage. Meg will never come to me if she sees what an animal I can be. I can’t allow that to happen. I swallow down my rage as the horn blares, and the battle begins anew.
The remaining vampires don’t wait this time. All eight rush me immediately. I’m knocked back by the unexpected charge. Though my back hits the sand, a fierce joy takes over. I do love a good fight. Up until now, the battle has been rote. Now, I’m thrown a bit off balance, and it sets me free.
A big vamp, with fangs and claws out, leaps on top of me. Sharp claws sink into my left shoulder, pain flaring. The blood starts to flow, and it’ll make the vamps a little crazy. I fear chaos, and now I’m going to get it. Shoving my foot upward, I launch the vamp up and over as I swing my sword in time to skewer the next vampire who jumps on me.
Gravity is my friend, pulling the vamp down, and my aim is perfect. As the vampire sinks onto the sword, the iron of the ancient weapon tears through his heart, one of two sure ways to kill a vampire. The race is tough as nails but vulnerable when it comes to their hearts. Even a minor injury to the heart usually kills a vampire. The only other sure way is decapitation. I roll away as fast as I can, knowing what will come next. Vampires don’t die quietly. They sort of explode.
The rest of the vamps take a quick step back as their fallen compatriot comes apart. I narrowly manage to avoid being covered in gore, but my senses fill with the smell and scent of blood. It does nothing to calm my inner beast. The warrior soul inside me glories in the death of an opponent.
They deserve death. The female is mine. They’re attempting to take what is rightfully mine. Mine and Cian’s.
I move out of the way of the next assault. Two vampires throw themselves down, one catching me while I’m still blinded by the bits of dead vamp covering my eyes. A roar goes through me as I feel the vampire sink his fangs into the vulnerable flesh between my neck and shoulder. Luckily, I squirm enough so the bastard doesn’t get my jugular.