by A. D. Winter
Blood flew from her mouth as she was spun around, and she nearly dropped to the floor.
But she quickly righted herself, catching me by the ankle and spinning me in a circle. She finally let go, and I was thrown across the tunnel, where I crashed against the wall, dazed.
Light drifted in and out, and I heard the sound of stiletto boots sashaying across the rocky ground toward me.
“Now to finish this.” The vampire lifted me by the collar, and I saw the tips of her fangs as she opened her maw.
Vampires could only feed while their prey was still alive. It was one of their greatest weaknesses and the best time to strike. I wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass me by.
I snapped her knee with my boot, then uppercut her with my fist. The vampire flew back, her jaw shifting to the side.
I was still dazed from crashing into the wall, but I didn’t need my sight to follow her. The taint of her fear led the way.
She scampered back on her elbows, trying to escape my shadow as I strode toward her. But she wasn’t going anywhere.
When I finally caught up to her, I squatted over her chest and pressed a knee to her shoulder, causing her to scream out in pain.
“Who made this?” I shoved the purple vial up her nose.
She moaned through her cracked jaw, and I heard the discordant sounds of muffled words. She was trying to speak, but rather unsuccessfully.
“Here, let me help you.” I gripped her jaw, and the crunch of bone sounded as I shoved it back into place. “There,” I said. “Better?”
“You heartless monster,” she said.
“That’s a bit hypocritical coming from you, isn’t it?” I pressed my knee into her shoulder, causing her to scream even louder. “Now, who made this?”
“Do you think I fear you?” The vampire’s teeth were stained with blood. “You’re a fool, a slave who doesn’t even know her own past.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“Soon,” she said. “Soon you’ll learn the truth and realize the prison you’re in. I, on the other hand, have an eternity of bliss waiting for me in the afterlife.”
“Yeah, well, I’ve got you for the next couple of seconds,” I told her.
The vampire gritted her teeth. “I don’t think so.”
I followed her gaze to Dryden, who was still battling with the werewolf.
“A little help over here,” he called out.
I pressed my knee against the bloodsucker’s shoulder even harder. “Who’s the elf upstairs?”
“I’m not going to tell you a thing.”
I glanced up at Dryden. He was falling to his knees, doing his best to keep the protective barrier around him. But it wouldn’t last. The werewolf was ruthless and powerful. It struck at the protective barrier with sharp claws, whittling it down with every strike.
There was only one way to break the possession, I knew—killing the possessor. Yet without a wooden stake or a magical weapon, my options were limited. I needed to drag the vampire out into the sunlight. But how? We were under a house, with no real light available. So I did the next best thing.
I punched her in the chest and tore out her heart.
Her eyes widened as she saw her heart beating in my hand, and her body began to deteriorate. Flecks of flesh peeled away from her frame, lifting into the air, and her body quickly burned the ground beneath it, creating a dark shadow. But it wasn’t enough.
With her heart still beating, she was able to return—just a drop of blood would do the trick. So I tossed it up through the floorboards of the kitchen, where the morning sun was now peeking through the blinds, and waited for the inevitable.
The pop was loud, and I heard the hiss of flesh burning away. Nothing like a little morning barbecue.
Bloodsucker …
I spun around as I heard a terrible howl.
The werewolf.
It fell to the ground with a massive thud, its entire body writhing in pain. Now that the vampire was dead, the spell had been broken, and it was free to go back to its original state.
I joined Dryden as he watched its transformation. It was a startling sight, one of pain and terror. Its fur retreated into its skin. Its snout shrank. And its claws and muscles began to reduce, revealing the tiny form hidden underneath.
When it was over, and the body lay naked before us, all we could do was stare in shock.
16
Ivy
“Another elf?” I asked in surprise.
“It appears so.”
Dryden acted quickly. He yanked one of the black drapes from the wall and wrapped it around the tiny body. The young elf flinched at his touch, but he brushed back her sweat-drenched hair, and she suddenly leaned into his jacket, seemingly desperate to feel the comfort of his arms.
“Will she be okay?” I asked.
Dryden shut his eyes as he felt for her magical signature. “She’s weak, but she’ll survive.”
I felt a rush of relief as I stared at the young elf. With golden hair and porcelain skin, she looked like a baby angel brought down from the goddess. But who was she?
I looked up as I heard something. The floorboards in the kitchen were rumbling, a deep vibration filling the air. Something was buzzing loudly, and I distinctly felt the sense of tiny beings drawing closer.
“The whisperers,” Dryden said.
“They’re coming,” I replied.
Almost instantly dozens of wasps flooded the tunnel. They were like a wave of blackness, stretching across the floorboards and spilling down the sides.
I turned to Dryden. “We need to go.”
He handed me the elf’s body, then summoned a ball of fire in his hands. “I’ll hold them off while you find the exit.”
“Sounds good to me.” I searched the tunnel behind me. The way was dark, and the walls were made of concrete—not the best of circumstances—and sure, I probably could’ve punched my way through it all, but it would’ve taken some time.
And that was something we didn’t have. Instead, I stared down the length of the tunnel, unable to see past the glare of the torches, and gave a shrug. Well, sometimes we just have to make bad choices.
“This way!” I yelled.
Dryden followed my gaze and frowned. “Well, that’s not really what I had in mind, but all right.”
He blasted the wasps with another round of fire, and we raced down the tunnel. Dryden wasn’t as fast as me, so I had to slow my steps. Still, we made good time.
The tunnel was coming to an end, and I could see a square of light surrounding what looked like a hatch.
“I think I see something.”
One of the wasps came at me from the side, and I felt the sting of its tail against my cheek. I slapped it away, hearing its cries, then knocked a couple more from my hair.
“Is that a door?” Dryden asked.
“It better be.” I knocked another wasp from my wrist. “Because I’m about ten seconds away from dying from venom.”
The walls of the tunnel darkened as the wasps caught up to us, and my ears were barraged by a concert of whispers. It seeped into my mind and disoriented my thoughts, slowing my steps.
I was only a couple of feet away from the hatch when I bumped into the wall. It sent me into a spin, and I nearly fell to the ground. But I tightened my grip around the young elf and pressed on, racing from the horde of death that was chasing me.
17
Ivy
When I reached the outside, I was met by the morning sun. It warmed my face and let me know that I was out of danger. Behind me, I heard the roar of fire as Dryden held the wasps at bay.
I stopped to look back. “Let’s go!”
“Soon,” he said. “These wasps are a danger to the quarter. Give me a little more time to clear out their number. Head back to The Shunned Monkey. I’ll meet you there.”
Don’t gotta tell me twice.
I hurried up the street, cradling the elf in my arms. It was still early morning, and the majorit
y of citizens in the Forgotten Quarter would still be asleep. I checked my watch and saw that I only had twelve hours left.
Rats.
When I reached The Shunned Monkey, I was met by a group of teenagers playing football in the street. The ball was old and covered in patches. And to be honest, I didn’t think they really knew the rules of the game. They were a crowded mix of lower creatures. A couple of chosen. An orc. Even a centaur.
They were dressed in secondhand clothes with ratty, oversize boots that they had probably inherited from their fathers or older brothers. They crowded around me when they saw me.
“Hey, lady,” one said, a short orc with a bump on his head. “What’s in the curtain?”
“Nothing,” I said. “Now get out of here.”
“Is that a body?” asked another, a chosen with red hair and freckles.
“What, are you dumb?” I asked. “Of course not.”
It was then that the elf gave a little kick, and a low moan escaped the curtain.
“It’s a body!” one of them said.
The kids’ eyes widened, and they shuffled back in fear.
“Okay, fine,” I admitted. “It’s a body, but it’s just a friend who drank a little too much Dwarf’s Ale last night.”
“My dad drinks Dwarf’s Ale all the time,” the orc said. “He never ended up in no black curtain.”
“Well, good for him,” I said.
“I think she’s lying,” the troll said. “She’s obviously kidnapped someone.”
The kids turned to me in surprise.
“Is that true?” one asked.
“Are you going to kill her?” another added.
Argh, kids and their questions. I just wanted them to scatter. But I knew if I ran them off, they’d probably go tell their parents. I had to think of something—and quick.
“Yeah,” I admitted. “I kidnapped her. And yes, I’m going to kill her. But not too quickly. And I’m going to kill you as well if you don’t keep your traps shut about this.”
“How much?” asked the orc, seeming unfazed.
“How much what?” I asked with a frown.
“How much are you going to pay us to keep our traps shut?”
“How ’bout I let you live?” I said.
He shook his head, unimpressed. “My mom lets me live every day, and she’s scarier than you.”
“Good point,” I said, thinking. “Fine. What do you want?”
“You got any candy from the human world?” he asked.
“Do I look like a candy store to you?”
“Coin,” another said, rubbing his fingers together. “Now.”
“I’ve got one gold,” I lied.
“Make it two,” the orc said.
I scoffed, “One silver, and I don’t smash your face in.”
The kids convened in a circle. It was as if they were discussing some matter of great importance. When they were done, they broke apart and looked back at me.
“All right,” the orc said. “Good enough.”
“Here.” I handed him the coin. “Now go get yourselves something to eat. And next time, don’t be such a swindler. Nice try though.” I rubbed his head.
He shrugged and turned away.
“What’s all this?” Dryden asked as he appeared.
“Just giving these kids a lesson in negotiation,” I said.
“Is that right?” He snatched the coin from the orc and turned on the kids. “What did I tell you about conning people, huh?” He looked at the orc. “I’m really disappointed in you, Gindal.”
Gindal had the decency to lower his head in shame. “Sorry, Dryden. We just wanted to make some money.”
“Well, do it the right way.” Dryden rubbed the coin between his fingers as he studied the kids, remorseful, it seemed, for being so snappy. “Tell you what—come by later, and I’ll give you some chores to do.”
“Chores?” the kids grumbled.
“Yes, chores,” Dryden reiterated. “And if you do a good job, maybe I’ll give you a couple of golds to spend.”
The kids broke out in smiles.
“You’re all right, Dryden,” Gindal said.
“I’m glad you think so.” He flipped the coin in his hand and smiled. “Now, did your mum get the medicine I made for her? How are the warts?”
The orc blushed, glancing over his shoulder to see if anyone had heard. “Smaller, and thanks.”
Dryden shot him a wink.
I watched as the kids rushed back to play in the street, impressed with how fairly Dryden had treated them. He’d been so kind yet so firm. It was amazingly sweet and sexy at the same time.
He glanced at me, taking me in with his light-blue eyes. “Are you okay?” he asked.
I nodded absently.
“Good,” he said. “Now, how about we go upstairs?”
“Absolutely,” I replied.
He arched a brow at me, disturbed by my enthusiasm. “I’m sorry?”
“Huh?” I shook my head. “I mean, sure, whatever.”
He knocked on the door of the restaurant, and I heard the sound of plates shattering inside, followed by a table turning over and the scream of a chicken.
Seconds later the door opened, and I saw the monkey from earlier wavering in the doorway.
“Back so soon?” the monkey asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
Dryden brushed past him, leading me forward. “It’s been a long night.”
Inside, it was dark, but the back-door light was on, and there was no sign of the blue-skinned demon or any of his staff. They must’ve gone home for the day. Dryden led me through the restaurant, toward the back stairs, which we quickly used to climb to the fifth level.
When we reached the door to his apartment, I stood back, smart enough to keep my distance.
Wizards were notorious for securing their lairs with deadly magic, and I didn’t want to end up as a burnt marshmallow by getting too close.
Waiting, I watched as he stood before the door, eager to see him work. But, unfortunately, I was sorely disappointed. Instead of disarming a list of magical spells that could incinerate a person, he merely turned the knob and opened the door.
I glared at him in bewilderment.
“What?” he asked.
“That’s it?” I said. “No raging fire? No invisible ax that slices off your head?”
He rolled his eyes. “Sometimes the best defense is merely the threat of one.”
“Lame.” I narrowed my eyes at him. “Admit it, you were just being lazy.”
“Yeah,” he said, with a shrug, “I guess I was.”
Taking a step forward, he led me inside, and I was surprised to find a halfway-decent apartment. The walls were dull white, and the windows were still intact. I sniffed the air and took in the bold fragrance of fresh incense. Sandalwood? Overall, it seemed like an okay place.
It wasn’t until I saw the books that I grew concerned.
They were everywhere. Leather-bound with tattered pages. In fact, there were so many that he’d actually used them as furniture. I scoffed silently as I passed by the kitchen, finding a set of chairs built from dictionary-like behemoths. I’d hate to see the toilet.
“Read any good books lately?” I asked.
“A few.” He gestured to the couch in the den, a row of books whose armrests were made of encyclopedias. “Lay her there. I’ll be back.”
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“To change.”
I laid the elf on the couch, peeling back the top of the curtain. Her eyes were closed, and her face was unreadable. She looked so innocent, so defenseless. I couldn’t imagine what she’d been through.
Seeing that she was fast asleep, I took the opportunity to do what I did best: snoop around the place. Dryden was an interesting guy, and I wanted to know more about him. So, as silently as I could, I tiptoed down the hallway and peeked around the corner into his bedroom.
What I saw was astounding.
Dryden was standing in
front of his window … disrobing.
I pulled back behind the corner, my heart leaping in my chest. Okay, you totally shouldn’t be doing this. He’s an associate, for Danu’s sake. And as correct as my conscious was, I completely ignored it altogether—as I usually did—and peeked again.
Dryden was yanking his shirt over his head, and I saw a toned back decorated with sexy tattoos. His skin was tanned and taught, and I suddenly wondered what it would be like to run my fingernails over his shoulders.
But it wasn’t until he turned around that I saw the good stuff.
With rounded shoulders and thick pecs, he had an impressive frame. But it was his hard six-pack, which tapered so deliciously into the neck of his leather pants, that made me gasp.
By Danu’s big toe …
He looked up, and I spun away, taking in a deep breath as I fought to steady myself. Relax. You’ve been around gorgeous guys before. Sure, none of them could shoot fireballs from their hands or helped underprivileged kids, but I’d been around a couple.
Oh, rats, who am I kidding?
This guy was something else.
I tiptoed back into the hallway and tried to regain myself by turning to the curiosities I saw up ahead in his office. They were sitting on a shelf propped up by—what else?—books, and I took a moment to study them closely.
Some I was familiar with, like the skeleton hand with a candle sticking out the back of it. Most, though, I couldn’t even fathom.
But there were other things as well. Things imported from the human world. I found a smartphone lying on his desk, along with a pair of Bluetooth earphones.
As an inquisitor, I’d been barred from doing a number of things in the human world. One of which was watching human television or movies. But I could listen to music.
In fact, I had a smartphone of my own. It was a cheap device that I’d picked up on my first mission into the human world, a brick with a cracked screen and a battery that barely charged. But it was mine, and I’d filled it with all the songs of my favorite band—Nine Inch Nails.
But at the moment, I was more interested in learning what music he liked.