Wolf's Den
Page 14
Raif recoiled from my killing blow. It gave me time to unlatch my ankles and legs from their prison of chains. Once I was up, I staggered a little as the scabs on my back were stretched. Some broke open again, while others just tugged at the little remaining healthy skin.
I could feel new blood dripping down to my ass, and it didn't stop me. I had to press my advantage. Ian was keeping his maker busy, although I didn't think conclave members were allowed to get involved, it was beyond that now.
Raif was on his knees in the middle of the stage. I was a little shocked to find that none of his kiss tried to stop me, but I did not dwell on the fact. I was close enough to Raif to kick him, and I did, knocking him backwards to sprawl on his back. I saw a floorboard in the stage splintered. What better way to kill a rogue vampire then to stake him with a wood?
I grabbed it and felt splinters slide into my hand. I ignored the added annoyance. Straddling his waist, he struggled in vain as I shoved the stake home.
"Why?” It was the last word he uttered and it was directed at me. It could have meant many things but I took it as why did you kill me?
"Because you ruined my life, because you were a monster, because it is what I do; Reap vampires.” I spat, as I lunged to the side of him.
Ian and his master had stopped fighting. This battle of territories was over, now all that was left was to free Ian's Kiss, and kill any of Raif's that wanted to try to stop me.
"Quick Sikaoki, we must save my kiss, they are being slaughtered."
I heard Ian beg me to help him from his back; he was already sprinting towards the lair under Wolf's Den, their daytime retreat from people like me.
Chasing after him at a slower pace than I had become accustomed to, I saw a discarded T-shirt lying on the ground. I scooped it up and threw it on. I wondered if after all this I was about to be killed by some unknown monster, or monsters.
By the time I reached the office, the smell from the opened door had permeated the room. I smiled to hold back my gag reflex. I picked up the gun I had earlier shot Raif with and followed Ian into the near blackness. I stopped cold.
I couldn't see a thing. I had become used to the advantages of being bonded and I was at a loss for what to do next.
I reached out with my mind to Ian. He met me with a reassurance that whatever had been slaughtering his vampires was gone. I foraged further underground and saw a lamp flickering just up ahead and around the corner.
My bare feet had been sliding on wet, mushy substances. I did not want to guess at what they were. The smell was quickly fading. When I reached the corner and rounded it, I ran smack into Ian who was facing off with his maker.
"Well Ian, until we meet again. You have done well in this town. I am interested in your Reaper, but you have won the day. Quite amazing that she defeated Raif. My pet and I are leaving. Your territory is safe for the time being."
I blinked and he was gone. Ian was standing there, looking defeated. I could only imagine what his maker's pet was.
I walked up to Ian and placed my arm on his back. When he turned to me, I saw all of his cuts and bruises healed, all but one, the slash across the eye. Raif had given him that and it did not seem to be going away. As he closed the distance between us and took me in his arms, I cried out in pain, passing out from the loss of blood from my tattered back.
EPILOGUE
I spent three weeks in recovery from the whipping I had received from Raif.
I was no longer bound to Ian in any type of metaphysical way, however; we had come to some terms of agreement.
I was once again just Ariana Reynolds, bartender and reaper of vampire kind, dating Ian owner of Wolf's Den and leader of the local kiss.
Almost half of Ian's kiss had been killed by his maker's pet, and he was on the lookout for new vampires.
We never heard anything about, or found Lieutenant Pete Jones. That concerned me a little bit, but not overly so. He was a baby vampire. How much damage could he actually do?
I ended up getting huge amounts of money from the government for the bounties on all the vampires I had killed and I felt it only fair to share some with Ian, he had helped me after all.
As for Nathan, I knew he was still around, but I hadn't heard what his betrayal was. But if I know Ian, he will get it out of him soon enough.
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"Goddamn it Ariana, it is Friday night, it is packed in here. You can't just leave in the middle of your shift.” Ian roared at me as he stood up and advanced on me.
"Watch me you motherfucker, and don't tell me what to do.” I shot back as I took a pull off the bottle of scotch in my hand, “Want to tell me anything about this vamp I am going after?"
"I don't understand why you insist on continuing with this crazy job Sikaoki. And you know I can't tell you anything."
"Listen this bartending is just a side job, break up the monotony of blood and guts, besides you like having me here don't ya?"
"I am not about to feed you ego again, it isn't that fun for me.” Ian replied looking grumpy. I walked towards him, and smoothed the frown on his face with my fingertips. I jumped into his arms, and planted a sloppy wet kiss on his lips.
"Wish me luck Ian.” And with that I ducked out of his arms and walked out to the parking lot. Starting up my Humvee; I checked to ensure I had all my hardware. I threw the truck in gear and sped towards Espanola to hunt down a rogue vampire.
About the Author
JR Mitchell was born in Montana. From there she moved to Washington state and then on to New Mexico where she now resides with her husband and two small children.
JR has been writing since she was a small child and has finally realized her dreams of becoming published. She works a full time job as a banquet manager, but is still going strong with her writing, making sure she sets aside time from all her other duties as a working mom to jot down ideas as they come to her.
Her fist book Wolf's Den is slotted for release May 2007. She also is expecting her book Blood Love after Midnight to be released in Oct. 2007. JR has many other large products she is currently working on, including the sequels to both of these books, as well as many short stories.
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