"She must or she will turn and it will be too late." Adeem’s voice and anger rose in those black beady little eyes of his.
Ty grabbed the man by the shoulder shaking him. "By Al Kinide Clan, she will be ours."
Adeem seemed satisfied with Ty’s last statement and left the room. Ty moved towards me, eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
I scooted up against the headboard. "Oh no, you don’t, big boy, stay where you are," I squeaked.
He ignored me, strolling closer. He stopped right over me. "Don’t what?" He grinned.
He actually had a great smile. He didn’t look so menacing, and it only made him more handsome. Then the flashback of Siön Baptiste’s hand in mine being ripped from me as he scooped me into his arms seared my memory. Rage and hatred inundated me and I felt something inside my body that had never been there before, power.
He cocked his head to one side, his long hair flowing over his shoulder and laughed. "You aren’t going to make this easy, are you?"
My head cleared as I stared into his ice blue eyes. "Make what easier? What do you want with me?" I blurted out, face flushed with the hate boiling under my skin.
He sat beside me on the bed, his long legs draped over the side, leaning against the cherry headboard. He folded his hands in his lap, staring intently. "Well, were should I start." He sighed. "The vampires are trying to create a master race as you already know, I am sure. My clan as well as several others fear the vampires will destroy us if you should aid them in their quest. My goal tonight is to infect you with lycanthrope to counter the vampire blood coursing through your veins. If it works, you will be connected to us. If it doesn’t, you will die by either my clan or another, your choice."
He was brutally honest, I had to give him that. "I won’t allow it." I smirked, as the blood and power rushed through me. His pulse beat temptingly in my ear causing me to wonder how it would feel in my mouth. His aura was as fresh as his eyes, washing over me like a cool drink of water. I could sense his power and he, unlike Adeem, had fire and ice beneath his aura.
He clenched my wrist. "We can do this the hard way or easy way." He paused. "I really don’t want to do this to you, Samantha. I have no choice." He shrugged his shoulders and released me.
I shook my head. "You always have a choice. If you choose to do this, I will kill you and your entire clan. I promise you that much." I snickered, my laughter not of joy but sheer insanity as I contemplated the last few days.
"Well, are you going to relax and make this easy on both of us?" he asked.
"Do I have a choice?" I sneered, feeling a rush of power flow over my body, causing me to sway. "What was that?" I asked.
He smiled, those eyes flashing widely. "It’s just a hint of my power, something I can offer you."
I felt a second wave this time, pushing me into the bed, stroking my body. A hot rush of wind brushed my skin. I shuddered at the coolness, wrapping my power within his. A grunt escaped my mouth as his power plummeted inside me. My body lifted in response as he sat perfectly still.
"I knew the moment I first saw you in New Orleans you were the one for me, but the damn vampire got to you first."
‘That was you that night standing across the street. It was you." The reality of these two creatures fighting over who would own me was too much to handle. Just how long had they been watching me? Was Siön Baptiste in on the whole charade?
His eyes were suddenly dark globes as he bent down towards me. "This can be pleasurable or painful, it is your decision."
He hovered over me as I stared helplessly in awe. He whispered again but my heart was beating too loudly for me to understand. My arms and legs wiggled in pleasure as a second wave of spine tingling energy hit me. Reaching out to stop him, my hand met his arm and the power shot inside me, electric surging between my legs. My hand was stuck to his skin as I thrashed in ecstasy. I felt my own power pushing against his. I tested the wave of heat, merging his rift with mine. Tugging on his power, I experimented the extent of my strength. I thrust his energy back from me and he flew through the air, hitting the wall across from the bed. When my eyes cleared, I could see waves of light flowing through the room. Both of our powers merged again, searching the air for weakness. Sensing his anger as he stood, I laughed, facing him unafraid. He was not going to touch me again.
I was thankful I had clothes on, as the sudden blush crept over me as the thought of him seeing me naked entered my mind. I tucked my t-shirt into my jeans. "I am a slave to no one," I hissed, catching sight of the door from my peripheral vision, backing slowly away from Ty.
He let out a hideous laugh, half-human, and half monster. "I will give you one more chance. Pleasure or pain?" Pausing, he tilted his head, waiting patiently for my reply. "What will it be?" he growled. Taking a step towards me, he removed his shirt. His chest was smooth and tan. His muscles were moving in places I could only sense. He was magnificent, a flawless male specimen. Turning around he placed his back to me, chuckling. "I will give you a head start, Samantha Houston," he rumbled.
I watched him as he removed his jeans, revealing a smooth tight ass that would make any woman flush. I stood motionless as his power pricked at my skin. I had this overwhelming desire to run to him so I could feel his naked body against mine, but I froze in time unable to move or breathe.
Only his voice woke me out of my trance. "You only have ten minutes. I cannot guarantee your safety once the sun has set." He shrugged his shoulders as he continued to keep his back to me.
I backed up repeatedly until I hit the door. I watched his body and something shook me internally. His skin began to pulsate, vibrating and bubbling, he fell to the ground screaming as it extended. I took a step closer then stopped, as the horror unfolded before me. His bones and muscles popped and bent, stabbing the air around us. He howled as his legs bowed and unfolded. Claws formed where hands and feet had been. A thick gel seeped from his skin as he slithered across the floor. His head flew back and what once had been a handsome face was now a distorted bloody monster. I screamed as he howled. He turned to face me, one eye blue and the other a black slit, glowing with an inhuman animal shine. His jaw cracked, wiggling free from his skull, elongating into a huge monstrous snout. In place of teeth, there were now fangs, dripping with blood and slime. The smell made me gag and the power overwhelmed me, causing me to gasp for air.
He laughed and growled all in one breath as a demonic voice streamed from his once handsome face. "Run, Samantha… RUN!" he howled, falling on the floor, his body, only 6’4", was now well over 8 feet tall. His eyes turned an amber color as his ears lengthened, pointing back against his head. Fur slowly pierced through his skin and the demonic voice screamed again. "RUN" he gurgled.
I stared in unbelief at the creature before me. Its full eight foot frame hovering over the room. The werewolf turned to look at me, sniffing the air with its unnatural snout. Lips peeled back, revealing a line of sharp needle like teeth. It growled, snarling as it slowly stalked towards me. Every step crashed as the heavy beast moved. Its arms were longer than most men’s as it swung a table, smashing it across the room. The beast crouched, ready to attack and I ran, opening the door, never looking back. The door slammed behind me as I took off, running down the darkened corridor. I ran into furniture, banging into the wall but still I ran. I heard another howl from behind me. A light at the end of the corridor guided me. It was a small window. I was surprised how clearly I was thinking. The fear coursed through my veins, sending a power, my power, pulsating through me. I remember thinking the window seemed small enough to keep the monster behind me contained as I sprinted towards my target. I flew through the air as I ran with unearthly speed, diving, smashing through the panes. Could I fly? My question was answered when my stomach churned and I began to fall. I wasn’t flying, I was falling. How high was that window? The earth rapidly came into view as I twisted my body, tumbling along my back, landing on my feet. No human moves this fast. Was I really a vampire?
I heard a cry fr
om the window above me. "Get up, Sam," I whispered to myself.
I stood frozen, praying for my body to work. Don’t let this be the end, not now, not to that monster. I got up running as the unearthly sound above pushed me on. "Run," a voice in my head screamed. I ran like never before, everything blurred but a small tunnel of light before me. I heard a boom behind me, only turning enough to see the beast soundly landing in the yard. I saw the werewolf in my mind sniff the air, its snout lifting to the sky. With a long howl it lowered its head cocking it to the side as if it sensed me and then ran after me. The tunnel before me shone brightly as if the sun lit my path. I could sense the cool night air and the nocturnal creatures fleeing from the monster hunting me. I tripped over a root, falling and hitting my head on a tree. My head settled into the grass while my ears rested on the ground.
A galloping noise vibrated through the grass. "Thump… Thump… Thump… Thump…" Faster and faster, it came towards me. The noise thumped as loud as my heart thundering in my ears. I knew it was the werewolf. I saw it sprint with inhuman speed, headed directly for me.
The thumping slowed as it saw its quarry lying in front of a tree. The werewolf slowly crept towards its meal. Get up Sam and run or you’re dog food. I rose, wiping the blood from my eyes. It sniffed the air, smelling the fresh blood, allowing it to follow the scent of its prey. I ran through a stream, the moonlight sparkling on the water and rocks. A loud splash further down the stream followed mine as the monster continued its hunt. It was going to try to outrun me, cutting me off. My power cleared my head and calmed my beating heart. I rounded a tree and ran back towards the beast, retracing my steps hoping to divert it off my scent. I jumped as the creature screamed nearer than before. A light ahead guided me as I ran full force hoping to find shelter. The light flashed closer as my speed increased. I leaped over a creek, over logs and under brush, moving like the wind.
Halting before running into a clearing, I crawled low to the ground. I watched carefully for the creature. I heard another scream from behind me and I ran into the opening. The moon illuminated a farm with a fence and horses grazing in a field. Following along side the fence, I ran for my life. A startled horse bolted, running beside me as if it sensed the werewolf pursuing me. My feet barely touched the ground as I cut past the horse, speeding down the path through the field. I flew over the fence in one clean move, landing without losing stride.
Siön Baptiste’s blood pulsed through me, spurring my speed. I no longer feared the power within. I welcomed it with open arms, embracing my past and future. I was free, my soul soaring above as I sprinted in the dark. I lost time, seeing a man badly beaten, slumped in a room. He was chained, bloodied and beyond recognition. I felt him calling me, pushing me to survive. "Siön Baptiste!" I screamed as the hatred for the creature behind fueled my power.
I ran faster, turning down a trail, heading for the glow of an inviting home ahead. The fence, horse, trees and sky blurred. I could see an old man sitting down for supper. I sniffed the air, smelling the meat he now ate. My only thought was to survive to save Siön Baptiste.
Chapter 21
The farmhouse slowed my run as I crashed into the door. Screaming, I begged, "Let me in. Help me!" I turned, peering around the spacious field and yard, no creature to be found. I sensed he was coming closer. The door opened slowly and an older man smiled kindly at me. I watched the yard nervously, waiting for the werewolf to jump us both but he held back. Why?
"May I help you?" the old man whispered.
"I need shelter, something is chasing me."
He looked behind me, his face full of concern. "Come in quickly." He ushered me in, standing back against the wall, watching the yard. I quickly stepped into the house as he slammed the door shut and locked it, lowering a wooden beam across it. "Strange things happen in these woods at night. Why are you out here all alone?" he asked.
I shrugged. "Would you believe sight seeing?"
He laughed. "No, but your business is your own." He walked ahead of me down a hallway. Animal heads hung from the wall the entire length of the dark hall. He was a hunter so he had to have guns.
He waved me to follow him and we both walked into a spacious kitchen. He sat down at an old pine table, gesturing for me to join him. "Here, have some dinner." The kitchen was decorated with solid pine cabinets. I was surprised at how modern it was for a farmhouse. It was both spacious and clean.
"I’m not hungry. Do you have a gun?" I asked.
"I’m a hunter. Of course, I have guns." He paused, looking at me. "Why do you need a gun? Just what is hunting you, my dear?" He abruptly became very serious. "Did you lead them here?" he accused.
I didn’t like the way he was looking at me. "What?" I asked, but knew the answer.
He stood, throwing his chair against the wall. He walked over to a large pantry and entered. He came out carrying several guns. He threw them on the table. "Do you know how to handle a weapon, girl?" He cursed under his breath. "I heard the screams and howls. I should have known." He walked back into the pantry. I stood, watching him as he returned with boxes of ammo and more weapons. "Dammit!" he shouted. "You should have kept running." He threw open the ammo and loaded his shotgun. He tossed me two guns. I caught them with ease, twirling them in circles.
His gray eyebrow rose. "Good, you can fight. We might die tonight but we’ll die fighting. Take as many down with you as possible." He laughed, pointing to the guns I now held. "They are damn nice guns. I had them made special since the wolves came to town." He sighed. "They killed my wife and daughter and the law did nothing." He pulled the chair up, sitting quietly. He continued to load the weapons as he spoke. "Damn wolves killed my whole family, even my dog." He paused. "Why are they after you?"
I strolled over to the table, sitting down. I felt no emotion, no pity, just hatred for the beast that stalked the farmhouse, moving slowly towards us as we spoke. I could sense the fear the beast had for the man. The old man looked at me and I at him as we both heard the monster scream. It was calling for back up.
I positioned the guns on the table. "They want me dead because I am a vampire." I heard my voice but was shocked at the words. I was a vampire, I knew it and felt the power and liked it. I ran my tongue over my lengthened canines. They were sharp as razors.
The man appeared stunned but pleased. "I don’t know what you are, dear, but if it means you can kill the wolves then that is enough for me." He opened one of the boxes he brought from his closet and dragged out two leg straps. They held cartridges. "The guns I gave you are twin Modified Berettas converted to full auto with a drop-in unit. Each set of drop-in cartridges are filled with silver bullets." He smiled. "You can mow down a herd of cattle with those guns." His hand lifted, waving the guns his way. I slid them along the table and he took them both. He swiftly detached the cartridge and reloaded. "Quick easy reload will help you. There are four cartridges in each leg strap. Strap them on over your jeans so you can access them quickly."
I watched the old man from across the table. He was weary and tired but the fire behind his eyes told me he would be a help in this battle. I could feel more monsters coming towards us and knew we didn’t have much time. I would take out as many as I could before I died. "I am sorry I got you involved, old man."
He shrugged his shoulders. "I’ve been waiting a long time for a little pay back. Now is as good a time as any." He paused, letting out a deep breath. "My name is Carl." He put out his hand.
I got up out of my chair and walked over to him, offering my hand. "You have a firm handshake, Carl, and my name is Samantha." We both smiled. He motioned to the leg straps and I placed them over my jeans. I secured one on my right leg and the other on my left. They felt odd at first but I reached down to grab a cartridge and it slipped out effortlessly. Easy reach, easy kill. He handed me the guns and I strapped them into the waist of my jeans.
He finished loading a shotgun and took my hands in his. "Let’s kick some butt, Samantha." He smiled and the wrinkles on his face
softened. He was a handsome older man in his sixties but took good care of himself. Tanned skin and a muscular build told me he worked hard on his farm. He would fight well against these monsters.
Something caught my eye over Carl’s back. There was a bay window directly behind the man. Squeezing his hand gently, I reached for my gun. Placing my hands gradually over my guns while I watched the glowing eyes moving in the darkness. They felt natural in my hands. Light and loaded, what more could a girl ask for. I drew them from my jeans holding them at my sides. The creature backed up and disappeared into the darkness.
Looking at the man, I whispered. "We need to get upstairs." As I reached for him, the glass shattered and the creature outside crashed and rolled into the kitchen. Glass flew over the floor hitting the man. I was shooting before the werewolf could move. It was smaller than Ty and I knew it wouldn’t be the last. Carl and I ran like the wind as I yanked him out of the kitchen. He motioned to a door and we sprinted into his living room, ascending steps that entered his second floor. The lights suddenly went off.
"Smart bastards aren’t they?" I whispered.
The man spoke quietly. "I have never seen anyone move that fast."
Ignoring the old man, I peered into the dark hallway, searching for any sign of danger. My sight was perfect in the dark. "Do you have an attic?" I asked. We heard a crash in the living room and another werewolf entered the house.
"Up to the third floor," he said.
A howl came from below and I could sense the creature creeping towards us. We reached the third floor entrance and Carl quickly opened it.
"Up here." He pushed me and shut the door behind us. Fumbling along the wall, he found a wood plank, shoving it into a slot across the door. I saw a second and third plank. Seizing them, I inserted them both in the remaining slots. We heard the creature coming up the steps. I felt the power within me begging to pour freely from my body. It flowed under the door and smacked into the creature, sending it plummeting down the stairs, screaming and clawing at the energy that hit it.
The Silver Fang Page 17