The Beast Within

Chapter 8

~Eli's Point Of View~

I WATCHED AS the vampire's staff shifted into a sword. He raised the blade to where it was level with Emily's chest. I clenched my fists tightly - almost to the point where the stretched skin around my knuckles ached - and said. "You lay a hand on her and I will send you back to your grave where you belong." As I spoke, I tried to keep my voice calm, tried not to let the fear I felt for the one that I loved creep into my voice.

Jake raised an eyebrow. "Such a strong threat for such a young boy. I will not be laying a hand on her, you see. It will be my weapon that will be the death of her, not my hand."

I got irritated at smartass people in general, but a smartass vampire that was threatening my girl? Oh, was I pissed.

"What is your problem with us anyway?" I growled. I was restraining myself from throwing my knife like a javelin in fear that I may get Emily hurt.

"I told you," Jake said, his voice calm. "You are from the Aiker Clan, so you must die. I will make you watch as this girl suffers and slowly bleeds to death. You will have to watch as the life drains from her eyes as she gasps for the breath that she cannot catch. And then it will be your turn. You will feel the pain that all of your victims have ever felt. Then finally the poor souls will be avenged. And even that is a much nicer fate than what you deserve."

What he said was sickening. Very sickening. To the point of where my stomach twisted into a knot at his words. Mainly because it was partly true. I did deserve pain for the lives that I took over my life as an assassin, but still everyone deserves a second chance, right? Everyone deserves a right to redeem themselves.

"You think we are the villains here," Emily said breaking mt chain of thought. "And yet you want to murder a weaponless woman."

"Don't act so helpless,"the vampire said, not taking his eyes off of Emily. "You have killed countless people, and yet they didn't have weapons. You are a coward. Your whole Clan is."

"That was my past," Emily responded, her voice even. "I regret the things I have done. I am trying to turn over a new leaf. Now, put your sword - er staff - weapon away and let us leave."

"I can not." Jake grinned. "Marcie will disapprove if I do."

"Marcie..." Emily's voice was barely a whisper. There was pain in her tone. "You work for Marcie? The Marcie..." I knew what Emily meant. Marcie wad the vampire mercenary who killed Emily's mother a year her training had begun. She had been out on a mission to the King's palace to assassinate the general, only to be found dead with a puncture wound in her neck.

"Is that pain I hear in your voice," Jake's smirk only grew more smug, if that was even possible. "I thought you cold blooded killers never felt pain. Pain is an emotion and..."

"I don't need a lesson about my Clan from a fucking vampire such as yourself." I looked at Emily. There was hatred in her eyes. She kicked Jake in between the legs. There was a clutter as his sword fell from his hand and hit the floor. Jake collapsed to his knees, giving Emily time to grab the sword and swing. The blade connected with the vampire's side. A screech of pain escaped from his lips. Emily brought the weapon up, pressing the tip of it against Jake's throat.

"Tell me where Marcie is." Emily said.

"Why would you care..." Jake choked out.

"Because," Emily replied. "I have a score to settle."

"Like I would tell you my boss's whereabouts." The vampire hissed. "And what do you mean by score."

"She killed my mother." Emily said. "Now," She pressed the sword harder against his throat. I could see blood trickling down the blade and dripping to the floor. "Tell me."

"Easy Emily." I laid my hand on her shoulder. "Is it really worth it."

"Eli," she said, not removing the weapon away from Jake's throat. "She killed my mother. When I was eight years old. My mother deserves to be avenged."

The tables have truly turned now, I thought. "She will." I promised. "Another way. Leave the man and lets get out of here while he is injured and can not stop us."

A sigh escaped her lips. "Grab the duffle bags and pack everything. I will watch him and make sure he won't stab us in the back."

I nodded, finally sheathing my knife. I took apart the makeshift bed, stuffing it into one of the duffle bags. So much for resting here until Emily regained her strength. Though she seemed to have some new found strength: revenge.

I looked around, making sure everything was packed up. "Okay, babe. I'm ready to go." She just nodded and threw the sword across the room before walking out of the house.

I looked at Jake and said. "If you know what is good for you, you will not follow us." I walked out behind Emily. It was now night outside. The fire where I was smoking the meat had fully gone out. I removed the cured venison and wrapped it gently up in some cloth - one of the blankets, which was the only thing I had to use - and laid it in my duffle bag. Emily took her own and carried it so that I did not have to pack all the weight.

"Where should we go now?" She asked. Her shoulders slumped. Now that we were away from the vampire, the exhaustion seemed to take her back by a storm. She sounded defeated. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her body against mine. "We will find somewhere, babe." I whispered in her ear. "There should be a village around here somewhere."

Emily nodded absently. I kissed her forehead. "Come on, lets go." I said as I took her free hand in mine.