Alcingeria

Chapter Twenty Eight: Enigma

Chapter Twenty Eight Enigma:

Sunday June 27th 1690

"What happened?" I heard Walden shout in a panic.

"I don't know!" Robert cried. "I stepped on a button!"

I heard Walden grunting with effort, however I didn't risk a look.

"I can't squeeze through!" He dismayed. "A fireball wouldn't either. Sorry pal, you're on your own!"

I saw the vampire dart downwards for my neck. The sight sent a jolt of adrenaline through me that gave me extra strength. I frantically swerved my body to the right, narrowly avoiding being bitten. My new position gave me better leverage against the vampire and I struggled against the hold that it had on me. I could feel her slowly backing off involuntarily. It must not have fed recently. It was barely stronger than a human, but had a certain savage, animalistic edge that made it very dangerous. It was desperate for its next meal.

"C'mon, pal! You got this!" Walden called from behind the grate.

"Come on, Redmond! Pretend it's Ignacio!" Robert shouted.

"Show him how to die!" Macalister called.

"If you die, I'll kill you!"

"Smarten up, Don." Robert growled.

I pushed against the vampire's strength. I pushed it off of me little by little. It was hard, but it was happening.

"You aren't getting a bite out of me!"

"You're almost there! Come on!" Don shouted desperately.

"Almost there!" Tabatha urged.

On that last word, I managed to throw the thing off of me. The others erupted into cheers from behind the grate. The vampire rolled backwards and stood up. It wasn't over yet. I considered reaching for my flintlock, but if I missed... I'd be in trouble. I pulled out my dagger instead. For the first time, the monster spoke.

"Your blood is mine!"

She leapt at me. I sidestepped her and whirled around to catch her coming at me again. I used her forward momentum to spin around and fling her off me.

Throughout the whole fight, I saw the others frantically trying to lift the grate, but to no avail.

"Cut her heart out!" Macalister shouted at me.

"Just a little more!" Francella called, starting to panic.

Even though I had my weapon out, it didn't seem to care. It wanted blood, and it was willing to die for it. I briefly wondered if this one was more dangerous than a head on fight with Ignacio.

When it was close enough, I swung and the dagger hit its arm. Blood spilled across the floor, glinting in the light from Walden's fireball. The vampire was only fazed for a second, and that gave me just enough time to dodge the oncoming attack. It came at me again, and I thrusted my dagger into its chest. It made a choked, gurgling sound and clutched my knife by the blade, traying desperately to push it out. With renewed determination, I shoved it in further, twisting it for good measure, then pulling it out and driving it in another dozen times, completely perforating its heart, lungs, and throat.

"Is it dead?" Raymond asked, disgusted from behind the grate.

"Probably not, but I bought us some time. Lets get this grate up, and Walden, burn it when we do."