Turning Tables

Chapter 16

Dimitri

Mia was drowning another Strigoi as Mikhail quickly staked him. I saw Sonya standing by the foot of the stairs, with her hands stretched out. She seemed to be grabbing something, but I had no idea what, until she clenched her hands and I heard the Strigoi that was still against the wall- hanging a few inches off the ground by seemingly nothing- that I understood that Sonya was holding him with Spirit.

I got up and focused on the remaining Strigoi so Mikhail and Mia could help Rose. I groaned through the pain. My fight with the earlier Strigoi had left me with a bruised kidney for sure, a broken patella and a possible concussion. But I ignored the pain and I was as quick as ever to fight the Strigoi. Being one on one with a Strigoi was so much easier, knowing I had other people watching my back, meant I could focus solely on the Strigoi in front of me. His grin fell away knowing he was facing me alone. I didn't know if this Strigoi knew who I was or had just seen what I could do but he certainly wasn't as cocky anymore.

I dodged his latest strike, seeing it come a mile away, I bent down and slipped underneath his defense as I rammed my stake upwards into his chest. He fell down and I was just in time to retrieve my stake from his chest before he hit the ground.

Then I moved towards the Strigoi Sonya was still holding against the wall. I could tell it was a strain on her, so I made the kill quickly and cleanly. She had positioned the Strigoi perfectly. His chest was wide open and she had even adjusted the body so his height was in perfect striking position for me.

Once Sonya realized the Strigoi had stopped struggling she let go of her magic and the Strigoi fell down to the floor like a sack of potatoes. It was almost comical if it hadn't been so bloody.

My Strigoi all taken care of, I checked to see how Rose was doing. Mikhail and Mia were standing on the side just watching Rose. I didn't understand why they weren't helping her until I watched her too. She had one Strigoi by the neck, she had climbed on his back, her legs around his waist and her hands on the side of his face.

"Get her off, get her off!" The one she was taking a piggy back ride from was screaming. He actually seemed afraid. It wasn't until Rose gave a good jank and his head came off did I understand why.

Rose jumped off of the Strigoi as his body plummeted to the floor, his head a few feet away. I noticed the other bloody corpse on the ground now. She had staked him, but she hadn't been satisfied with one thrust. His chest cavity was wide open, his eyes staring blankly at the ceiling. It reminded me of the first time I encountered a Strigoi after I was restored. I had been in such a rage I hadn't known when to stop.

And that is what was happening to Rose now. Rose had jumped off of the Strigoi body and landed in a crouch, almost like an animal. No- exactly like an animal. She looked around the room, looking for her next prey.

Mikhail and Mia weren't getting anywhere near her and I think that was wise. Mia had seen something similar in Rose when she had killed the two Strigoi in Spokane, but Mikhail had yet to witness Rose like this.

I had seen her like this once before too. After Jesse. I looked towards Sonya in a silent question and she nodded. Rose was taken over by darkness. I had to stop her, but how? Also she was taking down Strigoi left and right, I might want to wait before stopping her.

To our calculations there should be one or two more beside the last Strigoi that Rose was engaging, and decimating at the moment. I took control of the situation and instructed Mikhail and Mia to check the rooms upstairs. Sonya stayed behind with me and Rose.

I turned around slightly to ask Sonya what we should do when the last Strigoi had come out of a back room. and he wasn't alone. The last thermal heat signature had been a feeding victim, although victim wasn't really the word I would use here.