Vampyre: Desire Immortal

Chapter 44

The Healer

There is a fate worse than death.

Lest you forget.

*****

"I knew that one day you would be brought low," he said. "And I thank my lucky stars I'm here to witness it."

"You look well," said Perdix. "You haven't aged."

"And you look like scite," he said.

"I feel like it, too," Perdix said.

"Let me remedy that," Dyryke said, rushing to the old man with lightning speed.

He tackled Perdix to the ground and opened his mouth wide. Glistening white fangs shown sharp and deadly. His eyes were crescents of malevolence. The Ichor was strong and the bloodlust burned fiery hot. Great drops of saliva dropped on the old man's face. A ragged cough tore from his lungs.

"Weak and dying," Dyryke screamed. "I must act fast before the Life Force ebbs from your sputtering heart."

The blood pounded in Perdix's skull. What to do? He must think of something fast.

Perdix felt the vice-like grip of Dyryke's pallid claws. The old man's hand trembled and tried to open the pouch where the magic crystals lay hidden. He fumbled with the knot, spilling the crystals upon the stone floor.

"Ahh," said Dyryke. "The fighter still."

Dyryke laughed again.

"Don't you remember, Perdix? You'd never destroy me. You're a healer not a murderer."

Dyryke swiped across Perdix's face. A jagged nail caught the lid of Perdix's yellow eye. Tears flowed profusely.

Perdix caught the yellow tears in his palm. Dyryke went for the kill. He pulled the high collar of Perdix's tunic down and jumped back.

"I should have known," said Dyryke.

It was only a second's hesitation, but it was all the time Perdix needed. He grabbed the yellow crystal in his palm of tears.

"Perdix," a woman's voice said from Dyryke's lips.

"Fye," Perdix whispered.

"Don't do it," the woman's voice intoned.

Perdix shut his eyes and threw the wet crystal toward the Ichor. It exploded on impact, turning the vampire into a pile of dry, gray dust. The old man gathered the remaining crystals and turned to leave.

He halted at the sound of clapping hands.

"Well done," said the male voice.

"Andolin," breathed Perdix.