Secrets In The Bones: The Curse of Blood Bay

Thirty-nine

The guy was stunned and kept checking his hands to see if this was happening. If he was free. I sensed he wasn't sure whether he could trust us, and I didn't blame him. Being used as body disposal would leave a sour taste behind. I chose not to push; we stood in silence, and luckily, Michael had the sense to bring the whiskey.

His grubby hands grabbed it like he hadn't seen a drink before. Then again, chewing down on human bone for however long needed washing away. Unfortunately, the cost had already taken its toll. His hands couldn't stop shaking. The bottle was in the middle or circulating for round two; we all felt it. We shuddered as though somebody was dancing on our graves while our hackles rumbled to attention.

"We got company," I say, sensing what direction. There were no heartbeats, but that 'death stink' was strong, and every so often, there'd be cracking or rustling through the trees and bushes.

"How many?" Michael spun around, looking, but there was no way of telling.

"Vampires, I take it," He and Michael shielded our new friend.

"Yeah, these are far quicker. We need to split up. You two get him to the car. If I'm not there in five, leave." I threw Skip the keys, bracing myself as I felt short bursts of air rush around us.

"No matey, we can't,"

"Go. It's the only way. Besides, I've already taken down a load of these fuckers. What's a few more to the tally?"

Our friend was weak and confused, so Skip and Michael grabbed each side and ran for it. It was surreal to watch how fast we could move; they were gone in a blur while I counted the surrounding movements. At least four, a little more.

"Ya just couldn't let sleeping dogs lay; I knew you weren't done. So I watched and waited until you came here," a voice, much like Amos, whooshed past. Confident as ever.

"Where would be the fun in that?"

"The end is inevitable; why stand in our way?"

"Nothing is certain; how about you cut the theatrics and just face me? You've been dying for your pound of flesh. Or has your boss got your dead nuts in a vise?"

"Who, David? He's another that sees the end soon enough,"

"I was talking about the old bastard that just got free, but now you mentioned it. What's it like being only 3rf or 4th in charge?"

The whooshing stopped; my goading had the reaction I wanted. After all, it's easier to hit a target that isn't moving. That's what I braced to do. Clinging to what he did to me, I expected Amos would be the one to confront me. My ears focused on the tiny wafts of air that circled, counting seconds as they neared, waiting for the right moment to strike.

'Thump,'

My knuckles felt his bony face connect. His jaw flapped as I sent Amos flying against the side of the cave, landing in a battered heap. Vampires may be supernatural, but so was I, and I unloaded another wave of pain that seemed bottomless. I raced forward; my claws crunched into Amos's throat. All I had was revenge on my mind as his mouth hung open, choking. This would've been the moment anyone else would turn red. Not Amos; he stayed mottled, deathly white.

Four other vampires stopped behind us; I gripped tighter before picking Amos up one-handed to shield myself from the attack, using Amos as leverage. I could've ended him right then, but I figured I would at least try for answers. Mindful of being overrun, I ensured his throat wasn't getting away.

They postured and bounced toward us, hissing. I was scared beyond belief, but that had to stop if I were to stand a chance of ending the bloodshed and getting Ellena back alive.