Lycan Blood (Alex Vane: Demon Stalker #1)

Execution

I was startled, when Scott let out a groan. I hadn’t expected him to wake up for a while yet. After all I’d hit him pretty hard, even if there hadn’t been any blood drawn. I’d only just had time to restrain him against the tree using the rope I’d hidden in the forest earlier. I could only pray it would be strong enough. My arms ached from dragging him though it hadn’t been that far really. Just far enough to make sure no unwitting party guests would stumble across us.

The rope wasn’t the only thing I’d hidden there. I held onto the dagger tightly, wishing I’d had more time. It would be much harder to cut out his heart while he was awake and struggling. The rope should hold him still but his consciousness still provided another problem-his eyes. His eyes looked human enough, and while I knew there was a demon lurking behind them it wouldn’t really make it any easier to watch the light inside them die.

“Hurgh.” Another groan, louder this time. I stepped back in preparation, palms sweating slightly. What if the rope didn’t work? I should have just killed him back there, not wasted time dragging him around first. Then again, what if Luke Jenkins had spotted me? No, I was right to move him out of the way.

I hoped.

“Morning sunshine.” I muttered dryly, watching his eyelids flicker open. It seemed to take him a while to figure out his surroundings. I watched his gaze dart first round the forest, then down to the rope holding him. Finally it settled on me.

“You bitch,” He laughed bitterly, leaning back against the tree, “You conniving bitch. You knew I was going to come after you.”

“I had my suspicions.” I shrugged, wondering how long I should let him talk for. The longer I listened to him, the harder it would be to kill him. Then again, how often did I get the chance to interrogate a demon, much less a werewolf? He might let something useful slip.

I guess in my heart I knew that wasn't the real reason I was content to let him talk. In reality I needed a few minutes to prepare myself. Cutting out someone's heart was a brutal act, even to someone like me. The dagger was like lead in my hand.

“You know, that was actually pretty smart. I thought you were just being arrogant what with that whole stunt with Luke. I should have known better than to underestimate you eh?”

“I wouldn’t feel bad. Smarter creatures have done the same.” I relaxed a little though naturally I still kept my guard up. Still, it didn’t seem like he was about to attack me. Actually he seemed…defeated. I frowned. Defeat was not an emotion demons accepted easily.

No time to consider that though. It probably was best to kill him now. This was somewhat worse than if he’d been in a fighting mood. It was much easier to kill when your enemy was goading you or trying to kill you back. I lifted up my dagger, quickly taking a step forward. His eyes widened.

“Woah, wait a second! Where did you get that from?” His question baffled me but I decided to humour him. After all, these were his last moments and all.

“I hid it here, same as I did with the rope. Is that all?”

“But why?” I frowned, suspicious now. Was this part of some ploy? I couldn’t see how it could be, but then there was no other reason for him to ask questions.

“To kill you? And I’d really like to do it quickly if that’s okay with you. I kind of have this party I’m supposed to be at,” I stepped forward again, only stopping when I saw his look of confusion. This was going to be a long night, “What?”

“Nothing. It’s just…I didn’t expect you to use a dagger, that’s all.”

“Well, what did you think I was going to use?”