VA- The Wild, Wild West

Chapter 3 Strigoi Attack

I'd like to thank Elfina01 for all her help with this chapter and everything she has done for me! She is a dedicated awesome writer with a big heart! 

Our tightly formed group abruptly halted approximately fifty feet from the coveted safety of the big black SUV's. My sharp experienced eyes immediately swept the vast dark parking lot area to effectively assess our available options. The unforgiving nausea hit me with surprising harshness indicating that we’re dealing with a large well-organized attack. My frayed nerves were on edge; my heart began to beat at an increased rate, dizziness swept over me as I struggled to fully focus on the formidable group of Strigoi surrounding us. Fortunately, no other humans were anywhere in sight. I briefly glanced back behind me to see Lissa, making damn sure that she was well protected. The dhampir mantra that has been drilled, from day one, into my head echoed in my mind once again. ‘She comes first,’ a fierce desire to protect my best friend surged into my chest, my body tensed, ready for the inevitable battle. To me, even if she wasn’t the queen, she is the most important, and I absolutely refuse to let any of these disgusting, vile creatures remotely near her! God, why… why can't we go anywhere without it ending in the inescapable attack! Every time!

Christian’s vivid azure blue eyes lock tensely with mine, we instantly shared a conspiring look, and he knew what I was thinking. A cocky smirk formed on his serious face as he gave me a discrete nod. I wholeheartedly trust him to have my back. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he’ll do anything to protect Liss, including give his own life. Extremely experienced in situations like this, Christian and I have perfected our corresponding fighting techniques. A fierce look of determination masked his face, his eyes were stone cold and I knew that he was ready for whatever comes. He knows how to determine which Strigoi is the biggest threat, to look for the strongest, oldest and fastest ones. Those are the first to torch, with his finely honed skills; he can now light up about five, or so, of them at a time. A small amount of relief filtered through me knowing it's enough to give us equal ground, because currently we are slightly out numbered. Hopefully, the first few will go down fast, but Strigoi are fairly quick to catch on and always seem to go for the Moroi. I’m confident and proud to say that Christian can kick some serious ass, not that I would ever tell him that, I might have to deflate his huge head after. Even in the midst of all the trouble; I could picture popping Christians big balloon floating head with a giant pin.

The funny picture of a ‘giant balloon head’ Christian only lasted mere moments. Peering out at the circling Strigoi, my demeanor became extremely serious in a quick hurry as the Strigoi inched their way closer to our anxious group. A few unanswered questions keep nagging at the back of my alert mind. Do they know who we are, were they watching us? Worry coursed through me for Lissa, if they know they have the queen within their grasps, we may be in for some real trouble.

My mind was racing trying to asses the situation, how vulnerable we are, what things work to our advantage. Automatically, I began to list the pros and cons. We only have St. Vladimir SUV's. They have no Royal markings what so ever. Dhampir’s and Moroi’s alike are dressed extremely casual today; even the guardians that are with us are not in uniform. My own words came floating back to me when I told them to ‘dress in jeans and appropriate clothing for the Rodeo’. To our advantage, the cowboy hats cover our faces slightly, and I must look pretty young holding the little teddy bear Dimitri won for me.

A little bit of excitement built up in me as I realized how they might see us. If I were to look at us from their point of view, I would think we are students. My eyes flashed observantly around to look at our group. We’re all young enough that we could pass, with the exception of a few of the guardians. I would bet that's who they think we are and the school wouldn't let us leave without protection. Hoping beyond hope that this was the case; I quietly whispered to Lissa "keep your head down; they may not know who you are." She gave a slight nod. With the tips of her fingers, she grabbed the rim of the perfect white cowboy hat and tilted it to cover her face a little more. A little smirk grew on my lips as I handed my teddy bear and our cool black and white photo's back to her so my hands were free for the fight.