Road Trip with Vampires: one star, would not recommend.

Floating by on a canoe, calmly playing cards

The sun rose, and Tethis took over. Nix, huddled in the nymph's coat and facing away from the sun, glanced at the surface of the water.

'You think we should tempt fate?'

Tethis shook her head wearily. Her arms were staring to tire.

'I do hope-' she rowed a stroke, '-we don't keep going until we reach the North Sea.'

'Shh. Stop talking. You're going to get dehydrated.'

Tethis shut up.

It was midday, and she felt like evaporating. At least she wouldn't have to deal with this anymore. She could tell Nix felt the same. The vampire was lying on her side, curled up, staring into the distance.

'Wait, is that a canoe?'

'Hypocrite,' Tethis muttered.

'No, there's really a canoe. And its heading straight for us.'

Tethis followed her gaze. She blinked once, then twice.

The canoe didn't vanish. In fact, there was now three of them, approaching at an impossible speed.

'Row!'

Tethis looked at Nix. 'What?'

'Just row! I don't want to find out what happens when they get here!'

'Why? It's not like they're vampire law enforcement-'

Nix went a shade paler, if that was possible.

'They're vampire law enforcement.'

Nix nodded.

Tethis started to row. At once, she noted the speed and started panicking. They would not make it.

The surface of the ocean was looking more and more enticing. So was Poseidon's underwater jail cells. She grabbed Nix, ready to jump-

'Psst,' said a voice right next to her ear. She turned and screamed, flailing. The...thing put a finger to where its lips should be. She couldn't see through protective gear, after all.

'Hi,' said the figure. 'So, unfortunately, you're under arrest. You made quite a scene in that harbour town, and-'

'Ilya!' shouted another voice. 'The vampire is here!'

'Oh?' Ilya poked Tethis in the side. 'Oh. Do you reckon-'

'No!'

'Fine. You're no fun.'

The third figure was busy tying their boat to one of the canoes. A click, and Tethis found her hands in two metal rings connected by a chain.

'What are these?' she blurted out.

'Handcuffs, my dear lady.' Ilya climbed back into his canoe. 'You've broken the law, and you're potentially dangerous. Potatoes!' he exclaimed. 'That's the word! I forgot it a few years ago-'

'Concentrate, Ilya.' The second figure, having finished restraining Nix, returned to her canoe. 'And don't even try it,' she threatened, seeing Nix move closer to the edge of the boat. 'I am very tired and pissed off, and I can and will hunt you down.'

Nix went even paler, as if she recognized who that was. Tethis had a good mind to ask her.

The third figure held up two fingers. Ilya tapped the second figure on her shoulder. ' Six hours left. Five hours' ride back to the mainland, if we use top speed.'

The second figure sighed heavily. 'No, Ilya. We have one job, and we're going to-'

Ilya leaned closer. Tethis couldn't see what was on his face, but if she had to guess, she would think it was a threatening smile. 'Esther, you promised.'