Primal Desires

Chapter 11

Rose's POV

It was utter chaos. A group of Strigoi had somehow broken through the protective wards and made their way into court. I didn't know how many innocent people were killed before they were apprehended by guardians and their attack was halted. Dimitri had received the call shortly after the Strigoi were sighted and we both made it into the fray no longer than two minutes later, but it was enough time for them to cause some serious damage. They were fast.

Bodies flew through the air and the sound of grunts, screams and growls filled my ears as people around me risked their lives. Dimitri and I had started by fighting side by side when we joined the conflict, working together efficiently to dispatch the monsters around us. We were a deadly team, knowing exactly what the other wanted and needed as we fought alongside each other. My rapid attacks would distract the Strigoi long enough for Dimitri to lunge forward and stake them, or he would be strong enough to hold them as my stake plunged into their chests. It was as if we were working as one, our souls combined in every aspect of our lives – in love, in intimacy, and in battle.

We were insanely powerful, taking down a vast number of Strigoi within minutes, until two of them attacked simultaneously, effectively separating us as we each fought them. Dimitri was more than capable on his own, however, and I knew that I had no reason for worry to cloud my mind.

With Dimitri fighting in the corner of my eye, I focused on the battle at hand, drawing upon my expert skills to eradicate the beasts around me.

A Strigoi around my age rushed me from the side, knocking in to me harshly. My reactions weren't quick enough to block him and I stumbled, just barely steadying myself in time for his next attack. He lunged at me, baring his teeth and snarling as he reached out, his red eyes filled with ferocity. I ducked quickly out of his reach and swung my arm up, my stake slicing across his pale cheek as I did so. He let out a blood curdling screech at the pain and I used the welcome distraction to land a harsh kick to his knees, causing him to fall to the ground. He tried to stand - he was fast, but not fast enough, as I landed another blow to his stomach and he doubled over, providing me with a clean opportunity to drive my stake into his chest. His crimson eyes glazed over and he collapsed as he took his final breath.

Unfortunately, my victory was short lived as another Strigoi stepped into my path - a woman with chestnut hair and the tell-tale red eyes. Like the man before her, she reached out towards me as she lunged, but this time I managed to swiftly dodge her attack, diving behind her and pushing her to the ground. She was faster than the man, however, and managed to find her feet again, swiftly turning to face me once more. She sprung forward and her hands clawed for my neck but missed it narrowly. I was thankful I had taken the time to throw my hair into a pony tail as Dimitri and I fled the apartment, otherwise she would have been able to grab it and I would be completely at her mercy. I blocked her advances, waiting for an opening to retaliate and switch to the offense but it was proving difficult. She was obviously an older Strigoi and was therefore more powerful, stronger and faster, and she didn't make it easy for me to land any hits on her.

To my luck, just as she reached for my neck once more, another Strigoi crashed into her – stumbling backwards during his own fight – causing her to lose focus. I took my chance and dove forward, my stake barrelling towards her chest and she screamed at the impact before falling limp to the floor.

By this point I was out of breath, my chest heaving heavily as my breaths came out raspy, but there was no time to rest as another Strigoi tried his luck at taking me down. I quickly dispatched him and moved onto the next opponent without hesitation. I had no idea how many there were and they seemed to just keep coming from nowhere – it appeared that there was no end in sight. There seemed to be a horde of them but I had to keep pushing through, taking Strigoi after Strigoi to the ground.