Page 13 of Vampire Bite

We’d almost cleared the place out when I heard a low growl outside the door, faint but close enough to freeze us in place. One of the guards, delayed by the call to go outside, had looped back around. I held up my hand, signaling for absolute silence, feeling the tension rise in everyone.

The guard’s footsteps hovered just outside. But then, as quickly as it had come, the sound disappeared, footsteps echoing down the corridor as the guard was called away again.

Callum stepped up beside me, his eyes sharp with urgency. “Now’s our chance to release the prisoners,” he said, glancing back toward the compound. “They’re distracted. This might be the only shot we get.”

I glanced at the weapons we’d secured, then at the others, weighing the options fast. There was no way we could carry everything and get to the prisoners at the same time.

“Right,” I said, coming to a quick decision. “Callum, you and the others take the weapons and get out of here. Get them back to the base.” I looked at Annika, who was already watchingme, as if she knew exactly what I was going to say next. “Annika and I will go for the prisoners.”

She didn’t hesitate, didn’t question it, just gave a quick nod. Her willingness to throw herself into the thick of it, to dive headfirst into danger—that was something I admired. More than that, it drew me to her in ways I hadn’t expected.

Callum’s brow furrowed. “Are you sure? It’s going to be rough getting through to them with just the two of you.”

“Yeah,” I replied, gripping his shoulder. “We’re sure. You get those weapons back safely. We’ll handle the rest.”

He nodded reluctantly, casting one last look over his shoulder as he and the others gathered the stash and moved out, disappearing back into the shadows. I felt a pang of worry for them, but I knew they could handle themselves. They had to. Right now, my focus had to be here, with Annika, and with what lay ahead.

“Ready?” I asked, turning to Annika. Her face was set, determined, that fierce glint in her eyes I’d come to rely on.

“Always,” she replied, her voice steady, quiet but resolved. We exchanged a quick look, and then, without another word, we moved deeper into the compound, leaving the safety of escape behind.

There were people trapped here, humans and vampires alike, people who’d been enslaved, imprisoned for who knew how long. And I’d be damned if I was going to leave them behind now.

We slipped through the shadows, moving deeper into the compound where the prisoners were held. I could feel Annika close behind me, her footsteps quiet but purposeful. Everything in me was on edge, instincts firing as we navigated the narrow, dim corridors, hoping the distraction would last just long enough.

As we rounded a corner, I spotted the first cell, the iron bars rusted but solid, the faces of captives barely visible in the dim light. Humans and vampires alike, their eyes dull, skin pale and thin from lack of sunlight. I felt a jolt of anger rise, a burning need to get them out of this hellhole.

“Here,” I whispered to Annika, pointing to the lock.

I started on the next cell, wrenching at the weak metal latch until it gave with a strained groan. Behind me, I could hear her working, but then there was a sharp, unexpected clang. I whipped around.

Annika was staring down at the lock she'd just dropped, a horrified look on her face. The sound echoed down the hall, sharp as a gunshot in the silence.

“Damn it, Annika!” I hissed, feeling a surge of frustration. She looked up, guilt clear in her eyes, but there was no time to dwell on it. Footsteps sounded at the end of the corridor, coming closer.

“Stay low,” I whispered, grabbing her hand and pulling her to the side, pressing us both into the shadows as the guards passed by. I held my breath, feeling her tense beside me. For a few heart-pounding moments, I was sure we’d be found, but the guards moved on, the sound of their footsteps fading.

Once they were gone, I released her hand, moving quickly back to the cells. No time for mistakes now. We got a few of the locks open, and I motioned for the prisoners to follow us, keeping our steps light, our movements quick. Annika met my eyes, a hint of regret in her gaze, but I gave her a small nod. Whatever happened, we’d made it through, and I needed her focused.

We were so close—nearly at the exit, prisoners moving quietly behind us—when I heard footsteps coming back down the corridor. I glanced over my shoulder and cursed under my breath. Three guards, closing in, and they’d noticed the openlocks. They exchanged quick glances, and one of them barked something in their guttural language before they all broke into a sprint toward us.

“Stay here,” I whispered to Annika, stepping forward. But she shook her head, and I knew there was no stopping her. She’d been through too much already to stand by and watch.

I moved fast, slamming into the first guard and taking him down in one swift motion. He barely had time to react before my fist met his jaw, hard and fast, knocking him back against the wall. He slid down, unconscious, but the other two were already on us. I felt the second guard’s arm grab my shoulder, yanking me around, but I twisted free and sent him sprawling with a sharp kick.

As I went for the last one, I caught a glimpse of Annika. She’d taken a stance, focused and ready, meeting the guard's attack head-on. She ducked his swing, then brought her elbow up hard against his temple. It was a fierce, precise strike that left him staggered. With a low, determined breath, she struck again, this time sending him to the ground.

For a second, I almost smiled, impressed. But there wasn’t time for that. We had to get the prisoners out.

“Let’s go!” I called to her, grabbing one of the prisoners and helping them to their feet. We pushed forward, racing down the hall and through the compound’s outer gates, slipping back into the cool night air. The shadows swallowed us up as we made our escape, the group moving quickly, desperate to be free of that place.

When we finally reached a safer distance, I stopped, taking a breath, and looked over at Annika. She was winded but steady, the fierceness still lingering in her eyes. I nodded to her, gratitude and admiration clear in my gaze.

We moved through the darkness in silence, the prisoners following close behind. Their eyes were wide and haunted asthey stumbled over uneven ground. Annika stayed at my side, steady and fierce, and the determination in her gaze matched my own. Despite everything we’d just been through, I could feel the energy in her—raw and relentless.

When we reached the meeting point, Callum and the rest of our group were waiting. Relief flashed across his face as he took in our ragtag crew. I turned in the same direction to see the rescued prisoners huddling together in a stunned silence. He shot me a quick nod, with his eyes flicking between me and Annika with a hint of approval.

“Nice work,” he murmured. “Thought for a second we might have lost you back there.”

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