Page 57 of Crimson Storm

“That’s what they all say when they’re arrested,” his partner said. “Their victims tell another story. Okay, let’s get a move on. Put her in the back.”

“What about him?” I asked, nearly in a panic now over Shane’s condition—which no one but me seemed to really care about.

The younger officer sneered. “Don’t worry. I’ll call an ambulance from the car. They’ll come scoop up your little vamp-loving ‘friend’ and take him to the hospital. Say your goodbyes now. Where you’re going, you won’t be seeing him for alongtime.”

He yanked me up and started dragging me toward the police cruiser but paused as a large, black tactical unit van pulled up.

“You gotta be kidding me.” The older officer shot a look of disbelief at the border agent. “You called for a SWAT unit? Little bit of overkill calling in the cavalry, don’t you think?”

The agent shook his head in obvious confusion. “I told dispatch there were three of them. I don’t know why they sent SWAT.”

The doors on both sides of the armored vehicle opened, and a swarm of uniformed men poured out.

They were not wearing SWAT uniforms.

Not police or military uniforms either.

They wore the distinctive black leather of the Bloodbound.

28

Soup’s On

The police officers stared at them in bafflement.

“Who are you guys?” the young officer asked. “VSU?”

I’d heard of Vampire Suppression Units being formed in some of the larger cities. They were like SWAT teams for dealing with vampire threats.

Unfortunately for the officers, this particular unit was the exact opposite—and the humans were severely outnumbered.

Before they had a chance to figure that out and even raise a weapon, they were all dead, either beheaded or run through with a wicked Bloodbound sword.

Blood was everywhere now, and the vampire warriors weren’t going to let it go to waste.

“Soup’s on, boys,” one of them called out in a jovial tone.

“Make sure you drain them completely,” another cautioned. “These guys would make crappy vampires.”

I sat and watched the scene in a state of semi-shock, not sure if I should thank them or scream. It had been a while since I’d been around Bloodbound warriors. I’d forgotten how big and intimidating they were.

When a couple of the men moved toward Shane’s helpless, still form, I snapped out of my fugue.

“Stop,” I yelled. “Not him.”

Halting their progress, they looked back at me. “Why not? It’s a waste of good blood to just let it all spill out on the cement.”

“He’s with me. I’m taking him to the Bastion.”

They exchanged amused glances. One of them laughed out loud. “You mean as a snack, right? There’s no Inception Ceremony coming up.”

None of them looked familiar. They must have been new recruits to the Bloodbound ranks. Who knew how many the brotherhood numbered by now?

Was Reece among them? I didn’t see him. Perhaps he ranked too highly at this point to be sent out on routine patrols.

That had to be what this was—there was no way Kelly and Heather had made it to the Bastion quickly enough to send help.

“I’m Abigail Byler,” I said to the guys who were once again moving toward Shane.

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