Page 32 of The Sins of Silas

I roared as I swung it forward and felt the pulse of energy I had charged it with release in a long burst of flame.

The man screeched as the burning sword slashed his skin. The sword didn’t impale deep enough, though—he was still alive.

The bastard pushed Silas off with a quick shove, howling as the steel sword was ripped from his chest. His movements were so quick that by the time I was ready to strike again, he dodged, knocking me to the ground and my sword out of my grasp.

Only a second passed before he gripped my wrist—and bit.

I cried out at the pain, then realized just how hungry this Vampire must have been to quite literally give himself a death sentence.

I gripped his neck with my free hand, ready to burn his flesh and end his life, when his red eyes flicked up to mine as he drank my blood.

His eyes were fearful, filling with tears at his impending doom, but he was so lost to bloodlust that he couldn’t stop himself from drinking from me.

I felt it then, the wave of euphoria that came from the pulling of my blood.

My hands trembled on his neck.

Kill him. Kill him.

I stared into his eyes, and I felt pity…why?

“Kill him, Lena!” Silas barked.

The Vampire’s eyes fluttered, and tears rushed down his cheeks.

My Gods…

My half-lidded eyes went to Merrick’s, who studied the blood drinker with shock and sorrow. His eyes met mine, and I knew based on his expression that he could feel the humanity of the man before me.

“When you’re satiated,” I breathed. “You run, understand?”

The man’s eyes flashed beneath the wavy black hair that lay messily on his forehead.

My eyes rolled back at the pleasure, only for a moment. “Nod, or I kill you now,” I mumbled.

He blinked, then nodded, his lips pulling away just to say, “Just a bit more,” he rasped.

Hendry readied his bow, arrow aimed at the Vampire’s head.

“Don’t!” I ordered him.

Hendry was gaping at me as he lowered his weapon.

The Vampire finally tore away, panting and gazing at me with my blood staining his lips.

“What is your name?” he breathed, his red eyes widening.

I felt like I was coming down from a high. “Lena…Lena Daelyra.”

His eyes traveled down my body as if trying to log my appearance into his memory. “You shall always be safe here. The Vampires of Half-Life Pass will remember your kindness, Lena Daelyra,” he said.

As he went to move, I blurted out, “What is yours?”

He paused, giving me a soft smile. “Daris.”

Then he ran, gone in a flash.

My hand trailed to my wound, and a strange feeling of both pleasure and pain came from it.

---