Page 115 of This Blood That Binds Us
The two guards rushed the twins, and I braced myself for their impact, but combined, they worked like a well-oiled machine. They stood back-to-back and fought them off one by one. When one twin dodged, the other one countered with a punch.
Kilian raised his hand, and the fighting ceased. The robed guards stood a few feet away with their hands behind their backs.
Zach wiped his chin. “Who the hell are you?”
“We are Legion. A movement founded a little more than a century after The Family. Our true purpose is to bring balance back to the world by exterminating members of The Family and exposing them for crimes they have caused.”
William’s voice cut the air. “Someone had to hold them accountable for their corruption of the world and the church.”
The twins shared a tentative look.
“How did you find us?” Luke asked, making eye contact with me and Aaron, his jaw set and serious.
“How do you think? Little brother right here. He attacked a girl and sent her to the hospital. We search constantly for places with abnormal activity and places where idiots like you may be stupid enough to feed.” William smiled. “But it was our leading lady who did most of the work for me. She led me right to him, and from there, you can imagine how easy they made it for me.”
Luke puffed out his chest with an eerie sense of calm. “Well, then, you know that Aaron doesn’t know anything and therefore Kimberly, either. So, why don’t you just let them go?”
“They’re not going anywhere.”
William’s voice was cold. His grip tightened on my shirt collar.
“Cut the shit. This is about us. If this is truly some overly righteous cult hell-bent on rallying for justice, then why do you even need hostages?” Zach spat.
William tilted his head. “Justice? There will not be justice until you’re wiped from this Earth.”
“Oh, really?” Zach squared his shoulders. “Why don’t you come over here and do it then? I’ll let you get the first punch.”
“My apologies for William’s behavior. He has more reason to hate members of The Family than most,” Kilian said. “The Family’s actions are often overlooked by many government agencies, so justice often never comes for their victims or their families.”
William’s eyes bore a hole into Zach’s skin. “We have no interest in bartering with you. We have you outnumbered. We can take you right now.”
To my surprise, Luke smiled. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a switchblade. “I thought you might say that.”
He threw the knife into his left hand before plunging the knife into his forearm and pulling it down toward his wrist. Black blood sprayed the floor.
My body felt cold, and a scream curled in my throat, muffled underneath the thick cloth in my mouth.
Aaron’s muffled groans sounded next to me.
Luke chuckled to himself as he passed the knife to Zach, and Zach repeated the same on his arm. A long ribbon of blood dripped to the floor and quickly spread to a puddle that was soaking into the dry wood. The determined smile never left Luke’s face, though his scrunched nose told me he was in pain. “See, I think you’re bluffing. You need us.”
“You didn’t think we’d come unprepared to die did you?” Zach moved his hair, revealing a bite mark.
I connected the dots. Vampires needed to be drained of blood before their skin could be pierced. That’s why the blade would penetrate their skin. Losing blood meant they’d grow weak, just like Aaron.
Luke’s body convulsed. “You want us. Let them go. It’s a fair trade. We die, and everything we know dies with us.”
“Better make your decision quick. We’re bleeding out over here.” Zach squeezed his hand, and more blood fell.
“You’d leave little brother and Kimberly here alone.” William tightened his grip on my collar once more, and I groaned.
Luke turned to Kilian. “You won’t kill them. If you’re who you said you were, then you wouldn’t kill innocent people.”
The scene was surreal. Just hours before, we looked like normal college kids, enjoying our time and swimming in a natural spring. Afterward, we’d stepped into a horror film.
The robed figures stood around the room like statues, most of whom were hidden by the dim light.
“I’ll barter with you.” Kilian looked intrigued. “But you can only choose one. Kimberly or Aaron. The other must stay here.”
