Page 3 of Betrayed in Blood
“We have unwanted visitors following us,” Erik said. “We had to wait to reach guarded territory before allowing them to get any closer to El Recinto. Normally, I wouldn’t ask our guests to participate, but there are two cars, so this might be more than Ulrik and I can take care of before our chase car arrives. They typically remain a mile behind us.” He opened the door and got out.
Devon followed, and I scurried out of the limo after him. Once Ulrik joined us, we turned to face the two cars that pulled into the dirt lot.
A sundress wasn’t my choice to wear to a fight, but at least the flared skirt wasn’t restrictive. The sandals might be cumbersome, and while not offering much protection for my feet, they fit comfortably enough.
There were four vamps in each car. Eight vamps to our five after the driver shut off the Rolls and stepped in line next to us. I’d seen Ulrik and Erik in action on several occasions, and they had impressive skills. But I had no idea of the opposing vamps’ abilities and breathed a bit easier knowing a backup car wasn’t far behind.
After a few minutes of staring at us, one of the vamps stepped in front of the others. “We can make this easy. We have no wish to anger Aramburu, but we need you to relinquish Trelane and his human whore to us. They have much to answer for back in the States.”
The anger boiled off Devon. I guessed it might have been the whore comment. It irritated me, considering Lorenzo’s plans for me while on his island, but I doubted these vamps would understand. And rather than me having to hold Devon back, he grabbed my wrist, keeping me at his side.
I slowly relaxed my grip on the dagger.
Erik took a step closer to me. “Aramburu will not allow interference with his business meetings. He has no care about House issues in the States. If your Master has business with House Trelane, he can wait until Trelane returns home. Your interference in Spain is neither wanted nor acceptable. I suggest you turn around and return to the airport.”
The other vamp grinned and made a demonstration of counting how many vamps were on each side. “I think you’re outnumbered.”
I’d been so comfortable in the airconditioned Rolls, and though it was a touch cooler at the higher elevation, it was still miserably warm. And I was irritated by Venizi’s gall. The twins might not be certain who sent these vamps, but no one else had a large enough beef with Devon to chase us to Spain. Add in the realization that my first meeting with Aramburu would be in a blood-streaked sundress, my emotions escalated to highly pissed off.
I pulled away from Devon and took a step forward. They want to mess with the human whore, then let’s see if they had game.
“I’ve had enough of this bullshit. You want a piece of Trelane’s whore—come and get me. It’s a hell of a lot better than being Venizi’s mesmerized slut.”
The vamps’ eyes bulged. I gave them my best demonic smile. I doubted it compared to Simone’s fang-filled grin or Sergi’s scary-as-hell leer, but the lead vamp glanced at the others standing next to me.
“What? Scared of a little human female?”
That did it. The vamp launched himself, and I didn’t wait. I ran to meet him. Devon would be pissed, but he’d only be a step behind.
I couldn’t use my favored surfboard maneuver where I leaped, kicked them in the chest, and followed them to the ground, standing on them as I slashed them with my dagger. Not in sandals. But I had other maneuvers to choose from, and as much as this was going to hurt, this vamp was going down.
When he was almost on me, I dropped and rolled, hitting him in the legs and taking him down like a bowling pin. I grimaced at the road rash on my arms and legs as I leaped up. The vamp was shaking his head, coming up on a knee, and I stabbed him in the back of the neck. While he leaned on his knee, I stabbed a kidney, this time twisting the knife. He dropped.
The first ones were always easy. It didn’t matter whether any of them had been told not to mess around with Trelane’s female—they never listened. One mark in my favor. But once they saw me in action, their doubts fled, and the next one wouldn’t be as effortless.
I didn’t waste time after I pulled my dagger, ready for the next one. When Devon yelled, “Duck,” I wasn’t sure he meant me, but I dropped like a stone. I felt a slice along my back as a vamp stumbled by. I leaped into a crouch. The sting on my back confirmed I’d been cut, but it must have only been skin deep because my legs and arms still worked.
The vamp who nicked me ran a few more steps before a sword took his head.
Erik gave me a quick salute before engaging another vamp.
I searched for Devon. He fought two vamps who were covered in blood. Crimson soaked one of Devon’s sleeves. The Oslo twins and the driver were still engaged with a dwindling number of Venizi vamps, so I ran for Devon.
One vamp fell after a dicey stab to his middle before Devon twisted to block the second one who came at him. Rather than get in his way, I went after the first vamp. His wounds were sufficient to keep him immobile. When he saw me coming, he managed to get to his feet, if a bit wobbly.
I didn’t slow down, and this time, I used my jumping roundhouse kick, twisting and leaping to clip his jaw. I landed on my feet and ducked as he swung his sword. The air whistled by. That was close. But I ignored it and came up with my blade, driving it into his chest.
Before I could twist the blade, arms pulled me back, and I struggled until a sword took the vamp’s head.
I glanced up to see Ulrik smiling, his sword and shirt drenched in blood.
“It’s over.” Devon’s words calmed me, and I leaned into him, breathing hard.
Erik strolled over and glared at the head. Then he grinned at me. “Your skills have improved.”
I turned to take in the scene. Bodies and heads were strewn everywhere, and Aramburu’s second car had arrived. Venizi never sent the right number of vamps when he went after his enemy. It wouldn’t take long before he stopped making that mistake.
“Did we lose anyone?” I asked.
