Page 11 of Blood Illusions

Damon flashed me a warning look, and my cheeks heated.

“Because I’m with the Paranormal Mercenary Corps,” Justice explained, his voice tinged with a hint of desperation as if seeking our trust. “I’m here to help.”

Damon narrowed his eyes and shook Justice. “Where’s my dad?”

“He’s someplace safe. You’d better start worrying about yourselves.”

Damon scowled. “Why?”

Suddenly, heavy footsteps thundered through the cave, echoing like an approaching stampede. Justice’s eyes widened. “Go now! They’re coming.”

I hesitated as I backed up with my dagger poised toward the darkness.

Damon grabbed my arm and tossed me toward the entrance. His fingers dug into my skin as if he was about to break through to my bones. “Run!” His voice thundered in my ear. “They’re close. Get back to the car, now.”

I jerked free of his grasp. “What are you going to do?”

“Fight. What else?”

Screams and cries echoed behind us. Out of nowhere, an angry wind brushed over me, whipping my hair and clothes around me violently. I flew out of the cave until I was dropped in front of the car.

It wasn’t the wind.

It was Justice.

I hadn’t been flying. He’d run so fast it was as if his feet never touched the ground.

I blinked and swayed on my feet, still gasping for breath.

“Let go of me, bloodsucker.” Damon landed beside me, sword in hand and eyes blazing with rage. Justice leaped back, and his shirt stretched wider, revealing more of his hardcore muscles.

Damon swung his sword, but Justice was too fast for him.

“Go, fool,” Justice snarled. “You’ll never survive against them.”

“Where’s my dad?” Damon growled back.

Justice glared at him, his lips turning up into a sneer. “Not here. Do you want your sister to die?”

I trembled at his words, my heart pounding in fear. He knew we were brother and sister.

Creatures poured from the cave. The vampire hadn’t been lying. There had to be at least a dozen creatures. They raced toward us like a bolt of lightning. Their feet barely touched the ground. What the hell?

One of the vamps clamped his fangs onto Damon’s shoulder. He punched it in the face hard, knocking it off. Blood poured down his shoulder.

“Oh, my God, Damon.”

“Shut up and get in the car,” Damon yelled as he hopped in.

I reached for the cold metal handle of the passenger side, but as I did, razor-sharp claws snatched my ponytail and yanked hard, nearly snapping my neck. Pain exploded on my scalp as fingernails dug deep into my skull. Stars floated in front of my eyes.

I screamed as I plowed my dagger into hard muscle. Its ferocious cry of pain echoed in my ears.

Justice lunged, his fist connecting with a loud crack against the creature’s face. My captor loosened his grip, and my would-be-savior snatched me from its iron grip. I felt like a yo-yo. Justice pulled me tightly against his chest, his arm securing me at my waist. In a blur, we shot across the road, the world around us a mere streak of colors, leaving my brother Damon behind.

“Damon!” I screamed, my voice piercing the night. My limbs flailed in panic. The thought of becoming this vampire’s unintended victim chilled my blood.

Meanwhile, Damon revved the engine of the Ford Fairlane, peeling out of the deserted parking lot. Gravel spat from beneath the wheels as he accelerated, desperate to escape. The horde of vampires, howling in bloodthirsty unison, surged forward like a tidal wave, their reddish-orange eyes glowing in the darkness like sinister embers.

---