Page 66 of Blood Illusions

Vampires.

But these were unlike any vampires I’d encountered before. They were faster, more feral, their movements almost a blur. As they advanced, their features twisted in an unnervingly inhuman way, their fangs more pronounced, and their expressions filled with an insatiable hunger.

Justice and I stood back to back, weapons drawn. My heart raced, adrenaline coursing through my veins. I felt the power emanating from Justice, a protective force that gave me a slight reassurance despite the overwhelming odds.

Then they were upon us.

The sudden eruption of chaos shattered the peaceful atmosphere of the abbey. The sharp growls and snarls of supernatural creatures echoed through the halls as we fought for our lives. My arrow flew from my bow, hitting a vampire in the chest. He screamed in agony as his body burst into flames and turned to ash.

Justice aimed his shotgun with deadly precision, each shot causing another vampire to meet the same fiery fate. Our plan was working. The special ammo was proving powerful against these creatures. As I released another arrow, a sense of satisfaction washed over me, knowing we weren’t completely vulnerable.

Maybe we could hold them back long enough for me to look for my dad.

Suddenly, the vampires ceased their assault and retreated into the shadows. Piles of the dead vampires’ ashes littered the pews and aisles. A pungent stench lingered, reminiscent of a massive electric charge gone awry. It was a sharp, acrid smell, blending scorched metal with an unearthly, nauseating odor, turning my stomach.

Uneasiness fluttered in my chest. “This was too quick.”

“Yeah, no kidding. Maci does like to play her little games.” Justice cocked his head, his brow furrowed in thought. “I believe the entrance to the catacombs is located behind the altar.”

I raised an eyebrow in confusion. “How do you know that? You never mentioned that before.” What do you know? A vampire keeping secrets.

He scanned the sanctuary. “Dr. Gould mentioned it during our briefing. He said there were tunnels beneath the abbey, and the entrance was hidden behind the altar. Unfortunately, we didn’t have a chance to explore the last time we were here. We had to get the wounded back to the PMC. But if your father is still alive, I have a feeling that’s where they would be keeping him.”

We ran around the altar, only to find a heavy wooden door, its deadbolt firmly locked.

I gritted my teeth. “Shit. Shit. Shit.”

“Looks like the vamps love to decorate,” Justice remarked as he cast his gaze over the door.

Panic rose in my chest as I glanced at him. “Can you break the lock?”

He met my gaze, a determined glint in his eyes. “Yes. I’m a vampire.” He stepped forward, his demeanor shifting subtly, a reminder of the immense strength beneath his controlled exterior.

He reached for the door, his fingers curling around the edge. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a sudden, fluid motion, he pulled. The muscles in his arms tensed visibly, the veins standing out against his skin. There was a moment of resistance, then the sound of metal straining against metal filled the air.

The deadbolt, designed to withstand ordinary human force, was no match for Justice’s supernatural strength. With a final, decisive jerk, the bolt gave way with a loud snap. The sound was jarring in the silence of the abbey, echoing off the stone walls. The door shuddered, its frame splintering slightly under the force.

Justice didn’t pause. With the deadbolt now broken, he pulled the door open, revealing a stairwell leading to a dark basement.

The sound of pounding footsteps filled the air behind us, like a herd of angry wildebeests on the hunt. I glanced over my shoulder and saw a group of vampires rallying together, their red eyes glowing with bloodlust.

“Oh, lovely. The fang gang’s coming back for a party.” I tried to keep the fear from my voice.

“Come on.” Justice leaned closer, his warm breath tickling my ear, and it made me shiver. Not from fear but from something else.

The next thing I knew, Justice pulled me into the stairwell. Then, he unzipped the duffle bag, grabbing a can of salt. With lightning speed, he poured a thick line across the entrance to the stairs.

My heart thundering, I lodged an arrow in my bow, ready to shoot the first bloodsucker that crossed the salt line. We huddled in the shadows as the vampires reached the doorway and tried to enter, only to be repelled by the invisible barrier. Their hisses and snarls echoed through the stairwell, but we knew we were safe for now.

As the vampires peered down at us from the top of the stairs, their threats froze my blood.

“You’re dead when you come back up here.”

“You’ll never make it out.”

“We’ll be waiting for you.”

I tried to ignore their taunts, but fear crept into my heart. How would we escape this place?

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