Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 244(@200wpm)___ 195(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
The Uchben traded glances.
“I am in control of him. There is nothing to fear,” Damien said. “He merely talks a good game.”
“Not true. I saw him slaughter an entire dinner party. Took him ten minutes,” MF interjected.
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Thanks, MF. This is just what we needed. Now we’ll have to eat granola bars for dinner again.” Damien jabbed at the tiny campfire with his stick and glanced across the wide river at the village, the smell of Brutus’s roasting meat making his mouth water. Reminded him of a good moo shu pork.
“Well, maybe Brutus had a point to unwelcome us,” MF said. “They have a hundred babies to think about, and you’re a wild card.”
Perhaps. Either way, they had not gone to the village for its accommodations. They’d only needed to learn the whereabouts of Maxton.
“So what’s the plan now?” Bonbon asked, standing with Gorgonzolina, the two rubbing their butt cheeks together.
“Stop that,” Damien snarled. “I’m trying to think.” What was the plan? They didn’t have much time left. “The vampire seemed to appreciate the ascot and scarf, so fine. Send him the suit.” Maybe it would buy a little goodwill.
The next morning, Damien woke to campfire smoke in his face. He rubbed his eyes and the back of his stiff neck.
I must’ve been tired, he thought. He’d slept in the dirt and hadn’t woken once through the night. Oh crap. Pet! She’d gone to leave the suit last night.
He looked over to find her snuggled between Bonbon’s furry legs.
He got up and grabbed her by the wings, dangling the sleepy creature in front of his nose. “Pet! Wake up! What happened? What did the vampire say when you gave him the Armani?”
Pet rubbed her tiny eyes. “He said he’s coming for you now, so you’d better prepare.”
“Coming for me?” Damien arched a brow.
“Yeah,” she replied. “He said he’ll take out the entire village too. Babies and all.”
I love this guy! The beast chuckled. He’s very entertaining.
“Was he serious?” Damien asked Pet.
Pet nodded. “Oh yes. He said he was, and I quote, ‘going to enjoy tearing every last one of you to pieces while wearing his new suit. He seemed to really like it, by the way. Fit like a glove. Then he walked off and started sharpening spears.”
Damien’s stomach rolled. “We cannot allow him to do this.”
“What’s happening?” MF asked, sitting up now, swatting at the bugs still lurking over her. “Dammit. I can’t wait to be a vampire again.”
Damien looked at her, a deep sadness filling his heart. “Maxton is coming to kill us and the entire village.” He swallowed hard. “I must stop him.”
“What!” MF stood. “You’re going to fight him?”
“I will attempt to subdue him, but if that is not possible…” His voice trailed off. Killing the vampire was the last thing he wanted. It meant going home empty-handed.
“You’ll lose Willa and Sky. I won’t become a vampire,” MF protested.
“I know.” But what else could he do? He’d brought the wrath of this insane vampire upon this sort-of-peaceful village filled with children. And mothers. And oddly whipped, but happy ex-warriors. “They did not ask for this, and I must do what is right.”
Yeah, now we’re talking, tailor. Let me at him!
“MF,” Damien added, “I need you to cross the bridge and tell Brutus what has happened. Warn them. If I fail to stop Maxton, then the vampire will be knocking on their huts, and they must be prepared.”
MF shook her head, glancing over her shoulder at the female warriors on the other side of the river, guarding the small wooden bridge.
“Do not worry, MF. They will not harm you,” Damien said.
“I’m actually wondering what it would take to join their village.” She snapped a furious gaze his way.
“I am sorry, MF. Truly,” Damien said. “Take Bonbon and Gorgonzola with you. You’ll all be safer over there.”
“What about Pet?” MF asked.
“Pet can keep everyone informed. If I lose the fight, it means I’m dead.” Even if he had the light of the gods, his body could be destroyed. He could still die. “In which case, you may want to consider running.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Dressed in his hiking boots, black linen slacks, and his last fresh linen shirt, Damien made his way up the steep path leading to the top of the waterfall. Pet hovered nearby, humming and singing as if he were part of a musical performance for the demented.
“He’s going to kill. Kill, kill, kill the vampire! I’m going to watch. Watch, watch, watch! This is so much fun. Fun, fun, fun…”
Make her stop, or I will kill, kill, kill her first while she watches, watches, watches.
“Pet, stop singing,” Damien barked.
Thank you, tailor. By the way, before we arrive, you and I need to have a little chat.
“What about?”
You think that just because I love killing, you can just pull me out, have me murder at the snap of your fingers, and then put me away again?