That was close, Emma muttered. Thanks, Brynley.
Marielle pressed a hand against her pounding heart. Her stomach felt twisted and queasy.
Are you all right, dear? Emma asked. I could teleport you to Romatech in a flash.
She shook her head. Im not leaving Connor.
Oh. Emmas eyes took on a speculative look as she leaned over to retrieve her knife. She straightened with a jerk. Here they come.
A swarm of newly turned, frantic vampires burst out the front door, screaming and hissing.
Marielle hit them with an air blast that sent them crashing into one another and the warehouse.
Emma dashed toward them, a stake in each hand. She turned four of them to dust before the vampires could even scramble to their feet. Brynley leaped on them, ripping and tearing into their bodies till they turned to dust.
More vampires escaped. Marielle couldnt blast them without hitting Emma and Brynley. She recognized Shannas father exiting the warehouse, shouting and slashing away at the vampires.
A Malcontent broke loose from the crowd and ran down the street. Marielle knocked him down with a blast of air.
Ill kill you! Sean Whelan raced after him.
The vampire jumped to his feet. Sean fired, but his pistol only made a clicking noise. He tossed the gun down and charged at the vampire with his dagger.
The vampire grabbed Seans arm, and the two locked in a struggle, falling onto the ground and rolling about.
Oh God, no, Marielle breathed as she moved closer.
The vampire overpowered Sean, knocked him flat onto the street, wrenched the dagger from his hand, and plunged it into his torso.
Marielle gasped. No! She couldnt let Shannas father die.
The vampires fangs shot out, and he sank them into Seans neck. Marielle couldnt blast him away without also hitting Sean.
She looked around frantically. Emma and Brynley were busy killing vampires by the warehouse door. And Seans attacker was lying on top of him, draining him dry.
She had to do it. Tears filled her eyes as she pulled the dagger from her belt. God forgive me. She estimated where the vampires heart would be, then plunged the dagger into his back. He turned to dust.
She stepped back, and a wave of nausea hit her. The dagger tumbled onto the street with a clatter.
What are you doing here, Marielle?
She spun around and saw Zackriel walking toward her. Is Buniel here? Can he heal this man? She motioned toward Shannas father.
Zackriel looked at Sean Whelan, then at the small battle that Emma and Brynley waged, and shook his head. There will be no Healers here tonight. Only Deliverers.
She swallowed hard at the bile in her throat. What about the humans inside?
All thirty are dead. Zackriel gave her an annoyed look. Do you really think this is the way back to heaven?
She stepped back and stumbled over the dagger shed dropped. Oh God, what had she done? Zack She turned toward him.
He was gone.
Help me, Sean wheezed. Blood oozed from his stomach wound and the open gash on his neck. He reached out a trembling hand.
Im sorry, she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. She couldnt even hold his hand without killing him.
His hand fell limp onto the hard pavement.
Their strategy had worked, Connor noted with satisfaction as he skewered another Malcontent through the heart. Casimirs followers were falling like flies, caught completely by surprise. Corky Courrant and her cameraman were running about, shrieking, and trying to hide behind stacks of lumber.
He glanced over at Roman to make sure the former monk was doing all right. Roman was holding his own. Jean-Luc Echarpe was watching Romans back just as he had done during the Great Vampire War.
Angus and Robby were both attacking the ring of Malcontents that surrounded Casimir. Connor wanted to join them, but twice he had to engage Malcontents who came close to killing Sean Whelan. Shannas father was fighting like a madman, taking such foolish risks that Connor wondered if the man had come to commit suicide.
He knew the battle was over after the shifters charged in, and most of the surviving fledglings ran screaming for the front door, trying to escape. The poor fools had thought they were gaining immortality by becoming Casimirs vampire minions. No doubt they were shocked to find themselves dying the very next night.
With the number of Malcontents dwindling fast, Sean Whelan was having an easier time of it. He was fighting a fledgling with dismal fencing skills. Connor turned to help Angus and Robby as they fought to destroy some of Casimirs most experienced swordsmen.
Robby broke through the ring and made a swipe at Casimir, slicing his shoulder.
Casimir teleported away, then yelled at them from the top of a stack of wood. I am sick of evading you! Youre like a pack of rats, always scurrying about and keeping me from fulfilling my destiny! I want this ended, once and for all. Tomorrow after sunset. Mount Rushmore.
He vanished, and his followers who knew how to teleport followed him. All that was left was a few fledglings trying to escape.
Connor glanced over to where hed last seen Sean Whelan, but he was gone. The fool must have gone outside to fight more fledglings.
A final battle? Robby turned to his great-grandfather. Tomorrow night?
Angus sighed. Most likely a trap.
Connor had to agree, but with the current battle moving out onto the street, his thoughts returned to Marielle. He charged outside, slashing at any Malcontents in his way.
He reached the street and spotted Marielle kneeling beside a body. She was alive! Marielle!
When she looked up, he saw the tears on her face.
He ran toward her. Marielle, are ye all right?
She shook her head. Ive been praying, but none of the Healers will come.
Connor jerked to a stop when he saw Sean Whelan bleeding to death on the street. Oh no.
Even Bunny wont come, Marielle cried. Theyve given up on me.
Connor looked back toward the warehouse entrance and spotted more Vamps coming out. Roman! Angus! Over here!
A group of Vamps dashed over.
Connor knelt beside Marielle. He barely has a heartbeat.
Gods blood. Roman turned pale as he looked Whelan over. This will kill Shanna.
Angus turned to Robby. Bring her here.
Robby nodded and vanished.
Shit, Phineas muttered. I knew it was crazy for that dude to come here. He looked at Roman. Why dont you take him to Romatech? Give him some blood.
Roman shook his head. He would be dead by the time we got the transfusion started. And that wound to his stomachits not something we can just patch up.
Connor stood. It would heal if he were a Vamp.
Roman stiffened. Are you suggesting
Aye, Connor replied. But if were going to do it, wed better be quick.
Robby reappeared with Shanna.
She gasped and fell to her knees beside her father. Dad! She touched his face. Oh God, no! Dad, please dont go like this. She turned a tearful face to Roman. Cant you do something?
Roman shook his head slightly. He only has a few minutes left.
Tears streamed down Shannas face as she looked at all the Vamps. I thought you guys would protect him! How could you let this happen?
Connor shifted his weight. Bugger. Hed saved Whelans life twice tonight. Hed thought the man was safe when only a few fledglings were left.
Im so sorry, Marielle whispered. She picked up a dagger beside her. I used this on the vampire who was attacking him. But I was too late.
Connors breath hitched. Marielle had killed to protect Whelan?
No wonder she looked so pale and devastated.
He might survive if we transform him, Angus said.
Shanna gasped.
Dude, Phineas mumbled. He hates vampires.
He might see us in a different light if he was one of us, Connor argued.
Thats an excellent point, Angus said. We wouldna have to worry anymore about him turning on us.
Unless he gets so pissed by waking up Undead that he kills us all, Phineas grumbled.
I cant believe youre discussing this like a business decision, Shanna yelled. Weighing the pros and cons while hes dying? Hes my father!
Then what do ye think? Robby asked. Would yer father choose to be one of us? Or would he rather die?
Shanna blinked. I She looked down at her father, then back up at the Vamps. Yes. Yes, do it.
The Vamps glanced at one another.
What are you waiting for? Shanna asked. Hes dying! Do it!
Connor looked at Angus. Ye do it. It was yer idea.
Nay, ye were the first one to suggest it. Ye do it.
Connor glanced down at Whelan. Just the thought of sinking his teeth into the bastard made him shudder. Im no touching him. He nudged Phineas. Ye do it.
I dont even know how! Phineas poked at Robby. You do it.
Why me? Robby turned to Angus. Yere the expert. Ye do it.