Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 142916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142916 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 715(@200wpm)___ 572(@250wpm)___ 476(@300wpm)
The great horned owl caught up with the bat before it managed to reach Dacso to aid him. Talons tore into the back, ripping away skin to expose bone. The vampire shrieked as it was forced to shift, black acid dripping to the branches and ground below. Everywhere the drops of oily sludge hit they burned holes through the wood and brush. Relentless, Mataias followed the undead to the floor of the grove, attacking without hesitation.
Benedek had easily picked up the stench of the master vampire. He tracked him to a large boulder with several crevices in it. Emerging from the shadows, he strode straight toward the vampire, letting him know battle was inevitable.
The master vampire had seen his ranks decimated in a matter of minutes. He was no fool, or he wouldn’t have survived as long as he had. He signaled to the two lesser vampires, Elek and Odon, who were nearest to him. They were there to serve him. To fight his battles. Normally, with so many vampires traveling together, Frisi participated only when the tides had turned on the hunter and he was certain of a victory. Access to Carpathian blood was rare. The craving for it was always overwhelming, a very powerful temptation, especially for a master vampire who had managed to stay alive for centuries. He would always claim the prize after his pawns weakened or mortally wounded the hunter.
In the old days, vampires were always solitary. Over the last centuries, they had begun the practice of using newly made vampires or freshly turned ones to guard the older ones. The newer vampires believed they would be protected and better learn how to survive. They didn’t understand that the master vampire used them to keep himself safe from the hunters.
Benedek was aware of Lojos and Tomas battling with Dacso. The vampire was very close to being a master himself. He had no doubt Dacso would be defeated. The triplets had a way of fighting together that was smooth, every move well orchestrated. Mataias was busy with the lesser vampire and doing mop-up with the lightning bolts.
In position. Will remove Odon first, Nicu informed him.
Nicu was Benedek’s backup. He had already stalked Odon and Elek and was waiting for them to make their move. Odon would be the first target because Nicu would strike fast and kill him immediately. Of the two pawns, he was the biggest threat. That would leave only Elek and Frisi to fight. Frisi was an experienced fighter, or he wouldn’t hold the position he was in, but he couldn’t count on Elek, who was reputed to run from a fight every time.
Frisi came wholly out of the crack he’d been partially hiding in. He held up one hand and then indicated for his two defenders to come up behind Benedek.
Benedek didn’t so much as glance behind him. That wasn’t his way. He continued forward, not fast or slow, just a steady, fluid pace.
“You have enemies,” Frisi advised. “Powerful enemies.” He studied Benedek, obviously trying to place him.
Benedek wasn’t in the habit of talking with prey. He took a much more direct approach, simply killing them as quickly as possible. Vampires were deceivers. Cunning. There were no idle conversations with them to pass the time. If they gave information, it was only because they believed it served their purpose to do so. He knew Frisi was stalling to give his two pawns time to sneak up on the hunter.
“I believe you are the one with the powerful enemies,” Benedek contradicted. He kept his voice low, conversational. He had scar tissue from the long healing process when his throat had been cut. His voice wasn’t something he could always count on, so he rarely used it. Only when he was with his brethren from the monastery or when it was absolutely necessary.
Frisi looked around him warily. A few yards away, Elek and Odon emerged from where they had been hiding, separating to come at Benedek’s back from two different angles. Frisi visibly relaxed.
“Why would you think I am the one with enemies?” His red-rimmed eyes gleamed with satisfaction. The fingernails began to lengthen into curved talons that looked as if they were made of steel.
Benedek swept his hand toward the carnage of the vampire’s pack. As he did so, Dacso screamed in hatred, defiance and utter fear. Lightning streaked across the sky and then jumped toward the grove.
“I believe your right hand has just fallen,” he said. “You have gone from ten to three. Soon to be two, one worthless, as you well know. Why wouldn’t the one who sent you warn you we were ancients? Had they done so, you wouldn’t have come near us. They didn’t even tell you how many of us there are. I would say you were set up to be rid of you.”