Vampire's Prey

Chapter 23: Ivan

It's first light. I didn't sleep, and I can't remember when I stopped crying.

The murderer is back, with his ginger-haired friend.

He kneels to my level. "Behave," he growls.

I spit at his face.

He grabs my hair and jerks my head forward, making my scalp burn. A gag is forced between my lips and wrapped around my head, pulling my cheeks back as it's tightened.

He unties my middle and loosens the rope around my wrists. I don't move, refusing to look him in the eye. I'm done cooperating.

He pulls my hands forward and binds them again, leaving a short length of rope so he can lead me and presumably keep my hands away from the gag.

The tension from the rope raises my bound arms and draws me to my feet.

I dig my heels into the ground and lean my body weight against him, providing as much resistance as possible. He yanks the rope, jerking me forward and almost toppling me over. I hate how easily he can overpower me.

I glare at their backs as they lead me deeper into the forest, away from the city.

A group of vampires are marching towards the gates. They stick in tight formation, using their huge shields to protect them from every angle. The human archers on the wall open fire. A couple lucky arrows get through, but the vampires just pull them out. They push forward, dragging a barrel on a rope behind them.

Rahlan and Ohan pull me further back behind the tree line before turning to circle the city.

I catch another glimpse of the vampires before the wall blocks my view. They reach the gates, and the human soldiers drop large rocks and steaming water from the walls. One hits a vampire directly on the head, and I shiver as he falls to the ground. His arms and legs are riddled with arrows. This is it – a warzone.

The three of us continue around the east side of the city, edging closer to the wall with the tree line. An archer up there would make short work of us – well at least of me, and that thought keeps my shoulders tense.

Rahlan passes my rope to Ohan. Ohan's hands clasp together, giving Rahlan a boost as he begins climbing a large tree. His maroon black cape flutters beneath him with every stride upward. The trees trunk stretches high into the sky, sprouting thick branches that nearly overhang the city wall.

I look up at Ohan, and he meets my gaze with an apologetic expression. He could just let me go. I raise my bound wrists to him, willing him to release me. My gag would turn any words into a humiliating mumble.

He shakes his head.

Rahlan positions himself high in the tree, still hidden behind the pine needles. A human stands guard on the wall with his back to us. His eyes are on the gate on the opposite side of the city. Rahlan nudges closer, not making a sound.

I need to alert the man before Rahlan takes his life. I take in a breath but hesitate before making a sound. What if the man whips around and sees me first? I'm beside a vampire, dressed in vampire leather armor. Those arrows in his quiver could end up embedded in me, like the vampires at the gate.

Rahlan moves into striking position. He's going to kill the man if I don't do something now.

I scream into the gag. A hand immediately slaps over my mouth, turning my scream into a squeak.

I look up at Ohan the best I can under his grip. He shakes his head again, and the guard remains oblivious to our presence.

A black plume of smoke rises into the sky. Something's burning at the city entrance. Human soldiers rush across the wall towards the gate, passing right over us, but the single guard remains at his post. I stare at the back of his head wishing I could compel him to follow them.