Unbound (The Captive #7)(96)

Her arrogance is her greatest weakness, Aria had said more than a few times and he saw now just how right she was.

At Sabine’s side walked the vampire with the shockingly white hair. His uncle, Goran, her possible only other weakness. A dozen or so vampires flanked her sides, looking to keep her protected, but it wouldn’t be enough to stop Braith from killing her.

Sabine was outnumbered by those blocking the end of the road, but with her strength she would cut through them with ease. He set Aria on her feet. She pulled two more arrows from her quiver and fired them at the retreating couple. Sabine turned, her eyes flashing red as she snatched both the arrows out of the air and snapped them within her fingers.

“Bitch,” Aria murmured as she lowered her bow.

Sabine smiled at her before tossing the arrows away. Then, her gaze slid to Braith and he saw the slightest stiffening of her shoulders and a flicker of unease within her eyes. She hadn’t been expecting him, at least not so soon. A smile curved his mouth before he raced down the street toward her.





CHAPTER 37


Aria

Aria fired arrows at the vampires surrounding Sabine and at those trying to escape as she ran behind Braith. She knew he could move much faster without them, but he stayed protectively in front of her. Xavier remained beside her, grabbing anyone she was unable to take out. Behind her, William worked to bring down more vampires with his bow. Daniel, Tempest, Max, and Maeve methodically staked any who survived their arrows.

As a vampire leapt out at Braith, she swung her bow toward him, releasing an arrow that struck him high in the shoulder and flung him back. Daniel pounced on him, driving his stake through his heart before tearing it free. Arrows soared through the air around them, their impacts making a thudding sound when they pierced through bodies or hit the earth.

A whistling sound reached her. She twisted to get out of the way of what she knew was coming from behind, but she wasn’t fast enough. The arrow pierced through her right shoulder, knocking her forward and nearly causing her to lose her grip on her bow. Her arm erupted in tingles that made her fingers feel thick. She hadn’t made a sound, but Braith must have caught the scent of her blood on the air as he spun toward her, his reddened eyes blazing hotter when they landed on the arrow protruding through her.

“I’m fine!” she shouted to be heard over the growing cacophony of battle filling the town and bouncing off the buildings around them.

He took a step toward her, but she held up a hand to ward him off. They couldn’t stop now; they couldn’t let Sabine get away, or the fighting and fear would never end. Sabine had to die tonight. Grasping the arrow, Aria bit her lip and braced herself before tearing it from her shoulder. She casually tossed it aside to show him how fine she was.

Blood spilled out of the wound to soak her shirt and skin, but she was able to lift her bow and fire an arrow at the vampire who rose up behind Braith. Though her aim was off, she still struck him. Braith spun as the vamp fell back before his head swiveled toward her once more. His hands fisted and his nostrils flared as he seemed torn between grabbing her and taking from here or continuing after Sabine.

The muscles in his forearms bulged when he finally focused on Sabine once more. Sabine continued down the street with more speed than she’d been exhibiting when she’d first emerged from the house. She was almost to the barricade at the end of the road.

“Braith you have to stop her! No matter what she must be stopped!” Aria shouted to be heard over the noise.

He glanced back at her and she saw the understanding in his eyes. If he went after Sabine, he couldn’t stay with her anymore and he had to go. His jaw clenched as he turned away from her.

Aria barely managed to keep her mouth from dropping open when Braith started running again, shoving aside vampires as he moved faster than she’d ever seen him before. Despite the chaos around her, she couldn’t help but marvel at the strength emanating from him as he blurred with speed. She rushed forward, trying to keep up with him, but it was impossible for her to do so.

“Go! You’re faster than me!” Aria yelled to Xavier as Braith closed in on Sabine, Goran, and the few vampires still trying to protect her. Braith couldn’t face them alone, no matter how much stronger he’d become since his death. He was outnumbered and Sabine was extremely powerful too.

It didn’t matter if Xavier was faster or not, Sabine and Goran spun to face Braith as he reached them.

***

William

William watched as Braith grabbed hold of Goran and yanked him forward. The red cloak the vampire wore tore in his grasp, but not before Braith wrapped his hands around Goran’s arms and pinned them down.

He followed Aria as she cleared a pathway before them with her arrows. Keegan stayed at her heels, lunging at vamps and bringing more than a few of them down with his powerful jaws. Xavier lifted Aria off the ground and held her against his side as a vampire leapt at her.

Thrown off balance, the vamp tumbled onto the ground. Lifting his foot, William drove it into the back of the vampire’s skull, caving it in. Daniel bent and drove his stake through the vampire’s chest before jerking it free.

“Have to help him!” Aria gasped as she squirmed in Xavier’s hold.

William met Xavier’s reddened eyes over the top of Aria’s head. He knew Xavier was debating keeping her away from the fight unfolding at the end of the road, but Aria wouldn’t survive it if Braith died again, and she had every right to fight for both of their lives. William gave a brief bow of his head to Xavier before spinning and firing at two vampires running toward the wood line.