Vampire Girl (Vampire Girl #1)(19)

"No need to throw yourself at me just yet," he says with a smirk. "We'll have our time together soon enough."

I roll my eyes and shove away from him. "Cute." We still aren't moving, but I can't see what caused us to stop. "Did the magic fail?" I ask.

He shakes his head. "Not possible." His face loses its chronic arrogance and falls into a look of real concern as his eyes scan the canal. He dips his hand into the water, deep enough that his sleeve becomes wet. "There's a felled tree at the bottom blocking the boat," he says, pulling his hand out. "We need to move it before we can continue."

"I assume this is where magic comes in handy?"

He chuckles humorously. "It would be, if either of us could wield it. Unfortunately, we'll have to do things the old fashioned way."

"Bet you're glad we dressed for this party now, aren't you?" I wink at him as the boat glides to the banks.

He stands and steps out carefully, then offers his hand. "Cloth can be cleaned. It is not of consequence."

"Right." I can tell he hates this, and that somehow makes my discomfort more bearable. I'd give anything to be in jeans right now. My white dress remains mostly unscathed as I climb out of the boat and stand in front of a giant slab of grey stone, but my shoes don't fare as well sinking into the muck on the edge of the canal. I give up and take them off, tossing them back into the boat so I can walk barefoot.

Asher looks ready to argue, but I hold up a hand. "You want to trade shoes? No? Then shove it."

He makes the smart choice, and his mouth snaps closed. He leans over to pull the boat out of the water and over the fallen tree. I'm about to offer to help lift, but...

He doesn't need my help. Somehow, Asher manages to lift the whole boat by himself. His muscles bulge under his clothes, but his face shows no sign of the effort it must take to lift something that heavy.

He's placing it back in the water on the other side of the tree, when I hear a branch snap.

I start to spin, but I'm too slow.

Someone grabs me from behind, covering my mouth with a cloth so I can't scream. I bite instead, and the hand loosens, but only for a moment. The arms around me tighten, and though I try my hardest, I can't push them away. I struggle anyways, unwilling to make myself an easier target than I already am.

There's something on the cloth over my mouth, a chemical smell, and it makes me light headed.

Someone is trying to kidnap me. Someone followed me here.

My eyes go wide with panic, even as I begin to lose control of my limbs, going limp in my assailant's grip. Blurry images enter my view, more attackers, at least ten. They draw swords.

Asher turns around and screams, a primal sound not of fear but rage. He charges forward, lightning fast. I can barely see him as he darts around, disarming one opponent and taking their blade. Steel clashes. Mud splatters. Blood sprays over my face.

My captor drags me back, away from the fighting, between towers of stone. He wears brown furs and a leather hood, shrouding his face. I can't make out more; my eyes grow heavy.

My attacker stumbles.

I focus all my remaining strength.

And ram the back of my head into his face.

Pain explodes in my skull, and I hear the crunch of bones. Probably his nose. He curses, letting go, and I fall, slamming into gravel. I scream at the top of my lungs, hoping someone in this realm will care and come to help. I can't walk, so I crawl, my knees scraping against rock, my hands bleeding from tiny cuts.

In the distance, three men surround Asher, but he holds his own, fighting with such speed and agility my eyes can't follow. But they are fast too, and I wonder if vampires can be killed.

The drug they used on me dulls all my senses, and I collapse near the water.

Then I hear it.

The sound of hooves.

Of wolves howling.

Of warriors shouting.

Asher's voice is sharp with relief, but still filled with his normal snark. "Good of you to finally join us, brother."

Swords clash. Blood seeps into the earth.

Visions mix around me. It's hard to breathe. Hard to think.

Then all goes quiet.

And a wet nose nudges my face. I pry my eyes open and see the face of a large white wolf staring at me, his golden eyes too intelligent for comfort.

"He normally hates anyone but me." The voice is familiar. Comforting. Deep and gravelly.

Arms scoop me from the ground and as my head falls back, I see the face I knew would be there. "Fenris?"

Fen looks down at me. "You really should stop getting drugged and nearly kidnapped."

I muster some indignation, though I can tell I won't be conscious much longer. "People really should stop drugging and nearly kidnapping me," I mumble.

It's his laugh I hear as darkness takes me.

***

I wake in silk sheets that feel too soft, too slippery to be entirely comfortable. The bed is large and plush and I am dressed in... something I don't recognize. My head doesn't hurt nearly as badly this time around when I open my eyes.

The room flickers with the light of a fire dancing off the walls. I push myself up in bed to look around.

"Drink this." A pewter goblet is handed to me.

I look over and see Fen sitting in a chair by my bed, a massive white wolf sleeping by his feet. Or at least pretending to sleep. I have a sense that wolf is acutely aware of everything happening in this room and beyond. "You!" I push the goblet away and glare at Fen. "You're one of them and you lied to me."