A Vampire for Christmas(116)
Before returning to street level, he closed his eyes briefly, trying to get a clear reading on what Della was feeling. Fear definitely. Worry, most likely for Daniel. And pain.
That did it. The bastards would die. With fangs out, Eagan dropped down two stories back to the ground and took the hunt to the hunters.
DELLA’S CHEST HURT. She wasn’t dressed warm enough for the cold, but that wasn’t what had her shivering. Daniel wasn’t faring much better as the two of them huddled in the corner behind a stack of trash cans. They’d only meant to stop long enough to catch their breath, but their pursuers were closing in.
She and Daniel had tried everything to lose them, but nothing had worked. She’d also lost her pack when she’d first seen them trying to drag Daniel into an abandoned building, so she didn’t have her cell phone to call for help. When she’d swung the bag at the closest one’s head, it had connected with a satisfying thud. However, Daniel’s attacker had latched on to the strap and ripped it out of her hand.
At least it had distracted him long enough for Daniel to get free. He’d grabbed her hand and dragged her back down the street at a dead run. Unfortunately, they were in a section of town where few shops were open, leaving them no easy place to take sanctuary.
They had to get moving again before they were cornered here, where it was unlikely anyone would hear them calling for help. She started to reach for Daniel’s hand when she heard Eagan’s voice faintly whisper, “Stay where you are, Della. We’re on our way.”
When she didn’t immediately spot Eagan, she whispered, “Where are you?”
Daniel’s eyes, already wide with fright, zeroed in on her face. “I’m right here, Della.”
She squeezed his hand. “Not you. Eagan. Didn’t you hear him say he was coming?”
When Daniel slowly shook his head, she closed her eyes to listen harder. “Eagan?”
When he answered, his words were stronger this time, but felt as if they were brushing against the inside of her head. “We’re almost there. Me and your friend Tennessee. Just stay hidden. Those two punks tracking you are between you and us. I’m afraid they’ll use you as hostages if we rush them.”
Good grief, he was using telepathy! She tried thinking her response. “I think they’re like you, Eagan. Well, not like you, but your kind.”
His mental sigh was telling. “Yes, they are. Don’t worry. They’re no match for us, but it’s likely to turn ugly. I’m sorry you and your young friend got caught up in this.”
Then the connection broke. A rock bounced off the wall behind her followed by a nasty laugh.
Hey, kid, come out and play. Who knows, maybe we’ll let your pretty lady friend live.”
Daniel actually started to stand up, but she jerked him back down by her side. “Stay still. Help is coming.”
He clearly didn’t believe her and struggled to get free. “I got you into this, Della. Let me distract them while you run. You can send help.”
Like those two would let him survive that long. “They can’t let me live, Daniel. We both know that. And you must not think much of me if you think I’d abandon you now.”
He still fought her, panic taking over. “Then we’ll both die.”
His voice had grown louder, but knowing who was after them meant it didn’t matter. They’d probably heard every word they’d said. The two punks couldn’t be more than a few feet away now. She braced herself to fight with everything she had.
Then there they were, with their gleaming eyes looking like black holes and their fangs ghostly white against their lower lips. One jabbed the other in the ribs with his elbow.
Hey, look what I got you for Christmas. Dinner for two! She’s even wearing Santa on her shirt.”
As the two kept themselves entertained, they failed to notice they were no longer alone in the alley. Eagan stood behind them, looking like an avenging angel. The two young vampires might be dangerous, but they didn’t radiate pure death in the way Eagan did.
She should find him every bit as terrifying as they were, if not more so. All she felt was relief.
He latched onto the back of their collars and sent them both flying across the alley to bounce against a brick wall. Planting himself firmly between them and Della, he looked back over his shoulder at her.
Go that way, and you’ll run straight into Tennessee. He’ll make sure you get back to the diner safely. Some of my friends will arrive any second. Don’t be scared of them. They’re the good guys.”