First Rule of the Cutthroat Vampire Collective: Don’t Fall For The Target by J.J. Arias

Author:J.J. Arias [Arias, J.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Independent
Published: 2019-05-28T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

At dusk, Alethia stepped out of the cave in front of her target turned client. “Take this,” she said, handing her the extra handgun.

“I’d prefer that,” she replied, nodding to the long, elegant knife at Alethia’s side.

“Don’t you have fine taste.” Alethia smirked, pulling the dagger and flipping it in the air before catching the blade and presenting Francisca with the gilded handle. “I expect that back, Frankie. Not even you can afford to replace it.”

Francisca said nothing of the nickname as they walked.

“Not that I mind making a right killing, no pun intended, but why do you want my help? I’m sure you can dispatch Victor yourself,” Alethia asked as they skirted by the open plain to keep the cover of the trees.

“I didn’t know assassins asked questions,” she replied flatly.

“Oh, I had no idea Amazons had a sense of humor,” she snipped as she ducked under a tree limb.

“I’m sure there are a world of things you don’t know about me, little vampire,” she said with a smile, inching closer to Alethia so she felt the six inches she had on her. At six-feet tall and several hundred years old, Alethia was not used to being small in relation to anyone.

Alethia’s pulse jumped in her throat at the sudden proximity. The scent of the woman’s skin was sweet and earthy. She couldn’t sense any fear, but there was a strong surge of worry. Maybe for the crew that scattered to avenge her.

“Why wouldn’t your Amazons be tracking you?” she asked, recalling the dozen trained warriors that called the volcano home.

“A small band of two or three should be, unless the situation has gotten out of control.”

“Victor is strong, and he’s got lots of toys, but I don’t think he’s any match for your crew on his own.”

The worry vibrated off Francisca’s body with higher intensity. Alethia identified it. She was worried for her team. Even with the weaponry, she could’ve taken Alethia on one-to-one combat. “You’re afraid they’re in trouble and you want me as a bodyguard, not as a hitman,” she guessed. Clever.

The silence was enough confirmation that her hunch was on point. They trekked on until stomped down vegetation and large boot prints stopped them. Alethia held up a hand to indicate they should stop and remain silent.

A war cry rang out in the night, and they sprinted toward the sound. In the valley ten feet below them, three women lay motionless on the ground as Victor fended off the other two with a blood-caked sword. They were at a standoff, and based on what Alethia knew of him, there was some kind of trick to his sword or he would’ve been overrun immediately.

“Poison,” Alethia mouthed so as to not to make a sound. Francisca nodded and gritted her teeth. “Stay,” she mouthed, before continuing silently around the top of the rock wall.

Alethia was blindingly fast as she rounded the ledge and sprung as soon as she was behind her new target. Victor spun toward the sound of the leaping woman, his fangs bared and blade ready to strike.

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