Before I could form a telepathic response to Arys, Kale shoved me so hard I stumbled and fell. In the very same breath, a power ball exploded against the wall where I’d been standing, leaving a smoking hole behind. Screams rang out, and people scrambled to get out of the area.
I got to my feet as a vampire seemed to appear out of nowhere. He was dark haired with light eyes. I didn’t recognize him. Kale was between us, his hands glowing with power. I saw him hesitate, as if afraid to lash out with bystanders so close.
Our attacker didn’t have that same caution. He hit Kale with a blast that terrified me before physically throwing him across the dance floor. I bit back a cry when he crashed into a pool table, sending the whole thing smashing down in pieces.
Before I could react, he grabbed me by the throat and slammed me against the damaged wall. The strength and power that emanated from the mysterious vampire was painful in its intensity. I fought hard, raking his face with my claws and kicking him. He didn’t budge. I gathered my power, prepared to unleash what I had. A sharp pain in my chest stopped me. I was stunned to find a stake pressed between my ribs.
“Go ahead and try it.” The vampire seethed between bared teeth. “By the time you blast me, I’ll already have this stake in your heart.”
“What the f**k do you want from me?” I gasped out with the small amount of breath I was able to draw. My hands burned with the power that sought release. I struggled to hold it back. The stake buried in my flesh just beneath my left breast promised pain and death. I was stricken with fear.
“Something like you can’t exist. You just can’t be. I stake you now, and you won’t be rising again. It’s over for you.”
I saw the flash of white blonde hair as Shaz launched himself at the vampire holding me trapped. I winced, expecting to feel the blow of the stake. The vampire didn’t so much as release his hold on me, and he downed Shaz easily with a roiling ball of energy.
“Don’t,” I begged.
“I will never bow down to you, werewolf,” hissed the vampire with raw hatred. “You are unnatural, and your power will never bind me. Your death may also mean my own, but it will be worth it. I’m nobody’s slave.”
I was confused, unable to make sense of his rambling. His eyes were crazed, and the pressure on the stake increased substantially. I felt it bite through my flesh, and I tried to scream. His hand on my throat made it near impossible.
When Arys appeared, it was as if he’d come from mist. I didn’t sense his approach nor did I see it. The snap when he grabbed my attacker’s wrist was audible despite the loud music that still played. Realizing he was in trouble, the vampire attempted to plunge the stake deeper, but Arys had already ripped him away from me.
I slumped to the floor, gasping for air and holding my wound. Blood oozed between my fingers. I watched as the two vampires struggled. Arys’ eyes were wilder than I’d ever seen them. He wasn’t just pissed; he was on a mission to destroy.
I pulled the stake from my body, horrified by its bloody tip. I’d never been on this end of the stake before. It was terrifying, and I had a whole new respect for all of the vampires that had met their final death this way.
I couldn’t tell how bad the wound was, and I was afraid to find out. Each breath hurt, and my vision began to grow dim. I fought to keep a clear head, refusing to pass out. The two vampires were a blur before me, but with a blast of power that I felt in my core, Arys gained the upper hand and soon my attacker was nothing more than dust and bone on the floor of the club.
A voice was trying desperately to get my attention. I tried to focus on Shaz kneeling at my side, but it was difficult. I was glad to see he was ok after the hit he’d taken. I searched for Kale, relieved when I spotted him pulling himself from the rubble of the pool table. When Shaz pulled my hands away from the bleeding puncture in my chest, I was too weak to resist. The power I’d been holding fell away, causing the atmosphere around us to hum with a high-frequency squeal.
“Lex? Are you ok? You’ve got to speak to me, baby. Come on!” Shaz was shaking me lightly. Turning away, he shouted, “Arys! We need you. This isn’t looking good.”
My head swam, and my tongue was thick and dry when I tried to speak. I wanted to tell them that I’d be fine, but nothing came out. Those I cared about surrounded me. Arys was quick to respond to Shaz’ plea. He joined the white wolf at my side while Kale hovered nearby, ensuring that those left in the club went on about their business.
“Let’s get her into the back where we can take a better look.” Arys lifted me in his arms, and I yelped from the sudden shooting pain. “It’s ok, my love,” he whispered to me. “It’ll be ok.”
I faded in and out of consciousness. At some point, I realized I was lying on a bed, Harley’s bed. That had to be a bad omen.