Adrien’s fangs grazed Anthony’s neck, but before he could lick away the blood that welled to the surface, Brianna swung one of the broken chair legs at his head. The vampire was suddenly gone, like a nightmare, and Anthony crumpled to the ground.

Brianna rushed to his side. The vampire had been holding him by his braids, and in a few places, his scalp bled where they’d been pulled far too much. The wound on his neck was small by comparison, just two small pin pricks. There were drops of blood across his face, from his hair, she thought. His skin was clammy and pale, his breathing shallow. He was unconscious, but his muscles twitched, as if he was trying to wake up. “Come on, baby, wake up. I need you to wake up. You know I can’t carry you back down those stairs.”

Anthony coughed and licked his lips, licking away one of the drops of blood. “Goddamn. Knew we shoulda just gone with delivery and a movie.” With her help, he pushed himself unsteadily to his feet. The world swam as he moved, but the vertigo was fading fast, and after a moment or two, he was able to stand on his own. As they headed for the stairs, Brianna missed the faint flush of red in his eyes.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Adrien swiped at his forehead as he hurried away from the building. When his hand came away wet with blood, he snarled. The bitch was good, he had to admit. A lot of raw talent to be honed, in the right hands.

He couldn’t wait to kill her.