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The four of them broke into a run.

* * *

Samantha found it hard to walk through the thick woods behind the cemetery. The dry grass hid gnarled roots, deep dips in the forest floor, and broken branches. Without a flashlight or moonlight to brighten her path, she had to feel her way through the darkness.

Even though she was determined to be a bad ass vampire-kicking chick, tears were streaming down her face. She knew that Innocente was most likely dead, but she couldn't just let the older woman die alone if she was gravely injured.

Scratches covered her hands and face. She was also limping, since a root had sent her tumbling earlier. It was increasingly difficult to see the deeper into the woods she wandered. She wasn't even certain if she was headed in the right direction anymore.

A branch snapped against her shin and she strangled a cry in her throat. She didn’t want any of the dangerous creatures in the graveyard to hear her. Whimpering, she leaned against a tree.

If only she could see. . .

Samantha widened her eyes.

Wasn’t she a phasmagnus? Maybe someone could guide her. Mentally dropping her defenses, she gingerly searched for a ghost with her newfound powers. In her mind, she saw it like a controlled wave, weaving in and out around the tree trunks seeking out any spectral remains.

“Here I am,” a voice said.

The gentle touch of a hand rested on her shoulder. Samantha shot a frightened look over her shoulder. To her relief a tall, kindly-looking man with blond hair and blue eyes was gazing at her. He seemed untouched by the night, standing out sharply against the darkness.

“I'm trying to find Innocente,” she told him.

“I'll show you where she is,” the ghost answered.

Timidly, Samantha held out her hand to him. The ghost smiled, taking it gently in his own. Walking ahead of her, his ghostly form illuminated her path.

Chapter 25

Jeff and Pete dragged Sergio through the high grass, grunting and panting with exertion. The big man was still out cold and was a dead weight. Jeff's arms felt like they were about to pop out of their sockets and the muscles in his thighs burned. Keeping his eyes on the swaying zombies, he hoped that Samantha had found Innocente and was able to help her.

“Who are you?” Pete asked in a hushed voice.

“A friend of Amaliya. My name is Jeff. ”

“Where's Ethan?”

“He ran off. Now, we better keep quiet. ” Jeff jerked his head toward the sound of the two vampire women arguing loudly.

“Lover's spat,” Pete decided.

Jeff shushed him again.

It did sound like a lover's argument. Both of the vampires were shouting at each other. Rachon’s voice was both pleading and furious; Bianca's was mocking, yet angry.

“I did everything you asked! I was even going to avenge your death!” Rachon cried out.

“Yet you allowed your pathetic minion to mock me!”

The men reached the truck and Pete tugged the back door of the cab open. Together, they pulled and shoved Sergio's limp mass into the backseat. When they finally settled the man onto the seat, they shut the door, then scurried around to the other side of the truck to hide.

“Where are the keys?” Jeff asked.

“Ethan had them,” Pete answered.

Jeff groaned and leaned his head against the side of the pickup. “Great, just great. ”