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“How close?” Li’zel asked. She turned, and I recoiled. Li’zel’s beautiful face was twisted with hatred, and her body bespoke her feelings.

“Very near. The followers attacked one of the serving girls. Pal and Mera are getting the children ready now, and we must flee. Four of us are not enough to protect them. You and I know that, and Inka, Mera, and Pal aren’t vicious like you and me.”

“Li’zel!” Pal exclaimed as he entered the room.

Pal carried Kit, looking terrified, in his arms, and Rahmon followed, being held by his mother. Inka had a few bundles in her hands, and she looked dispassionately at Li’zel. Inka was scared, more for the children than herself. She was also afraid that Pal and Mera themselves might not get through this.

“We must be gone. Now!” Li’zel stated without preamble.

Li’zel strode to the door and froze as she sensed something.

“Out the back!” Li’zel screamed and, grabbing Inka, she dragged her through the villa.

I sensed what she had, and clutching a still-shocked Mera, I ran close behind her.

From the front, arrows of flame shot towards us. Kicking open the rear gate, we found ourselves facing a team of over twenty cultists.

Calmly, I searched for an escape and looked up at the roof. We could make the leap and get away before they could loose their arrows, but the children worried me.

Then I saw movement, and my heart sank. Li’zel flanked Pal, and Inka moved silently to Mera’s side; with me in front, we covered our friends.

A man stepped forward, his face hidden by a mask, one that I knew well. I stared into it, refusing to show fear to a mortal, but I was afraid, and so were the others.

“Vam’pir, we have you surrounded. Nobody means you harm, but release the children to us.”

Kit muttered under her breath and buried her head in Pal’s neck. Pal clutched her more tightly, though he was careful not to hurt her.

“Over our dead bodies,” Mera stated, gripping Rahmon.

Mera’s face was even whiter than usual, but she was determined.

All of us were prepared to fight to provide the children with a chance.

“Kitiaria and Rahmon are marked for the great Ramedes. Vam’pirs have no right to hold the Goddess’s property. Give us the children, and we will let you go peacefully. The cult of Ramedes has no quarrels with the Vam’pirs and seeks none,” the priest called.

“Listen to me carefully, priest. These are my son and daughter, and we’ll not hand them over to you,” Pal said slowly as if the fellow was stupid.

I laughed, but it was not a mirthful laugh. Shit, we were going to die, and the twins were doomed, but we had to give them a chance.

“Somehow, I was afraid that would be the reply. Ramedes offered you a chance,” the priest replied.

He stepped back into the shadows and made a quick movement of his hand. Twenty men surrounded us.

Li’zel dropped into a fighting stance, as did Inka and me. If we could keep them busy enough, maybe Pal and Mera would have an opportunity to flee.

I observed the men and understood we were doomed, yet we needed to make an effort. Even if the cultists came with magical powers and strength.

After many years, I prayed for strength from the Creator for the first time, and then one of them charged towards me. Damn, was he quick, and I found myself flat on my back before I realised he was even there.

Annoyed, I sprang to my feet, and my attacker gripped me round the throat.

I threw him off and, leaping high, landed behind him and spun in a roundhouse kick.

He was gone and behind me again. A thin blade pierced my back, and I dashed away. I moved backwards, feeling blood drip, but watched him warily.

Their plan was obvious; they would take one of us out and then another.

He came at me, and I threw him over my shoulders. I heard a sickening crack as his head hit the step, and then he lay still. I wiped my brow before stumbling to my place in front of Pal andMera. There was movement inside, and then someone shouted as a figure leapt from the roof.