Page 51 of The Vampire Debt

After running for a solid hour, I finally allow my legs to slow to a walk. I have to make sure I save my energy for the road ahead.

Above, the birds chip peacefully. It’s hard to believe demons inhabit the forests at night. I breathe easier away from that manor and the vampire.

The day wears on and it’s a relief to justbe. No need to hunt, no need to steal from the more wealthy people of town. I only need to enjoy nature and the solitude.

Still, every so often—far too often for my liking—my thoughts wander back to that vampire. Surely by now he must have returned. And no doubt one of his staff will have noticed my absence and told him I’ve not been seen since morning.

No one has come for me. There has been nary a sound or hint of another soul on this road since I started. Mr. Devereaux must not care that I have left.

Gradually, the shadows deepen, and the once refreshing cool air chills further. There is still some time before the sun will set and I must worry about demons coming out. But this damnable forest seems to be going on forever.

I might have been mistaken in slowing my pace as much as I have. I had thought for sure by now that I would have reached a town.

My stomach growls. I’ve been hungrier before, at least this I can ignore for the time being.

I start jogging. How long will this go on before I reach a break in the trees?

A rapid flutter of wings sounds behind me and I skid to a stop and look around, wondering if there’s an injured bird, or a small flock startled by something other than me.

Then the flutter comes again, more intense, closer. I strain to listen, trying to identify it. Not a flock of birds…

I swallow.

A round of strange, yet distinct chirping, something I’d recently heard.

Shit.

That flying rodent is on my trail. No sooner do I think that then it appears through the leaves.

“Shoo, beastie! Go away!” I wave my arms at it, which doesn’t do any good. It continues flying in erratic patterns, watching me with those unnerving large eyes.

It darts closer, hovering before my face. I swing at it again with my arm but it’s moving too unpredictably. It squeaks and chirps and if I didn’t know better, I’d say it was trying to communicate.

“Get out of here!”

It swoops over my head and I duck to avoid its attack. Spinning, I ready for another attempt, but it’s flying away, back toward the manor.

I watch it disappear into the distance. There is something so deliberate about that creature. Bats are not loyal things, but this one is far from ordinary.

If it came out here and returned once it found me, then Alaric must have ordered it to locate me. That means he’ll soon learn I am on the road.

I turn and head off the path and into the thick of the forest, running as hard as I can to get farther away. I leap over fallen trees and swat at low hanging branches. I’m tiring quickly now, but I don’t dare slow down.

Fatigue grows within my muscles. I was a fool not to eat before I left, or at the very least bring food with me.

The tip of my boot catches on the ground and I stumble, managing to catch myself before I fall. I run and run and run until I can’t catch my breath.

I have to slam into a tree to stop myself. The bark bites into the skin of my palms. Leaning against the trunk, I pant until I can breathe again.

A howl in the far distance carries to me. It’s then I look around and realize how fast it’s getting dark.

Seconds later, another wolf cries out, answering the call and sending a chill crawling down my spine. One more howl comes after a moment, joining them.

I stiffen. They seem to be coming from every direction. Reaching down, I grab the hilt of the stiletto dagger and pull it from my boot.

Then I’m off, running once more. I’m not sure what would be worse; fending off wolves… or higher demons. I need to get out of the forest because I do not intend on finding out.

The howls chase me, growing closer the farther I run. A branch snaps close behind, and I turn to look over my shoulder.