Page 57 of The Vampire Debt

“Stay down,” I order as I get to my feet and face the higher demon invading my territory.

It is one thing for lesser and higher demons to roam as they please, having no master. But all higher demons were once considered the most powerful of greater demons that bonded to an individual vampire. It is what grants both the demon and vampire their powers.

This was not a random attack—this nightmare was sent.

The demon morphs and changes shapes, avoiding the form it has adopted so I can’t identify its master.

“Who sent you?”

I pull in a deep breath and call to my power. It curls like a viper in the pit of my stomach, ready to strike.

“Youuu arrre weeeak,” it hisses. “Thissss isss good for usssss.”

The abomination’s red eyes lock onto Clara as it licks its nonexistent lips. It lunges. I lift my arms and send all the power I can muster to banish it. The movement does nothing, but it helps me focus the command.

Red, demonic power veins over my hands and up my arms. It rolls over my skin, snapping and cracking as it shoots out.

The demon fights against my hold, inching closer to Clara. Its large, gaping maw opens in an attack, waiting for its chance to strike.

I step to the side, placing my hands on the craggy skin, and push my powers into it.

The hardened rock like flesh is so cold, it burns. I suck in a sharp intake of air between my teeth.

Long skeletal arms swat at me, talons digging into my back and slicing down.

I will not allow this trespass to go unpunished. I use every bit of power I possess, more than is wise, to send it away.

The demon rears up, eyes growing wide. It sways back and forth in the air. “Weee arrre nooot finisssshed,” it hisses the warning.

In the sigh of a breath, its corporeal form turns into black mist, vanishing into the night to return to their master.

I have several ideas who might be responsible but… there is no time to dwell on that now. We must get back to the manor.

I feel my strength draining as the poison of its cutting claws seeps into me.

I turn to Clara and find her cowering against a tree. Her wide eyes still staring at the spot the demon had been seconds before.

“Are you all right?” I ask, reaching a hand out to her. Her sharp eyes finally look to me. Her throat bobs but otherwise she doesn’t speak or move. “Clara, we must go now.”

She slips her icy hand into mine and allows me to help her stand. If I fall outside the manor grounds, she will be taken by any demon that is in the vicinity. We must return to the manor before that happens.

I scoop her up once more, and run.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Clara

He runswith me in his arms at an impossible speed. I tighten my arms around his neck and close my eyes against the dizzying blur of everything is passing us by.

It’s not jarring as I would have expected, and I find myself being lulled into relaxing against him. We make it to the manor in what could only be minutes. I expect him to set me down and leave me to find my way to my room or yell at me for attempting to break our bargains.

But he doesn’t. Alaric slows to a walk. I try to wriggle out of his arms and he holds me tighter, carrying me until we are safely inside. He kicks the door closed with his foot and storms into the drawing room where a blazing fire awaits.

I want to tell him to let me go, but judging from the glower on his face, he is beyond furious and I don’t dare speak.

He stops next to the fireplace and releases my legs, lowering me gradually to the floor. With my hands braced on his shoulders, my body slides down his, caressing every line and muscle. My face warms.

Alaric’s chest heaves as his dark eyes narrow. I can’t fight the instinct that makes me back up. He advances with every step, closing the distance I create until my back presses against the wall.