Page 31 of The Vampire's Mercy

PARIS

The world seemed to slow, my attack taking forever to land.

Here comes the end.

Here comes the end.

Here comes the?—

The stakeblade hit his chest as if he were made of titanium. It broke apart in my hand, splinters of metal and wood stabbing into me, a violent rumble quaking in my bones.

I sprang back, hand on fire. Terror screamed in my chest, adrenaline and panic sloshing together.

I’m screwed.

The stake regenerated in its mystical pocket within me, giving a warm prod to let me know it was back. I called it back into my throbbing hand.

Silvanus faced me with a vacant expression. “Would you like to try again?”

How the hell did he survive that? I’d given him a serious killing strike.

He’s the king, you idiot!

Now would be a great time for the crystal blade to show up for a try.

“You vile elf!” Layla bellowed. “We’ll have your head for that!”

Silvanus’s gaze drilled into me again, his lips curled with amusement. “If only life was so simple.”

He wanted me to see it wouldn’t work. From the moment we met, he’d locked me into some stupid game in order to get his kicks. Mocking me, knowing my moves before I’d made them—at least, that’s what it felt like.

“Fuck you.” I backed away from him until the backs of my legs bumped the low wall.

He grabbed the top of the ladder and pushed. It broke away from the wall with a metallic wail, falling into the office building opposite, smashing through a panoramic window. Screams rang out from the street below.

In the name of Aidan, don’t let anyone be hurt.

“What comes next?” he asked. He bared his fangs, running his tongue over them.

Me not being on the receiving end of those things, for starters.

Going for broke, I spun and vaulted over the edge of the roof, turning myself to grab the ledge.

Elf skills blazing, I scrambled down the brick, using its rough texture and the stickiness oozing from my hands to stop me from sliding to my death.

“Our own tree sap, but cooler,”Pearl used to say.

Yeah, it was pretty awesome, and it oozed from my feet too. Another bonus to being an elf.

I jumped off the wall, clearing the last few feet, and landing in a crouch. Immediately, I tore off into the streets. I picked up speed, darting left and right, heading in an easterly direction.

My heart worked overtime, the rest of me running on adrenaline and praying the king didn’t tail me. I couldn’t hear anything other than the usual city sounds. No voices, no vampire snarls, nothing.

But just because my senses weren’t spiking, didn’t mean he wasn’t behind me or up on the rooftops tracking me.

I reached Bullpond Lane. The long street was lined with bars and restaurants in both directions open late on weekends. It was full of tall glass buildings with colorful lights streaming into the sky, music and laughter ringing in my ears. People passed me by, going about their Saturday night while I thought for a moment.

Directly opposite sat Bullpond Park, the energy of its oak trees calling to me, offering me a boost and shelter.