Page 75 of Wicked Magik

A rhythmic ticking noise echoed from up in the rafters, and it pierced through the dimly lit barn. I squinted and strained my eyes, attempting to pierce through the thick shroud of darkness above, but all I could see was an inky black void. The intervals between the ticks grew shorter, gradually morphing into a rapid clicking sound that reverberated ominously in the silence. A wave of unease washed over me, so I retreated to the far end of the barn, so I could dispel the unsettling feeling of being encircled by a presence.

"A human! It's been ages since I last encountered one. I never forget a scent."

Startled, I covered my face with a trembling hand. I felt their breath on my right shoulder, but I didn't dare to move.

"Her scent is faint; I nearly missed it," remarked the other from my left shoulder.

Both of them were right next to me, their throats emitting a rhythmic ticking sound. Though I couldn't feel their bodies, their breath brushed against my neck, confirming their presence.

My head was screaming danger but my body couldn’t move.

“No matter, I’m starving. This must be the food the lord promised us. Are you a willing sacrifice, or are you going to make this fun?” The one on my right purred.

The one on my left scoffed. “Does it matter? I’m starving.”

Did Veylor set this up?

My hands slammed against the rough, cold wood, propelling me forward with a desperate burst of speed. My mind was empty of a plan; all I knew was that I had to run, to escape.

I slipped on the scattered hay that carpeted the ground halfway to the door, but with sheer determination, I forced myself back up, my heart pounding in my chest.

The ominous clicking grew louder, echoing through the dimly lit space. The flickering torches cast eerie shadows, and as I glanced to my right, I finally saw the monstrous figures that haunted the night.

They scaled the walls like spiders, their bare feet gripping the stone, their bony hands clutching at crevices. Their shallow, pallid faces were ghastly, with hollow red eyes that glowed like fire and fangs that gleamed menacingly in the torchlight.

They looked like vampires.

Not the glittering, romanticized figures from tales, nor the suave, charming ones from the bayous of Louisiana. No, thesecreatures were grotesque, scuttling up the walls into the rafters, their relentless clicking designed to terrify me even further.

“Shit, shit, shit.” I panted and forced my way through the only exit. Their laughter was a jumbled clicking and sucking of their lips. I pushed one door open, it was easier than I expected it to be. Then the clicking started again, which turned to a purr and I looked up to see the vampire looking down at me.

Shit.

“I like my blood filled with adrenaline. Gives me a high.”

My body was going to be covered in shit in a minute because once I was caught I was going to release all bodily functions out of sheer terror.

I bolted and screamed for Benedict. Though I think it would be useless because the vampires behind me were merely walking. It was like a terrible zombie movie where you would run as fast as you could, trip on tiny stones or branches, and go slower and slower until the zombie ultimately takes you and eats your brain.

"Oryx!" I shouted as I attempted to dash toward the front of the yard. But before I could reach it, one of them leaped in front of me like a giant jumping spider. He was dressed in a shabby, flannel work outfit, complete with overalls and bare feet. His hair, possibly black beneath the layers of dirt and debris, was so tangled and unkempt that it was hard to determine its true color.

"Come on, pretty, we'll make sure it doesn't hurt. We're starving. The human blood coursing through you is hard to resist."

I backed away and bumped into the other one. He wrapped his arms around me and his nose went straight into my hair. “She smells nice. We can just snack on her.” A dirty, clawed finger ran down my cheek.

The other shook his head. “We can try but it will be,” he licked his lips, “difficult. We have hungered for too long. We shouldn’t promise her.”

I growled out. “How about you don’t eat me? If Oryx finds out, he’ll kill you both!”

Both vampires looked at each other. “Oryx is dead. Hush now and close your eyes, it will be like falling asleep.”

Um, no.

With the vampire behind me, I leaned my head forward and violently slammed my head back. The resounding crack echoed and I felt something sharp slice into my head. I groaned and the vampire in front of me stood in shock.

But I wasn’t done yet.

I swiftly kicked him where the sun really doesn’t shine.