Page 20 of The Slayer Seduction

Impulsivity may have just ruined everything for me. I’m digging into my belt, wrapping my fist around the stake as the disgusting dead man sinks his teeth into my neck.

Part of me wants to laugh. I bet my blood tastes like shit. But his teeth still hurt, the wound gushing more than I’m comfortable with. I can heal. I’m unnaturally fast and stealthy, but I’m not unkillable in this form.

I’ve never been more afraid than I am at this moment as I finally get hold of the stake and ram it into his side. He rolls off me and I clutch my bleeding neck.

This was not how I wanted tonight to go and I don’t have another stake. He’s as good as dead anyway, which is a relief. All my stakes are imbued with runes, making it so a vampire can’t remove it.

I just need to not fucking die.

“This isn’t over, Slayer!” he screams as I stumble away, adding pressure to the wound at my neck.

“Never is,” I garble back, my words drowning with blood.

Each step is torturous and I know I have enough power to portal to where I need to go. The one place I might stand a chance.

It isn’t the introduction I wanted, but it will have to do. I portal in front of Goddess Apothecary and bang on the door, hoping that my mate won’t let me die.

Not like this.

Chapter 11

Iris

Scarlett is nestled against my neck, lightly snoring. Her weight is a calming reminder that I’m not alone.

The house is secured and I have my grandmother’s manacle bracelet. Whatever is coming for me, I stand a chance.

I pet down Scarlett’s back. Her fur is plush underneath my fingers as I close my eyes, attempting to get sleep. It’s not my visions that are giving me grief right now, it’s my own raging thoughts. How can I possibly sleep when all I can think about is the uncertainty of my future?

Tomorrow I’ll tell Violet and Ember everything I know. I’ve held on to this secret too long and it’s eating me alive.

My lids feel heavy and I’m ready to finally fall asleep when I’m suddenly jolted upright on my bed.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

The shop nearly rattles with the force of the pounding against the door. Scarlett is on her feet quickly as we look at each other, both of our faces littered with fear.

The knocking doesn’t stop, and suddenly a crash of glass echoes from downstairs. My wand is in my fist as I quietly step toward the shop entrance, Scarlett right next to me, ready to do whatever is necessary to protect ourselves.

“The wards are strong, we’ll be safe,” I tell her, maybe I say it out loud for my own peace of mind.

Scarlett sniffs the air and her nose twitches, and confusion takes over her features as we finally reach the bottom of the steps.

I hold my wand out at the intruder. How did he get into the shop?

The massive man is on all fours, blood pooling on the floor as he holds his neck. He tilts his face up at me and a gasp rips out of my throat. His eyes are pure black, giving him an almost evil-like presence.

“Finally,” he rasps out, before collapsing onto the floor.

I stare at him for a moment, and Scarlett prances over to him with no fear.

“Scarlett, get over here,” I snap, and she glares at me.

“You have to save him,” my familiar says matter-of-factly.

When I look at the bleeding man, I curse. Could I just leave him here to die? Even if he quite possibly is the reincarnation of death, evil, or whatever the fuck?

“He was able to get through the wards because he means you no harm,” Scarlett says.