That’s when she saw the criminal vampires. A few seconds later, a siren broke out, announcing that they were here to everyone. She stayed in the forefront, making sure they all got a good look at her. While her dad and a few other lycans stayed her. The ten advancing in her direction paused, looking as if they were unsure. They didn’t expect her to be here, she realized with a wolfish grin. “Come on little leeches, you came to play so let’s play!”
After almost a minute of indecision one of the vampires spoke. “Go,” he yelled and they charged towards her. Both her beast and vampire were eager to sink their claws and fangs into their prey. She leaped at the closest vampire and landed on him hard, dropping him to the ground violently. Her dad and the others rushed around her, engaging the other lycans. The Hybrid buried her claws into the vamp’s chest, the sound of ripping flesh and snapping bone making her mouth water. His screams only made her smile.
This was easy prey, she thought as she wrapped her clawed hands around the bone and ripping out his chest. The Hybrid sniffed her bloodied hand and scowled. Vampiric blood and it smelled awful; like spoiled meat. Not a good meal. She sunk her claws into the vampire’s neck and causing him to gurgle as blood filled his mouth and lungs. Twisting his head in a quick, rough twist, she removed it completely. A quick death. A good death, she thought before looking up for the next prey.
She wasn’t sure how long the fight lasted before the vampires retreated. All Lily knew is when she shifted back to normal she was a bloody mess, none of it hers, and she was starving. The adrenaline of the fight had made her hunger spike. She was so hungry that the werewolves around her were starting to smell good. Not now, she told herself as she looked around the parking lot. Out of all the bodies, she didn’t think any of them were theirs.
It was easy, too easy, she thought as she did a walk around of the parking lot. Those vampires had been some of the weakest she’d ever fought before. Lily would join a beauty pageant if any of those vamps were over a hundred years old. “This was not fun,” Donovan, the large muscular fairy complained. “Hell, I’ve seen fairy babes that fight harder and better than this lot,” he continued to complain.
“Yes, something isn’t right. These were all newly turned. I even suspect that this was their first night for some,” Dorin said, frowning.
“What does that mean?” Lily demanded, starting to cross her arms over her chest but pausing when she remembered the blood on her hands and arms. She looked at herself and realized her clothes were just as bad so she finished the gesture.
“It means,” Evangeline said, walking over to them. She was the only one who was free of blood but then as a succubus, her powers didn’t rely on violence. “That this was a distraction. Lord Etienne, the alphas, and James went to check the vampire prisoners. The Crow has checked on the human girl. She’s fine, well as fine as one can be considering the situation she’s in.”
“Maybe it was just a test of our strength,” Lily said as she looked over the dead. “This Vincent knew he could take on Nick’s pack when it was just Nick but it’s him, his brother, a few other packs, James, me, and Lord Etienne’s bunch.”
“That’s quite possible,” She heard Nick say and Lily turned to face him and the others.
“But it was also a distraction so that Vincent could recover the captives from the lab or at least the vampire ones at least,” Lord Etienne jumped in. “The lycans and the human captives were executed,” he added, not looking pleased with the news. Lily wasn’t too happy with it either. They’d lost Veronica and her chance to find out just how far the vampire had betrayed her. Lily growled out her frustration.
“I’m going to kill that vamp,” She declared as she looked out towards the busy parking lot. As these vamps were so new they didn’t crumble to dust like the older ones did. They would have to dispose of. Lily rather felt sorry for the vampires; especially those had been just turned. With what she knew of this Vincent, she was sure they hadn’t asked for this. They were just more victims to add to the list.
“Why didn’t he go after Tristen,” James asked, voicing Lily’s own unasked question. “He went through all the trouble of going down to Miami to kidnap her, bring her here, and keep her alive. So why didn’t he come for her first?”
“Because he knows the girl isn’t going anywhere,” Etienne replied. “I have a feeling tonight was most about eliminating the threat the captives posed to him. I’m guessing they knew something that he didn’t want us finding out.” The vampire stood still, unnaturally still, with a thoughtful look on his pale face.
“What could they know? I think we covered pretty much everything in the interrogations,” Lily asked.
“I have a few theories but it doesn’t matter now. It is something we’ll never know. The captives are either dead or freed. The only we can do now is continue with our own plans,” Etienne stated.
“I suggest with James, and the trackers should begin searching the woods to see what they can find. Especially with the scents being so fresh,” Dorin offered.
“I should go. I know Veronica’s scent. It would be easy for me to follow,” Lily jumped in. She watched to catch that little vamp so bad she could taste it and maybe if she was lucky Vincent too.
“No,” Lord Etienne spoke. “You need to stay here, Lily,” he said with a tone that made her frown.
“Why? Why the hell do I need to stay here?” She demanded, doing her best to stare him down.
“Because either you or James should remain here to help protect the others at all times and second, you’re hungry,” he replied. How did he know she was hungry? Did she smell or something?
“I could eat first and what does being hungry have to do with anything,” She shot back, full out glaring at him now. She couldn’t help but feel a little smug when he gave her a look that hinted towards irritation. Lily was starting to get to him.
“My first argument still stands then. Either you or James should be here or if you must insist, being hungry makes you unpredictable and dangerous to those around you,” he replied.
Lily just scowled at him. “Fine. Go run around in the woods see if I care,” she demanded throwing her hands up in the air. “But you are so off my Christmas list,” she added. Lily sent the vampire lord one final glare before walking back to her hotel room, silently cursing him along the way.
Lily took a shower and changed clothes before addressing her hunger. She decided to boil water in the microwave to warm up the blood without destroying its properties. Maybe that would make it tasted better or at least that’s what she was hoping for. She sat at the table, waiting for the blood to warm up in the large bowl, wishing it wouldn’t take so long when she heard someone knock on the door. “Come in,” she called out, leaning back in the chair. Maybe it was true about blood what they said about boiling water.
Lily straightened, seeing Tristen walk into the room. “Tristen? Uh hi,” she said, feeling a little awkward. The girl gave her a brief and small smile as she closed the door.
“Hi,” she said, sitting down next to Lily. “I was wondering if you could tell me what’s going on? Everyone else seems busy”
“Great, just put salt in the wound there, kid,” she said sourly.