Dying to Date(70)

But though his abilities gave him an edge, there were too many guards to stop all at one time. He was limited in what he could do, and the window where his powers were useful was quickly closing.

Melissa hissed at his grandfather as Dominic tossed her off him. She skidded a bit on the floor before launching herself back at her enemy, fangs bared.

Tarian waited for the inevitable moment where Dominic would freeze her in her steps, but the old man seemed to be enjoying himself. He twirled around Melissa, dodging her attacks and using his magic to nudge her blows just slightly off course.

He was a cat playing with a mouse, Tarian realized, and still Melissa didn’t give up.

One necromancer reached him and he ducked under the wild punch. Rising behind the man, Tarian delivered a quick chop to the back of his neck before turning to face his next opponent. What he wouldn’t give for his broadsword like in the old days.

Still, he’d never been a slouch when it came to hand-to-hand combat and he was centuries older than most of Dominic’s followers.

He struck out in tight, calculated movements. Each attack found a vulnerable target, but no matter how many enemies he dropped, more swarmed in to fill their place.

A blow caught him on the side of the head and knocked him to his knees. With ears ringing he launched himself from the floor to strike out with hard fists. Through the fray of black uniforms he caught sight of Melissa standing perfectly still before Dominic. Looked like his grandfather had finally gotten tired of playing.

Kicking off the nearest guard, Tarian fought his way closer to Melissa. He didn’t miss the triumphant smile Dominic shot his way before he turned to walk away, Melissa keeping pace at his side.

Dammit, where was that backup Lucian had promised? Fifteen minutes be damned, they needed help now.

As an answer to his prayers, vampires flashed from the stairwell. They barreled into the necromancers, working in pairs so if one was controlled the other could still fight.

The swarm around him thinned as Dominic’s men turned to engage the new threat. Tarian saw bodies being thrown through the air and only hoped the vampires would make it until the power could be shut off. Some fought with lightning quick efficiency while others stood immobile before their captors.

Pushing himself from the ground, he looked around for Eilin and Melissa.

His sister was remarkably easy to find. She was fighting her guards, clawing at their faces, while a vampire team moved in to help her.

Knowing they’d get her to safety, he chased after Melissa.

Dominic hurried toward the farthest exit. He didn’t even pause to see what had become of his supporters.

Pain throbbed in one knee as Tarian pushed himself faster. He felt blood trickle from his temple but none of that slowed him. Melissa was still in danger.

“Grandfather,” he shouted, stalking closer.

Dominic glanced behind and arched a brow. “You don’t give up, I’ll give you that.”

“It’s over. Surely you see that.”

“I see no such thing. In fact, I think this is the perfect opportunity to get rid of you, Tarian. And I know exactly how to do it.”

“I’m stronger than you in a fight,” he said.

Dominic shrugged. “Who said anything about me fighting you?”

Melissa stepped up to his side, her eyes blank.

“No,” Tarian breathed.

Dominic wasn’t merely controlling her body, he’d taken over her mind. She stood before him as a puppet. Her vibrant personality had been deleted from existence. It was a defense only the strongest necromancers were capable of. Hell, he’d used this form of attack a time or two himself, but seeing it inflicted on someone he cared about sent rage surging through him.

“Melissa, darling,” Dominic said, triumph shining on his face. “Do me a favor and destroy your lover won’t you?”

Melissa flew at him without hesitation.

Tarian stumbled back. A necromancer’s best defense against vampires was his magic. Without his powers, the odds were greatly tipped in Melissa’s favor.

Claws shot from her fingertips as she hissed at him with glistening fangs.

“Melissa,” he tried, even knowing it was useless. “Don’t do this.”

But there was no one home in her eyes. The influence she was under was deep and consuming. It reduced a captured vampire to little more than an animal. A perfect killing machine.

She leapt at him with raised claws.

Tarian spun around her attack, catching her foot to make her stumble. She righted herself with fluid grace and prowled toward him.

His mind whirled through his options while every instinct demanded he take down the threat. How many vampires had he killed in his lifetime? How many during the wars, who’d looked at him just like this?