Dying to Date(72)

He could feel her try to move her limbs as he held them still.

“Tarian,” she said, panic entering her voice. “I’ll never forgive you for this.”

“I know,” he replied. “Go to your father and do not look back.”

Her eyes widened even as her body turned away from the fighting. “Don’t do this,” she cried as her legs started to carry her away.

Tarian didn’t flinch. He poured enough magic into her body to ensure she followed his orders then turned back to the chaos in the parking lot. His chest throbbed like a physical wound. Even if he came out of this alive, she wouldn’t absolve him for taking away her free will.

But at least she’d be alive to hate him.

He scanned the scene around him, looking for only one man.

There. Dominic was beating a hasty escape toward the fire exit.

Tarian took off at a sprint just as the lights finally flickered.

Screams echoed off the concrete walls as half the parking lot plunged into blackness. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw the vampires swarming in, dragging their victims into the shadows to decrease their chances of being overtaken.

The main lights in his half of the garage flickered and went out, all except the emergency lighting over the exit.

Darkness gave vampires the edge, but there was still enough light for Tarian to track his quarry.

He increased his speed, pushing himself as fast as his injuries would allow. Cars flashed by him as he raced away from the chaos of the battle he’d left behind.

“Dominic,” he shouted.

His grandfather whirled, glancing from him to the exit a short sprint away.

“You’ll never make it,” Tarian said. “Don’t run away like a coward.”

A growl rumbled from Dominic’s lips. “I’ve fought more battles than you can count, boy.”

Tarian slowed to a stop ten feet before his grandfather. “Then defeating me should be no problem,” he said before launching himself forward.

Dominic met his attack, blocking each blow with a strength and speed only age could achieve.

Tarian tried to reach for the dagger on his hip only to have his legs kicked out from under him. He hit the ground hard, seeing stars as his skull cracked against the pavement. Dominic was on him before he could even roll over.

Hands latched around his throat and squeezed. A gasp left him as his body struggled for air. His lungs burned as he fought the vicious hold.

Slamming his hands against his grandfather’s elbows caused the older man’s arms to buckle. Tarian gulped in air as he turned the tables. Wedging a leg between them, he kicked off Dominic and grabbed his blade.

He cast a leg astride his grandfather and stared down at one of the last remaining pieces of his family.

“Going to kill me?” Dominic said, looking at him and not the silver blade poised over his heart. “You know it’s the only way you’ll stop me.”

He might be right. This man had caused wars and deaths across multiple continents for more years than Tarian wanted to think about.

But for all his evil, death was not the answer.

“I won’t make you a martyr,” he said. “This destruction ends with you.”

“Our people will never stop fighting to be equal.”

“They no longer have to,” Tarian replied. “Dominic Salvage, as the newest member of the New York State Council of Elders, I am placing you under arrest.”

Surprise shone in Dominic’s eyes right before Tarian slammed the hilt of his blade against his grandfather’s temple.

Dominic’s body went limp beneath him, out cold.

Tarian rolled away from him and took a deep breath. He’d won. After all that, against all the odds, Dominic was finished.

He glanced back toward the other end of the lot. Though some necromancers still fought, the pile of unconscious bodies was growing. It would only be a matter of time before the battle was over.

As he rubbed a hand over his face, several vampires flashed to his side.

Staring up at their angry red eyes, he wondered if he’d be their next target, and tensed for a fight.

“Mr. Redgrave sent us,” their leader said, pointing toward one of the security cameras he’d failed to notice. “He thought you might need a recovery team.”

Tarian glanced at the camera. So Lucian had seen the whole thing and waited till it was over before sending help. Perhaps the elder had hoped Dominic would finish him off in the capture process. Tarian tipped his imaginary hat to the viewer on the other end of the camera before turning back to the vampires awaiting his orders. “Take Dominic into custody,” he said. “Get him locked down before he comes to.”

The vampires inclined their heads and grabbed Dominic’s unconscious body. As they turned to go, the leader glanced back at him. “Mr. Redgrave says you have his thanks for protecting his daughter,” he said. “Though he said to add, it won’t do you much good when you see her.”