Burning Up

thoughts.
    The vampire could be dying even now.
     
    R aniero gritted his teeth as claws flashed down, raking shallow furrows across his bare chest. Blood welled and ran scarlet down his ribs. The reptiles were playing with him, looking to enjoy his pain and terror.
    Damned if he’d give them any.
    He could scream, of course. If he were lucky, someone might even come running.
    But would that serve his king? If Raniero died now, whatever plot Korban had in mind would suffer a major setback. When no word came from Raniero, King Ferran would consider his suspicions confirmed. He’d likely give the situation his personal attention—with an army at his back.
    With luck, Korban’s plot would be foiled, and the kingdom saved. Perhaps.
    All Raniero had to do was die without making enough noise to alert rescuers. Not exactly the act of heroism he’d prefer, but he seemed short of options . . .
    Claws scraped his belly, slowly, cutting just deep enough to bleed him.
    “He thinks he is brave.” Blue Stripe licked his teeth with a pointed black tongue.
    “That will not last, my kevil .” His partner laid talons against Raniero’s bunched thigh, drew them slowly down. “He is git’fe . He will soon fill the air with his squeals.”
    “Go fuck yourselves,” Raniero gritted, throwing all his strength against his chains, only to feel his power drain away in the spell.
    Hissing laughter, the raiders reached for him again.
    Raniero sensed the flare of magic just before the door blew open with the groaning screech of shattering bolts and breaking wood.
    “Get away from him!”
    The Blood Rose stormed through the door, a thin glowing dagger in her hand. She lifted it and snarled, “He is not food, lizards. Get yourselves gone, or die.”
    Oh, Red God’s Balls , Raniero thought in horror as the Varil whirled to face her. They’ll rip her apart.

SIX
    T he two brawny Varil towered over the slender Rose, yet there was no fear at all on her delicate face as she faced them. Her dagger glowed like a torch, sending the reptiles’ shadows dancing like demons on the stone walls.
    “Look, my kevil ,” Blue Stripe hissed, “a little treat before the feast.”
    “All you will eat is my blade if you do not get yourselves gone,” Amaris snapped, brandishing her blazing knife.
    It might as well have been a glowing toothpick against the raiders’ power and size. Raniero could take no more. “Get out, Amaris! Summon help!”
    Too late. Blue Stripe lunged at her, massive arms extended. She spun aside like a bull dancer, and the glowing blade flashed.
    A splatter of green droplets rained through the air as the Varil howled in startled pain. “She cut me, Cari’f! The little git’fe cut me!”
    But she had already made Cari’f her target, darting in with that ridiculous blade to slash the raider’s fanged muzzle. He yowled and swiped a massive hand at her face. The blow would have taken her head if it had landed, but she spun aside. Bloody claws caught only one silken curl.
    Raniero ground his teeth in frustration. Amaris was much faster than the Varil, but all they had to do was land one blow and she was finished. He threw himself against his chains with all his vampire strength, simultaneously knifing his magic into the draining spell. He had to get free before they killed her.
    His magic died as the chains held firm. He cursed and gathered himself to try again.
    Amaris buried her blade in Blue Stripe’s thigh, then barely managed to yank it out again and dive aside before he could knock her into the nearest wall.
    “What goes here?” a human voice bellowed.
    Wizard Lord Korban stalked past the splintered door, half a dozen guards at his heels. “Cease!” he roared, flinging a spell globe at Blue Stripe. Just in time. The creature had finally succeeded in grabbing Amaris, and was about to rake her face open with his claws. The globe hit him in a splash of red light, and he yowled, releasing Amaris to paw at his burned shoulder.
    “They were attempting to eat your captive, Korban,” Amaris said.
    “Nay!” Cari’f hissed. “It was . . . her! She tried to free him. We but stopped her.”
    “Which is, I suppose, why he is still chained and covered in the marks of your claws,” Korban snarled. “Do not try to play me for a fool, reptile. You have not the wit for it. Get out of my sight before I slay you on the spot.” A red glow gathered around his lifted hands.
    “Have a care, wizard,” Blue Stripe growled.