Carpathian 11 - Dark Descent

his clawlike fingers, and she felt a tremendous pul. It was only the vicious bites of the insects that kept her from stepping out of the room and onto the verandah. She had no doubt that he would kil her. That he would kil al of them. She struggled to keep her mind her own, rather than alow his soft voice to intrude and command.
    "Tel me why you do his bidding." The only weapon she had was to flatter the vampire's ego. Stal him in the hope that Traian would come before Valenteen could entice her out to him. "It's clear you're much more powerful. Why would you serve such a creature?" She forced interest and admiration into her voice. "I find it hard to believe that a man like you needs someone like him."
    Valenteen's lip curled, exposing blackened gums. "I alow him to think he commands me. It suits me to fal in with his plans. We both seek the same thing. If he finds it, I wil take it from him."
    Joie was being compeled forward, one slow step at a time. She struggled to stay grounded, flinging her hand out to Jubal. Her brother's fingers tightened over hers instantly, gripping her without hesitation. "Of course you'l take it. He's a fool to think he can treat you with so little respect. I've been al over the world and have never encountered a man as powerful as you." She tried to interject a flirty note in her voice, but her acting skils didn't stretch that far. "You should lead them al. Everyone would benefit from your knowledge."
    In spite of Jubal’s restraining hand, she was jerked another step forward. Joie felt like a puppet on a string. She couldn't stop her body from going toward the beckoning hand, even with Jubal trying to hold her back.
    Valenteen nodded his head. "It is true that I have much experience in leading. Perhaps kiling you is not the best answer. Perhaps bringing you to my side would serve us both better."
    Jubal let go of her hand and caught her around the waist, lifting her away from the threshold. At once the vampire closed his hand, staring at Jubal's throat. Joie's brother went down hard, choking, coughing, fighting for air. The insects instantly swarmed over him, clogging his throat, attacking his exposed face. Gary made a grab for Joie, but she shook her head and deliberately stepped onto the verandah.
    "Help Jubal," she ordered. She kept her gaze on the vampire, trying to appear fascinated. Traian was close. He was with her, moving in her mind, giving her strength. The vampire believed he was stil compeling her to do his bidding, but with Traian's aid, she moved on her own. She didn't look behind her to see if Gary was able to fight off the insects. Intuitively she knew it was better for al of them to keep the vampire's attention centered on her.
    Her stomach lurched at the prospect of being close to such an evil creature. She could see him clearly now, without the ilusion the undead often used on their victims. Flesh hung from his bones. Tufts of hair clung to his scalp. His long, thick fingernails were in the shape of hooked claws, sharp and twisted and black. His eyes were red and streaked with yelow. There was a malevolence clinging to him that sickened her and fouled the air around him.
    Instead of trying to stop herself from moving toward him, Joie had to force her shaking legs to take a step. Impatience crossed his face. "Joining with a man so powerful and knowing he's certain to rule those around him sounds like a good idea. I've always admired strength."
    Inches from his outstretched hand, Joie purposely tripped on a piece of the splintered door and stumbled. She protected herself with a palm to the ground, her body slightly turned, giving her precious seconds to slide her other hand along her leg to secure the knife strapped to her calf, the blade hidden flat against her wrist.
    Valenteen leaned over her, spittle drooling from his mouth as he caught her by her hair and wrenched her to her feet. He dragged her against his body, jerking her head back to expose her throat, and sank his teeth deep, gulping as he drank.
    Joie registered the fiery pain of an acid burn as he tore a gaping wound in her throat. Her vision blurred, and the ground lurched as her legs went rubbery. She could hear the sound of his heart, although she couldn't feel it beating. She made no sound of protest, made no struggle, giving herself up wilingly. Some of the tension slipped from the undead's body. With every ounce of strength she possessed, everything she was, Joie plunged the knife deep into his chest,