from deep within and used it to cover himself in a cloak of invisibility.
This was going to be fun.
Gideon? Thalia asked as they stepped out onto the brick sidewalk. Do you feel that?
He nodded his head slowly. The sensation they were being observed by something powerful and evil crawled over him. He reached out with his mind, hunting for the source of the feeling. It seemed to be everywhere, and nowhere.
Layers of deception concealed the entity. He peeled back one putrid strata only to encounter more. He felt as if he were excavating a dung heap. Each descending level clung to him like an acidic web, burning and stinging. The strands throbbed with evil intent, tainting him, summoning the monster within, but still he worked.
Sweat bloomed on his forehead as he focused. His muscles strained in sympathy with his mind. Finally, he could discern a hint of the being’s true nature. It was a vampire. One of the most ancient and powerful he had ever encountered. A true adept, who, Gideon sensed, was toying with them at the moment. And he sensed something else.
“We’re too late. He’s already fed,” Gideon growled. Fury surged from deep within him. The demon inside savored the feeling even as it strained at its leash, fighting for release. Gideon drew strength from the raging monster within.
Thalia let out an audible sigh, a whisper full of sadness and resignation. She reached out to touch him, but he shook his head, warning her off.
Whoever this powerful ancient was, he was stalking them.
Gideon needed every scrap of concentration he could muster if they were to get out of this alive.
He pushed Thalia behind him. Go back into the bar, he ordered.
He knew from the complexity of the rogue’s defenses that this vampire was as old as he was and, enhanced by his recent Claiming, probably the most dangerous vampire he had ever fought. He had no choice.
As much as he hated for her to see his true self, he was going to let the demon have full rein.
Chapter 9
No. Thalia made her voice as resolute as she could. I’m the Champion. It was my cousin he murdered. I can take care of myself. I hope. She kept that final thought to herself.
Gideon turned back to her, black eyes flashing. I can’t afford to be distracted.
Maybe it will be you who distracts me? Did you ever think of that? Out of the corner of her eye, Thalia saw a faint blurry motion. She threw up a hand, muttering the last word of a potent shielding spell. A flash of blue light lit the area around them as something hit the shield, a huge misshapen blob Thalia couldn’t quite make out, and wasn’t sure she wanted to. It came with a foul odor and an aura so black and corrupt it seemed to stain the air it touched.
The thing reeled back from the force of the spell and howled, throwing back its bizarrely shaped head and raising unnaturally long arms in challenge. Thalia had never seen anything like it outside a horror movie. Spikes of black, pitted bone made up its skull and skeleton, which were all outside the body like an insect’s. It had glowing yellow eyes with flaming red pupils.
What is it? Thalia’s telepathic voice trembled with adrenaline as she struggled to maintain the energy flowing to the shield. Gideon shook his head. I don’t know. It’s not the vampire. I don’t feel any intelligence. Some sort of a golem, maybe.
The creature advanced on them again. With a horrible scream emitting from its beak-like mouth, it launched itself at Thalia and hit the shield. The shield flared blue at the impact. The creature was forced back, but not as far as the first time. As she weakened, so did the shield.
Thalia fed more power to the shield, but as the spell took its toll, her strength was fading fast. She sagged and put a hand on the pavement to stop from falling altogether.
Gideon placed a hand under Thalia’s arm and brought her to her feet, supporting her easily with his enormous strength. To control the golem, the vampire must be nearby. I just need a few more seconds to locate him. Can the shield take another hit?
Thalia nodded her head feebly, too exhausted to speak.
Gideon tore his eyes away from Thalia’s pale face. Her eyes were huge dark holes. Her arm felt like fine china beneath his grasp. Her body shook. She couldn’t take much more of this,