The little frog hopped along the tree branch, taking great care to blend in with the leaves and twigs. He was some distance from the fallen tree, and the ground stretching between was covered with debris. Traian glanced skyward at the black, spinning clouds. At his mental command, lightning shot bright sparks into the massive cauldron overhead. The white-hot energy spun into a large ball, breaking away from the clouds and hurtling toward the ground. The air crackled with electricity.
Traian leapt from the branch, shape-shifting into his true form, his hands directing the spinning threads of energy, launching the ball as he melted back into the trees. The sphere slammed into the center of the rotten trunk, carving a blackened hole as it went all the way through to hit the ground, forming a deep crater. White whips sizzled and crackled inside the depression.
Black vapor rose from the trunk of the tree to mix with the dark, spinning clouds. A terrible piercing howl of rage filled the air. High-pitched and obscene, the voice shredded nerves and pierced eardrums. The trees shuddered and shook. Grass and leaves shriveled. The sound bounced from ground to cloud with the force of a clap of thunder. The blast hit Traian in the back and drove him forward, slamming him into a tree. He just managed to whip his head back before he hit.
He inhaled quickly, took in the noxious, foul smell of burnt flesh, and knew he had scored a hit. Fire rained from the sky, red glowing embers igniting the foliage. Hungry flames licked at the grass and leaves, and then raced up the trees with glee. Traian spread out his arms, gave a command, and the clouds burst open, pouring sheets of water on the rising flames. The sky overhead went black with smoke and whirling clouds. It was impossible to tell where the vampire was. The undead was experienced enough not to give away his presence by blank spots in the air. He chose to blend into the chaos of his surroundings, sidestepping further battles now that he was wounded.
Without warning Traian was hit from behind, a thick branch thunking hard across his back, knocking him to his knees. Instantly, a body was on him, teeth tearing at him, missing his neck and hooking into his shoulder. Using tremendous strength, he drove upward and back, slamming his body down hard over the top of the vicious vampire.
Instinctively he knew, this was the master’s pawn, sent to slow Traian down, a sacrifice the master hoped would wound him enough to allow the kill. He heard the vampire grunt with pain and he rolled. The undead refused to let go, his teeth clamped hard in Traian’s shoulder. As he rolled, he felt flesh and muscle tear. He reached back, gripped the head with both hands and wrenched hard, throwing the body over his shoulder as he leapt to his feet.
The vampire landed with a thud against the same tree Traian had run into. The force of the body hitting it shook the trunk so that branches rocked and leaves and twigs rained down over the thin, stick-like figure. Traian almost didn’t recognize that this vampire once had been a childhood friend. The man was every bit as old as he was and the fact that he was a fledgling, commanded by a master, meant he’d only recently turned. He’d held out against the growing darkness as long as he was able and rather than seeking the dawn, he’d succumbed to the whispers for the rush of feeling a kill would bring.
Deliberately, Traian ignored the blood oozing from the bite marks and torn flesh on his shoulder. He bowed slightly toward the vampire.
“Emilian, I scarce recognized you. It has been many long years since last we met.”
The fledgling vampire climbed clumsily to his feet. His bloodshot eyes met Traian’s and slithered away, unable to see himself in the eyes of a hunter. He dusted his clothes off and made an effort to settle an illusion of who he had once been over his rotting body. His hair changed from all gray to black and gray. His skin, pitted and sunken, filled out to once again look smooth. He pulled himself up to try to look dignified.
“Traian. You have angered the master. Come, join us. He will forgive you if you aid us.”
Traian’s eyebrow shot up. “I never thought to hear you say you have a master. Carpathians are free. We roam the