again. Ashi considered him a moronic ape with his only drives being Eat, Sleep, and Run—but he was proving to be more intelligent than that.
Ashi kept running as fast as he could, his breath wheezing in short gasps.
* * *
Sunset came far too soon.
Angus and Reece were given Ashi’s location by the Moonwalkers discreetly tailing him. Reece was still feeling disgruntled at having been woken up by Angus to learn his “barbaric, heathenish ways.” Though, he had to admit, the idea of pouncing on someone sounded kind of fun.
The two of them took Reece’s Jag, a sleek silver vehicle that roared to life as they prowled the streets in search of the little escapee.
Ashi looked like a terrified drunk as he ran/staggered down the street. He passed a silver Jaguar going the other way, but didn’t take more notice than that.
“There ‘e is,” Angus said.
“I know.”
The car came to a smooth stop about half a block away from where they’d spotted him. The two vampires stepped out, Reece’s dark brown eyes flickering to red embers as he tracked Ashi’s movements.
“Ye want me tae stop him? And ye take over?”
“No. I’ll do it all.”
“Suit yerself.”
Reece was young for a vampire at less than a decade turned. Ken thought he was adorable and begged Royce to turn him so he could be a companion to the fashionable vampire for the rest of eternity. He was an excellent dancer, thus a good draw for the crowds at Twisted Temptations, and thus a good investment. With Reece’s agreement to the arrangement, Royce had granted Ken’s wish, and the pair had taken well to each other.
After this contract nonsense came about, opportunities for those so young under Royce’s wing to find out what it was like to hunt were few and far between. Royce felt taking down Ashi would be a good learning experience for him. Not to mention act as a deterrent on Ashi’s part against future escape attempts.
So Reece adjusted the lapels to his skintight shirt and took off after Ashi, nervous excitement bringing his fangs to extend and his movements to become more fluid, more predatory. Angus waited by the car, clasping his hands together as he leaned over the roof, watching.
Ashi was leaning against a wall to rest and get some air into his lungs. Glancing around, he noticed a man running toward him, his movements unnaturally fluid and predatory. Whether it was a vampire or not didn’t matter—it was intent on attacking and Ashi was in no condition to fight.
Still, he wasn’t going to throw himself at the guy’s feet and wail for mercy. He stepped away from the wall, settled into a shaky stance, and raised his fists.
Ashi taught Tae Kwon Do and practiced Kendo in his own time. His knowledge of martial arts gave him an edge in wolf form and he was known as one of the deadliest warriors in Goliath. Even when human, he could easily take down a whole crowd.
But Tae Kwon Do was a kick-based style, and Ashi’s legs felt like sacks of cooked noodles.
He’d still give it his all, though.
Reece slowed down once he got closer to Ashi, practically vibrating with excitement. Despite his gym-honed muscles, he wasn’t much of a fighter. He’d never done more than slap anyone in his life.
Once he was about a car-length away, he stopped, grinning.
“Hi there. You must be Ashi.”
Probably not the most intimidating entrance, but it would do. Aside from the brief lessons received from Angus, Reece wasn’t familiar with how to subdue unwilling prey, and the fact that Ashi obviously knew how to fight worried him. After all, Reece might be dead, but he still felt pain, and he didn’t have the speed or agility of the older vampires.
“Look, I’m supposed to bring you back. I’d rather not make it a fight. Will you come quietly?”
The unspoken was obvious. Reece would do whatever he had to in order to make Ashi return.
Ashi thought about that. Going back without a fuss sounded good—no torn muscles, broken bones, or chomped necks. He was exhausted, dehydrated, and scared. This vampire was larger and had longer reach than he did, which counted for a lot in a fight. If he knew and practiced any martial art, Ashi was in big trouble.
Whether or not he fought, trouble would be the result.
“What happens if I go back?” Ashi asked, still holding his stance. If the vampire came any closer, Ashi would do his best to plant a heel in his throat.
“That