LITMIR.BIZ

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completely draped in black. He looked younger than the others, maybe 20, and his features were more chiseled. Even in her haste, even with her life in such danger, Caitlin could not help but noticing how strikingly attractive this vampire was. Still, he was blocking her only way out.

      She could outrun the others, but she could not get past this man without going right through him. He opened the door even wider, as if making way for her to pass through it. Was he tricking her? She looked down and saw that he held a long spear in his hand.

      As she got closer, he held it up and aimed it right for her. She was only feet from the door now, and she couldn’t stop. They were on her tail, and if she even slowed, it would be the end of her. So she ran right for him, closing her eyes and bracing herself for the inevitable impact of his spear running through her body. At least it would be quick.

      As she opened her eyes she saw him releasing his spear, and she reflexively ducked.

      But he had aimed too high. Way too high. She craned her neck back, and saw that he had not been aiming at her after all, but at one of the vampires who had been swooping down at her. The silver-tipped spear pierced the vampire’s throat, and a hideous screech filled the room, as the creature fell to the ground.

      Caitlin stared at this new vampire in wonder. He had just saved her. Why?

      “Go!” he screamed.

      She picked up her pace and ran right through the open door.

      As she turned around, he turned with her and yanked closed the door with all his might, closing it firmly behind them. He quickly reached up, foisted an enormous metal shaft, and placed it across the door, barring it. He took several steps back, standing next to her, watching the door.

      She couldn’t help looking up at him, studying the line of his jaw, his brown hair and brown eyes. He had saved her. Why?

      But he wasn’t looking back down at her. He was still watching the door, fear in his eyes. With good reason. Within a second of his having barred it, a body had hurled against it. The door was over six feet thick, pure steel, and the bars were even thicker. But it was no match. The bodies crashed into it from the other side, and the door was already almost completely caved in. It would only be seconds until they crashed through.

      “Move!” he shouted, and before she could react, he grabbed her arm and led her away. He tugged at her, making her run faster than she ever had, faster than she knew she could, and within seconds they were down one hall, then another, then another, twisting and turning every which way. The only thing they had to see by were occasional torches. She never could have made it out of there on her own.

      “What’s going on?” Caitlin tried to ask as they ran, out of breath. “Where are we –”

      “This way!” he yelled, yanking her suddenly in another direction.

      Behind them, Caitlin heard a crashing, followed by the sound of a mob, bearing down on them.

      They reached a circular staircase, made of stone, winding its way up along a wall. He ran full speed toward the steps, yanking her with him, and before she knew it they were racing up the steps, twisting in circles, taking them three at a time. They were ascending quickly.

      As they reached the top, it seemed to end in a complete wall. A stone ceiling was above them, and she could see no other way out. It was a dead-end. Where had he led them?

      He was confused, too. And angry. But he seemed determined. He took a few steps back, and with a running start, charged at the ceiling. It was incredible. With this superhuman strength, he smashed a hole right through. Stone crumbled, and light poured through. Real, electric light. Where were they?

      “Come on!” he yelled.

      He reached down and grabbed her arm, yanking her up and out, through the ceiling, and into the well-lit room.

      She looked about. It looked like they were in a courthouse. Or a museum. It was a grand, beautiful structure. The floors were marble, the room was all stone, columns. It was round. It looked like a government building.

      “Where are we?” she asked.

      He grabbed her hand and took off at a sprint, tugging her through the room at lightning speed. He charged a set of two huge, steel doors. He let go of her wrist and ran right into them, leaning his shoulder hard. They flew open with a crash.

      She followed close behind, this time not waiting. She heard the sound of stone moving behind her, and knew that the mob was close.

      They were outside, finally, and the cold, night air struck her in the face. She was so grateful to be out from underground.

      She tried to get her bearings. They were definitely in New York. But where? Her surroundings seemed vaguely familiar. She saw a city street, a passing taxi. She turned to look back, and saw the structure they had just left. City Hall. The coven had been beneath City Hall.

      They ran down the steps and across the courtyard, heading for the street. They hadn’t gotten far when there came the noise of doors opening behind him, and a mob of vampires.

      They headed right for a large, iron gate. As they got close, two security officers. They turned around, and saw them running right for the gate. Their eyes opened wide in shock, and they reached for their guns.

      “Don’t move!” they yelled.

      Before they could react, he grabbed her tight, took three long bounds, and leapt for all he was worth. She felt them flying through the air, 10 feet, 20, clearing the metal gate and landing on the other side with grace.

      They hit the ground running. She looked at her protector in shock, wondering what the extent of his power was. Wondering why he cared about her. And wondering, why she felt so good beside him.

      Before she could think much longer, there was the crash of metal behind them, followed by gunshots. The other vampires had broken through, taking the police officers down with them. They were already close behind.

      They ran and ran but it was not working. The mob was fast closing in.

      He suddenly grabbed her hand and turned the corner, taking them down a side street. It ended in a wall.

      “It’s a dead-end!” she yelled. But he kept running, dragging her with him.

      He reached the end of the alley, dropped to a knee, and with a single finger reached in and yanked up a huge, iron manhole.

      She turned, and saw the huge group of vampires heading right towards them, not more than 20 feet away

      “Go!” he yelled, and before she could react, he grabbed her and shoved her into the hole.

      She grabbed hold of the ladder, and as she looked up, she saw him get on his hands and knees, bracing himself. He raised the manhole cover as a shield.

      He was descended upon by the mob. He swung wildly, and she heard the impact as he knocked vampire after vampire away with the heavy iron. He was trying to join her, to get into the hole, too, but he couldn’t make it. He was surrounded.

      She was about to climb up and help him, when suddenly, one of the vampires parted from the mob and slipped into the hole. He spotted Caitlin, hissed, and came right for her.

      She scrambled down the ladder, taking them two rings of the time, but it wasn’t fast enough. He landed on top of her, and they both started falling.

      As she fell through the air, she braced herself for the impact. Luckily, they landed in water.

      As she rose, she saw she was in up to her waist in filthy, sewage water.

      She had barely time to think when the vampire landed beside her with a splash. With one motion, he wound back and backhanded her across the face, sending her flying several feet.

      She landed on her back in the water, and looked up to see him pouncing again, right for her throat. She rolled out of the way just in time, springing back on her feet. He was fast, but so was she.

      He fell flat on his face. He got

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