Hearts in Darkness (Nikki & Michael 2)

Vampires ahead.

That was the evil she'd sensed stirring. She licked suddenly dry lips. How many?

Two. He hesitated. Power tingled across her senses as he searched the night. And two more behind. The door must have been alarmed. It was stupid, really, not to think it would have been. So what do you want to do?

We can try running, though I doubt it'll do much good.

Running sounds good to me. She'd rather be a running duck than a sitting one any day. He squeezed her hand. Warmth pulsed through her, but did little to ease the chill of fear. Follow me, then.

As if she would do anything else right now. He tugged her forward again, racing them through the darkness. Her footsteps echoed. Somewhere ahead, evil began a frenzied dance. The strength of the breeze grew stronger and carried with it the slight taint of balsam. She hoped it meant they were getting close to the second entrance. Hoped they'd get there before the vampires closed in. The sense of evil swamped them. Should have known her luck had never been that good. Michael slid to a stop then thrust her sideways. She hit the tunnel wall hard, her breath leaving in one gigantic whoosh of air. Stunned, she slid down the wall, blinking away tears and fighting the rush of unconsciousness.

The air above her stirred, the sense of evil so heavy she could almost taste it. Fear surged, along with energy. It burned through her body, then lashed at the darkness above her. Something solid hit a far wall and slid to the ground.

She scrambled to her feet. She could hear the scuff of movement, the smack of flesh against flesh, but she couldn't see a damn thing. She clenched her fists, wanting to help Michael, but not daring to get in his way.

Movement to her left. She jumped sideways, lashing out with her fist. Her hand was caught in a vice, her fingers crushed. Pain shot up her arm, surged like fire through her body. She yelped, dropping to her knees, blinking back tears. Energy surged again and sparks danced across her fist, momentarily illuminating the gaunt features of the young vampire who held her. Then the energy hit him, and he was flung away, crashing through the darkness.

Footsteps echoed through the blackness, moving away from them. Michael cursed, and she felt the breeze of him moving, going after the fleeing vampire. She waited tensely, her breath rapid gasps, and her heart pounding so loudly it seemed to reverberate through the tunnel. A certain lure if there were any more vampires nearby.

After a few minutes Michael returned, though it was more a wash of concern through the link that warned her than anything she heard or saw.

Are you okay? He touched her face gently.

I think one of them broke every finger on my hand, but other than that, yeah, I'm fine. You?

They were only fledglings. No match, I'm afraid.

What do we do now? They couldn't leave the young vamps here, or whoever had turned them would know for certain that someone had been down here. Until they found Matthew, Rachel, and Rodeman, they really couldn't risk that.

The mere fact that they are missing will alert the person who turned them. His mind voice was terse. She wondered why. True. But it might also give us a little more time. He was the one who'd told her the newly turned were unstable. Maybe their maker would just think they were off hunting somewhere. We have no other option, Michael. No. He hesitated. Let's see how far away the other entrance is. Though it is nearing dusk, there's still enough strength left in the sun to destroy these youngsters. He ran his hand down her arm and captured her fingers. She followed him through the darkness again. After a few minutes, the blanket began to rise, revealing the rough brown stone of the walls and floor. The air became fresher, rich with flowery scents. They turned a corner, and the wall opened up. She'd never been more relieved to see blue sky in her life.

The meadow below them was a sea of colorful wildflowers that swayed lightly in the breeze. To their left, a path curled around the rock face and disappeared. To their right, a drop of about forty feet to the meadow. She looked over the edge. Only rocks to cushion a fall. The ledge crumbled a little under her weight, showering the rocks below with dust.

"Not too near the edge,” Michael warned, tugging her away. She glanced at him. His expression was grim, and he had a cut just above his left eye. Blood trickled down his cheek.

"You're hurt.” She dug a handkerchief from her pocket and dabbed carefully at the wound.

"I'm fine.” He brushed her hand away almost impatiently.

She raised her eyebrows at his tone. There was a bleak light in his eyes, and tension flowed through the color of his thoughts. Fear stirred anew. “What's wrong?"

"Nothing.” His voice was flat, devoid of emotion. A sure sign there was a problem. “Stay here while I go fetch the bodies."

He disappeared into the tunnel. She crossed her arms and glared at his back. Something had happened in there, something beyond the vamps attacking them, and it was obvious he had no intention of telling her what.

Damn, he could be frustrating sometimes. She snorted softly. Most of the time, really. If she didn't love him so much, she'd probably kill him.

Sighing slightly, she rested her back against the rock face. The sun trailed warmth across her skin, and she closed her eyes, raising her face in appreciation. Why would anyone give this up for eternal darkness? Even Michael, who was over three hundred and sixty years old, couldn't stand the touch of the sun the entire day.

Yet at least he could walk in sunlight. How long had it taken him? And was there ever a point where a vampire could walk in the noonday sun and survive?

Michael reappeared, carrying the bodies of the two young vampires. They began to smoke the minute the sunshine hit them. She closed her eyes, not wanting to see any more. But it was hard to ignore the smell of burning flesh. Harder still to ignore the images of another time, another teenager, burned to death by the warmth of the waning afternoon sun.

He returned a few minutes later with the remaining two bodies. Smoke plumed skyward, tainting the clear skies.

"People will investigate that,” she said. Yet even as she watched, the breeze dissipated the smoke so that it was little more than a yellow stain.

"By the time anyone of importance gets here, there will be nothing to find. The rocks will not hold a pyre's stain like earth will. Ready to go back?"