Chapter 13

Once I shut the door to the hall, roaring with fire, and screeching ghouls. The stairs leading down were spiraling all the way down. I slowly walk down, realizing this was the servants staircase. Each door had a number for the floor. At times the doors shook and I could hear the clicking growl of the ghoul just beyond. But I kept moving as quickly as I could. My breathing was ragged as I ran down the stairs, hoping beyond all hope the ghoul hadn't found their way inside the tight space that was this staircase.

The lights flickered with each explosion, some from the unknown source that had started this and others from items in the castle expanding, gas lines bursting from the heat.

I finally come to the door that had only a simple B on it. It had to be the garage as I had already passed the first floor door. Sowly, I place my ear against it, letting my sharp senses take over.

It was quiet. Only a small scuffling noise beyond, possibly Crow the driver trying to stay quiet as he waited, plus a single heart beat. So I slowly open the door and look around.

The garage contained at least twenty vehicles, some expensive, some security, and finally I see the Jeep. It was a glass black thing, with all the bells and whistles that bespoke of a wealthy person. i walk towards it, still dtaying quiet to minimize the chance of a ghoul hearing me asCrow was.

However, that's when I heard the deep growl that was not that of a vampire. I react instinctively and hit the floor, which sent my eyes in the direction of the sound. What I saw made my stomach turn. The body of Crow there lay, or who I assumed it was as the bloody skull was all that remained. I could see the hands of the ghoul reaching down to grab the arm of the body and I look away.

That's when the growls stop and I hear it take in a swift intake of air. I go still, knowing the creature had scented the air. Though my pheremones were not on full display they were still there. I try to clamp down on them as much as I can, to hidey presence. The creature continued to scent the air and I slowly get into a crouch. I was now about two car lengths from the basement door leading to the stairway. As I thought I was safe and had walked in hoping to find Crow waiting with the suspicious look on his face he had for me previously. That's when I hear the creature let out a little clicking noise. My heart excellerated, I was being hunted.

I knew this sound well. It took me back to the Civil War and the ghoul that had hunted me. The absolute terror as I ran for my life then still haunted me today. I had barely escaped then, and now I was in a room with one alone. I crawl silently around the corner of the car I found myself behind and look to see the ghouls back. I jerk away, realizing it was a lot quieter than I thought. I could barely hear it's breath, though I could hear it's now jerking heart beat grow quicker, as was my own.

That's when it let's out a roar and I look up to see it staring at me. How had it moved so quickly without my notice?! I jerk away, stumbling in my attempt to get away from it as quickly as I could. I throw up my hand, feeling the sudden push of wind as I lift it away from me as it flew towards me in a jump. It let's out a scream of anger as I crawl backwards away from it. I build up the wind letting it swirl around me. It had been years since I had used my ability to control the wind and it felt freeing as I throw my arm towards the ghoul. It was galloping on all fours back twards me. The wind hits it full force sending it crashing into a car behind it. The windows blow out of the car as I stand, gasping for breath. Though I had this ability it drained me quickly as I roar at it, 'You're not eating me!'

I send my arm upwards and the ghoul is lifted from it's prown position and slammed against the ceiling, and falls back to the floor with a loud bang. It snarls as it slowly stands.

That's when I feel pressure in the air and my eyes widen as the large garage doors burst open. I'm sent flying as is the ghoul, and half the cars. Standing there was Nick, his arm outstretched as if he had caught an invisible basketball. His eyes seemed to glow with fire as the smoke and flames danced beyond him.

The ghouls attention was now focused on him and it sprints towards him. The Dracul Pureblood snarls in a low tone that seemed to vibrate the garage and I shutter as the ghoul leaps and stops in mid air. The creature screams and struggles against what held it. I slowly stand as Nick walks into the cave like garage. He looks at me, then the creature, his power on full display as he simply flicks a finger and the creature explodes. Blood flung everywhere as I dove behind a car so as not to be sprayed.

I look around the corner and Nick was without a spot of blood on him that wasn't his own. He was now wearing a black trench coat and holding his side. The cut on his face was still there, as was another above his eye and was running blood down his face. It was heady to smell his blood. His power was literally leaking from him as I stand again and he asks, 'Where is Crow?'

'Dead... By the jeep.'

Nick curses, scents the air, and curses again. He looks around, then back at me before saying, 'You drive.'

I didn't have to ask what as I run to the Jeep, climbing over what remained of Crow and got in the driver's seat. Thankfully the keys were in the ignition. Nick climbed into the passengers seat as I turn on the vehicle, reverse, and then pull out. A crowded cloud of ghoul was pouring out of a glowing hole that had once been the front door of the castle. Nick didn't even look as he growls, 'Step on it.'

The ghouls exiting the building were on fire, some wreathing on the ground as they died. But I noticed a few that were chasing us seem to stop and turn their heads. Just as quickly they moved away, running towards the forest. I watched from the rear view as more did the same, even a few who were dying.

Finally, they were gone from view as I continued to drive down the long private road, and then turned onto the road leading to the closest town. Nick said nothing during this time until he finally asks 'What happened to Lilac?'

'She died saving me.'

He growled, which made me shiver in fear, but then he sighs and says, 'So be it. She was a young foolish vampire, only freshly turned.'

To a Pureblood, other bitten vampire were nothing more than bomb fautter for the use of protection if they were strong enough. The girl was newly bitten but had talent, and an easy B rank because of it. Nick looks over at me and says slowly with an edge in his voice, 'I have questions you will answer. But for now, get us to the closest airport.'

I didn't like this, but it seems I had no choice. He knew something now and. Had to know what it was. After what had just happened, he deserved at least a few answers.