84 A Deal With The Devil (1/2)

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Not wasting any more time, Kim pushed the door. The smell was the first thing she noticed. It was awful. If death had a smell this would be it; rotten, spoiled and bloody. The stairs spiraled down into what she assumed was the cells.

Cautiously taking a step down, Kim hesitated still expecting a group of guards to rush in. however nothing happened but a torch lighting up along the walls. Deciding it was as safe as it could be, she darted down the spiral steps, torches lighting behind her.

”What are you doing down here?” A deep voice snapped right as she stepped off the last stair. The guard must have heard coming down, even though she didn't make any obvious noise. Quickly glancing over his shoulder, she noticed he seemed to be alone, just as Maximus said.

”I said wh--” he didn't get to finish that sentence. Kim took him by surprise by swiftly reaching forward and breaking his neck. Talon had taught her how to properly snap a neck and it was the first time she had to do it on a vampire. She wasn't sure if that killed him, but his body wasn't moving; good enough for now.

The prison was lit only by torches and cells ran along both side. The smell of blood was stronger down here. Kim stepped over the guard's body and went right to the cell Maximus informed her of. What he failed to mention was what exactly she would find in the cell…

Yes, it was Talon but he looked barely recognizable….

Talon lie on the floor of the cell taking shallow breathes. His skin was a sickly pale and covered in sheen that appeared to be sweat. The hand over his stomach was covered in blood. Kim instantly remembered when Maximus stabbed him, but she didn't understand why he wasn't healing.

”Talon?” she whispered through the bars. Talon slowly turned his head in direction of her voice. She gasped when she saw the faint metallic silver veins crawling up his neck to his face.

”Hot stuff? I see you made it to the party” he rasped weakly.

”What happened to you?” she asked fearfully and angrily. Kim reached for the handle but the cell was locked. Gazing around frantically she spotted the guard whose neck she snapped. The cell keys must be on him.

”Maximus stabbed me. All elite army blades are forged with platinum and upon impact and removal they inject liquid platinum into you, ensuring the kill.” Talon explained voice barely above a whisper. While he spoke, Kim had found a key ring on the guards back pocket. The problem was it was nearly a hundred keys jangling from it. One by one she quickly went through them trying to open Talon's cell.

”I heard” Talon rasped on ”When a turned vampire dies slowly their body begins to act human again. Taking them back to mortality before ending their existence. Guess that explains my sweating and the need to take a breath every fucking second!” He yelled angrily but it only caused him more pain as he started coughing uncontrollably and spitting up blood.

Kim had finally found the correct key and rushed to his side. The blood from his wound was so dark it looked black. Judging from the way it pooled around, she realized he lost too much and he needed help immediately.

”Fuck!” she cursed lifting his body into her arms. Kim knew if she didn't get him help he would die. The problem being she had no clue how to save him. Blood was the only thing that might save him. Too bad the castle was swarming with vampires.

Suddenly she remembered something…

The servants hustling about had heartbeats, meaning they were human. A plan began forming in her head faster than she ran up the stone staircase. Carrying Talon slowed her down, but not by much.

When she reached the top, she eased the door open making sure the coast was clear. The hall was empty luckily and they crept out. Her plan was to find a servant and let Talon drain her/him until he healed. It wasn't much but it was all she could think of.

Kim used her vampire speed to dart down one hall and then another. Only pausing to make sure the coast was clear before moving to the next.

Their luck ran out in the form of a blast of energy slamming into her body! The force of it was so hard it slammed her against the hallway wall causing Talon to slip from her grasp.

”Hello Kim Walker” A slightly high pitched feminine voice greeted.