THE DARK SIRE: ACCOLADES (Special Edition Issue, March 2021) | Page 143

blood , sensing the multitude of lives within him . They stood toe-to-toe , exchanging blows , inflicting and absorbing tremendous damage to one another .
“ You ’ ve grown lazy ,” she taunted , “ feeding on tributes brought to you by sycophants , while I have been devouring warriors .” She picked up a dagger and slashed at him . He blocked the blow , and stepped in close to her , stabbing her chest with his extended claws , shredding her gown as she pulled away . But he paused to gather himself , rather than pressing the attack , and Lisle knew that the battle had turned .
“ Your powers are no longer enough .” She spoke quietly , advancing on him warily . She jumped up high and came down on his back , biting savagely down on his neck . He struggled mightily , turning and twisting , bucking and rearing , in an attempt to dislodge her . But to no avail , and as she sucked the blood that ran forth , she reached into his mind for the first time . She could have laughed , she thought , as she sensed his bewilderment . His recognition of her presence within his mind , was a terrifying and devastating blow .
She continued drawing forth his life ’ s essence , feeling him weaken beneath her . He slid to the floor , yet she still maintained her deadly position . His hands searched weakly for some final defense , but it was not to be . Only , when she felt that his time was nearly done , did she allow him to fall away from her bite . She stood , quietly surveying the disarray , and found what she needed amongst his treasures . A centuries old Executioner ’ s axe , covered in dried blood and gruesome engravings of death and torture ,
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