There was nothing of Mercy , or merciful looking back at him .
She leapt away from him into the shadows , a sinuous creature . Springing and stretching in ways he ’ d never seen a human body move .
“ This is not my doing !” He retreated , desperately trying to access the vampire ’ s glamour at any level . He couldn ’ t create a barrier , couldn ’ t leave and he could not affect the advance towards him of the manipulated Mercy .
Screaming like a banshee , she sliced shadows and his flesh before vanishing again .
“ You need two hosts .” He yelled at the vampire . “ Two hosts for two vampires ! Unless- ” he hissed , clamping the sudden wound above his elbow . “ You were looking for a replacement for your host , not for progeny . Progeny you never intended to spawn .”
Clarity was unwelcome salt in the wound . Simple . Brutal . It was her or him . “ You bastard ,” he seethed .
80
Satisfaction .
“ Why ?” Richard yelled , diving for cover from Mercy ’ s latest attack .
Images cycled through his head .
A sapling over-topping the oak beside it . The parent tree withered .
“ Welcome to the natural order ,” he bellowed . “ The next generation is always an upgrade ! That ’ s the whole point of experience ; to pass it on !”
Images ?