Page 19 of Dhampira

“No!” Vander bellowed, whipping his head to the side as the wolf snapped its jaws, just missing him. “Stay in the circle, Corinthe!”

I stumbled to a halt. “Tell me how to help you!”

“I’ve”—he punched the wolf in the side of its head—“got it”—another punch—“under control.”

The wolf lunged again.

Vander bared his fangs and roared. Just like in Ghedda, the sound warped the air. The wolf yelped and ducked its head. Faster than I could track, Vander flipped it over and straddled it. He drew his hand back. When he slashed it down, bone-colored claws protruded from the backs of his hands.

I stared, disbelief pounding through me, as Vander ripped and clawed at the wolf. Blood spurted. The wolf’s scream became a gurgle as Vander slashed his claws across its throat. Fur and flesh splattered the moss. The wolf went still.

A second wolf streaked from the trees.

“Look out!” I yelled, but Vander was already on his feet and spinning to meet the new attacker. The wolf’s paws landed on Vander’s shoulders and drove him backward. Vander stumbled and went down.

Hissing, I raced across the clearing. Crystals dug into my bare soles as I crossed the edge of the circle. I raised the dagger, prepared to plunge it into the wolf’s back, when something slammed into my side. The world spun. My shoulder struck the ground and then I was flat on my back with a third wolf snapping its jaws in my face.

I thrust the dagger up and plunged it into the beast’s side. It roared and lunged for my neck. Instinct took over, and I buried my fist in its throat. As it gagged, I used my other hand to twist the dagger deeper into its ribs.

The wolf shook itself and slammed a paw onto my shoulder, pinning me to the ground.

“Fuck off,” I growled, slamming my knee into its midsection. But the wolf wasn’t a man, and my blow glanced off its belly. With another growl, I turned my head and sank my fangs into its leg.

Hot blood pumped into my mouth. The wolf’s pained squeal filled my ears. Grim satisfaction bloomed in my mind, and I bit harder, hitting bone. At the same time, I pulled out the dagger and thrust it back in. The wolf sagged, its head lolling. A second later, its head flew from its body.

I gasped, releasing my bite as blood sprayed across my face. Vander grabbed the wolf’s body with one hand and tossed it aside. He held his silver-eating sword in his other hand. Blood and gore slid down the glowing blue blade.

I scrambled to get up. He reached for me at the same moment I clutched at his arm. My blood-slick hand slipped, and I pulled him off-balance. Just before he crashed down, he grabbed me and spun us so he absorbed the impact on his back and I sprawled on top of him.

We stared at each other, our chests heaving.

He spoke between labored breaths. “Are…you…hurt?”

“No.” The wolf’s blood pumped through my veins, erasing aches even as they bloomed. “Are you?”

“I’ll live.” He dragged in another breath. “You don’t listen half as well as Maddox.”

It took a second for his words to sink in. I narrowed my eyes. “Your horse?”

“I told him to stay in the circle, too. You know, so he wouldn’t get attacked by werewolves.”

My nape prickled. But maybe it shouldn’t have. The wolves had fought too intelligently for ordinary animals.

Vander’s gaze turned thoughtful. “You were impressive. Someone trained you.”

An ache shot across my heart. “My mother and I lived alone. She never wanted me to be helpless.”

“I don’t think anyone could accuse you of that.”

As the haze of the attack faded, I became aware of several things at once. Our hearts pounding against each other. My breasts mashed against his chest. His hand on my hip. As I drew an uneven breath, the scent of rain swirled into my lungs.

Heat scalded my cheeks as I scrambled off him and stood. I busied myself shaking out my skirts as he got to his feet and retrieved his sword.

Blood soaked my bodice. I plucked the sodden neckline away from my chest and tried to remember what Vander had said about dragons and shape-shifting. “Um, I’d like a new gown? The same style is fine, just without the blood.”

Energy rushed around me as the dress remade itself, the brown fabric pristine once more.

A whimper echoed around the clearing. One of the fallen wolves twitched.