Chapter Fifty Seven - Run - Maya's POV

Right as I think things can't get worse, two more figures emerge from the doorway. One is a man. I don't have any time to process it as my gaze drags over to the next person, who is a woman. They're right in the shadows of the hallway, where I can't see them well. The man quickly sheds his shirt and lets it fall to the floor, his bones cracking with each movement. My gaze moves to the woman, who lets out a hiss that would rival a cat. 'Vampire," I breathe out. As she steps closer, her fangs glint in the dim lighting. Her eyes are solely on me, while the two wolves are focusing on Evelyn. At this rate, we're not going to make it out of here. A snarl rips through the room as Evelyn finishes shifting, her bones snapping and reforming with terrifying speed. In the blink of an eye, she's a sleek, dark-furred wolf, launching herself at the first wolf who entered. The two collide with a sickening thud, rolling across the floor in a vicious tangle of claws and teeth. I barely have to register the fight before a cold presence sweeps over me like a shadow, and it's entirely too fast. The vampire moves in a blur of pale skin and hunger until she's suddenly on top of me on the bed. A gasp catches in my throat, but instincts kick in. My fingers tighten around the dagger's hilt and I swing. The blade slashes through the air in a desperate attempt to escape. It's fast, but not fast enough. She shifts to the side before the dagger can sink into her chest. A slow, wicked smile curls across her lips as she tilts her head to the side, studying me like I'm her next meal. 'You smell divine," she purrs. Her black eyes gleam with something far more dangerous than hunger. My stomach twists into knots as the vampire above me inhales deeply. Her hands strike next, pinning both of my hands above my head on the bed. The dagger is still in my left hand, but I can't move it to use the blade. 'No wonder Damian keeps you locked away. You smell like a good meal or a good–" My heart slams against my ribs, but I force myself to keep fighting. I can't hesitate. The vampire moves first, leaning down. I barely dodge her strike as I duck low and finally break my left hand free to swing it in her direction. The blade bites into her arm, and she jerks back. A sharp hiss erupts from her lips as her skin burns where the blade touched. She recoils, her black eyes flashing with fury and something close to surprise. 'Feisty," she growls, flexing her fingers as if she is testing the pain. 'I like it." I don't have time to react or get off the bed before another snarl rips through the room. Evelyn is locked in a brutal fight with both wolves, their bodies a blur of claws and fur as they crash into every piece of furniture except the bed. Blood sprays out of one of the wolves and then the other falls at her feet. She shifts quickly and shouts, 'Maya! Get out of here now. Run!" I hesitate, but only for a moment. Evelyn takes a running jump and shifts midair over me, crashing into the vampire. Once they are on the floor, I climb out of the bed and bolt from the room. My bare feet barely make a sound against the wooden floor of the hallways as I race through the estate. My breath comes out in ragged, panicked gasps as adrenaline surges through my veins. But no matter how fast I move, I feel like I'll never escape. Every turn I take, every sprint down a hallway, I know the vampire will be on my trail. And right as I round the next corner, making a run for the front doors, the vampire shows up, blocking my exit. 'There's nowhere to go, little human," the vampire says, her voice low. 'You belong to us and will go willingly." I know I don't stand a chance if I try to run to the door. My head snaps to the side and I know it's my only option. I run at full speed, the knife's tip pointed outward, so it hits the window first. It's a stupid idea, but one I hope works if there's enough force. 'Don't you dare–" But it's too late. The blade's tip strikes the glass first, and for a fraction of a second, nothing happens. At least, it doesn't appear so. But the glass cracks and shatters around me, allowing me to go through and land on the other side. Pain lances across my skin as I briefly look down to find dozens of tiny cuts across my skin. I barely have time to register the sting before I push myself up and keep running. The wind stings my face as I sprint across the open yard to the woods. Every muscle in my body screams for me to stop and rest, but I can't. Damian isn't here to protect me and the only other person who would is fighting the other two after me. I hear the vampire behind me, moving too fast and silent. I push forward, my breaths coming in ragged gasps. My bare feet barely feel the cool grass as I dart toward the trees. It's the one place Damian told me I couldn't go. He said the enemy lurks in them. I don't have time to think too much about it as I cross the tree line and jump over the first fallen log. A terrifying whoosh of air brushes against my back. I dive forward just as icy singers swipe at the space where my neck was a second ago. My knees slam into the dirt, but I roll and force myself up. 'Clever girl," the vampire says. 'But you won't last long." I clutch the dagger tighter as I keep it close to my side. 'Come closer and find out just how much I bite," I snap. She grins, revealing two sharp fangs. 'Oh, I hope you do." Then she disappears, causing my stomach to drop. I slowly turn, but she's gone. 'You can't run forever," her voice comes from the left. I lash out blindly, my dagger slicing through the empty air. Then pain explodes across my back as I'm hit. I crash to the ground as she lands on top of me, pinning me face-first into the dirt. 'You're mine now," she breathes, pressing me further into the dirt. "Don't worry. Damian will come looking for you, and when he does, we'll make sure he watches what happens next." My blood runs cold. I thrash beneath her, but she's too strong, and now the dagger is out of my hand. My arms are locked above my head. She leans close, her breath cool against the tender flesh of my neck. Then a roar. It's loud and furious, but unmistakable. The weight on my back disappears as something massive collides into the vampire, sending her sprawling. I twist to my side just in time to see a dark blur. A beast. It's Damian. His wolf looks even more massive from this angle. He's all muscle and his glowing golden eyes are locked onto the vampire. I've never seen anything more terrifying. And then he lunges.