I can’t get his heart, but I can get something. I send my knife flying into the side of his arm. He hums a little at the impact but doesn’t release Reina. Instead, he plucks it out. He twists it in his fingers, shifting slightly. Aiming.

I start to duck, but the blade doesn’t get a chance to leave his fingers. He’s yanked to the side with enough force to rip his mouth from Reina’s wrist.

Roman steps out as the vampire stumbles, dropping my blade, but he doesn’t go down.

I see my window and take it.

I focus on my stake and will it to fly as I pull back and release. It soars past Roman’s shoulder and sticks into the side of the bus. Next to the vampire’s head. The vamp turns to look at it and then raises his eyebrows as he shifts to the side so Roman stands between us. Roman’s glaring at me.

I guess I did cut it a little close.

I walk up to stand by him, since he’s still got a stake in his hand. He turns toward the vampire as the creature takes another step back. The vampire sniffs the air and pauses as his eyes narrow on Roman. “Hmm, interesting.”

Roman tenses, his fingers flexing and then loosening against the stake in his hand.

The vamp coolly scans the rest of us. “Three against one was a delight, but five against one is a little too much.” He twists on his heel and strides into the night.

I take one step after him. “Should we really be letting him go?”

Roman’s hand grips my shoulder. “He’s too strong. It’d take a whole team of us to take down someone like that.”

I glance around. Seems like we have a whole team. Willow’s here too. I didn’t see her come up, but she’s helping the girl back to her feet.

“A whole trained team,” he says, reading my mind.

I grit my teeth but don’t argue. There’s nothing I want more than to stake a bloodsucker, but I also want to be in one piece at the end of it.

I turn to Reina. “Are you okay?”

She lifts a smooth, perfect wrist. “Hazard of the job. I’m all healed up.” But there’s a tiny quiver in her voice. Her wrist might be fine, but given what she’s been through, I can’t imagine getting attacked by a man, vampire or not, doesn’t bring up stuff. One glance at Diantha’s worried face tells me I’m right.

Roman stands there watching us with his hands folded behind his back.

Reina scowls at him. “I guess I should thank you.”

“Didn’t do it for you.” His eyes flick to me.