The vampire cocked his head, like a child who couldn’t understand why he was being punished. “Just let me have a taste. A little taste.”

The Soul Eater pointed to me. “You. Come to me.”

“No!” Nathan grabbed my hand and ran for the door.

“Don’t run from me, boy!” The Soul Eater’s tone was like fire. “I smell my blood on you! Why do you not serve your master?”

“I will never serve you again.”

The assassins poured down the stairs. Some had removed their hoods, and they high-fived each other on a job well done.

“Get out!” Nathan shouted. “The Soul Eater’s awake!”

It had never occurred to me their plan might have hinged on the Soul Eater’s vegetative state, but power had radiated from the old vampire. Logic and instinct collided in my brain, and I knew even this large number of assassins were no match for his awesome strength.

They knew it, as well. It didn’t take them long to move. They ran for the back door, some jumping over the stair railing to save time.

But Nathan had a different exit planned for us. I tripped over my ridiculous shoes and wrenched my ankle. Nathan never missed a beat.

“Hang on,” he ordered, scooping me up in his arms. He slung me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes and ran out the front door, down the steps and onto the driveway, then across the snow-covered lawn.

“Just a little farther,” he repeated over and over, a determined mantra more for his benefit than mine.

I held on to him for dear life with my one usable arm as he struggled to keep his footing on the grass.

Please don’t fall and break both of our necks. Not now, not when we’re so close to getting away.

The front gate was closed. “Can you climb?”

I wiggled my good arm. “I can try.”

“Good enough for me.” He boosted me up. I scrambled to the top, but slipped going over and fell to my feet on the pavement. The wicked heel of my shoe slid from beneath me, further twisting my injured leg. I swore loudly at the pain.

Nathan was at the top when he heard me. He jumped and landed next to me, rolling to his feet. “Can you walk?”

I shook my head. “I don’t think so.”

He lifted me into his arms and ran across the street, where Ziggy’s van waited.

Nathan unlocked the door and dumped me onto the passenger seat. He hopped into the driver’s side and started the engine, and I braced myself against the dashboard as he stomped on the gas.

I looked in the rearview and watched as we sped toward safety. Behind us, three black helicopters rose into the night air as the tiny, flickering lights of distant police cars approached.

“You’re going to be okay,” Nathan said hoarsely. “We’re gonna be fine.”

I took the assurance at face value, and since there was nothing left for me to do, I slumped against the seat and closed my eyes.