She screamed again, terrified. She sucked in a lungful of air, ready to let another cry loose, when he backed off.

“Stay put and don’t move,” he growled low.

She looked down her body, expecting to see blood. There wasn’t any. Her shirt was intact, not torn to shreds. Her ribs didn’t even hurt from having his chest pressing her tight against the rock wall.

He crept silently toward the door and moved to the side, leaning against the wall.

Keys jangled and the door was torn open. Vlad rushed inside.

His eyes widened when he saw what was left of the gurney. He was already pale, but Glen swore he turned even whiter. His mouth opened, revealing those yellowed fangs. He shrieked like a terrified little girl and turned, probably planning to flee, but Veso suddenly blocked his path and fisted the front of Vlad’s clothes, shredding material. The big man threw his other arm forward, seeming to slap the Vampire hard.

Something warm and wet splattered Glen. She automatically flinched away when she felt it on her cheek. She saw drops of red across her arm. It took a second to realize it looked just like blood.

She lifted her chin and became confused. Vlad was gone, and something like dust billowed in the air near the floor. The dirt floor between her and where the Vampire had been was marred with dark spots. Parts of his clothing remained, still clutched in Veso’s hand.

“Where did he go?”

Veso scowled when he looked at her, then dropped the material in his hand and bent. He went through the clothing and produced a key. “I removed his head. Vampires turn to ash when they die.” He unlocked each handcuff and let them drop to the floor. “Let’s go. Stick close to me. I don’t have time to baby you. Be brave or die.”

Veso was a man who didn’t mince words, that was pretty clear. Glen had fantasized about escaping, and she finally had a chance to do just that. She rushed after him. The big, scary dude wearing her skirt charged out into the darkened tunnel and she wanted to stay right on his ass. He didn’t seem the thoughtful type to wait for her to get over her trauma.

She hoped he could see with those weird eyes of his because she could barely make out anything but his bulky, shadowy shape. The ground tilted upward as they walked. She was pretty sure she’d have noticed that much difference in the rise of the floor, so they were headed somewhere she hadn’t been before.

They approached some lit sconces on the wall and she almost regretted being able to see better when two of those creepers suddenly came hauling ass toward them. They were white-skinned freaks wearing all black. One made a high-pitched screeching noise.

Veso stepped back and slammed into her. He threw his arm out, knocking her into the wall. It hurt, but she realized why he’d done it when a pale hand tried to reach around him to grab her.

Veso snarled and snatched both of the things by their throats. He lifted them, putting them closer to the burning candles. It gave her a good enough view to see that he’d literally embedded his claws into their flesh. Blood poured out of their throats and over the backs of his hands. The creeper with long, raggedy locks got a little too close to the flames. His hair caught fire.

Veso flung that one down the tunnel and slashed at the other still held by his claws. Glen managed to suck air into her lungs, but wished she hadn’t when the stench of burnt hair almost choked her. The one on fire shrieked and rolled on the floor about six feet away. The flames had spread to his clothes so a secondary unpleasant smell followed.

She glanced away from the creature in time to witness the horrific sight of Veso removing the head of the other creeper. The body hit the floor but the thing’s head remained in his hand, where he held it by the hair. He tossed it and stormed forward, going after the one who’d just managed to put out the flames.

Glen couldn’t move, glad the rock wall was holding her up. Her knees wanted to give way as she watched Veso bend, slashing one claw-tipped hand at the downed creeper trying to get up. Its head rolled one way, the body dropping in place.

Glen opened her mouth, not sure if she was going to puke or scream. A noise came out of her, reminiscent of a squeak.

Veso looked back at her, his golden-yellow eyes bright in the darkness. “Don’t freeze up. Keep moving!”

Her entire arm shook when she pointed at the body in front of her. “You said they turn to ash. That’s not ash!”

He snorted. “These things leave bodies behind if they were recently made. They were newer. Step over it. There are at least seven more. Don’t forget that.”

She shoved away from the wall and almost tripped on the body she had to step over. “Shit. Okay. I’m moving. Don’t leave me.”

He growled, a look of disgust on his features. “Humans,” he huffed. “Don’t look at them if it bothers you.”

She had serious doubts about trusting a man who’d just done that to two… Not people, she reminded herself. Creepy things. Bloodsucking murderers deserve to die. Move your ass. Scream or puke later.

“I’m right behind you.” She had to glance down though to avoid stepping on the second body. She made it past and rushed forward, sticking close to the big guy wearing her skirt and sporting razor-sharp claws that had grown from the tips of his fingers. I’m glad he’s on my side. The floor grew steeper but she trudged onward.

“There are people down here. We need to save them.” She was proud she could think around her fear and manage to remember the other victims.

“Not my problem.”

She grabbed at his arm. “Wait!”

He didn’t look at her, watching the darkness ahead of them. It made her pause, staring too. She couldn’t spot anything, but what did he see?

“Are there more of them?” she whispered, trying to keep her voice as soft as possible in case they hadn’t been seen yet.

“No. It’s clear so far. We need to go.”

“What about the other prisoners?”

He twisted his head and glared down at her. “My people are going to come in here and clear this nest out. They can save the survivors, if there are any. I’m getting out of here to tell them about this place. You can come with or stay behind. Pick.” He tore his arm out of her hold.

She opened her mouth, ready to argue with him.

“We can’t rescue anyone if we’re recaptured, damn it,” he rumbled. “We need to get out and send help back for the others. You’re already slowing me down as it is. Move or stay. I’m out of here.” He spun away, stomping forward.