To Vanquish Darkness (Le Sombre #1)

Chapter 40

40

1422 GIEN, LOIRE VALLEY

A lba ran through the tall grass, her breath misting in the cool night air. Where were they? She scanned the trees, willing herself to see shadows moving on the ground and not streaking from the sky.

A hiss broke the stillness, and she stumbled to a stop, a shiver down her spine. She scanned the shadows. There. At the edge of the clearing, a figure writhed against the barbed fence.

From the size of it and the dark black wings glinting in the moonlight, it was a stryx. One of the bird-like creatures that had attacked with the vampires. She should leave it. After everything the creatures of shadow had done that night, she should be happy for any one of them to suffer. The creature let out another whimper, and she gritted her teeth.

Her heart pounded as she approached, her eyes fixed on the creature’s wings. The delicate membrane was torn, the flesh beneath exposed and bleeding. She winced as the stryx thrashed, his fangs bared.

"Hold still," she reached out a hand.

The stryx's gaze snapped to hers, and he snarled, his eyes flashing. Alba’s breath caught in her throat, but she didn't back away. She knew what he was. Knew the danger he posed, but she couldn't leave him like this.

"I’m trying to help you.”

The stryx's nostrils flared, and he stilled, his eyes narrowing. Alba took a step closer, her fingers brushing against the cool metal of the fence. Her fingers trembled as she brushed the edge of the creature’s wings.

“This will hurt.” She stayed clear of the stryx’s talons and yanked, working the wing free from the barb.

When it finally released, she stumbled back as the creature dropped to the ground.

"There.” She wiped her hands on her cloak. "You're free."

The stryx’s eyes gleamed, and her stomach dropped. Before she could react, the creature lunged, his claws raking across her arm. She cried out, stumbling back as she fumbled for the dagger at her waist.

She didn’t have time. The creature was on her, a blur of claws and wings. Her vision blurred as she finally caught hold of the hilt and flung the blade forward, twisting and slashing.

Then, suddenly, the creature flew into the night. Alba sucked in a breath, her lungs burning and frantic. She rolled onto her side and pushed up to her hands and knees.

"Run.” A man loomed over her, his dark hair windswept, his eyes nearly black.

She scrambled to her feet, but she didn't run. She couldn't tear her eyes away from him. Vampire. He had helped her. They’d come to attack, and yet he?—

"Run!" he repeated, and that time, he didn’t give her a choice.