A pair of dark eyes I'd never seen before stared. Blood, my blood, dripped down a vampire's chin as he crouched by my legs. A shudder ripped through him. His head tilted back toward the ceiling, and his mouth gaped open on a moan.

My stake must've rolled somewhere when I'd fallen. I kicked at his head. He released me before my foot connected and flung himself to the floor. His arms flopped at his sides, and his whole body twitched. He bent his head back, and a spray of blood ...