The four of us traveled fast at first until our new friend began slowing us down. She simply could not keep pace with vampiric agility. Melyiana started becoming annoyed and shouted, “There is only one speed, girl!”

The Avenadyn girl was not much older than me but had the endurance of an elderly woman. She keeled over with her hands on her knees and said, “I’m trying, dammit!”

“Why can’t we point her in the right direction and leave her?” Akisma ...