Free 04 Silence by Kailin Gow Page A

seek out the others. Remain with them, where it is safe.”
    Briony bristled a little at that. “What? Because we’re girls? Just because you live in a castle, that’s no reason to have medieval attitudes, you know.”
    “Because you are human ,” Vigor said. “Sophie here may be one of us now, but you don’t even possess supernatural strength or magic. How can you possibly hope to survive a fight against a vampire?”
    Briony wasn’t about to let that go either. “I may be human, but I’ve seen and fought more vampires than you ever have, Vigor.”
    “You should be with the courtiers,” Vigor insisted. “The King would never forgive me if I allow ed you to be killed. He has made his feelings about you plain. And you… whatever you say, you are too human for this.”
    Aunt Sophie gave Vigor an annoyed look then.
    “Briony is part human, yes, but she’s also Hugtandalfer like you. Her strength and powers will be realized in time. Do not underestimate Briony, Vigor. Or me. If you want us to stay where it’s safe, you can try to make us, but I don’t like your chances.”
    With that, Sophie took the lead and charged ahead down the corridor. Vigor gave an exasperated sigh and set off after her. Briony grinned at that and did her best to keep up. Aunt Sophie came to a halt in a gal lery, hung with portraits of people who were undoubtedly Briony’s ancestors and relations. Briony couldn’t resist a quick glance around at them. There was so much she did not know about her family here.
    Aunt Sophie was speaking, though, so Briony did her best to listen.
    “Do you know how to fight vampires, Vigor? First thing’s first, if they’re as old as everyone says they are, they possess incredible strength and abilities. Even the ability to read minds, hear things from a long distance, and fly.” Aunt Sophie poked Vigor in his armored chest. “It takes more than strength and bravery to win against ancient vampires. It takes smarts and the element of surprise if you want to get close enough to stake one.”
    “Oh, surprises. I love surprises.”
    The voice came from above them, and a dark shadow flashed down, knocking Aunt Sophie flat, the stake spinning from her hand to clatter against the wal l. She leapt back to her feet as a laugh sounded around them, echoing in ways it shouldn’t have been able to.
    Briony tightened her grip on her stake, not wanting to be caught out in the same way. She saw Vigor draw his sword and take up a fighting stance.
    Together, the three of them glanced around, but there was no sign of anyone. Only when the laugh sounded again, above them once more, did Briony look up.
    A young man was clinging to the ceiling like a spider, dressed in a dark tunic and pants, with black, almost knee-length boots and a sword at his waist.
    His long, dark hair fell around his face thanks to his current location, but even so, Briony could make out the redness of his eyes, could see the moment when his mouth opened to reveal fangs.
    Briony thought that she would have plenty of time to raise her stake as he leapt at her, but the vampire was faster even than Pietre. Before Briony could so much as blink, he was in front of her, mouth opened wide to bite her. Briony didn’t have the time to do anything.
    Vigor was faster, though. He charged the vampire, aiming a slash with his sword which forced the creature back. The vampire drew his own sword and spun, aiming a low slash at Vigor’s legs. The Hugtandalfer prince leapt, avoiding it neatly.
    They kept on like that, and it soon became clear that the two were both master swordsmen.
    Vigor’s style was brutal, with stroke after stroke aimed at his opponent in a continuous onslaught, but the vampire was a constantly moving target, throwing out sudden thrusts to force Vigor onto the back foot just as Briony thought the Prince might fina lly break through.
    Such was the quality of the swordplay on show that Briony did not dare to interfere. Instead, she found herself