Free Eternal Prey by Nina Bangs

stop that.”
    Stop what? Utah knew he’d have a lot to ask Kione when this was all over.
    “I follow Ben. He’s our regional leader. And we all answer to Adam.” The vampire put his hands to the side of his head as though he were trying to hold his brain in.
    “Stop it.” Lia stepped toward Kione. “He gave his answer. He’s not with Seven or Adam’s rogue. Now let him go.”
    Utah figured it was too late for the vampire. The bloodsucker’s eyes closed, and his body settled into that loose look that signaled his essence had left the house. Guess he’d decided to burn the house down after him because a thin trail of smoke drifted from his nose. Utah had heard the phrase “frying your brain,” but he’d never expected to see the real deal.
    Lia slowly lifted her gaze from the vampire’s body to Kione. “You cold bastard.”
    Kione didn’t blink. “When you go to war you have to expect some collateral damage. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of the body.” As if on cue, the vampire disappeared.
    Utah should’ve been solidly on Kione’s side. The only thing he should have regretted was that he hadn’t done the killing. Then where was the satisfaction at one less bloodsucker walking the Earth? Was he allowing Lia’s distress to influence him?
    He glanced at the remaining vampire. Young. About sixteen when he was turned. Panic filled the vampire’s eyes. He was trying to roll over so he could crawl, but he was too badly injured. For the first time, Utah saw the human in the monster. He wondered if anyone would bother to see the human in his monster. Not that it mattered.
    Kione walked over to the vampire. “Do you have anything more interesting to tell me than your friend did?”
    Utah would never have believed he’d see a vampire frozen in fear. Well, now he had. The guy looked up at Kione with eyes wide and staring.
    Kione sighed. “I suppose I’ll have to heat up your brain as well.”
    “No.” The vampire’s gaze skittered from one to the other. “I follow Ben too. I’ve never heard of this Seven you’re talking about. Please, I don’t know what you want me to say.”
    Lia had already planted herself opposite Kione. She stared at him across the vampire’s body. “Leave. Him. Alone.”
    Kione didn’t lift his gaze from the vampire. “It seems you have a champion. Too bad that two of us here think you should join your partner in the final death.”
    Utah moved to Kione’s side. “What’s your name?” When had he started worrying about a bloodsucker’s name?
    “Dan.” The vampire cast him a terrified glance.
    “How long have you been vampire?” Why was that important to him?
    “Six months.” Dan’s voice cracked.
    A child. Utah was impressed. From what he knew of vampires, a six-month-old bloodsucker should be a single-minded, brainless feeding machine. Both vampires were probably young. That’s why they’d been careless enough to be taken by surprise.
    “I think he’s telling the truth.” Kione sounded impatient. “I can’t get anything from his mind. There’s too much fear.” He looked at Utah. “Would you like to take care of this?”
    Kione was extending an olive branch by offering him the kill. Funny thing, though. He didn’t want to kill the kid. Kid? The kid had probably sucked more than a few Portland citizens dry.
    “I won’t let you.” Lia drew her gun. “ Either of you.”
    “Do you think you can stop us?” Kione’s voice was deceptively soft.
    “Scratch the ‘us,’ Kione.” Utah couldn’t believe he was coming down on the side of a vampire. “Let him go.”
    Lia looked at Utah, surprise and gratitude in her eyes. Her approval warmed him. Not a good sign. Maybe his reaction was just a residual effect of Kione’s power. He’d rather believe that than admit . . . What? He didn’t know and refused to speculate.
    Kione turned his attention to Utah. Wicked anticipation lit his eyes. “And if I don’t? Will you challenge me, raptor?”
    Utah