Free Sire by Thomas Galvin Page A

said, "I could use a shower, too."
    Bethany bit her lip, and nodded. "Yep. Showers all around."
    He stared at her for what felt like an eternity. Then he bent down, quickly, and pressed his mouth against hers.
    God, college life was going to be fantastic.
    ***
    "Run!"
    Michael's voice was as harsh as broken glass.
    Caitlin wanted to run, tried to, but she was rooted in place, staring at the vampire who had kidnapped her earlier that night.
    Michael, however, was moving. Moving so fast that Caitlin could hardly see him. He was a dark blur and a gust of wind and a rumbling growl, and then one of the swords disappeared from above the fireplace.
    Liam had gone into full fang-face. He was crouched and snarling. His talon-tipped fingers flexed, eager to tear into something.
    Caitlin took a single step backward.
    A lion's roar shook the room, and Michael lunged at Liam. The silver rapier cut through the air like a lightning bolt, and Michael crossed the room in a single leap. He landed in a deep lunge, thrusting the blade forward, aiming for Liam's heart.
    But Liam wasn't there.
    The other vampire had moved aside as smoothly as smoke, and was standing next to Michael. He reached out, almost casually, and grabbed the sword from his hand. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the blade flying toward the wall, where it embedded almost up to the hilt.
    Michael's talons flashed, but Liam swatted him away. Michael careened off the far wall, and Caitlin could hear bones breaking. Michael fell to the ground in a heap.
    Liam turned, his vampire face melting away. "I'm hurt, Caitlin. I thought we had something special." He put his hand over his heart. "And I was looking forward to consummating our relationship. But then you just ran off ," he wrinkled his nose, "with him ."
    He walked forward, and Caitlin backed up until she was pressed against the wall. "Yeah, well, he has a really great car, and you know how girls are about cars. I couldn't resist."
    Liam leered and reached out toward her. Caitlin shrank back, but she had nowhere to go. Liam touched her cheek, and ran his fingers through a lock of her hair. "I love a girl with spirit," he said. "I think I'll let you live a while. I want to see just how long that spirit lasts."
    Michael was suddenly there , red eyes furious, talons speeding toward Liam's throat. Caitlin flinched, but Liam caught Michael's hand and squeezed, breaking his wrist. Michael cried out. Liam turned and grabbed him by the throat, his talons drawing trickles of blood from Michael's skin.
    Caitlin grabbed a fire poker, and smashed it against Liam's head as hard as she could.
    His skull cracked, and a spray of blood arced through the air. Liam stumbled forward ...
    And turned, smiling, to face her. The wound healed before her eyes. Liam wiped the blood off of his brow, and licked his fingers clean.
    "Nice shot. But you've got a lot to learn about violence. Don't worry, I have time to teach you."
    Liam turned back to Michael and smashed him in the face, over and over again, then threw him aside.
    The vampire turned again to Caitlin. His eyebrows scrunched up. "Are you wearing pajamas? Huh. Good for him." He traced a single talon along her top's neckline, running it down to the first button. With a flick, the button went skittering across the floor. Caitlin's lip trembled.
    "Angelica," Michael said from the floor.
    "Yeah, they look like her style. I think that girl might burst into flames if she wore something that wasn't black silk."
    "No," Michael said, struggling to raise himself up onto one elbow. "Angelica sent me to free her."
    "Oh, come on," Liam said, laughing. "That's weak, even for you. Hiding behind her skirt like that. Come on, man. Sack up."
    Michael took the signet ring from his pinky finger, grunting at the exertion, and threw it at Liam. Liam caught it casually.
    The vampire's face fell. "Well I'll be damned." He dropped the ring on the floor. "Looks like you got lucky this time, girl. But if you ever get