Dracula Hearts of Fire Book two of Dracula Hearts
CHAPTER TWELVE

DRACULA RUSHED AND STOPPED Gage’s blade from slicing through Piers Anthony’s neck, with the wind from his movement throwing a book on the floor. The edge hit the Master’s hand, and it was like hitting steel, a good thing because another inch and the author would have been nothing but bones. The Master threw Gage’s blade, and it stuck into the wall. The author’s wound healed, but it had been a close one. Piers had felt his skin start to turn to dust; he placed his hand where the injury had been and came away with a slight dusting off his skin. It was scary having been that close to death. The Grim Reaper had been turned back but just barely. The look on Pier’s face was one of relief. Dracula appeared relieved as well.

“I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.” Annie shook her head at the spectacle she saw and would never forget.

Wei’s blade took Nash and Vaile’s heads off simultaneously. He had always wanted to do it, but vampires had never been in the proper position before now to get two biters simultaneously. He never really thought that he’d get two evil monsters simultaneously. Wei had a small bet placed with Bao, and he turned with raised eyebrows at him. Moon Diamond launched itself around Gage’s neck and commenced to choke him, using its entire body as one powerful muscle. A struggle ensued as Gage attempted to blur and run away. However, he was in too much discomfort to manage it. Dracula gestured for the others to let the cat be as he wanted to observe the result. Annie was fascinated by the turn of events. The vampire threw himself down on the floor to free himself from the Siamese, and down there, he rolled and smashed at the cat with his fists, but with each passing second, he became weaker. Gage pushed himself against the wall, managing to stand. Too late, his head popped off, and he turned to dust.

The Master was impressed by the outcome.

Piers Anthony was also impressed. “Did you see that?”

“Indeed.”

Annie picked up the cat and hugged it.

Wei and Bao both nodded at Zacharia’s accomplishment.

After the battle ended, Annie continued to make her rounds and kicked the bones of every vampire that lay dead on the floor. Some were dust, and she scattered that as well. She took quite a bit of satisfaction in stomping the now deceased vampire bullies. The senior had to pause, catch her breath, and slowly make her way over to the Master as Annie struggled for air. It was necessary to rest before she proceeded. Annie approached, looking way up at him because she was a little thing, clearing her throat for what she was about to say. “Mr. Dracula, would you be so kind as to turn me into a vampire? I am so tired of struggling for my breath. Would you do that for me? Please. Or you could kill me? That would be okay too. This old body has had it. Just too many miles.”

Everyone turned their attention to Dracula; they were curious about his reaction to the request. Piers Anthony showed a slight smile as he raised his eyebrows. Was Dracula made uncomfortable by the request? Wei and Bao stared at the Master but said nothing, though they were interested in how he would handle the appeal from little old Annie; they slowly sheathed their swords. Annie took a step closer to him and smiled. The Master, impressed with her bravado during the battle, considered what she desired. The fight hadn’t phased her one iota. Dracula thought that she had bigger balls than most.

Old man Brian peeked around the corner from his walker. He had been a well-respected doctor in his time, but now most days, he wasn’t even sure where he was. He would take off his belt and listen to it with his imaginary stethoscope. Brian accessed the mess strewn about from the fight. “Who’s gonna clean up this mess?”

The Master smiled at Annie. “Are you sure that’s what you want, Annie? If I turn you, there’s no going back. You must realize that death is the only way out of the vampire condition. Are you agreeable to that?”

“Oh, yes. It can’t be worse than my current condition. Either kill me or cure me. Please, and thank you.”

Dracula minded the senior and saw that she was righteous; he saw how beautiful she had been as a young woman. He picked her up, and she turned her neck to him. As he bit her, a small amount of blood ran down her neck. Annie stiffened and pointed her toes. When Dracula put her down, the pain no longer existed, and she was more potent and faster than she ever believed possible. She picked up her canister of oxygen and was tempted to throw it through the window but then thought better of it. Why should they be forced to replace the window because of her carelessness? Her energy was through the roof. She couldn’t ever remember feeling this good.

“You wouldn’t believe how good I feel.”

Dracula looked down at Annie and smiled. “Annie, be good, or I’ll have to come back and get you.”

“I will.”

Brian shouted his loudest. “Annie’s a vampire!”