04.10.08
Heizhan vs. the Vampire.
Heizhan turned into the dark alley, freeing a knife from its sheath as he walked. Night was falling, and it was getting harder to see the footprints…
They stopped just ahead of him. Their abrupt end stilled Heizhan momentarily, and his hesitation almost cost him his life.
The General barely ducked out of the path of the sword blade – as it was, its point scored a line across the back of his neck. Heizhan hit the ground and rolled, cursing. Something about the angle of the blow was off…
As Heizhan came to his feet, drawing a second knife, he caught a glimpse of his attacker balanced on a low ledge running along the alley wall. Heizhan threw a knife at the shadowy figure – it was damnably hard to see him in the twilight gloom – and ducked as his attacker swung at him again. Whoever he was, the attacker had one hell of a reach, Heizhan thought as he dodged again.
The man jumped off the ledge, and with a sinking feeling, Heizhan realized how skillfully he’d been maneuvered. The alley was one of many dead-end paths in the haphazard city, and his would-be killer had just placed himself between Heizhan and the exit. He’d also placed himself with the setting sun at his back, shining straight into Heizhan’s eyes.
The sun…
The idea came to Heizhan in a desperate flash. As the killer swung again, Heizhan rolled under the blade, coming to his feet right behind the other man. Unthinking, the attacker turned, bringing up his blade, and got a faceful of sunlight. He was staggered for only an instant, but it was enough – Heizhan’s blade slashed deep into his arm, and Heizhan wrenched his attacker’s sword away with his free hand.
The killer looked at him for a long, still moment, then vanished into the gloom. Heizhan didn’t even try to follow.
Footsteps echoed down the empty street behind him. Heizhan turned, recognizing the singular silhouette of the Queen. Quickly, he slid the killer’s sword into his jacket.
He couldn’t let Lia see it. It would break her heart.
