Read Online Bloodliner by Robert T. Jeschonek - Free Book Online
Authors: Robert T. Jeschonek
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ancestor and not being alone anymore.
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*****
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Chapter 15
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Shakespeare gashed his claws across the face of one of the attacking Bluegiller vampires, sending him spinning out of control. Then, he turned and shouted at James, who had just dispatched an opponent of his own.
"Break away, James!" said Shakespeare. "We shall hold the enemy here while you in haste bring word of the rabbits' progress. Go now, boy!"
With a nod, James spun and climbed with giant bat-wings flapping, rising through the cylindrical chasm at the heart of the vampire town of Bluegiller.
Shakespeare, who was also on the wing, turned back to the battle just in time. Another of the Bluegiller vampires lunged at him, swinging an axe.
Shakespeare darted clear of the weapon's arc, then leaped back in before the enemy could swing again and kicked the axe from his grip. The enemy shrieked and clawed, but Shakespeare stayed just out of reach. When the enemy made a furious, last-ditch charge, Shakespeare nimbly hopped away and came back down with all claws slashing.
Screaming all the way, the enemy spiraled down into the depths of the central chasm, leaving behind a contrail of blood.
And two more vampires leaped from the ledges to replace him. Shakespeare faced them with a snarl and bloody talons at the ready.
You'll not have our rabbits. You'll not steal our only chance at finding paradise.
Before the two new fighters could reach Shakespeare, Genghis swept down in his red hawk form and snatched one up in his claws. He dashed the enemy against the rock wall, then soared back around as the enemy plunged into the pit below.
As Shakespeare engaged the other fighter, he kept one eye on the giant hawk. The Bluegiller brood, who lived their days like bats in this underground compound, knew only how to fight like bats, not birds of prey.
How many has Genghis killed in the handful of minutes since the battle began? Seven? A dozen?
With just such terrible swiftness and grace, he and his Mongol horde slaughtered men in their thousands on the grassy steppes of Central Asia.
Of course, the dead of today would still be flying if not for Mother Nothing's temper and the Bluegiller brood's ignorance. Mother had been so furious when denied a drink of Jonah, she had ordered her brood to kill the outsiders. The brood, not knowing that Stanza, Jonah, and Mavis were leading the way to a hidden paradise, had gone after them in force.
So now it was up to Shakespeare, Genghis, Thomas, James, and their troops to hold off the hungry brood long enough for the rabbits to escape Bluegiller.
I never thought this day would come, when I would battle side-by-side with such a devil as Genghis and be glad of his wicked skill for taking life.
As Shakespeare put the latest fighter down with a flurry of strikes, he wondered if Stanza and the others had made it to the surface. They had gotten a good head start, leaving well before Mother Nothing put out the word to apprehend them.
It wouldn't hurt if they glimpsed a flash of the onrushing threat. Anything that put the spur to them would be of help, so long as Jonah and Mavis remained unharmed.
Our hope lies solely in those two reaching the goal together...and without corruption. They must navigate a secret world teeming with vampires, yet not be made vampires themselves along the way.
"Master!" It was James' voice, calling down from above. "They're almost out! They've made it to the ladder!"
"Well done, James," said Shakespeare, watching as a new opponent glided toward him. "Go again and hurry back when they've gained the surface and shut the door behind them."
Without a word, James whirled and flew once more for the upper reaches of the chasm.
Suddenly, then, something struck Shakespeare from behind, slamming hard between his shoulder blades. The impact stunned him, knocking out his breath and setting stars before his eyes.
Even as he tried to turn and answer, another blow caught him on the side of the head,
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*****
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Chapter 15
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Shakespeare gashed his claws across the face of one of the attacking Bluegiller vampires, sending him spinning out of control. Then, he turned and shouted at James, who had just dispatched an opponent of his own.
"Break away, James!" said Shakespeare. "We shall hold the enemy here while you in haste bring word of the rabbits' progress. Go now, boy!"
With a nod, James spun and climbed with giant bat-wings flapping, rising through the cylindrical chasm at the heart of the vampire town of Bluegiller.
Shakespeare, who was also on the wing, turned back to the battle just in time. Another of the Bluegiller vampires lunged at him, swinging an axe.
Shakespeare darted clear of the weapon's arc, then leaped back in before the enemy could swing again and kicked the axe from his grip. The enemy shrieked and clawed, but Shakespeare stayed just out of reach. When the enemy made a furious, last-ditch charge, Shakespeare nimbly hopped away and came back down with all claws slashing.
Screaming all the way, the enemy spiraled down into the depths of the central chasm, leaving behind a contrail of blood.
And two more vampires leaped from the ledges to replace him. Shakespeare faced them with a snarl and bloody talons at the ready.
You'll not have our rabbits. You'll not steal our only chance at finding paradise.
Before the two new fighters could reach Shakespeare, Genghis swept down in his red hawk form and snatched one up in his claws. He dashed the enemy against the rock wall, then soared back around as the enemy plunged into the pit below.
As Shakespeare engaged the other fighter, he kept one eye on the giant hawk. The Bluegiller brood, who lived their days like bats in this underground compound, knew only how to fight like bats, not birds of prey.
How many has Genghis killed in the handful of minutes since the battle began? Seven? A dozen?
With just such terrible swiftness and grace, he and his Mongol horde slaughtered men in their thousands on the grassy steppes of Central Asia.
Of course, the dead of today would still be flying if not for Mother Nothing's temper and the Bluegiller brood's ignorance. Mother had been so furious when denied a drink of Jonah, she had ordered her brood to kill the outsiders. The brood, not knowing that Stanza, Jonah, and Mavis were leading the way to a hidden paradise, had gone after them in force.
So now it was up to Shakespeare, Genghis, Thomas, James, and their troops to hold off the hungry brood long enough for the rabbits to escape Bluegiller.
I never thought this day would come, when I would battle side-by-side with such a devil as Genghis and be glad of his wicked skill for taking life.
As Shakespeare put the latest fighter down with a flurry of strikes, he wondered if Stanza and the others had made it to the surface. They had gotten a good head start, leaving well before Mother Nothing put out the word to apprehend them.
It wouldn't hurt if they glimpsed a flash of the onrushing threat. Anything that put the spur to them would be of help, so long as Jonah and Mavis remained unharmed.
Our hope lies solely in those two reaching the goal together...and without corruption. They must navigate a secret world teeming with vampires, yet not be made vampires themselves along the way.
"Master!" It was James' voice, calling down from above. "They're almost out! They've made it to the ladder!"
"Well done, James," said Shakespeare, watching as a new opponent glided toward him. "Go again and hurry back when they've gained the surface and shut the door behind them."
Without a word, James whirled and flew once more for the upper reaches of the chasm.
Suddenly, then, something struck Shakespeare from behind, slamming hard between his shoulder blades. The impact stunned him, knocking out his breath and setting stars before his eyes.
Even as he tried to turn and answer, another blow caught him on the side of the head,
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