in a grappling roll. He managed to kick her in the gut, which hurt even more. She punched his jaw, which sent spittle of crimson puddling across the floor.
âDonât you know what I am?â she demanded, furious this insolent creature dared not show her the reverence she deserved.
âSinistari.â He jumped up and brushed the dust from his leather coat sleeves. âIâm not much for demons. You do not deserve the respect you demand.â
âWe are the kings of the demon realm,â she stated, defying him with the entitlement. She snatched Joe from the sheath under her armâno matter the new clothing, she never went anywhere without Joe. âYou will die for your insolence.â
âWhatever. You look more a princess than a king. Your lipstick is smeared.â
Pyx touched her mouth. Really? But the color sheâd chosen was so prettyâ¦.
The vampire pulled out a gun and fired.
Pyx took the bullet in her shoulder. It burned like hellâs fire, but it was not going to kill her.
And if the vampire didnât watch it, heâd piss her off. And she did not play well when pissed. She swiped at the corner of her mouth, frustrated more by the greasy smear of red.
Screw the lipstick.
âWhy are you playing with me? Got an itch you need to scratch, buddy? Just to let you know, I donât do bloodsuckers.â
âI wouldnât touch your damned ass with haz-mat gloves on,â the vampire replied.
Pyx lifted a brow, fighting a wince from the pain. âAnyone ever tell you that charm will get you a stake in the heart?â Not that sheâd remembered to bring along a stakeâ¦
âItâs my business to keep an eye on you, Sinistari.â He waved the gun menacingly. âKeep you away from the Fallen one.â
âSo it was me those idiot vamps were after last night?â And here sheâd been sure it was Cooper.
âYou and the Fallen. You catch sight of the muse yet?â he asked as he paced before her. A swipe of his sleeve wiped the blood from his mouth, leaving a smear she figured resembled her mouth.
âIf I had seen a muse, I wouldnât tell you. Iâm tired of this conversation. You need to be gone.â
She flung out her hand, directing her energy toward thevamp, but he ducked and managed to fire the gun again. This time the bullet pierced her outstretched hand.
Pyx gripped the searing pain. âNow youâve pissed me off.â
Letting out a throaty growl, she began to shed her mortal costume with a shake of her shoulders. The Sinistari were forged from fluid metal as sinuous as flesh but stronger than any known mortal substance. They were virtually indestructible, unless a stronger opponent faced them down.
Vampires were not stronger.
The shift complete, she stood a head higher than when in mortal costume. Her black metal body pulsed with the vicious desire to do some damage. Tightening her fists and twisting her horned head, Pyx eyed the vampire.
The bastard didnât even flinch. In fact, he smiled and tore open his shirt to reveal a tattoo emblazoned across his abdomen. From waist to under his nipples a bizarre sketch of ancient sigils covered every inch of flesh.
Demon wards. And it looked as if he wore a sigil for every demon that stalked this realm and all the other realms.
The vampire wasnât an idiot after all.
âPoints for you,â Pyx growled.
She felt the wardâs repulsive force scream out toward her and shiver within her metallic frame. It squealed, high-pitched and sharp. The noise was unbearable.
Clamping a hand over one ear, she struggled to face her opponent, but knew it was fruitless. Pyx turned, snatched her coat and bag with a talon, and ran. Before she reached the door, she flashedâ¦
â¦and landed in her apartment living room, naked and resumed of mortal flesh.
âThat vampire was not playing fair,â she muttered,pressing her forehead into the soft
âDonât you know what I am?â she demanded, furious this insolent creature dared not show her the reverence she deserved.
âSinistari.â He jumped up and brushed the dust from his leather coat sleeves. âIâm not much for demons. You do not deserve the respect you demand.â
âWe are the kings of the demon realm,â she stated, defying him with the entitlement. She snatched Joe from the sheath under her armâno matter the new clothing, she never went anywhere without Joe. âYou will die for your insolence.â
âWhatever. You look more a princess than a king. Your lipstick is smeared.â
Pyx touched her mouth. Really? But the color sheâd chosen was so prettyâ¦.
The vampire pulled out a gun and fired.
Pyx took the bullet in her shoulder. It burned like hellâs fire, but it was not going to kill her.
And if the vampire didnât watch it, heâd piss her off. And she did not play well when pissed. She swiped at the corner of her mouth, frustrated more by the greasy smear of red.
Screw the lipstick.
âWhy are you playing with me? Got an itch you need to scratch, buddy? Just to let you know, I donât do bloodsuckers.â
âI wouldnât touch your damned ass with haz-mat gloves on,â the vampire replied.
Pyx lifted a brow, fighting a wince from the pain. âAnyone ever tell you that charm will get you a stake in the heart?â Not that sheâd remembered to bring along a stakeâ¦
âItâs my business to keep an eye on you, Sinistari.â He waved the gun menacingly. âKeep you away from the Fallen one.â
âSo it was me those idiot vamps were after last night?â And here sheâd been sure it was Cooper.
âYou and the Fallen. You catch sight of the muse yet?â he asked as he paced before her. A swipe of his sleeve wiped the blood from his mouth, leaving a smear she figured resembled her mouth.
âIf I had seen a muse, I wouldnât tell you. Iâm tired of this conversation. You need to be gone.â
She flung out her hand, directing her energy toward thevamp, but he ducked and managed to fire the gun again. This time the bullet pierced her outstretched hand.
Pyx gripped the searing pain. âNow youâve pissed me off.â
Letting out a throaty growl, she began to shed her mortal costume with a shake of her shoulders. The Sinistari were forged from fluid metal as sinuous as flesh but stronger than any known mortal substance. They were virtually indestructible, unless a stronger opponent faced them down.
Vampires were not stronger.
The shift complete, she stood a head higher than when in mortal costume. Her black metal body pulsed with the vicious desire to do some damage. Tightening her fists and twisting her horned head, Pyx eyed the vampire.
The bastard didnât even flinch. In fact, he smiled and tore open his shirt to reveal a tattoo emblazoned across his abdomen. From waist to under his nipples a bizarre sketch of ancient sigils covered every inch of flesh.
Demon wards. And it looked as if he wore a sigil for every demon that stalked this realm and all the other realms.
The vampire wasnât an idiot after all.
âPoints for you,â Pyx growled.
She felt the wardâs repulsive force scream out toward her and shiver within her metallic frame. It squealed, high-pitched and sharp. The noise was unbearable.
Clamping a hand over one ear, she struggled to face her opponent, but knew it was fruitless. Pyx turned, snatched her coat and bag with a talon, and ran. Before she reached the door, she flashedâ¦
â¦and landed in her apartment living room, naked and resumed of mortal flesh.
âThat vampire was not playing fair,â she muttered,pressing her forehead into the soft
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