93. Sloan
NINETY-THREE
SLOAN
If the vampires had known about the transformation Sloan had undergone, they would have been less willing to meet her attack. They relied on what they thought was their superior sense of speed.
Sloan moved like fury incarnate. Unaware of how strong or fast she was now, she pushed her new abilities to their limits. Energy like she had never known aided her movements as she cut through the Queen’s vampires.
Before they could comprehend that Sloan was moving just as fast, if not faster, than they were, two vampires lay on the floor, dead—one decapitated, the other completely cleaved in two from a combination of Sloan’s strength and her mage sword.
Out of her peripheral vision, Sloan saw Pia and Harrison sprint through the open armory door. Edison was grabbing beakers and breaking them across the table. Elwood lit the spilled liquid on fire with a match he had summoned from his back.
“Stop them!” the Queen ordered. For the first time, something other than calm had been added to her tone.
The last two vampires beside Scar moved to do the Queen’s bidding. Sloan cleaved through the first like her sword was passing through air. The second vampire was a bit smarter, but not by much.
He raised his knife to block Sloan’s sword. Either he wasn’t paying attention to the power Sloan’s weapon held, or he already knew he was dead.
Sloan’s blade cut through the vampire’s knife as easily as it cut through bone and flesh. The vampire fell to the floor, never to rise again.
Sloan positioned herself so her back was to the open door of the armory. Edison and Elwood, both carrying cases, ran through the exit.
“It’s over,” Sloan said from across her blade. She ignored Scar, looking at the Queen instead. “Give up.”
“Oh, my dear, sweet Sloan.” The Queen shook her head like a disappointed mother. “This story is only beginning.”
Scar lunged at Sloan, dodging her blade and getting close enough to strike her across the jaw. The blow brought a minimal amount of pain, causing Sloan to turn her head to the side. Sloan looked back at her attacker with a smile.
“What are you?” Scar said, hesitating a moment too long.
Sloan struck him across the face with the pommel of her sword. Every ounce of strength she could channel went into her next kick. She hit Scar in the chest with her right foot, sending him flying across the warehouse room. His body crashed against the far wall and was lost to sight.
“How long until someone raises the alarm?” the Queen asked with a sigh. “How far do you think you’ll get?”
“I’ll get far enough.” Sloan lowered her weapon. She had already asked and answered the question. She wasn’t prepared to kill the Queen. “I’ll make you see that what you’re doing is not the next step in peace. It’s conquest.”
“Well, history is written by the victor.” The Queen moved past her, toward the door. “I’m going to send the men who come after you with strict orders to bring you back alive. I’m not giving up on you, Sloan.”
“And I’ll send them back to you in bags.” Sloan turned to watch the back of the Queen as she made her way down the hall. “I’m not giving up on you either.”
“Maybe that’s one of the reasons I like you, because we’re so much alike.” The Queen disappeared around the corner. “You have minutes before the alarm sounds.”