It was a war zone.
Some humans took it upon themselves to fight back, but against the vampires and the undead, it was useless. Mutilated bodies lay discarded, littering the ground. Smoke filled the air and there seemed a never-ending sea of monsters gathering in the streets, charging up the steps and entering the brick buildings. Screams and blood-curdling hollers filled the air. A crash through one of the storefronts to her left had Ella running over to a lone female trying to escape. But she staggered as a decaying corpse threw a machete into her back and charged at her, tearing into the woman’s neck. Blood spurted everywhere.
Ella raised her sword and stared for a second at the gray sky, drawing the swirling energy toward her. An explosion of thunder crossed the stormy sky. Tipping the blade to the ground and raising her hand skyward, she latched on to the power of the wind, harnessing its velocity. A powerful gust of wind channeled down the street, knocking the monsters and vampires off their feet as she marched forward.
Marcus nodded at her, as he charged at two of the undead creatures approaching.
Acting on impulse, she shot her hand out and a bolt of fire burst forth, setting them ablaze. Realizing the power she held, not caring about herself, she raced around, setting the monsters on fire. The team supported her and gradually the numbers dwindled.
“We need to leave before the military intervenes and come after us. We’ve done what we can to help,” Marcus said.
Assessing the scene and knowing he was right, Ella lowered her hand. But out of the sky flew several specters, screeching as they hovered over the victims moaning on the ground and the dead bodies; they picked over the remains, sucking up their souls. She drew her sword, ready. She raced toward the vultures that she loathed, without a second thought. One soul-catcher lifted its head, staring at her, and howled, calling for the others. They swarmed together, but before she could end their miserable existence, burning them, they vanished, and time suspended around her.
Ella halted, unsure what was going on.
Walking through the disaster zone as smoke rose from the burnt cars and trucks, an attractive man in a deadly assassin kind of way appeared, untouched by the death and destruction. He looked so out of place that the hairs along the nape of her neck stood up. His beady eyes burned with a ring of fire and he reminded her of a blackbird with his dark hair sleeked back. She searched around, not knowing her enemy, but knowing he was not friendly if he somehow controlled the soul-catchers.
“Don’t worry, Ella. I’m not here to hurt you, but you were about to do something foolish and it would necessitate a response. You see, the soul-catchers have a job to do. I won those souls fair and square.”
A seething fury took hold at this man’s contemptable attitude. “Is this a game to you? Who the hell are you?”
The man frowned before gliding in front of her, twisting his finger in her short hair.
“I apologize. I should have started with an introduction. Let’s say…I’m an interested party in what’s about to happen.”
Running her gaze over him from head to foot, noting his soft, even genteel features, she grabbed his hand to remove it from her hair, but he caught her wrist. The tight grip was painful. Maybe a small taste of the power she saw shining from his inhuman eyes.
“But do not underestimate me.”
“And don’t underestimate me either.”
Footsteps pounded out behind her and she glanced back to find Marcus there, poised and resolute. “Let her go—Ella, come to me.”
The way Marcus spoke made her believe he knew the stranger. But she didn’t need any further motivation to push away out of the man’s reach and darted away. Laughter and the heavy smell of smoke hit the air, and when she studied the man again, he puffed away on a thick cigar, pointing it at Marcus.
“Agree to my deal and I’ll fulfill my end of the bargain.”
“Ella, we’re leaving. Don’t listen to him.”
Switching her attention between the two different men, her stomach dropped, realizing Marcus knew him. She couldn’t take her gaze away from the plumes of smoke that swirled in the air, wondering what deal this creature could be talking about.
“This is your last chance. I promise you’ll regret it if you don’t.”
“Go to hell.” Marcus held her hand and the man vanished.
She stared at her husband, whose face held a sadness she longed to understand. “Well, he’s obviously no stranger to you. Who is he and what deal is he talking about?”
Marcus shoved his blades back into his side holsters, glancing around the vicinity.
Ella knew he was anxious to leave, but she needed an answer before anything else sidetracked them.
“He’s the soul-collector, Ella.” Marcus stepped closer. “The devil. I went looking for you when you disappeared and found him. He wants your soul and—” He twisted around.
“Boss, everyone is loaded up and ready to push out,” Jake said as he approached them.
“And what?” Ella said, not dropping the conversation or willing to move until she knew everything.
Jake looked at her and then Marcus.
“And nothing. I told him where to go. But he isn’t a mortal, Ella. He’s been watching
