Chapter 10

“That’s a big sword you got there.” A man suddenly called from behind me, his deep voice laced with a prominent Scottish accent. I didn’t need to turn to know one of the bikers had joined me. I’d known it was wishful thinking on my path to expect them to leave me alone, not after how avidly they’d been staring at me. I felt the moment his large body dropped into a barstool beside me and I turned slightly to meet his gaze.

One close look was all it took for me to confirm that he was indeed one of them, an abomination. He was devilishly handsome, a common trait that most of the humanoid abominations shared. With eyes the same colour as honey and a face that looked like it had been sculpted by gods, he was very easy on the eyes. A roguish type of beauty. His dark hair was buzzed and a short beard and moustache outlined the perimeter of his full lips. A little golden hoop hung off the corner of his bottom lip and for a brief moment, I had a mini battle with the part of me that found that little detail attractive.

Could you blame me though? Men with piercings were my kryptonite. There was just something about it that was undeniably sexy. But unfortunately, that was limited to human men, not males whose species were unknown to me.

“What can I say? Big girl with a big sword.” I responded and he chuckled in response, a deep sound that vibrated through me.

“I ken you know how to use it.” He said, propping one muscular arm up on the bar table.

“I don’t mean to toot my own horn but I’m a master of my art.” I smirked. “Hardly a person out there who could beat me at my craft.”

“You’re a confident one. I like it.” He said with a hearty laugh. “But did you know the sword on your hip looks like a blade from legends?”

I parted my lips with faux curiosity.

“You don’t say.”

“Orion’s sword.” He continued, not seeming to notice the hint of sarcasm in my voice. “The vengeful blade whose cut can never heal. Crafted by an ancient sorcerer who sought revenge after the death of his mate and child. A blade like that could fetch a hefty bounty.” A flash of red crossed his eyes as he said that, so quickly that I almost thought I’d hallucinated it. But that didn’t matter when I could basically see him drooling while staring at my sword with stars in his eyes.

“Is that so?” I answered, my hand falling to the hilt protectively. The covetous tone in his voice was unmistakable. Yet another who sought to take my trophy from me.

“Lord Mikhail. Have you ever heard of him before?” My whole body tensed at the mention of that name and my grip on the hilt tightened. It was a name I hadn’t heard in a long time, a name I didn’t wish to hear. The name of my tormentor. Seeing my reaction, a smirk found his lips. “I guess you have then. He was the previous owner of Orion’s blade but he was murdered by a mortal hunter and had the sword stolen.”

So he knew who I was. He’d recognised from my weapon alone. Hiding my face had been pointless.

My eyes narrowed on him as my ears caught the sound of chairs shuffling behind me. Heavy booted footsteps resounded through the empty pub as the rest of the group drew nearer.

“Who would’ve thought I’d get to meet the mortal reaper? Today must be my lucky day.”

“Look, I don’t want any trouble so how about you back off.” I said with a warning tone.

“Neither do we so just hand over the sword and we’ll be on our way. We won’t have to harm a single hair on that pretty head of yours.” By now the other 3 had gathered behind me and the back of my neck prickled from the bloodlust they were oozing.

“Harm me? You?” I chuckled, not missing the way his face twisted with confusion. “I killed Lord Mikhail, a Royal. Do you really think I can’t handle a bunch of low-grade abominations like you? I’m giving you the chance to keep your head on your body. Back off while I’m still playing nice.”

His face twisted with rage and the honey coloured eyes soon bled into a bright crimson. At least now I knew what kind of abomination he was. A bloodsucker. He bared his fangs at me just as I sensed one of his henchmen reach out to grab me from behind. Without a second thought, I unsheathed my blade and swung, a feeling of satisfaction washing over me as I felt the blade cut through flesh and bone. The severed limb fell to the ground with a dull wet thump. It all happened in the span of a second, even the leech beside me seemed shocked by how quickly I’d swung at his friend

A roar of pain echoed throughout the room followed by a string of curses coming from the one whose hand had just been cut off.

“This bitch!” From the corner of my eye, I saw him clutching the bloody stump where his arm used to be, blood seeping past his fingers and staining the wooden floors.

“So what will it be?” I said holding my bloodied blade to the neck of the leech sitting beside me, the supposed leader of this gang of idiots. His nostrils flared with rage and I sensed he had no intention of backing down. Instead, he raised a clawed hand in preparation for an attack. I let out a tired sigh. You’d expect creatures who lived for centuries to be wise enough to know when to back down but apparently, the male ego superseded wisdom. “Will your claws be faster than my blade cleaving through your neck? Let’s find out then.”

“That’s enough!” A loud voice suddenly boomed, halting everyone in place.