Gypsey Blood by Lorrie Unites-Struff Page B

family.”
    Rita started at the unexpected sound of Anna’s voice, her mother’s daring words. “Damn it! First the door, now you yelling.” Her glance took in all three of them. “I thought we were going to sneak up on him, take our shots.”
    “Ach. He knows we are here. Dusk is early, he can smell us.”
    Matt gave Anna a slight nod. Dragus’s eyes darted around the room while he tucked the stakes in his sash behind his back.
    A gust of wind blew through the foyer, raising goose bumps on Rita’s arms. She stiffened her knees to stop her legs from trembling and made an honest effort at keeping her light beam steady.
    A dark form separated from the shadowy side archway near the back wall and stepped into the light.
    “Welcome to my home, my Tzigan familia.”

 
     
    Chapter Thirteen
     
    Rita stepped back when Lucien appeared at the far end of the foyer. Her flashlight wavered. The lights Uncle and Matt had set on the floor and shelf threw a steady stream of white light into the room.   
    Anna guided her chair forward. “Grandfather, your kind has no place among the living. Like our ancestors, we will not allow more killing to feed your hunger.”
    Lucien lifted his chin and laughed. He crossed his arms and leaned against a wood stud, his blazer rumpled and smudged with grime. “Such brave words for a cripple. And you think the four of you can stop me?” He shrugged, then sighed. “Oh, but I like this America . So many women selling their souls.” He glanced at Rita. A sardonic smirk twisted his bloodless lips. “And you, Pretty One, it is so nice of you to visit me again.”
    “Oh yeah? You might not think so when we get done with you.” Rita set her flashlight on the floor and pushed Anna’s chair out of the way, the glass crunching under the wheels. Dust and mildew filled the air, so heavy she could taste it in the back of her throat.
    Dragus and Matt stood a few feet inside the foyer, Dragus’s wide frame concealed Matt’s crossbow from Lucien. The vampire’s cold gaze passed by Dragus and settled on Matt. “Hello, old friend. I should have finished you the last time we met. I may not drink of family blood, but yours will fill me with strength.”
    “You murdering bastard,” Matt growled, bumped Dragus aside, and shot a readied bolt. Lucien swiveled his upper body. The shaft missed and thwacked like a bullet into the stud.
    Matt triggered another bolt. It embedded into the muscle of Lucien’s forearm. He grinned and yanked the arrow free.
    Rita gasped aloud.
    “You have much to learn, Pretty One,” said Lucien. “Are we ready children? As you Americans say, ‘let’s party.’”
    The crystal atop Rita’s sweatshirt sent icicles stabbing into her chest. Matt held his gold cross in front of his face and stepped forward. The vampire snarled deep in his throat.
    “Now,” Matt shouted. The two men rushed forward. Lucien met them in the center of the room. Matt grunted and clutching a bolt in his fist, stabbed the arrow deep into Lucien’s shoulder. The walking corpse didn’t flinch. Dragus, holding tight to one of the wooden stakes from his sash, had his arm raised ready to strike. Lucien lifted his knee, catching Dragus in his midsection. Dragus let out an “ oomph,” and reeled backward.
    “Look out!” Rita yelled when Lucien crouched low and spun. Matt tried to turn, but Lucien slammed a fist into Matt’s back and sent him sprawling to the floor. “Fucking bastard,” Matt spit out.
    Rita’s sweaty palms held the stun pistol steady. She bent her knees to allow for angle and fired. The dart arced low and lodged in Lucien’s right thigh. He yelled and dropped to his knees. Pure rage shot from his eyes.
    “Shit!” Rita stared at Lucien. “This should drop you flat. What the hell gives?” Rita adjusted her grip and squeezed the trigger again.
    Lucien contorted with spasms and fell to the floor. He clenched his teeth, writhing and moaning.
    “Yes, yes,” Rita yelled, “it’s