>>96406023
>Nearby, an aelf groaned, trying to drag himself through the debris, one leg dangling from a half-severed tendon. Almost absent-mindedly, the vampire grasped his skull and slammed it against the earth until it cracked. Kiretha watched, transfixed by horror, as the creature peeled away a long strip of skin and held it out to the scryhawk. With a gurgling caw, Llota snapped out, swallowing it. Her eye twitched.
>‘Fiend...’ Blinding anger banished weakness from Kiretha's limbs. She staggered to her feet with teeth set, her hand straying to a belted blade. ‘Fiend! Unhand her!’
>The vampire looked at her, head cocked. From the branches of the tree came a series of hisses. Mad-eyed birds and bats stared down at her, all glutted on fresh carrion.
>‘What dost thou think, sweetling?’ murmured the vampire, tongue lashing its fangs. ‘Shall we hunt a live mouse this time?’
>The abhorrant hurled its arms forwards and Llota exploded into flight with a piercing shriek. Hesitation — the bond of familiarity — stayed Kiretha's hand for just a moment. It ensured that the last sight she ever witnessed was her companion's talons flashing towards her eyes.