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it now. She grabbed for her sword. She whirled around as the Draugr came at her. The tip of her sword met his chest. For a moment, his stunned expression met hers, before the light in his eyes faded to black. She pushed at his chest and rolled away before his body fell with a thud next to her. She wanted to lie there and not move, but she knew her wound could prove fatal if she did not stop the flow of blood. She sat up. The pain in her neck radiated to her head with a thudding at her temples. Her vision blurred as she tore at her shirt. She held the cloth to her neck with shaking hands as she lay on the ground once more .
    In the distance, h er gaze caught sight of a few Oiche Sith coming to their rescue. There were only three ways to insure the blood drinkers did not heal and rise again: beheading, fire, and direct sunlight.
    She glanced at the Draugr she stabbed. He lay still as death, but she knew he would soon rise again. She tried to sit up, but her strength had left her.

Chapter Twelve
    Bram spotted a dozen Draugr break ing away from the rest of the fight and work ing their way toward the forest path to Coomkeen. He motioned to Camden and Fergal. They followed his gaze. They gathered a few more males and went after the Draugr who had only a few minutes start on them . P recious seconds could mean death to a Lathe Sith.
    Even though Camden should be swifter from his change, purpose kept Bram in the lead as they broke through the trees. The fight had already begun with the Lathe Sith clan making their stand. They fought well, worthy of the bards to sing praise.
    Bram took down a Draugr with a stab through the heart , immobilizing him before he made the final blow . He was about to go after another to the left of him, but his nostrils flared at the familiar scent of wild flowers and sunlight. Blood . Adryanna ' s blood. His head whipped to the right, his gaze landing on a Draugr lunging toward someone sprawled on the ground. " Adryanna. "
    He m ade an attempt to go to her, but he was blindsided by another Draugr. They grappled on the ground for control, both knowing only one would survive. Bram planned on being the victor. He had to get to Adryanna.
    He punched the Draugr in the ribs, hearing them crack beneath his blow. The Draugr grunted then hissed, baring his teeth. They were stained red from feeding. He punched the Draugr again. The Draugr held onto Bram ' s vest, taking him down, too. Bram landed on top of the Draugr, knocking the wind out of him. Bram took his dagger and drove it into the Draugr ' s chest before the male could recover. He pressed his blade upward until he saw the light fade from the fiend ' s eyes. He yanked the dagger out , made the final cut to the throat, and leapt to his feet. At a run, he headed for Adryanna.
    As he neared, her gaze focus ed on him. Her hand was drenched in blood as she tried to stay the flow from the throat wound she ' d received. He fell to his knees before her, reaching for the cloth.
    " Bram? " Her voice was a hoarse whisper.
    " I am here. " His eyes focused on her wound, the flesh ragged and torn.
    She grabbed his arm. "The Draugr," she rasped.
    Understanding her duress, he stood and strode over to the fiend that dared to touch Adryanna . He yanked the sword from the Draugr's chest. A wound to the heart; Adryanna had been lucky. If she'd hit a lung or anything else, the Draugr would have finished the job he started.
    Raising the sword over his head, he brought it down again, forever ending the fiend's life.
    Bram hurried back to Adryanna . She was so pale, near death, but he wouldn't let her go. He took her hand, needing to explain his intentions so not to frighten her. She'd been through enough. " I wish only to help you , if you will allow me . I need to mix my saliva with your blood to close the wound. "
    She nodded her consent.
    He covered her wound with his lips. Her blood filled his mouth, sweet with remembrance, but what he did was not for pleasure. He was closing