Carpathian 11 - Dark Descent

toward the ground. Traian shifted into dark droplets of vapor, merging with the black mass, spreading thin to avoid detection. The tornado dropped from the heavens as if it had never been, leaving behind an eerie calm and a clear sky.
    A tangle of silver fel from the tree branches, a fine solid blanket of woven strands. Traian was already shifting again, landing in a crouch on the ground. The silver hit his arm but slid off, landing inches from his feet. Pain streaked through his body. Angry red welts rose immediately on his skin where his flesh had come into contact with the glittering silver. Thousands of stinging insects flew at his face, a solid wal of them, programmed to find and attack. Traian dissolved to avoid them, sliding back into the forest to cling to a tree branch in the shape of a frog.
    He reached out with his senses, trying to locate his opponent. Master vampires rarely revealed themselves, especialy in battle. Traian knew the undead had deliberately drawn him back to the inn with the hope of trapping and destroying him. I am in a fight for all of our lives. If you can avoid a confrontation, do so. If not, always go for the most dangerous vampire and go for the heart. Nothing else will put them down. Delay. Stall. Try to avoid a battle.
    He waited, his heart beating a little too hard, fear eating at his mind until she answered. Her voice was calm and steady, even confident. Don't think about us little mortal people, Traian. We can handle the dead guys. You just don't get a single scratch on you or I'll be upset. And you've never seen me upset.
    The relief nearly overwhelmed him. She was unhurt. I have learned the real meaning of fear. Always, I have gone into battle with nothing to lose. I do not much care for the feeling.
    Well, it's mutual, Traian, so don't go feeling sorry for yourself. I've got the ugly guys at the door, so I'm going to have to let you go.
    Joie made him want to laugh. She sounded like she was talking to him on the phone and a neighbor had dropped by to borrow a cup of sugar. Do not get overconfident.
    He couldn't help cautioning her, although he knew it would annoy her.
    A walk in the park. You worry about yourself.
    He could see the insects scattering, returning, flying through the trees in search of any sign of him. And the bugs always returned to swarm around the same rotted trunk of a falen tree. I love you, Joie, and I cannot do without you. Keep that in mind when you decide how best to handle the situation. You are deciding for both of us.
    She hissed at him between her teeth. He could hear it clearly, the irritation and annoyance of a woman beyond her limits of patience. His heart did a curious flip, a strange reaction to her feminine exasperation. For some unexplained reason, he felt joy.
    The little frog hopped along the tree branch, taking great care to blend in with the leaves and twigs. He was some distance from the falen tree, and the ground stretching between was covered with debris. Traian glanced skyward at the black, spinning clouds. At his mental command, lightning shot bright sparks into the massive cauldron overhead. The white-hot energy spun into a large bal, breaking away from the clouds and hurtling toward the ground. The air crackled with electricity.
    Traian leapt from the branch, shape-shifting into his true form, his hands directing the spinning threads of energy, launching the bal as he melted back into the trees. The sphere slammed into the center of the rotten trunk, carving a blackened hole as it went al the way through to hit the ground, forming a deep crater. White whips sizzled and crackled inside the depression.
    Black vapor rose from the trunk of the tree to mix with the dark, spinning clouds. A terrible piercing howl of rage filed the air high-pitched and obscene, it shredded nerves and pierced eardrums. The trees shuddered and shook. Grass and leaves shriveled. The sound bounced from ground to cloud with the force of a clap of thunder. The blast hit Traian in the back and drove him forward, slamming him into a tree. He just managed to whip his head back before he hit.
    He inhaled quickly, took in the noxious, foul smel of burnt flesh, and knew he had scored a hit. Fire rained from the sky, red glowing embers igniting the foliage. Hungry flames licked at the grass and leaves, raced up the trees with glee. Traian spread out his arms, gave a command, and the clouds burst open, pouring sheets of water on the rising flames. The sky overhead was