Blood and Bullets Read Online Free PDF Page B

ground. My thumbs flipped the caps on the other two tubes in my hands and I flung more holy water onto them. Now every vampire left had smoke coming from their bodies, and they were clawing at themselves and screaming. My thighs clenched and I began to sprint.
    Running, I threw the last of the holy water in my hands as I passed vampires. Those tubes dropped and I snatched the one from my teeth. Looking over my shoulder as I cleared the corner, I saw Nyteblade was right behind me but dropping a step or two as we went.
    Some of the vampires that had not gotten good doses of the holy water were rising up and shaking off the effects. They would be hot on our trail shortly. We still had to get down the side of the building and across the lot to the Comet. Reaching back, I grabbed a handful of Nyteblade’s duster and hauled him in front of me. Holding on to his coat, I ran as if our lives depended on it. Mostly because they did. I still had the last vial of holy water and my Taurus with five bullets. It wouldn’t be enough to save us if we were overtaken, but it might be enough to get us to the car.
    Legs pumping and my shoving got Nyteblade to the end of the building. My lungs were working like bellows. I’m built for power, not speed. I can run, faster than you would think for a man my size, but I am not a marathon man. At least not when it comes to running I’m not.
    Nine vampires had overcome the holy water enough to begin chasing after us. Over my shoulder I saw them charging down the side of the building. With a shove to keep Nyteblade running, I popped the cap on the last vial of holy water in my left hand and slid to a stop.
    â€œKeep going to the black car! I’ll be there in a second.” My right hand dug for my keys as I flung the holy water in the direction of the vampires. They fell back immediately. I didn’t hit any of them, but they had learned their lesson. It was almost like a comedy act as they tripped over each other not to get splashed. My left hand went behind my back and came out with the Taurus .44 Bulldog. It’s a small gun. Not much bigger than my fist.
    I began to run again as I punched the electric key fob I held. The engine of the Comet roared to life and the driver’s side door popped open. The doors on a Mercury Comet from the sixties are heavy suckers. If they are unlocked, they swing out on their own. I had put in the electric engine start and the door opener for situations just like this, where I need to get in the car on the run. The ’66 model Comet I have is the two-door version and had the largest door opening of any car in that year. It yawned forth, waiting to swallow me. I am a big guy and I need as much space as I can get to jump in and out of a car.
    Nyteblade was at the car when I got there, vampires still a handful of steps behind me. He had the cross held up like he had in the alleyway. Grabbing his coat, I shoved him into the open door of the Comet. He sprawled across the bench seat in the front. My boot went on his ass as I kicked him across the leather and dumped him into the floorboard.
    One leg in and one leg out, I leaned on the door of the car and fired at the leading vampires. The phosphorus in the bullets left streaks of light in the dark. One of them exploded into dust as I nailed its heart and head. Two more fell from catching bullets, the phosphorus blazing to flame where it struck them. Bending my knees, I slid into the car, pulling the door closed behind me. I dropped the Comet into Drive, stomped the gas, and took off leaving a trail of smoke behind like the car’s namesake. In the rearview mirror, vampires were screaming at the night in frustration as we got away.
    Fuck ’em.

4
    The Comet was like a shark gliding through oily water as I pulled up to Polecats. The parking lot was packed like it usually was and cars of all kinds lined the lot. Some customers were going into the club and one guy was leaving. Nothing looked