Waking Up Dead (The Western Werewolf Legend #1) Read Online Free Page A

didn’t
pause.
    As she struck out again with renewed
force and prowess, the vampires went on the offense.
    “ Don’t worry, mates, dying
will be a boon for such as you,” she told the snarling, hissing
bloodsuckers. With two more down, she caught the movement of
another out of the corner of her eye. The third vampire caught her
along the ribs. The wound wasn’t deep, irritating more than
anything. She didn’t want to share even the first drop of her blood
with these vile coffin robbers. Blow after blow sent the vamps
falling one by one until Sonja stood alone amidst the bloody
clearing.
    Resembling a vulture waiting for the
last deathblow, Perkins hovered out of reach until only the two of
them remained.
    “ I knew it would come down
to you and me, my dear.” His fangs showed gray in the pearly mist
swirling about them. Slowly he transformed into his true self, the
horrid scales and ashen hide of the vampire’s original form. With
eyes heavily hooded and bloody red, Perkins turned into the
skeleton remains of an ancient fallen angel. Taters of sackcloth
hung from his boney frame as the predator rose off the field,
floating mere inches above the ground. “You see, I know everything,
one of the strengths provided me by my considerable age.” Flicking
a long nailed finger of sickly gray at her, he taunted her with
words. “Your training and tutelage are minuscule to my edification
over the centuries. After a demonstration, I’m sure you’ll agree.”
With a tap of one finger against his cheek, he smirked. “It’s such
a pity I can’t keep you as a pet.” His eyes glowed red as his words
slurred. He continued to turn into his truest form - the spawn of
Hell, and as he did, he grinned baring all six rows of fangs. “You
understand, my dear, you’re worth more to me dead than as my
lackey.” His eyes flashed like red embers deep in the sunken
sockets of his grotesque face. With features contorting, he
transformed into a creature so void of life, Sonja could find
nothing of the major remaining.
    Apparently, Perkins didn’t know of the
powers contained in her blood, not yet. Watching the creature sway
back and forth in abject demonic defiance, Sonja grinned
devilishly. “Listen, Perkins.” She cocked her head and raised an
eyebrow. “The hollows of Hell are calling. You’ve only to take a
step over here and I will send you home.”
    “ Not before I get what I
came for.” His voice rasped over his tongue. Flicking out his
tongue to sweep over his fangs in sickening anticipation, he hissed
at her.
    Stepping into the light from the sun,
Sonja smiled knowingly. For Perkins to follow her would mean the
beginning of his demise. “Take a step, you reject from
oblivion.”
    Perkins staring back took her breath.
Doing her best not to give away her plan, Sonja eased into the
light. If she could just get him to step out into the light, she
could destroy him and all those who followed after.
    Perkins did, indeed, forgot himself
and followed. It was enjoyable to see smoke seep from his booted
foot. “I will have it now!” His last words uttered as his right
foot caught fire, Perkins lifted off the ground, rising upward over
her head. In the mist, the major’s foot sputtered and went out. His
eyes turned red as he centered all his energy and dove out of the
mist directly for her.
    “ As the sunlight seeps
through the trees…” Sonja bit her lip in frustration. “While the
vampire smolders, seize…” Her brow furrowed as her head pounded
with the effort to remember the words. Oh,
what a time to forget Hortence’s spell! Sonja brushed her snout with the back of her paw. The old
witch had shared the magic with her only the night
before.
    Perkins’ gray nails skimmed her
forearms. Pain seared her wolf’s flesh as she shoved the broken
words of the spell to the back of her mind. Avoiding yet another
blow, she leaped sideways into the air. White fur flew through the
air as the vampire’s claws left their