Blake swallowed hard. Korax looked like he could snap him in half without breaking a sweat.
"The rules are simple," Marlowe continued. "Defeat Korax in single combat, and my blood is yours. Lose, and... well, I'm sure Korax will enjoy a fresh al."
"This is insane!" Dumphries protested. "Blake isn't a warrior. This isn't a fair fight!"
Marlowe shrugged. "Life isn't fair, old friend. Besides, isn't your Rose worth fighting for?"
Blake felt torn. The odds seed impossible, but could he walk away knowing he hadn't tried everything to save Rose?
"I'll do it," he said quietly.
His companions erupted in protests, but Blake held up a hand to silence them. "I have to try," he said.
Marlowe's smile was triumphant. "Excellent. We'll adjourn to the courtyard. I do so hate getting blood on the carpets."
As they followed Marlowe through the house, Blake's mind raced. He was no match for Korax in terms of strength or skill. His only advantage was his speed and harnessing of blood, honed from years of practice. But would it be enough?
The courtyard was a large, circular space surrounded by high walls. Ancient trees cast dappled shadows across the ground, their gnarled branches reaching towards the sky like grasping fingers.
"The rules are simple," Marlowe announced. "The fight continues until one of you yields or is unable to continue. No weapons, no outside interference."
Blake nodded, his mouth dry. He looked at his companions, seeing worry etched on their faces.
"Be careful," Reggie said. "That brute looks like he eats people for breakfast."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Blake replied with a weak smile.
Korax stood impassively on the other side of the courtyard, his massive arms crossed over his chest. He looked utterly unconcerned, as if Blake were nothing more than an annoying insect to be swatted away.
"Begin!" Marlowe called.
Korax moved with surprising speed for his size, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat. Blake barely had ti to dodge the massive fist that whistled past his head, the wind from the blow ruffling his hair.
Blake darted to the side, using his agility to stay out of Korax's reach. But the bigger vampire pressed forward relentlessly, his attacks coming in a blur of motion.
A glancing blow caught Blake on the shoulder, sending him spinning. He recovered quickly, but the pain blossoming in his arm told him that even a partial hit from Korax could be devastating.
"You cannot win," Korax rumbled, his voice like grinding stones. "Submit, and your death will be quick."
Blake gritted his teeth. "Not a chance, big guy."
He feinted left, then darted right, managing to land a quick series of jabs to Korax's side. It was like punching a brick wall. Korax didn't even flinch.
The fight continued, Blake dancing just out of reach, occasionally darting in to land ineffective blows. But he was tiring quickly, while Korax seed as fresh as ever.
A misstep. That was all it took. Blake's foot slipped on a patch of damp grass, and suddenly Korax was upon him. A massive hand closed around his throat, lifting him off the ground.
Blake struggled, clawing at the iron grip that was slowly crushing his windpipe. Black spots danced at the edges of his vision. He could hear his friends shouting, their voices seeming to co from very far away.
As consciousness began to slip away, Blake thought of Rose. Of Celena. Of all they had been through, all they had fought for. He couldn't give up now. He wouldn't.
With the last of his strength, Blake brought his legs up and planted his feet against Korax's chest. He pushed with everything he had, using the bigger vampire's own grip as leverage.
There was a mont of resistance, then suddenly Blake was free, tumbling backwards as Korax staggered off balance.
Blake hit the ground hard, gasping for air. His vision cleared just in ti to see Korax charging towards him like an enraged bull.
Ti seed to slow. Blake saw the massive fist descending towards his face. He saw the triumphant gleam in Korax's black eyes. He saw his own death approaching.
And then, with a clarity he had never experienced before, he saw the solution.
At the last possible instant, Blake rolled. Not away from the attack, but towards it. Korax's fist slamd into the ground where Blake's head had been a split second before, the impact sending tremors through the earth.
Before Korax could recover, Blake was moving. He scrambled up the bigger vampire's arm like a squirrel up a tree, using every ounce of his speed and agility.
Korax roared in confusion and anger, trying to shake Blake off. But Blake held on, clambering onto the giant's broad back.
And then, before anyone could react, Blake sank his fangs deep into Korax's neck.
The courtyard erupted in chaos. Korax bellowed in pain and fury, thrashing about like a wounded bear. Blake clung on for dear life, his fangs buried in the throbbing artery.
He drank deeply, feeling Korax's incredible strength flowing into him. The world seed to pulse and shift around him, colors becoming more vivid, sounds sharper. So just like the dragon, he could drink other blood other than a human's? And all these blood had different effect on him?
Although this one's effect was quite unclear and he didn't particularly have ti to test it all out.
Korax's struggles began to weaken. His roars turned to whimpers, then to silence. Finally, the massive body toppled forward, crashing to the ground with Blake still clinging to his back.
For a long mont, nobody moved. The only sound was Blake's ragged breathing as he finally released his grip on Korax's motionless form.
Slowly, unsteadily, Blake got to his feet. He could feel Korax's blood surging through him, filling him with a new dinsion of power he had never known before.
He turned to face Marlowe, whose expression had gone from smug certainty to utter disbelief.
"I believe," Blake said, his voice steady despite his exhaustion, "that I've won your little test."
Marlowe's face contorted with rage. "You cheated! The rules-"
"Said no weapons," Blake cut him off. "Last I checked, my fangs are a natural part of . Now, about that blood you promised..."
Marlowe's eyes darted around, perhaps looking for a way out. But Blake's companions had moved to block the exits, their faces grim and determined.
Finally, the elder vampire's shoulders sagged in defeat. "Very well," he spat. "A deal is a deal. But know this, Blake - you've made a powerful enemy today."
As Dumphries moved to collect the precious blood they had fought so hard for, Blake allowed himself a small smile. They had done it. Against all odds, they had succeeded.
But as he looked at Marlowe's hate-filled eyes, he knew this victory ca at a cost. Whatever the future held, he had a feeling their troubles were far from over.
For now, though, there was only one thing that mattered. They had the final ingredient. It was ti to go ho. Ti to save Rose.
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