When in danger or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout

So I was stuck in the game.

Clearly, someone else would have this problem, right? They'd have to send out some kind of hotfix that could install while the game was running. Otherwise, people were going to stay stuck.

Unless they just expected someone on the outside to get worried and unplug the damn thing. Which… wasn't going to work for me.

I'd emailed everyone I knew, told them I was sick, and said I wouldn't be around for at least a week.

I was pretty sure I could survive a week without food. A week without water? That would probably kill anyone.

So, yeah, I was stuck in the game.

Maybe I just needed to wait for the synchronization to finish. That was probably all it was. Whatever the hell it was doing would eventually finish, and then I'd be able to try logging out again. That was probably my best bet.

I laid down on the ground, balled my cloak up beneath my head, and tried to sleep.

In the game. Where I was stuck. And would probably die. Of dehydration. Yeah. This was great.

My thoughts ran through my head like a runaway garbage truck on a collision course with an animal shelter while Sarah McLachlan sang In the Arms of an Angel in the background.

Exit.

Nothing.

I rolled over. Fluffed the cloak. Rolled over again. Banged my head against the ground.

Exit.

Still nothing.

Abracadabra. Abracapocus. Hocus kadabra. Newport News.

A low growl broke through the mental noise.

My eyes snapped open. I went still and strained my senses.

The sounds of the night had stopped.

The fire still crackled and popped occasionally, but the usual noises of the forest were gone. No scampering creatures. No hooting owls. Not even the chirping of insects.

A branch snapped.

I rolled to my feet. “Valentia,” I hissed.

She didn't stir.

I drew my sword. “Valentia.” Louder this time.

She rolled over and grumbled.

A translucent window appeared in front of me.

Three sets of glowing red eyes appeared just beyond the firelight.

“Valentia.” I deepened my voice, putting as much command into it as I could.

Her eyes cracked open. “What?”

A large black wolf exploded out of the darkness.

I sidestepped and swung my sword. The blade connected cleanly, but the wolf didn't so much as whine.

One of its paws caught my arm as it passed, claws tearing through my sleeve and skin.

It landed behind me and spun.

Valentia screamed.

Ami's eyes snapped open, and she screamed too.

I extended my hand and sent a Spark Lance into the darkness just as another black wolf leapt into the firelight.

A third wolf prowled out of the darkness, limping slightly. It joined the others.

The three stood side by side, their glowing eyes fixed on the girls.

I stepped between them. It wouldn't do much. There were three of them, and they could easily spread out and come at us from different directions. But if they wanted the girls, they'd have to get through me first.

Ami scrambled to her feet and grabbed her sword.

Valentia stood as well, putting herself between Ami and the creatures.

The wolves backed away. Their hackles remained raised, and their low growls vibrated through the night.

Then a woman stepped into the firelight.

Her hair was black enough to seem almost like darkness itself, spilling around her shoulders in a smooth curtain. Her red eyes didn't glow so much as reflect the firelight with impossible clarity.

She was lithe and graceful, with an unnatural beauty that made it difficult to look anywhere else. She was, quite literally, the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen.

She wore a low cut dress of absolute black, the darkness of the fabric making her skin appear even paler and more flawless.

She carried no weapon. She didn't need one. Power radiated from her like heat from a fire.

“Enough.” Her voice was as sultry as it was powerful. “Lower your weapons.”

She smiled. Not warmly. Seductively.

I had to admit, there was something about that voice that made me want to obey. But I didn't. That would have been suicide.

There was a clatter behind me. Ami's sword hit the ground.

I glanced back.

Her arms hung loosely at her sides, her violet eyes unfocused.

Even Valentia had lowered her hands.

The woman's smile faded by the tiniest fraction. “You didn't obey.”

I shook my head and met her eyes. “No.” I adjusted my stance, keeping my sword between us.

“Interesting.” She approached me without the slightest concern for the blade. “Most men find obedience remarkably easy when I ask nicely.”

I chuckled nervously. “I'm not most men.”

Her smile returned. “No.” She took another step. “You are not.”

Then her voice changed. “Put the sword down.”

The command pressed into my mind. It wasn't a voice anymore - it was a presence. A hand closing around my thoughts.

The pressure vanished like mist beneath the morning sun.

The vampire stopped. “Oh.” The single word was almost a sensual purr. “You are even more interesting than I thought.”

She reached out and placed one finger against my blade and pushed.

The sword moved despite everything I did to hold it in place.

She was strong enough that keeping it between us was simply beyond me.

I swallowed.

She smiled. “Do you know how many people I've commanded to kneel?” She stepped closer. “Kings. Soldiers. Priests. Men who spent their entire lives believing themselves strong.” Her eyes traveled slowly down my body before returning to mine.

I got the distinct impression that I was little more than a piece of meat to her. I wasn't entirely sure whether that was a good thing.

“They all discovered the same thing eventually.” She leaned closer, bringing her face within inches of mine. “Strength has very little to do with how well you swing a sword.”

She inhaled slowly through her nose, taking in my scent. “But you…” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “You're holding on.”

She smiled. “I can feel you resisting me.”

Then she turned and walked three measured steps away. When she faced me again, the smile was gone.

“You have two choices.” She gestured casually toward the girls. “You can lower your sword, and I will leave you and your little companions alive.”

Her voice hardened. “Or you can continue resisting me…” She paused. “…and I will make you watch while I tear their throats out.”

I glanced back. Both girls stood slack-jawed and glassy-eyed. They weren't going to be any help. If we were going to get out of this alive, it was going to be up to me.

“There.” Her voice became almost tender. “That's the expression I was looking for.”

She took another step toward me. “Now, little hero…” Her eyes flicked toward my sword. “Let's see how long that precious will of yours lasts.”