Her hand throbbed from the grip she had on her wooden weapon. Kill the vampire and the shapeshifters, Rome's most hated enemies, would rise again. Oh yes. She'd be free again. They would be free again. It didn't even matter if she died a martyr. Just a few more steps and then she could end her people's suffering.

The thought made her shiver in anticipation. As if mimicking her pounding heartbeat, the silver restraints at her wrists and ankles seemed to throb. Then there it was, that familiar lightning pain ripping at her.

She nearly tripped over her feet. The sun was hot upon her face and for a moment she was almost blind. Sweat dripped into her eyes.

Get yourself together, Lia!