Chapter 128

• James did a quick retreat, shuffling the rapier back over to his right hand and parrying down and out. Once the blades made contact, James whipped the sword up and around in a clockwise rotation. At the same time he grabbed Dmitri's sword hand at the wrist. By the time his sword came back around he had Dmitri's blade trapped between his body and his right elbow. Dmitri capitalized on the position, shoving his blade forward. James hissed in pain as he felt the sword slice across his side. He held his grip firm as he completed the circular motion with his own sword.
• He was then falling backwards. Dmitri reeled back in agony as James' rapier severed his right hand. His hand and sword were now in James' grasp on the floor. Despite the pain, James had a savage smile on his face. "That's three, motherfucker," he gasped in agony from his wound, "AND I got your sword."
• While the gathered crowd of vampires couldn't help but stare and acknowledge the fact that James had won, Conrad was rising up from his throne clapping slowly while smiling broadly like he was Emperor Palpatine giddy at watching Luke Skywalker kick his father's ass. "Good, very good," he said, giving a slight bow to James. "You learn the rules quickly and overcome obstacles placed in front of you." Snapping his fingers, he motioned for whatever vampire medic that was in the room to attend to James. Ashley, Zoe, and two others rushed forward to start first aid while Conrad circled around them, still talking. "I have need of people like you, James, if you are willing to help that is. You've certainly have caught the ladies' eyes and have earned, at least, a grudging respect from the men."