The girl’s hands fluttered at her mouth. “Oh!” She watched Ruben get yanked backward, her narrow shoulders heaving as the vampire’s assailant kept engaging, with no idea of the mess he’d gotten himself into – yet. All because he’d been a bystander who wanted to save her.

Would Ruben show off? Make the incident last longer than necessary? She had no taste for torture or bludgeoning. The pleasure was in the death throes. “Quick..quickly!” she whispered, eager to watch, with a furtive look past them to make sure no one had seen. She dared a step closer. Not too close – she didn’t want to be punched in the face. She bruised like a soft fruit.