threw him to the ground. Nevindoss turned around and allowed Duvall to get back to his feet.

"You shouldn't attack someone…" Before Duvall could blink, Nevindoss was at his back. "…from behind."

He shoved Duvall hard in the back. Duvall stumbled forward but quickly regained his footing. He turned to face the vampire with the realization that he was in a battle he could not win.

"Looks like this is it for me," Duvall said.

Duvall launched a series of punches and kicks, which Nevindoss blocked with little effort. Nevindoss began to speak. Duvall hit him in the face with an elbow then spun and swept his legs from under him. While on the ground, Nevindoss made the officer an offer.

"You've got guts. It would be a real waste to snuff you out."

"There's no other option," Duvall responded.

Nevinodss propped himself up on his elbows. "Oh yes there is. You can join me," he countered.

"Become a vampire? No thanks. There's no future in that. Not in this city."

"Wrong view of the future…" Nevindoss leapt to his feet. "…and wrong reply to my offer.

Nevindoss launched an attack on the officer that Duvall was physically incapable of defending against. A moment later, he was dead on the ground with a crushed chest and a mouth full of blood. Flanagan began to regain consciousness.

21