Damn shoes. I kicked them off, thinking the forest could totally reclaim them for all I cared, and sprinted toward the sound, leaving Ulric behind to “What the hell?” me. He caught up quickly and grabbed my shoulder, but I yanked it away again, still running but remembering not to go full bore. Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive … probably a dead giveaway that I was different. Get it, DEAD giveaway? I asked myself. I told the toasted comic in my brain to shut it. “Are you crazy?” Ulric asked, gulping for breath as he fought not to fall behind. “Do you know how much broken glass there is around here? Not to mention snakes.” I stumbled at the thought of tiny fangs piercing my foot. Even a poisonous snake wouldn’t kill me, but it might slow me down and blow me up like a balloon before my natural vamp healing could kick in. I could battle baddies in that state if I had to, but it wouldn’t be an elegant ass-kicking.
