Chapter 21

Shen’s lungs were screaming for relief as he pushed himself beyond his normal endurance level through the darkened caves. At one point it was so black he couldn’t see his hand before his face.  Even so, he continued to run at top speed.  He didn’t want to take the chance of standing in one place long enough for one of the guards to detect his scent.

He came across limited obstacles in his path, which only proved that the caves were well used by the vampires.  He wanted to slow down and search for a less popular route, but Maria’s warning rang in his mind loud and clear.  He couldn’t take the chance that he might find an easier route to exit before the guards were able to detect him.

When light finally lured him from off in the distance, he slowed down slightly.  He did his best to listen for movement over his own heavy breathing.

Aware that his breathlessness could catch the attention of the vampires whose h