(45) Two vampires, a ghoul and a shifter.

Searing flames engulfed the revenant just as he was about to thrust his sword through Linden, aiming for Helmut's heart. A fearsome scream rent the air as fire began to consume the revenant.

Helmut stepped back, grasping Linden tightly to him. "Just in the nick of time," he said, staring at someone over Linden's head.

"Sorry. Would have been here sooner," Roderick replied. "But no one bothered to inform me as to what was going on until I arrived at the estate."

"You—did that?" Linden stuttered out, turning in Helmut's arms to look at the pile of ashes rapidly dispersing on the floor in front of him.

"One of my abilities, the Fire Gift." Roderick moved to them, assessing those of Helmut's wounds that he could see. "You'll live," he told him with a slight smile.

"Thanks to you, my friend. As for you—" he glared at Linden.

"I know, I'm in so much trouble."

"That's putting in mildly, boy. Did I or did I not tell you to stay with the others?"

Linden dropped his eyes. "You did," he whispered. "But I had to know—"

"And almost died as a result," Helmut growled before wrapping his arms tightly around Linden. "Don't ever do that again; I think I aged thirty years when he grabbed you."

"That would be—" Linden calculated quickly, "four human years. No one would even notice."

Helmut put a finger under Linden's chin, lifting it to stare at him grimly. "Do you always have to make a joke out of things?"

With a nod, Linden replied, "Beats crying. Damn, I was so scared for you."

"I promised you I'd be alright," Helmut said softly. "I always keep my promises."

"Speaking of promises, I told Piers I'd be right back," Roderick told them. "I'll see the two of you when you return to the manor house. And then," he shot a stern look at Helmut, "you can explain why the revenant called you 'enemy mine'."