Alex sniffed the air. The something that was in this alley was a Shade. Hidden in shadow. He only realised that's what it was as it lunged.
"Victoria look out!" He shouted as he darted between her and the Shade, which slashed it's claws down his chest, as he blocked Victoria from harm.
The Shade, thwarted, melted back into the shadows and slithered away, leaving Alex bleeding.
Alex gasped, trying to take in as many deep breaths as possible. He healed quickly, but Shade wounds took longer than most. They had a light poison that coated their claws. It wasn't lethal, at least not to vampires, it just meant the wound would take much longer to completely heal.
"Damn Shades. I thought they were extinct." He growled as he pushed his hand against the gashes in his chest, trying to slow the bleeding.