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[color=7bcdc8][i]“Merd-”[/i][/color]

A loud discharge squashed every other noise for a moment. It was the sound of a shotgun, firing at Raph from a close distance; the Ravnos was sent aback by the instant impact of dozens of pellets lodging into his chest and neck, which prompted Djobi to immediately pounce on the armed thug as he attempted to reload for a second shot.

For Raph, the initial shock gave way to ire. A shot that would have seriously injured most Kindred neonates – and even a few ancillae – had done more to rile the Beast inside Raph than actually harm him. His high stamina and supernatural Fortitude had soaked most of the lethal damage, but the stinging pain, enhanced by the element of surprise, now brought the Beast to the forefront. It took a great deal of self-control for Raph to quiet down the monster in him.

Fortunately for the French vampire, the thug was never able to repeat his earlier deed. Once knocked down by the massive Shepherd, he could not resist having his throat ripped out by the animal’s vicious bites. His life ebbed away just as fast as his blood spurted from the torn arteries, and in moments the man went limp.

By now Raph had regained enough composure to assess the situation: Ian had performed masterfully by taking out the thug threatening Enzo and drawing attention to himself, allowing Raph and Djobi to charge almost unnoticed. The Brujah had dared the attackers to fight or flee, but the Ravnos was not going to give them the option.