Shaniah could not guess what instinct had commanded her to intercede on behalf of Hollister and the man-witch. When she saw the Ute warrior advance toward the two men, it became clear to her the situation was rapidly deteriorating. If Hollister was killed here, she might never find Malachi and his band. Without thinking, she spurred Demeter to action and raced down the rise toward the oncoming Utes.
Her desperate charge had momentarily surprised and stunned the mounted warriors. When she pulled back her cowl, unleashing her long, flowing blond hair, they were further confused. Who was this strange white woman riding to her death toward them? they must have thought. When she skidded to a stop, perhaps thirty yards remained between her and the startled Ute leader. She had only a few seconds. The sun was already heating her skin and she could not be without the cover of the cloak for much longer.
With her back to Hollister and the man-witch, she was able to transform, showing her Archaic face to the Utes. Knowing the superstitious nature of the people confronting her, she was sure they would be frightened away. As her eyes blazed and her face moved, her jaw dropping and her fangs descending, the Indians went wild-eyed with fear. The leader’s horse reared and whinnied, nearly tossing him from its back. With all the strength he could muster, he steadied the animal and retreated toward his men, their shouts joining his as they rode off the way they had come, not sparing the quirt to their horses.
When they were gone, she sat still on her horse, feeling her facial features return to normal. Archaics could survive for a limited amount of time in the sunlight. And unlike some other vampire species, it would only burn and weaken them, not kill them. But she could not afford to let it weaken her any further. She raised the cloak back over her head, turning Demeter and spurring him at a trot toward Hollister and Chee. She reined the horse to a stop twenty yards away from the two men.