Jekyll & Hyde Inc.

Daniel assumed Edward had some kind of special weapon stashed away there, and went after him. Instead Edward scooped up the body of his dead secretary, spun around, and threw her right into Daniel’s face. His arms came up automatically to catch the secretary, cradling her in his arms. He never doubted she was dead, but he couldn’t help feeling she deserved to be treated properly, after everything Edward had done to her.

And while Daniel was preoccupied with that, Edward went after Tina. She’d only just got her sight back, but even as she raised her fists to defend herself, Edward thrust his arms past hers and locked his huge hands around her throat. She grabbed his wrists with both hands and fought to break his hold, only to find that she couldn’t. Edward’s arms were thick with great cables of muscles, and her hands couldn’t make any impression on them. She let go and punched him hard in the face, but he didn’t flinch. She slammed a vicious blow into his side, and was sure she felt ribs crack and break, but he didn’t react. He just piled on the pressure, forcing Tina’s throat shut while he grinned fiercely. She fought for air, and started to panic when she found there wasn’t any. Edward moved in close, pushing his face right into hers, so he could savor her growing fear . . . and watch the life go out of her.

Daniel forgot about treating the dead secretary respectfully. He threw her to one side, and rushed to help Tina. He slammed a punch into Edward’s back, so hard he felt he must have destroyed one of the man’s kidneys, but Edward didn’t flinch or look back. Daniel hit him again and again, bruising his hands against the heavy muscles, but Edward just ignored him. Daniel saw Tina struggling helplessly, her face flushed crimson and her eyes bulging, as she fought for breath that wouldn’t come. And Daniel knew that if he didn’t do something quickly, she was going to die.

He lowered his fists, and thought furiously. There had to be a way to stop Edward. And then he smiled coldly as he realized it wasn’t how hard you hit your enemy, but where. Everyone, no matter how strong, had the same weak spots. Daniel stepped forward and punched Edward on the back of his neck.

Daniel could feel the vertebrae break and shatter, and Edward’s hands leapt open in a reflex action. For a moment Edward was helpless as the broken neck repaired itself, and Tina planted a foot against his massive chest and shoved him away with all her strength. Edward went stumbling backward to where Daniel was waiting. He rabbit-punched Edward again, putting all his strength into the blow, and drove him to his knees.

Daniel and Tina took a moment to look at each other over Edward’s bent back. They knew they had to kill Edward while they had the chance. But Edward was a Hyde, just like them, and they had already survived everything the monster Clans could throw at them. What could they do to Edward that the Frankensteins, the vampires, the mummies, and the werewolves hadn’t already tried?

And then Daniel realized he was looking at Tina as she stood behind Edward, just as she’d stood behind Nigel in the alleyway.

“Grab him, Tina!” Daniel yelled. “Hold him in place, like you did Nigel!”

Tina lunged forward, air still rasping painfully in her crushed throat. Her face twisted with the need for revenge, but her gaze was steady as she thrust an arm around Edward’s throat. She pulled back hard and hauled him upright, holding him in place with his chest thrust out. Edward threw all his strength against her, struggling to break Tina’s hold and throw her away, but he couldn’t. Tina held him firmly, and glared at Daniel over Edward’s shoulder.

“Do it!” she said, the harsh words only just understandable.

Daniel drew his silver knife, and stabbed Edward in the heart. Slamming the blade home with all his strength, until the hilt jarred against Edward’s chest. But Edward didn’t die. Even with his heart cut in two, Dr. Jekyll’s Elixir wouldn’t let Edward die. Daniel jerked the knife out. No blood spurted, and the gaping wound in Edward’s chest healed in a moment. Edward snarled at Daniel mockingly as he struggled to break Tina’s grip. She clung on determinedly, raking at Edward’s face with her free hand. Blood ran down his cheeks, but he didn’t care.

“Do something!” Tina yelled to Daniel, her words clearer now her throat was healing. “I can’t hold him much longer!”