Chapter 11

Betrayal

Winter rubbed her shoulders as she began the formidable walk back to the doctor's cottage. She continually looked back to see if D had changed his mind and decided to come back but the landscape was dark and lonely with no sign of life. When she entered the house she saw the doctor sitting next to the fire appearing solemn.

"What happened?" He asked. "Did he leave because of me?"

Winter sighed and tried to search for some words. "I don't know. D is still a stranger to me. I'm still trying to figure out what motivates him."

Winter sat down next to him and stared blankly at the fire that had died down a little to a few glowing embers.

"I thought he cared about me." She whispered.

The doctor turned towards her. "You must understand, my dear, that dhampirs are strange unfeeling creatures. They're cold and unloving. They don't know how to feel."

Winter wanted to protest but didn't know how. Everything he said felt like it was true. D was cold and unfeeling and would never allow himself to care about anyone. There was a long moment of silence where neither of them spoke.

"I know you're upset so let me make you a nice warm drink that will help soothe you."

Winter just nodded uncaringly. The doctor stood and made his way to the kitchen where he boiled some water and took out two porcelain mugs. After he mixed up the cinnamon flavored syrupy drink, the doctor looked over and made sure Winter wasn't watching him as he took out a small glass vile of powder and emptied the contents into one of the mugs. He stirred the drinks and brought them back into the living room and handed one to Winter.

"What is it?" Winter asked him as she sniffed the steaming cup.

"My own personal recipe." The doctor replied cryptically as he clinked their cups together and sat back down next to her. He drank a big gulp while Winter took a small sip and was surprised to find that it was delicious. The doctor watched her intensely as she drank a little more. She licked her lips and savored the flavors. There was nutmeg and cinnamon and something else that she couldn't quite identify.

"I still want to leave at first light tomorrow." Winter reminded him.

"Don't worry you and your baby will be reunited soon enough along with your fanged friends." The doctor said in a strangely sinister tone.

His new demeanor almost stopped Winter in her tracks. She could feel herself backing away from him slowly now. Since they had met, he had appeared to be nothing more than a caring human but now he looked at her like a hungry cat eying off a bird. Suddenly her vision began to blur slightly and she felt lightheaded and dreamy. In an attempt to shake off the feeling she blinked several times and rubbed her eyes but the feeling wasn't going away, in fact it was only increasing. The doctor couldn't help but notice her bewildered state and a smile appeared on his face as he continued to sip his drink.

"Why Winter, you look tired. I think you need a nap."

"What have you done to me?" Winter said breathlessly.

"Nothing, just a strong sedative in your drink that's all." He answered callously.

"Why?" She asked hazily.

"Because I was given orders to retrieve you and take you back to your Noble captors and I needed to make sure you were subdued so you'd come quietly. I couldn't have you hurting yourself or me in an attempt to escape. The sedative is kicking in nicely. It won't be long before you'll be completely unconscious."

Winter continued to back away and tried to stand. Her legs felt boneless and heavy. As she stood her knees buckled from beneath her and she knocked over a lamp in the process causing it to smash on impact. The doctor hovered over her as she began to crawl on her stomach along the floor in a futile attempt to escape. He grabbed her and flipped her over on her back and held her in his arms.

"Don't touch me…" She tried to yell but the words only came out as a hoarse whisper.

He held her easily as if her weight was nothing. Her wings felt sublime as they pressed against his skin. Only now as he saw her up close did he realize why his master was so desperate to reclaim her. She was beautiful, a true marvel that wasn't able to be described in words. Perfect pinkish skin, bright blue eyes that appeared to be thousands of diamonds shimmering in unison, long dark hair filled with soft curls that were thick and springy to the touch. But it was more than just her appearance, it was the wings and what she represented as well. It was that she was unattainable and something otherworldly and all that was innocent and special. Just looking at her would give the most pessimistic person hope for the future. She began to whimper and her eyes rolled around in her head as her will to fight was diminishing. Her breathing was now slow and labored, her chest rising and falling heavily. With a few more breaths her eyes were almost closed. The doctor bent down and nuzzled her neck and breathed in her scent loving the smell. With her last conscious breath she called out a name. "D….."

The word snapped the doctor out of his perverted trance. "I'm sorry but he can't help you now. I'm afraid your fate was sealed a long time ago."

Winter's eyes completely closed and her entire body went limp and lifeless. The doctor checked her pulse and was relieved to know that it was slow yet still present. He carefully placed her on the floor before going out to the barn and attaching his horse to the cart and bringing it to the front of the house. He then picked up Winter, threw her over his shoulder and carried her out to the cart and placed her in the back with a large blanket covering her and hiding her from anyone's view. By this time the sun could barely be seen over the horizon as it gave birth to a new day. The doctor sat with the reins in his hands very pleased with himself that he had accomplished something that many others hadn't. He had single handedly retrieved the most wanted prize of the Nobility without engaging the dangerous vampire hunter known as D. He urged the horses forward and they began to make their journey south towards the Noble Castle Vermillion. The doctor thought it was very appropriately titled for such a place. The journey would take three and a half days to get there but he had brought plenty of injectable sedatives with him in case Winter awoke prematurely before they had arrived. The Count would be pleased with him when he saw what lay under that blanket in the back of his cart. Hopefully the Count would fulfill his promise and reward him with immortality and powers beyond any human comprehension.