Chapter 12: Trump Card
Lechary was gasping as she placed a hand over her left arm where blood was continuously pouring out of the open wound where she had sustained the bullet injury.
I've got to get the bullet out…
But how…?
Even my speed wasn't enough…
To dodge a bullet…
She stumbled along the path, pushing herself forward using the support from the trunks of the trees. She was becoming dizzy and faint with each step she took.
This is not good…
I'm losing too much blood…
And…
I'm leaving a bloody trail behind…
Plus, her supply of weapons was running low. All she had was her trusty long sword, Mamoru, given to her by Lady Lia herself and a loaded shotgun.
She knew that she could not get her wound treated anywhere, not even in an infirmary.
She had to do it herself.
But…
Where can I go…?
I've given the last of money to that other woman…
The inn is definitely out of the question…
There is one place left…
I'll have to spend the night…
At the place where I was found by Lady Lia…
On that night…
Lady Lia was beside herself with anxiety and worry.
Where could they be…?
It's been a week since I've last seen Lechary…!
And that boy, whom I've sent for, to find her…
What could have become of him…?
Lechary, usually does not take this long to return…
" Do excuse me for my intrusion, my Lady. "
Immediately, Lady Lia looked up, snapping out of her reverie.
" Are there any leads on those two's whereabouts? " she demanded hopefully, staring at Glenn, her personal messenger, intently.
He shook his head and answered, " No, my Lady. I wish it was but it seems that we have gotten another threat messenger. Do you wish to hear it? "
Lady Lia was a strong woman and the disappointment which she felt would not affect the job that she had to do.
" Yes, please do. "
Glenn nodded and replayed the threat messenger again.
" I want the vampire hunter who goes by the name of Lechary Ameryl to be on Socrates Hill by zahur on the second day of the new moon. If you fail to do so, then your organization will not spared to see the dawn of a new day… "
" That is the end of the message, my Lady. "
Why in the world does he need Lechary for…?
" Any links on who this caller might be? "
" No, my Lady, I'm afraid not. However, we've managed to trace the location as to where this phone call was made. It was made at a telephone booth, near the bay of Warren Hills, " Glenn promptly replied.
Lady Lia's eyes widened.
Isn't this the same place where Lechary vanished…?
" We have a suspicion that the threat message we received on an earlier date was made by the same caller. "
" The same caller? " Lady Lia echoed.
Glenn nodded and answered, " He used the word 'zahur' one too many times. "
" Yes, it does seem so. A giveaway but if it so, wouldn't it be a trap? " the director asked.
" What do you mean, Lady Lia? " the young man asked, unable to comprehend her words.
Lady Lia frowned thoughtfully as she answered in further detail, " This message came during Lechary's period of disappearance. Is this unknown caller looking for an excuse to wipe out our organization? "
Glenn looked shocked at the revelation.
" Without Lechary, our organization is at a definite disadvantage since she is our one and only trump card in handling situations like this, " Lady Lia continued. " Henceforth, our next step is to find Lechary first. "
" And how do we do that, Lady Lia? " the messenger asked.
Lady Lia looked directly at him.
" Walls do have ears, you know, " she spoke softly.
Glenn smiled and nodded understandingly, " AS you wish then, my Lady. It thus shall be done. "