Chapter Three ~:

It had been a month since my vampire hunt. Treatment of the girl, the lone survivor, was a semi success. While the formula did purge the vampire virus from her, unfortunately it turned out after I dissected her family tree, she was not the first female in her direct bloodline to be affected by this. Because of this, as the virus left, I still sense a faint vampiric aura.

I used my abilities to analyze the situation and I learned that she was no-longer a vampire but a dhampir (something to my recollection never existed in this reality, only in theory.) I could only assume, based on prior research that it was a combination of the formula and her lineage that allowed for this to happen.

Seeing as she was no longer human, I had an internal debate especially since she knew to many of my secrets. For now, I had decided to leave her in my space until I came up with a more permanent idea on what to do with her. She had already told me her parents and siblings had all been killed on the night she been turned (so sending her home was a no-go as well.)

About two-weeks after I cured her (but also cursed her) it was late in evening, as the reality of my living space reflected the outside world time passing even if it was a different rate in here (for the benefit of the things that grew and various other items.)

I was sipping a brew of spiritual plants and mixed with an eastern tea, which I found the last time I hunted a few necromancers. I was contemplating the girl's fate as I didn't want to take her life. The fact she wasn't a vamp proved she hadn't drunk any blood or killed any humans but if not for her heritage she would have become a normal girl again and then after I would have used a little magic to wipe her memory of this place and of me.

Unfortunately, now to survive she has to change that life it even more than a vampire would. As a dhamp she could live a human life but she'd have no way of being normal and given time she even have to leave the normal life she made to make another (as after the events of her treatment, I fear her aging has stopped.) This poor girl, she was fated to be frozen as eighteen forever do to events she went through.

And if somehow, she didn't end up on a chopping block of another hunter or even another monster, her body was a treasure trove for ingredients for medicines, potions and rituals. This was another reason I was hesitating: I knew I would feel a small amount of guilty if I only released her to that fate. Anyone, even I, would have a slip up. This is why I had learned things but I really doubted she'd get the chance. I was sure there were plenty of other hunters looking into this even now and if I report it finished that would also flag this girl for observation.

I let out a sigh and sat my cup down. As I did this, I heard a slight cough and I turned my head to see the young woman. We hadn't spoken much since that night and I could smell fear, but there was nothing I could do as I haven't made my decision on her fate. She had to know she was not human anymore but also not a vampire so I've allowed her the uses of this pocket dimension space. She'd been able to see the garden and read in my library even use the kitchen (after she stop trying to commit suicide) and part of me want her to succeed, but I couldn't just let her die. "Need something?"

Her ears went red and then I caught a whiff and knew what was going on and so I said, with a calm demeanor, "Napkins, pads or …other?"

I could see her entire body shake and face grow even more red before she began to cry. "Would you please let me go? You said if I wasn't a danger even if I wasn't a human, you had no problem but it's been two weeks and I'm having this now and I think you're going keep me in here forever!"

As she broke down, I picked up my cup of tea and took a sip. "There's a reason I haven't let you go yet, and it has more to do what you are than what you might do. And the life you'll need to live because of it. In fact, you being stuck in here might not be a bad idea, at least until you come terms with this change." I could feel her eyes on me. I directed my next order to one of the automatons. "Go to library get the book I've been reading, and give it to the miss but leave it open to the section it's currently at."

The humanoid robot went to do as its master said, leaving the girl to stare at me like an idiot. Her expression changed, after a few moments she was about to lung at me when the robot returned with the book and handed it to her. As she looked down and read, she learn why I hadn't let her go. All she could say was, "Are you going do this to me? Is this why I can't go?"

I let out a chuckle. "You think of me to harshly. What you've read, that is what other hunters and even other monsters and witches will do. Me, I'm trying to figure out how save your peach shape butt from that fate."

A look of shook went across her face, as well as going a few shades redder as she caught the butt comment. I assumed she was remembering her time with me, when she was a vampire even now. She knew, like I said, if I had plans involving greed, there was no need to leave her alive. If I wanted her for either reasons it would've already happened.

Before she could think more, I spoke. "Give me until the end of this month and if you or I can think of a solution that will work well go from there."

She nodded to me and walked back to her room with the book but before she left, she turned to me, muttering under her breath, "…pads and tampons, please."

I nodded, even though I almost choked on my tea. (As I'd just took another sip as she said that.)

{Time of decision}

Like before I was sipping tea. I had just return after fighting two wendigos, and two of the automatons were apply medicine to prevent infection from the multiple 'things' on the claws of the monsters. I sipped the tea, not to have some to concentrate on as it had a mild sedative. I used the medication to keep in check my 'Ogre blood Rage.' Of course, the poor automaton I first met when I got back, I looked at it and I kept seeing the girl's face in the fragments of the bot. The only reason a majority of the bots were order to keep her from seeing this. My healing process was a private thing for me. The only people or things that have seen this side ended up like a broke marionette.

This was another reason I never took on rescue missions, instead staying a solo hunter. There was always a chance if I got too badly hurt this heretic part of my blood would take hold trying to save my little life. This was why I made it a habit to drink the tea and go into closed door meditation until the rage was quelled. But the old saying is very true, 'A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.'

I heard the young woman arguing with the automaton. I felt my hand clench and my breath speed up. I could hear cracking; it was the demon bone cup I'd been holding and as she came in and saw the two automations busily sowing me up like a tapestry.

She let out a shocked gasp and if that was all I'd probably be find but she continue in saying, "Well have you decided?"

I didn't answer. The cracking continued, and from some of the larger cracks the liquid started coming out. She walked closer and went to smack my shoulder. One of the automatons attempted to stop her, but it found itself flying across the room. I swung back missing the girl by a hairs breath and hitting the automaton but it didn't stop there.

I let out a roar my skins temperature rose. The girl tried to back away but I grabbed her wrist and she felt pain more pain. This has to be more terrifying than being turned or receiving the medicine. She had to have known she shouldn't have come. I had told her not to come if the bots try to prevent her. I could only imagine, she never believed the man who help her, the man who even saved her, had this inside him. The rage was like a thick misaim coming from me and soon she found herself bouncing across the room.

The darkness claimed her for a moment but as her eyes struggled to open, she found me sniffing her like a beast. Her heart felt gripped, as she worried I'd do something worse. And then out of nowhere she felt my tongue traced across her. In a weird way she was scared, but she also found herself being aroused which shocked her. As she saw what I was doing she cringed: I was lapping up her blood. As she scanned the room she saw many broken automatons probably the ones that tried to separate her, but had no luck and the fact the owner destroyed them made her very scared. She knew she need to speak, so she said in weak voice, "Marcus this isn't you save people…so please stop!"

She saw my head tilt towards her. She than saw tears coming from my eyes. She recognized this look; it was a person force from the back seat. She realized I'd told them that night I was a halfling like she was now. And like her there are still prices. Could this rage be the price for the inhuman power? I could only hope she had a plan.

Hopefully she could deduce that the young man had an untethered rage that has to be punched out before he could return to normal. She possibly wondered if it could be redirected. If she did nothing she'd probably die. She knew full well now he was beyond her in strength, speed and even stamina so, fighting this man may only bring her life to end sooner. But if she could turn the rage into something else, she may survive even if it was a flicker of life.

She had to roll the dice; hope to God that when I returned, I could save her life. She tried to touch my face. I snapped at her, she pulled back. She saw the bruise on her wrist where I had grabbed her but she tried to touch me again. This time she succeeded. This was followed by her trying to kiss me.

I let out a growl, causing her to pause but then she moved again and soon I felt her soft lips overlaying mine. And then I felt her hand caressing my cheek before breaking the kiss and saying, "Marcus I know you're in there. I know this is probably something you didn't want me to see. I'm sorry. And if I die, I understand it's not your human half so do not dwell on this and if this works please forgive me as well." As the words enter my ears only a moment later, I felt lips on my neck and somehow, I felt my skin grow hotter and soon I found my mouth kissing on the girl and then darkness.

[Next morning]

As my eyes opened, I felt my head throbbing. Then, as my head turned to left, I saw the girl sleeping quietly. My heart hurt like she surmised; I did remember what I did last night even if I wasn't in control. I was glad she was alive and from how she did not seem like she was in pain. As I tried to move, I felt her clutch me like a security blanket. I felt worst.

I said in a tone very unlike me," The Rage passed I'm normal do you need anything?"

She shook her head and kept clutching my arm. "Let's just lay like this." After what she did for me, I decide to do this for her. So, I remained resting where I was, and let her cuddle next to me.