Disclaimer- I do not own Vampyre Hunter D. I do not own Meier Link. I am a poor junior in high school without a job. This is merely a hobby and I do not make any money off of it. On the contrary though, Radha is mine! As well are Lady Carfax, Mina, and Blaise. These are my creations and cannot be used without MY direct permission. If you wish to use them, contact me via e-mail.

Author's notes: Wow! Been a while since I've updated this thing! But here you go! I realize that this chapter is a tad shorter than the rest but I didn't want to give everything away just yet. There's about one more chapter and then this story is done. (or so I hope o.o) As for warnings, this chapter is definitely rated R. There's nudity, adult language, and mild adult content (lime…I would have done a full lemon, but I like my FF.net account and I didn't feel like getting banned because some punk can't stomach a full blown lemon. Oh well. I'll write it later and post it on my sites for all those proud perverts like me out there! *cheers* )And, yes I realize many people spell vampyre as vampire. I do not. If this different spelling bothers you then I apologize.

Dhampire

Of Love and War

Under the light of the great night eye, sky cracking towers and battlements loomed ahead. The smell of death dripped from the air like blood from an open wound. Even from a distance, the stains of gore long since dried could be seen caked to the stone walls of the fortress. Twisted and decayed, sickly ivy choked the castle of any breath or light. Miniscule cracks and crevices were slowing forming under the stress of the ever-tightening browned vegetation. Low, continuous moans expelled by the citadel made the air heavy and feel soiled. With a creak and groan, the ancient drawbridge lowered like a mouth as the spiked iron-gate raised like jagged fangs to allow the carriage to enter.

Lie jumped down from the driver's seat of the carriage before turning to open the door for his Master. The vampyre slowly stepped out and into the moonlight. Blaise was tall, powerful. He possessed short neatly combed, aqua green hair and a trimmed goatee of the same odd green that went perfectly with his light violet eyes. However obscure his hair and eyes might seem, his clothes spoke of refinement of the deceased French aristocracy. He wore a bold blue coat trimmed in white with brilliant golden buttons over which he had a white sash. Under the coat was a matching blue vest and fine white linen shirt. For pants, he chose tope riding trousers that tucked into calf high cavalry boots. Behind him drug the edge of his floor length black velvet cape like black ooze following an elite devil or demon.

"Blaise, my dear frog…why are you back so early? I had been hoping to have this ruin to myself for at least another month." A figure from the shadows taunted. Blaise did not need to see him to know who it was. He did not need to see his shoulder length chestnut hair captured in a low pony tail or his fierce pale blue eyes and the cruel look set into his features. Nor did he need to see the red coat with white trim that the voice had ordered to be made to replicate the English Red Coats of long ago. It could only be one vampyre.

"Horatio Christen. Believe me when I say that I do not wish to be here anymore than you wish me here, but I have a surprise- a lovely morsel." Blaise replied, pulling Mina out of the carriage.

"Another plaything, Blaise? Haven't you ruined enough maidens to sate your lust?" The other vampyre asked as he emerged from the darkness.

"Never, my dear enemy…but look at her eyes. Tell me what you see."

Mina saw a slight blur before startling cold blue eyes attempted to meet hers. Equally cold hands grabbed her chin to force her to look at him. "The human from legend. How did you find her?"

"I happened upon her during a raid. Now you can take care of her. There was a bordello a couple miles back calling my name." Blaise snickered as he tossed the girl into the English vampyre's arms and returned to the carriage.

"Take care of her? I don't know how to take care of humans. I only feed on them!" Horatio hissed at the carriage.

"That is not my problem! Now get out of my way. The night is beginning to wane and there is a lovely young thing that needs to be nipped." Blaise retorted flinging his wrist to enunciate his need to leave.

"Fine…but don't leave the corpse in our courtyard this time." Mr. Christen lectured as he pulled the young woman away with him. His glare of contempt smoldered as he watched the mutant Lie climb aboard the carriage to sit next to his wolf girl and drive away. He then gently grabbed the woman's wrist and led her into the shadowed corridors of the castle. His fierce gaze parted the sea of ghouls and lost souls that clogged the ancient hallways.

Mina watched this new vampyre in quiet wonder. She knew all to well that Blaise would not seriously harm her, but she did not know about this master of the night. Fear for her own well being as well as the fiery oceans of his eyes kept her sharp tongue silent. However, her wonder increased ten-fold as he pulled her a small room. Unlike the rest of the fortress that she had seen, the room's decorum was not rotten filth. Instead, the room was warm and smelled like that of a library due to the multitude of leather bound books neatly stacked in a large and ornately carved book self. There was also a delightful old writing desk with gold images of a fox hunt masterfully etched into the dark wood. Atop the desk were some blanks sheets of a paper and a half empty bottle of ink with a quill by its side. With a closer inspection, she noticed ink stains worked into the wood, a subtle testament to its use. In front of the desk, were two identical chairs made of the same wood as the desk with scenes depicting the same fox hunt embroidered into the black velvet cushions in gold thread. The only other piece of furniture in the room was a very large black marble sarcophagus with an effigy of a knight in full armor on the lid. The meager light of the room was mainly provided by the roaring fire place on the wall next to the stone coffin and opposite the desk and chairs. There were also two wall sconces at the room's entrance and a candle on the desk to help provide light while still giving the room a friendly and intimate feeling. Another astonishing factor brought on by the seclusion of the room was the vampyre's countenance. No longer did his features pull into an intimating scowl. They were now calm and peaceful which brought an air of grace and masculine beauty to his seemingly well muscled frame.

"Do not fear me. I give you my word that you will not be harmed." The vampyre said softly while motioning for her to take a seat in one of the two chairs of the room.

"The word of a vampyre…it's worthless." She spat. Her violet eyes burned like heather aflame as she stood against the wall with the book case and clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white.

"Then I give you my word as an Englishman. And although you may not know it, English manners and chivalry will never allow me to break my word." He replied with a slight smile as he sat down in a chair and once again motioned to the one opposite of himself.

"I have studied the English and their 'chivalry.' And, I do not find it very amiable at all." Mina replied but she did accept the chair. She found his charm and appearance too good to resist although the thought of liking a vampyre disgusted her.

"May I have your name?" The vampyre asked while sitting straight and tall in his chair like a regal monarch returning to his throne after decades of absence.

"Can't you just rip into my mind and find out that way? Your 'comrade in the night' had no problems doing so." Mina answered, her tone dripping with acid so vile that it could have burned his ears.

"My 'comrade in the night,' as you call him, is a Frenchman through and through even if his heritage denies it. He has no honor or qualms about causing a young lady such as yourself harm. I, on the other hand, have given you my word, so, even if it would be easier to pry the knowledge of your name out of your head by force, I will not. And, if you refuse to tell me…" Mina's eyes widened slightly as he paused, wondering if it had been wise to not answer. He seemed to keep the light from showing his eyes, keeping them in constant shadow, and it unsettled her. "I shall be forced to merely call you My Lady Charge."

A small sigh of relief escaped Mina as she looked at the vampyre. He seemed honest and noble, but he was still a vampyre and should not be trusted. "My name is Carfax. Mina Carfax…stupid! Why did I tell him that" Mina mentally scolded. She wondered if he was putting her under some spell to make her answer but knew from her dealings with Blaise that he was not.

"See! That wasn't so hard, M'lady Carfax. I am Horatio Christen, vampyre by trade and descendant of a great English line of knights and warriors." Mr. Christen replied, bowing slightly from his seat.

Mina merely stared at the vampyre for a moment or too. He truly puzzled her. Unlike the vampyre that she had been traveling with and his entourage of mutants, Horatio did not mock or poke fun at her. His movements and words were so sincere and unpracticed that she began to doubt he was hiding behind them. He did not push her or demand anything. If she chose to say nothing, as she was doing so now, he did not question. Instead, he looked off to the side to assure her that he was not playing or intruding into her thoughts. Blaise had always needed eye contact to enter her mind and Horatio kept none. She almost felt safe with Horatio sitting there. However, the brittle sense of security she had created in Horatio's presence was quickly shattered by the scraping of stone just outside the room. What fragments of the shield that she had built to calm herself were also smashed by Horatio's reaction to the noise for he leapt out of his seat and stared at the source with a look of worry for several moments before turning to say something.

"As suicidal or unconventional as it may sound, I suggest you spend the day with me in my coffin." Mr. Christen offered while pointing at the sarcophagus. "The monsters of this crumbling stone ruin cannot lay a talon on me but you they may feel free to harm."

"What do you mean?" Mina asked, rising as well. "Can't you control them?"

"No. They serve Blaise and Blaise alone. I am nothing more than an untouchable guest."

"Oh…"

"I assure you, Lady Carfax, that they will not open the lid to my coffin and that you will remain safe within it, but I cannot protect during the day even if you stay in this room. They will come in and I will be helpless in defending you." Horatio said quickly while sliding back the lid. "The sun will rise soon, and once it does, I cannot help you unless you are in the coffin with me."

Mina considered her options. "Can I trust him? And how do I know that the monsters will actually come in here?" More scraping sounds were made but this time they were at the door. That confirmed her decision and she moved toward the obviously worried vampyre. "I have your word that you will not bite or touch me…"

"Yes! Of course." Horatio answered with complete sincerity as he offered his hands to help her into the over sized marble casket. Mina paused for only a moment before more scrapping sounds forced her to accept the vampyre's help into the coffin. All went black as Mr. Christen climbed in himself and closed the lid.

Horatio resisted his sleep for several hours just so he could watch her for a while. His thoughts repeatedly drifted back to the instance he first saw her. He had memorized the way she held her head so high with her golden locks flowing free of any snarl or restraint like the ancient Celtic queens of the times most have forgotten. He remembered how much he had yearned and still does yearn to caress her perfect alabaster skin that shone like white gold against the black silk of her gown. And those eyes. A violet storm caught in a sea of white glass. He had been sure that they would have burned him to ash for daring to glance at them with the scowl and glare that had become part of the mask he wore whenever he ventured out of the room, but the eyes had spared him. Whether or not that was an act of mercy, he could not tell because now he was forced into the sweet torture of having her body laying next to his. A body that tempted him to touch, to nip, to worship. However, he had given his word and would not break it. What truly ate at his mind was a single question. Why? Why did he fancy a human? Through his long years he had met many a female vampyres that were just as beautiful as her. From somewhere back in his mind, the question was always replied to with the answer 'why not.'

Unfortunately, his thoughts were interrupted by the clanging of horse hooves on stone. As usual, Blaise returned after dawn. Horatio sometimes wondered if he was given this room because it was closest to the courtyard and with acute vampyric hearing and the fact that sound travels so well through stone Blaise would be able to easily disturb his sleep. He knew that Blaise knew that he would hear the mutants scuffling about to carry the French vampyre's coffin out of the carriage and into the safety of the stone rooms of the fortress. Blaise also knew that Horatio would also hear Lie or Crede order to have the body placed somewhere in the courtyard. It was the same routine every time. Horatio groaned inwardly and shut his eyes and forced himself to sleep. Although his attempt at sleep was greatly hindered by outside influences. It wasn't the noises the mutants made as they moved about. It was the exotic scent of the woman next to him the beckoned to keep him awake. Nevertheless, sleep eventually won him over.

@; --'-- ~*~ --'-- ;@

As the sun rose over the horizon, two figures rode into a small town ten miles from Blaise's fortress. It was like every other town with a vampyre infestation. The cemetery was over filled with headstones and a cross marked every roof, window, and door. This was true of all buildings except for the whore house on the edge of the town. That was the only establishment were vampyres were ever welcome since they paid well and didn't leave a mess since they normally took 'dinner' home with them. It was always easy to find the inn in town like these. Except for the church and some of the wealthier homes, the inn was always the largest building and generally near the center of the town. Due to lack of space, D and Radha had to book a single room instead of two.

"If we attack now, we'll have the daylight advantage." D said in a monotone voice as he looked out the window of their room.

"Yes, but we'll lose that advantage as soon as the fight starts. We've both been riding all night and need at least a couple hours of rest. I suggest we attack tomorrow morning after resting today. He's at his castle and he's not going anywhere. Besides, he's cocky. He allowed us to catch up. He'll allow us to rest." Radha argued. "You do what you want, D, but I'm going to wait until tomorrow. As for right now, I'm going to take a bath. I smell like Mau-Mau." She finished as she moved toward the bathroom.

D could have sworn that she stopped at the door and gave him an inviting look before going in, but it could have been his imagination. It seemed to have been playing tricks on him a lot lately. With a shake of his head, he sat down on the only chair in the room and tried not to listen to the sound of zippers and snaps being undone as she peeled herself free of all that ridiculously tight leather and spandex that she wore. He tried no to listen to her delicate feet make little thuds as she walked barefoot to the tub. Nor did he try to listen to the lovely moan that escaped her lips as she slid into the warm water of her bath. He just sat, pretending that he didn't hear her, and all the while wishing she had shut the door so that she wouldn't tempt him.

But tempt him she did. She forced him to listen to every little moan and every little sigh that escaped her full lips. Forced him to listen to the water caress her soft body like a lover could, like he could. He could have stopped it so easily. Too easily. He could simply rise and shut the door, but to do so would admit weakness and he could not, would not do that. He could hear her rise out of the tub and could hear little water droplets run down her body like deft fingers that knew all of her favorite touches. He tried not to move. He tried to stay in the chair. He tried to ignore her like one ignores a desired object in a store window- one doesn't. Before he could stop himself he found himself in the doorway of the bathroom looking at her face via the steamy mirror. To his humiliation, it didn't take her long to spot him. She turned slowly to face him, her wet hair flying out slightly to reveal her in her full glory.

"D?" Her voice was quiet and her cheeks turned a lovely shade of red.

"Forgive me…" D quickly said and moved backwards to return to the main room and get out there as quick as possible.

"No! Wait! Don't go, D…" Radha reached out and grabbed his wrist. "Don't go…" She whispered once more as she moved closer to him. She carefully pushed his hair aside so that she might lay her head on his shoulder. "Don't run from me D. I don't bite…hard." She raised her head once more to look him in the eye. "Unless you want me to." D could take no more of her teasing and silenced her with a soft and gentle kiss. Radha could not help but to grasp his shoulders and in doing so pressed herself further against him and heating up the kiss. She only gladly parted her lips when she felt his soft tongue beg for entry. The kiss broke almost as quickly as began and left Radha moaning for more. "D…" In one fluid movement, he swept her into his arms and carried her to the bed. Then with great care, he set her down and stood back to rid himself of his own apparel.

D could not help but to just admire her for a moment. Her wet locks of wild fire were spread about her like a wedding veil. Her body was pale and soft, her curves and breasts supple. Her mere form alone would have fooled anyone of her occupation, but the final ruin of her tough huntress reputation was the look in her complexion. Once fiery eyes that were full of rage and pain had calmed into soft waves of jade love and desire that burned her cheeks. A lust filled moan was emitted from her slightly swollen lips as she spread her legs every so slightly. Her body and pose dripped of obedience and submission to D's every wanton desire. The sight of her and her red curls wet with need crushed any thoughts of turning back. His lips soon once again claimed her as his and his alone once and for all.

@; --'-- ~*~ --'-- ;@

"And where is the girl?"

"With Mr. Christen, Master Blaise."

"Thank you, Lie." Blaise said with a cruel smirk. "It appears our dear Englishman is beyond smitten and all over a human bitch! How quaint! Oh well…Are the Dhampires in town?"

"Yes…and at it like rabbit. Or so the inn keeper tells me." The white and blue haired mutant informed with a naughty light in his eyes.

"Good for them! Well, in any case, they will most likely attack tomorrow morning. Prepare the men. We'll have quite a battle on our hands." The vampyre purred with a flick of his wrist to dismiss Lie.

"But, Master…they'll attack during the day. Are you not worried about being caught in the sunlight?"

"No! Not at all. They may start the fight, but I shall decide where we shall commit the act. If they make it past the walls, which I suspect they will, I will wait for them in the oubliette. Once in there, you will seal the door behind them and I shall destroy them in the safety of dark, dank stone walls all around. It will be bloody, gory, and oh so beautiful. I will kill the two half-breeds and then I will turn the bitch. Horatio may have her when I'm done with her but not before then. Make sure Lie that she is…'untouched' when I get her. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Master…Perfectly."

"Good. Now get the hell away from me and go fuck that wolf of yours. She's been howling like a dog in heat all night and it's beginning to bother me."

"Yes, Master." With that, Lie turned on his heel and walked away. A look of total disgust was slowly unsettling his normally calm features. Tomorrow was going to be a bloody day indeed.

@; --'-- ~*~ --'-- ;@

Cyber Aya- "Well then…"

VC- "Well what, Aya? And if you say one rude comment! I swear by the power of the author I shall smite thee into so much smut as a uke you will never know what it is like to be on top again!"

Cyber Aya- *stops, blinks, and thinks for a moment* "I thought it was a lovely story."

VC- "Why thank, Aya! You're so kind!" *tacklehugglesquish*

Cyber Aya- "Ack! Baka-onna!"

F.F. Mole- *snickers*

Like it? Yes? No? E-mail me at aya_fujimiya_rose@hotmail.com

VC- "Oh yes! And one more thing! If you want more updates then give me more bloody reviews! I admit I have a huge ego as it is but every ego needs a boast now and then. *sees that the reader is not falling for it* Fine…if that won't get you to review…maybe this will. *holds the disk containing the ideas for the next chapter over a candle* Give reviews or else..."

VC (again)- "And all you silent Dhampire fans that don't review very often, you can all thank Alia Nights for this chapter. If she hadn't reviewed, I might have never gotten around to writing this thing. Go AN!!" *laughs at her own laziness*