Disclaimer: I did not, do not, nor never will own Vampire Hunter D or its affiliates or anything of the kind. I repeat it is not mine. I am poor and work at a grocery store so if some big company wants to sue me they won't get much. So please do not sue me. I am just expressing how much I like the character and the stories by writing my own little piece of fanfiction.
Author's Notes: Yes, It's true. You're not dreaming. I actually updated. I am so unbelievably sorry. SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe it took so long for this chapter to be completed. I was going over all the reviews today and it made me so sad. I had so many great reviewers and I made everyone wait so long. I truly do apologize. This just wasn't a good year for me, and it made me depressed, which fueled my writers block. So many things went wrong. I'm not going to go into the details, but let's just say I hope I never have a year like this one. I'm much better now though. And now that life is getting back on track, so is this story.
I want to give special thanks to my awesome roommate, SecretlySeverus. She helped me tremendously to make sure this chapter became a reality. With out her I don't know if this story would have made it so far. She writes Harry Potter fanfiction, so if any of you like Harry Potter check her stories out. She has a superb one shot posted and the beginnings of an excellent chapter fic.
Also special thanks to everyone who emailed me and encouraged me to continue. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed thus far, you guys are the best. If I could I would give each and every one of you a hug.
And a very special thanks to the person I talked to on WinMX. It was awhile ago and I had the name written down, but I lost it. Knowing me I will find it right after I post this chapter. But if you see this you know who you are, and you finally have proof that it really was me I just wanted to say, you really made my day. You got offline before I could tell you how happy your complements made me. Big thanks to you.
Review Responses: There are so many! I hope I don't skip anyone. Thank you to everyone.
GuinevereKoopa – I think perhaps I did suffer from some separation anxiety with this fic. It's so close to the end sniff sniff. Maybe that explains my reluctance to write this chapter. But it's not quite over. There is at least one more chapter. So stay tuned.
Kitala – Glad you liked the last chapter. Hope you are still around to read this chapter. You have been one of my most loyal reviewers, and I appreciate it greatly.
SecretlySeverus – What can I say to you that I haven't already? Your support means the world to me. With out you I don't know if this story would have made it this far. It defiantly wouldn't have such good grammar. Thank you for all the time you gave up to help me. As far as your story goes, it's fabulous. You are more talented than you think. You inspire me to continue my own writing. A million thanks to you.
Stephanie – I am extremely happy you liked the fight. That scene was so hard for me to write. Personally I'm not sure if I can't top that chapter.
Dark Topaz – Will it took awhile, but I'm still writing
Durine - Peeks out from behind chair How mad did I make you think time? Hope your still around to find out what happens. Thanks for the encouragement.
Tina – You wanted it and here it is. Just a little late. Sorry to keep you in suspense.
Star chaser – Thanks : ) Belated I know, but thanks.
Jay – I'm still writing, just slowly lol.
Kitarrear – I'm glad you liked D's transformation. I hope this chapter is up to your expectations.
SS/HG—Gotta Love Em – Why am I writing to you again hehe. Thanks again.
Fishy – Eeep! I left you hanging. Whaaaaaaaa! I didn't mean too! Here's the new chapter, now you can rest at ease.
Julie Douglas – Thanks a lot. I owe a lot to my roommate for the grammar improvement. I'm sure she thanks you too for noticing. At last you can find out what happens.
RJ – Ha ha 4 months seems short now, don't it? I hope you get a chance to read this chapter. Thanks a lot for all the support, it means a lot.
Ashley Sinstar – If you fell off your seat last time, I'd hate to see what happens now. Should I call 911? Sorry I left you hanging. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing.
Lightning Fury Strike – Well I guess the writing came more later than sooner. Thanks so much for the complement. It really means a lot.
Louie – Sorry I made you wait. Hopefully you can forgive me someday in the future. Enjoy the new chapter.
JuJuBeeJazz – Aww I feel so bad that I made you wait so long! I finally updated and I hope you have the chance to read the chapter you waited so long for.
Flame-Proof-Monks – Your review means a lot. I was really worried about the fight scene. Thanks so much.
Maryna – I'm not real experienced with fight scenes, so I will have to work on it. Maybe next time I write one it will be easier to follow. : )
Lucidscreamer – Yeah the grammar sucks. The last two chapters have been better since I found someone to help me. Eventually I am going to rewrite the whole story and get rid of the mistakes.
Lucinda – I'm glad you like the premise of the story. Poor D, I just have to complicate his life with all sorts of twists and turns.
Kelli – The update took even longer this time. Sorry about that. Hope you will continue to enjoy the story.
Wintersong – Thanks for the review. Sorry you had to wait so long.
SilverWolf7 – Yes fight scenes are hard to write. And anyone who has attempted one knows the trouble. As amusing as it would be for D to wake up and Milly be 20, I think I will leave that cliché alone. I have a feeling the Mary Sue lynch mob might come after me for that one lol. Oh and if I were you I'd be impatient too, after all it's been a long time since the last chapter. Thanks for the support. I really do appreciate it.
Vampire hunter V – Well if nothing else, you've had plenty of time to hydrate again. Thanks for the review.
LiLiachencko-sama – Sorry Sorry Sorry! Here's the update.
Catherine Ace – I'm so sorry. I forgot to review you fic. It slipped my mind and I didn't remember till I started going over these reviews. It's bad form on my part. I know you've taken your story down, but if you decide to put it back up, or have it posted somewhere else, let me know. It means a lot that you took the time to review my fic, and a good review at that, so I just wanted to sincerely apologize for not returning the favor.
Limpet – Aww another review that makes me feel bad. I should really not write cliffhangers of any size. Please forgive this slow author oh kind reviewer.
Puppies are evil – No, I'm still here! No matter what I will not leave this fic unfinished!
Shadowsage Hopesong – It's short, it's to the point, but it says so much. Thanks for the great review.
JC Fabulous – Wait don't go just yet there's more to come.
And now let the story continue….finally…
The Color of Night
Chapter 12
Silence… empty and foreboding, the eternal phrase that all shall succumb to; the inevitable end for all creatures. It is silence that allows things to pass and be forgotten, but it is also silence that condemns. If truth is not spoken it is lost, if the wronged are not given voice they are forgotten, and if fears are not expressed then they are left to fester. Never, even in the dead of night, had the town of Citil been so hushed. The entire populace all gathered together, but no one made a sound. Silence, frigid and anxious, pressed its weightless bulk down upon the crowd. The mass of people seemed as one entity, safety in numbers, compressed together…in silence. No one dared breathe lest they bring some new horror upon them.
Kneeling in the dirt, nails digging in the blood soaked earth, D was barely aware of the crowd. His vision and senses were fogged over, while his limbs felt numb as if he had lost circulation. Pale flesh crawled with slowly returning sensation. The great power of only moments before was gone. The hunter was still unsure of what had happened… Dracula… the whole event was like a half remembered dream. What the fallen prince did know was that he was surrounded by the heady sent of blood. And he was unbearably hungry.
D's body was physically exhausted, and his mind over taxed. His mental barriers and restraints had been shattered in the wake of his raging power. If he moved one inch, D was sure he would fall face first in the red mud, and yet, his body thrummed with energy. A darker instinct was taking over his mind and body. He was trapped, surrounded by potentially dangerous beings, and his body all but screamed… survival! He had no strength, blood would revive it. He had no energy, blood would revive it. He had no power, blood would revive it! A sharp ache in his jaw echoed the constricting and retracting of strained throat muscles in a mockery of swallowing. D gasped in breath trying to quell the nauseous-like feeling of his churning stomach. His fingers dug painfully into the ground, dirt and small pebbles burrowing into the sensitive flesh under the nails. Pain laced through his mouth as sharp fangs began to descend. D could taste the coppery euphoria of his own blood with the ripping of his gums. The hunter clamped his mouth shut in resistance to the urge to bite, to bite something, anything, or anyone!
Meanwhile the crowd was beginning to awaken from its shocked silence. Milly took advantage of her mother's slackened hold to run to the fallen damphire. The small child ducked under Clarra's arms, and then shot down the dust blown street. Clarra jerked back to reality, grasping after Milly, but not in time to catch her.
"Milly!" Clarra screamed after her.
The woman moved to chase the little girl, but stopped halfway between the crowd and D, afraid. Afraid of D, for Milly, of being human in this entirely inhuman situation, she wasn't sure; she was just afraid. How had her life gotten here? She had been such a carefree child of a good family. Never had she to want for anything, and now as an outcast from her old life, she stood waiting for her new life to be swept away. The people behind her, like her family before them, would not understand the people in front of her. So there she stood, half way between the human and inhuman, with her hair and dress being tugged forward by the wind while her hands held them back.
Milly, heedless of her mother's plight, stopped just short of trampling D's hunched form. From her new vantage point, Milly could see the tremors that raked the hunter's stooped frame. Behind the curtain of hair D's mouth was fixed shut, while he breathed heavily through his nose. A thin dark crimson line ran from a bloody bottom lip, where fangs were firmly embedded, to pool and drip from a trembling chin.
"Mr. D…?" Milly asked uncertainly, as she knelt down in front of the older damphire.
D opened his eyes slowly to look at the source of the voice, or more importantly a thin cut marring a pale face. His eyes riveted to a bead of red liquid at the end of the slight wound. Milly gasped at the sight of D's blue irises shot through with scarlet lines. The prince's every dark instinct was telling him to bite, to drain the life giving substance from the warm blooded creature before him. Shadows wrapped around his thoughts whispering words of pleasure: smooth skin breaking under his teeth, the feeling of warm rich blood draining down his throat, the rush and ecstasy of life. D's fangs released his bottom lip, pink tongue darting out to lick the wounds. Ruby eyes held Milly transfixed.
'Bite and drink,' his mind whispered. His breathing slowed in time with the child's. The small face unconsciously tilted to the side baring a smooth throat. Glazed green eyes stared lifelessly into wine colored orbs. D's glowing cat eyes focused on the pale expanse, while hunger captivated his thoughts. Grasp the living thing before him and drain its life. Drink until its life faded away, and its warm body lay cooling in his arms. Blood staining the skin red, red like…strawberries.
'What's your favorite food Mr. D? Come on, you're bound to have one, everyone does.'
'The child is mine, D; surely you aren't stupid enough to come between me and mine. We shouldn't fight you and I, after all, we are all family here. Surely you have felt the pull of the blood that binds us.'
'You're one to talk uncle. You killed your own brother, my father. But if you want to abide by the laws of blood then as an elder member of the family it is my job to protect a fledgling like the girl, even if it means from you.'
D released his hands from their vice like grip in the earth. His left hand sprang off the ground and latched onto his face.
"D snap out of it!" hiss the symbiot as quietly as possible, still wary of the human crowd. "It's Milly you idiot! D are you listening? D?!"
"Milly…?" whispered D's cracked voice.
Slowly taking control of his left hand, he lowered it to support himself, while raising his right to trace bloody fingers across the cut that had entranced him. Cupping the small child's cheek, D whispered her name again. Milly blinked and rubbed her eyes as if just waking. Alert emerald eyes shimmered, threatening tears, before Milly launched herself into D, hugging him with enough force to choke. D was left with a headache and a bad taste in his mouth. He just wanted to sleep. Sleep would make it all go away.
"Mr. D is alright?"
"Yes Milly, for now," D raised his head to look at the crowd for the first time, as traitorous limbs clasped the child protectively.
Clarra watched as Milly crashed into the hunter. Something had happened between the two halflings, of that she was certain, but she couldn't say what had occurred. D's piercing blue eyes raised to look past her toward the gathered townsfolk. The dark hunter's imposing figure seemed much smaller just then, sitting there battered and bruised, embracing Milly, feigning strength he obviously didn't have. It was a glimpse of a boy long gone, perhaps, a glimpse of a boy to match the mask of youth worn by one an eternity in age. Clarra became aware of a dull buzz behind her, which was quickly growing in pitch. She half turned to see people, she had considered friends, begin to whisper and point.
"What should we do?"
"Did you see that light?"
"Those eyes!"
"What are they?"
"Monsters!"
"They aren't natural."
"That thing…the creature…monster….all that blood…it's dead…it would have eaten us…eat us…they…monster….bats….did you see….monsters…blue…it had fangs…they…all fangs…did you see…monsters…what do we do…monsters…kill us…monsters…kill them…VAMPIRES…"
Clarra shook her head franticly looking between the damphires and the townsfolk. D just continued to watch as the crowd grew louder. Milly looked out from under his arm with wide fearful eyes. Her small hands clutched the fabric of his vest. Clarra moved restlessly…what to say…what to do… the crowd kept getting louder, now making violent gestures in the direction of her family! Her family, yes her family. Milly, her daughter, and D was practically her nephew. Besides that, he had protected everyone from that monster Trevlin or Veshic, whatever the creatures name was. She had to stop this!
"Please everyone listen!" Clarra screamed, "Please, you must let me explain what happened."
"We should destroy those creatures!"
"Yeah, do it before they kill us!"
"No, no you don't understand!" Clarra tried to continue, "They are not here to hurt us. Please!"
"Silence!" roared Mayor Borgish. The crowd hushed at the booming voice. "We will have order. There will be no rioting in this town, not while I'm mayor."
"Thank you Mr. Borgish," Clarra breathed in relief.
"Who says I'm siding with you and those things! I just don't want a destructive mob running through town," croaked the red faced mayor.
"But…I…they can't, you can't let them hurt D and Milly!" screeched Clarra.
"You should be more worried about your own neck. Pray we don't hang you after your trial."
"Trial!" exclaimed a flabbergasted Clarra.
"Yes, trial, for crimes against the town of Citil, for aiding and abetting these dangerous things, and for putting all of the populace in peril."
"But Mayor Borgish they are not dangerous. Milly has been here since she was a child. You can't mean this!"
"Step aside Clarra and let justice be done."
Clarra ran to stand in front of the huddled pair. She stood with arms stretched out, fingers spread. D looked up baffled at the woman.
"I can't let you do this Mr. Borgish. It isn't right."
"That is for the town to decided, Clarra." Mr. Borgish turned to address the crowd, "what say you all?"
"Clarra," D rasped, "just take Milly and run, I'll…"
"You will do no such thing D! You are in no condition to do anything. You probably can't even get up on your own, so hush up!" Clarra hissed. D sat there stunned, staring at the back of Clarra's head. No one spoke to him in that manner, much less in wanting to protect him, but there the fool woman stood between him and disaster.
"Mayor Borgish please," Clarra pleaded, "please let me explain."
"Hrmph, I suppose you should be able to say something in defense, but make it short," the mayor croaked.
"Let's get rid of them now!" someone yelled.
"No, no," Borgish yelled out, "we will let them say their piece, then dispose of them. Well Clarra, what do you have to say for yourself?" The mayor and the crowd turned their attention to Clarra, who still stood as a barrier in front of D and Milly. Lowering her arms, Clarra took a breath, licked her lips nervously, and tried to settle her thoughts. She tired anxiously to come up with something that did not sound incriminating.
"Well you see… I didn't tell the whole truth when I moved here, but please just listen, I couldn't…I mean," Clarra sucked in breath rapidly trying to think. "Before I came here…I was…I was attacked," another gasping breath, "attacked by a…a vampire." A gasp went through the onlookers. "Everyone knew you see. Everyone where I lived. I couldn't stay," she spoke in hurried tones trying to say everything at once. "When I found out I was pregnant, I knew that it…" Clarra paused to look at Milly huddled against the hunter. "I knew Milly was his," her lip trembled as she continued; "Milly would be the daughter of a vampire named Trevlin. Milly is a damphire, a half breed."
"You should have killed her at birth!" someone hidden in the crowd cried out.
"Could you kill your own child?!" Clarra snapped back. "She was still my child. I couldn't harm her, so we came here. You welcomed us with open arms. Milly never harmed any of you, and you were good to Milly. How can you ignore that?"
"And what about him? Who is he?" asked the Mayor, "I doubt he is really your cousin."
"Mr. D is well…you see I was visited by Count Trevlin not too long ago…" she trailed off remembering her last encounter with Trevlin. "Maybe I should have left then, but I was afraid. I knew I had to do something though; I didn't want the vampire to get Milly, so searched for help. D is a…"
"Vampire hunter." D's voice was calm if somewhat shaky. Clarra turned to look at the fatigued hunter. He had managed to stand taking Milly with him. The child was perched on his hip with her head buried in his shoulder. If he was going to be on trial for his life, then he would face it standing and not huddled on the ground. He didn't think he could escape, should they decided to kill him, it took all his strength just to stand and stay awake.
"Yes," said Clarra turning back to the crowd, "D is a vampire hunter. One of the best I was told. And yes, he is also a damphire, but that is what makes him such a good hunter. Don't you see, we're not here to hurt anyone. Milly is just a child and D devotes his life to protecting people. Please you can't…they aren't monsters!"
"And what was all that, that just happened. That vampire was calling himself Veshic, not Trevlin. Are we to expect another vampire here? How many times will you endanger us?" This time the protest was voiced by Abigail.
"Abigail stay back," called Mr. Borgish.
"No father! Don't be swayed by her story. Those things should be killed. We need to get rid of them before they bring more monsters upon us."
"Wait, that was Trevlin," yelled Clarra, "he was just…I mean…"
"His real name was Veshic," stated D in dry tones, attempting to fill in the gaps. Some of the story had come out in the confrontation, but D knew that Clarra didn't know everything. "I thought he had died a long time ago, but apparently he just went into an extended hibernation. When he arose he decided to take a new name to cover his tracks. Clarra had no knowledge of this, or any knowledge of the vampire other than first hand experience. What occurred here tonight was the end of a battle that began thousands of years ago. It was unfortunate that you had to witness it, but it had nothing to do with Clarra, Milly, or any of you. You will have no further problems associated with Clarra; those demons are laid to rest."
"And the brat," Abigail sneered, "what about her? She's a bloodsucker too. They both are. How are we to know they won't kill us all?"
"Milly has never harmed you!" screamed Clarra.
"You can't trust vampires or their offspring, I say," Abigail continued. "They have just been laying low. Maybe they didn't want to be found by that creature, but who's to say it was just so they didn't have to follow his orders. How do we know he really is a hunter? Maybe they are in league with one another. They plan to take over the town, and turn us into zombies." A shriek of panic filed through the townsfolk. "We should kill them, before they can harm anyone else."
"Abigail makes a good point," stated the mayor.
"You can't believe that," cried Clarra.
"Silence, your time for speaking is over Clarra," replied Borgish.
"Father if I may say something?"
"Of course Abigail." Abigail gave a nod to her father and turned to address the crowd. She flicked her thick hair over her shoulder and eyed the people assembled.
"Good people of Citil, sure Clarra and Milly have been here for years and not harmed anyone, but who is to say they weren't just spying on us. This D creature could very well be back up brought in to help them take over the town. By now they would have discovered our weaknesses. We should not take the chance of letting them live, and risk our very lives!"
Abigail's words brought with them many a nodding head. A buzz swept the crowd as they conferred with one another. Heads turned this way and that, as everyone tried to talk to each other at the same time. Martha spoke adamantly about Milly and D not eating garlic and other strange things she had noticed. Clarra looked stricken at the sound of Martha's voice in the crowd. Linda stood quietly being jostled about by the animated mob. She stared at her mother as Martha quickly became an advocate for the inhuman characteristics of the proclaimed damphires. Others joined in to give more evidence, pushing their way forward to be heard. Soon Linda was pushed to the side, and given a clear view of Mr. Borgish and Abigail.
Abigail, with a toss of her head, threw a pleased smile Clarra's way. She then sauntered her way over to stand among several of her male admires, who immediately complimented her speech. She crossed her arms under her chest and boldly glared in D's direction. Her amber eyes bored into D's with a glint of victory. No one says no to Abigail Borgish.
As Abigail moved to the side, Linda could see D and Milly with Clarra standing in front of them. She looked back to Abigail's smug smile, and then returned her gaze to the two halflings. D still held Milly at his side. He looked tired Linda thought, but he kept his hold strong on Milly. He looked straight and defiant toward the crowd, but one pale hand had come to cradle the child's head. Milly was trembling with her shoulders heaving; probably crying was Linda's guess. Linda remembered D's firm yet gentle grip as they danced, his finely crafted features as he offered her a first dance, and the sincere look when he said she was lovely. He wasn't a monster then, and as far as she was concerned, he wasn't now. She didn't quite understand everything that had happened during the fight, but it was clear to her that he was trying to protect everyone. Veshic had threatened them, while D and Milly had been nothing but nice to them. D even saved them just the other day. Clarra was right, this whole proceeding was wrong, but the rest of the town didn't see it that way.
Linda could hear her mother still ranting about all things unholy. Abigail seemed pleased at the way things were going. The mayor's daughter continued to make criticizing remarks to keep the throng going. Outrageous stories were flying back and forth. Clarra was ringing her hands, all the while looking around the crowd. It was clear where the decision was going. Thoughts started racing through Linda's mind, and without her notice she started moving. She was already beside Mr. Borgish with her mouth open before she decided what she had to do.
"QUIET!"
The sharp voice echoed through the street. Everyone looked up to see who had spoken. No one expected what they saw. Little Miss Linda, Martha's reclusive daughter, was up front with her hands balled at her sides. Abigail started to say something, but Linda shot her a piercing glare. For once Abigail shut her mouth with a snap. Her eyes wide from shock, as she wasn't even aware the slip of a girl could speak.
"Linda, honey, what are you doing?" Martha squeaked.
"I…" Linda took a breath, her body trembling, "I have something to say," she rushed. She looked hesitantly over the crowd, whose attention was fully on her now, and licked her suddenly chapped lips.
"We don't have time for childishness," Abigail replied snidely.
"Linda this is no place for you. Go on back to your mother now," coaxed Major Borgish.
"I am not a child," argued and insulted Linda, "and I am certainly not the one acting as such now."
"Linda! Don't speak to the mayor like that," reprimanded Martha, "you get back here now."
"No, not till I speak in their defense," Linda made a gesture to those on trial.
"Let the girl speak!"
Linda jerked her head up to see who had spoken, and there towards the back of the crowd, leaning heavily on a knotted wooden cane was the general store clerk, James. James, having no children of his own, had always been nice to Milly, giving her free sweets almost every day. The elder man had even been known to baby sit Milly on occasion. He had only met D briefly before the gang incident, but he was known for being a good judge of character. Linda knew if anyone would support her, it would be James.
"Everyone else has been spouting nonsense," he called out as he shifted his weight on the cane, "let someone who really knows the family speak for a change."
"Fine," said Borgish reluctantly, "we can delay the execution for a few moments." He motioned for Linda to say her piece.
Linda looked out to the crowd and abruptly felt that speaking was not such a good idea. She had never been the focus of so many people in her life. Many of the assembled just wanted to get these proceedings over with, while others, those less prone to panic, seemed generally interested in what she had to say.
"I don't think we should hurt these people," she started quietly.
"Ridiculous!" screeched Abigail.
"Shut you mouth for once Abigail," snapped James, "go ahead Linda."
"Clarra and Milly have lived across the street from me for years now. They have never tried to hurt us in the least, and mother you should be ashamed for telling such tales now. Until a few minutes ago we were all friends and neighbors. We've all had dinners at everyone's house, been to everyone's parties, births, funerals. Everyone knows everyone else's business. So what if Clarra didn't tell us about Milly's father. This town never would have let her stay had we known."
"Damn right!" yelled one of Abigail's constituents.
"No where would have accepted her," retaliated Linda, "She just wanted somewhere safe to live. She couldn't have known this was going to happen. And when no one knew what Milly was we accepted her as one of our own. She played with all the other children and nothing ever happened to them. All of us have laughed and cried together, and now because of a difference, that Milly can't help, you want to slaughter them. Think about it. Have they ever personally hurt any of you?" Linda gestured to the three behind her.
"Mr. D may have only been here for a few days, but I'd like to think of him as a friend. He saved our town for heaven's sake. He stopped a robbery that would have wiped this town out. We only have one bank. Every person here would have lost their money. He saved us without being asked to, and with no thought to his own safety. It was probably the single most unselfish act I've ever witnessed, and he probably saved my life. Did yall forget that? I was held hostage by those bandits, and Mr. D risked injury to save me! Then when it was over, did he kill any of them? No. He showed mercy. If that isn't a test of humanity, I don't know what is! We were throwing a banquet for him, or did yall forget that too? Mayor Borgish, you were welcoming D as family. I'm sure I don't have to remind you of the events of moments ago. That creature wanted to kill us. You all heard him. He wanted to eat the mayor! Remember that Mr. Borgish? It was D who threw that monstrosity off you. It wasn't D who threatened any of you. D was the one who protected us from that thing. He almost died to keep us from such a fate! You shout monster and point your fingers at those who only want a place to call home, who only want to protect us, who only want to live in peace. And you don't want to just kick them out of town, no, you want to murder them. Yes, murder! This isn't justice, its plain out murder. They aren't the monsters, we are!"
"Are you quite done now," Abigail sneered.
"Be quiet Abigail," snapped Mr. Borgish.
"Father!"
"Linda has a point," stated the mayor almost reluctantly.
Borgish rubbed at his neck trying to chase away the phantom feeling of the vampire's claws around his throat. He raised his gaze to D's. The damphire stared back impassively. Borgish thought he had never been more afraid, than when that creature had his talons on him. It had felt as if his very life was being drained away. He couldn't move, or do anything to stop the ghastly invasion. And those eyes, those horrible grotesque yellow eyes. It had been like looking into a chasm of despair. He had been falling and darkness was engulfing him, then it was gone. The mayor had been too bewildered to understand what had happened, but when he looked up D and that thing were standing together talking. Now Linda says it was D who saved him from some unimaginably horrible fate. The mayor's anger was cooling as he got his fear under control. Now he could think more clearly.
"Mr. D," he addressed the hunter.
"Father what are you doing, lets just get rid of them," shouted an irate Abigail.
"Silence. Who is mayor here me or you?" Borgish turned his back on his outraged daughter, and walked closer to D, but not too close. "Perhaps you would like to reintroduce yourself. You said something about being a hunter?"
D regarded the mayor warily for a moment. People don't just go from killing to talking without a reason. He may be tired, and simply want to bury himself in hole and sleep for a century or two, but that doesn't mean he is going to let himself be caught off guard. They may just be simple humans, but there were a lot of them. D had seen first hand how much damage a mob with torches and pitchforks could do. It had been a bloody, yet embarrassing, death for his father's denounced general.
D gave a slight nod to the mayor, "Yes that's true, I am a vampire hunter."
"So you kill your own kind for a living?" inquired Borgish.
"Not my kind," D stated calmly.
"Pardon?"
"My father's kind, not mine. I am not a vampire." D eyed the mayor carefully before continuing, trying to judge his reactions. "My mother was human."
"Then what do you claim to be," asked Borgish roughly, "surely not human!"
D looked to Milly as he gave his answer, "No… not human. I and Milly like me, are damphires, half-breeds."
"From what I saw today, it doesn't look like you are any less dangerous. Why should I trust that you are not harmful?"
"We are dangerous," D said and a gasp went through the town at his admission, "but isn't everything. A human with a gun can be just as lethal. I have been around a long time, Mr. Borgish, and I have seen the power humans possess. Vampires are dying out. It is man-kind who is destined to rule this world, as it has always been. You have nothing to fear from me, I will not fight against this ascension. I work to hasten it. I do not live in the past or hold to its ideals."
"Father really, don't listen to this rubbish," whined Abigail as she latched onto her father's arm. "After all, that vampire said D was the son of the dreaded Dracula. Surely we cannot trust him."
"What do you have to say to that D?" asked Borgish.
"What does it matter who's son he is. We haven't done anything to you. What more do you want?" cried Clarra.
"Quiet Clarra. I want to hear D's defense in his own words."
If D was honest with himself, he would have to admit that Mayor Borgish's words shocked him. No one ever wanted to hear him out. He had learned that a long time ago. It was always shoot the monster first and ask the questions later. It was a rare thing indeed for someone to stand up for him. Clarra's defense did not surprise him, considering Milly; the boldness took him a little off guard but not the defense. Linda's stubborn argument had truly shocked him. He never would have expected to find an advocate in the quiet country girl. Now Borgish wanted to hear him speak about his father. Maybe they wouldn't die today, just maybe.
"Yes, my father was the Vampire King, Dracula."
"See!" shouted Abigail, "he could be just like his father, a human slaughtering monster."
D remained passive at the comment, but Clarra couldn't resist cringing. D had told her that Dracula was not what people made him out to be. No matter how many times you hear the slander, it still has to hurt. As for D, if there was ever a human he would kill, Abigail would definitely be high on the list.
"Perhaps I am like my father."
"He admits it," screeched Abigail, "let's get these executions over with."
"But my father wasn't a monster," D stated as he looked directly at Abigail, who in turn flinched at the cold stare. "If my father was the human slaughtering monster you claim, then why was he killed by a group of vampires?" D said more forcefully.
This mission was wearing on him. He had spent the last few days being aggravated by these people, and then his traitorous uncle comes back from the dead to kill him. D fought an exhausting battle with the older vampire, which he shouldn't have had a chance in hell of winning. By some miracle, that he shall forever thank his father for, he managed to slay the murdering bastard, and now he faces execution from a band of enraged humans. At this point just let them get it over with. At least then the hunter could get some rest, albeit an eternity of it.
"I well… how should I know I wasn't there!" retorted Abigail.
"I'll inform you then," D stressed. "The vampire I just killed was my uncle. He gathered an army of followers to slay my father because Dracula had no desire to enslave humanity. He didn't want to rule the world and humanity along with it; ruling the vampire kingdom was enough for him. There were those who didn't agree with this, like my uncle Veshic. He wanted the whole world to cower at his feet, father included. Dracula died in a battle to stop that from happening."
"Interesting tale D, but why should we believe it?" asked Borgish.
"My father married a human, his heir was a halfling, and I hunt vampires. What more proof do you need," D replied in a calm voice.
"Veshic even mention something about Dracula being in love with a human," offered Clarra, "If you think about it, it makes sense Mayor."
"Please Mayor," pleaded Linda, "everything that's happened just proves that they aren't here to hurt us."
"I agree with Linda," yelled James from his place in the back. A few other voices shouted their agreement as well.
"Yall shut up. You don't know what you're saying!" yelled Abigail. She marched over to the crowd. "You can't possibly believe this…"
The resounding smack echoed down the road. Quite a few people went slacked jawed at the sight. Abigail stood frozen in shock, and then slowly raised her hand to her left cheek, which was already turning red. Linda stood with her right hand outstretched and a little shocked herself.
"You… you little…" Abigail started.
"Oh shut up Abigail, you're just mad because D danced with me and not you. For once you didn't get the guy!" announced Linda triumphantly.
"Why I never! I…urg!"
With an indignant screech Abigail stomped back over to her group of admirers, which seemed to have shrunk. Many of the young men were not happy with the revelation that Abigail had been after D. After all you can only say 'you're the only person I want to dance with' to so many guys before they catch on. The rest of the townsfolk were talking amongst themselves about the last few minutes and the new revelations. Mr. Borgish walked up to D sparing a glance at Milly as he stood before the hunter. Milly ducked her head trying to hide in D's shoulder.
"I can't say that I will ever look at Milly quite the same," stated Borgish.
"Knowledge always comes with a price," D replied in his stoic manner.
"And I can't say that this will ever be forgotten, or that things will ever be the way they were," said Borgish with tension.
"Then you don't plan to kill us," piped Clarra.
The Mayor sighed, "No, no I don't think that is the just thing to do." He glanced to a smiling Linda. "You pulled that monster off of me, didn't you D?" D replied with an affirmative nod. Borgish nodded his head in acceptance of the answer. "I have never seen, felt... I think perhaps I have learned a new definition of fear today, and not just of death, but of the unknown. Do you understand me D? I should not have been so quick to assume. I should have analyzed things better, acted more like the mayor I'm supposed to be."
"Fear is to be expected," was D's response.
"Expected maybe, but not forgivable," retorted Borgish.
"You do not need to look for my forgiveness Mr. Borgish. For me this is just another unpleasant incident in a long line of misunderstandings. Those you must look to are Clarra and Milly. There lays a trust not so easily repaired," D said softly looking down at Milly.
"You are a wise man Mr. D."
"Wisdom comes with age Mr. Borgish, and that is something I have on you."
"I'll believe that," Borgish said with a small smile. "Before all this mess, I talked about what a good man you were. I think perhaps I'll say it again on these new terms. You're a good man D."
End Chapter
Well that's all for chapter 12. There is still one more chapter to go, and that should finish it. With any luck it will not take me a year to update. Again I'm sorry it took so long, and thank you to everyone who has been so kind to review, if not for you I don't know if the story would have made it. As always reviews are welcome and very much appreciated.
Starmaster