Several months was a long time for traces to go cold in. But then again, it wasn't physical evidence alone that always led D to where he needed to be. The bounty hunter back in Eldrith had had a source for the Time-Bewitching Incense that had indeed had been a vampire, or more like an temporary alliance with vampires. There seemed to be more than one Noble involved. This was an incredibly odd thing to find, and it was an opportunity D could not pass up.
He could not dwell on any guilt that might remain from the his last mission. Wherever the "Desert Lady" was, he knew that she could not be dead. The Noble taken her for a reason, and he wanted to know why. He had to patient, however. He was certain that they would soon be moving in upon some of the main human cities, even if only underground movements.
"You know," mumbled the Hand, "you may be too late to help that woman."
D reined his horse to a halt in front of stream and let it canter up to the water for a drink for cooling. "I know."
The Hand laughed. "This is really is rich! You think she has turned vampire?"
"He wanted her for more than that," whispered D. "But there is that possibility that cannot deny."
"Well," huffed the Hand, "maybe a possibility in your thoughts, but I just happen to know she can't become such a creature."
D went quiet for a few minutes. "I believe it is time for you to tell me everything you know. I tire of this."
"I would if I could." The Hand chuckled and started coughing and spitting as D clenched his left fist real tight, digging his fingernails into the skin. "All right! All right! But I mean it! I cannot tell you much. I'm under contract, you know."
D knew all to well. "Tell me what you can."
"Hrmmm. Well, I am sure you have fleeting memories of her being at your father's castle. She has quite the history with him." The Hand laughed again. "He tried, oh yes, he tried to turn her, especially after becoming enamored with her in his early years. But not only did she forbid it, it was impossible. Their relationship became nothing more than mutual, a sister protecting a little brother. All younger brothers grow up, however. And after becoming more than what he was, something she saw as terrifying, she had nothing more to do with him, except for the few occasions when you saw her at the castle."
"Few times?" D murmured.
"Of course you can't remember each time she came. They were rare. But when you were born, she had seemed rather pleased. I suppose she was happy that your father fell in love with your mother, and the fact that the woman was a human probably relieved her somewhat. She visited the castle more often after you were born just to watch over you and your mother. She was a quiet presence. You would no more remember her vividly in your childhood than you would the tall white curtains that hung in the castle." The Hand chuckled. "Isn't it sweet, D? You have an auntie."
D ignored the jest. "What is she?"
"She..hrmm..mmmph." The Hand was out of breath. "No…can…answer."
D was truly curious now. The Hand rarely shut up. In his long past, he had discovered that the parasite on his hand was forbidden and incapable of talking about anything that would reveal its true nature and origins. And D had a good idea of what sort of dealings it had had with his father. But…to find another living being who would also pertain to that contract and its origins… The lady had to of had either a role in the time of its creation or knew something about it. Either which, she was an invaluable source of information to uncovering the past and perhaps unraveling the future of vampires.
If she could not be turned, then she was truly an original living being, meaning that the vampires had no hand in her creation. She was powerful, that he saw. He doubted the Nobles could keep her for long, but even still he could not underestimate them. The Three Sisters had been bound under vampire ruling before, a vampire that had been younger than they. It was not impossible. And if she could be harnessed as well, it would not be good for the humans.
Perhaps he should pace things up a bit. He pulled up on the reins and urged the automation forward.