Chapter 13

We meet again

D traversed thought the thick forest towards what he sensed. He was surprised he didn't come into the camp to seek out D. Having been drawn away from his post like that would have given most hunters chills but D knew what he was dealing with. D knew Crystal would be safe because he wasn't here for her. D strode deeper into the forest with great confidence. He had to settle this once and for all, but he needed some answers first. One he got close enough to him he stopped. His blue pendant giving off a faint glow and the deathly aura emanated from dark hunter once more. In front of him stood two were hounds. Both snarling and gnashing their teeth at D. Their red eyes fixed upon him and their bodies trembled with anticipation. They wanted fresh meat and D was who they wanted but whilst they were here for protection they would do no such thing.

Behind the two hounds came the man D was here to meet.

"Return to the castle" the counts deep silken voice sounded.

The hounds bowed and turned towards the castle their stomachs empty, at least for now.

"You must be D, how could I forget." He said in a much gentler tone.

D remaining where he was didn't respond. After all, this wasn't a happy reunion.

"Count DeWinter" D answered.

The count took a few steps forward so D could better see him, and so he could see D all grown up. Tonight the Count was dressed a dark green overcoat with a green vest covering his white tunic. He wore black trousers with highly polished boots that came up to his knees before folding down again. He carried a pocked watch in his vest pocket, the cold chain peaking out from under his coat. His hair was brown and he kept it pulled back in a ponytail with a white ribbon. His cheekbones were set high and his jaw was highly defined. His red eyes were as piercing as Crystal arrows and his voice deep and soft. He was very regal in the way he carried himself though he carried no weapons. The count stood in front of D looking scanning him with D returning the favor.

"You look well D. How long has it been?" he asked, his eyes finally meeting D's cold stare.

"Not long enough" D replied bringing his sword up and crossing his chest holding it there.

"I know why you are here. I have come to tell you a few things that could work to your advantage." His crimson eyes dropped to Ds sword

"You are unarmed." D said coldly

"Yes, I knew you wouldn't miss that one. As I mentioned earlier I know why you are here and I would like to offer you a few pieces of knowledge that will assist you when you storm the castle."

D stood solid as a rock before lowering his sword. The tip was almost touching the forest floor. He would be prepared if the Count attacked him.

"I'm listening?"

(What the hell?) D's hand whispered as he was silenced by a fist.

"Good, first of all you will arrive at the bottom of the mountain by tomorrow most likely before sunset at the rate you ride. Go to the east side where the gate is but don't open it. Instead follow the path to the right of the gate until you get to the mausoleum. The door will be open because I opened it. Follow the tunnel under the castle. Keep Crystal close, it can get pretty scary down there. When you reach the foundation in the southeast corner there is a coffin sitting upright against the wall. Open the lid and take the stairs to the cellars. By the time the Countess knows your there you will have the upper hand. Second, you know she was an elemental witch when I took to be my bride. Well, she is still very powerful. Twyla and Crash will be in the cellar waiting for you, they are under strict orders not to harm Crystal but you are a different story." The count finished and watched D's eyes.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Well, to be honest with you I am sick of being cursed to live among the dead feasting on the living. The Countess is growing restless and becoming more and more like Carmilla. It is time for our demise D and that's why you are here." The Count stepped back and stared into D's ice blue eyes.

He waited for the fatal blow that would be coming tonight and from his brothers' son. The son he watched grow up and the very son who stood before him now poised to kill.

"I cannot let you leave here" D said coldly.

"I didn't intend on leaving D. Not like I did all those years ago." He replied.

"I never meant to hurt you or my brother but you had to learn about what you were D even if it meant killing your mother." He added.

"Enough" D growled.

Stepping forward the Count spoke again.

"That's it D, get mad. Show me the anger that resides in you. Raise your sword to me D!" He shouted raising his arms out to his sides.

Obeying D raised his sword up into the faint blue glow his pendant was giving off. He held his sword straight out in front of him aimed directly at the counts heart but he hesitated. Why? Was it because he was his fathers' brother and his first teacher? D growled as he readied himself but before he could do anything else the count threw himself on his sword impaling his heart. The tip of Ds sword tore fabric as it exited his back.

"You were the best thing that ever happened to your father. He loved you." He chocked out as he reached his right hand up to touch the hunters face. D pulled away pulling his sword out of the counts chest.

"Just li-like your fat-father." The count stuttered as he fell to the forest floor turning immediately to ash. The count called D out into to the woods to help him and end his own pathetic existence. D stood rooted in the same spot looking at the sword that killed his uncle. He shook off the gore with a flick of his wrist and put it back in its resting place on his back.

(Told you he was loony) he had commented.

D said nothing as he turned and headed back to the camp his cloak flowing out behind him.

(What the hell was he talking about anyways? What did he teach you?)

"Literature" D replied quietly.

(Ha! So he was the one your father commissioned to school you)

D said nothing.

(Damn, but why did he kill your mother?) His hand asked. He was genuinely curious.

D sighed and slowed his pace. This was very uncharacteristic of him but he figured he might as well tell the parasite before he decided to put D in a deep sleep and sifted through his memories. He had done that quite a few times before when D refused to tell him something.

"He told my father that I was becoming too human. I needed to know what I was. He told my father about the girl I was visiting and why they tried to stone me to death, he was the one who sent him to help me. Mother was dying anyway but when I would ask her why I had teeth like father or why I was so pale she told me it was the castle making me that way. The count decided to wait until she was asleep and summoned me to her room where I watched him take her. One of the servants held onto me to keep me from running to her side. Once he turned her he ran a stake through her heart. Father said nothing and since he was his brother he continued to let him live there but a couple nights later he came to me in the stables and told me he was leaving. I ignored him like I did ever since he killed her, but he didn't like being ignored; he overpowered me and tied me to a pole. It was then he whipped me and told me I was a prince and needed to start acting like it. I was tied to that pole for 2 days before my father came looking for me." D spoke quietly as made his way back to the tree he was leaning on earlier stopping once to make sure Crystal was still asleep. He then took up his spot against the tree removing his sword and pulling his hat down over his eyes, stretching his legs out.

(That's rough D. Where did you keep that memory stored at? I never saw it.)

"Up until recently it was a forgotten memory." D replied in a whisper.

(You amaze me D. What else are you hiding in that noggin of yours?)

"Nothing you haven't seen already." D lied.

(Oh come on D. I knew he lived in the castle with your father, but I didn't realize he was the one who taught you or that he was your uncle)

D didn't respond to the parasite in his hand. It was a memory that took years to suppress and now he was forced to see it again. He was glad the count was gone. In a way he avenged his mothers' death but it wasn't the same, not until every last one of them was dead.