Chapter 8: Humans and Vampires

The carriage parked near a tavern in Colchester. Baron led the hunters out and looked around. “This place looks more peaceful than the mission suggested,” he observed.

“Naturally. I take care of places I found,” Rosaline stated as she stepped out of the carriage and offered Diana her hand. Her favorite hunter blushed and took it as she descended.

Town guards opened the tavern doors at Rosaline’s order. The rest of the hunters were in good spirits as they ate their fill and played board games. Baron entered with a leader’s stride and cleared his throat. “Hunters, stand and gather,” he commanded.

The hunters scrambled to their feet and lined up before their leader. Baron examined them all, a sense of relief washing over him. “Good, you’re all here.”

“Yes, sir. What happened last night? A bunch of armored women surrounded and defeated us,” a hunter asked. “Hiring all women, the lord must be doing indecent things in that castle.”

“We are betrayed, Calem,” Baron reported.

“What?! What about the vampire lord? Surely he’s to blame for all of this,” Calem accused.

“Good hunter, do I seem like a ‘lord’ to you?” Rosaline asked in a sultry tone.

“Not at all. Who are you?” Calem asked in a bored voice.

“You didn’t refute his entire statement, madam,” Juliet whispered to her.

“I prefer the company of women, and my soldiers are capable of smiting any enemy,” Rosaline boasted. “They have the means to escape should they get overwhelmed. We’ve not suffered a single fatality in centuries.”

Juliet walked to Diana and whispered in her ear. “Okay, you have more competition than I thought. Good luck.”

Diana’s cheeks turned pink as she glared at her friend. “I do not!” she hissed. Then she realized what she said. “We’re not together! Nothing happened!”

Baron sighed, having lost his fear of the vampire lady. “This is Rosaline de Clairmont, a vampire lady and a member of the Shadow Inquisition,” he introduced her. “We were given false information with the intent that we destroy both her and this entire town.”

“The Shadow Inquisition?” Calem was horrified.

“Yes. I don’t think Gerald issued those orders, and he certainly doesn’t know enough magic to corrupt mana cores and implant them in people,” Baron posited. “We need to find those carriage drivers and interrogate them.”

“Corrupt mana cores?”

“Did you see the explosions above the castle? Someone implanted those cores in us to destroy this entire area.”

Calem and the other hunters understood the gravity of the situation. “Then, it was a vampire who saved us, the one we tried to kill. Thank you, Lady de Clairmont.”

Rosaline grinned. “You’re most welcome.” She gave a brief bow. “I knew something was amiss when I heard a group of hunters come to my castle. My curiosity overpowered my aggravation that night.”

“Wait,” Diana angrily rounded on Rosaline. “Was all of that simply to satisfy your curiosity?”

Rosaline chuckled and took her hand. “Not at all. I intended to capture you hunters for interrogation, but I changed my mind. You were ever so dazzling when you stormed into my throne room. I almost swooned.”

Diana looked away in embarrassment, but she kept her hand with Rosaline’s.

“Naturally, the Newcastle Clan has wronged me, so I’ll be taking Diana as my compensation. She will make a fine noble consort,” Rosaline announced.

“Sounds fair, we wish you well,” Juliet quickly agreed.

“Consort?!” Diana’s cheeks turned red again. “What happened to maid?”

“Well, you seemed opposed to the idea,” Rosaline pointed out. She grinned, watching Diana become ever more flustered. She turned to Juliet with a smile. “My, it’s so much fun to tease her.”

“Hah, you get it. She always acts so seriously, so it’s fun to watch her lose composure.”

“Shut up, you two!” Diana barked.

The group of hunters watched what amounted to a comedy show and collectively agreed that Rosaline was not an enemy to be feared but a friend who should not be crossed.

The tavern doors opened with a creak. “Well! I’m glad to see things have resolved themselves!”

“Mayor. Thank you for looking after my people,” Baron spoke.

Rosaline turned to face the old man, who slowly walked in, aided by a wooden cane. “Not quite, Henry. However, we’ll see things through to the end.” She walked toward him, a stern look on her face. “And what have I told you about coming to me whenever you hurt your back?”

Henry looked away and stroked his beard. “It’s nothing, my lady,” he muttered.

“You’re hunched over,” Rosaline argued. She invoked a faint green glow in her hand and gently placed it on his back.

Henry sighed in relief as he stood up straight. “Ah. Thank you, Lady Rosaline.”

Rosaline slowly rubbed his back to ensure his health. “If you wish to show your gratitude, you will visit the doctor or come to me whenever you hurt your back.” She chided him as though he were a disobedient child.

Henry gave her a bright smile. “Of course, Lady Rosaline.”

The vampire sighed and gave him a weary smile. “Just mind your health.” She gently rubbed the top of his head.

“Ack. Stop it.” Henry pushed her hand away and laughed. “I have work to do. I’ll see you later.” He spun the cane in his hand and walked away.

Rosaline watched him leave, a mask of sorrow on her face. “You know,” she began. “Humans terrify me sometimes.”

“Strange. It’s usually the other way around,” Juliet quipped.

Rosaline turned to face her with a sorrowful smile. “Henry’s mother was a runaway. She left home at a young age and settled here with my guidance. She lived a good life, married a good man, and had a child. I was there when Henry was born,” she regaled them. “She and her husband are gone, and their son is an old man, a grandfather. Yet I remain the same. These people I come to care for take a piece of me when they leave this world, and it hurts every time.”

Baron smiled and stepped forth. “I imagine they feel the same way. They’ll leave a piece of themselves with the kind immortal who will remember them no matter how many ages pass.”

Diana smiled and nodded. Clair’s words rang in her ears, that gentle request to see Rosaline for who she was. “I’m sure your friends are singing your praise to the Almighty.” She thought for a moment. “Though…I don’t think vampires have souls.”

Rosaline sighed. “Vampires have souls, dearheart. We have our own gods and afterlife as well.”

“Well, shall we head off to Glendon? I hope you’ll ask questions before drawing your sword, Inquisitor,” Baron spoke.

“Glendon? The village with around ten people?” Rosaline questioned him.

Baron chuckled. “That’s what we want people to think.”