Chapter 16: Departure

Rosaline vanished from sight and appeared a split second later in front of Elijah. A swift punch sent him flying through the air and through an unoccupied house. He collapsed in a heap and coughed up blood.

Elijah flew through the house and threw a ferocious punch at Rosaline. The vampire met his fist, causing shockwaves to crack the ground beneath them. She easily avoided a follow-up punch and delivered a flurry of strikes faster than the eye could see.

Rosaline pushed him backward with each devastating strike that cracked bones and shredded clothing. She leaped upward to avoid a grapple move and swung her leg down, delivering a mighty kick that left her enemy in a crater.

Elijah grabbed her by the ankle and roughly threw her at Diana. He charged at the two, a murderous gaze bearing down on them. Rosaline recovered in the air, a fanged grin across her lips. She vanished in a thick swarm of dark-cloaked bats as Elijah drew near her.

Diana pushed through the swarm and stabbed Elijah in the chest at the point where he invoked his transformation. Rosaline’s swarm gathered behind Diana and reformed. She placed her hand on Diana’s and chanted her spell to drain his mana orb. He struggled in vain against the sword’s binding.

Elijah deflated before them, restored to his former state. Diana pulled the sword free and watched him fall to the ground. His wound regenerated as he pushed himself to his feet. Five more collars flew through the air, latching around his neck, wrists, and ankles.

“My Lady, the hunters and your golems have defeated the creatures. I have taken the liberty of recalling them back to the carriage to await further orders,” Clair reported. “I must add that several hunters and civilians were fighting against the Newcastle Clan.”

Rosaline kicked Elijah, making him crumble onto his knees, and took her sword back from Diana. “I will now pass judgment. You are a wicked soul full of sin. I doubt Hell itself will be happy to receive you.” She raised her sword in the air to behead him.

“Wait!” Baron raced to them. “If you kill him now, his secrets die with him. He had more than just Archer working against us.”

“It is my right and duty to execute this criminal for murdering a member of the Inquisition. Do not interfere,” Rosaline warned him.

“Rosaline, please listen to me,” Diana spoke, her voice tinged with fear. “We need to find his fellow conspirators before anyone else dies. That’s how you give Catarina the justice she deserves and allow you to finally heal.”

Rosaline glared at her for a moment. She sighed and sheathed her blade. “Very well.” She turned to Baron. “Do not let any of these traitors escape again.”

“Don’t worry, allied clans are already on their way,” he assured her. Baron and his comrades lifted Elijah and dragged him away. “We already have Archer chained to a wall; he’s not going anywhere.”

Gerald and his men, along with Juliet, approached Rosaline, Diana, and Clair. “Thank you for your help,” he began. Rosaline narrowed her eyes, already anticipating his next words. “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but I’d like you and your people to leave and give us space to work. I’ll send a report of our findings once our investigation is concluded.”

“As you wish. You know where to find me,” she said, then turned to Clair. “Let’s be off.” She turned her heel and walked to the village gates.

Diana resisted the urge to chase after her. I don’t want you to go. I don’t want you to disappear! She screamed in her mind. Please hear me. This won’t be the last time we see one another. I just have something to do here first. She exchanged a sad look with Juliet, who took her hand.

Two months had passed since Rosaline’s fight against Elijah and his creatures. She sat in her castle garden and sipped tea while reading a book. It would have been a crime to waste such a perfect day by working inside the castle.

Rosaline couldn’t stop herself from smiling when she heard two familiar voices approaching her. Her heart raced in excitement when she heard her beloved’s voice once again. “Lady Rosaline, two runaway hunters have invaded the castle. Should I have them chained in the dungeons?” Clair reported.

“Hmm. That depends. Are they cute?” Rosaline asked.

“The lady of the castle seems to think so,” Diana quipped, a wry smile on her face.

“Welcome back,” Rosaline greeted Diana and Juliet. “Runaway hunters? Do you need protection?”

“Most likely,” Juliet said. “Gerald and the others finished their investigation, and they didn’t seem interested in sharing their results with you,” she explained. “A lot of hunters went into hiding after Elijah’s imprisonment. His plans are stopped for now.”

“Baron, Carter, and the other hunters who were here helped us make copies of everything, including Elijah’s private documents.” Diana placed a large stack of neatly tied papers on the table. “The carriage outside is full of more documents and artifacts,” she added.

Diana blushed slightly. “I thought they might try something, that’s why I stayed behind, while you left. I…hoped you might have heard me.”

Rosaline smiled. “I did. You were far too loud for me to ignore.”

“Well, they’re going to find out what we did. I can’t imagine they’ll be too happy. Are you looking to hire two new maids?” Juliet asked.

“No! I’m not wearing some scandalous uniform,” Diana barked. “We’re hunters! We can still perform our duties.”

“Come, sit,” Rosaline bid them. Diana and Juliet joined her. Clair poured them tea and motioned to the tower of snacks for them to enjoy. “My king is the only one who can induct new members into the Shadow Inquisition, and he has only ever inducted vampires to our ranks,” she began. “However, ranking Inquisitors can draft assistants who join us on missions. I can train you to be better hunters than anyone in the Newcastle Clan.”

“Really?” Diana was visibly surprised.

“Yes, but are you okay leaving them behind? Your family is important to you.”

“I already told them what I was doing, and it’s not like I’ll never see them again,” Diana assured her.

“And you?” Rosaline turned to Juliet.

The hunter casually shrugged. “Diana is my first love, I’m still desperately in love with her, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”

Rosaline and Diana were equally surprised by her sudden confession.

“Well played, Ms. Juliet,” Clair sarcastically praised her.

“Uh…. I had no idea, Juliet,” Diana spoke.

“Don’t let it worry you. I just wanted to get that off my chest.” She gave her friend a playful wink.