Lady? I almost scoffed, but watching her through the goggles, I read the sincerity on her face. The meekness in her voice caused me to view her in a different light. She was genuinely embarrassed. Based upon our first meeting and seeing her now, I couldn’t ever imagine her in a frilly dress. It contradicted her rugged appearance. She had more dirt encrusted around her fingers and beneath her short fingernails than I did, and she still regarded herself as a lady, in spite of everything else. But like me, she took her calling seriously, and sometimes, that demanded us to step outside our normal boundaries.
A tear trickled from her eye and the cakey mud quickly claimed it.
I felt sadness for her. “You’re amongst friends, so no need to fret.”
She frowned and pointed toward my father and Madeline. “They’re asleep. What would they fret over right now anyway?”
I shrugged with a teasing smile. “The less they’ll complain.”
She thrust a playful elbow into my ribs with a soft giggle so lovely I could have listened to her laugh for hours. I found myself attracted to her and liked her being close to me.
I turned slightly in the seat to see her without constantly straining my neck. “Whenever we reach this town you mentioned where the vampire is, we’ll find an inn or a bathhouse.”
Penelope didn’t reply, so I decided to change the subject.
“How long have you been a Demon-hunter?”
“Eight years.”
She had been killing demons for almost as long as I had been alive, and she didn’t have any visible scars. “How old were you when you killed your first one?”
“Twelve, I think. It’s hard to remember. How about you? How old were you when you killed your first vampire?”
I froze. I didn’t wish to reveal my actual age to her. For some reason, I thought she’d think less of me or treat me like a child. I frowned, pretending to be deep in thought. “Like you said, it is hard to remember, isn’t it?”
Her thick dirty eyebrows rose. She remained skeptical for a few moments. “It can be.”
“What prompted you to hunt demons? Few men your age would dare hunt down demons.”
Penelope looked at me with a sense of pride glowing on her face. “Like Vampire Hunters, we’re Chosen, too.”
“I didn’t realize that.”
She smiled. “There are those who hunt demons without being Chosen, but they usually end up possessed or sacrificed. While I’m not exactly immune from being possessed, it’s a lot harder for a demon to gain the control over me to enter my mind or body.”
“I’m resistant to a vampire’s compulsion, and even a master’s. Thus far, anyway.”
“I guess such abilities were deemed upon us so we can slay the demons and vampires. Otherwise, we’d become victims.”
“How is it that you know so much about Vampire Hunters?”
Penelope folded her hands together and rested them on her lap. “My father was one of the Chosen.”
“Was?”
Biting her lower lip, she turned toward the window, but she didn’t attempt to move the curtain to peer outside. “I’ve not seen him in years, so ... I suppose he might still be alive.”
“If it eases your mind any, the Hunters I know travel constantly, sometimes moving across the oceans and through many countries. The older ones become drifters. My guess is they do so to draw less attention to themselves or to protect their loved ones. Maybe he’s traveling elsewhere?”
“Maybe. How long have you been a Hunter?”
“Less than a year.”
She offered a bewildered stare. “How many kills?”
“Nearly a couple of dozen.”
“Impressive. Where did you and the others depart in this coach?”
“London.”
She looked stunned. “So tell me why you’re taking the baby to Freiburg when there are other cathedrals along the way?”
That was a good question since I had discovered Albert had betrayed us. “I don’t rightly know.”
“And why take the child to a cathedral and not an orphanage?”
“The child’s welfare could become greatly jeopardized in an orphanage.”
Penelope looked at me and realized I was still looking at her through the spectacles. “You like those, huh?”
I nodded. “I like to see who I’m talking to.”
“You’re at the advantage then.”
I lowered them. “Here, I’ll give them—”
“No. I’ll let you keep using them while we ride, but should we be forced to exit the coach due to a demon attack, I’ll need them back.” She smiled. “You can hold onto them but only if you answer a question for me. Deal?”
“Depends upon what information you’re fishing for.”
“Fair enough. I’d rather you tell me than for me to draw my own conclusions.”
“That isn’t a question,” I said with a teasing smile.
Penelope stared at Varak, took a deep breath, and sighed. “This child must be of the utmost importance for a Hunter to escort … him? It’s a boy?”
“Yes, and now I’ve answered your question.”
She elbowed me slightly and shook her head. “That was a question, Forrest, but not the question.”
I tsk’ed with my tongue. “You need to be more specific.”
“The boy is very important for you—a Hunter—to be escorting him across several countries to get him to the Archdiocese. Why is he this important and why are you protecting him?”
“That’s two questions. You said one.”
“It was asked as a single question.” Penelope gave a me a shrewd narrowing of the eyes and scrunched her nose.
I shook my head. “It had two whys. Which question do you wish to have answered?”
The expression on her face indicated that she knew I was teasing because I half expected her to hit me. Instead of being agitated, she grinned. “Fine. I’ll rephrase the question. Why is he so important that you need to protect him? Anyone could deliver him to the Archdiocese.”
I handed her the spectacles.
“You’re not going to answer?” she asked.
I shook my head.
“Why not?”
“It’s safer you don’t know.”
Her brow furrowed. “Phht. Really? I kill demons, Forrest, sometimes on a daily basis. You realize that, so whatever reasons you have for making this journey pales in comparison to what you think you’re protecting me from. Unless you’re hiding something else from me?”
I turned slightly on the seat.
She placed her hand onto the back of mine. “Your coachman said that another Hunter is hunting you. Is that really true?”
I nodded.
“Has he attacked you?”
“Yes. His intent was to kill me.”
Penelope rubbed the back of my hand. “Because of this baby?”
I stared through the darkness to where the baby was cradled in Madeline’s arm. Even though I couldn’t see them without the aid of the spectacles, I sensed his presence. He wasn’t quite a year old yet, and Madeline continued nursing him, but his aura was growing stronger. I wondered if Penelope could detect his power yet or not, or if Demon-hunters were even capable of sensing what Vampire Hunters could?
Varak definitely could influence others to do his bidding. He couldn’t speak yet, but he commanded his persuasion in subtle unexplained ways. His eyes were captivating, and Madeline had been endeared to him in the same manner as Esmeralda and the former wet-nurse had been. They were willing to fight and sacrifice their lives in order to save his. The same had occurred when Ruby had held the baby for less than an hour. Her knocking the other Hunter unconscious wasn’t her idea. Varak had somehow indicated to her the threat this Hunter presented to the child. Ruby was small and frail compared to the Hunter, and obeying his request for the reward would have outweighed her decision to attack the man. Had he not lost consciousness, he could have killed her in an instant.
Varak was already powerful a
nd those unknowingly yielding themselves to him would never suspect he was inside their minds controlling their thoughts. It would be ludicrous for anyone to believe, except for me or any other Hunter. Even my father forgot what Varak truly was at times.
The things babies needed the most were food, shelter, and love. Of the three, love was the most important. Love shaped minds early, allowing a child to feel safe and sheltered. Babies couldn’t ask to be loved. That came from the parents, but Varak was different. His real parents were dead. His life had already been threatened many times, and to survive long enough for him to reach adulthood, he needed dedicated, undying devotion. He already understood that his life was endangered. Such knowledge could only come from what he truly was—a half-blood.
Penelope had separated her spectacles into two separate lenses and placed one on my lap. Then she enveloped her tiny hand around the side of mine. I closed my hand gently around hers. “Did you hear my question, Forrest?”
I jerked around toward her. “I’m sorry. My mind was drifting.”
“I thought maybe you were thinking about something else. It’s late. You can stare through the goggle I handed you, if you wish to look at me while we talk.” She placed hers to her eye and faced me. “I can see you now, too.”
“You didn’t break them, did you?”
“No. They fasten back together rather easily.”
I placed the one to my eye. “What did you ask?”
“The hunter is after you about this baby. Why?”
“Penelope,” I said softly.
“Forrest, since I’m traveling with you, I need to know why he’s pursuing you over this child. I cannot think of any logical reason for him doing that. So let me know if me fighting alongside you against this Hunter is worth even sacrificing my life, okay? That’s fair enough, isn’t it?”
I sighed and whispered close to her ear. “It is. And if you decide it’s not worth it, we let you off at the next town.”
She squeezed my hand and nuzzled closer so we spoke only in whispers. “Okay.”
“Varak is a half-blood. He’s half vampire and half human, considered by Hunters to be an abomination to the human population.”
“A half-blood?” Her eyebrow above the goggle rose. “Are you certain? That’s so rare most people regard it as only a legend.”
“I wish that were the case, but it isn’t,” I replied.
“How are you certain?”
“We know Varak’s origin. He’s already capable of influencing those who are taking care of his needs.”
“According to the legend, since you’re a Hunter, you’re supposed to … kill him but you don’t intend to?”
“That sums it up,” I replied. “So do you want us to let you off at the next town or do you still wish to go to Freiburg with us?”
“To be honest, I couldn’t carry out those orders, either. I’m surprise any Hunter could. But, you know, I cannot recall in history where a half-blood has ever reigned, can you?”
I shook my head.
“Where is it written that all half-bloods are evil?”
“I don’t know.”
“Me, either. Does the archbishop know you’re coming?” she asked.
“My guess is no. But we were given strict instructions not to tell him what Varak is. Madeline and the coachman don’t know. Just my father and myself, and now you.”
Her mouth came closer to my ear. Her whispered breath was hot when she spoke. Chill bumps prickled down my neck and back. I closed my eyes. My stomach felt odd because of her closeness. “I wish to continue to Freiburg with you, Forrest. You might be intimidating to a lot of people, but you seem to have a gentle heart. I like talking to you and don’t mind sharing this seat with you at all. I hope you feel the same, too.”
Before I replied, she softly pressed her lips to my cheek. I swallowed hard.
“It’s late,” she said. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to get some sleep.”
“Perfectly fine by me. I’m tired, too.”
With the gentle rocking of the coach, it didn’t take long for me to fall asleep. Dreams this night were more pleasant than any I had had in months.
Chapter Eight
A sliver of light shone through the curtain where my shoulder had pushed it aside while I slept. The light caught my closed eyes perfectly, prompting me to awaken. I shifted slightly and discovered Penelope had snuggled against me during the night. Her face was nuzzled against my chest and her arm wrapped around my waist. Her hand clung to my side like she was hugging me, and my right hand rested on her back.
She breathed softly. The warmth of her embrace brought strange excitement to my chest and stomach that I didn’t understand. I found comfort from her closeness and hoped she didn’t awaken for hours. I didn’t want her to stop holding me. I felt less alone and isolated with her pressed against me.
I glanced up and noticed Father staring intently at me. His eyes questioned without him uttering a single word. A slight grin crossed his lips.
“Where did she come from?” he asked softly.
I explained what had occurred while he was asleep.
“Plague demons?”
I nodded.
His brow furrowed. “This journey gets more livelier the farther we go.”
“It’s been eventful,” I replied.
“And she’s traveling with us?”
“Yes.”
“To Freiburg?”
I nodded.
“She hunts demons?”
“Yes.”
Varak stirred in Madeline’s arms, causing her to awaken. She pulled a thin blanket to cover him while she let him nurse.
Father stared at Penelope for a few moments before his eyes shifted to look into mine again. “You reckon she ever bathes?”
Even though she was asleep I found myself offended by his question. My jaw tightened and I spoke in a low even tone. “She was trying to keep herself concealed while tracking demons through the forests. I imagine she doesn’t always look like this, but you’re free to ask her when she awakens.”
“Son, I didn’t mean that like it sounded.”
I picked bits of dried fern sprigs and twigs from her tight braids with my left hand, trying not to disturb her sleep. She took a deep breath, raised her head slightly, and rubbed her cheek against my chest. Dried mud crumbled. Small pieces of dirt clods slid down my shirt and formed a tiny pile at the top of my belt.
Father said, “I just thought that demons could sense a human’s presence, even in disguise.”
“Something else you need to ask her. I don’t know enough about demons to tell you.”
“Perhaps she can train you.”
“I’m willing to learn.”
I peered down at her. Her brow furrowed, and she blinked several times before looking up into my eyes. I held my breath. Her hazel eyes were bright, almost sparkling and more beautiful than a priceless gemstone.
“You’re stomach’s growling,” she said, easing up.
My hand eased off her back.
“He’s always hungry,” Father said.
She jolted up and glanced in his direction. I quickly introduced her to Madeline and Father.
After Penelope slid away from me, I suddenly felt cold without the warmth of her body next to mine. She lifted the curtain slightly and peered out. “We’ve reached the outskirts of a city with a large cathedral.”
Thomas slowed the coach. I leaned beside her and peered out. Even with the coachman driving through the entire night, we were still days away—or weeks dependent upon the weather and terrain—from arriving at Freiburg. As magnificent as this cathedral was, this wasn’t the Archdiocese.
He stopped the coach along a side street at a small inn. Once he tied the horse, Penelope opened the door and hurried out. I followed, but slightly slower since I had to maneuver my large frame through the narrow door. I turned and helped Father and Madeline climb down. She clutched Varak to her chest.
The overcast sky hinted of cold
rain or snow and added a gloomy tint to this rundown set of buildings on the edge of the city.
“Where are we?” I asked.
Thomas rubbed his bloodshot eyes and grinned. “Strasbourg, France. We’re less than a week from reaching Freiburg. If I can get a few quick hours of sleep while everyone eats, I’ll push onward at noon.”
I glanced toward Father. “Our funds are nearly depleted. Penelope says that she knows where we might obtain a decent reward to slay a vampire.”
Father eyed her nervously.
She grinned, but with all the dirt and debris covering her, it wasn’t exactly a reassuring smile.
“Is this true?” Father asked.
“Yes,” she replied. She pointed toward a building across the street. “We need to talk to a man in that shop. The vampire isn’t in this city. He’s farther down the route, perhaps twenty miles from Freiburg.”
“How do you know this?” I asked. “You said that you’ve never been close to Freiburg.”
“I haven’t. I know because … my father had made it his objective to slay that vampire. He had learned about the reward in that shop. He sent me a post after he visited here and set off to slay the vampire. That was the last I’ve ever seen or heard from him.”
Father frowned and glanced at me. “Her father is a Vampire Hunter? One of the Chosen?”
She nodded. “He is.”
“So what do we do if we visit the man offering the reward and the vampire’s already been slain?”
“If that’s true, then there’s hope my father’s still alive, provided he’s the one who returned to claim the bounty. But if the vampire still preys upon the living it means he failed and is dead.” Her desperate eyes flicked toward me. “I need to know, Forrest. I wasn’t trying to be selfish or deceitful by traveling with you. Don’t you understand?”
“Of course. If it were my father’s life, I’d need to know, too.”
“And should the vampire already be slain, I’ll cover the cost of the trip,” she said.
Father shook his head. “No, that’s not necessary.”
“I insist.”
Forrest Wollinsky: Predestined Crossroads (Forrest Wollinsky: Vampire Hunter Book 3) Page 5