My dearest A

ia

e:

I am so relieved to hear from you that I can't express it in words. Ancha and I are ready to cover your tracks, and we are full of expectations that something will go wrong with you. When you disappear without a trace, we fear the worst will happen. I now know that my worries are unwarranted, that you are the resourceful young vampire I imagined.

On the most pressing issues, I must issue a warning. Under no circumstances can you write to your father. I don't believe Lancaster would suspect you're still alive, however, Gabriel's orders sent a large number of reinforcements to Louisiana after their disastrous attack. We think your home is under constant surveillance. Please send me a text and I'll make sure he arrives safely.

As for the most powerful blood that was given to you after you died at my hands, I hope you will forget that it exists. I must beg you to never tell anyone about this. I beg your pardon, I can't say any more.

I'm happy with your arrangement. A safe place to grow and thrive is exactly what you need right now. Here's what you should receive. We must be cautious, because overconfidence is always associated with the demise of humanity, and pride is always our greatest sin.

Ancha is fine, she is indeed fully recovered. She mentioned that you were risking your life to protect her, even if your freedom was within reach. I will be forever grateful for this decision, and I am proud to call you my friend.

Please write frequently and let me know about your adventures. Use the same security methods.

Yours

Jimena of Cádiz.

As I gazed at the huge four-poster bed in the center of the cabin, I thought the cabin had gotten a lot bigger. The flames that burn in the chimney will never burn me. A cool breeze blew in through the open window the smell of damp earth.

Someone is knocking politely on the door.

I got up and walked down the stairs to the main room of the house. I opened the door and stared outside. The small meadow that led to the Thorn Forest was empty.

A path opened before me. I followed it to a row of dense trees, the sides of which stretched as far as the eye could see. The thorny vines are entwined to form an impenetrable wall that looks more like a carving than a growth. The percussion sound came from behind.

The rhythm is somewhat familiar, but I can't be sure. There was also no hostility towards the invitation. If I were to compare, it would be like a friend waking you up by the sleeve.

I want to get through.

The roots and trunk of the tree trembled, making a deep rumble in front of me. An alley juts out into the fog.

When I crossed the threshold, I fell, but something helped me regain my balance. I walked for a while in the white mist and came to a small hill.

The air cleared, and I stood in the canyon. Beyond my line of sight, flanked by steep cliffs, and in front of it stood one of the most peculiar buildings. It looks like someone has carved a temple into this rock. The building is blocky, huge, and solemn. On either side of a huge entrance, shaped lions are guarded.

I thought it was a mound of dirt, but it turned out to be a giant turtle. It's all over the trail and is now sleeping contentedly. The Choctaw Shaman perched on its shell.

“Nashoba ?”

"Thorny and hungry children. It's a strange home, isn't it? You should check it out. ”

"Where is it?"

"It's not where, it's when."

The turtle yawned, and the mist approached me.

"Miss, you must believe me!"

"No!"

"I swear, I'm not the person you're looking for."

"Yes, you are Charles Bishop, charlatan and horse thief."

"Miss, you're looking for the wrong person, I've never heard of this bishop."

"But the horse you rode was stolen this morning from Mitchell Manor by a crook, a crook and a horse thief named Charles Bishop, who fits your description."

"No, miss, you must be mistaken!"

"I found their imprint on the legs of the beasts."

It's a lie, but it's really the right horse. I really liked the half-second look on Mr. Bishop's face as he reconstructed the story in his head, because he would accept my hard evidence.

"Ah, I knew my kindness would play tricks on me! I met this man less than three hours ago and he looked desperate. He wanted to sell the horse to me so he could take the carriage to Atlanta to visit his sick mother. And I, this fool, actually believed him! I didn't tell you because I knew there was trouble. Believe me, I'm a victim of this sordid affair!"

Charming. He's making up stories while guessing my reaction! Is this how people like him manipulate audiences by constantly adapting? Indeed, this man is an artist. No wonder he was able to cheat old Maggie Mitchell out of his pension.

"A famous story, Mr. Bishop. Now let's play a little game. I'll ask you questions, and if you lie, I'll break one of your fingers. ”

I grabbed his tied hand and unhurriedly untied his index.

Let's start with a simple one. What's your name?"

"Marcus ......"

In advance.

“AAAAaaaagh。 What happened to you? This is intolerable, an abuse of power. Guards, guards, who will help! I've been violated! You'd better let me go, or I'll arrest you for heinous crimes!" The law is on my side. ”

The man swallowed nervously. His eyes swept over my face, looking for hints of emotion. Well, maybe I shouldn't laugh that much. At least luckily, I had the brains to hide my fangs.

"What. How much. Yours. name. ”

He hesitated

"Miss, you must believe me, I am telling the truth, I am the victim of an abominable conspiracy. My name is really Marcus ......"

In advance.

"Aaaaaa! Ahh Miss, please be merciful. You're a perceptive woman, yes, I can see that. I am indeed Charles Bishop. ”

I thought he was going to double down!

"But I'm telling the truth!" I am indeed the victim of an abominable conspiracy! Mitchell's gang of bastards are a bunch of heretics and disloyal liars. They say I didn't do anything, they just slandered me because the truth is Jeremy Mitchell.... It's my father!"

"Haha, that's great. Oh my God! Does this lie work for anyone?"

"I swear to God......"

In advance.

"AAAAAAA Jesus! Fuck!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, don't swear to anger me, especially on that name. You know it's an experiment, right? I just want to know, how many fingers do you have to cut off before I can see through your lies. ”

"Miss, miss, that's enough. Please!"

"I only asked your name, we already have three fingers. I hope you can do better in the future. ”

I brushed my gloved hand over knee-high ears of wheat.

It's frustrating.

I had to drag Mr. Bishop half a mile away to a deserted place, while another person could be interrogated in a private room at the town hall with his papers. It's not fair. I even asked Loth for male clothes, but he said I did, and I quote him, "an ass that would allow a ship to cross the Aegean Sea", and he "didn't want innocent young lads to question their sexuality every time they crossed the street". I guess that means you can't cross-dress.

So here I am. To amuse myself as much as I could, in a wheat field in a Georgia backyard when I could have done it in a comfortable room, under the full supervision of citizens, simply because my genitals don't dangle when I walk. It's a shame. I almost miss vampire society and its brutal equal treatment.

"Miss?"

What should I do?

"What else did you steal besides cash?"

His gaze quickly turned to the town on the right.

"So you did steal."

"No, miss, please, you have to believe me, I am an honest man!"

In advance.

“Gaaaaaaaaaaaahahahaaaaaaaahaha !”

"Dear Charles, you're almost begging me. You already confessed to lying a minute ago. Did you realize that you went too far?"

“Baaaaahahaha”

I was impressed that Mr. Bishop had concocted an incredibly painful and tragic story for a full minute. Tears flowed from his eyes and snot in his nostrils, just like Niagara Falls. He is the poster child of despair and repentance. I had no choice but to let him go, and after he had bought medicine for his poor mother, he would be able to live the honest life he had always desired. As the story reaches its dramatic end, I try to show more and more sympathy.

"Your poor family ......"

"Yes, Miss......"

"What blinded your sister?"

"I, ahhh

In advance.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA”

"Charles, Charles, now you're me off. Don't tell me you never thought of this! Of course, people will ask questions to question your claims! You need to be able to answer these basic questions on the spot, or the lie will be exposed. What a terrible performance. Ah, what am I going to do with you?"

Well.

Anyway, move on to the next question. It's what you steal from the saddle. ”

"Yes, yes, damn yes, it's all there!"

"What about pensions?"

“…”

In advance.

"Ahh

"You're thinking about it!" You're licking your lips and calculating the odds! I've had enough, you obviously can't tell the truth to save your miserable life! I broke six fingers! Six! Why are you so stupid! Don't waste my time anymore. ”

"Yes, yes, I'll tell you."

I grabbed the man's hair with one hand and Shimena's dagger with the other. I placed the blade at the base of the eye socket, just under the eyeball. He froze.

"Now I'll ask again. If you can't answer my question accurately and completely, I'll stab the knife in. I mean anything. You protest, you beg, you cry, you lie, you lose that eye, and I'll go to the next target. You don't need any eyes, ears, fingers to tell me what I want to know. I will come in this order until I get what I want. Did I make that clear?"

He nodded.

"Where's the pension?"

"I buried it in a bury sack, under the apple tree behind the inn. The one right next to the toilet. ”

"Good."

I hid the dagger and rummaged through my backpack for what I had stolen from the inn.

"You're probably here to claim the bounty, right?" You can take everything, let me go, and keep the pension to yourself. If someone asks, just say you haven't seen me. Just untie me and I'll disappear like the wind. You'll never see me again, the pension is yours. ”

Oh?

"Charles, Charles, Charles...... If I do as you say and keep that pension for myself, then tell me, why should I keep witnesses?"

Mr. Bishop's face became pleasant. Ah, he is full of fear and energy! After a few more minutes, I couldn't resist.

"If you do a little thing for me, I might consider letting you go. A very simple thing......"

"Okay, okay, whatever!"

When I shoved a brand new candle into Bishop's bound hands, he cried out in surprise, then in pain. When I lit it with a match, the look of incomprehension on his face was precious.

"I just realized that tonight is my birthday!" Well, in a sense. I wasn't born yet. Still, I'm going to celebrate. I just want to ask you to sing for me. ”

“W… What?"

"Sing!"

"Hah...... Ha...... Happy birthday to you. ”

I sang along, drawing the dagger only once, encouraging him to finish. When he was done, I applauded and blew out the candles. Now only the moonlight shines on us.

"Good! Now I need a drink, what's a party without alcohol? Can you buy me something nice?"

"Of course!" Drink as much as you like!"

"Thank you!"

I grabbed him by the throat and bit down.

Something has changed in the last six months. I can move faster and for longer. I can boost myself with the same energy, although I find it much more difficult. I can also wrestle with adult men without much effort. The most valuable change, in my opinion, is that I can now stay awake almost all night, although to be fair, the July night lasts 9 hours.

It was only by living with Loth that I realized how little I could accomplish on a daily basis. With only a few hours of full activity, each project takes a week to complete. I'm not surprised that Father Perry was able to catch up with me. During the two intense days of riding, he easily walked a farther distance than I could have walked in a week.

Despite the short amount of time at my disposal, I managed to accomplish several things. I've assisted Loth on a few hunts, and I've often put the finishing touches on some of his delicate tasks. In return, I learned to read a few rune letters, and while I didn't understand magic, my understanding of it wasn't. I now understand the abilities of the mages and the various tools they use, and I must say that I am very lucky that I am facing a lone wolf. It's really dangerous for them to work together as a group.

When I'm not working with Loth, I read and look for bounties.

The town we live in and its neighbors don't have a dedicated law enforcement organization. Lawbreakers are dealt with by a group of "concerned citizens" who can quickly bring justice to the mob. When the perpetrator manages to escape immediate punishment, the mayor gives out a bounty so that he, or in this case, she, who brought them back, receives compensation for the loss of income. Being a bounty hunter is not an easy task. When the judge and half of the jury know the victim personally, the executioner has his job, and the fugitive knows.

That's what I agreed with the kind Mr. Partridge.

I knocked on the reinforced wooden door.

"Come in!"

I walked into a plainly decorated living room. I did my best to ignore the ubiquitous Christian image and focus on the person in front of me. Michael Partridge is a stocky man with a gray beard and only one good-looking eye. He wore undyed clothes that accentuated his strong muscles, which had not been eroded by age, even though he was beginning to show a little of his lower abdomen.

"Miss Delaney, did you find him?"

Loth is now called Delaney.

"Yes. I tethered it to the big chestnut tree at the intersection of Jacksonville and Holst Farmstead. ”

"Well done, I'll pick him up tomorrow." This horse?"

"Tied up in front of the Fat Pig Tavern"

"And what about old Mrs. Mitchell's savings?"

"It's all here," I replied, placing the swag on his desk. "There was also a pair of silver candlesticks and some cutlery. Wait a minute. ”

I walked out of the house and came back with a bag, pretending to be struggling. As a woman, I was never weak, but my physique was not like that of a day laborer, and the silver was heavy. Looth mentions that humans are inherently aware of inconsistencies, which is a survival mechanism, so I'm very careful when dealing with people I don't want to bite.

I put this heavy bag next to the first one.

"Easy to find. The Mitchells did not mention this. Could it be other victims?"

"I doubt he'll have time. Maybe Mrs. Mitchell didn't want to admit that she had been tricked and robbed. You know how ashamed people feel when they are attacked, as if it is their fault that they are the target of an attack. ”

Michael nodded thoughtfully.

Maybe she forgot, but, yes, it makes sense. I remember thinking that if I dodged to the left instead of back, Hesse's spear wouldn't ...... Ah, listen to me babbling, like an old man. Thank you, Miss Delaney. I'll be sure to let Margaret know how much you've helped. ”

"You have to be careful......"

"Of course, of course."

I was about to leave, but my master grabbed his beard and stared into the distance, which must have been a sign that something was bothering me.

"Tell me, please, what is the reason for your uneasiness?"

The man sighed and rubbed his tired eyes.

"Would you like a cup of tea?"

Even if I could, I would refuse, just because there was a huge cross hanging above the table.

"It's late, sir, it's really time for me to go home."

"Yes, I shouldn't even ask, just like I shouldn't...... Ah, none of this whole madness is true. I help a lonely woman arrest a dangerous criminal in the dead of night. This is crazy. At this time you should be in bed at home, or preferably in your husband's bed. ”

"And who caught up with that guy named Bishop?"

"I don't know!" Maybe it's Phillips, or maybe it's when the Mitchell brothers come! No...... You!"

"If they find him, do you believe they'll ask him where he hid the fish?"

He was about to retort when the news came. Curse me should be silent.

"What did you do to him?"

Well done, Ariana.

"I just broke a few fingers......"

"Jesus, woman!"

I cringe.

"Language!"

"Ahh I... I'm sorry. This is not right, Miss Delaney, completely wrong. ”

I need to act. If our agreement is broken, those who hunt illegally will not be so worthwhile.

"When you give Mrs. Mitchell back your life savings, look her in the eye and tell her it's not right, it's not right. We live in a place of lawlessness, Michael, and in order for evil to succeed, it is enough for good people to do nothing. If we don't resist betrayal, who will? If we had to choose between propriety and justice, I knew my heart would be inclined to protect our people. ”

Well, I'm talking a little too much.

"You...... You're right, Miss Delaney. I have no right to object," he said, a tear rolling down his rosy cheek, "I just hope this bad leg of mine doesn't hold me back." ”

Well. It works. He wiped his eyes, stared straight at me, and nodded at my determination to pretend to enforce the law.

"I don't know why you were given these skills, even though you are a woman, but God works in mysterious ways, and as long as we follow His will, that is all that matters." An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, may God forgive Charles Bishop, because we will not forgive him. ”

He stood up and grabbed my hand, shook my hand warmly, and led me out.

"Come home in peace, Miss Delaney, and sleep well, and may God bless you. You did a great job tonight. I'll leave the bounty to your uncle. ”

I walked back to Loth's mansion. Well, what just happened? Well, as long as I can keep hunting...