Knocking on my door woke me to bright sunlight. Groaning, I slowly sat up and somehow made it to the door. I almost fainted to see the men in clergy robes. Why couldn't they have waited until Sabril was gone?
"Greetings, Indigo. You look a little ill."
"Yes, I've been under the weather. Thankfully nobody's asked for refuge since I fell ill." I replied as calmly as I could. "Good Sirs, I've been very tired and need rest. Could you come another day?"
"We'll be quick, I assure you. There was a vampire sighting in the area recently, and would like to check your basement in case it slipped in unnoticed. You leave your house unlocked for guests."
"I assure you no vampire's in my basement." I replied angrily. "You think I could allow such a thing, being a refuge for travelers?"
"You were ill. It took us some time to wake you."
"...you could check my basement if it weren't locked."
"Locked? What of the key?"
"I...left it down there." I replied rather sheepishly. "Feeling so sick I forgot it, and by habit locked it."
"Where have you been sleeping?"
"In the guest room."
"I suppose you don't mind us attempting the lock?"
"Good Sirs, if you don't mind, I'd prefer getting some sleep. Arrange for it in a few days. I should be well enough by then."
When they hesitated, I gave a hacking, whooping cough. They hastily agreed before saying quick goodbyes.
"God be with you. We shall pray for your wellness tomorrow."
"I planned on coming to church,"
"There's no need."
"To push yourself." The other answered hastily, covering the other's mistake.
I watched them leave and shut the door with a smile.
I really do hate those guys.
And I went back to bed.
The click of a gun had me awake in an instant. My heart was in my throat as I stared up at the stranger masked by a rimmed hat and black robes. He was still dripping from the rain. I swallowed hard as I stared into eyes that gleamed blue even in the darkness.
Hunter.
His eyes became wide when he met mine. "You-"
Fuck.
There was a flicker of movement in the room before the hunter was flung against the door with a furious screeching. I shot out of my bed and tried to dart for the door, but the sheets grabbed my ankle. Tripping, I hit my head against the end table. Grasping it with a groan, I dizzily scooted under the bed.
"You will not kill her!" Sabril's voice was a vicious snarl. "She's done nothing wrong!"
"The traitor fed you!" The hunter spat back.
"All heart, aren't you?"
"Her soul will be saved again!"
There was a tearing sound, and Sabril screamed in pain. Something whisked through the air, thudding hard on the bed. It cracked, making me gasp and flinch. A crossbow went off; the bolt clinked against wood. There was a bright flash of light.
No!
"Get back here you coward!" The hunter shouted as black boots swung over the side of my bed. He took off out my door.
I lay there panting, my head swimming, as I listened to the two of them tear my house a part. My refuge was being destroyed.
She could have told me he was after her. I would have asked her to leave.
The silence was more frightening than the sound of breaking glass and bright flashes. I listened for boots on wood and glass. Instead I heard absolutely nothing.
They've left the house.
I somehow crawled out from under the bed and staggered out of the room. My dishes and family pictures were scattered over my floor in pieces. Many of the gifts from travelers, most irreplaceable, had joined them. My belongings were destroyed. There were darts in my wood frames. My protection spells had been burned by his exploding darts.
How am I going to fix all this? I don't have any money. I won't until I publish my next book.
Hurrying to where I kept my computer, I heaved a sigh of relief. It was safe, at least. Not knowing what else to do, I cleaned up what I could of the mess. I found things I could salvage, and put them aside for repair. When I was done, food in hand, I sat down and recorded the hunter's attack while it was still fresh in my mind, trying to think beyond the throbbing. If I met another vampire as old as Sabril, maybe I could finish what I'd begun.
Until then, I would finish this book, with the same scene that had happened today. It'd been what I'd been missing in it. Tomorrow, I could publish. Tonight, I titled it as I finished:
Of Angels and Demons.
People would know more than just one side of the hunter now, as they knew more than one side of the paranormal.
I've never gotten a book like this. I worked so hard, listened to so many stories from paranormal. Now their side of the story will be heard.
It was almost midnight when the door slowly opened and a figure white as snow came in. I looked up with wide eyes to see yet another vampire. It was a man who looked no older than eighteen. I wasn't sure how, but I knew he was one of Sabril's changed.
"Is she okay?"
"You're not angry at Mistress?"
"...I'm a little frustrated she didn't tell me about the damn hunter on her trail, but I'm not
angry.
She did save my life."
"And destroyed your house." He sounded a little sheepish as he looked around the room. He set down a bundle of money. "That's to pay for the damage."
"You didn't answer my question. Is she alright?" I took the money, attempting but not entirely succeeding at hiding my surprise.
I didn't think she'd send somebody with money to fix what they'd broken. At least some of it can be salvaged.
"Well enough to hand me money and tell me to take it to you." There was a glimmer of amusement, telling me how young he was as a vampire. "She doesn't want to put you in danger again."
"Tell her thanks for the money, and next time tell me one of those creatures are tracking her. For the love of sanity, some things can't be replaced."
