“I am aiding the Slayers now. Our presence here is due to the mysterious disappearance of numerous individuals, which has led the authorities to suspect the involvement of aBlood Hunter. It appears their suspicions were correct, and I fear you may be at the centre of it.”
“When did you develop an interest in helping the Slayers?” I asked her.
“When I read the letter about your supposed death, I was inconsolable. Then, one evening in town, I crossed paths with an individual who spoke of a witch whose talents might be of great utility. That is when I chose to ally myself with them. It provided an outlet for the anger I harboured toward Blood Hunters. And would you believe it? I have spent the winter employed by the Slayers, and I must confess … I am quite skilled at it.”
“Are you saying you kill people now?” I asked her.
“Blood Hunters are not people,” Vail spat. “I thought you were dead.”
“Do you feel a beating heart?” I asked. “I am dead.” I coughed and blood spilled out of my mouth, I tilted my head to the side allowing it to dribble out and down my chin. “What did you do to me?”
“I am attempting to aid you, Rosalia,” Vail said, taking her bag and placing it on the table. She rummaged around in it for a moment and pulled out a vial with dark red liquid. “I cannot believe I was dispatched here to kill a Blood Hunter and now I am harboring one in my room,” she muttered to herself, shaking her head.
Vail turned and instructed me to open my mouth, “Drink this. Since you are a Blood Hunter, I have mixed my blood into this potion to help you digest it. I cannot say for certain if it will work but let us give it a try.”
She poured the liquid down my throat, and as the concoction flowed into me, Vail's memories flooded my mind, fleeting yet vivid.Vail and her grandmother in the kitchen cooking. Vail and I laughing together strolling down a forest trail. Vail sharing a tender moment with a beautiful woman,in her bedroom. I gazed at Vail, knowing she remained unaware that I could see her memories through her blood. I hesitated to reveal this newfound ability, especially since she was extending her help to me. But it seemed that I wasn’t the only one keeping secrets from the other.
“This elixir is meant to suppress your appetite. While typically used for human food, I believe it will serve a similar purpose. You can drink it daily until you begin to feel better.” Vail explained.
My body felt good; I felt full.
“Is this common?” she asked softly.
“Is what common?”
“This … bloodlust.”
“Draven mentioned that it is common for newly turned Blood Hunters to endure an insatiable hunger. I am fortunate to have him. He is my anchor. Yet, when I am here in town and the hunger overwhelms me, I don’t want his help or to return to him. All I desire is …more,” I said.
“I will help you,” Vail said.
“Why?” I asked.
“Despite the fact that you are now a Blood Hunter, which contradicts everything I stand for, you are still my friend, and you are alive. I would rather have you as a Blood Hunter in my life than gone forever.”
February 23, 1892
I stayed in the inn for a couple of days; Vail mixed potions infused with her blood for me. I made a conscious effort to ignore the memories that drifted through my mind with each sip, focusing instead on my gratitude for her assistance. Throughout my stay, she remained by my side, and after the first day, she untied my bindings. Yet, she chose to sleep inthe room next to mine, clearly hesitant to trust me enough to rest beside me.
As the days went by my bloodlust subsided. When I felt hungry, it was no longer an overwhelming need to feed, just an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach.
“Rosie, I have to return home,” Vail announced as she entered the room to check on me. “The Slayers might start to worry if I am away for too long. They might send more people, and I think our task here is complete anyway.”
Part of me resisted her departure. Having Vail back in my life had reignited a sense of joy within me. But I knew this wouldn’t be forever.
“When spring arrives and the snow melts, Draven and I will return home. Please do come visit us,” I told her.
“I will, and perhaps I can help you more. I have been thinking, and I wonder if my grandmother’s books have any spells on walking in the sun,” she said optimistically.
“Draven has tried everything,” I told her, not wanting to give up her joy.
“He did not have access to grandmother’s spell books. They are old and filled with lots of magic no one has heard of. I am positive there might be a spell, but I have to be careful. She and I aren’t on the best terms.”
“Why is that?” I asked.
She took my hand. “I found the letters you wrote to me, after your mother’s passing, when you first arrived at Thornwood. They were hidden at the back of a cupboard among my grandmother’s belongings. She had read them and hid them from me. She claimed she didn’t want me touched by the darkness in them. I understand, now, why she was suspicious.”
“I’m sorry she kept them from you and that you two are fighting.”
