Rebirth (Trinity Blood Fanfic)

Chapter 7: Everidge

Hugue told Leon and Kate of his interesting visit to the inn and his gruesome discovery. Leon reasoned in his head that it may just be another act of extreme hunger on the vampires' part, but he knew in his heart that something was terribly wrong. It had been 5 years since the vampires stopped feeding on living humans and it took a while for them to adapt to animal blood. Of course, there would be the occasional vampire who could not control their thirst, which only meant that they would suffer the consequence of a second death, but it just seemed too suspicious that this latest victim was so close to the Empress in status.  

“I have been witness to many deaths and seen countless gruesome murders, but never have I walked away with so many chills in my body. This time was different, and I’m not sure whether it is because my friend was the victim, or whether it is something more sinister. That and the encounter with the female blood feeder at the inn, I just cannot believe these to be coincidence. She was persistent too, and very hungry,” Hugue explained, his voice cold and bitter.

“You said the girl, Gregory’s companion, had multiple piercings in the chest?” Kate asked curiously.

“Yes,” Hugue nodded. “I also found that unusual. Most of their kind would go straight for the neck, apparently the best blood vessel, but there were no marks on her neck or anywhere in that region. So why the chest, and why so many wounds?” Hugue had a theory, but he just needed confirmation and if there was anyone he relied on to give that to him, it would have been Leon or Kate.

Leon did the honours. “There would have been more than one. See, you said you followed a trail of blood? Why the trail? Why did they need to be dragged? If there was just the one, why not just feed then and there? Maybe the individual was outnumbered or felt intimidated? Doubtful, he’s hunting. They’re strongest when they’re hungry. So why then, why all the effort?”

Leon looked at Kate who was seated by his side on his armrest. “The individual was hunting for a coven perhaps. But there should be no more wild vampire covens. That’s against the treaty. Unfortunately, it seems Gregory got the short end of the stick,” she reasoned. It were as though Leon and Kate were speaking his exact thoughts aloud, giving him comfort that perhaps his anxiety was not just a result of his paranoia.

Leon sat rubbing his chin between his index finger and thumb, gazing into the distance as though he was thinking intently while Kate continued. “This could get very complicated for you Hugue. Gregory was Esther’s head counselor and this crime seems to have been committed with so much hatred. There’s no way this was just another chance murder.”

Hugue breathed out heavily as he ran his hands through his golden hair in anxiousness. Suddenly, Leon stood quickly from his chair.

“Well, it will be interesting to see how long your little alibi will hold against Esther. You’re going to need all the help you can get, my friend. So I guess it’s settled. We set off for Grantham,” Leon said resolutely. Kate smiled her approval.

~*~*~*~*~*~

The distance from Bethalza was 16 hours on foot but only 5 hours by horse and cart so naturally, Hugue elected the latter option. Not only would they arrive as quickly as possible, but Hugue had already been on foot for far too long. Leon had decided that they leave immediately, leaving no time for Hugue to rest.

The first hour of the journey was unbearable. Kate’s driving of the horses was not as smooth as Hugue would have liked and although Leon was used to it, his endless childish complaints made him just as much of a nuisance as Kate’s maneuvering. Hugue was quickly becoming very irritated until Leon decided to take over the driving. Leon made the rest of the journey much smoother and gave Hugue a few hours of much needed peaceful sleep, despite the cold.

Hugue awoke to the abrupt halt of the cart, loud neighing and Leon’s emphatic cursing.

“What in God’s name do you think you’re doing on the road? Are you mad?” Leon shouted as Kate hopped off the cart to calm the frightened horses.

“I do apologise greatly Sir but I must speak with the Captain. I see he is riding with you,” said a very familiar voice. Hugue rubbed at his tired eyes and stepped down from the cart. Looking around, he estimated that they were not too far from Grantham. He looked to see who the voice belonged to and became anxious at finding the bartender from the inn, looking relatively flustered and out of breath as though he had just finished running a marathon. He also had a very urgent look in his eyes and Hugue knew something was wrong.

“What is it? What’s happened?” The captain was now wide-awake. He could see in his peripheral vision that his other two companions were also intent on hearing what the bartender had to say.

“I went back… to the city… to see Lord Everidge… I was told… everything happened really fast… There was a misunderstanding…” The bartender was breathing heavily. Hugue put one hand on his shoulder to calm him and the bartender took a deep breath before continuing.

“It’s Lord Everidge, Sir. He’s dead.”