So that thing was a Vampire huh. A creation of The Last Tengu Emperor, a Tyrant of ancient times. It's slightly impressive that they managed to exist for all those thousands of years, though I suppose that it shouldn't be that surprising for an immortal creature. I guess in a way it's a kind of relief to realize that elves had never been this pure creature Teldarion wished us to believe we were. Even though we live for so many centuries, it seems a bit ridiculous to seek out immortality, and that is the result.

That's why I had felt such a rejection, such a visceral need to destroy it. That thing, the Vampire, is like an unholy concentration of elven corruption. I cannot let it continue existing, even though it might cost me my life to hunt it, I must. And this time I have allies. I lead the human knight and the dwarf in the armor to the minion's house. For some reason, they are not all that surprised.

“So that woman is a minion of the Vampire... I suppose that's to be expected. She didn't lose her brother in the forest, she probably fed him to the Vampire. Tch, how disgusting.”

From the looks of it, he seemed like a righteous person. I'd better not let him know exactly who I am, he seems the kind of person to raise a huge fuss about and put this whole thing in jeopardy for the sake of moral grandstanding. I've had to deal with these types before, it's never a good experience. Well, at least he probably won't pull any punches against the Vampire.

“Wait here, I am going to provoke the minion, hopefully I will either get some information on where the Vampire might be or have it call the Vampire to help it. If the Vampire shows up, I want you two to try and get it by surprise. I don't mind if you use me as bait, we aren't beating that thing in a fair face-to-face fight.”

The human knight nodded, accepting my plan.

“To be honest, if Vampires are half as powerful as the legends suggest, I'm not sure if we can beat one even with underhanded tactics. Still, can't leave one around feeding on people.”

I erase my presence as much as I am able to and head to the house. At first, it seems like a regular peasant's house. Five people live there. An old woman, a married and two of their children. I walk around and use my Sleep Needle to make sure the regular people of the house won't wake up. First the old woman, the only one that has a room to herself, then the married couple. After that, I head to the room where the minion and its younger sister are sleeping. After making sure the little sister won't wake up, I straddle the minion, put my hand on its mouth and touch my Drinking Dagger to it's neck.

“Wakey, wakey, do you have the time to talk about your Master?” Its eyes shot open, full of fear, as one might see from a regular person. “That's what you called it, right? A Vampire. If it is you master, then you're its minion, aren't you?”

I take my hands slightly off its mouth so that it can speak, but close enough that it if tries to scream I can easily silence it.

“I don't know what you're talking about... Who... What is going on?”

It acts just like a person would in this situation. How disgusting. Maybe I should start getting a little rougher.

“Well, it seems you have forgotten our encounter the other night, but I haven't. You will help me find your 'Master' once again, but this time, I am better prepared for it.”

Instead of cooperating, the minion just squirms under me and acts like a human would. Fuck, I want to kill it so bad. No, I can't.

“What are you saying? I've never seen you, and I don't know what you're talking about... Master? Is this about Lord Ravenscall? Please, I've never met him, don't hurt me!”

It looks more and more desperate, its starts making some considerable noise struggling under me. Fuck. It might not be shouting, but I can see it's doing its best to attract attention. Good thing I made sure the rest of the people here would keep sleeping.

“Stop struggling, or I will kill you. Good minion... Now, maybe if I wound you a little, maybe you will start to feel talkative or your Master might come for you.”

I prick it slightly with my dagger, enough to draw a small amount of blood, which is promptly absorbed by the blade. The reaction is immediate and violent.

“No! My blood is only for the Master!”

Unprepared, I am thrown off the bed by its push. Damn, it was faking being weak, of course. I should have known, as I had fought it before. In that moment, I see the human knight inside the house, he doesn't look happy. Well, if he's not stupid, he ought to understand...

“Arlendir, what are you doing to this woman?”

Of course, he's the righteous type. Why wouldn't he be stupid and think I was trying to rape this thing or something. Even though he should know the situation...

“Please, help me! This man...”

I drown her fake calls for help by shouting at him.

“Don't be deceived that's the Vampire's minion, stop her!”

It is faster than him. Before he realizes what is going on, it kicks him hard enough to send him flying and crashing through some furniture. Is this guy going to be of any help? Fortunately, the dwarf in the armor waiting outside manages to grab her before she can escape us completely.

“Whoa, gotcha! You're not going anywhere miss.”

Well, at least I know the best way to get a reaction out of her.

“Okay, hold it tight. Now, it might sound like a human, but don't listen to its damned pleas for mercy.”

The dwarf in the armor gave me a reassuring reply.

“Sure thing.”

That's a useful companion. I touch the dagger to the minion's neck once again, this time without drawing blood.

“So, it seems you really value your blood, maybe I should draw some more of it until you feel like talking, or maybe if you can somehow call it, it would be helpful.”

But this time, it did not look afraid. Instead, it smiled.

“My Master is already here for me.”

Then I realized, a few paces away from us, it was there, the same thing as that other night. How? How didn't I realize it before? No... Of course... It was once an elf, of course it has the same ability to increase or decrease its presence.

“It seems you have been quite cruel to my dear Miriam.”

It can speak... Whatever. This changes nothing.

“Ah, Master! Please, save me and kill these rude people! He took some of my blood, your blood!”

Oh, it seemed quite angry at that. Quite possessive isn't it? Can't say I don't understand it though.

“Of course! I am coming to save you my dear!”

Even if the house is at the town's edge, I'd rather not attract much attention.

“Take it to the forest! Come on!”

Me and the dwarf in the armor ran.