Free Vampire Hunter D Volume 13: Twin-Shadowed Knight Parts 1 and 2 Page A

of herself when a voice said, “He’s gone comatose. Hurry up and make that cut!”
    Mia stiffened.
    â€œWhat . . . what in the world are you?”
    â€œI’m his left hand. Now getting cracking. If you don’t, he and you are both gonna die. Well, technically it’s more accurate to say one of you will be destroyed—”
    The girl was at a loss for words.
    â€œOh, I see the look on your face has changed. Ready to get to it, are you? Yeah, that’s right; raise his sword just like that. Damn you, your legs are going all rubbery! Can’t you stand up straight? Put more back into it! Yeah, that’s more like it. Raise it—now!”
    Mia swung the blade down.
    Though she tried to pry her hands free of the sword, her fingers remained wrapped around it like a bit of ornamentation affixed to the hilt. The feeling of severing a human hand for the first time had left Mia in a state of shock.
    Something tugged powerfully at her ankle. Her eyes dropped in alarm, and then she shrieked. The fingers around her ankle and the hand connected to them were all part of the limb she’d just lopped off D.
    â€œI could go myself, but it’d be a hell of a lot quicker to have a real live human carry me over. Come on! Pick me up and bring me exactly where I tell you.”
    â€œNo way.”
    â€œWhat do you mean, no way? If you don’t—”
    â€œI know, I know.”
    â€œWe could do without all the sulking. Do you have any idea what your job here is?”
    â€œIt’s not my job.”
    â€œStop talking back and do it already, would you?”
    A second later, an electric shock shot from Mia’s ankle through her whole body, making her jump.
    â€œWhat the heck was that for, you little—”
    â€œ ‘Left Hand’ will do. Sass me again and I’ll raise the voltage next time.”
    â€œDon’t you have a fork or something I could use instead?”
    â€œYou little snip of a girl!”
    â€œOkay, already!”
    In an exaggerated, contorted action, Mia picked up the left hand. If she hadn’t formed a vision of D in her mind, she never would’ve been able to do it.
    â€œSo, what am I supposed to do with this thing?” she asked while averting her gaze. Not a single drop of blood spilled from the gaping wound on the wrist.
    â€œI’m not a thing! That’s ‘Mr. Left Hand’ to you.”
    â€œSo, what should I do, O high and mighty Left Hand, sir?”
    â€œDon’t get smart with me. Okay, lift me up ever so gently and carry me over to where I say. Do that, and everything will go smooth as silk.”
    â€œI suppose you were the one who cooled me down earlier, were you?”
    â€œAh, ha, ha,” the left hand laughed with apparent surprise. Mia tried to hide her disgust as she lifted the limb.
    Her body was bleached white. The sunlight had grown blisteringly hot. Mia closed her eyes. While her body might be able to endure the light, her optic nerves were another matter.
    â€œThat bastard’s even begun to control the sun, has he? I don’t think we’ll be able to let that slide. Hurry up, Mia baby!”
    â€œWhat’s this baby crap?” she snapped back, but she knew she had no choice but to do as the hand said. “What should I do now?”
    â€œTake five normal-sized paces straight ahead. Next, take another two and a half to the right. Then raise me up to eye level.”
    â€œOkay, okay!”
    â€œOne ‘okay’ will suffice.”
    â€œOoookay,” she replied snidely, and then she moved to the spot as directed. Sweat poured from her, and the refreshing chill within her was dying. Her legs began to buckle.
    â€œDon’t move, damn you! This calls for an incredibly delicate touch,” the left hand shouted.
    â€œO-okay.”
    She held the hand up as best she could, but then she fell again.
    This is grim, she thought. I think we’re done for.