Free Vampire Hunter D: Pale Fallen Angel Parts Three and Four Page A

“Still won’t show yourself?”
    His blue eyes were crystal clear, and a smile even graced his manly and intrepid visage. Such a gorgeous god of destruction he made.
    â€œHere I come now,” Vlad responded in a way that seemed to suggest he had little other choice. “However, before I do that, there’s one other person I’d like you to meet. Come out.”
    Perhaps the self-confidence in that voice allowed the baron to predict what would happen next. From behind a toppled statue, a pale figure appeared like a goddess of devastation, and her name spilled from his lips.
    â€œLady Miska—what are you doing in this accursed castle?”
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    II
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    â€œWhat did you do to her?” the baron demanded as he faced the heavens. “What have you done to this woman, Lord Vlad?”
    â€œNot a thing—at least,
I
didn’t do anything,” the voice replied. “What was done to her was the work of your old physician friend, Jean de Carriole.”
    â€œIndeed, it was,” another voice remarked. It came from behind the baron.
    This alone must’ve been enough for the baron to tell who it was, because he didn’t turn to look at the strangely hunched mummy of an old man as he said to him, “So, you still live?” There wasn’t a mote of emotion or concern in his tone.
    â€œMilord, it is an incredible honor to see you once more,” the old man said with a deep bow as he expressed his sincerest excitement.
    â€œWhat have you done to the lady?”
    â€œWell, she has an extremely dangerous being dwelling within her flesh. No, not really in her flesh, but in her psyche.”
    It was the same entity known to the baron as the Destroyer.
    â€œAnd so?”
    â€œAfter some discussion with the princess, she expressed her wish to have the Destroyer removed. And I have agreed to fulfill that desire.”
    â€œYou of all people should be up to the task. I’ve said as much myself. However, what worries me is what comes after that. Exactly what do you intend to do with the extracted Destroyer, Jean de Carriole? I don’t want to hear that you removed it merely to have it return because it ‘has nowhere else to go.’ And I don’t think you’re the kind to do such a thing anyway. So, what are you plotting?”
    â€œThis is most unusual,” de Carriole said as he circled around the baron, finally walking over to stand by Miska’s side. “I have no intentions save offering the princess my assistance. The reason for her present listless condition is that I’ve anesthetized her so that I might safely perform the operation.”
    â€œThen take her and go. But know that I absolutely will not tolerate a failure on your part.”
    â€œUnderstood. Never fear,” the old man told him as he took Miska by the arm and left.
    Though the baron may have seemed cold, there was a certain logic to his actions. First, any connection between Miska and himself normally would’ve ended completely with their arrival in the village of Krauhausen. Next, the baron had to acknowledge the painful fact that de Carriole alone could banish the Destroyer within Miska. And no matter what the human de Carriole might think of Miska, he wouldn’t be able to do anything that might put the Noblewoman at a disadvantage—that was a rule that bound all who served the Nobility. All de Carriole could do was separate Miska and the Destroyer, and release her safe and sound.
    â€œLord Vlad, this has proved an interesting diversion, but that’s more than enough for the first act. It’s long past time we returned to the business at hand. Show yourself!”
    â€œBefore I do, I have one more bit of entertainment I’d like you to see.”
    With a different ring to it now, the voice drew the baron’s attention to the top of a heap of rubble. There, a figure in a bluish purple cape suddenly stood. At more than six feet eight, he