Part 1

"A vampire, Hamlin?" the Innkeeper asked, while wiping out a mug.

"Yes, a vampire. Do you know of any currently at the inn?" Hamlin repeated himself, as he emptied his stein. "I'm sure you of all people have heard of my book I'm writing by now?"

The Innkeeper laughed his usual hearty laugh. "Correct as usual, Hamlin. There's a jumpy lass in the party off in the corner at one of the basement tables. Long black cloak, face not fully visible under her hood. Party of 5. Ordered steak last night, and an entire pitcher of blood. They look like they'll be here a few days, she had quite the limp when her fellas helped her in."

"Someday I'm going to find out who you really are" Hamlin said with a laugh as he left the money for his beer.

"Just an Innkeeper," the Innkeeper replied with a wink. "The usual for dinner later on?"

"Wouldn't miss it. Wish me luck!" Hamlin called back as he made his way over to the basement steps. After descending the 2 flights of stairs into the basement, Hamlin looked around and noticed the party of five mentioned As he made his way over to the table, 2 of the men sitting at the outside of the booth immediately got up and drew swords.

"What the hell do you want, Priest?" the larger man practically growled. "Get lost, you're not welcome."

"Gentlemen please, lower your weapons!" Hamlin said, raising his open palms. "I assure you I am unarmed and mean neither you nor your companions any harm."

"I don't like the smell of this guy," the smaller man said. "We should take care of him."

"Are you seriously making threats against a patron in this Inn?" the young lass finally spoke. "Are you stupid? Do you know what happens to people who do that? Sit down, Marv, you too Jack. I'm curious. He smells weird because he's visited Count Titus. You've been to his castle?"

"That was nearly 3 months ago now, but yes in fact. I spent a quite curious evening interviewing him on the subject of vampirism. He told me to go out and find other vampires to get a better picture of the subject." Hamlin replied, pulling up a chair and taking a seat at the end of the table. "So now that I've found you, will you be willing to have a chat?"

The young lady replied by lowering her hood, revealing her snow white hair and blue eyes. "You willingly came up to my table and didn't back down in the face of Marv and Jack. I suppose we can talk for awhile. I can't go anywhere for a few weeks anyway."

"The Innkeeper mentioned your limp, Rebecca Montague. I understand the hood now." Hamlin said with a small chuckle. "I heard you died, though."

"Wait a minute, boss, you know this guy?" Marv asked, gesturing at Hamlin.

"Quite well. I've crossed paths many times with Father Hamlin DeFountain, how long ago was the first time we met now, 100 years? Longer?"

"He's just a regular human though!" Marv exclaimed. "How could he be that old?"

Rebecca leaned in close, and spoke softly. "Because he's not quite human. Are you going to explain it, or should I?"

Hamlin shook his head in response. "Don't. They have no need to know. Just over 120 years by my count if I'm correct, by the way. You were looting the Raven King's last temple, if I recall. I hadn't heard from you or of you in decades so I assumed you had found your natural death. Seems you picked up a rather ghastly affliction instead."

Rebecca smiled and laughed. "Well, this is what happens when you break into Count Titus's castle. Just my luck, right? He decided he couldn't have anyone blabbing about him, but didn't want to kill me just for picking the wrong castle, so here we are. The very dead, very immortal, phantom thief herself, Rebecca Montague!"

"Dead?"

"As a door-nail. Heart hasn't beaten once in 112 years. Skin's as cold as a corpse. Baron didn't let you touch him did he?"

"No."

"Yeah, he's cold as death too. Probably part of the so-called Divine Curse, huh?"

"There's that phrase again," Hamlin said thoughtfully. "The Baron called it that too. But why divine?"

"Probably cause by all rights I should be in a shallow grave and not walking around like a creepy flesh puppet? I don't breathe, I have no pulse, I drink blood to live, sunlight is a one way ticket to a pile of ash, this shit is fucked up, Hamlin."

"On the other hand, in your line of work it must be extremely helpful." Hamlin said with a sly grin on his face. "Nobody expects a thief to simply wait in a moat for several days."

"Right you are. I've gotten even more infamous in my undeath. And with eternity to spend my wealth, my heists have gotten even more splendid." Rebecca laughed, then her expression changed. "I must admit I do miss food terribly, though. I miss warm summer days. I miss the children I'll never have. I've been 33 for 112 years, Hamlin. Make no mistake, this is a horrific curse. I would never pass this on to anyone, not even to save their life!" Rebecca almost yelled, her eyes full of tears. "I hate this, why did I choose his over any others? I'm a monster! I should have told him to kill me!"

Hamlin could only watch as Rebecca cried facedown on the table. The emotional swing in a single breath was almost too much, so he said nothing.

Marv and Jacked exchanged a glance with each other as Rebecca sobbed, and Marv shook his head. Jack gently placed a hand on Rebecca's shoulder, but said nothing.