Vampire Hunter D: Pale Fallen Angel Parts Three and Four

didn’t say anything. The gruesome surgery he’d performed there in the hut had made it clear exactly how dearly he’d paid just to rescue her. Now he’d completely healed—or so it seemed. But she couldn’t bring herself to say that now he had to go save Taki.
    It was almost noontime.
    In the vast building, a third voice—one that couldn’t possibly be there—remarked in a hoarse tone, “Looks like rain, eh?”
    Streaks like silken threads fell at an angle beyond the window.
    â€œDoesn’t look to be just a passing shower. That throws a wrench into things.”
    Making no reply, D gazed at the ever-growing torrents of rain.
    An hour after high noon—that was the time the Nobility were at their weakest, their “hour of doom,” as it were. The biorhythms of those slumbering in coffins would reach their nadir, and the Nobles would be practically unable to move a muscle. Even Baron Balazs hadn’t been able to speak to D during that period. And his father, Lord Vlad, would be no exception, either.
    The rain fell with a dull thrum.
    What happened at such times?
    Based on readings taken by a number of the Nobility’s scientists, the drop in their biorhythms would be less than usual for high noon. Although rain was indeed one of the forms of running water that constituted a weakness for vampires, by blocking out the sun at noon, it actually served as a kind of antidote—like using a snake’s venom to make antivenin. However, for a dhampir like D, it was nothing short of a major ordeal. The rain only aided the Nobility because they were shielded by their coffins. On the other hand, D would be forced to expose his skin to running water. His muscles would lose both strength and speed, his form would grow heavy, and horrid chills and fever would assail his body by turns. Most Vampire Hunters avoided doing battle on rainy days, as Nobles in their coffins would be ready then for hired assassins.
    Picking up his saddle, D walked over to May. As the girl stood bolt upright in shock, he said to her, “I’m leaving town.”
    The girl’s eyes were tinged with understanding—and with despair.
    â€œOr would you like to hire me instead?”
    It was a few seconds later that there was a booming toll in May’s head, like that of a great bell.
    â€œMe—hire you?”
    â€œI’m a Hunter. I make no distinctions between employers.”
    â€œBut . . .” May realized that something warm was rising in her chest. Raw emotion. “But, I don’t have any money.”
    â€œYou can pay later,” D said in a cold tone.
    â€œIn that case—in that case, you’re on. D—you’re hired. Save Taki!”
    â€œUnderstood,” said D.
    They now had a contract.
    â€œI’m going to the castle. You should—”
    Stay here
, D was about to say, but then he turned and faced the windows again. The rain already blanketed the world like smoke, making the entire scene one of blurred shadowgraphs. And he had heard the sound of hoofbeats in the distance.
    â€œThey’re coming,” remarked a hoarse voice that May couldn’t hear.
    â€œThe enemy’s here. There’s a boat tied up outside at the dock. Get in it and wait.”
    Although the Hunter spoke softly, there was a resolute steeliness to his tone, and May dashed for the back door with a face void of emotion.
    Seeing that she’d gone, D then advanced to the center of the shed, where he stood silently. Five seconds passed. Then ten.
    The sound of the iron-shod hooves came to a halt right in front of the shed.
    â€œTen of them,” his left hand said.
    â€œCome on out, Hunter!” a voice was heard to call through the door via a microphone. “We know what you are. Come on out into the rain. Or if you’ve got a problem with that, we’ll give you five seconds before we blow this shack sky high. Five . . . four . .