Trials of the Heart
Chapter 7
Renon stared down at the body. It lay so pale on the bloodied table. It was hard to believe that it was once a bright, vibrant young girl, moved by the love for her husband who was, unbeknownst to her, the lord of darkness himself.
In his pocket was the last purifying potion he possessed. He fingered it gently as he stared down at the girl, wondering if he shouldn’t give it to her. She was the only woman who could save the world from Dracula, but, on the other hand, she was poorer than dirt. She certainly could not afford to pay for a purifying potion.
He lifted her top lip, revealing two sharp, pearly canine teeth. If he didn’t act now, it would be too late. She, too, would become a creature of the night. 
He took the small purifying sphere from his pocket and stared at it. He would most certainly lose money in doing this, but he really had no choice. The door behind him opened with a screech as he administered the purifying to the motionless vampire hunter.
"Renon?!" exclaimed the familiar voice of Reinhardt Schneider. "What are you doing here?"
"I thought it was obvious," said Renon. He stuck the cork back into the empty bottle and turned to face Reinhardt. "Carrie has had an unfortunate accident, but she should be alright soon."
Reinhardt moved to stand next to the demon. He gazed down at Carrie’s motionless form. The pallor was starting to leave her cheeks.
"What is she doing here?" he demanded. "Doesn’t she know it’s dangerous?"
"Actually, she is quite a formidable vampire hunter," Renon told him. "She’s here to find Dracula… to whom, ironically, she is married. She doesn’t yet know this, of course. She thinks her husband is named Malus."
"He tricked her, I suppose?" Reinhardt mused.
Renon nodded. "Correct. I don’t mean to change the subject, but you’re looking for Rosa, aren’t you? I’m afraid to tell you this, but she tried to kill Carrie. She serves Dracula once more."
"Oh…" Reinhardt said, his shoulders sagging. "Well, if I kill Dracula, then I can save Rosa again, can’t I?"
Renon tsk-ed and started to pace the room. Reinhardt watched him warily, feeling a bit uneasy. 
"That won’t be so easy," said the demon. "I don’t think Carrie would allow such a thing, even if she knew her husband is Dracula. You would probably have to fight her… you don’t want to do that, do you?"
Reinhardt clenched a fist and stared down at Carrie’s motionless form. If he made it to Dracula before the girl awoke, perhaps he could kill the vampire before she had a chance to stop him. Of course, that would be extremely sneaky on his part, but he did love Rosa and wanted to be with her. If he didn’t kill Dracula, such a thing would not be possible.
Renon seemed to read his mind. The demon clasped his hands behind his back, the round lenses of his glasses gleaming in the poor light.
"We do seem to have a predicament, don’t we?" said he. "I suppose you must make a choice, Reinhardt… either break the girl’s heart, or your own heart. Quite a tough choice, I would assume."
"Assume?"
"I have never been in love," Renon pointed out. "It is a thing unknown to most demons."
Reinhardt nodded. "I see."
He started to pace as well. Renon watched him warily from under the brim of his green hat, surprised that the vampire hunter was able to keep his cool in such a situation. He glanced back down at Carrie. She had started to stir.
"She wakes," said Renon. "Now, be nice. Carrie, how do you feel?"
Carrie groaned and opened her eyes fully. She blinked at the two men standing above her, obviously quite confused. She still looked somewhat pale, but at least she was alive.
"This is Reinhardt Schneider," Renon explained, gesturing to the man standing next to him. "He is here to kill Dracula, but before he does that, I must explain to you something of great importance. Are you listening to me?"
"Where am I? What happened?" Carrie asked groggily. "Wh… didn’t Malus…"
"Bite you?" Renon finished. "Yes, he did. But you’re no longer a vampire. Do you want to know the reason why Malus bit you, Carrie Fernandez?"
Carrie looked up at him uncertainly, fear welling in her dark eyes. Finally she buried her face in her hands and started to weep. Her shoulders shook as the sobs racked her small form. Reinhardt, not knowing what else to do, put an arm around her shoulder to comfort her.
"You must know the truth," he said quietly. "I know it may be hard to bear, but if you are ignorant of the facts, you might be the cause of Wallachia’s devastation. The boy you are married to – Malus, is his name? – he is, in fact, the dark lord Dracula himself."
Carrie looked up at him with tired eyes. She nodded slowly after a moment.
"Yes, I suppose I knew that," she whispered. "He always acted so strangely… he refused to eat… never went outside or to church… he slept all day… but… even if he is Dracula… even if he is evil, the truth is… I love him."
Reinhardt let his breath out in a sigh and looked up at Renon.
"There’s no point," he growled. "She won’t let us kill him."
"No," said Carrie, shaking her head. "I won’t let you kill him. But he must be stopped. I ask you, Mr. Schneider, I beg of you… let me kill him. I owe him that much. I do believe he loved me once… I think I finally understand why he left me that night."
Renon and Reinhardt stared at her, puzzled expressions on their faces. Carrie sighed and eased herself out of Reinhardt’s arms. She turned to look up at him calmly. She did not look upset in the least, which puzzled him further.
"He knew what he was," she explained. "He knew he could no longer control his lust for blood, and he left me in the village hoping I would be safe. I was a fool for following him…"
"You mustn’t say that," said Reinhardt. "By following him, you proved your loyalty. In fact, I came here following someone I loved. She, too, is a vampire… I was hoping I could return her to normal by killing Dracula, but then Renon told me your story… and I…"
Carrie nodded. "I said I would kill him. I owe it to the people of Transylvania… and to myself. It pains me to say it, but…"
Reinhardt finished her sentence for her.
"He must die."