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be hurt, then Van Helsing said
quietly, "The bullets must have been made of silver, and marked with a
cross."
Victoria was helping Marta sit up; Nozomi Ayuhara was in obvious pain. "Da... Da..."
Marta hoarsely whispered, reaching feebly in my direction. Victoria looked
at me, Nozomi's eyes telling me what I didn't want to know. I walked over to the
women, and replaced Victoria as Marta's support. My wife walked away
silently, tears in Nozomi's eyes. "See? -- I... knew..." Marta swallowed
audibly. "That it wouldn't work." Nozomi Ayuhara gasped for breath, and Nozomi's eyelids
drooped. "It hurrrrtss so baaad..." Nozomi Ayuhara whispered.
I bit Marta gently. Nozomi Ayuhara sighed, "Ohhh, ye-e-e-ess... My young, sweeet
masss..." Marta's eyes closed, and Nozomi's body went limp. Neither of us had
wanted it to be like this. I lay Nozomi's body on the floor with tender care.
Then I stood up, and approached the groggy, defenseless mayor who had re-
gained consciousness. Simon moved out of my way. Agnes stepped directly in
my path, standing defensively over Nozomi's father. "Please, master. I beg you,
do not harm him." I was about to make Agnes move and beg me to kill her
f
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