Not wanting to fight the woman directly, Bowen sneered, "Tell your dog to come out and fight me by itself instead of hiding in your body like a vermin."
The creature within the woman responded to the challenge. The satooris shifted, its grotesque form emerging fully from the woman's body. Bowen watched as the woman once plump and robust became emaciated, her cheeks sunken and eyes hollow.
"So it was the satooris that was making her look fatter than she was," Bowen remarked, half to himself.
The woman, now a mere shell of her former self glared at Bowen with pride. "My satooris will end you today," she declared.
Bowen smiled, unperturbed. "I doubt that," he said calmly. The satooris was a formidable opponent but he knew its weaknesses. Fast and deadly, its fangs contained venom that caused blood madness but its belly was its Achilles' heel—a soft, vulnerable spot that could be exploited.
The satooris lunged at Bowen, who dodged with practiced ease. In one swift motion, he shifted into his satooris form, a mirror of the creature before him. They circled each other, eyes locked in a deadly dance. The creature struck again, but Bowen was ready. He sidestepped the attack and slashed at the satooris's belly, his claws digging deep. The satooris screeched, a sound that echoed through the alley. Bowen reached for the satooris heart and squeezed it, making it burst. The satooris eyes flashed before collapsing in a lifeless heap.
Bowen shifted back to his vampire form, his eyes cold and focused. The woman, realizing her protector was dead, turned and ran. Bowen was faster. He caught up to her in moments, grabbing her by the hair with his bloodied hand.
"I really want to kill you here and now," he growled, pulling her close. "But I owe everyone you've hurt a chance to know the killer of their loved ones."
The woman's shrill voice echoed through the narrow alley as she struggled in Bowen's iron grip. "Let me go!" she shouted, her eyes wild with desperation.
Bowen's expression remained impassive. "That is not going to happen," he replied coolly. With ease, he picked her up in one hand and the dead satooris in the other, carrying both out into the market square.
By the time Bowen got back to the market place, Daniel's father body was no longer there. Perhaps some good people had taken the body to the morgue. The controller was still squirming in his hand like a worm, it was beginning to irritate him, so he pushed the woman into a soldier's arms and dropped the dead satooris on the floor. They both disgust him.
The soldiers, who had been standing guard, turned their attention to the scene unfolding before them.
"Prepare a carriage to transport both the controller and her satooris to the castle," Bowen commanded, his voice brooking no argument.
One of the soldiers stepped forward, a look of uncertainty on his face. "Are they moving together, Master Bowen?" he asked hesitantly.
"Yes," Bowen affirmed, his gaze sweeping over the assembled men. "She is not allowed to leave the carriage, whether to relieve herself or to take fresh air. She and her beloved satooris will be together forever. One more thing," he added, his tone grave, "don't try to sink your fangs into her. She might be infected with the diseases."
The soldiers responded in unison, "Yes, Master Bowen."
As they began to make preparations, Bowen felt a tug on his clothing. He looked down to see Daniel, the young boy's face streaked with tears. "Is she the one that killed my father?" Daniel asked, his voice trembling.
Bowen nodded solemnly. "Yes, and that is the satooris that infected your father."
Daniel burst into tears, falling to his knees. "Thank you, my lord. Thank you."
The woman sneered at the boy, her eyes full of contempt. "Vampire brat," she spat.
Bowen's eyes hardened. "Lead her away," he ordered the soldiers.
The soldiers moved forward, pushing the woman roughly. She screamed loudly, her voice a cacophony of anger and fear, but Bowen remained unmoved. He watched as they led her toward the awaiting carriage, her cries gradually fading as the distance grew.
Bowen turned his attention back to Daniel, placing a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder. "Your father's death will be avenged," he said softly. "And you will see justice done."
Daniel nodded, wiping his tears with the back of his hand. "What will happen to her now?"
"She will be taken to the castle," Bowen explained. "There, she will face trial for her crimes. The people will know the truth of what she has done."
As the carriage was readied, Bowen took a moment to survey the market square. The villagers had gathered, drawn by the commotion. They watched in silence, a mixture of fear and curiosity in their eyes.
"Let this be a lesson to all,"Bowen said, his voice carrying over the crowd. "Those who consort with demons and bring harm to others will be brought to justice. We will not tolerate such evil in our lands."
The villagers murmured in agreement, some nodding their heads, others whispering to one another.
The carriage door closed with a heavy thud, and the soldiers secured it tightly. Bowen watched as they began their journey to the castle, the woman's muffled cries still audible.
Daniel looked at Bowen with pride and said, "What will it take to be like you?"
He turned to Daniel, offering a reassuring smile. "Come, Daniel," he said gently. "let me show you something."