Eva stepped out of the library, turning to lock the door. Closing time – her favorite part of the day. She took in a deep breath of the refreshing night air to clear her nose of the scent of musty old books and dust particles. Her day had been spent in the classics section, carefully dusting and straightening the ancient books with pages that had turned crisp and brown like fall leaves. A few of the books were antique first additions while others had been donated by library patrons after being found in their great grandmother's attic or basement or somewhere unusual like that. Each book seemed to have a story to tell besides the one held within its pages. There was one book in particular that she liked. It was a history book of sorts, recounting the past events of the Hellsing family. The Hellsings were supposed to be the earth's protectors, hunting and killing the undead creatures of legend that were prolific in horror novels and films. These fictitious beings includes ghouls(monsters akin to zombies), werewolves, and vampires, some of which are the most easily recognizable along with several other creatures. The creatures can be divided easily into two categories: human and non-human. The book was written as a chronicle of the mysterious and secretive Hellsing family from the beginning of the twentieth century, covering seven decades. The story abruptly ends with the birth of Integra Hellsing. Eva was quite sure it was just an incredible work of fiction, possibly written by a family friend or some other individual within the family's circle, who possessed an outlandish an overactive imagination. Her taste in fiction novels seemed to gravitate to the supernatural side of things showcasing well-known fabricated monsters like vampires who had been fodder for the artistry of writer's for eons.

Eva took another deep inhale of the comfortably cool night air. Summer was just beginning and the pleasant spring days would be heating up soon. Crickets created captivating harmonies in the dark, creating one big cacophony of sound that managed to be delightful to the ears. There was nothing more annoying than one cricket alone, being trapped in the house at night, and chirping at random times. Hundreds of them together made beautiful music. She always walked home through the park. Although it would have been shorter to stick to the city streets on the outskirts of the massive square of urban green area, she still chose to take the scenic route. There were ample streetlights along the path to light the way and discourage any unlawful activity. However, the brilliant illumination did not deter the occasional set of lovers who enjoyed a long kiss on a bench or indulging in something more licentious in the bushes behind the park benches. The last thought made her giggle a little. The sound of her own chuckle startled her when it echoed back to her from the shadows. Despite its beauty, the park could still be creepy. She continued walking with a leisurely gate in no real rush to get home and leave the pleasing atmosphere around her. The sound of rushing water splattering against tiles drifted to her ears as she came closer to the fountain in the center of the park. A plain, three-tiered cement fountain spouted water high into the air to come crashing back down into the surrounding pool covered in diamond-shaped, teal colored tiles. Glancing around with a playful smile on her lips, she scouted the area to make sure she was truly alone. She set her purse and sweater down on a nearby bench, sitting down briefly to kick off her high heels. The cement sidewalk felt rough and bumpy, still warm from the sunlight of the day, under her aching feet. Tiptoeing to the edge of the fountain, she pulled up her straight black skirt that skimmed her legs below her knees. Placing one palm flat on the wide edge of the fountain pool, she held up her skirt with the other hand. Stepping into the fountain, she gasped when the frigid water enclosed her leg. The cold water soothed the throbbing discomfort of her calf muscles and her feet. Daintily holding up her skirt to the middle of her thighs, she stood up before not so elegantly swinging her other leg over the edge. She stumbled a bit, positive she looked like a baby giraffe trying out her legs for the first, before she regained her balance. She laughed, not caring if she sounded insane because she was alone. Alone but not lonely. Free and happy to be alive.

Unfortunately, Eva was not alone.

Oh, the lovely librarian, Alucard thought to himself as he watched her from the inky darkness under a nearby tree. He had not been in the habit of stalking his prey, skulking in the shadows like an animal, for many, many years. Hauling in a deep breath as the breeze rustled the branches of his hiding place, he could smell her. She smelled absolutely wonderful. Her body was pure and clean, untainted by drugs and alcohol. She bathed in soap that smelled like peaches and cream which was a quite fitting description of her complexion and the smooth texture of her skin. The mesmerizing color of her skin, like the flesh of the fruit used to scent her soap, made him want to take a bite out of her. His mouth watered, and he licked his lips. He was exceedingly thrilled this woman's curiosity had gotten the best of her, prompting her to go to the Hellsing Manor to inquire about the family and boldly ask for a tour. The first inquiries were summarily dismissed with a vague explanation about the family cherishing their privacy and preferring to keep it that way. The later numerous requests were flatly turned down with the heavy black iron gate being closed in her face to further punctuate the sentiment and to keep her from coming back again.

Integra had asked Alucard to follow this woman, to find out what she was up to. Alucard had swiftly come to the conclusion that she was just extremely inquisitive and had no further motives than to answer her own personal questions about the Hellsings. By that time, he had become addicted to her fragrance, to seeing her brush her fingers through her shoulder length hair the color of brown sugar. Her eyes reminded him of the color of impeccably browned loaves of bread. He compared everything about her to food because that was what she was to him. Her blood would be a tantalizing treat, a sweet ambrosia he had not tasted for quite some time. It would be so much better than the bagged blood that he usually had to make do with for nourishment. That blood maintained his body, keeping him going. But it did nothing to soothe his real appetite. He was sure her blood would be rich, thick, and warm when taken straight from her veins. Surely it would taste like the most rare wine on earth as it flowed over his tongue and down his throat to sate his hunger – his desire. He licked his lips, adrenaline coursing through his body as he watched her walk and splash in the water, chuckling to herself. So full of life...but not for much longer. The crushing sadness that should have overtaken him at that thought was no more than a fleeting wisp of a useless human emotion that he did not understand. Being an unconscionable beast, an emotionless vampire, did have its more positive qualities. Tonight he would step out of the shadows and take her.

~...~

After a long shower under boiling hot water, Eva stepped out to dry herself. Steam rose from her skin that was red from the high temperature of the water. She picked one of her softest, fluffiest towels to use to dry off. As she rubbed the fuzzy fabric over her body, she would swear she heard a groan that tapered off to a pitiful whimper. Her heart beat thumped at a quicker pace pushing her blood through her veins faster. She found it difficult to hear anything except her own beating heart. Shrugging her shoulders, she assumed the neighbor's dog was at her front door again begging to be let in since his owner had left him in the hall too long. She sighed in irritation with herself. She knew she should have never taken pity on the tiny pug puppy and brought him into her apartment. Those eyes had done her in. There had been nothing to see, but big black begging eyes when she had looked down at his cute smooshed in face. But not tonight. She was too tired to babysit a lonely puppy.

Alucard smiled to himself as he watched the corners of her mouth lift into a kind smile. His tongue drifted over his lips, lingering on the sharp edges of his canine teeth that were longer than the rest. To feel the sensation of his fangs sinking into soft warm flesh while his lips pressed to a rapidly pulsing artery made a discomforting hardness form between his legs. He had forgotten how sexually stimulating it could be to take a live human victim. Her scent filled his sensitive nose so strongly it caused him to become dizzy with the powerful primal desire to feed. His body shook with the thirst that had driven him here, and he shuddered with overpowering need because she was standing so close to him. So close that the sensation of her body heat sinking into his skin made his mind become fogged with instinctual hunger, to take both her body and her blood. He resisted the urge to seize her and sink his fangs into her to lessen the pain of his miserably throbbing body. Standing still beside her, he held his breath as he waited for the distracted woman to notice him.

Eva inhaled a sharp intake of air when the awareness of the ominous presence in the room with her finally sank into her inattentive brain. Out of the corner of her eye, all she could see was a shadow filling the area beside her. She was not sure if it was unbridled terror or staggering curiosity that kept her from moving, from screaming, from running...from reacting at all. The shadowy object seemed fluid yet solid, having the form of a man. Her skin prickled as a cool hand touched her shoulder, sliding across her collarbone to her neck. She thought her spine would snap as each muscle contracted painfully around the successive vertebrae as the bony fingers skimmed down her back. Her body convulsively shuddered when his hand roamed over her round butt cheek before the thin fingers gripped it with shocking strength.

"Wh-who-," she stammered, fear getting a stranglehold on her throat. She turned her head to see the man was wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a crimson cloak that seemed to have a life of its own. The material swirled, the ends licking at her legs like flames. It was a gentle touch that tickled.

"My name is Alucard," he responded without making her form the words of the rest of her question. He pulled off his hat and cloak, throwing them on the chair at the end of the bed.

Eva's eyes were beginning to adjust to the dark enabling her to see him loosing the buttons of his white shirt. Her eyes could not look away as he slowly, teasingly, opened each button. His skin was about the same color of snowy white as his shirt with taut but undefined muscle beneath. After watching him drag the shirt down his arms and toss it onto the chair, her eyes moved back to his. A low red glow like burning coals came from them. They seemed drawn to her face and would not look away. A mop of shaggy black hair darker than death hung down his cheeks to his chin and curled past the nape of his neck almost to his shoulders. He was beautiful. But in a frightening way that make her shake with fear.

"The Hellsing guard dog?" she inquired, hearing a low growl come from him. She assumed he hated that title.

"I am the true power of the Hellsing Organization. I am the one they created to do all of their dirty work," he explained, dropping down to push his pants to the floor. With a graceful movement, he stepped out of them while reaching for her. His thin but strong arms wrapped around her body. He sighed in gratitude as her warmth flowed into him while he held her to his body. "Are you afraid?" Given the way her body was trembling in his arms, he already had his answer.

"Yes," she answered truthfully, her hands sliding up his chest. Her fingers moved around his neck to twist into his hair that was strikingly luxurious as if silk were being pulled between her fingers.

"Why don't you try to get away? Scream...hit me...do something," he nearly begged her, his hands meandering down to her hips. His mouth lowered toward hers. His lips parted to hover over her slightly opened mouth.

"Would it do me any good?" she breathlessly inquired, her moving lips brushing across his. She could feel him mesmerizing her, tempting her. He wanted her to want him - and she did. Her stomach twisted and lurched with arousal when his pointed incisor scraped across her lip. It stung because the razor-sharp edge had cut her lip, drawing blood. Before the tangy metallic taste of her blood touched her tongue, his lips enclosed her injured bottom lip to suck lightly. Her hands closed into fists, gathering his hair into her palms. Her body trembled with rising need as the low, feral groan rolled from his throat.

No. It would not have done her a damn bit of good to fight this. Even if she had, it would have been half-hearted. She had read about him. She doubted the true extent of his powers and strength had been outlined in any of the books. If she had run away, she would have run straight back to him when he reeled her back with his unrelenting seduction. Although she knew this man had every intention of killing her, he was making her not care. All she could think about was the ecstasy that flowed through her body with each delicate touch of his hands, the raw strength under control contained in the arms that held her. His velvety lips nudged hers with a feather light pressure, threatening to claim hers but never doing so.

"Eva," he whispered in her ear.

His hot breath swept across her neck, decimating her senses like a wild-fire burns through acres of dry grass. Eva clung to him since she had lost all strength of her own. She could feel their bodies going down, slowly lowering to the bed as he held her against him. Her body was like that of a doll, light and easily navigated into any position he wanted. She offered no resistance when his hands enclosed her waist, his lengthy fingers almost encircling her entire body. After being lifted, she was brought down to straddle his lap. A distinct hardness pressed against her womanhood. She could feel it twitching between her legs with the need to be inside of her. An incredible thrill like lightning surging up her spine, igniting thousands of nerve endings at once, surged through her. Raising up onto her knees, she reached down to take the rock hard organ into her hand so she could guide him into her body. A sound like none she had ever heard before escaped his mouth as she sank down onto him. The sound was a high-pitched keening noise like one suffering agonizing torture. Perhaps he was a tortured soul; seeking comfort, even if was just a brief reprieve for one night. She was his chosen sacrifice, the one who would take away his torment just for a short time. Maybe she was making the concept of her impending death a much more noble sacrifice than it actually was. It made it easier for her to accept the reality of her dire situation.

Alucard pressed his tongue to the hollow of her throat, licking upwards to her chin. He groaned with selfish pleasure as she moved her body on top of him in long, slow strokes. Raising his hips into her, he pulled her down on top of him until she cried out because he was so deep inside of her. He laid his lips along the carotid artery in her neck. The blood rushed through the artery, pulsing enticingly with every beat of her heart. Using his tongue, he traced the artery down her neck before following the subclavian artery that ran parallel to her collarbone.

"Alucard," she whispered into his ear, kissing his cheek.

"You really are an amazing woman," he murmured to her, kissing her lips in a tender manner that temporarily masked his monstrous nature. He felt her body tighten around him as she cried out in bliss. Holding her quaking body to his, he enjoyed the way she called his name like a plea while she helplessly rode out the successive ripples of the orgasm. Patiently waiting for her to cease moving, he pushed the sweaty hair back from her forehead so he could look into her eyes.

"Alucard," she said again, attempting to catch her breath. Fear crept back into her, stiffening her spine and making her blood grow cold as he stared at her unflinchingly with those red, smoldering eyes.

"Eva, listen to me," he said, his voice low and pleasant in tone.

Eva felt the fright that had overtaken her eventually subside, leaving her body, before it crushed her spirit completely. Her eyes remained on his as he began to speak again.

"I'm going to kill you now," he warned her, his white incisors glinting in the moonlight sinisterly.

This seemed so ridiculous, too surreal to be happening. This was the most horrifyingly realistic dream she had ever experienced. She swallowed to force down the lump that had formed in her throat. The terror she had felt before he took it away had been far too real. "Will it hurt?"

"Yes...yes, it will hurt a lot," he responded honestly. Judging by the terror-stricken expression on her face, he had been too honest. His fingers skirted her jaw before sliding down her neck and to her collarbone. He had chosen to bite her there to keep from ripping her throat out entirely. Even in death, he wanted her to remain beautiful. Taking hold of her hips, he moved his body under her receiving a moan of approval for his pleasurable actions.

Eva gripped his hair, pulling slightly as he placed kisses and small licks along the length of her collarbone. A single tear escaped her right eye, slithering down her cheek to leave a cold, salty trail behind it. She felt his mouth open seconds before a white-hot pain blazed through her shoulder when his teeth punctured her skin. A burst of searing agony raced up her neck and down her arm. Her body began to grow heavy, unmoving as if a burst of super gravity were bearing down on her. She immediately realized she could no longer move because he had paralyzed her. Unfortunately she could still feel every bit of the agonizing pain raging through her body.

Alucard hung onto her, inserting his needle sharp fangs through her tender flesh until he came into contact with hard, unrelenting bone. He allowed the precious warmth of her blood to fill his mouth, savoring the acidic metallic taste that was like pure nectar straight from the gods. As he greedily gulped down her blood, he thrust his body into hers with absolutely no restraint. His moan was muffled by the blood that was streaming down his throat in a seemingly never-ending flow of goodness. This truly was an orgasmic experience on several levels. His arms tightened around her when her body began to grow limp as he stole her life drop by drop.

"Blood donor," she whispered, weak and knocking on death's door.

"What?"

"I was nothing more than a blood donor."

Alucard lay his head on her chest, listening to her slow, labored breathing. "You were much more than that," he assured her.

"Liar..liar..." She gasped for air, unable to say another word. Her vision had blurred and the blinding darkness was beginning to close around her to shut out the world forever.

"You will always be a part of me. I will carry you with me no matter where I go. Because of you, I will have strength to kill the monsters worse than me."

"There..." She paused, struggling for air, fighting to stave off the specter of death just a bit longer. With conviction strengthening her voice, she venomously spat at him, "There is no monster worse than you."

Alucard cradled her in his arms, waiting for the last breath to leave her body. He almost felt despair and regret when she released that breath, forfeiting her life with a pathetic wheeze. Carefully laying her down on the bed, he positioned her on her back with her hands folded on top of her belly. He covered her body with the sheet and the blanket, leaving only her pretty face exposed. Giving her one last kiss, smearing her own blood across her bluish tinted lips, he dressed in preparation to leave. There was no need to completely destroy her body because she would not turn into a ghoul. He had not taken every last drop of her blood. With the little he had left inside of her, she had the chance of turning into something else. A monster of his making that would come after him, seeking revenge and his demise. Smiling to expose his flashing white fangs, he welcomed the challenge and was looking forward to the day when she would reappear in his life.

"I will see you again, my beloved monster. Until then my love...I must bid you adieu." Alucard opened the sliding glass door that led to the balcony. He used the small table there as a step to perch on the banister, easily balancing himself. "When you come for me, bring all of the fury of hell with you. You'll need it."

With those last words, Alucard dropped from the balcony and out of her life as quickly as he had come into it.