This is the reedited version of the story. I plan to delete a chapter and quickly upload it with the new one instead of just creating a whole new story under the same title. I didn't think of this solution until after I wrote the author's note, so I will not be deleting the story entirely There will be chapters that are going to be deleted permanently, but they will be in the later end of the tale where things had gone astray. I hope that old, and new fans enjoy the revamp. Acacia and Clarissa are both of my own creation. Alucard and all the crew of Hellsing belong to Kouta Hirano.
Chapter One
Snowflakes fell like tufts of cotton, and waltzed round in wide circles before coming to a rest upon the ground. The wooden roofs were covered to the edges with white. They held strong to the frame of the house as funnels of man made clouds burst through the chimneys. Outside in that cold was a matted dog trotting through the square. He pawed through the snow for any scraps of food. His head perked up, and his ears flickered forward. He stalked forward a few feet, and lowered his chest to the ground. He bared his teeth and grumbled in his throat. He crept a few steps more toward the source of his irritation. It was a silhouette of a figure stretched like pulled taffy by the light of the lamp. The shadow lingered on the ground before it evaporated. The figure had taken a swift route away from the animal. The snow barely sifted from the stranger's footfalls as he liquefied into the shadows overcast from the homes tucked into the mountainside. The shadow man continued his pace before he abruptly rounded into the adjacent door of home with its pumpkin, and corn colored glow.
A placid man stepped through the drifts with his spidery legs with a lamp stretched out as far as he could muster as he squinted to view the path ahead. Clouds of air billowed from his cherry stained cheeks. He cursed bitterly for losing the bet that had him out that night. He pulled his coat closer to his torso as the sound of a woman's scream rang loudly through his aching ears. Startled, he moved like a dolphin through the ocean of white toward the source of the sound. The spots of blood painted the front step as an eerie welcome mat to the patrolling villager. He wearily eyed the spot before he gathered the little courage he had and took a cautious step inside and into a puddle of blood.
"It was a vampire! Richard, and Aliena were butchered in their kitchen. Blood, it was everywhere. Mr. Granul was strong out along the square. God help me, it was a dreadful sight." He coughed harshly as one of his neighbors held him. Others gathered around him, spreading the news of what had occurred in flurried exchange. A visit from a vampire was not a bizarre occurrence, and happened once a year with only one dead body lay neatly next to the cemetery gates. With the body count rising up to a fourth as another scream rattled the awakened villagers.
"Let's not panic. Now, Oliver and a group will take torches and burn down Richard's house immediately for safety's sake. I will take a group to see if this wretched creature still among us. Is that understood?" The group nods and jogged off to their homes to gather weapons and torches before reluctantly clotting together. The house danced in the ribbons of flames as they wrapped their flailing arms around its structure, cackling happily as it cracked open the wooden beams and sucked out its sturdy marrow. The bodies of the well mannered neighbors were savagely eaten.
James led the weak kneed through the narrow pathway between the bakery and the lonely skeleton of a food vendor's cart as it rested deep in the snow. They hadn't heard any new cries of distress and the quiet was beginning to affect their nerves. It caused one to jump abruptly at the sound of branch as it broke under foot, and snowdrift as it loosened from a roof. It was an expected reaction James admitted, seeing they faced a quick and gluttonous opponent that could tear them in two without much effort. He shuffled onward before something struck him squarely on the left shoulder. He whirled round with his torch brandished out to strike back. His torch met nothing, thankfully, as the group looked at him wide eyed. "Who struck me?" A hand eased up from the front belonging to a sullen faced man. "You would hit a man in the dead of night as he hunts a demon? Dumb bastard be more careful. Speak up Marcus before I box your ears." Marcus merely pointed a crooked finger along the winding path toward the cemetery, where a tiny figure inched its way along. James narrowed his vision in hopes to gain focus as he followed the blood stained ground to the wobbling creature as it struggled to remain upright. Its hip length ink colored hair swinging in the motion of a metronome.
"I would know that hair anywhere, it is Richard's daughter." Marcus motioned in her direction, but was grabbed firmly by James who yanked him back fiercely. "She may have been bitten by the vampire," The men watched her collapse to the forgiving snow, remaining still for a few moments before she gained strength again in her legs and continued her journey. James contemplated why she sought solace from graves, and not from any of the living in such a dire time. Poor girl. He minded this before making a decision to move onward. "Even if she weren't bitten, I do not think we could do anything to help her. Now let's go, we have to find the vampire." Following their village leader, the men followed, their eyes staring after the little girl.
Acacia's little body was filled with pain, tiny tears pooled down her dirty face as each step only caused her wound more aggravation. Tombstones greeted her as she entered through the iron chipped gates. Like massive glaciers, the tips of grey stones poked out from the feet of a towering statue of an angel, her arms outstretched downward as if to scoop up the child in a welcoming embrace. It's just a few more steps. It was the farthest grave away from the others, and was marked with a single wooden cross and a plum colored candle. She remembered her mother standing before the grave a fortnight ago, a small jar placed before the candle covered in a stiff sheet of white. Hands clasped, and whispering a prayer as she sat uncomfortably beside her. Her mother told her it was time she followed after her example and that she was not to fidget but was to quietly pray that what this place stood for would offer them protection when the time ever presented itself.
"What are you doing here little one?" a voice called in the air. Acacia looked around the desolate cemetery, but saw no one. She returned her attention to the grave, and kneeled down fighting against her shaking body that only wanted to collapse. With clasped hands, she bowed her head and began to pray. "You know that this is not a grave little one," the voice spoke once more. She didn't open her eyes to seek out the man who was speaking to her. She knew that time for her was short was not going to waste it on unnecessary movement.
"I know," she replied quietly. "It's an altar for vampires. Some people believe that giving blood offerings will put them in good terms with the undead, even protection from enemies. My mother thought that this would allow us mortals to live alongside vampires instead of hunt them and not give them cause to wipe us off the face of the Earth."
"A noble cause indeed little one, but noting the wound at your side it seems that you did not get protection. Has your faith been tainted because of this attack?"
"I believe that was a rogue vampire. Vampires have never attacked our village and killed more then one person in the past."
"You are correct, that was a rogue. He did not have permission to even enter into this area without orders from the Count." He appeared from the side of the angel, his cape brushed against the ground, and white specks of snow lay scattered on his hair and mustache. He stood beside the girl and looked for her to meet his gaze, but she did not oblige him.
"Why will you not look at me?"
"It is rude to look up unless you know who you are talking to. If you are a vampire you could use your power to take over my thoughts, and if you are royalty then it is an insult. My mother taught me that it was better to keep your eyes on the ground then to be sorry for what your eyes may wander upon."
"Indeed, very good little one, it is pleasing to have such a youngling with manners. I am a vampire, and I am also of royalty. As the king of the vampires I grant you permission to look upon me." Acacia's robin egg colored eyes looked carefully at the towering figure. As she tilted her head back she felt her body uncontrollably continue in that direction to the ground. Instead of being tossed to the earth she found herself wrapped in the Count's long arms. His cape floated down over her body covering her comfortably.
"Death is coming swiftly upon you, and yet you do not beg for me to spare you from its grasp."
"I have accepted it,"
"Very brave for someone so young, what is your name little one?" A high-pitched ring sounded in her eardrums and then blurred the sound of her own heartbeat as it beat. Acacia's eyes closed, and let the numbing sensation sweep over her body.
"Taking that girl in was a disgrace to this court! A tainted human, that thing is so disgusting. What were you possibly thinking of Count, or did you just want her as a pet? Pet or not just the sight of that little animal was infuriating." A mountain of coal black fabric piled round the pole like figure of a amber haired woman rustled in all its fury as she tapped away furiously across the marble. She trailed after the No life King as he made his way through the main hall after investigating the status of his domain. He picked up the pace, trying to outrun the unruly woman. Thankfully, he lost her as he begin his ascent up the main staircase. She continued to barrage him until he whirled round like a bull to its tormentor; his eyes flashed a warning to his victim.
"I can do whatever I please, Duchess Daciana. Now leave my presence at once!" The Count's voice bellowed through the halls, and caused servants, and guests, to take a defensive cowering position. Duchess Daciana, and her entourage turned their noses up, and walked out to the grounds to join the festivities. The Count fumed inwardly as his gaze stalked after the women. How dare the Duchess question his actions? That woman needed to be punished for constantly forgetting her place. He smiled, The best punishment would be uninviting her to the feast the following fortnight. It would harm her well enough without wasting too much of his energy. The Count continued his way up to one of his many guest rooms. Maids and other servants scampered quickly through the hall to avoid the Count,. He opened the room to the end of the wing and found three maids all sitting in chairs in the corners of the room. They were positioned as far as possible from where his guest was resting. Their scarlet eyes looked hungrily at the human girl as her chest rose and fell gently.
"Leave us," Like vermin, they scattered quickly at his command swiftly into the darkness, happy to escape to attend to their other chores. The Count coasted over to the child nestled within sleek and bubbly sheets, her little body almost completely eclipsed. He noticed the movement underneath the thin veil of flesh of her eyelids.
"They are gone, if you were wondering. I would not allow them to harm you." The Count's harsh voice had melted into a calm wave through the room.
"You saved me," she whispered, taking a minute to run her tongue all through her dry mouth.
"Your life was not the type I thought should be wasted." He lifted the girl's chin, coaxing her wordlessly to open her eyes. One of her lollipop blue eyes were tainted now to a faint light burgundy.
"I did, but of course it was at a price."
"A price? What kind of price?"
The Count sat at her side, a wide grin spread across his face. "I did not turn you into vampire, but you have some of my blood running through you. It is enough to give you some vampire abilities. I want to wait until you are older before turning you into a draculina. Until then you will remain here, at my castle, as my servant. I will teach you what I can with the powers that you have attained from me. It is either you accept this fate, or I turn you lose upon my very hungry guests. Will you serve me?"
"Well I wouldn't think I had a choice, but yes I will serve you. It is all I can do to thank you for saving my life."
"Very good, then get plenty of rest. You are no used to me if you are not at your best. Oh, you never told me your name, then again you barely could breath, let alone speak."
"It's Acacia, my lord."
"Acacia, how interesting." A small smile crept along the Count's face; his tongue crept across his lips.
"How am I to address you, your majesty?"
"In this circumstance you may address me as Master. Now I will take my leave, I will see you tomorrow night."
"Good night, Master." Acacia bowed her head and watched him evaporate through the wall off to stalk through the halls in search for something new to entertain him.
Acacia was up just as the last shard of light bled out across the horizon line. She had adjusted her sleeping cycle over the past couple of months allowing her to be up with the rest of the castle. Even when she found herself waking during the daylight hours, she appeased her body by wandering through the grounds until she was tired enough to return to bed. She slid herself down, and landed with a thud from the steep drop and yanked the bundled fabric edges of her nightgown back to its place down by her ankles. Trekking through the space, she rang the dusty golden rod bell before taking her place at her chair at her desk. Two young women, identical in body, face, clothes, and hair, entered the bedroom with a soft greeting. Luminita, and Narcissa were the only maids the Count trusted not to do anything foolish, as he found disappointment with others who saw the job as a game of cat and mouse.
Acacia was fitted into the confines of a beetle black gown before having her hair nearly yanked from its roots as it was twisted and twirled into two thick braids.
"Now we may go," Acacia announced as stood before her bedroom door.
"Yes my lady," Narcissa opened the door for Acacia, and shut it quietly. With her assistants in tow, they trailed along the hall past long windows that pooled cold puddles of light upon the marble. "It's a full moon tonight," Acacia whispered to no one in particular, pausing for a moment before one of the windows to stare up at the moon.
"It is going to be a beautiful night," Luminita nodded in agreement as she too gazed up at the moon.
"I shall ask my master if you may have the night off tonight to enjoy the feast."
"Oh my lady your too generous,"
"No, its quite all right and I am sure that my master won't object. You've both been so good to me and shall be rewarded for it. Now come along, Master would not like to be kept waiting."
"Thank you my lady," they said in unison their voices dripping with appreciation as they trailed behind the young girl. Coming to her master's door, she knocked on the oak with her tiny fist.
"Come in," Acacia grasped the doorknob, revealed her master being fitted into an elegant black suit. The maids stayed back at the door with their heads bowed as Acacia approached her master. The Count eyed his little servant as she curtsied deeply before him.
"How is my little draculina this evening?"
"Good master,"
"Ready for the party?"
"Yes master,"
"Fantastic," The No life King sat before the mirror with a grim sense of forlorn. A maid reached out to a brush upon the bureau, but was stopped by his strong hand snaking around her tiny wrist. Her eyes widened and her chin quivered, but she did not receive punishment. "Acacia, come brush my hair,"
"Yes Master," Acacia came over and the maid handed her the brush and placed a small stool behind the chair. Stepping up she took the brush and worked at her master's hair. She looked into the mirror to see a peculiar look on his face. She laughed to her self when she realized the expression he wore.
"Master, you look like a child whose toy was taken from them. What is wrong?" The No Life King sighed deeply.
"I do not like these festivities, I would rather be at war. To be at battle, to rip, tear and slaughter my enemies and drink their blood. Sitting on my throne and watching dancing and drinking are not at all something that I find amusing. Unless it earns me a woman to sleep with,"
"Well master we can't all have what we desire all the time."
"Very true Acacia, but I am a king and I always get what I want. Now are you done?"
"Well I am master but maybe tonight you should tie your hair back."
"Tie it back? Well, if you think so." Acacia pondered for a moment before calling Luminita to take one of the ribbons out of her hair. She took the ribbon and tied back her master's hair.
"There, all done master,"
"Good,"
"Shall I tie the two braids together with the ribbon M'lady?"
"Yes thank you Luminita," Luminita started working on her lady's hair. "Oh master,"
"Yes Acacia?"
"I want to request that Luminita and Narcisa have the night off to enjoy the night as well." There was a pause for a few moments and both maids didn't like waiting for the answer.
"If you think they need a break then yes they may have the night off. Now come along, Acacia,"
"Yes master," Acacia followed after her master. She quickly turned to Luminita and Narcisa. "You're dismissed,"
"Thank you my lady and please enjoy the feast," Both ladies said, smiling happily as they disappeared into the night.
"Let us go my little fledgling," The No life King announced smiling.
Thank you for all who have supported the original release of this story. Thank you for your messages, you're favs, and alerts. I hope that you enjoyed and I will be working hard on trying to get this finished for all of you. You all deserve an ending to this tale.
