A/N: Finally finished the second chapter. No idea where I'm headin' with this story but an outline is starting to form. Thanks for waiting everyone!
External Problems
The pale moon shown high over the mountains surrounding the old castle, enveloping two figures situated on the front lawn. A pair of large hounds lay in the deep grass, their dark fur glistening in the light of the orb in the sky. The smaller of the two was on its side, eyes closed and body relaxed. The other held one paw over the stomach of the first, its tongue affectionately cleaning the neck of its mate. A deep purring could be heard from the larger beast, a sound vibrating in the air and effectively soothing the first.
Suddenly the larger dog stopped his ministrations, his ears perking up dangerously as all six of his eyes trained on one spot before them. He stood and growled lowly, his hackles raised an he bared his teeth. His mate rolled to her stomach, her eyes showing the expression of confusion at his change in demeanor. Then he was standing before her smaller body, blocking her view of what was bothering him. She tried to shift her position to gain a better view around him but he growled at her movements, effectively stopping her curiosity.
Soon, however, the male hound lowered his defenses slightly as the intruder came into sight, his growl fading into the air as he sat down.
"Alucard, who is it?" the smaller beast asked curiously, moving to his side.
"It appears we have a visitor, Seras" the larger dog answered, amusement in his tone.
Seras watched as a small dog similar to a greyhound appeared at the edge of the border of the meadow and approached them, literally crawling toward the couple. The young vampire instinctually recognized the degrading walk as a sign of submission, making her curious as to whom the person was. When the new canine was within a few yards of where they stood it slowly rolled over, revealing the tender belly to show who was the more highly praised.
Alucard trotted up to the dog and sat a foot from where the other lay, his face alight with as much grin as the form would allow.
"Do you intend to lie there the entire night, or do you wish to have your say?" he asked telepathically.
At first the strange beast did not comply, the single pair of eyes flitting nervously between the two other canines. However, seeing no hostile movements from either vampires the dog slowly stood and sat on its hind legs.
"I don't wish to harm either of you" the beast replied, the voice showing the stranger to be male. "I have merely come to give news to my lord" he spoke, obviously addressing the master vampire in high esteem in order to gain grace.
Darkness slowly swirled around Alucard, parting only seconds later to show the vampire once more in his human form. Seras quickly followed suit, regaining her appearance and standing beside the elder nosferatu.
"Speak quickly or leave" Alucard hissed, causing the stranger to flinch. He liked little those who used flattery to gain trust and was not fooled by the vampire's respectful title. Any threat to his mate and child would be dealt with harshly, including treachery. However, he would wait to see what the person wanted before deciding to kill him for trespassing upon his lands.
"If you wish" the canine spoke, slightly bowing his head. A dark shadow pooled at the stranger's feet and his own figure appeared in a few moments.
Seras observed the male closely, wondering at his odd appearance. The stranger's form was that of a mid twenty year old, thin brown hair cut short around his pale face and yellow eyes peering at them. He wore a thick black shirt with narrow shoulders, a dark pair of pants with slightly flared bottoms snug around his waist. The young vampire merely watched the two silently, following the discussion but choosing not to join. She could clearly see Alucard was going to enjoy playing with the young man's mind and didn't wish to ruin his fun with a badly timed word.
"As I said before, I have come with news" the boy spoke, watching their reactions to his words carefully. "But if you will, I've come to ask for your help, my lord" he added slowly, lowering his eyes in respect.
Alucard moved away from Seras and strolled around the young male,
"First, boy, what is your name?" he asked, his tone showing he only wished to know how to address him.
"Michael, my lo-...sir" the young vampire quickly responded, changing his words at noticing Alucard snarl toward the high title. "I was born in the year of our lord seventeen ninety-two and was turned at the age of twenty-four."
Alucard waved off the information on his dark birth and merely looked over the young man, his eyes unreadable as they were hidden behind his dark glasses. He stopped his inspections before the boy vampire, as he considered him, and appeared to be appraising his face. Michael squirmed under his gaze until he suddenly scented the air, looking toward Seras in shock. A choked sound of surprise escaped his lips as his eyes descended to lock on the young vampire's stomach, his gaze riveted to her body as if she were some sort of miracle. He rudely gaped at her figure for a long moment, catching himself as he heard the low growl of her mate warning him to watch his actions.
"I was not aware female vampires were able to produce offspring" he whispered, a strange tinge of expectancy within his words.
"Do you also believe vampires eat feces?" Alucard asked sarcastically, glaring at the boy. He well knew the boy gawking so boldly at his mate was a natural reaction, but the master vampire liked little the attention of any male on what was his.
The young male vampire blushed as well as their kind could, his obvious lack of their customs slightly embarrassing. Then his eyes brightened as he recalled why he had come to the master vampire.
"I have brought news from the vampire world, sir" Michael spoke turning his attention back to the elder vampire. "And I believe some concern your mate" he said, gesturing toward the confused form of Seras.
"What have you heard?" Alucard ordered, raising a brow at the boy's words.
"Elizabeth Bathory is a name which I believe you are familiar with" Michael spoke. "She was once thought to be invincible when she was created."
"The only reason she was not killed sooner was her connections to Poland's royal family, nothing more" Alucard snarled. His disdain for those who relied too heavily on their connections was evident, forcing the guest to realize he needed to be wary of the words he spoke in these conversations.
"She had been causing quite a bit of grief for the vampires in the old world. There is no longer an elder to destroy her now that she has killed her last mate" he spoke, watching Alucard's reaction carefully. Seeing no sign of bother to the news of an elder vampire's death, he continued with his narrative. "She apparently wishes to control the lands she once owned as a human, though how we do not know. After all, her lands now lie within mostly civilized country and merely taking the property would cause quite a stir in the news."
"And you want me to destroy her for you?" Alucard asked, disgust evident in his tone. "What reason can you give for me to leave both my bride and my child?"
"She has heard rumors of a child being born, a child sired by two vampires" Michael answered slowly, looking to Seras. "She has spoken much of this strange phenomenon and I believe she wishes to speak with your lady."
Alucard's head snapped to attention toward the boy, his lips curled into a snarl and a low growl escaping his throat. He swiftly marched over to Michael and took hold of his shirt's collar, lifting him to face height. The young male struggled in his grasp, grasping the arms holding him in a futile attempt to dislodge the stranglehold.
"Explain or I will tear your head from your body" he growled, grinning at the small tremor of fear running through the boy vampire.
"She wants to see how your mate was able to be with child" Michael managed to choke out. "I know nothing more."
Alucard stared at the boy for a moment longer and then promptly dropped Michael to the ground, an unusual grin on his face. Seras recognized the smirk and inwardly shivered at the coming days, remembering where she had seen this particular amusement. Her sire only used the specific grin when he was about to face an interesting, and possibly deadly, challenge, one she more than likely had no chance of fighting. Such a threat to her child was not what she would have liked so early in her pregnancy, or any time during her unlife.
"If she wishes to harm my mate, then I will have no choice but to destroy her" Alucard spoke calmly, apparently unperturbed by the obvious threat. "But I have a command for you."
"What is it you ask?" Michael slowly questioned, narrowing his eyes at the elder vampire.
"I wish to have a companion of sorts for my young bride" Alucard spoke, gesturing toward Seras while his eyes locked with Michael's. "Do you know where I might find such a trustworthy female compatriot?"
Michael's eyes lit with understanding and he carefully thought for a long moment on the task assigned to him, wishing to show his honor by choosing a worthy companion for the elder vampire. Suddenly a wide grin spread across his face, slowly beginning to nod his head. He looked between the two with an amused gleam in his eyes.
"I believe I may have the perfect female in mind" he spoke, obvious glee in his voice. "I will have to fetch her for your mate's use, but tomorrow evening I will return with her."
Alucard nodded his head and turned toward the castle, signaling the end to their discussion. Michael bowed slightly before returning to his familiar form, bounding off into the dark to complete his new errand.
Seras angrily spun around toward the retreating figure of the elder vampire, a frown on her face and her knuckles clenched at her sides. She stomped after his form and boldly grabbed the back of his coat, pulling him to a stop and turning him to face her ire.
"Alucard, how could you just hand me over to a total stranger!" Seras hissed, looking ready to dislodge his head from his shoulders. She disliked being led into circumstances with such little regard for her opinion, especially since she would now be forced to spend her free time with a total stranger.
"You assume I would not read his thoughts before making such a decision, Seras?" Alucard chuckled, raising a hand and tenderly stroking her cheek. "This female sounds promising for fun" he added, resting his hand on her lower back and leading her back to their home.
Seras' stomach suddenly growled loudly, showing the two she had not yet eaten enough for her new condition. The young vampire blushed and broke from her mate, turning to Alucard and giving him a mischievous smile.
"Care to help feed me, Alucard?" she slyly asked, moving back to the castle.
Alucard grinned and took his glasses from off his face, watching the young vixen teasingly swaying her hips. The night would indeed be promising.