Chapter 2
Soma and Mina's condo flowed out with glossy white walls and ceilings and oceans of glass that opened the place to a lovely view of the city. There was a marble fireplace and smooth wooden floors. Flowers speared from black vases and silver urns. The lamps had shades the colors of precious jewels. Light showered down from a chandelier of crystal so fine that it resembled spun sugar sparkling over the twists and curves of silver.
A candle on the marble counter of the kitchen streamed out scent and soft shivering light. Black and white hand towels edged in ecrulace were arranged beside the sink. The faucet gleamed silver in the fanciful shape of a koi fish. All of the furniture was also black and white as well.
"You want anything, Arikado?" Soma asked as he took off his coat and hung it up.
"No thank you, Soma," replied the federal agent.
Soma and Mina sat together on the couch. She affectionately leaned on him, resting her head upon his shoulder. He smiled as he pressed a kiss to her forehead after he set down a Crystal Pepsi that he had gotten from the vending machine in the lobby.
"I'm sorry about what happened," he apologized.
"It's okay, Soma," she replied. "We're safe now."
Arikado kept his gaze steady on the two, his storm gray eyes solemn, as he sat down in one of the chairs. "Mina, I would like to speak with Soma in private."
"Okay."
Soma bit his lip, already knowing what this was about. "It's fine, Mina," he assured her. "You don't need to get any more involved in this Arawn situation than you already are."
"Okay," she repeated. "I'm exhausted anyway. I'll just go to bed."
Soma and Mina gave each other a quick kiss on the lips as she got up from the couch.
"I'll be there in a little while," he said.
Mina nodded. She said good night to Arikado and headed down the corridor. When Soma heard the bedroom door close, he looked at Arikado.
"So tell me about this Arawn guy, Arikado."
"Arawn is a sorcerer who was an ally of yours," Arikado stated coolly. "His exact origins are unknown."
Soma raised an eyebrow. "Ally of mine?" His hands were steady as he lifted his Crystal Pepsi to take a drink. "You mean an ally of Dracula?"
The federal agent nodded.
Soma's eyes stayed level on Arikado's. "He knows you're Dracula's son then."
"Yes. That is the reason why I said he would come nowhere near you or Mina in my presence. He knows what I'm capable of."
"So that's how you were able to save me from him at the park."
Arikado nodded again. "Indeed. The Church and my colleagues are keeping Arawn under close surveillance as we speak."
Soma remembered Yoko mentioning the Church when he had first met her. He had always been curious about what it was.
"What kind of church is this anyway?" the white-haired boy asked.
Arikado seemed a bit bothered by this question, but he continued to speak coolly. "That's none of your concern."
"I was just asking. Good grief..." For a moment, Soma looked away, struggling to keep it all steady. His voice, his hands, his eyes. He always hated it when people wouldn't tell him anything
Arikado glared. "Soma, lose the attitude."
"Sorry..." The boy's voice cracked. He cleared it, sipped more Crystal Pepsi, and continued. "I mean, I work for you. Can't you tell me something?"
"Perhaps when you're in a higher position of authority. Also there's information about the Church that I'm forbidden to give out. Even I have rules that I must follow."
Soma sighed now and set down his Crystal Pepsi, but didn't rub at the ache behind his eyes. "Tell me more about Arawn then. I noticed he had a huge scar across his face. What's that about?"
"Do you remember the story I told you about how in your past life I confronted you for a second time in 1797 and then dealt with Magnus the incubus?" Arikado asked.
"I think so."
"It was shortly after I defeated Magnus that I had my first encounter with Arawn. He was far younger at that time. He saw me as a traitor and attempted to kill me however I was able to fend him off. The scar on his face is from my sword." Concern clouded Arikado's eyes. "It baffles me how he's still alive. It has been ages."
"Yeah." Soma picked up his Crystal Pepsi again, but it didn't wash away the bitterness that coated his throat. "He's obviously gained immortality somehow."
"Are those all of your questions?"
"Yeah. I'm getting tired. I think I'm gonna hit the sack." Soma gulped down the last of his Crystal Pepsi before he got up from the couch and stretched. "I wanted to thank you again for what you did today, Alucard," he added, addressing Arikado by his real name since they were alone. "You really saved my ass. If you hadn't shown up..."
"Remember that I'm able to sense when you're in danger, Soma," Arikado said. "Though I still consider you highly dangerous, my duty is to protect you no matter the cost."
Soma smiled. There were many horrid, wicked forms of darkness. The source of dark power that guarded him now was anything but that. Soma saw Arikado as both a mentor and a father figure. Sure it was always bad business when Arikado showed up unannounced, but Soma was grateful every time the federal agent rushed to his aid.
"Are you going to sleep, too?" Soma asked.
"No. I will stay awake," Arikado answered. "My body isn't like yours, Soma. I don't really need food or water nor do I require as much sleep as a human does."
"Okay. See ya tomorrow."
Soma was just about to head towards the kitchen to dispose of his empty Crystal Pepsi bottle when Arikado suddenly stood up.
"Soma."
The white-haired youth paused and looked back at his guardian. "What?"
Arikado gestured for him to come over. Soma did just that and Arikado gently wrapped his arms around the boy, pulling him in close. For an instant, Soma resisted, but then relaxed, falling into the embrace with Arikado.
"Rest well, but don't be caught unaware again like you were at the park," the agent said. "My existence is dependent on yours."
He was right. No Soma meant no Dracula and that meant no Alucard either. Fate only knew where that would leave Mina in all of this mess.
The two separated from each other after a few minutes. Soma threw his empty Crystal Pepsi bottle in the recycle bin and walked down the hall. He quietly entered the bedroom so as not to wake Mina, who was sound asleep in the bed. He put his necklace in a glass dish on the dresser, changed into his sleep clothes, and then carefully got into the bed with her. He pulled the blanket up over his shoulders as he made himself comfortable.
Soma watched Mina for a few minutes. She looked so beautiful sleeping with the city lights shining through the windows upon them. He smiled, lightly brushing a lock of her red hair out of her face. He then closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep. A short while later, he started dreaming...
Soma found himself standing in the middle of a vast wasteland decorated with tombstones. He saw an enormous full blue moon, its gentle rays bathing the land in an eerie glow as it slowly trekked across a cobalt-hued sky smudged with gray clouds. In the distance was a vast, ruined castle from whose tall black windows came no ray of light and whose broken battlements showed a jagged line against the sky.
Familiar voices floated to him on the wind. They washed over him, lovely and mournful—calling to him. They seemed to be coming from the castle. He ran towards it.
Soma bolted down the seemingly infinite rows of tombstones, but no matter how far he went, the castle didn't get any closer.
Then he saw them!
Mina, Arikado, Yoko, Hammer, and Julius standing there, waiting for him.
He ran madly for them and he had just about reached them when, suddenly, Arawn appeared in front of him in a cloud of black mist, stopping the white-haired boy in his tracks
"Going somewhere?" the old sorcerer asked. He then plunged his hand into Soma's chest.
Scarlet blood spurted out, splattering all over the two of them. Arawn pulled out Soma's wet, beating heart and laughed maniacally. Soma put his hands over the bloody gaping wound in his chest and looked to his friends. One by one, they vanished into thin air right before his eyes...
Soma woke with a start, sitting up in the bed. His breath came fast and his face was damp with cold sweat. He ran his hands over his face, pressing his fingers against his eyes. Nausea rolled up, one long sick crest, from his feet to his stomach to his throat. He gritted his teeth and fought it back, shoved it down even as shudders shimmered over him in icy little bumps.
A scream wanted to rip out, it tore at his chest like sharpened claws. But all he released was a moan, a low keening sound drenched in despair.
Mina opened her eyes and sat up as well. "Are you okay, Soma?" she asked softly, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Yeah..." Soma replied as he looked over his shoulder, his eyes meeting hers. "Just..."
"Bad dream?"
Soma nodded, fighting the tears that wanted to swim into his eyes. He breathed in and out, slow and deep.
Mina kissed his forehead. "Go back to sleep. It's still dark. Remember that I'm right here."
Soma managed to smile at her, his fingers trailed lightly over the back of her hand as he rested his brow against hers. Mina was always so loyal to him. Ever since they were children, she had always been by his side. He couldn't imagine life without her. He put his lips on hers and they shared a kiss. He held the feeling close, closing his eyes, savoring it. Then his eyes flew open again.
Having finally relaxed now, the two went back to sleep.
