Chapter 10
"Can you please tell her to leave me alone?" Reno said angrily as Tseng entered the room. Elena had left about 10 minutes ago after Reno telling her politely where to go.
"Can you not see her point, Reno?" he replied.
"She doesn't have one. There's nothing wrong with me." he said loudly.
"Whatever you say. But I would have thought you would be able to see the difference in yourself."
Reno remained silent, confused about Tseng's comment. He laid a file down in front of him.
"Let me know when you're ready to re-try that mission." He left the room.
"Elena!" Reno said loudly, she re-entered the room. "What's this mission Tseng's going on about?"
"I thought you didn't want me to talk to me again today." she said coldly.
"Awww, 'Lena, I was only joking."
"Only 'cause you want to know what the mission is." she pouted.
"Well you're going anyway, so no skin off my back." he said lazily.
"We on a vampire hunt." she said suddenly, sitting next to him.
"Vampire hunt?"
"Sure. We're trying to find the vampire that bit you."
"What!? No, no, no. I don't think so." He said, sounding shocked.
"What are you talking about? You were about to do it yesterday before you disappeared." she was almost shouting now.
"When?" he looked at her, puzzled.
"Oh, Reno. This is ridiculous. Why can't you just accept our help?"
"Because I don't need it. I know what I'm doing."
Elena screamed in annoyance and stormed out of the room, knocking into Tseng on her way out.
"Now what?" Tseng said, putting his hand to his forehead. He could feel a headache coming on.
"Fuck knows." Reno replied quietly, crossing his arms across his chest.
"Ready for the mission?" he asked. Reno got to his feet.
"Like I have a choice..."
The second time, Elena didn't feel so uncomfortable, probably a combination of the fact that it was daylight, just; and Reno was too angry with her to look at her.
"Well?" said Tseng, turning to Reno. "Recognise any of it?" Reno shook his head. Once again they stopped outside the old, run-down building, except this time, there was a figure outside. It was a young woman, dressed entirely in black, with flaming red hair. Upon seeing them, she pulled a hood over her head, hiding her face, and ran inside.
"Let's go." Tseng said. He turned to check that everyone was still with him, and made his way inside.
Inside the building was nothing like any of them expected. They had stepped into a great hall, with a large statue of a beautiful woman in the middle. It was carved entirely of black stone, as was the rest of the room. There seemed to be no one around, even the person they had just seen outside had vanished. They stepped cautiously forwards.
"We need to try and remain hidden for as long as possible." Tseng said quietly, he headed off towards the shadows, Elena, Rude and Reno following behind.
"So, what's the plan, boss-man?" Reno said in a bored voice.
"We may as well wait here until someone comes out, then at least we can see what we're dealing with." He replied. At that, Reno slumped himself down on the floor, leaning against the wall.
None of them could say how long they had been waiting there. Reno had become so bored he was now absent-mindedly fiddling with Elena's hair, Elena in return staring into space. Suddenly, they heard footsteps. Reno sat bolt upright, and looked across the room.
It was a woman, one who was horribly familiar to Reno. Suddenly, she laughed.
"So, the Turks did come. She always said they would. Reno – did you come for her?" she said. Her voice was quiet but it echoed through the whole room. Reno jumped to his feet and stepped into the light.
"What the hell are you talking about?" he shouted. The other three Turks had got up and stood behind him.
"Reno, it will soon be dark. Come with me, I'm the only one who can save you now." she held out her hand. Reno ignored it.
"Don't know what you're talking about." he lowered his voice.
"Reno, you can't deny it any more. Vampirism usually runs in families you know, accidental or not."