Integra patiently stood waiting for the former Count to show signs of surprise, shock, some kind of emotion; however, his features remained stoic. After reading the lines, Alucard set the aged papers onto the desk and rather than acknowledge the information he had just absorbed he asked what the books contained.
Motioning to the massive volumes, Integra stated the first contained a detailed description of the Harker lineage while the next was a book of various studies conducted by her late ancestor. The final was Abraham's journal which contained photographs amongst its thin pages. Picking the aforementioned up, she tenderly flipped through the decaying leaflets before coming across the passage and image she desired. Handing a picture to Alucard, a small portrait of a family could be seen. Immediately, Alucard recognized the two older figures, Jonathan and Mina. The third was of a girl in her late teens owning a striking resemblence to her mother and to the vampiress he had recently had a passioned duel with.
He felt like a damn fool to say the least. And while he fully registered this new found data, he read the passage Integra had marked from the diary.
It seems there is no taming Julianna. The sweet child she had been has been devoured by an undead beast. It is strange since most who are turned retain similiar personalities to that of their living self; however, it would seem that the transformation had been too much for her kind, tender soul. She is now a wicked thing bent on vengence. But I cannot say that this lust to smite her damner is without origin. Apparently, her mother and father had told her the frightening tales of their earlier years and pronounced their hatred and blame upon the Count.
It is my theory that Julianna is acting upon this information, having fully embraced her new being, to slaughter the Count. I would not be desperate to halt her for with his death brings the death of all vampires. (Mina and Jonathan are as of yet unaware of the Count's continued existance.) My studies have concluded that if the father of all vampires were to die, then all other vampires would perish. Each of the wicked things can sense his near presence, feel his blood pulse through their veins. A'las, he seems to be truely immortal and my experiments futile; I only anger him more and plant a deeper seed of hatred in his being. I fear my ancestors may well suffer his wrath even if he is a servant to our name.
Regardless, Julianna is the daughter of dear friends and must be saved at any cost. Unfortunently, she has proven a clever girl in her escapades. But I will not cease. A Hellsing never accepts failure. I only pray I am quick enough.
Alucard's eyes had narrowed into slits having certain bits of information in that article dug up. As he had said, most of his past was better left buried. But what irked him the most was that Integra now knew his dirty little secret.
Snapping the journal shut, Alucard cast his sharp gaze unto his master. Their eyes silently battled before a rap on the door disrupted their, er, discussion.
"Enter." Integra held the gaze until the absolute last moment in which the Sergeant once more entered his leader's domain.
Turning to him, she waited for him to announce why he was present.
"Sir, do pardon this intrusion." Frops bowed. "I fear, though, that the freak of last night has once more made her presence known."
"Alucard shall be sufficent in handling this nuisance. No additional help will be required. Where is she?"
"At the gates, sir."
Eyes went wide with shock and surprise at the girl's gall and determination. Alucard's expression was a confused one jumping from one emotion to the next while Integra became decidedly bemused.
Dismissing the Sergeant, she dug out a fresh cigar and holstered her gun. "I expect my order to be obeyed this time."
Alucard faded through the floor and onto the street just behind Julianna with full intention of obeying his master's will as any faithful servant would do... even if a lack of choice existed.
His eyes were narrowed and the girl merely laughed. "So you finally know my secret, Count! How pleasant! I no longer must charade but charm you with my own smiles." Her lips twisted into a sneer.
"There shall be no further parlay on my part. You will die."
"Is that so my dearest Count? Can you really live with executing the daughter of your beloved? It is your fault she had to suffer through her daughter's demise. It is your fault she never really smiled. It is all your fault." The last sentance was spoken low and sharp.
Alucard did not hesitate a moment before unholstering both his weapons and taking aim. The vampiress dodged the bullets and fired her own weapon. Alucard didn't bother to dodge but kept attacking. And so their battle raged on. In the midst of it, Integra had walked out of the mansion lighting her cigar and stopped to watch from a distance.
((AN: I have definite plans to continue this story; however, I would like to know how everyone thinks I'm doing so far and what their opinion of the storyline is. Please feel free to make suggestions or slash.))