Everything always impedes me to update I swear. I apologize once again for the delay in updates but I've been sick most of the month though I am much better now and I hope the length of this chapter compensates for my absence. Well I do thank those of you who have stuck with me through this and well enjoy this chapter! :)

Every Full Moon

Chapter 12: Resent

Year: January, 1928

"Thank you Axel for accepting our dinner invitation this evening." Erin came to greet his longtime friend at the door. It had been a while since they had seen each other as their lives took very distinct paths. He was glad to see him as often as he did now but it wasn't until now that they could converse about things other than business.

"No, instead I thank you Erin for inviting me over. It's definitely better than spending it at an inn." Axel Beresford had moved back to London after living in Sweden for most of his life. He had come back as he was the only capable relative of Varrick Dorning to assume the role of president of the Dorning Trading Company. The documents were still being processed so Axel had to wait around in London until things were legalized and he could manage everything Varrick had left behind after his untimely disappearance and presumed death.

Erin lead Axel inside and gave him a small tour of the Hellsing manor before presenting his parents, wife and children to him. They conversed for a while before the servants announced that dinner was served. All through that time the family wondered where Evangeline was.

The butlers sat everyone down at the table and began serving the meal. "Where is Evangeline, did anyone inform that we have a visitor and that she needs to be present?" Alexandria hissed at one of the maids.

"Yes madam." The maid answered in panic.

"Well then, where is she?" Alexandria muttered but tried to still have a pleasant expression. Not long after the main hall doors opened and Evangeline came in looking exhausted but still presentable.

"Do excuse me for being late to dinner, pardon me," she noticed a young man of light brown hair and silver gaze seated. She was slightly flustered as he noticed her and suddenly she felt unpresentable, "I was unaware we had a visitor." Alexandria rolled her eyes at the response not believing her one bit. Lysander, Erin, Alma and the children greeted her normally.

"You're not at fault Ms. Hellsing, Erin extended an invitation quite suddenly which I'm grateful for. You couldn't help if you were already preoccupied this evening." Axel stood up and came to greet her.

"We haven't met before have we?" Being a Huntress didn't give her much time to socialize nowadays but if she did meet people she was usually too tired to remember names or faces. She certainly wouldn't forget him though, he has a strong frame, his short wavy light brown hair smoothed back and those warm silver eyes made her feel at ease.

"No, I haven't the pleasure just yet. I am Axel Beresford," he grabbed her hand lightly in his and placed a soft kiss on it, "charmed."

"Evangeline Hellsing, delighted as well." She gave a small curtsy in return. He walked over with her and pulled her chair back to help seat her, "you needn't worry." As Axel waited for her to sit, she did so not wanting to waste his kind gesture.

"Chivalry must not be allowed to die, no matter how small the detail, it shouldn't be trouble." He tucked her seat in and then walked back to his own.

"I agree." Alexandria smiled, she had enjoyed the exchange very much.

Dinner proceeded with mild conversation, Axel was expected somewhere so he couldn't stay long. He was a very interesting young man, Evangeline felt a little disappointed as she wasn't able to converse with him further.

"Well it was a nice change of pace to share this dinner with you all, unfortunately, I have somewhere else to be and must leave before dessert." Axel said in a grave tone, his expression apologetic.

"Of course, a young man of such nobility, it's expected they need you urgently." Alexandria commented but as she did she looked over at Evangeline.

"I apologize once again for being late for dinner, Walter refused to let me go." Evangeline said to her brother in whisper, she hadn't meant to be late but she had a mission report to deal with and she tried to enjoy what little time she could with Walter between missions especially since assignments were happening more frequently.

"That's alright, I'm glad you were able to make it at least." Erin understood how busy his sister could get compared to him, dinners like these were rare now. He had the lighter load of the Hellsing work, he was just the overseer of the investments Hellsing had in other businesses but nonetheless he still had to be careful. He was after all in charge of the cover up.

"He has a nanny for that reason." Alexandria muttered intervening in the conversation. She couldn't help but still boil over when Walter was mentioned, he had no place here, was a constant thought in her mind.

"Sometimes he needs his mother to care for him more than a servant." Evangeline loved watching over the child more than anything, it meant so much to her, it was beyond words. She had learned a lot from Margaret and tried to care for him as best to her abilities though Margaret was always at her heels just in case.

"Your son is doing well?" Axel was surprised at the mention of a child. Evangeline had a son? She hadn't mentioned him once during there conversation. She was young and beautiful not to mention she wasn't engaged or looked to have been married.

"Yes Mr. Beresford, he said his first words this week, I'm quite ecstatic to hear him speak." Walter soft voice was just like a melody on a piano and when he would call her mama it filled her with so much happiness that she could almost forget all her sorrows.

"So I see." Whatever the case maybe she seemed happy and who was he to say things against a happy mother, whatever her condition maybe, she was still a respectable young woman in his eyes.

"Don't speak in such a manor Evangeline, you'll give Axel the wrong impression." With just those words uttered by her daughter she felt the damage had been done, Axel would not see her the same way.

"Well I bid you all a fair evening." He smiled at Evangeline wearily and was guided out the door by Lysander and Erin. They were trying to get him to leave as he shouldn't witness the imminent argument between mother and daughter.

Alma walked back upstairs with the children to set them to bed and also to avoid being around the upcoming argument.

"Every single one of them…" Alexandria's lip quivered and she turned completely to face Evangeline, a scowl crossing her features.

"Excuse me?" Evangeline knew where this was going but she wasn't running away this time, if her mother had something to say better deal with it now.

"At the mention of that child they pay you no more heed and their possible interest in you…that child is hurting you." Alexandria spoke with such distaste that it looked as if she would be sick right on the spot.

"Alexandria I demand you stop this at once!" Lysander boomed as soon as he was inside. It was always some form of offense or disapproval when Alexandria crossed Evangeline, there wasn't a single moment when they could hold a normal conversation.

Evangeline put her hand up, "It's alright father, let her speak. She's been holding these thoughts for a long time. You may leave us." Erin and Lysander looked hesitant to leave but obliged and left the room. As soon as they left Evangeline took a step closer to her mother unafraid, her expression serious, "whatever do you mean with those words?"

"Did you see the way he looked at you?" Alexandria was appalled at how her daughter feigned that she didn't know of what she spoke.

"Of course." Evangeline said, she honestly didn't care how Axel or any man saw her.

"No, you weren't aware or awake for the matter." Alexandria was still giving Evangeline room to rethink her actions but it didn't look as if it would happen ever and that upset her even more. "You will have no suitors because of that orphan, they think you have participated in an act of indecency like a common whor-"

"I will not let you speak to me this way!" Evangeline exclaimed, "you have no say in my life, I have tolerated your offenses much longer than I should have." She had respected her mother because after all she was the one who gave her life but this was no way to be treated, "Walter will stay, I have told you time and time again, he is my son. I don't care what other's may think for I am anything but normal, so kindly respect my decisions or lock yourself in your room as customary mother." Erin and Lysander had seen the whole thing through the door opening, they deemed it best to let them work it out but they kept close just in case the situation became physical instead of verbal. Evangeline turned to look at them, "I have lost quite enough time as is, I still have work to do."

Alexandria was rendered speechless and just stared after her daughter as she walked away, no remorse for her words towards her.

Evangeline walked towards the library. As she entered she went to one of smaller shelves because behind it was a door that led to the underground pathway and hidden rooms downstairs. She went through and walked down a plight of stairs before finally reaching the armory room. She had taken a fancy into fabricating better standing weapons and currently had a project she was working day and night to finish.

"Your family dinners are quite a spectacle to behold." Alucard said as soon as she opened the door. He was seated at the corner of the room a grin on his face but it subsided as he caught glimpse of the displeasure on Evangeline's face.

"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed the view from the third window." She answered sarcastically. She grabbed the chair, sat in it and tried to focus on the parts of the gun she was assembling but concentration was proving difficult.

"I have taken precautions, no one but you can see me." He had grown bored of dwelling in the underground cellars and had decided to take in some fresh air and while on that stroll he had overheard the argument and decided to watch.

"Let's hope it stays that way, don't forget where you are." Even though she was the one who had the ability to sense vampires and enhanced senses, her father had been a hunter for many years and was still very keen and her brother had trained alongside him even though he wasn't a master he certainly wasn't oblivious.

"I thank you master for keeping me in your thoughts always." He got up and gave her a bow. She was always concerned about his wellbeing and even if she occasionally pretended not to care, he could tell he was always on her mind. He walked closer to her and noticed she had completely stopped working and she was very irritated. The argument with her mother kept replaying in her mind, "you spoke to her being partial." There was always a hidden meaning when Evangeline spoke to someone, she was after all the only one who lived through missions nowadays and there was no one she could talk to about what she felt. She never really wanted to confide in anyone, not even him at times.

Evangeline dropped the tools in her hand and turned to look at Alucard, her eyes were glossing. "She needn't know everything, she lost the right to know most anything about me. I forgive her but I can't be open with her." How she wishes things could be normal…

"When you speak of marriage then, you're teasing her always." That was a topic always on Alexandria's mind, the idea that she pestered her daughter with constantly. Evangeline seemed to dwell on these thoughts though and today more than ever Alexandria was persistent. As if Axel Beresford could make her happy, how could he if he was half related to the twit Varrick…

"Yes, I've had wanted to marry. White lace, a bouquet of roses, a warm summer evening..." She gave a small chuckle at the thought of herself living a moment like that. "It's so distant, unobtainable even." She lowered her gaze, why was she being so open about this with him it was a little embarrassing, "Alucard were you ever in love once?" He had lived through so many things and it was bound to have happened to him in his long life.

"Yes." He answered simply, she waited for a further take on the matter but knew after a few seconds he would not elaborate.

"Now you're being partial." She returned to the weapon spread across the table and continued to tinker with it. She was less crossed than before, speaking to him made her feel better to a certain extent.

"You've read my story." Alucard said. She knew more than she should about him and some memories were best left in the past.

"Yes but, that's one perspective." She turned to eye him but he was no longer there, "fine you don't have to speak besides, remembering is something you don't particularly enjoy." She felt him lingering in the shadows.

She kept quiet for the remainder of the hour or so she took finishing the guns. "Anyways, this is for you." She said getting up to stretch. Alucard grabbed the weapons on the table and eyed them curiously. "Instead of just going through combat using brute force, give these a try. You above me would use them to full extent just call them monochrome flush. They're able to shoot almost an entire clips worth with just one pull of the trigger." She smiled at her handy work.

"Manmade weapons? We've gotten ostentatious." Did she really believe these toys would do him any good in battle? He was the embodiment of strength even with just the use of his hands.

"I know you can just use your powers but, I fear you change and might not come back to your senses one day." She's seen him, the monster he becomes: filled with insanity at the moment of bloodshed. She couldn't risk losing him so if this would help, it was the least she could do.

There she was once again caring, had he ever seen such an act of kindness, it had been so many centuries since someone had approached him this way. "Very well then, I thank you."

She smiled, "it was hardly any work, just a few modifications to make it apt for your abilities." She stared at him as he held the dual guns, "I wished we really had no need for these." Guns were her main armaments to combat vampires but they were also used to end human lives unjustly sometimes.

"Perhaps someday we won't." He said putting them away, inside a holster hidden by his trench coat.

"Optimistic about the future," She lifted an eyebrow in surprise. "That's an unexpected comment coming from a war lord." The words had come out quicker and in a harsher manner than she would have liked but he didn't seem offended at all, he gave a wide grin instead as if relishing the thought.

"Being with a human for so long…" He gave a laugh. She knew better than to expect the rest of the answer.

"Indeed that task was much easier to complete now, you don't have to get up close to those vermin." Alucard said looking over his dual guns. Evangeline had done an exceptional job as they did not break from their first use. They continued on the trail in silence which was nothing out of the ordinary especially after the completion of a mission but this stillness was different. She wasn't her usual composed self at least not internally. "You are far more distracted than you should be." He knew her mood had taken a turn after the family dinner, instead of discarding those thoughts after talking about them previously she continued to let them swirl in her mind.

"Of course you would notice." Evangeline was ashamed she felt this way but even more so she was uncomfortable that Alucard could read her so well.

"Explain yourself." He always liked to hear what she had to say, he knew that speaking would alleviate her in some way.

"What am I doing Alucard?" Her gloved hands held on tighter to the reigns of her horse and she lowered her head.

"Are you just noticing now what it is you do?" She was really upset by this, by Alexandria's words. It had her rethinking her life, everything she had faced since she became a huntress. Up to a certain point Alexandria and him agreed but the way that woman went about things was the wrong approach.

"I don't want to do this forever but do I have a choice?" There were two answers and there had always been two: stay, live through your duties as a prestige Hellsing or run away. She was always inclined to do what was right but now she was reconsidering if she had been right to obey all this time, all the things she had seen had made her grieve.

"Yes, I've told you one too many times what your options are but as stubborn as usual you don't heed my words." She was in emotional distraught, it was very intriguing to watch her work through this but he didn't like how distressed she looked. He thought of the offer he once made her, to take her away from this, that question still stands today.

"Your words are poison." Of course she recalled that night a few years ago, he was referring to leaving with him and it was awfully tempting. Though, there were other factors as well that made her not want to be a Huntress, "Walter is growing up, I want to be there for him and I…" Perhaps she wouldn't come back one day although that wasn't really a possibility especially since she had Alucard by her side but there was another outcome and it was far worse. Her own family discovering her relationship with a nightwalker and not just any one, the same vampire who had feuded against her grandfather and his company. A fierce battle is what awaited if she was discovered but if she felt a threat was near for Alucard she would leave with him to protect him from others.

"No one ever intends their way of life to turn one specific way. Living one way for too long hinders you, you won't be able to be normal. That is what you fear, that's why you said that to Alexandria." Alexandria wasn't and didn't merit the title of her mother since she hasn't fulfilled that role in Evangeline's life.

Alucard knew that vampires would always exist and there would always be a threat but he wanted her to believe there was a possibility for her to resume a normal existence.

"Alucard forget what I said, it was just a moment of weakness." She shook her head and rubbed her eyes. He wouldn't let this go now that he knew, he always knew what she felt but this conversation opened up a realm of possibilities for Alucard in his goal to persuade her to leave this all behind.

"Really, do you wish to forget your dreams?" He countered.

"I order you to forget." She snapped, glaring at him with narrow eyes. "There are things that must be done and I am responsible, this is my burden." She said seriously, she tried to find a way to convince herself once more, perhaps believing my own words is a start.

"You really are tenacious my lady." Alucard frowned, he was extremely irritated with her conclusion once more and he wouldn't continue to argue with her, he would eventually win this feud, not today but someday. He faded into the night sky sensing a human presence nearby.

Evangeline was nearing the front of the estate when she noticed someone standing at the front gate, "a messenger at this hour?" She urged her horse ahead, "you there?! What news is there?" She said reaching the young man.

"Lady Hellsing, this is from the royal family it's urgent." He said in a whispered.

"Thank you we'll see to it at once." Evangeline took the letter from the boys shaking hands, he gave a small bow and quickly got into a car that was waiting for him and drove away.

The matter must be of utmost importance if the letter was delivered at such a late hour in the night. Evangeline left Avel tied to one of the bars of the porch and rushed inside the estate. She reached her father's study out of breath and opened the door without knocking. "Father! It's a pressing matter." She said outstretching her hand with the letter.

Lysander was surprised at the sudden burst of his daughter into his room but felt somewhat relieved that the pressing matter was inside an envelope. He stared at the golden seal, "this is from the Queen," He turned the envelope to show Evangeline the intricate design of the seal so she wouldn't forget what it looked like but this letter itself was unmistakable. He opened the letter, his eyes glaring at the information written, Evangeline waited patiently for him to speak of the letters contents.

"Oh my, disappearances all over in large quantities." He said taking a seat. "Say's here there is a probability a traveling circus might be involved somehow; no proof is registered though." He looked over the letter once more.

"Superstitious citizens perhaps?" Most people were afraid of a circus because of the strange things that accompanied it, not everyone saw it as an entertainment. This was judgmental to be associating such things with travelers.

"Never rule anything out remember, everyone is guilty until proven innocent." Sometimes the most innocent of things could end up being the main perpetrator, always suspect everything was something Lysander had lived by as a Hunter.

"Right." She nodded, it was advice she would implement.

"I will come along with you, this is a very serious situation and two master Hunters should suffice, wouldn't-"

"No." Evangeline interrupted.

"What do you mean?" She hadn't even let him finish speaking when she was against his decision, there had to be an ulterior motive for her to abruptly deny.

"Father, I've handled many cases now, this one should be no different than the rest." She had to think of another reason to stop him from going, otherwise Alucard would never accept being left out of the mission and her father couldn't find out about him.

"Evangeline, I feel uneasy with this specific case. True you have experience but…" He didn't want to put Evangeline down, he believed in her abilities but this situation was very serious if the Queen had declared their assistance. He would feel more at ease if he went along and wouldn't accept it if she got hurt or worse.

She took a deep breath, "father I will investigate by day and if I find any reason for worry I will send for you but, you should rest for the time being." Her father was still a very capable man but his health was a factor he could no longer ignore, Evangeline wanted to protect as many loved ones as she could from getting mixed up in such gruesome battles.

"If this is what you've decide then who am I to speak against it." He knew his daughter was honest, if she felt incapable she would call upon him. "I warn you though, the police will be involved, this must be handled discretely and be extremely on guard with whomever approaches you." She nodded once again. He chuckled lightly and handed her the letter, "by the looks of it you have an ally."

"Who?" She felt herself get anxious.

"Axel Beresford is an inspector; he was assigned to this case." He said pointing at the letter, Evangeline skimmed through it and saw Axel's name clearly written. "He is the head inspector on the case but, be weary, don't involve him."

So that's what Axel does, no wonder he said nothing, this case is secret. "I understand. Vampires are our hunt."

"The train will depart from the station in an hour to the city of Oxford, exactly where you need to go. Make sure to pack all the necessary equipment, I don't want you under-armed."

"Be at ease father, for I never am." She gave an involuntary smirk as she responded.

Axel was standing aside observing the passers-by. His grey eyes scanning over the area in case of anything suspicious, he was glad to still be on the case after the many difficulties it had brought him. As he continued to search the streets he noticed a familiar face. Unforgettable and elegant in the way she carried herself, she was horse riding as if searching for something also. "Is that Ms. Hellsing, what is she doing all the way here?" He asked, he had seen her just a day ago and was in fact dubious of her presence here in Oxford, of all places to be at the current moment.

Evangeline was surprised on how quickly she was able to find him, that her response was genuine astonishment, "Mr. Beresford, I thought I recognized you amongst the population. Might I say it's good to see you again." She gave a light smile.

"Likewise my lady," He gave a small bow and shook the hand of the man guiding her horse. "You are accompanied, that's reassuring." Axel meant for that comment to be a thought but it slipped into a mumble. Even with the noise of the street Evangeline was able to pick up on his words with her heightened ears.

"Yes, I never go anywhere without company otherwise my father wouldn't allow it." She smiled, "the world is dangerous nowadays, he would say." She mimicked her father's voice, but to make Axel feel further at ease she continued her charade by speaking of her sudden appearance here so he wouldn't suspect, though why would he. "I'm visiting a cousin who recently wed, she's quite lonely in this town especially after living all her life in London, the poor dear..." she lamented.

"Well she's fortunate to have someone like you to care for her." Axel gave her a small smile.

"No praise is needed; I'm just doing what I feel is right." He seemed to be right in the middle of his investigation and she didn't want to tempt her luck further besides she didn't want to give him any reason to doubt her. "I won't take away from your time, good day Mr. Beresford." She pulled on the reigns of her horse to turn him around while still being guided by her footmen.

As he saw her turn to leave he couldn't help but give her a warning, "Ms. Hellsing be mindful of my words when I say it isn't safe, keep indoors as much as possible especially during nightfall." The investigation was only known by a few people on the force for the panic it would cause the people, even if rumors were already spreading but, he wanted her to be safe.

She pulled on the reigns of the horse halting it for a moment, "I'll accept your warning, don't preoccupy yourself. You stay safe." She nodded with a smile.

"I'm pleased to see you again; I wish you a prosperous afternoon."

"Farewell…" She waved lightly and continued to ride ahead. Axel stood and watched her disappear through the crowd, he couldn't help but feel the smile she gave him was somehow pleased especially when he gave her the warning, it was something only she knew the joke to.

It was later in the afternoon; the sun was nearly set. Evangeline had settled in a small property her father owned nearly at the center of the city just in case Axel or anyone decided to check on her. She was currently seated at a table going over her weapons making sure they were in working order.

"You sent the letter to your father?" Alucard's voice echoed into the room, he appeared seconds later beside her.

"Yes I did, earlier this afternoon." She continued to look at her weapons. The tone of his voice was of a question, she decided to inquire. "Why do you ask; do you expect me to need his help?" She put the gun she was checking down and turned to look at him, he responded with a teasing grin. "I have you and that's all I'll ever need..." Alucard was the strongest of her weapons, he's is a force to be reckoned with.

"It pleases me to hear you say that." She could always rely on him to serve her and be with her, she had no use for anyone else.

"Anyways," she said ignoring his comment, "crimes are committed in a common rate nothing too suspicious." She had gone over files and reports she had collected from other sources but nothing out of the norm perhaps the circus was involved, everyone else suspected. "We watch the situation unfold tonight." She had planned going to the Circus' night act to get up close to the main suspect.

"They were right in their assumptions. The Circus Ilusionaire is involved," Alucard knew the culprits resided in the Circus but Evangeline wanted to investigate every possible angle the city provided before deciding to move ahead with the investigation on the traveling performers. "These vampires have been very cautious with how they go about things." He was surprised at the organization and caution these vampires were demonstrating, these were no mere vampires, they had experience.

"We are dealing with many." Evangeline could feel a large darkness shrouding the city but she would not permit this shadow of hunger to consume anyone else, she would stand strong against this pack of monsters.

"Yes of my kind and yours…" Evangeline's furrowed together, she was surprised at his declaration.

"Can you be sure? Humans and vampires working together?" That was impossible all she had ever seen was that humans were the meal and the vampires are the hunters.

"Is it really that odd, where do we stand?" He couldn't help but grin, she had forgotten who and what her servant was. She really was so trusting of him…

"Yes and then there's us…" She sighed and chuckled lightly. The way they spoke at times made her occasionally not see him as a vampire but then there was always his air of sadism that brought her back to the reality of things. They, if anything were living proof that vampires and humans could coexist. She always wondered to herself if anyone else could possibly somewhere have a relationship like she had with Alucard. She was probably out of norm; a relationship could be for better or worse depending but, vampires were always seen to go side by side with tragic outcomes.

"We best be heading out now, don't want to miss the first act." Evangeline felt she had lost precious time pondering such thoughts, she grabbed her guns, sword, put on her coat and hat then walked out the door.

"It's about to begin…" Alucard said seriously as he became her shadow. He was certain they would triumph but the road he feared would be a challenge for his dearest lady.

Gosh I've always wanted to write about illusionist and circuses and I thought it would be an interesting case to see through and solve. The mission will take place next chapter!

I know how many of you just love to see the conversations that take place between Alucard and Evangeline and there was a lot of it so I hope it was enjoyable and not too tiresome.

We also got an introduction to a new character: Axel Beresford, Varrick's cousin and very different from him so expect a different dynamic from him.

Anyways, a huge thanks to everyone who's favorited and followed. A special thanks to my reviewers Dragonmaster789, speedfanatic05 and SukiFictionist for your lovely and motivating words! :) And those of you who read a big thanks to you for taking the time! :D

Well, until next update!

-roseimagine