Disclaimer on first page.

CHAPTER 13

It had already reached midday by the time the weary trio made it out of the forest and to the small town that Van Helsing had previously spoken of. It had taken them quite a bit longer to get there than it normally would have just because of how inky the night had been. The dense foliage had all but blocked out any guiding light from the moon and stars above, and it seemed, at least to Anna, that even the trees were against them.

They were greeted by curious, but otherwise non-threatening looks from the locals as they rode up. No one made a move to actually say hello, though. They just stared for a few moments before continuing on with whatever they had previously been doing. None of the three took offense. They were too tired and sore to even think about it at the present moment.

Drawing their steeds to a slow stop, Van Helsing dismounted first before moving over to help Anna down. Once he made sure she was steady, he turned to the friar, who was in the process of awkwardly sliding down Blacky's side to the ground, and asked, "Would you mind taking the horses to the stable while we go find out if there is a room at the inn?"

Usually Carl would complain about the task as it required him not only to locate the town stable, but also remove the horses' tack, brush them down, and feed them –it was cheaper to do it yourself than to pay the stableman– but in this case, he was just too exhausted to argue. He nodded and dutifully took the reins of all three horses and led them away.

Anna smiled fondly after the small friar. She was glad Carl was with them. He had saved her life in his own little ungainly sort of way, but that didn't make it mean any less to her. She would definitely have to thank him later for all he'd already done and would undoubtedly do as their perilous journey continued.

There was a slight pause and then she felt rough fingers brush gently across her palm. With a ghost of a smile, Anna brought her eyes up to meet Van Helsing's. The infinite longing and loving concern in his look almost made her tear up, and he noticed it, too. Without a word, he placed a soft kiss on her forehead and then took her hand. "Come on, let's find somewhere to rest." With no objection from her, the two moved towards the only building large enough to be the inn.

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The inn, as it seemed, was also the tavern. Not uncommon, especially not in smaller towns. Van Helsing had been to many similar ones.

The pair glanced cautiously around at the room. There were several patrons scattered about the darkened, candlelit room, but none seemed particularly threatening. Nothing to worry about, at least not for right now.

Even with the sun up, few rays made it through the small, dusty windows of the tavern. It felt stuffy to Anna, almost insufferably so. She looked uncomfortably at Van Helsing, silently asking if they really had to stay there. They hadn't even been on their quest for a week and she was already almost ready to give up, which, for Anna Valerious, was extremely rare.

Gabriel smiled gently at her and then motioned for her to take a seat at the nearest table. In his single look, she knew what he was telling her. She just needed to relax and that he would make sure that everything was in order; that he would take care of her.

Before either could move though, a portly lass strode over to them, giving the both of them a good look over before finally, in a manner quite gruff, saying, "We don't get many visitors in these parts."

Van Helsing resisted the urge to look skyward and silently ask, "Why, Lord? Why must she be one of those types of people?" He often encountered less-than-hospitable folk on his journeys and wished, especially after seeing the slightly darkened expression on his gypsy princess' face, that just for once people wouldn't be so dubious of one another and would just be friendly. God knew the trio deserved a little kindliness and compassion after the night they had just had!

"We're only here for tonight," Gabriel replied smoothly.

Strangely, as if she had heard his thoughts, the woman's demeanor suddenly changed altogether. She smiled a big smile and clapped him heartily on the shoulder, giving no mind to what wounds may lay beneath his heavy clothes. "You'll be needin' a room then," she pointed out, ushering the pair towards one of the empty tables.

"The name is Bogdana. This is my tavern, and my inn. Have a seat. It looks like you could use a good meal. Did you ride in? Have you been to the stables? We have the best stables around and the best stablehand by the name of Florin. My boy, he is."

Anna gave Gabriel a dry "A proud one, isn't she…?" look.

Van Helsing smirked ever so slightly at the princess before returning his attention to the other woman. "Um, yes to all. The third member of our party has taken our horses to the stables-"

"A third, you say?" Bogdana seemed to brighten even more. "Well, you'll be needin' two rooms then! Why didn't you say so from the start?" She looked over her shoulder at a dirty, gangly looking young man and yelled, "Bogdan, ready two rooms for our guests!" No one in the entire tavern, besides Van Helsing and Anna, flinched at all at her loud tone. Obviously they were used to her yelling.

She turned back to the two monster hunters. "That be my first born. Named after me, he was. I fancy him to be the most striking of lads, but in these times it is hard to find a suitable, wholesome woman to marry him off to. They all either want to be a princess or a monster slayer!" She shook her head as if disgusted. "What self-respectin' woman would want to be that?! How can you raise a family doing either? It's absolutely ridiculous if you ask me."

Van Helsing and Anna blinked simultaneously before the latter spoke up for the first time since arriving. "One room will be sufficient," Anna stated, ignoring most of what Bogdana had said.

The older woman frowned at the princess. "I'm afraid that isn't possible. We have policy here that states no more than two to one room," she told her matter-of-factly.

Anna raised an eyebrow. Obviously Bogdana was quite the businesswoman.

When there was no further argument, Bogdana smiled brightly and said, "I'll fetch you something to eat now."

Gabriel nodded. "Thank you." He waited for the woman to walk off before he turned his attention to Anna. There was a pause and then, "Quite a woman…"

"Quite an understatement," was the gypsy's reply.

"Quite disturbing," a third familiar voice contributed.

The pair looked over to see their trusty little friar walking over with a strange look on his face. "What's disturbing, Carl?" Van Helsing questioned as the smaller man took a seat next to him.

The friar leaned in conspiratorially. "Everyone here looks the same," he told them quietly, "as if all sired by the father."

Anna and Gabriel immediately looked in the direction that their hostess had gone and simultaneously said, "Or mother."

TBC…

(A/N: I know it's short but, MORE TO COME VERY SOON!! I want to give a very special thanks to Lady Sirinial for, first and foremost, finally returning to us (YAY!), for beta-ing, and for being my muse. I don't think I would have been able to really get back into the swing of things without her encouragement! So yes, thanks Sirinial! You're the best!

I also want to thank all those who reviewed my last chapter. Charmes Malheureux, Melcangel, anett, A Fan, Hughfan, Ann Kathrynn, RockPrincess18, Reaching for Stars, Draconis1719, and natira – Thank you, thank you! If it weren't for your support, I probably would have given up by now! You guys are awesome!

Oh, and CLICKY CLICKY the little button and you will get the next chapter even faster!!! LUV! –Emily )