Author's Note:You're right Chiara Polairix Edelstein, Markus is going to get one nasty ass-kicking with all the people he's angering. That reincarnation angle sounds really cool, I think I'll borrow it - with permission and credit given, of course.

Renfield

Moonlight filtered in through the barred windows and gleamed off the brass phonograph. Jack startled as the inmates started screaming and the shadow of a bird passed over his white-walls. That bird that had tried to keep him from sleeping during the night or day by screeching.

'I would be grateful if it would go away, yet every time it comes back meaner than ever. I hate the thing, attack's me, by God if I had Quincey's gun I'd show that bird what for.'

He refused to be shaken by it and continued to dictate, "I have observed that my patient Renfield's fits are increasing in violence. Earlier today, he ate the cat he was given last week. When I approached to ask him why, he flew at me screaming. As such he has been placed in a straitjacket."

Jack looked up from recording on his journal as foot-steps approached his second-floor office. Arthur or Lord Godalming rather around the others, Dracula and Van Helsing entered and stood in front of his dark-wooded desk.

He turned, bowed and greeted, "Professor Van Helsing, my Lord Godalming, Count Dracula."

Arthur nodded to him and the Count gave him that peculiar straight finger-tipped half-bow,"Doctor Seward."

His heart leapt as Van Helsing smiled at him then frowned for a second; doubtless, his professor had noticed the tiredness. Still Van Helsing's dark-eyes shone in the light and his German accent was more pronounced, gleeful, "Y'ack, iz good to zee you again, ja." ("Yes.")

Grinned back and replied, "Yes, it is good. How can I help you this evening ?"

"Ve want to know eef Herr Renfield, if he haz had any visitors." ("Mr.")

Shook his head, "I apologize my friends, but if he has had any visitors then they have not been reported to me."

It surprised him when Van Helsing was reduced to German, "Was…ein, ein, Gott hilfe mich !" ("What…about, about, God help me !")

The Count flinched away at Van Helsing's exclamation of God. Van Helsing also muttered a variety of what sounded like insults at himself.

Dracula held up a hand, "What he is trying to ask is thus - has Renfield had any visions or dreams of a blond man."

"We would have to talk to him, I'm assuming that you all have the time to do so."

Arthur nodded and they all replied, "Yes."

"I don't know if, if this is relevant but some huge bird has been terrorizing us lately. It's a huge gold-feathered thing, even bigger than a raven; it swooped down in front of me to day and tried to claw my eyes."

Van Helsing exclaimed, "Hab echt die Hölle gebunden ist. Ich will töten mich !" (" Damn the Hell bound thing. I will kill it myself !")

'Times like this I wish that I remembered all the German he taught me.'

Renfield's cell was still on the first floor, though he had contemplated moving Renfield to the second to keep him from escaping again. When he entered the dark-haired straitjacketed man looked away from him.

"Renfield, these gentlemen Professor Van Helsing and Lord Godalming have a few questions to ask you."

"I want another kitty."

"You ate the one I gave you, I am not going to give you another."

"I want a kitty."

Worry filled him as Van Helsing walked to sit down beside Renfield on his bed. 'If he attacks Van Helsing I will find something to stab him with.'

Van Helsing tilted his head, obviously calmed now, "Never mind the good doctor. Now, why did you eat the kitty ?"

"I want a kitty."

He nearly had a heart-attack when Dracula swept into the room like a shadow and hissed, "Renfield."

'My God, I wish that I'd never heard the word 'Vampire' as now it seems my world is filled with strange things.'

In response Renfield shrieked, "Traitor, traitor ! I have a new Master now and he keeps his promises. Your tricks won't work on me anymore."

'New master ? Another vampire ? Dracula said Jonathan was too young to know the mind-tricks. It must be an older vampire.'

Van Helsing took back over, "Is the new master why you ate the kitty ? Perhaps if I knew why I could convince Doctor Seward to get you another."

At the next words Renfield spared a glance for the vampire, "He promised if I ate a thousand lives he would free me from this wretched place. Damned Doctor."

"Ja, and how many are you up to ?"

A maniac grin, "Eight-hundred and forty-eight. When I reach eight-hundred and fifty he will give me a new sister."

"Ve thank-you, perhaps we can talk again, ja ?"

"Oh, yes I would like that."

'Well, I do not, bloody Renfield.'

Van Helsing, Dracula and himself exited the cell. When he closed the door he admitted that it was with too much force.