Do not own! Not mine!
Flora's POV:
"A-Alucard, whats wrong?" I squeaked, and I felt his slight sense of urgency and worry. "It's nothing…I hope. It troubles me that the wider realm of vampires has already heard of you and your connection to me. A mental barrier is not something to set up lightly; they must've known, without a shadow of a doubt, that you can communicate telepathically with me over longer distances than Integra. Who did you tell?" I swallowed hard. "O-only Jay." His silence disturbed me as I felt a dangerous pulse of anger, and I inadvertently glanced over to my best friend, who was pacing several meters away, eyes intently focused on the early morning horizon. "But she can't have told anyone! She's my best friend! I've known her since I was little!" I pleaded with him, and I felt his anger fade into worry. "I'm not saying it is Jay, but you should keep an eye on her all the same. I am not going to risk losing you because you don't think your friend would betray you. People can change." he warned me gently, and I choked back tears, my eyes swimming. Jay was my best friend. She had been there for me for most of my life. We had grown up together. She was the first person who ever approached me as a friend.
"Hey, what's wrong with you kid?" I blinked, looking up. It was my neighbor, the girl with chestnut hair and deep blue eyes. She was four whole years older than me, and in answer I sniffled and buried my face in my hands once more. I didn't want to be made fun of again. The other kids were bad enough."You got picked on by Tyler and them others, didn't ya?" she drawled, sitting beside me and picking up a stick, starting to draw in the dirt. I stared at her wordlessly. "H-how did you know?" She giggled. "I know all squirt. Well, not really. But I do know their favorite targets, and you seem to be one of them. They sit next to me in fourth grade English and hatch plots." she said with a scowl, and I whimpered, starting to cry again at the reminder.
"So what did they pick on ya for?" she asked, and I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand. "They s-said I was lying when I said there really was such thing as vampires." I stuttered, and she snorted. "There are! And I'm gonna prove it one day too!" I snapped defensively, and she held her hands up, chuckling. "No, it's not that, it's them. Listen kid, lot of people, especially the ones that feel a need to bully other people, they don't believe in the supernatural or anything like that. They're no such thing after all, at least as the world sees it. In my opinion, it'd so us poor mortals some good to have a few monsters in the dark. Humans are too arrogant left on their own." she said calmly, drawing a wolflike creature and then a cat. "What does arrogant mean?" I asked sheepishly, and she considered her drawings. "Stuck up, snooty, full of yourself, bragging, like that." I nodded. "Okay."
"So anyway squirt, are you busy crying, or can I pull you away for a few seconds?" I blinked. "R-really? You wanna play with me?" I asked in shock, and she grinned at me. "No, I'm gonna pull a bag over your head and throw you in a trash can. YES, of course I wanna play kid." I pouted at her as I clumsily stood up, my new playmate doing the same. "I have a name you know." I said shortly, trying to straighten and compare to her towering height, and she rolled her eyes. "Yeah, except I don't know it. The name's Jay, Jay Thompson. No relations to the detectives in Tintin." I blinked at her, not getting the reference as she stuck out her hand, and then hurriedly took it as I remembered my manners. "Sorry! My name's Flora Sagar. Its spelled like sugar only the U is an A." I said rapidly, and she nodded, shaking my hand firmly. "Well Flora Sagar, pleased to meet you. Permission to be your friend?" I blinked at her, unsure of how to answer that. "Uh…sure." I stammered, and she grinned at me, releasing my hand. "Great!"
"I-is there another reason? Did you tell anyone?" I asked frantically, and he sighed. "I did not. I was planning to tell Integra as soon as you got back." he admitted, and I whimpered, trying not to cry. It really looked like Jay was the traitor. "But it did not have to be verbal communication for someone to know about you. When a vampire finds its mate there is a psychical "ripple effect" as they join minds and emotions. The more powerful the vampire, the larger the ripple. It is very likely that is how they knew, since I am the only vampire powerful enough to cause such a ripple." he said soothingly, and I nodded, slightly more relaxed now that there were in fact other options than "my bestest best friend is a traitor trying to kidnap/kill me". "So what should we do waiting for you guys?" I asked, and he hummed thoughtfully as I smiled, imagining the little scowl he had when he thought. "I would advise going to as public a place as possible. The vampires that are trying to find you seem to have qualms about causing too big a stir, so the more mundane people around you, the harder it will be for them to extract you." As he said that, there was a hand on my shoulder, and I jumped, turning to see Jay staring at a patch of woodland, jaw tensed. "We have company. The night birds are quieting down and I don't think it's because morning's coming." she whispered, and I paled, my grip on the phone tightening.
"Flora!? ANSWER ME!" I jumped as a pulse of raw panic surged down the mental link I shared, sending soothing, calm thoughts back. "We gotta go. Jay thinks there's a vampire around." I whispered into the phone, and there was a growl, then a sigh. "Stay alive for me. I will not forgive it if you die, you understand me? DO. NOT. DIE. And I love you." he growled urgently into the phone, and I smiled, a tear running down my cheek. "Love you too. Bye!" I managed to croak as Jay grabbed my arm, dragging me away from the phone as I clumsily hooked it back on the receiver, stumbling after her as she headed for the highway again. I squeaked as a growl split the air, and Jay whirled, wires flashing in a tornado as a dark, blurred shape exploded in blood, the iron reek surrounding us as I was splattered with red, drawing my knives.
We began running as fast as we could, and I stumbled often, slashing blindly at the attacking vampire as Jay snagged others with her wires, the stream of undead seemingly never-ending. "Flora, if neither of us makes it out I'm gonna kill you." Jay panted as I squealed and stabbed a ghoul through the eye socket, the first zombified-slave we had encountered since escaping Italy, her wires flashing past me and then retracting as more cold wetness soaked into my shirt. We whirled, spun, and fought, clawing our way through the streets as the hordes of undead churned out of the darkness, fangs agape and claws gleaming, ready and eager to tear us into little bits and soak up the blood. I saw a welcome gleam of water ahead, calling out Jay's name and pointing to the water. "Vampires hate running water!" I shrieked, and she nodded, redirecting her course of blood and death as she diced the living vampires into bloody hunks that dissolved into mildew-stinking ash, running for the river as I followed.
Jay's POV:
Blood. Everything was blood. My once-pristine white shirt was soaked to crimson from my hot blood and the cold stuff of vampires and undead black goo, the metal tang filled my mouth, the coppery reek assaulted my nose as it dripped from my saturated hair. My legs were weak and trembly, and I gritted my teeth as I hacked a vampire's head off his shoulders, my hands feeling numb and blistered from gripping the wires so constantly, my teeth achy from jerking them around. Flora made it to the water first, splashing into the shallows and continuing to flee until it was nearly up to her chest, and I growled as I slashed a vampire out of my way, plunging head first and swimming to where she stood, panting hard. The vampires gathered at the bank, and some stepped tentatively into the shallows, but quickly stepped back as I coughed, blood flecking the water before it was watered down and pushed away. "Surrender the brat to us and you won't be harmed!" one shouted, and I hacked again, wiping the blood away.
"Screw you!" I managed to shout before I was coughing again, Flora staring at me worriedly as I waved her helpful hand away. I'm probably not going to be making it out of this alive. I thought wearily, gritting my blood-stained teeth. "Why do you want her? Why is it so important to own Alucard's mate?" I shouted, holding my stomach with one hand and putting pressure to my organs in hope of stopping my internal bleeding, or at least controlling it a little. There was muttered talk, and then one vampire stepped forward as I set my brain into overdrive, trying to categorize him. His hair was black and shaggy, his face sharp and cruel. His eyes were a flaming crimson with hints of orange and yellow, much like Alucard's own and very unlike the dull red of the weak ones and Seras in a blood rage. He was wearing a thick black cloak, and his suit under it was severe and just as dark. He reminded me so much…of…aw crap.
"You're related to A-Dracula, aren't you?" I asked, quickly opting for his older name, and his cruel eyes narrowed dangerously. "Curb your tongue, insolent cur." he barked at me, and I growled, the wires in my hands shifting menacingly. He wasn't fazed. "Come my dear. Destiny awaits." he said in a coaxing tone, beckoning. I had a funny feeling he wasn't beckoning to the "insolent cur", but my best friend. She shook her head silently, edging closer to me. He beckoned more impatiently, and I saw his eyes gleam angrily. "Come. Your servant will not be harmed." he growled irritably, and she shook her head more rapidly, her shaking hand curling around my own and squeezing worriedly, in panic. "Which brother are you? Radu? Mircea? There were only three brothers, weren't there?" I asked him bitingly, and his crimson eyes swiveled to mine, furious. "Curb your tongue, or promises aside I will cut it out." he snarled in rage, and I stuck said appendage out at him tauntingly. "W-w-who a-are you?" Flora finally squeaked, and his expression smoothed over, apparently trying to calm himself down.
"I am Radu cel Frumos, little one." he said smoothly, and I scowled. "You remember your Romanian history, right?" I whispered to Flora, and she nodded, her hand now crunching my bones together painfully. Radu, third son of Vlad Dracul, younger brother of Vlad the Impaler, was sent to the Ottomans as tribute with Vlad at a young age and immediately embraced the principles of his Turkish captors. And I got a real bad feeling about why he may want Flora. I thought with a weak gulp as the vampire sent a nasty glare in my direction, as if expecting me to say something any second and just raring for the chance to tear my tongue out. I however kept my gob shut, only because I really wanted to keep him talking for as long as possible, thus giving Alucard more time to get his fanged rear in gear and save our lives. He seemed to be taking his sweet time in coming to the rescue. I would find it rather hard to talk without my tongue.
Flora seemed to be picking up her courage and leading the conversation. "A-and why do you want me so badly?" she squeaked, and his face grew pinched, and I realized he was attempting to smile. Somebody however, spent far too much time scowling, and it looked much less reassuring than he probably wanted. Although hey, anything smiley from someone basically wanting to kidnap you would be disturbing. "I am worried about you. I know my brother's history, and I do not trust him with a female." he said coaxingly, and I bit my tongue, but had to speak out. "Yeah, I think everyone knows about Vlad the Impaler, dumbass." I said sarcastically, then quickly closed my mouth as his scary red eyes seared into my own. "I will not restrain myself if you say any such thing again. The only reason you have not died a thousand deaths right here right now is because you are a friend of my desired mate." he growled, and I felt the air waver under the unleashed power he momentarily thrummed, warning us.
Aw shucks, I feel valued. I thought to myself, but kept the snarky words from escaping my mouth again. Radu seemed quite prepared to dish out threats, and if Alucard was anything to go by, he would be equally adept at carrying them out, and I quite liked being alive, having a tongue, and all those other nice things. "Please, come back with me. You will be fed and sheltered, and your little servant will not be harmed on pain of death. Come with me." he coaxed Flora, beckoning again, and she gulped, edging closer to me like a frightened child. "N-no. I wanna stay with A-Alucard." She stammered, and I mentally sighed in annoyance as several tears fell from her eyes at his name and plinked in the water. "See? You've had your answer, now go away. She wants him, and she's going to get him." I snapped, ushering her to the opposite bank with my outstretched arm as Radu scowled heavily, his bangs hiding the expression in his eyes. "Then I have no choice." His arm was suddenly outstretched, and my eyes widened as I saw the gun in his hand. "You will die. My brother will not have his mate." he snarled, and his finger twitched on the trigger as the bang roared across the night.
The bullet moved like an arrow, straight for Flora, and I dreamily realized Walter's training had paid off. I could see it, track how the little round of metal would punch through her neck and end her life within seconds of the penetration, no hope for a doctor there. My wires were slack in my hands, and they glimmered weakly as I started to bring my aching arms up, everything slowing down until every second was an eternity, the silver gleam of the bullet spinning slowly as it shot across the water. Too slow. Everything moved sluggishly, the blood that continued to swill into my mouth from my organs, the wires weakly threading together in midair to form a shield, too fragile, too weak to stop the huge bullet. I moved fluidly, my mind slowing down as well, and there was a harsh thwump of sound as everything went dark.
"Hey Jay!"
"Yeah grasshopper?"
"Why are you so protective of me?"
"I don't have many friends, just like you. When someone is able to stand me long enough to become a friend, then I have to give them my all to make sure it's worth it."
"You're not as much of a jerk as you want everyone to think, are you? You're actually really noble."
"Mush clogs my ears Flora, you know that. And noble is way over my head. I just do what should be done."
"But that one time, even though you hate dogs, you saved that one that tried to bite you. And you always side with the person who needs it most, like me."
"So? I do hate dogs, but is that their fault? It's the way I am. Dogs are the way dogs are. If I let my dislike get in the way, that's like hating a person because they're different from me."
"You are noble. You just don't want to admit it."
"Alright fine! You made me say it, happy? I'm noble."
"That's why you died for me, isn't it?"
"Yeah. That's why. Sayonara kid, Jay Thompson over and out."
Flora's POV:
The gun Radu was holding banged, and I whimpered in horror, feeling blood spatter my face and neck, but opened my eyes as I realized I wasn't hurting. Then they widened into saucers. "JAY!" She collapsed onto me, not moving, her eyes closed and her mouth slightly open. I raked her with my eyes, searching for the wound, stopping with a sharp inhale as a trickle of blood eased past her nose. Gingerly, hesitantly, my heart constricting into a small, painful rock, I brushed her bangs aside, a lump rising in my throat as I saw the neat hole in her forehead, trickling red, red blood down her face slowly. I shook, my throat constricting as my eyes watered, blurring my vision as hot wetness began trickling down my cheek, the watery droplets sprinkling her face as I started to cry. "Jay…NO!" I screamed, shaking her frantically. She would open her eyes soon. She would open them and smirk and me and tell me I was an idiot for thinking she would die while doing her job and the say something cutting at Radu. She…she had to. "JAY PLEASE WAKE UP!"
Nothing.
No…no…She couldn't be dead, she couldn't! If I shook her hard enough, called her loudly enough, did something, she would make it! She had to! She had to! A soft cold hand gently rested on my shoulder, and I whipped my head up, seeing a blur of red and black at a familiar towering height, throwing myself into his arms with a sob. "Shhh…I'm sorry. I'm so sorry…" he whispered against my neck, rocking me slowly as his hand smoothed down my back, kneeling so I wasn't at such a painful angle. "Shhh…" I clung to him desperately, burying my sobs in his neck as he leaned forward, closing Jay's eyes all the way. "She would've died instantly. There was no pain." he whispered to me softly, rocking me slowly and gently pulling me into his lap as I cried harder than I ever had before, my eyes hot and painful and my throat constricted with grief as he held me and crooned, stroking my back and hair.
"I-I h-hate h-him! I HATE HIM! Why? WHY?!" I shrieked as I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he hushed me, continuing to rock me gently as he stroked my hair down. "Shhh…I'm right here…I'm here…" I dimly heard footsteps, then a sharp inhale. "Alucard…did you see who did this?" I felt him shake his head as his arm wrapped comfortingly around my shoulders. "They fled as soon as she was shot. They must've sensed me coming." he said as his arm squeezed gently, assuring me he was not above grief himself, even though he knew Jay only slightly. Her value to him was the comfort and happiness she brought me…had brought m-me… I started sobbing louder, and Alucard kissed the top of my head, crooning to me softly. "Shhh…I didn't mean anything by it." he murmured in my ear, rocking me gently as I clutched the lapels of his duster, crying painfully on his shoulder. I shook my head, beyond words, and felt him nuzzle the top of my head again, purring softly and comfortingly.
"She needs a doctor Alucard, not a snuggle. Get her one now." Integra said sharply, and I felt him look up. "She needs to grieve master. They were very close." he said quietly, and I sobbed harder at the reminder, pressing into him tightly as he crooned and kissed the top of my forehead once more to sooth me. "I will take her to one as soon as I can." he promised, and she sighed in resignation and moved away, calling orders for Jay's body to be "taken care of". I panicked, struggling against Alucard's suddenly restraining arms, and he nuzzled my ear. "She is being taken to our morgue little one. Nothing more." he soothed me, and I clutched him painfully, once again burying my face in his neck as I cried my heart out, remembering my best friend and all she had done for me.
*Side note from me, not the author:
Yeah, so now I'm dead! WHOOHOO, now I don't have to be in the story anymore *dancey dancey dancey dancey*
