Several months had passed since the Yorkshire Coast incident. Putting the vampire around roughly 20 weeks, still trying to adjust to his second trimester. This hadn't impeded his appetite for English blood. Only this time, he was almost to the point of obsession with trying to control his impulses. Each victim had a point and purpose, whether it be a skill-set, language, Hell, even social status.
He was careful to hide this from Zoe. And thanks to his legal loophole, was virtually impervious to any nasty repercussions of London's peelers. However, this didn't necessarily mean he was one hundred percent guarded. The name of which the foundation was built upon, Johnathan Harker's great-great grandson, had just arrived in England. Feeding off circulating rumors, that it was here, the infamous Count Dracula resided.
There the vampire sat, pouring over century-old notes and photographs. He plucked a worn, faded photo from the pile. His heart momentarily coming to a standstill, it was his castle. What a grandiose display of Romanian architect.
"I need to go back"
He told himself. Making his way towards the curtained windows before casting fourth into a swarm of bats. At that same moment, Frank entered the room, with a file under his arm. Yelping and subsequently dropping it when the screeching flying mammals erratically fluttered around him before disappearing down the hall.
The thick fog hung heavily in the air. Giving the appearance that the grand castle was suspended in the skies. His breath hitched, it was beautiful. Just as he remembered, though sadly, some of its antique stone infrastructure had conceded to the harshness of time and weather.
Nevertheless, it hadn't lost its magnificence. He takes in a large lungful of air, this is swiftly trailed with feeling the baby, a little boy, beginning to softly stir about. It was more of a light flutter than anything. The moment he found out he was expecting, he desired returning to his motherland. Ideally, he wanted his son to be born on Transylvanian soil. The castle and all its possessions would be handed down to him, should his father meet an untimely demise.
The Count draws nearer to his home. Thankful that the pea soup-like fog had provided a barrier from the sun's harmful beams. The sound of old church bells eerily sounding throughout the land, it made his entire body shudder.
Working his clawed nails between the heavy wooden doors, hopeful in eventually opening them. They emit a weathered creak. Everything as he remembered, the labyrinth of halls, passages, sadly some of his most treasured paintings were in ruins from Harker's attempted escape of the castle. The vampire doubted there was anyone, creature or human, physically residing there.
Venturing further down, towards the castle's chambers, came an inhuman-like shriek. He stopped dead in his tracks, blood running cold. It wasn't that he was afraid, they were his creations after all. But he feared for the safety of his unborn child. Breath hitched, he started walking back from which he came. Sadly, this was almost disorienting. He's almost home-free until he feels a bony rotting hand reach out and forcefully grab his collar.
Not even attempting to turn and look it in the eyes, he retrieves a wooden stake from his cloak and drives it deep into the creature's chest. It instantly reduced to nothing but ash and dust. His breathing heavy and heart feeling as though if at any moment it would burst through his chest. His back slid down the cold, stone wall. Fleeting hope to return his breathing to normal.
"I don't know if you're aware, but it took over an hour to get that guano out of my ear"
Frank griped, upon the vampire's return. He hid his obvious expression of amusement behind a wine glass of cherry-red blood. Courtesy of an abstract artist in London, God only knew he could do with a taste of the eclectic and expression. Still maintaining his level of class for the finer things in life.
"My apologies, Frank. I really should have them housebroken"
Moments later, his cell went off with a voicemail from Zoe.
"Hey, just me. I'm going to be a bit late coming home. There's still some packets in the fridge. Don't wait up, love ya"
This, he began to notice, was becoming habitual. Longer nights away from home. Burying herself in her work. One would almost think this was intentional. That maybe she didn't want to face the reality in another 5 months. "Nah" he muttered to himself before taking another sip. She loved their son, it was silly to even entertain such a notion. Pouring through his pile once more, he happened across something interesting he hadn't noticed earlier.
Something that wasn't even his, a plain white envelope. Addressed to Zoe and the Harker Foundation. He knew he shouldn't open something that didn't belong to him. But curiosity was getting the best of him. Using his claw-like nail as a letter opener, he meticulously retrieves the letter from within. Eyes feverishly scanning the fine print.
"Dear, Zoe Van Helsing.
"Let me begin by saying what an honor it is to conduct research in the same building that bears my father's name. I look forward to meeting with you and your team to fight a common cause.
Sincerely, Quincey Morris Harker I"