Reading that letter. It was as though his entire world had caved in on him. The deceit, the betrayal. Perhaps Zoe herself wasn't aware of it even existing, then again, he figured that was improbable. Tracing a slightly gnarled finger along the rim of his wine glass.
He didn't want to be outright accusatory with her. Adding to that, the undue stress it would ultimately put on the baby. Feeling his son's light flutters brought him a moment of comfort. However, he knew this was only temporary, eventually the truth would be revealed. And then what?
Taking another sip from his glass, he then hears the distinct sound of a key turn in the lock. Rushing to return the letter back to it's envelope, sealing it in place. He breathes a heavy sigh of relief as Zoe entered, tossing her bag aside. Her eyes travel towards the glass, going wide in a panic. He lets out a light chuckle.
"I thought you'd realize by now. I don't drink..wine"
A look of immediate relief washed over her. He then notices as her eyes travel to land upon the tampered envelope. Despite his diligence in making sure it was resealed exactly how he had found it. Something told him she was guarding it with suspicion. So much for the relief. He continues, silently, sipping his blood. Watching her every movement. He could even hear her heartbeat quicken with anxiety.
"Something wrong?"
He inquired casually. Keeping the knowing smirk that was pulling at the corners of his lips hidden behind the glass. She cleared her throat briefly and snatched the letter from the table like a hawk with its prey. Eyes scanning the front, as if expecting there to be a discrepancy. She exhales deeply.
"Ugh..no, no, it's fine"
With that, she disappeared up the staircase. Clutching the letter in her hand as if it were a lifeline. Something told him she was going to try and make contact with Harker. Even though he wasn't physically with her while she was making the call, he didn't have to be. His cell lie dormant on the table. The flickers of candlelight reflecting off the screen's surface. Setting his glass aside, his eyes not breaking contact with the device. "Hmm" he droned.
Once again, taking a single finger, he very lightly pressed into the glass. Giving off a pulse of electricity to cross signals and act as a liaison to listen in on the phone call with her being none the wiser. He reaches for the tall glass stem. Swirling the remaining blood as if it were a vintage Port. Suddenly, the screen lit up. Immediately catching the vampire's attention.
He takes yet another sip. A hand momentarily migrating to land over his stomach. Giving a sort of airy chuckle, he taps the phone once more to increase the volume. However, careful not to set the device to full-on speaker mode and risk her hearing. He leans back in his chair with an almost satisfied sigh.
"Let's see what mummy is up to, shall we?"
In cases like this, called for another glass of crisp AB-Negative. However, he didn't want to become overindulgent. Finishing the last of it, he finally sets the glass aside for good and prepares himself for the imminent call.
"Hello, Mr. Harker. I received your letter. I trust your flight into London went smoothly?"
The vampire couldn't resist sucking air through his teeth. A mechanism he employed as to try and not let his emotions get the best of him. Listening in on what was supposed to be a private call, was pushing this to its limits. His lover, the mother of his child, standing before him with a boldfaced lie. Going behind his back, colluding with his true enemy. The vampire's heart sank.
Harker: (chuckles) "About as smooth as to be expected...he's with you, right? Dracula?"
There was a brief hesitation from Zoe's end. As she, once again, cleared her throat. "Don't do it", he muttered under his breath. He couldn't bear the thought of his child as some sort of social experiment. But as things were becoming quite clear, it seemed Van Helsing would sacrifice love, even her child, in the name of scientific discovery. Again, there seemed to be hesitation on her part.
"He's...a bit of a recluse I'm afraid.."
Dracula drew out a long, heavy sigh of relief. Perhaps she wasn't as conniving as he was once led to believe. The concept was almost humorous for a woman of religious faith. Then again, in his 500 years, he found these types were the worst offenders. A veneer they could only wish they actually lived up to. He hears Harker give an unsettling chuckle.
Harker: "Not to worry. We'll draw him out of the shadows, even a recluse has its weaknesses"