Chapter 4
It hadn't seemed like long at all when Celas was awoken by a hand on her shoulder. She started, blinking away the faint remnants of a shallow and unsatisfying sleep. Seeing it was Alucard didn't help matters. "Master…is it night already?"
Alucard smiled down at her. "A little past. You seemed to need the rest." He recoiled a little as she sat up.
"I suppose, but…." Celas rubbed at the back of her head, gradually recalling the events before her brief nap. Her face paled all over again. "Master, I…."
"Shh. That's enough of that." He lifted his other hand, displaying two full bags of medical blood. "I'm going to keep a closer eye on you from now on."
Celas stared at the offering, and immediately her stomach began to churn anew—in hunger, disgust, and resignation. Her hand shook a little as she retrieved them. "But Master," she began quietly, "I'm only allowed one. Won't Walter—"
"No," Alucard replied easily. "One of them is mine."
"One is…." Celas blinked, at first not understanding. "But…but Master, won't you…?"
The elder vampire chuckled, nudging the bags closer to her. "Go ahead. I don't need it."
Celas nodded vaguely, lowering her head to stare at the extra meal she held. Alucard was offering his to her…the thought warmed her, banishing much of her ill ease. "Thank you," she murmured, blushing. It had been a while since she'd been treated childishly, and though she would hate to admit it, she was almost grateful.
All these concerns were lost the moment the blood touched her lips. She would have liked to be disgusted, ashamed, but it was sweet and filling, and her body would offer no complaints. She drank the first packet in one breath, somehow careful enough not to spill any out of the corners of her mouth. As she switched packets she caught a glimpse of Alucard's eyes on her, bright and intense. He was not as skilled at hiding his own hunger as he would have liked to believe.
Celas finished with a gasp and licked her lips clean. The medical blood had a different taste to it than that she'd tasted earlier, helping her forget. It was almost frightening how much better she felt.
"Thank you, Master," Celas said again, tossing the new empty bags into the nearby wastebasket. "I'm sorry to be such a bother."
"You don't have to worry about it," he assured, a tiny smirk in place. "I just want you to be in top form when we go out tonight."
Celas blinked and did her best not to cringe. "We're on duty tonight?" She hoped that whatever it was, it would take them far from Varjak, and Integra.
"There's a new vampire in town," Alucard explained, backing away slightly as she rose to prepare. "An American—the real reason Mithril 6 is here. Lady Integra isn't concerned, but there's something to be said for vampires that cross the ocean. It should be interesting."
Celas made a doubtful face as she adjusted her uniform and retrieved her weapon. "I don't think I'll ever look forward to fighting as much as you do, Master."
Alucard chuckled. "It will be good for you to get some exercise. It's the only solution for too much energy, don't you think?"
"Yes, but…." Celas meet his gaze hesitantly. "Won't other vampires come after me?"
"If they do, then it will be faster for me to destroy them," Alucard replied simply. "We should make a good team."
Celas paused, blushing as she ran those words over in her mind. They were going to be working as a team—just them, fighting the same enemy. Together. She could almost feel herself glowing from the inside out. "Yes, Master!" she piped up excitedly.
He smiled appreciatively at her enthusiasm. "In that case, let's get started." Tilting his hat, he stepped back and vanished. "Miss Decoy."
Celas' spirits fell, and she groaned. "Master, that's not fair."
"Go on, Celas. I'll be watching you."
"All right." Still frowning disconcertedly, Celas traded her Halconen for a smaller, semi-automatic rifle. Even if she was supposed to be a decoy, she wasn't going out defenseless.
Celas reported in to Commander Wellerune on her way out. She was allowed to depart only after strict lecture on the importance of a timely report. And after that…she was allowed to leave alone. It was strange and a bit eerie driving out of the institute by herself, as she had always left with a detail of officers. She wasn't sure whether to be flattered or made wary by Integra's sudden confidence in her. Then she remembered she wasn't really alone after all. "Master?"
"Hm?" His voice seemed to echo all around her.
"Don't you think it's strange?" she asked, more to remind herself he was still there—to hear him—than out of genuine curiosity. "Lady Integra letting the two of us go out alone like this…."
"If Zimmerman's 'Mephistos' is as powerful as he seems to think it is, human troops won't be any help to us," he replied. "Integra doesn't want to waste any more of her soldiers."
"Oh. I see." Celas fell silent a moment in respect. She tried to gather herself quickly, however, so that Alucard wouldn't scold her for being sentimental. "Um, Master," She began anew. "Do you know this vampire, Mephistos?" It sounded like someone powerful.
Alucard didn't answer right away. "Not by that name. But depending on how old he is, I might have met him. Though most of us usually don't interact much."
"Like Helena," Celas murmured to herself distantly. "Alone, reading her books…." She shook herself. Alucard was talking to her—really talking other, and she wanted to continue for as long as he allowed. "What will you do, if you know him?"
This time Alucard's response took no consideration. "Fight and destroy him, like the others. It's the only way to determine his strength, after all."
"Hmm." Though it made sense, she couldn't admit to understanding well. "Do all vampires really enjoy fighting like that?" she mused aloud.
Her master chuckled. "Only those that can afford to."
Celas wasn't sure what that meant, so she fell silent once more, concentrating on her driving. She slowed, however, when she reached the outskirts of London. "Um, Master? Where are we going, anyway?"
"Through the city—slowly." His voice seemed close to her ear to her somehow, and she pressed her lips thin. "Mephistos probably went through some trouble to get here, and attracted the full attention of Mithril 6 in doing so. There's isn't much that can get an entire institute to ship across an ocean."
"He's that much of a danger?"
"Yes, we should he assume he's quite powerful." He sounded unnaturally amused by the prospect. "He's not afraid of being caught—he's in the city. And when he senses you're here, he'll follow." He chuckled faintly, and Celas groaned, understanding well enough.
"Him and every other vampire in the city," Celas muttered. She sped up again, taking them into the city at last. "I suppose once we've gone through the city, we'll head for the country?"
"Very good. I'm sure we'll be able to find a splendid gravesite for our lecherous little friends."
She sighed, but didn't argue as she took them into the city. It was still relatively early—not even eleven at night—and the streets had not cleared yet. "Hmm…Friday night," Celas murmured, watching as the city lights streaked past, intermitted by the shifting of bodies. None of them knowing that someone in their midst didn't belong. She found her gaze jumping among them, catching briefly on a face before moving on. The pulse of the city beat heart-like against her temples; unconsciously, a hand rose to her throat.
"Celas."
Alucard's voice, sharp and almost excited in her ear, woke her from her brief trance. She was stopped at a red light, and as a group of civilians made their way across the street, a face turned toward her to lock their gazes through the glass.
"Him," Alucard declared. "He's the reason we're here."
Celas blinked, and the man was gone. All that remained was a lingering stain on the back of her eyes: wide, round features; large eyes and a set jaw; piercing blue irises. A shudder ran through her, and she called her wits back to her as the light changed. "Master," she said, suddenly and mysteriously breathless. "What should I do?"
"Keep going," Alucard said as a low murmur in her ears. "If he's this eager to meet you, he can follow a bit longer. And this is no place for introductions."
"All right." Celas tried to settle her nervous stomach, pushing a hand through her hair. This was depending, after all, on her being able to draw the man in. He was probably still watching her, even now. It wasn't an encouraging thought, but she was determined to do this right, for her master. The light turned, and with a deep breath she continued to drive.
The rest of the city scenery passed as a blur of horizontal light and blaring noise. She didn't have to even concentrate on the roads she was taking—Alucard guided her, silently, with a dull pressure against her temples. And though she didn't catch sight of the same man's face again she felt his presence, as if it were a taste in the back of her throat. There were others, as well, that she detected—through Alucard—as flashes of bright eyes and low murmurs.
"Three minor vampires," Celas reported softly, testing her skills. "All male, and also our target."
"He's staying back," Alucard confirmed, his voice pleased. Celas beamed at his approval. "Probably waiting to see how you'll handle the others—if you're worthy."
Celas bit her lip as they continued out into the rural areas. "Master," she said after a moment, her voice dropping significantly with the gravity of her words. "Please allow me to fight them on my own."
There was a moment of silence, though not an unpleasant one. She could almost see Alucard's smile in her mind. "It's all right with me," he replied easily. "If you think you can handle all three."
"I can," she replied without thinking. Something strange had come over her; something determined and intense. She wanted to prove herself—not just to Alucard, but all of them, all those that would challenge her. All those that would fancy themselves worthy enough to have her. It was exciting, even, and her heart beat a little faster as she pulled the jeep into an empty field.
"All right, then. Let's see what you can do as a real vampire."
Celas nodded deftly, smothering a tiny smile. She parked the jeep beside a small hill and slid outside, adjusting her uniform. The night air, usually cool and biting at her exposed flesh, was invigorating, like moonlight-fingertips skating over her. She felt alive, more than ever. Whatever the cause of this bizarre demeanor she couldn't be bothered with it now. She could use the extra energy against the vampires who were finally emerging.
She knew that they were real vampires the moment she laid eyes on them: two men in their late twenties and one teenage boy, each with piercing, bright eyes and fangs protruding over their bottom lips. In any other situation she would have shied away from the unfaltering, intense gazes laid upon her; now, she only stood a little straighter, welcoming them closer. She planted her feet firmly in the earth, keenly aware of the weight of the rifle gun at her hip.
"Hey, there," the teen called, adjusting his cap as he all but swaggered over. "How's it going, girl?"
The two men rolled their eyes. "Forget it, kid," one snorted. "She deserves a real vampire." He turned his attention back to Celas. "Don't you, stranger?"
Celas grinned slightly. "Watch me, Master," she whispered under her breath. And then to the others, "If you think you can have me, show me." Her eyes narrowed as she adjusted her stance, welcoming them forward with a gesture of her hand. "Prove it to me."
The three "suitors" exchanged glances. The teen, predictably, moved first—he wasted no time in charging head on. "No problem there, gorgeous."
Celas dodged to the side; after battling Incognito's ghouls, she'd learned the value of hand to hand combat. Training—and admittedly Garret's encouragements from the night before—had paid off considerably. She easily eluded his outstretched, eager hands, offering only her playful scorn.
"Hey, come on," the youth complained, continuing his attempts as she danced around him. "Just because—"
"Game's over, kid." Celas spun around behind him, wrapping her arms around the teen's neck. A sharp twist and bones snapped, cleanly breaking his neck. Her gun was poised before he cit the ground, ripping his body in a flash of silver bullets until there was nothing left by a splash of disintegrating ash.
The remaining vampires both took a step back—they were fresh, she realized. Neither had ever seen a fellow vampire fall, as was apparent from the startled, almost fearful expressions crossing their faces. Celas smiled grimly. "We're not quite as immortal as you thought, are we?"
"You're…you're Hellsing!" one hollered, stepping back again. "What the hell are you—"
"Hey," Celas protested indignantly, though she was no entirely unaffected by their injustice. "I came out here to test mates, you know." She sniffed. "If I'm only gonna have a kid every hundred years, it better be a good one."
The men returned her gaze nervously, and she…really did feel bad for them, for a moment. Both had come into this without really knowing what the world of vampires was really like. But she couldn't hesitate, not with Alucard watching her. Growling softly she raised her weapon again, firing off round after round into the pair. They screamed as they crumbled into dust to be swept away by the next breeze.
Celas released a sigh as the weapon dropped to her hip. It had been even easier than she'd anticipated, which was somewhat disappointing; she'd been hoping for a more impressive show for her master. But as promised she could still feel his presence beside her, rich and warm, and comforting. She smiled thinly, taking a deep breath to calm herself for when their real target appeared.
The moon slipped soundlessly behind a wisp of cloud, and when the sky cleared a figure stood where they had once been only shadow. He was dressed in khaki pants and a white, button-down shirt, his deep eyes focuses and serious, his hair neatly combed. There was the scent of blood on the air—he had fed recently. Though there was no trace of a meal left on his clothes or lips, Celas could all but smell the bitterness on his breath. It made her a bit anxious.
"Nice night." The vampire stepped closer, ignoring the spaces of trampled earth his peers had occupied a moment ago. "Especially for hunting."
Celas held her ground. If she fell into trouble, Alucard would help her—there was nothing to fear. "You must be Mephistos," she said quietly, tightening her grip on her weapon. "Welcome to England."
"Oh?" This vampire seemed different than most Celas had faced; his features were calm, not arrogant, without inflection or humor. He wasn't like Alucard at all. "What makes you think that?"
"Your accent. You're American."
The man blinked in slight surprise. "There are more vampires in America than just Mephistos, Miss Hellsing."
Celas frowned, but she didn't recoil, even as he was only a few meters away now. "So, you know Mephistos, at least," she surmised. "Where is he? How many did he bring with him?"
"Now hold on," the man tried to calm her, though he did not halt his approach, did not change his even tone. "I know what you are, Hellsing. I didn't follow you out here as one of Mephistos'. I'm here as a fellow vampire."
Celas made an annoyed face. "Yeah, I know why you're here," she muttered.
At last his expression changed—a tiny smile fit into his rounded features. "Then you can't think ill of me."
She snorted. "Men are pigs—even as vampires."
"Maybe," he conceded. "But aren't you enjoying it?"
Celas was taken slightly aback, and it was in that hesitation that the stranger made his move. For an instant she had the feeling of arms wrapped around her waist, a firm body pressing into her from behind. A flash of ivory skated playfully over the back of her throat; she gasped as a thrill ran through her. It was only a brief contact, but she—or, her body, at least—reveled in it.
Alucard was too true to his word—as soon as the American's hands were on her he descended upon the pair, flinging them apart. Celas landed on her stomach, and rolled over just fast enough to see her master digging his hand into the other's shoulder. Her insides twisted inexplicably at the sight.
The vampire did not cry out as his left arm was wrenched from him; he merely fell back with a quiet curse, escaping out of Alucard's range. "So that's how this is," he murmured thickly. "Your master used you as bait all along."
There was something about his tone then that lowered Celas's spirits considerably. She climbed to her feet; her voice was very soft as she replied, "We're just doing our jobs."
His eyes danced to her, briefly, before snapping back to Alucard. "Cheap tricks."
Alucard grinned coldly. "Fitting, for honorless American vampires."
"You know nothing of us," he retorted in sudden defensiveness. He gathered himself to his full height once more, ignoring his lack of limb. "My name is Ballerant, sworn to the right hand of Mephistos. I have been seeking you, Alucard."
A dark mist seeped from the wound in the vampire's shoulder, spilling down his side in curling tendrils. It latched upon the arm that had been ripped from him a moment ago and dragged the limb back to his side, fitting it seamlessly into place. Celas stared—Alucard only smirked. "Your master gave you quite a gift, No Life King," he chuckled.
Celas gasped quietly, drawing closer to Alucard's side. A No Life King…a real Nightwalker, the same power Alucard had once offered her. She pressed her lips thin as Ballerant's gaze skipped to her again. He was still focused on her more than her master.
"I know you may wish to kill me," Ballerant continued slowly, showing no fear before his obvious superior. "But before then, I have a message to deliver on behalf of my master. Mephistos wishes to meet with you, Nosferatu Alucard."
"If this 'Mephistos' knows me," Alucard returned condescendingly, "then he knows I do not require alliances."
"And none have been offered. Only an invitation."
Celas licked her lips. "Master…what's going on?"
Alucard paid her little notice. "You were right about one thing—I will kill you. But before then, I'll hear your master's real name."
Ballerant's eyes narrowed slightly, but he knew better than to defy a vampire such as Alucard. Without falter he calmly replied, "My master's given name is Lorenna."
Celas had, naturally, never heard the name before, but a chill ran through her nonetheless when she saw her master's reaction. Alucard's posture straightened abruptly, and she could see his eyes go wide behind his glasses. He looked…breathless. She'd never seen that face on him before, and she was forced to drop her eyes.
If there was anything worse than seeing that face, it was the quiet eagerness in Alucard's voice. "Take me to her."
Ballerant nodded shortly, then glanced at Celas. "And her?"
"Excuse me," Celas interrupted, trying not to look as lost as she felt. "I have a name. It's Celas Victoria." She took a step closer to Alucard. "And I'm coming, too, since we're still on duty."
Alucard laughed, startling her. "You heard her. She'll drive, you direct her. I'll follow along."
Ballerant eyed Celas mistrustfully, to which she made a face. "Very well," he agreed at last, and he started for the jeep. "Let's go."
Celas glanced up at her Master, wondering at the boyish grin he now wore. He seemed terribly excited to be meeting this vampire; obviously he knew her. But how would Alucard know American vampires? "Um…Master," she began hesitantly. "We're still on duty…."
"Yes, we are," he replied easily, abruptly vanishing. "Go with him. I'll be here."
Celas ground her teeth. "I'm really starting to hate when he does that," she murmured as she took her place once more behind the wheel.
Ballerant glanced at her out of the corner of his eye; though he seemed to have calmed, there was still a gleam of mistrust in that gaze. Celas did her best not to shrink beneath it. "You shouldn't be sulking," she said knowingly. "It wasn't personal." She started the jeep once more and began to drive away from the field.
"I'm not," he replied tersely.
"Well, you're mad we got you, then."
"I should have been mor4e careful." He tipped his head back slightly, as if trying not to look at her again. "Bright Midnight makes us reckless."
Celas blushed around a sour expression. Men really are pigs. But she couldn't deny that she felt it: the tightness in her gut, the gentle tingle along her spine. And though she didn't like not being in control of her body's responses, she couldn't fight it. Sitting so close to another vampire like this—one a bit closer to her own level than Alucard and seemingly more serious—churned something warm and real inside her. It was almost…nice, despite his stern demeanor, like the time she'd spent with Garret the night before.
Celas cleared her throat. She knew Alucard was still watching, but she wanted to ask her questions while she had the chance. "Why did you come here, to England? You're pretty far from home."
Ballerant blinked slowly. "Like I said—my master wants to meet with yours."
"But…you're a No Life King, aren't you?" she persisted. "Doesn't that mean you have no master?"
"I do not belong to her," he explained crisply. "I was given my power a long time ago. But I have sworn myself to her."
Celas frowned. From what she'd discerned from Alucard, vampires didn't usually form such trusting bonds. The powerful ones could fight on their own, or otherwise raise ghouls to do work for them. She could almost sense Alucard's puzzlement as well, and in an attempt to please him furthered her questions. "That's pretty rare, isn't it? Vampires working together."
"You and your master were working just fine a moment ago," Ballerant returned stiffly.
"Oh. Right." Celas concentrated moment on her driving as she merged onto the highway. "But we're both Hellsing officers—it's our job."
He glanced at her sharply. "Is that an excuse for murdering your own kind?"
"No, I just—"
"You're wasting your time; I won't reveal any of our secrets that easily."
Celas's sour expression deepened. "I was just curious," she muttered. "As a vampire, I'm still pretty young, y'know." She sniffed. "Besides, if your master is so powerful, she doesn't need to worry about me."
Ballerant glanced at her briefly, and for a moment his voice lowered. "It's not you that worries me."
Of course—Alucard was still listening. Celas tried to approach her questions from a different angle, doing her best not to let his deep gaze affect her. "Well, I'm not sure about that. But can you at least tell us what your master wants?"
"No," Ballerant admitted. "Because I don't know. It's not my business."
Celas was about to comment, but realized she had no right to. Alucard didn't always tell her the full truth, either. She knew nothing of the thoughts and intentions of a being thousands of years older than herself. "You must be very loyal," she remarked quietly, "to follow her this far, and risk yourself, not knowing anything."
"You must be as well, to use a vampire's pride as a weapon to kill your own," he retorted.
Celas winced, but before she could think of a response Alucard's voice was sweeping over them. "Watch your tongue," he warmed humorously. "Our tactics are no excuse for you incompetence."
Ballerant tipped his chin up but forwent a reply. Instead he indicated for Celas to take the next exit. "We're going to the Kingston Hotel," he explained. "I'll tell you the room when we get there."
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