Carl and Van Helsing awoke to sunlight shining in their eyes. Carl
sat right up, but Van Helsing was groggy from the serpent venom. Carl got
up and helped his friend up. "You going to be all right, Van Helsing?"
Carl asked worriedly. Van Helsing nodded then tried to stand, but he
didn't have enough strength to stand and fell back onto the bed. He rubbed
his eyes then tried again with no success.
Carl helped Van Helsing to stand by allowing Van Helsing to lean on his shoulder. Carl couldn't help but feel his worries return. 'Van Helsing is getting worse,' he thought. 'If we travel to Rome on horseback, he may never make it.'
"Carl." Van Helsing said. "How much time do you believe I have before the venom collapses my body?"
Carl thought for a moment. "I would say you have until the afternoon, which is at the minimum of eight hours away. But, you could very well have more hours than that."
Van Helsing sighed and replied weakly, "We'll never make it there by horseback."
Carl helped Van Helsing walk outside of the room and take in fresh air. He didn't reply to what Van Helsing had said because there was no reason to lie. They simply could not make it in time on horseback. Carl hoped that Van Helsing had at least the eight hours he calculated the mint would keep the serpent bite at bay. Carl noticed that Van Helsing was weaker than expected, so that caused fear to clutch at Carl's chest. 'What if he doesn't make it?' Carl thought terrified to know the answer.
"If I don't make it, will you find Anna?" Van Helsing asked looking over at Carl with cloudy brown eyes.
Carl swallowed hard and found he did not have an answer for Van Helsing. 'How could I find her by myself,' he wondered. 'I'm not trained to hunt down any body.' But, Carl nodded. "I would find her for you, but don't be thinking that way. It's not good luck."
Van Helsing took a deep breath; his breathing was already becoming irregular. "It's hard not to think that way, Carl, when that 'way' is coming upon me swiftly."
The captain rushed over to Van Helsing and Carl. "We've arrived on the dock. A dear friend of mine will take you to meet a train that will take you to Rome."
Carl looked up suddenly full of hope. "A train,' he repeated.
"Yes, a train. Now, hurry, we must get the two of you onto the train before it leaves."
Van Helsing even had a bit more energy knowing that a train could save him by getting him to Rome faster than by horse. Carl still had to help him walk, but he felt the weight of his body lessened at the thought of riding to Rome by train. Van Helsing never took the train from the fact that so many people wanted him dead. He was considered a murderer and even had a want out for him. That thought left a dark cloud over the light that had made him feel better.
"Carl, what if someone recognizes me on the train?"
Carl looked to him but didn't get time to answer. The captain's friend, who turned out to be a redheaded woman replied, "No one will suspect you while traveling with me. People trust me to keep them safe." She realized she was receiving bewildered stares from the two men, so she introduced herself. "I am Katalena Girade."
"Pleasure, Ms. Girade. I am Carl, and this is Van--"
"Helsing." Katalena replied. "Yes, the good captain told me all about your situation through Morris code last night. Anyway, we must board the train. Follow me, please."
Katalena led Carl and Van Helsing in the back of the train. "Believe it or not, I find this is the best place on the train. Most people don't want to sit back here, and there is a little spot to walk out and see what you've passed. The rail keeps you in that spot while you site-see."
Van Helsing stopped leaning on Carl and sat down in one of the seats. Carl sat close by while Katalena sat across from them both. She set her hands on her lap and stared at them kindly. She gazed over Van Helsing and said, "Have you tried Garlic for an antidote?"
Carl shook his head. "No, mint leaves."
"I see. Did it work?"
Van Helsing replied tiredly, "I believe it helped get me through the night."
"Then, it did some good." Katalena replied.
Afternoon steadily approached, and Madeline woke up once again. She made her way past the sunlight patches in the halls of the manor and woke up Monty, who was sleeping in his room. The curtains were pulled to, so Madeline could enter the room freely and not be burned by the sun. "Monty," she said quietly. Monty stirred and opened his eyes. "Madeline, what is the matter?"
Madeline's lovely face darkened. "I need your help, Monty," she explained.
Monty sat up and asked, "Tell me more, dear girl."
Madeline bit her lip then continued. "I have to find Van Helsing, Monty."
Before Madeline could explain why she had to find Van Helsing, Monty cut her off. "I will help you, Madeline. God knows that man should be with Anna, more now than ever. I don't like this plot that Victoria has concocted. It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, and I don't want to see your father take any part in this deceit. He has a good heart, even if it is hardened by his past. He treats the maids, the cooks, all the other workers, and me on his estate better than any man would. Anyway, I want to help you find Van Helsing."
"I've heard he is in Rome." Madeline replied.
Monty nodded. "Well, that was where we left him anyway. Darn Victoria, she drugged Van Helsing and Carl then just left them there on the stone floor in front of the St. Peter's Basilica."
"How long will it take you to pack?" Madeline inquired.
"Oh, not long. Could you have Mae make me up some dried fruits and meats? And, not to mention something to drink." Monty requested.
"Sure, Monty. You're helping me, so I will most definitely help you."
Madeline left Monty's room and raced to find Mae. She had to be careful due to the sunlight pouring into some portions of the manor. But, she found Mae curled up in a chair with a book dropped on the floor at the base of the chair. Madeline stepped around the sunlight and tapped Mae on the hand. Mae jerked awake and stared face to face with Madeline. "Maddy!" Mae exclaimed. "What are you doing?"
"Monty and I are leaving soon. Could you prepare him some dried fruits and meat? Then get him some water for the trip?" Madeline asked as she crouched beside the chair, where the shadow was.
"Sure." Mae replied getting up from the chair.
Late afternoon, Van Helsing was having difficulties breathing. He was leaning up against the seat gasping for air. Carl had dozed off, hours before, but Katalena was wide-awake writing in her journal. She stopped writing when she heard Van Helsing's gasps. "Carl, she said loud enough to wake the friar. Carl sat straight up and saw Van Helsing struggling to move air. He jumped up from his seat and pulled out some Feverfew, which could cure shortness of breath, juice that he'd made up the night before while waiting for the ship heading to Europe to pick them up.
Carl put the bottle in Van Helsing's hand and told him, "Here, drink this. It will help."
Van Helsing obeyed and found the Feverfew juice vile tasting. 'I hope this works,' he thought. 'Because I cannot take my lungs tightening much more. My chest is killing me.'
Carl sat back down but kept his eye on Van Helsing watching intently to see if the herb did the trick. Katalena wrote down what she had just witnessed then resumed watching Van Helsing to see if he improved. Neither one spoke or made eye contact because they were too busy watching every breath Van Helsing took in to see if he was getting better.
Van Helsing felt his lungs take in more and more air every moment, and he was glad that the tightness of his chest had been eased to a mere sting. "Carl," he breathed when he finally was able to speak. "You're a genius."
"Yes, I'm a genius who didn't pay attention to medical procedures. I just learned all I know about herbs and plants by reading books." Carl replied blandly.
"Listen," Van Helsing told Carl, "those books just saved my life."
"It appears they have prolonged it once again." Carl agreed even though he kept a negative attitude.
Katalena scribbled furiously in her journal so she would remember all that she was feeling during the few moments where Van Helsing's life was dangling by a thread. "Brilliant," she said loudly. "I've never actually been witness to a medical save."
Carl and Van Helsing stared at the woman oddly. "May I ask where it is you come from, Ms. Girade?" Van Helsing asked as he rested against the seat.
"I have no background to call home. I am an orphan who traveled the seas for a few years then joined the railroad as a hostess for guests. I give them a comfort while they are on. Usually, I make conversation, just as you have. I ask about their backgrounds and hobbies." Katalena grinned. "Which leads me to my questions. Where do you come from Van Helsing?"
Van Helsing sighed. "I honestly do not remember. I have ties to Transylvania, but only because I was against a man there. But, this was a past life, which I have flashes of every now and again."
Katalena's eyes lit up. "How delightfully strange! What do you see in these flashes?"
"Places I've been that I can't possibly have in this lifetime." Van Helsing replied.
"Fascinating." Katalena replied. "How about you, Carl, where do you come from?"
Carl replied, "I've always lived in Rome, in the Vatican."
"I've heard it's beautiful."
Carl nodded. "Yes, it is."
"What kind of adventures have the two of you seen?"
Van Helsing sighed. 'She's far too interested in my past. I should be careful and leave out any details that could get me into trouble,' he thought. "Carl and I traced Mr. Hyde in London, and I followed him to France. Then, we were sent to Transylvania to aid the Valerious family with a pest problem."
"I see." Katalena sighed. "It must be fun to have adventures and see the world."
"As you can see by Van Helsing's condition, they aren't always what they seem to be." Carl told her. "We have been banged up on our little missions."
"Why were you headed to America?" Katalena asked.
"Looking for leads on a group of witches." Carl replied and got a glare from Van Helsing for blabbing too much about their mission.
Katalena raised on eyebrow. "I do believe I know the group you speak of. The Robertson witches. Led by one Victoria Lillith Robertson."
Van Helsing and Carl stared at Katalena in wonder. "How do you know that?" Van Helsing asked.
"The good captain and I had a run in with her during my travel on the ship. She didn't like me. I was too much competition to her when it comes to looks. I used to be competition to her until she used a spell to even the proportions of my body out. Now, I look just like the next woman who walks by." Katalena sighed then continued, "I heard she's in Transylvania. There was some argument between Victoria and a man she is in bargain with. He told her to leave where they were all staying. She did leave, but not the town. She remains in that town until...her bargain is complete."
Van Helsing was curious about how Katalena knew all of that. 'Is she a spy and an enemy to me? Or, is there something else about her that she isn't telling?" Van Helsing stared hard at Katalena, who smiled at him. "Go ahead, say it Van Helsing," she urged.
"Say what exactly?"
"That I cannot know all this information without being a spy to Victoria or someone else you are against."
'How is she doing this?' Van Helsing thought. "Tell me, how can you know all this?"
"The same way I know that you are keeping a great deal from me." Katalena replied keeping her answer vague.
"Who are you, really?" Van Helsing pressed.
Katalena put aside her journal and pulled a stack of cards from a pocket in her skirt. She untied the cards and sat down on the floor. "Tell me what your thought on tarot cards is, Mr. Van Helsing." Katalena demanded kindly.
Van Helsing crossed his arms. "I believe they hold no real meaning. It is just good mind tricks for people that are gullible."
Katalena held the cards out to Van Helsing. "Shuffle the cards."
Van Helsing took the cards and shuffled them well. Then, he handed them back to her. She sat still for a moment and took in the vibes in the air. "Okay, watch and learn something about tarot cards, Mr. Van Helsing."
Katalena set a vertical line of cards facedown, then a horizontal line face down, and a final vertical line face down. At the bottom of the vertical row, she set a card face up. It was a birth card. "You were born 1432, Mr. Van Helsing." Van Helsing and Carl exchanged baffled glances as Katalena placed another card above the birth card. "Shortly after you murdered Vladislaus Dragulia, your purpose in life was complete." She set another card face up on the spot above the Death card; it was a rebirth card. "You were reborn in 1862 to serve your purpose once again. You were sent back in the haggard form you owned in the previous life--back before you were taken into Heaven." Van Helsing watched the woman carefully as he gaze caught hers and gave him a chill. She continued as she set a card face down. The card had an angel on it. "The archangel, Gabriel, whom you share the same name, left you near death on the steps of the Vatican."
Carl and Van Helsing stared at each other and had a feeling that Katalena was telling them the truth. Katalena set down another card, and it was a picture of a knight in armor. "You became a Knight of the Holy Order, a protector of men sent from Heaven to once again demolish evil that only Satan could set upon this earth." Another card was set down. It had a man running on it. "On your way to save all mortality from evil, you have been forced to run. They call you murderer." Van Helsing felt the sting of that word.
Katalena set another card down. It had a picture of a woman on it. "On your quest to save the Valerious family from being stuck in purgatory, you met a woman. Anna Valerious, Princess of the Gypsies." Carl and Van Helsing were glued to their seats and did not take their eyes off of Katelena. Van Helsing felt his heart beat faster at Anna's name. Katalena placed another card down, on the horizontal row. It had a knight victorious over his enemy. "You defeated Vladislaus, or Dracula to so many, once again." Another card was placed. It was another death card, but there was a woman lying dead on the grass. "On the quest to save you from being a werewolf, which led to Dracula's death, Anna's life was taken."
Van Helsing turned away, but Katalena continued. She set down a rebirth card. "Anna's life was renewed, unnatural, but renewed none-the- less." Van Helsing resumed his gaze upon the tarot cards. Katalena drew a card but did not place it down right away. She looked up at Van Helsing then sat the card down. It had a man and a woman lying on the ground, locked in a kiss. "There was a night of passion that was clouded by dark forces." Van Helsing stared down at the card and thought, 'Then that night with Anna, was real. I didn't dream it?'
Katalena drew another card and set it down. It was a knight bleeding. "You were attacked by a sea serpent on your quest to learn answers about the witches keeping Anna." She drew one more card and paused for a moment. She looked up at Van Helsing, "Shall I continue?"
Author's Note: (For anyone who knows how to use tarot cards, I apologize for this chapter. I made up the part about the tarot cards for the purpose of my story. I will use my little knowledge of tarot cards again later. I'd also like to shout out to Hollysgirl because she has read my whole story and has given me some wonderful reviews. Thank you!)
Carl helped Van Helsing to stand by allowing Van Helsing to lean on his shoulder. Carl couldn't help but feel his worries return. 'Van Helsing is getting worse,' he thought. 'If we travel to Rome on horseback, he may never make it.'
"Carl." Van Helsing said. "How much time do you believe I have before the venom collapses my body?"
Carl thought for a moment. "I would say you have until the afternoon, which is at the minimum of eight hours away. But, you could very well have more hours than that."
Van Helsing sighed and replied weakly, "We'll never make it there by horseback."
Carl helped Van Helsing walk outside of the room and take in fresh air. He didn't reply to what Van Helsing had said because there was no reason to lie. They simply could not make it in time on horseback. Carl hoped that Van Helsing had at least the eight hours he calculated the mint would keep the serpent bite at bay. Carl noticed that Van Helsing was weaker than expected, so that caused fear to clutch at Carl's chest. 'What if he doesn't make it?' Carl thought terrified to know the answer.
"If I don't make it, will you find Anna?" Van Helsing asked looking over at Carl with cloudy brown eyes.
Carl swallowed hard and found he did not have an answer for Van Helsing. 'How could I find her by myself,' he wondered. 'I'm not trained to hunt down any body.' But, Carl nodded. "I would find her for you, but don't be thinking that way. It's not good luck."
Van Helsing took a deep breath; his breathing was already becoming irregular. "It's hard not to think that way, Carl, when that 'way' is coming upon me swiftly."
The captain rushed over to Van Helsing and Carl. "We've arrived on the dock. A dear friend of mine will take you to meet a train that will take you to Rome."
Carl looked up suddenly full of hope. "A train,' he repeated.
"Yes, a train. Now, hurry, we must get the two of you onto the train before it leaves."
Van Helsing even had a bit more energy knowing that a train could save him by getting him to Rome faster than by horse. Carl still had to help him walk, but he felt the weight of his body lessened at the thought of riding to Rome by train. Van Helsing never took the train from the fact that so many people wanted him dead. He was considered a murderer and even had a want out for him. That thought left a dark cloud over the light that had made him feel better.
"Carl, what if someone recognizes me on the train?"
Carl looked to him but didn't get time to answer. The captain's friend, who turned out to be a redheaded woman replied, "No one will suspect you while traveling with me. People trust me to keep them safe." She realized she was receiving bewildered stares from the two men, so she introduced herself. "I am Katalena Girade."
"Pleasure, Ms. Girade. I am Carl, and this is Van--"
"Helsing." Katalena replied. "Yes, the good captain told me all about your situation through Morris code last night. Anyway, we must board the train. Follow me, please."
Katalena led Carl and Van Helsing in the back of the train. "Believe it or not, I find this is the best place on the train. Most people don't want to sit back here, and there is a little spot to walk out and see what you've passed. The rail keeps you in that spot while you site-see."
Van Helsing stopped leaning on Carl and sat down in one of the seats. Carl sat close by while Katalena sat across from them both. She set her hands on her lap and stared at them kindly. She gazed over Van Helsing and said, "Have you tried Garlic for an antidote?"
Carl shook his head. "No, mint leaves."
"I see. Did it work?"
Van Helsing replied tiredly, "I believe it helped get me through the night."
"Then, it did some good." Katalena replied.
Afternoon steadily approached, and Madeline woke up once again. She made her way past the sunlight patches in the halls of the manor and woke up Monty, who was sleeping in his room. The curtains were pulled to, so Madeline could enter the room freely and not be burned by the sun. "Monty," she said quietly. Monty stirred and opened his eyes. "Madeline, what is the matter?"
Madeline's lovely face darkened. "I need your help, Monty," she explained.
Monty sat up and asked, "Tell me more, dear girl."
Madeline bit her lip then continued. "I have to find Van Helsing, Monty."
Before Madeline could explain why she had to find Van Helsing, Monty cut her off. "I will help you, Madeline. God knows that man should be with Anna, more now than ever. I don't like this plot that Victoria has concocted. It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth, and I don't want to see your father take any part in this deceit. He has a good heart, even if it is hardened by his past. He treats the maids, the cooks, all the other workers, and me on his estate better than any man would. Anyway, I want to help you find Van Helsing."
"I've heard he is in Rome." Madeline replied.
Monty nodded. "Well, that was where we left him anyway. Darn Victoria, she drugged Van Helsing and Carl then just left them there on the stone floor in front of the St. Peter's Basilica."
"How long will it take you to pack?" Madeline inquired.
"Oh, not long. Could you have Mae make me up some dried fruits and meats? And, not to mention something to drink." Monty requested.
"Sure, Monty. You're helping me, so I will most definitely help you."
Madeline left Monty's room and raced to find Mae. She had to be careful due to the sunlight pouring into some portions of the manor. But, she found Mae curled up in a chair with a book dropped on the floor at the base of the chair. Madeline stepped around the sunlight and tapped Mae on the hand. Mae jerked awake and stared face to face with Madeline. "Maddy!" Mae exclaimed. "What are you doing?"
"Monty and I are leaving soon. Could you prepare him some dried fruits and meat? Then get him some water for the trip?" Madeline asked as she crouched beside the chair, where the shadow was.
"Sure." Mae replied getting up from the chair.
Late afternoon, Van Helsing was having difficulties breathing. He was leaning up against the seat gasping for air. Carl had dozed off, hours before, but Katalena was wide-awake writing in her journal. She stopped writing when she heard Van Helsing's gasps. "Carl, she said loud enough to wake the friar. Carl sat straight up and saw Van Helsing struggling to move air. He jumped up from his seat and pulled out some Feverfew, which could cure shortness of breath, juice that he'd made up the night before while waiting for the ship heading to Europe to pick them up.
Carl put the bottle in Van Helsing's hand and told him, "Here, drink this. It will help."
Van Helsing obeyed and found the Feverfew juice vile tasting. 'I hope this works,' he thought. 'Because I cannot take my lungs tightening much more. My chest is killing me.'
Carl sat back down but kept his eye on Van Helsing watching intently to see if the herb did the trick. Katalena wrote down what she had just witnessed then resumed watching Van Helsing to see if he improved. Neither one spoke or made eye contact because they were too busy watching every breath Van Helsing took in to see if he was getting better.
Van Helsing felt his lungs take in more and more air every moment, and he was glad that the tightness of his chest had been eased to a mere sting. "Carl," he breathed when he finally was able to speak. "You're a genius."
"Yes, I'm a genius who didn't pay attention to medical procedures. I just learned all I know about herbs and plants by reading books." Carl replied blandly.
"Listen," Van Helsing told Carl, "those books just saved my life."
"It appears they have prolonged it once again." Carl agreed even though he kept a negative attitude.
Katalena scribbled furiously in her journal so she would remember all that she was feeling during the few moments where Van Helsing's life was dangling by a thread. "Brilliant," she said loudly. "I've never actually been witness to a medical save."
Carl and Van Helsing stared at the woman oddly. "May I ask where it is you come from, Ms. Girade?" Van Helsing asked as he rested against the seat.
"I have no background to call home. I am an orphan who traveled the seas for a few years then joined the railroad as a hostess for guests. I give them a comfort while they are on. Usually, I make conversation, just as you have. I ask about their backgrounds and hobbies." Katalena grinned. "Which leads me to my questions. Where do you come from Van Helsing?"
Van Helsing sighed. "I honestly do not remember. I have ties to Transylvania, but only because I was against a man there. But, this was a past life, which I have flashes of every now and again."
Katalena's eyes lit up. "How delightfully strange! What do you see in these flashes?"
"Places I've been that I can't possibly have in this lifetime." Van Helsing replied.
"Fascinating." Katalena replied. "How about you, Carl, where do you come from?"
Carl replied, "I've always lived in Rome, in the Vatican."
"I've heard it's beautiful."
Carl nodded. "Yes, it is."
"What kind of adventures have the two of you seen?"
Van Helsing sighed. 'She's far too interested in my past. I should be careful and leave out any details that could get me into trouble,' he thought. "Carl and I traced Mr. Hyde in London, and I followed him to France. Then, we were sent to Transylvania to aid the Valerious family with a pest problem."
"I see." Katalena sighed. "It must be fun to have adventures and see the world."
"As you can see by Van Helsing's condition, they aren't always what they seem to be." Carl told her. "We have been banged up on our little missions."
"Why were you headed to America?" Katalena asked.
"Looking for leads on a group of witches." Carl replied and got a glare from Van Helsing for blabbing too much about their mission.
Katalena raised on eyebrow. "I do believe I know the group you speak of. The Robertson witches. Led by one Victoria Lillith Robertson."
Van Helsing and Carl stared at Katalena in wonder. "How do you know that?" Van Helsing asked.
"The good captain and I had a run in with her during my travel on the ship. She didn't like me. I was too much competition to her when it comes to looks. I used to be competition to her until she used a spell to even the proportions of my body out. Now, I look just like the next woman who walks by." Katalena sighed then continued, "I heard she's in Transylvania. There was some argument between Victoria and a man she is in bargain with. He told her to leave where they were all staying. She did leave, but not the town. She remains in that town until...her bargain is complete."
Van Helsing was curious about how Katalena knew all of that. 'Is she a spy and an enemy to me? Or, is there something else about her that she isn't telling?" Van Helsing stared hard at Katalena, who smiled at him. "Go ahead, say it Van Helsing," she urged.
"Say what exactly?"
"That I cannot know all this information without being a spy to Victoria or someone else you are against."
'How is she doing this?' Van Helsing thought. "Tell me, how can you know all this?"
"The same way I know that you are keeping a great deal from me." Katalena replied keeping her answer vague.
"Who are you, really?" Van Helsing pressed.
Katalena put aside her journal and pulled a stack of cards from a pocket in her skirt. She untied the cards and sat down on the floor. "Tell me what your thought on tarot cards is, Mr. Van Helsing." Katalena demanded kindly.
Van Helsing crossed his arms. "I believe they hold no real meaning. It is just good mind tricks for people that are gullible."
Katalena held the cards out to Van Helsing. "Shuffle the cards."
Van Helsing took the cards and shuffled them well. Then, he handed them back to her. She sat still for a moment and took in the vibes in the air. "Okay, watch and learn something about tarot cards, Mr. Van Helsing."
Katalena set a vertical line of cards facedown, then a horizontal line face down, and a final vertical line face down. At the bottom of the vertical row, she set a card face up. It was a birth card. "You were born 1432, Mr. Van Helsing." Van Helsing and Carl exchanged baffled glances as Katalena placed another card above the birth card. "Shortly after you murdered Vladislaus Dragulia, your purpose in life was complete." She set another card face up on the spot above the Death card; it was a rebirth card. "You were reborn in 1862 to serve your purpose once again. You were sent back in the haggard form you owned in the previous life--back before you were taken into Heaven." Van Helsing watched the woman carefully as he gaze caught hers and gave him a chill. She continued as she set a card face down. The card had an angel on it. "The archangel, Gabriel, whom you share the same name, left you near death on the steps of the Vatican."
Carl and Van Helsing stared at each other and had a feeling that Katalena was telling them the truth. Katalena set down another card, and it was a picture of a knight in armor. "You became a Knight of the Holy Order, a protector of men sent from Heaven to once again demolish evil that only Satan could set upon this earth." Another card was set down. It had a man running on it. "On your way to save all mortality from evil, you have been forced to run. They call you murderer." Van Helsing felt the sting of that word.
Katalena set another card down. It had a picture of a woman on it. "On your quest to save the Valerious family from being stuck in purgatory, you met a woman. Anna Valerious, Princess of the Gypsies." Carl and Van Helsing were glued to their seats and did not take their eyes off of Katelena. Van Helsing felt his heart beat faster at Anna's name. Katalena placed another card down, on the horizontal row. It had a knight victorious over his enemy. "You defeated Vladislaus, or Dracula to so many, once again." Another card was placed. It was another death card, but there was a woman lying dead on the grass. "On the quest to save you from being a werewolf, which led to Dracula's death, Anna's life was taken."
Van Helsing turned away, but Katalena continued. She set down a rebirth card. "Anna's life was renewed, unnatural, but renewed none-the- less." Van Helsing resumed his gaze upon the tarot cards. Katalena drew a card but did not place it down right away. She looked up at Van Helsing then sat the card down. It had a man and a woman lying on the ground, locked in a kiss. "There was a night of passion that was clouded by dark forces." Van Helsing stared down at the card and thought, 'Then that night with Anna, was real. I didn't dream it?'
Katalena drew another card and set it down. It was a knight bleeding. "You were attacked by a sea serpent on your quest to learn answers about the witches keeping Anna." She drew one more card and paused for a moment. She looked up at Van Helsing, "Shall I continue?"
Author's Note: (For anyone who knows how to use tarot cards, I apologize for this chapter. I made up the part about the tarot cards for the purpose of my story. I will use my little knowledge of tarot cards again later. I'd also like to shout out to Hollysgirl because she has read my whole story and has given me some wonderful reviews. Thank you!)