Vampires were supposed to fear running water, but that was a myth, albeit
hilarious. Shirra was thankful that was a myth, or she would not be able to
enjoy the cool waters that tamed the fires of anger in her. She leaned back
and let the cold water massage her undead form in the big bath. Suddenly,
she opened her eyes and sat up. She frowned. Someone was here -in the bath
chambers. She was not alone.
"Verona, show yourself."
Clad in a high-necked, low-cut acid green gown, Verona glided out of the darkness.
"What is it?"
"What did Aleera say to you that made you nearly break her neck? I've never seen her so mad before."
"Ask her yourself."
"She will not say."
Shirra turned to face her. Marishka was cold and Aleera a vindictive little tart. Verona was a little clingy when it came to her master-but that aside; she was all right, to Shirra's opinion at least.
"She spoke ill of Velkan."
Verona covered her mouth and gasped melodramatically. She knew Velkan Valerious was a werewolf- their enemy...and Master's favorite fledgling had given her undead heart to..to HIM!
"Do you...love him then? The werewolf I meant?"
Shirra closed her eyes and said nothing. Then, she whispered,
"It is for ME to know and for YOU to keep out. "
Verona looked somewhat put out.
Shirra lowered her head into the water before tilting her head back and slicking her hair to the back of her head. She resembled a beautiful young man like that. Turning to Verona, she said,
"Aren't you jealous? Of Dracula's-
Verona tittered.
"I already had to compete with Marishka and Aleera all these years, child. I have no qualms about you and him together-Just Don't Let Me Find You Both -you know what I mean...."
"Of course, Verona,"
interrupted Shirra sharply. Had she been human, she would be blushing furiously at the mental image forming in her mind.
"Fine."
"Did Dracula give you a message?"
Verona felt a chill. The girl was GOOD in reading people.
"He wants to see you in his private chambers. Now."
8888888888888888888
Wearing only a simple bathrobe-white-, Shirra bowed to Dracula, his back to her.
"Forgive my state of dress, my Lord, but I just got your message."
Dracula turned around and looked into her eyes. She looked so innocent now. That girl was like a multi-faceted diamond. One moment, a quiet scholar. The other, an angry virago, the other a dark, mysterious beauty, the other a rebel without a cause and a clue and then-soon to be- a fighter of silk and steel.
And he noticed how she had grown. God, she looked beautiful in her unorthodox, unnatural way.
"My Lord?"
He snapped out of it and spoke.
"There are two strangers that have just arrived in Translavania. I'm sending Marishka, Verona and Aleera and you to find out more about them."
"Pardon me, but it is midday-
"As long as the Sun 's rays do not touch you-you are safe. You may go."
She was gone at once.
888888888888888888
EARLIER....
Velkan was half-dead by the time he reached the manor. Only the werewolf venom-and the wish to save Cassandra-kept him going. He slammed hard on the door. A long-time servant opened the door-and nearly passed out.
"Prince Velkan?!!"
Calling out to the other servants, they took him in and attended to him. A young girl servant was sent to tell Princess Anna the good news-but not without a cross and holy water.
88888888888888888
Karen Mouskeri and Alina Velastock decided to take a rest in the quaint little village before continuing towards Castle Dracula. As they waved to the villagers, they were mildly put out and surprised when they edged away or ran off as if they were monsters. Then, they noticed that two men on horseback were right behind them. The one in front looked in his late twenties and had a hat that covered much of his face, giving him an air of mystery. He wore a trench coat over his dark clothes. He held a dangerous looking crossbow in his right had. Behind him, a monk. Odd...
"Excuse me, Ladies,"
the first man said, in a gravelly tone. Dutch probably. They did as he said.
88888888888
Gabriel Van Helsing rolled his eyes in frustration at Carl's questions. Like a hyperactive child asking a frazzled parent "Are we there yet?" every 10 minutes, Carl kept asking him about his past assignments. He wondered why he bothered even asking Carl to tag along-besides him being the weapons expert of course....
He dismounted, along with Carl. He stopped, not because there was a crowd of villagers holding pitchforks and sickles, but because he sensed something. Something-not human. Instinct honed by years of experience kicked in at once.
"Gentlemen, you will be disarmed."
Feminine voice. Full of independence and command. Definitely the leader. But not the danger he sensed. He slowly turned around. Karen pulled Alina to her. Where was their coachman? They had to get out of here. The man in the hat and coat was stubborn indeed-and so was the woman on the platform. She looked in her mid-twenties. Her audburn curls and porcelain appearance made her a beauty, a proud one to be precise. She too was equally stubborn, saying she didn't need the man's help. Then, Karen and Alina turned around as they heard a familiar voice.
"Pardon my intrusion. May I ask who the two strangers are?"
"Cassandra?"
88888888888888888
There stood Cassandra Mouskeri, no, Shirra, charge-turned-fledgling of Vladislaus Dragulia. Born 1870. Turned, 1877. She looked-different. Her hair was long enough to be in a shoulder-length ponytail. Her face was hooded and she wore a navy-blue cloak that reached her legs. She wore dark boots. She wore a white poet-shirt and navy pants not unlike Anna's. She wore a maroon and black brocade jacket to top it off. In one hand, she held a katana. The curious thing was that she was on a roof. And she wasn't alone. Three scantily clad women were behind her.
"CASSANDRA!"
Shirra turned to look at the woman down below.
"You know her?"
asked Anna puzzled.
"She's my darling daughter!"
cooed Karen. Shirra cringed as the three brides tittered. She gave them a death glare so deadly, if looks could kill, Dracula would be a widower –three times over, at once. That shut them up. Feeding time could wait.
"Good Sir, tell me your name? No? Then, what about the monk-
"I'M A FRIAR, DAMNIT!"
He yelled.
"AND I CAN SWEAR ALL I WANT!"
He added, as an afterthought.
Shirra raised her eye brows. Indeed. This was a fiesty one.
Gabriel came in front, pushing Karen and Alina aside.
"What are you doing?"
They cried.
"Stand aside. I need to take them down-
It happened in a moment.
"Marishka! Verona! Aleera! Feed if you must! Leave the strangers to me!"
The hungry vampiresses transformed and flew at the villagers.
"Everbody Inside!"
yelled Anna.
Shirra need not transform. Unsheathing another sword, she leapt into the air at Gabriel. He fired a series of arrows at her. She deflected them with cool, superhuman dexterity. Anna tried to help but was taken by Aleera. To Gabriel's surprise, Anna sucker-punched her, making Aleera drop her. She fell onto Gabriel, her knees pinning down his shoulders, cradling his head.
"Normally, I dislike women throwing themselves at me,"
he replied wryly. Anna was wrenched off him and flung to one side by Shirra. She hit a rock and was knocked out. Gabriel kicked her katana aside and tried to reach for a stake when she pulled out a dagger and stabbed his leg. Leaping over him with prenatural grace, she retrieved her katana, stuck in the village square platform. She slammed her other sword down- Gabriel parted his legs seconds before that happened. In a flash, just as she unsheathed her sword, Gabriel fished out a pistol loaded with silver bullets, aiming it at her head. Likewise for her, save she held a katana. Both looked ready to kill. It seemed as if Time had stopped. It had the feel of a Mexican stand-off. Except, this wasn't the Wild Wild West, and there were no Mexicans or cowboys. Just warriors-of a different kind.
"For the last time, who are you?"
"Gabriel..Van Helsing..."
panted Gabriel, holding his injured leg.
"Cassandra! Don't do it!"
cried a voice. Gabriel turned-only to have a laceration on his neck-and saw a girl standing there, shocked. It was Alina Velastock herself. Shirra stared at Alina for what seemed like an eternity. She turned to Gabriel and yanked out the sword planted firmly between his legs upwards and out in one swift motion, nearly castrating him. She glared hard at Gabriel, then drew her wings and flew upwards.
"Aleera! Marishka! Verona!"
She called.
"Let us return-
She never finished. Gabriel had grabbed hold of his crossbow and fired at her.
"NO!" cried Alina and Karen.
She fell to the ground, like an angel falling from heaven-and was impaled on the tip of the cross in the village square. She breathed her last as she became ashes and–rose petals? And that was that.
The brides shrieked–and flew off. They were not fond of Shirra apparently. Anna-who had roused only to see this gruesome end – watched with horror-and a little sorrow that angered her.
Gabriel got up-and made the sign of the cross. He felt a tinge of grief. But someone had to do the dirty work, like it or not. He turned-and saw a woman that greatly resembled the girl he just killed pound her fists at him.
"You killed her! You killed my daughter!"
she sobbed. He grabbed her fists and said coldly,
"I doubt you have heard of me Madam-
"I have!-and they call you murderer ...some call you God's warrior-
"Now you know why the former is my common name,"
he said, a little sadly.
He looked into the woman's eyes-and he saw a great sadness in them. The girl beside her sobbed. The least he could do was to give the ashes a proper resting place-
"Van Helsing?"
Carl whimpered.
"What?"
"L-l-look.."
He looked in the direction where Carl was pointing-and got the shock of his life. Alina and Karen looked too-and gasped. The villagers were silent.
The ashes and the rose petals were rising into the air as if they had a life of their own. Slowly, they melded together and formed into...Shirra. She was reborn. She rose painfully-and raised her arms- her katanas flew into her hands at once.
"We'll meet again, Gabriel Van Helsing,"
She whispered, before drawing her wings and flying off. Alina nad Karen fainted. Anna whispered,
"Oh My God,"
Gabriel caught Carl as he passed out. This was interesting....
The tense silence was broken by a girl servant, armed with holy water and a crucifix , who came running towards Anna.
"Princess Anna! I bring you good news! Prince Velkan has returned!"
"Verona, show yourself."
Clad in a high-necked, low-cut acid green gown, Verona glided out of the darkness.
"What is it?"
"What did Aleera say to you that made you nearly break her neck? I've never seen her so mad before."
"Ask her yourself."
"She will not say."
Shirra turned to face her. Marishka was cold and Aleera a vindictive little tart. Verona was a little clingy when it came to her master-but that aside; she was all right, to Shirra's opinion at least.
"She spoke ill of Velkan."
Verona covered her mouth and gasped melodramatically. She knew Velkan Valerious was a werewolf- their enemy...and Master's favorite fledgling had given her undead heart to..to HIM!
"Do you...love him then? The werewolf I meant?"
Shirra closed her eyes and said nothing. Then, she whispered,
"It is for ME to know and for YOU to keep out. "
Verona looked somewhat put out.
Shirra lowered her head into the water before tilting her head back and slicking her hair to the back of her head. She resembled a beautiful young man like that. Turning to Verona, she said,
"Aren't you jealous? Of Dracula's-
Verona tittered.
"I already had to compete with Marishka and Aleera all these years, child. I have no qualms about you and him together-Just Don't Let Me Find You Both -you know what I mean...."
"Of course, Verona,"
interrupted Shirra sharply. Had she been human, she would be blushing furiously at the mental image forming in her mind.
"Fine."
"Did Dracula give you a message?"
Verona felt a chill. The girl was GOOD in reading people.
"He wants to see you in his private chambers. Now."
8888888888888888888
Wearing only a simple bathrobe-white-, Shirra bowed to Dracula, his back to her.
"Forgive my state of dress, my Lord, but I just got your message."
Dracula turned around and looked into her eyes. She looked so innocent now. That girl was like a multi-faceted diamond. One moment, a quiet scholar. The other, an angry virago, the other a dark, mysterious beauty, the other a rebel without a cause and a clue and then-soon to be- a fighter of silk and steel.
And he noticed how she had grown. God, she looked beautiful in her unorthodox, unnatural way.
"My Lord?"
He snapped out of it and spoke.
"There are two strangers that have just arrived in Translavania. I'm sending Marishka, Verona and Aleera and you to find out more about them."
"Pardon me, but it is midday-
"As long as the Sun 's rays do not touch you-you are safe. You may go."
She was gone at once.
888888888888888888
EARLIER....
Velkan was half-dead by the time he reached the manor. Only the werewolf venom-and the wish to save Cassandra-kept him going. He slammed hard on the door. A long-time servant opened the door-and nearly passed out.
"Prince Velkan?!!"
Calling out to the other servants, they took him in and attended to him. A young girl servant was sent to tell Princess Anna the good news-but not without a cross and holy water.
88888888888888888
Karen Mouskeri and Alina Velastock decided to take a rest in the quaint little village before continuing towards Castle Dracula. As they waved to the villagers, they were mildly put out and surprised when they edged away or ran off as if they were monsters. Then, they noticed that two men on horseback were right behind them. The one in front looked in his late twenties and had a hat that covered much of his face, giving him an air of mystery. He wore a trench coat over his dark clothes. He held a dangerous looking crossbow in his right had. Behind him, a monk. Odd...
"Excuse me, Ladies,"
the first man said, in a gravelly tone. Dutch probably. They did as he said.
88888888888
Gabriel Van Helsing rolled his eyes in frustration at Carl's questions. Like a hyperactive child asking a frazzled parent "Are we there yet?" every 10 minutes, Carl kept asking him about his past assignments. He wondered why he bothered even asking Carl to tag along-besides him being the weapons expert of course....
He dismounted, along with Carl. He stopped, not because there was a crowd of villagers holding pitchforks and sickles, but because he sensed something. Something-not human. Instinct honed by years of experience kicked in at once.
"Gentlemen, you will be disarmed."
Feminine voice. Full of independence and command. Definitely the leader. But not the danger he sensed. He slowly turned around. Karen pulled Alina to her. Where was their coachman? They had to get out of here. The man in the hat and coat was stubborn indeed-and so was the woman on the platform. She looked in her mid-twenties. Her audburn curls and porcelain appearance made her a beauty, a proud one to be precise. She too was equally stubborn, saying she didn't need the man's help. Then, Karen and Alina turned around as they heard a familiar voice.
"Pardon my intrusion. May I ask who the two strangers are?"
"Cassandra?"
88888888888888888
There stood Cassandra Mouskeri, no, Shirra, charge-turned-fledgling of Vladislaus Dragulia. Born 1870. Turned, 1877. She looked-different. Her hair was long enough to be in a shoulder-length ponytail. Her face was hooded and she wore a navy-blue cloak that reached her legs. She wore dark boots. She wore a white poet-shirt and navy pants not unlike Anna's. She wore a maroon and black brocade jacket to top it off. In one hand, she held a katana. The curious thing was that she was on a roof. And she wasn't alone. Three scantily clad women were behind her.
"CASSANDRA!"
Shirra turned to look at the woman down below.
"You know her?"
asked Anna puzzled.
"She's my darling daughter!"
cooed Karen. Shirra cringed as the three brides tittered. She gave them a death glare so deadly, if looks could kill, Dracula would be a widower –three times over, at once. That shut them up. Feeding time could wait.
"Good Sir, tell me your name? No? Then, what about the monk-
"I'M A FRIAR, DAMNIT!"
He yelled.
"AND I CAN SWEAR ALL I WANT!"
He added, as an afterthought.
Shirra raised her eye brows. Indeed. This was a fiesty one.
Gabriel came in front, pushing Karen and Alina aside.
"What are you doing?"
They cried.
"Stand aside. I need to take them down-
It happened in a moment.
"Marishka! Verona! Aleera! Feed if you must! Leave the strangers to me!"
The hungry vampiresses transformed and flew at the villagers.
"Everbody Inside!"
yelled Anna.
Shirra need not transform. Unsheathing another sword, she leapt into the air at Gabriel. He fired a series of arrows at her. She deflected them with cool, superhuman dexterity. Anna tried to help but was taken by Aleera. To Gabriel's surprise, Anna sucker-punched her, making Aleera drop her. She fell onto Gabriel, her knees pinning down his shoulders, cradling his head.
"Normally, I dislike women throwing themselves at me,"
he replied wryly. Anna was wrenched off him and flung to one side by Shirra. She hit a rock and was knocked out. Gabriel kicked her katana aside and tried to reach for a stake when she pulled out a dagger and stabbed his leg. Leaping over him with prenatural grace, she retrieved her katana, stuck in the village square platform. She slammed her other sword down- Gabriel parted his legs seconds before that happened. In a flash, just as she unsheathed her sword, Gabriel fished out a pistol loaded with silver bullets, aiming it at her head. Likewise for her, save she held a katana. Both looked ready to kill. It seemed as if Time had stopped. It had the feel of a Mexican stand-off. Except, this wasn't the Wild Wild West, and there were no Mexicans or cowboys. Just warriors-of a different kind.
"For the last time, who are you?"
"Gabriel..Van Helsing..."
panted Gabriel, holding his injured leg.
"Cassandra! Don't do it!"
cried a voice. Gabriel turned-only to have a laceration on his neck-and saw a girl standing there, shocked. It was Alina Velastock herself. Shirra stared at Alina for what seemed like an eternity. She turned to Gabriel and yanked out the sword planted firmly between his legs upwards and out in one swift motion, nearly castrating him. She glared hard at Gabriel, then drew her wings and flew upwards.
"Aleera! Marishka! Verona!"
She called.
"Let us return-
She never finished. Gabriel had grabbed hold of his crossbow and fired at her.
"NO!" cried Alina and Karen.
She fell to the ground, like an angel falling from heaven-and was impaled on the tip of the cross in the village square. She breathed her last as she became ashes and–rose petals? And that was that.
The brides shrieked–and flew off. They were not fond of Shirra apparently. Anna-who had roused only to see this gruesome end – watched with horror-and a little sorrow that angered her.
Gabriel got up-and made the sign of the cross. He felt a tinge of grief. But someone had to do the dirty work, like it or not. He turned-and saw a woman that greatly resembled the girl he just killed pound her fists at him.
"You killed her! You killed my daughter!"
she sobbed. He grabbed her fists and said coldly,
"I doubt you have heard of me Madam-
"I have!-and they call you murderer ...some call you God's warrior-
"Now you know why the former is my common name,"
he said, a little sadly.
He looked into the woman's eyes-and he saw a great sadness in them. The girl beside her sobbed. The least he could do was to give the ashes a proper resting place-
"Van Helsing?"
Carl whimpered.
"What?"
"L-l-look.."
He looked in the direction where Carl was pointing-and got the shock of his life. Alina and Karen looked too-and gasped. The villagers were silent.
The ashes and the rose petals were rising into the air as if they had a life of their own. Slowly, they melded together and formed into...Shirra. She was reborn. She rose painfully-and raised her arms- her katanas flew into her hands at once.
"We'll meet again, Gabriel Van Helsing,"
She whispered, before drawing her wings and flying off. Alina nad Karen fainted. Anna whispered,
"Oh My God,"
Gabriel caught Carl as he passed out. This was interesting....
The tense silence was broken by a girl servant, armed with holy water and a crucifix , who came running towards Anna.
"Princess Anna! I bring you good news! Prince Velkan has returned!"