- Bittersweet Meetings
Miss Wilhelmina Murray fought against the blowing wind to keep her long red scarf in place. Her mind seemed absent at the time being, preferring not to ponder so much regarding the current situation. Not so far from her, two of her colleagues were walking behind, heading together towards the opposite side of the Serpentine lake. The sky had already darkened, acquiring a mix of orange and blue hues. The first level of the usual London mist was starting to appear, and most of the boats and swimmers inside the lake began to take their leave toward the muddy brown shores.
The one at Mina's left, An aged man with a white beard shifted uncomfortable inside his elegant, dark green clothes. "Why this friend of yours chose Serpentine Park as meeting place is beyond me, miss Murray," he commented, "The season is about to end!"
Mina turned to glance at him, annoyance written on her face. "I would believe, Mr. Quatermain, that an infamous adventurer of your calibre wouldn't complain about such little stroll."
There wasn't a need for her to finish the sentence, Allan Quatermain understood what she was implying and replied with an indignant snort. I am certainly not that old! Infuriating woman, he thought while glaring at her.
"What about Captain Nemo?" Quatermain asked, "Why he isn't here with us?"
"The victims are all members of the nobility, Mr. Quatermain," Mina remarked slowly, like explaining something to little child. "Captain Nemo would be more than happy that the slavers of his people couldn't breed anymore. Why would he aid us in this endeavour?"
He huffed, "I suppose you have a point. And where's Griffin when one needs him?"
"As usual, Mr. Griffin disappears when there's work to do," Mina replied, her voice edged with sarcasm, "His nickname fits him very well. Unless you know where he is, I suggest you to keep silence and stop complaining already, Mr. Quatermain."
With that, Mina returned her attention to the other side of the bridge and kept walking, choosing to ignore Allan's mutterings about her. She was far too preoccupied with the matter at hand to even mind his childish bickering.
While Allan Quatermain remained oblivious to Mina's current emotional state, her other companion, a haunted looking man by the name of Henry Jekyll, didn't. "Are you unwell miss Murray?" he inquired in a calm tone.
Mina now glanced to the man at her right, smiling softly, "I am quite fine. Thank you for asking Doctor Jekyll. Just a tad nervous about meeting old acquaintances."
The Doctor nodded empathetically, "Old friends, I presume?"
"One of them, yes. Doctor Van Helsing. He cured me from a… deadly illness," Miss Murray replied, her eyes unfocused in remembrance. "He's quite cultured, Henry. You'll take a liking to him at once, I can guarantee you that."
"Doctor Abraham Van Helsing?" Henry asked with sudden interest, "He's very famous, an expert in many areas of science and humanity. But I shouldn't be surprised at this coming from you Miss Murray."
"Don't flatter me Henry. I was sure you had heard of the professor," Mina smiled at him.
"What about the other one?" Allan interrupted, curious now about the identity of the people they were going to meet. Neither Jekyll nor he had interrogated Mina deeply. They only knew that this mission wasn't official, but a personal favour that would help to stop the wave of crimes inside the court.
Mina kept walking wordlessly, keeping her eyes focussed straight ahead. Allan was about to add something when a look from Jekyll shut him up. They never had seen their normal fearless leader so reluctant to talk. Except, of course, in the subject of her affair with the foreign nobleman, Count Dracula. And both suspected her shyness of the issue wasn't idly.
At the end of the bridge, they could spot two figures waiting. Both were tall and male. As far they could notice, one had blonde hair tinged with ash showing his age, fifty-four. His blue eyes brightened and he smiled fondly at the sight of Mina.
Towering over Doctor Van Helsing stood a man clothed in black with a red cape that was swirling around in the wind. His manner of dress gave him the air of a nobleman. His hair was black and long, and his eyes were crimson red. There was a demonic glint of them that could frighten the bravest man. He ignored Jekyll and Quatermain and smirked to Mina. Two overgrow canines protruded from his mouth.
Mina caught her breath. She was suddenly paralysed, just like a rabbit in front of a wolf. Allan was utterly horrified with the man's eyes. Not even the evil Chinese Doctor, who he had labelled as devilish, had such inhuman malice in them. Jekyll could see Mina's agitation and started battle with himself to keep Hyde in check. His other self had started to get restless after this fellow had come into view. Something wasn't right.
"Such a long time since we've seen each other, Madam Mina," the pale dark haired man greeted her in a taunting voice. The Cheshire Cat smirk hadn't banished and he fixated his look on the piece of cloth around her neck. "Lovely scarf, I must add. Is it new?"
Mina's piercing green eyes narrowed. Clutching to her scarf to assure that would not leave her neck unprotected, she gathered her courage to find a voice.
"Why yes Count, it is new," she answered while spotting his white gloves, a strange pentagram was in them. "What about that design in your gloves? Is it new as well?"
Alucard was momentary baffled by her comeback. She had caught him totally off guard, so that he wasn't sure if he was supposed to be angry or amused. Probably both.
"My, my, you have changed," the vampire bowed his head in recognition, "You have gained a backbone."
"I did, for the good of the Empire. Let's just hope you have changed as well."
"I wouldn't count on it. But maybe my visits had a role in your..."
"That will be quite enough Alucard," Abraham Van Helsing ordered, his posture had become stern while watching the whole situation. He was testing his servant self control and Mina's ability to outwit him. The vampire was right. As much Van Helsing hated to admit it, she matured a lot since the last time they had met.
"Yes Master," Alucard stepped back in mock submission, his eyes never leaving Mina's. She didn't look away either, holding his gaze steadily. Even if the fear was starting to awaken inside her chest, her mission came first. And she needed to control her former tormentor long enough to put an end somehow the mysterious deaths somehow.
Allan, who had been merely a mute member of the audience until now, unfolded his arms and leaned off the bridge when he saw Jekyll twitching. "For God's sake Doctor Jekyll! Get a hold of yourself!". At that, Mina turned around, her eyes widening for she could imagine what kind of incidents Hyde might cause in such public place. With a quick gesture, she grabbed the doctor's arm to calm him down.
"It's fine Doctor Jekyll," she assured with confidant tone, "There's no need for that for the time being."
Jekyll's spasms ceased, and sweat came down from his forehead. He lifted his eyelids just a little as though they were heavy. "My apologies, miss," he excused himself, "Your… friend's behaviour almost took out the worst of me."
Henry tried to capture Alucard's gaze but failed and quickly looked away. He had the horrible feeling of his soul being exposed to such a being. The vampire for his part sneered at the interruption, they seemed more worried about this 'Edward' than himself as it should be. He disliked not to be in the spotlight.
"Are you alright good chap?" Abraham inquired raising a eyebrow at the man's curious behaviour, deducing from their talk that he had some terrible secret. Horrible enough for Mina not to say a word in his presence.
"Y-yes, yes. Thank you," Henry proceed to wipe the sweat from his face, "It's already dark."
As the meeting was held, the last rays of sun vanished, and the crescent moon rose in the sky. Alucard's fangs glittered maliciously, unlike the rest, he had no problem no problems seeing in that darkness. And the shadows were his allies.
"Indeed it is," Allan glanced briefly to the vampire wondering secretly about his relationship with Mina. It's not my business what that woman had with that fellow in the past, he repeated to himself, ignoring the sudden overprotectiveness he felt towards his leader. The White Hunter turned his attention to Van Helsing.
"Forgive my rudeness, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Allan Quatermain, how do you do?" he said, offering his hand to Van Helsing who stared at Allan, dumbfounded.
"Quatermain? The Allan Quatermain?"
He couldn't believe Mina was close friends with the acclaimed White Hunter. Shrugging off his initial shock, Abraham took his hand to give a friendly handshake.
Allan smiled broadly at the recognition, "The very same."
Mina snickered at Allan's reaction, "I warn you professor, do not inflame his ego further."
Allan scoffed at her barb while Mina sent him an innocent look.
Jekyll cleared his throat hoping to break the tension built between his two colleagues, "And I am Doctor Henry Jekyll. It is a pleasure and an honour to make the aquaintance of a celebrity of your calibre, sir" he bowed, keeping a respectable distance.
"Charmed, I assured you. My name is Abraham Van Helsing as Mina must have told you by now. Oh and this is Alucard" the professor introducing himself and then giving a dismissive gesture when pronouncing is servant's name.
His eyebrows furrowed.
Jekyll? he wondered, Where have I heard that name before?
"Don't think too hard Master. Could be perilous" Alucard's voice interrupted his ponderings, "Unless, of course, you want to be locked along with your wife in that cold, lonely Asylum." His bone chilling laugh broke the quietness of night. Deep, sinister and inhuman. Those gathered there felt a shiver coming from their very souls.
Abraham, however, wouldn't allow himself to be intimidated by his own servant. Much less in front of Mina and her friends.
"Quiet down Alucard. Or I'll cut your blood supply until you learn some manners!" he warned in a hiss, his normally warm tone becoming cold and harsh. The vampire hunter glowered at the mention of Gertrude, the wound was still fresh.
Alucard, in return, gave Abraham a condescending smile.
"But doctor, haven't you learnt how dangerous pets can become if they aren't fed properly?" His predatory gaze travelled from Mina to Allan, then to Henry. "They tend to attack bystanders."
Abraham refrained from commenting. He kept reminding himself that Alucard was only trying to get under his skin as usual. The vampire enjoyed pushing the limits of the control the seals had over him. Instead, Abraham concentrated on remembering why the name Jekyll was familiar. His eyes brightened in recognition.
"Of course! You are Henry Jekyll. Doctor Seward used to talk me fondly about you all the time."
Jekyll gave him a nervous smile. "I remember meeting Jack Seward at several charity Balls. Good fellow," he commented, "How is he now?"
"He's healthy and happily married with a charming lady. He moved out to Amsterdam five months ago." Abraham frowned deeply, looking now at Henry with a suspicious air.
"I'm glad to hear that," Henry replied, starting to feel uncomfortable by Abraham's glance. "Something matters?"
Abraham shot Henry a sharp look, "Correct me if I am mistaken, Doctor Jekyll. But according to Jack you committed suicide after being harassed by a dangerous individual by the name of Hyde."
Henry shifted clearly not willing to follow that line of conversation, "It's more complicated than it sounds. I wanted to die but…Edward wouldn't allow it."
Abraham opened his mouth catching the hint quickly. The good doctor did have a horrible secret after all. His relationship with this Edward Hyde, he assumed. Now, Van Helsing was intrigued.
"Interesting choices of friends… you have dear Mina."
Mina folded her arms, "May I remind you, doctor, that I warned you about the company I now keep inside my last letter. Besides, this is not the time nor the place to discuss Doctor Jekyll's past."
"Ah yes, that you did. My apologies Mina," Abraham let go a well mannered laugh, "To you and Doctor Jekyll." He realized now, why that man looked so haunted and about to breakdown at every minute. His fragile appearance reflected his mental state.
As the three conversed, Allan examined Alucard with scrutiny. The vampire in return, gazed at him with mild amusement. They were clearly analysing each other's faults. Both were alike yet so different, faithful hunters for their country who had become trapped in certain addictions. In the former Voivode's case, blood. In the African explorer's, opium. A monster and a hero, yet Britain had always had problems separating those concepts.
Despite his distaste for humanity, Alucard found himself respecting this mortal. The first impression of Allan's being a weak willed fool like Harker, soon vanished. Alucard delved deep into Allan's mind, looking what he had suffered in the past, the man's losses and his downfall. They were akin to his own his own, but of course Alucard would never admit to that.
"I am not your prey old hunter... Careful of not becoming mine."
Allan's blue eyes narrowed, caught by surprise by his taunt. He tried to close his thoughts as fast as he could. Quatermain wasn't the most brilliant of the group, but he was no fool either. He was aware that this… creature had been reading his mind.
The rest focused on the vampire again, watching his reaction as several civilians passed to their side. They were casting funny looks at the gathered and gossiping between each other. Mina saw in their faces the same blissful ignorance which she had possessed about year ago. They lived in a world where the only monsters were inside penny dreadfuls and legends. Her job was to keep it that way. She supposed, they were quite the freak show for these people. Alucard paid no heed to the passing human cattle. He had his standards in feeding, although the urge to dismember them was strong.
"Oh my! Look at the hour!" Abraham exclaimed, "My train departs at ten o'clock sharp!"
Mina snapped from her musings, "It's easy to lose the track of time, professor. Come along gentlemen, there's a carriage ready and waiting our return."
"Lead the way Mina."
The five moved in utter silence. Alucard's eyes were focused on Madam Murray's covered neck, and he smirked at her futile efforts to ignore him. What fun. Abraham kept a close watch on Alucard while his thoughts drifted to his trip to Amsterdam. Allan was clearly nervous in the vampire's presence. In all his adventures inside Africa, he hadn't found a being as dangerous as this one. Jekyll, on the other hand, wasn't aware of the world surrendering him. He was busy fighting and discussing with his darker self, as usual.
Mina stopped where the green of the grass vanished to be replaced by stone grey, indicating the end of the park. A large carriage was waiting for them. On top of it, several bags and suitcases had been stacked and tied firmly so they wouldn't fall with the carriage's movement. The driver, who looked more like a sailor, opened the door for them.
Mina turned to Abraham and raising an inquiring eyebrow.
"Where exactly are we going to stay doctor Van Helsing?" she asked, "I don't recall your telling me that information in your letters."
Abraham shook his head, "I didn't. My house is still under construction, and I decided to," he coughed, "Use the old Asylum as headquarters once more. It closed down after Doctor Seward moved out to Amsterdam."
Mina visually paled, she certainly wasn't thrilled at the idea of returning to that wretched place. "I-I u-understand doctor," she muttered, "To Carfax Asylum then."
Once inside the carriage, they sat down on the red velvet seats, Doctor Jekyll and Allan Quatermain on either side of Mina with Abraham and his pet across from them. Alucard lounged on the cushion, placing one leg over the other.
"Black wood, crimson interiors. Looks like my coffin, doesn't it Master?"
Abraham shot him a chastising look that the vampire chose to ignore.
"Pardon my intrusion," said Henry, "But, may I ask where the next party is to be held?"
"Tomorrow's night, at the former residence of Lady Johanna Constantine," replied Mina, "The Mansion was bought by a strange man called Roderick Burguess. There are rumours that he likes to dabble in the occult"
"A haunted Mansion?" Allan hiked a brow, "Sounds like a good setting for our culprit to strike."
"Every setting is acceptable for a true hunter," the vampire remarked cryptically, "You, among all here, should know that, White Hunter. Or have the clouds of opium already made you forget the thrill of the hunt?"
"Well I…" Allan gritted his teeth, wanting to tear out the monster's tongue. He had no opportunity to reply, however, as the carriage stopped before he could answer.
"It seems we have arrived," he said.
The gothic building that once was a mad house came into their view. It was large, possessing at least four floors and was about the size of an entire block. The screams and cries of the patients once locked there could no longer be heard, but the heavy atmosphere remained untouchable. From the gates, came an elderly maid and three middle aged fellows, one of whom was holding a suitcase.
The driver opened the door for them, and all but Abraham descended. Meanwhile, the two well built men started to lower and carry the luggage from the roof of the carriage to the Asylum. The remaining one moved closer to Van Helsing.
"Her' is yer bag doctor."
Abraham took it and gave a polite nod to his assistant. "Thank you George. That would be all," he said dismissingly. "It has been a pleasure to see you again dear Mina," he took her hand and planted a kiss on the palm, "And, to meet you two gentlemen. But, alas, I must fly or the train will leave without me!"
"So eager to leave me Master… I am wounded."
Abraham shot him a dark look, "Now listen carefully, servant. You will obey Miss Mina's orders and respect her decisions as you do with mine. Treat her as your Master and don't harm her companions."
Alucard chuckled, "Act as submissive as I do in your presence Master?"
"I'll manage professor, don't concern yourself," Mina intervened, "There are enough worries darkening your thoughts."
Abraham sighed, "Thank you Mina. You are truly an angel. Farewell friends, may God aid you in this quest." He shut the door and the carriage started its trip towards the train station.
"An angel? More like a harpy if you ask me," Quatermain whispered to Jekyll beside him. Mina turned and looked at him sharply.
"Anything you wish to share Mr. Quatermain?"
"By all means no. Oh look it's about to rain. Let's get inside."
Mina wasn't fooled for a second, but she acquiesced to his suggestion and entered the Asylum. She felt chills all over her body as she stepped further inside the old building. Henry and Allan went to unpack, but Mina was far too distraught for such a mundane thing.
"Madam Mina," the old maid greeted courtly, "Yer old room is ready if you want to rest. I've placed a nightgown under the pillow."
Mina gazed to the woman absently.
"Thank you Rosalyn," she replied, "It is nice to see you again."
"Likewise milady."
Rosalyn followed her with her gaze, pitting the lady's state. Unknown to both, there was another who was watching Mina's slow advances on the staircase with great interest.
After passing the now empty cells, Mina arrived at her old room. She swallowed hard before turning the doorknob and entering. The dim light bathed the chambers, and twin beds remained unchanged after a year. Her neck started to itch.
"Such a sweet memories coming from this very place. Don't you agree Mrs. Harker?" A voice whispered against her ear, causing Mina to gasp. She spun quickly to find Alucard far from her and not at her shoulder as she had believed. Again, she felt lost for words in his presence. Her old self was taking over. Alucard advanced some steps, cutting the distance that tore them apart. It was like a lion circling a frightened deer. He stopped on the doorway, mere inches from her body.
"I remember you… surrendering to me in order to save that useless husband of yours. Secretly hoping for your precious Jonathan to wake and rescue you. Where is he now, hmm Madam Mina?"
His intention was to cut deep and break her, and he had almost succeeded once. He couldn't use brutality anymore; the seals forbidden that. So, his poisonous tongue would be enough. Or that was what he believed. But, Alucard wasn't counting on her willpower. He had committed the same mistake of taking her for granted a year ago, and she had fought his control unlike any victim before. Months had passed, and Wilhelmina Murray wasn't the same easy to scare maiden. That taunt only filled her newfound spirit with determination.
"At home, I believe," her voice was cold and contained a hint of cynism, "Playing with our son, Quincy." She smiled when she saw his face contorted with disgust at the word son. The vampire couldn't turn her now, she wasn't a virgin, and thus out of his reach forever. He would have to seek another trophy in revenge of the hunting party.
"And, how is it that he doesn't come and aid his precious wife during this? Does he know you will be frequenting my company?"
"He probably does. Not that I care anymore," she paused before adding, "Haven't you heard Count? I had assumed that someone of your stature was in touch with society's gossip."
Alucard's expression was now of contained anger.
How dare this human… wench… to mock of me with impunity?
Yet he couldn't attack her… yet. Bloody seals and direct orders from the old man restrained him.
"Heard what Mrs. Harker?"
"Murray, if you would. I divorced him after your capture."
And that was it. Alucard had been rattled by Mina. Twice in a day. It was entertaining and irritating at the same time. She had become a fallen woman even without vampirism to affect her mind. It only took a moment for the Nosferatu to recover but she had gained the upper hand already. And Mina took full advantage of the said fleeting victory to push him out of her chambers.
"Now if you will excuse me, I need to rest. You'll refrain from any of your nocturnal visits to me, understood?" she demanded before slamming the door on his face. Alucard couldn't help but agree with Allan's harpy statement.
Special Thanks To: Lillian Dashwood, my beta reader. And the ones who checked certain details like Puck ¾ and Mr. Mitts. Oh and at Luxshine for the constructive criticism based in the LoEG.