Chapter 11- A turn for the worse.
Arsitoph's P.O.V-
I could see them; they knew I was there. Smiling to myself at the thought of bringing Van Helsing's half dead body to my master, he would be so pleased. I saw Van Helsing with his smugness, coolness, power, weakness and mystery all wrapped up in that trench coat and capped with that hat. It made me sick, what he had done to my master, what he did to my kind, who he was. It all made me sick.
Then there was Anna Valerious. The delicate flower covered in armor. She too, hunted my kind. She stayed at the side of the true monster, Van Helsing, when she could have been at the side of Dracula. I found it harder to harbor any lasting hate for her and perhaps it was because she didn't do the unspeakable things that Van Helsing did in past lives.
I looked at the other two and saw that they where the ones that boy, Kyle had saved. I let out a growl, making them turn their heads toward my position. The two strangers looked absolutely petrified but held onto the last fleeting remnants of their courage. Van Helsing readied his crossbow, the same bow that took the lives of those who where like my family. I could not repress a snarl at the memories that flooded my head. As he got closer I tensed my muscles ready to pounce. Closer and closer, until he was peering into the bush; I could not have a more prefect opportunity. I lunged knocking him to the ground and I snapped at his throat. He struggled beneath me desperately trying to throw me off. I felt my teeth sink into his arm and the warm blood flow out and into my mouth. I heard the crack of the gun, smelt the gunpowder and felt the solid silver bullet push its way into my neck. Pain flooded my world and my warm pulsing, boiling, red blood hit the cool air. I howled and jumped off of him and glared, eyes now red with anger, at the young girl who held the gun with a shaky and inexperienced aim. I dug my claws into my neck, resisting the pain, and pulled the bullet out. I could feel it in my neck and feel it move up with my fingers, toward the surface.
I bared my teeth and looked at my shining red claws and saw the bloody silver bullet. I looked the girl in the eye and I saw her fear, anger, sadness, pain and....determination. I dropped the bullet casually and turned to see Van Helsing on his feet and holding his wounded arm. I could see a fear on his face, a fear that he was once again what he hunted.
"I believe you wanted my head, young one." I said coldly to the child.
"Your not a werewolf. What are you?" Van Helsing said. I moved my ears toward him, then my body.
"Very perceptive, Van Helsing, and here I thought it would take you longer, my bad."
"What are you." He stated once more in a tone that was supposed to be serious and frightening.
"You still haven't found your past eh? How sad. Well, I suppose I must tell you then. I am Arsitoph, shapshifter and servant of Count Vladislaus Dracula. I mustn't allow you to pass, old friend, for my master wishes only to treat his guest to a quite, peaceful stay in his castle." I finished. "I need to work on my lies....NOT!" I thought with a hidden smirk.
"What do you know about Gabriel's past?" Anna said, her pistol at her side but ready to be used at a moments notice.
"Enough." I said darkly. I noticed Van Helsing was in reach of my arm. Quick as lighting I struck out making the monster hunter double over and clutch his ribs with his good arm.
The others opened fire, I felt the bullets push into my skin and my blood pour out into the open air but I ignored it. I rushed forward and grabbed the boy and turned, my jaw forming a manic smile. I could hold him in my massive paw easily. I squeezed his ribs until I heard a snap then I dropped him. He fell into a crumpled heap on the ground. I could see the stricken looks on the faces of his companions, they dared not fire for fear of hitting him. I left out a growling laugh. This was going to be easier then I thought.
Kate's P.O.V-
I sat on the chair in my room, still thoroughly mad at Dracula. For taking me, for laying his hand on my shoulder, for...well everything. I closed my eyes hard and rubbed my temples, willing my headache to leave. Dracula had left over three hours ago, after I had calmed down a small bit I thought back to his attempt to speak like people from my time. I had laughed at it and stored it away for ammo incase I needed to make a fool of him, which I would anyway. My thoughts wandered to Raven. Where was that smart horse? Was he safe? And the most important question was he alive? A sharp and loud knock broke my thoughts and made my head throb. The door opened and I felt a chill enter my body, Dracula was in the room.
"What do you want?" I snapped, turning to face him.
"If my memory serves me well, mortals need to feed at least three times a day." He said coolly.
"Most. I however am not hungry so leave me be." My stomach let out loud growl in protest to my statement. Dracula smirked and held out his arm.
"I shall accompany you, child."
"I can walk myself." I paused and looked him hard in the eye. "I don't need your help." I walked over to the door and pushed it open and walked out. I felt Dracula next to me as I walked.
"You do not know the way, allow me to show you."
"Fine. But I'm not holding your arm."
"As you wish."
We walked for what seemed like an eternity until we arrived at a large hall. There was a large and long wooden table with a delicate white tablecloth. Resting on that was all the food a person could eat. I took a seat at one end of the table and Dracula took a seat next to me.
"Eat what you wish, my child." I twitched a bit.
"Don't call me child. For I am not one." I said icily before beginning my meal.
Everything was amazingly good! There was ham and turkey, the sweetest and freshest fruit that I have ever tasted, crab and lobster tail the latter of which I never touched, hot fresh bread and steamed vegetables. I searched the table for something to drink, all I saw was wine. Dracula noticed my searching, he was not eating anything, which was making me uncomfortable so I ignored him.
"Try the wine, I assure you it is excellent." He said pouring me a glass.
I stared at him in suspicion and confusion, couldn't he see I was under aged?!
"I'm under aged in case you haven't noticed...." I said looking at the goblet.
"I wont tell....drink you look thirsty." He pushed the glass toward me more. I looked at it, I couldn't deny it I was thirsty....but it would not be wise to drink with him around.
"No thank you." I pushed the glass back and pushed my chair back. I knew I shouldn't be thanking him but...he seemed happy to feed me so I might as well, I wasn't gonna like it. "Thank you for a wonderful meal, now if you'll excuse me I am going to go explore." I stood and walked to the entrance before Dracula spoke again.
"I must warn you, my child, don't attempt to escape. If you do, I will be forced to kill your horse....Raven isn't it?"
I stopped in my tracks and felt every muscle go tense with anger and fear
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Oh I would. That is if you try to escape."
"If you have harmed a single hair on his mane I will kill you!"
"I have not. He is in good hands, that I can say. But try to escape and....I cannot say what will happen to him."
I growled under my breath.
"I'm not going to try anything."
"Good."
I left the hall and walked down a random corridor. I now knew where Raven was and that he is alive and safe...for the moment. "Damn him! If he even laid a hand on him...." I thought in fear and anger. "What? What will you do? He can't die."
Valerious Manor-
It had been a few hours since Van Helsing, Anna, James and Libby left. Those who stayed behind sat in the library awaiting news from Carl about the fate of Kyle. A door opened and Carl stepped out, all eyes went to him. His face was worried.
"Is he gonna be ok Carl?" Kevin said.
"Yeah he going to live?" Alice said.
"Kyle is going to be ok. However he has taken heavy injuries to his back, stomach, ribs and legs. I'm surprised he even lived. He needed a few stitches for the wound in his arm but that was easily taken care of. All he needs is rest. You can see him tomorrow." Carl finished. He was wringing his hands. "Where are Van Helsing, Anna, James, Kate and Libby?"
"Kate got taken by Dracula and the others went out to find her." Alice said.
"Dracula was in here?!" Carl's eyes rolled up into his head and he fainted at the thought of Dracula being in the house.
Arsitoph's P.O.V-
I could see them; they knew I was there. Smiling to myself at the thought of bringing Van Helsing's half dead body to my master, he would be so pleased. I saw Van Helsing with his smugness, coolness, power, weakness and mystery all wrapped up in that trench coat and capped with that hat. It made me sick, what he had done to my master, what he did to my kind, who he was. It all made me sick.
Then there was Anna Valerious. The delicate flower covered in armor. She too, hunted my kind. She stayed at the side of the true monster, Van Helsing, when she could have been at the side of Dracula. I found it harder to harbor any lasting hate for her and perhaps it was because she didn't do the unspeakable things that Van Helsing did in past lives.
I looked at the other two and saw that they where the ones that boy, Kyle had saved. I let out a growl, making them turn their heads toward my position. The two strangers looked absolutely petrified but held onto the last fleeting remnants of their courage. Van Helsing readied his crossbow, the same bow that took the lives of those who where like my family. I could not repress a snarl at the memories that flooded my head. As he got closer I tensed my muscles ready to pounce. Closer and closer, until he was peering into the bush; I could not have a more prefect opportunity. I lunged knocking him to the ground and I snapped at his throat. He struggled beneath me desperately trying to throw me off. I felt my teeth sink into his arm and the warm blood flow out and into my mouth. I heard the crack of the gun, smelt the gunpowder and felt the solid silver bullet push its way into my neck. Pain flooded my world and my warm pulsing, boiling, red blood hit the cool air. I howled and jumped off of him and glared, eyes now red with anger, at the young girl who held the gun with a shaky and inexperienced aim. I dug my claws into my neck, resisting the pain, and pulled the bullet out. I could feel it in my neck and feel it move up with my fingers, toward the surface.
I bared my teeth and looked at my shining red claws and saw the bloody silver bullet. I looked the girl in the eye and I saw her fear, anger, sadness, pain and....determination. I dropped the bullet casually and turned to see Van Helsing on his feet and holding his wounded arm. I could see a fear on his face, a fear that he was once again what he hunted.
"I believe you wanted my head, young one." I said coldly to the child.
"Your not a werewolf. What are you?" Van Helsing said. I moved my ears toward him, then my body.
"Very perceptive, Van Helsing, and here I thought it would take you longer, my bad."
"What are you." He stated once more in a tone that was supposed to be serious and frightening.
"You still haven't found your past eh? How sad. Well, I suppose I must tell you then. I am Arsitoph, shapshifter and servant of Count Vladislaus Dracula. I mustn't allow you to pass, old friend, for my master wishes only to treat his guest to a quite, peaceful stay in his castle." I finished. "I need to work on my lies....NOT!" I thought with a hidden smirk.
"What do you know about Gabriel's past?" Anna said, her pistol at her side but ready to be used at a moments notice.
"Enough." I said darkly. I noticed Van Helsing was in reach of my arm. Quick as lighting I struck out making the monster hunter double over and clutch his ribs with his good arm.
The others opened fire, I felt the bullets push into my skin and my blood pour out into the open air but I ignored it. I rushed forward and grabbed the boy and turned, my jaw forming a manic smile. I could hold him in my massive paw easily. I squeezed his ribs until I heard a snap then I dropped him. He fell into a crumpled heap on the ground. I could see the stricken looks on the faces of his companions, they dared not fire for fear of hitting him. I left out a growling laugh. This was going to be easier then I thought.
Kate's P.O.V-
I sat on the chair in my room, still thoroughly mad at Dracula. For taking me, for laying his hand on my shoulder, for...well everything. I closed my eyes hard and rubbed my temples, willing my headache to leave. Dracula had left over three hours ago, after I had calmed down a small bit I thought back to his attempt to speak like people from my time. I had laughed at it and stored it away for ammo incase I needed to make a fool of him, which I would anyway. My thoughts wandered to Raven. Where was that smart horse? Was he safe? And the most important question was he alive? A sharp and loud knock broke my thoughts and made my head throb. The door opened and I felt a chill enter my body, Dracula was in the room.
"What do you want?" I snapped, turning to face him.
"If my memory serves me well, mortals need to feed at least three times a day." He said coolly.
"Most. I however am not hungry so leave me be." My stomach let out loud growl in protest to my statement. Dracula smirked and held out his arm.
"I shall accompany you, child."
"I can walk myself." I paused and looked him hard in the eye. "I don't need your help." I walked over to the door and pushed it open and walked out. I felt Dracula next to me as I walked.
"You do not know the way, allow me to show you."
"Fine. But I'm not holding your arm."
"As you wish."
We walked for what seemed like an eternity until we arrived at a large hall. There was a large and long wooden table with a delicate white tablecloth. Resting on that was all the food a person could eat. I took a seat at one end of the table and Dracula took a seat next to me.
"Eat what you wish, my child." I twitched a bit.
"Don't call me child. For I am not one." I said icily before beginning my meal.
Everything was amazingly good! There was ham and turkey, the sweetest and freshest fruit that I have ever tasted, crab and lobster tail the latter of which I never touched, hot fresh bread and steamed vegetables. I searched the table for something to drink, all I saw was wine. Dracula noticed my searching, he was not eating anything, which was making me uncomfortable so I ignored him.
"Try the wine, I assure you it is excellent." He said pouring me a glass.
I stared at him in suspicion and confusion, couldn't he see I was under aged?!
"I'm under aged in case you haven't noticed...." I said looking at the goblet.
"I wont tell....drink you look thirsty." He pushed the glass toward me more. I looked at it, I couldn't deny it I was thirsty....but it would not be wise to drink with him around.
"No thank you." I pushed the glass back and pushed my chair back. I knew I shouldn't be thanking him but...he seemed happy to feed me so I might as well, I wasn't gonna like it. "Thank you for a wonderful meal, now if you'll excuse me I am going to go explore." I stood and walked to the entrance before Dracula spoke again.
"I must warn you, my child, don't attempt to escape. If you do, I will be forced to kill your horse....Raven isn't it?"
I stopped in my tracks and felt every muscle go tense with anger and fear
"You wouldn't dare!"
"Oh I would. That is if you try to escape."
"If you have harmed a single hair on his mane I will kill you!"
"I have not. He is in good hands, that I can say. But try to escape and....I cannot say what will happen to him."
I growled under my breath.
"I'm not going to try anything."
"Good."
I left the hall and walked down a random corridor. I now knew where Raven was and that he is alive and safe...for the moment. "Damn him! If he even laid a hand on him...." I thought in fear and anger. "What? What will you do? He can't die."
Valerious Manor-
It had been a few hours since Van Helsing, Anna, James and Libby left. Those who stayed behind sat in the library awaiting news from Carl about the fate of Kyle. A door opened and Carl stepped out, all eyes went to him. His face was worried.
"Is he gonna be ok Carl?" Kevin said.
"Yeah he going to live?" Alice said.
"Kyle is going to be ok. However he has taken heavy injuries to his back, stomach, ribs and legs. I'm surprised he even lived. He needed a few stitches for the wound in his arm but that was easily taken care of. All he needs is rest. You can see him tomorrow." Carl finished. He was wringing his hands. "Where are Van Helsing, Anna, James, Kate and Libby?"
"Kate got taken by Dracula and the others went out to find her." Alice said.
"Dracula was in here?!" Carl's eyes rolled up into his head and he fainted at the thought of Dracula being in the house.