Disclaimer: The characters and concepts in this story pertaining to Van Helsing are the property of Stephen Sommers. This is an amateur effort and no infringement of copyright laws was intended.


Chapter 13: Chasing

"You're not thinking about going after her are you?" Carl asked him as he walked down the stairs. Gabriel was grabbing his coat and his hat off the couch, readying himself with several weapons without answering Carl's question. He didn't think he had to. His actions were speaking loud enough. Carl continued. "You are, aren't you? You're going to run in there firing like a madman because that's what you usually do. I don't think you've seen how far that's gotten you?"

"Who said I was going to shoot her?" Gabriel said. He opened up his coat to reveal the singular sword he had first been given by Carl at the Vatican. It hung at his hip a gleamed brightly with the lamplight. He picked up the unbreakable Excalibur dagger from the couch and tossed it to Carl who caught it quickly and clumsily. It nearly dropped out of his hands.

"I need you to make sure Morgan doesn't get her hands on that." He said, pulling his hat onto his head. "I'm going to collect her head."

"I don't see how this is an improvement of shooting her." Carl said as Gabriel went to the door. "You're still doing something incredibly…"

"Carl..." Gabriel said, turning back to him. Carl looked at the sword and then back at him. "I'll be fine. Besides…if they don't kill you within the first twelve hours they're not going to kill you at all." He opened the door.

"You made that up." Carl said.

The door closed, signaling the end of the conversation. Carl took the sword back to the living room.


Gabriel was running. He had left the horse at the Inn the night before and had failed to pick it up when he was taken to Mina's. It wasn't as if he had much of a choice. He was forced to pursue Morgan on foot and then forced to walk to Mina's again. The black Arabian stallion was most likely irritating the Inn keeper who had been paid in advance and an awful lot of money to keep Van Helsing's presence private.

He was a fast runner. His body was built for it after many training sessions at the Vatican to rehabilitate his broken body after recovering in bed for a long period of time. He was restrained at some points to keep him from breaking his stitches which had a habit of ripping through the skin as he dreamed violently. He would wake and feel as if he were still dreaming from the deep sleep they had chemically induced to keep the wounds from continuing to rip apart. The scars were the product of the physician constantly having to stitch him back up again and again.

Carl was often in his memories, usually hidden off to the side where Gabriel could not see him immediately when he had awoken. He seemed to shudder whenever he moved at all, an action Gabriel had never asked him about. Carl seemed to be his friend even without revealing too much information to Van Helsing.

No. They had to be closer than friends. Gabriel was sure of it. They weren't lovers but no two people could go through so much together and still be considered friends.

Carl had been there when Gabriel was bedridden from his moments in the Vatican. He was there when Gabriel returned limping from an unnaturally large beast taking bites out of his leg or throwing him against walls or using his body as a flying projectile. He had been there to give Gabriel some new information about what he was facing. He had run to fetch extra bullets (although seemed appalled when Gabriel asked for more, something Gabriel never understood) and he always created something new and exciting to use on a mission (That Gabriel either broke or the creature Gabriel was fighting broke. Either way Carl seemed shocked with the first prototypes of the tojo blades were never returned. He mumbled something about a man named Malachi, but Gabriel had never pressed the subject).

The streets passed by in blurs of colours. He could hear the faint voices of two men talking around the corner to his left. Gabriel opted against this route and darted for the right hand side of the street before running up a set of stairs on the right hand side of an apartment building. The board creaked under his feet as he bolted up to the top level and pulled himself onto the roof.

The city looked so much clearer from the change in elevation. The air seemed so much cooler and the whole world seemed so much bigger than the small area he could see from below. The small lights of the lamps were being extinguished in regard for the oncoming dawn. He saw a sliver of yellow on the horizon before it faded behind the clouds and became a bright shade of red. It burned like a fire in the east as he stood there a moment and got his bearings, finding the east by the fire on the horizon.

Blood around the sun…he thought to himself, recalling the old sign of rain from somewhere that he couldn't recall. He looked down at the street and found the signs that the districts were changing again. Mina's housing was beginning to grow much more upper class. Yards were kept clean by gardeners. Maids were already opening the windows to let in the day. Gabriel kept running.

He stayed on the roofs for as long as he could before dropping down and into an alley off a small height. He bent his knees and crouched low to the pavement as a carriage moved by, the sounds of the metal horseshoes meeting stone cobblestones unmistakable. It pulled by and moved a good distance before he took off on foot again and came out and into the street where Morgan's house was.

There were lights streaming out of the three windows on the second floor and shadows moved in front of them. Gabriel's eyebrows lowered in anger. He heard the voices around the house, dancing slowly on the wind as they spoke amongst themselves in shrill and high pitches shrieks and songs. He stayed away from them, backing into the high cast iron fence that surrounded Morgan's house and her neighbours on either side. With his back still pressed against the iron bars, he moved down towards the house, inching just close enough the he was out of Morgan's sight for the time being. The faeries were still laughing and giggling. He caught the words 'Devil's Spawn' a few times as well as Mina's name, but could hear little else with the constant chatter.

There was a sudden moment of silence. All the voices were hushed. Gabriel had thought at first maybe they had noticed his presence, but they flew off in a fury of wings. Their voices were laughing some more as they made their way away from the house and in an unknown direction. All Gabriel knew was that he couldn't hear them anymore.

He tested his limits, slowly moving in and out of the invisible barrier once guarded by Morgan's faeries. He moved inside it slowly and found that there were no more faeries left guarding the home. He drew his sword in his right hand and a tojo blade in the other just in case, marching forward with his hat lowered and the blade glistening with the lamplight. It caught his eyes for a moment, leaving a burning pink flare in his vision as he moved closer and closer to the house.

Mina felt her senses return with a rush of pain to her head, and she awoke on the wooden floors of Morgan's home with no sense of how she had arrived there.

She opened her eyes slowly, finding that they were blurred with the harsh lighting of the lamp next to her. Shaking, she tried to sit up, but found that she couldn't move her arms.

A rusted pair of scissors moved behind her head, and Morgan proudly took up one of her locks of brown hair in her elegant fingers before cutting it at its root. Mina's hair immediately started to grow back into place.

"That's the lovely thing about vampires." Morgan said, taking up another lock of her hair. "No matter what you do to them they always seem to recover. Unless of course I don't allow such things…"

Mina felt the feel come back into her limbs for a mere instant. Pins and needles moved across her body before the pain in her chest met her. The wound was made with the silver stake used on Morgan, and the sorceress had removed the weapon but not allowed the injury to heal properly. The wound was open, cleanly impaled, but her breathing was not constricted by her punctured lung and her skin was not dripping blood at all.

Mina was feeling the pain that she had not felt in a long time. No matter what she did to herself it always returned to the state she was in now. The effect was almost immediate. She could cut herself as many times as she wished but the wound always healed and returned to being pale and perfect and smooth skin.

"It's such a shame you had to be useful." Morgan commented, cutting off another lock of hair from Mina's scalp. Mina's body was bound in paralysis again, keeping her from attacking her captor. Morgan set the hair in a bundle to her side. "I was hoping I would get to kill you before the night was through."

"I was hoping it would be the other way around." Mina replied cruelly, her face twisting in anger. Morgan simply smiled.

"I guess you never heard." She took another snip of hair. "That's impossible."

"It's not impossible." Mina replied. "And you know it."

"But there's the unfortunate thing…" Mina said. "I'm the only one who does." She gave a small, coy giggle at this thought, the idea of immortality amusing her once again. It had always amused her since she had achieved such a position after Mab's death and her claim to the throne of Fey. Mina closed her eyes and tried to focus her mind on getting her body to work. It failed her.

Morgan looked at her pile of hair, the immortal fragments on the floor next to her. She pushed them over to three of her servants who were still neatly arranging the other effects they had collected while Mina was unconscious. They were bundling up a vile of her blood, the locks of brown hair, and a few flesh samples. Morgan had wanted to collect the rest of the skin when Mina had awakened.

"What the hell do you want?" Mina asked her. Morgan stepped over her onto the other side of her body, the hems of her black skirt brushing over Mina's body gently. Morgan was holding a thin bladed dagger in her one hand, the other hand on the sheath as she pulled it out and magically pushed Mina onto her back, locking her arms to the floor with her powers.

The wound was an angry read colour and Mina found out why it was not bleeding. Morgan had enchanted it to prevent her from doing so. Had she not, Mina would have died by now.

"Your hair. You blood. And some of your flesh." Morgan added quickly, kneeling down with her gloved hands and dagger in hand before moving it closer and closer to Mina's body. Mina felt the feeling return to her torso, something Morgan was doing just to hear her scream. The dagger stuck the inflamed flesh around the wound. It dug deep into the layers of her skin, the flesh halted within its healing process. Mina's body was in agony. She stubbornly refused to cry out from Morgan's torture.

Morgan pealed away a large clump of pale and bloodied flesh. She tossed it over to the small faeries who were gathering together all the components for the spell. Mina breathed heavily.

"All this for a spell?" Mina asked her through her clenched teeth. Morgan's eyebrow lifted in interest, trying to figure out what Mina had asked her precisely. She dug the dagger blade back into Mina chest once more for another clump of skin. This time, Mina screamed with a closed mouth.

"Of course it is." She said, looming over Mina's body with the blade digging into her chest. Mina tightened her jaw and groaned loudly, her whole body immobile. Morgan ripped off another chunk of flesh and tossed it to the faeries. They immediately wrapped it up so quickly the blood never touched their hands. Morgan wiped the blade on Mina's gown before making a small face.

"Well this won't do." She said, standing up. Mina was yanked to her feet painfully and forcefully, her feet locking to the ground. Her arms were free however, and she took advantage of it, reaching out for Morgan immediately. The sorceress was just beyond her reach, smiling softly at the image. Mina's wound flared in pain and she grabbed it, dropping to her knees. The skin started to heal, the two sides of the wound sliding together across her bones.

"You see, Mina, as much as you think this is just about magick it goes much deeper than that." Mina felt a cold force on her chin, forcing her to look back up at Morgan's piercing blue eyes again. The dark queen did not lower herself to Mina's height. She stood up straight and tall before looking away.

"It's unfortunate that I have no other uses for you now." Morgan said, the mercy in her voice as false as her words. She looked over at the wardrobe and then back at Mina who was gasping for breath as her wounds healed at last. She felt the feeling return to her legs and her body before she stood up again and tightened her fists, ready to make her move on Morgan.

The sorceress turned.

"Do not think you can harm me in my own home, silly girl." Morgan said. "You are rendered powerless here, just as much as your friend Van Helsing is."

"Why do you want this spell so much?" Mina asked her. "Why is it so important to you?"

"Stop thinking like a human, Mina. Time applies to humans but it does not touch you or me. We are immune to its flow and it's passing and so much wiser than to simply take the solution right in front of us." Morgan said, taking a step closer. Mina didn't move a muscle, and she wasn't sure if it was that she couldn't move or that Morgan wouldn't allow her to. "Think about it thoroughly and I might give you something else to wear."

"You're just going to kill me anyways."

"So what do you have to lose? I'll kill you either way."

Morgan did have a point. Mina's lips straightened into a thin line.

"You were looking for the swords of Excalibur…"

"That's too easy." Morgan replied. "Try harder."

"You're collecting pieces of a vampire…"

Morgan didn't even have a response but she was growing impatient. She tapped her foot on the ground and crossed her arms, irritated with Mina's stalling. Mina looked up at her, her green eyes sliding away from Mina's piercing stare to the area behind her. Morgan turned quickly and lifted her dagger up to meet Van Helsing's sword. He looked over at Mina.

"Go!" He shouted to her. Mina found herself running from the room before Morgan could bind her in another spell. The faeries with pieces of her body were carrying them away, out the window. She raced from the room to stop them.

Morgan smiled coyly and threw Gabriel off her with her outstretched right hand. She backed into the table and drew up one of the swords, pulling it from the sheath in a flash of blinding silver to catch Gabriel's blade before it swung down upon her.

"You know I will not be easy to take." She said in her low, melodic voice. Gabriel pushed down harder towards her head.

"I've had worse odds." He said. She grinned.

"Just so you know." She replied, spinning away from him confidently, bringing the sword down toward his leg and taking the dagger towards his chest. Gabriel backed away gracefully enough not to fall before she was upon him again, slashing with the dagger and thrusting with the sword.

She was excellent with either, flowing with the weapon as if it were a part of her. Unconsciously, Gabriel knew how to wield either. He could lift the forty pound weapon and strike with it, hitting her with such movements that would break any normal human's arms. Morgan didn't even seem to lose a step under them. She just kept moving, blocking and swinging with no signs of ever giving up.

"I didn't know you had an interest in swordplay, Gabriel." She said, lunging forward. He pushed the sword out of the way and continued, twisting his wrist back up so the sword was vertical in his hand once again. He nearly slipped in a small pool of blood on the floor, most like from Mina. He could smell the sharp tang of salt from it. It collected in the back of his throat. He was forced to ignore it as Morgan spun around again with the sword horizontal. She threw the dagger when she stopped and it found its mark in his right thigh. The adrenaline was coursing too quickly for him to notice, and he grabbed the hilt and yanked it out, using it for his own. Morgan stopped and swayed slowly, loosening herself up for another round.

They began slowly this time, as if in a legalized battle between comrades. They were somewhat of a sight. Through the windows the neighbours could make out the faint outlines of a woman dressed all in black with a long broadsword in hand attacking a man twice her size, in black as well, gushing blood from a stab wound in his thigh as they began swinging and thrusting, controlling their movements with every fiber in their body. It was hard to tell who was better. Morgan was agile and smaller, her movements quicker and harder to anticipate. But Gabriel was without a doubt more powerful with his larger build. His movements were slower, but they were backed with his amazing strength and left Morgan weakening very slowly.

The sun seemed to have stopped in the sky and soft shadows were growing through the city as they fought out into the hall and to the top of the stairs, Morgan's arm stretched out behind her to keep her steady as she continued her heated battle with Gabriel. He ducked to miss three blurred swipes over his head and only stood when he could thrust forward and nearly strike her. Morgan jumped back, her sword still facing him. She landed softly, almost cat like and prepared for another strike but had to change her position to defend from Van Helsing slash to her side. She twisted her wrist and the blade protected her, positioned parallel to her body. Morgan turned the sword back up and dropped her hand, bringing it to Gabriel neck and nearly taking his head off. He had the dagger there to protect himself, pushing her sword back and away from him. When she was distracted he trust forward, catching the skin on her shoulder with the broad sword. He pushed the dagger against her throat when she placed her hand against him. He had just enough time to back off her before she unleashed a large orb of flame that hit the banister.

The fire spread across the floor. It started at the banister before moving to the ground and continued. Morgan was growing rash with her decisions, moving to kill Gabriel off quickly. She pushed his sword from her shoulder and slapped him with the back of her hand. It had virtually no effect. He still came closer to her, the dagger against her throat and his hand gripping hers, preventing her from stabbing him. She felt him dig the blade into her throat, the blessing coming forth from his lips, just as the voices came to the windows and soared through, dragging with them a large body that they threw to the ground, along with a heavy metal object.

Gabriel's diverted attention was all Morgan needed. She placed her hand on his shoulder and sent waves of flame through his body. He keeled over, groaning loudly as the fire burned through his body. The dagger was tightened in his fist and he managed to thrust it into her stomach before her spell intensified and she lost her grip. She ripped the dagger from her stomach, throwing it to the ground. The faeries were laughing and screaming for her to do away with both the humans.

The lump on the floor started moving. Gabriel caught sight of it as he moved to stand up again. It was Carl. The object beside him was the dagger he had brought from the Vatican, the one carrying the piece of Excalibur. He got up to his feet as Morgan reached for him again, just as the sound of wings moved up the stairs and attacked her. Small bats clawed at her flesh and yanked at her hair. Morgan screamed out loud, her voice amplified with her magick. The faeries received an order and grabbed Carl up again, tossing him outside with the sword. Gabriel got up and ran down the stairs after him, straight out the front door, shouting his name.

The carriage door shut with Carl still shouting back. The faeries turned their attention on Gabriel. So that was where they were going…he realized suddenly. They snarled at him, flying at him so quickly they were invisible. He ran to the carriage anyways, grabbing the handle with both hands as the faeries bit at him.

The door handle bit his hand with such a powerful force he heard his finger snap. He yanked his bleeding hand from the carriage door and stepped back.

"CARL!" He shouted through the sound of his flesh being snapped at by Morgan's servants. He batted them from his face and threw himself into the door of the carriage again. The living door wouldn't budge. He could hear Carl inside, swinging the sword at the door. The horses were restless and suddenly they moved forward on command, pulling away from the house. He looked up as the faeries carried the nineteen swords with a large shadow in toe. It landed on the step of the carriage with the long cape fluttering behind them. Morgan tossed off the hood of the cloak and held back her curls, waving to him with a smirk on her face that made him even angrier. Gabriel took off down the street in the opposite direction.


Mina emerged from the burning house only seconds later. She hadn't managed to grab anything to cover her skin and her bare hand, face and neck were at the mercy of the rising sun. She felt the soft rays gently touch her skin, making it immediately sting with white hot fury. She backed into the shadows of the fence, hidden temporarily. Her eyes watered. She felt like vomiting. Every muscle in her body was trembling and shaking and she didn't know why. Never before had she ever felt so weak in her life. She hugged herself tightly, breathing deeply as she leaned against the large cast iron pillar and shivered in cool morning air.

There were the sounds of hooves coming down the road. Mina opened her eyes and looked up at the black figure riding into view, his coat flaring out behind him like a demon and his eyes hidden beneath the wide rim of his hat. She found that he was pulling off his coat with one hand and stretched out his right arm.

"Take my hand!" He shouted. Mina saw the sun disappear behind the clouds finally and she stepped forward.

"WHA…?!" She started but he was already too close.

"Take my hand!" He shouted. She had only seconds to reach up and take his hand, wrapping her strong fingers around his wrist before her feet left the ground and she was swung backwards and dropped onto the back of the horse.

Mina grabbed hold of him to stop her from falling off. She felt his hand on her wrist still, clutching it tightly. She closed her eyes tightly, feeling the horse's heart pounding beneath her.

I suppose this would be a bad time to mention how much I HATE horses… She though to herself as Gabriel handed her his large jacket, still holding onto her as he kicked the horse to move faster.

"Cover yourself." He said loudly as the horse's pace quickened. She awkwardly pushed her arms into the sleeves of the coat. The sun was nearing the edge of the cloud just as she buried herself beneath his jacket, hiding her face by pulling the back up and over her head. The sun came out to greet her as she wrapped her arms around Gabriel's chest once more. He felt her press herself into his back, tightly hugging him from behind. Gabriel reached a hand up and gently touched her hand, again, feeling the fingers go limp but the strength in her arms never once leave.


Author's Notes: WOW! I have had one hell of a week. I am happy to say that I am now finished all major assignments for each of my courses and the only thing left to do is study, study, STUDY (Not one of my strong points, by the way). The support has been awesome and I tried to get this chapter up ASAP, but something was always in my way. Thank you everyone who reviewed because I loved looking in my e-mail inbox and finding another reason to get back to this. I would respond to each individual review but I lack the energy tonight. Next chapter I will respond to all the reviews from this chapter and the next because I'M ALMOST FREE FROM SCHOOL! WOO HOOOOOO!

Just a minor review response though: I knew Morgan was not immortal. She just had a knack for magick that was not shared with her sister Morgause (she boils a cat in The Once and Future King in an attempt to become invisible). I made her immortal in a response to her killing off Mab, the Queen of the Faeries. In many stories she does not have nearly as much power as I bestowed upon her in this story. I have twisted her character a little, I apologize to all King Arthur fans out there! The movie comes out soon. Who else is going to see it?