Freedom Chapter 5

By J.L. Pitard

Standard disclaimer: All characters belong to Kohta Hirano and his publishers. I have no stake in them...

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Alucard hissed at her to release the bonds on her own. "Think your way out of them." He increased the pressure on her arms until she was sure he would crush them.

"Master, please stop. You're hurting me." Her arms were throbbing from the vampire attack that evening.

"That, my pet, is the point." Seras felt tears welling up, but fought them back. She didn't eat well normally and losing any blood, even through her tears, seemed like a very bad idea right now.

"Did your enemy tonight stop because he was hurting you?" Alucard was keeping his voice very low. "Could you ask an enemy to please unbind you?"

THINK! He shouted into her mind, but he did release her arms. He walked around her, appraising her. She was sure her weakness was disgusting him.

He came around behind her and put his arms through her bound ones. He gripped her to him at her waist. It was the most unexpected thing he could've done and she gasped.

Her bound hands were up against fabric on his thighs. He pushed his face into her neck and they stood that way for a full minute. He seemed to breathe her scent in and out. Breathing is not a necessary thing for vampires, except to speak, but was still habit for Seras. For Alucard, breathing like a living creature was an affectation, to put humans at ease. He rarely did it.

"Police Girl," he murmured softly to her right ear, nuzzling it. "Your fantasies are like your nature. They are naïve, innocent and reek of your humanity." Seras said nothing. She was actively trying not to breathe. His tongue flicked along her neck. He had her utterly confused. He exhaled softly into her ear and her body reacted. Alucard began to stroke her firm stomach through her uniform.

"I could please you here, now," he paused to let his words sink in. His gloved hands traced a line up to her full breasts, teasing them lightly, then down along her short uniform skirt. Both of his hands now under her skirt as his fingers gently traced circles on her inner thighs. She moved against him, this time not struggling. Alucard pulled back. He turned her to face him. She felt, rather than heard him say, "but to please me, Seras Victoria, you need to attain your full powers and exceed my expectations."

Seras looked into his hungry red eyes. She nodded slightly and moved her arms to hug herself. She felt that she must look like a fool to him, but it was important that she understand this. He wanted her to fully become a monster, like himself.

Alucard watched her and he spoke, still softly, "Interesting." His gaze was cold, appraising again, but there was a hint of approval now. She looked down at her hands and then at the straps on the floor.

She looked up and he laughed. "I doubt an enemy would make such an offer, Police Girl. You will need to find another way out next time."

Seras was still confused about how she'd managed it, but decided that this would be a good time to stop this lesson. She moved to her weapons, but Alucard took her Harkonnen and put it on his own shoulder as she holstered her sidearm. He put his other hand on the small of her back. Without another word they left the room and walked down to her room side by side. Seras was glad that he was touching her, she had often longed for it, but she was unclear if the understanding he seemed to think they had was possible.

Waiting on the wooden table was a medical bag of blood, resting in a wine bucket. She had ignored it when she awoke that evening. Walter was always so careful about the presentation, and it did look appealing...but it also represented her new state.

Her master had set the cannon down and turned to watch her. His gaze was unblinking and unnerving.

"Um, would you mind turning..." He was so unpredictable right now that she worried he might fly into a rage, but he turned and pretended to be interested in the cross design on her wooden coffin.

As his finger traced along the wood grain, he flexed his mind slightly and entered her consciousness. Her hunger and bloodlust excited him, but the taste of the cooled blood was not satisfying. It took the edge off of her frenzy, though and he stayed in her mind as she surreptitiously looked back at him. Mirrors were never his friends, but seeing himself through her mind was also humbling. He was everything she feared, hated and, equally disturbing, loved. She had such power inside her that it sang out to him, but she refused it because she refused to be like him. A monster. Such a waste!

Alucard broke the connection.

"Dawn approaches, Police Girl," his lip curled into a snarl, "You'd better get to your bed." She drew back slightly as he approached, the taste of blood threatening to rise in her throat. Alucard placed his gloved hands on either side of her face. The reminder of his earlier kill pleased him as he leaned down and looked into her eyes. In place of the bravery of the beautiful vampire, he saw trust. How childlike, he thought as he placed a soft, gentle kiss on Seras's surprised mouth. "Sweet dreams." His voice hung in the air as his body disappeared into the stone wall behind her.

As she nestled into her casket, Seras smiled at the better memories of the night. Alucard breathing gently on her neck, his touch, his kiss, and she wondered what he would've done if she'd insisted that he prove how he could please her.

Here.

Now.