Author's note: Well, at least this update didn't take me as long as the last one. Hopefully it's ok, I'm still struggling to get a grip on some of the characters. Anyway, hope you enjoy, and please review. Reviews would really help with this story.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. They belong to several people like Bram Stoker, Alan Moore, 20th Century Fox, and the names of the Brides belong to Stephen Sommers, as well as Universal Studios most likely. Please, don't sue me. I mean no copyright infringement. Savvy?
-------------------------
CHAPTER THREE: VARIATIONS OF HATE
She was a fragile thing with a disillusioned mind. She walked the streets, young, lithe body hiding the hardened woman inside as she searched for a man with a heavy purse and the promise of payment. It was apparent for any who truly looked upon her to see. It was so obvious even the blind would notice how she despised the men of all classes that paid her visits and paid her well.
It was time to release her from her cold, dreary existence.
Stepping out of the shadows, calm, gray eyes met her empty blue pair. Features that once were soft and innocent, now sharpened by hunger and struggle grew perplexed and frightened by the sudden appearance of the dark man in gentleman's clothing.
"Do not fear me," the man almost purred, his voice soft and dark. It soothed her nerves, her expression once again one of resignation and hatred hidden behind a false smile. But the man walked up to her slowly, as if approaching a cornered cat, a hand reaching out to stroke her hair almost tenderly. "You seem lost," he whispered.
The girl's eyes widened and narrowed in turn, darting about as she tried to determine if another was nearby. For the man in front of her never opened his mouth. There were no others, and the voice matched this man's, yet, it had not come from he himself.
Her alarm and confusion brought something of a smile to the dark man's face as he leaned down, softly placing cold lips against her lukewarm mouth. "I will take the pain away," he promised and kissed down her chin and jaw, his mouth easily finding her humming pulse. The sound of a gasp was all she let out when she felt the prick of fangs sliding into her neck, and then euphoria took over, a rush of gentle pleasure singing through her veins, lulling her to sleep in the man's cold but kind embrace.
When the last drop of her blood had sated his hunger, Dracula gently laid the prostitute down on the sidewalk, arranging her dress so that she was decently covered. He then exposed her neck, and scraped his fingernail across the two puncture wounds on her throat. It was not his intention that the London police find marks not seen in over two years.
Satisfied, Dracula once again fell into the shadows, the thick fog almost seeming to follow. He briskly walked along the streets and alleys of London, searching for his destination. He had missed seeing some of the sights of the city during his last visit. Might as well pass the time doing something interesting.
---
The sun shone high above in the noonday sky, light seeping through the dark clouds that hung over Transylvania like a blanket. Yet the sun was still visible, still bright, still shining with its ever present light that always seemed to bring warmth and comfort and a sense of safety to the villagers.
Which was probably why Aleera so despised it. Despised was not even a strong enough word. Loathe, abhor, there were others but she could not recall all of them at the moment.
Moving away from the window, Aleera wandered through the halls of Castle Dracula, searching for the gypsy girl. The sun's light breaking through the clouds had ruined her mood, and she was determined to get it back.
And she knew just how to do so.
Being the only bride left, Aleera had hoped to become Dracula's second in command and his only lover, but after his discovery of Mina Harker, things had taken a turn for the worst. Aleera had become even less important in her master's eyes then ever, his attention and his devotion and his affection, for one could not call it love, was directed all to Mina.
He was obsessed, and what scorned Aleera even more was that she knew Mina would never want Dracula truly, never would accept him, accept what he was, and would certainly never tolerate Aleera's presence.
He had ignored all his brides the first time he found Mina. Verona and Marishka had died at the hands of Mina's friends, and herself, yet he wanted Mina still. Even when she drove the blade through the ice of his heart, he still wanted her.
Since the deaths of her sisters, Aleera had grown moody and resentful, often feeding on five or more people a month just to spite her sire as he laid in wait, silver blade rammed through him and pinning him in his coffin.
But she had been rebuked for attempting to free him, to pull the sword out. She could still feel his displeasure, hearing his raging voice in her head, their mental link nearly burning her inside out.
That had made her want to despise him. Yet when he had awoken, and seen her, he had placated her with his will, calming her and making her earn for him once more, just as he always did. He did notice his bride when she was angered, at least. But then, his will dominated hers, and she was once more a prisoner, a slave to his wants and desires.
And when he had briefly pleasured himself in her, it had been Mina's name whispered and moaned and called out. It had been Mina had he seen, felt, desired.
The memory still made frozen blood heat up, made piercing greenish blue eyes flash crimson with rage, and worst of all, it made her heart lukewarm with hurt from a wound that would not heal in all eternity. But she at least had someone to take her pain out on.
Aleera walked into the throne room, finding Mariana in there, along with Zaharia, back in human form once more. This made things even more interesting.
Grinning impishly, Aleera moved swiftly, coming up behind Mariana, watching with condescending amusement as Zaharia growled and pulled his lover away from the vampire bride. She tsked at him, waving a finger.
"It is rude to assume the worst of someone, Zaharia. I should punish you for that," Aleera said softly in Romanian. She was actually of Hungarian descent, but Romanian was now her natural tongue after living with the Romanian vampire lord in his native land for centuries.
The gypsy glowered, his eyes flashing a metallic color briefly. It only served to make Aleera's grin widen, pristine fangs exposed. Zaharia, stood in front of Mariana, who was holding his shoulder, as if trying to calm him down.
How sweet.
It made Aleera want to rip the girl's throat out.
"What do you want, Aleera?" Mariana asked calmly, gripping Zaharia's shoulder tightly but there was comfort in the contact. A solace in the firm touch that was meant as a rebuke and as something to placate the beast inside the man.
Perhaps that was why Aleera hated them so. Something so foreign, something she should not have been able to comprehend much less yearn for, was right in front of her and yet she could never have it, never understand it.
She would rip it apart.
"I was just wondering if you happened to see how powerful and strong your lover was the past evening," Aleera said with a tone sweet as sugar and deadly as venom. Her innocent smile hide her fangs as she noted Zaharia tense and he moved toward her.
"Do not, Aleera," he warned with a whisper. It was more from self restraint than the desire to keep Mariana from hearing him, but Aleera merely cackled with glee and quickly moved to behind Mariana.
"He tore into the trespassers like dry leaves after a dry summer," Aleera whispered into Mariana's ears, gently stroking the nervous girl's hair.
Zaharia turned and growled, but Aleera's fingers wrapped around Marian's neck, fingernails cutting tan skin. He stilled, but his eyes were now metallic again, the silver glow of them making Aleera grin and Mariana close her eyes in some weak emotion Aleera would not concern herself with.
"He clawed them, ripped them, feasted on them and came back drenched in their blood," she continued, enjoying the lovers' discomfort, Zaharia's shame and Mariana's despair. "He even killed the last one in front of the villagers, he did not let that one escape even after reaching the town square. Such vicious cruelty. It almost made me desire your lover for a moment."
Mariana let out a cry of rage and sorrow and elbowed Aleera before clawing at her arm with her own nails. A sharp hiss, followed by Aleera's arm retracting from Mariana's neck was all the gypsy needed to get away, swiftly stepping away and facing Aleera, hatred in dark eyes.
Silver eyes carried loathing as they suddenly appeared directly in front of Aleera, and Zaharia picked her up by the throat. "Do not ever touch her again. Your master controls our fates, not you," he snarled, his body trembling with the desire to change and rip the forgotten bride apart.
But while Dracula might not desire Aleera, she was still his possession. And Dracula was not pleased when his possessions were stolen in any form.
Dropping her unceremoniously, Zaharia looked to Mariana with human eyes, full of regret and shame, but Mariana did not meet the gaze, staring at the ground with a blank, lost expression.
Aleera's work done despite the insults and threats and physical attacks, the bride giggled and left the room. She returned to her own chambers, her catlike grin widening when she heard the mournful howl of a wolf yearning for his mate.
Good. Let them feel the sting of loneliness for once. At least she was not alone in her misery.
---
The monster was already in London. It seemed impossible. He had not been awake longer than three days, at the most. But somehow, he had already arrived in London, and had killed one who had betrayed him.
Arthur Holmwood stared down at Renfield's body with pity and detachment. He did not have any time to waste mourning for someone who had become his only companion after Professor Van Helsing's death. He turned and continued walking towards their destination, completely alone now.
Leaving behind Renfield's corpse, now limp, drained of immortality and truly dead, Arthur turned a corner. He was deep in thought and perfectly alert. Something he had learned since his first mission against vampires.
Against the same vampire he was hunting now. The same one that had killed his only companion since the death of his mentor. The same one that had sent his bride to kill the professor. The same one that had taken his Lucy from him and turned Mina as well.
Yet, he had not destroyed who Mina was completely. Not like with Lucy. No, Dracula had completely taken Lucy, turned her into one of his devoted slaves and making her a monster lacking any remorse. She was not herself. That was the only comfort Arthur had to placate the guilt of killing his fiancé, his lovely, vibrant Lucy.
It was right, what he had done. He had spared her, given her peace, shown her the only mercy he could. She had been completely ruined by Dracula's bite, unlike Mina.
He briefly wondered if Mina would be surprised to see him. She shouldn't be. After all, with her connection to the ageless beast and his obsession for her, she of all people should know of Dracula's return. And after Lucy's death, Arthur had dedicated his life to wiping the race of vampires out. Why should she be surprised to see the protégé of Dracula's greatest enemy since the count's death at such a time as this?
Why did he care? He did not, except for that selfish part of him that still mourned Lucy. That part of him hated Mina. Despised her. Sweet, kind Mina that was Lucy's best friend and adored by most men in some way or another was dead. Now there was a vampire female, turned by Dracula. It was because of Mina he went after Lucy.
It was because of Mina, Lucy was lost to Arthur forever.
And some part of him hated Mina for it.
---
"He is so warm, Mina. So handsome and well mannered, yet he is charming and there' is a hint of something daring in him," Lucy explained. "You have no idea how happy I feel at this moment!"
Mina smiled kindly at Lucy as the younger woman sat back on her bed with a sigh and a smile. "I think I might, Lucy," Mina argued. "After all, I am engaged myself, if you will remember." Mina sat on the bed next to Lucy as the other sat up.
"Oh, of course. I'm sorry, I should remember to think before I speak," Lucy said, shaking her head at her forgetfulness. "I'm afraid I am just so tired I forget things I should remember. My mind never can seem to focus on much anymore, other than the moment," Lucy confided with a hint of worry in her voice.
Concerned for her friend, Mina wrapped an arm around her. "What is wrong, are you still sleepwalker or having those nightmares?" she asked softly.
Lucy nodded. "I keep waking p in the garden or in bed but my nightgown is wet with dew and open, exposing most of my chest and all of my neck," Lucy explained. "Just like that one night when you found me, crying out in my sleep and my nightgown was practically torn of my upper body."
Mina nodded. She remembered that night. It was the night after a horrible storm, during which Lucy and Mina had both awoken after having similar nightmares. Dreams filled with images of women and men, dancing drunkenly, but with unusually red lips or torn throats. Ghastly images.
And there had been a man, though in Lucy's dream she had seen him clearly whereas Mina had only seen the silhouette. A dark man, with dark hair and beard, in foreign and old fashioned clothing, like that of a warlord from the Dark Ages was how Lucy had described her version.
It had terrified both women to learn of the almost identical dreams they had shared unknowingly.
But the next night, Mina had laid in bed, unable to sleep. She had heard Lucy cry out as if in fear or pain sometime after the midnight hour, and had rushed to her room. She had found her friend lying in bed, deep in sleep, gasping for breath and arched up with her nightgown ripped down the middle, all the way to her navel. He hair was splayed out on both sides, away from her neck, her gown pushes away as well, nearly exposing her breasts and halfway off her arms.
Mina had immediately woken Lucy up, though it had taken a hard slap across the face to do so. But Mina had been worried Lucy would choke herself if not woken, and had not taken the time to find some water.
It had been quite frightening, and Lucy had told Mina that she had dreamt the same man had come to her, touching her in forbidden, unknown ways and then taking her neck. She had sworn she felt something prick her neck, but refused to let anyone, even Mina, examine her neck.
"Is it still with the dark male?" Mina asked hesitantly. She did not wish to upset Lucy, especially after just becoming engaged.
Lucy paled and nodded. "I feel so horrible and used, Mina. I know he is not real and is just in my dreams, but to even have dreamt of a man other than Arthur touching me, seeing me, kissing me, I feel such shame."
Mina embraced her friend comfortingly. "It is all right, Lucy. At least you do not wish for these dreams. Should Arthur find out, he will understand. It is not as though you wish to betray him and his trust."
Forcing a smile and an empty laugh, Lucy nodded. "Of course, you are right. Oh, Mina, what would I do without someone as sensible as you with me?"
---
Campion Bond checked his watch while the League members sat at the table, waiting for whoever it was they were waiting for to arrive. Everyone felt uncomfortable for some reason, as if there was a thickness to the air, an invisible and sinister entity surrounding them.
Jekyll looked, well he looked like his normal self. Fidgeting ever so slightly with a nervous and humble demeanor. Nemo looked stern, but in his eyes a hint of worry could be found if one stared hard enough. Tom looked bored, and the only thing that could be told of Skinner was that he was drinking. But like Jekyll, that was normal for him.
Mina though, looked downright disturbed. Her eyes were distant, her posture stiff and rigid, her breathing irregular. Her hair was down, strangely. She almost always kept it up, tight and perfect. But now it was down, long and straight.
Jekyll noticed she let it down when she was upset about something without being too extremely emotional. Perhaps an unconscious show of her state of mind. It was usually the only clue to how she felt. Jekyll glanced at her, then looked back down in shame at the fact that he had all but studied what she was like when her hair was in different styles.
Fortunately, nobody took notice of Jekyll's glance toward Mina. Nobody was even paying attention to anyone else at the moment, except for a few glances at Bond whenever he looked at his watch. Which he was doing again.
Abruptly there was a knock on the door, and everyone, counting Mina and excluding Nemo, jumped slightly at the sound. Campion Bond stood and walked over to the door, opening it to reveal a well dressed man, with dark hair. Clean shaven and head held high, he had a definitive aristocratic air even though the look in his eyes and the strength in his well built frame gave the impression he would do anything necessary to win in a fight.
Everyone arched an eyebrow at the newcomer, until their attention was grabbed by the soft but sudden intake off breath by Mina. The other members of the League turned to see her rise from her chair, walking over towards the newcomer.
"Arthur?"
---
"Mina, this is Arthur Holmwood, my fiancé," Lucy introduced her friend to the handsome young man who was staring at Lucy with obvious affection. "And this is Mina Murray, my dearest friend who keeps me from being too whimsical in front of others."
Arthur Holmwood turned to Mina, smiling warmly and bowing his head gracefully. "A pleasure to meet you, Miss Murray," Arthur said softly. "Lucy has mentioned you before, it is good to finally meet someone she is so close to."
"It is good to meet the man she intends to marry," Mina replied with a slight bow of her own head. She returned the smile with a faint on of her own, and Lucy beamed with delight. "Lucy speaks of you constantly, although with the admiration in her voice one would think you were Adonis."
Lucy blushed slightly, but Arthur kissed her pink cheek softly before taking her hand in his. "Well, I have spoken of Lucy to my own companions, and they are convinced I am delusional and believe I am in love with an angel."
Lucy's cheek turned almost red at that comment, which amused Mina greatly. It was so unusual to see her friend act almost shy around anyone, but Lucy had been acting different for a few weeks now.
The only thing that bothered Mina was, it had not started with Arthur. But she consoled herself by remembering that Lucy's demeanor had changed in odd and unhealthy ways until her engagement. After that, her demeanor had become lively again, though a bit calmer and almost modest.
Still, Mina was troubled by the fact that whatever had caused Lucy's first change had been left undiscovered.
But now was not the time nor the place. It was obvious Lucy was happy and healthy, especially with Arthur around. Mina certainly did not want to bring the couple down or make Arthur worry over Lucy as Mina was quite positive he would if he found out Lucy had been having nightmares and trouble sleeping.
Besides, she had not mentioned them since the week of her engagement. Perhaps after their last talk of them, Lucy had finally freed herself of her dreams and sleepwalking. Hopefully Arthur's presence would keep those problems away.
---
Mina shouldn't have been so surprised to see Arthur. Well, perhaps a little surprised, but not shocked to the core. It had been a long time since she had seen him last. Since they had supposedly defeated Dracula. He had stayed with Professor Van Helsing after that, until the professor's death. And now, Dracula was awake again.
So there really was not much reason for her extreme shock.
Perhaps it merely was the confirmation that it all was really happening. Perhaps because now with not only Dracula's presence, but Arthur's, she was starting to feel like the Mina she once was, a trapped, cornered human caught in the web of an ancient and evil being.
That it proved she truly was going to have to fight him again. Fight the whispers in her mind, the stirrings in her blood, the aching in her fangs, the longing in her tainted and cold heart. Fight the very being that made her what she was now, and the very man that had caused her to burn with a disgusting lust.
But she was not so sure he would be worse than facing Arthur Holmwood.
"Hello, Mina."
This was going to be uncomfortable to say the least.
Arthur brushed past Bond and sat at the head of the table, his eyes cold and detached. He was not the nobleman Mina had known before. Years spent training under Van Helsing's tutelage and dealing with the loss of Lucy and of Quincy and even of Jack had worn on him. The battle with Dracula had changed him.
Whether it was for the better or not depended on your point of view.
Mina swallowed unnoticeably and regained her composure. But before she could say a word, one of the confused League members spoke up.
"You two know each other?" Sawyer asked, though Mina didn't even glance at him. She noticed Arthur's eyes dart in his direction briefly, and she wondered if the American brought back memories of an old friend.
Nodding, Mina finally tore her attention from Arthur to face the others, noticing a rather, focused stare from Jekyll before the quiet man looked away upon realizing he was caught. She swallowed again, suddenly plagued by a lump in her throat that refused to leave.
"This is Arthur Holmwood. He was engaged to a friend of mine that was, also turned by Dracula," Mina informed the others softly. "But she was overtaken by the bloodlust and had to be killed."
Arthur stiffened, a movement almost imperceptible. Except for immortal eyes and ears that could see the slight change and hear the soft rustle of fabric. He still hated Mina, she could see it in his eyes.
Truth was, she almost wanted him to. She understood why, she even felt it was justified, that she deserved it. After all, she had been spared the same fate as Lucy. But Lucy's fate had been because of Dracula's obsession with Mina all along.
Both of them were well aware of that fact.
"After my fiancé was killed, I vowed to put an end to Dracula's long life. If you could call it that. I was taken in by Professor Van Helsing whom, I am certain Mina has mentioned before. Or I would at least hope she would, even if just in passing," Arthur said coolly, but there was a venom in his tone that stung.
Mina bowed her head slightly, ignoring any raised eyebrow or dark glances thrown in Arthur's way as she tried to control the rising urge to give in to the soft, deceiving whispers in the back of her head. Exquisite lies she could not fully understand, empty promises of comfort Arthur's death would bring.
Mina shut it all out, she forced herself to ignore his temptations. Swallowing slowly, she closed her eyes, willing her mind to focus on what she had to do.
Finally, she spoke up once more, voice calm and steady. "I have mentioned the professor to them, Arthur. There was no way I couldn't," she said. There was no need to explain further. It was clear what she meant.
No way you could leave him out after they found out what you are. What I made you.
His voice was loud and clear that time, his presence strengthening in her mind as he spoke. But just as quickly as he hissed those unsettling words, the presence died down, almost as if he was leaving her alone for a short reprieve.
Arthur nodded, but there was no understanding in his eyes. Only contempt. Only hurt. Bitter longing for what he could never have, what was taken from him, all because of the woman sitting in front of him.
Mina knew she deserved it. The rising desire to rip out his throat and cause his eyes to lose all expression just so she could escape the burning guilt they caused her to feel proved that. She was a monster. She had just been given the control over it Lucy had been denied.
"That is good, since going back to explain who he was would take up too much time. And time is something we no longer have. Dracula grows stronger every second," Arthur said darkly. "He killed Renfield on our way here. The fog, it is his doing," Arthur explained, only looking at Mina.
The others were confused, they missed too many pieces of a grand puzzle to understand fully what was happening, but they kept silent for now.
"We somehow got separated in it. And when I found Renfield, he was dead. Run through, impaled. On his own sword," Arthur told her, told them. His voice was not so cold now. There was almost a touch of, sadness in it.
Loss.
Mina remembered Renfield. He had tried to help her escape Dracula, tried to save her from being turned. He had been driven insane by Dracula's control and manipulation, but he had been fighting for redemption.
And he had joined Arthur and Van Helsing after Dracula's defeat, regaining his sanity if not his humanity.
Mina was almost surprised Arthur could feel loss for a vampire. Even if it was Renfield. But then, Renfield had not had anything to do with what had happened to Lucy. There was no reason for Arthur to hate Renfield, only hate what he was.
"But Renfield did inform me of everything he knew before his connection with Dracula was severed when the count awoke somehow," Arthur went on, voice once again distant. "He wants what was taken from him last time."
"Me," Mina stated, staring at the table, her own voice distant as well as her eyes. "He wants me. He wants to own me."
---
Aleera stood on her balcony for a long time, staring hatefully at the distant lights of the village. Oh, how she wanted to go and ravage that place, tear into as many necks as she could find. Sate her hunger, and her heal her pride.
But Dracula had given strict orders. Feed only when needed, and as little as possible. And Zaharia was given orders to make sure that rule was obeyed. Last thing Aleera wanted was the Hellhound after her and Dracula's wrath to come down on her upon his return.
Yet, she needed to do something. She, ached in a way she had thought she never would be able to again. She thought Dracula had taken her heart along with her soul. But she had been wrong. It was there, just, frozen.
Though no completely immune to love or to rejection and scorn.
"I thought I would find you here," came a male voice from behind. She had caught the dog's scent long before he had spoken, but she had hoped he would be smart enough to leave her alone right now.
Although, considering he was probably fuming more than she was because of her attempt to placate herself by torment the werewolf and his lover, he probably would not use wisdom even if he had any. Too bad her fun had died the moment she had left.
"Leave, watchdog," Aleera hissed.
Zaharia walked up next to Aleera, grinning bitterly, sharp canines exposed. "I am afraid I do not want to. As to what I was saying, I knew you would be here. Because you come here, stare at the mortals you love to prey upon so much, and sulk when your pride has been wounded."
There was a brief flash of red in Aleera's eyes. But what she hated more than Zaharia's words was that it was known she was sulking.
"How does it feel, Aleera?" Zaharia asked, moving closer. "To know that once he is back, you will be pushed aside and someone else will take the place of you, and your fallen sisters. That he will never even want to look at you again."
Aleera knew she was not to do anything to Zaharia or Mariana. Not turn the girl, not kill the wolf. Not to even hurt him. He was a part of Dracula's plan. But she didn't care. With a snarl, she backhanded Zaharia, sending him back against the wall hard, but he hardly flinched, to busy sneering at her with satisfaction.
"Looks like I hit a nerve. I thought vampires were above such foolish, human feelings," Zaharia spat.
Striding past him, Aleera didn't give him more satisfaction by replying, trying to save the last bit of her pride left.