Author's Note: Thank you all so much for your reviews! They have been so helpful! I decided to change the summary because while I was developing the plot, I realized that it didn't fit at all. Thanks again! I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Van Helsing.
Chapter 1 Rumors from Rome
Budapest 1888
Vela swooped and soared, a fresh gust of wind combing through her hair. She inhaled the scents that danced around her, the heavy fog, the muddy cobblestones, the pulsing of human blood. She stopped, pausing in her flight. Her wings fought against the wind, beating down the pressure as she observed the city at night. The living were near. The vampire let herself drift slowly to the ground, taking care as to land out of sight from any human. Vela took her more presentable form as she landed, appearing as a young woman, in her early twenties. She wore a long black cloak and dark pants. Her hair was pulled back into a tight braid freeing her face from its inconvenience. Anyone that came upon her would think she was just a normal girl, with the exception of the fire that burned deep in her eyes. The master had sent her to this city early in the week. Rumors had reached his ears of a knight sent from the Holy City in Rome to slay him. Of course, they had laughed long and hard over the mere thought of it. But for him to send her out, worried Vela somewhat, why would the master deploy her to Budapest to listen for news if he truly was not concerned? Something had shone within the depths of his fathomless eyes when she had first told Dracula of the rumors. The girl shivered now as she recalled it, the urgency of his tone as he pushed her off the balcony and into flight.
"You must go with haste," he spoke in a deadly whisper, the gleam of madness always present in his eyes. "Listen carefully; learn what you can, for me." Vela had nodded and swept off into the darkness, hearing the other three brides cackle behind her as she left. Oh how she despised them, with their coquettish smiles and shrill voices. They always whined to the master, causing him annoyance. Had they not been so treasured by Dracula, she would have seen to it that they were staked in the heart long ago. Aleera aggravated her the most and the two often got into words when the master was not present. Vela knew that she had a quick temper and struggled to keep it in check many times. Perhaps it was her jealously of the other brides' beauty that stirred her emotions so. The girl herself was average, not deserving of any notice. It was times like these that she enjoyed her trips away from home. It provided her with time away, time to be free and though she greatly missed the master, she preferred to have as little or no contact with the others. Vela sighed as she slid along the wall of a building, trying to attract as little attention to herself as possible. So far she had not heard any news of the stranger sent to kill her master from the population in Budapest, but Dracula insisted that she make the trip just to be sure. But now her mission was complete and she was free to return home. The trip to Transylvania would be a long and tiresome journey. She needed to feed before starting back. Down the street from her a door clicked open and a young man stumbled out. Good, he was intoxicated, that would make it easier on her. The vampire followed him silently, a shadow invisible to almost all. Her canines lengthened, turning into menacing fangs. Her throat was parched and she licked her lips, knowing that in a few seconds her thirst would be quenched. The man paused to lean against a stone wall and Vela took her chance. A slight fluttering sound was heard and the man whipped around.
"Who's there!?" his words were slurred yet fear could be easily traced in his tone. Vela couldn't help but giggle quietly at the man's stupidity. "Who's there!?" he questioned again, feeling the vampire's presence yet not seeing her. The girl took this opportunity and lunged. It was over in a matter of seconds and she observed his now lifeless body with two gaping puncture wounds in his neck. The man's face was pale, drained of blood completely. Vela wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and turned on her heel to fade once more into the mist.
Dracula lay in his coffin, his arms crossed across his chest. But something disturbed his slumber, something beckoned in the depths of his mind. Vela was returning home to him, his Vela. The vampire sprang up, landing squarely on his feet outside of his coffin. He could here the muffled grunts of the Dwergi working furiously and even the shuffle of Igor's feet through the hallways. Water dripped slowly from a far off corner, echoing off the large walls and vaulted ceilings. A shriek of laughter reached his ears and he knew that it had to have come from one of his brides. Dracula walked slowly from the room and into a cavernous hall, lit by a few flaming torches placed on the walls. Aleera, Verona and Marishka were pacing the length of the ceiling, cackling at something that they found amusing. But Dracula did not even bother to inquire as to the nature of the jest, knowing that he would not find it humorous anyway. The three leapt to the ground upon his arrival and smiled coyly. He ignored them now, however, too keen on learning what news Vela might bring with her. Several minutes passed by before a great fluttering of wings sounded and his other bride swooped in, landing delicately upon the stone floor. She smiled and rushed towards him, kissing him gently on the cheek. He could smell fresh blood upon her cool breath as it played across his face. The others hissed softly and Dracula threw them a look, leaving them to fall into silence.
"Tell me, my dear, what news do you bring?" he asked quietly.
"Nothing of great importance master," she shrugged, her shoulders falling and rising beneath the folds of her cloak. "I have not heard any rumors of a knight sent from Rome to our land. They seem to know little, if not less then us." Dracula sighed and began to pace, his footsteps taking him up the wall and back.
"We must wait then, bide our time as best we can," he looked down at the four of them, Vela standing apart from the others. "As for the Valerious, there are but two left, Prince Velkan and Princess Anna. See to it that they are taken care of."