Author's Note: Here is my third chapter. Thank you all so much for the reviews, I cannot not tell you how much they have encouraged me! Thanks again! I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Van Helsing.
Chapter 3 Broken Glass
Rain fell in sheets against the paned windows. The castle was silent and Vela sighed, feeling absolute boredom towards her own existence. The itch for blood remained in her being, however slight it may be now. She did indeed treasure the time spent with her master, yet she hated the thought of even seeing the other brides. It was because of this that she stalked around her home in the dead of night, not bothering to fly with the others and feed. Dracula had gone with them, unfortunately, leaving the girl in her solitude. Igor and the Dwergi stayed of course, cowering at her mere glance and of course she had given them reason to. Anger seemed to cloak her mind constantly, never giving her a moment's peace or rest. She let her wings unfurl slowly and swept to the other side of the cavernous library. Then with skill that no other winged creature might possess, she moved up the dusty shelves, hovering here and there until she found a book that was to her liking. It was just at this time, that the heavy wooden doors swung open cautiously and in stepped Igor. The disfigured man carried with him a golden tray bearing a goblet filled to the brim with blood. The tray shook as he inched closer to her, drops of crimson falling upon its pristine surface.
"Mistress…Vela…" he stuttered, drawing nearer. "I have brought you…" But the vampire swooped down with ease and snatched the goblet away from him. She then flew amongst the rafters, sipping delicately from the chalice, her eyes never leaving the terrified man on the floor.
"Tell me Igor, who is it that the master loves the most?" Vela asked softly, swirling the blood in the glass.
"I do not know mistress," he muttered, dropping his eyes to the ground. "But I thought that the master was incapable of love."
"Oh, you do not know? Or is it that you conceal the truth from me, fearing my wrath?" she watched with amusement as he face twisted in fear once more.
"No…no…it is not that my mistress," his hands shook so violently that even blind man could see them from the rafters. Vela drifted lazily downward, relishing in this chance to unleash her anger on this…thing.
"Then what is it?" the girl's voice was a deadly whisper. Igor was stuck dumb in his terror, his mouth moved but no words left it. The vampire grew impatient and with a great sense of fury, threw the goblet directly at him. The servant managed to move out of the way just in time and the glass shattered on the floor, spilling blood everywhere. "Get out of my sight," she snarled, watching him scurry out of the room, the tray abandoned where he had stood. Rage filled her and she let out a piercing scream directed at no one in particular. She transformed back into her more presentable form and landed upon the stone floor. Glass crunched under her boots as she moved around the library, breaking the troubling silence at once. Perhaps she should join the master in his hunt for prey, even if the other brides were present. Vela paced the length of a nearby wall, toying with the idea for several minutes. No, it was too late. The Count was probably on his way home already. She wished for his return, yet she did not. Igor would keep his silence about their little 'incident' earlier, but it was not that which she feared. Her anger had shown itself once more and the master never approved of such. He always lectured her on keeping herself composed at all times. But that had been a difficult task indeed, though she did strive for it to please him. Unfortunately the girl still suffered from outbursts and with the other brides floating around, it was near impossible to keep calm. A gust of wind suddenly rushed through the room, stirring the pages of open books and her own golden hair. The doors burst open on their own accord and the master entered. His raven hair was plastered to his pale face, while his clothes hung completely drenched from his body. Vela realized, with embarrassment, that she was standing in a mess of shattered glass and crimson.
"Vela, my darling," he held out his arms to her and she rushed into them. "Such wonderful tidings I bring you." The tidings must be wonderful indeed, she thought to herself, for he does not even seem to notice the near destruction of his library.
"Oh and what may they be?" she asked softly.
"The Prince Velkan has been bitten by a werewolf," he replied, pulling her near. "So close are we now to realizing our dream!" The bride pulled away in astonishment.
"You jest!" her tone was breathless.
"No my dear one," he lifted her hand in his and wrapped the other around her small waist. "A jest of such would be cruel and I am not cruel. Well, not to my brides at least," Dracula said after a little hesitation. Slowly he moved her around the library in the steps of a waltz, hoping that his heart would be rekindled once more. "There is werewolf venom running in his veins," the Count spoke in a whisper, lingering on the sweet taste of his words. "He will be stronger than the Lord Valerious. Yes, it is his strength that will give our children life!" Vela smiled joyfully as she danced with her master, never before had she seen him so happy, so pleased. His boot heel crunched over a large piece of glass and he paused. "What happened?" Dracula asked with one swift glance down at the floor.
"Oh nothing," the girl shrugged, nudging the shards with her own foot. "But master, have you learned anything new of the warrior Rome sent?" She was eager to change the subject. Dracula's face hardened briefly and he wrinkled his nose in disgust almost.
"No," his expression turned back to normal. "Nor do I wish to seek it now. All we must concern ourselves with is finishing off the Valerious. There is but one left."
"Princess Anna," Vela murmured. "Why don't you send Aleera, Verona and Marishka to be rid of her? I am sure it would be no trouble to them."
"No, I suppose you are right," he grasped her tightly and then led her into a dip. "I shall send them in the morning."