Author's Note: Here is my fourth chapter. Thank you all so much for the wonderful reviews which have encouraged me to continue the story! I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Van Helsing.
Chapter 4 Marishka's End
The rising sun was veiled behind a dark canopy of clouds, not unusual for Transylvania. Aleera, Marishka and Verona had assembled in the main hall of their master's castle, awaiting his instructions. It was quite strange that Dracula would wish to send them on a mission during the day, since that was the time when vampires normally slept. But they were not keen on arguing with the Count, knowing that his temper was great indeed when brought about. A few Dwergi shuffled quietly in the far corners, muttering in their guttural language. The brides had learned to ignore them, after so many years of dwelling with their master and his numerous servants. The door to the far end of the hall opened slowly and in swept Dracula, his eyes trailing over the three slowly.
"My darlings," he opened his arms to them and they rushed forward, kissing his hands.
"What is it that you wish for us master? What mission would you have us complete?" Marishka purred.
"Yes, what would you have us do?" Aleera cooed.
"Ah, I believe that you already know that," he murmured, his eyes flickering slightly. The brides' faces lit up with excitement.
"The last Valerious," Verona smiled, revealing her dangerous canines.
"We cannot have her disrupting our mission now, can we?" the Count asked them.
"No, we mustn't," Aleera replied.
"We shall finish her my lord," Marishka spoke confidently. None of them besides Dracula had seen Vela enter the room. But she stood alone, hiding in the deep shadows cast from one of the large pillars. The others would finally be out of her hair for awhile. And now all she had to do was hope that the Valerious brat picked one of them off before succumbing to death herself. Yes, the master would be troubled by this, but since he claimed that he was hollow, she knew that he would recover swiftly. Yet, still a thought nagged at her. What if the Count went in search of another bride? Oh well, she would have to face that problem if and when it came about. Her plan would have went off without a hitch, had Verona not spoken up.
"But, shall we attend to the village alone?" she asked, arching her thin, black eyebrows. "Or will you send someone with us?"
"I do not know who you speak of," the master gazed down at them. "Who shall I send?"
"Well, you could send Vela to accompany us," Aleera offered. "She never goes with us." It was at this moment, when she felt her arrangement almost jeopardized, that Vela stepped out of the shadows, making her presence known.
"Why? You cannot handle one girl on your own?" she sneered angrily.
"Well, it would be nice of you to help us once," Aleera hissed. Vela stared at the other brides, hatred lining her pale features. They would have fought each other viciously had Dracula not interceded.
"Now, you all are quite aware that I do not send Vela on missions when she is in plain sight of humans," he replied smoothly. "She will stay here."
"And why is that?" Verona snapped very uncharacteristically. "Do you favor her over us?"
"No," he was immediately stern. "I do not favor any of you. Go, now, finish off the Valerious like I have asked!" The three brides hissed and quickly changed into bat form. Then with shrieks that would cause deafness among men, they flew from the hall and out into dark sky. Dracula sighed as he watched them go, for this was the first time he had actually observed the toxicity of their relationship with Vela. "Come to me, my child," he beckoned her to his side. Vela obeyed, trying to keep a smirk of triumph from rising upon her lips. The Count enveloped her in his arms, resting his chin upon her hair. "You must try to tolerate their presence," he said, his voice firm. "I will not have these useless arguments in my household! I thought we had an understanding with each other."
"Yes master," the girl replied halfheartedly, knowing that he spoke truth.
"Perhaps you should join them," he said more to himself than her, "even if you stay a good distance away from the village."
"But…master," she stuttered, raising her head in surprise at his words.
"Go!" Dracula pushed her away suddenly. "Go with them, but do not let yourself be seen!"
Vela hovered in the air on the outside borders of the village. She was up high enough to clearly see all that took place though. Verona, Aleera and Marishka swooped down upon Vaseria and the living ran, screaming in terror. The princess was there, along with two men she didn't recognize. One appeared to be a holy man of some sort, a meek, trembling man who cowered at the sight of the vampires. The other however, was most peculiar. He stood up tall and straight, a long dark coat resting on his broad shoulders, while a wide brimmed hat was perched upon his head. Though the cause was unknown, the bride shivered when she first laid her eyes upon him. There was something about him, something that made him dangerous to her kind. This fear was proved when he pulled out a crossbow and began firing arrows with silver tips at the other three. They shrieked in anger and Verona called to Marishka, ordering her to kill him. Then Verona and Aleera, disappeared, moving in for the kill perhaps with the princess. Marishka was teasing the stranger and had landed upon the railing of one of the houses. She leaned forward, saying something to him, but she was too far away for even Vela to read her lips. Then suddenly, she dove off the balcony, knocking him to the ground and rose up to a great height equal to her own. Vela met her eyes from a distance, momentarily distracting her. Then she let her eyes travel back towards the stranger, who had picked up his weapon and was running towards the church. Marishka's face turned into an ugly mask as she shot her a look of horrible loathing before diving down once more in a attempt to disarm the man. But he was quicker. The man turned his weapon on her and released a round of arrows. She flew backwards and a terrible shrieking filled the air. Verona and Aleera crashed through a rooftop, screaming in fury and grief. Marishka had been hit and now, she lay against the spire of the church. Vela watched as the bride died, crying out as her flesh dissolved and bones turned to dust. The two remaining brides swept off, not even realizing that the other girl was present. She allowed a smile to come to her face and flipped over a few times in the air, letting forth her own cry. One down, she thought, two to go.