"There is nothing more depreciative for a perfect body than the grotesque swelling, the enormous dilatation of the womb during the last months before the birth."
(Vlad Dracula as collected from what are believed to be Dracula's notes, written during the time of his imprisonment).

Chapter Two
- Of Nailed Feet

The nurses told Integral she had smelled like lilies, a delicate fragrance that exalted her youthful beauty, while she recovered. Alucard thought her scent of blood was far more enticing and remarkable than the flowerily perfume that seemed to surround her.

Her short-sighted doctors could not explain what exactly happened nor how she acquired the punctured wounds, very well. They did not dare to utter the possibility that they were self-made, the mere idea could have them in a predicament with the Master of the Monster herself. Despite their lack of imagination, they were smart, Alucard granted them that.

He of course had been watching. Sometimes he made his presence known to his Master, acting like a guardian hound that looked after his wounded owner. Others, when she was establishing private conversation or sleeping, he was well hidden in the shadows. Police Girl had discovered him when he was careless but had not informed Integral. Merely scoffed and maintained her guard.

"I didn't find anything in the crime scene," Seras had reported to Integral, two days after the incident. "There wasn't a tool around who could cause such wounds, Sir. Do you remember anything unusual?"

Integral had shaken her head, reaching for her teacup and taking a sip of the hot liquid. "No, Seras. I don't," she took another mouthful of the tea. "Maybe I accidentally cut myself with my letter opener?" she had ventured, grimacing. Alucard had chuckled, he was aware her disliking of the self-inflicted theory.

"I doubt it, Sir," Seras had assured her, "There was no blood on the letter opener and the shape of the wound wouldn't coincide anyway."

"And have you noticed anything unusual that day, Seras? This may help me."

"Well… I…" Seras had hesitated while a male voice inside her mind had whispered:

Tell her about Alucard's odd behaviour.

No, Pip. I doubt Master harmed her, he may be many things but he's devoted to Sir Integral. Besides, it will be risky to provoke unnecessary tension.

Alucard had contained his laugh. He was indeed loyal and faithful for he had recognised Integral as superior to him, but he craved to achieve that might one day. Despite all his attempts, despite of his abilities, he found himself powerless, as he was a mortal again, while among women.

"Seras?" Integral had said, ending the Police Girl's mental chat.

Seras had blinked and had shaken her head. "Sorry about that, Sir," she had laughed nervously. "I didn't notice anything wrong, Sir."

"Thank you, Captain. You may leave and continue with your duties."

"Sir," Seras had saluted and retreated, leaving Integral to finish her tea by herself.

Life returned to normal three days after that conversation took place. Integral insisted in her recovery and left the bed against the medics' wishes. Stripping off the white cloth she was forced to wear, the knight had clothed herself within her suit and strode out of the antiseptic room.

"There's no time to waste when the country is in such a deplorable state," Integral had scoffed at their protests. Alucard had observed in glee, while she was announcing how useless their treatment was, the power she asserted over the personnel. And she had been right. The stitches that had tried to close her wounds never remained in place, they had undone themselves every time the staff had sewed the holes. Once more, they found no explanation for the phenomena.

During the time of her rest, work had accumulated in piles over her desk. Integral, ever the workaholic, pushed herself to finish it by the end of the month. She stayed in her office all night suffering from self-imposed insomnia. She had taken breaks here and there, occasionally calling him to share a word and a conversation. Sometimes, she called Seras instead of him.

Routine, however, had broken that day, just after Integral finished her round in supervising the training of the recently acquired soldiers, who could not aim properly to save their life – their bullets never pierced the paper target's heart. They were civilians who had survived the onslaught and claimed vengeance.

"Beggars cannot be choosers, Alucard," Integral had told him when she approved the project. "The world is lacking professional, trustworthy soldiers thus, we'll have to train them ourselves."

His Master left the obstacles field and entered into the Mansion to call one of her chauffeurs. So she wanted to go in a road trip? His eyes narrowed on the shadows, he had forgotten of the date and hoped Integral with all the business of the incident had shared his fluke.

"Master," Alucard called, appearing at her left. Integral was waiting for her driver to comply to her orders, standing on the threshold and smoking a cigar. He noted she was dressed differently. Instead of a black suit, she was wearing a white one and, if his eyes did not deceive him, there was a thin layer of rouge on her lips. "What's the occasion?"

Integral glanced at him, "Good afternoon, Alucard," she greeted. "Hasn't Seras told you?" she asked. Alucard shook his head.

"Police Girl barely speaks with me, Integra," he rubbed his goatee. "I think my new appearance makes her uneasy."

Integral smiled, dropping the cigar and crushing it with her foot. "You look like the Devil," she stated, "I can hardly blame her."

"But you like this appearance. You haven't ordered me to shave my beard," Alucard pointed out, laughing and delighted to see the body temperature increasing in his Master, despite her attempts to look unnerved and steely. Speaking of temperature, hers was higher than normal and that scent lingering on her genitals temped his nostrils. It was the indication a female was apt to have a child. He grimaced. "Where are you going? The Twelve Conventions meeting is not due until next week, Integra."

Integral lifted a brow, amused. "Oh? I didn't know you were my personal walking schedule, Alucard," she teased. The engine of the new brand Rolls Royce his Master had purchased started and the car moved beneath the staircase to park there. "I'm going to Dudley. I have an appointment there," she chuckled. "One that will end with a new Master for this house."

Alucard's eyes flickered in disgust briefly, and then forced himself to remain indifferent. "Master, you shouldn't strained yourself," he suggested, approaching. "Think how your body suffered in the war and for this," he reached her arm, catching the left wrist with alacrity. Integral was tensed for the motion in the beginning but did not protest nor had she complained when he removed her glove, finger by finger, and pulled up the sleeves.

"You haven't healed yet," he continued, displaying the tanned flesh and the hole beneath it. His finger prodded the wound with a shivery caress that made her shudder in both, pain and pleasure. "Carrying a child could not be the wisest action to do right now." Or ever, that small bulge of flesh will make you ugly and weak because it will transfer his traits to you, he wanted to add but refrained. She would realise that in time.

Integral inhaled sharply, lips pursed in deep thinking.

Beep! Beep!

The horn of the car, however, interrupted such pondering, making Integral withdraw from his touch at once. "The car is waiting, Alucard," she said, pulling down her sleeves. "It's imperative for me to go," she replied with resolve. No explanations given, she did not owe him any. Alucard inclined his head and slid the glove on her hand obediently, the mere brush of his cold fingers with hers was electric.

"Of course. Good luck, Master," Alucard bowed and tilted his head as she turned and descended the staircase towards the vehicle. He heard the door shutting after she climbed in. Alucard gazed as the Rolls Royce arrived at the gate and waited for them to be opened. Alucard closed his eyes and waited. The car had not crossed completely when he heard Integral's piercing scream and smelled the blood in the atmosphere.

The vehicle stopped at once and the chauffer descended from it, the guards moved to aid the wounded leader, but Alucard was faster and he arrived first, fading and destroying the door to take a look at his Master. Integral did not pass out this time, rather she found herself shaking and curled in the backseat. She breathed with difficulties and looked like she was in a half delirious state. His hungry eyes travelled to the ruined shoes stained with blood. Quickly, Alucard pulled out the bothersome leather covering and tossed them away.

"S-sir Integral! H-how is she!" her chauffer stuttered, bleaching. The man must have been frightened he would be put to blame for her injures.

Alucard did not bother to answer and leaned to lick the blood out of her right foot, starting by the drops over her toes and tracing the path towards the wound with a serpentine motion. The vampire let go a pained howl when his appendage arrived to the injury that scared the witnesses. It was like his tongue was burning but nonetheless kept his task, nibbling the aching area, brushing his facial hair over the sensitive skin. Once over, Alucard continued with the left foot. The flesh was pierced in the same place as if it went through bounded feet. And beneath the blood scent, he paused to inhale deeply, there was the faint, vanilla perfume of orchids that soon started to spread.


Thanks to all my reviewers and kelles who edited this chapter.