"The time of the matriarchate shall arise anew, no doubt."
(Vlad Dracula as collected from what are believed to be Dracula's notes, written during the time of his imprisonment).
Chapter Three
- Of the Crown of Thorns
"We have reached an agreement then, Sir Hellsing shall host the negotiations," Sir Islands pointed out to the neutral faced Integral, sitting across him. "That is all, Gentlemen. God save the Queen!" he exclaimed. The rest of the knights waited for him to rise to stand and depart themselves. Islands took his time in picking up his files and placing them inside his suitcase. Before exiting, he patted Integral's shoulders. "Good luck, Sir Hellsing."
"Thank you. I will need it."
The meeting of the Twelve Conventions, Alucard paused and corrected, the Eleven Conventions for one of the knights was dead, had been always held in secret in one of the members' houses. However, after the Valentine Brothers' attack on his Master's home, they decided to choose a far location and equipped it to be less predictable in case of another assault.
The current briefing was settled in a perilous zone. The chosen place was a the first floor of the Victoria Tower of Westminster Palace that miraculously remained intact, even if the Clock Tower had been destroyed during Millennium bombarding. The sandy-coloured stone walls had been washed of the stained smoke traces but the stench of the battle still lingered. Alucard could close his eyes and imagine humans choking for the lack of air, falling like flies over the same floor the knights where gathered right now.
The atmosphere had been tense the entire duration of the meeting, Alucard noted even Integral had some paranoid quirk to look behind her every thirty minutes. There was a reason for the selection of the Victoria Tower, a symbol of the old reign, and for the unspoken uneasiness among the secret leaders of the United Kingdom: the proximity to Midian.
"Those damned parasites," Integral had complained many times during their conversations about the vampires who had taken the former Capital of the Old Empire as their home. Alucard enjoyed how her upper lip had curled up in dislike and the passion that her words had contained. "The cheek to demand not only London but London borough!"
"Preparing for the second round of discussions, Master?" his voice echoed through the halls, attracting the attention of the guards who immediately wielded their guns towards all directions, seeking for his location.
"Rest!" Seras Victoria emerged from the gates, looking as menacing as she could manage with her blood stained uniform and swirling shadow tendril. "It's just Master Alucard."
I knew he was lurking in the shadows. I could sense him, Alucard listened to Pip's voice projected on Police Girl's mind through their bond.
Oh, you did? How? Spider sense?
More like bat-radar. He gives me creeps with his spooky aura around. We'll have to take a shower when we return. To wash the Alucard off us.
Alucard ignored his fledgling's embarrassment and eagerness towards his suggestion and focused on his Master once more. Seras and her little voice were becoming boring to his game. He manifested beside Integral, to her right side and glanced down to check her state. The bandages were well hidden beneath her massive white coat and loose shoes. She had decided to not bring the wheelchair with her in order to not show weakness towards the vampires. Her plan was to remain seated throughout the briefing and only leave when they were out of sight. She was worse than she let people to know, the artificial insemination clinic suggested her to recover herself before they would be able to perform their services. A small victory on his side.
"Alucard," Integral spared a brief glance in his direction, acknowledging his presence before returning to scan over a confidential file. "Report."
"There no sharpshooters in the perimeter, nor do I smell gunpowder beyond the already used," Alucard monitored to the window, in direction of the demolished buildings outside. "And the one with Police Girl and her team," he stroked his beard and shot a disdainful look towards the soldiers. They better be useful in guarding his Master.
"Stay alert," Integral ordered, spinning her leather chair to face Seras and the others. "I don't think they would try something and risk their only opportunity on negations but we can't take them as predictable either."
"Don't worry, Sir!" Seras saluted, straightening her posture. "We will assure your safety."
"Are the cameras functioning, Lieutenant Sanders?" Integral turned to one of the soldiers, who was behind Police Girl. He looked famished and was sweating too much. Alucard narrowed his eyes, inspecting the black haired man.
"Aye," Sanders replied, "They will be filming everything that takes place. In case of a disturbance, we can use evidence against them."
"Excellent," Integral nodded, waving a hand in dismissal. "Return to your positions until our guests arrive. Alucard, stay with me."
Seras saluted and led her men outside the meeting room. Alucard loomed closer to Integral, covering her with his shadow as the she lit one of her cigars, toying with her silver lighter afterwards. Her motions were clumsy and slow. The wounds of the wrists must have atrophied her articulations.
"What is your opinion of all this?" Integral asked after a while, exhaling smoke from her lips. She placed her chin over her hands, wincing slightly to the weight of her head over her damaged wrists.
"My opinion is that you should have been waited until your wounds were properly taken care of," Alucard answered with a sly smile, knowing that was not the subject she wanted to discuss.
Integral dropped some ash on the ashtray before catching his gaze, maintaining a serene exterior. "My health isn't the issue here…" she pointed out then added; "However you know better than anybody these wounds are unusual…"
"Really? Because they appeared from nowhere? How you smell like flowers after? Or the fact they don't heal?" Alucard questioned, smirking. "I thought that was normal." Integral lifted a brow. "My apologies, Master. In behalf of the seriousness of the situation perhaps you should search for another explanation less… mundane…"
"What are you suggesting, servant?" Integral's tone held a hint of agitation. She was good at masking her feelings. Alucard rather enjoyed guessing them instead of plain read her mind like he did with Police Girl.
"I think you know what I am talking about," Alucard's voice became insidious, bending down, mouth near her ear. The beard was almost brushing her skin, he delighted at the repressed tickles that he provoked her. "But you are afraid to utter it."
Integral scolded him for the sudden closeness and pushed him with her free hand, the other was holding her cigar. Alucard offered no resistance and leaned off. "We're being recorded, Alucard," Integral reminded him. "Drop the subject and answer my former question." Or use another channel, servant, he felt her mind opening through the seal.
Alucard chuckled, shrugging. "I can't help with them. I'm an outcast, an exiled," he laughed, pausing, listening to the firm footsteps over the staircase. "And you will find out soon enough…"
Integral crushed the cigar down when the door was knocked. "Sir Integral," Seras announced. "Mr. Thomas and his er-coven have arrived."
After sweeping the trails of ashes and straightening her gloves and suit, Integral spun her chair around. "Let them pass, Captain," she commanded, exchanging a look with Alucard. He remained behind her, acting like a perfect guardian dog. He was about to speak to the Police Girl's mind to suggest her stealth in the matter when Pip's voice resounded once more inside his head.
Did one of those greasy gits just wink at me, Seras?
I think he winked at me, Pip.
That bastard. Maybe we should show him to not hit on you!
Alucard heard Seras sigh before opening the door. Four vampires entered; their eyes trailed the surroundings and fell on the hidden cameras – their lenses glittered on the undead eye. The No Life King chuckled, they knew they must behave now or suffer the consequences. The leader was nearly bald and he was missing an eye. The second one, who threw lecherous looks towards Seras while he was sliding in, possessed a black mane and a strong build. The two others looked identical in features, short brown hair and crimson eyes. Unlike the leaders, they were wearing military outfits instead of business suits.
"Mr. Thomas," Integral addressed icily, not moving from her chair, "It's a… pleasure to meet you again. Protocol states, your companions should introduce themselves before proceeding," she gestured towards Alucard. "I suppose you all of you know Alucard already." He gave a mocking bow, staring at the other vampires intensely.
"Yes, we have some the pictures," Thomas inclined his head. "And it's a great honour you could answer to our appointment request, Sir Hellsing," he said, sounding sincere. Turning around, he pointed out to his men. "This is John, my second counselor. My right hand was indisposed and couldn't make it" The dark haired one took a step forward, Alucard's lip curled in a silent snarl when the punk dared to leer in his Master's direction. Integral did not seem to notice or care. "These gentlemen are my bodyguards, Zachary and Luke." Both nodded at the same time.
"Ma'am."
"No first names given?"
"We must protect our identities, Sir Hellsing," Walter replied, apologetic. "You understand the necessary of being anonymous for the sake of our community."
"Quite. Sit down," Integral spun the chair again. None interrogated about her lack of courtesy to avoid standing and greeted them. Alucard shook his head, no matter how much she wanted to hide her condition, the vampires could smell her wounds and the dry blood over the damaged skin. Also, they surely sensed his scent, marking her outside their territory.
Thomas settled on the opposite extreme of the table as John sat at one of the left ones. Zachary and Luke stood behind their leader. Integral opened the debate. "Your pretences of power are risky, Mr. Thomas," she informed him. "You're biting off more than you can chew, no pun intended. Her Majesty, the Prime Minister and the Round Table are rather upset."
"With all the due respect, Sir Hellsing," Thomas started, "It's not a pretence as it is a fact."
"Pardon?"
"The London borough is not inhabited by mortals right now," Thomas stated, sweeping a file with pictures and stats to Integral. Alucard peered over his Master's head and scanned the results. "Only vampires were brave enough to reconstruct some of the buildings and put in functioning this devastated spot. Many of them are innocent, Sir Hellsing and you know it. Such as the girl outside. We are persecuted for Millennium's crimes, forgetting the fact the Nazis were warmongers and humans as well," he lowered his voice. "We have our injured too. The silver weapons of the crusaders and the fire damaged us, your Captain isn't the only one who lost a limb… And unlike your Alucard, we don't posses his regeneration skills."
Alucard smirked smugly.
"We need the cities to offer shelter to all the undead and supernatural, it's safe to avoid clashes that way which can be negative for both spe-"
"Enough," Integral tilted her head, smirking. Thomas blinked, clearly confused by the interruption. "We live on the borough," she tossed the folder back to him with distaste. "Your stats are not trustworthy." She fished a cigar from her pocket and lit it, inhaling the tobacco before continuing. "I agree. Your kind should live apart for now. I will talk to Her Majesty and discuss the borders," she exhaled, the smoke hid her futures. Alucard approved her ways to cloak her expression effectively. "Hellsing members, however, will remain regardless of their species. Don't forget you and your vampires aren't outside the law, we are your assigned vigilance…"
Is this wise, Integra? Alucard asked, speaking to her mind. She distracted herself briefly to respond him.
It's the easiest path to take, she explained, Once the world is less convulsed, humans and vampires will start to mix again and everything will return to normal. We need to cooperate and keep our power at the same time. We are not Nazis; we don't approve genocide. Allow me to continue without prying, Alucard.
Alucard acquiesced her petition and let her do the talk. Despite all claims, Hellsing hunted down the bad element inside the ranks of the undead. Integral was rather lax and did not consider all monsters; she gave most the benefit of the doubt. Unlike Iscariot. He suspected it was for his influence over her teenage years.
"That sounds good to us, Sir Hellsing. And about that seat on the Round Table…" Thomas pointed out. "My first counselor was the one who advised this. It doesn't have to be me, but we need someone who understands our interests and isn't… exiled…" Alucard flashed him a toothy grin, knowing fully well how disliked he was.
"What about Seras Victoria?" Integral proposed, "She's my Captain. Would you accept her?"
"The bird?" John suddenly inquired with sudden interest. Alucard had thought that one had entered in torpor after Thomas' speech.
"John. Quiet," Thomas ordered, frowning. Then he furrowed a brow. "That depends of her abilities in diplomatic matters."
"Which are none," Alucard intervened, "The Police Girl has no idea about etiquette or protocol. I'm afraid she's not qualified. But I would suggest a female among your ranks. They have better… leadership skills." His gauntleted hand patted Integral's shoulder.
Integral was silent, considering this. Alucard knew part of her was disgusted to give in to vampires' demands but she considered them citizens. Though, it was unlikely she would say that aloud. Thus under her protection.
"A woman? They are only good for-" John was starting to say when both Thomas and Integral glared in his direction. Alucard snorted, was this a real counselor? He wondered if he bought his place like humans did at times.
"Bring me a list of candidates on next meeting, Mr. Thomas," Integral commented, clearing out her dry throat. She should not have smoking so much lately. Alucard counted the cigars and she had been doubling her vice. "I will discuss them with my fellow knights and…" she closed her eyes, drops of sweat started to form on her face. She was speechless and started to tremble.
The cameras will tape this, Alucard chuckled inwardly. Smile, Master. She had almost finished with them in any case. "Master?" he inquired, reaching to hold her.
"Sir Hellsing?" Thomas rose just in time when Integral started to spasm in agony. She screamed, trashing on her seat but did not fall due to Alucard's grasp on her, settling her in place, easing her passion. On her forehead small gashes popped out, her skin was cut on a neatly circular line encompassing her skull. When the wounds started to bleed, the hunger of her guests was awakened. They stalked close, transfixed by the enticing scent of virgin blood.
"Sir Integral!" Seras kicked the door open, leading the guards inside. Alucard looked up, still holding the shivering Integral. "What's that smell?" she asked, pinching her nose.
"Garlic?" Thomas' face contorted in disgust. His companions also stopped their motions towards Integral to held their breath. Vampires did not need to breathe unless is for speaking but they enjoyed to scent the areas to print their own mark on them.
"Police Girl, take them with you. The allium fragrance isn't very healthy for vampires," Alucard ordered, "That's garlic flower for you, punk." His gaze fell on John who was gagging over a window.
"Yes, Master," Seras muttered, dragging Thomas outside, tugging him gently. The twins followed his leaders and John was more interested in staring at his fledgling legs than serve the vampire envoy.
Alucard addressed the human soldiers. "Stop staring at me, useless bags of blood. Go and call medical help," he growled, indicating Integral's state. Drops of blood covered her face and hair. Then he paid no heed to the ones who remained and took care of part of his Master's predicament.
His long tongue caught the running droplets, lapping at her cheeks, her nose and jaw. He took his time in cleansing her lips, crimson and looking delectable as a juicy apple to a human being. Alucard was not only tasting her blood there, but also the flavor of her saliva. His licks over her mouth were shivery, using the extreme of his appendage. Then, he moved up again, to Integral's forehead, grazing at her wounds.
Alucard laughed inside, sensing the fear of the occupants of the tower when they heard his howls of pain.
Author's Notes: Thanks to Verdandi24 for edit this chapter and to Alucard's Familiar's correction of a grammar mistake in last one. Finally to my reviewers.
