AN: The Gospel of Shadows and it's teachings were created by author Christoper Golden in The Shadow Saga series (4 books). I did not come up with those ideas. I thought it would be interesting to use just the ideas/book with the Alexander Anderson character. There will be no characters from those books in this fic - it is not a crossover.
Disclaimer: I do not own Hellsing or The Shadow Saga series.
As Integral read the information from Father Anderson's notes, her emotions went from disbelief to anger and fear. If what she read was true, vampires were more powerful then anyone had suspected. Hellsing would have to come up with new weapons to destroy the evil ones. She did not, however, share his guilt. Hellsing had not, at least not under her control, killed vampires randomly. They had only hunted the ones that were harming humans. Integral had long suspected vampires were not inherently evil and Seras Victoria had confirmed that suspicion. It was their power that turned vampires into monsters.
The book stated that nothing except for silver truly harmed vampires. Not blessed objects nor sunlight. It had all been fabrication put out by the Church in their attempt to control vampires during the Middle Ages. What amazed Integral the most was that the vampires for centuries had believed the teachings of the Church and fiction became reality. They believed blessed objects harmed them and so they did. Some weak vampires would burn up if they ventured out during daylight – another statement the Gospel said was a lie. The book made no mention of bodies of water. Integral guessed that like the sun, it was another lie but had not been disproven. How could a Church, an institution that taught its members not to lie, fabricate such a tale?
She looked at Anderson – he seemed to be falling apart at the seams. The priest was acting more insane then usual. She had to do something – Integral needed him to survive this nightmare.
"Father Anderson, you need to get a hold of yourself. This isn't saying that all vampires are good. Most of the ones you killed were up to no good. They had to be taken down to save human lives. You have nothing to feel guilty over, Alexander." Integral forgot they were supposed to be addressing each other more informally.
"I wish you were right, Integral. Maybe you are up but, there have been many I've killed for no reason except of what they were."
"Alexander, you were as innocent as the vampires themselves. You did not know. Even if you weren't aware of any crimes that does not mean they were innocent. Most of the vampires I've come across have taken human lives. It is quite likely that you've saved lives by killing them Alexander." Integral said, her voice full of conviction.
"Aye, I pray that you are not wrong. There is something that disturbs me about the vampires we've seen today. The book says silver hurts them, yet you shot them with pure silver bullets. Why have they not been injured?"
"I've been thinking about that. I suspect that Millenium has something to do with it. They are the only organization with any type of real scientific knowledge about vampires. I believe the vampires must be on some sort of drug or have had their genetics modified so silver doesn't harm them to a great degree. It does cause some damage, but not nearly enough." Integral studied Alexander and was relieved at what she saw. He seemed to be recovering from the effects of the wine and his discovery. She wondered how his injuries were coming along. The priest still seemed somewhat weak. "How are your injuries, Alexander?" Integral asked.
"They seem to be improving just a bit. I've been thinking about why I seem unable to regenerate myself. There is only one thing that could slow down my powers, Integral – poison."
"Poison?" Integral asked.
"Yes, poison. Their swords must be treated with some chemical or drug that attacks my body's ability to regenerate." Anderson explained.
Integral nodded. Of course and only Millenium would be able to get their hands on the technology to do that.
"But, I am getting better." Anderson started to get up, he needed to at least try to walk.
Integral felt bad for the priest. He was almost as strong as her servant and yet he could not even get up. "Here," she said offering her hand, "let me help you, Alexander."
Anderson looked like he was not going to accept her offer but took her hand at the last minute. "Aye - thank you, Integral."
When Integral looked back on everything, she would remember that was the moment when everything changed between them - the way that he had looked at her when she helped him up Holding his hand generated a warmth throughout her body that Integral could not explain. And he had that silly grin on his face. What in the hell is going on? The Hellsing leader refused to believe that she could possibly feel anything for the man – he was after all, a priest. And a Catholic.
Anderson leaned on Integral as she walked with him to a wall. He wanted to use the time walking around the room by holding onto the wall. The priest was determined to rebuild his strength. After he had accepted her help, the priest wished he had not. Every time their body's touched, no matter what how innocent their intentions, his heart beat a little faster. Even stranger was the way that they had been acting towards each other. Integral and Alexander were being nice to one another. Maybe the world was truly coming to an end.
Several hours passed without incident. Integral watched as Anderson's strength slowly came back. He must have been right about their weapons being laced with some sort of chemical. It had to be Millenium. She was still amazed to see his get increase every hour. Anderson was human, after all. She prayed that his insanity did not return along with his power. She didn't think her nerves could stand it.
"Integral." Anderson called. He was holding up an object. It was her cell phone.
"Oh you can put that down. The vampires must have blocked all transmissions. I can't even get through to the Rome police."
"But, Integral – there is a dial tone. Perhaps God is coming to our aid."
"Perhaps, but it is more likely that the vampires have overlooked something. I have faith Alexander, but why would God put us in this situation? Look at all of your people who have been killed. What did they do to deserve their awful deaths? The loss of their souls?"
"Aye Integral, sometimes we do not understand God's actions. I'm not sure there is a reason but we must not question Him."
"Just give me the phone." Integral ordered the priest, frustrated with the conversation. Catholics, there is no reasoning with them. Integral grabbed the phone and started dialing the number for Walter. She was pleasantly surprised when he answered.
"Walter! Where in the bloody hell is Alucard? He should have been as soon as the Vatican was attacked." Integral screamed into the phone.
"Sir Integral, I understand you distress. Lord Alucard did want to leave immediately but things have gone to hell here as well. There have been numerous vampire attacks all over London. Alucard has had to handle most of them himself. The weapons are not having the same effects, even Lord Alucard's weapons. The Queen has ordered everyone in Hellsing to stay put. She is aware of your situation but has said that London must be protected at all costs." Walter rather wished he didn't have to report this bad news to Integral. He knew she would not take it well.
"Damn it, Walter! It sounds like the same type of vampires that have attacked here. Silver does have a limited effect. Mercury Ignition ammo seems to work the best on them. Listen Walter, put Alucard on the phone NOW."
"Sir Integral, I only wish that I could. He is out on patrol." Walter replied.
"I don't care what the Queen has said – tell Alucard I have ordered him to get to the Vatican the minute you see him. I'm tired of being stuck at Rome." Integral did not wait for his response. She hung up and threw the phone on the floor.
Anderson could not resist speaking badly of Alucard. It was just his nature. "So, the demon has deserted you in your time of need. He truly is a bastard of hell." The priest's hatred of Alucard was evident in his voice.
"Alexander! I would not speak badly of your associates, please do not criticize my Servant." Integral got up and walked over to a bookcase.
"I'm sorry, Integral, I cannot honor your request. That demon does not deserve your trust. He is not being loyal to you. He is your servant, not the Queen's, he should be by your side by now." Anderson walked over to Integral.
"Stop-stop-stop! Just don't speak another word!" Anderson was getting far too close for her comfort. She was not afraid of him but he was invading her personal space. Integral put her hand on his chest to push him away. No one ever got this close to Integral without her consent. "And Father Anderson, please don't get so close."
Anderson's reaction surprised even him. Instead of backing off, he challenged her with his words. "What, Integral Hellsing, does it make you nervous being this close to a man who is not a demon?"
Integral looked into his eyes as she felt a surge go through the hand that was touching the priest. He was so damn aggravating. And yet, Integral felt strangely turned on at the moment.
She laughed at his suggestion. "I do not get nervous, Alexander! I happen to like my personal space. What? Is that an idea that you Catholics do not understand? Like compassion."
Anderson leaned into Integral as he grabbed the arm that was on his chest. What am I doing? I am a Priest, I have vows. Why do they suddenly seem so unimportant. All I can think about is what kissing her would be like. Alexander wondered whose thoughts were inside of his mind – they sure could not be his.
"Alexander Anderson – just what are you doing?" Integral wasn't sure but she thought that she felt his arousal through his pants. This cannot be happening – it just can't."
The priest did not know what possessed him at that moment. He wondered if Integral was bewitching him or if there were demons in his soul. At the moment he did not care. Alexander pulled Integral closer to him until their faces were practically touching. He could not resist the temptation any longer. As he put his mouth on her, he said a prayer asking God to forgive what he was about to do. Alexander kissed her hard and fast to make up for all of the days he had desired her. He was pleasantly surprised when she met his passion with equal force. Integral slipped her tongue into his mouth first, exploring it slowly and sending chills throughout his body. He pressed into her gently allowing her to feel the full extent of his desire. Alexander wanted her more then he had wanted anything in his long life. He expected her to push him away, yell at him, anything but what she did. Integral put her hands on his back and pulled him even closer to her and moved her hips against his. Anderson finally explored her mouth with his tongue and its taste was exquisite. She tasted of the wine and cigars He wanted to get closer to her. Needed to become one with her. But, the priest did not even know how to seduce a woman, especially one like Integral Hellsing.
They were so preoccupied by their kiss that neither Alexander Anderson nor Integral Hellsing heard them: Seras Victoria and Yumiko. They had met during the raid and had fought like sisters on the battlefield. Heinkel was missing and Seras was helping Yumiko search for her. As they entered the library through a hidden back entrance they heard strange noises. Sera and Yumiko exchanged knowing glances. It had sounded like a…moan.
"It must be a vampire – feeding. We better get to them fast." Seras said as they turned a corner.
Yumiko saw them first and spoke first. "Father Anderson? What is going on?" Their position was so incriminating that it caused the young nun to blush.
Seras having been more exposed to life as a cop merely busted out laughing. "Sir Integral? Are you feeling okay? I never thought I'd see this!" She teased Integral.
Integral pushed Anderson away. "Just shut up - all of you. And - nobody better say a word." Integral looked for her last cigar and lit it. She really needed it now. Things had just gone from bad to worst. And if Seras did not wipe that look from her face, she would do it for her. Seras looked down after Integral glared at her. Damn Police Girl!
