Chapter Four

- The Price

Anderson had spent most the day inside the library, and with the few exceptions when he had had to leave for physiological reasons or to pick a new book, he had not moved from his seat. His back and behind had grown numb - not a particular pleasant sensation, that, but he was too occupied with his reading to notice either the tingling sensation of his nerves or even when someone entered. A someone by the name of Integral Fairbrook Wingates Hellsing.

"Anderson." Her voice snapped him from the fascinating world of Latin and holy wards, and so he put down his book and stared at her. She was carrying a tray with a pot and two teacups. "You have spent days trapped inside the library. You even missed breakfast today," she said, putting down the items and taking a seat beside him. "I thought this might provide you with some energy. I don't need a weak soldier in my ranks," she explained, slightly condescendingly.

Anderson looked down, ashamed by his careless actions. "Forgive me, Sir Hellsing, I was too engrossed to realize the hour. It wasn't my intention to worry you." Then, in a gentlemanly gesture, he started to pour the tea in the cups, filling hers first and then his own. The warm liquid did relax him and it also served to comfort his spirit.

Integral let go to a light chuckle and picked up one of his books, scanning the cover. "You are reading my ancestor's books about holy wards and spells." Her intense gaze fell over his face. "Don't push this, Anderson. You'll find it more easily to succeed if you are relax. You won't find faith in books, Anderson, not even in the Gospels. That is inside."

"It hasn't worked. Nothing I do works anymore," Anderson contained his growl, his fists shook. He wanted to destroy, to tear apart, to do anything as long as it made him feel himself useful again. But his faith had deserted him. Sighing soundly, he allowed his muscle to relax and then drank his tea.

Integral offered him the book she had taken. "If that's the way of it, Anderson," she said, "After our tea, we will search the answers together."

"It's not necessa-" Anderson complained, not wanting to be treated like a clueless child. Yet she shut him with a mere look, continuing her speech.

"It's disturbing to see such a strong man in this state and I don't plan to just sit around as you fall into pieces. You are my responsibility now, a part of my organisation. And as your leader, I am expected to protect you as much as it is within my powers to do so."

Anderson stared at her, finding her expression determined and her tone firm. Her commanding voice warmed him with an intensity the tea was not able to sustain. "It's my pleasure to count on your help, Sir Hellsing," he accepted, gratefully. Maxwell had never behaved in this way towards him or any other of his fellow brothers and sisters in Section XIII.

"Finish your tea. We start afterwards," Integral suggested, drinking her own. He did and the next hours were spent researching together, translating Latin phrases and deciphering Abraham van Helsing's notes, where the sentences broke from their English and mixed with German.

Time flew as they took notes, conversing in the privacy of their study, trying to read Abraham's awful handwriting. It was so that Seras Victoria's arrival found them. She cleared her throat and knocked at the door, despite it being open. "Uh Sir?"

Anderson had sensed the vampire even before she had announced her presence, breaking his peace. He had not felt this comfortable since overseeing the classes he had offered the orphans.

"Seras? What is it?" Integral asked.

"It's Sister Heinkel, she's just arrived and is waiting for you and Anderson in the lobby."

Heinkel… The Sister had already arrived. Anderson's unease increased, a knot tied in his stomach, his face bleached. Although he knew she was trustworthy, he was also distinctly aware she was here to judge him. He loathed being judged by anyone, for he was one who should be doing the judging.

"Anderson? Are you ill? You've grown pale."

"I am fine, Sir Hellsing," Anderson assured her, standing with the resolution to face this trial as quick as possible and then continue his research. Integral rose wordlessly and led the way towards the lobby; even before they arrived to their destination, he could make out Heinkel's voice, threatening someone. She did not sound pleased.

"Get away from me, Nosferatu!"

"What seems to be your problem, Sister? We are both guests under Sir Integral's roof, and I only seek your conversation as the staff is avoiding me."

The male voice was polite, cultured with a slight malice and dripping English accent. The former butler, Anderson realized.

"This house is cursed. Did anyone under that witch's control fail to become a vampire?"

Anderson gnashed his teeth, though he did not know why the mere insults towards his new leader affected him so much. In the past, he would have gladly uttered the same barb…but that had been before the war, before she had displayed her worthiness.

If Integral had taken offence, she did not show it when she entered and stopped the two. "This witch, as you kindly put it, is your hostess and requests that you lower that gun, Sister," she ordered flatly.

Anderson surveyed the scene. Sister Heinkel was aiming one of her Desert Eagles towards the new abomination, who had his arms up in surrender, smiling in an annoyingly innocent expression. Alexander had read the file about the God of Death while he was still serving under Iscariot; had he wanted it, human or vampire, young or old, he could have sliced her revolver in a blink along with her hand.

"Sister, be reasonable," Integral tried to soothe her, approaching the pair. Seras and Anderson followed behind like faithful bodyguards. Heinkel's arm started to tremble slightly before she dropped her fighting stance.

"I don't know what happened, Sir Integral," Walter started, shaking his head condescendingly. "She wasn't nearly as violent with Miss Police Girl."

"Because that one didn't lean to sniff me all of a sudden!" Heinkel barked, surely glaring behind her dark shades.

"I was curious if you were female or male, your attire and haircut are confusing," Walter pointed out, prodding one of his fangs. "Given your… unique… scent now I am certain you can be only a woman."

Anderson could have sworn the Sister blushed in indignation or embarrassment. Maybe both. He spotted her searching for her other pistol in her trench coat.

"Wolfe," he said quickly, before she was given the opportunity to open fire. "How are you? How are things in the Vatican?"

Heinkel relaxed and holstered her gun, taking her sunglasses off. "Not good, but you must be aware of the news of international pressure." As she talked, Anderson followed Seras with the corner of his eyes, as she moved towards Walter, dragging him away to give them some privacy.

"I am. I cannot say I am terribly sorry."

"This isn't just the Vatican's problem. Without our sponsors, without our structure… the people who benefit of Catholic assistance, even your orphans, will be helpless!" Heinkel exclaimed passionately.

"Perhaps they should become Protestants," Integral said on a sadistic tone. "Now Sister, do what you came here for. Both Anderson and I were otherwise engaged upon your arrival."

"I need a word with him. Alone," Heinkel said, watching him expectantly. He nodded and looked at Integral.

"Very well. Be brief," Integral replied before leaving for where Seras had dragged the butler away.

"Wolfe…" Anderson trailed off once they were alone. She sighed and sat on one of the coaches unceremoniously.

"We miss you, Alexander. The orphans are always asking where you are. Father Renaldo is running out of excuses."

Anderson tilted his head, casting his gaze down. He wanted to see his children again, to pat their heads, to guide them on the right path. But what can a faithless man offer to his lambs? They would only stray further.

"I suppose you haven't repented," Heinkel added, looking at him as her hands searched for something in her pockets: a box of cigarettes. "I am not surprised. I warned them, but part of me was praying you had changed your mind."

"Will you return now?" Anderson inquired.

"No. I was ordered to remain here for at least two weeks and then report on the progress of your penitence," Heinkel answered as she lit her chosen cigarette, returning the box o her pocket. "I don't think it will make a difference."

Anderson shook his head, confirming her suspicions.

"How is it here? Are you forever trapped in her net of deceit?" Heinkel asked spitefully.

"If I am going to be devoured by the spider, Sister," Anderson replied, "Then the fly is more masochistic than you thought." His eyes fell to the father clock behind herl. The sun was setting. "Excuse me for a moment, Wolfe."

"Where are you going?"

"To visit a fellow Ex-Communicated Catholic and ask for his advice."

Heinkel remained speechless as he departed. He told no one where he was going with the chauffer's exception, the same who took him there: the cemetery.

The graves were quiet and the atmosphere was still, a small layer of mist starting to cover the ground. The dead truly rested there, unlike those of the city. It was peaceful and Anderson was counting to rekindle his faith somehow in their presence: among the heretics and heathens who had died for their faith. He closed his coat and walked towards the family crypt, inclining his head to the angel sculptures that guarded the entrance. The gates were closed and he knelt before them with a solemn expression.

"Of all the Catholics, you conquered the King of Vampires with the aid of a Protestant woman from these very lands," he started; it felt like a confession. "You won over your Nemesis and were Ex-Communicated for your unorthodox methods… Just like me…" He closed his eyes, musing about the similitudes between Abraham van Helsing and himself. "How did you keep your faith? For this country that greeted you despite your nationality? For the woman you admired so much?" He was asking himself, how indeed he had retained what had been taken away.

"The answer is before your eyes…" a haunting male voice replied. It was like an echo inside the crypt. Anderson was stunned for an instant yet he knew weirder things had happened. A message of the Lord was not so uncommon. "Open them."

Obediently, Anderson lifted his lids to look at the door. His gaze was returned by over twenty red eyes that popped out in the door's surface. He flinched, throwing himself backwards as a cruel laugh rang in his ears. His temper was rising, so great was his desire to destroy, to kill.

"Devil!" he growled, leaping towards the door. The marble was strong enough to resist his attack, his body was crushed over it.

"And hello to you too, Judas Priest," Anderson heard his voice behind him as he regenerated his jaw and bruises. He grunted and looked at the monster. Dracula was dressed with his armour still, but his cloak had changed, now of a new making of fur adorned with sparkling gems - rubies. "Or should I just call you Judas…? You aren't a priest anymore, are you?" he taunted, scratching his beard.

Anderson was ready to jump over his foe once more, all semblance of sanity forgotten but he felt his feet as if glued to the ground, shadows shackling him there firmly. "What do you want!"

"I came to visit my old nemesis," Dracula explained, unsheathing his sword and looking at him darkly. "Only to find my current one nearby." He prickled his right cheek, mirroring the scar on his left side. Before his body regenerated it, the vampire leaned and licked the blood. Anderson winced and struggled, disgusted, but shadows wrapped around his wrists and arms, holding them still.

"Don't touch me, monster!"

Dracula chuckled and leaned, cleaning the blood out of his lips. "Sour," he tasted it, "That scar shall never heal now. My saliva will keep that from happening."

Anderson tried to get away from the shadows, employing his might, straining his own supernaturally enhanced muscles. The shackles dissolved and inertia had Anderson stumbling across the cemetery.

"That will be a reminder of how impotent you are, Judas," Dracula warned, "And that you shouldn't cross my path in what I want. I won't lose the woman I most desire twice, and not to scum such as yourself."

Anderson stood, his battle lust having placated slightly, attempting to order his thoughts. Spilling his blood here was forbidden, the soil was blessed and it could disturb the resting soldiers. "I thought you had chosen new harlots already. Sir Hellsing would never degrade herself to play that part."

"Oh, I do have a new Bride, her performance is quite good," Dracula leered, smirking to himself. Anderson wondered what he was so smug about. "But I am not famous for my monogamy and…" He tossed him an issue from The Times, one that featured him holding Integral and about to be lifted by Seras. The day they had arrived in England and to find themselves assaulted by Paparazzi. "I don't let anyone best me at this game. In the end, I will be victorious-- even over you."

Agitated, Anderson saw him vanish and understood where he was heading now. Unable to call his holy wrists to take him towards the Mansion, he rushed to the car where the driver was waiting, smoking outside the vehicle.

"To the Mansion! Quick, you heathen!" he exclaimed, ushering the chauffer inside as he slid in the backseat. The drive back, in spite of how fast they were going, looked eternal. Images of what the monster would do to Integral haunted Anderson's imagination; it was his fault, he was weak, so pathetic the devil would not bother to battle him…

He descended from the car as soon the driver parked in front of the Mansion. Gunshots, he heard someone firing, and then screams. Was he so late? With a snarl, Anderson threw down the door, not bothering to open it. He was taken aback by the sight offered.

Heinkel was shooting a woman in the lobby. His jaw dropped in realization of who the other woman was. Dressed with a floating, white gown made of gauze and hissing through her fangs, Yumi Takagi dodged her former partner's bullets with ease.

A new Bride… Anderson thought, disgusted. This was why Sister Takagi had gone missing, her body never found! The monster had taken her! Distracted as he was, he did not sense the two other vampires entering, breaking the fight. Draculina tried to get a hold of her sister as the former butler detained Heinkel by the waist.

"How could you!" Heinkel accused, tears came out from her eyes. "What about your God!"

"He is my Master now! Blood of his blood and flesh of his flesh!" Yumi snapped, defensively.

A new gunshot silenced them. Anderson's attention focused in the figure of Integral Hellsing, standing on the threshold between the lobby and the corridor. "Will you two be quiet? You are guests here and this behaviour is unacceptable. Do not weary your welcome," she warned.

Dracula manifested himself behind Seras and whispered something in her ear. She blanched and released Yumi, backing away from them. The former Sister licked her lips and remained at her Master's side, clearly enjoying the way he untangled her hair.

"Walter, release Sister Heinkel," Integral commanded. Reluctantly, he complied and moved away from the indignant Wolfe. Anderson was worried about her, she had been humiliated enough for a day. "This has been a long day and I will retire to bed. I suggest that you should do the same. I don't want to be woken by more of this rattle, understood?" The room was silent. "Good."

When she started her way on the staircase, Anderson gathered himself to speak with her. "Sir Hellsing, are you all right? Did he harm you?" His fists were shaking, his gloomy thoughts ceaseless.

"I am fine, Anderson. But you are hurt," Integral stated, glancing at the small wound on his right cheek. "The Count only wanted to speak to me, offering a tempting deal. He will now retire to Romania and will return in a week for my answer."

"A deal? What did he tell you?"

"He explained to me that releasing his zero restrictions and his summoning his minions provoked a disturbance in the afterlife plane," Integral cleared up, looking briefly in the elder vampire's direction. "That is why the souls couldn't reach their peace. He offered to aid them in transcending this world…"

"In exchange of what?" Anderson half demanded, narrowing his eyes. There was always a price, the demon would not be doing this freely, even if it was his fault.

"Haven't you figured that much out already?" Integral asked, arching her brow. "Me, of course, as his willing companion."


Author's Notes: Thanks Lyanna Kane for editing this and for the feedback. There is only one chapter left. To the reviewer who mentioned Walter. In volume 7, Walter became younger (around thirty years old) and a vampire, brainwashed by Millennium. Therefore he has fallen further, in this story he serves Dracula after he freed him from the Nazi control (he is still a slave) and acts more like his Hellsing: The Dawn counterpart (brash, rude, bold, rebellious).