Wazaga says: "hmmmmm, now this is starting to get interesting, even for me."

To Daenis: "thanks for the dynamite. That worked wonders. Unfortunately, the Writers Block was replaced by the Mount Textbooks of Doom! Due to the stupid finals coming up in two weeks, so I may be gone for a while. And I know Artist Block quite well; he and I are real buddies whenever I have spare time and want to draw. And he only leaves when I'm swamped over with stuff and have no time for doodling. The Block family are a real pain, aren't they?"

Chapter 5: "Assassins for Guests."

The rain drummed on and on as the family got themselves comfortable. They sat and waited quietly until the clock struck five in the morning. Then, and only then, did they reveal their true selves. Artemes undid his caller and let out a sigh of relief as the pressure from his wide throat was released. Arthur suddenly didn't appear as the frightened mumbling youth, but looked like a menacing hunter. The ill looking Tom kicked off the stuffy blanket from on top of him, and made for the pitcher of water with movements quite healthy.

"Well done. You have all played your parts well. I'm proud of you all." Said Artemes with a wicked grin "and the rain you have conjured worked like a charm, Sasha."

The women he had named removed her hood to reveal a thin face framed by black locks clipped to the shoulder length, cold blue eyes stared from under long lashed. Placed around her neck was a clear stone that glowed with a slight red hue. It was the crystallized eye of a gargoyle, one that was used for witchcraft and sorcery. Sasha was a witch.

"Yes dear. It was quite a clever way to persuade the prince into allowing us into his domain. But it was reckless none the less. He might have sensed our power if not for our luck."

Artemes waved at her words: "luck had nothing to do with it my dear. We are simply meant to do what we came to do. It is fate which had lead us this far, and it will lead us to victory once we slay that vile demon."

Arthur smiled at the word "slay" he would like nothing more then to stab that Vampire in the heart with his blade.

He leaned against the wall with his arms crossed: "so, when do we strike?"

Artemes reached for an apple from one of the platters and took a huge bite: "not yet, we must first gain the prince's trust in order to let his guard down. While Sasha makes sure that the rain stays strong, we will stay as his 'guests' for as long as we need for Tom's sake."

Tom looked up from his cup of water: "dad, I don't want to lie in bed with that smelly oil on me for so long. So when are we going to get this over with? That smell will make me sick for real if I stay greased with it for much longer."

At this, all eyes turned to the second woman who had yet to take down her hood.

"That depends on your sister's role in our plans. If all goes well, we should have Prince Alucard's head within a few nights time."

Arthur grunted: "I don't see why we shouldn't just search the castle right now and attack him in his sleep. I say we strike now!"

"Fool be still." Cried Sasha "you know as well as the rest of us that the prince is no ordinary blood drinking demon. He has human blood within his veins which has given him the ability to roam in daylight. That he chooses to kill at night has little significance to our goals. He slumbers now because it is his vampiric nature to sleep when the sun rises. But come the need, he will arise and live as he would at night." she pointed a warning finger at him "do not underestimate the power of the prince. Half human he may be. But he is still the child reaped from the Dark Lord's evil seed."

Artemes nodded: "well put, my dear. Well put indeed." He got up from his chair and addressed them all "though we are the strongest demon killers in the country, we must never overlook the obvious. Now, let us all get some rest, Tom you shall bathe fore now, but will wear the oil within the next couple of hours."

Tom groaned: "alright, dad. But I wish I didn't have to."

All members of the family had retired to the rooms they were offered. All save for the hooded woman who stared at the fire while holding her cloak tight to her.

"I do not like this." She whispered.