Chapter XVI

Thank you for the reviews!

Sorry I took so long to update, but I wasn't feeling to spiffy last week and but computer is fixed for good now, or, that is what the people said when they came to my house the second time in one week- ok. On to the chapter!

Verona faced Van Helsing.

"It is so nice to see you again," she said in a falsely sweet voice.

"I wish I could say the same about you," said Van Helsing as Verona lashed out. There was another scream from the other rooms. Van Helsing turned for a split second, giving Verona a chance to attack. She leaped at him and as he turned once more to face her was sent flying backwards by the force of her blow.

She clicked her tongue, which greatly irritated Van Helsing.

"My master is right. You do need manners." Gabriel rolled his eyes. Verona apparently saw this. Her face darkened and her eyes glowed like an unnatural color.

'Ok, how am I going to get rid of her?' thought Van Helsing as he dodged an angered Verona. She hissed at him.

"I thought that you were a vampire not a cat," he said, knowing that he was pushing her limit. She angrily glared at him from the ceiling before lunging at him again. Then it clicked. It was obvious how he would slay her, because he had everything in his jacket; Carl's anti-vampire holy items. He reached into his jacket and grabbed a silver stake. Verona saw this and jumped onto the wall opposite him. Gabriel deftly threw the silver stake at her, but she moved just in time.

'I knew I should have brought my crossbow,' thought Van Helsing angrily as he grabbed another stake from his many pockets. There was a screech from another room that Van Helsing knew must have come from one of the brides. Verona obviously heard this too, and turned just as Van Helsing had, giving that split second to the opponent.

Van Helsing seized the opportunity. He forcefully threw the silver stake at her, piercing her heart, or the area where a human heart should be. She froze and screeched, just as one of her fellow brides had earlier. The area nearest the stake started to turn black and dropped away as it turned into ash.

"One down, two to go," said Van Helsing to him self, walking over to where Verona had been moments before. He grabbed the stake, and walked over to the door. He walked out cautiously, wondering if the others had been successful in killing the remaining brides of Dracula.

Knowing that Carl would most likely be in more trouble than Aluka, he went in to the room he had assigned to Carl. Van Helsing walked in, and much to his relief, saw that Carl was in one piece, though he looked very frightened and pale. Carl turned to the door when Van Helsing came in and smiled nervously.

"H-h-hi," he said shakily.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I think so," he said slowly.

"Well, what bride did you get?"

"I got Marishka. She left when there was a scream from the other room. Was it yours?"

"Yeah. Do you know if Aluka is okay?"

"No, I like you had my handful of troubles, and I couldn't exactly walk over there and check."

"Ah," said Van Helsing, realizing the stupidity in what he had just said. Of course Carl hadn't seen Aluka, he had had to put up with the same thing Van Helsing had-and why did he care if she was okay anyways?!

While Van Helsing was still pondering this, Aluka, walked into the room.

"You guys okay?" she asked, clutching her wrist.

"Yeah," they said.

"What's wrong with your wrist?" asked Van Helsing, a sliver of concern in his voice.

"Oh, nothing, just fell on it the wrong way," slightly flattered by his worry.

"I see your arm didn't seem to impair you in any way?"

"Yes, I was fine, and my arm is better I believe," he said, putting his hand on his previously injured arm.

"Well, let's go!" she said in a you-can't-possibly-be-moving-any-slower sort of voice.

"And why are we in such a rush?" asked Carl.

"In case you didn't notice, we no longer have sunlight on our side, and noting how Aleera darted off, something must have startled her and obviously Dracula is going to try and catch us here!" said Aluka all very quickly and in one breath.

"I shall follow you then," said Carl. Aluka quickly walked away, and was followed closely by Van Helsing and Carl.

"So, why do you think that Aleera left so quickly?" asked Aluka of Gabriel and Carl.

"Because I finished off Verona," said Van Helsing, slightly grimly.

"You say that like it's a bad thing," said Aluka, faintly interested.

"If Dracula's brides were sent to get us then that means Dracula knows that I'm back. And that I'm not alone," said Van Helsing dismally.

"I see. And he knows you, personally?"

"I don't know," said Van Helsing looking down. Aluka felt a little twang of pity for him, because no matter how hard her life had been, she could at least remember it. She made a point to ask Carl of this Dracula business later.

"I'm sorry you don't remember," said Aluka quietly.

"Oh yes, pity him. It must be such a burden, such a curse, to be the Left Hand of God," said an eerie voice from the shadows said.

Ok, that's it, i shall hopefully update in a few days(shorter if more reviews)! Please review!!!!!

-the evil platypus of doom