John Paul sighed. "That is a truly terrifying story. But for you to be on this mission wit her, you must know. Sit down."
Gabriel sat down and faced the Pope.
"Rachael came to us when she was about fifteen, I guess. We have no idea where she was before or how old she is. Well, "John Paul shrugged. "She told me all. Slowly over the years. But I will leave it up to her to tell you. Anyway, she did tell us some. Both her parents had been killed right in front of her by Vampires. Her older brother had sacrificed himself for her and died a horrible death also in front of Rachael." John Paul took a drink from a cup in front of him. "About three years after she had come to us, Rachael was walking in the courtyard when she was attacked by three vampires. She was bitten nine times."
"You don't mean it!"
"Yes. Which is why she has remained the way she is," said John Paul. "Vampire blood now flows in Rachael's veins. But it has not harmed her because she was bitten nine times. Rachael was left with a long life span beyond our imagination, indestructible beauty and an everlasting fear of dark vampires."
"Can she be killed?" asked Gabriel.
"Only by another vampire. And it must be an extremely strong one. For as the years have gone by, she has become stronger and stronger. Don't be fooled by her appearance. She'd sooner kill you than let you hit her."
Gabriel stood. "I can't believe it," he whispered. "All this time I thought it was only an old wives tale."
"So did we," said John Paul. "And much to my horror, the Vatican order that she be locked up and kept under watch. If the bites had turned her into a werewolf, she was to be killed immediately. To their surprise, she awakened a week later, demanding food. She took to hanging on the top bars of the cage, almost like a bat but with a good deal more grace. Finally we happened upon the tale of the Vampire Bites and discovered it was true."
"Is she scared?"
"Slightly."
"How does she fight?"
"Like a vampire. She is basically a vampire without the wings and the evil heart. She can't fly but she can jump and fall unlike any I've ever seen. But Gabriel, you must understand something else. Another thing that is tied into the vampires bites, is that anyone who kisses her, will die. Unless it is the true love of her life."
Gabriel blinked. And sighed. "So I must win her heart."
"No," said the Pope as he stood, signaling their meeting was over. "You must set her free, Gabriel."
John Paul softly closed the door. He looked around. And then he saw her.
He was on the roof of the Church. And Rachael was at the edge looking out over Rome. Her feet where planted apart and her hair was being tossed around by the wind.
"Can you ever forgive me?"
"The thing that I held most secure, you ripped away from me in a single instant," Rachael said softly. "I held close to your unsaid promise that you would never have me do such a thing."
"Rachael…"
"And now, it is gone." Rachael turned and looked at him. "You know what could happen."
"Yes, I do. Rachael, Gabriel Van Helsing was in the room with us."
Rachael turned back to Rome. "Rome," she said softly. "To me, one of the most beautiful cities in the World. This and Paris," she said softly.
"Your love for Paris comes from your mother."
"I depart for Paris tonight."
"Will you take the assignment?"
Rachael was silent for several tense moments. "Send Van Helsing to find me in Paris. In three days. By then, I will have made up my mind."
"You know I would never ask you to do something I did not think you could not do."
"This is the problem. I cannot do it. If I take this assignment, I will not come out the same." Rachael reached down and picked up her large cloak that was on the roof beside her. "My trust is shattered. And so will be my life." She fastened the cloak on and pulled the hood over her face. "But we shall see what we shall see." She looked at John Paul. "Three days." Then she dropped over the side of the roof.
John Paul gasped and jumped forward. He watched openmouthed as Rachael sailed through the air, her cloak billowing around her.
She landed lightly and disappeared into the growing darkness.
"Godspeed," whispered John Paul.