Chapter 10

"My offer still stands," Orlox said kindly.

He was now sitting on the table before her. Sage didn't reply. She had too much on her mind to form words. The vampire smiled.

"I'll leave you to your thoughts. I have some things I need to be doing, but if you should wish to return to my quarters, merely step outside the bounds of this library. I'll see you soon."

And with that, he stood and disappeared. Sage, however, was still staring at the spot he had been sitting at. In fact, she was staring so intently at it that one might think that she was trying to memorize the natural pattern the wood made.

A son? How could he? How could he not tell her? Did he think that she wouldn't understand? Then again, what was to understand? He had loved Sonia, given her a child. That was understandable.

But with that thought alone, she knew that was not what truly bothered her. She couldn't give a damn about him having a son some hundred years ago. No. That wasn't it at all. She gave a damn because it had been a gift of love…to allow that child into this world.

Sage now found herself wondering if Sonia had asked Alucard, for she could not think of him as "Adrian" for the moment, to conceive a child with her. If so, had she used love as an argument? Even still, if all that was true, he had given in. They had had a son.

Hadn't love been her argument?

Wasn't that enough?

…………………

Iris and Terence had now fallen behind Adrian. The young Belmont was still trying to comfort Sage's sister. He was walking with his arm about her shoulders as the young girl let her tears fall silently to the ground.

Adrian, meanwhile, was busy contemplating all that had gone wrong already. Sage had been taken captive and only God knows what was happening to her now. Iris obviously thought that he couldn't save her. How Adrian regretted now not telling Sage his real reasons. Or at least, the full extent of his feelings.

Then, suddenly, Iris let out a cry of surprise. Adrian looked up.

"Orlox," he hissed.

The sickly looking vampire smiled viscously at the group.

"Where's my sister, you bastard? What have you done with her?" Iris screamed at him.

Orlox was floating high above the group, now laughing down at them.

"Iris, watch your language," Terence said, rather sheepishly, as if he feared the girl would make an outburst like that toward him.

Adrian had immediately placed himself protectively in front of the Belmont and Sage's sister. With a half-smile on his face, he said, "You heard the girl. Answer the questions."

"Sage is perfectly safe. She's in my quarters. But, I do believe that you are letting her abduction get in the way of the bigger picture…"

"What do you mean?" Iris asked.

"Dracula's resurrection…" Terence said, as if he only suddenly remembered.

"Precisely, young Belmont. Even as we speak, the Dark Order are beginning their chants to reawake him. I suppose that leaves you with a choice, Alucard. Stop your father before he can even be resurrected…or save the girl. Which will it be?"

And with that, he vanished.

"We're saving Sage," Iris said before anyone else could speak. "We can fight Dracula once he's awake. Right now, that monster has my sister!"

"I agree," Terence said, smiling at her.

Adrian merely nodded.

…………………

Sage was now back in Orlox's Quarters, awaiting the vampire's return. She had come to a decision while she had been in the library. Abruptly, the vampire appeared before her, causing her to give a slight start.

"Oh, my dear! I didn't mean to frighten you!" he said kindly.

Sage stood from her seat at the end of the long table. "I've made my decision," she said.

"And?"

"I…accept your offer."

End Notes: Okay, there are only two more chapters left in this story. How did you like this? Please R & R! Thanks!