O.K. It's the next chapter and I hope you'll mark in your reviews for me to continue or to stop for vacation time. -Russian vampire- lol
Chapter 14
Negotiations and agreement
When one of the cardinals of the Holy Order arrived, priest sent a letter to Victor personally and chose the place for meeting. It was old, abandoned by people church, partly destroyed by time and covered with herb. It was difficult to agree with humans, especially with such religious. Both sides didn't trust each other. Cardinal Leon from Vatican with the saint father, another two priests and thirty men of guard with Van Helsing arrived first. God's men were talking about the meeting and night creatures in fact. They thought that if the Great Council asks for help, it means that they're weak and powerless. Of course it pleased cardinal much. Finally Gabriel noticed quiet appearing of opposite delegation. Victor, Lady Sylvia and Luka took only five guards, but those five were armed from head to toe. First they were just looking at each other with hate and contempt. Selin looked only at Van Helsing through her sunglasses; she wanted more than anybody to shot all humans here, especially the priest. (A/n: I'll explain why later)
To discharge the situation Victor addressed to cardinal:
"We're glad you agreed to meet. We both suffered from VWW 13, so we can come to mutually gainful agreement. But we should trust to each other. I'm talking about your guard."
Cardinal looked back at his guard and sent Victor an angry glance:
"We're weaker than you, God protects us, of course, but we should be extra careful." – Cardinal hid hand in pleats of his red mantle, Selin noticed it and directed her pistol on him, and Van Helsing did the same; so two warriors crossed weapons. They were looking at each other for a while, before Victor decided to stop this little conflict.
"Took it away, Miss Kale, we don't want to cause inconveniences to our Vatican guests," – Victor gave her a sign to take the pistol away, and she obeyed unconditionally. Gabriel lowered his weapon, but still was squeezing it in hands, as he knew that everything could be expected from this lady. When everyone calmed down, Cardinal Leon broke the silence:
"I agree, we need to trust each other. First guard," – he addressed to those thirty in helmets with letters 'HS' ('Holy Order'), - "Disarmed!"
Men exchanged glances, but quickly did what was ordered. Victor nodded to his guard to do the same. Funny but four vampires and one werewolf of Council's guard (Troop 'C' and Fellan) spent more time than thirty humans with Van Helsing. Selina threw up two daggers, caught them in the air and made a moved to one of the youngest Holy Order's soldiers, who flinched and fell on the ground clumsily. Sel laughed and grinned self-complacently.
"That's better. Now, negotiations," – said Luka and showed with hand a round table and chairs, prepared by human servants. Older men and cardinal with priests came to the table, when count (I know you waited him) appeared from nowhere. Cardinal Leon looked at him and smirked:
"What? Another older man? I expected only three."
"Really? But I'm not an older man," – answered Vlad simply, nodding to Victor and staring at Van Helsing. Gabriel was looking at him, too, but without any emotions, as he hadn't ever seen this vampire and doesn't know what's going on. Selin behind Victor smiled: 'As always in time, count,' – she thought.
"So, who are you if you're not an older man, but allowing yourself to speak with one of the cardinals of Holy Order in such tone?" – asked god's servant impatiently.
Count half-smiled:
"Let me to introduce myself. I'm Count Vladislaus Dracula."
Cardinal and priests were shocked. The guard squeezed their crosses in fear. Only Van Helsing looked calm, and he didn't know why everybody began to panic. Priests began to whisper prayers on Latin, and cardinal spoke in trembling voice:
"Dracula? Son of the devil himself?"
"Yes, maybe we'll start negotiations?" – asked Victor, offering to seat. Vlad set between Victor and (to great displeasure of second) Cardinal Leon. Dark prince continued smiling to everybody, and this smile feared priests more than evil glance. Negotiations longed for two hours. Two hours of squabbles, disputes and recriminations brought to agreement from both sides. Even cardinal had to say that humans can work together with devil's servants. Night creatures let humans to leave first. When Van Helsing was walking near Dracula, Vlad said him:
"Goodbye, Gabriel."
Hunter flinched, but didn't answer; his memory now looked like snow-white list of paper. He also noticed Selina, who was standing on guard behind Victor's chair for two hours; she looked tired and took off her glasses and leather coat. 'Amazing eyes,' – thought Gabriel unwillingly, when their looks met. And it was true; starry light was reflected in those golden orbs.
Vlad came closer to Sel and put hands on her waste:
"I missed you."
Selin looked at him with surprise:
"Missed me? I was here all the time!"
"I know, think I'm crazy?" – he kissed her neck softly.
"Well, yes, a little …" – she teased.
"By the way, how many points have you given to me?"
"Hm, by 'ten points scale'? Eleven, I think …"
"Just eleven? Maybe I can perfect my result?" – he smiled coyly.
"Maybe …" – they kissed full of mouth, nibbling each others lips playfully.
Van Helsing saw that romantic moment and felt a prick of jealousy. 'Hey, where is it come from?' – Gabriel asked himself, he wanted more than anyone to stick a big pine stake into that blonde murderer's heart, or not?