Diane rose and glared at the empty street. Only a few smears of blood showed where Hensel had fallen.
"The pet is as arrogant as the whispers say." She muttered, turning. Arucard was standing behind her, arms folded and grinning madly. Diane sighed and drew one of the Casuls.
"I don't have time for this." She said, aiming at his forehead. Arucard snickered.
"Time means nothing to a good Hunter." Diane gave him a dirty look and pulled the trigger. The first shot went through his forehead, five more tore his face to shreds. Diane bolted for the fire escape as Arucard fell to the roof. He wouldn't stay down long, she knew that. She jumped from balcony to balcony and slid down the ladder to the pavement. Arucard was blocking the alley. His coat flapped without a breeze.
"What kept you?" Diane asked.
"I've been here since you were on the fourth floor."
"I have work to do. Let me pass."
"No." Arucard bared his fangs. "You have to atone for your sins."
"What sins?"
"Stealing."
"I don't steal."
"Those guns you carry mark you." Arucard gestured at the Casuls strapped to her thighs. Diane huffed.
"I PAID for the guns!" She shrieked, out of patience. Her hands went behind her back and closed on two objects.
"They weren't for sale, little thief." Arucard said, advancing. Diane began muttering a Latin prayer under her breath. Arucard stopped a few feet away and frowned at her. "What are you doing?"
"AMEN!" Diane lunged, bringing both hands forward. One clutched a long silver knife, the other a small bottle. Arucard grunted as the blade sank deep into his chest. Diane yanked out the blade and shoved the bottle into the wound. Flipping the blade in her hand, she drove the hilt in as far as she could. Arucard hissed as she backed off, waiting to see if her trick worked. The vampire's hissing turned to laughter.
"A dozen blessed blades won't kill me, little thief." He said, reaching up and yanking out the knife. Holy water mixed with the blood seeping out of the wound, steaming. Diane braced herself.
"What makes you think…" Arucard looked at her knife and stopped. He held it up, inspecting it. Diane seized the moment and dashed to the entrance. She could always have another blade commissioned. Glancing at Arucard as she passed him, she noticed his eyes were blazing yellow. She gulped and ran. The entrance was a few steps away. Picking up speed, she slammed right into something. Diane stumbled back and swallowed hard. A shadow-hound, the head reaching her waist, blocked the alley. Six red eyes glared at her, a mouth full of teeth and a thick red tongue opened and snapped.
"Oh hell." Diane whispered, backing up slowly. The hound followed, growling harshly. She tried to move to the left, it blocked her. She moved to the right, it slid beside her and nudged.
"Where did you get this blade?" Arucard snarled in her ear. Diane ignored the vampire, totally focused on the hound. She could feel a scream lodged in her throat, but her mind was calm, detached. She was going to die. Eaten alive. How ignoble.
"Where!" Arucard yelled. The hound howled at her and she gasped at the fetid breath. Something else filled her mind, a compulsion to answer. Did it come from the hound or the vampire?
"I…had it made." She choked out, backing up another step and bumping directly into Arucard. The hound followed, pinning her.
"Who?" Arucard hissed, his chin resting on her shoulder. Diane swallowed the scream and the fear, focusing on her anger at being in this position.
"Who?" The question rang in her ears.
"A Spaniard!" She screamed at the hound. "He owed me!" Laughter rang out, counterpoint to triumphant howls. The shadow-hound winked three eyes and vanished. Diane blinked several times. What…the…?
"Some things never change." Arucard said, clamping a hand on her shoulder. She jumped, shrieked in outrage as he disarmed her. "Come along, little thief."
"I'm not going anywhere with you." Diane dug her heels in, trying to jerk free. Arucard spun her around, holding her tightly by both shoulders.
"Yes. You are." She felt the order ring through her mind and knew she must obey. She bared her teeth.
"You arrogant, heartless, whipped little bastard." Diane snapped. Arucard grinned, linked her arm through his and strolled out into the street.
"Such language. Who saved your life tonight?"
"Here's your thief." Arucard announced, pushing Diane into Lewis's office. The commander looked her over. She glared back, arms folded crossly.
"A girl?"
"A woman, thank you very much. I'm filing a complaint against your vampire. He used excessive force on me." Diane growled.
"Did she deserve it?" Lewis asked, glancing at Arucard.
"It didn't shut her up. My ears are ringing." Arucard grinned, leaning back against thin air and crossing his ankles.
"Cocky bastard."
"You can't talk to Lord Arucard that way!" Lewis protested, jumping to his feet. Diane snorted.
"I don't care if he's King of Latvia. I know my rights. You Hellsing may work outside of conventional laws, but international ones still apply. Prisoners should not be threatened." She said, putting her nose in the air. Arucard laughed.
"I did not threaten you."
"That's enough. What's your name, miss?" Lewis shook his head at Arucard. The vampire swallowed his mirth. Really, that was uncalled for. He had convinced her to behave. If he had wanted to threaten her, he would have allowed his hound to hold her for a while.
"Diane."
"No last name?" Lewis asked, walking around to lean on his desk. Diane clamped her mouth shut.
"Why did you steal our weapons?" He continued. She crossed her legs and swung her foot, looking bored. Lewis tried several other tactics, up to and including firing past her head. He caught her cheek, gouging a path that promptly bled. Arucard hissed. Diane let the blood slide down her cheek and chin, smirking as Lewis glanced nervously at the vampire.
"You work on her, Arcuard." He said, putting his gun away.
"Oh, brave touch, Commander. Leave the bleeding woman alone with the vampire." Diane taunted. A drop of blood hit her coat, beaded and slowly tracked down her chest.
"Whatever works." Lewis fled the room.
"What!" Diane shrieked, bolting out of her chair after him. Arucard let Lewis by and blocked the door, licking his lips. Diane slid to a stop and backed up, bumping up against the desk.
"Don't you dare." She hissed.
"Wipe it up or I will dare." Arucard warned. Diane dug a handkerchief out of her pocket. Arucard studied her as she cleaned up. Black leather coat, left unbuttoned and falling just below the knee. Black shirt with what looked like custom made body armor over it, black pants and steel-toed black boots. A silver collar that covered most of her neck and silver cuffs on both wrists. No cross, no Star of David. She had used "gods", plural, when she had yelled at him. She wasn't religious, or if she was, she followed a poly. He smirked, remembering. The faith may change, but the core beliefs remained the same. As did the knowledge. Diane finished cleaning her face.
"Damned Hellsing."
"That's twice now you've defamed my master."
"And I'll say it again and again!" Diane yelled, throwing her arms wide. Arucard cocked his head. "Your precious organization has been in Germany for 15 years. 15 and in that time they have done precious little to protect the public. Nor do they give a bloody hell about the ones most vulnerable. The homeless, the gangs, the desperate. Entire families have died at the hands of monsters. Hellsing does not stop them, so I do what I can. I provide protection."
"You weren't doing well against Hensel."
"I was holding my own."
"Why?" Arucard sauntered closer. Diane let go of the desk and put her chin up, feet shifting slightly. Arucard stopped a few feet away, noting her posture. He bared his teeth, anticipation sliding through him. Staring deep into her eyes, he read her mind.
"Why what?" She retorted, glaring. Arucard smirked. At last!
"No matter." He licked his fangs, relishing her reaction and turned away.
"Commander!" Lewis yanked open the door.
"What did you get?" He asked, ignoring Diane. Arucard smiled.
"Her last name is Richter. She stole from Hellsing because she felt your men weren't doing their job, but left what she could to alleviate her guilt. She is what's left of a small gang that lost half their members to your nest. Everyone else joined Hellsing and passed information on to her."
"You rotten FREAK!" Diane shouted, lunging at Arucard. He stepped aside and she crashed into Lewis. He held her arms until she stomped hard on his foot. He howled and she threw herself at Arucard again, hands outstretched. Arucard caught her easily.
"Behave." He said, baring his teeth. She opened her mouth, snapped it closed when eyes appeared in his hair. She bowed her head.
"I'm taking her to London. Sir Elizabeth will determine what's to be done with her." Lewis nodded and spoke into his communicator. After a few seconds, he nodded again.
"A chopper is on the helipad waiting." He said.
"I gave Captain Griff the location of the nest. If you move now, you should catch them unawares."
"We will. Thank you, Lord Arucard."
"Auf wiedershien, Commander."
"Good night, sir." Lewis bowed as Arucard wrapped Diane's arm around his and escorted her out. They reached the helicopter in a few minutes. Arucard nodded to the pilot holding the door and helped Diane inside.
"Buckle up." He ordered. Diane's fingers twitched as she obeyed, clearly resisting his enthrall. He chuckled, gave directions to the pilot and climbed in. The pilot glanced at Diane and scrambled into his seat. The flight was made in silence. Arriving in Paris, Arucard unbuckled and looked at Diane.
"You will not cause trouble." He said firmly. Diane glared at him and shook her head. He disembarked while the pilot let Diane out. She walked ahead of him, head bowed and hands behind her back as if cuffed. Arucard snickered to himself.
"Lord Arucard. Good to have you back, sir." The commander, a Scot named McCormick, greeted them. He looked Diane over. "Glad to see you caught the thief."
"She wasn't difficult." Arucard laid a hand firmly on Diane's shoulder.
"Will the prisoner be fed or is starvation part of Hellsing's protocol?" She asked; eyes glued to the tarmac. McCormick sputtered. Arucard chuckled.
"Do we feed human prisoners?" Arucard asked, grinning. McCormick shot daggers at Diane.
"Aye. I'll have something brought down to the holding cell."
"No. Bring it to my quarters. I will need two bottles for myself. It has been a very busy night." Arucard said firmly. McCormick saluted.
"Understood, sir." Arucard gave Diane a slight shove which sent her stumbling several feet forward. She hissed under her breath as he walked her into the building and down several flights of stairs. Once in the basements, he took the lead, guiding her by one hand on her upper arm. They reached his room and he phased them both through the door.
"Stay here." Arucard left Diane to light the single candle on the table. As the flame flickered and glowed, Diane glanced around. She walked over to the table, hands still behind her back. "You can drop the pretense, little thief."
"My name is Diane." She put her hands on her hips. "What is going to happen to me?"
"I am taking you to my Master. She will decide your fate."
"Does she know that?"
"She will." A knock sounded. Arucard walked over and portaled through. He returned with a tray loaded with three bottles, two glasses and a sandwich. Putting the tray on the table, he separated the bottles, pushing one in Diane's direction. He took the remaining two and sat, propping his feet on the table. Diane glanced around, shrugged and hopped up onto the table. Crossing her legs, she uncorked her bottle and sniffed. Arucard cocked his eyebrows.
"What are you doing?"
"Making myself comfortable." Diane tasted the wine, made a face.
"I doubt you would appreciate me sitting on your bed." She waved at his coffin, tucked away in the furthest corner. The candlelight just reached the gold leaf, making it shimmer. Diane grinned at him and bit into her sandwich. She made another face.
"Not to your liking?" He asked, uncorking his first bottle and pouring himself a glass of AB-. Diane shrugged again.
"Prisoners can't be choosy." Arucard chuckled and drained his glass. Diane watched him pour and drink three more glassfuls.
"Why the bottles?"
"I am a gentleman." Arucard swirled his fifth glass, watching the blood cling to the sides of the bowl.
"Why so curious?" Diane shrugged, munching on her sandwich. Arucard smirked. At least she wasn't shouting. They finished the meal in silence. Diane tidied up and put the tray by the door. Arucard folded his arms.
"You'd better get some sleep. It's after sunrise and we will be leaving at sunset." Diane rose, dusted off her hands and looked around. Arucard watched in amusement as she shrugged out of her coat and unsnapped the body armor. She put the armor on the table, sat on the floor to remove her boots and socks. Draping the socks over the boot toes, she hopped back up on the table. Arucard picked up the candle. She nodded and curled up under her coat, using the armor as a pillow.
"Good morning." Diane shut her eyes. Arucard snickered softly and blew out the candle.
Half an hour later, Arucard pulled out a cell phone and dialed London. Michael answered.
"Where's Elizabeth?" Arucard asked, surprised.
"I sent her to bed. Go ahead, Arucard." Michael said firmly. Arucard could hear the Italian moving paper around, getting ready to take his report. He squirmed a little in his coffin. While he and Michael had a working relationship, the vampire had difficulty viewing the human as in charge. He wasn't Hellsing blood.
"I have captured the thief Germany reported. It's a young woman, Diane Richter."
"Status?"
"With me."
"Oh really?" Michael's voice took on an insinuating tone. Arucard frowned at the phone.
"I'm bringing her to London. Elizabeth may have use for her. She's a good shot and doesn't frighten easily. She also comes equipped."
"Is that so?"
"Stop reading into my words, human." Arucard growled. Michael chuckled.
"She has her own armor. I confiscated the guns and a knife."
"Did she put up a fight?"
"Quite. I had to intimidate her."
"How much?"
"Level 2." Michael whistled.
"When will you be in?"
"Around 10 pm. She'll want to clean up."
"I'll have Bernard meet you. Change of clothes?"
"Black."
"Size?"
"12-14, woman's."
"Should I be surprised you know that?" Arucard sighed.
"Seras can be…persuasive." Michael chuckled. Seras had conned everyone in the mansion to go shopping with her at least once in the last 60 years.
"I'll tell Elizabeth. Good work, Arucard."
"Good night." Arucard hung up the phone, tucked it into his pocket and pulled out the knife. Turning it over in his hands, he studied the inscription etched into the blade. The last time he had seen this weapon, it was encased in glass, propped in front of a simple brass urn in the Hellsing crypt. Integra had taken fiendish delight in making him attend the ceremony. She blamed him for the loss. Arucard sighed, rubbing the wooden hilt. It wasn't exactly the same. The wood was black walnut, the inscription in a different hand. However, the existence of this blade meant only one thing. She was back and in his custody. Third time the charm, the humans say. He closed his eyes.