A/N: After looking at the last chapter and the reviews I decided there wasn't enough fluff; so I've added a little more to the previous chapter. Thanks everyone!
A Terrifying Discovery
The next morning Seras awoke slowly at midmorning, her night once more restless and discomforting. She had dreamt of a figure standing beside her bed, the form entirely encased in shadows. But the eyes; the bright ruby orbs had shown in the dark, unblinking and piercing her very soul. The person had leaned over her immobile, body, her limbs not responding to her wish to jump from the covers. The nightmare had been so vivid she swore the breath had been most putrid, the sensation of a sharp nose brushing against her cheek in affection. Then her eyes had become drowsy while the figure pulled back, her lids slipping over them as a sound of wood scraping had come to her ears.
Seras dressed, all the while recalling the dream, and was preparing to walk downstairs when she glanced over to her bed. She suddenly remembered the keys given to her the day before. Searching in the drawer in her night stand where she had placed the metals, a worried expression crossed her face.
The keys had vanished.
Seras saw with dismay the lock she had acquired at the strange building had also disappeared, another piece to her puzzle lost and leaving her confused. With those thoughts in mind she once more frantically inspected the container, believing perhaps she had overlooked them, but found to her dismay no sign of the given keys. She sat upon her bed in a stupor, her thoughts racing to comprehend when her keys had been taken and by whom. The only persons she could conjure were the doctor and her retainer, but even though she was still angered by their last conversation, she knew they would not have taken what was not rightfully theirs. She laughed at the idea of her gardener or housekeeper taking the trinkets, one never entering the establishment and the other having not arrived to perform her duties.
Seras' face suddenly had a look of concentration as she attempted to remember when the maid was to arrive, Mr. Morley having mentioned she came on a weekly basis to clean the large manor. She counted the many days she had resided in the mansion and found the time to be well past when the woman was to have arrived, a sense of dread coming over the heiress as to what could have happened to the maid.
Standing on uneven legs and walking out of her room, Seras proceeded down the stairs while pondering her newest question to the ever increasing mysteries now surrounding her life. She began to mull over the events, from the first wild chase by the wild hound to the absurd discussion by the doctor and finally, the confrontation between Alucard and herself. The many episodes brought a chill to her spine as she wondered what would next come to her; perhaps the possibility of Integra's words coming to reality?
With a light laugh at the likelihood of such an adventure Seras reached the kitchen and began looking through the pantry, noting the dwindling stock with some measure of fear. She would desperately need to journey to the village tomorrow, and with the provisions she needed a carriage would have to be rented in order to carry the goods back to the manor. Finally settling down at the small table in the center of the kitchen with a bowl of cold porridge, the young woman pondered the previous night's visit to the sanitarium.
Seras wondered at the similarity between the clothing of the monster and the inmate, her only conclusion frightening her with the possible revelation; the patients had been taken by her uncle and killed for the 'Master'. She suddenly looked around the cheerful kitchen, illuminated by the high sun and shining innocently around her person. Her thoughts had wandered to question of where this 'Master' had gone, was he still lurking around the mansion? And more importantly, what other skeletons lay buried in the cellar of her uncle's past?
But Seras quickly realized one dilemma at a time had to be dealt with. Tonight was the arranged meeting between Alucard and herself and the young heiress was less than thrilled with the coming conversation. The emotions he had made her feel were too new and frightening for her innocent mind to understand, and she worried he would take advantage of her during those spells of uncertainty. The only way to prevent such an occurrence would be to distance herself from him as well as possible; meaning she would no longer be able to see him, nor he her.
Seras' shoulders slumped at her last thought, a bit saddened by the loss of her few friends. Thinking back on the last few days, she realized she had pushed everyone away with her sudden bursts of temper or her strange unease around them. The young woman sighed as she finished her breakfast of porridge, wondering if she should really have come to the manor in the beginning. The inheritance seemed to have only brought her misfortune and heartache, along with the horrible nightmares of her sleep. Maybe she should return to the city?
Seras' face brightened at the idea, though a part of her seemed to struggle against the suggestion. She effectively ignored the inner voice telling her to stay and walked from the kitchen with a small smile on her face, wondering if she should pack before or after her evening with Alucard. The heiress decided the time before would be more convenient, she having nothing else to do other than wander the grounds once more, and began her packing immediately. She would, of course, apologize to Integra and Walter for her wild outburst and speak to Alucard of her departure, but she was well able to do those tasks within the next few days.
The day seemed to fly swiftly by for Seras as she turned her head toward the bedroom window, suddenly noticing the late afternoon sun peeking through the open curtains. She had finished folding her few dresses and had packed her toiletries, taking care not to leave any of her possessions behind. She would not wish to travel back merely to grab a single hairbrush or comb. The thought of returning to this horrid place not settling well in her mind.
Closing her minimal luggage Seras proceed downstairs to await the coming of Alucard. She was unsure when he would arrive, having not remembered placing a specific time, and wondered if her waiting would be long. However, from previous experience, and some innate voice within her mind, she assumed his coming to be after the sunset. With the assumptions in her thoughts she settled herself in the study, leaning back in the large chair and letting her eyes wander the room. Her gaze halted at the portrait of her uncle, her mind pondering his role in acquiring the inmates of the asylum. She was still unsure of his role concerning the bodies she'd discovered in the building, not knowing if he had truly known the fate of the people or had merely given them to the 'Master'. Inwardly she shuddered at the thought of his knowing what the person wished to do with them, her morals sickened at such an action. He might have been an accessory to murder!
Seras turned her head away from the horrid painting and looked out the window, noting the last rays of the sun disappearing behind the low hills. Standing from her seat she gathered a number of candles from around the room and began lighting them, darkness now creeping into the room with greater urgency. The tense woman jumped in surprise and some fear as a loud noise broke the stillness of the evening, clutching her beating heart as she slowly made her way to the hall. She saw nothing to arrest her attention and shrugged her shoulders absently looking to the clock and noting the time to be getting late.
Seras turned and reentered the study, suddenly halting in her movements as her senses alerted her to possible danger. Restrained fear entered her eyes as she stared at a figure seated in a plush chair before the desk, her instincts to run or fight warring with each other. Still numbed with shock, her body stiffened as the form rose and walked over to her, the familiar cloak swaying behind them as they reached her quivering form.
"G-good evening" Seras greeted suspiciously, her gaze wandering over his visage. Even within her home he still wore his cloak and glasses; she could not recall his ever removing them in her presence. She watched as he walked up to her, his movements unnervingly silent as he now towered over her small form.
"Won't you join me?" he asked quietly. Seras jumped when she felt a hand come to rest upon the small of her back, giving a sharp look to her companion but unable to stop him when he firmly led her to the desk. He released his loose grip on her when they neared the large furniture, the young woman only too glad to escape behind the massive barrier between herself and her guest. "I prefer company when I drink" he explained with an odd smirk.
Alucard seated himself once more in the chair opposite her own and she noticed two wine glasses, along with the bottle, resting one the desk. The liquid swirled slightly as he pointedly slipped a glass before her, the red contents shining in the dim light of the few candles. Looking once more to the tall container, she recognized the bottle as having come from her own pantry. With the knowledge of drinking from a known source she cautiously grasped the glass and lifted the rim to her lips, noting the close gaze of her guest upon her actions. She tipped the glass and took a slow sip, forcing herself to swallow the vile liquid; she had never acquired a taste for alcohol and wine was no exception. Being given a look from Alucard she obligingly drank a few tastes more, though her glass remained more than half full when she had finished. She gently set the beverage upon the surface of the desk
Staring at the gentleman peering at her with such an intimidating stance, Seras' breath quickened as she noted a finger idly running along one crossed leg. She watched mesmerized as the hand slowly slid along the dark pants, creeping over the hips only to shift and catch his chin as he leaned against an arm of the chair. She quickly squelched the feelings arising within her, berating herself for enjoying such sinful actions. She noted with worry the sensations were the same from the previous night but somehow the intensity was worse than before; perhaps the wine had began to affect her senses. Indecent thoughts began to surface to her mind and she blushed slightly, squirming in her chair as the silence crept upon the room. After a long moment of the both of them merely staring at one another she decided to begin the conversation; if only to distract herself from the unfamiliar rising heat in her abdomen.
"I have important news of which to speak with you" she said quietly, her hands fidgeting nervously in her lap. "And I wish to ask a favor of you" the young woman hesitantly added. She would not leave until the following day, though she would have gladly rode on the evening train earlier but her appointment with Alucard halted any such plans. Now she feared he would stop her from returning to the city; she had no proof he would do such an action but something within told of a darker side to the gentleman sitting before her.
"I also wish to speak of important matters" Alucard said, idly swirling the untouched contents in his glass. "But by all means, you may be the first to speak" he said, gesturing for her to explain.
Surprised, Seras merely nodded her head and proceeded with her confession.
"I do not wish for you to be in my presence after tonight" she admitted, her tone more harsh than she had intended. "And I'm am leaving tomorrow to return home, to the city." She bowed her head in the coming acceptance or rejection to her words, not willing to face either reaction. To Seras' utter surprise, Alucard merely raised a brow and his grin widened slightly; though he said nothing. "Your behavior is quite inappropriate and I will not have anything of the sort around my person. Also, I do not like the liberties you have shown with my home, barging into the pantry without a thought to my wishes and seating yourself comfortably in my study as if you have ownership."
A low chuckle was heard from her guest as Seras lifted her eyes to gaze at him in confusion.
"Oh, but my dearest Seras" Alucard spoke, placing his untouched glass on the desk. "You have given me the liberties, do you not remember how you so graciously invited me into your home at any time? Besides" he said as he leaned his upper body over the large desk, "we mustn't let our interesting relationship slip away with such a bothersome notion as privacy, should we?"
"What do you infer by our 'relationship'?" Seras asked heatedly, leaning back in her chair in response to his movements. "There is nothing between us."
"There is where you are mistaken, my dear" he replied smoothly, chuckling as he lifted a hand and slowly removed his glasses. Seras gasped as bright red eyes gazed into her terrified blue orbs, her senses coming to life as she recalled the many times she had seen those in her dreams. "We have more than you image."
Seras shook her head slowly, desperately trying to blink or look away from the hypnotic stare. She suddenly recalled her conversation with Integra, the one in which she had called her a fool for believing in vampires. The young woman's eyes dilated as the revelation penetrated her thoughts, the man sitting in the chair now slowly becoming a monster in her eyes.
"I see you've realized what I am" Alucard said, looking to the glass before her. "But how much do you know of legends? Perhaps you have not heard of a vampire's blood mixed with that of a human's?" He suddenly tipped the half filled glass and the contents spilled onto the desk, the red liquid soaking into the many papers laying on the top.
Seras' face paled as she watched many discolorations appear on the papers, but nothing terrified her more than the sharply contrasting blood red color swirling about the one made by the wine. Memories surfaced in her mind as her breathing quickened; the figure she had caught in the pantry, the glass of wine offered by him from the very bottle stored in the small room. Clutching her throat she staggered to her feet and backed away from the monster before her, eyes wide in shock and fear as Alucard also rose.
"Such fun corrupting the innocent" he said, his smirk growing wider as he began walking around the desk. "And what a stroke of luck I have had for killing your uncle."
Seras staggered away as his laughter echoed around her, clapping her hands over her ears to drown out the sound as she managed to move around the edge of the desk. Alucard merely continued his leisurely pace as she suddenly dashed to the closed doors leading to freedom, her hands gripping the large handles as she pulled them toward her. A gasp escaped her lips when she found they would not budge, no amount of pressure nor coercion opening the portals. She swiftly turned around and faced the monster approaching her.
"You killed my uncle?" she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "But why?"
"He had been a loyal servant, though fear had driven such affection" Alucard explained with glee, then his countenance grew slightly darker. "But he happened to meet the young doctor along the moors, who was more than willing to assist in my destruction. I hold traitors to be the worst of humans, and punishment was in order."
Seras slapped him as he came within arm's reach of her, her anger at his betrayal of her trust sparking some action within her fear driven mind.
"Such spirit" he said, chuckling. He was apparently unfazed by the hard connection of her hand and Seras could not even see a welt forming on his face. "You will make a perfect bride, one who will perhaps entertain me for many years."
Seras took a clumsy step backward as she tried to avoid the hand coming toward her, managing to dodge his first attempt but being firmly grasped with his second. She screamed and thrashed against his grip, using her hands to scratch and her feet to kick with little effect. With a sudden jerk she was shoved roughly against his hard chest, her face pulled upwards by a hand beneath her chin to stare into his own.
"I believe you've over exerted yourself for tonight, pet" he whispered in a soft voice, his eyes catching her gaze as they softly glowed.
Seras felt the affects of his mind as her lids drooped over her eyes, her body falling limp against Alucard's. She heard his chuckle rumble through his chest as she struggled to escape the lethargy washing over her, finally succumbing as he lifted her into his arms and his being surrounding her like a soft blanket.
She drifted off into sleep.