Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters or that from which they come (a.k.a the Van Helsing movie).
Devil's Love
Chapter Five
Carl lay on the small bed, the musty scent of the sheets filling his nostrils. He could hear the glass pane rattling in the fierce wind. His cloak and outer robes lay in a crumpled pile at the foot of the bed. Carl pulled the wool blankets up about his shoulders and shivered. But whether it was from the seeping cold or his thoughts, he didn't know. His mind kept straying over what had happened after his dinner with Dracula...
-
"Ah, here we are."
Dracula twisted the knob, opening the door to Carl's room, and bowed graciously, beckoning the friar to enter. Carl, who had gotten over his initial fear of the vampire, managed to walk past the count without shaking...too much. But he still kept his back to Dracula despite it.
Van Helsing wouldn't be afraid, no, he's never afraid. I have to be strong so I can be worthy-
...Worthy of what?
The friar's thoughts were abruptly cut off when Dracula appeared in front of him. The vampire's fingers hovered a hair's breadth from Carl's chest, just over the cross that hung around his neck. Dracula's gaze flickered from it to the smaller man's face. "Such a beautiful crucifix," he said. "I suppose you wear it often?"
Carl nodded slowly as he instinctively wrapped his hand around the cross. As he did so, his hand brushed against Dracula's. The friar couldn't help but notice how unnaturally cold the count's skin felt.
"Then I suppose Gabriel would recognize it if he saw it."
Suddenly, Dracula was behind Carl, his hands at the base of the friar's neck. For one terrifying moment, Carl thought he was about to be bitten. But Dracula was simply unclasping the chain that held the cross, careful not to touch the cross itself, letting his fingers trail unnecessarily over Carl's shoulders. Carl shivered, even though he couldn't feel the coldness of the count's fingers through his robes.
Once he had the chain free, Dracula dropped the necklace onto a piece of black cloth and wrapped it securely, all the while making sure the bronze cross didn't touch him. After tucking it away, he bowed once more to Carl. "Do forgive me for taking your crucifix, but rest assured that it will be put to good use."
Before Carl could inquire about it, a loud, dismal howl echoed through the castle. It caused him to jump and stumble slightly on the hem of his robes. "What was that?"
Dracula seemed to hesitate before answering. "...Another guest who is not quite as comfortable in my castle. But do not trouble yourself over it; you are tired and you need to rest." The vampire appeared by the door and said in a warning tone, "I trust you will not wander from this room. There are others here who will not be as kind to you as I. Sleep well, little friar."
He left silently and Carl noticed something about himself. His shoulders were no longer sore. Quickly, he drew his robes aside enough to expose his shoulders; there was neither cut nor a bruise on them.
-
Dracula healed me...Though I'm not entirely ungrateful, Carl admitted to himself. Once again, the friar had been baffled. Why had Dracula bothered to heal him? Why did the count even bother to keep him here at all? And who (or what, Carl corrected himself) had howled?
Then another question entered Carl's already-full mind. He hadn't noticed it out of stifled fear when Dracula had first said it. Indeed, it wasn't until after he had gone through the scene in his mind did he notice.
Who was Gabriel?
End of Chapter Five
Ok, I updated and have a relative outline for the next chapter, so it shouldn't be long before another. So, how am I doing? Is everyone in character? I hope so. I got the Van Helsing book, so that kinda helps. Oh, and next chapter, we will flash back to Van and Anna. Please review for me! (They're the only e-mails I get that are really worth reading)