1462

Gabriella stood on the steps of the church in the Vatican City, waiting for her brother.

"Gabriella."

Gabriella frowned. "Cardinal Balian?"

The tall man stood there. "I need to speak with you inside."

Gabriella went through the door he held for her. She saw her brother standing at the window, looking out. "Gabriel?"

He didn't move or turn.

"Sit down." Balian sat down behind a large desk and folded his hands once again.

"What's this about?" asked Gabriella.

"We have an assignment for you." When Cardinal Balian had first become a Cardinal, he had already been involved with the Knights of the Holy Order for several years. Now he gave assignments to the Van Helsings. But this…he had observed Gabriella and Gabriel for years now. And he had listened to them on the rare occasions they opened up. "What I am about to ask is the hardest thing you will ever be asked to do. Translyvania is under attack."

"Attack?"

"The small town has been besieged by a monster. Or…monsters. They take the women and children. And they leave the men. Dead."

Gabriella searched his eyes. Then she glanced at Gabriel. "How?"

"Mostly, they've been impaled. But occasionally, one is found with a bite taken out of the neck."

Black spots danced before Gabriella's vision. She grabbed the chair in front of her to keep from falling.

Gabriel rushed to her and set her in the chair.

The Cardinal's words where still echoing in Gabriella's ears. Her hands began shaking. But she sprang to her feet, her face pale. "You cannot ask that of me!"

"I do not ask it of you," said the Cardinal calmly. "God does."

"No! I cannot kill my brothers."

"You must."

"It is against the laws of God!" she cried. "Cain walked the earth forever marked because he did so."

"You are marked by God already."

Gabriella turned to Gabriel. "Gabriel?"

He said nothing but his eyes spoke volumes.

"No, Gabriel," she whispered. "Not like this."

"They are no longer the brothers we once knew."

"I cannot do it, Gabriel."

"You where ready to do it years ago."

"And I would have never forgiven myself."

"They're not our brothers anymore, Gabriella!" shouted Gabriel.

The room was quiet.

Gabriella turned away from them both.

"You refuse?" asked the Cardinal. "You have sworn to do the will of the Order."

"We swore to do the will of God," said Gabriella.

"And you believe it is God's will for your brothers to murder these people?"

"Despite what they have done…I could never kill them."

"You must."

"No." Gabriella's eyes where flashing.

"You must," said the Cardinal. "They will continue to kill as long as they live."

Brother and sister said nothing.

The Cardinal rose smoothly to his feet. "I'll give you a few moments."

"How we have changed," said Gabriel. "Years ago, I begged you not to kill them. now…"

"I'm begging you," whispered Gabriella. "I'm pleading with you, Gabriel. Please, don't ask this of me."

Gabriel took a deep breath. "We must do this, Gabriella."

Gabriella turned away from him. "Then I shall never be able to face God."

Vladislaus was staring moodily at nothing.

The door opened and Vladimir entered, dressed immaculately as always.

Both brothers wore all black at all times. They where identical now, except for their eyes. Vladislaus' where black and Vladimir's where sky blue. Both brothers kept their long, dark hair back in a ponytail and wore small gold hoops in their ears.

"What's wrong now, Vladislaus?" asked Vladimir.

"Nothing."

"We came here for a vacation and all you can do is sit around."

"Is that not what you are supposed do on a vacation?" asked Vladislaus.

Vladimir sighed. "We have no excitement anymore!"

"Perhaps I can provide some for you."