Rebel Goddess: Thank you for your review. More good stuff coming up!

Moon of Despair: Well, I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as the previous. Thanks!

Blix: You know you reviewed me three times? Lol. Carl is a very loyal character though. You can see that. He does so much he wouldn't normally do, and he's probably terrified most of the time with the things he's put through with Van Helsing!

Chapter 12

A deep orange glow of the setting sun welcomed the pair out of Paddington station as they stepped onto the cobbled streets of London. With the hours reaching late the majority of people had disappeared into their homes or into small pubs. But this area didn't interest Van Helsing too much, he needed to go south and find this Marian. The witch. Van Helsing strode down the dark street, glancing slowly at the closed shops that sat either side of him. Further along an old looking bar was squashed between a baker's and a tailor's, with its grimy little windows spilling chunks of light out onto the cold empty street. Outside the bar, there was some horses tide up. Van Helsing nudged Carl for his attention before he pointed at the horses. Carl immediately understood and together they hurried forth, untying two of the horses. Sharply, Van Helsing rose and straddled himself upon the saddle. As he pulled the reins, the horse gave a loud neigh and a face looked out of the bar windows.

"Oi!"

"Let's move!" Van Helsing quickly threw the reins and the horses burst into a sudden gallop with Carl on his own stolen horse close behind. As the customers stumbled out of the bar to stare at the disappeared horses, the only evidence was the distance echo of hooves upon the cobbles.


The sky above had darkened into an inky blackness, void of heaven light due to the current cover of overheard clouds, which carried with them a distant rumble of threatening thunder. From these clouds, fell a cold and bitter rain that slashed down diagonally from the rushing gales that blew and wheezed furiously. A few clouds lit up followed by the stampeding of thunder across the skies. Another flash, this time much brighter, threw a dark lonely manor into sharp relief against the black surroundings.

In the grounds of the mansion, two black figures darted across the unkempt lawns, which had fallen into neglect, as the once luxurious flowerbeds had been overgrown and overthrown by weeds. The grass was like a rippling sea of blackness, slippery and uncertain to run across. The two running figures, ducked behind a weathered looking statue, so taken over by the bitter elements that it's once detailed features where no longer clear.

"Are you sure this is the right place?" whispered Carl as he huddled against the stone statue as the rain lashed unmercifully upon them.

"Yes, I can sense it," murmured Van Helsing quietly as he peered around the statue to look up at the gloomy mansion, "Definitely something suspicious about this place."

"Do you think there's even anyone in there? It looks empty.."

With an almighty clang, a sudden object flashed in the air between them. Van Helsing swiftly jerked back whilst pushing Carl away from him. Both stared, slightly breathless, at the dagger that was suddenly lodged in the stone statue between them.

"There's definitely someone here.."

With a whoosh of a second flying object, Van Helsing rolled backwards, dragging Carl by his hood as another dagger flew out of the dark and struck the stone statue. Van Helsing was almost instantly on his feet whilst Carl lay on the path looking alarmed.

"Who's there?" Van Helsing yelled into the wind, "Show yourself!"

"Please don't," whimpered Carl quietly.

Slowly, a figure materialised through the falling rain, walking with slowly clunking footsteps up the stone path towards the statue. The swirling heavens produced a sizzling flash of lightning that threw the figure into view. The forceful winds were billowing around them, sending the long hooded cloak they wore and portions their long dark hair to one side in graceful flows. A pale looking face stared across at him from beneath the fluttering strands of raven black hair. Sharp angular facial features identified the person as female. The rain trickled down her features and slicked her hair but she stood as if indifferent to the cold surroundings. Piercing cobalt eyes stared across at Van Helsing, as bright and cold as chips of ice.

"Who are you?" she asked sharply, her voice as cold as her glare.

"More importantly, who are you?" Van Helsing cautiously rested a hand near the pistol holsters at his hip, "Since you're the one who has just tried to stab my friend and I."

But the woman did not give an answer, "You are trespassing," she told them briskly, "You are probably nothing more than village tramps wanting their hands on my family's possessions."

"I assure you I'm not here to steal anything."

"Then what are you doing here?"

Van Helsing smiled slowly as he stared down at her beneath the rim of his hat, "I know what you are, Marian."

Instantly, the woman's eyes had widened by a mere fraction, but the fear contracted her blazing glare. A sudden flash of lightening crackled, but not out of the skies, but from the woman. Van Helsing leap back from the attack, quickly looking up to see the whip of the woman's cloak as she ran across the path and towards the mansion.

"Carl! The crossbow!" Carl quickly scrambled to his knees as he pulled the large crossbow out of the sack and threw it up to Van Helsing. "Stay here!" Van Helsing sprinted forth after the woman who was hurrying up the steps to the mansion. "Wait!" he called to her.

But Marian spun round with a gasp; her hood tumbled back, causing all of her hair to sudden fly upwards in the horrendous gales. She raised her hand again, and Van Helsing saw a wand being clasped. A red light shot forth and hit Van Helsing in the stomach. With a loud grunt he doubled over and toppled backwards, rolling down the steps as the cross bow tumbled out of his hands and his hat flew off. As Van Helsing lay painfully on the lower steps, Carl scurried over to him. As Van Helsing lifted his head, he saw the woman disappear inside the large double doors.

With a pained snarl Van Helsing pulled himself sharply to his feet, grabbing the crossbow and dashing up the steps towards the closing door.

"Van Helsing!" cried Carl as he stared up from the foot of the large steps, "She may be able to help you, don't kill her!"

"I need to stop her first!" bellowed Van Helsing against the wind. He reached out his hand, having stopped the door from shutting by the tip of his fingers. He threw it back and stepped inside. A large marble floored entrance greeted him with elaborate oak staircases sweeping up either side of the hall to lead to the upper floor hallway. The room was only poorly lit by a few wall lamps, which flickered poorly as the wind from the opened door blew in wheezily.

Van Helsing slowly peered around the dimly lit entrance hall, scanning carefully for her presence. He suddenly saw a whip of a cloak disappear around a corner. With a determined grunt he tightened his hands on his trusty crossbow and ran towards the corridor. The long dark corridor stretched out eerily with the flicker lanterns casting several distorted shapes dancing across the walls. He could see her further down the corridor, still running. "Wait!" he called again.

But she was not stopping. She darted around another corner, only after firing a sudden blast of red light his way, which he promptly leapt from. A vase behind him was smashed into smithereens as it stood on a wooden table against the wall. Van Helsing hurried on after her, hearing her panting breaths in the distance with his werewolf abilities. She had stopped running; her footsteps no longer echoing down the empty corridors. Van Helsing crept quietly to the corner, hearing her gentle gasps as she lay in wait. Van Helsing span around the corner with his crossbow aimed. She jumped back, pointing her wand at him. Once more the red light blasted force, hitting him in the chest. He growled loudly in pain as he staggered back, and she was running once more.

"Marian!" Van Helsing sprinted on after her, his faster form beginning to catch up with her. She fired spells over her shoulder, which Van Helsing ducked and darted from. "Just wait!"

"Get out of my house!" she screeched at him.

Van Helsing rolled under a blast; "I won't hurt you if you just stop running!" he bellowed angrily. He sped up, his hand outstretching, merely inches from her, he panted softly, straining to go faster when eventually his hand clasped her shoulder and with a sudden shout he stumbled for Marian had turned in a bid to shake him off. He fell against her, the pair tumbling to the floor. Marian landed heavily upon her back. Her wand, having slipped from her grip, skidded across the smooth flooring out of reach.

Van Helsing picked his face up from the floor slowly, glaring down at her from curtains of tousled brown hair. His hat had been left on the steps. He had landed upon her when they fell, his heavy weight undoubtedly trapping her. She lay beneath his straddling form, staring up at him with her wide staring eyes. With her wand gone, she was now unarmed. Van Helsing lifted himself off her chest, taking his weight off her and he kneeled either side of her instead. He held his cross bow up as he looked down at her, "Now that I have your attention."

"What do you want?" she asked fiercely, glaring up at him, "To kill me? Because of what I am?"

"Yes," answered Van Helsing coldly. He saw her already pale face go a shade whiter. "But let's see if you can help me first. Tell me, what do you know of the gypsy murders?"

"Nothing," she said hastily.

"My sources say different. Their deaths match your style." Van Helsing slowly pulled back his coat where his chest was bloodied from her spells.

The woman narrowed her eyes at his bleeding chest, "It's not me who has killed them."

"Oh, so you do know something about it?" She glared at him, resolutely saying nothing. He held his crossbow at her chest, "If you are no use to me.." he slowly settled his finger on the trigger.

With his heightened sense, Van Helsing could hear her breaths quickly escaping, her heart ramming faster in her chest, the vibrations sensed. He saw her eyes flicker gently before she gave what was unmistakably a relenting sigh. "The murders are happening in the woods near here. They are moving closer to the village. She gave a quiet humourless laugh as she shook her head gently, "It's something far more sinister than your usual murders. The killings are monthly.. tendencies of werewolves."

Van Helsing stared down at her, the grip on his crossbow slightly wavering. Marian watched him carefully for a moment before a knowing smile flittered across her lips, the first one she had given. It was a flattering difference, "Ah.." she whispered quietly, "You didn't like that did you?" Her lips spoke teasingly, hovering open as she watched his reaction. Van Helsing glared down at her, fighting to keep his gaze unblinking and cold. But Marian just smiled, "I know what you are," came her hushed teasing, a repeat of his earlier words.

She slowly pushed herself upwards, watching him carefully, "I can help you.." she gently extended her hand towards him, touching the hidden spot beneath his shirt where the scars of his werewolf bite remained.

"I supposed to have you killed.. you're a witch."

"And you're a werewolf, so how come the people you work for haven't killed you?"

"How do you know I don't work alone?"

"Because I hardly believe you're here to do a good deed for the community by risking your own neck."

Van Helsing slowly lowered his crossbow, "They don't know I'm a werewolf, or else I would be dead long ago."

"I can help you.." she repeated quietly. Van Helsing watched her for a moment before he pulled back quietly, and lifted his form off of her enabling her to stand. He extended a hand and pulled her off the floor.

"Thanks for not adding me to your list of killings, Mr. Van Helsing." Van Helsing quickly lifted his eyes upon her as he spoke his name. "You have quite a reputation after your dealings with Dr. Jekyll. Some call you a murderer.." She gently stepped around him, walking down the corridor with echoing footfalls, "But I say, good job."


Thanks very much for reading. Please review, would love to see how many are still following this story!