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Chapter 25

The Church

"Yes! We're back!" Van Helsing fell on his knees, breathing in the fresh air. Hell was the worst place on the Earth; they had to go through the valley of apple trees of Eden. All the time Dracula kept silence and seemed even more gloomy than usual, touching his bleeding neck every minute.

"Hmm, the Gift connected with the Savior. What do you think about it?" Gabriel turned to the vampire.

"You know who the Savior is. Go to the closest church, find the statue or anything. Wish you good luck." his wings grew behind his back, but the hunter stopped him.

"Wait, we decided to solve this problem together … for Seline … Want to leave everything now when we're so close?"

Vladislaus sighed. "Too much memories. I can't enter any church, I'm forsaken …"

"Seline told me about one vampiress, Mira, who visited the church every Sunday."

"Listen, I just CAN'T! God left me and I did the same."

"Haven't you ever tried to ask for forgiving?"

"I'm forsaken, Gabriel, I've already chosen my way …"

"But you can try."

"Leave it! I don't want to discuss, how I broke my life, now."

"Alright, but I think I know the way for you to enter the church."

One hour later Van Helsing was leading his friend through the crowds of soldiers of the Order. Vlad was covered with his black cloak, so couldn't see anything, but felt excited with entering the church soon. The hunter had to speak with angry soldiers, who called him a 'traitor', but were afraid to fight with him. Some tried to touch the cloaked figure, still Dracula hissed and it made them to escape.

The gates were so close …

"We'll come in. Ready?"

"I'm not sure. Ready!"

Gabriel opened the gates and pushed his friend inside. It worked! But priests, whose pray was broken by two strangers, hurried to get rid of them.

"I'm Van Helsing, I'm working on the Holy Order." the hunter calmed everybody, showing his hands up. Priests nodded, then looked at the man under a cloak with interest.

"This is my friend. He's a good man. May I ask you for a room for us?"

"Of course, but your friend should show himself."

"Well, he was wounded seriously … you'll be shocked."

"Alright, follow Sister Anna," said one of the priests.

The nun led them to a small and dark room with two narrow beds and a crucifixion on the white wall. When she left, Gabriel said a quick pray and took the crucifixion off the wall, hiding it under a pillow carefully.

"O.K., put it off," Van Helsing turned to Vladislaus, who was glad to look around.

"Wow, last time I was in church … ah, it was long ago, I don't remember, but …"

"Wait, someone's coming! Under the blanket, quickly!"

When the black hair of the vampire disappeared under the blanket, Sister Anna came in with fresh clothes for the hunter.

"Thank you, Sister," he said with respect.

"If your friend needs, we have for him, too," she said, staring at the bed.

"Thanks again, Sister, but, you see, we need to rest."

"Sure. Just call if you want something. The war is severe, still we have our faith. Come and pray with us."

"With pleasure, but later, good night then."

The nun left and Dracula set on the bed.

"Damn it! I'm tired of hiding!"

"Hey, don't say so in the church! We came here to find the answer," Gabriel put on the simple white shirt and pants, noticing strange smile on his lips.

"What!"

"Oh, just wondering how is it for you to be a werewolf."

"I don't want to discuss it …"

"You control yourself, that's interesting. How?"

"I think about all, who means something to me, it helps to keep my head fresh." Van Helsing lied on the bed, putting head on his hands. Vladislaus did the same.

"Liar. Velkan, Boris Valerious and other werewolves of mine always did so, but pleasure of breaking bones was stronger. There's something else."

"But Kiara …"

"Kiara Moon, as other present werewolves, has her aims when turning, still she depends on the full moon, but you're not. I try to understand …"

"Better for you to try to find the Gift."

"You dislike being werewolf, don't you? Have you ever tried to find the medicine?" the count spoke so calm, why Gabriel wanted to kill him then?

"You know well that there's no medicine."

"Potion that I've made."

"You remember the recipe?"

"No. Hmm, think I am so horrible?"

"Yes, but you sometimes tell smart things. I've always used tranquilizers to be weak and inactive during the full moon. Then I found out that I can think clear if I turn by myself. I don't know how I concentrate, but it's connected with …"

"Seline."

"Seline … I thought so, but more and more I see someone other … I mean she is so strong, independent … Selin can protect herself, but … "

"Who then? Anne?
"No. Diana …"

"Diana!" Dracula set up; the whole chain grew in his minds. "I know what the Gift is!"

"What!" Van Helsing jumped on his legs in excitement.

"Remember the riddle!"

"Small, but near, helpful, mighty, very close to everyone!"

"Yes! Connected with the Savior! The Great Gift! It is …"