The inkiness of true darkness bled into the waning light, the world of deep twilight undisturbed but for the two figures standing side by side in the coppery grass. The air hummed with fine tension, collective unease gathering into very nearly palpable form. But for all that, the first of the duo seemed relaxed, even uninterested as she directed his gaze to the ground. Alucard studied the butchered heart with no apprehension. He was yet undecided as to whether he wished to give whoever it was leave to speak, but then if his suspicions proved correct, he would rather see the matter through with alacrity.
"Master?" Seras questioned gently. He felt her reach out for him, her calm cast into shadow for the moment. Instead of allowing her the boom, he kept her firmly outside his thoughts; watching her eyes widen at the rejection. She said naught in its wake, but turned her gaze to the ground as well. "Have you determined its purpose then, my master?"
He could not explain to her that some dark corners of his mind, some obsessions of his erstwhile existence lingered yet and could be roused to the forefront on such occasions as the one they found themselves in. He was not that man anymore, not even a man but in the vaguest of senses. "Indeed, I have. This, police girl, is a messenger." Her surprise was apparent. Acting before she might put any other questions to him, Alucard picked up the heart, unsurprised when tiny needles dug into his palm. A drop of blood was all it needed, but then greed was a very common failing.
A familiar voice rang out. Dragostea mea dinâi, o mare primejdie te paște. De vrei a știi de-a ei natură, sloboade-mi, doamne, graiul în preajma ta, iară eu voi da dovadă de credință și am să-ți mărturisesc cele de care am cunoștință. The sweetness of the past, he mused with some amusement; she had followed his so far and risked his wrath for approaching him against his express command. It could not be a meaningless matter she wished to bring to his attention. When no further speech came forth, he crushed the heart in his fist, turning the organ to dust.
"What was that? Who is she? What did she say?" The young Draculina clasped his wrist, her grip firm. "Master!" Her demand tugged at him, pushing against the walls of his mind. He opened his fist, releasing the trapped powder to the power of the winds which blew it away.
"It was a message. I thought that much was obvious." The answer was met with a glare. "As for the second and third, you will learn soon enough. For now, our master must hear of this." He melted away, knowing his childe was more than capable of following. As for the lady of the house, her he found smoking, apparently unconcerned by the whole incident. Not that he wished her probing too hard. Unlike his little protégé, Integra's demands had to be obeyed whether he willed to or otherwise.
"Well, servant?" the woman questioned, pinning him a cool stare. He felt rather than saw, Seras materialise behind him, her aura sparkling with frustration. "Go on, tell me what all this is about." His own servant's shadows tangled with his own on the ground, a flail-like strip of darkness leading back to her diminutive form and another to his own.
"A mere trifle. A warning, if you will, my master." Having had very little of the truth behind the matter, Alucard decided against offering too much speculation. "Apparently. I have incurred someone's ire."
"You, servant? Impossible. Does it have anything to do with Seras' mission?" The woman stood to her feet, turning to gaze out the window. "By the by, I do not see that heart you spoke of, Seras."
"I would've happily brought it back, Sir. But master had other plans." The petulant little voice behind him rose like the twitter of tiny birds before dying away, unlike her annoyance, which remained a thorn in his side as his childe projected her displeasure, rather without meaning to, he would guess.
"Not quite; it was not my sorcery to control and I take no responsibility for its workings. If I am to learn anything else on this so called threat, it might be wise to follow up on the lead."
"I will consider it," Integra allowed, her dismissal quiet, ringing out only in his mind. "Seras, stay a moment, we've something to discuss."
"Sir," the police girl saluted as Alucard took his leave.
But just because he was not present in the chamber did not impede him from listening in. Their master was boring his poor childe with some details for her outing later in the night and he would have returned to his blood and brooding, were he not hit with a spike in his servant's fear. His attention latched back onto the conversation.
Integra seemed to ignore his presence, or perhaps she could not detect it as well as she had in the past, for she continued undaunted as he settled more heavily in the back of her mind. "You don't need to look so put out; I am only asking you to get as close to them as you possibly can."
"But Sir, vampires are a very different thing from humans in term of seduction. Since we have nothing truly egregious on them yet, would it not be better to holds off for the time being." Her little protest was cut off with a shake of the older woman's head. To her credit, Seras seemed to take the chain of command rather seriously, for she said nothing more.
"I understand your discomfort and I would happily send an operative who has coped with such tasks in the past; but as a vampire surely the risk to you is lesser if it comes to it. And in point of fact, it does not matter to me how you obtain your information, as long as you do get something. Just consider this an infiltration mission."
His Draculina obeyed, her sense of duty outweighing the fear. Her mind, however, sought him out, her frantic search a reaction to the state she'd been thrown in. Alucard indulged her, reeling her in, calling her to his side as the shadows melted and materialised, leaving him sitting in his chair. A knock on the door was soon to follow. It swung open at his silent command, allowing his childe within the chamber. Her blood-red eyes, mild and shadowed by worry, took his measure for a brief moment. "If you've something to say, speak."
"Are you truly not going to follow up on that warning?" Was this an attempt to distract him? Alucard allowed himself a quiet smirk. He did not take his eyes off of Seras, nor did he make her any manner of reply. "You know her, don't you? The woman who sent the warning."
Her eyes narrowed when he made a show of considering the question. Since he had no wish to quarrel with her, he answered in the end. "She hasn't been a woman in a long time, my dear police girl." The shadows released the chair opposite his for her use and she complied with the request, taking a seat. "I know her not as she is now, but I knew her in life." That seemed to take his fledgling aback. Her lips trembled with effort, words failing her nevertheless. "Did you not wish to know?"
Hadn't she wanted to? Seras chided herself for a fool. She had seen the look on Alucard's face at the first word. "Of course; I asked, didn't I?" She wanted to drag the creature, whatever she now was, out in the open and rip her to shreds, if only because what she had seem in her sire's face jabbed at her tender heart. Worrying her bottom lip carelessly between sharp teeth, Seras considered the wisdom of probing further. "Don't go, master. Whatever it is, we will face it when the time comes, if ever. We don't need her concern." He kept the same mocking quality to his face thought her stumbling speech. She half feared he was laughing at her expense. But that she could endure; better to keep him at her side though whatever means were available to her. Bad enough that Sir Integra took up so much of his attention, she did not need some bint from his distant past to make an appearance at such a point and turn all her effort to dust.
Hoping she might impress upon him the sincerity of her request, Seras opened herself fully to his perusal, calling out to the ancient creature before her. She knew no greater mark of trust than to let him within herself. Alucard did not hesitate to take her up on that offer, latching onto her edges of her mind, pushing his way inside. Overrun, she leaned back in her seat, concentrating on allowing him the necessary space, waiting for whatever reaction he was willing to offer her. And he did not disappoint her in the least. For his wont had begun to feel familiar to her, and the same rush of warmth that had embraced her so very tightly, came then again to blanket her.
"I would not worry, police girl, were I you." Assuming he referred to the warning, Seras blinked her confusion against such a blatant lie. He'd been wrought a short while ago for such a thing. Her master chuckled, quieter than his usual, the velvety sound a tingling stroke down her back. "You need but trust me." The knot of trembling fear came loose, disturbed by such confidence. Of course he would not abandon her. Seras offered a smile, realising finally he spoke of her mission. Digging no deeper in spite of her wish to, she stood to her feet, feeling him slip away from the tangle of her thoughts.
"I must get ready now, my master." Her words were met with a nod and she was off, disappearing into embrace of darkness. She materialised in her own room, looking around her surroundings, not quite certain why she got the odd feeling that something was amiss. It could not be her mission, those fears had been allayed. Pursing her lips, she bit back her discontentment. True, her master had not gratified her request with an answer and as Sir Integra had said she would consider the matter, he could not be expected to give her a true answer in any event. So why was she so very annoyed at that?
The answer, as before, settled on the nagging sensation of belonging. Her master had branded her in an inescapable way and, indeed, seemed to enjoy his claim of ownership. But she had yet to return his claim; her fearful heart was too concerned with the outcome, with the meaning behind such actions on his part. But then, Seras mused, he had kissed her. Her lips tingled with the memory. And what a kiss that had been, saying so much, with so little. She had to try, it would seem; irrespective of her concerns, she had to make her move. If he understood her regards for him, she would not be refused. She could not be, after he had taken her in.
Confidence bolstered, Seras broke out of the shackles of stillness and marched to her wardrobe in search of an appropriate dress to wear. She rummaged around, deciding against the number she had worn to their last outing. She had some pride, after all; not entirely lost to the vanity of her sex. Happily enough, her search bore fruit and she found a piece she had nearly forgotten she owned, which was rather curious as her collection was limited. Pushing the thought aside, Seas clutched the prize to her chest, closing the door on all other garments. She had some work to do.
For his part, Alucard kept close watch over the fledgling. Part of it was curiosity and part of it was need. She had the oddest way of overlooking crucial facts whenever she made her mind up about something or another. But then, at least she had made her mind up in such a way as favoured his plans. It had taken quite a lot of it to keep from solidifying his claim at the feel of her own sense of ownership awakening. He'd not hoped for such an achievement so soon, rather thinking he would have to work on her understanding of it all for years to come. What a surprising creature Seras still was. And then, since she had acknowledged his hold on her and hers on him, the need to draw closer grew in intensity. The affliction would be of some duration, he surmised; even with his childe's newfound claim on his person, she had yet to understand the depth of such a bond as was being proposed. And he could wait her out, hoping her realisation came sooner rather than later. His thoughts turned to Katharina and her warning, puzzling over the mystery of the sudden contact.
In so many centuries she had not once disregarded his command that she keep away. What could have possibly pushed her to such desperation that she would request an audience of all things? Why not leave her message with some other Midian of the old world and content herself with that? Then again, she had been daring in life, for all the good sisters had drilled decent manners into her. Why should she be any less daring in undeath, with no ties to convents to blunt her natural inclination? He could ignore her, naturally, and in time, trouble would certainly rear its ugly head. Knowing one's enemy was half the battle, was it not? He could make use of his master's ambiguity and search out the answer for himself.
It could wait, he was neither so curious, nor so impatient at the moment that he had to reach a decision. Katharina would keep and so would her news.
Night had fallen in truth and with its coming all manner of creatures sprang to life. The moon would be but a crescent among the clouds, a sliver of light in a sea of darkness. A beautiful night, he held no doubts. A perfect night for the plans his master had in mind and even more for his own schemes.
His childe called out to him, a siren's song beckoning him. His own master tugged upon their bond, urging his compliance. Since both pleasure and duty were in agreement, he wasted no more time, but dissolved the distance between them, appearing at Seras' side, catching the greeting smile upon her painted lips. "We had best be on our way, master," she was saying, putting her hand upon his arm, apparently unaware of his scrutiny.
"By all means, police girl, ladies first." She gave a short laugh and proceeded ahead.
Seras gazed at her own reflexion, ostensibly preoccupied with the perfectly applied lipstick she wore. The colour, a shade or so darker than her lips, popped against the dark background provided by the bathroom tiles and her pale skin; Seras liked the overall effect. She had to admit that for someone who seldom applied cosmetics, it certainly lent her an until then missing air of grace. From the corner of her eye she caught watched the other Draculina preening in the mirror. She was a tall girl with coppery hair and soft brown eyes. A dusting of freckles adorned the bride of her nose. Her shape, discreet curves and sharp angles, would have certainly made her popular in the world of modelling when Seras had been alive. The stranger was a beautiful young woman, though, she perceived, of a not so strong bloodline. She was being observed right back, naturally. It was impossible not to be aware of such scrutiny.
Quite suddenly, the woman smiled, turning to glance fully at Seras' profile. "I couldn't help but notice that shade you're wearing. I've been dying to try something just like it." Seras turned her head as well until her gaze was level with the other's.
"I thought it was a bit too light for me when I bought it. It turns out, however, it's quite perfect." She looked away a moment, long enough to open her small purse and draw out the tube. Holding it out to the other, she gave a soft nod, "Feel free to try it yourself."
"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to put you out." Nevertheless, her hand reached out until long fingers had taken possession of Seras' lipstick. "I'm Adria, by the way."
"Seras," she answered, watching the other wipe away her earlier shade and then replacing with the one she'd offered. The effect was immediate. "Oh my, it looks excellent on you."
"It's one of those colours," Adria laughed, handing the trinket back. "Thank you." Small crinkles at the corners of her eyes appeared as her lips stretched in a friendly smile. "Are you out on the hunt too? This should be a good night; the club is packed."
It wasn't an entirely new scenario. She'd had variations upon this conversation a few times before. "I'm not desperate to tell you truly, but I could do with a light snack. I've heard this is the best place to be for such a thing."
"Definitely." Adria pumped her fist in the air, as she went on, "You didn't hear this from me, but there's a list of donors. You only have to tell them what you're looking for. They have everything. You can even get it fresh."
"Fresh?" she feigned surprise.
"Yes, they'll draw it out before your very own eyes." Adria looped her hand around Seras' shoulders in conspiratorial fashion, "I can get you in and even your partner if it comes to that." Surprise flickered across her face. "What? Did you think I was blind? You'd have to succumb to true death not to notice him."
"Can't disagree with that," Seras laughed. Was it too late to bash Adria's face into the mirror's glass? That would compromise the mission. "Fair warning though, he can be a bit arrogant at time." More like every blessed minute of the night; but she expected it would be understood all too soon.
"All the best ones are. You should see my brother; a more self-important man has never walked this earth, I vow." Tittering, Adria released her shoulders. "So, interested?"
"In your brother, not at all; in that fresh blood, very much so." They giggled together, seemingly having formed the necessary bond to propel them further. Now, to get her master to go along, Seras thought, existing the bathroom at Adria's side.
She found him leaning against a wall, arms crossed, ostensibly awaiting her return. He didn't even blink when she returned with company. Play nice, master. Her words earned her a ripple of something.
Don't I always? His answer rang out in her head even as the necessary introductions droned on. Adria was quick to extend him the same invitation she'd given Seras. Her master seemed mildly interested, to his credit, and was rather polite when he accepted, although the thought that he might need their help finding sustenance was laughable.
As they departed for the upper levels of the establishment, Adria leaned in and whispered, "You're one lucky girl. They don't make them like this anymore, you know." That very nearly set her off into a flurry of giggles. Of course they didn't. One of her master was more than enough for the world. Although it was a pity about his kind of man being a dying breed.
What is so amusing, police girl? The question startled her.
She must have been grinning. Seras schooled her features, nodding Adria's way. I was just contemplating your merits, master. There, let him make what he would of that. Slamming the gateway between them shut, she turned her attention to the other female. There was hardly any reasonable cause for which to inflate the Midian's ego any further. To her eternal gratitude, he did not push her further, but seemed intent on taking in the workings of the little operation before them.
A number of vampires were present above. Amid their numbers were some humans, both male and female. No one was a ghoul, as far as Seras could tell, and certainly no great troubles made themselves apparent with the blood they were served. She drank from hers trustingly, happy with its quality. Adria hadn't lied about it being fresh. Her master seemed to likewise enjoy his portion.
Do you recognise any of the bloodlines here, master? She questioned after a time. They'd been mingling with the gathering of vampires with great success.
Not as such. That was good as well, Seras considered. It meant they'd not be much of a bother should a fight break out. She relaxed against Alucard, her frame settling against his like puzzle pieces coming together.
A/N: Translation "My erstwhile love, a great danger shadows you. If you wish to know its nature, give me leave, my liege, to speak in your presence, and I shall give proof of faith and confess to you which I have knowledge of."
It's a bit useless to look this up on google translate, as some of the meanings are not primary and as such, you'll get a very funny rendition which will mean very little. I cringe a bit inside every time my poor language is butchered in fics, but then I remember that I too sometimes butcher the very fine English language, so all is forgiven. :) And yes, if you are wondering, it is Romanian from an actual Romanian, albeit as I said, don't expect anyone to actually speak like this now.
In the future, translations will be provided in the chapter notes. I will not overdo it with the Romanian, so don't worry too much.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter.
