I am so sorry how long this took. life is biting my ass. i hope you like it and thanks for your patience - dilly

Sonia walked through the grand hallways feeling better than she had in some time. She even felt a little flushed, almost slightly euphoric. She even giggled. It had felt good to talk, to have a true conversation again. Giovanni reminded her of some of her old classmates, studious and precise. A real stickler for details. It was something she could relate to. Giovanni also seemed to truly enjoy her company. He did not look at her as if terrified or run hot and cold like others. It was refreshing.

Sonia walked out of the main entrance of the castle and followed the path along the perimeter. While having a real conversation had left her feeling exhilarated, her head had begun to ache. She hoped some fresh air would help since the likely hood of anyone having some Ibuprofen was slim. She wondered if there were any herbal remedy's to be had. There had to be. Perhaps she could find the answers in one of the many books that seemed to line all of the rooms to this castle. She was certain her new friend would be more than happy to help her.

Her new friend ... Sonia smiled at the thought.

The path led her around the castle to a small clearing that looked to have been a courtyard or something of the like, before it split in two directions. One led off towards what Sonia affectionately called the forbidden ruins, while the other looked to head into a garden that led to a large dome shaped solarium attached to the castle. Sonia decided on taking the second choice of the two. She knew how the owner felt about her wandering towards the ruins. She thought it best not to poke that bear.

Sonia made her way towards the garden as her thoughts turned towards Alucard. Giovanni may not have told her much, but it was enough. His father had been Vlad Dracula ... was that even his name? Somehow she did not think his last name was Dracula but she did not know the story any other way. He had been a king, had he not? Would that make Alucard a prince? Is this how the stories started? A war between father and son perhaps. It is a feudal time and struggles for power between family was not uncommon. History is written by the victors, she could very well be witnessing the creation of legend right now. Much like the War of the Roses ... whenever that was ... when was that?

Sonia's head continued to ache slightly and she plopped down on a pile of stones, regretting how little she paid attention in her high school history class and wishing desperately that she had her phone. She felt a little flushed as well. She hoped that the excitement of finding finally finding someone to talk too was not giving way for a head ache. In her youth migraines would set upon her so fierce that she could be laid up for hours. It had been some time since she had one that severe, but this had all the markings. Sonia took a slow deep breath and rubbed at her neck as she set her focus in front of her.

The path led Sonia to a garden that was not much to look at. She realized that she sat at the entrance of what looked to be an over grown atrium. Vines with dark purple blooms snaked their way along the low brick walls, creating a thick overgrowth at the top. The flowers reminded Sonia of the morning glories that grew throughout her aunt's garden. Her aunt Maria had called them invasive, but Sonia preferred the term resilient instead. Sonia stood slowly with a stretch and walked over to the nearest bloom. It was not right to call something this lovely invasive, she thought, and bent over, wondering if it would smell like home. She must have still been caught up in the whimsy of her earlier conversation because she did not even notice the pair of large dark eyes that stared at her from the thick foliage ... at least not immediately.

Sonia let out a yelp and leapt back as what ever was in the shrubs scurried away and made a dash for the far end of the wall. It was during that dash that Sonia saw it was not an animal but a person. A child.

He stood by the far side of the wall and stared at her with big dark eyes from behind a mop of short shaggy hair. The color looked to be a light brown, or perhaps a dark blonde, depending on how the light hit it. He did not look to be much older than nine or ten. He wore clothing that seemed to be several sizes too large. His shoes seemed to threaten to swallow up his skinny little ankles and thin little hands played with a small medallion that hung around his neck. He seemed so small to Sonia she thought he must be malnourished. She felt a swell of anger come up at the state he was in. Surely Alucard could afford to provide some sort or uniform or something. Something had to be done about this. She did not care if it would anger him. She looked at the scrawny boy and and smiled.

"Hello," she called, holding a hand up awkwardly in greeting, "you must be Ada's brother ..." Sonia struggled for a moment. What was his name? Harry? Henry? She could not remember. "I'm Sonia, it's very nice to meet you."

A face that was partly obscured by the wall and partly by his hair, peered out at her. He looked to be on the verge of running. Sonia suppressed a sigh. She could do this. She had dealt with children that had suffered from trauma before. She just had to get him to trust her. She knelt down and sat on her knees, placing herself at his eye level in an attempt to seem as non-threatening as possible, and smiled.

"So, you new here, aren't you?" The boy's eyes narrowed slightly. "I am too. I'm still trying to figure this castle out. I'm not very good at it though," she laughed. "Sometimes I still get lost. This is actually my first time ever seeing this part of the grounds. Do you -"

"Are you one of them."

Sonia blinked. The boy never moved, still staring from the wall, only half of his face visible. But his body was taut, ready to spring. And the eye that was not obscured by hair or wall, the one that watched her now, was full of what looked to Sonia to be absolute terror. What had happened to this child?

"Am I one of who," Sonia soothed.

"One of them," the boy whispered, "like him. Are you one of them!"

"I don't know -"

"Henry!"

A voice from behind Sonia caused her to jump and spin around where she sat. The boy darted past and latched onto the leg of the man who was walking towards them.

He was a tall, slender young man with skin so pale that Sonia wondered how he did not burn up in the sun. At first glance one might assume that he was frail, but that would be a mistake. The loose shirt that hung from his torso revealed the sinew and muscle that lay beneath and he had a loping sort of grace to his movements when he walked.

Was this Ada's brother, Cornell? If so she looked nothing like him, nor he her. She realized that the dark hair she had thought she saw earlier from the window was a strip of cloth that had been tied around his head. His hair was a blonde so pale it might as well be white. She watched him as he knelt down and spoke in low voices to the boy ... Henry, that was what he called him. Henry's eyes darted back and forth between her and the young man in front of him. Sonia could not hear what the man was saying but it seemed to put the boy slightly at ease, although he still nervously fingered at the small medallion.

After a moment, the man stood up and took the boy's hand as they walked over to where Sonia still sat. They were still talking. The young man she assumed was Ada's brother Cornell seemed to be answering a question young Henry had asked.

"No, she is not like me either. She is like you ... although ... different."

Sonia wondered what the hell he meant by that as they approached, coming to a stop to stare down at where she sat. He had delicate features, almost feminine. A soft brow line gave way to an elegant nose and eyes that tilted up slightly at the corners. And his eyes were a striking color of blue too. Almost sickeningly blue. Like a full on Prince Charming, field of daisys, perfect cloudless sky blue. For some reason this annoyed Sonia. What was it with the men of this time and their pretty eyes? You could name crayons after them. Alucard Amber and Cornell blue. Sonia gave a little snicker at her cleverness.

The sound of someone clearing their throat snapped Sonia out of her reverie. The two figures were looking down at her curiously while she had been staring up at them, giggling absently at her self perceived wit. Henry had retreated once more behind the young man and was eyeing her warily. Sonia gave a little start and began to gather her skirts to stand when a hand appeared in front of her.

"If I may, ma'am ..." His voice was much deeper than Sonia had expected, low with a bit of gravel. It was quite the contrast to his delicate features. Sonia looked up at him. His expression could have been a case study in neutrality, but was belied by the subtle amusement in his eyes. Sonia sighed.

"Thanks," Sonia laughed embarrassedly, gripping his hand as she struggled to free her feet. She immediately began to shake his hand. "I'm sorry, I was just thinking, not staring. I mean, I was staring but I didn't mean too. You must be Cornell. I'm Sonia. Ada has told me so much about you ... well, not really, but she has talked about you. Once. Very briefly. Today in fact. She talked about Henry too, who I've already had the pleasure of meeting." Sonia looked down at Henry and smiled only to find him looking up at her, no longer warily but like she was insane. Sonia stood there confused for a moment before realizing she was still shaking Cornell's hand.

Sonia let go with an embarrassed laugh and began to awkwardly brush at her skirts. Her headache began to gnaw at the side of her head.

His bright blue eyes flicked curiously from her, to his hand, and then back to her once more. He pulled the cloth that held back his hair from atop his head, freeing the fine silver strands to fall, barely brushing his shoulders.

"I wanted to apologize for Henry ma'am. I'm afraid he does not do well around new people. It's something we have been working on, although I feel he may need to work at it a bit more."

Henry looked down at the ground as he spoke and Sonia felt her heart drop. She hoped she had not gotten him in to any sort of trouble.

"Oh no, no," she blurted out, "if it's anyone's fault it's mine. I mean, he doesn't even know who I am. And considering," Sonia stopped abruptly, having second thoughts about bringing up what she knew of the boys past. She did not think that would help the situation. "Well," she continued, "I don't blame him. In fact, I think he's very smart to avoid strangers."

"But you're not a stranger ma'am. You are the lady of the castle, and it is our job to serve you."

"Oh I'm not the lady," Sonia laughed, dismissing his statement with an embarrassed wave. "I mean, I'm a lady, but not "the" lady, like a um, royal lady or anything. I'm just an ordinary ... lady." Sonia winced slightly as she spoke. He must think her some sort of imbecile. She could not blame him if he did.

Dark blue eyes studied her. They were an intense blue. Sonia wondered if they would be considered indigo.

"Then ... you are not -"

"No," she interrupted quickly, uncertain if she wanted to hear exactly what he thought she was, and irritated that she was distracted by his eyes again. The pounding at her temple began to settle into a steady rhythm. "I'm not anything. Just passing through really. I'm going home soon, hopefully. Alucard is just helping me, letting me stay here until I can get home."

Cornell gave her another curious look before speaking once more. "Forgive me ma'am. I thought perhaps you were from the lord's mother's family."

"No, no family. No relation. Just visiting," Sonia's head throbbed now. Dark flecks seem to appear before her eyes. "Has it got suddenly hot or ..."

"Ma'am!"

Sonia was uncertain of what happened next, everything seemed to have become a blur. She heard the distant sound of voices shouting and Cornell's eyes. Such a pretty amber color. No wait, his eyes were not amber, were they? A cool comforting sensation pressed against her head. Sonia sighed, drifted off, and dreamed of her mother.

~oOo~

The horses hooves thumped steadily on the hard packed trail. The tall three needle pines that lined the path were starting to give away to the grand old oaks that lined the way to the ruined manor. The trees were becoming older and widely spaced. Black pines forty paces tall and wide-spreading oaks whose branches arched down to the ground before rising again. Thick creepers shrouded half buried boulders and what looked to be old stone outcrops that may have once been a wall. Hard to tell. They were getting close. There were still a few hours till sundown, they would easily make the castle before dark. That was only a small amount of reassurance for Trevor though. He still had his doubts about coming here. It was good that he had Simon stay behind.

Trevor's head moved slightly to look over behind him upon thinking of his son. It had been a struggle, the boy was stubborn, but he would see the right of it in the end. Although Trevor did have his concerns about leaving him behind unsupervised. The boy could just be a bit too impulsive at times. He hoped that Danasty could keep him check. He had his doubts about that as well. Grant could be just as impulsive. Trevor could not help but be believe that he may have done more harm than good in leaving him.

Not Sypha though. She sat next to him, her arm threaded through his, her head leaning against his shoulder, and an infuriatingly satisfied smile on her face. She had wanted Simon and Grant to join them on this journey for all the wrong reasons. She actually wanted them to meet Alucard! As if they were going to visit just any old acquaintance, without even a second thought to the fact that this acquaintance is a vampire! Sometimes this woman ...

Trevor sighed. Still, there was something right about it as well, he supposed. The trees were spreading further apart as the path became more compact. And with the mountain finches calling out their song, the crisp spring breeze filling his lungs, and a beautiful woman on his arm, in this moment Trevor found it difficult not to come around to her way of thinking.

He supposed some of his reluctance came from the memories of his childhood, if you could call it that. It was strange to Trevor how familiar the landscape remained and yet how little he could remember of the details. He made it such a point to be a strong, stable presence in Simon's life but his father was nothing more than some hazy memory. Vague images of calloused hands teaching him how to grip a sword or crack a whip. Did he have dark hair? No, no, he had fair hair. It was his mother who was dark. Strange how memories worked. He could barely remember the two people who should have been most important in his life, but the night they were taken from him was as vivid in his memory as if it had happened yesterday. The smell of the fire. The smoke choking his lungs and burning his eyes. His father's strong arms around him as he carried him to safety and the back of his father's coat as he ran back into the house for his mother who was heavy with child. The sound of the house collapsing in on itself as the fire raged on. Yes, the memories from that night were never forgotten.

A change of pressure against Trevor's arm caused him to give a small start as he looked over at Sypha who was looking up at the horizon.

"Look," she whispered softly.

Trevor looked up to where her eyes were now focused and grimaced slightly. Dracula's castle loomed before them, casting shadows that must have covered miles in the setting sun. Trevor felt a sudden prickling at the back of his neck and reached around to scratch at it with a grunt. Sypha's eyes remained on the horizon, but narrowed slightly.

"It looks as if little has changed from when we were last here ..." she said.

"Well, I doubt he's done much in the way of redecorating," Trevor muttered as he rubbed at his throat.

"No," Sypha continued, "I mean nothing's changed as in time. There is no decay or weathering as buildings do over time. The ruins from the manor have been taken by overgrowth and a general wasting away, but not the castle."

Trevor squinted up at the castle. "Maybe some sort of magic," he said with a shrug.

"Maybe ..." Sypha looked thoughtfully up at the castle for a moment before leaning back with a sigh. "I had noticed it when we came the last time, before Simon was born. I wondered if it had been my imagination. Good to know it was not. Somehow, it is able to hold off the effects of aging. It makes me wonder what else it is capable of."

Trevor's grip tightened on the reigns as he willed himself not to turn the wagon around. "Best not to poke that bear, don't you think?"

"You're not still worried about coming here are you?"

"And why not," Trevor answered a bit more defensive that he intended. "What with the rumors and what not."

"They are just rumors Trevor, nothing more. You said so yourself. You even defended Alucard-"

"I know."

"-you said that Alucard isn't taking up with a witch-"

"I know."

"You said that if it hadn't been for that devil-halfbreed monster, Dracula would still be making meals out of little shits."

"Sypha!" He always found it shocking when she used coarse language. "I know."

"Then why are you so worried?"

"I ... I am ... I just am," Trevor studdered. "Is it really so bloody strange that a man has concerns about taking himself and his wife to Dracula's castle?"

"But it's not Dracula's castle. Not anymore."

"I realize that. But the memories tend to linger."

He could feel her eyes on him, silently studying. "Alucard will not hurt us Trevor."

Trevor gave a little grunt in reply but would not look at her. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye a couple of times but he would not look at her directly. She had a way about her. A way of knowing what he was thinking just by looking at him. He was not certain if it were magic, but he hated it. Because right now he did not want her to know. He did not want her to know that he himself had no idea why he was so uneasy.

He could not find the words for how he felt. Something was lurking in the shadows, some threat. Did he believe that Alucard would hurt them? No. He did not believe that at all. Alucard is not the monster his father was. A melodramatic git, yes. But not a monster. Alucard did not even drink blood as far as Trevor knew. He was half human and therefore was able to get sustenance from human food. It was not a necessity to survive. No, Trevor did not feel Alucard was the threat.

And yet something gnawed at him, causing the hairs on the back of his neck to stand. Something was not right, as if things were off balance and Trevor was uncertain of what sacrifice it would take to even the scales once more. He likened it to walking along a dangerous cliff where the ledge threatened to crumble with each step while he kept adding weight onto his person. He had had carried this burden before in the past, but was heavier this time for now Sypha walked the ledge as well.

And Trevor would not, under any circumstances allow Sypha to be sacrificed.

After a moment there was a slight shift in pressure next to him once more as Sypha readjusted her seat and leaned her head against his shoulder. "Alucard would never hurt anyone. He is not a threat."

Goddammit she did it again. Trevor grimaced and flicked the reigns irritatedly.

The wagon rumbled on for a short while before the treeline gave way completely revealing what had once been a large court yard for the manor but now was path to the main entrance of the castle. Looking to his left, Trevor could see an area where it looked as if some sort of construction was taking place. It only took a second for him to realize that it was the large opening that led down to the Belmont hold. Had he left that open all these years? The stairs leading down below had never been repaired, making it all but impossible for any ordinary human from getting in. But then Trevor was not worried about ordinary humans. They were not a threat and if they were, they could easily be dispatched. No, it was the unordinary visitors that were of concern.

The wagon moved past the construction and towards the castle now. As they rounded the corner they could see a figure moving from the entrance in the direction of the far side of the castle where several other figures were. Trevor did not recognize the small group of people. It looked to be two adults, a man and a woman, and a small child. They must be some of the villagers that had taken up work around the castle. But the single figure heading toward the three he recognized instantly. Tall, blonde, and haughty. Every long strand of hair on his head fell perfectly arranged down his back and not a speck of dirt on his impeccably white shirt.

Trevor could not help but chuckle. Did that snobby vampire shit not own any other type of clothing?

"Alloo you sulky vampire bastard," he called out, grinning in spite of himself.

The tall figure stopped and turned around, a look of surprise plainly visible before being replaced with what Trevor thought might have been a small smile. The wagon rolled to a stop to where Alucard now stood with his arms folded across his chest.

"Trevor Belmont," that silken honey voice that grated Trevor's nerves so much drawled out, "you're timing is impeccable, as per usual."

"Careful Alucard, that almost sounded like a compliment." Trevor leaned forward, resting an elbow on his knee as he looked down at Alucard. "Well you haven't changed a bit. Still look like the same prissy little vampire I remember."

"And you," Alucard purred coldly, "look far older than I thought you would. The years have not been kind Belmont."

"Hey now-" Trevor began indignantly but did not get to finish for, at that same moment, Sypha came running around the side of the wagon and wrapped Alucard in a fierce embrace.

"Hello my friend," she whispered softly.

Any cold haughtiness Alucard had been affecting towards Trevor melted away as he embraced Sypha back. He looked down at Trevor's wife, his eyes shone with affection.

"Sypha," he smiled warmly, "you are as beautiful as ever. How you flourish under such horrid conditions is beyond me."

"Oh conditions are not all that horrid Alucard. At least not lately. He even bathes regularly now."

"My, my. Will wonders never cease."

"Alright, that's enough," Trevor interrupted as he jumped down from the wagon and pulled Sypha next to him. "Remember who's side you're supposed to be on."

"Don't be silly Trevor," Sypha chided playfully.

"It's alright Sypha, insecurity is common in men as they enter old age," Alucard reached down and took Sypha's hand and brought it to his lips with a mischievous wink. "Just know that if you ever feel you need a change pace, my door is always open."

"Now just wait a minute-"

"Well it's funny you should say that Alucard," Sypha interrupted, "because I, well, we need your help."

Alucard arched an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Yes, I'm sorry my friend. I wish this were just a friendly visit but we are in need of information. Information that I think can only be found either in the castle or the hold."

"Has something happened," Alucard asked.

"Not exactly," Sypha answered, "at least not yet. I just have questions Alucard. Some of which I think only you may be able to answer. But something is happening. I'm just uncertain of what."

"Hmm," Alucard rubbed at his chin, "there seems to be much happening at the moment, creating questions that not even I can answer, but of course I will do what I can. Whatever you need Sypha. The hold and the castle are always open to you ... and this lout too."

Alucard had thrown that last bit in as a dig at Trevor, but he did not notice. He had been too busy watching the scene that was playing out behind Sypha and Alucard as they had talked. There was a man and woman and a child, as Trevor had noticed when they first rolled up. But now the woman seemed to have collapsed against the man who was now cradling her.

"Say uh, Alucard," Trevor said, looking over Alucard's shoulder, "I heard you took on some servants from the village for the castle."

"Unfortunately yes. I will have them prepare a room."

"Might have some trouble with that. Seems one may have taken sick," Trevor looked at Sypha. "Maybe we should just stay in the wagon."

Everything that happened next happened so quickly that Trevor was uncertain in what order it all happened in. One moment Alucard was standing next to them, and suddenly he was across the clearing and holding the woman in his arms after throwing the young man who had been holding her across the lawn.

Trevor and Sypha ran up in time to see the young man crouched down in an almost animalistic stance, emitting a low threatening growl. While Alucard stood cradling the young woman protectively in his arms with a hiss. Sypha ran to check on the child who now stood terrified as Trevor ran between the two men with his arms raised.

"You are not to touch her," Alucard hissed angrily at the young man.

"I was trying to help her," the young man growled back.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Trevor shouted as he stood between them. He looked at the young man and froze for a second. He looked normal at first glance, not much older than Simon maybe. But upon closer inspection he noticed that the young man's fingers had elongated slightly and were now curved into sharp claws and that several of his teeth had taken on pronounced points. A changling, Trevor thought. I am standing between a fucking vampire and a changling. Bloody fucking hell. "Let's all just calm down a second here. What the hell happened?"

At that moment Sypha approached leading a young boy by the hand. The presence of the boy must have triggered something for the changling for when Trevor looked at him again, his fingers and teeth were now normal.

"Forgive me my lord, my lady," the young man bowed slightly to Trevor and Sypha. He held out his hand and the boy ran to him, hiding behind him. "The lady and I were talking when she suddenly took ill and fainted. She had just fallen over when," the young man stiffened slightly and set a cold look upon Alucard, "when the lord came over."

If Alucard noticed the changling's disrespect he did not show it. He was too busy looking at the young woman in his arms. Sypha walked over to where he stood and took the young woman's head in her hands and closed her eyes.

"She's burning up," Alucard whispered. Trevor could not help but notice the concern in Alucard's eyes. He was truly worried about this girl. It was perhaps the first bit of emotion he had seen from Alucard since ... well, since ... before his father died.

Sypha's eyes snapped open. "This is no ordinary fever," she said looking at Alucard. "What is she?"

"She is Bloodborn," Alucard replied softly.

"Bloodborn," Sypha gasped.

"Bloodborn?" Trevor echoed. He looked at the changling who's eyes had gone wide upon hearing that. Trevor looked back at Sypha.

"That's impossible Alucard," Sypha said in disbelief. "The Bloodborn are extinct. They were hunted to extinction."

"What the hell is Bloodborn," Trevor called.

"By my father, yes," Alucard snapped, ignoring Trevor. "And yet somehow she lives. Can you help her?"

Sypha's brow furrowed as she looked at the girl in Alucard's arms. "I don't know," she said pensively. "Come. Let's get her inside."

Trevor watched as Sypha followed Alucard who was carrying a sick woman in his arms into the castle. He turned to look at the young man but he was already halfway across the yard with the boy. Trevor raked his fingers through his hair and stifled the urge to yell. After a moment he walked over to where the horses stood, still hitched to the wagon. He reached up and scratched old Bette behind the ears.

"You see," he said to the mare, "I told you coming here was a fucking bad idea."