Chapter Four
Twenty-eight years later
Zobek puffed away, drags ever longer as he waited for Dracula to return from the Bioquimek Corporation. He'd brought Raisa, more accurately (Aline noting deepening sly grin on the man) dragged her by her hair through the portal back to the castle. He'd called in Aline, daylight encounters with abhorrent things Satan's acolytes had summoned occurring daily.
Were it not for her, citizens would be dropping like flies, bodies devoured, evidence of crime committed provided only in randomly placed grenadine drips on paving slabs, rapidly staining them brown...
Aline chose to speak up, having heard enough of her own sighs...
"My apologies for taking so long to come. Its, its been tricky, leaving my Father. Mother's gone. I, I had to stay with him. He all but fell apart in front of me, honed visage over decades peeling before my eyes. He considered suicide, were it not for me."
Indigo flashed in the corner of her eye, man approaching seemingly from shadows appearing to walk closer to her after mentioning death.
This was her first inclination something lay hidden here, hidden in plain sight, from Zobek's sight.
"I am sorry to hear this, Lady Belustrade. If there is anything I can do, do let me know. I met Constantine years ago, terrace of his palace, overlooking vast gardens, I believe where your Mother and he were married?"
Aline nodded, readying her reply, eager to get misery out the way first. The fellow in shining armour bowing his head at her new 'title' gave her her second inclination.
"Thank you, Zobek, truly. Yes, they were married there. Mum loved planting, she'd be in the shed most days, irking Dad, as he couldn't leave without walking outside and frying. He named a peony after her, Verdamme Pearl, her maiden name, and she was fond of pearls. Also," she extended a hand, "you are helping me. You're giving me purpose, drive. I simply had to return, Dad would have chewed my ear off if I hadn't. Said I drove him mad!"
Zobek laughed, vibrato travelling down, transferring to the woman as the pair shook hands.
"I am grateful for your assistance, Aline. Neither my bodyguard or Dracula may hunt during the day, and, I confess in my old, feeble mind that I neglected to think of that, before it was too late."
Aline shook her head, hairband snapping, falling out, soundlessly drifting onto the floor.
"It's never too late. You, Dracula, Dad and a few others have made me believe. I will do what I can with whatever time I have left."
Zobek nodded curtly, leaving counsel chamber, business of his own to attend to.
"I shouldn't need to do this, but you're making it obvious, young man..."
Aline took family emblem from her pocket, suspicion confirmed when she turned, sardonic manner. Familiar carmine glow emanated from the man behind her's neck.
"Hello, Zobek's 'bodyguard.' I suppose I ought to get to know you, since we'll be working together." She whispered the rest, in case Zobek was near. "Hope you didn't get those white locks caught in that helmet. Ouch..."
She smiled earnestly, containing her voice, failing to extinguish flames in her chest.
"Lovely to sorta see you again? Glad you are alright, Dracula didn't use you for target practise. I'd rather all of you than limbs, organs missing."
"And you are making it obvious in your mannerisms. You should not know me."
Aline stuck out her tongue, arms folding mechanically, thoroughly miffed.
"You started it..."
Alucard chuckled.
"It is lovely to see you too."
Simpering quickly, the woman tried to regain some ground.
"Ahem. Ought to prove I can fight." She winked, twirling, pulling out dual pistols. "Silver bullets, and my knives are dipped in 'holy water,' whatever that means."
"Caution, Lady Aline. Word reaches us of minotaurs roaming the streets. They can but remain cloaked in darkness for so long." Adding almost silently, "I am sorry for your loss. I wish I could take away your pain."
Aline coughed, urge to hug him, smush her face against his breastplate in scrunched fists, nails leaving crescent imprints. Focusing, her lips thinned, eyes downcast.
"'Lady' was my Mother's title, always will be. I chose not to co-rule with my Father. I appreciate your compassion, though it won't change anything."
To that, she acquiesced to the fluttering of wings in her stomach.
"Stop making me like you. Also, minotaurs? You know to defeat them, right?"
Alucard shook his head.
"String..."
Aline meandered her way to the exit. She was tired, wanting nothing more than to return to her apartment, grab a cup of hot chocolate, cocoon herself under blankets.
"I'll try not to show you up..."
Leaving the room became tough, when she heard manly snorts, testing her willpower to its limits.
She left the castle before second wind could emerge, peak, make her challenge someone she knew she would lose too.
It would be for fun.
Yeah, fun.
She told herself, rubbing her hands together as she made her way home.
Restless legs stressed Aline as she lay down. Rolling her eyes, she stood, deciding to head up to the roof, exercise and fresh air never failing to soothe. Dressing gown on, boots laced, she took her keys, heading for the stairwell.
Scuffling outside made her consider turning back, wondering why she hadn't brought something to defend herself with. Who could have been on the roof?
Elderly neighbour was out. Aline would have heard the clack of her cane on concrete.
The apartment under hers was empty.
Unvoiced question was answered, as, seconds later, a man came hurtling through the door. She jumped, back steps hurried, hands braced to hit the wall behind her.
She hit it with remarkable accuracy, hands up in surrender, seeing magic snaking its way towards her. He looked at her, realised she was no threat, grunting as he shifted. Aline didn't comment on his mechanical arm, scars covering what she saw of his body, the fact he was missing an eye. She took it to be he was a hunter too, attacked often, magnet attracting hungry beasts.
She had to help him, crest adorning his heart, acknowledgement blowing her mind...
A Belmont? Damn. Really ought to get myself an autograph book.
Resisting laughter, her hand extended, the man wasn't in any shape to ignore it, taking it the better option than leaving it. Victor stood up, free hand bracing himself against heavy door.
"I have three questions. May I?"
Victor's head throbbed, splitting migraine on its merry way. Humouring her helped him adjust to where he was, focus on surroundings.
"You going to be alright? I have painkillers..." Trailing off, she figured (putting him at forty-ish) he had somewhat of the gist she travelled down. "That's a heavy metal door. Who, what threw you through that? That's some power, right there. And, should I be armed?"
"I have to be alright." Victor walked down the stairs, wincing all the way. "Something huge attacked me as I jumped to your roof. It is gone now, I assume it died, hitting the ground after leaping. Shadows chased me all the way here. I shouldn't stay, it would put you at risk. No need for weapons."
Aline waved him off, preferring to speak inside the comfort of her home, chill nipping at exposed skin.
"Want to come with me? Dress your wounds, hopefully you can relax, just a bit? I can't sleep, may as well be of assistance? Save your legs too, its only one floor down..."
The hunter really needed a break, seek some sought of normality among chaos.
The citizens welfare was ensured, barriers around all cave entrances and exits. They could cope without him for a little while...
"Aline, Aline Belustrade."
"Victor Belmont."
The fact he didn't acknowledge her name was refreshing. Whilst it was heartening, she wasn't, by any means worthy of admiration, simply for her surname.
"I did wonder about your crest. Didn't want to press it."
Aline washed her hands, heading to the bathroom, retrieving first aid kit.
"I wish people wouldn't. There's pressure enough on me." Victor sighed. "The last, living Belmont."
Aline squinted, facing away from him as he took off his waistcoat, undoing shirt buttons.
"Odd way of phrasing it." She gestured behind her. "I won't look unless you say I can. I value permission. I want you to know I respect you for what you do, not your name. Protecting people is getting increasingly difficult. I can only imagine the burden of the name. It pretty much makes you famous."
Victor snorted.
"Dracula, his son, Alucard, they are Belmonts, my ancestors. The irony is unfortunate..."
She was tapped on the shoulder. Turning, grabbing a chair, she sat in front of the man, getting out antiseptic wipes, gauze and tape.
"Alucard? Huh. I met him some time ago. Haven't met his Father yet, though as I am working with Zobek, I will do, at some point. Better not mention it, likely painful."
"The Belmont motto, we are supposed to do as we are told. That would involve killing both. I refuse. Dracula may be the original sin, but I cannot deny he keeps the city safe, for the most part. His son hasn't been seen in years. He fought alongside my Great-Grandfather."
Victor didn't know Alucard had returned? Aline couldn't fathom the reason.
"This'll sting." Wetting cotton, Aline began cleaning the widest cut on Victor's chest, scars peppering it. "Right monster magnet, you." She held up free hand. "I jest. Well, Alucard didn't strike me as like Dracula. He toils with his nature, though handles it well. I wonder if it was Dracula following you. Shadows? I did some research. 'Lord of Shadows' is a term given to the Prince. Lesser known, most labelled him the 'Dragon.'"
Sand scruff scratched, Victor nodded.
"It was Dracula. I worried when leaving, leading him to my hideout. I do not believe he would attack my charges, though I questioned that, multiples times when watching him eviscerate monsters."
"Ah, so that's where everyone went. I was concerned they'd been killed, eaten. Why tell me this?" Aline pondered. "I mean, I'm glad, but how do you know I mean well?"
Brown eye crinkled, lines crevasse.
"Your arsenal? Throwing knives, guns, dual swords? You could have killed me whilst I was down. You chose to aid me. If this 'Zobek' trusts you with security, inquiry, care, than I will, too. I tire of battle, I chose not to continue the Belmont legacy. Someone must continue the fight when I am gone..."
"You plan on dying?! The hideout? Protecting the city?"
Getting her (surely sounding) absurd story out was critical, given Victor's turn in mood.
"You recognise my name. I carry some vampiric blood, that won't keep me going for an age. I am a hundred-and-three, Victor. You are what, forty? Both of us carry ambition, but ambition won't save either when all is said and done. You can live, keep living. I have to make the most of each, every second I get. My body fails me, sometimes. Back seizes, arms ache, legs shake, heart pounds, vision blurs. Please, think about this."
"I already have. It will benefit your cause, my death will make Satan's followers believe they have won, their remaining obstacle gone. Dracula will reach the second acolyte, who will drop his guard upon my passing, killing him. The third will be forced to hasten his resurrection of Satan, the ritual will fail, as he is far from ready."
Aline put away the box, standing, arms limp, body weary.
"Dieu, you're brave. Sorry, suddenly feel really tired. Should I sleep when I fear I will die during it?"
Victor, fully dressed stood, making his way towards her.
"It would be painless, simple transition. Your charity will be remembered, your heart full, you won't die unknown. You will be missed, you are cared for. Remember that." He smiled, genuine, Aline deciding immediately that he look significantly better happier. "Thank you."
He offered hand, the woman graciously shaking it.
Victor left her apartment. Aline was left feeling dour, worried.
She walked into her bedroom, unplugged her phone and called her Father, unable to bear being alone.
Though, she, selfishly wished she could call Alucard instead...