Chapter Eight
Aline sat in castle library, skimming paper, own handwriting terrible, only being taught with quill and ink. Since no one used, sold those anymore, Aline opted for marker. 'Purple Plum,' faux fruit scent bringing recollection of rainbow pastilles, her favourite sweet as a child.
They ruined her teeth, jelly sticking them together, stuck out tongue at her parent's amusement multitude of colours...
She had to memorise these, two days passed since any news of Guido, the dreaded ceremony. Alucard, true to form learned several incantations, quoting them off-by-heart mere hours after reading, prompting Aline to throw a book at him, 'astucieux' quickly becoming chosen word to describe him.
Other than majestic, flare lighting her cheeks blamed on relying off candlelight to see...
"With Zobek gone, so is Guido's protection. Satan should awaken to legions of man, beast, all manner of creatures, and yet, none serve him."
Aline kept along Dragon's trail.
"With servants depleted, Satan will kill Guido, for failing to provide him with what he desires most. Power, absolute, his thirst for it unquenchable. Figured I should study up, borrowed a few books. I feel for him. I understand he just wanted to be loved, but went about it entirely the wrong way."
"Once he is summoned, we must begin reciting counter spells."
Alucard walked behind her chair.
"I said I would be distraction, I will be. I will stay just out line of sight."
Dracula closed his eyes, sigh signalling he'd had enough of battle, reticence odd for him. He got the hint his son wished to speak to Aline without his presence, chuckling quietly as he left.
Alucard's change in demeanour was instantaneous, he'd drop shoulder, posture relaxed, stress wrinkles easing, hope shimmering in irises.
Innocent.
He was a tad concerned with Aline's switch. Pupils would widen, breath catching, she'd bite peony lip, cheeks blooming scarlet. Her body would stiffen, fingers curling, as if she held back, reigns pulled on mischief. Her intent latent, salacious.
Judging her sprouted irony, tendrils slithering, Marie eliciting similar reaction. Were she corporeal, God was singular entity who knew what he would do, try to do, incredibly empty inside. She chose to remain in the realm of the living, resided at the hideout, purely for Aline, not him, that tearing insides to pieces.
"I will be nearby, watching, ready."
"Merci."
Aline stood, locating footstool, motioning Alucard over, puzzlement gracing male's angular jaw.
"Humour me, mon cher?"
Daringly, at his full height, she put her mouth near his cheek, heart in it, hoping he approved of contact. She wasn't aware, hadn't looked down at the rest of his face. Arms tightening grip, Alucard craved contact, halting several compulsions to nuzzle, something he found passionate, without need to go further.
"May I?"
Nodding to whatever Aline wanted came easily. She kissed his cheek, lips scorch marks, warmth seeping downward, neck, spine, full body shiver pressing form against hers. Reaction, he nuzzled her jaw, soft chuckle leaving her mouth. Careful to avoid his mouth grew tough, logic reminding the woman that, if he wished it, he would let her know.
Swiftly, she realised she wished for more than he, stinging inside, level akin to heartburn. Equally swift, she blinked, stepping down from perch.
"Ought to visit my Dad, just in case things go awry. Remaining unscathed has been due to you. My own ability is lacking."
"Where is that coming from?"
Aline made a face.
"Distinct lack of confidence, or my confidence around you? You're somehow able to boost it, makes me feel chipper, playful. Too much?"
Alucard gave a nod, countering with liquescent, soulful irises, woman's resolve falling.
"My worry lies with myself. It has been, some time since my last dalliance. My strength, if misused, could injure you gravely."
"If I, for one second thought I was in danger, would I let myself be alone with you, multiple times? Please say non."
They shared chuckle.
"As you are concerned, and what you feel matters to me, let me propose something."
Aline held family crest above her heart, Alucard retrieved necklace, index, thumb closed around pendant.
"If, at any point, you feel your control slipping, you see a particularly wide vein somewhere on my person, and think, 'snack time,' let me know. Fear is a precursor to doubt. I wouldn't be able to doubt you if I tried, really hard, hands squeezed, eyes closed. Let me hear you, warn me. That's all I ask. I am not one-hundred-percent sure what I want to do with my life, after this. If I get an after, that is. I want you to know I am not frightened. Do you want me to be?"
"Of me? No, never. Of what I am? Perhaps."
"Perhaps is chance, Alucard. Chance I am willing to take. I want to shoulder worry, endure weight. Lean on me. Well, more lean over me, given height differences."
Laughter returned, curt, broad utterance.
"Shake on it? Allies until the end."
They shook hands, intentions lay bare, terms accepted.
Dracula called his son's name, Aline's when she popped up in front of him, portal showing Manor Belustrade. The three exchanged nods, the Prince gesturing upwards.
The sky rippled, obsidian waves, obstructing immaculate indigo, defiling purity.
The ritual had begun. They knew from Marie sprinting towards the Dragon, informing him of shifts, reality warping, otherworldly, malicious magic preventing her beneficial energy from keeping the hideout safe, seals vanishing.
Time wasn't on their side, their friend's memory twisted.
Aline hid behind statue, pitch swirls of energy snuffing candles, emanating from the book Guido held. Roars left it, face forming from page, tendril hair wrapped around leather spine. The woman gasped, wondering whether to remain watching ritual, or join Alucard on standby.
Her question went answered, in unorthodox manner. Nude, skeletal man crawled from parchment, frail beyond anything Aline had witnessed prior. Turning her head, consideration of the fallen angel's current predicament (she wouldn't wish to be looked at, someone unknown, eyes draped in shadow,) painfully aware he would soon come to know of her presence.
Satan fell, hitting stone, were it not for his acolyte, walking to his aid. He gave his mentor his frame to anchor, regain footing, glancing at newly pressed, pristine mahogany robes sat on lone chair.
Aline, making sure she wasn't heard jogged, feet silent, boots scuffing tile, were she to run.
She stopped in front of Alucard, hand braced on wall, taking some deep breaths.
"I look scarier than him in the mornings."
Alucard wasn't sure how to react, laughter either from agreement, or dissent.
"Pitiful, honestly. Its rather tragic. Reminds me one can only fall so far before it affects them deeply, thoroughly."
Shrieks permeated still air, body flung from window, Guido mangled, oozing life fluid, Satan, oil slick hair, eyes ice, skin cadaverous following, stepping out.
Alucard spoke, Latin flowing from lips flawlessly, Aline smitten, recollection working to compete, add on.
Satan clambered over window ledge, face twisting, livid mask, slipping on effortlessly. He countered spells, body forming muscle mass, growing taller.
"Have I not been defiled enough? Now by a mortal?"
Aline went for broke.
"I'm mortal," she gestured to Alucard, "he is immortal. There is a difference."
"Is that the case?" Satan pursed his lips, eyes fixed on the vampire. Aline panicked, wishing she'd stayed quiet. "Son of Dracul..."
"Someone's clever. We'd rather not fight...what shall I call you?" She smirked. "What should I call you?"
"You should not speak."
"Oh dear," she turned, ignoring Satan angering him further, Alucard intent, irises glowing, intent on pushing him back, growling as former dared to speak to his friend as such, "you'll really dislike me."
Facing her companion, she winked, biting lip, looking Satan up and down.
"Can we stop him now? I'm glacé."
Alucard offered arm, Aline, twirling, wrapping her waist around it. He stayed in front, the two walking backwards, streets barren. Satan tried to follow, legs giving out.
Pathetic whining left his mouth, startled he could make such a sound...
"Father?"
Dracula stood, middle of the road, tarmac cracked, heaving steps of ogres swarming him. He gestured for his son to stay back.
"Where did they come from?"
Alucard snarled.
"Was the portal closed?"
Aline shrugged, to his dismay.
"I ran before I saw anything more. Should I have looked at him naked? Figured that'd be rather rude. I'll return, you two can handle Satan." She frowned. "I'm sorry."
She doubled back, Satan swatting her, as if fly, flinging her across road. She huffed, scuffing knees, shredding pants. Quickly recovering, she sprinted towards the chapel, wishing she'd thrown aside caution, absurdity, stayed inside ruin.
The least she should have accomplished was grabbing tome, running away with precious, heinous volume as if her arse was aflame...
Wait...the book. Merde!
Satan, seeing Dragon fly about effortlessly brought twinge of jealousy, once servant of God, soaring high, wings vast, virginal glow, now charred, smoke billowing, wings paper, torn by the one he loved. He pulled out tome from robe, reciting possession rite, directed at Alucard. Pitting the son of Dracul against his own Father was fitting, given archangel's debilitating convulsions, form unwilling to thrive in a world which long abandoned him.
Alucard smirked, offering himself up, in mockery, knowing disgraced being would struggle to so much as pull hair from his head.
In a flash, Satan's claws pierced the vampire's arm, venom shooting through prompt. He spluttered, haze purging mind, clearing it for Satan's influence. He tried crying out, hoarse mutterings came out, to Satan's gratification. His voice became Alucard's, merging, body fusing, slate tone lightning, deathly hue. The vampire approach death's door, helplessly wriggling remaining, unspoiled form, mercy vocal plea, utterance grabbing Dracula's attention.
He all but threw up at the scene, his son being eradicated, remade into the Devil. Swallowing conniption, mouthful of sanguine fluid with it, he launched himself at latter, Void Sword rammed to the hilt through his stomach, Prince scanning where Alucard and Satan were free from one another. He stabbed each, every inch of the archangel until he fell onto the ground, Alucard into his Father's arms.
He lay his child on the pavement, spitting on deity as he passed by.
Ebony filled Alucard's eyes, competing with gold, former winning, swirling, patterns etched runes onto exposed skin, travelling down neck, arms, onto chest. He howled, blind, terrified, poison thrumming in ears, body wading through sludge. Dracula held back tears.
"I need to bleed you. I'm sorry." He gulped. "This will hurt. I shouldn't have to hurt you again, Trevor."
Alucard lamented, keening, voice failed him.
Dracula sliced his son's wrist, criss-cross, then his neck, knowing full well if he hit artery, his son would perish in his arms a second time...
Tome nowhere to be found, Aline swore, nails digging crescent marks into palms. Forcing herself to get on with what she was here to do, she closed her eyes, focusing.
Finding portal shrinking, but remaining viable, Aline spoke confidently, spell flowing like poetry, proud that she'd remembered it.
Once she was sure nothing else utterly horrific, terrors formed via of madmen could be pulled into the city, she let herself have moment to breathe, hearing exclusively her own thoughts.
Thrilled, she felt thrilled, often avoiding it, but, when she found it, seeking it became wondrous. She survived on her own merit, affirming that she still 'had it,' thought making her giggle, younger self coming to the fore.
Dusting herself off, stretching limbs, pop delightful, Aline made her way back to the castle, sky usual hue giving her indication that Satan had been vanquished, and castle namesake and his son would be waiting, tired but glad they managed to succeed.
She arrived to charcoal pools, surrounding Alucard. They smelt of rot, damp, diseased flesh. She baulked, turning head away.
"What happened?"
Satan's form lay nearby, no sign of life.
"He attempted possession, knowing using my own son against me would crush me. I would be unable to fight. Satan's body couldn't sustain him, Alucard's could."
Desperately troubled, Aline approached, withdrawing upon Prince's warning, hands coated in his child's blood.
"He needs to feed. If you were near, he wouldn't hold back. Base instincts are rampant now, for he will succumb to death if he refuses to feed."
"Is there anything I can do? Please, Dracula." The woman pleaded. "Get him something." She scanned the area, pointing to large bat, partially eaten by the Dragon. "It isn't much, but I need to do something. Sunrise is in an hour, we ought to him inside. I will bring the bat."
Both looked to the sky, hues of primary, secondary colour working their way upwards, cobalt disappearing into morning mist. Dracula picked up Alucard, draping arm over shoulder, bringing him inside safety of his home, Aline following, shifting dead weight bat strenuous, mattering more than anything in the world.
In her world...
Forcing herself to leave Castle Dracula for the hideout wounded the woman, physique sore, mind weary, legs keeping her upright, walking because she told them too. They wanted to fall from under her, shaking with effort.
She collapsed after arrival, Marie rushing over, worried gasps coming from her charges.
Aline's body began to fail, finding herself unable to stand, walk for more than five minutes, crumpling paper doll wilting. She tried to get up, arms trembling, fingers quivering as she picked up something to eat, pricks of pain shooting through joints. Hours morphed into days, weeks of struggle, agony making life unbearable.
She'd had enough, knowing for some time this would happen.
Just, not now, never now. Now wasn't fair, fair wasn't fair.
Life wasn't fair...
She needed Alucard, more than ever. Marie knew this, brought her to the castle, her son pacing outside her given room. She offered support, arm on his, words of reassurance, structure propping him up when he wanted to slide down the wall...
She'd spoken to Aline, knew what she wanted, where her future would lead. Now, it was down to Alucard and Dracula. Their decision dictated Aline's fate...