Chapter 24

Thank you for reading and Enjoy.

Elizabeth made her way to Donation V, where Victor got his needed blood. She kept her footsteps silent so no one would notice her on the dangerous journey. She needed to get there, get what Victor needed, and get back home in one piece. She hoped that she wouldn't run into any rogue Vampires or power crazy Hunters.

It's a good thing those bags had the address on them. She thought to herself as she remembered the times she had to get Victor's sustenance.

Her breath chilled in puffs as the cold damp air surrounded every step. The tall buildings ominous as each stride offered either safety or death. Her eyes darted back and forth with every turn. Finally, she stopped in front of a building with a sign hanging overhead. She read it and confirmed it was the location and entered the building.

"Welcome to Donation V," a young woman stood up from the counter, "How may I help you?"

"I need to do a pick up," Elizabeth lowered her hood, freeing her constricted hair.

The woman nodded, "Alright, I just need a name, please."

"Elizabeth Dracula."

The pen froze, and the woman looked up at her. "You're Victor's wife?"

Elizabeth nodded.

"Oh, well, um…" She rubbed her hands together, "We have a bit of a problem then. We usually don't give out more than the preset amount for the month."

Elizabeth smiled, "What's your name?"

The woman was caught off guard for a moment, "Maria."

"Maria," Elizabeth rested her hands on the counter, "I understand it's out of regulation, but this blood isn't for me…"

"Wait… You're a Vampire too?" Maria asked, gaining Elizabeth's nodded reply. "Now I must say that I'm surprised that Victor didn't request an increase in his needed amount."

"It's more recent," Elizabeth quickly explained, "But I need at least a few pints to help Victor. He was at the battle last night and got wounded by one of the Van Helsing arrows. He and I have been running for a while, and he's been without blood during that time, he needs it to help him heal."

Maria listened to Elizabeth's explanation and cast her eyes down. She was not emotionally prepared to hear Victor's predicament.

"Maria?"

Elizabeth's voice cut into her thoughts.

"Is everything alright?"

Maria cleared her throat, "Yea, it's just that Victor has been a good friend to me for a while now and hearing that he's not healing well sort of makes me anxious."

"I'm sorry."

"No, it's not your fault. Give me a moment." Maria kept her head down as she walked away from the counter.

A few minutes passes as Elizabeth waited for Maria to come back. The place was empty from any other person and seemed to be consumed from the darkness. The area wasn't welcoming to her.

Maria walked back around the corner and approached her, she held out a small black bag to Elizabeth, "Here, I put several pints in there."

Elizabeth grabbed the bag and put it over her shoulder. "Thank you. Do I owe you anything?"

"No," Maria waved her hand, "I'll take care of it. Just take care of Victor."

Elizabeth nodded and walked back to the door. Pausing for a moment, she waved goodbye to Maria before leaving the building. Upon exiting the center, the chilled air forced Elizabeth to pull up the hood once again. She began her slow walk back to the Van Helsing house.

She glanced up and saw two figures approaching her from down the street. Averting her eyes, she moved to the side and ducked her head to try to conceal herself.

"Councilman Seftis will have our heads if we don't find her soon," Elizabeth heard one man say as she passed him.

They stopped in their tracks shortly after passing her. Elizabeth kept her pace as normal a she could to try to end suspicions.

"John," she heard the other man say, "That was her."

She took off in a dead run, the two Hunters following her. Her hand held the strap of the black bag in a death grip as she turned a corner.

"Go that way!" John shouted to the other man.

Elizabeth kept running, never looking back to see who was following her. Taking a few more twists and turns around the back alleys, she skidded to a stop when the one that John shouted at stood in front of her, preventing escape.

"Great job, Garret." John said behind her.

Elizabeth turned just enough to be able to keep her eyes darting at both of them. Garret moved first by pulling out one of his throwing knives. Elizabeth dropped the bag and dodged the weapon easily. John came up from behind and wrapped his arms around hers. She forced her elbow into his gut, causing him to fall back a bit. Her elbow connected with his nose shortly after.

Blood flowed from the wound, and the smell filled the air. Something over took Elizabeth, and her actions weren't her own. She bared her fangs at the men, and readied to attack.

John covered his nose as best as he could as Garret pulled out another knife and slowly began to sneak up on her. He tried to take her by surprise and force the knife into her torso, but she caught the silverless hilt and twisted around. Her hand firmly held his wrist, twisting it uncomfortably. Garret let out a cry of pain, and Elizabeth turning him around to face her.

Dropping the man, she brought the knife down in full force into his knee. He let out another cry of anguish and fell back holding his leg. She turned back to John, who stood there in horror. Her quick movements caught him off guard as she kicked his abdomen, sending him flying into the brick of the building behind him.

Her breaths came out in hard pants as she looked over the scene with hungry eyes. Blinking once, her senses came back to her. Without staying another second, she grabbed the bag and ran the rest of the way back to the safe haven.