silversoraki: Thanx for your reviews and I will try my best to make it even better:)
Lady-Azura: Here's you another chapter and I hope you think it's as great as the previous ones. I'm crossing my fingers now ;)
Demmie: OMG! I love that song too! I jam to it all the time and I've never grown tired of it! I threw in the card game, last minute, thinking you might like it along with the shadow intrigue. And you know the Integra bitching moment was all for you! How could I ever allow myself to forget that you love a good bitching! ;) Sends hugs
alucardgal: You crack me up:) Well, since you wanted to know what was going to happen next, so badly, I'll tell you in the body of this chapter! Told ya I was evil! ;) May this one sustain you til the next chapter. :)
KittyHelsing: Hey girl! I was glad to receive your review! Thanx! Yes, you did "sense" yet another cliffy. Bows head in shame and cries out, "I'm hopelessly addicted!" As for the "shadow", the identity of the figure will be revealed either this chapter or the next.
Disclaimer: See chapter one. It's too tedious to repeat.
A/N: I used the chorus from The Pussycat Dolls song, Don't cha. It's obviously used without permission, but it was for a good cause...my story, of course:)
Hear Me
Chapter 9: Save Me
Night had arrived cloaking the world in shadow. These shadows appeared even darker around Hellsing Manor, deepening the darkness to a blackening abyss; in spots between the many buildings. Inside, Integra had already briefed Alucard on his mission for the night. Not that he was looking forward to the deed. He was being sent to one of the seedier parts of town for some major exterminating. Also, a local politician's daughter had gone missing. So this was a basic rescue/exterminate mission, but things weren't always that simple.
He viewed the picture, that his master handed him, with mild interest. "Who is she?" Truthfully, he felt a little on the bored side having to deal with this problem. That was just it. It wasn't his problem. But since he'd been locked in servitude to the Hellsing family, humanity's problems had been forced upon him and made his own.
Blowing smoke from a cigar, Integra stated, "Evie Lang. Red hair, green eyes, slim figure. All the information's listed on the back. She's been missing for a couple of weeks or so and obviously her father's worried. You're to do whatever it takes to get her back when you find her. And I mean whatever it takes. She was last spotted at Ivory's." She paused at Alucard's raised eyebrow. Apparently he'd caught the significance also. "Coincidence? I don't think so. Do you?"
"Not likely. I wonder if this was the girl that Seras was talking about...it seems one of her cousins turned a girl recently. This girl was Seras's friend, she was pretty upset about the entire situation."
Integra nodded. "And rightly so. Alucard, proceed with this mission and get it done quickly. We need results and fast. These damned freaks will learn which species this country belongs too! You're dismissed."
With her dismissal, Alucard vanished without a word. That always unnerved the heiress even though she wouldn't tell him that, ever. Smoking her cigar, she swiveled her seat around to stare out the floor to ceiling length windows. A chill passed over her and the cool blond couldn't shake the feeling that something was in the air. A foreboding feeling washed over her and for once she hoped she was wrong.
Taylor, Finn and Seras were in the entertainment room and the two males were engrossed in a heavily competitive game of pool. It had been so long since they'd been able to enjoy a family night with just the three of them. The old feelings of kinship were stronger than ever. Their happy sounds echoed within those four walls. Joviality, at it's best, surrounded the trio; wrapping them in a reminiscent haze of family memories, of younger days, long gone.
Finn, cue stick in hand, chalked the tip, covering it in blue dust. Supporting the stick in his hand, he leaned on the table, aiming for a couple of his assigned balls. Hurriedly, he struck the cue ball, the stick hitting it too hard and knocking it away from his targets instead. "Damn. I missed!"
Seras couldn't pass the chance to jibe him. "Not like that's the first time you've ever missed a hole." She laughed while her cousin shot her a dirty look.
"Like you've ever had yours nailed, Seras!" The implication was quite clear from Finn's tone of voice. He honestly believed what he stated.
Smirking, she fixed him. "Wrong again, Finn! I finally got tapped! Take that and you're smug grin and take it to the bank."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever you say. I still don't believe it. Seras, you act too much like a virgin. Not that there's anything wrong with being one, but I just can't see you as a temptress or anything like that."
Taylor stepped forward to the table. "Finn, shut up and let's play. We don't have too much longer before she needs to get ready for work, so let's get to business." Taylor's green eyes sparkled at the humor sparking between his brother and cousin. it'd been to long since he'd heard unconstrained and unforced laughter from her.
Taylor, concentrating on his shot, aimed carefully and gently tapped the ball with enough pressure to send three of his balls sailing into the pockets. "Now that's a thing of beauty. See that, Finn? That's what you call finesse." The older brother couldn't help but goad his brother. A lot of the time, it didn't take Finn much to lose his temper. It just depended on the situation and the person who caused said problem.
Finn shot back, "Finesse, huh? How about that's what I call a "shit shot". Because it was pure bullshit that you made that at all!" Looking over at Seras, he asked her for her opinion. "What do you think my dear cousin?"
Shaking her head, Seras replied, "No you don't. You're not dragging me into this one, Finn. You're completely on your own." Winking at Taylor, she let him know she was up to no good. "One thing I will tell you, Finn, is that you're brother has what's called, "soft hands". Something you'll probably never experience. You're always in too much of a hurry and Taylor takes his time. That's another reason, if you ask me, why he had way more satisfied girlfriends than you."
Finn couldn't believe his ears. Seras had never cleaned him verbally like this...never. If anything, the young blond had hurt his feelings, cutting him with the varied insults to satisfaction and girlfriends and such. Snapping at his brother and younger cousin, Finn growled, "Okay, that's it. If you two are gonna choke insults out me all night, then you two can go alone tonight. I won't put up with this shit!"
Storming over to the wall holding the rack for the pool sticks, he slammed his stick back into one of the slots and left the room. Seras and Taylor just looked at each other in surprise. Finn had never been this sensitive before and Taylor surmised that it was due to his new girl, Evie.
Muttering, Seras said, "Boy, someone got up on the wrong side of the coffin, this evening, didn't he? Exchanging a look of disbelief with Taylor, she sighed. "Well, I guess that puts an end to our night of fun."
Shrugging his shoulders, Taylor agreed. "You think?" He couldn't help the sarcasm that seeped out on impulse.
"Well, it's time for me to get ready anyway." Throwing her arm around his waist, Seras let Taylor lead her from the room; his arm draped lightly around her shoulders.
Seras had spent all of an hour and a half getting ready. Her two impatient male escorts paced at the foot of the stairs. Walter had been updating her on their behavior and she thought it was pretty funny. It was like they were waiting for an important date without anything else to occupy their minds. Without any kind of distraction, Taylor and Finn were trouble waiting to happen.
She was hurriedly walking down the hall when she heard Finn yell, "Seras, would you hurry the hell up!" Smiling, she almost laughed out loud when she heard him say to his brother, "What is it with women and getting ready? They always take too freaking long!"
Standing at the top of the staircase, she eavesdropped on the loud mutterings from Finn. Deciding to take another shot at him, she boldly teased, "You're just jealous because you can't look this damn good! You love me and you know it!" Winking at him, she blew him a quick kiss.
Seras started singing the chorus for The Pussycat Dolls song, Don't cha.
Don't cha wish you were hot like me
Don't cha wish you were a freak like me
Don't cha
Don't cha
Don't cha wish you were raw like me
Don't cha wish you were fun like me
Don't cha
Don't cha
Having a good time at Finn's expense, Seras strutted by him singing the chorus to him adding insult to injury. Opening the door, her beautiful voice floated back to them. "You boys coming or not?" The giggle following her question was really devilish, even for Seras.
Reluctantly they trailed behind her and feeling that the trouble they've been avoiding would surely find them tonight. If it did, there'd be hell to pay, and they'd be paying in spades to Alucard. The vampire had warned them before he went on his mission. They remembered his words with such clarity.
Flashback...
Taylor and Finn had just woke from their day's slumber. They were startled, to say the least, at the unexpected appearance of Alucard in their room.
Dressed in strange red and gray Victorian style clothing and a huge red hat, the No Life King warned them sufficiently about Seras's safety. His eyes glowing, he delivered what he came to say. "The two of you better watch her carefully! Don't let anything happen to her. No one unfamiliar gets close to her...understand? The consequence for this failure will be severe, so don't even think about failing me or Seras."
The ultimatum was spoken in heavily iced tones, darkened by the low pitch that Alucard usually used to converse. Only this was so much darker. At least in conversations there was the sadistic and joking side of him to smooth the edges of his psychopathic voice.
Having said what he needed to say, the vampire vanished into thin air, leaving the two males deep in their thoughts.
End flashback...
All three companions made their way to Ivory's. The guys looked forward to a night of light drinking and fun while Seras worked, but they knew they had a job to do at the same time. Walking arm in arm, they talked, enjoying each other's company, all the while never noticing the growing shadow trailing behind them.
Hours later, after Seras had finished her shift, all of them left the way they came, welcoming the stroll ahead. Seras, covered by a light sheen of sweat, had and arm linked with each guy, exhausted; happy with the tips she'd earned and the praise she'd received for her singing further boosting her already bubbly mood.
Seras and her cousins stepped out into the conservatively lit alley. Shadows stretched all around the walls outside the boundaries of the light. Unease crept in, bringing with it a slight tinge of fear. Shaking her head at such nonsense, Seras could've kicked herself for being afraid of shadows. Trying to dispel her worry, she turned to conversation with Finn and Taylor. "So, guys, what's next?"
Wryly smiling at her energy, Taylor sardonically replied, "Bed, Seras, we're going to bed." He lightly chuckled at the disappointment on her face. "There's always tomorrow. So what's your hurry?" He could sympathize with her easily. The night still wasn't over. There was still about three hours left. It seemed like more since Seras had been sent home early tonight. Taylor wondered if that was due to Integra's influence. The astute blond, well aware that Alucard couldn't accompany Seras this evening, more than likely pulled some strings with the owner; resulting in Seras's early departure. Not that he was complaining or anything.
Leaving the alley, the energetic trio walked down the street laughing and feeding off each other's energy as never before; enjoying simple times and happy times. Finn was in the middle of a joke when an old aluminum can rolled out of the barely lighted alley looming in front of them to their left.
Seras felt the unease returning. Finn hugged her close. Taylor looked at the dark space warily. Three different emotions and neither of them were sure what to make of it, but Finn decided for them.
The younger Adams, teased,"It's probably a cat or something." Mischievously, he winked at Seras. "Do you think the boogeyman's come to get you, Seras?" Her cousin went straight to vocalizing, what he thought was freaky, scary sounds.
Nervously, she laughed and slugged his chest. "Will you stop? If I wanted to be freaked out then I'd go home and watch a scary movie."
Taylor stared intensely at the alley, all the while, knowing something was wrong. He couldn't see it, but he could feel it; how evil the air felt. While he studied the stretch of pavement and brick walls, Finn and Seras teased and picked on each other mercilessly.
He would pick on her about the big, bad bogeyman, and she repeatedly asked him if he'd come and save her. To which he replied, "Always. You're the little sister I never had...I'd never let anyone hurt you, not willingly. Taylor and I would always come to save you."
Dramatically, she threw her hand across her forehead and sighed, "My heroes!" Her accent a perfect representation of a southern belle when rescued.
The two kept going until Taylor yelled, "Seras run. Finn take her and run. Get to Hellsing and Alucard!" Fear evident in his face and voice, he had no choice but to hold it off until Seras could be moved to safety.
"What about you?" Tears sounded in her voice. She was afraid for him.
Flashing her a confident smirk, he stated, "I'll be fine. Just remember who you're talking to sweetie! Just go! I'll hold him off as long as possible; then I'll follow soon as I'm able. Go, Seras!" His eyes pleading with her to leave. His first priority was her safety. If he failed, he did not want to face Alucard! That was for sure.
Sternly looking at his brother, he shouted, "Finn, grab her and go! Both of you go. Now!" Steeling himself against the sound of tears coming from Seras, Taylor prepared himself for the enemy stepping from the shadows.
Adopting an arrogant expression, Taylor addressed his opponent. "Who the hell are you? And what do you want?"
The man who'd revealed himself, dressed in modern clothes, consisting of jeans, black tee shirt and black leather jacket and wearing black boots to round out the ensemble. He was fairly young appearing, maybe around twenty-five to thirty years old in human years. But who could tell for sure? He was muscularly built and had shoulder length blond hair blowing gently around his face.
Intimidation radiated from the stranger like a second skin, but Taylor felt nothing of the sort. The only thing he felt was anger that this person would come at him, Finn and Seras. There had to be some reason behind this and he would discover them here and now. He was positive.
The stranger tilted his head up, glancing wonderingly at the heavens above them. The look he gave Taylor sent chills down his spine, though he'd never admit it. "Who the hell am I? Hmm." Tapping his index finger against his lips, he seemed to be pondering that very question. "Who am I? That's such a rhetorical question. One that couldn't possibly be answered all at once. Now, if you're wanting a name, then that, I can give you, boy." The shadowed stranger's eyes glinted. His crimson eyes reflecting evil and malice on a much higher level than Taylor could ever show.
The younger male rankled at being called a boy. He'd left that stage of life many years ago; giving rise to what he was now. A fellow creature of the night. One to inspire fear when called upon the right moment. A creature which demanded respect, refusing to bow before anyone. Anyone that is, until Alucard.
Raising his lips in a silent snarl, the stranger flaunted his natural power and ability. The wind rising around him, he spoke directly to Taylor's mind without saying a word. "You, fledgling, may call me, Eres. That's all you need to know about my name."
Eres stared condescendingly at the young vampire in front of him. The dark warrior sensed that he wasn't a true denizen of the night. Looking deeper, he smirked. "You've been altered by mortal technology, haven't you? Do you honestly think you're strong enough to stand against me?" Evil laughter poured from Eres's menacing lips.
"Maybe. Maybe not. It doesn't really matter, does it? I just want to know what you want. More to the fact, who is it that you want?" Studying the relaxed stance that Eres had fallen into, he figured that this vampire was an ancient. Like Alucard himself. "You wouldn't have hunted the three of us down if you didn't want something or someone. I take it since you left the others alone that it was me that you were hunting."
Loud, brittle laughter echoed in Taylor's head and the area surrounding them. Eres shook his head at Taylor's assessment. "No, boy. You were never the one I wanted. I was after your delectable cousin."
"Seras." Taylor whispered her name. His eyes widened for the first time in fear. Not for himself, but for her. Could she escape from this maniac? Hoping to delay the fierce vampire, Taylor called attention to his name. Maybe he could keep him talking long enough to give the other two ample time to escape to Hellsing. Usually it was safety in numbers, but tonight it was safety when around Alucard.
"You're pretty cocky aren't you, Eres? After all, you're using the Greek god of war's name. How pretentious or arrogant. What made you choose it? Inquiring minds and such want to know." His voice dripped with smug contempt and sarcasm. Things he knew would piss the vampire off and make Eres come after him, leaving Seras and Finn alone to make their flight to their safe haven.
Tilting his head to the side, Eres was amused by the gall of this one creature standing before him. This one would present a challenge and it was warmly welcomed. True to his namesake, he loved a good fight! Even as a mortal, he'd lived, breathed and died for hard fought battles. They had been his life. Still were even now. "I'm arrogant and cocky because I've earned the right. And it seems to me that you're spoiling for a fight. Correct?"
The light shining from Taylor's eyes were all the answer the vampire needed. However, Taylor obliged him with a verbal agreement. "You know I am. I haven't met anyone who could challenge me lately. I'm looking forward to this." The shorter haired blond took off his coat and took up his fighting stance.
"Hmm. You're so eager to die, are you? Well, then, I guess let's get to it then." His leather jacket faded from sight and he rushed at Taylor with a blow to kill.
Dodging the vampire's fist, Taylor jumped when he heard Seras's scream. "What the hell?" What was going on here? Seras should've been safe. Why was she screaming? Unless...
Tapping the side of his head, Eres gave him a pure evil grin. "I see you've figured it out. Smart boy you are, Taylor. You believed that if you kept me here, distracting me, that your brother and cousin would make it to Hellsing. Thing is while we were here, I had my twin brother, Aidan, go after them. As you can hear now, it's been done and Seras is mine! You and your brother shall die here tonight. And she shall come with me, be my queen and bear my children. Together, the two of us shall create a whole new species of vampire to populate this world."
Taylor had a really bad taste in his mouth. This definitely wasn't any good. The evil aura coming from Eres could almost rival Alucard's when he was pissed.
Backed up against a brick wall from evading the first blow, Taylor kept telling himself to move, but it was too late. A second blow was thrown and landed. The vampire's hand had transformed into a knife, stabbing into Taylor's shoulder. Taylor laughed. "Don't tell me that's all you've got? I'll be so disappointed."
Striking back, Seras's cousin, threw a punch which he knew Eres would dodge; leaving him to swing low, in a kick ,knocking the vampire's legs out from underneath him. While he had him down, Taylor pinned him to the concrete and punched him hard in his throat destroying his vocal chords and severing his spinal column.
Jumping up to his feet, he could hear still his cousins frantic screams and cries. Speaking aloud, he said, "Hold on, Seras. I'm coming. Finn you better be kicking someone's ass when i get there!"
Ignoring the vampire still on the ground twitching, not dead yet, Taylor ran fast as he could to Seras and his brother. Within minutes he arrived at the horrific scene in front of him.
Both the vampire and his brother were covered in blood, Finn appearing to have gotten the worst of the beating. Seras had a couple of cuts and scrapes in various places from her face to her legs. She'd literally been hunted down as prey to a predator.
Running over to Seras, he placed his larger body in front of hers, protecting her from the fray that had broken out between Finn and Eres's brother. Glancing over his shoulder, he asked her, "Are you alright?" He took in her large frightened blue eyes. No answer. "Seras? Seras are okay?"
She jerked with a start and numbly nodded. Blood was everywhere. It even had splattered on her clothes shocking her even more. Turning her attention back to the fight, Seras gripped Taylor's shoulders tightly, hoping for a miracle to end this before someone died.
Blows flying fast and even faster between Aidan and Finn, cutting skin and purposefully making the other bleed. Finn countered a punch and threw one of his own, nailing the long haired blond bastard in his nose. Feeling triumphant, he yelled, "Yeah, that's what I'm talking about here!" Throwing a kick then a punch, Finn was knocked off balance when Aidan blocked both and kicked him hard, square in the chest.
Seras gasped when Finn was kicked and sent flying. Seeing the vampire coming for him, she yelled, "Finn, get up, he's coming! Get up,please!" Seras knew her cousin was exhausted, but if he gave up now, he'd probably die for real! She couldn't let that happen. Relief washed over her when Finn slowly rose to his feet. She should've known he'd bow to no one. He barely took shit from Alucard as it stood.
Stretching his muscles and popping the joints in his neck from one side to the other, Finn frowned. "Damn, man, that almost hurt! Not quite though." Walking towards his enemy, Finn stalked him as he'd done to them earlier. Suddenly something was heard on the air, whistling as it sailed, piercing Finn in the chest. The projectile hit so hard that the brunette was thrown backwards into a brick wall, effectively nailed there. Blood flew out of his mouth staining his shirt and coating the pavement.
Seras screamed. Throwing herself tight against Taylor, she closed her eyes, crying so hard out of fear and pain for herself, for Taylor, and most of all, for Finn. When she opened her eyes again, she saw Finn's eyes closed. No movement was seen or heard. There was nothing. Afraid he was dead, she shouted his name to whoever was listening. "Finn! No!"
Angrily, she shoved Taylor out of her way, running full speed at Aidan. "You son of a bitch!" She threw a punch and actually got one in despite his unnaturally quick speed. She kept trying to hit him with no further success.
Taylor saw the gleam in the vampire's eyes. He called to her, "Seras, stop! Run, get away from him now!" Seeing she wasn't going to cooperate, he sped to her side, jumping in front of her.
She heard his grunt of pain and saw what had happened. The vampire had swung a knife, tearing a chunk out of Taylor's right side. "Taylor!" He was bleeding badly. She didn't know how they'd survive this. Not without help.
Footsteps were bearing down on them. Glancing up, she was confused as hell. There were two of them! What was going on? Seras had Taylor cradled in her lap, as much as she could, tears slipping from her eyes; falling onto his still, pain wracked body. Trying not to move and make her cousin's pain any worse, her eyes narrowed in hatred.
Lifting her chin, haughtily, she demanded to know who they were.
Aidan gave his brother an amused smile. They shared the same thought. This one would be worthy after all. Even in the face of fear, in the face of possible death, she practically spat in their faces. The young woman had courage. Or if you wanted to state it in more modern terms, she had balls. Big brass ones. To face them as she was doing now...the two brothers had made men supposedly braver than her, bow and beg for their lives.
The blond with the shoulder length blond hair introduced himself to her. "My name is Eres." Gesturing to his brother, he stated, "And this, is my brother, Aidan."
Aidan's eyes appraised her to close for her comfort. His icy eyes wandered stopping at every curve, he let his desire flood her. "Brother, I do hope you're going to share."
"What else are brother's for? We've shared everything else, haven't we?" The lecherous sound in Eres's tone made Seras ill.
Her head dropped. Watching Taylor's face etched in pain, he whispered to her, "Don't worry, Seras. Everything will be alright. I promise."
Tears filling her eyes again, she asked him, "How, Taylor? How will everything be okay?"
Taylor needed something to assure her, so he did the only thing that was left open to him. Closing his eyes, he concentrated, solely focusing on the mind that would be able to hear him. The one mind that would answer; bringing swift retribution to those standing over him.
Mentally, Taylor spoke to the one far away. "We need your help. Finn seems to be dead and I'm well on my way there. Seras is in great danger! You need to come now!"
Taylor felt the fury that welled in the connection. Unrestrained fury that would shake the pits of hell should something further to her or his brother. Giving Seras a weak smile, "Help is on the way." He'd fought to hold onto consciousness as long as he dared, but it finally took him. His eyes closed; his body relaxed.
Seras shook him. "Taylor? No, don't leave me! Don't leave me alone here! Please!" Panic surged through her creating the ultimate panic. She now felt like an animal backed into a corner attempting to protect herself and Taylor. Worriedly, she glanced over at Finn and sadly knew there was nothing she could do for him.
"Enough of this!" Eres shouted. Taking hold of her right wrist, he jerked her to her feet. Taylor's head hit the pavement with a thud. Pulling her tightly against him, "Seras, don't waste your tears. They don't deserve them. Those two selfish boys never deserved to have you looking out for them. You were never appreciated!" Cupping her chin in his hand, he earnestly gazed into her watery eyes. "Come where you'll be appreciated. We'll love and care for you every minute. You'll never be hurt by their destructive ways again."
Seras tried to back away, but couldn't move. There was a wall of solid muscle behind her keeping her from running. Turning slightly, she spotted Aidan directly behind her. His hands wrapped around her flat stomach; holding her immobile.
Eres's brother pressed his face lightly against the back of her neck, nuzzling it gently. This girl, he thought, she's everything we could've hoped for...what we've been searching for and now she's ours.
Seras whimpered, protesting Aidan's touch. Eres leaned in to taste her soft, full lips. Suddenly, he jerked away.
"Aidan, we must leave. I sense a very powerful presence approaching. Had we not experienced so much blood loss, we could take him, but we're too weak presently. Let's move."
Aidan nodded his agreement and still holding onto Seras, the three of them vanished into the shadows cloaking their departure. Seras's small screams echoing within the alley; leaving behind a sense of despair and fear.
A new shadow arrived. Taking form, he surveyed the area. Eyes narrowing on the bloodied asphalt, he bent to one knee; touching the surface as if reading the events that had transpired. Anger coursed through him when his eyes rested on the still forms of Finn and Taylor. Both were tore up pretty badly. All the while, his main concern was Seras. Where was she? Who had done this? He'd have to wait until Taylor was conscious to tell him everything. Unfortunately, it didn't seem there was anything he could do for Finn.
Pulling the arrow from his shoulder, Alucard, caught his body as it fell into a heap. Picking up him and Taylor, he opened a black portal and immediately stepped through with one on each broad shoulder. Muttering to himself, "Good thing I'm not a mortal." His eyes looked at one body then the other, "Damn, could you guys be any heavier?" The void swallowed the rest of his words as they disappeared from the alley.
"What the hell happened, Alucard?" Integra was pissed! And that was putting it lightly. She was livid. The blond wanted to rip someone apart. That was one sentiment she shared with her servant. They both wanted to kill, maim and destroy, tearing up everything in their path. "Who did this? I thought they were strong enough to deal with something like this should it occur?"
Alucard's lips pressed together so hard that they were becoming white from the pressure. His jaw tightened considerably, the muscles the only sure sign of his own black fury. "They're strong enough to deal with freaks like them, but they weren't attacked by freaks. I could sense a much older presence. The two that I picked up on were vampires, just like me, and were much older and stronger than they could've dealt with. Trust me. Taylor and Finn didn't stand a chance in hell."
Infuriated that two of her hunters in training had been attacked and their cousin stolen away, she rubbed her temples trying to ease the approaching thunder in her head. What made it worse is that this was more than personal. The two mysterious vampires had kidnapped Alucard's future queen and that was deadly to anyone's health. Not just mortals, but it was worse for vampires. He would make good on any threat that he put forth.
Taking a drag off her small flavored cigar, she released a stressful sigh. Her voice, cold and icy, made of steel just like her personality, addressed her concerns to her servant. "What now, Alucard? Why Seras? What part does she play in all this?" Stamping out her burning cigar, she furiously ground it into the ashtray.
Watching her action, amused at her consternation, he teased her sardonically, "I think it's out, Integra."
Her head snapped up at him, "What do you mean by that?"
Pointing at her extinguished stress reliever, "Your cigar. I'm sure it's relatively harmless and can't do anything to anyone." He smirked at her, daring her to say something back, just like all the previous days when they verbally fenced.
Eyes narrowing in spite, she proclaimed loudly, "Alucard, don't be a prick! Get out of my office! Don't come back until the Adams' brothers are awake and ready to divulge their information." Huffing, she turned away from him to stare at the moon, whose light tonight seemed so entrancing.
Fading away, Alucard let one last laugh escape to ring in the rafters of her study, even after his exit. She'd still be hearing it for a while. That type of revenge was without a doubt so sweet, so very, very sweet!
He heard her yell one last time, "Damn you, Alucard!"
Grinning, he stepped out of the portal he'd opened; taking him to the infirmary. Good thing I still have my sunglasses on, he thought. It was much too bright down here. He had to squint even with the use of his tinted glasses.
Leaning back on the wall, he took up sentry duty. He watched over the boys lying so still and close to death. He swore that they'd make it out of this. It would be done, they would live, if only for Seras. They'd shown such promise in their techniques and methods.
He remembered his last imparting words to them. Alucard couldn't punish them for something like tonight. They'd done their best and fought their hardest. They were just outdone by two vampires that were a lot stronger and older. Vampires that were close to being on Alucard's level of power.
In order to help him begin to sort out what had happened, he'd delved into their minds and read it all. Despite their defeat, he was proud of them. Taylor and Finn, both, had inflicted some great blows of their own. Then there was Seras. She'd rushed the one vampire and knocked the hell out of his nose. Chuckling, he felt pride coursing in his veins, his little kitten was little by little becoming a tigress.
The door opened and in walked a nurse. She was carrying blood bags to administer to the injured vampires. She walked over to Finn's bed first. Taking the previous blood pack from the stand, she removed the needle from the empty one and inserted it deftly into the new pack. Placing it on the stand, she went to Taylor's bedside and did the same thing with his bag. After his new bag had been placed, she sent a reassuring smile to the vampire. "They'll be fine. Rest and nutrition is all that's required. And they're fighters, Alucard." She stepped out from the room closing the door behind her.
Alucard watched the bags as small drops of liquid fell one by one into the line feeding into their veins. Seconds, minutes and hours felt like those solitary drops; taking forever to pass. He wondered how long it would be before they awakened. The Hellsing hunter had it figured out that they'd never faced an adversary like this. Apparently, neither of them had ever gotten their asses handed to them, which was a moot point since the unthinkable had finally occurred.
Closing his eyes, he pictured Seras. Calling her image forth, he tried to connect with her, but something was preventing him from reaching her. Either she was unconscious or she was very far away where he couldn't contact her. But wait! There it was... a very faint cry for help. She was crying, begging someone to save her.
His pale hands clenched at his sides. The emotional turmoil he was receiving from her made him want to unleash all of his dark power and releasing all restraints, letting him give this enemy a taste of why he was feared by all creatures, mortal and immortal alike. Seras's pain pulled at him. He could feel the things they were doing to her and it enraged him. They would pay. Those two would pay dearly with their souls!
Without realizing it, Alucard's fury fed his inner demon, covering the room in an unmistakable haze of hatred and retribution. He imagined all kinds of painful ways for the mysterious duo to die and he knew that he'd feel such pleasure when he carried out their death sentence. A low groan brought him back to the present.
Taylor moved slightly; wincing at the pain in his side. His eyes shot open and immediately spotted Alucard. We're so dead, he thought. Alucard's gonna rip us to shreds and there will be nothing left.
"Stay still. Do not move with your wound. It could reopen and cost you more blood and recovery time. I seriously doubt you want that, do you?" Alucard's deep voice bore no hint of animosity towards him. His head jerked once in Finn's direction. "Finn, on the other hand, got it a lot worse than you did. It's going to take longer for him to heal. But he's improving or so I was told."
Feeling like a scolded child awaiting disciplinary measures, he bowed his head and asked, "What are you going to do with us? You briefly spoke of consequences if we failed and despite our best...we failed. That's never happened to us. We've never failed at anything until now. And it really pisses me off that we let Seras down also...she really depended on us. But I swear, we'll get her back!"
Falling back on his pillow, he grasped his side, feeling the pain swell and taking over his mind. He was about to speak again when he was interrupted by a third voice.
"Anybody get the license and registration of the truck that hit me?" Finn's mellow, pain-tinged voice called out weakly from the next bed.
Relieved, Alucard and Taylor, figuratively, breathed a collective sigh. At least this signaled that he would be okay. That's all that mattered besides Seras's retrieval.
Upset that Seras had been taken and they'd failed their objective, Finn apologized over and over to Alucard. The more it weighed on his mind, the angrier Finn became. "Alucard, they've screwed with the wrong people! They'll pay and I want to be there when they do!"
Pleased with the heat in their voices and promises of revenge, Alucard believed there was a way it could be done. Smiling down at his apprentices, "I'll heal the both of you and then we'll go hunting! You two game?"
They nodded. Both brothers were thinking along the same lines. They wanted to tear both of the bastards to pieces over all the chaos and shit they'd caused! Taylor and Finn exchanged glances. Finn silently agreed to Alucard's plan. Taylor spoke with grim determination, "We're ready, Alucard. It's now or never."
Standing over Taylor, the tall hunter sliced into his wrist allowing his blood to freely fall. Offering the sustenance to the older brother, Alucard felt Taylor gently latch on to the bleeding appendage; taking in what he had to give. After a couple of moments, Alucard stopped him so he wouldn't be overwhelmed by the power in his blood. Taylor licked the leftovers from his lips and lay back on his pillow.
Phasing through Taylor's bed, he immediately went to Finn's side. The blood still flowing from the self inflicted cut, Alucard held it over the brunette's mouth. Opening wide, Finn let the liquid run into his mouth and slide down his throat. Pulling Alucard's wrist to his mouth, he held it there lightly, drinking as much as the vampire would allow.
Lapping sounds turned to gulping and Alucard stopped him from taking anymore. Finn released his hold on Alucard's wrist and fell backwards, his hunger sated for the time being. Closing his eyes, he rested for a bit longer enjoying the taste of the blood lingering on his tongue.
"I have to inform Integra that the both of you have woken. She wanted to speak with you as soon as you were awake and able to talk." Using the thread commonly used between him and Integra, Alucard revealed the information she wanted. She let him know that she'd be down straight away to get some answers.
Watching their controlled expressions, he told them that Integra was on the way. He laughed when he heard the smart assed comment, "There goes the neighborhood. And it used to be so nice, too." Looking over at Finn, the younger vampire was smirking, even while he was immersed in pain. He knew that it was he who had spoken.
It was strange, really, but both of the Adams' reminded him of certain personality aspects that he showed as well. Taylor could be cold and harsh; icy even. He was extremely intelligent and was a swift intelligence gatherer. Thinking quick on his feet and an even faster fighter. With stout training, he could develop those talents into something greater and become a formidable foe.
Finn, however, was somewhat like his prankster half. He was a smart ass and a rather big pain in the ass at times. But he was loyal and like his brother, was an incredible fighter. He uses his opponents anger and frustration against them causing their own downfall. Finn could be cruel, but not like his brother.
They both could be sadistic if the situation called for it. Alucard remembered the reports from when they had torn all those people apart at the bar. They'd reveled in the feel of the blood. It had called to them, the need coursing through them like nothing they've ever known. They'd be perfect hunters when fully trained! But for now, first things first.
Integra barged in through the door. "Alright, Alucard, let's get this done. I've got business to attend." Sitting down in the chair beside Taylor's bed, the heiress spoke to him first. "What happened? And who did this?"
A/N: Sorry guys, but I'm going to end it here for the night! I've been working on this for a while today and if you reviewers prod hard enough...I might be persuaded to put another out in the next couple of days or sooner... :) Anyway, if you guys will just read/review...if only to further my inspiration. You're all appreciated! Thanx for reading! L8r