Family Blood
Chapter: 8
Interference
Well, time to have some fun with the storyline. I'm not an Integra basher or anything but she is going to be a bit manipulative in this chapter.
A/N: And, also...this is mainly going towards a certain reviewer. Normally, I don't care if someone does not agree with my ideas but I just have to point out the terrible logic. Tell me when if ever Seras was actually as confident or aggressive as you claim she should be? She is not...Seras' character is naive, timid, and has low self esteem. Now this is not to say that a character can not grow but I am not about to change a character completely off the complaints of one person. And, also I know twenty years old or older people that act like Seras. Anyone at any age can display the an attitude of not wanting to hurt someone...especially seeing as how though she has been told he is a monster he has shown other attributes than just complete evil. And, on the final note may I remind this same reviewer on exactly who's story this is.
He smoothed out the front of his suit as he stopped on the front door of the large mansion. He then ran a hand through his hair to make sure it was in place before adjusting his tie. Finally, he was ready and picked the briefcase up from the front step and pressed the doorbell. 'Time to see if the new Victoria is more agreeable to this offer,' he thought as he waited for someone to answer the door.
The door opened and he was met by an elder butler that he did not recognize, "Excuse me Sir. Is the owner of the house in," he asked with his brightest smile.
The butler stepped back and motioned for the man to enter in to foyer. He walked into the house before setting his briefcase while the butler closed the door. He watched as the older man walked past him and started up the stairs. As he got to the third step a voice came down from the top and asked, "Who is this man Walter?"
He looked up the stairs to see a young woman glaring down at him from the top of the stairs with a glare that could freeze anyone. The young woman was a platinum blonde of average height. Her ice, blue eyes where shielded by glasses as she continued to stare at him. Her dark, green business suit seemed to match her cold feeling character as she began to move towards the stairs. 'Maybe I was wrong about that,' he thought as the butler replied, "I'm not sure Sir Integra. He just asked to speak with the head of the house."
The young Integra began to walk down the stairs before asking, "And, your name sir?"
He smiled as he tried to keep the knot of anxiety out of his throat, "My name is Henry Barrington. I represent a security firm that has had discussions with the late Lord Victoria over securing his mansion. We offer everything from camera's to your own bodyguard if needed. Seeing as how you are the new Lady of the house I wished to offer the same services."
Integra coughed before replying, "I am not the lady of the house. My name is Integra Hellsing and I am a friend of the family."
He's eyes got a bit wide as he knew he had made a mistake in assuming who the young woman was. He laughed to cover his nervousness and replied, "I'm sorry I just thought that such a strong lady would be the heir of the late lord."
Integra smirked before saying, "You mentioned a bodyguard...do you have any pictures and resumes of you employees?"
"Of course," Henry replied as he produced a portfolio from his briefcase.
Integra took the portfolio and began to flip through the files. She was not truly concerned with the skill of the men. 'They won't be much when it comes to him...but if I can find an attractive young man maybe I can sway Seras' eyes away from Alucard,' she thought as she stopped on the page that had a good choice.
"Tell me about this young man," Integra asked as she handed back the file with an all knowing smirk.
Henry looked at the file before replying, "That is Eric Manning. He is a new agent that is kind of green but he was a police officer for three years before joining us. He is good at security but still needs field experience."
"How old is he and is he personable," Integra finished her questions.
Henry nodded before saying, "Yes, that is his biggest compliment to his work that he is a very good people person. He is twenty-one years old and can be quite a companion if he needs to be."
Integra smiled, almost looking like her nocturnal opponent, before saying, "I would like to hire Mr. Manning to protect the new lady of the house but he will be under my payroll and will report to me."
"Of course," Henry said before remembering, "Your in luck Mr. Manning is in Newcastle traveling with me. I can have him here within the hour."
"Perfect," Integra said while thinking, 'Knight to queen's rook four. Your move Alucard.'
Seras yawned as she stretched. She had been working on making the gloves she had been studying for quite a while. 'Though it is kind of odd that Integra or Walter haven't come to find me yet,' Seras thought as she continued her work.
Seras finished the last stitch on the glove she was working on before she turned off the machine. Seras then pulled both gloves on her hands before looking at her work. The glove on her left hand had a symbol on the top and bottom of the glove. The symbol that was resting on the top of her left hand was that of the talisman that rested on her neck but seemed to be altered a bit. 'According to the book this should be even stronger than my necklace,' she thought before looking at the symbol resting on her palm.
The symbol on her left palm was different and she had read that it was useful in deflecting energy from her. The symbols on the right hand were etched in red and blue thread the top being able to summon the elemental energy of fire and the bottom the elemental energy of water. 'According to the book I should be able to start crafting my own spells with these arrangements,' Seras thought as she wanted to try out this idea but didn't know of anywhere that she could.
'I could use the grounds but someone would probably notice once I start getting the hang of this,' Seras thought before there was a knock on the door.
Seras looked at the door before asking, "Who is it?"
"It's Walter," came the old retainer's voice from the other side of the the door.
Seras moved to the door and unlocked it before opening the door to be met by Walter. She smiled at the older gentleman before asking, "Can I help you with anything?"
"No, Sir Integra just wanted me to remind you that it is dinner time," Walter replied with a slight bow.
'That's right,' Seras thought a bit shocked at the time, "My I've been in here all day haven't I? Yes I'll be down in just a moment."
"Take your time Lady Victoria," Walter bowed again before walking towards the lower levels and the kitchen.
Seras had changed from her older clothes and into a sundress that she had wanted to try on. She looked at herself in the mirror and could not help but smile. The light purple sundress fit her perfectly. The blouse was somewhat loose yet tight enough to show off some of her figure. The skirt was loose and flowing. As Seras was going over her look she noticed the sliver dots on her neck where Alucard had bitten her, 'I better cover that,' she thought as she went to her dresser.
Seras pulled out a small choker that was made of a band of white and a ruby in the middle. She smiled as she secured the choker around her neck and covered the marks. Seras then turned and walked down the hall heading towards the dinning room. After a few minutes Seras reached the dinning room and walked into the room to be met by Integra and someone she did not recognize. Seras stopped in her tracks and looked at the newcomer. He was an average sized man coming in at about five feet eight inches. He was rather lean though she could see some muscle on him. His brown hair was short and well kept, his eyes were a deep green, and his skin was slightly tanned. Seras raised an eyebrow before asking, "And, who is this?"
Integra stood and walked towards Seras before saying, "Seeing as how it is getting close to time for your annual pilgrimage I have hired a bodyguard for you."
Seras looked at the young Hellsing before drawing closer and asking lowly, "Why? He can't really do anything and if he tries to be a hero Alucard will butcher him."
Integra looked at her before replying lowly, "Adding him might help us in getting through this with less problems. Just let him play his part and we will see what happens."
Seras nodded before she walked towards the young man and said, "I'm Seras Victoria. I don't believe I have had the pleasure of knowing your name."
The man stood and took her hand before placing a light kiss on the top of her hand. Seras blushed at the act before looking at the man when he said, "My name is Eric Manning my lady. I look forward to serving you in any way I can."
"Nice...to...to meet you Mr. Manning," Seras replied as she tried to stop blushing.
"Please, my lady. Eric will do just fine," he replied before letting go of her hand.
Seras looked to the side while trying to reign herself in. She knew she was rather green when it came to matter of attractive men, and it did not help for what her and Alucard had done the night before. Her nerves where still a little on edge. As Seras eyes came up she noticed the painting on the wall. It was a painting of the last supper and the strange thing was all the eyes in the painting were red and glared down into the hall. Seras' nerves came to rather quick and she quickly slipped the glove on her left hand. She concentrated for a second before she felt a warmth on the top of her hand. "Lady Victoria are you okay," came Eric's voice that brought Seras back to reality.
Seras opened her eyes to see Eric looking at her with worry and Integra moving towards her fast. "Excuse me Mr. Manning but I need to talk with Lady Victoria for a moment," Integra said as she escorted Seras to the end of the table.
Seras sat down as Integra leaned near and whispered, "What is going on I could have sworn I saw your hand glow."
Seras nodded before showing Integra her hand and replying, "I made a set of gloves I can use. I noticed that the eyes of the painting had all changed red and had to concentrate so Alucard would go away. He has his eyes on us."
Integra smirked while thinking, 'Good. She'll try to protect Mr. Manning from him and that will make her have to keep her distance. So far so good.'
"Dinner is served," Walter announced coming through the door with a platter in his hand.
The group prepare for dinner though Seras continued her watch for the vampire and ate slowly throughout dinner.
Disclaimer: Any characters or ideas from Hellsing do not belong to me. I am not selling this material, just writing for the heck of it as I go.
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