Howdy y'all!

Hope you are all enjoying the story so far. I am finally moving the story on a little now I had been having internal kickboxing matches with myself about the route I want this story to go. We have three routes to choose from so I shall be making the choice soon X_X Gahh!

If you like please leave a comment it makes me a happy person

Chapter 23: Books, Bribes and Bad Dreams

It had been two weeks since the Hellsing members received their marching orders. They were to be relocated to a different establishment under the new name Stigmata. Needless to say the entire household were up in arms about the situation. Alucard had offered to personally scalp the offending parties but Sir Integra had decided it was best to lay low for the time being.

She would not stand by and be ordered around by a pumped up paper pusher but she would not directly disobey The Queen and her orders. The company stood in the driveway of their new household; it wasn't small or offensive in the slightest it just wasn't Hellsing Manor.

The new building Stigmata House was a large stately mansion, large spacious grounds surrounded the property; there were acres of land around them and no other houses within miles. They had been totally segregated from society. The great silver wall which surrounded the mansion was just further indication that this was not a home but more of a prison.

Silver was highly dangerous to vampires, were-creatures or any demon for that matter. Sir Integra and a handful of human servants remained the minority amongst the now quite substantial demonic and monstrous core group Integra had formed under herself.

As Walter drove Sir Integra up her new driveway he began to mutter under his breath. It was known that the butler who had worked for Hellsing for decades found this move particularly offensive.

"I think it is disgusting, the ungrateful fool. We worked for centuries protecting the masses and now because of one event we are discarded like a piece of dirty cloth." Walter shouted from the front of the car. He gripped the wheel of the car tighter as he continued up the drive.

"Walter, I know it is hard but those are the orders." Integra sighed from the back of the car as she looked out the window to her new estate. Integra and Walter both jumped slightly at the loud pop which sounded from next to Sir Integra. The werecat Schrodinger and Seras Victoria had both appeared in the car much to the annoyance of their Mistress.

"I do not like this one bit." Seras sighed as she sat back in her newly acquired spot. Sir Integra pushed her off onto the other side of the car. The vehicle could easily sit six people but it was much preferred for Integra to travel alone.

"Ja, I do not like this either. We could just go and kill him you know?" Schrodinger piped up wiggling his ears with a evil grin.

"No Schrödinger no one is killing anyone for the time being." Sir Integra snapped as he turned to face the pair.

"Except we are being killed off…it's disgusting!" Seras exclaimed with a pout as she crossed her arm and began to sulk in the corner.

"Well everyone except for Alucard. He survives everything it seems." Integra grumbled taking out a cigar and lighting it.

"Yes, well we need a way for me to operate for Hellsing…. Stigmata…I already hate that name." Alucard's voice boomed around the car causing everyone to jump once more.

"Alucard, don't fucking do that!" Sir Integra barked into the air as the voice chuckled and disappeared. Letting out a small sigh the stressed blonde took another long puff of her cigar and noticed that Walter had stopped the car and pulled into the driveway.

"We have arrived Ma'am" Walter bowed as the blonde stood up from the car and walked onto the gravel driveway.

"Sir Integra would you please put your sling back on your arm? You are going to damage yourself further!" Seras pleaded as she rushed to her Mistresses side and held out her sling. Integra's arm was still healing from her fracture but the stubborn woman would not wear her sling. She said it was better to keep it moving. Much to the annoyance of her staff who insisted that the point of her sling was to restrict movement.

"Oh hush Seras, I am perfectly fine." Integra flapped her hand at the smaller blond woman. Who shook her head defiantly and poked her Mistress' arm with her finger causing the older blond to wince.

"See! You need to put this sling on!" Seras complained as she handed the sling to her Mistress.

"With all due respect Ma'am, I fractured your arm only a few weeks ago you still need it in a cast so it will heal properly." Walter said with a small bow he was ashamed that he had hurt Sir Integra; it was a deep regret of his. Integra has already told him that she had forgiven him under the circumstances but the butler was still plagued by a mountain of guilt from the events in London.

"Do I get no respect anymore?" Integra groaned as Seras forced her into the arm sling.

"My apologies Sir…It's only for your own benefit." Sera's commented happily as she clipped the sling in place.

"Ok, I am in the sling. Now get off!" Integra snapped as the blonde vampire squeaked and jumped back.

"Let's go inside, I am tired. You all are used to being up at this time. It is too late for me. I need coffee." Integra sighed as she walked into her new house.

"Yes, Ma'am"

3POV

It had been almost three weeks since her lustful encounter with Father Anderson. He had dropped off the face of the earth; she had no seen or spoken to the Scottish priest since. In reality, Bishop Thomas had sent Anderson and a few members of Iscariot on a long haul mission to Spain. There had been reports of demonic attacks from large covens. Hellsing was the only known coven-like organization which demons worked together. To have groups of demons coming together to form plans was a dangerous development.

Bishop Thomas was concerned, this was not the first time a group of demons had worked together to attack Catholic land. He felt that it was offensive to be harbouring a former demon and to not use her knowledge of the occult.

Avery sat in the great hall colouring with two little girls; in the weeks she had been working in the orphanage the children had grown fond of her. Much to the surprise of a few church members – the few privy to the knowledge of the woman's background found it absurd that the church would allow such an influence near the next generation of God's children. The children however, loved her; the younger children would not be moved and spent all the time they could with their new nanny.

Maybe it was because the redhead never quoted the Bible at them, or maybe she was more fun than the reserved sisters at the orphanage; either way the set up was good for the children and for the demon. She had settled in and had begun to enjoy her role as nanny.

Bishop Thomas took a long swig of liquid from his flask and walked into the hall. "Good afternoon Miss Avery" The deep voice boomed from above, as the redhead turned her head she smiled up at the Bishop. She did not like him but he was the only thing keeping Anderson from slicing her in two, so she felt it best to stay on his good side.

"Good afternoon Bishop Thomas it's good to see you." Avery beamed up at the back haired, oily man as she stood up from the ground patting down her skirt. She had never been alone with the Bishop before, he always made her feel uncomfortable, maybe it was the greasy slicked back hair or the lingering smell of alcohol on his breath or the way his eyes lingered for a little longer than they should do. One way or another, Avery was uncomfortable.

"My child, walk with me." Bishop Thomas requested as he signalled for the redhead to walk with him.

"Lucia I will be right back, go and play with your sister in your bedroom." Avery smiled down at the little girls at her feet.

"Yes Nanny Avery" The two laughed as they ran off down the corridor.

"How are you settling into life here at the orphanage? What has it been a month or two now?" Bishop Thomas chuckled as he watched the children run down the corridor.

"It's not as bad as I thought. No offense of course. I just never thought I would be working anywhere near a church." Avery replied as she walked alongside the large man.

"Yes, my dear I understand. Well God works in mysterious ways…" The fat man chuckled as the two carried on down the corridor; they were walking to a new area of the building Avery had never seen before. "Come, I want to show you something." Walking up to a bookcase full of Bibles taking the middle book from the shelf the Bishop pressed a small button which opened a secret door behind the bookcase.

"You keep the key in Bibles so demons can't touch it? Smart." Avery muttered as she walked through the door. The Bishop chuckled and followed the former demon into the room, as the two continued down the newly revealed corridor Avery decided to change the topic of conversation.

"Bishop, where's Father Anderson?" She asked as the two walked. Bishop raised his eyebrow slightly giving the redhead a side glance.

"Are you missing our resident priest my dear?" he chuckled slightly as Avery tensed up pulling a face and shaking her head. "What? Oh God no! It's just been about three weeks since I saw him. I wondered if he was planning on killing me in a surprise attack." Avery commented sarcastically as the two made their way up to a second door.

"No, no he can't kill you remember he is under orders." The Bishop chuckled; he had been informed of certain events which had occurred between the two, only small amounts in confession from his protégé Anderson would only confess a few things to his teacher – there were some thing too sinful for even the confession box.

He knew that this woman was a seasoned demon, her kind were masters of interrogation and torture and it had to be said that torture did not always come in the form of bone breaking screams. If he was a Bishop worth his salt, any demon with centuries of experience would still be able to break men with ease. Their tactics are not something you forget easily.

The Vatican needed that ability; they needed someone who could break people. Men and women of the cloth would shy away from such atrocities, Anderson and other member of Iscariot had a temper and a set of morals but a former vengeance demon. The Vatican could use her, to break down their enemies and to give them information.

"Still wouldn't put it past him." Avery chuckled as she watched the Bishop key in a new code into the wall and walk through yet another door. "My dear I trained young Alexander, he would not disobey my orders." Bishop stated confidently as he motioned for Avery to join him in the room.

"Wow, what is this place it is amazing!" Avery gasped as she spun around taking a look at the room in front of her; well it was less of a room more of a large vault, in the middle stood a huge wooden staircase which made its way up into the room, too high for her mortal eyes to see. Aisles of old books and artefacts filled the shelves. Some she recognized, some were demonic in nature.

"This is the library of the Vatican; it has many of the most sacred books of the Catholic religion." The Bishop stated proudly as he watched the redhead stare in wonder.

"Why is in buried under the orphanage? Shouldn't it be in the Vatican?" Avery laughed in shock as she leaned over the staircase and tried to look down at the many floors which lay below them.

"It seems strange I admit but when our enemies come to look for these items they would never think of it being here. Plus we are guarded by a few of the best assassins in Rome." The Bishop chuckled as he rearranged a few items on a shelf.

"I can see the logic I guess. Why are you bringing me here? I thought I was an enemy of Rome." Avery asked as she pulled out a small black book and opened it. The pages were old, dusty and full of ancient text that the former demon began to read in her head.

"You are no longer a demon, so no longer a threat in my opinion. You may even be of help to us. Your background with the occult would be greatly appreciated." The Bishop stated as he took the book from her hands. Looking up from her hands Avery's eyes narrowed as she looked at the Holy man suspiciously. "So that is why I am here, you want to use my like an encyclopaedia…" she growled as she pushed herself away from the books and held onto the railing of the stairs.

"You have knowledge of the dark; we need that knowledge Miss Avery." The Bishops tone changed, his voice was no longer warm and cheerful. It was cold and there was meaning behind each word.

"I can't betray my own kind Bishop." Avery breathed out as she shook her head.

"You fought them in Hellsing why not fight for us?" The Bishop chuckled as he pulled out a new book from the shelves. A large deep red leather book, he handed it to the former demon who looked at it carefully; she knew what this book was. She had used a few over the years. It was a Grimoire, a demonic bible if you will, within the pages of this book there would be spells and dark magic which if spoken could inflict mass damage to the untrained user.

"I am still loyal to Hellsing Bishop Thomas. Your kindness is appreciated honestly but Iscariot and The Vatican are our sworn enemies. I could never betray Hellsing in that way. I am sorry." Avery spoke as she looked around slightly taken back by the change in conversation.

"Bishop, do you have any idea what you are playing with? These are not children's books. These are dangerous!" Avery gasped as she looked through the pages of the grimoire. Images of detailed rituals and spells filled the pages, as her fingers ran across the golden boarder of the paper she felt a strange pull inside. Avery knew that she was no longer a demon, she still longed for power, her power – the abilities she had lost thanks to that damned nail. If she read from this Grimoire, she could gain back a few abilities, she would not be a demon she would be a human sorceress.

"Why are you giving me this? I thought you said I was saved? God had a plan and all of that…" Avery commented as she shut the book. The Bishop chuckled darkly as he began to place a number of items in a leather bag. Runes, Cards, a mirror, crystals….Avery new exactly what the Bishop was intending…he did not want to save her soul. He wanted to use her, just like everyone else.

The Bishop knew that Avery had occult knowledge; he wouldn't allow any of the members of the church to practice this dark magick but a former demon with no ties or faith in the Lord. She could be made into a monster for their use. She had no soul to be concerned with, she was going to hell anyway it was no loss.

"God does have a plan my child. You know that you are drawn to these items, you know the darkness inside you is still there, still rife inside your soul. Why spend your time here wallowing in your human form when you have the knowledge to gain greatness again. To have people fear you again." The Bishop purred as he handed the woman the bag, it was heavy so she placed it on the stairs next to her.

"You are supposed to be a man of God!" Avery shouted as she scratched at her head, she did not know what to do. On one hand, there was this supposed salvation that Anderson had talked about. There was little faith from her about that option.

Alternatively, there was this option…she could gain back some power, she would not have to live like a weak human anymore. Avery knew how addictive dark magick was to a human body. It was made for demons, not humans- the prolonged use would slowly tear her apart she knew it…

"Yes, I am a man of God…but there are times when fighting the darkness we need something darker. You understand." The Bishop chuckled as he moved closer to the woman who stepped to the side in disgust.

"You want me to sell the soul I have been given?" Avery hissed as she back away from the Bishop who nodded back slowly.

"Your soul was on loan from God, you lived for centuries without it. You said so yourself there is no room for God in your heart so why not? It is familiar to you. You said so yourself. You are a demon in a human body nothing more!" Bishop Thomas hissed at the redhead.

"Anderson said…"

"Anderson does not know the truth! You can't serve the light without also serving the dark. Maxwell had the right idea!" Bishop Thomas barked up at the redhead who sat with her head in her hands, a thousand options were running around her head as she tried to make her choice. Could she give up her chance at humanity, would she be allowed to stay if she did? What about the Gargoyles at every door? How would she move around the orphanage? What would happen when Anderson found out?

Avery lifted her head up from her hands and looked at the bag which was held out towards her. "Make your choice Whore of Babylon. Stay here and sell your soul or be thrown onto the streets and see how the world treats you then."

3POV

As the Iscariot priest slept in his bed. He was plagued by the image of her face. Lustful dreams of the redheaded woman filled his mind, the image of her body and the taste of her lips plagued his once peaceful dreams. She had haunted his mind for the last few weeks, ever since that episode in her bedroom. He had not been able to think properly.

Sitting up from his bed and wiping the trails of sweat from his brow, he let out a long groan and tried to burn the image of the redhead from his mind. To no avail, taking out his bible he opened it to Proverbs, he could recite The Bible from memory but reading this passage every morning and every night brought him some small amount of relief.

"Keep thyself from the evil woman from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. Do not desire her beauty in your heart, nor let her capture you with her eyelids. For on account of a harlotone is reducedto a loaf of bread and an adulteress hunts for the precious life. For jealousy enrages a man, and he will not be spared on the day of vengeance."

Closing the holy book he placed in it in the bedside draw. Moving from the bed he fell to his knees and prostrated himself in front of his window. The light of the full moon filled the room. As he spent time in thought he could not get her image from his mind. Her eyes had seared themselves into his subconscious.

Letting out another groan he took a hold of the cross that hung from the chain on his neck and began to cry out in desperation to his creator.

"Father, help me.

I can't get her out of my mind. The demon plagues my dreams; her sapphire eyes pierce my flesh as she looks into my very core. She haunts me, she makes me a coward. I cannot deny the unholy thoughts and feelings that have defiled my mind during the morning hours.

Lord, I act in lustful ways and seek to pleasure the flesh and quench my thirst for her lips. I am half a man, I am weak. Her eyes cast a shadow into my heart Lord. I am mocked by my own temptations. I am a virtuous servant Lord, I do not want to succumb to sin and displease you but the demon taunts me every night.

The hellish beauty she mocks me. Her rage entices my soul and stirs up a fire in my loins that force me to break my resolve and succumb to my carnal desires. Lord I am broken.

There is an endless longing in me. The harlot seeks me out, her mission to taint my virtue. I am willing to succumb to sin for a moment spent near the warmth of her fire. I am weak.

I crave her burning touch, the feeling of her nails carving the message into my skin. That I should wear with foolish pride amongst my peers.

She controls me lord, vile acts of lust taint my mind as she brings me closer to her hellish form. My mind is broken; she paints pictures in my mind which taint my purity pushing me closer and closer to the fire.

Her lips, they tease me. My resolve which should be so strong in you Lord is fading. As she plays her wicked games she brings me to my rapture. The thought of dancing with this devil brings me joy, a wild fire ignites within my soul causing the walls I had built to crumble and burn.

I am your servant Lord. I should feel guilt for my sins but I cannot. She has lured me away from your light into the divine darkness of her embrace. I am filled with a passion which ignites my bones. She commands my every move, making me shout from the windows with pride that I am a sinner.

Father I have sinned. I have been seduced by the beast. My virtues lay in pieces like broken glass. She fought her way into my heart and tainted it with unholy desire Lord. I am addicted. I am lost.

I am your servant Lord, give me the strength to avoid temptation Lord, give me the power to destroy the demon adulteress which has led me to sin. In your name, all demons shall be vanquished and returned to Hell.."

The blonde remained on the floor for a few more moments in deep contemplation. Clutching onto his cross he made his way over to the en suite, turning the shower on the priest disrobed and stood underneath the ice cold shower. Hissing as the cold water hit his warm skin Anderson breathed deeply and tried to push the sinful images out of his mind.

He had been away on a mission for three weeks; he had been plagued by images of her face every night. The fact which scared the priest more than anything was the types of dreams he was having, they varied a little too much. It started as erotic dreams, the priest would be plagued to relieve there time in the bedroom over and over in his head but as the weeks went on he found himself having dreams where he would just hold her, no sex no teasing, he would just dream of holding her against him. This scared the priest more than the sinful dreams, the lust the sin he could rebuke but the strange feelings which plagued his mind was harder to explain.

Stepping out of the shower and Anderson wrapped a large towel around his waist as made his way out of the bathroom and dressed for the day. He had returned from his mission the night before, he had found it hard to settle knowing the demon lay a few doors away, he did not want to see her; he had not seen her since the incident and he was afraid of how we would act.

Anderson was confident in killing demons for his Lord in Heaven but this was something completely new and it scared him how much Avery could toy with him. With the last of his clothes on Anderson locked up his room and made his way out of the orphanage towards the Vatican. He had a meeting with the Bishop and something did not feel right.