Wearily, the small group trudged into the city of Budapest, the capital of Romania that was often likened to a jewel in the North. But with the skies darkened with thick clouds and a pressing weight bearing down on them all, it seemed like a storm was about to arrive. Even the streets were sparse with the few that dared to venture out, hurrying about their business.
Van Helsing let out a grunt of pain once again, clutching at his chest beneath his long leather coat. As it had for the past hour, the sound made Adrianna glance to him worriedly but she remained silent. He clearly didn't want her help.
"Have you been here before Adrianna?" Carl suddenly asked as he nervously watched a group of people potter by.
"A few times," she admitted, "when I was younger my parents would sometimes come here for medical supplies."
"Anything we should know?"
Glancing around she pulled her coat tighter around her, "if there's going to be a vampire lair, it'll be here."
Before he could ask what she meant a whooshing sound immediately put them on alert. Van Helsing hurried to draw his gun but the motion made him hiss in pain. The red headed Bride from before slowly descended, landing softly on a nearby plinth before them. She wore her human form robed in pink silks that wrapped loosely around her. Amusement shone in her eyes before she hissed, waving her finger at them like a scolding mother.
"So much trouble to my master. So much trouble," her thick accent rolled off her tongue like the silks she wore.
"Where is my son?!" Adrianna stepped forward with a growl, "I swear if you've touched a hair on his head."
Those eyes snapped to her, the vampire regarding her like a hunter would its prey before a grin split across her face. It served to rile Adrianna further but a hand grabbed her shoulder holding her back.
"What do you want?" Van Helsing demanded, his posture stiff despite the obvious pain he was in.
"My master commands a trade," the Bride spoke but her eyes remained on Adrianna, "the monster for the princess and the boy."
Adrianna schooled her features to hide the relief at those words; Adrian was still alive.
"Only in a place where your master is less inclined to show his... other face," Van Helsing offered despite the look the monster gave him.
Pleased, the Bride slowly stood tall, "at All Hallows Eve ball," before she cackled excitedly and vanished into the air once more.
Adrianna let herself deflate once the vampire had left in a flurry of pink, turning back to the Hunter who still held her shoulder, she had been about to chide him only to notice him grimace once again. This time it was Carl who questioned him.
"Are you alright Van Helsing?" the friar tried to get a look at the wound but was interrupted by Van Helsing who waved him off.
With a sudden roar the monster grabbed the hunter, pulling him backwards and all but tearing the shoulder of his coat back. Stunned, Adrianna made to demand what he was doing when her eyes caught the wound beneath Van Helsing's coat, no longer hidden from sight. It looked an awful lot like a bite. The winter chill that hung in the air suddenly cooled further. That was a werewolf bite.
"He's been bitten by the werewolf," the monster announced as he took a step back, looking down at the Hunter with pity, "now you will become what you have so passionately hunted."
In answer Van Helsing pulled out a large blow dart gun from his belt, a frown playing at his brow as he looked up at the monster.
"I am sorry."
The monster drew up his chin but did not run as he regarded the Hunter.
"May others be as passionate in their hunt for you."
Van Helsing raised the pipe to his lips and blew sending the tranquilizer dart into the monster's thick neck. It took hold quickly, the giant collapsing with a heavy thud to the cobbled street. Adrianna watched frozen as Van Helsing grabbed the monster's legs, dragging him towards a nearby alley, grunting and grimacing in pain from the wound on his chest.
"Little help?" he managed to bite out between gritted teeth making Carl jump, the friar hurrying to try and help but she remained stood there.
"You were bitten?"
Adrianna's quiet question made him stop. Breathing harshly from the effort and the pain, Van Helsing finally looked over to the woman who hadn't so much as budged. He expected to see horror in her expression, perhaps even a shred of fear, but it was only despair and it stung like the bite that bloodied him.
"Not now Adrianna," his voice softened, "we need to hide him somewhere first."
He hadn't wanted her to know that he had been bitten, that he would soon turn into a crazed werewolf that wouldn't recognise her as anything but a potential meal. He would soon become a monster that could hunt her.
They progressed quickly with the three of them hauling the giant of a monster through the back streets of Budapest. Van Helsing had caught sight of a nearby cemetery and suggested it would be the perfect place to hide him. Adrianna stared at the grey patch of land littered with mausoleums and gravestones as a thought niggled at her dazed mind.
"No," she said simply, "you forget vampires are undead, and the dead don't always stay silent."
"Where did you read that?" Carl asked with a huff as he tried to not collapse beneath the heavy weight of the monster's arm, "I don't think I've seen that in my texts."
She didn't answer, merely nodded to continue on, "I think I know a place where he should be safe."
Proceeding through the city's back streets and alleys they came to a small rundown building that looked to have once been some sort of store. Shattered windows had been long since boarded up, the elements having chipped and worn even them away. A sign half hung over the door with fainted painting of a large tree.
"This place was my grandmother's old apothecary shop," she answered as she carefully slid the edge of her sword between the wooden boards across the door, "people round here think its cursed so they just left the building after she had to abandon it."
"But its not cursed, right?"
"No, we're not actually practicing witches remember," Adrianna reminded Carl who looked momentarily relieved not noticing the dry look she sent him.
Inside the shop little remained of importance, a dilapidated store counter had sunken to the floor with the floorboards in tatters. An indignant squeak made Carl almost scream before a large rat scurried past. Empty bottles covered in thick dust sat by the boarded window, several cracked and smashed but it was all largely ignored as Adrianna pushed further inside towards the back room hidden by a moth-eaten tarp. Plants that had likely once been hanging from the ceiling now trailed across it, having completely overgrown in one section of wall that flourished with vines and leaves.
"No one will find him here," she announced.
With a nod, Van Helsing and Carl ushered the monster into a small back room shrouded from the world outside. To be on the safe side Adrianna threw several old, threadbare shawls from a nearby cabinet over the boarded windows in the back. When she strode back towards the door the call of her name stopped her.
"Where are you going?" Van Helsing frowned, brushing the back of his hand across his forehead where sweat had begun to form.
"We're going to need outfits for the ball right? I'll be back, just stay here."
He watched her go silently, replacing the boards across the door loosely. The monster continued to snore quietly but it wasn't until Carl clicked in front of his face that he realised he was being spoken to.
"Are you even listening to me?"
"What is it Carl?" Van Helsing sighed wearily, dropping himself onto a small wooden stool and stiffened as it groaned dangerously with his weight.
Luckily it held for now but he'd have to remind himself to be a little gentler with the furniture in this place.
"I was asking how you are feeling, are you feverish? More irritable than usual? Feeling, err… hairier than usual?"
Van Helsing shot him a look that made the friar squirm.
"I'm fine."
"Right! Of course!" Carl fumbled with his hands for a moment, "… is Adrianna okay?"
Now that made him frown, "well, I having your son kidnapped by vampires would be a lot to deal with."
"I know that," Carl waved his hand at the Hunter, "it's just… since the carriage she's been… off."
"I think you're tired Carl," Van Helsing sighed, daring to lean back against the wall which thankfully did not creak as much as the stool had, "Leave her be."
An hour later said woman returned with several bundles of clothing under her arm, one of which she tossed to Carl.
"If you want to get in touch with the Vatican, there's a church just North of here. You can't miss it."
"Oh! Yes, that would be ideal really, thank you!" he eyed up the bound costume before nodding to himself, setting it aside for the moment as he followed her advice, scuttling from the shop quickly.
The sound of scraping preceded another wooden stool being reclaimed from the dust. Placed in front of Van Helsing's current seat, the weary Hunter arched an eyebrow as she sat down with one of the other bundles she had returned with. This one was much smaller and jangled lightly with the sound of glass.
"Coat off," she ordered coolly.
All he could do was blink before her grey eyes snapped up from the tools she had unwrapped on her lap, fixing him with a pointed look that he had not yet complied.
Shouldering off the heavy leather coat, Van Helsing grimaced in pain once again, every movement setting his chest afire. Blood had stained the woollen shirt beneath which he managed to ease out of, most it managing to have avoided being torn into shred bar the slices where the werewolf's teeth had ripped into him. He'd been lucky not to loose a pectoral in the scuffle. He silently watched as she soaked a small wad of clean woollen bandage in a strong smelling liquid. It wasn't the first time she had patched him up but there was something different about this time. Be it the way she didn't meet his gaze, how her stormy grey eyes focused on the task yet looked far away, the way that she was silent rather than scolding him for getting injured. He flinched as she dabbed the medicine against his wound but let out no sound and neither did she.
"It will be-" Van Helsing began.
"Don't you dare," Adrianna's voice cut through his, "I'm in a land that once tried to kill me. My son has been kidnapped and now you've been bitten by a werewolf. It will never be okay."
Her hand trembled lightly as she began to wrap a bandage across his chest. Biting her lip, Adrianna tried to steady her hand, cursing herself and this world. Cursing everything that had brought her to this point. Already her eyes were beginning to burn again despite the anger that bubbled beneath the surface.
Her hand stilled as Van Helsing's rest atop it. Finally looking up at him, his chest hurt all the more at the tears he saw in those eyes.
"You're going to leave me behind too," was all she whispered.
Wood scraped across the floor as he enveloped his arms around her, pulling her from the stool until she was all but sat in his lap, but she allowed it. Allowed him to hold her close to his freshly bandaged chest, to listen to his heart beat as he rest his cheek atop her head. It was all too much. Tears tumbled down her cheeks silently as he continued to hold her, his thumb tracing soothing circles across her cheek.
"I'm sorry," he finally muttered above her.
"It's… it's not your fault… maybe I am truly cursed?" she managed a weak laugh that almost turned into a sob.
"No," Van Helsing held her tighter for a moment, "no, you are not. If any one it is cursed, it's me."
With a shuddering sigh, Adrianna desperately wiped her eyes but didn't move from his embrace, finding comfort that she sorely needed.
"We will get Adrian back," Van Helsing continued, "and we will deal with Dracula. Anna mentioned once that she believed him to have a werewolf cure, perhaps it will turn out to be true."
Adrianna couldn't help but stiffen at those words. Slowly she pushed away from his chest to sit straight, clearing her throat though the look in his eyes almost made her tremble. One of his hands slid up to her cheek, fingers diving into her raven locks sending shivers through her body. They were so close. And she wanted to close that gap finally. But there were words burning her throat that had to come out first.
"Gabriel," her stomach felt like it was in knots, "I… there's something I…"
"I managed to get word from the Vatican-oh my!"
Carl's interruption made the pair of them jump, Adrianna almost falling from Van Helsing's lap. She wasn't sure who was more embarrassed; Carl or herself. Stepping away from the Hunter, his hand slid down to hers, gripping it lightly for a moment as he silently questioned what she had been about to say. Adrianna slowly shook her head, forcing a small smile onto her face, it would have to wait for now. As he let go of her hand that cold feeling descended over her once again. That was if there was a 'later' for them. Leaving the two men to talk Adrianna took her own costume away with her seeking some privacy to change.
The sun was setting on the horizon when the three left the boarded up shop, careful to replace the wooden boards across the door. Inside the monster continued to doze and hopefully would continue to do so until they returned. Carl jingled as he nervously looked around, the bells on his bronze jester outfit tinkling with his every move. In comparison Van Helsing was dressed in a more reserved outfit entirely of black complete with a shoulder cloak and his signature hat. She had figured he'd be more comfortable in something akin to his usual outfit especially if a fight was involved. As he finished boarding the door he turned to regard Adrianna, pausing as his eyes roamed across her outfit that was similar to his own, she wore a deep red and gold corset over a ruffled black blouse complete with her own crimson shoulder cloak. The tight trousers she wore would work better for a fight and he couldn't help but appreciate how they looked on her. As much as he would have enjoyed seeing her in a dress, he could hardly complain. She already wore her masquerade mask, a black half mask highlighted by silver swirls that made her eyes stand out even stronger. She had clearly picked the design that covered as much of her burn scar as possible.
"Let's go," her jaw was set in a hard line already as she rest her hand on the hilt of her sword, "I'm getting Adrian back tonight."
Arriving at the huge palace that stood proud beside the waterfront, it was alight with golden light and music already. Most seemed to have already arrived but they slipped through the front doors with little issue, mingling with the few that were still entering. The palace was full to the brim with party goers dressed in elegant and extravagant outfits, some with huge plumes of feathers attached to their masks or headdresses. Any other time Adrianna would have been in awe at the sights from the dancers the elegantly swanned through the place in perfect unison, to the towering banquet table and the skilled acrobats performing stunts around the huge palace hall. Feeling a tug on her arm she followed the two men up to a balcony that overlooked the main hall.
"When we find Anna and Adrian we get them and get out of here," Van Helsing muttered quietly to the pair of them, dark eyes scanning the crowds for threats.
His eyes were immediately drawn to a woman in a beautiful crimson grown as she spun around in the centre of the dance hall. Despite the change of appearance he recognised her immediately. Adrianna followed his gaze and felt her heart falter on the man that was elegantly spinning Anna around the floor. He was dressed in a fine black outfit finished with gold details, his equally dark hair pulled back from his pale, handsome face. She would recognise him anywhere. A surge of emotions dared to leap from her but she kept them in check; barely.
As her eyes followed the pair she finally noticed Adrian. The relief at seeing her son almost made her legs give way. He was sat on his knees on a podium not far from where Dracula danced with Anna, a rope lashed around his wrists keeping him in place. And the red headed Bride was sat beside him looking bored. Waiting. Adrian said something earning him a slap from the vampire but to his credit he barely flinched from the hit. Adrianna gripped the banister in front of her before Van Helsing rested a hand on her shoulder.
"I need you to get to Adrian and then both of you slip out while they're eyes are on us."
Not trusting her voice she merely nodded.
Van Helsing quietly told Carl the plan, detailing his part to play in the plot. The friar didn't look pleased but did as was asked and moved to the lower level to enact their plan. The Hunter waited until the nearest acrobat swung towards them, punching the man in the face before taking to the swing himself. Any other time she could have laughed at his poor acrobatics but he managed to work it as he reached the other side.
Deciding to make her move she too went to the lower floor, walking slowly around the edge of the dance floor until she was directly across from where Adrian and the Bride were. That's when Carl knocked a man blowing fire, making him stumble forwards spurting his fire out rather into the air; fire that set Dracula ablaze. He roared in pain, stumbling and releasing Anna just as Van Helsing swung down and grabbed her. Adrianna crept through the throng of people as they moved away from the furious vampire, his skin reforming, even his clothes looking perfectly untouched as he glared up at Van Helsing, clapping slowly as if in approval of his appearance. The Bride was half way towards Dracula, clearly worried about him despite his quick regeneration when she caught a familiar scent. Hissing angrily, she snapped round to see the masked Adrianna stood directly behind her.
"Don't you ever touch my son again."
Her fist smashed into the female vampire's face and sent her reeling across the floor.
"Mother!" Adrian quickly stood up, a smile brightening his face.
Immediately people turned to see the new commotion as she backed up towards her son. Adrian was quick to his feet but chains held him in place. In one swift move Adrianna had drawn her sword, slicing through the thick rope that bound him to the plinth. Hands made to grab her but she spun, lashing like lightning. A cry of pain echoed through the silence as a man dressed in an elaborate purple outfit stumbled back holding the stump of his arm but no blood marred her blade. Vampires. Her eyes quickly looked across all that surrounded her. There was no doubt in her mind that they were all vampires and she was deep in the den.
'If there is anyone watching,' she thought sullenly, 'lend me strength.'
Several masked vampires leapt towards her, their features twisting as they half transformed, grey leaking into their skin. Back in Transylvania Adrianna had been hindered by the vampire's flight but here they ran at her and that put them on an even playing field for her. Instinct kicked in as her mind went blank, focusing only on the feel of the sword in her hand and her son behind her. She had to protect him no matter what. Pointing her sword forwards until she held the hilt parallel to her face, almost able to see her reflection in the silver blade, Adrianna paused long enough until the three vampires were in striking distance. One pulled ahead of the others and was the first to feel her blade as it sliced down across his face. He fell back with a cry, grasping at his face while the one missing his hand lunged at her with his remaining appendage. He lost that too as she rolled her wrist, snapping the sword sideways in a windmill. The third tried to grab her sword arm but she pivoted on one foot, dancing around his grasp. As she twirled her sword sang through his neck removing the head in one sweep. The body crumbling to ash made the rest of those around her dart backwards.
"Adrianna! Adrian!" Van Helsing's shout snapped her mind back to the present, daring to make her falter as she spotted him swinging towards them once more.
"Get Adrian!" she yelled out, grey eyes snapping back to the nearing vampires that had now decided to grow cautious.
"I'm not going without you mother!" her son demanded but froze as she spared a moment to look back at him.
"Go! I'll be fine."
Whether he thought her honest or didn't catch the lie, her son nodded despite the pained look in his beautiful blue eyes. As Van Helsing swung past, his angle took him a little high but Adrian leapt upwards, clearing an impressive distance until he clasped the Hunter's arm and swung away. With Adrian gone from her side she felt the momentary surge of strength begin to fade. He was safe now.
A force collided with her sending her sprawling, dazed. It took a moment to realise the red headed Bride had tackled her, pinning her to ground before pain lashed through her body as clawed digits dug into her shoulder. Crying out, Adrianna managed to buck the vampire off and narrowly missed a clawed hand to the face, her mask saving her skin as it took the slashes.
"Bitch," the Bride hissed at her, "you will pay for that!"
Adrianna threw herself to her feet before realising she'd dropped her sword in the sudden attack. Words died in her throat as a hand suddenly grabbed her arm sending shockwaves of pain through her wounds once again. She found herself being spun around until she was held to a cold, firm chest, another hand resting lightly around her neck close enough to be a threat.
"What an interesting friend you have made, Gabriel," the rich drawl of his voice was close to her ear, a voice she knew all too well, "it seems we have traded once again."
"Let her go," growled Van Helsing from above, his knuckles white against the metal railing that groaned under his strength.
"Let her go?" Dracula chuckled, "oh no, no, I don't think so. This little thing has too much bite to be let free, don't you think?"
"Mother!" yelled her son, only Van Helsing's hand on his shoulder stopping him from leaping over the railings.
Swallowing, her mouth felt dry suddenly, Adrianna managed to find her voice as she stared at the two of them desperately frozen as they tried to figure out how to help.
"Protect my son, Van Helsing. Swear it."
Said man's eyes widened, the meaning of her words all too clear to him.
"No… I won't leave you."
God she had wanted to hear those words so much but now, now she couldn't hear them. It was too late.
"Go!" she shouted despite the hand round her throat, "and don't you look back."
"How very brave," tutted Dracula, she could hear the smirk in his voice as he drew closer to her neck, "perhaps I will make you my next bride?"
She watched Van Helsing struggle as Anna pulled him and Adrian away, her son desperately trying to pull away until the hall erupted into motion. Dancers and waiters half transforming as they hissed and screeched towards the Hunter and his company.
Adrianna closed her eyes, "once I wanted to be much more than that, Vlad."
She felt him stiffen, the hall was chaos as all of the party members raced to reach the upper floor, giving chase to Van Helsing and her son as Anna managed to finally pull the two away. Voices echoed around them but it all had died away for the two that stood in the centre of the emptying hall. The hand around her throat fell away as he suddenly turned her to face him. She knew that angular face well, his strong jaw and brow, those dark eyes like the night itself. And those eyes were suddenly filled with question and something she couldn't quite place. In one swift move she barely saw he had tossed aside her slashed mask revealing her face and it was enough for him to suddenly step back, his grip on her arm suddenly releasing.
"Adrianna?" he uttered breathlessly, wide eyes darting across her as if to see that she was indeed real, halting on the scar that marred her face as clear as day.
"Good evening Vlad."