Edge of Midnight, part 2
The second part. Again behind the cut.
Bellatrix stood on the stairs admiring the vastness of the Order’s smithy and laboratory. Hundreds of men, working and sweating to create more advanced weapons and potions to bring down the monsters of this world. She could see the man now; standing just off the side from the entrance looking gruff and uninterested in the hubbub of the working men. Silently she moved to stand beside him, quietly regarding his profile.
“Why did you feel the need to bring her here?”
The man visibly flinched, not having noticed her presence before. He regarded her with weary eyes; Bellatrix hazarded that this was mostly due to her nun’s robes, but also partly because she was a woman. Women were rarely welcome here; and even now she came uninvited, but her position as the Mother Superior for the Order’s convent gave her some leverage with the guards.
“I did not bring her here. She wanted to see Rome.”
Bellatrix smiled at the half truth, but understood the man’s need for it. The Order did not breed men who had an abundance of emotional reserves or the abilities to cope with love.
“It was wrong of you to pull her away from her people; away from her battle if you are not allowing her to continue with her calling.”
Van Helsing did not answer, only stubbornly kept his eyes fixed towards the far end on the hall. Bellatrix cursed inwardly; cursed the codes of the Order and Cardinal Jinette’s inability to anything beyond his own political circle of influence. Torn and raw as the man now was he could be of no proper use to the Order. Van Helsing would not listen to or even understand her words about love now, and Bellatrix turned to leave.
Gabriel however heard her silent words as she walked away.
“He’s power does not last forever, Gabriel. You should do well to remember that. Do not sacrifice all so needlessly because of you pride.”
This was not about his pride, damnit. It had been Anna’s choice as much as it had been his. She had accepted her position within the gypsy courts and he could understand her choices even if he could not condone them. The Order would have never accepted her as a hunter; she would have been confided into one of the abbeys or hospitals. Retaining her position within the courts of her people granted her some power over her own fate.
Part of him felt guilty for letting her come with him. In her village she had had some measure of freedom, her skills and her position had been recognised to a degree after her father’s death. In Rome she was on Church’s land; in the land of men; where her skill meant nothing. But he knew that given the chance he would not change a moment of their time together, would not sacrifice those few weeks of happiness. Maybe that made him selfish. The wolf within him was so angry. It had been raging for weeks; fighting to be let out to claim back its lost mate. He had kept tight rain on his emotions, refusing to go and see her; to explain. Maybe it was better to make it a clean break, less painful for both of them.
Jinette nodded to the tall man he was conversing with and walked towards Gabriel. The man’s voice was raspy. Van Helsing read his displeasure easily from his stance. His keen eyes had probably spotted the visit from Mother Superior. The whole order was aware of the deep-running enmity between the two. Bellatrix openly criticised and detested the Cardinal’s methods and Jinette fought back by denying her and her nuns any type of access to the orders facilities. Even with the hostility the Order and the convent needed each other. Bellatrix employed and trained the best physicians and healers in Europe; many of them specialising in the supernatural. In exchange the Order allowed the use of their extensive library. She was also, to Jinette’s great displeasure, a member of the Order’s council.
“You will not be required to travel anywhere in this assignment.”
Van Helsing had been sensing the Cardinal’s whish to keep him close to home; Anna’s arrival and the suspicions that had flared up in the Order had made him more wary.
“After Dracula was perished they grew bold. The old vampire elite of Europe have risen again to seize power. They have festered and began to breed right here in Rome. The leader, also known as Father is the key. His blood flows in the veins of every vampire that serves his cause. Killing him will destroy the entire covenant.”
“Why hasn’t anything been done about him before?”
The Cardinal shot him a look and continued on; leaving the question hanging in the air.
“These families are intensely private. The identity of the father is not necessarily known by even the closest of his acolytes.”
He walked towards a table where a large family tree was laid out. Many of its branches held a name written in brackets and a date.
“These are the names of the chosen ones who have been turned into the family within the last hundred years. There has been less and less turning during the last decades.”
For some reason the man seemed displeased over this. Gabriel felt uneasy as his fingers brushed over the parchment.
“We do however have a small window of opportunity. It has been rumoured that a high ranking vampire of the covenant is in search of a wife, a mate if you will; a worthy woman to turn as his bride. Gatherings are being arranged all around Rome during the next few weeks.”
Gabriel nodded, but reluctantly. Somehow this mission more than any other brought forth uneasiness in him he had not felt in a long time.
“These are your orders. Find and kill Father before the end of the month. Stop this approaching wedding ceremony and I will consider all the transgressions of Transylvania forgotten.”
Gabriel knew he was offering more than just the overlooking of his past deeds. Jinette had been hinting of the order’s knowledge concerning his past for weeks, maybe even before he left for Transylvania. He felt as if he was exchanging a possible future for his hazy past. He had longed for a family that could be waiting for him for so long, but during the ride from Transylvania that dream had started to slowly fade. But Anna had made this choice for him; she had accepted a role which Gabriel had never thought for her. He would accept Jinette’s offer and his past.
x x x x x x x
Anna pivoted around the maze-like rows of the Vatican library. She had managed to threaten one young priest into revealing Carl’s whereabouts, and was now trying to follow his stuttering directions, but none of them seemed to make sense. Finally she spotted a large desk covered by tomes peeking between the rows of books.
Her experiences at the masquerade had left her coiled and ready. Gyorgy’s actions made sense now. They could not have allowed her to rule, but her people still needed to be protected. She had only been too blinded by her rage to see it. It was possible that the court was well aware of the masses of vampires that prowled the city, but had been unable to begin direct confrontation in fear of having the war spill out in the streets. In truth Rome was not much different from her own village. Vatican was the absolute ruler, but only in name. Small independent organizations held much power in the city and none could risk shaking the balance of power. As long as each sect only fought their own corner an apparent peace could be kept. Gyorgy had no choice but to force her out of her own clan. Now the gypsies could still maintain a diplomatic relationship with the Roman underbelly; and rest in the knowledge that the quest of their forefather’s had not been abandoned.
Carl had his nose firmly pressed into a magnifying glass which he was using to read the miniscule text in the book laid out on the table. Anna softly knocked on the wooden surface.
“Anna! How are…. What is…? It is so nice to see you again!”
She smiled, felt like she had not done so in ages. It was good to see a friendly face; even though Carl seemed to be more haggard than usual. The slight sparkle he had had during their time in Transylvania was gone. Now he merely looked tired. She knew it was wrong of her to implore him to betray the Order, but he was her only possible ally, the only one who could see.
“I need information. The Vampire courts, here in Rome: how do they operate and where?”
He seemed slightly alarmed by her request, but did not seem surprised. She watched him gather his courage to deny her request.
“Carl.”
She sat next to him, studying his face.
“I have been doing this for years. This was my life. They have me locked in a tower like princess in a tale.”
Her voice was silent. Carl returned his eyes to the book laid open on the desk. He knew all of this. He had watched their happiness grow during the crossing of the Adriatic Sea. Seen them standing in the helm both wrapped in his coat; wrapped in each other. He thought Van Helsing would not let her out of his sight in Rome. Aghast he had been forced to show Anna her quarters and separate her from the Order and of the task she had been born to fulfil. He had wondered why she had not fought harder, but now seeing the hard glint of her eyes he could presume she was. How could he deny her anything?
“Just promise me you will be careful.”
x x x x x x x
Carl watched his friend’s guarded face as he piled documents and books to be taken back to the library; or more accurately to Anna. He had been silent all throughout Carl’s presentation and outline of the vampires which currently resided in Rome and the possible threat he would be facing in trying to take down their syndicate. The sarcasm and his dedication to his calling were gone.
He sat next to the table, letting the room empty around them. Desolately he eyed the parchments and books, letting his gaze travel around the room. Carl could feel it in the air, his need to talk, to confide in someone. Part of Carl wanted to console him, tell him of what Anna was planning, but the other part wanted him to suffer. He had so easily abandoned something which was so incredibly hard to find in this world.
“I do not think I can do this without her anymore.”
His voice was quiet, nearly swallowed up by the thick stone surrounding them.
“You have to try.”
Carl felt horrible for what he was about to say to his friend, but it had to be done.
“It is what she would have wanted you to do.”
x x x x x x x
The old woman’s face was hard and weather worn. She looked at Anna with a piercing frankness. The woman was causing havoc in the ranks of the Order and she had been sent to give her seeing to. The princess had gathered quite a reputation for frightening the younger nuns and a few priests. Bellatrix watched her face carefully; the cloaked dark eyes that hid her soul so well. She saw the fierceness, the hardened planes of her body where women were expected to be soft and yielding. There were supposed to be threats and accusations, but Mother Superior could not find either escaping her lips. She pulled a slightly worn black rosary from her cloak and laid it in Anna’s hand; closing the fingers around the beads. Slowly she took the girl’s face in her bony hands.
“You will be strong now.”
Slowly Bellatrix moved her hands to gently squeeze Anna’s strong arms.
“You have been given the gift and the power to fight in the world of men. Do not falter, for now you have no room to hide in.”
She smiled in return, her eyes reflecting the infinite sadness of her words.
“Mother, I have never had anywhere to hide.”
Bellatrix gave her arms a final squeeze that came out more of a jerk and turned: slowly walking to the door.
“But I promise you, that I will not falter.”
Bellatrix did not turn, but left; tucking the promise into her heart.
Stealthily as he could with the piles of paper sprouting under both arms Carl made his way into the guest quarters. It was late and most of the corridors were already plunged in darkness. There was soft light spreading into the floor underneath her door. Silently the door slid open and the rigid from of Mother Superior slid into view. Carl froze. The woman’s cold grey eyes slid over him for a few moments and the she nodded. Silently she walked past him leaving Anna’s door slightly ajar. Carl breathed still for a few moments letting the frantic beating of his heart to slow. Anna had obviously found a powerful ally in the Order.
The amount of information Carl had managed to gather was staggering. Vampires had a long history within the city and the Order had obviously tolerated their presence because they had not proposed a notable threat and had contributed to the power status quo within the city that the Order had wanted to preserve. However Anna guessed that Dracula’s death had caused a huge power shift in their society and now the power centre lay in Rome. It was apparent that the Order only had a hazy idea of the identity of the new ruler who had taken over. He was never publicly recognised and only went underneath the acronym “Father”. This had lead many of the scholars to deduct that this single vampire was the original source of the bloodline. If he was killed the entire clan would vanish.
The books made her wonder how the order could have possibly allowed this kind of power to grow in their own back yard. Then she remembered Gyorgy and his need for politics. The pages were old and frail; the ink barely visible with age. The vampires had inhabited Rome long before the Order had been here; they had settled in when the city was weak and rotten from the centuries under the Caesars’ rule, when no one had risen to oppose a new power; not within a city already rank with corruption. Carl’s soft voice woke her up from her grim thoughts.
“Anna…”
His eyes had a keen sort of hopefulness and a part of Anna knew what he was going to say.
“Van Helsing is…”
“Don’t.”
Her hand shot up to silence his sentence. She would not look at him, but Carl could feel the pain radiating off her; the closed off hardness he had seen in some of the elder warriors of the Order.
“I need to… I need to let him go now. It is better this way. For all of us.”
Carl wanted to protest. To express the anguish this was causing his friend, but he remained silent. He understood the necessity of their parting. Van Helsing could never fully be with her; he could never fully make her his. Anna would never be allowed into the Order; allowed to fight in the world of men. Carl also understood that Anna would never wait upon a husband’s return from battle; she had lead the life of a warrior too long to settle for a life of submission and servitude. And Carl knew that Van Helsing could never ask that of her; so they had parted, possibly to save pain later on.
Anna spread the maps on the huge table. She burned with the desire to ask Carl to finish his sentence; to know if Gabriel was in as much agony as she was. She forced herself into silence; it would be easier this way; easier in the long run. Taking another look at the piles of papers stacked on chairs and floors. It might be that she would not have to be in pain much longer anyway. It was foolhardy to try to infiltrate an organization of this size alone, but the Order had left her with little choice.
Carl was still fiddling with some of the ornate family trees when she walked to her wardrobe. It would have to be something striking; something that was not at all like Anna Valerious. She would have to shed her heart ache; to become a Lady.
“Carl.”
The friar’s eyes shot up from the papers. She laid the dress on her bed admiring the fabric in the candle light.
“I must prepare.”
x x x x x x x
Oil lamps hung from the sealing creating patches of yellow light in the corridor. Gabriel moved silently his side slightly grazing the stone wall. The guest quarters were much more lavishly decorated than any other housing section of the Vatican. It was designed to show wealth and unnerve political adversaries. Rugs and small stools were scattered unevenly between the thick wooden doors of the rooms. He had promised himself this one visit; to soak in her presence one last time; to get closure. A door opened not too far away from him; golden light spilling into the hallway for a few moments. Gabriel pressed himself closer to the wall cloaking him in darkness. The figure stepped into the circle of lamp light and Gabriel could not help but exhale.
Anna was exquisite. Her thick hair was gathered in the back of her head orderly kept together by few diamond pins. She stood still as if to listen for intruders; completely still. The dark satin shimmered in the low light. Gabriel knew this was something she would choose to wear. Black leather gloves hugged her arms and a cloak was hung over her left arm. Slowly she turned and began walking away from where Gabriel stood frozen. Silently she moved towards the end of the corridor always momentarily disappearing between the patches of light.
Gabriel forced himself to move after her. The doorway at the end of the corridor lead to a stone staircase carved into the side of the building. He stood on the upper landing watching a footman help her into a black carriage. She had looked so different; like a queen of the gypsies that her title would have her be. Not like the dark fierce creature he had fought alongside in the Transylvanian woods. He felt cold as he watched the carriage speed into one of the narrow back roads.
x x x x x x x
Torches were lit along the stony passageway, they flickered even though Anna could feel no wind. Tonight she would have to perform without a mask. Somehow her masquerade seemed like a dream now. The scriptures and texts Carl had provided for her had made her work more grounded. She was no longer searching for the elusive feeling of home in a strange city. Now she had a purpose; a mission. Still nothing to lose. The small passage opened up into a cavernous hall. Anna stood on a parapet looking down on the ball. She wore dark blue. Less intricate than what Dracula had chosen for her; but it would still appease a vampire’s eye.
She could feel his eyes rising to the railing by the sealing; seeing her in glow of the torches. It was perfect and so wonderfully void of all emotions she should feel. Anna smiled with warmth she could not feel and began descending towards the party. She could see him walking in the crowd; moving towards her unhurried, but still managing not to make her wait. He let his lips graze her knuckles in greeting.
“Lady Valerious, this is an honour.”
Anna was taken slightly aback. She was not aware that her presence in Rome had been so widely spoken of. He smiled reassuringly.
“I am sorry, I embarrass you. My family has ties to the gypsy court and there had been rumours of the princess’ arrival in our fair city.”
He bowed to press another kiss on her hand.
“However they did not do justice to you beauty.”
Anna smiled and this time it felt true. Compliments were so hard to come by these days.
“Do not worry, young sir. I was not offended by your forwardness.”
The man straightened up and offered her a smile.
“I am Azare, the youngest son of the house of Arsenius; you would honour me by sitting by my side at the feast.”
Anna bowed slightly and took Azare’s offered arm; he felt strong and solid beneath her fingers. For now she was willing to take any offered comfort in these dangerous waters.
The feast was indeed magnificent and wine and spirits flowed freely. She was amazed at his decorum. One would have never noticed that the food never disappeared from his plate or the wine from his glass. He entertained the party marvellously with anecdotes and stories of the great city. Quite a few of the guests were human; all young and beautiful. She knew that they were courting new prospects. Somehow she could not feel enough panic to worry for the lives of these people; or worry for her own. Ever since her arrival to Rome she had felt somehow lacking. She drowned a full goblet of wine; trying to force some feeling back into her limbs.
After the meal Azare escorted her to a small balcony overlooking the city. They were far off the centre, but she could still feel the pulse of Rome around her. He stood beside her, but did not try to touch.
“Their power over you is not eternal, My Lady.”
His voice was steady and he turned his gaze to her; eyes open. She could not meet them. Why could he not be someone else?
“For all I feel now it might as well be.”
Anna smiled sadly. She did not know why she felt she could tell this man; felt that he would understand the demands of position; would listen where others could not. We must take what we can get in this life. She knew him to be the enemy, but could not help but feel kinship with him. The quiet desperation and sadness that radiated from him called her own.
“We are not so different, you and I. We are both bound by the rules set down by our ancestors. We follow them because we can do nothing else, even if we would wish to.”
Anna lifted his had off the railing and softly kissed the middle knuckle. She needed to keep her eye on the prize; on the identity of the leader, but she needed this moment. Time when she could pretend that the dresses and the banquet and the compliments were real; were given to her because she deserved them. For a moment she could pretend that he truly understood her. She cupped his hand in both of hers and his smile was blinding.
x x x x x x x
Slowly days began to bleed into one another. The city got more hot and stifling with each passing week. Anna was grateful that she did not have to wander out into the city during the day. Nights were still blessedly cool and the dust of the day settled back into the streets clearing the air. The staff of the Vatican had finally understood her need for solitude and bothered her rarely. Or maybe her night time treks had been mistaken for signs of courtship. Food, exquisite gowns and jewellery appeared in her apartment without any requests and Anna presumed Gyorgy must have been funding some of her stay.
Carl’s exuberant presence was palm for her wounds. He would always smuggle as many documents as possible from the Order’s library and then would be appalled by his own behaviour, but Anna knew that part of him was enjoying the shadiness of her mission. Anna swiped her plate clean with the remains of the bread and pushed the dirty dishes aside. The clock was beginning to near seven and Carl was almost an hour late. Impatiently she rose to inspect the dress she had chosen for the night. The black silk was finely made, but thick. She had added cloth straps underneath the thick skirt that would allow her to lift the helms up to her thighs if she needed to fight or flee. With few cracks and bangs Carl slipped into the room. He was carrying parcels wrapped in brown cloth and a thin envelope.
His usual mischievous air was gone, replaced by worry. He laid his bundles on the desk and began pacing.
“There have been rumours.”
His voice was clipped and he fidgeted with the small envelope. For the first time Carl seemed scared; she had seen him apprehensive and panicked, but never like this.
“The vampires have revived an old custom known as the Blood Feast. It is a ritual draining of twelve humans.”
“I have been battling vampires my entire life, but have never heard of this.”
Carl nodded
“It is more of a political act than anything. Dracula would have had no need for it because he was already considered the Lord of the undead. Now however, the vampires are moving in to reclaim Rome for themselves.”
He seemed hesitant but continued none the less.
“The Order is worried, this is beginning to escalate beyond their capabilities, and since they are no closer to discovering the identity of Father…”
He refused to go on, shrugging his shoulders helplessly. Anna turned to face him.
“But I am. I am invited into places the Order could never enter.”
“I know, but I do not wish for you to be in such danger.”
Anna could not help but smile. The protection Carl wished to offer was always so sincere.
“You must understand that this is something I must do. I have always been willing to give up my life for my people. This is no different.”
Carl nodded, turning his attention to the parcels resting on the desk and began to unwrap them, muttering to himself.
“They might have the upper hand now, but I was able to come up with a few surprises.”
He spread the brown cloth and gently placed six bullets on the table.
“I managed to make you six hollow-point bullets filled with a mixture of silver nitrate, garlic and concentrated holy water. They should explode on impact.”
“Will they kill him?”
Carl seemed hesitant for a moment.
“If you aim for the heart and head, yes they might.”
“Might?”
“It is the best I can do without the Order’s full resources. And I am still not certain of the heritage or powers this vampire possesses”
He seemed so apoplectic. Anna stroked his arm in reassurance.
“I will do my best with them.”
Carl opened the parcel and explained the changed he had made for her weaponry. He had laid an enforced silver coat over her sword and managed to produce two pistols and twelve rounds of bullets, which had a simple garlic nitrate point. She fingered the weapons; and looked at Carl’s apprehensive face.
“I know you feel that you are betraying your calling.”
“Anna, no…”
He made a move to protest, but Anna continued.
“Anything I find you can tell the Order. I do not like the way they operate, but the destruction of this syndicate must come before my own personal grudges.”
She smiled again at the relief which shone on the man’s face.
x x x x x x x
Mehrdad watched the young lord with displeasure. This was not the first time Azare had followed his foolish heart over the security of the line, but this was boarding on ridiculous.
“You do understand that she has been rumoured have had a part in Dracula’s destruction.”
“That is in favour of our own policies.”
The insolent man did not even raise his eyes from the book. Mehrdad clenched his jaw and continued.
“Her family has had a grudge against our kind for centuries. Not to mention the rumours of her affiliation with Van Helsing. How could you have been this careless?”
At this Azare rose to face his accuser. He understood Mehrdad’s concerns. It was not a custom to bring mortals into the line merely by turning them. It was still firmly believed that now that they had the power to create real life of the undead a turning was not needed anymore.
“Do not concern yourself with Anna’s affiliations. The Roman Gypsy court has severed her ties enough towards her own people and the Vatican is keeping their hunter on a tight leash.”
He moved off the love seat he had been occupying and moved further into the darkness of the room. He crouched down to a young woman tied into the corner; she shivered in revulsion and turned her face away. For days now Azare could not have taken his mind away from the captivating gypsy. Anna was a mystery to him; her strength blinded even him and had made him wary, but the desperation radiating off her in waves could not be misread. She was ready to embrace the darkness; all hunters were born of the darkness, no matter whom they swore their allegiance to.
“We need new blood and the Princess is of Dracula’s lineage which would make her a prime candidate for us.”
Anna was ready to face hers; by his side. Savagely he bit into the girl’s neck, bringing forth a stream of blood which began to trickle down her body.
“Mehrdad, I am in want of a wife and I have chosen to court her.”
He fed of her in long gulps, ignoring the other man’s presence in the room completely. However Mehrdad refused to allow him to enjoy his meal.
“Before anything you must consider Father, Azare.”
Angrily Azare threw the now half dead woman aside; facing the other man fully.
“I have, and he has already approved of my choice.”
Bellatrix stood on the stairs admiring the vastness of the Order’s smithy and laboratory. Hundreds of men, working and sweating to create more advanced weapons and potions to bring down the monsters of this world. She could see the man now; standing just off the side from the entrance looking gruff and uninterested in the hubbub of the working men. Silently she moved to stand beside him, quietly regarding his profile.
“Why did you feel the need to bring her here?”
The man visibly flinched, not having noticed her presence before. He regarded her with weary eyes; Bellatrix hazarded that this was mostly due to her nun’s robes, but also partly because she was a woman. Women were rarely welcome here; and even now she came uninvited, but her position as the Mother Superior for the Order’s convent gave her some leverage with the guards.
“I did not bring her here. She wanted to see Rome.”
Bellatrix smiled at the half truth, but understood the man’s need for it. The Order did not breed men who had an abundance of emotional reserves or the abilities to cope with love.
“It was wrong of you to pull her away from her people; away from her battle if you are not allowing her to continue with her calling.”
Van Helsing did not answer, only stubbornly kept his eyes fixed towards the far end on the hall. Bellatrix cursed inwardly; cursed the codes of the Order and Cardinal Jinette’s inability to anything beyond his own political circle of influence. Torn and raw as the man now was he could be of no proper use to the Order. Van Helsing would not listen to or even understand her words about love now, and Bellatrix turned to leave.
Gabriel however heard her silent words as she walked away.
“He’s power does not last forever, Gabriel. You should do well to remember that. Do not sacrifice all so needlessly because of you pride.”
This was not about his pride, damnit. It had been Anna’s choice as much as it had been his. She had accepted her position within the gypsy courts and he could understand her choices even if he could not condone them. The Order would have never accepted her as a hunter; she would have been confided into one of the abbeys or hospitals. Retaining her position within the courts of her people granted her some power over her own fate.
Part of him felt guilty for letting her come with him. In her village she had had some measure of freedom, her skills and her position had been recognised to a degree after her father’s death. In Rome she was on Church’s land; in the land of men; where her skill meant nothing. But he knew that given the chance he would not change a moment of their time together, would not sacrifice those few weeks of happiness. Maybe that made him selfish. The wolf within him was so angry. It had been raging for weeks; fighting to be let out to claim back its lost mate. He had kept tight rain on his emotions, refusing to go and see her; to explain. Maybe it was better to make it a clean break, less painful for both of them.
Jinette nodded to the tall man he was conversing with and walked towards Gabriel. The man’s voice was raspy. Van Helsing read his displeasure easily from his stance. His keen eyes had probably spotted the visit from Mother Superior. The whole order was aware of the deep-running enmity between the two. Bellatrix openly criticised and detested the Cardinal’s methods and Jinette fought back by denying her and her nuns any type of access to the orders facilities. Even with the hostility the Order and the convent needed each other. Bellatrix employed and trained the best physicians and healers in Europe; many of them specialising in the supernatural. In exchange the Order allowed the use of their extensive library. She was also, to Jinette’s great displeasure, a member of the Order’s council.
“You will not be required to travel anywhere in this assignment.”
Van Helsing had been sensing the Cardinal’s whish to keep him close to home; Anna’s arrival and the suspicions that had flared up in the Order had made him more wary.
“After Dracula was perished they grew bold. The old vampire elite of Europe have risen again to seize power. They have festered and began to breed right here in Rome. The leader, also known as Father is the key. His blood flows in the veins of every vampire that serves his cause. Killing him will destroy the entire covenant.”
“Why hasn’t anything been done about him before?”
The Cardinal shot him a look and continued on; leaving the question hanging in the air.
“These families are intensely private. The identity of the father is not necessarily known by even the closest of his acolytes.”
He walked towards a table where a large family tree was laid out. Many of its branches held a name written in brackets and a date.
“These are the names of the chosen ones who have been turned into the family within the last hundred years. There has been less and less turning during the last decades.”
For some reason the man seemed displeased over this. Gabriel felt uneasy as his fingers brushed over the parchment.
“We do however have a small window of opportunity. It has been rumoured that a high ranking vampire of the covenant is in search of a wife, a mate if you will; a worthy woman to turn as his bride. Gatherings are being arranged all around Rome during the next few weeks.”
Gabriel nodded, but reluctantly. Somehow this mission more than any other brought forth uneasiness in him he had not felt in a long time.
“These are your orders. Find and kill Father before the end of the month. Stop this approaching wedding ceremony and I will consider all the transgressions of Transylvania forgotten.”
Gabriel knew he was offering more than just the overlooking of his past deeds. Jinette had been hinting of the order’s knowledge concerning his past for weeks, maybe even before he left for Transylvania. He felt as if he was exchanging a possible future for his hazy past. He had longed for a family that could be waiting for him for so long, but during the ride from Transylvania that dream had started to slowly fade. But Anna had made this choice for him; she had accepted a role which Gabriel had never thought for her. He would accept Jinette’s offer and his past.
x x x x x x x
Anna pivoted around the maze-like rows of the Vatican library. She had managed to threaten one young priest into revealing Carl’s whereabouts, and was now trying to follow his stuttering directions, but none of them seemed to make sense. Finally she spotted a large desk covered by tomes peeking between the rows of books.
Her experiences at the masquerade had left her coiled and ready. Gyorgy’s actions made sense now. They could not have allowed her to rule, but her people still needed to be protected. She had only been too blinded by her rage to see it. It was possible that the court was well aware of the masses of vampires that prowled the city, but had been unable to begin direct confrontation in fear of having the war spill out in the streets. In truth Rome was not much different from her own village. Vatican was the absolute ruler, but only in name. Small independent organizations held much power in the city and none could risk shaking the balance of power. As long as each sect only fought their own corner an apparent peace could be kept. Gyorgy had no choice but to force her out of her own clan. Now the gypsies could still maintain a diplomatic relationship with the Roman underbelly; and rest in the knowledge that the quest of their forefather’s had not been abandoned.
Carl had his nose firmly pressed into a magnifying glass which he was using to read the miniscule text in the book laid out on the table. Anna softly knocked on the wooden surface.
“Anna! How are…. What is…? It is so nice to see you again!”
She smiled, felt like she had not done so in ages. It was good to see a friendly face; even though Carl seemed to be more haggard than usual. The slight sparkle he had had during their time in Transylvania was gone. Now he merely looked tired. She knew it was wrong of her to implore him to betray the Order, but he was her only possible ally, the only one who could see.
“I need information. The Vampire courts, here in Rome: how do they operate and where?”
He seemed slightly alarmed by her request, but did not seem surprised. She watched him gather his courage to deny her request.
“Carl.”
She sat next to him, studying his face.
“I have been doing this for years. This was my life. They have me locked in a tower like princess in a tale.”
Her voice was silent. Carl returned his eyes to the book laid open on the desk. He knew all of this. He had watched their happiness grow during the crossing of the Adriatic Sea. Seen them standing in the helm both wrapped in his coat; wrapped in each other. He thought Van Helsing would not let her out of his sight in Rome. Aghast he had been forced to show Anna her quarters and separate her from the Order and of the task she had been born to fulfil. He had wondered why she had not fought harder, but now seeing the hard glint of her eyes he could presume she was. How could he deny her anything?
“Just promise me you will be careful.”
x x x x x x x
Carl watched his friend’s guarded face as he piled documents and books to be taken back to the library; or more accurately to Anna. He had been silent all throughout Carl’s presentation and outline of the vampires which currently resided in Rome and the possible threat he would be facing in trying to take down their syndicate. The sarcasm and his dedication to his calling were gone.
He sat next to the table, letting the room empty around them. Desolately he eyed the parchments and books, letting his gaze travel around the room. Carl could feel it in the air, his need to talk, to confide in someone. Part of Carl wanted to console him, tell him of what Anna was planning, but the other part wanted him to suffer. He had so easily abandoned something which was so incredibly hard to find in this world.
“I do not think I can do this without her anymore.”
His voice was quiet, nearly swallowed up by the thick stone surrounding them.
“You have to try.”
Carl felt horrible for what he was about to say to his friend, but it had to be done.
“It is what she would have wanted you to do.”
x x x x x x x
The old woman’s face was hard and weather worn. She looked at Anna with a piercing frankness. The woman was causing havoc in the ranks of the Order and she had been sent to give her seeing to. The princess had gathered quite a reputation for frightening the younger nuns and a few priests. Bellatrix watched her face carefully; the cloaked dark eyes that hid her soul so well. She saw the fierceness, the hardened planes of her body where women were expected to be soft and yielding. There were supposed to be threats and accusations, but Mother Superior could not find either escaping her lips. She pulled a slightly worn black rosary from her cloak and laid it in Anna’s hand; closing the fingers around the beads. Slowly she took the girl’s face in her bony hands.
“You will be strong now.”
Slowly Bellatrix moved her hands to gently squeeze Anna’s strong arms.
“You have been given the gift and the power to fight in the world of men. Do not falter, for now you have no room to hide in.”
She smiled in return, her eyes reflecting the infinite sadness of her words.
“Mother, I have never had anywhere to hide.”
Bellatrix gave her arms a final squeeze that came out more of a jerk and turned: slowly walking to the door.
“But I promise you, that I will not falter.”
Bellatrix did not turn, but left; tucking the promise into her heart.
Stealthily as he could with the piles of paper sprouting under both arms Carl made his way into the guest quarters. It was late and most of the corridors were already plunged in darkness. There was soft light spreading into the floor underneath her door. Silently the door slid open and the rigid from of Mother Superior slid into view. Carl froze. The woman’s cold grey eyes slid over him for a few moments and the she nodded. Silently she walked past him leaving Anna’s door slightly ajar. Carl breathed still for a few moments letting the frantic beating of his heart to slow. Anna had obviously found a powerful ally in the Order.
The amount of information Carl had managed to gather was staggering. Vampires had a long history within the city and the Order had obviously tolerated their presence because they had not proposed a notable threat and had contributed to the power status quo within the city that the Order had wanted to preserve. However Anna guessed that Dracula’s death had caused a huge power shift in their society and now the power centre lay in Rome. It was apparent that the Order only had a hazy idea of the identity of the new ruler who had taken over. He was never publicly recognised and only went underneath the acronym “Father”. This had lead many of the scholars to deduct that this single vampire was the original source of the bloodline. If he was killed the entire clan would vanish.
The books made her wonder how the order could have possibly allowed this kind of power to grow in their own back yard. Then she remembered Gyorgy and his need for politics. The pages were old and frail; the ink barely visible with age. The vampires had inhabited Rome long before the Order had been here; they had settled in when the city was weak and rotten from the centuries under the Caesars’ rule, when no one had risen to oppose a new power; not within a city already rank with corruption. Carl’s soft voice woke her up from her grim thoughts.
“Anna…”
His eyes had a keen sort of hopefulness and a part of Anna knew what he was going to say.
“Van Helsing is…”
“Don’t.”
Her hand shot up to silence his sentence. She would not look at him, but Carl could feel the pain radiating off her; the closed off hardness he had seen in some of the elder warriors of the Order.
“I need to… I need to let him go now. It is better this way. For all of us.”
Carl wanted to protest. To express the anguish this was causing his friend, but he remained silent. He understood the necessity of their parting. Van Helsing could never fully be with her; he could never fully make her his. Anna would never be allowed into the Order; allowed to fight in the world of men. Carl also understood that Anna would never wait upon a husband’s return from battle; she had lead the life of a warrior too long to settle for a life of submission and servitude. And Carl knew that Van Helsing could never ask that of her; so they had parted, possibly to save pain later on.
Anna spread the maps on the huge table. She burned with the desire to ask Carl to finish his sentence; to know if Gabriel was in as much agony as she was. She forced herself into silence; it would be easier this way; easier in the long run. Taking another look at the piles of papers stacked on chairs and floors. It might be that she would not have to be in pain much longer anyway. It was foolhardy to try to infiltrate an organization of this size alone, but the Order had left her with little choice.
Carl was still fiddling with some of the ornate family trees when she walked to her wardrobe. It would have to be something striking; something that was not at all like Anna Valerious. She would have to shed her heart ache; to become a Lady.
“Carl.”
The friar’s eyes shot up from the papers. She laid the dress on her bed admiring the fabric in the candle light.
“I must prepare.”
x x x x x x x
Oil lamps hung from the sealing creating patches of yellow light in the corridor. Gabriel moved silently his side slightly grazing the stone wall. The guest quarters were much more lavishly decorated than any other housing section of the Vatican. It was designed to show wealth and unnerve political adversaries. Rugs and small stools were scattered unevenly between the thick wooden doors of the rooms. He had promised himself this one visit; to soak in her presence one last time; to get closure. A door opened not too far away from him; golden light spilling into the hallway for a few moments. Gabriel pressed himself closer to the wall cloaking him in darkness. The figure stepped into the circle of lamp light and Gabriel could not help but exhale.
Anna was exquisite. Her thick hair was gathered in the back of her head orderly kept together by few diamond pins. She stood still as if to listen for intruders; completely still. The dark satin shimmered in the low light. Gabriel knew this was something she would choose to wear. Black leather gloves hugged her arms and a cloak was hung over her left arm. Slowly she turned and began walking away from where Gabriel stood frozen. Silently she moved towards the end of the corridor always momentarily disappearing between the patches of light.
Gabriel forced himself to move after her. The doorway at the end of the corridor lead to a stone staircase carved into the side of the building. He stood on the upper landing watching a footman help her into a black carriage. She had looked so different; like a queen of the gypsies that her title would have her be. Not like the dark fierce creature he had fought alongside in the Transylvanian woods. He felt cold as he watched the carriage speed into one of the narrow back roads.
x x x x x x x
Torches were lit along the stony passageway, they flickered even though Anna could feel no wind. Tonight she would have to perform without a mask. Somehow her masquerade seemed like a dream now. The scriptures and texts Carl had provided for her had made her work more grounded. She was no longer searching for the elusive feeling of home in a strange city. Now she had a purpose; a mission. Still nothing to lose. The small passage opened up into a cavernous hall. Anna stood on a parapet looking down on the ball. She wore dark blue. Less intricate than what Dracula had chosen for her; but it would still appease a vampire’s eye.
She could feel his eyes rising to the railing by the sealing; seeing her in glow of the torches. It was perfect and so wonderfully void of all emotions she should feel. Anna smiled with warmth she could not feel and began descending towards the party. She could see him walking in the crowd; moving towards her unhurried, but still managing not to make her wait. He let his lips graze her knuckles in greeting.
“Lady Valerious, this is an honour.”
Anna was taken slightly aback. She was not aware that her presence in Rome had been so widely spoken of. He smiled reassuringly.
“I am sorry, I embarrass you. My family has ties to the gypsy court and there had been rumours of the princess’ arrival in our fair city.”
He bowed to press another kiss on her hand.
“However they did not do justice to you beauty.”
Anna smiled and this time it felt true. Compliments were so hard to come by these days.
“Do not worry, young sir. I was not offended by your forwardness.”
The man straightened up and offered her a smile.
“I am Azare, the youngest son of the house of Arsenius; you would honour me by sitting by my side at the feast.”
Anna bowed slightly and took Azare’s offered arm; he felt strong and solid beneath her fingers. For now she was willing to take any offered comfort in these dangerous waters.
The feast was indeed magnificent and wine and spirits flowed freely. She was amazed at his decorum. One would have never noticed that the food never disappeared from his plate or the wine from his glass. He entertained the party marvellously with anecdotes and stories of the great city. Quite a few of the guests were human; all young and beautiful. She knew that they were courting new prospects. Somehow she could not feel enough panic to worry for the lives of these people; or worry for her own. Ever since her arrival to Rome she had felt somehow lacking. She drowned a full goblet of wine; trying to force some feeling back into her limbs.
After the meal Azare escorted her to a small balcony overlooking the city. They were far off the centre, but she could still feel the pulse of Rome around her. He stood beside her, but did not try to touch.
“Their power over you is not eternal, My Lady.”
His voice was steady and he turned his gaze to her; eyes open. She could not meet them. Why could he not be someone else?
“For all I feel now it might as well be.”
Anna smiled sadly. She did not know why she felt she could tell this man; felt that he would understand the demands of position; would listen where others could not. We must take what we can get in this life. She knew him to be the enemy, but could not help but feel kinship with him. The quiet desperation and sadness that radiated from him called her own.
“We are not so different, you and I. We are both bound by the rules set down by our ancestors. We follow them because we can do nothing else, even if we would wish to.”
Anna lifted his had off the railing and softly kissed the middle knuckle. She needed to keep her eye on the prize; on the identity of the leader, but she needed this moment. Time when she could pretend that the dresses and the banquet and the compliments were real; were given to her because she deserved them. For a moment she could pretend that he truly understood her. She cupped his hand in both of hers and his smile was blinding.
x x x x x x x
Slowly days began to bleed into one another. The city got more hot and stifling with each passing week. Anna was grateful that she did not have to wander out into the city during the day. Nights were still blessedly cool and the dust of the day settled back into the streets clearing the air. The staff of the Vatican had finally understood her need for solitude and bothered her rarely. Or maybe her night time treks had been mistaken for signs of courtship. Food, exquisite gowns and jewellery appeared in her apartment without any requests and Anna presumed Gyorgy must have been funding some of her stay.
Carl’s exuberant presence was palm for her wounds. He would always smuggle as many documents as possible from the Order’s library and then would be appalled by his own behaviour, but Anna knew that part of him was enjoying the shadiness of her mission. Anna swiped her plate clean with the remains of the bread and pushed the dirty dishes aside. The clock was beginning to near seven and Carl was almost an hour late. Impatiently she rose to inspect the dress she had chosen for the night. The black silk was finely made, but thick. She had added cloth straps underneath the thick skirt that would allow her to lift the helms up to her thighs if she needed to fight or flee. With few cracks and bangs Carl slipped into the room. He was carrying parcels wrapped in brown cloth and a thin envelope.
His usual mischievous air was gone, replaced by worry. He laid his bundles on the desk and began pacing.
“There have been rumours.”
His voice was clipped and he fidgeted with the small envelope. For the first time Carl seemed scared; she had seen him apprehensive and panicked, but never like this.
“The vampires have revived an old custom known as the Blood Feast. It is a ritual draining of twelve humans.”
“I have been battling vampires my entire life, but have never heard of this.”
Carl nodded
“It is more of a political act than anything. Dracula would have had no need for it because he was already considered the Lord of the undead. Now however, the vampires are moving in to reclaim Rome for themselves.”
He seemed hesitant but continued none the less.
“The Order is worried, this is beginning to escalate beyond their capabilities, and since they are no closer to discovering the identity of Father…”
He refused to go on, shrugging his shoulders helplessly. Anna turned to face him.
“But I am. I am invited into places the Order could never enter.”
“I know, but I do not wish for you to be in such danger.”
Anna could not help but smile. The protection Carl wished to offer was always so sincere.
“You must understand that this is something I must do. I have always been willing to give up my life for my people. This is no different.”
Carl nodded, turning his attention to the parcels resting on the desk and began to unwrap them, muttering to himself.
“They might have the upper hand now, but I was able to come up with a few surprises.”
He spread the brown cloth and gently placed six bullets on the table.
“I managed to make you six hollow-point bullets filled with a mixture of silver nitrate, garlic and concentrated holy water. They should explode on impact.”
“Will they kill him?”
Carl seemed hesitant for a moment.
“If you aim for the heart and head, yes they might.”
“Might?”
“It is the best I can do without the Order’s full resources. And I am still not certain of the heritage or powers this vampire possesses”
He seemed so apoplectic. Anna stroked his arm in reassurance.
“I will do my best with them.”
Carl opened the parcel and explained the changed he had made for her weaponry. He had laid an enforced silver coat over her sword and managed to produce two pistols and twelve rounds of bullets, which had a simple garlic nitrate point. She fingered the weapons; and looked at Carl’s apprehensive face.
“I know you feel that you are betraying your calling.”
“Anna, no…”
He made a move to protest, but Anna continued.
“Anything I find you can tell the Order. I do not like the way they operate, but the destruction of this syndicate must come before my own personal grudges.”
She smiled again at the relief which shone on the man’s face.
x x x x x x x
Mehrdad watched the young lord with displeasure. This was not the first time Azare had followed his foolish heart over the security of the line, but this was boarding on ridiculous.
“You do understand that she has been rumoured have had a part in Dracula’s destruction.”
“That is in favour of our own policies.”
The insolent man did not even raise his eyes from the book. Mehrdad clenched his jaw and continued.
“Her family has had a grudge against our kind for centuries. Not to mention the rumours of her affiliation with Van Helsing. How could you have been this careless?”
At this Azare rose to face his accuser. He understood Mehrdad’s concerns. It was not a custom to bring mortals into the line merely by turning them. It was still firmly believed that now that they had the power to create real life of the undead a turning was not needed anymore.
“Do not concern yourself with Anna’s affiliations. The Roman Gypsy court has severed her ties enough towards her own people and the Vatican is keeping their hunter on a tight leash.”
He moved off the love seat he had been occupying and moved further into the darkness of the room. He crouched down to a young woman tied into the corner; she shivered in revulsion and turned her face away. For days now Azare could not have taken his mind away from the captivating gypsy. Anna was a mystery to him; her strength blinded even him and had made him wary, but the desperation radiating off her in waves could not be misread. She was ready to embrace the darkness; all hunters were born of the darkness, no matter whom they swore their allegiance to.
“We need new blood and the Princess is of Dracula’s lineage which would make her a prime candidate for us.”
Anna was ready to face hers; by his side. Savagely he bit into the girl’s neck, bringing forth a stream of blood which began to trickle down her body.
“Mehrdad, I am in want of a wife and I have chosen to court her.”
He fed of her in long gulps, ignoring the other man’s presence in the room completely. However Mehrdad refused to allow him to enjoy his meal.
“Before anything you must consider Father, Azare.”
Angrily Azare threw the now half dead woman aside; facing the other man fully.
“I have, and he has already approved of my choice.”