Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Autumn of 1797, two months following the events in Dracula’s castle…

Maria was determined not to smash her fingers again with the hammer. Her hand still throbbed as she lugged another wood board across the roof of her cottage. The cottage was a gift from the Belmonts. Richter and Annette had recognized that Maria was not about to languish her days at the family estate, and found a simple house for her to manage on her own. It was a two day trip from the Belmonts and the nearest town—Lupesh—was roughly six miles away.

Maria shoved the board into its place. She wiped her brow with the sleeve of her glove. There had been minimal repairs needed, the roof needing the most work. Richter had promised that if she tended to the interior, he would work on the exterior. However, he had never shown back up. Not that she was complaining though. She liked to work.

“Okay. Now where did I set that hammer?” Maria glanced around and eyed it across the way. Ugh. A carpenter’s belt would’ve been incredible to have at the moment. She’d need to make a future investment to obtain one.

“Stay,” she muttered to the plank she had just inserted, slowly making her way over to grab the hammer. She wasn’t about to fall right now. Seconds later she was back to the plank and going to town on it, humming some minstrel tune she’d heard at the marketplace the other day.

Though the cottage had been well-stocked to supply her for another week or so, it didn’t stop her curious need to explore Lupesh. A lush countryside town, it was home to lively and kind people, many of them survivors of the Aljiba burning years ago. Being only twelve at the time, Maria couldn’t remember any specific names. However, she admired their resolve to continue living.

Since she hadn’t been living at the cottage for long, no one in town knew her well, providing her some peace and comfort while she continued to settle in. Just as the thought of solitude crossed her mind, fate decided to step in. She had just released a swing at the final nail when a voice called out.

“Maria?”

She whipped her head around to see who in God’s name it was. Eye-contact lost with her work, the hammer finished its trajectory, smashing into her index finger. White light flashed in her vision as she howled out a string of curses. That was sure to leave a mark beneath her gloves.

“Well hello to you too.”

Through watering eyes, Maria saw none other than Richter standing in front of the house, his familiar blue coat peeking out beneath an ash grey cloak. She immediately noted that his brown hair was still long but was pulled back at the nape of his neck.

“Richter! What on earth—?”

“What are you doing on the roof Maria? And what are you wearing?” he asked, arms crossed, yet his eyes sparkled with amusement. No one was around so she was able to don breeches and a favorite blouse that was in Annette’s opinion, more of a man’s shirt.

She cradled her injured finger and gave him a filthy look. “It’s good to see you. And that’s quite a few questions for someone showing up unannounced,” she said. “But as you can see I wasn’t about to wait around for you to fix the roof. I was quite sick of hearing rain plink into half-full pots of rain water.”

He sighed. “Well, that is a fair statement. I actually wasn’t here to fix your roof either.”

“Oh?”

He scratched his head. “There is something else I wanted to discuss with you.”

“That’s fine. What is it?”

Richter looked around to see if there was anyone coming along the meager road that climbed up to where the cottage sat on the hillside. “Inside might be more appeasable.”

Now it was her turn to sigh. “Richter. There’s no one around for at least five miles.” She gestured with her hammer. “Come on, you can tell me.”

“No. I’d much rather have this discussion inside.” His voice was serious and demanded zero argument. Ugh.

“Okay then.” She picked up her hammer. She’d have to finish this up tomorrow. “The door is right there. I’ll be down in a moment.”

Richter nodded.

Roughly ten minutes later the two were seated at the table in the kitchen, Richter still wearing his cloak. He had insisted that he’d rather keep it on despite her protests of the warm coals in the kitchen stove. With a steaming pot of tea between them, Maria finally felt ready to ease into this mysterious and important conversation.

Maria began pouring tea into the two silver trimmed porcelain cups set out in front of them. “How is Annette and everything at the estate?”

“She’s ecstatic.” Richter said, blowing his tea.

Maria quirked an eyebrow as she raised her cup to her lips. “That’s a good thing, correct?”

“Of course,” Richter said, playing with the fringes of the calico tablecloth. “She’s expecting.”

Maria’s heart immediately swelled like the sunrise, leaving her embitterment of stopped work behind. She would have jumped for joy had a hot teacup not been in her hand.

“This is wonderful news! I’m so happy for you two! Do you know when the baby will arrive? Gracious, this is exciting!”

Richter held up his hands, an awkwardly sweet smile forming on his face. “Heh, calm down. We had found out right before I left. Annette gave me permission to tell you. If I had to guess probably—“

“About the middle of spring?” Maria supplied, settling back down and doing the math.

“Yes, that’s what we both think.” Richter’s face shone with pride, his classic dorky grin on his face. “I’m going to be a father.”

Maria was thrilled. She would get to be an aunt, something she never thought to be possible considering she had no siblings until the Belmonts brought her in under their wing.

“And you? How do you fare brother dear? I noticed that you’ve kept the long hair.”

Richter gave her a hollow chuckle and ran a hand through his brown locks. “I’m not possessed anymore if that is what you’re thinking. And Annette likes it, which came as a surprise.”

“That is surprising.”

Richter hummed and sipped his tea rather than give her a response with words. Which given the reason why his hair had grown out so long in the first place…well, it made sense.

Maria offered a smile in spite of the dark memory, resting her hand on his arm. “Everyone sounds well. That makes me so happy.”

“Thank you. It seems things are well for you?”

“Yes. All good here.”

Richter looked at her expectantly awaiting a more elaborate response.

Maria cleared her throat. “So what really brought you here? It definitely was not about the baby.”

“No but it is about another child.”

Maria stilled. “Twins?” One child at a time was already dangerous enough. Two could potentially be life-threatening.

“No—Ouch!” Richter twisted up out of his chair. “Oh alright you can come out.”

Out from under Richter’s coat flew a bat. She went to reach for the hammer that she had set down earlier. The bat was leathery black, its beetle eyes hard and unfeeling making her stomach nauseous just looking at the darn thing. Maria tore her eyes away from the blight that now flapped about her kitchen, narrowing her gaze at her brother-in-law.

“Richter what is the meaning of this? Because if this is a joke...”

“No it isn’t. Show her,” he told the bat. Had he lost his mind? Bats didn’t understand humans unless… oh. Realization began to finally dawn on her. There was a burst of gold and violet smoke and suddenly a man she hadn’t seen since the fall of that accursed castle was standing in the kitchen of her home.

She rose on two unsteady legs. “Alucard?”

There he was still clad in the exact attire as when he left her and Richter that day on the ravine—the heavy black, gold-trimmed coat and gloves, his unkempt white blond hair, and that wicked sharp longsword at his waist. She looked back and forth at the two men, unable to form a coherent sentence.

“Hello Maria.” Alucard adjusted his collar, turning to Richter. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

“You’re welcome. I still have so much to repay you for saving my life.”

Alucard held up a hand. “Before you get carried away with your words for the third time, don’t worry about repayment. I was righting all the wrongs my father had committed. It was the least I could do.”

Maria’s mind reeled. How did he find them? Most of all was the classic, why bother?

“Enough of the penitent talk.” Maria found herself standing, hands on her hips. “What is the meaning of this?”

Richter pointed at Alucard. “Found him sniffing around my horses about half a week ago.”

“I think I can speak for myself,” Alucard said, crossing his arms. “And that is not what happened at all.”

Maria rolled her eyes out of impatience. “Then do enlighten me.”

He looked at her, his golden eyes alight with cool indifference. She steeled herself in her chair to keep from recoiling.

“It turns out that we end up meeting again, unlike I previously thought,” Alucard began.

His words still flitted through Maria’s mind every time the sun set. Farewell, then. We won’t meet again. “Yes, I remember.” She also remembered spending the entire week trying to find him, Richter finally convincing her it was no use.

Alucard continued. “I presume you are familiar with vampires, dhampirs and the like entering long eternal sleep?”

Maria shook her head. “I may do an excellent job in killing your kind, but I’m afraid I’m still educating myself on lore. I had a late start to the business.”

“Well, oftentimes creatures of the night that have a certain level of immortality have the ability to alter the flow of their bodies. This allows them to sleep for long periods of time that can span over a thousand years.”

“How long were you asleep before?” Maria asked.

Alucard’s eyes snapped back to hers. “Three hundred years.”

She looked down at her gloved fingers, picturing the red bruises that must be spread across all ten of them. So that was a touchy subject to him. “Oh. And this matters how?”

“I returned back to my resting place and discovered that I am unable to return to that state. I do not understand why this has happened, but I only know that it appears that I must remain awake for however long it permits. The last time I had used this stasis was only for a year.”

“And when was that?” Richter leaned back in his seat.

“1476. Your ancestor Trevor Belmont was the one to wake me. I was so surprised, we fought with each other for a brief moment. This time I woke on my own with only the notion of dark powers converging. It appears that the longevity has now prevented me from returning to the stasis. I am stuck.”

The words “with you” lingered in the air between the three of them. Maria didn’t usually mind this kind of talk, but it twinged her heart nonetheless. She did not hate Alucard—he had saved her brother-in-law, how could she? Yet, it seemed that the dhampir did not share the same feeling she did.

“I thought it best to search for the people who I had fought beside. Finding the Belmont Estate was rather easy,” Alucard said.

Richter turned to Maria. “I came across him in the hay with the horses after one of our stable boys reported a large wolf lurking in the area. I invited him inside for an inconspicuous drink and we had a deep discussion about the situation. I know that you wanted to make a life for yourself in a more secluded spot in Wallachia and we were both thinking that,” Richter glanced at the frowning dhampir, “Alucard could reside with you here at the cottage.”

Maria covered her face, nearly spewing tea out her nose. “What?” That was the least she expected, but she should’ve seen it coming.

Alucard paced the room, coat swishing about his legs like a funeral shroud. “Listen Maria. It’s the most logical option the three of us have. From your reaction, it’s an unpleasant one but it saves Richter an explanation he would have to give his household and neighbors.”

“As to why there’s a vampiric man living with the Belmonts?” she added.

“Exactly.”

Richter rested his hand over hers. “I know this is hard for you. I understand you want your privacy after all that’s happened in the past year. You know I’m sorry about that. I just want to keep doing good for as many people as I can. There’s an extra bedroom here, giving enough space for the two of you.”

Maria pulled her hand away. “No, I understand. I want to keep making this land a better place as well. It does make sense and besides it’s not like I have a choice. This is legally your cottage, you know.” And it was. She loathed the politics of her beloved country.

Richter nodded sadly. “I know. But I want to treat it like it's yours.”

Her chest warmed with gratitude. He was definitely not a man of the times and she loved him for it. “Thank you.”

Maria looked up at Alucard who was regarding their conversation as a hawk that sits atop a tree and eyes the pigeons below. “You have my permission to stay here until you figure out your stasis dilemma. I will warn you I’m a terrible cook.”

Alucard gave back stony silence as his response. Why did he have to be so uptight about every single moment? Did he still not like jokes?

“She’s not wrong on that one,” Richter said, taking one last drink of his tea.

She shot a glare at her brother-in-law. He just laughed and got to his feet. “Well. I’d love to stay for supper, but I want to get back to Annette as soon as possible.”

Maria jumped up. “Are you sure? You just got here! It’s getting dark out there! I don’t want you getting—”

“Maria. I’ll be fine. This is not the first time I’ve traveled alone.”

She huffed. She could try to talk him out of it, but Annette’s happiness and comfort was his entire world. It would be like pulling a boot out of the mud. “Okay. I’m letting you off the hook this time because of your expecting wife. Next time you have to stay for at least one whole day, is that clear?”

Richter gave a little salute. “Understood milady.”

“Oh don’t mock me!” She pretended to swat him with the hammer, but gave him a hug and a peck on the cheek instead. “Travel safe.”

“I will. Take care of yourself, you hear?”

“Don’t worry about me. Tell Annette I said hello and congratulations!”

“Definitely.”

He and Alucard shook hands. Maria had forgotten he was standing there. He remained the quietest person she had ever met.

“Thank you,” Alucard said. Maria wasn’t sure if he meant it or not.

“You’re quite welcome. Please let me know if you are in need of assistance of any kind. That goes for you too Maria.”

Maria returned the salute. “Understood sir!”

Richter chuckled as he opened the door. Maria followed suit, standing on the slabs of rock she used as the steps. She watched him saddle up onto his horse who was wiggling her nose into an old bale of hay that had been somewhat sheltered from past rains. She stifled a laugh as Richter tried to steer her onto the road. Finally once he was situated, he waved back at her. “Good-bye!”

“Bye!”

Then Richter was gone in a cloud of thick dust and brown leaves. Maria was suddenly more worried about the horse than her brother-in-law.

Sighing, she shut the door and turned to face the last person she ever expected to be alone with once more. And judging from the way Alucard sat down at the table, it seemed he was dwelling on the same thought.

Chapter Text

Maria began to cook dinner as soon as Richter left, deciding to busy herself in something useful, instead of attempting to entertain her new guest with bland humor before sunset. Tying an apron skirt around her waist, she whisked past Alucard to get to work. The two of them did not speak to each other until Maria burnt her hand on the lid of one of her cooking pots hanging in the fireplace.

“Ah!” she cried, sticking her finger in her mouth and remembering she forgot to remove the cast iron before lighting the fire. “Oh for Christ’s sake, I always do this.” Her fingers couldn’t catch a break today. The gloves she wore were too thin for all this labor apparently. She'd wear a different pair tomorrow if there were any clean ones left.

Alucard cleared his throat and Maria whipped around. He had his hands clasped in front of him, and was demurely staring at her.

“Yes?” she asked with a wave of her ladle.

“Oh nothing,” he said, moving his attention to the table instead.

“Okay, then,” she muttered, turning back to the challenge of dinner, grabbing a towel this time.

A couple of loud bangs and curses later, Maria had what looked like a nice mixture of pork and potatoes stewing together. Maybe she’d actually have a good dinner for once. She had eaten bread the other day and there was still some of the dark loaf left, so she decided to heat it up alongside the meal. She was rummaging her pantry for that jar of raspberry preservatives she enjoyed, when Alucard coughed again. Maria resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the dhampir, she needed to be a courteous host after all.

“Is there something you’d like to say?” she implored.

Alucard leaned back in the chair, tugging at his collar. “It’s nothing.”

“Evidently it’s something if you keep insisting it’s nothing.”

“I am simply surprised to hear such colorful language from a lady like yourself.”

The sentence pricked Maria like a stinging nettle.

“I’m surprised that you’re so quiet for a man,” she retorted, setting down a pickle jar. One that sits and does absolutely nothing to help. What a gentleman. She was beginning to reevaluate what she originally thought of him. Which to be fair, wasn’t a lot as she didn’t know him very well. Their conversations were limited in the castle since they had both been occupied with deconstructing the vast maze Chaos had formed against intruders. There hadn’t been time back then.

Alucard mumbled something she couldn’t make out.

“What was that?” She was about halfway through the cabinet now. Had she not just used the jam yesterday?

“Nothing important. Did you need any help?” Alucard asked. Maria couldn’t help but think he was a tad late on that. She had it under control by this point.

“Hm no I think I have it all under…control” A bottle of vinegar slipped from her grasp and shattered on the floor. “Well shi—”

“I can get that!” Alucard interrupted, leaping into action. “Do you have a cloth or something to that degree?”

She handed him the one that she had draped across her shoulder. “Here,” she said.

She peered into the cabinet to see a complete vacancy on the middle shelf, except for a few shriveled spiders. Where was that godforsaken jar?

A light smell of burning brick rose into the air behind her and she groaned. Great. The bread was probably on fire now. She snatched up her spatula and moved towards the fireplace, but Alucard’s leg was there as he was still sopping up the vinegar she had dropped. She tripped and tried to grab the side of the mantle to stop her fall, but hit the cooking rack instead. Which was much, much worse. The rack fell out of place and sent the pot crashing down, the contents spilling onto the stone floor. She got back to her feet quickly and frantically tried to save the savory smelling concoction, but there wasn’t enough for even one person in the end.

Alucard held up the towel. “I think you need this more than me now.”

“Oh give it here,” she growled and swiped it out of his hand, mad enough as it is. Alucard had been a great ally in the castle, helping her get Richter back. Yet having him here at the cottage was a different story. Why did he make her nervous now? Was it her incapability to fix a proper meal? Or something else she couldn’t think of at the moment? She scrubbed furiously away at the mess she made. She’d get this finished, grab the bread, find that darn—

The scent of heavier smoke stung the back of her throat as she paused for a breath.

“Bread!” She scrambled to her feet, wondering why Alucard hadn’t bothered to get it, considering he watched her put it in there. She had a feeling he did not do this often. The rescued bread was the equivalent to black smoldering hard-tack. At least it wasn’t on fire.

The dinner was officially ruined. She ran a hand through her braided hair and tried to maintain any remaining composure left in her body.

“Were you looking for this?”

A sinking stone in her stomach, she looked up to see Alucard holding up a familiar jar of burgundy preserves.

Maria threw down the filthy rag that now reeked of vinegar and starch. “This is all ruined!” She pointed over to a covered basket in the left corner of the kitchen. “There are some apples in there. That’ll have to be enough for tonight, because as Richter said I clearly can’t cook to save my life!”

Alucard only eyed her with that blank expression he had done the first few times they ran into each other at the castle. He walked over to the basket, gently placing the jam on the table along the way.

Maria went back to cleaning up the literal mess she made. She had her work cut out for herself. So much for being a good host.

She proceeded to clean everything up for what had to be the next hour or so, scrubbing relentlessly at the slop with a water bucket and sweeping the glass up. She also put away the cooking utensils with a frustrated hand at every crunch of Alucard’s apple. She was brushing up any last speck of mess with a broom when Alucard got up from his seat.

“If you don’t mind me asking Maria, where should I sleep?”

“Oh right! Sorry about that, let me get the room ready for you. How would you like it?”

“Ah actually, I would simply prefer to get some rest if that is all right. I am not picky, so don’t worry about the appearance of the room.”

“Oh okay.” There goes her final chance at setting things right for the night. “The spare room is down the hall to your right. Mine’s on the left.” She put her hand to her forehead. He didn’t need to know where she slept! Or did he? Or was she over-thinking? God she was horrible at this.

He began to walk away when a thought suddenly occurred to her. “Wait a moment, I thought you weren’t able to sleep.”

Alucard regarded her as if she was a fool. At least it was the impression she got. Maria had yet to dissect his facial expressions alongside his words. “I can sleep as a normal human would, just not permanently. That is all.”

“I see. Well,” she said, propping the broom against the wall, “Good night. Thank you for all the help.”

He gave a brisk nod and disappeared down the hall. Maria sighed and went to light the centerpiece candle on the table before the house became too dark to see. She flopped down in a chair to rest her feet for a moment. She could go comb her hair and ready herself for bed in a minute. Maria rubbed her head and a flash of red caught the corner of her eye. There was a red delicious perched at the edge of the table, a finely crafted dagger its quiet companion.

“Well then,” she said, reaching for the piece of fruit. Oh how she wished her brother-in-law had stayed. “Richter, we’re off to a great start.”

Chapter Text

Alucard’s night was full of inner demons and bloodied dreams.

Sleep had not come easy despite the room he had been offered. He now laid awake on a mattress which was stuffed to the limit with scratchy cotton. The pillows were feather and there was one digging into the back of his neck. Unable to sleep any longer, he watched the rays of early morning light stream through the curtains drawn across the window. Alucard thought back to last night’s events and winced.

He hated to admit it, but he was not familiarized with the kitchen at all. That had been something his mother had been caught up in, delighting in baking. “The everyday science” she had named it, her eyes happy with flour against her cheeks. The spirits of maids from a time long ago would frequent their time with her there, enjoying the company of a living breathing woman. Those friendly ghosts later turned to frozen shades, their hearts gone to ice when his mother had turned to ash.

He sighed and sat up. Why did his mind always wallow in past ghosts?

Running a hand through his hair, tearing past the tangles, he mused on the setting he had placed himself into. He hadn’t planned on this.

When he had laid back down in his coffin, awaiting the lull of dreamless slumber, he had slept soundly. But he woke up a few hours later to cobwebs and the creak of wooden planks far above him.

He tried many more times, but nothing was working. He checked the levels of the few mechanical devices he had constructed over three centuries ago, wondering if that was the case. He upgraded them, but still to no avail he kept waking. He spent time reading whatever his book collection could offer. He had always relied more on the tomes in the castle, but he hadn’t managed to salvage anything out of the castle wreckage when it collapsed. He needed help.

Thanks to his secluded childhood, he was a highly independent individual and only ever seeked dependence in desperate hours. And the worst part, the worst part was that he felt his mind unraveling, going mad. His memories from three-hundred years ago were trickling back to his once more conscious mind, and he did not want to deal with them. He needed a solution, one that might require other resources he had no access to. So he left his crypt in Gresit, and went to seek out the Belmonts.

The clan remained in Brasov, not too far from where his father’s castle had once stood. Where the cottage Trevor and Sypha had first dwelt in stood a large mansion paired with fruit orchards, a courtyard, gardens and a stablehouse. Some of their posterity must have made a living with other means besides monster hunting. Now the Belmont family had stewardship over more land, leading them to have a place in higher society to the extent that Richter had a lordship with both the Transylvanian and Wallachian people. A powerful standing for a powerful clan.

The man had been downright confused about Alucard’s whole situation, trying to do his best to respectfully act like he did though. He reminded Alucard of Trevor Belmont so much it made him feel ribbons of guilt-tinged sorrow sitting in the hunter’s den room.

Alucard hadn’t seen Annette, Richter’s wife, but he had felt the warm pink glow emanating from the new life growing within her as she moved about the house above them. Thanks to his vampire side, he had a heightened perspective of the human emotions and their souls. His father claimed it was an aspect of alchemy he coined “synesthesia”. Those emotions often translated in his vision as color. When the feelings were strong, it overwhelmed his senses and made it quite difficult to keep the ability under wraps at times. His vampire side got the better of him sometimes, much to his disdain. Never blood though. His memory always tingled at the thought of the substance. No. He shook his head. Never blood.

Alucard lifted his arms and stretched, shoulder blades popping. He needed to focus on the fact that he had now reentered human existence —hopefully for a short span of time— that included living under the same roof as none other than Maria Renard.

He had appreciated her help in the castle, despite her obvious distrust and slight fearfulness of him for the majority of the time. This was an entirely different playing field. He wasn’t certain of the times, but from Richter and Maria’s conversation he could tell that her living by herself was unfit and unwelcome. Humans, as much as he admired their resilience, seemed to remain slow in progressive changes to their society. By taking up residence here—a mysterious man unrelated to her—was not improving the situation.

These thoughts led Alucard to question things about Maria beyond their interactions in his father’s castle. Why did she want to live on her own? If she was alone, where was the rest of the Renard clan? And a more unrelated one, what did she do when she wasn’t hunting monsters?

Alucard scratched his head at the same moment a door slammed. The front door. He paused, listening intently. There was the crunching of leaves and the loud chirps of what sounded like sparrows and other birds to that degree. There was also a faint laugh that he had to strain to catch.

Unable to maintain his curiosity, Alucard slipped out of bed, tugging his vest on and his boots at the foot of the bed. He called his sword to its sheath as he pulled on his coat. The hallway and the kitchen were empty except for the crackle of wood in the fireplace.

Alucard turned and went out the front door. Now that he wasn’t suffocating under Richter’s sweaty beer-stenched coat, Alucard was able to see what Maria’s property entailed.

The cottage was set upon a hill, a foot-trodden path from the doorsteps wound its way down towards a muddy road. On either side of the door were twin bushes shriveled to their brown twig cores tucked under the windows. He could faintly see two other less-traveled paths to the left and to the right. He followed the latter, taking him around the side of the house to where there was a decent sized garden that had already fallen susceptible to the frosty Wallachian mornings. Most of it had been harvested, but that didn’t hold his attention as much as what he saw in the middle of the rows of vegetables.

A bird coop with a collage of overhanging cages stood proud on tall stilts , a swarm of sparrows and buntings clustered about the contraption. Their attention was on Maria, whose back was to Alucard. She was distributing seeds to them from a side pouch at her belt. He noticed that Maria wore the same breeches from yesterday with a clean shirt beneath a deep blue cloak. The work gloves that she had worn were on as well.

He started towards her, trying to not frighten the squabbling birds that were fluttering about everywhere. However, Maria turned ever so slightly and must have caught a glimpse of his black coat, because it sent a dozen or so birds to hide in the nearest trees.

“Oh Alucard! You’re finally up! For not being able to go into an eternal slumber you sure sleep a lot.” More chipper than last night it seemed.

Alucard didn’t want to explain that he’d been up most of the night, thanks to the prolific dreams of terror, so he just nodded. “Ah yes I suppose that’s true. I am surprised that you’re up so early.” The first blues and pinks of day were hardly peeking up above the treetops.

“Early bird gets the worm! Or in this case bird-feed.” Maria gestured with her seed filled hands at the aviary. “Just doing my rounds by feeding the local fowl. And more importantly my doves.”

She stepped out of the way and Alucard could see that there were three sections top to bottom each filled with two or three cozied doves the color of fresh fallen snow.

“You keep doves. That makes sense actually.” He had seen her summon a few back in the castle.

Maria nodded. A tiny sparrow flew down and sat on the edge of her thumb pecking at a dried corn kernel. Three more joined it. “Yeah. They’re a great means of communication. Falcons are quite popular among the large clans and cities. I prefer the gentle kind of messenger. They are super sweet! Would you like to hold one?”

“Um… ” Alucard wasn’t sure if touching a saintly dove was the best thing for the son of Dracula to be doing.

Maria dusted the last bit of seed onto the ground, the birds hopping after the seeds. “Here let me get out Rosemary. She’s the calmest of the lot.” She gave him a small smile. Was that fear or anger in her eyes? He could not tell. Peering into her emotions with his vampiric senses would be rude. He didn’t want to see her frustration again. So he clamped that part of his brain shut. Best to do that around her from now on.

Maria unlatched one of the cage doors containing two doves and reached in to pick up the slender one tucked in the corner. Rosemary, Alucard assumed. Rosemary offered no resistance and Maria almost had her out, but the other dove—the rotund fluffy one—squeezed out of the open cage.

Maria guffawed. “Riceball! You rascal!”

However, instead of flying off into the open sky, Riceball dive bombed Alucard’s face. He threw up his hands to block the bird’s attack.

Maria laughed, Rosemary cooing in her palms. “Someone likes you!”

Alucard felt claws dig into his scalp. “Riceball’s on my head aren’t they?”

Maria giggled. “She is. Your hair must be the optimum nesting spot.”

Alucard wanted to come back with some kind of jest, something that would have been easily shared with his comrades of the past. But he didn’t know what to say. Just a few months ago, the two of them had been tearing apart foul monsters and now they were being overpowered by a small bird. What could you say to that?

Maria stroked Rosemary, who cuddled with content in the woman’s grasp. “Well? Are you going to get her off your head?

Alucard reached up and attempted to grab Riceball, but the bird flapped her wings in protest. He ducked his head, trying to shake the dove off that way instead. Riceball would not budge, much like her sticky namesake.

“Hey! Riceball!” Maria gave a sharp whistle and Alucard’s scalp was relieved of claws. Alucard ran his hands through his hair, soothing the soreness from the bird.

He watched Maria shoo Riceball back into the coop alongside her complacent companion.

“Sorry about that. Probably shouldn’t have done that in the first place,” Maria said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “She can be a bit of a handful.”

“It’s okay,” Alucard offered.

There was a painfully long pause, the only noise coming from an agitated Riceball.

“About last night,” Maria began, fiddling with her fingers. “I’m sorry about dinner. I was a terrible hostess by failing to provide a hearty meal and only having apples. And my tongue was a bit on the loose end so I’m—”

“Maria,” Alucard said, aware she may get carried away with her words. “Don’t worry about it. That’s in the past now.”

Maria clenched and unclenched her fists. “Right.”

She looked up and met his gaze. The vibrant green was as fiery as the divine beasts he had once seen her control. They were still in her grasp no doubt, watching from beneath her skin.

“I’m going to go fix some sausage and eggs,” she said. “Would you like some?”

“Ah no thank you,” Alucard declined, not wanting to be a burden in the kitchen.

They stood there for a minute longer. Maria cleared her throat. “Well feel free to look around then.”

Then she bounded off, leaving Alucard to wonder what about him bothered her. Aside from being a monster that is.

He wandered about the garden, speculating what might be a common thing grown here. There was evidence for some vegetables, but for the most part herbs. It appeared that Maria may have an interest in herbalism. A flicker of excitement came and he quelled it away. He was only to be here for a short moment to do his needed research. As he always said— no time for small talk.

Caw! Caw!

Alucard glanced up to see a large hawk land atop the aviary. It began tearing apart a rat it held in its clutches. He watched it choke down the bright ribbons of flesh and noted how quiet the doves were. He would’ve thought they’d be struck by shrill cries of terror, stirring up a torrent of snowy down. They huddled as if the wet shredding sound was a comfort. It was disturbing. Then again, they belonged to Maria who was gentle like a swan, but whose talons were sharper than any knife. A burn mark on his shoulder from the firebird’s breath was evident of that. The woman sure was something else.

Chapter Text

Alucard spent more time perusing the rest of Maria’s property. Quite far behind the cottage, stood a sagging outhouse and the odor made him gag. He wished his sense of smell wasn’t so sharp. Finding some way to freshen up that spot would be glorious. He continued to wrap around the house to escape the potential of hurling. The other side wasn’t much better. There was a small stable big enough to hold at least two horses. Although at the moment no horse would even want to be in the place. Wood-rot and the termite scars along the walls and several fallen beams made it unfunctional. A small pile of hay was in there, albeit wet and moldy. He could hear a smatter of clucks and squawks from one end and discovered a chicken coop still intact and was occupied by four brown hens.

Maria loved birds. It was the first simple truth he understood about her. That and the fact her cooking skills were terrible. He could let that one slide, considering he lacked in that department too.

That was about it for the property. Alucard had come to the final consensus: the previous owners of this place had let it go to waste and it was begging for repair.

Alucard glanced up at the roof, noting that only two boards remained to be nailed in. There were also rolls of long straw for thatching swaying in the slight breeze that had picked up. The breeze that smelled of incoming heavy rain.

Alucard frowned. This task needed to be completed in about three hours, something he knew was not possible for a single person to accomplish. Maria was busy in the kitchen which would only delay her from working on it. Include the rain and this wouldn’t get done for another week.

Eyeing the roof’s ledge, Alucard knew what he could do. He took a few steps back, then leaped up onto the cottage, his coat momentarily unfurling raven wings to give him a boost.

Nailing the boards down didn't take long at all, and soon he began to weave the long straw into the wood. He had never done this before, but he had read a manual somewhere detailing the techniques, so he channeled that thought through the first few rows. Thanks to his supernatural speed, he had knocked off an hour of time.

Alucard found this relaxing and it surprised him. His life had been so full of defeating his father’s foul creations and demons, he had forgotten the pleasure in ordinary labor. His mother loved these menial tasks at the castle. Alucard had the impression his mother lived in a setting similar to this for a time before meeting his father. It was bittersweet and he was so lost in thoughts he hadn’t heard the creak of the ladder.

“What are you doing?”

Alucard turned to see Maria clambering onto the roof, the scowl from earlier still plastered on her face.

“I’m thatching the roof,” he said, holding up the half-used bundle of straw.

Maria’s jaw clenched before she said, “I already had everything under control.”

“It’s going to rain soon,” Alucard replied. “I don’t want you to get soaked and have another day with rain buckets.”

Maria opened her mouth as if to speak, then closed it, offering only a stiff nod. Then she picked up a bundle and started to thatch where he had left off. Alucard stepped back and let her take over. He watched her get through the rest of the row which by that point she was already sweating profusely. He sighed.

“Maria, stop.”

Surprisingly, she paused. She wiped her brow and their eyes met momentarily.

“What is it, Alucard? Do you need something?”

He shook his head. “I think I should be asking you those questions.”

“What do you mean?”

“What I mean is…” Alucard gathered his thoughts. He could just tell her he was leaving and let her be at ease, but he figured that would infuriate her further. So he settled for what he suspected was the truth. “What I mean, is that you have been upset this whole time I have been here. But I can tell you want to be a good host and handle everything yourself. That is all.”

Maria let out a sigh which sounded more akin to a huff. She came over and sat down beside him. They sat in silence for a few moments, Maria fiddling with those gloves of hers. Did they itch or something?

“I apologize for my behavior,” Maria began. “I’m not exactly prime ‘host’ material. And well it’s you.”

“Me?”

She gave a nervous chuckle. “Yes you silly.”

Alucard knew it was his fault. Of course it was. This had been a bad idea coming here and upsetting her peaceful life. “I terrify you don’t I?”

Maria rubbed her face. “No you don’t. I just want to be able to trust you.”

“You want to, but you cannot. That implies you have fear, does it not?”

She huffed again. “That’s not what I’m trying to say.”

“Then please share what has upset you.”

Maria curled up further into herself beside him, refusing to look him in the eye. “When the castle fell and you bid your farewell, I couldn’t bear to let you go off on your own. I was worried about you. So I went after you.”

Alucard didn’t quite know what to say. He hadn’t in the slightest known she’d follow him.

“I know. It’s foolish and I’m likely the biggest fool for still worrying over your sake, but you had finished doing something so heartbreaking, I couldn’t just leave you to try and heal those wounds alone.”

The muted vision of a girl in green searching amid brambles, body heaving from all the shouts of his own name made Alucard’s chest tighten. He was mistaken in his earlier theory it seemed.

“And suddenly you show back up here needing my help,” Maria continued, arms spread wide. “And I’m too incompetent to do just that. I haven’t provided a decent meal, my birds attack you, and I really don’t know enough about you to provide for you.” She hid a reddening face behind her hands. “Gah! It’s so embarrassing.”

“You’re upset with yourself, not with me.”

Maria ducked her head and clasped her hands together. “Exactly that.”

“You shouldn’t be upset or embarrassed. You’ve done quite a service by letting me stay under your roof. I understand this is not common behavior for an independent woman to allow strangers into her household.”

“That would be correct,” Maria said.

“That alone speaks volumes. You have given me the space to find a solution to my stasis dilemma.”

“I’ve been thinking and I’d like to help you on that endeavor.”

Alucard nodded. He had been expecting this, but he would appreciate it. He didn’t want any more suffering to happen with him being the problem.

“That will be fine. However, this property needs some serious attention and it looks to be too much work for one person. You must allow me to assist you as well, whether it be outside or inside your house. It’s only fair.”

Maria finally met his gaze, a softened glint in her eyes. “It’s a deal. Perhaps we should finish the roof together to call it even.” She smiled, standing up, the hammer she had been using beforehand now offered between them for him to use.

Alucard’s lips twitched up into a minuscule version of Maria’s. He felt that pinch around his heart again. “I’d be most obliged.”

He accepted the hammer, and they got to work.

Chapter Text

October 1797

Chills of the encroaching winter clung to Maria’s spine. She huddled closer to Richter on the box seat of the moving carriage. Perhaps she would need to ask Annette for a thicker cloak when they arrived at the manor.

“Cold?”

Maria glanced up at Richter, who was chuckling at her current state.

She folded her arms in an attempt to warm her hands up. The thin lacy gloves she wore did nothing for this weather. “What do you think? Is my shivering enough?”

“I’m surprised you didn’t take heavier clothes when you—“

“When I moved out? Yes, well that wasn’t on my mind at the time.”

“And how’s that working out for you?” Richter asked, tugging on the reins a smidge as they rounded a corner on the road.

As if on cue, there came a quick gust of wind making Maria’s teeth chatter. “That’s your answer,” she stuttered out.

Richter failed to resist a laugh and even she couldn’t help herself from joining in. Moments such as this with her brother-in-law were few and far between these days. It was also a refreshing sound compared to the squelching mud-caked carriage wheels every other second.

“There are some spare mittens in the backseat,” Richter said, laughter subsiding.

“Why didn’t you say so earlier?” Maria immediately turned to rummage through the simple provisions besides weapons Richter was traveling with. He was still going strong in the family business despite his mind-controlled actions from earlier in the year. Seeing that made Maria quite pleased. She produced a ratty pair of grey gloves.

“Oh you know,” Richter said as she pulled them over her other ones in a hurry, “To teach a lesson in making preparations.”

“Hmph. Good point.”

Maria blew into her hands to make them warmer. The gloves reeked of age and mildew, and it only worsened when she rubbed them together. Her eyes watered, but they were better than the gloves she currently wore. Alucard had said he would launder the rest of her dirty gloves back at the cottage, but she wasn’t sure if he would hold through to that promise. Those things were filthy from all the yard work she had managed in the past two months. Even she didn’t want to suffer the task of scrubbing them clean.

Eyes glued back to the road, Richter said, “We should be there soon.”

Maria was thrilled to see Annette. She hadn’t seen her for almost half a year. A lot had happened in between that time for not only herself, but for her sister as well. And though it was only a two day ride from Lupesh to Brasov, Maria was swamped in renovations alongside prepping the place for a long winter. And accommodating unexpected strangers, but she was growing okay with that part. Now the moment presented itself for her to pay a visit and the Belmonts were happy to oblige.

“I forgot to ask, but how have you gotten along with your guest?”

Maria knew Richter wasn’t being forgetful, but rather clever and cautious. He had chosen to wait until they were a day’s distance out of Alucard’s hearing range—whatever it could be she was trying to figure it out— to bring up the subject. Maria found herself irritated at this action. She supposed it was Richter’s instinct being a hunter and all, while she hadn’t trained religiously from birth in the art herself. A weakness perhaps, yet she had enough magic to compensate.

“I think we had a rough start, but we’re getting along better now. We’ve worked out an agreement.”

“I see. Is this agreement a good one?”

“Oh yes! Richter, he helped me finish the roof!” she exclaimed, giddiness flooding her chest. “The whole thing has turned out marvelous and there hasn’t been a single leak. Alucard mentioned that it would stay in good condition for at least another 20 to 30 years. Unless a brutal storm or blizzard tore it up. Alucard thinks the stable we finished building will withstand the elements longer based on the wood I picked out.”

The new stable was impressive. She was going to remodel it as before, but Alucard mentioned that making it larger would allow for more livestock if Maria ever required more than just chickens and her horse. Sweet Destiny! She was ecstatic to bring the mighty steed back upon her visit’s end. She would be able to travel in twilit hours with ease. Traversing the woods on foot with so many roaming night creatures was her last choice to make.

Richter cleared his throat. “You say his name so casually, Alucard this, Alucard that. You remember he’s part vampire right?”

Maria was unable to keep her eyes from rolling. “I’m quite aware. He’s a person too, you know. I can tell he struggles with recognizing that himself. He rescued you from that wretched dark priest too.” Saying Shaft’s name aloud still managed to make her feel faint so she avoided it when she could, and even then the thought of him sickened her.

Richter’s attention was fully on her waiting for her to finish. “Anyways, Alucard is more hell bent on doing much good than evil. So please don’t think he’s horrible based on his physical nature. He’s trustworthy whatever anyone might say.”

“No need to bite my head off. I just made a comment.”

Maria pressed a hand to her chest, finding her heartbeat to have elevated significantly. Richter was right, she had come off a tad strong on the defensive side. Was she growing fond of this quiet and mysterious swordsman?

It was possible. The two of them had fallen into a rhythm of sorts ever since their compromise on the roof. She would wake up, feed the birds, cook breakfast while Alucard lingered in his room until the smoke dissipated from the kitchen. She wasn’t hurt by his unsaid refusal of her cooking, because every meal was awful. She tried though.

Despite late mornings, Maria could tell he tried to hold up his end of the bargain. Between use of her divine beasts and Alucard’s speed, restoration on the cottage’s exterior was nearly complete. The chicken coop was patched up and the garden beds were tidied up for the spring. Maria had spent days hacking a shovel at the ground to plant in daffodil bulbs, while Alucard surveyed the outhouse situation from a safe distance. That ordeal was the true nightmare and Maria had lost her lunch twice in the process. She noticed Alucard was a bit green around the gills, but he remained passive. He reserved words for when they were most necessary. Any attempts at deep conversations other than work were stilted between them. Maria found this disappointing. Alucard had provided some kindness back then on the roof, evident he was a sensitive soul.

“You don’t have to glower to make your point.”

“Sorry! I got lost in thought there!” Maria shook her head. “It was more of a daze, I’d say.”

Richter regarded her curiously. “If you say so. And Maria,” he began.

She looked up, hearing the pause in his voice. “Yes?”

“I am grateful for his assistance back at the castle. It doesn’t mean I still worry about him staying at your place. Sure we’ve seen the good human side of him, but what if the vampire side came out? And I wasn’t there to protect you?”

“I believe he’s good from ear to ear. He’s too afraid of himself to go as far to drink blood or anything like that. He eats normal food, you know!”

“I’m aware.”

“Then you should also be aware that I’m not helpless.”

Maria sought out the energy of Byakko the tiger and sent jagged white hot sparks racing up her arms for a split second. Smidges of ozone lingered under her nose. “I can handle myself.”

Richter sighed. “You may have grown to the height of your magic, but that won’t stop me from worrying over you.”

“I’d expect nothing less from my big brother.” She clapped him on the back, and he cracked a half smile.

“I'm surprised I agreed to let you live off on your own.” Richter said. "Annette was actually the one who pushed me to accept your request."

Maria perked up. “Wait, really?”

Maria expected the reverse. Her and Annette were closer than peas in a pod and the feeling of an overprotective mother often was present in their relationship. This was quite the revelation.

Richter bobbed his head. “Annette kept pressuring me for days while I mulled over it. She kept saying things like, 'this would allow her real freedom for once in her life’ or ‘come on dear, how often does Maria ask for something?’. All of which is the truth.”

“Huh.”

"You think it odd, but Annette wants the best for you. Her and I, we love you so much, Maria. It would be wrong of us to treat you like some caged animal."

Maria said nothing. She always managed to be stunned by how much these people, unrelated by immediate blood, loved her unconditionally. She was distantly related to the Belmont clan, of course, but that was simply a sentence on a musty pedigree chart. This connection they shared was a special one. She gazed out at the trees and the overcast sky, thinking over Richter’s words as the horse carried them to their destination.

“Annette?” Maria called out, setting down her small trunk in the foyer of the manor. She also ripped off the borrowed gloves and laid them on top. Richter placed her other trunk beside it.

“You’re here!” A woman clad in a loose pale blue day dress and an embroidered apron emerged from the left corridor.

Annette was an absolute beauty to put it plainly. She had Roma roots thanks to an ancestor somewhere in her lineage who had escaped slavery and made a name for themselves. Given this information, it made sense why her skin glowed a brown gold and her eyes held so much cleverness. She was a simple woman, a frame of kind and blunt edges and it was this reason why Richter adored her. Maria loved her as dear as an actual sister. It was a relief to be able to see Annette Belmont because she meant comfort.

“Annette!” Maria flung her arms around her sister, enveloping her into a warm hug.

“Oh Maria,” Annette said, pulling back to inspect her sister with keen brown eyes. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you more!” Maria stepped back as Richter approached his wife.

“Made it back in one piece,” Richter said, pressing a kiss against Annette’s temple.

“Hello there dear.” Annette reached up to give her husband a peck on the lips. “And for that I am grateful.”

“I’m grateful to see you not holed up in bed.”

“Me too. Nice to not have to heave up my insides anymore.” Then she turned to Maria. “Are you hungry?”

“I think I can manage some tea,” Maria replied, pondering on Annette’s casual words.

“I’m starving!” Richter exclaimed.

Annette rolled her eyes. “I figured you would. You’re always hungry, you big buffoon.”

Richter grinned and shrugged. “I can’t deny the truth.”

Shaking her head, Annette took Maria by the arm. “I have some sandwiches prepared in the tea parlor for the both of you.”

Maria felt her stomach growl at the mention of that. Maybe she was more hungry than she thought.

“Let’s go then!” Richter said, starting down the hall.

“Not so fast!” Annette’s hand snaked out and yanked hard on the long collar of Richter’s coat.

“Damn, woman! Your grip is tight.”

“It damn well better be. Carrying your first-born is not a sign of me weakening. Put Maria’s stuff in the guest quarters first. Then you can come join us.”

Richter’s face grew sheepish. “Oh right, I should probably do that.”

“Yes you should,” Annette replied, releasing her hand and giving his cheek a loving pat. Maria felt her sister begin to tug her in the direction of the nearest parlor.

Maria bit back a laugh when she glanced back at Richter hefting both trunks up on his shoulders like a mournful pack mule.

Farther down the hall, Annette murmured, “We can have some girl talk before he comes back.”

Maria giggled this time. “I like the sound of that.”

The parlor they entered was lit by the early evening sun and a kindling orange in the fireplace against the left wall. The wallpaper was a navy blue with cream ivy patterns and there were four cushioned chairs positioned around a low table. A steaming pot of tea along with a platter of triangular sandwiches awaited them.

Maria sank into one of the chairs and sighed. This was more comfortable than the box seat on the wagon. Annette gave a sigh of her own, despite her short jaunt from the foyer.

“Did you want some tea?”

“In a minute,” Maria said. “First things first. How are you and the baby?”

Annette closed her eyes and leaned back against her chair, resting her hands against her curving belly. “Exhausted. I know I’m only three or so months in, but already this child makes me feel sluggish. And I fear that they might be on the bigger side. Shortly after we found out, I couldn’t help but notice the distinct bulge. The midwife says I may have to stay “holed up” in bed closer to delivery day based on the size and my condition.”

Worry clotted in Maria’s heart.

“Has the midwife promised to be here when that day arrives?”

“Yes, she has. I can’t imagine why she wouldn’t. Most people in these parts recognize the importance of how preserving this clan keeps all of Wallachia and Transylvania safe from the spawns of hell. Whether they like it or not,” Annette added.

Maria groaned. “I know exactly who doesn’t like to do that.”

“Margaret Morris has moved out of the country if she’s who you're thinking of.”

“Really? Where? I mean not that I cared much for her.” Maria said with a shrug, reaching for a tea cup. She thought of how possessive that old woman was. The Morris clan were hunters by recent standards, meaning it was just Lady Morris’ grandson who had picked up the craft. And she believed since the disappearance of the only capable Belmont, the Morris clan was fit to take up Vampire Killer. Absolutely ridiculous.

“To the south of France I believe. She was livid to find out Richter had returned and decided to crawl off to lick her embarrassed wounds. I also think she wanted a finer taste with Western living, but God-forbid she couldn’t just initiate it here. Though I think we have lovely dress designs already.” Annette brushed her hand against the red flower pattern on her apron.

“I see the appeal of those gowns,” Maria said, momentarily feeling conscious of the green and gold hunting getup she currently wore. The pants were albeit longer than the sleek shorts she wore in the summer. “But she ought to be thankful there aren’t giant bats rampaging the mountainside. We successfully destroyed that castle for good I believe.”

“Yes, Richter agrees. He’s been hard at work taking tips to go hunt down any remaining demons. Alongside being here for me, which I’ll admit is something I really missed. That’s not selfish of me is it?”

“Mercy no! He got caught in you-know-who’s spell and that is not your fault. You deserve every second he gives you and I’m sure if anyone is feeling guilt it’s Richter. Him being here with you is good for him. And you as well. There’s a baby in the mix now too!”

“You’re still afraid to say his name, I see.”

Maria’s gut clenched, but she said nothing. She didn’t want to even think of that devil man.

“Your silence is answer enough,” Annette said.

The brunette lifted the tea pot to pour the tea, black by the looks of it, into Maria’s cup. “I would’ve thought you’d have overcome it, considering you helped defeat him for good.”

Maria’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean? That was all—“

“I have returned!”

They looked up to see Richter flounce into the room, plopping down in one of the remaining seats. “These sandwiches are calling out to me.”

“Wow, that was fast. You just toss my luggage on the bed or something?” Maria plunked three sugar cubes into her tea.

Richter threw up a hand. “The lady didn’t specify.”

“Touché.”

Annette passed Richter a couple sandwiches, before getting herself some tea. “We’ll come back to that subject later, Maria.”

“Alright,” Maria murmured, not wanting to go back to it ever again.

“Anyway, how is cottage life?”

“Definitely freeing. Busy too I suppose from all the renovations. Oh and I’m not sure if I told you, but I have had help from Al—ow!”

Richter kicked Maria’s foot under the table. A flicker of warning flashed in his eyes when she met his glance. Her attention snapped back to Annette, understanding the message.

“Help with a stray dog actually! He wanders about the garden since I haven’t gotten any trellis to guard it from unwanted critters. I’ve been setting out a bowl for him every day now. Hopefully I can coax him inside the cottage or perhaps the stable.”

“You were assisted by a dog?”

“No no, more like a support system. He’s good company.”

“Oh I see. That reminds me when Richter got chased by a big mastiff. Do you remember that honey?”

“I was playing with it!” Richter protested.

“I’m pretty sure you were screaming bloody murder while the owner tried to get the confused dog under control.”

“Oh whatever,” Richter said, taking a bite of his sandwich.

Off the three of them chatted, but Maria couldn’t help but silently fume on how he hadn’t let her tell Annette. Richter was digging himself a deep hole if he was doing what Maria suspected.

Later, once Annette had retired to bed for the night, Maria slunk to Richter’s den where he usually went before going to sleep. She knocked on the door, praying he wouldn’t ignore her as he had when she begged for a place away from the manor or like the time when she was fourteen and wanted to go catch frogs in the midnight hour. He refused the latter much to her disappointment.

“Come in.”

Turning the knob she stepped inside the cozy space. To Maria’s right was a messy bookshelf of skulls and mismatched monster manuals Richter referred to the most. Several antler racks dotted the walls and a portrait of Richter’s white-haired grandfather hung above the fireplace mantel. His paper thin smile managed to stand out against the vivid red of his elaborate coat. Maria could always feel the judgment radiating from it, those steely blue-grey eyes following the room’s occupants wherever they stood. A few swords from a variety of eurasian regions were on display behind the table Richter sat at.

“Yes?” Her brother-in-law asked, looking up from the axe he was sharpening.

Maria cut right to the chase. “Why does Annette not know?”

“Not know what?”

“Alucard,” she replied softly. “She has no clue of what really happened at the castle.”

Richter set down his work. “No she doesn’t. All she knows is that you saved me from Shaft and we stopped Dracula together. I didn’t know how to approach the topic of Alucard to her. And you haven’t said much about him either.”

Okay he did have a point. Perhaps it was partly her fault too. “True, but I was quite upset when I had turned up empty in my search for him. And I didn’t know how to address his presence in any letter I wrote to her. You’re her partner, so you should be the first to tell her.”

“Yes I know.”

“You say that but seriously, he’s been living with me for almost three months now. Isn’t it time she knew the real truth?”

“Maria, it isn’t that simple. Annette is concerned enough about the baby and despite her wishes for your own house, she still worries for you being so far away—“

“It’s only a two day journey,” Maria interjected.

“Through beast infested woods! She doesn’t need to fret about you sharing the cottage with a vampire as well.”

“He’s a dhampir Richter. Not a full-fledged vampire.”

Richter leans back into his chair. “Yes, but you understand what I mean.”

“I do.”

Maria did understand. Annette would want to know the full situation and meet Alucard. She would want to secure her little sister’s safety. And if Annette knew who Alucard truly was, she’d want Maria to leave immediately, regardless of the push she had provided for Maria’s cottage lifestyle. This made Annette no foolish woman. Much of a year had she’d spent learning about the accursed undead while imprisoned in the belly of Dracula’s castle. Maria wasn’t alone in that aspect.

There were several pops from the firewood in the hearth before she spoke up again.

“You may be married to her, but I know Annette like I know my own mind. She’ll have a fit if you wait too long to explain everything. Her fury is worse than any monster you and I have ever slain.”

“Funny how the kindest folks are like that.”

Maria couldn’t resist a smirk, some of her anger cooling from the matter at hand. “And you’re lucky to have the best one in the business.”

Richter shook his head, lips curved up in amusement. “I believe we’ve reached an equal understanding.”

“I think so.”

“The sooner the better,” they said in unison.

Yet how soon would that be?

Following their argument, the next couple days were enjoyable. Maria went to town with Annette, her sister picking up new fabrics. She planned to work alongside the hired seamstress at the estate. Annette mentioned that they were still building up their staff again. Richter's disappearance had them see many favored servants walk away to find other forms of concrete employment. Hopefully they could secure more gardeners this time around.

The remainder of their afternoons were reserved for playing chess or backgammon and munching on raspberry tarts. Thankfully Annette hadn’t brought up their previous conversation when Maria had first arrived. She mentally shared gratitude with the baby growing in her sister’s womb. Future children were a good distraction apparently.

At night, Maria went monster hunting with Richter, managing to complete a whole list of concerns for the people living closest to the obliterated castle. Her favorite one involved a poltergeist toying with a farmer and his pumpkin patch. The results were a defeated ghost, two hunters coated in slimy seed-coated pumpkin guts head to toe, and a gracious farmer who promised to deliver a crate of pumpkins every week until the end of the harvest season. Maria swore to Richter she would take home the first load.

This monster list was only the beginning according to Richter. It had taken four whole years after the first defeat back in 1792 for the surrounding region to recover, so Maria understood.

Now it was time for her to return back to the cottage.

Maria exited the stables, not needing to tug Destiny along as the gray Romanian warmblood trotted besides her.

“You’re going to love your new home,” she whispered. “I have a whole bag of carrots set aside just for you.”

Destiny nuzzled her, tickling Maria’s cheek.

Laughing, Maria guided the steed across the courtyard to where Annette, Richter, and their stable boy, Ben awaited with a spare wooden cart. Inside rested her luggage and a wooden crate filled with a cluster of plump orange pumpkin.

“Take this with you,” Richter said. “It will help move any other heavy loads you encounter.”

“Well thank you.” Maria handed off Destiny’s reins to Ben. “She’s a gentle one,” she said in passing.

“Oh I know, Lady Renard!” the boy said, causing her to pause. Ben, despite being almost ten years old, remained tiny. His trousers and vest were baggy, not fit specifically for him. Unless his father Artur was planning ahead for when the clothes did fit the little boy. The man was away tending to the other horse stalls. Parenting must be difficult without a mother’s touch in fashion. Maria made a mental note to ask Annette about stitching the stablehands some more sturdy clothing.

Ben gave her the biggest toothy grin. “I think she might be my favorite. Pa thinks I’m crazy for saying that. He thinks she’s stubborn, but I’m going to miss her,” He rubbed the mare’s side affectionately.

“The next time I’m here you’ll have plenty of time to hang out with her,” Maria promised.

“And when will that be?” Annette butted in, allowing a beaming Ben to go and help Richter.

“I’m hoping at least three more times, provided the snow doesn’t come early.”

The two women watched Richter and Ben hitch the small wagon to Destiny, who complied easily. Maria had such a strong connection with her horse that they communicated to an unconscious degree, so saddling up took no time at all.

Annette pulled Maria into a hug. “I’m going to miss you during the winter.”

“Me too,” Maria replied. “But don’t worry. I plan on writing more frequently. I’ll have nothing better to do. I’ll manage one a week instead of once a month.”

“Well you might get more from me,” Annette “I have a feeling I am going to be bored out of my mind during any freezes we encounter.”

“You’ll get to modify your entire wardrobe for little baby Belmont with all the new fabric we bought!”

Annette chuckled, rubbing her stomach. “Indeed.”

Maria went and gave Richter a hug alongside ruffle Ben’s hair. She then hoisted herself onto Destiny.

“If there’s any problems I can ride out here, no matter the weather. Destiny and I, we make a speedy team.” Maria said, patting the neck of her beloved steed.

“Same for you,” Richter said. “Ride safe.”

“Send a dove to let us know now when you get back!” Annette added. “Love you!”

“Love you more.” Maria grinned and nudged Destiny towards the gate.

“Yah!”

Snapping the reins, she began down the road towards Lupesh. Maria sped off as fast as she could with the rickety cart in tow, knowing her mind would be plagued by her sister’s pregnancy and innocent ignorance about the mysterious man residing under Maria’s roof.

Chapter Text

Winter 1797

A loud shatter caused a resting Alucard to bolt up in bed. His heart continued to race as he tried to pinpoint whether it was real or from the dream he had just ricocheted out of. Those had been increasing as of late, but he didn’t have time to sulk over why. There were vehement shouts coming from the kitchen and, alarmed, Alucard rushed out of his room to see what the commotion was. Had Maria started a fire again?

The answer was no. Instead the young woman was on edge in her chair, pointing a metal spoon across the table like a sword at his imp familiar whose tail swished in annoyance. A once whole bowl, now pottery shards, littered the floor. So the crash had been real.

“Yet your oatmeal reeks!” The imp finished yelling.

“It may reek, but the taste is okay! Besides it’s not like you can eat it,” Maria grumbled, plunging her spoon into homemade oatmeal.

“You could make it smell appealing for this prized nose.”

“Prized nose my ass!”

The floorboard beneath Alucard’s foot creaked, calling out for attention. Arguing ceased as two sets of eyes snapped to him.

“Oh Alucard!” Maria said at the same time the imp exclaimed, “Master Alucard!”

The demon and huntress glared daggers at each other.

“You shouldn’t use such a casual tone for the Master,” the imp huffed.

“Oh hush! You’re just a servant tied to a magic coil.”

“No. You should be quiet and eat that wretched gruel. And I’ll have you know, I’m more superior than some mere maid such as yourself.”

Maria was about to catapult a scoop of mashed oats at the creature, but Alucard cleared his throat. He did not want to clean up a food fight. Again.

Maria aimed her spoon at the bowl instead, resting her head on her propped up hand.
“Sorry. Your familiar friend here is quite the annoying one. As usual.”

The imp stuck his violet forked tongue at her. Alucard watched Maria’s eyes glow a vicious bright blue energy of Seiryuu, the azure dragon. Alucard held up his hand in the beginning sigil of release and the imp immediately panicked.

“Please Master! I’ll be good, I’ll be good. I swear!” The imp waved his tiny claws about.

“Thank you,” Alucard said. He was trying to grow stronger in his bonds with the familiars he had reconnected with during his quest at the castle. Names appeared to hold value with the ability to connect and control them as he had discovered with Doina the faerie and Horatio the ghost. The sword had no name, since it was merely an extra extent of his power. Yet this imp was persistently avoiding names and titles. Alucard would figure out the name eventually. However, Maria might end up killing the creature before he could do so.

He came over and peered at the pot of oatmeal. Unappetizing as it was to look at, he felt hunger gnaw into his stomach.

“Here,” Maria said, sliding a fresh empty bowl to where Alucard was sitting down. “I wish we had some fresh blackberries, but that’s winter for you.”

Alucard hummed in response as he scooped oatmeal into his bowl.

“Would add to the oatmeal’s flavor,” she said, along with a smile. The imp snickered and Maria’s lips tightened.

“I can go out and hunt some wild game.” Alucard offered. Perhaps that would appease the tense mood in the air. Being cooped up all winter-long with just grains and venison jerky was no fun.

“For oatmeal?” Maria asked.

“No. Only to add variety to the diet.”

“That makes more sense,” Maria said, rubbing her temples. “Well today isn’t the best day to go hunting. You should go look out the front door.”

“Why? Did it snow last night?”

Maria’s eyes widened. “How did you know?”

Alucard couldn’t tell if she was being sarcastic or not. But he pointed at his nose anyway.

“I can smell it.”

“If you can smell it you should come see it,” Maria said, jumping up from her chair.

“I just sat down.”

“But it’s snow! When was the last time you saw the stuff?” Her eyes were painfully knowing and he was stuck.

The imp crossed his spindly arms. “Oh don’t pay her any mind, Master. Eat. Your strength requires it.”

He was right. Alucard’s muscles were too loose and his energy waned. Not being able to go out as often because of the freezing weather, thanks to his human frame, drained the fighting spirit.

“When did you become a faerie?” Maria asked. “I thought you said the oatmeal was gross.”

“I never said such a thing,” the imp replied.

“Oh you wretched little—”

Alucard braced himself for more of her curse-filled yells, but they didn’t come. Instead Maria exhaled an unsteady breath. “This isn’t worth a fight. My cooking is bad. Please for the love of God, get over it.

The imp simply yawned. “Sorry but I’m pretty sure God has no love for spawns of hell like myself. So I can say whatever I want.”

Maria’s fists curled and uncurled as she scowled one last time at the creature before stomping down the hallway.

“Pissing her off might not be the best course of action,” Alucard said to the imp.

The familiar’s smirk held a cruel satisfaction. “Oh please, Master. She’s but a foolish mortal girl with a heavy weakness for compassion. Folks like that don’t last long for this life.”

Alucard cocked his head. He wasn’t so sure if that was one hundred percent true. His thoughts of compassion being tied to failure were accompanied with several bites of food.

“Well?” inquired the imp. “How’s it taste?”

Alucard swallowed hard. “It’s not bad.”

“Seriously? A scrunched face says otherwise.”

“If you don’t feel like sharing details about yourself, keep the commentary to yourself.”

“Never gonna happen.”

Alucard held his hand up. Not another peep came from the horned familiar.

Alucard choked down the rest of his meal, enjoying the silence for once. Yes, he could snap his thumb and ring finger to be rid of the imp, however the devil had remarkable talent for spy work. The most efficient out of all his familiars, having the imp do nighttime scouts around the perimeter of the cottage had become a habit. The tiny creature was a natural guard dog, making it the best source of security, so he stayed present. Of course this made silence difficult.

Taking his bowl in hand, Alucard made quick work of cleaning up breakfast. The oat remnants sticking to the pot’s bottom, he left. Maria would want to give it to the stray dog that came begging often. Due to the weather, the critter was most likely hunkered down in the stable.

Alucard also had the imp pick up the broken bowl and use his limited source of magic to mend it. From the imp’s distaste in doing so, Alucard figured it had been the creature’s fault. Then the imp begrudgingly dried dishes with a checkered rag.

“Exactly what I expect from you. Obedience,” Alucard said, taking the rag from his familiar to wipe his hands.

“Stay here. I’m going to go find Maria.”

The imp hissed under his breath. “Suck-up.”

Alucard elected to ignore him.

Moving down the hall, Alucard noticed the door adjacent to Maria’s quarters was no longer locked. Both of the rooms at the front of the cottage had been inaccessible to him by natural means. He could have used magic, but respect was higher on his priority list. Pushing the ajar door in, revealed a surprisingly bare interior. There were empty bookshelves around the whole room, serving as wallpaper. A few sealed crates and a long rolled up rug littered the floor. Maria occupied the window seat, maeve curtains drawn back, her eyes latched to whatever enticing wintery scene lay before her.

“Well?” Alucard asked, the door creaking as he nudged it back the way he found it.

Jumping up at the noise, Maria pressed a hand to her chest. “You startled me!”

“Apologies. You wanted me to see the snow?”

“Oh yes,” Maria said, wiping invisible dust off her breeches. “Behold the first snowfall of the season!” She gestured for him to look through the window.

He obliged and approached the frosted glass.

White.

His first lame thought was the color he already knew snow was. Yet, something about how the white particles had created a canvas of newness left an invitation to begin again. The light of day caused sparkles to glisten across the yard, before his view became a haze. He pulled back to realize he had pressed up too close to the window, the cold glass fogging under his warm breath.

Alucard stepped back as Maria said, “Sure is beautiful, isn’t it? I haven’t gone out to clear the paths with Suzaku—obviously you’d know that because it’s still untouched duh—but I believe it goes above the knees. Which means we’ll be stuck on this property for several days. Roads this far out from town are often the last to be cleared.”

“Aside from the property, wouldn’t you be able to clear the main road with the firebird?”

“Well,” Maria said, crossing her arms. “I’m a hundred percent certain I can, but I won’t. It would be extra suspicious for the townspeople to finally reach this area and see the snow was already removed. Vampire hunter may be an acceptable title, but a witch is not.”

“Ah I see.” Alucard’s mind decided to take a run down memory lane, so he turned to leave the room.

“Wait a moment.”

Alucard looked to the young huntress who was waiting until she had his full attention before continuing.

“In the meantime, I have something I can help you with.”

“Which is?”

Maria waved her hand at the sparse objects in the room’s center. “These large crates contain my meager library. The shelves all along these walls need filling, and I think we could arrange the books on them as well as—“

“I would rather consider this to be helping you,” the imp interrupted, materializing in the vicinity.

Alucard couldn’t help but add to Maria’s groan with a soft sigh.

“You’re still around?” Maria lamented. “Alucard I thought you sent him away for the day.”

The imp was about to, no doubt, give her another retort, but Alucard beat the creature to it.

“Behave servant.”

The imp halted at the words, adjusting into a midair bow. “As you wish, Master. Simply here to observe as you have commanded.” He came to perch on Alucard’s shoulder. The imp’s claws pulsated with a green mischief.

Maria cleared her throat. “Anyways, I figured we could see if these books hold any clues or solutions to your sleeping stasis problem.”

Maria had Alucard’s complete interest now. What a perfect opportunity to be productive on useful knowledge, rather than waste away in bed all winter. He wondered why she hadn’t brought this to his attention sooner. Then again, he never asked about much.

“So you do have books,” Alucard said. His curiosity had finally been sated on whether or not Maria had such materials. “How large of a collection?”

“It all fits in four boxes, so it’s not enormous by any means. But I hope it will suffice until the weather warms. Then we can visit other libraries.”

She walked over to the one closest to the window. As he followed behind he could see a deep-rooted mildew overtaking the crate’s wood structure. From a leaking unfinished roof if he wasn’t mistaken.

“How long have these books been in here?”

Maria tapped her chin. “Uh, probably about a month before you became a resident here.”

If Alucard’s calculations were correct, that was about six months ago.

“Dust and grime is ninety percent likely to be on every cover! With the condition these boxes are in, I wouldn’t be surprised if some texts are ruined. This is no way to treat books!” he said, the bookworm inside of him manifesting.

Maria sighed. “You’re right, but I’ve never had a good place to put them until recently. At least they’re dry.”

“And turning to mothball mush,” the imp added, mocking a surprised expression of his exclamation.

“Oh would you just shut up!” Maria’s vehement look burned into the tiny devil. “I know my own flaws just fine thank you very much.”

In an angry burst, she ripped the lid of the nearest box clean off, her hands glossy like black stone. She hurled it aside, sending it clattering across the floor.

“Just as I know my own strengths,” she concluded, wiping her hands together, the sheen of Genbu’s power gone.

“Ooh I’m so scared,” the imp drawled.

“Alucard please make that thing go away before I blast it out the window.”

“I am not a “thing”, I am a demon of chaos. Put this woman in her place, Master!”

Alucard waved his hand, sending the imp off into his original domain who was probably cursing him about succumbing to the folly of man or whatever demons griped about in their free time.

“Thank you,” Maria sighed, lifting up a stack of ancient looking tomes.

“I had simply run out of warnings.”

Alucard watched as Maria struggled to bite back a laugh. She came over and passed the stack to him. Accepting it, he breathed in a wave of worn paper and ink. He was already falling in the titles and contents when Maria spoke up, slowing his descent into hidden secrets.

“I’m grateful for your assistance in restoring the cottage. But now it’s my turn to assist you.”

“Fair to me.” And then he was gone.

Maria’s sudden sneezing fit shook Alucard out of his trance. He had been flipping through a book on shipbuilding, which was fascinating.

Eyes watery, she reached for a handkerchief in her pocket. Wiping her nose, she met his stare.

“Okay, you got me. These books are quite dusty.” She then wandered over to a shelf to work on arranging a row.

Maria’s book collection was enormous. Despite her comment of “meager” or “wimpy”, Alucard couldn’t help but be impressed at the way she was able to fit this many in such a tight space. Most of them were still in good condition, something he would never admit out loud.

“Hand me any volumes you find on history,” Maria called out from across the room. “I’m going to try to organize them according to their contexts.”

Alucard saw one titled Wallachian and Turkish relations of the 1600s and snatched it up to bring over to her. Vibrant yellow binding of the next book caught his eye first. It was a medicinal book on flower properties. Alucard was reminded of the burlap covered garden boxes outside.

“Any luck?” Maria asked.

“I see you have great interest in herbalism,” Alucard said, lifting the manual up to her eye level. He noticed more similar titles in the box.

Maria’s whole face lit up, bounding over to his discovery. “Oh yes! I’ve probably read through most of these.” She picked one up from the stack and swiped the dust off the cover with a gentle finger. “It’s been an obsession of mine since childhood. I was planning on opening a shop, but Richter went missing. This dream had to be put aside so I could help Annette around the estate.” A small frown formed on Maria’s lips, followed by a few brief moments of her thumbing through some pages.

Alucard wasn’t going to provide any motivation towards this dream of hers, because whatever he said wouldn’t matter to a young woman whose life would flash before his eyes.

“Well!” she announced, slamming the book shut. “Let’s find a spot on the shelf for it.”

The sudden change of her mood, unnerved Alucard to the point he couldn’t stop his inner consciousness to ignore it.

“It’s a good subject. My mother loved it.”

He doesn’t meet her eyes, but he can feel Maria’s perked interest burning into the side of his head. She didn’t say anything, and he found himself continuing.

“She was an herbalist herself. I would watch her work sometimes,” he paused, before adding, “I learned much from her.”

Had he really just openly told her about his mother? It was akin to a sinner confessing to a priest, but holding no evil qualms. A bitter release off his chest, it was, sharing distant memories in the now. This was an unfamiliar feeling, one that made him nauseous with sudden grief.

“Sounds like she was a fantastic healer. I would’ve loved to meet her.”

Alucard nodded, wanting to be rid of the bile climbing his throat and escape this conversation. He’d already done that a few times during the last couple of months with swift ease. But now he couldn’t stop the words pouring from his lips.

“I have— I have some of her work, notes if you will. Perhaps I can go fetch them from Gresit.”

“Really? Oh, to read notation from so long ago...” Maria trailed off. “Are you sure?”

Alucard’s brows knit together. He was offering so why was she questioning him? “Of course. I wouldn’t trick you for something that you like.”

Maria gave a soft laugh. “Okay. Thank you.”

“It’s nothing really.”

“Judging from how much your mother still means to you, it clearly means something,” Maria said, an eyebrow raised.

As if he wasn’t already aware. “Am I really that easy to read?”

Maria smirked. “Woman’s intuition.”

Alucard blinked. Maria was failing to stifle giggles, and he realized she was joking.

“Relax, I’m pulling your leg. You’re quite a hard face to translate. Be proud of that if it makes you feel better.”

Alucard only nodded, dissecting her words for any hidden meanings, unable to conjure up anything. Maria was an enigma herself it seemed.

The huntress picked up the history book he had withdrawn earlier.

“Oh I bet this is a sleep-inducer,” she said, eyeing it over. “Trade and relations are boring to read about.”

“But it’s fairly important to the country’s history.”

“Try explaining that to the American colonies.”

“The what?”

So Maria was prompted to explain all what had occurred over the past three hundred years, while they continued unpacking and arranging books on the shelves. Maria skipped around a lot in her explanation, but he got the general message that the world had changed quite a bit since the 1400s. When the sun had brushed down past the window, Maria left to go make dinner. Hopefully the goulash wasn’t burnt this time around.

Alucard was rummaging through the last crate when Maria poked her head in the room about an hour later.

“Once again, goulash is served! The edges may still be browner than they should be, but it shouldn’t taste burnt like last time.”

Alucard shrugged, hope vanishing, but was grateful to know what to avoid. He stood up and looked over the colorful array of spines dotting the walls. They still had yet to finish arranging everything, some books still lying in the crate at his feet.

“I know we didn’t get to do any research on your stasis situation. The new library looks good though so there’s that,” Maria said.

“I suppose it does,” Alucard replied, his hand digging into his hip.

“Lighten up, would you? There’s always tomorrow! In fact, we have all week as far as I’m concerned. This is a study afterall. Or will be once there’s more furniture.”

Yes, they would have to start effectively seeking a solution tomorrow, since the rest of the night would be allotted to tending to animals in the stable and clearing a path in the snow. He just wanted to start his search as soon as possible.

“Tomorrow then.” He placed the medicine book on the shelf next to its health compatriots.

Maria’s smile was jovially kind. “Great, then let’s go eat. I’m starved after all that talk about history.”

He said nothing. Instead he followed her to the kitchen where a warm meal awaited them, leaving the task of unresolved research behind.

“Damn it!” Alucard slammed the book shut. “Another wretched dead end!”

Maria wearily looked up from her circle of open tomes and mismatched notations. No desks meant the floor was their best option for study.

“The one I’m reading isn’t going too well either,” she said, disappointment lining her cheekbones. “It’s begun to address being buried alive. I thought it would hold promise, but then it started to go into tubes for breathing beneath 6 feet of soil. That’s not what you’re wanting though.”

Alucard rubbed his eyes. “No it’s not. Your books hold many truths in terms of medicine, but they stray away from the answer I seek.”

Why was this just out of his reach? He would only get a little nibble here or there of information. Even after a week’s worth of searching, there was no substantial evidence.

“I’m so sorry, Alucard,” Maria said.

“Don’t be.” He waved a dismissing hand. “It can’t be helped, so it’s not your fault.”

“If anything the Belmont Estate has something to offer. You should see the library. So many books!” Maria waved her arms about to exaggerate her point.

“Too many books that won’t have the answers I need,” he grumbled, head in hands.

“I’m doing my best to help.” Alucard could hear Maria frown as she stood up.

“You are helping,” Alucard muttered into his palms. His attitude wasn’t helping improve the situation. “This is just so—”

“Frustrating? Upsetting? Infuriating?” Maria offered. Alucard raised his head to see her standing in front of him.

“Why don’t you get some rest? That can ease some of the stress,” Maria suggested, giving him a tap of reassurance on the shoulder. The touch was so brief, he almost missed it.

“I know I need the sleep, so I’m off to retire for the evening,” Maria said, walking away.

“Goodnight,” he offered.

Maria paused to give him a wave, her gloved hand a mahogany shade in the dim light of the candle in her grasp. He had yet to see her without gloves on. Never did she exchange pairs in front of him. Laundry told him she had many, but the huntress preferred the long leather hunting gloves out of the whole bunch. Though in a few hours she would switch to lace. Her choice for bedtime no doubt. She had mentioned they were more comfortable and breathable while she slept.

“Goodnight!”

Alucard glanced down at his single half-filled sheet of notes that were barely the wisps of an iceberg’s tip. Then with a sigh, he blew out the remaining candle.

Wending his way deeper into the underground passage, Alucard could detect the wet stench of rot and decay. Water from the stalactites must be dripping onto half decomposed bodies. Where his father had managed to obtain so many humans was beyond even Alucard’s understanding. Nonetheless, he pressed on. No corpse was going to slow him down. He’d already sent the crawling mass of Legion to its demise. What were a few more lost moldy souls?

As he tunneled into a spacious cavern, the chattering and rattling that echoed out was easy to recognize. He raised his shield before stepping further ahead.

“Show yourself you coward!” he called out. He was tired of being toyed with the shadows.

“Ahahaha,” Death resonated, rising from the ether of the moist cave walls. “Still sharp eyes I see.”

“I’m not here to have a conversation,” Alucard said, sword poised to engage the dread warden. “Prepare to fight until you breathe your final breath.”

“Tsk tsk. Always rush here, rush there. No time to chat with dear old Uncle Death. How about I start with an ice breaker to clear the air?” With a swipe of his sinister scythe, the cloaked skeletal deity vanished and flames began to crackle from unseen wood.

Everything was burning, smoke rising to a nonexistent night sky. Feminine cries of a woman in the distance flooded his ears and he registered the voice as Maria Renard’s. Had she ignored his demands to leave the castle with Belmont? If so, she wouldn’t sound so fearful. The woman was a force to be reckoned with.

He dashed towards the commotion to save her. A pulsing wave of skeletons clambered to stop him. Yelling with every hack and slash of his sword, he reached the heart of the fire.

A coffin, elaborately strange and startlingly familiar, stood upright there awaiting him. Had the huntress been turned into a child of the night?

No, no, no. Alucard’s head raced with horrendous thoughts as he threw aside his weapons to wrench it open. He shouldn’t even be doing this, not after the succubus’ trap. Yet his hands revealed a scene so ghastly he felt bile burn his tongue.

There was no green clad huntress lying in eternal slumber, but two figures intertwined within. They fell out onto the ashen ground, a man and a woman, their tatters of fabric clinging to whatever flesh remained attached to bone.

Both faces, caving in from Death’s hand, looked at him with delight. Faces he recognized.

His parents.

“Son…” they drawled in unison. Four arms wrapped around his legs like serpents rising to pull him down into a hug. He was frozen in place and he collapsed, unable to escape. How could he escape? They were his parents who loved him, but their actions said otherwise.

The skeletons Alucard had not been able to kill threw themselves atop the family, the dhampir drowning in a sea of failure.

His father’s hand started to latch around his neck and he moaned, “What have you done…my son…why would you do this to us?”

“Join us dear…” his mother croaked out.

Alucard felt his chest burst from the weight of all the undead, while the voice of Death cackled somewhere in the distance.

“You’ll always be one of us, little prince.”

Alucard screamed.

He woke up gasping, his throat raw and his senses overwhelming every orifice. Kaleidoscopes of color engulfed his vision which was one of his known triggers for the hunger every vampiric monster craved. A spasm of bloodlust would send him into a rampage if he didn’t bring down his hysteria. There was no way he would let that happen. An oath he had made and an oath he would keep. Against the mattress his nails grew into talons, then subsided to rounded tips. Grew. Subsided. Grew. Subsided. Each deep inhale and every steady exhale helped him ease the pain.

Soon the colors returned to their ordinary hue and the rest of his senses righted themselves. The thirst for blood vanished. Sweat drenched his pillow, beads still rolling down his face, neck, and back. In fact it felt as though he had just gone for a swim. The most voracious swim of his life, one for the safety of a harbor he was never sure existed. He had experienced terrifying dreams before, but they were muted and distant horrors. This nightmare was vivid and screamed reality. His parents still embraced him, thanks to the tendrils of nerves trailing his sides. He could see their eyes, full of life, yet hollow with fate.

A rap at the door sent his heart barreling against his rib cage.

“Alucard?”

He whipped his head to see Maria standing in the doorway, shoulders wrapped in a thick wool shawl. Her hair was a bird nest and her eyes two peridots of concern. He turned away onto his side, unable to withstand her gaze.

Alucard continued to calm his anxiety and sorrow as he spoke. “I’m fine. Go back to sleep, it’s too cold to be wandering about.”

He squeezed his eyes shut in hopes that her footsteps would recede back down the hall. He withheld a sigh when she responded back.

“I’m too cold to sleep. Are you okay? I heard—”

“Maria.” She stopped at the foot of his bed. “I’ll be fine. There’s no need to fret over me like I’m a helpless child.”

Alucard heard her suck in a breath, her unspoken words trapped in the air between them. After what felt like a millennia, she mumbled a soft “if you insist” and finally her feet, bare from the sound of it, padded away. He buried his head in the pillow, loose feathers scratching his cheeks.

Why did she have to care so much?

He was a stain upon this world, a blight within a righteous country, and a curse amongst humans. Just now he almost lost control over whatever morsel of humanity he had to his dominant vampire instincts, all due to a simple nightmare. He was an explosion waiting to happen. And the question remained a glowing ember in his mind. Why did he still stay here?

Keeping his side of the bargain wasn’t necessary if Maria’s library held no answers for him. He could slip from this house one night, locate a remedy elsewhere, and never return to the affairs of these noble humans.

His mother’s desires floated into his mind. Do not hate humans. If you cannot live with them, then at least do them no harm. For theirs is already a hard lot.

He could do that. But watching from afar continued twisting his stomach wrong, and he saw himself as a fool for not understanding why he felt that way. Oh how ignorant he remained of life’s meaning. Immortality from birth could be quite the curse-ridden circumstance.

Tears began to well up in his eyes and he sniffed several times to keep them restrained. Now wasn’t the time to pity himself or cry like he had three hundred years ago when he first defeated his father alongside Trevor, Sypha and Grant. He needed to rest his eyes for another hour or so. He needed, he needed—

A loud sob escaped his throat and racked his body as lightning cracked a tree down the middle. His mind raced with thoughts of his mother singing lullabies then screaming cries, and his father’s smile when he was a child to those eyes brimming with scarlet. More dry sobs vibrated against his pillow as he saw blurry faces of past friends whirl through his head followed by shriek upon shriek of terror.

The door creaked back open and hushed words filled the room.

“You’re a terrible liar.”

He didn’t bother moving as Maria swept to her knees at the side of his bed.

“You know,” she began, resting her hands on the edge of the mattress, her lacy gloved fingertips mere inches from his face, “When I was a little girl, and I mean very little, my mama would always tell me that being sad wasn’t a weakness. Everyone experiences pain, fear and sadness. It’s natural and human. And you might say or think you aren’t human, but you’re definitely more human than some people I’ve met before. That’s enough in my opinion.”

Alucard shifted his head to meet her understanding eyes, her cheeks rosy from the chill and her lips curved up into sincerity. She cupped his chin and leaned in so close he could feel her warm mint breath against his cheek. He couldn’t form a single word.

“It’s okay to cry Alucard.”

As soon as his name fell from her lips, hot tears streamed in silence down his face and across his nose. He continued to weep and couldn’t stop for what felt like hours. He felt pathetic and foolish with Maria just there letting him wallow in his woes, stroking back pieces of his hair that kept falling in his face. It didn’t feel fretful like he had anticipated, only steady and tinged with empathy.

Alucard knew that Maria was a compassionate young woman. He could see that in how she cared so deeply for Richter and Annette, because she was always leaving to go to the Belmont Estate. Could see by how she was always out and about helping nearby villagers and merchants. How she healed sparrows that had broken wings and gave wandering dogs dishes of clean water. A person he had initially figured as annoyingly kind and brash, had now expressed that level of raw tenderness to him, something she had never done back in the castle. She was a person he could never be.

As his tears that he had withheld for centuries began to subside and his blurry vision cleared, there was Maria. Her eyes twinkled like green stars and he could now feel an infinite stream of life radiating from her soul. It was warm like a freshly drawn bath, and gentle as an owl’s plumage. He grew dizzy in her sunlight, but he pulled out of it before he lost control again. Lost control and had done who knows what to her.

“Better?” she asked, tilting her head.

He reached up and wiped away a final stray tear on his nose. He could only look at her.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” she said, getting to her feet and starting for the door. “I’m down right freezing my toes off. I really should wear those damned stockings more often, but they itch so—”

Rational even in a mournful state, Alucard recognized he couldn’t let her leave just yet. He snatched up her receding wrist, and she snapped her head around, her expression a flash of wide eyes and flushed cheeks. He could’ve been imagining it but something about her surprise made him think of a skittish rabbit. She was still wary of him then. How silly he was to think…

“Wha-what is it? You need anything else?” she stuttered and it made his lip twitch, wanting to curl into a sad smile.

He wouldn’t allow it. She would be upset to see how much of it looked like a wolf’s scowl and he didn’t want that for her. But he would let her know how much he appreciated her genuine kindness.

“Thank you Maria,” he said with a falter, his throat still stinging from his cries.

She gave him a sheepish grin. “No worries. Sleep peacefully.”

“You as well.”

He let her go and she shuffled out of the room, the room growing colder once more. However, as Alucard drifted back to sleep he couldn’t help but feel a sliver of sun where Maria’s hands had been.

Chapter Text

Late. She was late.

Klara could already taste the disapproval of her mother for her tardiness. ‘Twas unbecoming of a lady, would be her words. Her father would want to know what was so special about a cobbler’s son. Well to hell with class and propriety, her and Teo were in love. Why did she have to be a boyar’s daughter?

Sunlight was but a wisp on the horizon as Klara hurried along the road. Curse it all! Night was already upon her. She briefly recalled news of dangerous incidents Teo was discussing earlier with a customer. Those details had made her feel faint. The gate to her family’s manor would be at the next turn. From her lantern’s light, she couldn’t tell how close it was. Hoisting up her skirts, she pressed faster.

Despite her quick pace, Klara felt dread creep into her bones every time she took a step. Somehow, it felt like she was running away rather than racing home.

Klara grit her teeth when an owl screeched in the distance. Just then a shadowy figure stepped out next to her. She yelped in surprise. “Who’s there?”

Darkness pressed close against her lantern, but it revealed a man with an elaborate coat. He blinked voraciously, but gave a tight lipped smile. He was white as though he’d seen a ghost. Klara, her heart pumping, could agree with the stranger.

“Miss, what are you doing out here alone at this time of night?” His voice was quiet, yet it was an entrancing lull.

Klara was sharp to the point. “I stayed out too long at the shop of an acquaintance.” She didn’t want more rumors flying around about a noble and a commoner courting if she could help it. She also kept walking, brisker than ever.

“Is that so…” the man said, managing to stay in tandem with her speed. “Well then allow me to walk you home.”

Klara huffed. Couldn’t he see she was doing just that? “Ah no, I'll be fine…I can go back myself. It’s just down the road, see?”

The man grasped her elbow. “There's no need to be shy, come.”

Klara’s nerves sky-rocketed with fear. She tried to run and break away, but the man’s grip was locked tighter than those sole clamps Teo was always using. “Let…let go of me!” She attempted to swing her lantern to strike him, but he knocked it away and it fell from her hand. The candle within snuffed out, Klara losing warm light.

He yanked her back and all her momentum to go forward was thrown backward. She lost her balance, the man’s arm wrapped around her waist. He bent down as she flailed for freedom, her only instinct in that moment. From a small sliver of the crescent moon through the trees, Klara saw his pale eyes flash red and his smile reveal two elongated fangs.

“Would you be so kind as to satisfy my thirst with your blood?”

Klara screamed. “Teo help me. Help—ah!”

Her voice was sucked away as an excruciating pain overcame her and everything went limp. All she could do was taste dirt, a sweet floral scent and what was only her emanate death.

The man let out an unsatisfied noise. “I was hoping you were as feisty as your personality. What a love-sick fool. Pathetic human.”

Klara gasped one final time.

Alexis Kischine was worried for his friend.

He contemplated this as he sat on a tree stump watching Cyril sling the final shovel of soil atop the grave. There had been determination in lines on Cyril’s forehead while he had buried the small child, taking no breaks. She had only been a tender age of maybe five, but her throat had been ripped out like tissue, staining her kerchief with blood. Cyril recognized it as the same vampire who had attacked all the other girls this side of Levent Creek. Alexis had offered to help dig, but Cyril had insisted it was his duty and his alone.

Alexis then chose to read his map, attempting to figure out what part of the forest they were in. And the closest town too. He was hungry.

A shovel clattered to the ground along with a worn-out Cyril. Alexis passed him his canteen, no words needed.

“Thanks,” Cyril gasped after his sixth gulp. “See? It took no time at all.” He gestured to the thin branch sticking out of the ground, marking where the little girl now laid to rest. “I wish there was a way to find her family and return her body back home, but we don’t know how long she’s been here and we had to do something. I’m still upset that we haven’t caught this damned creature yet.”

Alexis sighed. “Cyril, you did the right thing for her. I believe her family would be grateful. And don’t worry, because I think it’s closer than we think.”

“What do you mean?”

Alexis pointed to the map. “These are all the recent attacks by our target. It seems to be honing around Lupesh. I'm sure it's in this town.”

“Let me double check…” Cyril pulled out the anti-demon vial out of his alchemy belt. “You're right. Look! The color of the potion has changed.”

He shook the potion and instead of the ordinary green, it was a sloshing faded scarlet.

Alexis eyed it warily. “The red color is so ominous. Looks like the vampire has to be in the town if it’s doing that now. Is it really just the two of us doing this?”

“If you're scared, you can always go back.”

“Hmmph, I'm not scared. The idea of letting you go alone is what’s scary.”

Cyril looked up at him, his gray eyes steely. “Alexis, I'm not the one who has a problem with this. There needs to be someone trying to solve this.”

“I get it alright? You mentioned that your father had entrusted the Belmont clan to hunt down the vampire. We can always let them handle it from here.”

Cyril leaned his head against Alexis’ leg and laughed. “Those folks don't know the details like we do, my father must be out of his mind to let them do this.”

Alexis wasn’t sure if his friend was right, partially because Cyril had never told his father they were sneaking off to hunt the vampire. Another reason was the consideration of how successful the Belmonts had been in the past. However, he had heard rather curious rumors circling the family. So trying to support his comrade in arms he offered, “I did hear that Richter Belmont had disappeared to join the infamous Dracula in his castle.” He hoped his family didn’t hear that come from him. His grandfather would never let him hear the end of it. The circumstance was suspicious though.

Cyril stood up, a smug smile on his lips. “Seems like the Belmont clan isn't that powerful after all. Now they’ll have to depend on us to do the job!”

“Yeah, yeah you're still as long-winded as ever,” Alexis said, rolling his eyes.

“It’s still mid morning,” Cyril said with a chuckle. “Let's search for more clues. I must kill the vampire with my bare hands! I won’t let any more suffer as my sister and this girl did!” He took off down the road, shaking both the vial and his fist triumphantly.

Alexis shook his head at Cyril’s conviction. He could only hope that the heir of House Marquis wouldn’t lose his mind over this case. He would do anything to stop his friend from throwing his life away.

Market days always held time for strangeness. This was something Maria had learned to accept as she grew up. From the occasional town drunks doing God knows what over to the illustrious passing Roma selling their wares, mystery and beauty blossomed in Lupesh on a late Tuesday afternoon. It reminded her of the excitement she had as a youth in Aljiba whenever her father took her along with him for deliveries.

Though curiosity had to wait, because Maria was stuck on which vegetables to purchase. Winter was always difficult when it came to produce as most of the remaining produce of last year's harvest was either dried out or foreign imports. With spring fast approaching, the time came to plant seeds for new appetizing vegetables ready to enjoy. She rummaged through the baskets, trying to see what seemed best.

Maria hummed. Did she really need to buy anything else here? It wasn't like they needed much at the cottage.

"Well, if you can spare some change for these tomatoes, you would make this man's day!"

Maria looked up from the basket of dried peppers to see the stall seller holding up a string of dried tomatoes. He was dressed simply in neutral toned clothes, his blue scarf about his neck the single spot of color on him.

"Oh my, did I say that out loud?" Maria asked, tugging her basket up on her arm.

The seller laughed. "You have quite the curious market etiquette, thinking aloud in the open. Would you like to look at these?"

"Yes, please." Maria reached out and took them from him, inspecting them. She gasped. "Roma tomatoes? I haven't had these for a while. They've been out of stock here. How did you come across them?"

"A reward for being a French merchant traveling down the Danube. I stop in a few Wallachian towns every year. Although, this is the last of my stock.”

"Ah I see," Maria said. "Eventually to a port and back through to France via Italy I presume?"

"You know your geography! Your presumption is close. I do visit other ports along the Black Sea if I'm able and have remaining wares. Then it's back to my family and farm in France."

"I miss France," Maria mused. "I was only an infant when my family left, yet it still remains a part of me."

"Aha! I suspected that’s where the wisp of accent in your voice came from. Your parents were French through and through then."

This was a subject Maria wasn't entirely comfortable discussing, especially with a traveling merchant. He wouldn't like such a miserable story. "Yes...um I would like to purchase these tomatoes please."

The seller blinked at the change of pace, then cleared his throat. "Right! Those will be at a discount price for the French blood pumping in your delicate veins, say 5 bani."

"How generous! Thank you sir. I will enjoy them even more!" Maria paid the man and started to walk down the street. She didn't want him to bring up her family heritage again. Curse her and her unruly tongue.

"Come again if you can! If not, I'll be sure to stop in Lupesh next winter," the seller said, waving a farewell.

"I'll do my best!" Maria exclaimed, removing the cheese cloth covering her basket to set the tomatoes inside.

Maria wandered further down the street, dodging peddlers and other townsfolk. One more thing left for her to do and it was a street or two away. At least, she hoped. All of it hinged on what the local baker’s wife told her.

“Girl in the blue cloak! Hey girl!”

An old lady was waving a bottle of wine and beckoning Maria over. Unable to resist the urge to be kind, Maria met the woman halfway.

“Yes ma’am?”

A crooked grin spread wide on the woman’s wrinkled face. “How about this cherry wine! They say the way through a man's heart is through his stomach.”

“Oh really? Okay I can spare some coin for a bottle.” Maria laughed, her first thought of Alucard’s neutral approach to favorite wines. He wasn’t picky, as he had hinted at, but he seemed to enjoy red over white. “Won’t he be pleased?”

“Ah then some free wisdom for you as well. Your lover will be pleased to see you with the bottle,” the old lady said as she accepted the money.

“Uhm thanks.”

Too stunned to tell the giggling woman that he was not at all her lover, Maria sped to the end of the street. God have mercy on her loose tongue again! Alucard was an acquaintance, maybe a friend at best.

Though they’d been living together for almost a year, Alucard would hardly confide in her. That night where he had wept into her hands had stuck to her heart like glue. The dhampir was suffering and there was next to nothing she could do about it. Unless he talked to her of course. Then again, some of her memories were off limit conversations, so everything regarding Alucard was wishful thinking. Forget it, Maria’s brain told her. There was no use mulling over the situation.

As she turned down another street, the sun was dipping down behind the roofs of nearby buildings. She had better take a quick glance at what she wanted to see. Dark would be here before she knew it and being on the road sooner was smartest. Maria was fully prepared to handle any lurking monsters, but avoiding an encounter was wiser than looking for trouble. Annette had surprisingly taught her that lesson and not Richter.

Soon enough she found what she was looking for. On the corner of the previous street stood an abandoned building. Maria stood there trying to get a better idea of what this place was worth. Judging by the wide, boarded up window and the supposed appearance of a second floor, it must've been a store at some point. She would have to stop by and give her thanks to the baker and his wife.

"Ah, does this ol' shop grab hold of the mysterious woman?"

Approaching her was a grinning older bearded gentleman, a faded green satchel over his shoulder and a leather cap perched atop his head.

"Why hello Mr. Miklos! This was indeed a store?" Maria asked.

"Oh yes, yes it was," Mr. Miklos began. "This was once the Bucur's Tailor Shop. Costel, the man of the house, moved onto bigger things down in Port Constanta. None of us old folk have heard any word from him, so the family must be doing well. There is, of course, a new tailor's store on the other side of town now. However some of us still miss the Bucur stitch in our cloth." He laughed.

"Interesting..." Maria said. "So there have never been claims to the building since then?"

"Not to this postman's knowledge. It looks like it needs a heaping pile of money to reshape it, which is more than what an average seller can afford. Unless you have something new to offer, Ms. Renard?"

Maria smiled. "Perhaps."

Mr. Miklos cackled. "Only a ‘perhaps’? I will have to keep my eyes peeled for a store in your family name then."

If only. Maria would love exactly that. Specifically for use of an apothecary. She was no doctor, only an herbalist at the most. Yet she did know someone who might be willing to pop in now and then as an actual doctor. Maria was in the dregs of whatever few funds she had managed to salvage from the Renard Estate. And she wasn't about to beg off of the Belmont fortune. Richter and Annette have already done so much for her. She didn't want to abuse their relationship. She wanted to redefine the Renard name with what she could out of her own pocket.

Maria rapped her knuckle on her basket, her thoughts proceeding to mingle about. "Did you have any mail for me, Mr. Miklos?"

The man hummed as he dug around in his sack and withdrew a cream envelope. "Yes, a letter. You'll have to excuse my old age, I don't remember when it was delivered. Here you are!"

Maria took it from him, seeing the pressed blue seal of the Belmont family crest. "It's from Richter. Hmm that's odd. I received a dove from him last week about an emergency call. I wonder what else has happened?" She was already planning to head up towards Brasov first thing tomorrow morning.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Mr. Miklos chuckled. "Whatever messages you don't get by dove, the letters here are always letters from the same man."

Maria gagged as she peeled the seal off to read. "Ew gross! He's my brother-in-law."

Mr. Miklos simply continued in his laughter, wandering off to pester someone else with their mail. What was with the romance in Lupesh today? Dragobete had concluded and was over for the year; there was no need for any of it, even the hopeless romantic inside her would agree. Withdrawing the paper, Maria could already tell by the minimal cursive that it was important.

I hope all is well, Maria. I don't have time to explain in detail about the emergency situation over here. I have been hired to hunt down a vampire.

A vampire?! There hadn't been anything like this since Dracula's Castle. Maria couldn't read the rest fast enough.

It is still too early to say much, but ever since an incident about a young woman being killed by a vampire, similar events have been occurring around Lupesh. Some of my clients’ daughters have all met the same fate. It's not that I'm suspecting Alucard, it's just that such incidents have been happening so frequently. We can't rule out the possibility that he is unable to curb his instincts. Please contact me if anything strange happens near Alucard.

"No, that's not possible..." Maria murmured. Why would Alucard attack humans? The dhampir was more afraid of himself. But, if it's not him, that meant there was another vampire prowling the town. Having fought Dracula once before, she felt foolish for not noticing the evidence herself. Nevertheless, one thing was certain. She had to let Alucard know about this.

Destiny gave a small whinny as Maria pressed the mare on. It was dark out already, but the full moon filtering down was quite useful in regards to light.

“Sorry girl,” Maria whispered into Destiny’s ear. “We still have quite a ways to go.”

Maria was desperate to urge Destiny faster on to whiz past whatever could be deeper into the forest. Yet injuring her steed would be a dire mistake and she didn’t want to do that to her only source of transportation.

As she reached a fork in the road, Maria felt her body rise like the haunches of Byakko the tiger, alerting her of an unknown danger. Within seconds all four of the divine beast hiding beneath her skin were angry and horrified.

What Maria sensed was evil in its purest form. She pulled on Destiny’s rein to stop the mare and dismount her. Maria would rather fight on her feet.

Rustle. Rustle.

Out of the brush from the other side of the road came two young men just shy of her age. Both were finely dressed, one clad in a blue vest with pale hair that seemed to glow white under the moon. The other was in a dark red long coat, light glinting off two axes strapped to his back.

The latter called out to his companion upon making eye contact with Maria.

“Hey! Cyril!”

“I'm very sure that it's nearby,” the pale boy, presumably Cyril, finished. “What is it Alexis?”

Cyril fully stepped onto the road, seeing what his friend was talking about. Him and the newly identified Alexis stood there gawking at her.

Maria’s senses were pulsating with onset adrenaline, but she was relieved that despite the stench of evil on the air the two hadn’t attacked her. Yet.

“Who are you?” Maria asked, trying to keep her voice calm and even.

Cyril wiped his hands on his vest—he appeared to be holding something—and raised an eyebrow. "I should be the one asking you that. What is a lady such as yourself doing in this deserted place?"

"Better get away from here as soon as you can. It feels as though our unknown creature of the night may appear any second," Alexis chimed in. His hand went up to the ax on his left shoulder. Maria's fingers tightened at the movement.

Cyril let out a frustrated scoff, shaking what Maria could now see was a vial of some dark liquid. "Argh! Damn! The demon-killing potion has stopped reacting."

"It must have sensed our presence, and escaped," Alexis said, hand returning to his side. Maria released the summoning of Byakko. There was no need for a fight after all, but Maria's questions were doubling by the minute.

"I'm sorry I seem to be lost here. What on earth are you two doing?" Maria asked.

Cyril gave a flamboyant half-bow. "Why madam, we're vampire hunters."

Maria blinked. "Vampire hunters?" As far as she knew her and the Belmont Clan were the only proclaimed vampire hunters. And apparently Margaret Morris' grandson, but no one had much evidence to prove that.

"Couldn't you tell?"

"No," Maria said. "Not when the two of you are hardly armed with less stealth than a whole orchestra. I could sense you out in the woods a mile away." A small fib, however Maria wasn't going to feign indifference with these fools.

"A whole mile...?" Cyril's shoulders deflated like a balloon, but his expression looked ready to bite back. Alexis held up his arm in front of his companion.

"Calm down Cyril. Not every woman is going to swoon at the title."

Maria was about to give the boy thanks until Alexis turned to speak to her. "It's very dangerous in this town. For your own safety, miss, don't hang around by yourself," he said as though he were speaking to a delicate doll.

"Now hang on just a—"

"Exactly what I was going to say," Cyril said, twirling the potion in his palm. "Let's hurry, Alexis. We must lure the vampire out."

"Hey!" Maria exclaimed, trying to catch up with them. She swiped at the red collar of Alexis' coat, but they slid down into the thicket and he slipped from her grasp. Destiny huffed, causing Maria to look back and see the mare shake her head, a manifestation of annoyance Maria herself was experiencing. No way she about to abandon her horse to chase down a couple of undocumented hunters. Maria started walking over to Destiny.

Just how bad was this vampire case? And who were Cyril and Alexis? They didn't look like Belmonts. Though they did appear to have sensed that evil presence she felt just now. So perhaps they weren't lying about being hunters. Maria was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. At that same moment, a curling sensation trembled up her spine. There it was again!

Maria spun around, scanning the trees and the three roads she stood at the corner of. Cool energy of Seriyuu eased down her forearms, preparing to lash out. The eerie sensation felt strongest right where she was standing. "It's so close…where is it?" she breathed aloud. And then it sounded as though her breathing was not alone. "Stop hiding, show yourself!"

A low, building laugh echoed from thin air, followed by a flap of heavy wings.

“Not bad, not bad. You can sense my presence, Maria Renard.”

Chapter Text

Without any hesitation, Maria launched the icicle daggers that bloomed out of her wrists at the figure. It darted out of the way each time until peeling away from the shadows.

The silhouette emerged as a man scantily dressed in black leathers with his toned torso bare. His hair, the color of burgundy, was cut in bizarre fashion. It was low hanging in the front, but jagged and short in the back. What stuck out to Maria was the pair of bat wings extending and retracting as he touched down onto the ground.

Maria did not like how he knew her name.

“Who are you?” Maria’s mind was reeling on what he was. It was on the tip of her tongue. “Those black wings!”

Magnus gave a deep laugh, extending his arms to further showcase the sinewy extremity attached to him. “Aren't they beautiful, these wings, these claws and sharp teeth? All proof that I am a creature of the night.”

“So you're the one who has been attacking the humans in this town.”

Magnus flapped his wings in indignation. “Hmph! Why would Magnus the incubus suck blood? Absolute rubbish!”

Incubus. That’s the name she was trying to place. There was usually an over abundance of succubi rather than their male counterpart. Still, same concept. Maria would have to brace herself mentally from here on out. Armed with the divine beasts she was more strong-willed than normal.

Magnus continued his rambling. “Humans are foolish and ugly. You humans merely exist for us to kill for amusement. It isn't necessary to drink your blood. You can't even hit me!"

Maria's hands curled around Seiryuu's last dagger, the wetness soaking her glove. If she threw it how she had the last several, he would simply duck and weave again.

"Enough talk!" She hurled it at him, and sure enough he did the same maneuver. However, the other shard of ice digging just below his collar bone, he wasn't prepared for.

He was momentarily disgruntled, but shook it off in the form of a laugh. "You fainted with another dagger up your sleeve. So this is the one who can control the four celestial beasts."

Somehow he already knew her main ability. So much for the element of surprise. Maria narrowed her eyes. "Pretty smart observation, you're not as stupid as I thought. Nonetheless, it doesn't matter. You're wasting my time."

"Oh? Back to protect him from the horrors in the night, no doubt." Magnus cackled. "Don't tell me Adrian has been subdued by this woman?"

Maria frowned. She didn't know anyone by that name. "Adrian?"

"Adrian Fahrenheit Tepes. I know you'd rather call him Alucard."

Damn it, he was connected to Alucard. This incubus must've somehow survived the castle's collapse. "You know Alucard?"

Magnus reeled on her. "Know? Every night creature this side of the Black Sea knows him. He betrayed his own kind, his own father Dracula. If only I could use these claws to rend him limb from limb and rip out his innards." The incubus twisted his hands in such a grotesque gesture even Maria flinched. "Hahaha…wouldn't that be fun," Magnus drawled, his eyes glinting in honest glee.

Maria's hands grew warm, Suzaku ready for his turn to strike. Everything within her wanted to send this demon aflame, crying into the endless abyss. Not yet, she thought, trying to restrain the urge. “I’m going to tear you apart if you touch him,” she hissed.

Magnus laughed. “Oh Maria, do you hear yourself? You care so much, while he shuns you. How pathetic is this thing called human love."

"Excuse me?”

"Not as pathetic as you, a vampire hunter allowing him refuge in your house. How ironic is that."

Maria didn't say anything. Magnus may have a point, but she and Alucard had forged an agreement to help each other. There was nothing else to it.

Drawing closer, Magnus crossed his arms. "Think about it, Maria, use that clever brain of yours. Why would a vampire, a dhampir even, let himself stay near a human for so long?"

Maria's stomach clenched at the wash of sickness sweeping through her. "What are you getting at?"

Magnus reached out to touch her sleeve. Maria backed away from him like lightning. Her heart pounded at the thought of him grappling her arm.

"Look at you! You're young, lively, and beautiful…untainted...that fair and slender neck. I can picture it, tonight he will lust after your blood! Heh heh, Maria, haven't you noticed it already?"

She hadn't noticed. Her eyes were too busy unfocusing while her mind spiraled from Magnus' words. Being a puppet for darkness. Suddenly she was a small terrified child, cowering in a moldy corner again. No! She was stronger, she had to stand firm on whatever stable ground remained beneath her wobbling knees.

Magnus pressed on, so caught up in his explanation, he didn't seem to notice her crumbling composure. "He appears ever the gentleman in front of you, but don't you ever wonder what he's secretly thinking of?"

"It's true that Alucard doesn't tell me what's in his mind, but…" Maria couldn't come back with a counter. Alucard's tears on the sheets was what her mind clung to. There was so much he hid beneath the skin from everyone.

"I have seen with my own eyes, Alucard attacking humans and drinking their blood, Maria."

Maria's attention sharpened a bit. “There’s no way.”

"A vampire only has to taste human blood once to understand its revitalizing power. Although my kind aren't fond of it, they say the feeling is so glorious! It will be impossible for Adrian to control his desires. He's finally succumbed to his basic instincts and become like Dracula. He's only waiting to strike at the right moment."

"Shut up! Stop all this nonsense! Do you really think I'll believe you?"

More outrageous laughter. "Dear sweet Maria, you look deathly pale. Which part of you is afraid of Alucard?"

Maria didn't know what to do. Her mind was coming undone, thanks to horrors from her childhood, coupled with Richter's warning about Alucard being a vampire. All were preventing her from hardening against this incubus' will.

"If you don't believe me, let him reveal his true colors then!"

Argh, her head. Everything was hazy and grey. Then there was movement to her right. She followed it and saw a girl flailing in the dirt, her breath ragged.

"Let go of me! Help!" the girl cried. She struggled against a man in a black coat with gold trim. His face was pressed against her throat, his pale blond hair spilling over her torn dress. The girl's hands tried to find purchase on his arms to pry him away, but he readjusted his grip to keep her from moving around, fully immobilizing her.

"Keep still," he murmured in the crook of her neck. Maria couldn't deny the soft, yet serious tone of Alucard's voice. "This will be quick. Let me quench my thirst with your blood."

"Please—ah!" The girl's frame shuddered for a moment, before her arms grew limp.

Alucard let her fall to the forest floor, her dead open eyes staring in grief and horror forever. His hunched over form trembled with laughter.

"Yes, this is what I have been desiring…there's no need to avoid it anymore." Maria was frozen, unable to breathe lest he heard. He paused. No doubt he could smell the terror rolling off of her.

"Oh? What do we have here?" he crooned, attention snapping to her. His mouth dripped crimson, curling into the cruelest grin.

Maria shook her head, and suddenly she was back facing off Magnus. "What was that?!" she exclaimed while her mind reeled at what she had witnessed.

"The cold truth," Magnus said. "The girls in this town won't be enough for Alucard. Soon he'll be sinking his fangs into the tender veins of your neck and taste that delicious sweetness he's been waiting to savor all this time."

Suzaku's fire came again, gracing the nerves in Maria's palms, finally propelling her forward. "Enough! Suzaku to me!"

The firebird erupted, illuminating the area with vibrant orange flames. He let out a war cry and leveled his divine head at the incubus. A worthy adversary against evil, Maria thought, a small dose of confidence filling her.

Magnus took a wary step back. So he was more scared of her abilities than he let on. "This phoenix is quite magnificent."

Maria spread her arms wide. "You shall be its food."

"I'm afraid I have run out of time. Perhaps we can have dinner another time," Magnus chuckled, flapping his wings.

"Stop!" Maria yelled, urging Suzaku after him.

"We shall meet again, Maria!" Magnus disappeared back into the wisps of dark wood, but not without a small grunt. Suzaku must have landed a blow. This would only leave the incubus to nurse his wounds, which he didn't seem too worried about. Magnus was up to something and unnerving her was part of it. Maria hated to think it, but she feared he had succeeded.

"Return, Suzaku." The firebird flew back into her hands, lacing his way to her heart. This warm gentleness somewhat comforted her as she raced back to Destiny.

"Magnus? He called himself Magnus?" Alucard asked, hand on his chin.

The two were in the cottage kitchen, Alucard leaning against the door frame with Maria sitting down. Richter's letter was spread open on the table. Clutched in Maria's hand was a cup of chamomile tea, a dollop of honey already mixed in. It was her favorite way to help soothe her when her emotions became frazzled. They must have been calming down, because Maria felt the pang of annoyance at the imp perched atop a cabinet.

Choosing to fully ignore the tiny devil, Maria took another sip. "You know him?"

Alucard gave a hum, but said nothing else. So that was a yes. The noncommittal choice to respond was not at all relaxing based on the talk between Maria and the incubus. The two self proclaimed hunters she also hadn’t brought up. They weren’t the threat here.

The imp’s tail swished with contemplation, beady eyes on Alucard. “But,” the imp murmured. “But that incident happened over 300 years ago. Why would Magnus come back now?”

Maria’s attention snapped to Alucard, who ducked his head, avoiding eye contact. “What incident? 300 years ago?”

The imp covered its mouth and quavered in place. “Forgive me, Master! I blurted it out by mistake!”

“It's alright,” Alucard replied, ignoring Maria’s questions.

If the conceited imp was as concerned about this as Maria already was, this situation was growing dire by the second. Perhaps she would be able to agree with the imp for once. She thought for a minute in the gathered silence, before trying some different questions.

“Alucard, what does Magnus want? Does this have anything to do with the contents of Richter's letter?”

Alucard gave a small nod. “Possibly.”

“And that incident that happened in the past…” Maria trailed off, some pieces of the mystery falling sickeningly into place.

A chair screeched across the wooden floor, startling Maria. Alucard was now sitting across from her, his expression showcasing—guilt? Fear?

“You want to hear about it?” he asked, rather blunt.

Maria had not been expecting that kind of response. He had never been this forefront with her before. Why now? She had always been under the impression that a liar was always the first to speak up in a confrontation. But this discussion had never begun that way.

I can picture it, tonight he will lust after your blood. Why would he let himself stay near a human for so long? She shook her head, no. Magnus was just saying that to upset her. But this was rather stranger than normal for Alucard wasn’t it?

“So that’s a no then?” Alucard asked.

“Oh! Uh no,” Maria stammered, suddenly unable to meet the dhampir’s eyes.

Alucard’s brows furrowed. “Which is it?”

Shaking her head again, Maria rose to her feet. “Sorry, I’m tired from all of this at the moment. Good, goodnight!”

At that, Maria excused herself by fleeing to her quarters, leaving her teacup, the imp, and a confused Alucard behind. She slammed the door and pressed her back against it. Her heart was racing.

In her mind the visceral image of Alucard taking deep lustful gulps from a nearly lifeless woman’s body, his eyes a fearsome red instead of serene gold, played out continuously.

Maria grasped at her neck, slightly above her collarbone. No! Magnus had put that in her mind.

Maria slid to the floor, head in hands. Her behavior in the kitchen was uncalled for. She should have been willing to listen to Alucard when that’s what she had been wishing for all this time. Some friend she was for heeding the words of a slithering devil and threatening whatever figment of trust she had with Alucard.

Maria yawned. At least she was honest when she ran away. She was exhausted from all what had transpired today. They would continue this conversation tomorrow then. It wasn’t like Alucard planned to go anywhere, since he always hid himself in his room or the study. He deserved to speak if he was willing.

Maria prayed Magnus was only lying, toying with her emotions. Alucard was trustworthy, he had to be.

Chapter Text

"Is it here, Cyril?"

Alexis stood next to his friend at the doors to a cellar. Based on some of the talk in Lupesh, they found themselves on the outskirts. The neighboring farmer had claimed he heard ominous noises coming from the area, specifically at this abandoned farmhouse up the road.

"I suppose. Look, the potion is reacting again!" Cyril held up the vial to the lantern in Alexis' hand.

It was that unsettling bright carmine again. "It seems so."

Examining the house and following the hue of Cyril’s potion, they were pointed in the direction of the cellar.

"There's no other way forward. This must be the vampire's lair,” Cyril said. Alexis could see the fiery determination in Cyril's eyes and knew what he was ready to do.

"Goodness, it's late. Let's wait till dawn to strike, since vampires are weaker at that time. Now that we've cornered it, we won't have too much of a problem taking it down."

Cyril clapped him on the back. "Heavens, Alexis. You worry too much! This potion will protect us against any demon. Let's go!" He moved so fast, he practically dove into the cellar's interior.

"Wait!"

Weren't cellars usually equipped with ladders? Alexis peered into the depths. The lantern revealed a fallen Cyril. Sure enough Alexis was right as usual.

"My back," Cyril groaned, rolling over loose straw on the stone floor.

"Look before you leap, idiot," Alexis said, seeing the very obvious ladder and climbing down to join his comrade. "Is the potion still intact?"

Cyril sat up, indignance scrawled on his face. "I'm intact too if you cared to know. I'm sure it's fine." Out from his alchemy kit came the potion, red as ever. "See? Not a crack whatsoever."

"Good," Alexis sighed. "This whole mission would have fallen apart for your stupidity." Alexis handed the lantern to his friend who accepted it with indignation.

"Oh come on! Most cellars I know have stairs. How was I supposed to know this one was a ladder?"

Alexis was about to retort that he would've known if he hadn't run in like a maniac, when a growl came from the shadows. Cyril swung the lantern around to meet the sound when a grotesque mess of flesh and fur pounced at Alexis.

In lightning response time, Alexis swung and latched his axes around the neck of the beast right as it tried to snap at him. Heh. This should be easy. He went to bring the axes down, relieving the wolf creature of its head, but it kicked him in the kneecap. Off balance, Alexis lost his hold. Now free, the beast was able to swipe at him. Alexis went to dodge, however, the wolf was quicker, leaving a set of weeping claw marks on his forearm.

"Damn that stings," Alexis hissed.

Cyril was on his feet, hands going to open up the vial. "It's fast!"

As if Alexis couldn't see it for himself. Everything was dim, the candle in the lantern desperate to hold on to what little light remained. He was grateful for the lingering wick and that Cyril had set it in a good spot, because he could finally tell what this creature was. High on alert with a wide set of sharpened canines like a wolf. Standing like a hunched human being on two feet, it snarled at Alexis like it knew he was investigating its features. "It's a werewolf!"

Cyril nodded. He moved ahead to be in the median between Alexis and the werewolf.

"Be careful!" Alexis exclaimed, brandishing his axes. The werewolf began to inch towards his friend, no doubt to lash out on him.

"Rest assured, I have this under control," Cyril said, uncapping the potion. "Is that all you've got Wolfie?"

The werewolf launched itself at Cyril, jaws agape. Alexis moved to intercept it, but Cyril splashed the potion, scarlet droplets flying out to meet the werewolf. No way some liquid was going to harm this muscled beast.

Cyril counted down from three and then shouted, "Absolute Zero!”

As soon as the liquid made contact with the werewolf, something happened Alexis wasn't expecting. All the particles spread out thin as sheets, fully covering the creature. Now suffocating, it crumbled to the ground until only a puddle of murky blood was left.

Alexis stood frozen, unsure of what his eyes had just witnessed. What in God's name happened? The potion had melted the werewolf down to nothingness. Cyril, a rather excited grin plastered on his lips, ran over and set the empty vial down as if to scoop up a sample. Instead the entire puddle seemed to be vacuumed up, filling inside perfectly. Cyril pressed the cork back into place.

"It worked! It worked! Exactly as my notes dictated," Cyril said, cheering.

Alexis relaxed, the danger no longer there. His arm throbbed from the attack—nothing deep enough to bleed thankfully—but his mind was reeling. "Did you just use an incantation?"

Cyril gave the vial a shake. "Nope, no magic here. It's all science!"

Alexis recalled his grandfather saying that magic was simply a science not every person could understand or master. He also knew the Marquis family were skilled alchemists, so there was a possibility Cyril was right.

"Huh.”

"That was easy as pie!" Cyril remarked, arms crossed. "Told you these monsters aren't a match for us."

"How interesting."

Both of them screamed. Whirling around they saw a dark haired man in a blue travelers' coat with his arms crossed. Confidence oozed from him and Alexis felt like he should know him from somewhere.

The mystery man laughed at their surprise. "That potion you have there must put on a good show at a children’s festival."

"I dare you to say that again!" Cyril sent his fist flying.

Alexis grabbed it with a wince. Ouch. That was his sore arm.

"By God, Cyril. You don't have to snap at every sneering stranger we meet," Alexis said, reeling his friend back in.

He was becoming more of a guard rather than a hunter. Ignoring Cyril's incoherent swears, he regarded the man. "Our apologies for the disturbance. The two of us are vampire hunters and we got word of one living out here. You can carry on your way, we have this under control."

The man tilted his head. "Vampire hunters? How amusing."

Suddenly the ground rattled, four skeletons crawling out of the hay that surrounded the three of them. Alexis shrunk closer to Cyril, and his friend did the same. The man however, was extraordinarily calm as he slung out a beautifully crafted chain whip, and with quick intercession took out each skeleton. There was no hesitation in his movement and the skeletons hadn't even stood up before their worn bones were clattering to the ground.

Cyril's face went ghastly pale as he exclaimed, "What? Skeletons…when did they appear?"

"There was a small trail of bones leading into the hay. You should be more aware of your surroundings," said the mystery man as he wrapped the whip back up.

Alexis couldn't help but observe how the tail end of the whip pulsed with soft orange light. It was a blessed item, which only could mean...

"Cyril! That whip! Could it be?" Alexis exclaimed, pointing to the weapon.

Cyril's eyes followed his finger and his mouth widened even further. "No way! The Vampire Killer?"

Now it was the man's turn to look surprised. "Oh? You recognize it? So you boys aren't that ignorant after all."

Cyril gawked at him. "You're Richter Belmont?”

Rats. So that explained his déjà vu. Alexis sent a silent prayer to the man upstairs that Richter wouldn't recognize him. If his grandfather found out…he'd be in hot water for sure.

Richter ignored their shock as he dusted off his gloves. "This place is an empty shell now, the vampire isn't here anymore."

"What?!" Cyril exclaimed. "What do you mean?"

Richter's brows held a fair amount of scrutiny for the young man. "It's obvious…the vampire moved out of this lair a few days ago. If you value your lives, I'd advise you not to mess with this." The hunter turned towards the ladder to leave.

Alexis could detect no lie from Richter. He was giving them the truth. Which meant that whatever vampire they were up against may be a lot tougher than he and Cyril first thought. A bone-chilling realization, but it would be futile for his hot-headed friend to see it.

Speaking of his friend, Cyril wasn't done talking to Richter.

"Hey! Hold it there, Belmont!"

Richter peered over his shoulder. "What? You don't think my warning is enough?"

"You seem to know so much, why not tell us?" Cyril once again exclaimed, his voice rising.

"You need my advice, yet you are so rude," Richter replied. Alexis could tell he was starting to feel more prickly the longer the conversation went on. He had never formally met this man, only in passing at a social function as a little boy, yet he was cautious to not be on a Belmont’s bad side.

"Cut the crap!" Cyril fumed out. Alexis couldn't see whatever crap his friend was on about. "We are the ones who can defeat the vampire. You're just a useless piece of junk," Cyril spat out.

Now Richter spun around in frustration. "You're calling me useless? Well we shall see."

"See what?" Cyril asked.

"We shall see if you can beat me. And then I'll tell you everything." Richter's hand went down to rest on the whip at his waist.

Cyril's posture broke in the oppressive air and he took a step back. "Uh..."

Alexis really did not want to watch his friend get killed due to his hubris. Grabbing his friend's shoulder, he said, "Enough, Cyril! Let's not waste our time with the likes of him." Oh Lord, did he seriously just say that? So much for being careful. There was no doubt in his head that if this hunter didn't kill him, his family certainly would.

Cyril, still panting from his outbursts, pulled away from Alexis' grip. "Hmph! You're right. Let's go, Alexis!"

He and Cyril pushed past Richter and the hunter let them. Alexis practically shoved Cyril up the ladder. He was just out of sight when he caught wind of Richter's voice.

"Ugh I can't believe those two fellas provoked me like that. One of them looked so familiar too..."

Alexis let out a sigh of relief when he crawled to his feet back into the cool night air. He hadn't been recognized. But as he and Cyril started their way on the road off to another destination, he knew deep down the famed Richter Belmont wouldn't be far behind.

When Maria stepped out of her room for the first time since the night before—she had slept for hours—she found Alucard standing in the front door's foyer.

His imp was perched on the coat rack. "The sun will set in half an hour, shall we go?" it asked.

"He will be up and about soon…Maria?" He paused the tying of his cloak when he saw her standing there. His expression appeared unreadable.

"Where are you headed off too?" she asked.

Alucard said nothing.

She threw her hands up in the air. "Honestly, I don't think I'm going to know, no matter how much I ask, am I?"

Alucard remained quiet, and her heart clenched at how rude she had sounded. Yet she carried on, because this was a bandage that needed to be ripped off.

"There are some things I need to talk to you about from last night. Can you spare a moment?"

Alucard was silent for a few moments, but eventually his mouth moved to speak. His imp beat him.

"How annoying you are, you wretched girl! Stop poking your nose into every single one of my master's affairs!"

Maria frowned. She didn't have time for this nonsense to drag out. She silently set the lesser form of Byakko, a white persian cat on the devil.

"Argh!" the imp cried out, veering away from the high jumping critter.

While there was a cacaphony of shrieks and yowls, Maria faced Alucard again.

"What were you about to say?"

The dhampir's iron gaze held her own. "I'm going to look for Magnus."

"I'll go with you in that case."

"No, you stay here."

"Why?" Maria gestured to the hunter's garb she wore. "I'm ready as I could ever be for this.”

Alucard's fingers finished tightening his cloak as he spoke. "Magnus is...a different case. No matter how prepared or not you are, he can trick you, mesmerize you, and trap you in eternal darkness. He is a dangerous foe."

“Alucard, I told you. I wounded him last night. If I can't handle this, why would I let you stay under my roof?"

"Maria." The way he said her name made it sound like he was holding a porcelain dish.

Maria was not about to let another person imply that she was weak. "I'm a vampire hunter, not an ordinary woman. You already know that quite well." Almost a year ago, she hadn't been afraid to fight him to the death if he wasn't good enough to help save Richter.

Alucard's eyes were unwavering. "I can't let anything happen to you.”

"Okay," she said, her stomach briefly fluttering at his sincerity. "How am I supposed to know that if you never share any details without me always asking? I learned your real name is Adrian, but it wasn't in the way I should have found out."

Now Alucard faltered, and Maria could've sworn it was as if she had slapped him.

Alucard's voice was uneven. "I haven't told a single soul that since…Magnus told you, didn't he?"

Maria nodded. "Actually, this is what I should have finished discussing with you yesterday, before I left the room. That was wrong of me, I'm so sorry for my behavior."

"I deserve it."

"You were comfortable enough to share and I snuffed out your opportunity. You don't deserve to be treated that way. What you do deserve is to be heard."

Alucard once again said nothing.

"Magnus had mentioned something else that I wanted to ask you about."

"I have a feeling where this is going."

"Does your feeling have something to do with that incident that happened over 300 years ago?"

Alucard sighed, "Maria, just say it.”

"He told me you feed on human blood," Maria said softly.

Alucard's face was a terrifying blend of remorse and concern. Maria didn't need to be a scholar to see that Magnus' words rang true. But she refused to believe it. It couldn't be true.

"Rubbish!" the imp exclaimed, batting a cat paw away. "What are you talking about?" Even the little devil was trying to deflect this accusation.

Maria swallowed heavily and detested how dry her mouth had gone. "I simply want to hear the truth from you. Please tell me Magnus is only lying to upset me. If he is not," she paused, trying to collect herself and failing. "So be it. I'll believe whatever you say, Alucard.” Lord have mercy, she was really hanging herself out to dry in the rain, wasn't she?

The imp finally finding itself safe from Byakko, chirped out. "Master! Please allow me to put this rude woman in her place!"

Alucard's answer was crisp and low. "No. Leave us, right now"

"But Master…" The imp gave him a look of pity, something jarring on a tiny creature from hell. Yet he flitted into the study, no doubt still listening and watching everything.

"You aren't going to like the answer to your question then," Alucard said.

Maria's heart, already sinking into her belly, now plummeted to the floor.

"What Magnus said was true."

Maria found she was at a loss for words.

The imp shouted from the other room. "You've not forgotten this!”

Alucard's brows furrowed. "How could I forget? After a sleep of three hundred years, the details of how and why are too foggy to remember correctly. But yes, in the past, I did feed on human blood," the dhampir said, eyes no longer meeting Maria's.

Maria ran her hands through her hair, nerves going through the roof. "I can't believe this is happening right now."

"Well, believe it because the truth is the truth Maria."

She hated how uncomfortable she was, her brain tearing in two. On one half, Magnus' laughter and visions of Alucard lapping up blood from innocent girls haunted her, telling her that it was true. The confession of Alucard made her sick to know he had been hiding this from her when they had discussed Richter’s letter. And dizzy with fear, because he was living under her roof.

Then on the other half, she had a memory of Alucard mourning the lack of his humanity, his sweat-stained hair mussed between her fingers. Even now, he was thinking of how loathsome a creature he was, and she wanted nothing more than to console him.

Yet truth had a nasty way of tangling with one's emotions and when Alucard took a step forward, his elegant amber eyes a mess of hurt disdain, the natural man in Maria chose instinct over wisdom.

Maria retreated back. Tears wanted to fill her eyes, but she fought back on them. "You are not the same as Dracula! Several months ago, you buried your own father because you love humans and fight for the good. Aren't those the reasons, Alucard? You have to be lying!" A single tear slipped down her cheek and she wiped it away in a fury. "Maybe I also lied, because I just can't accept you would do such a thing!"

"Maria..."

"Enough, I'm done here, I'm leaving!" she shouted. She bolted for the door, shoving him out of the way and escaped into the cool of late evening.

She slammed the door and leaned against it, ear listening in case he said anything else revealing she should be aware of.

"Master, why didn't you lie?" the imp said, confusion thick in its slithering voice. "She could give you the boot if she thinks you're a full on blood sucking creature. We need her help."

Despite all of the hysterics, Maria was surprised by its words. Did the damned creature actually like her? Or was she simply a tool in its eyes?

Then came the soft voice of Alucard. "I can't deceive Maria. It's her choice whether she wants to kick me out or let me stay. I have a strong sense that she will eventually settle on the latter."

Maria's spine coiled, sweat clinging to her brow. Of course he could tell she was still close by with whatever supernatural senses he had.

"However, things remain to be seen. What's important is that she knows the truth. She may not have liked it, but I know she believed it. Hopefully trust in me remains with her."

The imp guffawed. "My doubt is stronger than that."

His trust? To Maria her heart only felt like a balloon being popped a million times over and over again in her chest.

Now Maria took off down the lane. She needed to process everything before going back there. She could feel the pulse of her divine beasts beneath her skin. Their comfort propelled her forward into whatever lay ahead. With them, she was never truly alone.

Chapter Text

A valley breeze had never felt better.

Alucard mused upon this as he lay stretched out in a field, attempting to take his mind off things. An unfortunate effort, because how could he? His father had begun holding councils with Death and other dignitaries from the supernatural realm, mermen from the Black Sea and the Carpathian werewolf defectors to name a few. Every second Alucard spent in the castle reeked of plotting, something Count Dracula did quite well. Yet he was not invited. That's what concerned him, and that's why he needed to get away whenever he could.

He heard the footsteps before he felt a prodding on his shoulder.

"Master?"

Alucard opened his eyes, seeing a rosy young man peering over him, dirty blond hair sweeping along his deep brow line.

"Lyudmil? What is it?"

"Sorry for waking you up. I guessed you would be here having a nice nap in this wonderful weather. Hard to believe winter is almost finished." Lyudmil straightened and clasped his hands behind his back, the corners of his lips tugging into a smile. He was dressed in the typical grey russet tunic with fitted stockings and black leather shoes. Humble clothing for a servant at Dracula’s castle.

Alucard frowned. "You've followed me outside the castle. You realize if they find out, you will be punished."

Lyudmil chuckled. "I'm well aware. It's good that I know how to work around it."

Alucard groaned, sitting up. "Did you bribe the ferryman again?"

"I'll never tell! Besides you are the only one to command me Master Adrian. No matter what happens this one is here at your side."

"With what's been going on, you may want to reconsider that way of thinking."

"Ah, that is a good point. Have you spoken to the generals about it yet?"

"No. Father prefers I don't meddle around them."

"Even though he hasn't spoken to you recently?"

Yes, Alucard thought. When it came to the devil forgemasters there was to be zero nonsense. His father had made this clear to him as a young child when the two human generals had shown up to the castle searching for acceptance. Alucard would see them on occasion in the halls, but his father’s seriousness pressured the young dhampir to respect them and leave them to their own devices. The silver haired one, Hector, was doted upon by Alucard's father like he was a firstborn son. Childish as it was, this made Alucard jealous. It was a rare occasion if he got to spend quality time with his father these days. Even the other general, Isaac, who had always been envious of Hector's limelight was getting more attention than Alucard.

"It's alright," he replied. "I've encountered them in the past. Isaac is a devoted dog to the chaos and Hector is ever the golden prodigy. I can't say I'm fond of their strange gifts."

Strange gifts his father had bestowed to them, dark power only those of the night had the ability to bestow. Alucard had some of his own on a smaller scale, but he refused to use them the way his father did. And his unsuspecting manservant didn't need to know that.

Lyudmil tilted his head as he looked over at the looming castle in the far distance and then to the village nestled behind where they were. "Yes, it's rather foreboding."

"Quite the understatement," Alucard scowled, his heart conflicted once again.

Lyudmil, seeming unphased by his attitude, plopped down next to him in the dirt. "If I may venture to ask Master Adrian."

Alucard waved his hand dismissively. "Go on."

"Why did you come to this grassland?"

The servant gestured to the surrounding scenery of the long strands of grass and the contrast between the bright flowers of white crowding the space. They were tiny stars in a vast sea of green.

"This place appeared in my mother's diary. Apparently she was fond of these flowers."

Hearing the word mother aloud thickened the air around them. Burnished orange flames, their crackling over charred wood claimed his curved ears. His mother's corpse turning to ash after she had hung on cross-shaped beams for hours upon hours. Alucard's throat tightened and he wanted to just lay back down and dissolve into mist. He still had yet to earn the right to have a token for it. His magic wasn't strong enough yet. This fact weighed heavy on his chest.

Lyudmil slid his fingers along a cluster of them. "I see," he said with care, the word had also affected him. "These flowers are indeed wonderful."

"Be careful or you'll crush them," Alucard cautioned.

Lyudmil nodded, withdrawing his hand. "By the way, do you know what festival these flowers are associated with?" he asked, perking up, no doubt wanting to change the direction of the subject.

Alucard raised his brows. "Festival?" The only holidays he knew of were Christmas, Martisor, the Summer and Winter Solstices and the Spring and Fall Equinoxes. Castle Dracula was only particular towards the later four.

"Once a year, around this time I think, the youth of Wallachian towns make a garland with these flowers. Then the young boys would present them to young girls to express their love,” Lyudmil explained.

Alucard could only call to mind the watercolor sketch and a note of the location. "This wasn't mentioned in Mother's journal.”

Lyudmil shrugged. "She was probably taking notes for medicinal purposes, not holidays. The festival is called Dragobete. Since we are here, why not let me teach you how to make a garland.”

"No need."

"Are you sure? I'm sure there are tons of maidens in the village that would faint at the mere sight of your handsome features." Lyudmil's amber eyes twinkled with mischief.

"You're ridiculous," Alucard huffed.

"I beg to differ! All the young witches in the castle would agree with them. Your ivory skin and flowing hair of liquid white gold—"

Alucard slugged Lyudmil in the shoulder, the force pushing the servant over. He was howling with laughter and Alucard couldn't hold back the smile that leapt to his lips.

"Shut up."

"Alright, alright," Lyudmil said, his hands up in surrender. "The female villagers would admire you. I only speak honestly for them and myself, Master."

Alucard schooled his expression back to a serious one. He was here to sulk, not to joke around. As Lyudmil stood up, wiping the dirt off his clothes, a thought occurred to Alucard.

"Have you ever considered going back to the village?"

Lyudmil shook his head. "No, I haven't the desire. If I stepped one foot through the gate, I'd be condemned as a demon," he said, inspecting his hands. He rubbed over the additional appendages next to his pinkies. Alucard could see how having twelve fingers as opposed to ten would set off a town for screaming about witchcraft. Yet Lisa had seen the young servant as a breathing miracle of science and rescued him. She had been the unsung hero for society's damned.

"However that whole debacle ends up," Lyudmil said, pointing at the castle in the distance, "I'll be with you. No matter what."

The servant's words were earnest, his expression devoted to sincerity. Alucard's insides spun about like they did when he used the castle's teleportation circles. He didn't deserve to have someone like Lyudmil, kind and fervent to a fault, in his presence. Most of all, he did not want to harm this young man with life's brutal realities. Of course, the dhampir didn't want to be responsible, but lying would make himself more nauseous.

"Lyudmil." Alucard swallowed the bile climbing up his throat. "Your kind will return to dust eventually, but I will live on forever. Compared to eternity, my time with you and every human is short," he said, the bile's bitterness sticking to the roof of his mouth. "This is my curse."

Observing Lyudmil's face stretch into a smile, Alucard knew the sickening understanding had been digested long ago. The sad upturned corners of his mouth struck Alucard like an acidic splash.

"But Master Adrian, everyone lives with a curse."

Alucard's eyes snapped open. What the hell? Had he just experienced a memory?

He staggered to his feet, realizing his body had been curled up against something. A tree? With his vampire heritage, he could see in the dark naturally without the delay of adjusting pupils. Swaying oak branches and the compact leaf stricken ground greeted him. Yes a tree, meaning he was still in the forest.

The imp was ballistic. "Master! Master!" the imp cried out, tugging on Alucard's collar. "We were walking and you, you fell down into a comatose state. I've been shaking you for the last five minutes! Are you alright?"

Placing two fingers against the skin of his neck, Alucard checked his pulse. It was the same pace as usual. "Yes, I'm well."

The memory had been vivid and life-like. Cool grass still whispered like a ghost against his legs from a field between the two worlds of the living and the undead. Lyudmil. How could he have forgotten?

The servant had been a few years younger than him. A rare oddity with extra fingers who was orphaned at a young age. His mother was killed for giving birth to "such a horrific creature". His father, who tried to protect him, was hung for treason, per the town rules of supporting witchcraft. Lisa happened to be in the right place and right time to swoop in and take Lyudmil back to the castle with her. Those were the only details he could recall. Why had this memory returned to him so suddenly, so jarring?

The taste of sour grapes was a residue on his tongue from the words shared with Lyudmil. It wasn't just a memory. Yes it felt forced upon him as if...

A vision.

No sooner than his realization, the imp—no longer freaking out—whispered, "The sound of wings from the north." Alucard unsheathed his sword with a mighty ring, the blade pointed directly at the bare chest of a painfully familiar creature.

"Looks like there's no point in continuing our search," Alucard murmured.

"What a blast from the past! It's been a few centuries, Adrian!" The incubus Magnus gave him a sharp-toothed grin. "Or should I call you Alucard?"

The imp hissed, his pitchfork tight in his small grasp. Alucard hoped it wouldn't try to attack Magnus out of turn. He wanted to glean information from the night creature before all else.

"Where have you been hiding all these years?"

Magnus scoffed. His naked feet touched down on soil, long bat wings folding behind him. The creature crossed his arms, methodically stroking the battered leather gauntlets he wore. "Same for you, you can obviously sleep on forever."

Alucard bristled at the comment. A sensitive subject, considering he was trying to go back to sleeping stasis. Fate help them all if Magnus lived long enough to become aware of the whole situation. Alucard wasn't completely safe when he slept in stasis, prone to the happenings of outward forces. If he didn't take necessary precautions…well, he'd be an easy target. But oh what a low blow it was to reawaken his past memories of sensitive topics. This would make going to sleep even harder Alucard feared, and he loathed how Magnus was distracting him from the interrogating task at hand. Wrestling away these thoughts, his mind stuck on a lost woman with honey hair and a conflicted complexion. "What have you done to Maria?"

"Ohoho!" Magnus danced from foot to foot, excited by the dhampir's question. "Your first matter of business with me and it's about your little mistress Maria! You care so much for her?"

Why on earth did everyone think this was the case? He felt obligated since she was the only one available and willing to host a dhampir in her own home. It was the respectful thing to do.

"Answer the question, third-rate."

Magnus wagged a clawed finger. "Now now, we both know I was one of the highest ranked devils in Lord Dracula's hoary hosts. Speak kindly to your superiors princeling!" His obsidian eyes were coy when he said, "Your little dove, more of a viper really, had quite the chatty chat with fabulous me yesterday. I merely gave her a glimpse of your true self."

Alucard didn’t like the sound of that. The implications began a dull whine in the center of his brain. "What is your motive?"

Magnus cackled. "Don't misunderstand me. I just want you to face what you have been denying all along."

An innocent droning in his head, now amplified to a shrill scream. Alucard's grip on his sword faltered as he willed himself to stand vigilant. The agony! The pressure was beyond a headache, a migraine even! It felt as though his skull would implode. His vision swam, Magnus rippling in front of him like a stream. An attack on his mind, an obvious tactic from this breed of devil. He knew how to handle the psychic damage of succubi, incubi were no different. Right?

Resistance became futile. Soon his sword fell to the ground with a muted thud. White noise laid claim to his ears and he couldn't hear the next words out of his mouth except in his mind.

"What…what is this?"

Alucard's fingers tore at his scalp, succumbing to the basic need of relieving the noise and the grey spots dancing upon the corners of his vision. His imp was flapping about and screeching something, enraged at what was happening to his master. In another setting, Alucard may have been able to bargain for its accursed name. Yet, he could do nothing with his whole brain inflamed from Magnus' hold.

Then the demonic squalling was deftly replaced by low husky breathing. His own, but also of another body pinned down in front of him. The frame was that of a farm boy, lean and lanky arms struggling beneath him. Alucard's whirring head continued in a teeth-grinding manner, now with malicious taunts.

"Think about your past… just look at it as if it's a beautiful dream!"

Suddenly Alucard's skin grew hot and his nails elongated into sharpened needles against his will. The pointy incisors in his mouth ached as they stretched towards the body squirming, a victim to the predator above him. No! He swore he wouldn't! Pulling away was akin to a magnet escaping metal and Alucard's nails continued to dig deep into his victim.

"Yes, yes! Drink his blood, absorb Lyudmil's blood into your body, revive your dormant instinct…"

"Master Adrian..." the young man said, moaning as Alucard closed the distance with no consent. The dhampir offered gargled cries as he resisted, only inflicting more misery and pain.

Haunting voracious laughter erupted in the foggy surrounding, clearing Alucard's bloodlust for a second. The second was all he needed. Three palms pulled on his back—one calloused from knives, one large from a legacy, one slender from magical use—helping him let go. And another hand he hadn't expected. Gentle lace-covered fingers raced through his sweat ridden hair, cradling the sides of his nagging skull. The sensation flooded him, brisk scents of mint, lemon, and light.

Reality came like a flash bang. He found himself convulsing on the forest floor, a completely exposed wretch of a fighter at an enemy's feet. A bird's eye view would offer a clearer display of his current status. His fingernails curling into claws and tearing at the dirt while his fangs stretch beyond his control, aching and aching for fictitious blood.

Magnus was bemused. "So you are able to break free from the dream I constructed. Your powers are much stronger than before. As I should have anticipated more upon."

Alucard was intensely consumed by this nightmare. He couldn't speak. He couldn't get up, couldn't even move. Writhing in the agony was the most movement he could muster. Weak. Useless.

“But no matter! As soon as your woman is taken care of…” Magnus drawled, but stopped mid-sentence. “Oh dear, we can't be having any spoilers now can we?”

Scaly skin prickled against Alucard's cheek. "Master," whimpered the imp. The touch spurred the dhampir to lift his fragile gaze to Magnus' exorbitant one.

The incubus leaned down, a maniacal laugh lurking in his throat. "How's it feel? I've shown you the unadulterated truth of your past. Don't you feel nostalgic? I'll give you more recollections of the past, Alucard." He spread his leathery wings for the night sky. "You'll look forward to it."

And he was in the air, releasing the shriek of curdling evil delight.

"Magnus!" Alucard choked out, straining his head towards the retreating incubus.

"Shall I pursue him, Master?" The imp asked, red eyes furious.

"No," Alucard croaked. "It's, it's no use."

He gave up struggling, accepting sleek oak leaves as his pillow. Humiliation sung its mocking tune in the breeze. What a failure of an encounter, he bemoaned, weakly contemplating what the night creature had planned for him with the fragments of his broken memory.

Chapter Text

Alucard was right.

Maria had to admit defeat on the matter as she trudged along through the woods, fuming and thinking. While her mind kept replaying an image of the dhampir sucking the life out of that young woman, she understood that the truth was important for her to know. Despite her childish demanding conduct, Alucard had given her what she needed to make an honest decision. Should she let him stay?

And Alucard was right again. She would let him stay. He hadn’t hurt her yet, and besides, she could take him down if he tried. Even though he had beat her once, she had learned a lot during the fight in the castle. She would use some stronger techniques with Seiryuu for starters.

As if aligning with her thoughts, the azure dragon grunted somewhere above her. Maria had sent him up in the sky to try and see if he could spot Alucard anywhere nearby. Surely the dhampir was still seeking out Magnus? To fight him? Or…or to plot with him?

She let out a huff. Lord help her, this searching for Alucard felt like the first time months ago. This felt as though she had just met him in the clock tower, the mysterious dashing man who was there to destroy Dracula's castle and never stood around longer than a minute. Every time she thought she was making progress with whatever their explanation of a relationship was, she was thrown off by new discoveries of his past. Were they acquaintances? Friends? Hell, she hadn't a single clue.

She only understood how much self-loathing Alucard had pumping in undead veins. Much, if not all, was unnecessary. It wasn't his fault the Lord of Evil himself and a human herbalist had a union that produced a son. It wasn't his fault having to slay Dracula, his own father who had decided to continue the rampage of human destruction. True, it was a choice to oppose him, but there had been no one else capable at the time. Richter was out of commission and he needed her. If anyone should feel guilty it was her and Richter. They had failed to carry out the Belmonts’ sole purpose of stopping Dracula. She knew this fact weighed heavy on her brother-in-law's mind, no matter how little he let on.

No matter who was to blame, one thing remained clear. Whatever was going on right now with this incubus Magnus, was a weak chain in the stoic armor Alucard desperately held up. And it wasn't good for anyone involved, including the dhampir himself.

After another ten minutes of conflicting thoughts and searching, she whistled for Seiryuu to come down from the sky. The majestic azure dragon’s scales glistened in the moonlight as he spiraled back to her. She embraced him around his front leg, considering he was the size of at least four bears.

"Oh Seiryuu, what are we going to do?"

The dragon nuzzled her and she smiled. Following the 1792 defeat of Dracula, she learned these godlike beasts ran in the Renard bloodline, activating specifically within those who harnessed a strong will for justice and empathy for saving others. Her parents had never told her, but then again they never told her many things, wanting a relatively happy life away from their homeland's heated atmosphere. They taught her goodness, that it always prevailed, always. These beautiful creatures had become her stalwart guardians in her darkest hours five and a half years ago. Hard moments such as this current situation would continue to come, but she was eternally grateful for the support of four manifestations of the divine. "What would I do without you and your friends?"

Seiryuu reared his noble head and snorted.

"Oh don't worry silly, I'm your friend too. I always will be." Maria stroked his shimmering scale hide. "Might as well head home and hope for the best. Unless we run into him or Magnus of course."

As soon as the words left her lips, there was a tumultuous rustle in the trees. Staying safe, Maria recalled the dragon. "Sorry my friend," she whispered.

She stood on guard, when of all people it was the same two boys she ran into yesterday stepping into the small clearing. What were their names again?

The blond one—Cyril wasn't it?—gawked at her. "You again! Young lady, didn't you hear our warning yesterday?"

"Oh I definitely heard you, but preferred not to listen to you." Maria felt a slender stone of Genbu grow solid in the palm of her hand.

Cyril gave an exasperated sigh. "Heavens Alexis, does anyone ever take us seriously?"

Alexis simply cocked his head. The look of his face reminded Maria of how Richter had treated her upon their first meeting. "A number of girls like you have lost their lives in this vicinity. You better leave now," Alexis said.

"With the way you talk to women, it's no wonder no one takes you seriously and you remain single," Maria retorted, sending the stone flying. The grey material smacked squarely into Cyril's shoulder.

"Argh! What the hell?" Cyril exclaimed, clutching his upper arm immediately.

Maria smirked. The bruise would last for the next two or so weeks.

"That's it," Alexis muttered and with alarming speed, grabbed her arms and held her restrained. Off guard, she struggled to fight back. He was strong, built like a trapper who wrestled mountain lions in his free time.

Maria flailed about trying to find a weak point in his iron grip. "Argh, let go of me you brat! I'm looking for Alucar— I'm looking for someone."

Alexis' coat smelled intensely of campfire and sweat. He squinted at her as he said, “Hmmph, looking for someone in the middle of the night?”

Cyril crossed his arms. “Didn't you hear what we said? Let us take care of this, you be a good little girl and go home.”

She was not a little girl. Maria choked down on the retort and said as evenly she could, “Please listen to what I have to say.”

“Promise to do no more tricks?” Alexis huffed in her ear.

“Yes, I promise,” Maria said, rolling her eyes.

Cyril nodded, and Alexis loosened his grip and she ripped her arms free from him.

“What do you want to tell us?” the blond haired lad asked.

Maria, finally having some kind of footing with these imbeciles, breathed easier. “I'm the vampire hunter Maria Renard from the Belmont Clan. Like you, I wish to put an end to the vampire's antics in this town.” She refrained from any mention of Magnus, instead extending a hand. “Perhaps we could work together inste—”

“You're from the Belmont clan? You must be joking!” Cyril wrinkled his nose in disgust.

Alexis chimed in. “Yeah, I've never heard of a female vampire hunter from the Belmont family.”

Well, there goes that method of cooperating. Maria was running out of ideas on how to deal with them without physical force. “You don't believe me?”

“Even if you want us to believe you,” Cyril said, eyeing her shrewdly, “looking at your delicate arms, can you even wield a whip or sword and hold your own against the vampire?

“Can you seriously not believe that a woman can fight creatures of the night?” Maria protested. “I have been training and monster hunting for the last five years of my life!”

“Yeah, but with what? You aren’t even armed as far as I can see,” Alexis observed.

“You wouldn’t believe me even if I told you,” she said.

“Try me,” growled Alexis.

“Enough!” Cyril interjected, putting his arms up between the two hunters. “It doesn’t matter what weapon you wield, because the time for using whips and swords in battle has come to an end. All you need is our special potion. With this potion, even a girl like you can become a vampire hunter.”

Maria stopped herself from forming more stones to throw at Alexis. “Special potion?”

Alexis, pulling his hand off of his ax's hilt, backed away from her, and nodded towards his friend. “Let her have a look, maybe that will convince her to go home.”

Cyril paused as if debating whether or not he should do as his friend suggested. Then from his alchemist belt, he slid out a green vial that sloshed red. “This is the demon-killing potion we have invented!”

Maria recoiled, the four guardians frozen in fear, growing cumbersome on her chest. They were holding her back and for a moment she couldn't figure out why. Then the stench of putrefaction hit her nose causing her to gag. What on earth? The potion looked like ordinary liquid, but reeked of ancient, twisted evil.

Cyril, taking no notice of her blatant reaction, said, “You might not believe this, but the formula for this potion appeared to me in a dream.

Maria couldn’t tear her eyes away from the damned thing. “A dream?!”

Alexis guffawed. “Don't talk about that, Cyril. You'll undermine the credibility of the potion,” he chastised, though Maria could tell there's a small niggle of doubt in said credibility.

“Nah, it doesn't matter,” Cyril said, giving the potion a confident shake.

Maria's spine grew cold. Dreams were not to be trusted with an incubus flying around. Magnus had a hand in this, no doubt. Just what was he up to? Her divine beasts were wildly discontented, squirming within her heart at the sight of the liquid sloshing within the vial, screeching at her to leave, run away. Yet...she needed to know what this stuff was and what it could do. Lupesh was in danger and it may be a catalyst for further harm to its people. "Can I have a closer look at this potion?" she inquired, reaching for it.

Cyril pulled the vial close to his chest. "Hey! We said no tricks! I can't let you have it, no way!”

Maria scrunched up her nose. "It’s not stealing if I just want to look at it. This potion…this potion smells evil.”

Cyril's brows knit in offense. "You're condemning my potion now?"

"It's not safe!" she protested, attention flitting briefly to Cyril. "I may not know you, but you shouldn't be messing with things you don't understand. Especially when they're evil! "

"Besides, why would a girl like you want this if you don't even understand it? That sounds suspicious to me."

Maria glared at him, tongue twisted in frustration.

Cyril grinned triumphantly. "But you're no threat to us. Alexis would you agree?”

His dark-haired friend cleared his throat. “Well yes. Obviously. Cyril, let's go, let's not waste time here.” He didn't sound very sure of himself.

“You're right. Listen to me, lady, you must go home immediately. If you don't, we'll have to escort you. Based on our conversation, you wouldn’t enjoy that.”

Cyril and Alexis started to walk away, but Maria jumped in front of them.

“Now hang on just a minute! Please listen! You need to listen to me!”

Cyril scoffed. “Figures. Alexis grab her and let's get her somewhere safe.”

Alexis went to restrain her, but Maria was prepared this time.The moment he was within her proximity, Byakko—the fastest of the beasts—electrocuted him. Momentarily stunned, Maria shoved Alexis to the ground. Then as Cyril ogled at her, Maria spun around and high kicked the potion nimbly out of his palm without so much as a scratch.

“What the—”

Maria leapt up, caught the vial, and raised it triumphant above her head. “Thank you very much.”

Cyril's face had bloomed in an angry red. “Hey stop it!”

“You forced my hand to do it this way.”

Maria went to uncap it, but the already warm bottle shot up ten degrees which scorched her palm. She yelped, her fingers letting go of the vial. As it fell, she tried to catch it, but it bounced haphazardly off of her wrist and hit the ground. The glass smashed into a rock of all things, the liquid spreading out an abnormally bright red. Instead of seeping into the soil, it stayed clotted together like a sheen of scarlet metal.

Cyril eyes were bulging out of his skull. “NO! Look at what you've done, you foolish girl!”

“I didn't mean for that to happen!” Maria exclaimed. “Do you have a spare vial to save some of it?”

Cyril frantically checked his belt, shaking his head. “No!” He clutched his head. “My potion! It took me forever to master it perfectly, now I have to—”

Suddenly the liquid began to bubble and boil into a thick mist rising towards Maria. The divine beasts urged her feet to swiftly retreat. But the mist, a mind of its own, rushed to meet and surround her. Her eyes were watering profusely at how the toxicity stung. There was no way she could breathe this stuff in without second-degree burns. Just what had Cyril managed to create?

Cyril was beyond perplexed himself. “A mist?”

Both him and Alexis were racing over to inspect it. Maria couldn’t help it. She yelled, “Run, you two! It's not safe!”

They skidded to a halt. “Run? What are you—”

But he was cut off by Alexis. “Look! Cyril! The mist is turning black around her”

And it was. The moment Maria had inhaled just a tiny breath after yelling at them, red turned to ominous black, and obscured her vision.

“Are you kidding me, this potion is supposed to be harmless to humans!” Cyril cried out somewhere in the smog.

Everything a black screen around her, Maria couldn’t hold her breath any longer. She sucks in air that scalded her lungs and she gasps in agony. Suddenly there were two yellow amber eyes, twin conniving moons paired with a haunting fanglike smile peering at her amid the darkness. Maria’s body stiffened and she let out a strangled fearful cry. This was all too much…

The burning from the mist and this vision…it was too much. Maria keeled back to escape the eyes, and she kept going until that keeling sped into a down spiral to the forest floor. Sprawled on the ground she tried to summon her guardians, but all of her energy was placed in her eyes staying open. Her consciousness hung on fringes as she couldn’t make out what Cyril was saying and Alexis’ voice held a horror stricken tone. Someone was shaking her and she tried to grasp their arm, a realistic balm, but all she felt was the burdensome need to close her eyes and wish this all away.

A voice rang out in the din of her blackening mind. “Maria? Maria!”

“Rich-ter?” she gasped. Her brother…came to save her?

“Maria! Stay with me! And you two! I wasn’t expecting to see you so soon after the farmhouse, what have you been doi…”

Richter’s many rapid words jumbled up in Maria’s mind and the allure of rest overpowered her. Mmmm, sleep. That sounded…nice.

A void of grey nothingness wrapped around her and she remembered no more.

Maria hadn't returned to the cottage.

This didn't sit well with Alucard whose fingers were fiddling with a dry quill. Cross-legged on his bed with a stack of notes and open-faced journals, he figured he would spend the time taking notes on brain anatomy. Theoretically it should’ve been helping him to better discern what Magnus was “plotting”. He sighed heavily. Impossible, when all he wanted to do was apologize to her, to Maria. Out of stubborn pride, he would stay his words spoken to the imp that she would come to her own rationality and trust him. Even if it was a single drop. Perhaps this feeling remained to simply be vain hope on his part, her betrayed jade eyes clinging to his thoughts like shattered glass on a coat. Brutal honesty always managed to get stuck chasing after blissful ignorance in the end.

Also, what were these memories of Lyudmil flowing back? He had locked him deep within his heart. Lyudmil had been the first person aside from his mother to be his friend, his partner in crime, and his world to what humans were like considering Lisa had never been the most normal example of one. The only problem was, Alucard couldn’t remember what his last memory of the meek servant had been. He had banished it to an eternal abyss of the secrets he couldn’t divulge. He sat there pondering on how Magnus made mention of Alucard’s drinking of blood to Maria. Alucard’s mind knew it was factual, but the details were also fuzzy. Did that mean…? His eyes widened as the dots began to connect. But before the picture could be complete, the door clattered, slammed open, springing him out of his stupor.

"Alucard! Where are you?" came the frantic voice of a man.

The sharp scent of honeyed whiskey coated iron told him it was Richter Belmont. The family's blood had the same benevolent tangy smell no matter how much it got watered down. Alucard would never say to the namesake’s face that he found he liked it.

"In here." Alucard was at the doorway of his bedroom in a flash, ignoring the tiniest increase of a worry pulse beneath his chest.

Sure enough it was the famed hunter clad in the same attire Alucard had last seen him in. He didn't have the opportunity to quip about his fashion choice because slumped in his arms was an awkward tangle of Maria, unconscious and unresponsive. Alucard's senses flinched at what he found, but he quelled them away.

Richter’s eyes were wild, darting threads of blue lightning moving from him, to the hallway, and everywhere in between. “Maria she—she’s been hurt! Please help me, I—I don’t know what to do. I barely know what happened!”

Alucard’s tongue grew heavy as lead. What could he even say to the man who Maria idolized most? That he had remembered a most vicious sin of his and had told her? That he was an explosion waiting to happen within her humble abode? That he was the one to blame for everything?

"Say something dammit!" Richter yelled. "I don't have time for the dramatics with my little sister's life on the line." The heaving of his body caused Maria's arm to swing loose in his grip, a dangling unkempt rope between them.

Alucard nodded, already piecing together a plan of remedy. "Lay her on the bed and prop up the pillows to support her." He began tracing the sigil for his fairy. Good lord it was a relief he still had enough in his magic stores for this.

Richter eyed the simple bed frame. "Your bed?"

"Yes I need to monitor her." Or else we might lose her, were his words left unsaid, because Richter's cool air of confidence had fled a long time ago. The air was volatile with mahogany streaks of distress.

Richter's large hands clutched Maria tighter to his chest. A tickle of fear and heaping confusion flooded Alucard in an indigo rush. The emotions in this room were going to be the end of him, and if that happened to be the case, Richter would have two corpses on his disheveled conscious.

"Is there a problem here?" Alucard growled.

"Ah, no," The dark blue conflict flushed away from Richter and he set her down on the bed, his movements gentle like he held one of the world's most precious artifacts. He propped the pillow behind her head and took her muddy shoes off for comfort. All the while she laid there as silent as a stone.

To Alucard it was…uncanny. He pressed a hand to her forehead, no fever. Next, he moved to her neck to feel for a pulse, pausing momentarily as Richter stiffened up beside him.

“Her heart beats,” the hunter offered. “I’m no medic, but I know the basics.”

“Yes, but I need to know for myself,” Alucard said softly. “As a medic.”

Richter nodded. “Right.”

Fingers against her throat, a faint but steady thump greeted him and he let out an involuntary sigh. “Good news, she’s still alive.”

“Oh thank God,” Richter breathed. “Do you know what’s wrong?”

“Not exactly. She’s comatose, but not from any physical damage. What happened?”

“There was a potion…made by these two inexperienced monster hunters. I watched it consume a werewolf like how oozes do, but it surrounded Maria with mist? I don’t know… it’s not enough information, I’m sorry.”

A potion? Inexperienced hunters? So many different details were developing about this mystery it was getting out of hand. Alucard pulled a blanket over Maria’s body as the chill of midnight had snuck its way into the cottage. “Hmmm…Then something magic based perhaps? I’ll have my fairy run some magic detection spells.”

“Okay,” Richter began. “I have those hunters tied up out front, they need to be put in the village jail until this hunt is over. I hate to leave her when she’s like this, but I’ll be back shortly.”

Alucard crossed his arms. “Of course I understand. I’ll send a dove if something comes up.”

“Thank you,” Richter said, already half-way out the bedroom “And Alucard,”

The dhampir glanced up from the sigil he was painting in the air. Richter’s countenance was dark and narrow as he spoke discreetly.

“Be careful with her.”

The distrust was slight, but struck Alucard with cyan bolts nonetheless. “Yes. Yes, of course.”

Finishing the summons spell, a puff of bright yellow sparkles filled the room where the buzz of two tiny wings touching down on his shoulder. A fairy in an iridescent green slip of a dress, twinkled with surprise. “Master Alucard! Why, it’s so late! What’s the matter?”

Richter looked like he wanted to say more, but Alucard held a finger to his mouth. When it came to Doina the fairy, distractions made it difficult for her to work. The hunter grunted and left, the front door slamming once more.

“Was that the Belmont? Oh he is such a sweetie-pie! And dare I say ravishingly handsome too!” Doina gushed with delight.

“Doina please, we have an emergency,” he said sharply. “Please put your unreasonable infatuations aside.”

Alucard gestured over Maria, who seemed paler by the minute in the candlelight. “Maria has an unknown magic malady. I need you to inspect her.”

“Oh, you’re one to talk when it comes to her!” Doina huffed, glitters of indignation shaking off her dragonfly wings as she zoomed to Maria’s side.

“Doina please,” he pleaded, the name dominance shining through.

The fairy swiveled a ferocious look at him. “Master, your dominion is unnecessary. I’ll do it regardless. I liked her in the castle, and I’ll still like her now, I reason.”

“Thank you,” Alucard exhaled.

With a smirk Doina said, “Patience my prince. I haven’t done anything yet. My my, I didn’t realize she made you so—”

“Just do it!” Alucard barked.

“Alrighty!” Doina began to rub her hands along Maria’s sleeve, spreading pixie dust to prepare for spellcasting.

Alucard sat on the foot of the bed, head wary in his hands as he bore the heavy state of Maria’s soul. Her overabundance of light had been extinguished to barely that of a weak tea candle. Alive, but her life force was darkening. Fates, was this what Magnus had meant?

Maria, this is all my fault. I’m so sorry.

Chapter Text

Chirping birds and their ruffling feathers captivated Maria as she assisted her mother in their family aviary. A greenhouse, it had smoothed cracked dirt as the flooring and a menagerie of cages for their fowl varieties. The two of them were seated on the ground of the enclosure, a small washing bowl, towels, and a sack of bird seed between them. In her mother's grasp a dove cooed with satisfaction.

“So what are we doing today, Mama?” Maria asked, her small hands doodling clouds and hearts on the dusty ground.

Her mother smiled. Maria had always thought she was beautiful. Curling waves of bright auburn fell down her back, random strands braided throughout, her eyes a hazel gray. Her laughter was hearty and her smile was pearly, an unforgettable joy. The dress she wore was dyed an indigo shade topped off with a creamy apron for working outside.

“We’re continuing our lesson about the family gift we Renards are blessed with,” she said, voice full and fruitful.

Maria wiped her hands on the skirt of her pink dress. “Should I call for a dove?”

Her mother sighed and nodded. “But first, how much have I told you to be careful with that dress? We just gave it to you a week ago.”

“But it's the best present a 12 year old could get! I have to wear it all the time!”

“I guess that's true. At least try to let me wash the stains out tonight.”

“Okay, I can help you.”

“That would be wonderful. I appreciate your willingness to help. Now call for the bird.”

“Right!” Maria loved the bubbling warmth that filled her heart as she raised her hands in front of her, palms up and flattened to serve as a landing platform. Picturing the dove she wanted, Marigold with the crooked wing, she silently willed for the creature to come and be with her.

A caw and a flap of wings came within seconds and sure enough Marigold perched in her hands, eyeing her expectantly.

“Hello sweetie,” Maria cooed.

“Very good,” her mother said. “You're already asking for them in your head. It took your papa at least three years to do that. Now ask Marigold to hop in the washbowl.”

The next hour was spent cleaning thirty doves they had at present, the rest out delivering messages about updated sheep wool prices or incubating eggs. Maria's mother gave her tips on how to be wise in what she asked the doves to do.

“Remember that your touch, your respect, your affection, and your love is what will be reciprocated from the creature you have dominion for.”

“Always?”

“So long that you love them. Life is full of double-edged swords and there are consequences to our choices, both good and bad.”

“That sounds like a lot. What if I needed them to fight for me?”

Her mother laughed so hard, she snorted. “That’s preposterous! However I think that would depend on how much they trusted you. There are many things I myself have to learn about the Renard gift. I think that's a question best saved for your papa.”

Maria shrugged. “Okay I'll ask him tonight at dinner. What are we going to make?”

“I'm thinking of some mutton stew with carrots. Maybe even a strawberry rhubarb pie if we have some time. How does that sound?”

“Yum! I can taste it already!”

“The stew or the pie?”

“Oh, um the pie.”

“You and your sweet tooth.”

“My only weakness!”

“If you say so. Let's put these seeds back in the garden shed and we can pick some strawberries.”

“Yay!” Maria leapt to her feet with the towels and ran out the aviary door, her mother right behind her.

As she turned to say that she wouldn't mind peeling some carrots too, her face froze and suddenly contented bird calls were shrieks of terror. The aviary was consumed in an inferno of angry red flames, doves flying out the now darkening doorway in droves. Where was her mother? She was just there.

“Mama? Mama! Where are you?”

Then glancing at the doves again she recalled a certain one with a weak wing.

“Marigold!” Maria ran back in, ignoring how her skin when from hot to searing cold from how the fire licked at her skin.

The smoke was so thick she couldn't see a damned thing. She heard the soft cries of Marigold despite the chaos and raced over to the sound. There she was, a worried little thing, stuck behind a closed door. Why was the cage door locked?

Without warning, a scorched hand latched onto Maria’s arm. She yelped and fell back. There was her precious mama, severe burns marring her once lovely complexion, her dress halfway reduced to ash.

“Maria! I told you to use your powers!” her voice croaked with fury. “Now we both will die like your papa. You complete fool!”

“But Mama I tried everything!” Globs of tears poured down her cheeks. “There's nothing else I can do!” she wailed. “Seiryuu, where could you have gone?”

“Seiryuu,” her mother mused, but it no longer sounded like her. “So that is what you call it.”

“Huh?” Maria watched as the face of her mother contorted and twisted into wrinkles and shifty pupils. Rotting gums and foul breath beneath sheaves of red and violet shook her to the core.

“You…”

“Me,” the priest cackled and lunged for her petite form.

Screaming, the shocking doom was enough to jolt her to some form of consciousness, but it pales in comparison to how dizzy and dark her vision and mind felt. Concussive behavior was her only fleeting diagnosis. A pressing of a deathly chill hand against her cheek, the flash of brown and blue were all she remembered last before submerging back to her slumber of blackness.

“Alexis, wake up sleepy head!” a woman giggled.

“Huh? What?” Alexis said groggily, eyes opening from narrow slits to wide saucers. He sat up so fast from his cot, his head swam for a moment.

"Bianca! How are you here? I thought you were still in Brasov! What is it?"

A young woman wearing a yellow, finely embroidered dress that complemented her strawberry blonde hair beckoned him with her soft brown eyes to join her.

“Oh never you mind that!” She smiled playfully. “Follow me. I want to show you something.”

Alexis felt his heart speed up. What was she up to this time? Always getting into something she shouldn’t, he knew that much. Guess being a body-guard for her family really did have its reasons. However, with dark creatures and strange concoctions wrecking quiet havoc on the land, she wasn't safe here, he needed to be there to protect her.

He was going to ask her for more details, but she cupped his cheek and the ration vanished from his mind.

“Your brow is always so cute when it wrinkles like that. Don’t worry too much, it’s something you’ll love.”

He blushed even though he knew that he already had something he loved in front of him, not minding how a huntsman would never suffice for a young woman with noble heritage. Alexis let her lead him by the arm, not noticing how Cyril seemed so ominous and quiet on the cot beside him. Nor did he notice that his cell had opened or how the town's chief guardsman was slumped forward across his small desk, fast asleep. He only saw Bianca, a star to light up his sky. That sky grew and grew as his feet crossed the jail’s threshold and stepped into the night.

“Did you want some of this tea?”

Alucard glanced up from where he sat on the bed’s edge to see Richter with two steaming cups of what smelled like a simple black blend. His brown hair was undone and disheveled, while his eyes had raised dark circles beneath them. All thanks to running himself ragged with the local interrogating of Lupesh townsfolk, undoubtedly setting them on edge which never helped the process.

Alucard nodded, accepting the cup and internally grimaced at how it stung like fire against his palm. Maria always let it cool a bit before serving.

Richter pulled up the chair he had brought into the bedroom earlier, sitting down. “Well? How is she doing?”

Alucard adjusted the blanket across Maria’s legs. “Still in a coma. Although she isn't fatally injured, she’s been asleep for two days now. Doina thinks she’ll be awake soon based on the magic’s power. She claimed it was an aggressive spell, but for a different type of harm she couldn’t discern.”

“Interesting. I think she might have a little bit more color to her cheeks,” Richter offered, sipping his tea which he had to spit back out due to the heat. Seriously, the stuff was way too hot to drink.

Alucard set his tea on the table Doina insisted he set up alongside the bed. “Any news from the townsfolk? What about those two hunters Alexis and Cyril?

“Nothing helpful for what I already see to be vampire tactics. Some young men and women around the age of sixteen have been fed on, but the markings are so faint it’s as if the creature hadn’t been given the chance to make more work of them. Or it has little interest in doing so. It’s odd. I’ve encouraged the village head to have garlic flowers hung from the doors and windows of all the houses. Talk about a long day's work.

As for the two boys, they were fairly open to conversing, but wouldn’t divulge personal information. Which is fine, because all I needed to know involved the potion. According to them it shouldn’t hurt Maria, but Cyril didn’t sound like he was entirely sure of himself claiming that he only understood how to brew it. They don't appear to have any malicious intentions, just misled. I'm sure they'll be released soon. By the way, regarding the vampire attacks in town. Do you have any idea of what's going on?”

“Ah yes, speaking of that…”

“Found any clues?”

“The only source of distress is Magnus. I have a feeling it's him behind all this.

“Magnus?”

“An incubus who served my father. After being gone for centuries, he's reappeared. He got close to Maria, showing her a vision of something from my past I’d rather not talk about. But I did encounter him as well, and it’s no coincidence that he appeared in front of me. I have a feeling he’s behind all this.”

“An incubus with vampiric tendencies,” Richter mused. “Or is he manipulating one? You sure do hold strange friendships, Alucard.”

A low blow. To him, Richter was a bouncing string of emotions moving from a reverent gratitude to jarring distrust. Alucard chose to say nothing, checking up on Maria’s heart beat instead. Holding her wrist, he could feel the steady pulse fighting stronger and stronger to move from the unconscious to the conscious. The pumping of blood tugged at his teeth and he pulled away.

Richter sighed. “Look. I know I sound very accusatory, I hate to be that way. But I have a few families who want justice for their deceased daughters. I want to completely trust you, however with the evidence I’ve gathered, much of it could point to you as a culprit. And you have half of Dracula's blood flowing inside you. You can't deny this fact.

“I am not denying it,” Alucard said quietly.

“Like it or not, the creatures of the night look forward to you, the son of Dracula, re-awakening as some form of new dark lord. And they will continue to use all sorts of tactics like this. Once you can't curb your instincts, those who will be sacrificed are the ones closest to you,” Richter said, gesturing to the comatose huntress. “Like her.”

Alucard toyed with the hem of his shirt. “You’re mistaken.”

"Am I? Your body language is loud and clear from how you fret over her. You say she'll be fine, yet you hover. There's no need to hide that you feel close to her."

"I am simply ensuring she stays in a stable condition. As my patient she deserves it,” deflected Alucard.

Richter shook his disapproving head. “Well regardless, I'm sure you understand how dangerous that is for the both of you. And I know she is aware of it," he said, again jutting a thumb at the sleeping Maria. "She's just stubborn."

Alucard hummed, frustration pooling into his mind at the fact Richter was onto something he personally didn’t want to let himself process.

Richter continued. “Because of this, you may need to reconsider your agreement to stay here to do research. Because if something happens again...it could be more fatal. I don't want to see my sister killed on behalf of a good deed."

"Why not force me to just leave?"

"Because I respect Maria's ability to choose and her judgment is typically sound. However, if this situation gets out of hand more than it already has I may just have to do that. I just hate to take away your agency after saving my life from the darkness."

Alucard: "I...see. I will reconsider it." And with that, he stepped out of the room. He can't think with a man who would stare at him with conflict etched in his brow and an unconscious woman who had been attacked through the plotting by a devil.

The sun had set by the time Alucard was stepping back inside the cottage after a perimeter patrol and feeding Maria's birds who didn't like him much, when Richter called out his name.

“Alucard! She’s awake!”

The dhampir walked in to see Richter fussing over Maria who was sitting up, bleary eyed, a forlorn expression fixed upon herself.

“Better get some more rest,” said Richter, attempting to pull the blankets up from where she must've kicked them away. But Maria stayed his hand.

“Richter I'm fine, but thanks for your care.”

“Oh you should be thanking your dhampir nurse on that one.”

Maria's gaze met Alucard's and it was that of sheepishness. She felt bad for the way she had treated him days ago, and he knew that the imp was wrong in its observation. Maria opened her mouth to speak, but suddenly braced herself as her head momentarily lolled to the side.

“Ohhh,” she moaned, her face contorting in grief. “That potion's power…”

“What do you mean?” Alucard and Richter asked in unison.

Maria clutched her hands to her chest. “My guardians. I can’t feel them.”

When her panicked set of eyes held his own once more, Alucard could sense the grey cloud of fear around her.

“Oh...I can’t feel them. Why can’t I feel them?” Her eyes shone with tears in the moonlight streaming through the window.

Alucard thought he’d already seen her truly upset. However, he had never seen her this distraught before. She had been worried to death about finding Richter in his father’s castle, but that had not brought about fat glossy teardrops slipping down her chin at this moment.

“Everyone…all the celestial beasts, I can't hear them.” Maria scrunched the bedsheets up in her fists. “It’s as if my soul is riddled with gaping holes.”

Richter’s concern nearly matched hers. “Don't tell me you've lost the ability to summon the beasts?”

Offering a severely wounded look, Maria whispered, “This has never happened before.”

Seeing her in this state of distress...Alucard didn't like how his chest felt. He was barely fending off the urge to forfeit the ongoing threat Magnus posed and figure out how to help her. Maria was a strong ally when paired with the beasts, so it wouldn't be a terrible thing to do. However, the development of Lyudmil joining the mix was throwing Alucard off. He had been on the verge of understanding why, but then Richter had shown up with Maria, and it reburied itself deeper within his consciousness. Perhaps that was for the best. For everyone.

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there sooner for you,” Richter said, rubbing Maria’s shoulder.

“Don’t be, you had no idea I was there until it happened,” Maria replied. “If anything I’m the one at fault.”

“Why is it your fault?”

“I sorely underestimated them. I didn't think they were too much of a threat being humans.”

“You were worried about those two humans with dangerous potions and gave them a warning. You didn't do anything wrong. Don't blame yourself,” the hunter said tenderly.

“But, I overestimated my own power. And by doing that, I lost them. I can't offer the same amount of support without the beasts. My lesser contributions—” Maria coughed and then was caught up in a series of coughs.

“I’ll fetch some water.” And Richter was gone, looking for whatever was left of the cottage’s water supply.

“Alucard…” Maria began, her voice hoarse. “I’m so sorry I didn’t believe you earlier.”

“It’s fine.”

Cough. “No.” Cough. “It’s not,” she choked out, watery eyes serious. “I should be a source of support at this time, and yet…I keep falling short.”

Support for him? This was his problem that his past had dug up. If anything Maria was the one who needed the support, considering her sacred beasts had been magically severed from her. But Alucard had no idea how to help her. Innate magic was different from studied magic since it came from the soul. If it was gone, well, that was it. On top of that, the uncertainty of what Magnus—and possibly Lyudmil—were going to do next, along with the question of when weighed heavily in the air.

"I'm sorry but...there's no time for this right now. Magnus could attack at any given moment. It's been two days of silence, something is likely bound to happen soon."

Maria sunk deeper beneath the covers, only her fingertips and watery eyes were visible. "I see."

“Besides.” Alucard had to force the rest of the words out. “You’d only be a hindrance without the beasts.”

“Wha-what? Alucard I can still do a lot without them! You know that!”

Alucard didn’t say anything.

“Do you hear me? I’m not a—a hindrance. I can help. I can do it!”

“Just,” he said, sparring her a blank expression. “Just focus on healing.”

“There’s nothing to heal from!” she cried, tears now streaming down her face.

“What is going on in here?” Richter asked, reappearing in the doorway bewildered.

“Nothing. Except that I shouldn’t stay here anymore.” Alucard started for the door, but felt a tug and turned to see Maria had grabbed a fistful of his receding coat. Her eyes, crashing like a green sea, pleaded more than her words that followed. "Alucard don’t leave! Please, you aren't alone in this. You can rely on us. What do we need to know?"

Alucard kept his expression schooled from the unordinary ache his half-dead heart was forming. “Good-bye Maria.”

Then he ventured out the door, down the hallway, and outside the cottage without looking back.

But Richter was on his heels. “Hey! Where are you going, Alucard?! Can't you hear me telling you to stop?"

Alucard didn't face the hunter. “What?”

“Why are you purposely saying such things to upset Maria?”

Alucard couldn't lie to Richter when the man barely trusted him. “Because, like what you said…”

Richter sucked in a breath.

“Those closest to me will be sacrificed.”

Richter closed his eyes. “So I was correct in my understanding of you.”

Alucard continued in his earlier silence.

As Richter shook his head, the imp materialized from a moldy green smoke in between the two of them.

“Master!”

For once the creature had excellent timing.

Alucard inclined his head towards the tiny devil. “What happened?”

“Another vampire attack! This time at an abandoned church in the fields northwest of town. I could sense it from my own perimeter check.”

“What?!” Alucard exclaimed with Richter saying something similar.

“I know exactly where that is. It’s an easy find.” The hunter raised his brows at Alucard. “I assume you’re headed after the lead?”

“Yes.”

“Then good luck,” Richter said. “I’ll be right behind you. Making sure Maria is settled down comes first. She’ll need to lie low for this one.”

Alucard curtly nodded. “As I said earlier.”

Richter hummed. “See you there,” he said, and went back inside the house.

Standing there for a moment, looking over the cottage and its new roof, Alucard suddenly felt sick. Had he made the wrong decision to push her away?

“Are we going Master?”

No, it was best this way.

“Yes, I’ll join you in flight.”

“Okay. Let's be off then.”

Chapter Text

Well this hunt is going swimmingly, were the words flitting back and forth in Richter's head. There were too many variables happening. The undeniable evidence of a vampire, but nothing spotted. Two unnamed hunters with honest intentions but questionable supplies. Alucard pushing them all away due to reasons unknown. Especially Maria, who was hurting enough as it was.

Speaking of Maria...

Richter’s chest weighed with leadened guilt for her. It seemed he could never make up the difference these days, always falling behind and never able to catch up to protect his family, and what they hold most dear. Where had the fire of his divine bloodlines gone? Was this the cost he must continue to pay for his failures?

Leaving her behind in such a wounded state was incredibly taxing on his conscience. He left her in the bed where she was mindlessly pushing some scrambled eggs around an uneaten plate. Her only request had been an unlatched window for fresh air and, Richter, knowing her well, a welcome mat for a passing nocturnal creature. Not only had she been devastated by the loss of the sacred beasts she seemed…defeated. And seeing Maria that way felt wrong. It was everything she wasn't, everything she would normally be opposed to believing. To think Maria Renard would come to such a low made this hunt a dire one.

This made Richter all the more determined to put an end to this once and for all. Helping Maria relocate her powers was more important. Getting back home to Annette was too. She was quite sick, the pregnancy taking a heavy toll on her. The midwife insisted her condition would improve before their baby's birth, but Richter couldn't see how that would happen with her skin's sickly pallor. On top of that, his dear wife was clearly withholding information from him, but trying to force the truth from a woman expecting her first child was not something he wanted to endure.

So finding the ruined chapel's exact location was imperative. Richter paused to tug his map out of his coat's inside pocket and unfold it with one hand. In his other, he shook the crystal orb to refresh the soft bluish light it emitted. The magical object had been made by his father. The man hadn't been the best of hunters, but a tinker he was. Richter’s grandfather happened to be a perfect example of utilizing magic and for Richter’s father that came through infused objects. Richter was a small child when the man passed, but he got to remember him through what he left behind.

Illuminating the worn parchment, he noted the red X in the space between Lupesh and Aljiba where the church ruins sat. It had once been a prosperous building; Richter attended a mass once there during his early courtship with Annette. When Shaft had set Aljiba ablaze during his conquest of abducting a myriad of young women, this chapel became desecrated and used as an operations base for the undead. Richter had cleared it out himself, recalling how angry he'd been in that particular moment. Now he was returning to the same spot, but this time out of confusion from incomplete stories. Not his strongest moment, but it's all he could do.

Tucking the map back in his pocket, Richter adjusted his course slightly, but before he could take a step forward his ears picked up some noise.

Crack.

As second nature as a Belmont had the tendency to do, Richter flung a knife from the bracer on his forearm. It struck its mark, the tree to his right, beside a painfully familiar face.

The blond haired hunter yelped and jumped away from the blade sticking out of the bark.

"You almost stabbed me!" the young man exclaimed.

"That was the intention, to almost stab you. A good hunter never misses."

“I’m sure that’s true,” the hunter retorted, flaunting his hands up in mock defeat. “Can’t believe the famed vampire slayer would turn to such a lame excuse.”

Richter sighed, walking over to retrieve the knife. "What are you doing here?"

"That's none of your concern Belmont!" Cyril hissed, side-stepping out of Richter’s way.

"Evidently it is, seeing you must have been following me. You seem to know the location of something but you do not know how to get there."

The blond snarled, "Mind your own business!"

"I am. You just so happen to be the source of my business. From what I'm finally recalling, your friend had said your name back when we all first met. It's Cyril isn't it?"

The young man glared but said nothing.

"If so, then you must be the Marquis heir. Your father—"

"Is a fool for hiring you to go after the vampire! I still can't believe he would resort to such a thing!"

"Though your father's opinion of me is a sour one, he knows when the best hunters are required. To him I am but a hired weapon to ensure his daughter's soul has lasting rest."

"I suppose you are right about that observation," Cyril huffed.

Richter nodded and he couldn't resist adding, "And I observe you are sour too, but not for the same reason your father is. Why is that?"

"Absolutely none of your business."

"Fair," Richter said, raising his hand in a truce. "However, this vampire issue is a shared business. What are you looking for?"

"I think you'd be better off saying who. Alexis disappeared!"

Alexis. Again Richter felt the strongest sense he knew of this Alexis from somewhere before this all started, but he could not for the life of him place it. "What do you mean disappeared?"

"Last night in the jailhouse, a black-winged demon invaded my dreams and told me if I want to save Alexis, I have to go to the chapel outside of town. When I awoke, Alexis was gone. His cot empty and his weapons and gear all left behind. Then they let me go."

"Good god." Richter ran his hand through his untied hair. "Black wings? That must be Magnus the incubus. I need to get there fast." He started walking in the direction of the chapel, Cyril practically lunging after him.

"Wait! Bring me along!"

Richter hardly gave the kid a glance. "You'll only get in the way. It's time you go back home. I'll take care of this."

Cyril furiously stomped at the dirt. “I can't go home! Do you realize how many people I've asked to figure out where the general location of this old church is? Alexis is my closest and dearest friend. He's important to me. I can't abandon him! I know he'd do the same for me."

Richter sighed. "You talk like an adult but you don't act like one. Fine you can tag along. But please listen to me when I say this, you have to depend on yourself for your own safety. I don't have time to babysit."

Scoffing, Cyril said, "I don't need you to remind me!"

Richter rolled his eyes, but kept walking, electing to ignore all the grumbled words from the young man. The attitude of this kid! And he wasn’t even a kid, he was a grown adult! Gosh it reminded him of—

Maria.

Suddenly instead of Cyril walking beside him, it’s a twelve year old girl who’s bandaged, wearing a worn-out pink dress and fuming with anger. Anger for the injustice Shaft had caused in order to bring back an evil to the land out of pure selfishness. Anger that fueled her to press on, to make things right. And beneath that anger, a deep sadness. A sadness that spoke of a home she’d never return to, parents who wouldn’t wrap her in an embrace when the fight was over.

Richter let out a slow sigh. “Cyril…”

“What?” the young man snapped.

“My condolences for the loss of Klara. I can see she meant a lot to you.”

Cyril stiffened and offered a curt thanks and then, “I’d rather not talk about it right now.”

“I understand. Say, what is Alexis’ surname? I feel like I know him.”

“Kischine. Alexis Kischine.”

The name stopped Richter in his tracks.

Distantly Cyril was asking what the matter was, but the erratic beat of the hunter's heart and the sudden chill of his forehead won in volume.

Richter Belmont was not a man of many fears. He had faced numerous kinds of strange, vicious night creatures on his own in the most dangerous of circumstances. He had faced a variety of challenges with pressuring villainous bourgeois. He had fought the personification of Death! He had fought Dracula!

Yet the raw image of a graying strong man towering over him, arms crossed, eyes a furious granite green terrified him to his core. Fear was a curious subject for a hunter of the night it seemed.

"Holy hell, we have to find him. Maxim will have our heads."

“His grandfather?!” exclaimed Cyril.

Feeling in Richter’s legs seeped back and he started to move. These surprises needed to stop. “Yes, he's basically my uncle. A little crotchety these days, but he is family, which makes it the same to Alexis. If he finds out Alexis is no more…Lord have mercy!” He broke out into a full-length sprint.

“Hold on! Slow down!” Cyril shouted, racing after him through the woods.

"Have you found anything Master Alucard?" asked the imp as it hovered in the air beside him while they walked the perimeter of the church ruins.

Decrepit. That was the best word Alucard could pick out for its current state. The majority of it remained intact, but there were several spots where the walls had caved in and possibly left new entries to the interior of the chapel. The long wide windows were damaged and some of the glass no longer sat in the frames. Thick strands of ivy wound through the cracks in the stone doorways, the steps leading up to them, cracked and chipping. An unkempt graveyard sagged behind, the tombstone engravings lost to the elements and the tall grass field that surrounded them. Everything about the place cried out in abandonment like a small child at an orphanage gate. The perfect hovel for a night creature to snivel in.

"No physical sight of him, but he's indeed inside this ruined chapel as you said. However, where inside is still up for questioning."

"Shall we go and investigate then?”

Alucard nodded, nimbly leaping over a tree trunk that had fallen a while ago.

The imp hesitated then said, "And Master, if we know he resides here, the crucifix of sanctuary that is feared by the undead won't be anywhere in sight."

“I know. The blessing on this church has long since vanished. However, no matter what, we have to take a look inside first.”

Alucard ventured in, careful to watch where he put his feet. If an incubus didn't pop out, there could still be some beast who would try to form his demise. If Maria were here, she would handle the whole dilemma with uncanny ease. Alucard shook his head. But she wasn't, so why did it matter?

“Not much better than the outside, “ the imp said.

The stone was just as crumbly as the abandoned buildings in Gresit. Without tapestries and braziers, archaic warmth was nonexistent within this forsaken cold place. Based on what he’s seen thus far from the architecture and remaining furnishings, it was constructed in the late middle ages. It must have been used as a location for anchorites who wanted to withdraw from society. Alucard briefly wondered if he might have once traversed past this chapel with Trevor and his friends.

“Master?”

Alucard waved off the imp and any memories of the past. He was fine, he just needed to stay focused. Taking a closer inspection of where he stood was a good start.

Thanks to the sinking foundations and walls, Alucard was on the second level. The room was fairly intact except for the piles of cobblestone from the spotty holes in the wall. The windows were as wide as the first floor’s, but were rounded at the top. So he entered through one of the smashed out windows. The place was starting to give his father’s castle a run for its money.

Loving the gift of thoroughness, determination filled his bones to uncover every possible secret this place had to offer. He dug around some of the piles across from the window he entered, but found nothing. Perhaps there was something against the adjacent wall? That pile seemed to be the largest. When the top three biggest chunks of stone were removed, Alucard saw the beginnings of a worn wooden slab. He picked up the pace, revealing a desk. A desk! It was missing an entire leg and half of another, which explained why it was leaning against the wall. Surely this had something of potential value. Shoving aside rubble on its surface, Alucard ran his fingers along the wood. This was a writing desk he realized to his delight. And with writing desks came secrets. As a small child he spent hours in the library and alchemical lab investigating every desk he could find. There was always some sort of hidden compartment. He found his first spell scroll there and it was the first one he learned before his formal lessons began. Of course his interest in desks did not go unnoticed by his mother. A pile of books on woodworking and furniture design soon materialized on his bed and the rest was history. He built his own writing desk with every type of secret compartment he could think up. He really did miss that desk.

Alucard told his imp to stand guard and knelt to look beneath it. From the design he could guess there was something near the legs. Hopefully it wasn't the missing one. He slid his hand along the desk's underside closest to the window. Near the leg was a lip and so he pushed up. Nothing happened. Then he pushed it down. Click.

He ran along the desk's belly and its outline clockwise until his fingers found an opening. With a tug, Alucard pulled out a small rectangular box. Inside was a slender scroll case. Perhaps it was a spell. He moved to uncap it when his imp alerted him.

“I think I heard something!”

Alucard shoved it in his vest pocket. It made sense to wait anyway.

Following the imp, Alucard slipped silently from the room. His sharp senses were picking up specifics of the hallway as it carried his feet in an upward directions. Dark brown claw marks scraped across the walls and through whatever else it touched. Tapestries. Framed paintings. The singular window he found. More tapestries. Alucard could also smell the odor of rotting flesh and a demon's lust for blood. It reminded him of some horrid corners where he had grown up.

Soon the hallway gave into an alcove with a twisting staircase leading to the first floor of the chapel. The imp flew down and back up in a matter of seconds.

“Master, the stairs are broken in many places. Please be careful!”

Alucard was half tempted to cast the tiny devil away, did it take him for a fool? But took heed of the creature's words minding his step as he descended the stairs.

Alucard placed his hand on the hilt of his sword when he turned the final bend. What came to view was a demolition zone of cracked archways, revealing the nave or belly of the chapel. Rows of pews were upturned and splintered, carved indentations in the wood, worn from age. Stained glass was strewn about, the moonlight through what little light was offered, causing the shards to reflect an eerie mix of red and yellow on the cobbled floor. The altar alone remained standing, albeit fractured in places. Above, two chandeliers hung haphazardly, candles in their bowels waxy stumps. Farther up was the belfry, but Alucard couldn’t see any movement there at the moment. For now he was alone, and that in itself was most apprehensive.

“Magnus, where are you?” Alucard whispered. He could have sworn he saw his breath form an eerie fog. Was the temperature dropping?

The imp dug his claws into the shoulder of Alucard’s coat. “I sense someone!” It pointed towards the far left corner of what must have been the transept in its glory days. “There!”

Out of a window’s frame slipped none other than Richter, his complexion disheveled, but not as drastic as the blonde man who followed him. The man wore the garb of a noble, but there were deep grass stains streaking throughout the fabric. A dirt smeared face suggested he was far from a comfortable life both physically and emotionally.

Richter beamed. “Alucard!”

“Richter,” Alucard nodded. “You made it. Who is this person with you?”

Richter didn’t spare his companion a single glance, opting for a thumb jab in his direction. “Him? Cyril. He's a self-proclaimed vampire hunter.”

Cyril shot Richter a look so venomous, Alucard felt the urge to draw his blade. “Not self-proclaimed!” Cyril protested, face reddening. “I'm a genuine vampire hunter! I've destroyed… vampires…with my bare hands.”

Richter rolled his eyes. “I know, I know, I'll take your word for it.”

Cyril huffed and turned to Alucard. “What about you? Are you a vampire hunter too?”

Alucard stared at the man he now deemed a child. How on earth was he supposed to answer that? The imp began to snicker, so he tried to come up with something. “Not in the typical sense. Although—”

A gust of air whistled violently through everyone’s hair and a man’s body on a rope came flying down from the belfry. Flailing feet found a brief purchase on a chandelier before the man simply dangles in the air. Luckily for him, the break in fall somehow prevented a snapped neck. Now, he was choking, spluttering, and clawing at the noose around his neck. A garbled noise from him stirred Cyril into recognition. “Alexis! That’s Alexis!”

Cyril gawked at the display in front of him. As his feet began to propel him to the broken stairs behind them, Alucard yanked on the boy’s coat collar. “Would be an unwise use of time,” Alucard said quietly to the protesting Cyril.

To Richter, Alucard shouted, “The rope!” The hunter didn’t need to be told twice. He’d sent a cross-shaped blade slicing through the twine before the dhampir could blink.

Alexis fell right into Richter’s outstretched arms beneath him. Alexis, in a continued wave of terror, scrambled out of the hunter’s grip and tumbled into a messy heap on the church floor. Alucard released Cyril who rushed to his friend’s side.

Cyril, on the verge of tears, cried out, “Thank God your neck didn’t snap! What happened?! Who did this to you?”

“Calm down, let’s get him to his feet,” Richter comforted, reaching down to help Alexis. Alexis swatted the outstretched hands.

“No, it’s too late!” Alexis screamed, cradling his head in the fetal position. “Run, Cyril! Run all of you while you still can!” He finally choked out, “It’s part of their plan!”

“Plan? What plan?” Richter demanded, his calloused hand moving to Vampire Killer attached at his hip. “You mean to say this is all a trap?”

Their plan? Alucard stroked his chin trying to deduce the youth's meaning. His plural denotation meant Magnus was indeed working alongside another party. Recalling what he had experienced over the past several days, Alucard’s stomach turned queasy at the undeniable truth coming their way.

And come it did.

“It appears all our guests have arrived for the reunion.”

From unseen buttresses near the head of the enclosure, a dark figure melted from the shadows. Blackened garments and closely cropped silver-grey hair greeted them all. Familiar amber-gold eyes flashed with deep-seeded vengeance. And Alucard couldn’t mistake his own nocturnal gaze, the number of fingers on unsettling clawed hands. Twelve.

The imp buzzed to Alucard's side, summoning its trident. “Could it be—?”

Alucard hummed. “Can't forget even if I wanted to.”

“Master Adrian.” Lyudmil’s gentle lips curled into a pointed sinister smile. “It's been a long time.”