Midian Evolution

We’re staying in the woods? I asked. We’d left the car again, taken a ride in a boat across the Loch, and walked at least a kilometer to this position. Something about this land made me feel funny, like I trod a trail strewn with rice crisps. Electric rice crisps, actually. Static electricity kept building around my body. Every time I touched my master, I shocked him.

He gently pushed me to sit and share a rock with him. We will observe Boleskine House tonight, then sleep in this cave behind us during the worst part of the day. Afterward, we return to Inverness Airport and fly back to Hellsing HQ.

I didn’t see a cave behind us, but I did trust in its existence. Though I rarely felt the discomfort of cold anymore, I shivered against the wind. It seemed as charged with energy as the ground. My eyes watered, real tears unmixed with blood. I put my hand up to wipe them away, but stopped when a brightness distracted me.

Through my tears I saw a series of lines upon the ground. They seemed to have no regularity or purpose, crossing each other at random and forming odd geometrical patterns.

I wiped my tears and the lines vanished.

Wow.

What is it? Master asked immediately, almost as if he waited for something to happen to me.

I caught the end of a line out of the corner of my eye, but when I focused on it fully, it vanished. I can see these bright, glowing white lines on the ground, but only if I’m not looking right at them, I said. What are they?

He faced me. I saw a sort of worried mystification settle onto his fine features. Ley lines, he answered after a few long seconds. White lines are paths of magical power. Where they intersect, magical power is increased. Red lines are ancient or modern pathways human took from place to place.

You can see them, too?

Yes. I see them anywhere a building is not in the way. He smiled. In this, at least, I may help you.

That’s wonderful. I meant it, too. It gave me great relief to know he understood and could help. So, what are they for, master?

Power, as I said. Go stand on a junction of two lines.

I found an appropriate spot and stood. That crackly-energy popped under me strongly. Well and good, master, but what use are they?

They won’t be of any use for you until you become my full kin, he answered. In fact, they probably feel a little uncomfortable to you at the moment, am I correct?

Yes I walked back to him. Why can I see them if I can’t use them?

Now, the worried, mysterious look returned to his eyes. I don’t know, Seras. You are an unusual Midian. I’ve never made one like you.

We stared at each other. I heard his heart beat exactly six times.

I broke our eye contact and sat beside him once more. I’m a very confused vampire, I confessed. Does it get better?

He sighed. Enjoy the confusion while it lasts. In the coming years, when you’ve seen enough, you’ll wish you knew less.

He seemed so sad.

Master, do you regret your change? He would know what I meant.

No, he admitted. I appreciate my unlife. He looked straight ahead a moment before turning to look down at me. You had regrets. Do you still?

I thought a moment. I miss chocolate.

I seemed talented in making my master and Walter use that smile.

Is that all, police girl?

I felt warm for the first time in what seemed like an eternity, hearing that nickname. Yeah, master, I think so.

He studied me intently. You never wanted children, a family? he probed, his mental voice not unkind. Most women want these things.

I shrugged. Master, I’m only eighteen. It never occurred to me to want those things. And, since I won’t have either now, why stress over them?

He smiled gently. I just wanted to know.

I should have resented the fact I’d tell him anything, but that he’d hand-pick what he wanted me to know. I couldn’t feel resentment, though. He didn’t remember his humanity.

We’ll approach the house in a half hour, he said suddenly. I wanted to give our quarry enough time to fully congregate.

Are these people connected to the freaks at Wiltshire and Alton Towers? He might turn mean on me again for asking questions, but I couldn’t just let him walk all over me.

Integra believes so, and I think she may be correct. Alucard’s mental tone turned reluctant, holding just the slightest edge of anger.

Should I or shouldn’t I tell him how Integra felt? I didn’t know if I would help or hurt the situation.

What? I can feel you’re hiding something from me, Seras. That isn’t the way I want things done between us.

I shot him a sour look. Master, I fully acknowledge you as my owner. I’m not hiding anything but my opinion. And, as you just started talking to me like you care again, I don’t want to anger you.

If you don’t want me angry, tell me, he replied.

I nodded. Fine. I’d just throw it out on him. Integra lashed out at you because she feels betrayed. She wishes you’d told her you weren’t truly her servant. It hurt her feelings, made her want to hurt yours.

Alucard stared at me. How do you know this? Intuition again?

Yes. He didn’t look mad. In fact, he looked relieved. Maybe he didn’t really enjoy hurting his “master”. But, I could smell the sadness on her, too.

He blinked. I scented her sadness as well.

We fell quiet. After a little while, Alucard got up. It’s time to go.

I got up, dusted off, and stood by his side. He took me by my shoulders, surprising me.

Seras, this is very important. Listen to me carefully, he said.

I looked into his eyes, seeing a burning wish that I pay close heed. Yes, master, of course.

Alucard’s gaze fell to my lips briefly, then moved back up. Humans have their own magic, and they have varied ways of performing it; if you see something you don’t understand, or something that hurts you, tell me. Especially tell me if you’re harmed by what we view. He let go of me only to take my hand. Do not wander recklessly around Boleskine House grounds. Don’t step in any drawn circles. If you are seen, do not hesitate to kill before the human can open it’s mouth.

Yes, master, I said. I understand and I obey. He scared me. What sort of people were we about to spy upon?

He stared at me a moment longer. If you even feel strange, I demand you tell me.

Master, you will know the second I have trouble, I assured. But, I’ve felt strange since we got to this area.

In what way?

It’s like standing on a magnet with your pockets full of metal shavings, or walking on a big battery. I shook my head. I feel charged and drawn, if that makes sense.

He led me down a path. His eyes roamed restlessly. This ground is a magical Mecca, police girl. It is a battery, a magnet. It opens the subconscious to magical works and creatures. He gripped my hand more firmly, walking us quietly around a copse of trees. I want you to remain silent no matter what we see. Continue to speak using your mind only, and keep your mental barriers up at all costs.

Once we got out of here, I would ask my master how he knew so much about this. I couldn’t imagine a war-loving, ancient vampire had a need to learn of the occult. He wasn’t vulnerable to demons. He didn’t fear ancient gods, and he certainly didn’t fear humans.

We stopped at a small outcropping of rock. From here I easily saw the one-level house. Many candles and lamps burned in the large, tan-trimmed windows, but I saw no sign of electrical usage. Far from seeming like a den of iniquity, the structure looked quite pretty. Painted white, it boasted three chimneys and one large door where I thought a window used to be. The grounds were immaculate, with lots of pine trees and small shrubs.

My eyes wandered past the house. Master, is that a cemetery?

Yes. We will not go there unless we must. Is there any better place for hiding freaks than old mausoleums and graves? He held his hand over me. Stand still. I need to put a shadow veil on us both.

It felt like he dipped me in ice water. I shuddered, resisting the urge to hop up and down for warmth.

We won’t go close. We’ll use our third eye vision to spy on these humans. Alucard seemed to study the ground very carefully, and guided me in a strange pattern. Don’t move around without me, he cautioned. And, look for your ley lines.

Master, I feel like you’re taking me through a mine field, I said, gripping his hand tightly.

And so it is. Only, these mines would do worse than blow you up. He stopped, peered around with a frustrated air. Ridiculous amount of security, he complained.

I saw nothing security-wise. No cameras, dogs or fencing in sight, just groomed landscaping and a cheerful, white house.

Alucard picked me up. Before I could absorb his intentions, he jumped an impossible distance, landing upon a very small stone as lightly as a feather. Instead of letting his other foot down, he held it up slightly. Don’t knock me off balance. I have many ways to recover from such a thing, but I’d rather not flail around and draw attention. The shadow veil is imperfect cover during quick movement.

A flare of light drew our attention to the windows.