Monsters and Angels

Hello all, sorry it took a while, spent the last two weeks in the field where I froze my a$$ off and got sick but I thought of you :) Hope you enjoy the two new chappies....brrr maybe some reviews to warm a writer?


Alucard allowed his energies to flow through and over the city. His efforts revealing only enough to keep him actively searching. It seemed that of late, someone was taking great care to conceal themselves from him. The master vampire, the one like himself. Strange that the other had not sought a battle with him, for he’d made no secret of his presence. At least not to non-humans.

“This will do nicely Walter” Integra’s voice rang out, the tone clipped and cool. So very like her after all. Turning, he watched her adjust the pale blue of her silken tie, her suit falling in elegant, though mannish tailored lines around her frame. Her glasses were perched atop the bridge of her nose, useless glass, nothing but a show.

A show, yes, this was what her latest outing would be. Arriving in early hours of evening, when the sun was still in the sky. Fools, they would believe that the sun itself was her enemy, and not the light. Seras had done her research carefully; it had required her to risk exposure and to sleep away from the safety of the house.

Her gamble had paid off, for the buildings surrounding the entrance to the famous cathedral cut back the damaging rays of light, just enough that with Alucard’s added protection to her, Integra would be able to walk quite freely into the building. It would be enough to cast serious doubts on her condition. It would be enough. Though she’d suffer a mild headache for her efforts later on.

Outside the sun was high, but the final preparations for her arrival at the cathedral had awakened them early. They would leave nothing to chance. There would no doubt be wards to sense one such as Alucard, and he would no doubt be unwelcome in the holy halls. As they’d seen already, Integra’s Hellsing blood did not give her away. The wards would of course reverberate slightly, but that was to be expected when one kept a hellhound chained as a pet. They would blame the occurrence as residual strains of Alucard’s energies.

The master vampire let his eyes wander over Integra, before he turned and strode to tower over her. His garnet eyes locking on her once again blue. “You must be wary Integra” he warned, “Maxwell will likely try to bait you as he has in the past. To do so now would bring your instincts to the surface. If that were to happen, all of this deception would fall to ruin”.

She grunted, her eyes narrowing, “I am well aware of the dangers Alucard” she snapped, “I am not a child”. He chuckled, a rich sound, like warm chocolate, “Of course you aren’t Sir Hellsing” he agreed, lifting his gloved hand to her eye level. She eyed the covered fist, “What is that?” she asked. His full lips stretched in a feline grin, “The finishing touch”.

He opened his hand to reveal a silver cross, nestled against his palm, “To wear the holy symbol will only enhance the deception”. Integra’s eyes fluttered between the cross and his gaze, “Silver. How are you able to touch it?” she demanded. He merely smiled again, “There is only a thin layer of silver on the face of this trinket” he assured her, “The rest is nothing more than steel”.

He fastened it to her tie, the way she’d worn one in life. Stepping back he eyed her carefully, looking over each tiny detail. This was a dangerous game to play and though he knew they would be no match for him, Integra was still a fledgling. She was in danger. Of course he would feel and sense all that she did and so no true harm could come to her, but for once the vampire was uneasy.

‘Perhaps because you finally fear to lose something’ came the voice in his head. Clear and deep. Alucard’s head snapped up and he grinned.

‘You’ve decided to show yourself then?’ he threw the challenge like a curse.

The other was silent for a moment, ‘Not yet, but have no fear. You and I are brothers on this dark shore’

The phrase, so simply given struck something within Alucard. Something deep and wild. The words he knew, the voice was familiar, why could he not place the vampire then? Why could he not determine the exact location and identity through the energies of him?

‘Rest your fears Alucard, your pale haired female will be safe enough. I give you my word’.

‘I know you’, it was little more than a growl.
A deep lilting laugh filled his head, ‘I truly hope so old friend. Come to the hilltop cemetery to the north. It has long been forgotten. Follow the scent of gunpowder and flowers, there you will find some answers….and Alucard…….. do not harm my child’.

Alucard chuckled once more. ‘So be it’. Integra touched his arm then, drawing his attention back to her, “What are you laughing at now?” she demanded. He shook his head, “Nothing that concerns you of this moment” he assured her. She didn’t appear pleased with his answer in the least. She opened her mouth to argue the point but he merely leaned forward and pressed a gloved finger gently against her lips.

Oddly enough, Integra did not argue, did not demand he tell her. She merely looked disgruntled and stepped back, “Fine” she intoned, “Keep your precious secrets monster”. Her voice held no bite and her tone was teasing even. Walter watched the exchange with mild interest. He had not thought it possible for the two to reach some middle ground, yet they seemed to chipping away at one another, slowly finding common ground. He was glad of it.

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Integra arrived in the courtyard as the sun was beginning it’s descent. She could feel Alucard’s power moving over her, and felt the slight bruised feeling, she knew was light. According to Seras’ report it was ninety two steps from the area when the car would come to a halt to cross the circular area and climb the steps to the heavy doors.

Ninety two steps. Integra mentally chanted that number in her head, ninety two steps to success or oblivion. Her men were currently positioning themselves near this area and around the city, standard patrols, already approved by the church of course. “Ready Sir?” Walter asked from the driver’s seat. She met his eyes in the rearview mirror and nodded.

The car slowed and finally came to a stop, Walter exiting to open her door for her. Integra unfolded her legs and stepped outside of the vehicle’s safety. The dark windows no longer providing the comforting barrier for her. She schooled her features as the remaining light touched her sensitive eyes. Then she began the walk.

Clip, clip, clip. Every step brought the haven of the cathedral closer to her. The headache Alucard and warned her about was already beginning to form behind her eyes. ‘Sixty seven’. She searched the surrounding area for danger, seeing so many in the rich Vatican robes, others in militant looking regalia. No mind. Pay them no mind. ‘Seventy eight’.

At the top of the steps, she could see a small crowd gathered, all eyes trained on her. Some hostile, some welcoming, still more curiously questioning. She let no expression mar her features, in just a few more steps she’d reach the area where the light was the strongest. Not enough to kill her, or likely enough to burn her, however it would hurt. Even with Alucard’s help.

They watched transfixed as the golden haired woman stepped into the lingering light, pausing to turn and glance at the direction it was coming from. As though the light did not phase her, did not pain her. With smooth actions, she checked her watch and then continued on towards them. The archbishop releasing the breath he’d not known he was holding.

Her actions had sent needles of pain shooting behind her eyes, but the effort was well worth the effect, as when she turned to resume her walk, so many appeared relieved. They believed, at least for the time being, that she was in fact human. That was good.

Reaching the bottom of the steps she stared up at the archbishop, who smiled warmly. “Welcome Sir Hellsing” he said, “Please won’t you join us?”. She detected no malice behind his words, his smile sincere enough. She bowed stiffly, all English pomp, “Thank you archbishop” she replied coolly, moving up the steps and allowing the slightly rotund man to place kisses on her cheeks. ‘Bloodly italians’ she mentally groused.

As one, the growing number turned and made their way through the vaulting corridor to the double doors of the Vatican’s ‘war room’. There, in the comforting darkness, a projector sprang to life, images flickering on a hanging white screen. Agents of the church began to list what information they had gathered prior to her arrival.

As they were briefed, men of the cloth slipped into the room, bearing platters. Integra knew that eating any of their food would make her ill, however, would it not draw attention to her is she refused to eat any at all? She allowed one of the men to place a small amount of fowl on her plate, and sighed with relief when he filled her glass with red wine and her smaller cup with coffee.

‘Even so small an amount will feel like a thousand swords in your gullet’ came Alucard’s voice. She blinked, adjusted the glasses on her nose. ‘I don’t see how it can be helped’ she replied. The vampire chuckled, ‘It can’t’ he assured her, ‘I merely wanted you to be prepared for the pain. You will have less than one hour’.

Integra snorted and severed the link, facing those from Rome once more. “Forgive me gentlemen” she announced, “While I am duly impressed with your hospitality and your information gathering capabilities…. I fear that at this point you are wasting my time and your own. These things we already know about the freaks. Perhaps it might be more useful to all concerned if we cut to the chase… I do have men patrolling the city and it’s outskirts, I cannot be kept here all evening”.

Several were taken aback by her brisk tone, but the archbishop merely nodded, “Of course. I understand. Father Paolo… skip ahead to the most recent developments please”.