Monsters and Angels

Sorry it's short, enjoy!

Alucard was quiet when he returned to the house, instead he sat in front of the computer, typing at a near frantic pace. His garnet eyes usually filled with dark mirth and promised death seemed troubled, almost human.

Seras could recall only one time she had seen him look so pensive. The night that Integra had torn through her own veins to release the tainted blood of Bubanshee. She sensed his inner turmoil, slight though it was. It made her ache, made her feel a distinct unease.

“There is no need to concern yourself police girl” he said through the darkness of the room. She sighed, “So you say master, but it has been some time since I last saw that expression on your face and at that time the night was darker than most”. Alucard lifted his gaze from the screen, “There has been a development”.

Seras listened as Alucard outlined what he’d discovered with rapt attention. A link to her master? A link to his human life? “So he has become a priest and working for the Vatican, doesn’t that make him an enemy by default?” she asked. Alucard shook his head, “Perhaps not. From all that we have learned, Maxwell is losing favor quickly among the ranks of holy knights. Kieran is not the type to be led by one such as that”.

The image of his former commander speaking to Integra flashed through his mind again. The face so unchanged, the eyes so green. What exactly had he become? It was clear through what Alucard had felt that he was no threat to Integra, his words a friendly warning to her and nothing more.

Seras sighed, “Master I don’t mean to question…. Are you sure that this priest can be trusted. He did curse you for turning him after all”. Alucard tapped against the keyboard, “He bears watching Seras, I agree with that, however he was never the kind to lie. His pride and honor would never allow that. I just am unclear as to what he has planned. When you go into the city, be careful police girl”.

She nodded, her bottom lip caught in the grasp of her fangs as he considered his words. She started when one of his shadows, gently tugged the abused flesh free. “You always do that” he teased. She grinned sheepishly, then turned to the window.

“Looks like Integra and Walter are home” she blurted out, though she knew he had felt their approach long before she did. “I hope everything went well”. Alucard glanced over at her, noting her tired expression. “You’ve been pushing too hard Seras” he told her, “I want you to beat the sun back by at least an hour… no more rushing inside with the sun at your heels. And eat”.

She nodded, “I’ve compiled the most recent information into Integra’s digital files. Will you tell her for me?” she asked. He nodded and she smiled faintly, before turning and heading towards the hidden stairs that led to her room. He was right, she needed rest, she needed food. Hell, she might even gorge herself and have three bags tonight to make up for her missed meals.

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Integra stormed into her office, her fingertips pressed to her brow. The ache refused to go away, making her entire body throb and burn, her insides twisted painfully. Alucard felt her pain when it had begun, shortly after the briefing had concluded.

She’d not shown it, snapping in her usual impressive fashion and then leaving to attend to Hellsing business. She’d nearly cried out in the back seat several times, Walter’s worried eyes taking in each pained expression. He’d driven home swiftly, and despite his protests, she’d been determined to walk inside on her own.

Alucard watched her stumble near the door and grasp the frame for support. “Sir let me help you” Walter implored. Integra merely growled at him, her fangs flashing dangerously. In this state, she was far too feral for Walter to try and coddle and while he knew that, he hated seeing her suffer.

Alucard rose then, “I’ve got it Walter. Please make sure that Seras eats tonight” he intoned, his eyes locked on his pain stricken mate. Walter nodded, stepping back and closing the door behind him.

Integra held her hand out, “Leave me…. alone” she snapped, “This is my …. P-pain to deal with”. Alucard chuckled softly, “Stubborn as always, I did tell you that to eat their food would be horribly painful. Didn’t you believe me?”

She snarled at him, “Of course I believed you …ass. I didn’t have much of a …choice did I?”. He stalked closer to her, watching her stiff movements towards the nearest seat. The scent of her blood reached his nose and he saw that she had torn her lip, holding it tightly in her fangs to keep quiet. “Why don’t you just cry out Integra?” he asked casually.

She glowered at him, clutching her stomach, “Why don’t you burn in h-hell?” she asked in a strained voice. He sighed, “I can help you” he told her. She shook her head, “I d-don’t want you to. I can handle this. Tell me about the priest. Father …Kieran”.

Alucard tired of seeing her ache so and crossed the room, catching her from behind, feeling the strength drain from her frame. He sat in the chair, pulled her into his lap, cradling her close to his unbeating heart. His gloved hand played across her stomach, almost feeling the churning there.

He pressed hard and she grunted in pain, then she felt the coolness of his power seep into her and the pain intensified. She opened her mouth to cry out only to feel the rise of something akin to bile in her throat.

She sprang from his lap, rushing to the corner, her head hovering over a wastebasket as she wretched. Alucard watched her with impassive eyes, until the final bits of solid food left her shaking form. She panted for un-needed air for several minutes. “Better?” he asked her.

She lifted her artificially blue eyes to him and he was reminded of the very young Integra once more. He smiled gently, conjuring a cool cloth from the air and passing it to her. She nodded her thanks, wiping her face, and rose on unsteady feet.

Her eyes moved to the tea cup waiting near her computer, and made her way to it, using the aromatic blend to cleanse her mouth and palate. “Better” she finally agreed. He nodded and resumed his seat. “How long would it have lasted if you hadn’t interfered?” she suddenly asked.

Alucard shrugged, “It depends love” he told her, “but with the small amount you ate, not long, perhaps five or six hours. Until you learned to make yourself vomit and got rid of it. Your body is conditioned to hold onto whatever it is given now”. She grimaced. Hours? She’d have been sobbing for mercy and she knew it. And damn him, so did he.

“Father Kieran” she prompted him once she’d settled herself behind her desk. She quickly removed the colored contacts and blinked several times. Alucard sighed again, “It’s a very long story Integra” he told her. She smirked, “Well, we’ve nothing but time”.