Bullet from Hell, Shield of Heaven

KITG: Hello people, sorry for the long wait, my laptop went to silicone heavan. So here is an xmas pressie for you. Hope you all have a good one :)

Chapter 5

The wind sung through her hair as the Harley Davidson ‘Night Train’ roared down the brightly light streets of London. It would not take her long to find the studio flat as she had patrolled these streets for a few years before she joined D-11. The bike hummed into the lower gear as she slowed down to park in front of the flat. Seras gasped as she saw the size of it, the flat was above a gothic clothing store called Black Lace. The entrance to the flat was a set of steel black fire stairs to the rear that led up to a heavy-duty security door.

The Night Train glided round the back with a bone-shaking rumble to the small Garage that was in the Studio flats deeds. She stopped the bike beside the garage before walking up the stairs to the flats door. She had some time before she had to go to the Interview at the club so might as well take a look around. The key opened the three locks after she had entered the lock code Walter had given her.

Seras could not hold in the gasp as she entered. The Place was decorated to the style her character for this mission. Dark colours with rich reds, gold’s and purples. There were gold dragons painted on the wall, they looked like the earrings that Alucard had placed through her nipples. Seras growled at the reminder of what that pervert had done. She placed her various clothes and toiletries into the various places to make it seem as though it was lived in.

The black marble mantel-clock chimed the hour signalling that she had better take off for the club. She stepped out and locked the door before walking back down to the little garage. This time she decided to put her black helmet on, as she didn’t want to get pulled over by the police. The night was just becoming alive as pub-crawlers and club goers crowded the streets deciding which clubs to try. It was still early in the night as it was November; the days were shorter so it was only just after six. The Bike pulled up down the side ally of the club and Seras got off. She pressed the bike lock which kicked in the immobiliser so unless they had her key, the bike would not start. Walter would kill her if she got it nicked as soon as she had been given the thing.

She walked round to the entrance of the club; not bothering to wait in the queue Seras came right up to the bouncers. Much to the annoyance of those still waiting.

“Oi babe! Wait your turn” the man next in line shouted in a drunken leery tone. He looked Seras up and down before a smile spread across his face. “Though you can stay with me sweet heart. I can show you a good time.”

Seras ignored him as she talked to the bouncers. She didn’t get past her name and that she was here for the interview before the man that had spoken before groped her from behind. His hand was resting over her right breast, grabbing hold of the dragon ring in her nipple. Something animalistic awoke inside her. No one was to touch her there. They had been a gift from her master; only her master had a right to touch there. She had the man on the floor before he could blink, hand bent behind his back in a police hold.

“Ow! Shit babe. Easy, easy! Let me go already!” he whimpered, behind her the two bouncers whistled in amazement.

“Never touch me again,” Seras snarled before pushing the man back into the crowed. She turned back to the bouncers. “ I ‘m here for a job interview. About bar work.”

“Sure thing. Follow me” the large barrel of a man spoke. His was voice higher than one would expect for his build as he pushed the black doors of the club open.

The gold glittered serpents on the door came to life as the club lights strobed across them in a multi-coloured hue. The beat thumped across the room, as the music was at a deafening volume, women with busts as big as hers gyrated in metal cages suspended above the floor. Each cage was attached to a snakehead that melded with the ceiling. At the rear the inverted cross and snake symbol was proudly displayed and it gave Seras moment of pause once more, something that had long been lost was trying to claw to the surface of her mind, she was sure of it.

She was led to a lift near the bar area, the lift was padded with red leather and lined with brass handrails. The loud music became a dull throb as the lift doors closed and the bouncer pressed the button for the second floor. It did not escape her notice that it had 2 sublevels, which is strange in itself. This wasn’t America, Britain homes do not have basements, its too expensive because of the water table, a basement would flood all the time and it would cost a lot of money to build the basement to stop that from happening. The only places in Britain with sublevels in ground buildings were Church crypts and castle dungeons.

The lift reached the destined floor with a musical ding. The music from downstairs was barely noticeable and Seras realized that must be some serious soundproofing for the higher levels. The bouncer knocked on the door and waited for the man inside to give permission to enter. He opened the door and motioned for Seras to enter.

“What is it Richard?” The smooth, snake like voice clipped out.

“Its another girl applying for the bar job boss.” Richard indicated Seras as she stood there trying to hide how nervous she felt.

“Very well, hopefully you will be better than that stupid blonde that I hired last week.” He gave her a quick glace as he dismissed Richard with a wave of his hand. “Please take a seat”

Seras walked over to the large leather chair and sheepishly took a seat; she crossed her legs and waited as Serpentis continued to type on his laptop. He finished with what ever he was doing and leaned back in his chair as he regarded Seras. His eyes flicked over her form and she withheld the urge to rip his lecherous eyes out as they lingered on her breasts.

“Mmm. You’re not bad on the eyes, and with that outfit you will fit in nicely. I take it that you have some experience with bar work?”

“Yes, I have pulled pints and mixed cocktails”

“Well what you don’t know you will soon pick up. Come, let me show you around” He placed his hand upon her back as she rose from the chair to guide her to the door. She tried not to shiver at his touch.

Serpentis took her around the club, showed her the VIP suits and the bar where she would be serving. He showed her where she could stow her stuff, the staff room and finally introduced her to her fellow staff members.

“So what do you think? Still interested?”

“Very much so, I’m sure I will love it”

“Good, of course you can wear your own clothes, but try to keep in the style you are in. the only thing I will give you is this broach. Make sure you keep it on you when you come to work; it’s your digital clocking in chip. Lets me know you have been in work and have left. I’m sure you want to get paid so don’t loose it”

“Yes sir” Seras took the broach and attached it on the left hand side of her small top. “When would you like me to start?”

“I hope you are nocturnal, as I need you to work from 6pm to about 2am.” He smiled at her as if it was some kind of little joke, she could see the thought flowing though his mind Nocturnal like a vampire.

“Don’t worry, graveyard shifts suit me actually” Seras gave him a sweet smile as she played on his joke.

“Good. Well you can start now if you like, to get a feel for the place.”

“Ok, is there somewhere I can put my motorbike?”

“Bring it into the back yard through the loading bay gates. Michel would you wait by the back door to let in… oh my I seem to have been remiss in my manners and have not asked your name”

“Mina. Mina Holmwood”

“Mmm, nice. I am Mr Serpentis. Welcome to Venom”

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Seras slowly directed her bike down the ally to the rear loading bay, she could see Michel standing there holding open the black wooden gates to let her in. She could see him checking out the bike as she slowly rumbled to a stop. He whistled has he came up.

“Wow sweetheart, that’s one rocking bike. How did you afford that?”

“It was a gift….from my family” She smiled; she might as well call them that. Though she wondered how that would place Sir Integra in the whole family structure?...Mum? Seras sniggered at the thought of Integra baking cookies for kids. They would probably be in the shape of crosses and contain garlic.

“You must have one rich family” Michel waited for her to make sure the bike was secure before escorting her back inside the club. Together they headed towards the bar. “I’m going to show you the ropes behind the bar. Lets see how you do with a mixer. Make a Blue Bison”

Seras reached out for one of large jugs under the bar and filled it with ice. She then got 2 shots of Bombay Sapphire, popped the tops on two WKD blues and poured all this into the jug. The final touch was two shots of Smirnoff Vodka. She then placed to tall glasses with blue straws beside it. A waitress in an outfit not too far off Seras’s own walked up and took the jug to a table of young women.

“Well done. I think you’ll do just fine.” Michel smiled and Seras found herself returning the smile, he had one of those warm faces of a friend. But also a bit of Jack-the-lad about him, in his stance and his self-confidence.

The night went slowly on as Seras quickly got to grips with the layout of the bar, Michel just stood back as she served the customers, only helping her out every now and then when she didn’t know where something was. Already she had caught the eyes of male and female customers alike with her ample breasts. The tips she had been give were more than some of the girls who had been working her for some time.

“Is this the new bitch Michel?” A blonde woman asked in a bitchy tone as she came up with an empty round tray. She wore a playboy bunny outfit that seemed slightly out of place in Venom.

“Put your claws away Goldie” Michel sighed. He looked quickly to Seras as she tried to stifle a laugh. Goldie? How cliché was that?

“You think my name is funny bitch?”

“Yes, though I think the outfit is more amusing” Seras was surprised; it was like her mouth acted before her brain had thought out what she wanted to say. As if something dark had risen within her to scorn this pathetic mortal. Whoa…hang on? Pathetic mortal?

She looked up to see Goldie was about to slap her, with Seras’s vampiric senses she could take her time in moving to one side. This resulted with Goldie flat on her ass. She glared at Seras as she got up from the floor and stomped off to the VIP section of the club. Seras turned to Michel as he gave his distinctive whistle of awe.

“Wow Mina. You do not want to get on the bad side of Goldie”

“Think it’s a little late for the warning Michel.”

“Yeah but seriously, she’s the bosses niece.” Michel began to wipe down the bar as Seras took out her tips and started to count the money.

“She’s his niece? Why does she dress up like that? Doesn’t exactly fit in does it? The whole time she was talking I kept expecting a large snake to come down and eat the poor little bunny”

“True. I think the boss only puts up with her to shut his sister up. In her time here Goldie has had 5 female staff fired by running to mommy. So be careful.”

“Ah, if I apologise it will be fine. We might even be friends” Seras beamed as she looked at Michel. Only to look on confused as he broke down laughing.

“Oh! Good one Mina!”

“What?”

“You were joking right?” Michel looked at her confused face. “You weren’t joking. Boy you sure are naive. Goldie would probably scratch your eyes out”

“I’d like to see her try, after what I saw this little lady do to the prick outside” Michel and Seras turned to Richard as he leaned against the bar. “ It’s about closing time Mike.”

“So it is Richard. You turned the last drunks away? And what did Mina do? Slap a guy?”

“Yeah there all gone. And she nearly broke the guys arm, never mind slapping Mike.” Richard laughed as Michel passed the large man a whisky.

“Geeze . Maybe you don’t have to worry about Goldie.” Michel laughed as he started to place the chairs upside down on the round tables that littered the floor. “Well. It will be Christmas soon. That means we’ll be open till 4am, did the boss say you’ll be working then Mina?”

“I’m on a trial at the moment. Guess I’ll find out if I get the job or not soon enough” Seras handed Michel his half of the tips with a bright smile.

“Well you have my vote” Michel gave her a hug and a smile as he looked to Richard.

“You have mine too poppet, I don’t want to have to keep chasing girls who bite off more than they can chew. I’m always saving Goldie’s ass. She’s always promising more than she’s willing to fulfil. The punters tend to get annoyed when she backs down.” Richard laughed, downing the last of the whiskey. “Well that’s me done for the night. See you guys tomorrow.”

Richard heaved his large bulk from the bar stool and headed for the back door, the hydraulic door catch slowly brought the door to a smooth close. Michel began turning off the bar lights then grabbed his and Seras’s coat. He held the coat up so she could put her hands through the sleeves. They walked to the back door and Michel opened it so she could go.

“You staying Michel?” Seras asked as she stood beside the bike.

“Yeah, just for a little while. Need to go over the numbers with the boss. I’ll see you tomorrow night Seras” He opened the back gate as Seras put her helmet on and started the engine before with a quick wave she disappeared into the night.

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When Seras returned to the studio flat after locking the bike in the garage she was not surprised to see Alucard sat on one of the sofas. Strangely he had managed to turn the TV on and seemed to be watching the 1961 version of ‘The Pit and the Pendulum’ He was laid back on the sofa, his long red coat and his wide brim hat had been shed and thrown on the floor with a tired flair. He was just in his white shirt and coal trousers as he rested one arm over his eyes as his body seemed to exude exhaustion.

“Alucard?”

“How did your first day like a mortal go?” He asked, his voice heavy with a sigh.

“To be expected, I’m on a trial period.” She sat down by his feet on the sofa. “So, what are you doing here? Sir Integra ask you to check on me?”

“That and the fact she’s driving me mad”

“Alucard, you are already mad.”

“No I’m insane not mad…there’s a difference…though now I am both” he moved his arm just enough so one of his claret eyes could look at her. “Anything worth reporting?”

“Not really? Seems Serpentis has a niece called Goldie. She’s one of the floor girls wearing of all things, a playboy bunny outfit. She also seems to have a lot of sway in the place thanks to mum bending Serpentis’s ear every time Goldie doesn’t like something.”

Seras rose from her place on the sofa and walked towards the fridge. Inside looked like a normal fridge as the light came on. Milks, eggs, bacon. Everyday things that would be found in many fridges. But when Seras pressed a switch to one side, part of the fridge moved back to reveal a cooled section containing blood packs. Seras reached for one and looking over her shoulder she could see Alucard had perked up. She tossed him one as she closed the fridge.

“Couldn’t figure out how to open it could you?” She laughed. He just grunted as he sank his fangs into the bag to begin drinking it. “So what has Sir Integra been doing to drive you mad?”

“I have been following boring mortals all night, trying to find out if there is another drop off point. But they hide their tracks too well, Master wasn’t too happy about it.” Alucard yawned as he threw his empty blood pack through a portal. He held his hand out for Seras’s, she handed it to him and watched as he threw it to follow his own. She hoped it was to the bin and not to sir Integra’s office.

“Well I’m off to sleep” Seras walked into her bedroom. The place was pitch black; the windows had been covered so no light could enter. So basically her room had turned into a bedroom sized coffin. The bed was a queen size four-poster, with thick red curtains.

She put on some black satin pyjamas before climbing in the bed. She got comfortable as she heard the TV turn off, there was a little light as Alucard walked into the room.

“I’ll come back for a report each night near dawn. But if it is important call me in your mind. Do not phone the master. Seems Serpentis watches all new employees phone records. We can’t have you linked with us.”

“Okay, give my love to Walter.” Seras felt Alucard create a portal but instead of his presence leaving. There came a bump. “Alucard…did you just walk into the wall?”

The only reply she got was a growl. Seras bit her hand to stop herself from laughing at him. He must have been tired if he messed that up. She shuffled over and yanked him down on the bed before shuffling back to her side to get comfortable again.

“Why police girl, you only had to ask”

“Shut up Alucard. You can bugger off to your own coffin if you’re going to start. But if you want to sleep without Integra calling you then shut up and sleep.” With that Seras turned over and let herself drift off. There was a big enough gap between the two of them so it was like they had an entire single bed to themselves.

Alucard looked at her form a moment before with a small smile he closed his eyes and allowed his body to rest.

TBC