Midian Evolution

Integra never flew on commercial planes if she could help it, and she rarely needed to. This time, however, that changed. We were forced to fly with regular people, as the airports in Istanbul refused to clear a landing for a private Hellsing plane. Integra wouldn’t discuss it with us, either. She entered the waiting zone thoroughly irritated by having to go through ordinary security measures.

Master, what about our guns? I asked as we awaited our turn along with Walter and Anderson. Father Anderson just summons his bayonets when he wants them, and Walter’s monofilament wire rings will just look like jewelry. We, on the other hand…

Their machines won’t penetrate my body if I don’t wish it. Give me your weapons. Alucard put his arm around me, providing a partial shield with his long coat. I managed to get both my guns to him without dropping one, admiring how he absorbed them into his mutable form.

“What do you mean, ‘take off my shoes’?” Integra demanded. “Will you return them?”

”Ma’am, it’s procedure,” the harassed looking official said. “It’s to make sure you don’t have plastic explosives or knives hidden in the soles. Either comply or step aside.”

Integra stepped out of her boots with furious, jerking movements. “Shall I remove my socks and let you scrape my toenails for C-4?” she asked.

Walter bit his lip to maintain his composure. He’d already removed his shoes. Master and I started to do the same, along with the reluctant Anderson. Master’s grin could have ignited wet gelignite at fifty paces. He was amused by Integra’s ire.

Finally on the airplane with only a few more disagreements, I settled beside Master with Anderson, Integra and Walter opposite me. Crammed in as we were, I knew Integra would soon become twice as volatile. She had no patience with people who didn’t give her due respect, and I didn’t think she yet knew she couldn’t smoke.

A man sat on the other side of my master. He smelled horrible, like rancid sweat, cheap burgers and strong onion. Master turned his head to look at the stranger, who was currently scratching his crotch. “Do you never find a body of water anywhere?” he asked flatly.

Master, you don’t bathe either, I chided gently.

I don’t reek, Master returned evenly.

“What’s it to you?” The man asked, and I could tell by his tone he knew he’d been insulted but he didn’t know exactly how.

“Only tha’ yer offendin’ the rest o’ us,” Anderson interrupted. His nose was so wrinkled it looked comical. “I realize this is England, but even you English know how ta bathe. All ye’d have to do is go outside and let the never-ceasin’, infernal rain wash the stink away.”

“Right, well you people smell like a wine cellar,” the man declared, his already thin lips pressing even thinner. “And someone’s wearing patchouli, which I despise. So, shut yer holes.” He opened his newspaper with a sharp snap, sending a fresh wave of his pong around.

I groaned and thrust my face against Master’s coat. If I had to keep my nose buried in here the whole flight, I would. You’d have to boil him in bleach to even sink your fangs in, I complained.

None of us are wearing patchouli, my master said in a tone of wonderment. Humans have the poorest senses. He shoved the divider down, lifted his arm and allowed me to tuck against his side. He brought the edge of his coat out, covering me. All became darkness and his delicious scent, thank God, or Satan, or whoever listened to Midians. I relished the feel of his strong arm around me.

Is that better, Sotie? he asked.

Oh yes, Master. Thank you.

“You dressed up for a costume party or something?” the odious, stinky man asked Alucard.

“I thought you wanted me to shut my hole,” Alucard murmured blandly. People always ask me that question, if they’re brave enough to speak to me in the first place. As if my clothing is any more ridiculous than conventionally accepted togs. Integra owes me for this trip.

I smothered a laugh against his right pectoral. She’s lucky we can stand some daylight to even go, I pointed out.

If not for her family meddling with my composition, and my own indominatable will, you and I would not tolerate daylight. Alucard slipped his hand inside his coat to caress my hair, his careful, savoring strokes making that beast inside me purr. But, as long as you and I are well fed, we can mix with the daywalkers. Integra’s father insisted I be able to withstand the wretched sun.

Master’s somewhat amused, somewhat bitter tone told me more about his relationship with the Hellsing family than his words ever could. I spread my hand across his abdomen, suddenly feeling incredibly small. Because I lacked so much information, I missed a lot of perspective. And, because he didn’t treat me like he did anyone else, I tended to forget the specialness of my place.

Whimsy put me at his feet, but he wouldn’t walk on me.

The things that go on in your head, Seras, he said softly, proving I either had my shields down or that he invaded my mind like a fox sneaks into a chicken coop.

No, your shields are down. They’ve been down since the wedding.

I lifted them, feeling reluctant to break that intimacy with him, but also afraid I’d reveal more than I could afford. He said we’d speak about the wedding while on the train, so I didn’t push. I really wanted to, though. I wanted the discussion and the punishment over with.

I held onto his firm side, feeling the evidence of his wiry strength. His various forms never failed to thrill me in some way or another, good or bad, but I relished this very human form he took. I supposed this was how he remembered himself, and that he’d always revert or rely upon it. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be interested in sex, right?

Are you attempting friendship with our assassin apostle, Sotie? Alucard asked, his tone curious. He has a new expression for me. If you were looking, you’d see it.

What sort of look, Master? I didn’t want to surface from this warm, dark cocoon of comfort.

As if I’m violating you. Before, we took an equal part in his revulsion.

I sighed. He’s trying to forgive me for being what I am. I guess he has to first blame you.

He’s right to blame me. Alucard’s fingers move to my face. There, his touch became even softer.

He’s not Midian. I drew my arm up, letting my hand splay over his chest. But, yes, I’m trying to be his friend. He sort of… interests me. He’s a good guy, just incredibly bigoted, chauvinistic, argumentative and stubborn.

Master laughed out loud very quietly. Yes, good luck in achieving friendship with someone so very sterling in character.

Well, I don’t need my friends to be perfect. That’s so boring.

Yes, I suppose Anderson would never bore a person,Alucard mused. I heard him mentally pause as well as felt him still all movement. Sotie?

Yes, Master?

He cupped my chin, but didn’t signal he wanted me to move. Instead, those long fingers just caressed my jaw. You never laid with a man. Why?

I… I gripped him. I really didn’t understand actually wanting someone until you, Master. I just wasn’t interested. And, I didn’t want something quick and cheap.

He resumed petting my hair. Such an unspoiled draculina.

Master? His tone, so mystified and warm, sent friction through me from head to toe. Quite, suite suddenly, I wasn’t merely absorbing my sire’s presence. I was embracing a man. The bond between us hummed with power, but no less powerfully did the sheer maleness of him clutch me. I felt him considering me as a woman while he enjoyed my warmth and our bond.

You were able to call me Vlad when I pretended enough youth to be your little boyfriend, he said softly. Sometimes you call me what Integra and Walter do. And when you say ‘Master’, it has so many definitions. More, possibly, than even I have considered. His hand moved to my neck, and he traced the site of his first bite before simply spreading his fingers possessively.

He could snap my neck like a matchstick.

I’d seen Master become horrible, hideous things, on the outside or at his core, he could tap into Satan himself. I never had to worry if he would hurt me. I knew it at the bottom of my unbeating heart. But, the supremacy of him still just suddenly struck me like a blow. I gained all the awareness of his menace without any of the worry, and I did it in a split-second charge of sexual electricity.

It was like a drug, a powerful, powerful craving. Feminine desire wrapped and wove around our master/servant bond, adding a sweet, bloodthirsty layer that filled in cracks and coated us in languid, scorching heat. Alucard drew a sharp, ragged breath, a sound of pain and bliss that made my canines lengthen.

Fast, always so fast. None of my revelations, my initiations, my trials and triumphs, none of them came slowly. Learning to be Midian was a bullet-train, for all that I had eternity to perfect being Undead. My master, this man in my arms, had no enemy stronger, and through him, through the sheer power of him, I became a draculina like no other.

Pride for him and for me swelled within my blood. I could be great. I could be mighty and never hold petty fear. All I had to do was keep on like I’d been going. I’d made mistakes and I’d keep making them, but this game of becoming true Midian moved too quickly to wallow in failure. All the better for me if Master kept guiding me; I’d follow his directives without hesitation, now, because we’d share the failures and the successes. We’d be together.

Sotie, Sotie, his voice entreated me. An airplane is not the place to find your animal form. He gripped my throat a little harder, bring my focus to my skin quickly. Go back inside the top layer and surface from the bottom, or we’ll have an issue.

I felt him dragging me upward, and after a moment I could help him take me out of myself.

You learn so fast when you want to, Sotie, Master said, and his mental voice sounded almost breathless. Get rid of that pretty tail, now, before our seatmates snap into action. Integra looks like she’s going to start barking orders.

I felt for the appendage he claimed I had, found it, and pulled it back into me. What sort of animal am I, Master I asked, feeling very dreamy and distanced from any real concern. I couldn’t believe how strongly he and I were joined. No wonder we affected each other so much…

I think you’re some sort of cat, he answered. The tail came first, then you began to sprout a little fur. He pulled his coat up higher around me, and his arm squeezed me tighter. What ever you are, you’ll be quite large. You’d already gained half again your body weight in those few moments.

I yawned. I feel really, really tired now!

I’m sure. Master chuckled. You’re ahead of schedule for that part of being Midian. And, it’s daylight. We’ll be lucky if I’m not carryinging you from plane to train. Don’t be surprised if you slip into torpor. Satisfaction suffused his entire tone, delight and conceit over my accomplishment. I knew you were close. You took on a distinctly feline soul while dining on Raymond the pedophile. I didn’t imagine it would be this soon, though.

Hmmm… I couldn’t stay awake now. Utter peace had descended upon me.

Go to sleep now, Seras, Master bade. When you wake up we’ll doubtless be at the train station.

Yes, my master, I said, and just like ‘that’, I was gone.