Seras looked to see the twisted visage of her once best friend, Ingrid. Her skin was ashen, and her eyes were hollow and sunken in. She looked down to see she was wearing a wedding gown. Her surroundings were dim and blurry. Then she looked to her right and saw Nathaniel Parkins standing beside her. ”It’s time for you to become my bride, forever.” He said as he grabbed her and lowered his face to her neck. Sharp, slick white fangs glittered in the dim candle light. Seras began to struggle in an attempt to fight him off. ”There’s no escape. You will be mine for all eternity.”

Seras continued to struggle despite the fact the attempt was futile. Nathan’s fangs were a mere half inch from piercing her throat. ”Show me your strength,” another voice said. “That voice,” Seras said as she suddenly came back to consciousness. She sat up suddenly which caused her head to spin. Her eyes fluttered several times before she could see clearly. The next thing she knew was finding herself in what appeared to be a hospital room. She looked around the dim room. Beside her was a small digital clock that read seven-thirty p.m. She heard the sound of a switch being turned on and the room lit up. Seras squinted her eyes until they adjusted to the light. She looked toward the door to find an aged man with long silver-black hair tied in a neat ponytail looking at her.

“Ah, Miss Victoria. You’re awake. Are you feeling hungry?” He asked politely.

“Um, yes. How do you know my name?” Seras questioned.

“Well, I suppose first I should introduce myself. My name is Walter Dolnaze. I’m a retainer to the Hellsing family, and head of mansion staff. You were attacked last night. My employer Sir Integra Hellsing had you brought here to recover. You’re in the hospital wing of the Hellsing mansion.” Walter explained.

“I… I remember now. I was kidnapped by the man who oversaw my mother’s funeral. But he wasn’t,” Seras paused before trying to continue speaking.

“Human? No, he wasn’t. I know this all must seem very strange, and I’m sure you must have many questions. I’ll have a meal prepared for you. All will be explained soon. You’re in a safe place, so try to rest and relax. I’ll bring you something to eat in just a bit.”

“Oh my head feels like world war three is going on in it.” Seras said with a slight groan.

“I’ll have doctor Trevallion bring you something to help you relax. After you eat, Sir Integra will be here to speak with you. She will explain everything. I’ll be back in about ten or fifteen minutes.” Walter said.

“Thank you, um, Walter.” Seras replied, rubbing her forehead. Walter gave a slight bow and left her room. She slowly laid back and looked up at the ceiling. “Am I dreaming?” She asked herself.

Integra waited in the hallway some distance away from the hospital wing. She saw Walter approaching her. She took a drag off her slim cigar and blew the smoke into the air. “So, how is she?”

“Hungry, and rather confused. I was on my way to ask the doctor to bring her something for a headache. She needs to eat as well.” Walter answered.

“Very well. I’ll talk with her after she’s eaten.” Integra replied.

“Has there been any word from her majesty about last night’s events?” Walter asked.

“Yes. I’ve spoken with the queen in private, and in light of what happened, Seras Victoria is to remain here for the time being. Her possessions are being brought to the mansion. I’ll need a room to be prepared for her.” Integra answered.

“I’ll see that a room is made ready for Miss Victoria. Is there anything else you’ll be requiring?”

“No. I’ll wait here while the young lady eats. After she’s finished, I’ll talk with her.” Integra answered.

“Very well, Sir.” Walter replied, and took his leave. He left Integra waiting in the hall and headed toward an elevator to go to the third floor. Walter exited the elevator and walked toward a special store room. He opened the door and walked into a room that was kept at a specific temperature. It was rather cold, but Walter had long since grown used to the chill. He approached what looked like a refrigerator with clear doors and opened one of them. He took out a medical bag containing transfusion blood and dropped it into a pail of ice. Then he closed the door and walked out of the room. Soon after he made his way to the sublevels of the mansion where Alucard waited.

As Walter made the familiar trek to the vampire’s domain, he could hear music playing. Faint at first, but as he got closer he could discern the ominous sounds of Black Sabbath’s War Pigs playing. After several minutes of walking he came to the set of stairs leading down to the sublevels.

The song finished playing as Walter entered Alucard’s candle lit chamber. The red clad vampire eyed his old compatriot. “So, how is our lovely, young guest doing?” He asked eloquently.

“Miss Victoria is awake and eating. As to be expected she’s quite confused about the whole situation. The queen has ordered Seras to remain here with us for the time being.” Walter answered.

“Really?” Alucard asked with a sly smile.

“Yes. Considering everything she’s been through, the young lady is holding up rather well.” Walter replied.

“She has strength and courage. I saw that when she chose to fight against her captor rather than just let him have his way. Rather than cower in the face of death, she fought to live. It reminds me of the night I met my master, Integra.”

“I have never felt easy about that whole affair. I was sent to south america on business leaving her alone with Richard. If I had known what he was planning to do,” Walter paused for a second. “To say the least she was fortunate to have found and awakened you. Richard would have killed her otherwise.”

“Richard was a spineless coward. I’m surprised he even mustered up the courage to even aim the gun at her. Not that it mattered. I sent him and his goons to Hell all the same.” Alucard said.

“That… that never set well with me, what Arthur did. It wasn’t right.” Walter began before Alucard cut him off. “Let it go, Walter. It’s ancient history as far as I’m concerned.”

“I know but,”

“Let it go, Walter. What was done was done. Let it be.” Alucard said in a somewhat stern tone.

“Yes, I suppose.” Walter said as he looked away for a moment. “I just wish she’d had a chance to have more of a childhood. She had to grow up so quickly.” He finished.

“Hellsing heirs don’t have childhoods. It’s a luxary those born into this family cannot afford.” Alucard replied with a serious expression. He stared at Walter focusing upon the aged retainer's thoughts. “I know you’re poking around up there in my head.”

“You’re thinking about her.” Alucard said.

“Sometimes I still wonder if she thinks about me, or if she even remembers me. Sometimes I wonder if she’s still in this world.” Walter said as his expression grew solom.

“Let her go, Walter. There is nothing you could have done.” Alucard replied.

“I know. I just wish I could have stopped them before they,”

“You couldn’t. Even if you had gotten to her, it wouldn’t have mattered. Her parents would have tracked you both down and had you arrested. Their minds were made up. They didn’t want their daughter involved in our world.”

“I know. But it doesn’t stop me from thinking about what could have been.”

“Don’t. Lingering on what could have been leads to nothing but madness. Trust me, I know.”

Seras was in her room finishing up her meal. A nurse entered and went to take the now empty tray. She handed Seras a small paper cup with two pills in it. “These work best on a full stomach. Doctor Trevallion said they will probably make you sleepy after about thirty minutes.” She said and gave Seras a glass of water to wash down the pills. “Doctor Trevallion will be back tomorrow morning to check on you. Try to relax and get some rest. The medicine will help you sleep soon.” The nurse said and left the room. Seras looked to see a woman with long, platinum hair wearing a dark green pants suit. She approached Seras and stood beside her bed.

“How are you feeling?” Integra asked.

“I’m not really sure.” Seras answered with a puzzled and somewhat fearful look on her face.

“I’ll begin by introducing myself. My name is Integra Wingates Hellsing. I’m the head of the Hellsing Organization and last living descendent of the Hellsing family. Tell me Seras, do you remember anything about the previous night?” She asked.

“Unfortunately, yes. I was in my apartment asleep when noise in the hallway woke me up. I went to the door to see what was going on. I saw one of the night watchmen, but he didn’t appear to be himself. He started coming toward me, and I got a brief look at him. He looked horrible. His skin was a sickly grey color and his eyes were sunken in. I went back into my apartment and locked the door. I went to the kitchen to get a knife. I went into my room and then out on the balcony. I was trying to figure out a way to escape. That’s when he somehow got into my room.” Seras explained.

“I trust you are referring to the former mortician, Nathaniel Parkins.” Integra interjected.

“Yes. It appeared to be Mr. Parkins, but he didn’t seem human anymore.”

“That’s because he wasn’t. The man you knew as Nathaniel Parkins ceased to exist. He met up with someone from an underground nightclub and was turned into a creature known as a vampire. The creature you saw in the hallway of your building was one of his undead slaves, commonly referred to as a ghoul.”

“He kept going on about how I was to be his bride. I hardly even knew him. He was the mortician who prepared my mother’s body after she died.” Seras replied.

“You were not aware, but my people as well as operatives who work with us have been keeping tabs on you. Nathaniel Parkins became obsessed with you. It’s believed he became a vampire to obtain the power to claim you as his. There were numerous photos of you in his residence. Some had been digitally altered. He took some images of you and inserted himself into the picture to make it seem as if you and he were a couple. There were also pictures of you with red eyes. He was fantasizing about you as a vampire.” Integra explained.

“Lord in heaven, I don’t know what to think.” Seras said, feeling a wave of shock in her mind.

“I know this is not easy for you to hear. I understand you’ve been through quite a bit of emotional distress, but I need you to listen to me carefully. I’m sure you have many questions about what happened to you. I can assure you that you are in a safe place. And Nathaniel Parkins will never threaten you again.” Integra replied.

“I’m not dreaming am I?” Seras asked.

“No, you’re not. You needn’t question your sanity. What happened last night was very real. And in order to help you understand the events of last night, I must explain the mission of the Hellsing Organization. It is not typical protocol to bring citizens victimized by vampires to the mansion. You are an exception to that rule. The queen of England herself has requested that you be brought here to keep you safe. And what I am about to tell you,” Integra began. “Must never be revealed to the outside world. A great many lives depend upon this organization’s ability to remain in the shadows. Do I have your word that what you are about to hear will stay within these walls?”

“Yes, of course. What is the Hellsing Organization?” Seras asked.

“To explain that, I must first ask you if you’ve ever read the novel, Dracula by Bram Stoker?”

“Yes, I have. Many times in fact.”

“And do you remember how the story ended?”

“Yes. Dracula was defeated and destroyed by Van Helsing. Why do you ask?”

“Before I answer that, I must ask you to suspend all disbelief. Because the answer will no doubt seem too fantastic to believe.” Integra requested.

“All right. I’m listening.”

“Dracula was indeed defeated by Abraham Van Helsing. But, the ending of Dracula was a complete fabrication. Bram Stoker was out to write a horror novel and drew inspiration from the historical figure known as Vlad the Impaler also known as Vlad Tepesh. Stoker originally planned to title his story The Undead when he became aware of the bloody exploits of Vlad the Impaler. He changed the title from The Undead to Dracula. Abraham Van Helsing did not destroy Dracula.” Integra explained. She paused for a moment to take in a breath, and continued speaking. “Van Helsing knew that the vampire problem would not end with Dracula. While his being here in London was the most notable account of vampirism in England, he was not the first nor the last. And Van Helsing knew Dracula was a creature of great and terrible power. So instead of destroying Dracula, Van Helsing chose to harness Dracula’s powers to use them against the creatures of the night. To put it in a simpler way, Van Helsing chose to fight fire with fire.”

“You’re telling me Dracula still exists? He really is a vampire?” Seras asked not sure if she could believe what she was hearing.

“Yes. While it is not known exactly how Dracula became a creature of darkness, it is known that he came here to England. His prey was Lucy Westerman and then Mina Murray Harker. Van Helsing was brought in to hunt down and destroy Dracula. Instead, he brought Dracula back to London after he escaped back to Transylvania. Van Helsing decided that instead of destroying the creature, he would put his powers to good use against other vampires. Dracula was laid low and humbled, then made into a servant with Van Helsing being his human master. He was bound to Van Helsing in 1897 well over a hundred years ago. Bram Stoker at that time was looking for a suitable name for his antagonist. Van Helsing made a bargain with Stoker. He would allow Stoker to use his knowledge of Dracula in exchange for one thing. The ending of the story had to convince the world that Dracula had been destroyed and no longer existed. And Stoker could never reveal the truth of the vampire’s capture and taming. In exchange, Stoker could write his book and share it with the world. Of course you know that the novel became quite popular with the known world. And during that time, Dracula became a vampire slayer for Van Helsing. The caviat to that being only as long as the Van Helsing bloodline continued, Dracula would be bound to serve it. Abraham sired a son very late in his life. His name was Andrew. Also Van Helsing became simply known as Hellsing with an extra l added to the spelling. Andrew Hellsing fathered two sons, one named Arthur and the second son being named Richard. Arthur Hellsing was my father.”

“That means you’re related to Abraham Van Helsing.” Seras said in astonishment.

“To be exact, he was my great grandfather. And in addition to the spelling of the family name being altered, Abraham also renamed his new vampiric servant. My great grandfather being one for irony, he decided that since the master was now the servant he should have a name befitting the reversal in roles. He spelled Dracula’s name backwards. He then became known as Alucard. You met him last night.” Integra stated.

“Wait a minute, the man who was wearing a grey suit and long red coat…”

“Yes. That was Alucard. I am his current master.”

“I heard a voice in my head last night. It told me I was in danger and to escape my apartment.”

“Vampires have the ability to communicate telepathically with each other as well as humans. I had him watching over you when I became aware that Nathaniel Parkins was a threat to you. We had to move cautiously. If he was alerted to our presence, I feared he would do something drastic.”

“There’s a part of me that honestly cannot believe what I’m hearing. And yet there’s a part of me that doesn’t feel surprised to be hearing this.” Seras said.

“Hellsing is charged by the queen to protect the crown, country and church. The queen knows of Alucard’s existence. It was she who gave Van Helsing the duty and responsibility of keeping her country and citizens safe. Alucard has had three masters before me. My great grandfather, my grandfather, and my father. I am the first female to lead my family. My father named me his heir before he passed away.”

“So what happens to me after I’ve recovered?” Seras asked anxiously.

“You needn’t worry. No harm will come to you while in my charge. The queen felt it was best to bring and keep you here for the time being. I suspect that had you not been kidnapped by the vampire, you would have simply been kept in protective custody until Parkins was silenced. Through no fault of your own, you’ve been exposed to our enemies and thus exposed to our world. For their safety, we must remain unknown to the populace. Unfortunately, you were caught in the crossfire. It’s up to the queen as to where you will be relocated. Because of what we do, we have many enemies. For now you are safest here at the mansion. You will probably be staying with us for quite a while, so I will make your stay as comfortable as possible.”

“What about my apartment and my possessions?” Seras asked.

“Don’t worry. Your things are being brought to the mansion as we speak. A room is being made ready for you. Once Doctor Trevallion feels you’re ready, you’ll be able to move into it. Any and all needs you have will be taken care of.” Integra answered.

“Yes, I remember now. The older man, Walter, told me a room was being made ready.”

“I’m having Walter look after you for now. If there is anything you need, let him know.”

“All right. Thank you.” Seras said as her eyes began to grow heavy.

“I will leave you alone now so you can get some rest. I’ll be back to check on you tomorrow.” Integra said and left Seras’ room.

Integra returned to her office and sat down at her desk. She took one of her slim cigars and clipped the tip off before lighting it. She took a drag off of it and exhaled the smoke. Before she could take another puff she saw Alucard walk through a portal in the wall.

“Walter told me Seras Victoria will be staying here with us.” He said as he emerged fully from the black void.

“The queen and I both agree that Seras will be safest here for the time being. She’ll be staying in a room on the second floor once Doctor Trevallion releases her. But why should that be any concern of yours?” Integra asked flatly.

“I was merely curious. From what I’ve seen of her, she’s a very intriguing creature.” Alucard answered.

“She seems like an ordinary girl.”

“An ordinary girl who has shown extraordinary resilience under the circumstances. She has a strong spirit.” Alucard replied.

“She had to choose between fighting and dying. It was sink or swim, and she swam.” Integra said seemingly unconcerned.

“You don’t know humans the way I do, master. I’ve seen men crumble in lesser situations. Men who boast of great power and strength become little more than babies pleading for their mothers when they face death.” Alucard retorted.

“Perhaps. But it does seem out of character for you to be so concerned about her.” Integra commented.

“This is true. But she seems different from most humans.” Alucard replied.

“How can you make such a judgement when you hardly even know her?” Integra asked.

“Can you look into the very soul of a human, master?”

“No, I suppose not.”

“You have your answer then.”

“Still, it’s not like you.”

“I suppose after being around humans for so long, they’re finally beginning to rub off on me.”

“Perhaps.”

It was a day or two later as Seras lay in her bed looking up at the ceiling. She looked over at the clock which read nine p.m. and tried to process all of what she’d been told about the previous events. Her train of thought was interrupted by the sound of the door opening. Walter entered her room carrying a tray of scones and lemon curd. “Miss Victoria, I know it’s a bit late, but I thought you might be hungry. Beth made a few too many scones, and it would be a shame to let them go to waste.” He said.

“Actually I am a bit hungry. Thank you, Walter.” Seras replied.

“I trust Sir Integra explained the situation to you.”

“Yes, she did. And I admit there’s a part of me that believes I’ve gone completely crazy, or I’m in some sort of weird dream.”

“You needn’t doubt your sanity. Everything Integra told you is very true. I admit I found it all hard to believe when I joined the Hellsing Organization. Of course that was a long time ago.”

“You’ve been with Hellsing that long?” Seras asked.

“Yes. In my younger days I was an active field agent. I fought alongside Alucard during World War Two.” Walter answered.

“You fought in the second world war?”

“Yes. Alucard and myself were quite a team in those days. We took down entire legions of the undead.”

“I didn’t know there were vampires in the war. I guess news of their existence was covered up.”

“Oh yes. It was vital for such details to be suppressed. If people ever found out about the existence of vampires, well I fear the consequences would be quite dire. Suppression of such information was a daunting task. Fortunately Alucard and I were able to take down Hitler’s forces before they got any more out of control.” Walter explained.

“How did vampires end up in the second world war?” Seras asked, brimming with curiosity.

“The allies had knowledge of Hitler’s obsession with the occult. He used both science and black magic to create an army of vampires using his own soldiers as guinea pigs. He was successful and amassed quite an impressive legion. Unfortunately for him, Alucard and I spoiled his plans before his puppets could do much damage.”

“How did you come to join Hellsing, if you don’t mind my asking.”

“I was a teenager when by chance I came to be employed by Integra’s grandfather, Andrew.” Walter answered.

“A teenager? How did you end up in Hellsing at such a young age?”

“My life at home was, to put it mildly, not very pleasant. So unpleasant in fact I found being on the street easier to deal with. My father and I were at odds with each other and we fought almost on a daily basis. Without going into too much detail, the last fight we had resulted in me leaving home. I was full of myself and had the whole world figured out. At least that’s what I thought. But trying to find a means of supporting myself at that age was not easy. I often found myself scavenging just to survive most days. Nights were worse. I got into a lot of fights over the few scraps of food I could get. It was by chance that I ended up working for the Hellsing Organization. I hadn’t eaten in a few days, and I was quite hungry. So I snuck into a fancy establishment to try and find some food. I had a peculiar talent for stealing food without getting caught. I would take a piece of string and hide it under the cuff of my shirt. When a plate of food was set down at a table I would wait for a patron to get up. Then I would cast the line that had a small hook on the end of it. My aim was extraordinarily accurate and many times I would catch something like a piece of bread or meat. If I was really lucky, I could catch a steak and be off with it before the patron knew what happened.” Walter explained.

“That must have been hard for you.” Seras said.

“It certainly wasn’t an ideal living situation, but I managed to survive as long as I did. Anyway, I managed to sneak in without being seen. The restaurant wasn’t very busy at night so I thought I could get in, catch something to eat and get away without being caught. Well, after I snuck in and found a place to hide, I waited for a patron to order something. It was fortunate that this particular establishment used very wide, long black table cloths made of thick material. I could easily hide myself while I waited. I heard a group of gentlemen enter. A matradee met them and helped them get seated at their table. They just happen to be at a table beside the one I was hiding under. I sat very still and tried not to breathe too hard for fear that someone would hear me. I waited until the gentlemen all ordered what they wanted. I remember hearing one of them being called Andrew, Andrew Hellsing. He was the son of Abraham Van Helsing and current head of the organization. At the time I wasn’t concerned who any of the men were. I was more concerned about quieting the rumbling in my stomach. I had to keep myself from panicking because I thought the noise would draw attention. But none of them seem to be paying attention to any noises coming from the table beside them.” Walter replied, pausing to take a breath. Then he continued his story.

“I peeked out from under the table cloth and noticed one man had a brown leather wallet in his left pants pocket. I don’t know why, but I decided to do something I knew would be rather foolish. I was going to try and snare that wallet. Then I could actually buy food instead of having to steal it. Strange logic I know since I was trying to steal the wallet and then buy food with money that clearly wasn’t mine. But having to scrounge for any scraps of food I could find got rather tiresome and in some situations, dangerous. I wasn’t the only scamp out on the street trying to survive. And a grown man starving for food would have no qualms about killing a boy to get the food he needed. But I digress. I took my fishing line and peered under the table cloth to find my target. Once I had it in view, I took aim and cast the line. Unfortunately I had gotten cocky since my aim was so impeccably accurate. I thought I would never miss the wallet. But this time, I did. Instead of snagging the wallet, I ended up snagging the gentleman’s pants. I started to panic and tried to work the hook out of the fabric. All I ended up doing was putting a pretty good tear in the fabric. Another gentleman in the party saw the twine I was using, got up and followed it to where I was hiding. He bent over and lifted the table cloth to find me hiding under it. I was about to try and escape when he grabbed my wrist and dragged me out from under the table. Needless to say he didn’t look too happy with me.”

“What happened?” Seras asked.

“I was sure he’d call the police, that is after giving me a good pounding first. But the gentleman whose pants I’d torn stopped him. He was rather put off, but surprisingly not at me. He had just had those pants made the day before and the material used to make them was subpar. The hook wasn’t embedded that far into the fabric and it was very small. He said the hook shouldn’t have caused so much damage. He kept his comrade from beating me up and calling the police. He introduced himself as Andrew Hellsing.” Walter said.

“So Andrew didn’t have you arrested.” Seras replied.

“No. As a matter of fact he was actually quite impressed with my skill of tossing a line and catching something with it. Of course he couldn’t overlook the fact that I had tried to steal his wallet. But decided that instead of having me languish and possibly get killed in prison, Andrew offered to give me a job that would put my unique talent to good use. He said if I accepted his offer, I could in fact be a great asset to the queen and the country. Of course I couldn’t imagine what her majesty would think of a street rat as being of any use to her and England. But faced with the prospect of being thrown into a cell with a bunch of men who would have gladly eaten me alive, I decided to listen to what Andrew had to say. He actually invited me to eat with him and his friends since he could tell I hadn’t eaten in several days. He also deduced that was the reason I was trying to steal his wallet in the first place. I reluctantly sat down beside him keeping my distance from the other gentleman who just wanted to teach me a lesson. Andrew bought dinner for me, and then told me to come with him back to his residence where he would explain everything. I didn’t know exactly what I was going to be in for, but decided to take my chances.”

Walter took another pause before continuing to speak. “I sat with Andrew in his black Rolls Royce. I’d seen them all the time but never imagined I’d actually be sitting in one. I stayed quiet for most of the trip only speaking when Andrew asked me a question. He could tell I was obviously unsettled as I had no idea what his intentions were. He assured me I would come to no harm. So after about thirty minutes, the car pulled up to this very mansion. Andrew invited me in so I could get cleaned up. He found some clothes that would fit me until a proper suit could be made for me. Then after I got cleaned up he invited me into his office so we could talk. He asked me where my parents were. I told him I had run away from them and had no intentions of going back. Suffice to say, my life at home was not a happy one, and let’s just leave it at that.”

“Of course.” Seras replied.

“He asked me if I’d be interested in putting my skill to good use in service to the queen? He assured me I’d have steady employment and be a boon to the country instead of a nuisance. I asked how I could possibly be of any help to the queen. I was just a scamp on the street after all. Then Andrew made a call to the head of mansion staff. I remember him saying to have his best field agent come to his office right away. What happened next was something that took quite some time for me to process as being real. Before I could say anything there was a black hole in the left wall. And from that hole in the wall a man emerged. But I would soon find out that he is more than just a man, much more. That night I was about to learn there was more to the real world than I could possibly imagine, and that I had a large role to play in shaping the history of this country.”

Integra sat at her desk staring at the picture of her father. She found herself going back to a time when she was just a young girl under his tutelage. ”Integra, it’s time to start today’s lesson. First , I want to see what you can recall from last week’s lesson on werewolves.” Requested Arthur Hellsing.

“Werewolves are separated into one of two categories. The first type of werewolf is an unfortunate soul bitten by another werewolf. That soul is cursed to become a ravenous, flesh eating monster at each full moon. The other is a human who has made a covenant with the devil and becomes a monster who preys upon humans. This werewolf can change form at will. The condition whether by bite or by black magic is called lycanthropy. They are a most feared night creature leaving carnage and death in their wake.” Integra stated.

“Very good, Integra. Today’s lesson will focus upon a night creature even more powerful than a werewolf. A creature so fearsome that the queen has called upon our family to fulfill its sacred duty to protect the crown, the church and country from these terrible beings. This is a creature that has survived for not just centuries, but millenia. From the beginning of time in fact, they have roamed the earth.” Arthur explained.

“What creature is that, father?” Integra asked.

“The vampire. No being of darkness is more powerful, more capable and more dominant than the vampire. This creature is indeed one of if not the most formidable foe our family has ever faced. It was your great grandfather, Abraham Van Helsing who brought low and defeated one of the most powerful vampires the world has ever known, Dracula.”

“But wasn’t Dracula a fictional tale written by Bram Stoker?” Integra questioned again.

“To the world at large, yes. But for our family, it was a historical account of a battle against one of the most powerful creatures of the night to ever roam the earth. It was indeed a struggle and several lives were lost along the way, but the king of the vampires was finally subdued and the world made safe from his blood lust. But unfortunately he was not the only member of the undead to threaten England. The children of the night still walk among the living in this country. It is our responcibility to take down these creatures and make the night safe for man, woman and child to exist in. Now Integra, tell me what you know about vampires.” Arthur instructed.

“They live by night and feed off human blood. They can also make others of their kind by infecting a human with their own blood. They can also change their shape into a wolf or a bat. They are dispatched by driving a wooden stake into their hearts.” Integra answered.

“That is how it happened in Bram Stoker’s novel, but in reality, vampires are much harder to defeat. They are not just reanimated walking corpses. They are capable of shapeshifting into more than just wolves and bats. They can travel on the wind as a mist or fog. They have strength mere humans cannot even dream of. They can rip a human apart as if he were a piece of paper. They are capable of controlling the elements and the lower beasts of the earth. But, it is not just strength or shape shifting or mastery of the elements that makes them so dangerous. True vampires are cunning and smart. They can invade a human’s mind and take over his or her will with ease. And more than that, they have the ability to take a pure and virtuous heart and make it corrupt. They are never to be trusted, Integra. Never. No matter how persuasive and charming they may be, you must always be on your guard. You must make your mind steel against the vampire’s power. You must shield yourself from the desire it will try to raise in you. Never give into it, Integra. Lest you fall and become a creature of the night yourself. One day Integra, it may very well be you who stands against the legions of the night. If that time ever comes, you must be ready.”

Integra looked away from the picture of her father letting her mind come back to the present. “Father, I know you told me never to trust them. You told me to always be on guard. But what you didn’t tell me was you would entrust my life to the very thing you taught me to stand against. You entrusted my life with not just a vampire, but the most powerful one in the world. Why didn’t you tell me about Alucard before you died?” Integra asked herself aloud. She shook her head as her mind began to fill with questions she had asked herself over and over. But as before, there were never any easy answers. She continued to sit at her desk pondering over the nagging doubt that began to grow within her.

Late that night Seras lay in her bed tossing and turning. Peaceful slumber seemed to evade her every time she closed her eyes. She kept seeing the vision of Ingrid as a ghoul along with many other ghouls surrounding her and reaching out to grab her. She could hear the sinister laughter of Nathaniel Parkins echoing in her head. Her breathing was fast and her heart beat rapidly. “No. No go away. Get away from me.” She gasped in her troubled sleep. The mad eyes of her captor along with his glistening fangs terrified her even though she knew he and his slaves were gone. Nevertheless she couldn’t stop the visions from coming and terrifying her. “Get away from me. Get away.”

“Mine for eternity.” She heard Parkins’s voice say as he got closer and closer.

”Seras,” Another voice whispered her name. ”Esti in siguranta.”

Seras saw Parkins and the ghouls suddenly vanished. She opened her eyes and found she was in her room and all was quiet. Then she heard the voice speak to her again. ”Ești în siguranță cu mine.” Seras didn’t understand the words, but they seemed to calm her fears. “Alucard?” She asked herself, recognizing the voice as his. Then she began to feel her eyes growing very heavy and the urge to lay down overtook her. She lay back in her bed as her eyes slowly began to close. ”Dormi micutul.”

Her breathing began to return to normal and her heartbeat began to resume a regular pace. She drifted into a deep sleep. Her body was still and she was unaware of what went on around her. So deep that she did not notice the figure that suddenly materialized beside her bed. Alucard’s vampiric eyes cut through the darkness allowing him to see Seras as easily as if the room were lit. He gazed down at her sleeping form. He watched her chest rise and fall with each breath. “Beautiful.” He said to himself in a silent whisper. He leaned over, tempted to touch her face, but thought against it fearing he would wake her. He remembered the first night he’d seen her at her apartment looking up at the moon. ”She looks so delicate, yet has the strength and the will to live.” He thought. Alucard looked toward the wall, seeing the clock. It read half past two in the morning. He looked at Seras one more time before vanishing from her room. She slept for the rest of the night without incident.

The next morning Doctor Trevallion went to check on Seras. She was sitting up in her bed when he entered her room. “How are you feeling this morning?” He asked. “All right, I guess.” Seras answered quietly. The doctor approached her bedside while a nurse stood by in case she was needed. Doctor Trevallion took out a small flashlight and shined it against Seras’s face. She squinted her eyes slightly as the light shined against her eyes. “Well, aside from some bruising you seem to be in relatively good shape. I think you should be able to move into your new room today. Have you eaten yet?” He asked.

“Yes.” Seras answered.

“Good. I’ll be discharging you this afternoon. Your room should be ready by then.” He said and signed a paper kept on his clipboard. He handed it to the nurse. “You may inform Sir Integra I’ll be discharging Miss Victoria today.”

“Yes, doctor.” The nurse said, and exited the room.

“I’ll have your clothes brought to you so you can get changed. You’ve got time if you need to wash up.”

“Thank you, doctor.” Seras replied as she watched Doctor Trevallion leave.

In the main section of the mansion, Walter escorted two well dressed gentlemen to Integra’s office and knocked upon the door. “Come in.” Integra said while reading the final report on the case of Nathaniel Parkins. Walter opened the door. “Sir, the queen’s envoys are here to meet with you.” He said. Integra put down the file and stood up at her desk. “Gentleman, good afternoon. Please come in.’

The envoys entered Integra’s office and removed their hats. “Good afternoon, Sir Hellsing. The queen requests an update upon the Parkins case.” One said.

“Nathaniel Parkins has been silenced. He and his ghouls will no longer be a problem to the citizens of London. And the young woman, Seras Victoria is resting comfortably in the hospital wing. I was just informed by Doctor Trevallion, this morning she’ll be ready to move into the second floor of the mansion.” Integra answered respectfully.

“How is the young lady, Sir Hellsing?”

“Aside from some minor injuries, she’s made a full recovery. She’s recovering physically, although mentally and emotionally she’s still trying to process all that’s happened to her. I will admit that I have broken with usual protocol. Considering the fact that Seras has been exposed to our world, I took the liberty of disclosing the mission of the Hellsing Organization. I expect Seras will be with us for a while.” Integra explained.

“The queen will understand your need to inform the young lady.. Normally she would not have citizens brought here and risk the organization’s mission being exposed. This case however; falls under extenuating circumstances. She has given the order that young Seras remain in your care. Her majesty agrees she will be safer here rather than being relocated. This will keep her from danger while keeping Hellsing’s existence a secret from the rest of the country.” The first envoy replied.

“Very well. Please give my regards to her majesty. Seras will be safe here until the queen decides when and where she is to be relocated.”

The second envoy handed the first an envelope. “Oh yes, the queen requested this be given to you. Please read it at your earliest convenience. Good day, Sir Hellsing.”

“Good day, gentlemen.”

Later that day Seras was discharged from the hospital wing of the estate. Walter arrived to escort her to her new living quarters. He led her through the first floor of the mansion until they came to an elevator. “You’ll be staying on the second floor.” Walter said. Seras looked at all the rooms and stairs throughout the mansion. She felt as if some of the hallways went on forever. “I’ve never been in a place so big.” She replied as she and Walter entered the elevator.

“It started out much smaller than it is now. There have been several renovations over the past twenty years. The mansion is the nerve center of the organization. There are buildings spread throughout the estate. They’re mostly training facilities for soldiers and testing sites for new recruits. The buildings look ordinary from the outside. Inside however, the training centers employ the very latest technology. We even have a training simulator where soldiers and recruits sharpen their skills.”

“Walter, is it safe for you to be telling me this? I mean I find it all very interesting but, I don’t want you getting into any trouble.” Seras said. The aged retainer looked toward his young ward. “You’ve nothing to worry about Miss Victoria. Sir Integra has the approval of the queen for you to know what’s going on. It’s better to be up front with you rather than trying to hide all that goes on here.”

“Where does Alucard stay?” Seras asked.

“He prefers to stay in the sublevels of the mansion. He can move about by day, but he prefers to keep to himself for the most part. Every now and then he likes to play tricks on new recruits. He considers it his way of welcoming them to the Hellsing organization. Occasionally he gets in trouble for it with Integra. But it never seems to bother him. He seems to get a rise out of pushing her buttons now and again. He usually doesn’t concern himself with the affairs of humans. Sir Integra and I are the few humans he actually associates with.” Walter explained.

Seras remained quiet for a moment. She had so many questions she wanted to ask, but was reluctant to voice them. The elevator stopped at the second floor. The doors slid open as Walter and Seras stepped out of the elevator and began walking down the hall. “Sir Integra’s office is also here on the second floor. She spends the majority of her time there.” He continued.

“She just stays in her office all day?” Seras asked.

“Yes. On occasion she has to leave on business or to meet with the queen, but the rest of the time she stays in her office. She’s not one for socializing or going out. She can come off as being cold and impersonal, but she is fair and understanding. She takes her position as the head of the Hellsing Organization very seriously. Some would speculate a little too seriously. She’s the first and only female to be named the head of her family. All other heads of the organization have been men.” Walter answered.

“Is that why she wears a suit?”

“Yes. She believes that to be taken seriously in a predominantly male dominated role, she has to look the part. To her, dresses and skirts can be a distraction, so she doesn’t wear them unless absolutely necessary. Ah, here we are.” Walter said as he and Seras finally came to her room.

“This will be your room, Miss Victoria.”

“Please, you can call me Seras. You don’t have to be formal around me.” Seras replied.

“Well then, Seras, shall we?” Walter asked and opened the door. He and Seras entered the room. Walter flipped the light switch so the room was illuminated. Seras looked at the spacious room. She walked around inspecting it and seeing where all her things had been placed. “The bed in your apartment seemed to show quite a bit of wear, so Sir Integra decided this bed would be better for you to sleep in, seeing as you’ll most likely be with us for quite a while.” Walter said.

“It’s much bigger than my old one. It’s beautiful. Um, I needed to ask you Walter, did any of the movers find a phone in my apartment?” Seras asked.

“Not that I’m aware of. I’m sure Sir Integra would be willing to replace it for you.” Walter answered.

“Well, the phone itself is just a phone. But it was a birthday present from my mom before she passed away. It had pictures I took of her and Ingrid on it. Anything else is secondary and easily replaced .” Seras replied, her expression growing sad.

“I’m so sorry, Seras. There may still be a chance it could turn up. If it does, I’ll make sure it is returned to you right away.”

“Thank you, Walter.”

“Is there anything else I can do for you?”

“No, well, maybe one thing.” Seras said.

“Last night I was having nightmares. Well they were more like flashbacks from Nathaniel Parkins kidnapping me. In the midst of the nightmare, I heard a voice speaking to me in my head. It sounded like Alucard. But after he spoke my name, he started saying words I didn’t understand. For some strange reason though, hearing his voice seemed to calm me down. I was able to sleep after that.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I don’t know what he said though. He was speaking in some sort of language.”

“Romanian.” Walter replied.

“Romanian?” Seras asked.

“Yes. It’s his native tongue.”

“Oh. I wonder why he didn’t speak in english.”

“One can never tell with Alucard. He is a rather complicated individual. If there’s nothing more you require, I’ll leave you to get settled then. If you need anything, there is an intercom on your nightstand. Just hold down the red button and talk into the speaker. One of the house staff or myself will see to your needs.”

“All right, Walter.”

It was six in the evening at the Hellsing mansion. As was often the case, Integra was in her office at her desk. She picked up a delicate china tea cup and raised it to her lips taking a sip of the hot tea within it. She set it back down and looked over at the sealed envelope the queen’s envoys had given to her earlier that day. She was about to open it when she heard a knock at the door. “Come in.” She said,

Walter opened the door and walked into the office. “What is it, Walter?”

“I thought I would let you know Miss Victoria has gotten settled in her new room. She seems rather pleased with the new accommodations.” Walter answered.

“Good. Was there something you needed?”

“Well, not for myself, but Miss Victoria asked me if a cell phone had been brought along with the rest of her possessions. It holds more sentimental value than anything else. It was a gift from her late mother.”

“I don’t recall a phone being brought in with her things. I’ll replace it for her if it doesn’t turn up.” Integra replied plainly. She looked over at the envelope and finally opened it.

“Something important, Sir?”

“It was delivered to me by the queen’s envoys. I guess I better read it.” Integra said breaking the royal seal. She opened up the envelope and read the contents. She breathed an exasperated sigh at the paper. Walter noticed the now perturbed expression on his employer’s face. “Is something amiss?” He asked.

“It would appear that Sir Penwood’s oldest son Simon, is finally getting married. The wedding is on the twenty-fourth of May. As one of the queen’s knights, I am expected to attend the wedding and reception. And as if that wasn’t tedious enough, I’m also expected to have an escort for the evening. And it would appear one has already been chosen for me. Sir Penwood’s youngest son, Roderick will be my… date.”

“You’ll have to wear a dress, won’t you?” Walter asked.

“Unfortunately, yes. A seamstress appointed by her majesty will be coming tomorrow to take my measurements. She’ll also be bringing material samples and patterns for me to go through. I just hope she brings something conservative for me to choose. The thought of having to wear a dress is bad enough, but if I have to wear something low cut or sleeveless.” She paused for a moment to drink her tea. “I’ll never hear the end of Alucard’s teasing.”

“Well it is only for one night.” Walter replied.

“That’s the only positive thing I can say about it. It’s the one part of being a knight that I absolutely cannot stand, having to wear a dress. But out of reverence and respect to her majesty, I’ll suffer through it for one night.”

It was close to eleven-thirty when Walter headed down to the sublevels. Alucard sat in his chamber. The room was dim. The only light being the candles that burned in their ornate candelabras. He sat with his eyes closed, deep in thought. He envisioned Seras sleeping peacefully in her bed the night he’d looked in on her. His eyes opened when he heard footsteps approaching his chamber. He looked to find Walter standing in the doorway. “Does my master have an assignment for me?” The vampire asked.

“No. I thought I would tell you Miss Victoria has gotten settled in. She seems rather happy with her new room.” Walter answered.

“So what do you think of her, so far?”

“She seems like a nice young woman. I talked with her for a spell while she was still in the hospital wing. I told her about how I came to work for Hellsing, and that I fought alongside you during World War Two. To think I became a vampire slayer because of a pair of poorly made trousers.”

“Told her the story? Well, it is an amusing one to say the least.”

“You seem quite taken with her.”

“I know. It’s not like me, but lovely young Seras seems to have taken residence within my thoughts. I find myself lingering on her more than I usually would with a human. But then again, she seems different from most humans.” Alucard replied.

“Well, she seems to be holding up under the circumstances. Could it be that you’re still hung up on someone else?”

“It’s not Mina. I learned to let her go a long time ago.”

“And Lucy?”

“Lucy was lust, plain and simple. No. This is different. Something about her spirit draws me to her. She can be vulnerable, but at the same time she has courage and strength. She endured a situation most humans would hope never to find themselves in. She didn’t cower in the face of death. Rather, she chose to fight.”

“It makes you think about Integra. Alucard, you know she’s vowed to remain human until the day she dies.”

“I’ve come to terms with that as well. But even then, there’s something Seras has that Integra does not.”

“What would that be?”

“I’m not quite sure yet. I’ve yet to know everything about her.”

“Well, this is somewhat out of character for you.”

“I know. Perhaps it is this solitary existence of mine is beginning to grow heavy on me. Maybe it’s time I stopped roaming the night alone.”

“I suppose it can grow heavy for as long as you’ve existed. I had better take my leave for the night. I still have to make my rounds to make sure everything is in order.”

Alucard reached into his coat and took something out of its inner pocket. “I found this the night I was in Seras Victoria’s apartment. It must be hers.” He said, extending his hand.

“She had just told me about how her phone was missing. I’ll see that she gets it. Seras will be quite pleased to have it back.”

The next morning Seras was finishing breakfast. She set the empty tray outside her room for the maid to come retrieve it. Then she got dressed and settled down on her bed. She turned on the television and flicked through the channels but found nothing that interested her. She kept thinking about her lost cell phone. “Those were the last pictures I had left of mom. And I don’t know how long I’ll be kept here. I really don’t know anyone here except for Walter. And Integra doesn’t sound like the most social person in the world.” She said to herself. She felt isolated and alone. She huddled up on the bed and looked outside the window not too far away from her. “Mom, I miss you so much. I wish you were here.”

Seras heard a knock at the door jogging her from her train of thought. “Who is it?” She asked. “It’s Walter, Miss Victoria. I have something for you.” Walter answered through the door. “Come in.”

Walter opened the door and entered Seras’s room. She looked over at him and noticed what he was holding. “Your phone was found. I came to give it back to you.”

Seras immediately perked up and hopped off the bed. “You found it!” She exclaimed and suddenly hugged Walter. The move took him by surprise. Seras let go and stood a few inches away from the Hellsing retainer. “Sorry. I got a little carried away.” She said sheepishly.

“I’m glad I could return your phone to you. Oddly enough it was Alucard who found it the night you were kidnapped. He must have held onto it until you recovered enough to reclaim it. He gave it to me last night.”

“Alucard found it, and he kept it safe? Walter, please tell him thank you for me. I can’t tell you how much it means to have this back.” Seras said.

“I’m glad I could return it to you. Your mother must have been very dear to you.”

“She was. She,” Seras stopped for a moment. “Sorry. It’s hard for me to think about her without wanting to cry.”

“She must have been quite an extraordinary person.”

“To me, she was. Sometime, I’ll tell you about her.”

“Well, I must be on my way. Things tend to get quite hectic around here. I’ll have lunch brought to you at noon if that’s all right.”

“Yes. Thank you Walter.” Seras said.