Chapter 2
Their hungers satiated, Demir and Aiesha walked over to an altar. Behind it was the statue of a naked woman with long bat wings sprouting from her back. Her hair cascaded down her body covering part of her breasts. Her mouth was open and sharp pointed fangs elongated in eternal bloodlust. Her arms were outstretched and in her hands she held a chalice made of gold. Demir's waved his hand and half melted candles sparked to firey life.
"She is not yet ready to re enter this world." Demir said cryptically.
"What is needed for her to finally be released from her prison?" Aiesha asked.
"We must bring her a virgin of strong noble blood. And we must bring her at the first light of the next full moon. Only then will our mistress be ready to break free from her stone prison and reclaim the world that was once hers. But until then we must ask her for protection from those who seek to stop us. There have been alliances between humans and vampires who would keep us from fulfilling our mission. We are charged with destroying our enemies and those of our kind who betray our blood. In exchange for this power we must make an offering." Demir said.
Demir took a knife that lay on the altar and slit his hand. He then gave it Aiesha and she did the same. They stretched out their bleeding palms and let their blood pour into the gold chalice.
"Lilith! Mother of eternal darkness, hear your children! Our enemies are your enemies! Cloak us from them so that we may bring you fourth into our world! Give us your power so that we may do your bidding!" He shouted.
The blood began to move as if embued with life. It was pulled toward the mouth where it was absorbed into the ancient stone. The marble eyes flashed red for only a second and then were again still. A mist rose off the cool stone surface and floated toward Demir and Aiesha. Their eyes flashed simutaneiously and they stood before the statue of Lilith.
"She has cloaked us once more. Come. We must return to the club before too much suspicioun is aroused."
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Alucard and Seras were still seated at their booth as a waitress approached them. "Is there anything you require?" She asked.
"No my dear. We are just fine thank you." Alucard replied.
The waitress nodded her head. As she left Alucard jerked his head upward for a moment. His eyes wide as if he sensed something.
"Alucard, what is it?" Seras asked.
At first the elder vampire did not answer. He sniffed the air. Then as quickly as the feeling came over him, it was gone. He shook his head. "I thought I sensed something...inhuman." He said. His expression was serious as he spoke.
"Another vampire here besides us?" Seras questioned looking around.
"I thought for a moment perhaps there was. But now I can sense nothing." Alucard replied. He looked around the club for a moment then back at Seras. "I know I sensed something." He said shaking his head.
"I wonder why you did, but I didn't. I should be able to sense other vampires as well." Seras pondered.
"You didn't feel anything?" Alucard questioned.
"No, I didn't." Seras answered.
"Well, you are still very young for a vampire. You are still developing your powers and your senses." Alucard replied.
"Still, if there were vampires among us I should have sensed it if you did." Seras said.
"The wine may be affecting your senses. An elder like myelf has had over five hundred years to learn how to handle the affects of alcohol on my senses. As time goes on you shall as well." Alucard responded.
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Demir stood at the back entrance of the club. He and Aiesha were about to enter when he suddenly retreated from the doorway.
"What is it?" Aiesha asked.
"I sense we are not the only immortals here. I looked in one of the booths and saw someone who looked very familiar. Someone whom I knew a long time ago." Demir answered.
"Who?"
"I think we should greet our new guests. Then we can gauge just what kind of threat they may be to our cause." Demir said.
Demir and Aiesha walked into the club casually strolling toward the booth occupied by Alucard and Seras. Alucard looked to see the couple walking toward them. For a moment his eyes widened at the site of Demir. He shook his head for a moment. Demir looked familiar, but Alucard couldn't sense why. That bothered him, but he kept his concern well hidden.
Demir too was hiding his own suprise. Something about Alucard felt very familar to him as well. But he did not show it. Like Alucard he kept his feelings well cloaked. He and Aiesha graciously bowed before their guests.
"Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Demir and this is my companion Aiesha. We are the owners of Dark Oasis." He said.
"I am Alucard. This is my wife Seras Victoria. We heard this place was well spoken of. I can see why so many come here. Indeed it is a fine establishment." Alucard said.
"Aiesha and I wanted to establish a place for those with both dark passions and good taste. I see that you and your lovely bride are two such people." Demir replied.
"Your walking cane is quite lovely." Aiesha commented softly.
"Thank you my dear. It's rather old but lovingly cared for." Alucard said.
"Yes. Nineteenth century is it not?" Demir asked.
"Yes, as a matter of fact it is." Alucard answered.
"I have a fondness for antiques as well as a sizable collection. I like to consider myself a modern gentleman who has great reverance for things of the past. After all, how can one know one's future without remembering one's past?"
"True...very true." Alucard said.
"If you will excuse us, we have many guests to greet." Demir replied.
"Of course. Seras and I must leave soon ourselves. We have buisness of our own to attend to."
"I do hope our paths will cross again soon." Demir said.
"Oh I think you can count on it. It will be hard to stay away from such lush surroundings." Alucard said as Demir and Aiesha took their leave.
The club owners went to the front of the club to greet the patrons as they entered. Though his look was polite and mannerly, his thoughts were those of shock and caution.
"What is it? What are you thinking about?" Aiesha asked mentally.
"So the legend is true." Demir thought to himself at first.
"What legend?"
"You and I have crossed paths with a very old enemy. I thought he was dead, but it would appear he is something else. He and the girl both are vampires. Could you not sense it on them?" Demir asked.
"Yes I could. But you said there was something familar about the man. The one who calls himself Alucard." Aiesha answered.
"Yes. I know him. When we are done greeting our guests I will explain." Demir replied.
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Integra sat at her desk and looked down at her watch. As she started thumbing through a stack of files the phone rang.
"Yes." She said answering the phone.
"Sir Integra, we've found two bodies. We're having them taken to the coroner's office right now. We'll need you to be a witness to the autopsies as the bodies have...unnatural wounds to their throats and lower torsos."
"Understood. I'll be there immediately." Integra said and hung up the phone.
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Alucard was just finishing off a glass of bloodwine when he heard a voice deep in his mind.
"Alucard, you and Seras are to return to Hellsing manor immediately."
"Yes master." Alucard responded. "Our master has ordered us to return to the the mansion."
"All right." Seras said as she and Alucard got up and left their booth. They casually walked out of the club noticing Demir and Aiesha were no where to be seen. They walked a fair distance until Alucard felt no one was watching them. He and Seras vanished into the night. Not long after they rematerialized in front of Sir Integra as she was getting ready to leave.
"Has something come up master?" Alucard inquired.
"Two bodies have been found with wounds on their throats. I'm on my way to view the autopsies. When I return I want you to report upon your observations of Dark Oasis." Integra answered as she left the office.
"Something about Demir seemed familiar...very familiar. I know I sensed something before he and his companion entered the club. It was only for a very brief second, but I felt something. It was as if I could sense the presence of another vampire, but then the feeling was gone as if it had never happened. I don't know why that would be. An elder vampire like myself can sense the presence of others of our kind with great ease." Alucard replied.
"You think there is something more to him than he is letting on?" Seras asked.
"At this point I cannot tell. If I didn't know any better, I'd say he is someone I knew a long time ago. But that can't be possible." Alucard answered.
"And why do you say that?"
"Because the time that I knew him was over five hundred years ago. Unless..."
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Integra along with two of the queen's envoys were sequestered in a special viewing room while the autopsy took place.
"The man has been identified as David Chesterfield. The woman has been identified as Sara Winston. They were the two persons reported as missing after they went to the club Dark Oasis. The bodies were drained of most of their blood, and bite marks found on their throats. There have also been what appear to be an inverted cross drawn into the skin of the woman. We have not established at this time if it was done while the victim was still alive or after her death."
"It's appearent that vampires are involved. The pair were never seen again after they went to Dark Oasis. But it cannot yet be established the events that led to their deaths or who is responcible." Integra stated.
"The deaths display classic signs of vampire attack. However, we believe this to be the work of real vampires, not FREAKS. The chip has not been found so that leads us to believe the true undead have done this." Said one of the envoys.
"I agree." Integra repliled.
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It was late when Demir and Aiesha bid the last of the club patrons good night before closing up the club. The two walked back inside and locked the front doors. He led Aiesha to the back.
"You said you knew him, the man called Alucard." She said.
"I know him...very well." Demir replied.
"How?" Aiesha asked.
"He is Vlad Dracula." Demir answered.
"Dracula? I thought he died over five hundred years ago." Aiesha said.
"That is what the world believed, or most of it anyway. Stories began to travel that Dracula made a deal with the devil and became a creature of the night for all eternity." Demir refuted.
"So, Vlad the Impalor still walks the Earth." Aiesha replied.
"Yes. We must be cautious. He is a very dangerous foe. He is said to have great power, so much power that he cannot be destroyed." Demir said.
"We must go to our mistress. Even in her stone prison she will tell us what kind of threat we are facing and how to deal with him."
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Integra returned from the autopsy and summoned Alucard and Seras to her office. The two vampires appeared before their leader immediately.
"Two bodies were found tonight. They appear to be the victims of vampire attacks. And it is believed that FREAKS are not behind this either. The victims were drained of blood. A blasphemous symbol was found cut into the woman's flesh. I believe that we are dealing with a true vampire." Integra said. "Did you sense anything about Dark Oasis?" She asked.
"There didn't appear to be anything unusual about the club itself. I did for the briefest second sense something unusual, but I was unable to locate the source. A man who calls himself Demir claims ownership of the club. He also had a woman with him named Aiesha. They appear to be foriegners, but their country of origin is unknown to me at this time." Alucard stated.
"You mean you sensed something but could not pinpoint the source of the feeling? Are you beginning to lose your touch Alucard?" Integra asked sharply.
"I can assure you I've lost nothing master. If there had been vampires in that club I would have sensed them easily. It is well known that true vampires can sense others of their own kind." Alucard replied.
"Then why could you not sense the vampires that killed two people last night?" Integra demanded.
"I...cannot answer that master. If there had been vampires I would have sensed them. I don't know why I did not." Alucard answered feeling his pride somewhat wounded by Integra's doubt.
"Nevertheless, we must hunt the creature or creatures responcible and see that they are stamped out before they kill anyone else. I am going to have Dark Oasis investigated. MI-5 will be looking into the matter as well. I should hope this inability to sense the prey is just a one time fluke." Integra said.
"It was. Of that I am certain." Alucard replied assuringly.
"Very well. I am going to send you two back to the club tomorrow night. It will be dawn soon. I suggest you both retire to your coffins and get some rest."