Van Helsing (Cont.)

"That's a story for another time," Michael picked up Beatrice while she was distracted. "If you promise to think this through, I'll tell it to you." He already regretting the promise, but he couldn't stand to see the sweet, young, blond girl in his arms become anything like Marcus. One by one... slowly but surely.... Could this Lestat character be working with Marcus?

 

"It's a mirror," Anna breathed. "But why would Dracula need a mirror? He has no reflection."

"Maybe," Carl started. "Maybe to Dracula it's not a mirror at all..." He looked at Van Helsing.

"It hurts," Hannah groaned horsely.

Beatrice fidgited in Michael's arms, still perturbed by tingles his touch sent up and down her spine.

 

Van Helsing nodded, thinking about what they both had said. He stepped forward, reaching his hand up to the mirror, and then stopped.

"What about the others?" he muttered to Carl.

 

I know, dear, Edward sighed. Can you walk or do you need me to carry you?

 

Michael sighed. "I barely know you, so it might be out of line for me to say this, but you remind me of someone I held very dear to me. Not in your looks, but your attitude."

 

"We should wait," Carl responded. "We don't know what this is, but one of the others might. And we'll need them anyways."

Anna put her hands on her hips. "You really think numbers matter when it comes to Dracula?"

"Frankly, yes," Carl said. "All historical battles show that nearly eighty percent of the time, the commander with larger numbers prevails over the one with lesser troops. Granted, we are dealing with a vampire here, but surely a vampire and his bride cannot stand against-"

"Against what?" Anna prompted when Carl stopped. "A hunter, a friar, and two men being followed by 'unwanted company'?"

"That hurts," Hannah said, dragging her hands to her head. "I don't want to move..."

Beatrice was quiet for a moment, thinking of how to repsond. "Um... okay... Is that a good thing?"

 

"Now would not be the best time to mention the girls, I guess?" Van Helsing laughed at Carl, putting his hand down and smiling.

 

Well, what would you have me do, Hannah? Edward asked seriously. I'm not even close to being calm enough to transform again, and you can't move. Do I need to get someone?

 

"It's a very good thing," Michael answered. "She was an amazing vampire...."

 

"I don't suppose so," Carl agreed.

"Girls? There are more?" Anna's hand went back to her gun. "I think I'm owed an explination."

"Shh!" Hannah pushed herself to sit up and placed a finger on Edward's nose. "This was my fault. I'll walk." She moved her hand to pat his head. "I can make it back to the carriages; it's not that far...." She stroked down his neck to his shoulders. "And, please, for now, only say what you have to.... I think my head is going to split in two...."

"She?" Beatrice asked.

 

"Three," Van Helsing began quickly, seeing the look of distress on Carl's face. "Three women, all of whom have had the misfortune of falling to vampires stronger than them. They regret what they are and haven't harmed any humans in their immortal lives." He paused, glancing at Carl to keep his mouth shut through the little lie. "All of them are here to help, and I trust them all, for some absurd reason. They've already helped kill two of Dracula's three brides in the past weeks. They are not a threat to you and even wait outside, among... unwanted company for your sake."

 

Edward let out a loud exhale through his nose, letting himself relax as much as he could, leaning against her hand. Love you, he said as softly as he could, making sure his side touched her leg each time she stepped forward.

 

"Her name was Selene," Michael began quietly. "She was a vampire and the love of my life, I was a human and nothing to her. I was bit several times by the leader of a pack of werewolves who rivaled Selene's coven. I was badly injured after saving her life after many other... events occured.... In return, she saved mine and made me the first hybrid of a vampire and a werewolf. A lycan, as her elders said."

 

Anna's hand tightened on her gun. "I don't believe this."

"It's true," Carl interjected, his eyes flashing to Anna's gun again.

"I'm supposed to trust your word on this?" Anna questioned.

Hannah's smile covered her wince. She rubbed her cheek. "Did you really lick me?"

"You talk about her like you'll never see her again," Beatrice noted.

 

"I won't," Michael sighed. "She's dead. Marcus killed her. That's why I'm hunting him."

 

"You can speak with them yourself, if you like," Van Helsing began, and then smiled to himself when he thought what Jinx would say. "They'd be very happy to prove themselves, I'm sure."

 

Edward let a low, happy bark escape his lips, nodding his head instead of responding mentally.

 

Anna narrowed her eyes. "I'd do more then talk with them,"

"They deserve a chance," Carl said quickly.

Hannah smiled to herself. "My first wolf-kiss."

"Oh," Beatrice said quietly. "So you think that you'll find him with Dracula?"

 

Van Helsing stepped forward, grabbing Anna's wrist and twisting it until her gun fell to the floor. He pulled he wrist until he yanked her forward, his face an inch from her own. "You'll be careful what you say, miss," he began in a slow, angry tone. "Despite what you may think, you're the one that needs us, so do not do anything to make me unhappy, understand?"

 

Edward licked his lips, bearing his teeth in his own version of a smile as they reached the carriages again. He snatched his shirt off the ground carefully with his mouth and threw it up on top of his brown coat, letting the black silk rest there till he needed it.