Van Helsing (Cont.)

Can't, Edward insisted. John and Will, even Lestat are out there and I don't trust Van Helsing alone with that Anna woman if she has information.

 

"Then get a hold of yourself," Michael snapped.

 

Jinx frowned at the castle, hoping they'd hurry up already.

"Don't worry, miss. You'll like them I'm sure, as long as you don't look at them as enemies." Carl smiled, hoping he was right.

 

Hannah got to her feet. "Be careful what you say, Michael." She growled.

Beatrice put a hand on Hannah's shoulder. "Please don't be angry, Hannah."

Anna considered her options carefully. "You have my word that I will not hurt them." She agreed eventually.

 

Edward's head flared with anger, a growl and angry bark errupting from his lips. He swallowed, however, and lowered his head between his front legs, breathing as calmly as he could. He let his mind go blank, dropping Hannah, Lestat, and all else from his mind. He didn't know how long he stayed there, as still as he could. He finally shook his head and realized his fingers were digging into ground now, the late afternoon breeze cold in his bare chest. Sighing, he rose slowly to his feet, glaring at Michael.

"Happy?" he snapped back, picking his shirt up off the groud once more.

 

"Thank you, sweetheart!" Van Helsing exclaimed dramatically, throwing his arms in the air. "Finally."

 

"It's not as hard as you make it," Michael said softer. "I have to do it too if I get to emotional."

 

Though her muscles were aching and her head was pounding, Hannah threw her arms around Edward's neck, happy to feel his warmth.

Beatrice looked at Michael. "We're going inside now?"

Anna picked her gun up off of the floor and placed it back in its holster on her waist, not commenting on Van Helsing's (OOC: Lestat-like) gesture.

 

Jinx looked at Micheal too, "Are we?" she asked.

Carl laughed at Van Helsing. "Should we go get them all, then?"

 

"Yes," Van Helsing said, nodding and turning toward the door. "We need to make sure Jinx can put something on the other girls to make them look... a little more normal, approachable, you know?"

 

Edward sighed happily, tightening his arms around Hannah, bending to kiss her cheeks and her lips, as if the taste of her skin would help him stay calm; it did the exact opposite. Safe, he whispered in his head to himself. That's the last time he'll ever touch her.

 

Carl nodded. "Right, I almost forgot about that." he looked over at Anna. "do you want me to go tell them so she's got time?"

 

Impressive, John, Lestat murmured, unsure if the man would hear him or not. Very impressive...

 

Van Helsing smiled. "I'll tell her when we get there myself," he said kindly, pushing open the doors for them. The afternoon sun was almost down behind the mountains now, and Van Helsing could spot the carriages just down the pathway and outside the gates surrounding the Valerias castle.

"They all look so happy right now," Van Helsing muttered. "I wonder what happened that made Edward and Michael leave so fast."

 

"That depends," Michael answered. "Are you okay, Beatrice?"

 

Hannah smiled and laughed. "I like that better than the licking."

I'm not sure if I should thank you or ignore you, John muttered back.

Beatrice folded her arms. "I agreed to your 'think about it' deal, didn't I?"

Anna tried to remain as relaxed as she could followed Van Helsing and Carl. I was thinking about the same thing. She thought, watching Hannah and Edward.

 

Van Helsing stopped in front of the group, eyeing Hannah and Edward more closely than the others. "Well, I'm sure after Edward and Michael's epic, random rescue mission succeeded since you're all standing here in one peice. Am I correct in assuming you're all alright?"

 

Edward nodded after kissing Hannah again, giving her a small smile. "She's okay," he whispered to her, jerking his head toward Anna. "Van Helsing's got her trusting us to a certain extent... I think..."

 

Thanks would be nice, Lestat smiled. Even though I do get them often, though not really from your sex... I have to admit, I didn't think you could hold her like that, but you've proven me wrong... till Edward came, of course. But you did well.

 

Her mind is weaker now, John replied dully. She may be physically stronger than me now, but I don't even have to touch her. It looks like I have the advantage still.

Hannah glanced at Anna. "Is it just me, or is she wearing her corset over her shirt?"

Beatrice picked up the sound of a nervously pounding heart. Her head snapped towards Anna, her stomach knotting.