Van Helsing

"Alright." Jinx stood up without messing up the bed. "I'll go help Beatice get the horses and carriges ready."

 

"Most likely." Hannah agreed. She was glad to see that the streets were practically empty.

"Interesting." John mused.

 

Van Helsing stood as well, nodding. "I'll get Carl," he said, grabbing his hat and putting it back on. "And thank you again," he added, and, before she could react, he wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug briefly, and then rushed toward the door, shutting it quickly behind him. He laughed to himself as he went down the stairs.

 

"True," Edward agreed as they reached the stables. They could see Beatrice now, standing next to Sorin. "Do you want to talk to her on your own?" Edward asked quietly.

 

"Isn't it?" Lestat sighed sarcastically. "I'm not impressed. Though..." he added slyly, "your girl is close by... I'm surprised Edward's even standing right now. He continues to amaze me."

 

Jinx stood there staring at the door for a moment. "You're welcome?" she laughed to herself before opening the door and heading downstairs to the stables.

 

"No, stay." Hannah said quietly to Edward. "Bee?"

Beatrice looked away from Sorin and flinched when she saw Hannah. "Yes?"

"You okay?" Hannah asked, noticing the flinch.

"Um, yeah." Beatrice answered, dropping her arms from Sorin's neck. "Are you feeling better?"

"No." Hannah answered plainly. "But you were taking a long time."

"So it seems." John said. "I'll talk to her in a minute."

 

Van Helsing saw Carl at a table and walked over to him. "Almost ready to go, my friend?" he asked, patting the friar on the back, giving him a wide grin.

 

Carl stood up and smiled at his friend, "Wow, you sure are happy. What'd I miss?"

Jinx walked out to the stables and saw Beatice and Hannah, "Is everyone okay to travel?" she asked.

 

Edward stood still, leaning against a post of the stable, trying to ignore the pain in his head and back.

Damn you, Lestat, he thought angrily. I know you enjoy this, but I can't stay like this forever. She needs me, and you know it, and I'm hurt. You must be very proud of yourself.

 

"Alright," Lestat replied. "Edward won't need much restraining..."

You'll live, Lestat thought to the werewolf with a grin. Suck it up.

 

Van Helsing only winked at him. "Everything," he chuckled. "Shall we make our way to the stables and get going again?"

 

"Oh," Beatrice paused. "Well, I got a bit distracted."

"Distracted?" Hannah repeated, raising an eyebrow.

Beatrice played with Sorin's mane. "Well... I was, um, going after a deer... but I... got distracted..."

"Spit it out." Hannah sighed.

"I kinda ran into Lestat and John." Beatrice looked back to see Hannah's reaction and wished she hadn't.

Hannah swore under her breath. "I should have gone with you."

"What? Oh, no Hannah." Beatrice smiled. "I just heard them talking."

"That doesn't matter. It could have turned to something else. Or you could have run into that hunter again." Hannah held up a hand to keep Beatrice quiet. "AND you still didn't get the deer, right?"

Beatrice shook her head.

Hannah groaned. "We should go quickly then."

"No, Hannah." Beatrice objected. "I don't want you to strain yourself."

John smiled. "You're good with werewolves."

 

"Ugh, I'm glad I left." Carl laughed at Van Helsing. "Okay, let's go."

 

Carl and Van Helsing started walking toward the stables. "Do you know exactly what direction to head in to look for Dracula?"

 

Edward ignored Lestat, rubbing his forehead. He grimaced when he looked at his fingers and saw them tainted red.

Will I stop bleeding or just keep this up till I die? he snapped at Lestat now.

 

"Transilvania." Carl answered, nodding. "We're already going in the right direction. I'm not exactly where his castle is, but that's where we need to be going to find out."

 

"I'm good with everything," Lestat laughed quietly. "Vampires, werewolves, women, humans in general..."

 

"I see," Van Helsing replied. "Do you know where Beatrice went?"

 

Hannah looked at Edward. "We should probably see if the others-" She looked at the floor. "Are you okay?"

Beatrice wrinkled her nose. "What's that smell?"

"Did you have nothing else to do other than seduce people?" John asked.