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A heady, delicious scent cut across the firm nose, nearly intoxicating in its richness…and familiarity. Shifting along the path, The man tilted his head to the side and followed the scent until its depth and heaviness could have coated the back of his throat. Only steady, iron control kept him from flinging himself on the staggering figure.
Clinging to a tee trunk, coat and breeches soaked through with his blood, whip dangling from a damaged arm, and eyes glazed over was Richter Belmont. Something thudded in the trees behind him, a hellish scream breaching the calm night air; following the foul scent of rotten flesh.
Odd
. He moved back, watching Belmont struggle for clarity and focus, and jerked to track the noise.
So…this was the end of the Belmont line. Dead by unranked night creatures and worsened by the smell of a poison that soaked the blood dripping to the grass. It was a pathetic end….someone had betrayed the boy…and now the night creature climbing down the tree trunk behind the addled Belmont was going to kill him.
Richter shifted, something worsened, and the collapse was as inevitable as it was pathetic.
“For fucks sake.” Olrox stepped forward, over the body of his foe, and ripped the nightcreatures in two. It didn’t take long to rid the forest of the others, and he could turn his attention to the comatose human on the ground behind him.
“You couldn’t chase the Messiah without fucking it up, could you?” He asked the boy, shifting to turn the Belmont over. He
was
poisoned, the cut on his arm was thick with blackened blood with the darkness shifting and sliding up his veins. It had already reached his heart, but the full effect hadn’t quite hit him. In less than five minutes this would spell the end of House Belmont.
Olrox considered him coldly, peeling back an eyelid to get a glimpse of the bloodshot blue he knew so well. Belmont was too weak to struggle, and the fact that he was awake was impressive.
Was it worth it to save him? He could let him die now, choking on his own blood and pain, until the poison took effect. But then there wouldn’t be anyone to fight that
Messiah
, and he’d have to find someone else to help.
“You’re lucky I enjoy a seasoned meal,” Olrox told him plainly, pulling him into his arms and tilting his head. The boy’s mouth fell open, a protesting cry rising from his broken lips, blue eyes flickering around for an escape. The neck was unblemished, smooth, and endlessly delectable. Sinking his fangs into thick veins so he could draw the blood from the heart with the closest pulse point, Olrox could taste magic, history, and a rich bloodline all coated with the vicious poison that added a strange bitterness and spice to the blood. He could sort it through until he had a mouthful of bloody poison which he drew back and swallowed.
Just as rich as it smelled, Olrox forced his jaw to open to avoid bleeding the already damaged boy dry. It was tempting, oh so tempting…but he needed Belmont alive, and he needed Belmont
hating
.
Something shuffled from the treeline a creature that paused as Olrox lifted his head from Richter’s neck. It pulled away, frightened, and fled back to its master.
“That was easy,” hoisting the body into his arms, he wafted into smoke with his new companion in tow.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
His house was smaller than most vampires in the Old World were used to, but bigger than even the nice homes in New England. It was withdrawn from the larger population of the countryside, and his human staff never seemed concerned with anything other than his money.
It was the perfect place to stash the last of a magical monster-hunting bloodline. Richter Belmont looked like even
more
shit laid out on the bed. His damaged arm was dislocated, and he bled from a dozen heavy cuts, including one on the back of his head. For someone to have damaged him this badly…it must have gone horribly wrong for him and his friends.
He wasn’t awake enough to protest being stripped of his clothes and weapons, which Olrox reminded himself to handle later, and each bleeding wound was cleaned and bandaged and with the poison still in his system, he’d still need access to a vein to drain it from. A tricky balance, letting his body make more blood versus draining the damaged blood out of him.
At least he wouldn’t have to hunt for a while. Like it or not, Belmont would keep him well-fed.
“Little Boy Belmont,” he mused quietly. It was a great deal of effort to save him…keep him alive. “You can repay me by killing that woman,” Olrox told him, pulling the blankets over the boy. He still hadn’t woken and it was entirely possible he didn’t have enough undamaged blood in his body to keep him awake. Which was fine, as long as he wasn’t awake he wasn’t bothering him.
There was a great deal to attend to now.
His cook housekeeper was a short, dumpy woman with a scent of long-term disease about her and a personality that someone had scrapped off the back of a horse. Still, she was good at her job and didn’t ask any serious questions as long as Olrox paid well and on time. Thick arms crossed over a heavy chest as she eyed the bloody clothes in the basket.
“Are you mad?” She asked. “These are rags, Herr Olrox. They need to be burnt.”
“I understand,” he agreed. “But I’m afraid they cannot be. My guest is sentimental.”
“Your guest should be grateful to be alive to be sentimental. No good comes from indulging young men and their fantasies.” Unimpressed eyes turned on Richter Belmont. His eyes had flickered open a few times, uncomprehending. “Hmmph!”
“I agree, Mrs. Schultz,” he twisted toward Belmont. “Broth, please. I am certain that only your capable hands could manage this.”
“Flattery is of the devil, to stoke pride in the weak,” she waved a dismissive hand. “Of course, I am the only one capable.”
“I’ll make it worth your while,” he promised and watched the woman waddle out with the basket under her arm and muttering in her language about fools and their injuries. Smiling, he sat at Richter’s bedside. It had only been a day and this time he lifted the limp wrist. Belmont didn’t,
couldn’t
stir, which ruined any enjoyment Olrox might have had in sinking his teeth into the weak vein.
Draining Belmont would only be enjoyable if he was able to fight back, to protest, to scream in pain and bitterness as Olrox ruined him.
There was still enough poison to overwhelm the true flavor, but it wasn’t unbearable…he’d had worse things. He bandaged the wrist by the time Mrs. Shutlz returned with a tray of tea and broth, her attention shifting to Richter as she set it on the table. “He is very pretty, Herr Olrox.”
“Is he?” Denying it was stupid because Richter Belmont
was
beautiful. He was also a hotheaded idiot and the antithesis of everything Olrox stood for.
“Hmm, beautiful men are more dangerous.” She warned him. “They can lead people to sin. Girls and men! I have seen it! My brother was too beautiful too.”
Olrox chuckled, lifting the cover from the tray before realizing that someone would need to actually ladel the broth down Belmont’s throat. Something Mrs. Shutlz must have realized because she was gone before he could face her. “Shit.”
This was already turning out to be more work than he expected. Belmont needed to eat, fine. Shedding his jacket, Olrox set the tray beside the boy and carefully spooned the broth past dry, cracked lips. When a pink tongue darted out to catch a drop of broth, Olrox forced himself to take a step back.
Young, with a fine neck, it was every temptation of body and tongue. He paced a moment before returning.
“You won’t appreciate this when you wake up.” He told him, slipping into Nahuatl. “You will wake up, and you will bitch and moan, and threaten me.” Again, Richter didn’t respond, but his eyes flickered open without compression and Olrox let him rest. The young head lolled against the pillow, a faint sigh escaping as the vampire stood. “Fine.”
For a moment he could see the young boy he’d left traumatized, the figure who’d fled from him in France, and the nowrealized Belmont laid out before him.
“Fate delivered you to me,” he told him. “Again and again.”
It was another two days before Belmont was well enough to open his eyes, and Olrox heard the faint rasp of confusion as the blankets rustled. Gingerly setting the book back onto the shelf, he made his way to the guest room which he’d spent more time in than his own room over the last week.
Richter Belmont wasn’t exactly sitting up, the brace and splint on his arm was keeping him in place, not to mention the dozen injuries littering his young body and the poison that still filtered through his veins. Smaller from his injuries, he still tried to move as he realized who was gliding through the door.
“I wouldn’t get up if I were you.” Olrox gestured faintly at the bandages. “Your injuries are substantial…and you’re still poisoned.”
“P….poisoned?” Well, that was odd. The strength of his voice had faded almost completely. Terror smelled delicious, but there were other matters to attend to.
“I’m guessing someone you tried to kill took offense.” He said plainly, raising a finger to trace the bandage of Belmont’s forearm. The blue eyes glittered with stark terror. “A strange poison. One I have not encountered before. And your injuries…you were moments from death when I found out..”
“I don’t…” he tried to rise. “That’s not.” Strength failing, his attention was failing. Eye flickering shut, the vampire rolled his eyes.
“Of course, what would your companions think? Finding you so helpless in my house.” He unwrapped the bandage from Richter’s wrist letting the hunter register the puncture marks. Blue eyes widened, horror sliding over the confusion as he desperately tried to tug his arm free. Even at full strength Belmont couldn’t have freed himself, and as injured as it was, it didn’t even make Olrox’s arm budge.
“No!”
Olrox leaned down and clamped his jaw around the offending limb while Belmont let loose a hoarse cry of terror which faded with every mouthful of poisoned blood that Olrox drank. It was a little unnecessary to tease him so, but it was certainly amusing nonetheless. Fortunately, the amount of poison was greatly reduced and he would probably start regaining strength in a few days.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Mrs. Schutlz returned with Belmont's clothes, cleaned, mended, and neatly folded. Her arms were crossed, and her jaw jutted out with no small amount of pride. “See!” She gestured. “Fixed! I cleaned the blood out! I had to soak it for days!”
“Thank you, Mrs. Shutlz.” The damned Belmont crest was cleaned and a stark white against the blue. “You’re worth more than your weight in gold.”
“Ach! How is the boy?”
“Tantruming. He doesn’t take well to care.”
“Che! Boys are so ungrateful. They do not ever appreciate the care of their mothers and fathers!” She moved away, still complaining endlessly, and leaving Olrox to store the clothes in Belmont’s room. A new batch of broth was prepared, this one made of vegetables, and he found that Richter was able to stomach a measure of tea.
“Little Boy Belmont,” he mused, checking to make sure that a fever hadn’t broken out. The human’s temperature was stable, which was good. Olrox was old, but he’d never really understood the specifics of medicine. “What did you do? Foolishly picking a fight without the assistance of your little friends?” The boy was still, unmoving. “Fine…answer it when you wake up.”
It was easy to admit that he missed Mizrak here in the isolated home. His company, his heartbeat, and his strength. Was he aligned with the Belmont? Shouldn’t he have been there with him? Shouldn’t he have protected him? Or perhaps Mizrak had died…but nothing like his scent had been on Belmont. Just blood, poison, and defeat.
“Erzsebet and her madness need a human champion,” he told Richter the next night. He was awake this time.
“What?” Richter demanded or tried to. Olrox feeding off him might have kept him alive, but it was weakening him; it kept him vulnerable. “Olrox.”
“Shh,” familiar terror clamped the boy’s mouth, and he tried to shift away and Olrox held up a glass. “You’ll need this.”
“No,” Richter turned away. “No.”
Instead of arguing, trying to move the boy to his point, Olrox sighed and set the glass back down. He sat at Belmont’s shoulders, sliding an arm under his shoulders and tilting him up. He wasn’t a small human, not as small as he’d once been, but still easily moved. It took a little more finesse to open the locked jaw, and Richter’s blue eyes were wet with furious, humiliated tears by the time Olrox tilted the glass to his mouth.
“It’s only water,” he relayed, still forcing it down his throat. Richter’s good hand dug into his clothes, trying to drag his hand away. “Which human’s need.” The human sputtered, water dripping down his chin and trailing from his eyes. “Good boy, Belmont.” When he stood, the boy rolled away, coughing, clutching his punctured wrist to his chest. “We’re not finished.”
“Fuck you,” Richter muttered, trying to scoot free of the blankets.
“Why do you insist on doing things the hard way?” Olrox wondered, grabbing a fistful of the nightshirt and dragging his back. He wanted to lick the tears away, to savor the blood and terror fully. “There is broth, Little Belmont, which you can drink willingly or I’m going to force it down your throat.”
“You already.”
“Yes. I did. So you know I’m capable and willing. Keeping you alive had already proven difficult. Do. Not. Make it worse.” He smiled, plainly and coldly as the hunter shivered. “Good.”
Olrox hefted the cup neatly, savoring the bob of Richter’s throat as he swallowed down a few mouthfuls before turning away. “It’s hot.”
“Of course it's hot. This food is bad enough without also being cold.” He feels to bowl cooling in his hand. “What were you doing, Belmont? Why did the night creatures do this to you?”
“My job,” Richter muttered tiredly, his energy burnt up in his ineffectual struggles. “My duty.”
“Was this related to Erzsebet?”
“Hmmm,” he was fading fast, and Olrox helped settle a few more mouthfuls down before he sensed that Richter was away to fall asleep again.
“Fine,” he continued in Nahuatl as Richter sagged against the pillow. “Sleep.”
He’d let a few days pass before he drank any more of the poisoned blood.
3$#$#
Mrs. Shutlz, on a never-ending journey to find something of European food that he likes, brings him news with each attempt.
“There is a new doctor in Colditz,” she told him. He has no frame of reference for the town, so he nods politely as he eyes the cake she brought. “He’s visiting, one of those old lords, but he’s very good. My sister says that he’s helped her son clean up his cough in no time.”
“I’m sure he’s good. “
“Very pale, and he travels with a very strange group. He has an English handmaid, and one from North Africa as an assistant.”
Olrox blinked, turning away from the cake. That was not an unusual group, not in this strange Germanic place.
“Can you find the doctor?” He asked.
“The doctor? For your little guest?”
“I could use a second opinion.” He remarked. Maybe this doctor was a purveyor of magical poisons.
“Try the cake,” Mrs. Shultz said, blue eyes narrowed as Olrox obeyed. It wasn’t totally intolerable, and he gave an almost smile. “I will write to Dr. Tepes and if he can help.”
“Thank you.” He waited until she was gone before spitting it out. “Fucking disgusting.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Richter blinked awake, feeling really conscious for the first time in a while. Clarity brought terror, which he wrangled with until he was able to breathe and focus.
He wasn’t in Brussels anymore. Or at least he wasn’t in the house of the vile flesh trader.
No, he was in a house with Olrox. Stuck, and being bled and enjoyed as the bastard lords his strength and power over him. His injuries itched and ached, his shoulder slowly knitting itself into healing, and the wound across his wrist healed after every feeding.
He can’t
fight
Olrox, not really. Dimly remembers trying to get away, only to be pinned to the sheets and the shooting pain up his wrist as the Aztec had
fed
. He remembered the water and the broth, and every humiliating thing as the vampire kept him weak and vulnerable. Never had he felt so
weak
, his muscles burned and ached from the endless, shaking pain.
Alucard…Annette, Maria, and Mizrak probably thought he was dead now. Olrox would keep him, killing him the same way he’d killed his mother.
“You’re awake.” Richter couldn’t help the thump of his heart skipping a painful beat as the Vampire entered the bedroom. He drew the blankets up his chest, eyeing the tray floating alongside him.
“Olrox!” He groped for something to throw, only for his stomach to grumble audibly at the smell from the tray. It smells
strong
and his dim memories of drinking broth make his stomach turn.
“Yes,” the vampire paused, and the tray floated onto his lap. “If you intend this. I will let you sit in it like a child in their own mess.”
Considering Richter had been perfectly willing to fling the bowl at him, he wasn’t keen on sleeping in food. It was real food too, a thin soup that came with actual bread. “Oh.” He reached for the food, only to pause. “It’s poisoned.”
“You’re already poisoned, Belmont. I wouldn’t waste my time doing it again. Now eat before I force it down your throat.”
Considering he already had vivid memories of that exact thing happening, Richter could believe it. He picked up the spoon and tried to avoid eye contact with the vampire as he ate. Olrox’s acid-green eyes were too focused. It actively hurts to lift the spoon by the fourth bite, and by the fifth, it hurts to close his fingers over the handle. Settling a trembling hand into his lap to hide the weakness, he shook his head.
“Where….am I?”
“My house,” the vampire drifted closer, eyeing the bowl. “That’s hardly enough.”
“I’m fine.” Richter turned his head toward the window. It was dark outside, and he was getting tired. “Where am I, Olrox?”
“My house.”
“But where?”
Olrox tilted his head to the side, smiling. “Do not concern yourself, Little Belmont.”
“My
name
is Richter.” He swallowed down the fear. Green eyes flickered over him.
“I know.” Olrox left, taking the tray with him, and Richter fell into an uneasy sleep. He wanted to remain awake and alert in case Olrox tried to feed from him again. If he tried to bite on his neck…the last real memory he had before everything went dark.
This was
worse
than being held down or tied down. He couldn’t summon the strength to feed himself, much less fight him. When he woke, it was to iron, cold fingers clamped over his wrist. Panic
surged
, and as much as he tried to struggle, he couldn’t move far. “NO! Get off!”
“There’s a poison in you, Little Boy Belmont,” Olrox said smoothly, voice as unbothered as ever. “From a blade.”
“Then I’ll taste terrible,” Richter cried, fire fizzled in his fingers too weak to use it. “let go!”
“It adds flavor,” the vampire muttered, and with a single movement twisted Richter and pinned him to the pillows. “But there’s a fine line to walk, Little Belmont. Don’t distract me.”
“Stop” The grip was too tight to escape, and terror choked up his throat as the long hair brushed over his arms and shoulders, tickling at Richter’s nose until the teeth closed over his wrist. It hurt as much as it didn’t hurt, only able to sob as he felt the smooth tongue linger against his skin. The effect is sudden, tiring exhaustion. Every time he feels that he might improve, Olrox comes to weaken him, drinking the blood he lost until he can’t move or feed himself. His protests are broken, desperate, and weak. His body hurts, and his skull pounds as Olrox lifts his mouth and wipes away a few stray drops of blood.
Richter sobbed against the sheets, trying to drag his wrist to his chest only for the older man to force it down and open until he started to wind bandages around the puncture marks. As soon as the limb was free, Richter dragged himself away, clutching his wrist close.
As smug as ever Olrox licked his lips.
“There’s less and less of it each time,” he remarked, and Richter wasn’t sure what he meant, but he was gone in a wisp of smoke; leaving Richter to try and cope.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The next day he woke to someone bustling around the room. They lacked the grace and silence of Olrox because he could hear breathing and muttering; which forced his eyes open to find a housekeeper tidying things up around him.
“What?” Her attention caught, she turned around and frowned sternly as she realized that he was awake.
“Ah! The sleeping prince awakens!” Her French was thick with a Germanic accent.
“Sleeping prince?” He tilted his head to the side. “Who are you?”
“I am Frau Shultz,” she announced. “I am the housekeeper. What were you doing? Your clothes were torn and shredded, bleeding across the rugs!”
“My clothes!” He sat up, head spinning faintly. “Where are my clothes?”
“Herr Olrox set them in the wardrobe,” she informed him.
“You know Olrox?” Richter blinked.
“
Herr Olrox
,” she corrected. “
Ja
, he is my employer.”
“You work for him?” Why and how his head spun. “But he’s…don’t you know that he's dangerous?”
“All men are dangerous,” she informed him readily. “But I am not beautiful enough to be in danger.”
“That’s not what I meant!” he exclaimed. Why hadn’t he eaten her? Surely she was the one making all of the food…he couldn’t imagine Olrox trying his hand at cooking. The vampire might have hired her and not eaten her because he was feeding from Richter. “But, you have to get me out of here!”
“Eh? Nein!” She approached the bed, as menacing as anything. “You are ill and injured. Herr Olrox has spent countless hours to help you. You will be grateful, sleeping prince, or I will break a ladle over your hide!”
“Taking care of me!” Memories of being fed and washed and watered came rushing back, and embarrassment clamped his jaw shut. “That’s not. I’m.”
“Young men are always so ungrateful.” Frau Shutlz muttered, and she was gone. It didn’t take long for Olrox to appear, and for the first time, Richter was too confused to be afraid.
“You hired a housekeeper?”
“Mrs. Schultz is a dedicated woman. I hope you haven’t upset her.”
“You haven’t drained her?” He wondered, pulling the blankets closer.
Olrox tilted his head to the side. “And I have you.”
“Not for long,” Richter snapped, reaching for the magic and finding it weaker than ever. Did he have the ability to weaken his magic with a bite?
“So you think,” the vampire mused.
“Where am I!”
“Far from anyone’s concern.” And he was gone an instant later. Richter wished he had something to fling at him. He didn’t have long to sulk, because Mrs. Schultz was back.
“I’ve drawn a bath,
klein junge
. Come, come.”
“A bath?” After so long in bed, it feels almost magical to be able to bathe, and despite the lack of strength he manages to make it down the hall and into a tub of deep steaming water. The housekeeper had no time for modesty or his concerns, helping him disrobe and settle into the tub, he had to tolerate her scrubbing his slowly healing injuries.
Pink and pale, they stood out sharply, a harsh reminder of the battle and humiliating defeat. Now healed and sealed save for the blistering, blackened cut on his arm and the puncture marks on his wrist.
“Were you a soldier?” Mrs. Shultz asked, her scrubbing far more gently as she caught sight of the various injuries over his back.
“Something like that,” he confessed.
“Were you being brave?”
“I was,” he swallowed down sudden tears at the thought of Annette and Maria, his friends all thinking he was dead. “I was trying to help.”
Now curious, the woman pulled back. “Did you?”
“I don’t…know.”
“Well, now you must heal.”
“Why am I still so weak?” Olrox wasn’t actually drinking so much from him. Sure being pinned and drained by his mother’s killer was a violently traumatizing experience, but it hadn’t lasted very long and even then…something else was wrong.
“The doctor will know,” Mrs. Shultz tugged on his hair. “You need a haircut.”
“Doctor?”
“Herr Olrox is a very kind man. He had engaged the services of the greatest doctor on the continent. He is due to arrive in a few days.”
“A doctor?”
“Yes, we will shave you as well. A beard is not good on your face.”
Richter wasn’t about to argue, his facial hair had been growing unchecked. Annette hadn’t liked beards, and she teased him when his face was too scruffy. Choking back his unhappiness, he suffered the rest of the bath in silence. It did make him feel human, less like a prisoner or consumption victim. Being cleaned, cut, and shaved made settling back into bed less like sitting in a cell. Still, it exhausted him to an unbelievable degree. So much so that he only glared when Olrox appeared at the sunset.
“Finally, you no longer stink.” Olrox sat on the chair beside the bed, eyeing the Belmont keenly. “You’re more awake now.”
“Despite you bleeding me,” he held his limbs close. “You fed from me when you found me, didn’t you?”
“All that Belmon blood, leaking everywhere. What were you up to, LIttle Boy Belmont?”
“None of your fucking business. Why are you helping me? You’ve had every chance to kill me, and you’re just….”
“I don’t need to kill you, Belmont.” The deep voice cut him off. “It doesn’t suit my purposes.”
“And what are your purposes?”
“My own,” Olrox mused softly, green eyes skipping over Richter with something so heavy in them that Richter pulled away. Death didn’t frighten him anymore…but if he forced Richter to become a Vampire then…he’d. There was no fate worse than becoming the antithesis of a Belmont, and fear so heavy rolled through him that the vampire smiled at the scent. “In due time.”
In a waft of smoke, he was gone.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Teasing his guest was entertaining as ever, but the message had arrived that Dr. Tepes was arriving that evening. He was arriving faster than Olrox expected, but he wasn’t going to complain. Shifting to hide in the front garden, he watched the carriage arrive and a tall man climbed out.
He was beautiful, strangely enough. Thin, with wavy nearly translucent locks falling around broad shoulders. In the dim evening daylight, basking in the last few rays of the day he almost looked…vampiric.
Olrox knew of no vampire who could walk in daylight, but there was no denying how his ancient magical presence raised his hackles. The sword at his side, and the base the driver set down smelled of magic.
This
was the famed Dr. Tepes?
The man didn’t move, waiting until the carriage driver was long gone before he turned to where Olrox was hidden.
“I can smell you,” he said mildly, accent smooth and ancient. “
Vampire
.”
“You’re one to talk,” Olrox emerged into one form, waiting in the shadows. The cold, amber eyes flickered with recognition.
“Olrox.” Dr. Tepes hissed, sudden fury overtaking the pale face.
“You know me. I don’t know you.”
“I am Alucard Tepes, son of Dracula.” That was a name more familiar to Olrox. He’d heard Mirak mention it a few times.
“And you are a doctor?”
“I can smell Richter Belmont,” Alucard said mildly. “And if you cannot furnish me with a good explanation, I will kill you.” The sword floated at his side, ready to strike.
It wasn’t a threat, it was a promise. Olrox was impressed despite himself. “Many others have promised and tried. Still, I do have an explanation….and he is in need of your services.”
“I see.” Dr. Tepes sheathed the sword, eyes narrowing. “Lead me to my patient.”
It was a good thing that Olrox had paid Mrs. Schultz to bathe and shave his guest because when they entered his bedroom it smelled pleasant and clean. Richter Belmont was asleep, the scent of poison so obvious that Alucard took a shallow pause. The bandages were cleaned, and there was water sitting at the bedside in case he woke.
“Richter,” Alucard with inhuman grace, approaching the bed rapidly and scooping the young hand into his own. “You’re alive.” Belmont didn’t stir. Alucard faced him sharply as he peeled back the bandage on his wrist.
“There is poison in his blood,” Olrox said simply. “I’ve never seen it like before, but it seemed the best way to avoid the poisoning would be to drain it from his body.”
“You have been drinking…the poison?” He moved to open the case with him. It was filled with strange medicines and things Olrox didn’t recognize.
“The poison is still in him, and he was bleeding heavily from wounds when I found him. We can filter blood as we wish, but it isn’t easy.”
“The reports from the manor indicate that you killed Richter.” He threw salt into the wash basin and began to scrub his hands. Such a thing might have made Olrox burn, but Tepes tolerated it without complaint. “That you drained him.”
“The neck is closer to the heart.”
“I see.” Alucard used a needle to pull blood from the young man and inspected the various injuries. “His body is making undamaged blood, but the damaged blood is still present.”
“It was easier to filter it out when there was more of it. Still, his magic is suppressed but no action of my own, and there seems to be an illness that I can’t account for.” Who was he? Son of Dracula, a name Olrox hardly knew, but a doctor who treated humans as well?
“I will need to run a few tests,” Alucard said plainly, setting the vials of blood into the case. “Has he been eating and drinking?”
“Soup, broth, and tea, with some toast. He’s…combative.”
“Belmonts often are.” Alucrad continued to inspect the boy, amber eyes sliding toward Olrox. “You killed his mother.”
“She killed my love.”
“Then why not kill Richter as well? Why heal him…concern yourself with him if he intends to kill you?”
“My quarrel was not with Little Boy Belmont,” he answered, “and Erzsebet needs to be met with a tragic end. He is needed for such a thing to happen.”
“Then you are not aligned with this countess?”
“Not so much.” He tilted his head to the side. “Are you his protector?”
“I am. I fear his death has emboldened Erzsebet and her creatures….this may be useful for our advantage when he recovers. What made you decide to drain the blood?” Richter shifted, eyes flickering and Alucard ushered them both from the room.
Olrox shrugged. “It seemed plausible.” Dr. Tepes seemed fascinated. “Why?”
“There are many illnesses with no known cure. An infection or poison in the blood is nearly impossible to cure. I have studied extensively from my father's notes, and there are new theories being expounded upon, but an illness of the blood is often fatal. The body can filter some things, but this was very clever…I might not have considered it myself.”
“I…” Olrox considered him. “The man who turned you.”
“Hmmm?”
“You said parents…but surely you mean the man who turned you?’
“No,” Alucard smiled faintly. “It is rare that I must explain this, but my mother was human. My father was a vampire. I was not a human turned vampire…I was born with both.”
“Which is why you walk in the sun?”
“Yes.”
“I did not know such things were possible,” Olrox admitted.
“Many do not. Still, with a potential sample of this poison, an antivenom might be feasible to create. I hesitate to stop these…
feedings
, considering that I may not be able to isolate the poison. You do not drink too much?”
“No. I do not. His body is still replacing blood from his injuries, regular feedings have slowed his healing.”
“Well observed.“ It wasn’t Olrox’s imagination, Alucard looked pleased and a little impressed. “Yes. I will discuss this when he awakens. Do you have a room I might conduct my experiments in?”
“The study. My housekeeper won’t like you using the kitchen.”
“Housekeeper?”
“I can’t prepare human food,” Olrox said plainly and ignored Alucard’s raised eyebrow.
“I see…thank you.” Taking up his case, Alucard vanished into the study, and Olrox made his way back to Richter's room. The human didn’t look cold, but he drew the blankets up further anyway. With the doctor present, possible there was something to be done.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Richter woke slowly and gently, sunlight tickling his eyelids until he peeled them back. Mrs. Schultz had come into clean while he slept, and his attention shifted at the sound of a new figure. Like the sunlight holding Olrox at bay, Richter ignited as he caught sight of Alucard just at the end of his bed.
“Alucard! “He sat up, clutching at the wound on his side, desperate with dizzying joy. “Alucard! You’re here!”
“Hello, Richter.” With eternal patience, Alucard sat on the bed, surprised as Richter flung his arms around him, fingers digging into the fabric.
“Alucard! I…” Burning tears threatened. “I never thought I’d see you again.”
“I shared the same concern,” Alucard admitted, arms coming around his shoulders. “We received reports that you had died in Brussels.”
“I’m sorry. No. I….Olrox….I suppose he took me. I’ve been here for ages, Alucard. I son’t know where I am, and he’s been feeding off of me!” He was too old to be trembling, but it couldn’t be helped. He leaned into the damphir, choking back tears. “Where’s Annette? Maria? Mizrak?”
“They are currently traveling through Prussia. We have several leads to follow.” Alucard drew back. “I have been traveling as a doctor to aid movement and avoid suspicion.”
“Right…you’re a doctor?”
“I have been for centuries,” he explained. “And your recovery will be slow for some time.”
“Recovery?” Richter wondered.
“It’s a miracle you survived. Blood infections are difficult, if not impossible to cure. This poison is notorious for its lethality, able to kill a grown man in minutes or so. Your magic acted as a magic barrier, but the poison is designed to disrupt magic too. You may have found some difficulty summoning?”
“Yes…a little. I thought it was because I was weak.”
“Not quite.”
“But Olrox!” He held up his bandaged wrist.
“Yes,” Alucard didn’t look concerned. “It’s an unorthodox method, but one that saved your life.”
“What?”
“You have no way of fighting the poison, the only other option was to remove it from your blood. There are no medical procedures for such a thing. Except a vampire
can
filter blood, to a certain extent. Given the blood loss and damage, there was little else to do.”
“You…you mean to say that he was helping me?” It felt like being knocked around the head, and Richter stared. “By…drinking from me?”
“Yes. As for your other questions, you are in the Kingdom of Bavaria. Olrox keeps his home here, for now.”
Richter’s thoughts raced. “Why is it taking so long to…why am I still so ill?”
“You’re recovering well,” Alucard stood as the door opened. Mrs. Shutlz bustled in with a tray, which she set down. With a curtsey, she was gone. “Anyone else might have died. Drinking might be a bizarre solution to the problem, but an effective one. Your body is creating more blood, but there is still contaminated blood that must be removed.”
“But it’s been a month!”
“Which is more time than you would have gotten if he hadn’t found you.” Alucard’s voice softened. “You took a mission along, Richter. You nearly died
alone
. The last of my companions…and you would have died an ignoble death.” Averting his eyes, the hunter tried not to feel like a scolded child.
“I’m sorry.”
“I have made several things to assist.” The older man said, and produced a small tray. “These will help with strength and recovery. Take these pills.” He held up a bottle. “Once in the morning and once at night. This is to be taken only once a day.” The first green bottle. “And this three times. I have written a schedule. Olrox has agreed to ensure that you take them.”
“Olrox? Alucard…you’re not staying? You expect me to let him keep feeding?”
“For now, I will stay a few days. I have urgent business with a vampire nest not too far from here. And,” Alucard hesitated. “Yes. If he does not remove the poison then what remains will fester.”
“Alucard! “
“Some medical necessities are unpleasant,” Alucard admitted softly.
“He’ll drink my body weight!”
“That is the idea. Once the contaminated blood is gone then.”
“HE KILLED MY MUM!” Richter shouted. “He’s…. I can’t have. Why does it have to be him!” Alucard offered no answer, only the tray of food. “I can’t Alucard. I just can’t let him. “
“He will be a useful ally in defeating this new menace.” Alucard said gently, stirring the spoon into the soup.”
“Olrox? An ally?” Snorting, he looked away, too angry to cope.
“Did he not give you the book on the Abbot’s creations? He must have a reason. Reluctant or otherwise, Ricther, he would not have spared the time and expense to save your life without cause.”
“He wants to… he’s toying with me. You haven’t seen him, Alucard. He’s been..he didn’t even tell me why he was feeding from me! Just that he’d be here and I couldn’t do anything! I couldn’t!” More tears burned along his cheeks. “I was helpless…just like with Mum died.”
In the heavy silence, he could hear Alucard moving around and then the cold hand settled on his head. It was a gentle motion, an affectionate one that made the lonely hunter keen. “There is a measure of vulnerability that comes from illness, Richter. This is unavoidable. If you do not trust Olrox for you, then you can trust his interest in ridding the world of the fool. To prevent her spread to the Americas. That is something you can trust.”
Richter turned, trying not to pout. He understood the purpose of working with people you didn’t like, but that didn’t mean he had to approve. He didn’t approve, but there wasn’t much he could do about it.
“Eat, and take your medicine,” Aluard urged, and Richter reluctantly obeyed as daydreams of being swept away in a rescue faded to the back of his mind.
It looked like he wasn’t going anywhere. As he ate, Alucard vanished only to return with several stacks of books. “These were in the library and will provide a good diversion.” Richter frowned. He wasn’t
uneducated
, but he was more interested in fighting and less on the books. “You are much like your ancestor Trevor Belmont.”
“He defeated…a lot of vampires.”
“Hmm,” Alucard’s expression fell. “He saved Wallachia and the world…and he wasn’t one for books. I was hoping you would share more with…Sypha.”
“Ah,” Richter reached for the first book, not sure what else to do given the heartbroken expression on his face. “I’m sure it will keep my mind off the…pain.”
“Ah, yes. I’ve arranged a concoction for the pain, but it only to be taken as needed. It s made with poppy, and extremely dangerous in repetitive and dangerous quantities.”
“Opium?”
“Not exactly. Again, only in small quantities and only as necessary.”
“Right.” The food was welcomed, and he swallowed down the tinctures and pills with a wince before leaning back against the pillows. “Thank you, Alucard.”
“Rest and recover,” the damphire said gently and excused himself with the tray. Richter settled back with a deep sigh and felt ease for the first time in weeks.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
When Richter woke next, it was to find Olrox sifting through the books with an amused, curious expression. He watched the vampire read the spines, sorting them in some arbitrary categories, some of which he opened to peruse.
“He has high hopes for you.” Bright green eyes shifted to Richter.
“I’m not stupid,” he protested with a glower. “I’ve been educated.”
“I’m sure,” he tossed a new book onto his lap. Richter eyed it cautiously. “These will only help so much.”
“What are you doing here, Olrox? Shouldn’t you be sulking in the woods?”
“I don’t need to hunt,” a pointed smile directed at Richter made the young hunter bristle furiously. “Your doctor is attending to Mrs. Schultz.”
“Is she?” Richter tilted his head to the side. “Ill?”
“In a manner of speaking. Hmmm, this is worthless.” He tossed a book aside.
“What was that?”
“It was written by a Spaniard,” he bared his teeth faintly. “You’re going to be improving soon.”
“
Yes
,” gratitude clung to his lips, and he wanted to be happy and say something…hatred stilled his tongue.
As if sensing the fire within, Olrox nodded faintly. “There’s not a great deal to discuss…ah, here is a good book.”
“Hmm?” Richter reached for the book and realized that his wrist was within biting range before pulling back. Olrox sat, flipping it to the first page.
“I appreciate the gods of Greece. I think they had a better understanding of people than these Christians.”
“The Greek Pantheon?” Richter wondered. “Really?”
“These Romans too… though they seem to be the same people.”
“What is that?” He tried to see the title.
“A Consideration of Greek Gods,” Olrox mused. “Let’s see.”
“What are you?” His eyes shot wide as Olrox began to read. “You can’t be serious. Reading to me?”
“I have nothing better for you, and I’m not sure you know how to read.” He said plainly, giving the younger man a simple look that was as condescending as it firm.
“I know how to read!” He went to stand, only to gasp as the pain and lack of blood rushed him and he fell back with an aching cry. “Fuck!”
“Calm yourself, little Belmont,” Olrox clucked. “You’ll only aggravate your wounds.”
Richter seethed, blinking spots out of his vision. “Fuck you.” He spat, and rolling away from Olrxo, he found himself staring out the darkened window. It was stupidity itself to turn his back on someone like Olrox, the waking nightmare he encountered so often these days. Still, if Olrox wanted to kill him, he could have done it at any point in the last few weeks by doing as little as sitting back and watching.
“Sulk, Little Boy Belmont,” the vampire mused, deep voice scraping along Richter’s raw, angry nerves. Clenching his jaw to avoid the tears that wanted to escape, he heard the page turn and Olrox started to read.
Maybe it was childish, but a measure of annoyance did abate as the tales of Greek Gods unfolded. He’d always liked them, his favorite to read about with the Gods and heroes of yore. Legends he could sink comfortably into without thinking too much about if they were vampires or monsters he’d face one day. Well, some of them. He’d fought a minotaur at some point….that was a while ago.
Olrox did have a nice voice, and if it weren’t his mother’s killer reading to him while he was bandaged, missing at least a pint of blood, and damn near helpless; Richter might have enjoyed it.
Both paused as a heavyset body began to navigate towards them, the door opening as Mrs. Shutlz bore a tray into the room.
“Guten Morgen!” She exclaimed, looking pleased. “This doctor is very good, nein?”
“I.” Richter straightened, letting her set the tray over his knees. “Thank you, Frau Shutlz.” It was a modest tea tray, and for the first time, he had the strength to lift the cup with his own hands. He shuddered at the memory of Olrox pouring soup and water down his throat; too helpless to fight back. He didn’t miss the faint smirk when the porcelain rattled in its saucer when he set it down. “That’s a fine cup of tea,” he told her.
“Better than the English.” She said smugly. “Herr Olrox. I will bring you some tea.”
“There’s no need,” the vampire assured her. Richter grinned as he munched on the toast, watching the woman puff her chest out in annoyance. “I do not drink tea.”
“Not even a little?” Richter hedged, ignoring the side glare of bright green eyes. “She puts so much effort into it. There’s no need to be picky.”
“See!” She nodded firmly at Olrox. “I will fetch a cup.” Only after she bustled out did Richter’s smile widen.
“Vampires can eat human food,” he said plainly. “Why not? It’s a good snack.”
“I
have
a snack,” the said coldly, which dimmed Richter’s smile to a frown. “But human food is,” he gestured lazily, clearly failing to find the correct adjective.
“IS there tea?” Alucard appeared, stepping into the room and spotting the tray. “Excellent. I have left a tea blend which may will help with the inflammation of the joints.”
“This isn’t it?”
“No,” Alucard leaned over Olrox’s shoulder. “That appears to be a black tea.” Mrs. Shutlz was a clever woman and returned with two extra cups, a second pot of tea, and another plate of snacks. Alucard lifted one of the eggs from the tray, taking the second chair and sitting. “Before we resume the battle with this…countess, a journey should be made to the Belmont hold.
“The what?”
“A hold,” Alucard ignored Olrox’s glower. “With the collective knowledge of the Belmont’s and speakers. Also home to many materials and weapons that may prove useful.”
“That’s far east,” Richter said, “the crazy bitch is west. Isn’t that near Dracula’s castle?” Alucard’s lips pursed.
“My father has been dead for half a millennia…it is not his house.”
“Right, right, sorry.”
“But yes….it is the castle.” He turned to Olrox. “The libraries of my castle are expansive. What the hold does not have, I might.”
“You never explained you’re doing any of this,” Richter pointed out to Olrox, who’s lips pursed
“If you really want to help defeat Erzsebet, then why didn’t you? Why wait?”
The expression darkened, cold enough that Richter had to fight the urge to hide under the blankets. Parts of the man’s outline blurred and became shadows until Alucard cut in gently. “Whatever reasons they are, Richter, we can respect his intentions now.” Two looks of annoyance were aimed in his direction. “Belmonts,” he said, both an excuse and a reason.
“She intends to turn her attention on the Americas,” Olrox said finally, holding his still-full cup in one hand. The other shifting into a smoky outline of the continents. “To bring her power and madness to a place relatively untouched by vampires.”
“There’s
you
.” Richter snapped.
“Most vampires in the Americas don’t form duchies and kingdoms. That’s just not how it works over there. Hypocrites to the core, the Americans aren’t falling victim to the same ploy at the Europeans have. Most of the Spanish and Portuguese vampires are weaker in their colonies. The sun shines so brightly, and their religion is stronger too. Those that haven’t met an…end at the hands of those they turned.” Alucard exchanged a look with Richter.
“To stop the spread,” Richter mused.
“Some with naturally slip through,” Alucard agreed. “However, a case-by-case basis is an improvement over fucking invasion.”
“Still,” Richter didn’t exactly believe Olrox, but it sounded good enough to work with. “She reminds me…who was that…Carmilla!”
“Of Styria,” Alucard said. “She wished to invade the entire world. To rule. It ended badly. Issac the Great removed her reign, and united the region.”
“Fascinating,” Olrox mused dryly, “and?”
“Her madness is in the same vein. This ‘natural order’ she proclaims to keep, is nothing more than madness.”
“And how
did
you stop her solar eclipse?” Olrox’s bright green eyes focused so intently on Alucard the pale vampire might have burst into flames. A soft, discreet smile slipped over the pale lips.
“She is
only
a Goddess,” Alucard said softly, nodding at Olrox, pale strands of hair sliding loose of its binding.
“It was the most impressive thing I’ve ever seen,” Richter added, sensing a moment to tug on the other vampire’s pigtails, so to speak. “Still, she’ll try again.”
“And your…sojourn in Brussels?”
Richter turned a pale pink, coughing into his fist to avoid the regal eyebrow.
“The man was a forgemaster. His captives were being slaughtered in droves to supply more of an army. When we went in there was…well.
A lot.
And the forge master had the…knife.” He gestured to his damaged arm. I don’t…I remember
you
,” he snapped at Olrox. “Biting my
neck
.”
“The vein is closer to your heart.” He explained, which Richter
knew
but hadn’t pieced together. He settled for gnawing on the bread, still furious.
“Given that there is no way to filter human blood medically,” Alucard picked at the food with delicate fingers. “It was a very clever idea.”
“Alucard!”
“Your unhappiness is preferable to your gave,” the older vampire mused, silencing Richter abruptly. He stood and arranged the medications on his tray. “Take your medicine,” he ordered.
He managed not to pout and obeyed. He shuddered, leaning back as a sudden wave of tiredness swept over him. “Why can’t I stay awake?”
“Blood loss,” Alucard said plainly. “Exhaustion is a symptom of blood illnesses.”
“It sucks.” He yawned, watching the tray drift away. “I feel like a baby.”
“Apologies,” Alucard muttered. “Tell me, Olrox, do you play chess?”
“I do.” He tilted his head to the side, long hair sliding from his shoulder. “Have you played patolli?” Alucard blinked and shook his head. “I will introduce you.”
“What is that?” Richter asked.
“A game,” Olrox winked. “I will teach you…when you can stay awake long enough to learn.”
“Fuck you.” He listened to the men leave.
“There is no need to antagonize him,” Alucard scolded lightly as the door shut behind him, Olrox’s answer was lost behind the wood.
“Fucker,” Richter tilted to the side just far enough to grab a book, prop it open, and start to read.
An hour later, having walked Alucard through the rules of the game, Olrox wafted into the shadowed corner of Richter’s room. The doctor had insisted on keeping the window open, insisting that humans needed sunlight to heal and improve.
The Belmont boy had fallen asleep again, a book folded open on his torso, his bleeding wrist haplessly flung aside. He looked less like a nightmare of all nightmares, and more like the paintings of delicate maidens that Europeans seemed so fond of. Cast in their consumption, ill and helpless to drive the repressed hordes of men wild.
He was temptation the Christians seemed to believe so much in. Young, beautiful, pliant, but with a temper and a hatred that ran endlessly deep. How much longer
would
the boy need to recover? The poison had wrecked his magic, and his health, but the fact that he was already able to sit up and talk was impressive.
It would be a slow recovery…and since Alucard had made the feeding a medical necessity; the opportunity for capitulation sat in front of him. Something would be endlessly delicious.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
A few days later, Olrox ventured from his quarters midday to peer through an open window to find that Alucard had helped Richter out into the back garden. One of his nicer chairs was set beneath the shade of a tree, and a blanket was wrapped around his legs while Alucard was doing
something
with a ball. It was too nice of a day for a human to be inside, and Richter had been confined to bed for some time now.
Whatever medicines he’d gotten were helping. His eys were brighter than they’d been in a while. Alucard had succeeded in isolating the poison and had taken a few samples of the blood to test at some point. It was certainly odd. Olrox hadn’t met a vampire who wasn’t spending their time plotting and scheming in…most of his life. An immortal doctor and academic seemed like the best use for his immortality, which Olrox could admire.
His attachment to the Belmont child was understandable. He’d fought alongside his ancestors to defeat his megalomaniac father. He had guided his portion of Europe as a leader for some time, traveled as a doctor…and lost the loves of his life.
Olrox wondered if Richter realized that Alucard counted as much as kin as the long-dead Trevor Belmont. There was real affection in their interactions. They had traveled together after stalling the eclipse.
“He is a fine doctor.” Mrs. Shultz appeared. He’d heard her approaching, and while he might not usually enjoy having a human around so much’ she seemed to take personal offense at everything Alucard did inside the house. The politics and dislikes in Europe were so intricate, that the only thing he was sure she wasn’t complaining about was his half-vampiric nature. “Despite everything.”
“He is…had he managed to treat you?”
“No,” a resigned sighed carried across the room. The woman was resigned to a slow death. “That is why I take this money, Herr Olrox. That I do not care if I serve such a creature who feeds…I do not want to burden my family too much when I die.”
“You aren’t afraid that I might feed on you?” He asked, facing the human completely.
“Why? It is as with beauty. I am not too ugly and sick to feed from. Not when the prince is here.” Olrox smiled, letting his fangs show. True to form, Mrs. Schultz only blinked. “If you had! Phew! Fewer concerns for my son!”
“You’re a strange human, Mrs. Shutlz.”
She clucked a bit, squinting as Richter laughed at something Alucard said. “Who is he?”
“An enemy.” He admitted.
“Enemy?” She looked up. “Did you injure him?”
“No.”
“Then….why?” She frowned. “Help him?”
“Why indeed?” He mused, and sensing that he wasn’t in the mood to talk further, Mrs. Shutlz excused herself quietly.
Why indeed?
#$#$#
Alucard was leaving, a fact that upset Richter more than he was willing to show. “It’s nice having company I don’t want to kill.” He told the older man. “Where will you go?”
“Her forces are scattered across the European houses. There is some concern that she may strike in Bavaria next. Her interest is moving towards the Austria-Hungary Empire. The Hapsburgs have sheltered many vampires in the past. I must seek information and support.”
It made too much sense, and Richter slammed a hand against the mattress. “And what about Olrox?”
“Olrox,” Alucard mused and sat on the edge of his bed. “Has agreed to continue to aid your recovery…an unfortunate side effect is that he must continue to remove the poison from your system.
“You want him to keep drinking from me?” Richter ground down his teeth.
“Yes.”
“You want me to let my mother’s killer,” he pulled his knees close, feeling the stitches burning. “Alucard!”
Amber eyes softened. “I do not make this decision lightly, Richter Belmont.”
“I.” He ducked his head, cheeks burning. “I hate him, Alucard. I hate his face. I hate his voice. I hate that I’d be dead without him. I hate that I….need him.”
“He is a reasonable man. You may kill him when our interests are no longer aligned. Until then you must bear patiently.”
“I don’t like it.”
“I cannot blame you.” Alucard reached over to hug him gently. “I will return. I have arranged for some assurances of your care.”
“Assurances?” He wondered. “Mrs. Schultz? She hates me.”
“You will see. Goodbye, Richter Belmont. Remember to take your medication, and sleep well.”
“Bye, Alucard. Be careful out there, won’t you?”
“Always.” He assured him and left the room.
Once outside, Alucard was met with Olrox who stayed in the corner to avoid the dim sunlight peering through an overcast sky.
“You will be faced with great danger,” the Aztec said mildly.
“There is danger everywhere, Olrox.” He hefted his bag.
“You aren’t going to threaten me?” Olrox wondered.
“I feel that if I must threaten you again, I have not made my position clear. I can hunt in daylight, my friend. There may be a new world to hide in, but even it will not be far enough.”
“Fair.” And watched the doctor depart. He was an interesting figure for a vampire, much less a human.
#$#$#$
Olrox wafted into Richter’s room, letting the hunter catch sight of his smokey outline before materializing in full. The bright blue eyes narrowed, calloused hands clutched at the blankets, and the full mouth tilted into a bitter frown.
“Little Belmont,” he let his voice fade into a distant sigh, fear spiked, and Richter drew his limbs close.
“What do you want?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“It’s.” His eyes darted toward the windows, the sun had gone down and Alucard was gone. “It’s not time.”
“I’m afraid it is,” he moved silently closer, watching his face twist up. “I thought you have gotten used to it.”
“Never! “He defended vehemently.
“Why not? Haven’t I fed often enough?” Pausing at the bedside, Olrox smiled. Fury and disgust roiled off the younger man as the vampire held out a hand. Forcing the issue was no longer necessary and no longer the option he wished to pursue. He could and would wait for Richter Belmont to give over his wrist; the surrender would make him taste twice as sweet.
“I feel better,” he argued.
“For now…and the poison will continue to corrupt your body. Even the trace amounts will slowly consume your flesh, and in due time you will be the last Belmont.” He leaned closer. “Fading away between these sheets.” Richter gulped. “Weak….sleepy…
impotent
.”
“No!” He surged up, but Olrox refused to give an inch. Nearly face to face, the boy bared his teeth, furious and wild and beautiful. “You’re
enjoying this
.”
Letting his hair fall in a curtain to provide a shadow for his eyes to glow, Olrox whispered. “Of course.”
“Fuck. You.” All too angry, all too human, Richter raised his hand, blue eyes sparking. “I will kill you.”
“One day,” Olrox agreed softly and turned his head to fully wrap his mouth around the trembling wrist. The blue eyes were closed, squeezed shut, and his jaw locked into a pained grimace as Olrox fed.
Hatred was something to savor.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Alucard Tepes was a man who schemed, plotted, and planned. If he intended to get information or anything else, then Olrox was sure that he would succeed because he’d just gotten what he wanted.
The Belmont boy was ignoring him, working on walking around his bed to build strength in his legs back up. Just as he was considering heading to visit the boy, a knock came at the door.
That wasn’t unusual, locals occasionally came by for alms…but the scents were unmistakable.
Olrox gritted his teeth. Alucard had
called
the others.
“For fucks sake.”
He muttered as Mrs. Shultz opened the door. “The master of the house is occupied,” she reported faithfully. “If you are here for alms.”
“We are not here for alms,” Annette replied. “We are here to see Richter Belmont.”
“We are friends of his,” Maria said, voice rising through the manor. “And we.”
“Ah! Yes! Yes!”
A third, final, and damning voice joined the group. Olrox closed his eyes as the familiar timbre washed over him. “Dr. Tepes sent us,” Mizrak said. “With a letter of introduction.”
Gritting his teeth together, he knew that Mrs. Shutlz would happily usher them into the man and feed them all. She disapproved of many things, but friends of Alucard weren’t one of those things.
“Of course. I am honored by your company. Please come in. Please. I will inform the master.” the group was ushered into the parlor room, tea set out, and Olrox braced himself for her appearance.
Sneaky vampire! Sending the rest of Richter’s friends to keep an eye on things! Had he explained anything? Had he told them about Olrox?
“Herr Olrox!” Mrs. Shutlz moved into the library, puffing faintly. “There are.”
“I know,” he sighed. “Let them in…they will be staying awhile.”
She paused, huffing faintly. “And?”
“They eat regular food. I will…speak to them later.” Or never. Never sounded nice.
#$#$3
Richter was dozing over an open book when a voice he thought he’d never hear again, slapped him over the head. ‘
“Richter!” His eyes snapped open just in time to see Maria launch herself at him. Narrow arms wrapped around his shoulders as he wheezed. “Thank God you’re alivee! I couldn’t believe it when the letter came from Alucard! He said you were injured, are you well?”
“Maria!” he hugged back carefully. “My shoulder!”
“Right, right, sorry!” She dashed tears from her eyes, sliding back. “We thought you were dead for so long!”
“We did.” Annette agreed, smiling as Richter’s heart thumped painfully. “Hello, Richter.”
“
Annette
,” he breathed, awed as ever by her presence and beauty. She stood with a weary confidence and strength, too many battles on such a young person. “You’re here.” She smiled, flashing white teeth as she took the opposite side of the bed and his hand.
“We came as quickly as we could travel once we received Alucard's letter.”
“We are,” Mizrak cleared his throat. He seemed, as ever, faintly uncomfortable. He had never really gotten over the Abbot’s betrayal and his own role in the mess. “Hello, Richter.”
“Mizrak…I’m glad to see you. What happened?”
“You died! You wanker!” Maria punched his shoulder, before scooting close. “The vampires have been celebrating it for weeks!”
“We regrouped in Lyons,” Annette explained.
“What happened to you?” Mizrak wondered. “How are you still alive? There were hundreds of night-creatures. You collapsed.”
“There was poison,” Richter explained with a gesture to the injury. “I…was dying and the night creatures were coming for me.” His words failed, all three waited. “I…was found. They helped drain the poison from my blood, but it’s blocking my magic and it’s still in…me.’
“They?” Mizrak prompted. Richter’s eyes slid toward his wrist. Annette and Maria shifted closer. “Richter?”
“Olrox,” he admitted. Annette jumped to her feet. One of Maria’s creatures leaped into existence, teeth bared. Only Mizrak remained calm.
“Olrox is here?” He asked.
“This is his place. He…well. He’s technically been helping me, but he’s a wanker about it. He’s the one who found Alucard. I’ve been too ill to be much help.” That hurt to say, but there was something odd about the measured stillness from the knight. “Mrs. Shutlz works for him.”
“A lovely woman,” Mizrak agreed, staring blankly at the wall. “We have been invited to stay.”
“We were planning on staying anyway,” Maria said. Ever since they’d fled France, she’d been clingy.
“It will be good to have the company that can slap him,” he agreed, winding his arm around Maria.
Annette was glaring at the wall and shook her head. “Very well. The woman said that she would arrange rooms for us.”
“She will, she’s not…the most patient but her cooking is great. Mizrak?”
“Is Olrox truly our ally?”
“For now,” He shrugged. “But it's not like I have a choice at the moment.”
“How can he help you?” Maria wondered. “What? Is he
eating
the bad blood?” All three froze as Richter’s smile fell. “Richter!”
“It was that or die!” He exclaimed. “It’s not like I was awake for most of it!”
“He’s
feeding
off of you?” Annette exclaimed. “I will kill him!”
“After he gets the poison out…and when I can help!” He reached for her hands, feeling metal and iron swirling between them. “Alright?” A dagger dropped into his hands, and her shoulders relaxed faintly.
“Alright.”
Mizrak cleared his throat. “I will speak to the housekeeper. Excuse me.”
“He’s acting strange,” Maria said, passing the bird to Richter. It thrilled brightly, settling onto his lap. Richter opened his mouth to joke, only to see the bright tears simmering in her eyes.
“Maria..I’m alright.”
“I thought you were dead! You wanker!” Curling up beside him, she cried. “You were dead and gone! You’re my only family left, and you died! It’s not fair!”
“Oh…I’m sorry, Maria.” He leaned over to kiss the top of her head, her face still buried against his shoulder.
“You need to be careful.” The muffled words prompted him to glance at Annette. She nodded in agreement and carefully leaned against his other side.
“I will be,” Richter promised, grateful to be alive and loved. “I will be.”
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Mizrak found the housekeeper frantically opening the bedrooms of the house. Flinging open windows, airing out the blankets, filling the pitchers, and muttering frantically to herself.
“Madam,” he cleared his throat, catching her flustered attention.
“Ah! Sir!” She curtsied. “I apologize that the rooms are not prepared. We had no warning.”
“Please,” he held up a hand. “It is well, Madam.” She eyed him cautiously. “However, my companions are young and hungry.”
“Of course!” Mrs. Shutlz exclaimed. “Of course! We must feed the young ones!”
“Yes,” but he gestured for her to calm down. “Please, show me to the kitchens. I will prepare something.”
“Mein Herr! There is no need! I will.”
“I know my companions.” He assured her. “It is no trouble. It is my honor to help.”
“Well.” Clearly eager not to take one so much work, she brushed her hands down her apron. “Very well….but I will make the tea.”
“Of course,” Mizrak agreed.
It was a standard kitchen, large, warm, and not particularly stocked for human consumption. Still, they had packed food for the road. It had been difficult traveling with a half-vampire, and two teenagers who were more focused on revolutions and fighting. The realities of life didn't seem to matter that much to either of them. Maria could only cook basics, and the ingredients were unfamiliar to Annette. Cooking duties had fallen to Mizrak.
It helped calm his mind, soothe his nerves now that he knew Olrox was nearby, and a humble penance for his role.
As pleased as he was that Richter was alive, finding out the Olrox was keeping him so….was odd. Olrox had never seemed to be the magnanimous type, nor did he seem forgiving.
Mrs. Shutlz bustled off with tea-tray, leaving him with his own cup, steadily rising bread, and his own thoughts.
Olrox had saved Richter…which was good in the endgame of destroying the mad vampire queen.
Olrox. Mizrak squeezed his hands together as he pretended not to notice how some of the smoke from the kitchen fire seemed to move moving against all logic and nature. He could confront him…but he was unsure what to say.
“Mizrak,” Maria appeared at the door, apparently oblivious to the shadow nearby. “Did you. Oh, you’re cooking!”
“There are more guests than the housekeeper can manage,” he said plainly. “And warm bread is one of life's pleasures.”
“That’s true,” Maria agreed. “Richter is awfully ill. He’s hardly been awake, and he’s already getting exhausted. I.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “I’m worried about him.”
“Alucard assured us that they were coping with the situation as well as possible.” How
feeding
from the young Belmont helped, he wasn’t sure.
“But how can Olrox drinking from him can help,” she toed the stones, pacing around the kitchen. “Wouldn’t that make him ill? Wouldn’t that make him sick?”
“I….do not know,” Mizrak admitted.
“I think it’s an excuse When I see him, I’ll.”
Mizrak held up a hand. “Peace, we do not know the situation. We are currently guests in this house”
“But it’s Olrox! We should be.”
Mizrak was well aware that he was on thin ice with Maria, and normally would have left Annette or Alucard to handle her emotions…but there was no one else present. “We must gain an understanding of the situation first.”
Maria’s glower could have ignited a bushfire. “He’s sick!”
“He is not dead,” he advised, watching the young woman pacing back and forth through the kitchen before pausing with a gusty breath.
“It’s not right, Mizrak. I’ve known Richter…I’ve never seen him so…
tired
. It’s frightening.”
“With help, he will get better,” Mizrak promised. “I will bring some food when it is ready.” His heart warmed as she offered him a smile.
“Thank you, Mizrak.” A far cry from the furious girl he’d been traveling with. When she was gone, Mizrak let his head fall into his hands.
“God, grant me strength….and patience.” He wasn’t sure if the chuckle he’d heard was genuine or a figment of his imagination.
He did want to speak to Olrox, to ask him why he had fled, to demand an answer as to why he was helping the boy.,..and perhaps his own apology. He had killed his brothers in arms, betrayed and fought the Abbot, and in the weeks since the Belmont’s death, had fought and nearly endless army of night creatures.
Perhaps his unhappiness and pain was penance…or simply God had withdrawn from him. He reached for his scapula, falling into the routine of prayers.