Hi, Eden! Want an update? Here it is! This chapter is in two parts. You'll like this, I promise. It's about who Christina really is.
Chapter X: Blood of My Blood, Flesh of His Flesh, Part One
It was as if a blow had hit them.
With the vampire Alucard, the blow came sharply, without any warning or premonition. He just knew. Christina was in grave danger.
The bond he had with the child was unlike anything he ever experienced in his whole life as a vampire. It was quite like what he had with Celes and Integra, but stronger, more powerful, more compelling and far more intimate. Sometimes, the power of this bond would take him by surprise, just like it did now.
Then Celes's voice, though dim and faltering, resounded in his mind. Master! We need your help.
*******
Sitting in her room and going through her papers, Integral Wingates Hellsing felt it as well. A sudden chill ran up her spine. "Christina," she whispered in the darkness, as if her child would hear her.
At that moment, Alucard slid from the shadows into her room, a grave look in his glittering red eyes. "Our child is in danger," he said simply. Their eyes met, blue clashing with red. A multitude of emotions was exchanged between them, emotions too powerful and complicated to put into words.
The phone in Integra's room began to ring–a loud, insistent ring that boded of danger. Heart pounding, Integra deftly picked it up. Celes's sobbing voice came on the line, confirming what they already knew. Christina was in danger. When Integra put the phone down, Alucard had already left.
*******
After Christina and the vampire disappeared, everything was a blur to Celes. She could hazily remember killing the female FREAK then calling up Hellsing manor through a pay phone. When she finished the call, that was when realization swept her like a tidal wave, threatening to overwhelm her.
I have failed my Master. I let him take Miss Christina.
Then her Master appeared out of nowhere. Celes stared at him as he approached her. With a sob, she fell to her knees. "Master, forgive me! I've failed you! I tried to stop him, but–"
"That will be enough, policewoman," Alucard cut in with uncharacteristic sharpness. Startled, Celes glanced up, only to find herself staring at his retreating back. She saw her Master walk towards the wrecked car. He swooped down, and picked up the gun that once belonged to Christina. He then turned back to Celes.
Celes shrank back when she saw the look of fury on her Master's face. There was a fierceness in his red eyes, an eagerness to kill–no, not just to kill, but to destroy. She had never seen her Master like this before.
"Come, policewoman. We have work to do."
*******
Integral sat behind her desk, still as a statue, waiting for Alucard and Celes to come and bring her news of her kidnapped daughter. She was all alone in her study, since Walter was busy organizing a search party.
Is this my punishment for my sins? she thought bitterly. She gazed at the small, framed yellowed picture of her father that she kept on top of her desk. Have you brought this on me, Father? Is it not enough for me to live my life this way? Why must you involve my daughter? The shame is all mine, not hers.
Integra looked away, closed her eyes, and remembered the past.
*******
Two years after the Incognito incident…
Integral Wingates Hellsing slowly slid out of her car. She shielded her eyes from the glaring sun as she walked up the stairs. When she reached the top, she saw a familiar figure with jet-black hair.
"Hello, Integra. It's been a while since we last saw each other."
Integra allowed herself a smile. "Hello, Christopher." Christopher Henry Greystone, Earl of Greywall, was a family friend of hers. Her father and his father were business associates and usually went hunting in Africa together. Christopher's father had helped her father modernize Hellsing in ways still unknown to Integra. The door was opened, and they were ushered inside. They began to walk again.
Christopher slid beside her. Integra frowned. "What are you doing here?"
"My distant cousin, Her Majesty the Queen, summoned me to come to Buckingham Palace on urgent matters." He stopped and turned to Integra. "Don't tell me she summoned you as well?"
Integra did not reply. Instead, she met his eyes with a steady gaze of her own. The color of Christopher's eyes was highly unusual. His eyes were a deep shade of reddish brown, hovering on the verge of red. Christopher raised an eyebrow at her gaze, but said nothing.
The two of them were led to a secret room. They found the Queen sitting behind an elegant-looking desk, looking over some paperwork. When they came in, she raised her head.
"Your Majesty," the two said at the same time, curtsying deeply.
The Queen inclined her head in acknowledgement. "Good. The two of you came." She looked at Integra first. "Lord Hellsing, how are the Royal Protestant Knights doing?"
"They are doing quite well, your Majesty. We recruited three hundred more highly-trained men to help rid of England of the undead," Integra said with some pride. It hadn't been easy rebuilding Hellsing after the 'incident' with Incognito and the Judas, but Integra managed to not only bring Hellsing back to its former greatness, but also to improve it.
"I am pleased to hear that." Then she turned to Christopher, a slightly amused look on her face. "Well, Lord Greystone, how are the family estates?"
"Still as extensive as ever, your Majesty. We're currently having some problems with the tenants, but I think it will be resolved this week." Christopher was smiling as well. Though the blood relationship between him and the Queen was quite distant, the Queen has always been fond of Christopher.
The Queen smiled at his answer, then turned serious. She fixed her gaze at Integra. "I am pleased to hear such good news. However, that is not why I called the two of you. Lord Hellsing, we have discussed this matter before. Hellsing needs an heir," the Queen said bluntly.
Suddenly, the room became very cold for Integra. She knew where this was all leading. She gave Christopher a sidelong glance, and judging by the look in his eyes, he knew where this was all coming to as well. However, Integra managed to remain expressionless. The Queen went on. "Forgive my bluntness, Lord Hellsing, but the lack of heir to Hellsing is becoming quite a serious concern. Hellsing plays a vital part in keeping the kingdom safe, and its well-being is a personal concern of mine."
The Queen's gaze shifted to Christopher. "Therefore, by royal command, you, Lord Christopher Henry Greystone, Earl of Greywall, will marry Sir Integral Wingates Hellsing today."
*******
She sensed his presence even before she saw him. "Have you found any trace of her?" Integra asked Alucard as soon as he appeared out of the shadows. Behind him was a trembling Celes.
"We found her gun. There is no need to find any traces of her. The child and I share a bond. I will be able to track her wherever she is," Alucard replied confidently.
Integra fixed her gaze at Celes. "What happened?" she asked, her voice as cold as ice.
Celes haltingly recounted the incident. When she was finished, Walter, who had been standing behind the door for a few minutes now, said, "It was an ambush. They knew you were going that way."
"But how?" Celes demanded. As much as possible, whenever they left the manor, the Hellsings would use different routes to avoid patterns that could lead to ambushes. Apparently, that tactic had failed.
"That does not matter now," Integra said calmly, rising from her chair. "The heir to Hellsing has been kidnapped. Alucard, you are ordered to retrieve Christina at all costs, even if it means tearing London apart. I do not care how you do it, but get her back here, alive." She emphasized her last word.
"And what if she has been compromised?" Alucard asked her silkily. Celes gave her master a startled look. She never expected her Master to ask that question.
Integra's face remained calm when she replied, "Then I will view that as a grave failure on your part, and you will be properly chastened." She paused for a moment. "You are given temporary release from your seals." She ignored the slightly worried look Walter's face assumed when she said the last part.
Alucard grinned, a grin filled with unholy anticipation. "Yes, Master."
*******
Walter was a little surprised to see Christopher Henry Greystone accompanying Integra when she arrived home, but he did not show it. "Good afternoon, my Lord Greystone. It is so good of you to visit Hellsing. It has been a while since you last visited," he said.
Christopher just smiled at Walter and murmured a quiet 'thank you'. Then Integra said, "I want you, Alucard, and Celes in my study now. There is something important I have to discuss with you." She turned to Christopher, who nodded gravely and followed her to her study.
Seeing the look that passed between the two childhood friends, a terrible suspicion began to gnaw at Walter. However, he still did what Integra told him to do. In a few minutes, they were all assembled at Integra's study, all of them quite curious.
With Christopher standing behind her, Integra announced in a calm, but firm voice, "Lord Christopher Henry Greystone and I were wed today. He will now be permanently staying at Hellsing. However, for various reasons, our marriage and the reason for his presence here must remain a secret."
The room became very quiet after that. Celes was looking back and forth at Integra and Christopher with bewilderment. Sir Integra was married? It seemed so hard to believe. Sneaking a glance at Walter, she could see that the butler was taken by surprise as well.
Surprisingly, it was Celes's master, Alucard, who spoke first. "Congratulations on your marriage, my Master," he said in his mocking voice. His gaze locked with Integra, who remained expressionless. Then Alucard turned to Christopher. Christopher calmly accepted the vampire's gaze.
"That will be enough, Alucard," Integra said sharply. Alucard removed his gaze from Christopher and turned to Integra, grinning. Ignoring him, she said firmly, "You are now dismissed. My husband and I have some things to discuss in private." She emphasized the last two words.
They left, with Alucard bowing mockingly at Integra before he disappeared into the shadows. When the newlyweds were alone, Christopher said to Integra, "So that was the vampire Alucard."
"You know of him?"
"Somewhat. My father and yours worked together before, remember? I still don't know what they worked on, but my father hinted it had something to do with a vampire named Alucard." He smiled wryly. "He seems to resent me. I wonder why?"
Integra had a good idea why, but did not say anything. Instead, she asked, "When will you be moving in? I'll ask Walter to prepare my room to…accommodate the two of us."
Christopher's smile changed. "Integra," he began in a quiet voice, "the Queen may have commanded us to wed and to produce an heir, but she didn't say we get on with immediately, did she? I'm sure she can afford to wait."
He shook his head ruefully. "I suppose we should share a room to avoid arousing suspicion in the Queen, but I prefer that we postpone the 'producing an heir' part until later. Will that be all right with you?"
She permitted herself a small smile at how considerate Christopher was. "That arrangement will be fine with me." Then she hesitantly added, "Thank you, Christopher."
"You are most welcome, Integra." He took Integra's hand, and gently kissed it.
Unknown to them, a pair of red eyes watched them. Then, the eyes disappeared into the darkness.
*******
The moment Christina opened her eyes, a blinding headache hit her. Groaning softly, she tried to stand up from the bed but–WAIT A MINUTE! she suddenly thought, her eyes flaring open. Bolting up, she looked around. She was in a dark room that she was sure was not hers. What am I doing in a bed? What am I doing here? The last thing I remember was–
"Ah, you're finally awake," a chillingly familiar musical voice said from somewhere in the room.
Christina turned and found herself staring at the vampire who nearly killed her. He was sitting on an ornate chair beside her bed, looking intently at her, a serene smile on his face. He was wearing an immaculate white long-sleeved shirt and a pair of tight light brown leather breeches. His long ash blonde hair fell across one shoulder. He was so damned handsome, a fa?ade that hid the hideousness inside.
With an effort, Christina controlled the rising tide of anger that threatened to overwhelm her. She glared at him, her scarlet eyes flashing with defiance. "If you think my mother will bow to your demands because you have me, you are very mistaken."
The vampire that killed Jean-Luc just smiled at her. "Still as feisty as ever, I see." He stretched out his arm and his hand caressed her cheek, with Christina remaining expressionless as he did so. He then let out a dry, humorless musical laugh. "And still as cool and calm as ever."
"What am I doing here?" she asked him bluntly. "How did I get here?"
"I used a little sleep spell to make you a little more cooperative." He smiled mockingly at her. His hand moved downward, now stroking her neck, then sliding down to her shoulders, then back up to her neck. "Don't get too comfortable. You'll be staying here for only a while. We'll be leaving this place quite soon."
"Is that so?" Her tone was mocking as she spoke.
The vampire gave her an amused look. He leaned closer to her, his lips almost touching her neck. She could feel his breath against her skin. She didn't flinch. "Expecting Alucard to save you? He may sense your presence here, but he cannot get in. I have made sure of that. By the time he comes here, you and I will be gone."
"You used magic." It was not a question.
He laughed. "Correct, my dear Miss Christina. Very powerful magic, as a matter of fact. Your Alucard cannot get in here through the shadows or through teleportation. He must fight his way to get here, and I doubt he will survive. Ghouls and FREAKS surround us." He stroked her hair. "You have such a lovely head of hair. It's a little lighter than mine, isn't it? However, it is your eyes are the most beautiful part of your face. Tell me, where did you inherit that unusual eye color?"
"From my father." She narrowed her eyes. "Who are you?" she asked.
The vampire smiled. "You may call me Adrian, my dear Miss Christina."
*******
Integra was alone in her study. Her new husband, Christopher, had left to gather his things from his London flat. Walter was with Celes, making some new weapon for the female vampire. As she flipped through some papers, Alucard appeared from the darkness.
"I don't recall summoning you, Alucard," Integra said icily, not bothering to look up.
Alucard did not heed her tone. "I never quite imagined you getting married, Master."
Integra was annoyed, but she did not show it. "Marriage is a human custom. Everyone goes through it at some point of their lives."
"You married to produce an heir to Hellsing."
This time, Integra looked up. "My reasons for marrying is none of your business, Alucard," she said bitingly. Integra stood up from her chair and went to the window.
The vampire took a step closer to her. "Is that so, Master?" There was a sly smile on his lips.
Integra narrowed her eyes. Alucard was in an odd mood today. "What do you want, Alucard?"
Before she could do anything, Integra found herself backed up against the windows, with Alucard's arms blocking her means of escape. Though she was afraid, she did not show any outward signs of it.
"You need not have married, Master, if you had consented to the joining of our blood."
Integra gave him a contemptuous look. "You must be mad to think I would agree to something like that. I am Lord Integral Wingates Hellsing. I do not need your blood–"
Alucard's grip on her shoulders tightened painfully. "Be careful what you say, Master. You may regret it later," the vampire warned. Then he grinned, baring his sharp fangs. "Perhaps it is not too late for us to join our blood." He bent forward, his lips grazing Integra's neck.
Integra's eyes blazed with fury. "Let go of me, Alucard. That is an order," Integra said calmly.
"No," Alucard replied. Integra could feel his sharp fangs against the flesh of her neck. Pushing him away would not help her, but she had to do something.
"I believe that's my wife you're mishandling, Alucard. Let her go."
Alucard lifted his head, letting his arms drop. Christopher stood behind them, unafraid, a calm look on his face. He wasn't carrying a gun, but there was something threatening about the way he stood. He pulled his wife close to him, away from Alucard.
Alucard smiled at Christopher, a smile Integra could not decipher. The smile hovered somewhere between a smirk and a scowl. Then he disappeared into the darkness.
"Are you all right?" Christopher asked, checking his wife for injuries.
"Yes." Integra wasn't hurt, but she was a little shaken. Alucard has disobeyed an order from her. That was not something to be taken lightly.
To her surprise, she saw Christopher smiling. "What is it?" she asked, curious.
Christopher shook his head. "If I didn't know better, I'd say he's jealous."
Integra's eyes widened with surprise. "Jealous? Of what?"
But Christopher did not reply.
*******
Alucard's search for Christina led him to an abandoned mansion in the outskirts of London. It was the sort of place that would inspire ghost stories. The mansion itself was massive, its wide grounds covered with thick clumps of grass, its walls covered with ivy. Underneath the light of the full moon, the shadows made mansion look ominous. The air around it boded of evil and danger.
In other words, the atmosphere suited Alucard just fine.
Alucard knew his enemy knew he was coming, and had probably laid a few traps to delay him. Killing Alucard was near impossible, especially now that he was temporarily released from his seals. His raven black hair was much longer now, almost past his shoulders.
He could also sense the power of his opponent. The vampire was a mage as well, Alucard was sure. The vampire wielded an ancient magic Alucard found exciting. It had been a while since he fought with someone with powerful magic.
He pulled out his gun, a customized Jackal that in one shot can blow just about anything into tiny pieces. The vampire would pay for kidnapping Christina. Alucard would make sure the vampire would suffer a slow, agonizing death before he thoroughly destroyed the vampire and sent him to Hell.
Alucard was a little surprised by the depth of…affection–as humans would call it–he had when it came to the young Hellsing. It was unusual for a vampire like him to care about humans, much more to have affections to them, but the girl was an unusual case. Christina was a part of him, not only because the bond of blood, but something else, something far more powerful. Christina was after all, his daughter, maybe not in flesh, but definitely by blood. The color of her eyes was enough proof of that.
Cocking his gun, he pushed open the rusty gate. It was time to begin what he came for.
*******
Christina immediately sensed Alucard's presence. A feeling of relief washed over her. For some strange reason, Christina felt safer knowing that Alucard was there.
Unfortunately, she wasn't the only one who knew Alucard was here. Beside her, Adrian's lips curled into a malevolent smile. "He's quite late. I was expecting him to come here much earlier." He glanced at Christina, stroking her hair. "Don't feel at ease yet, my dear Miss Christina. Your Alucard will die before you can see him again." His hand glowed with a faint reddish aura. "I will make sure of that."
~T.B.C~
Freetalk: Another chapter finished! Whooo!!! I'm in a roll here. They're getting very loong nowadays. Did you like it?
About Christopher: Ah, yes! Christopher…I like him. He's so nice, especially to Integra. I wanted him to be more humorous, sort of as a contrast to Integra, but I didn't want him to look like a comic relief. If you're wondering what exactly did Christopher's father and Integra's father did, let's just say it had something to do with Alucard and with controlling him. You get the idea, ne?
Christina and Adrian: The conversation between them kind of reminds me of the one that took between Integra and Laura a.k.a. Bubbancy–Integra talking to Laura in a very condescending manner. About Adrian's musical voice, well, I really want him to sound like that. There's an obscure reason behind it, and I'm sure you can figure it out.
Next chapter: The next chapter will be the last one in the first part of the Hellsing Heir. Yes, HH will be in two parts…you'll find out more details in the next chapter. Anyway, will Alucard rescue Christina in time? How is Christopher involved in all of this, anyway? If the title hasn't given you any idea, well, just read on. Prepare for some major butt-kicking action.
Well, then, ja!
That was soo good!! OMG! I think that I'm finally beginning to understand the relationship between Alucard and Christina!
Damn you all!! Maybe I'll have to go and write my own Hellsing fanfic, . . . Right! In beteen school now and work AND trying to find time to finish the fanfic I'm already writing, I don't think it would be a good idea, althought the thought has more then just crossed my mind.