Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Van Helsing but I do Atrum Warning: This has refences to Roman gods and godesses and Christian God and Satan.this may disagrees with your faith if so then do not read this FanFic
Prologue
Thunder struck the ground as the rain poured down. A tiny figured dressed in a black velvet cape made her way towards the church. Entering St. Peters she removed her hood, and piercing green eyes stared, and her curly brownish red hair fell to her shoulders. It was very late, and no one was in the church, a few candles illumined the impressive church. She entered the confessional. Cardinal Jinette opened the panel between his booth and the confessionee's booth.
"Forgive me father, for I have sinned," she murmured.
"And what have you done my child?" Cardinal Jinette replied.
"I let Dracula be resurrected," she said and then looked to the Cardinal. "I know of the Order, and Ive come to beg for your help."
"My child I know not of which you speak," Cardinal Jinette gasped. How could she have known, it was impossible.
"Dont lie," she replied, her voice becoming more stronger, and determined. "I was told by the other side to come here and speak to you. You have the key to Draculas destruction. Where is Van Helsing?"
"Who is this Van Helsing?" Cardinal Jinette refused to cave into this woman he saw before him.
"Gabriel Van Helsing working for the Knights of the Holy Order destroyed Dracula two years ago, allowing the Valerious Family into the gates of heaven. Stop me when Ive gotten it wrong?" she smiled. "However, Van Helsing did accidentally kill Anna, the last of the Valerious, when she saved him from the werewolf curse. He killed in 1462 a man named Count Vladislaus Dragulia. Your count Dracula. Van Helsing started it and he is damn well going to finish it."
"Who are you exactly," Cardinal Jinette gaped at her.
"I am the night," she replied.
"A name perhaps?"
"Call me Atrum," she replied.
"Latin for dark?"
"Dark as night," Atrum smiled at him. "Now will you help me against Dracula, or am I going to have to find Van Helsing on my own?"
Cardinal Jinette sighed, and press a button to open the divider between them. She followed him down the stairs. They walked past holy men testing weapons, sharpening axes, one was praying. Atrum looked around taking it all in. They stopped in front of a man with weird glasses over his eyes.
"Atrum," Cardinal Jinette started. "This is Carl, Van Helsings assistant of sorts. Carl this is Atrum, she is here looking for Van Helsing."
"Van Helsing?" Carl looked up, being brought up out of his work. "Isnt he in London taking care of a Warlock?"
"Beside the point," Cardinal Jinette said glaring at Carl to shut up.
"So you are finally taking down Stefan," Atrum laughed. The Cardinal and Carl stared at her. "Well hes the only Warlock I know to still be in London. Bit of a bad egg if you ask me."
"How do you know of this Warlock?" Jinette asked staring down the mysterious girl.
"I use to caste spells with him, when he was a sorcerer. Going Warlock, it was a shame. Nice kid growing up though."
"Caste spells?" they both gasped.
"Did I forget to mention Im a witch?" she laughed nervously.
"A witch?" they turned to face the speaker. "Oh that Warlock, he teleported before I could kill or capture him."
"Apperated," she mutter.
"Huh?" they all said at the same time.
"He Apperated," she huffed, they all stared at her blankly. "Meaning he transported himself to a different location through magical means, escaping Van Helsing."
"Right," Van Helsing said as he eyed Atrum. "Whos she?"
"Im Atrum," she introduced herself holding out a black lace gloved hand from her cape. Van Helsing just stared. Atrum rolled her eyes and withdrew her hand. "Im the one who is taking you to Dracula."
"Dracula is dead," Van Helsing snorted. "So are you guys going to tell me where the Warlock disappeared to?"
"Hes at the Lions arm in Williamsburg, Virginia," Atrum stated. "Out of your jurisdiction I believe."
"And just how do you know that?" Carl gaped at her.
"Easy," Atrum sighed. "He always go there when he is in trouble in London. Its his favorite tavern. So about Dracula"
"Why should I believe you," Van Helsing said cutting her off.
"Right, Ill just show you," Atrum stated as she grabbed Van Helsings arm. In a cloud of black smoke they where gone and Van Helsing found himself in a dim lit tavern. "There." She pointed to a man sitting in a corner nursing a drink. "Stephen just as promised."
"How," Van Helsing started, but then they vanished again. They reappeared in front of a stunned Carl and Cardinal. "That was insane! How did you do that!"
"Im a witch for the millionth time," She hissed. "Now can we please talk about Dracula!"
"Can we help a witch?" Carl asked the Cardinal. "I mean isnt witch craft a sin?"
"Under the eyes of your deity yes, but under my deity karma will decided if what you do was wrong or not," Atrum replied. "My deity lead me to you, ask your God if it makes you feel better. But rest assured I am here to do your Gods will."
"If you are here to do Gods will you must stop with the Devil tricks!" Cardinal Jinette ordered.
"How dare you," Atrum roared with anger. "DEVIL TRICKS! I do not, have not, and will NEVER work for the Devil! He has no power over me. I am no Warlock, I am a natural witch who obeys her Goddess. You accuse me of Devil worship again, and Ill let Dracula have you."
"Okay calm down," Van Helsing said. The Cardinal stared at Atrum speechless. "So back to Transylvania?"
"Nein," Atrum said. "To Siberia."
"Siberia," Carl gasped. Van Helsing looked to Carl. "Oh no Van Helsing! Im not going to Siberia!" Van Helsing wrapped his arm around Atrum and started to lead her out. "Im serious! Van Helsing! You listening!"
"Carl," Cardinal Jinette said, as he cleared his throat. Carl stared at him before her threw up his hands in defeat.
"Wait up Van Helsing!" Carl called after him.
"Lord protect our souls," Cardinal Jinette muttered as he watched them leave.
"Van Helsing!" Carl gasped. He was out of breath from running after them. Van Helsing and Atrum were already outside the church. "Wait up!"
Atrum put the hood of her cape back up. She glared at the nearly full moon. Van Helsing noticed this, then turned to grab the bag from Carl, who had finally caught up with them.
"Dont like the moon light?" Van Helsing asked her, he wanted more information about this girl.
"Its nearly the full moon," Atrum replied. "When the Goddess; Diana near her full power, and her light blesses all things. Damned things like I, are a bit challenged under the light. Sort of like you under the werewolf curse."
"So you turn into a hairy beast under the full moon?" Carl gulped.
"No," Atrum sighed as she stared at the moon again. "I turn into something else if I gaze into the moon. Thats why I wear my clock, it blocks out all light."
"All light?" Van Helsing laughed. "Now you are going to tell me sun light burns your skin."
"No, it just makes my skin crawl," she shuddered. "Sun light is not my enemy nor my friend. Sun light is your friend, Carl. Van Helsing, people like us, we do not befriend the sun."
"People like us?" Van Helsing replied, very confused.
"Forget it," she sighed. "Lets just get to Siberia."
"Are we going by the sea?" Carl gulped again.
"Heavens no!" Atrum shrieked. "We are going by horse."
"The sea could be a tad quicker," Van Helsing interjected. Atrum glared at him then continued to walk away from them. "Or you could just fly your broom, bitch."
"Van Helsing," Carl said, as he tried not to giggle. He hoped Van Helsing had said it low enough the girl had not heard. Atrum had heard, but chose to ignore it. All she had to do was get him to Siberia, and have Dracula destroyed, and one of her curses would be removed. She glanced at the moon again, three more nights till the full moon. Maybe she should have waited till after the full moon to get Van Helsing.
"Lets go," Atrum hissed as she turned to face them. "The night is burning away."
"Van Helsing," Carl muttered to him as they followed Atrum. "Can we really trust her?"
"Well she doesnt feel evil," Van Helsing said as his eyes bore into Atrums back.
"But she is dressed all in black!" Carl said louder then he meant to. Atrum stopped and spun around to face them.
"Black does not always represent evil," Atrum hissed, not realizing her eyes where turning pale blue. "It can mean protection! It can protect you against evil! But no, you holy men have one track minds and automatically assume I am evil because of the color of my clothes. You do not realize I wear these for protection against evil, as well as the moon. Idiot of a fool, if you do not look outside your small box, and open your eyes to the impossible you will not come back from this mission alive."
"Please dont threaten my monk," Van Helsing stated, getting a little mad at her. After all Carl was a friend, even if he was a bit of a coward sometimes."Or we might run into a bit of a problem."
"Then dont assume I am evil," she replied, trying to keep her short temper. "Besides there is much more blood on your hands then mine, Left Hand of God."
"What is that suppose to mean!" Van Helsing called after her. She was still walking away, much faster then before. Van Helsing and Carl had to run to keep up with her. "You cant just say something like that and not explain!"
"All in good time," she replied with smirk as she stopped before a black coach. "My coach. Now are you coming, or are you going to stay here and keep up your service to God. Dracula must be destroyed."
"Then Dracula will be destroyed," Van Helsing said, as he opened the coach door. "Ladies first."
"Tanner," she said to the man driving the coach. "To Siberia."
She climbed into the coach followed by Carl, then Van Helsing. Carl sat opposite of Atrumand Van Helsing . The coach pulled away.
"Oh my, this coach seems to go fast," Carl noted.
"Of course," Atrum replied. "It is pulled by six Transylvanian horses."
"Someone once told me they where the fastest horses around," Van Helsing said, bringing up memories of Anna.
"Anna did not lie to you," Atrum replied. "They are the fastest in Europe. But the Arabs have a special breed that could rival these horses, of course those horses do not like the cold. These are not bothered by the cold"
"How did you know Anna told me this?" replied a confused Van Helsing looking at the dark woman beside him.
"I can commune with the other side," Atrum stated. "I know of your first mission with Dracula. I saw it all. You started to fall for the girl, but you should be happy to know she is happy and reunited with her family in Heaven. Draculas resurrection will not interfere with their afterlife in Heaven."
"It amazes me," Van Helsing started as he stared at her. "You know so much about me, yet I know so little of you."
"Well," Atrum said as she crossed her legs at the knee, and lowered her hood. Black boots stuck out a little from with in her clock. "Ask some questions."
"Alright for starters, do you have a last name?" Van Helsing asked. He was happy he was finally going to get answers. Hoping to shed some light on the mysterious woman.
"Luna."
"Atrum Luna," Van Helsing said testing it on his tongue.
"Wait," Carl irrupted. "Your name means Dark Moon?"
"Aye," Atrum laughed. "Fits me doesnt it."
"Is it your birth name?" Van Helsing continued his questioning.
"Nay," she replied sadly. "I do not know my real name."
"Is that possible?" Carl said thinking out loud.
"How do you know Gabriel Van Helsing is your birth name?"
"I dont," Van Helsing sighed.
"I am cursed like you," she stated. "To serve a Deity I crossed. You crossed God when you fought the Holy Roman Empire. I crossed the Goddess Juno when I killed her loyalist of priestesses."
"Wait," Van Helsing interrupted her. "I did fight the Romans?"
"Of course you did," Atrum laughed. But bit her tongue from saying more. "It is not my place to tell you your history."
"But you know," Van Helsing gasped. How was it possible she knew? She knew about his history, he was so close to his answers and yet so far.
"Some of it," she sighed. "Do you really want to know your past? Well pasts, seems God does not want you to remember. Its for the best I am sure."
"Right," Van Helsing replied sarcastically. He sat back in his seat, disappointed. She wouldn't tell him his past, and there really wasn't anything he could do to make her.
"Sometimes its better not to have memories," Atrum said, her voice very soft. She didn't mean to upset him, but she would have revieled his past to him, if she could. Forbidden to tell him anything of his past, she pushed it with her slip up about the Romans."Memories of loved ones you lost, or the ones you can only see and talk to, but they will never know who you are to them. My memories sometimes seem more of a curse than something happy. There are only a few happy memories in my past, how many are in yours?"
"I dont know," Van Helsing replied harshly, he was still angry to know she knew something about him that she refused to tell.
"How can you be so sure that your memories wouldnt just be another curse?"
"I cant," Van Helsing sighed. He gave up on getting anything from her. Carl wasn't too happy with her answers.
"But arent those few happy memories worth it?" Carl asked.
"Sometimes," she stared at Van Helsing. "Then there are times they make you wish you could have the happiness back, and it weighs heavily upon your heart, and your hurt once again."
"Sounds like a curse," Van Helsing said, then decided to change subjects. "How long till we get to Siberia?"
"About a month," she sighed. "We will make as few stops as possible. We need to get there as soon as possible." The sooner I get rid of you the better she thought to herself. Then I can return to my cursed life, and drive you from my mind once again."Draculas castle is outside a small village I use to live at. He has yet to infiltrate this village, but he has attacked many villages near them, and has a collection of two brides."
"I thought he normally has three?" Carl asked.
"Normally yes, but he hasnt found the third one yet," she looked out the window, and closed the black curtain. "He picks women of exceptional beauty to be his bride, and trust me he has always been very picky."
"How would you know?" Van Helsing laughed. She glared at him, then leaned her head back.
"Im taking a nap," she said as she closed her eyes, and avoiding the question.
"How can one sleep in this?" Carl asked. His only reply was the soft sound of her even breaths.
"Like that," Van Helsing said as he pulled his hat down. "Night Carl."
"Youre all nuts!" Carl huffed hotly.
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The Greatest Thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return
Atrum stood nervously outside the coach. They had stopped for quick break, and Atrum was wrapped inside her cloak. After all it was daytime, and she couldnt stand the sun. Tanner came over to her, he was 511" had black eyes that looked like all light was void from them. They matched his black shoulder length hair and pale skin perfectly. Like his mistress he also wore all black, except his was outfit pants, an overcoat and a top hat. He had a dark hunter green silk poet shirt under his over coat, he also had a silver Ankh hanging around his neck.
"Mistress," Tanner greeted her formally, before he said what he needed to say. "Tonight is the full moon"
"Im aware," Atrum cut him off. They had been traveling two days, and tonight was the night of the full moon. The night of her embarrassing transformation.
"Mistress," Tanner tried again. "What will you do?"
"Not look into the moon of course," Atrum replied stiffly. She could avoid transforming, and this time she would succeed like she did that one night a few years back.
"But Mistress," Tanner said with care, remembering the night she did not transform clearly. "You hate when you do not transform. All that pent up energy, makes you restless. I can easily just take the coach to another point and meet you there in the morning."
"And what of our travel companions?"
"Let me worry about them," Tanner replied. "You need to transform. It is unnatural if you do not."
"My transformation is unnatural in itself," Atrum retorted. "I will not look into the moon tonight, understood." Tanner looked as if he was going to say more, but Atrum ended the discussion. "Tanner I rescued you from the depths of Hades do not disobey me."
"Yes mistress," he replied reluctantly. Tanner went back to the head of the coach to check the horses reins. Van Helsing walked over to her.
"So what is he?" Van Helsing asked her, curious about Tanner.
"What ever do you mean," Atrum said as she turned away from him. She wouldnt reveal any secrets to him she didnt have to.
"I know he isnt human," Van Helsing stated as he grabbed her shoulder and made her turn to face him. "So what is he?"
"A soul I rescued from Hades," she hissed at him, she was in a foul mood now. Maybe Van Helsing should know some truth to why his life was cursed like hers.
"Oh and what did he do to be sent to Hades?" Van Helsing asked, refusing to remove his grip on her shoulder.
"You killed him," she said as she slapped his hand away from her shoulder. "If you must know, he was a Roman solider who begged for mercy as you sliced him through. I had to rescue him as a favor to Juno. Seems he was a follower of her, although why he was fighting for Rome he refuses to tell. Now if you are done with your questioning we should continue with our journey."
"I killed him," Van Helsing mutter as he digested the information.
"Ive told you before," Atrum sighed, as she turned to head for the coach. "You have much blood on your hands."
"Atrum," Van Helsing said stopping her journey towards the coach. "You will tell me how you know so much about my past."
"One day perhaps," she replied as she entered the coach. Carl walked over to Van Helsing.
"You know the full moon is tonight," Carl stated, as he stared at the coach.
"Nervous?" Van Helsing laughed, breaking away from his thoughts.
"No," Carl replied weakly. "Im terrified!"
"You never change," Van Helsing laughed as he headed towards the coach.
"But we dont know what she will change into!" Carl yelled as he followed Van Helsing back to the coach. Atrum stuck her head out of the coach.
"Stop cowering and lets go!" she roared. "Besides I am not transforming tonight."
She sat back on her seat, and glared at them as the sat down on the opposite side of her. Tanner closed the door, and she lowered her hood. Carl gulped as he stared at her.
"Must you always be such a coward," she hissed. "Trust me, you have faced more terrifying sights then my transformation. Honestly, it is nothing to worry about, it is more of a nuisance then a dangerous transformation."
"Well we dont know what we are expecting if you do transform," Van Helsing replied, as Carl shook next to him.
"Fine," she screamed as she sat back and crossed her arms. Atrum looked away from them. "I transform into a bloody panther!"
"What?" Van Helsing gaped at her.
"In other words I run around as a large black cat," she muttered.
"Wait," Carl laughed. "I was afraid of a pussy cat?"
"Actually a panther can rip apart a human in about a minuet," she looked to Carl and let a slow grim grin appear on her lips. "My fastest time however in panther form is about ten seconds."
"Van Helsing let me out," Carl panicked, giving Atrum the desire result of her bluff. The truth was she never killed a human in her panther form, but a few rabbits have fallen prey to her. But she did tell the truth when turning into a panther was a bit of a nuisance. After all how could she possible keep track of herself when she was more interested in chasing down rabbits and any other creature that passed in front of her.
"Calm down Carl," Van Helsing said as he held back his laughter. Atrum glared at him again. "You know you do a lot of glaring."
"I know," Atrum replied harshly. "It normally makes people squirm, yet you seem unaffected, unlike Carl. you know do lot of that as well, "
"Yes I know, and I dont scare easily," Van Helsing said seriously, as Carl squirmed in the seat next to him.
"That is a good thing," she made her voice as cold as ice. "The smell of fear, especially near a full moon drives me to kill."
Carl let a small whimper of fear as her eyes shifter to glare at him. She let that slow evil grin appear on her face. Carl was shaking terribly now, as he opened the door to the coach. Van Helsing grabbed him before he could jump out, and Atrum shielded herself from the sun light.
"Can you please stop scaring my monk," Van Helsing sighed as he forced Carl to sit and closed the door.
"I cannot help it if he is a coward," she huffed. "Besides, if I cant have fun with him, this trip would be long and boring."
"Thats beside the point," Van Helsing retorted. "Now stop it."
"Fine," she snorted. "What ever you say."
The remainder of the day was spent in silence. Carl finally calmed down enough to stop shaking, but his eyes never left Atrums form. Tanner stopped the coach near night fall, and again went to plead with his mistress.
"Mistress," he said, his voice full of hope. "You must transform. It is more of a curse not to transform. To prolong the pain, your instincts will kick in."
"Tanner," she hissed. "I will not give in to temptation of transformation. I will resist."
"Mistress, please," Tanner begged. Van Helsing was watching them, he was enjoying the show.
"Tanner I said no!" she roared. Atrum could feel the sun setting and the call of the wild began to fill her veins.
"Mistress," Tanner said softly. "You must."
"Jesus Christ, try and kick the habit of transforming and people just force you to do it again." she huffed as she removed her cloak. Van Helsings jaw drop at the sight of her flinging the lace gloves at Tanner, who had her cloak draped over his arm. There she stood in a deep hunter green corset top, tight black leather pants and high heeled black boots that went up to her calves. Her outfit hugged every single curve of her body, and Van Helsing had to stop himself from drooling. Carl appeared by him and his jaw dropped at the sight.
"Who would of thought that was hiding under her cloak!" Carl gasped. "Its enough to drive any man wild."
"This is the last time," she hissed as she poked Tanner in the chest. Atrum headed into the bushes to undress. Van Helsing and Carl stared at where she disappeared, and Tanner turned to glare at them. The sun had finally set and a small roar was heard as a black panther appeared where Atrum had disappeared too. The green eyes of the panther looked at Carl as it bounded towards him. Carl let a whimper of fear pass his lips as the panther passed by him. Tanner appeared next to them, now carrying her discarded clothing.
"Let us leave," he ordered. Then he headed towards the coach and placed her clothing on her seat. Van Helsing looked to where the panther disappeared and back to Tanner who was sitting at the head of the coach.
"Shes naked," gasped Carl.
"Of course she is," Tanner sighed. "She would never ruin her clothes for something like the transformation. Now let us leave or she will be at the spot we agreed upon before we get there. I shudder to think what she would say if we left her naked in the sun light."
Van Helsing shook off the thought of Atrum naked, as he grabbed Carl and pulled him into the coach. As soon as the door shut they where off. Carl and Van Helsing remained silent as there thoughts drifted to the sight they had just witness.
"She tried to attack me," Carl muttered. "Tried to scare me."
"It worked didnt it," Van Helsing sighed. He tried to drive her from his thoughts, but something bothered him. Since he first laid eyes on her something seemed familiar about her, like he knew her before. Then after seeing what she looked like without the cloak the feeling of knowing her before seemed to grow. Only he could picture her in a chiton, a sea green chiton that brought out her eyes. This was all too weird, even for him.
"Are you sure this is where we are meeting her?" Van Helsing yawned. No one had been getting much sleep, but it was hard to do in a coach.
"Of course I am sure," Tanner replied darkly. He hated being questioned, especially by the man who murdered him. "I know more about my mistress then you can hope to remember."
"What does that mean?" Van Helsing asked as he saw the sun finally rise. But his question was lost as Atrum finally appeared.
"Tanner," she called, still naked, from behind a tree. "My clothes please, it is quite cold without my fur."
"Yes, mistress," Tanner replied as he walked up to the tree. He handed her clothing and turned to face the rest of the group. Atrum ran off to change, as Tanner walked back to the others.
"So are you two together?" Van Helsing question Tanner.
"Of course not," Tanner huffed, a relived look appeared on Van Helsings face for a moment before it disappeared. "She is very much in love with her male counterpart or husbands as you call them now, and I dare not get in her away, or distract her with any of my emotions."
"So there is someone," Van Helsing sighed. "Where is he?"
"He was taken from her, and he does not remember who she is," Tanner replied, awaiting his mistress return. Looking towardsVan Helsinghe contuined."He could be standing right next to her and not even know her."
"But she knows him?" asked a curious Carl, who was still staring at the spot Atrum disappeared to.
"Yes, another of her punishments." The discussion came to a halt as Atrum reappeared, hidden behind her cloak again.
"Tanner," she growled, as she stormed over and slapped him. "When will you learn to keep your mouth shut."
"Sorry mistress," he replied sadly, he hated to anger her.
"Go get the coach ready," she order, coldness in her voice. Tanner quickly walked away to tend to the horses. "And you, Mr. Van Helsing, do not try to pry any more information from my servant. My life and curses are my own to keep, so bugger off!"
"Hey, I was just trying to make sure Im not walking into a trap," Van Helsing replied, defending himself, as he crossed his arms. "No need to go off like that. After all you are the one who is making yourself look untrustworthy, not me."
"Do you have so little faith in people," she said, cruelly. "If I wanted you dead I would have killed you the moment I saw you."
"You would murder someone in a church," Carl gasped.
"I have before," she replied calmly, glaring at Carl, who gulped in fear. Her eyes flickered back to Van Helsing."You have no trust in me, maybe I should just leave you here."
"Yes that would make me trust you so much more," Van Helsing said, his voice laced with sarcasm. "While you are at it stick a knife in Carl, Im sure to trust you then."
"Van Helsing," Carl gulped, as his eyesbulged out. "Please tell me you are joking!"
"Well," Atrum replied, turning to walk towards the coach. "Let me put it this way. You either enter my coach and continue with me to Siberia, or I abandon you in the woods and youll never find out if I am truly trust worthy. Your choice Van Helsing, choose wisely."
"Well when you put it like that," Van Helsing sighed as she entered the coach. "I have to follow you and hope you prove trust worthy. Come on Carl."
"You want me to follow the woman you told to stab me!" Van Helsing enter the coach without replying to Carl. "Van Helsing! Im not going anywhere!" The coach started to pull away. "WAIT! Wait for ME!"
The coach stopped and Carl ran and quickly entered the coach. When he shut the door Atrum put her hood down and glared at Carl, as the coach pulled away once again.
"Glad you decided to join us Carl," Van Helsing said as he looked to Atrum. "So the question is will you prove trust worthy."
"We shall see once we meet Dracula again," She replied, crossing her arms and legs. She glared at Van Helsing. "There will be no more inquiry into my past or curses, understood."
"Understood," Van Helsing stated, then added. "Except once we get to Siberia some questions will be answered."
"Perhaps," she laughed. "Youll just have to wait and see."
The rest of the journey went slow. Besides Atrum attempts to scare Carl, not much was said between the group. They reached the small Siberian town near night fall. they had a little trouble and it took them a little longer, it was the night of the new moon. Atrum did not have her hood up when she left the coach at sunset. The village looked creepy, old house set in a semi circle covered in snow. The buildings looked old and crooked, and about ready to crumble.
"Why do we always come to the creepiest of towns," Carl sighed as he looked around. Not a soul was insight, the windows where all dark, and the village looked abandoned.
"Are you sure this is the village we are suppose to be at?" Van Helsing asked, looking around for something alive, even a cat would do.
"Yes," she replied tiredly. "It is a cloaking spell. Oh I guess I forgot to mention this is a witch town. They do not like meddlers in there town."
"Oh so we will be getting the usual welcoming then," Carl said as he headed back towards the coach. Van Helsing grabbed the back of his brown cloak before he could flee.
"Come out Sonia," Atrum called. "I know you are here."
A petite woman came out from one of the abandon buildings. She had long straight dark brown hair and was dressed in A long sleevedvelvet dress of a deep purple. Her blue eyes looked like ice, and her stare was icy cold as she walked towards Atrum.
"How dare you," Sonia fumed, her voice as icy as her eyes. "You were told not to return after you let that abomination return to life! You have dishonered us again! You you!" She spit at Atrums feet. "Cursed one!"
"Done?" asked a clearly bored Atrum. Sonia just stared at Atrum. "Good, now I have brought Van Helsing with me, and we will be returning Dracula to his grave. Any objections?"
"Outsiders!" Sonia went on with her rant. "You not only bring more shame to yourself by returning! But you bring outsiders! How dare you!"
She went to slap Atrum, but a black lace gloved hand stopped her. They glared at each other for a moment, before Atrum finally spoke.
"There are some liberties you are not allowed to take with me." Atrum released the wrist from her grasp. "Now you will give us shelter, and drop the barrier from us." Sonia just glared at her. "You know I could always tell Juno how horribly you treated her servant, Im sure she will be just as kind to you as she has been to me when I disobey her."
"Fine," Sonia growled, and spit at Atrums feet again. "Cursed one!"
"Can we please knock it off with the whole cursed one bit?" Atrum sighed, and received a glare from Sonia. "Right, I forgot what stubborn witches you where here. Lodgings please."
"Fine," she sniffed. "I believe Zytka will house you. Everyone else wouldnt house the" she spat at Atrum again. "cursed one"
"Right," Atrum sighed, as she pinched the bridge of her nose and squinted her eyes. She was getting tried of the whole cursed one bit, it happened every time she came to this town. "Where is Zytka?"
"There," Sonia replied pointing to a house on the edge of town. "Now go! Also remove you coach!" "Tanner move the coach," Atrum called out as she stormed towards the edge of town. She was furious at Sonia, the head of the towns reaction to her. Van Helsing and Carl followed her towards the house. She ripped the door opened and dropped her jaw. "Stefan?"
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The Greatest Thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return
"Ah my love has finally returned!" Stefan smirked. He pushed one of his silver curl locks behind his ear, as he walked over to her. "Ive been waiting for you since you appeared in the tavern."
"Stefan," she said in shock again. He took her hand and brought the top to his lips, letting a light kiss upon her hand. "Why? How?"
"Because you know you want me," he laughed. He tried to mesmerize her with his cold pale yellow eyes that looked complete white except for his black pupil. Atrum broke eye contact with him when Van Helsing placed a hand on her shoulder. She shook her head lightly to dispel his Magick hold over her.
"Stefan," she hissed. "I will not be your puppet again."
"Well it was worth a try," he laughed darkly, his laugh making Atrums blood freeze. Then he was whacked over the with a broom.
"No Dark Magick in my house!" ordered a short elderly lady. Her long gray hair was in a pony tail and hung around her ankles. Her gray eyes spotted Atrum. "Atrum dear, it has been too long. Who are your friends?"
"Zytka," Atrum replied happily, as she bent down to give the woman a hug. "It has been far too long. Youre not going to spit on me are you?"
"Course not," Zytka laughed. "Those fools are cursed themselves, living in isolation from everyone except themselves. Pah! I have better things to do with my time left her then spit on the one who is here to help us."
"Oh and this is Gabriel Van Helsing, and um Carl," she introduced her companions to Zytka. "Guys this is Zytka, the only one with common sense and hospitality around this place. Also if you piss her off shell turn you into a toad."
"A toad?" Carl gulped. Zytka eyed Carl carefully, and then walked up to him and took his hand. Carl flinched slightly as she flipped his hand over and ran one bony wrinkled finger down the center of his palm.
"Hmmm, this one is a coward, yet in his on way brave, trust worthy, and loyal to a fault. A good asset on this task," she released Carls hand. "You are braver then you think, and more powerful than the Dark. So this is Gabriel."
"Aye," Atrum sighed. Carl blinked at Zytka as she went to Van Helsing. She didnt grab his hand but merely stared up into his eyes. Stefan got up off the floor and rubbed his head.
"Hey! Witch! What was that for?" complained Stefan. Zytka ignored him as she stared deeper into Van Helsings eyes, and he couldnt look away from her.
"Be careful or your past will finally catch up to you," she told Van Helsing. "And it could be good or bad depending on you."
"What is that suppose to mean?" as Van Helsing replied questioningly as she walked away.
"You will know soon enough," Zytka said as she walked to Atrum. "They are both trustworthy, and take off you cloak. Not proper you know."
"I knew they were trustworthy," Atrum sighed as she took off her cloak, and handed to Zytka. She still had her hunter green corset on, black pants, and boots.
"Holy," Stefan gasped as he dropped his jaw. "I didnt know you still dress like that. Bloody hell give a man a heart attack."
"Drop dead, Stefan," Atrum grunted as she flipped him off. "I told you before you can never have me."
"Oh one day you will stop resisting me and Ill have what I crave," Stefan said as his eyes traveled up and down her body.
"Only in your dreams," Atrum snorted, she glared at him. "Now drop the games and tell me why you are really here."
"Like I really give it away now," Stefan laughed, the cupped her cheek with his right hand. "Have you never heard of suspense and mystery? Ill keep my secrets to myself for now."
"Bastard," Atrum muttered, as she slapped his hand away.
"Enough," Zytka ordered, growing weary of the argument. "This is my house, and Stefan you do anything or speak of Dark Magick Ill throw you out of my house before you can blink. That goes for you too Atrum. Now Ill show you all to your rooms. Follow."
She lead them out of the kitchen which the front door lead to. The walked down a hallway to a stairwell and climbed up the stairs.
"Stefan there," she pointed to the first door on "Atrum the room next to him, Carl first door on the right and Van Helsing the room across from Atrum. Now rest well, tomorrow you shall start looking for Draculas castle."
She turned and walked away without waiting for thanks. Atrum went into her room, it was the room she always used when she visited Zytka. Plopping down on the bed she just laid there, in the white room. She had silk sheets on her bed, and the heavy white wool drapes where pulled closed. She let the darkness surround her, and she realized how tired she truly was. Closing her eyes she heard the door open. She sat up and saw Van Helsing closing the door. He had lost his hat and overcoat, and duster just standing there in a lose gray shirt, dark brown pants, and black boots.
"What do you want Van Helsing?" she yawned as she crossed her legs, where she sat on the edge of the bed.
"I want answers," Van Helsing stated, and he leaned against the door, and cross his feet at the ankle. "Question is are you going to give them to me."
"Perhaps," Atrum laughed, and she leaned back on the bed. "Ask and find out."
"You know Im tired of never getting straight answers," Van Helsing sighed, as he looked away from her body, as not to be distracted. "Now why is that Warlock here?"
"Hell if I know," Atrum replied, a she glared at Van Helsing. "But it cant be good, trouble follows him everywhere."
"Any idea why he is here?" Van Helsing asked, as he glared back.
"Could be to join forces with Dracula," Atrum said as she thought for reasons Stefan could be here. "I wont be sure till he enacts his plan. So just keep a close eye on him."
"Where you two lovers?" Van Helsing blurted out. He hadnt mean to ask the question, it just had been on his mind for awhile, then is slipped out.
"Whano! Ugh!" Atrum said fully disgusted, she sat up. "Me and him, UGH!! What ever gave you that idea?"
"Its just that he called you love, and Tanner did mention some sort of husband," Van Helsing said, trying not to sound relived.
"Him calling me love is his idea of a joke," Atrum replied darkly. "He knows it bothers me. As for my husband, he doesnt know who I am, and is not apart of my life, no matter how much I want."
"Sorry," Van Helsing told her, and he meant it. He didnt wish to cause her pain. Looking at her one more time, he was about to leave but he couldnt move. The vision of her in that sea green chiton was there again. Why couldnt he rid himself of that image?
"Anything else?" Atrum asked, snapping him from his thoughts.
"Uh no," Van Helsing said as he opened the door. "Night."
He shut the door and she fell back on her bed.
"Damnit all!" she cursed into the emptiness that was her room. "I just want this over! No more pain nor tears, just the solitude of my life. This wasnt suppose to happen!"
A black shadowy figured appeared in her room, it was cloaked in a black cloak, hood up. The figure moved towards the bed. Atrum bolted up when she felt another presence in the room.
"Juno," she gasped and quickly got to her knees and bowed her head down.
"You," said a small raspy female voice. "Must never tell him."
"I know master," she replied sadly, she fought her tears back. "You must know how hard this is on me. While I suffer you celebrate my pain."
"Be a good servant and do as you are told," the raspy voice hissed.
"But why did we have to involve him?" Atrum asked, as she choked on her tears. She couldnt look at Juno, she would lose all resolve if she did.
"Because he was there when this all started it," the raspy voice sighed. "He will be there when it finishes"
"Then we both go back to our servitude, right!" Atrum growled, her heart felt like it was being torn apart again.
"Girl do not be so foolish!" Juno ordered, and she slapped Atrum across the face. "I am in charge here. You will do as you are told without fail. Do not dare disobey me! The consequences could be deadly."
"Death would be a nice reprieve from this hell," Atrum muttered. She earned another slap from Juno.
"Do not wish for death so quickly," Juno fumed. "You earned this hell when you murdered my servants. Now deal with this Dracula matter, and hold your tongue when it comes to that man."
"What if Dracula tells him the truth? What if he tells him all who I really am?"
"We will deal with that when it comes," Juno sighed. She slowly faded out. "Get some sleep."
"Yes master," Atrum sighed. When the shadow of Juno was gone she flung herself onto the bed. She rolled over and sighed. Knowing she would have to make sure Dracula kept his mouth shut about her past. This made the mission a little more harder. Her thoughts were making it hard to fall asleep. Tossing and turning she struggled to fall asleep, she passed out around dawn.
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The Greatest Thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return
"Remind me again why we are walking outside, away from the village, in the DARK mind you," Carl kept ranting. He had been ranting ever since the three had set out from Zytkas house early that morning. "When there is a vampire lurking around the area."
"CARL!" Atrum snapped as she turned to face him. Her and Van Helsing had been walking in front of him. It was the night after the new moon, barely any moon light, Atrums hood was down as her green eye pierced Carl. "Will you just shut it! We need to find Dracula to kill him and how else are we going to do that."
"Unless you leave yourself open and helpless," laughed a dark voice. The three turned to see cold eyes of Count Dracula staring out at them, as the count leaned against a tree. "Atrum, what a pleasant surprise. I havent seen you since my rebirth."
"Go to Hell Count," replied the enraged Atrum, she had let Count Dracula sneak upon them.
"Ive already been there," the Count smirked at her. "Quite nice if you ask me. Perhaps youll visit with me next time. Gabriel, your not dead yet?"
"Sorry to disappoint you Count," Van Helsing replied. Carl had duck behind a tree, and hoped not to be noticed.
"Well, well," the count laughed. "The two cursed ones back together again. Oh wait poor Gabriel does not have him memory. You have no idea who she truly is, do you Gabriel."
"Shut up," Atrum hissed. Van Helsings eyes briefly left Draculas form to look at Atrum. "I have come to send you back to hell."
"Really," Dracula laughed. "Wasnt it you who let me rise? I saw you there at my rebirth, a pleasant surprise I must admit. Since you fled I have awaited your return, you will become my third bride."
"Over my dead body!" Atrum retorted.
"That can be arranged!" Dracula screamed as he turned into his hell beast form. He lunged toward Atrum.
"Wall," she said calmly, and Dracula crashed into he invisible wall. "Really, do you think you can take me on?"
"Hiding behind your tricks!" Dracula roared as he transformed back into his human form and picked himself off the ground. "Do you think your tricks can keep me from telling the truth. Will Van Helsing"
"Fire of the Earth come forth," Atrum called out and Dracula found himself being surrounded by lava. "I suggest you hold your tongue and run."
"This is far from over," Dracula smirked, he transformed again. This time he flew away, but quickly jerked behind Van Helsing and Atrum. He flew off into the night, with Carl in his claws.
"VAN HELSING!" Carl screamed into the night. Van Helsing started running the direction the Count was heading, Atrum silently followed. They lost sight if the Count and Van Helsing screamed in frustration. He turned and glared at Atrum.
"This is your fault!" he said releasing his rage upon Atrum. "Carl is gone because of you. You just had to rile Dracula!"
"Van Helsing," Atrum sighed. Van Helsing grabbed Atrum by the collar of her cloak and pulled her against him.
"I lost the only friend I have," his rage still as strong as ever, he and Atrum where nose to nose. "I lost the only trustworthy person I know. You! I cant trust you as far as I can throw you! You let that monster rise, and what other secrets have you been keeping from me?"
Atrum stared at him, no words would come to her lips. Her feet where dangling since Van Helsing had three inches on her. Van Helsing look as though he may start shaking her to get answers from her.
"Release her," called a raspy female voice from the dark. "It is not her fault you lost Carl."
"Juno," Atrum said, her voice calmer then she felt. "Stay out of this. Van Helsing is right to be angry with me. I could have saved Carl."
"Both of you stop this," Juno ordered. Van Helsing slowly lowered Atrum to her feet and let go of her collar. He still glared at her, she never broke eye contact with him. "You will both go find Dracula and destroy him, understood."
"Yes master," Atrum replied breaking eye contact with Van Helsing and turning around to bow at Juno. Juno came forward, still in her black cloak, and one wrinkled hand reached out to grab Atrum around her neck. Despite how decrepit the hand looked, it crushed her throat with its vice like grip.
"You will not let Dracula win," Juno ordered. Another hand shot out to point at Van Helsing. "If you let her die, I will let your memories come back and you will know true HELL!"
"What!?" Van Helsing gasped, as Juno dissolved into the shadows, her hand the last to dissolve. Atrum fell to the ground and gasped for air, Van Helsing knelt by her side. "What was that?"
"That was the Goddess Juno," she gasped as she rubbed her neck. Van Helsing held out his hand to her, and without thought, she put her hand in his. He lifted them both to their feet, but Atrum stumbled and fell against Van Helsing. She stared up and him as he looked down at her. She quickly broke the contact and moved away from him. "We should go find Carl," Van Helsing stated, as he stared at the back of Atrum.
"Yes of course," Atrum replied as she turned to face him, and forced a weak smile across her lips. Van Helsing started to walk towards the direction Carl and Dracula disappeared. "Van Helsing."
"Yes," he said as he turned to face her. She stared at him, and then sighed.
"When this is over I will tell you the whole truth, I promise," she blurted out before her courage had a chance to fade. She would tell him the whole truth, of who she truly was to him, but only when Dracula was dead.
"Then when this is over I will expect nothing less," Van Helsing replied as he turned back to the direction he was heading. What truth was she hiding? Van Helsings mind was buzzing with the possibilities.
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The Greatest Thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return
She walked out to the balcony of her room, the sun rising to greet her, she adored the warmth it gave her. A smile crept upon her lips as she leaned against one of the columns of her home in Veince. Being a wealthy Italian had it perks, like enjoying the simple sunrise without having to worry about someone yelling at you to get back to work. Gently rubbing her stomach she awaited her mates return. Excited at the thought of telling him the news of her being with child made her smile grow, and her smile was as bright as the sun itself. Nothing could have prepared her for the screams of terror she heard from the town. She ran towards the front door and found
Atrum awoke from her sleep, her heart pounding in her chest. She clung to the shirt she leaned against, and steady her heart. The past was best left in the past, but who can really control what they dream. Atrum would give the world a reason to forget the day she saw Roman soldiers marching through town. The day she lost her child, these thoughts brought tears to her eyes, and she let out a small sob.
"Atrum," Van Helsing looked down at her, his eyes full of concern. "You alright?"
"I" she looked up at him and realize she had been sleeping in his arms. Bolting up out of his lap, she replaced the hood of her cape. "Its dawn we should head out."
"Right," Van Helsing yawned as he brushed the snow off his jacket. "Which way do we head?"
"Youre hopeless," Atrum sighed as she scooped up snow in her cupped hands, carefully not to compact it. "Arrow point towards Carl."
She threw the snow up and watched it fall. the snow trickled down in a form of an arrow point towards Carl.
"Northwest," Atrum noted. Heading in the direction the arrow pointed she turned to see Van Helsing poke the arrow and it burst into a little snow cloud and rejoin the ground. "Coming?"
He closed the gap between them.
"Sorry," Van Helsing muttered. They walked in silence. Atrum was trying to forget how she woke up, and Van Helsing was wondering what kind of dream would have her shaking with terror. It was her shaking that had awoken him. He looked at her, she was walking ahead of him, with her head down. Almost as if she was ashamed of something.
Atrum couldnt let the guilt go. It was her fault for not finding another way, for letting the rage go, for the murders, for the death of her unborn child. Van Helsing had no memories of his past, and she had her unwanted memories of long ago. She stopped, pain was searing threw her chest. Clutching her cloak above her heart she fell to one knee.
"Atrum," Van Helsing rushed to her side and knelt beside her. "What is it?"
"It feels like my insides are burning," she said through her clutched teeth.
"Painful isn't it?" said a dark voice to the left of them. They looked over to see Stefan leaning against a tree. Atrum glared at him, and tried to release herself from his Magick hold over her. "Id expect more of a fight from you."
"What are you doing to her," Van Helsing inquired as he stood up. He started to head toward Stefan, but with a flick of Stefans wrist he was sent flying back.
"Pest learn your place," Stefan laughed, his laughter chilled Atrum to the core.
"You did it didnt you," Atrum gasped. "You gave them the spell to let Dracula rise! You sold your soul!"
"And I received all the power I could want," Stefan smirked. "I rival you in power now. In fact I surpass you! Muwahahahaha! Now join me or die!"
"Never," Atrum replied as she tried to stand. Van Helsing was knocked out cold. "I will never join the Devils side."
"Give it up," Stefan sneered. "Your little angelic act has gone on long enough. Do you realize how powerful you are when you release the darkness inside you! I saw the destruction you let loose last time. Venice was under attack by Roman soldiers, and helpless you watched as your mate fought and was struck by a sword. Thinking him dead you go to your patron Goddess Juno looking for answers. You received none and let the darkness over take you. Slaughtering anyone who got near you, not even noticing the spear that pierced your stomach as it killed your unborn child."
"The guilt makes me sick and wish for a painful death everyday," Atrum stated. "I can barely live with the guilt of those lives I destroyed."
"The darkness can alleviate that problem," Stefan smirked. He raised his hand at her, palm facing her. She was lifted off the ground the pain flowing through her body. "Give in to it! Let the dark win! Give into the feeling of nothingness and POWER!"
"NEVER!" she screamed. The pain was overbearing, her whole body felt aflame. "You will not win!"
"HA! You are barely holding on as it is," he gloated. "You will join me!"
Stefan was knocked to the side by a giant royal purple ball of energy. Atrum fell to the ground the pain gone, she took deep breaths and looked to where the energy came from. A cloak figure stood there, Atrum thought it was Juno at first but then saw the long gray hair that belonged to Zytka.
"You fool of an old woman!" Stefan screamed as he leapt to his feet. "You shall di"
His words where cut off as she sent another blast at him. Her old gray eyes shown anger in them. She slowly walked over to him. Atrum watched as Zytka walked, her gaze never wavered from Stefans form, nor did the anger leave her eyes. She looked like a tiger stalking its prey, and it scared Atrum to see this loving woman look so frightening. Atrum almost felt sorry for Stefan, almost.
"I told you no Dark Magick," Zytka stated, her normally light cheerful voice was dark and slightly raspy. "You disobeyed me, and now you shall pay."
"Im not afraid of an old woman," Stefan said, Atrum heard slight fear in his voice. "But I have other business to attend to. Good day ladies."
Stefan apperated in a cloud of black smoke. Atrum watched him disappeared then looked to the spot Zytka was just standing. She was gone.
"What is going on here!" Atrum screamed to no one. She stood and look over to Van Helsing. Walking over to him, she held out her hand to help him out. Van Helsing looked to her hand and stood without her help.
"What was that all about?" he grunted as he shook the snow off his coat.
"The hell if I know," she sighed. "For once I am as confused as you."
Atrums thoughts where a buzz. Why did Stefan do it? He was such a good kid when he was younger. She just didnt understand how one could change so much so quickly. After all wasnt it just three years ago he was talking about going into the forest of India to strengthen his connection to the Earth?
"Evil always corrupt the young," she sighed. Picking up snow she commanded. "Arrow point towards Carl."
Letting the snow drop the shimmering snow arrow pointed towards Carl's location.
"Lets go," Van Helsing said as he walked the way the arrow pointed. Atrum followed him. Neither wanted to discuss what had just happened.
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The Greatest Thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return
