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[THIS IS A PREVIEW - THE PUBLISHED BOOK CAN BE FOUND ON AMAZON, WWW.NUMENVERSE.COM, AND OTHER MAJOR RETAILERS]

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| Alucard |

When he emerged in the castle ruin, Alucard sighed quietly. Exhaustion instantly burdened him; his body ached, his head spun, and he felt ten times as nauseous as before. But he ignored it. The sound of confrontation echoed down the hallways, so he hurried to the room where he met the vampires last time.

He set his eyes on Zalith, who placed his hand over his face and sighed irritably before glowering at the arrogant vampire who was arguing with him. "You go with who you have been put with; we've been over this more times than I would have liked."

The black-haired, furrow-faced woman scowled at Zalith. "I'm not leaving unless Tim comes with me!" she demanded, pointing to the baby-faced man trying to hide behind another vampire.

"I just told you no."

She stomped her foot. "Then I won't go!"

"Good, that makes one less person for me to worry about," the demon snarled.

"Vhat's going on?" Alucard asked, appearing behind him.

The demon closed his eyes and exhaled quietly, clearly trying to calm down. He glared at the woman. "People are making my life difficult, as per usual."

Alucard looked at the vampires. He heard a woman complaining on his way to the hall, but now everyone was arguing with each other. They shouted about who should go with who; they evidently wanted to travel with their friends and loved ones, and the groups Alucard organized separated them. He knew there would be problems here and back in Aegisguard if he didn't do something, but he wasn't going to alter the groups. All he could do was try to diffuse the situation better than Zalith's poor attempts.

Zalith scowled and told them, "Be quiet and get back into your groups. I didn't go out of my way to arrange this relocation for you to argue with me."

They ignored him.

Amused, Alucard watched the look of irritancy on Zalith's face increase with each passing moment. However, he didn't have time to hang around. He moved towards the arguing crowd and stopped in front of the woman. "Vhat's zhe problem?"

She took her scowl off Zalith and looked at Alucard. "I want to go with Tim."

"And zhat vould be...?" Alucard asked.

The woman pointed to the man cowering behind the tall, broad vampire.

Alucard frowned and said, "Zoesn't look like 'e vants to go vith you."

"Oh, he does," she laughed, waving her hand. "He's just shy."

Tim shook his head. "I-I don't wanna go with her—she's crazy, man!"

Alucard rolled his eyes and sighed. "Tim must go vith zhe people I put 'im vith, and so must you. Get back into your groups, and zhen ve can continue, no?"

After a few moments of hushed mumbles, the vampires slowly returned to their groups.

However, the woman stomped her foot once again. "I said I—"

"And I said no," Alucard snarled, grabbing her collar and glaring into her eyes. "You do as I say, or you get levt be'ind. Get back in line."

Nodding, she fell silent and went back to her group.

Alucard glanced around at everyone else. "Are zhere any more of you zhat might like to address a problem?"

No one came forward.

"Idioti," he mumbled, making his way back to Zalith. Then, as he stood beside the demon, he muttered, "I gazzer zhere is a specific group you vant me to take."

Zalith pointed at the group containing the stubborn woman. "Them."

The vampire smirked and took the chance to mock Zalith and his superiority complex. "Vasn't so 'ard to shut 'er up, huh?"

Zalith rolled his eyes. "Take them and go. I have elsewhere to be."

Alucard scoffed. "Vhat crawled up your ass and died?"

The demon grunted in response, still glaring at the vampires.

Alucard frowned slightly. Something was clearly bothering Zalith; he didn't care about his personal problems, but he had to work with him, and if that relationship was going to work out, Alucard had to at least try to show some concern. After all, whatever was irritating him could affect the mission.

And as much as he hated to admit it, Zalith did help him kill that Amarok. Although they'd simultaneously repaid their debts by saving each other's lives, a part of him felt as though he should be a little more grateful.

So, he sighed and asked him, "Vhat's vrong?"

The demon slowly took his sights off the crowd and eyed Alucard skeptically. He seemed to ponder for a moment, and Alucard suspected that he was trying to work out why he was asking.

Zalith then glowered at the vampires. "I've been putting on a kind face for these people for months to keep them as calm as possible...but they are pushing me to my limits, and I feel as though I might lose my patience with them."

"Sometimes, zhat's zhe only answer," Alucard jested. "To kill somevone to make a point. Per'aps you ought to do so."

Zalith smiled amusedly at him.

Scowling, Alucard turned his head away. Why did he always smile like that? What was he supposed to do or say in response? He couldn't stand to look at that demon's face whenever he smiled even the slightest. Alucard couldn't tell whether Zalith was genuinely amused or if he was demeaning him again. He didn't care. He offered out his hand, and for what? To be laughed at.

However, the demon then glanced at the crowd. "Would you like to help me? You can take the left half, I'll take the right. And if one of them turns out to be a huge monster, we'll take it on together again," he suggested with a smirk.

Alucard frowned at him. "Vhat?" he asked, confused. Was he serious?

Zalith laughed. "It was a joke."

"Joke," Alucard scoffed. "Everyving is a joke to you."

The demon smiled. "Not everything," he said, but when Alucard rolled his eyes, he frowned slightly. "You could stand to smile more, you know, Mister Grumpy."

In an attempt to hide his amusement, Alucard pouted and looked away. "You zon't amuse me," he muttered.

"I think I do," Zalith disagreed with a snide expression.

"Vink vhat you like," Alucard mumbled as he pointed at the group of vampires Zalith selected. "Let's go," he called. Then, he glanced back at Zalith. "Zhis time again, zhe end of zhe month."

Zalith nodded. "Until then." But before Alucard could leave, he called, "Oh, how are things with the werewolves? I hope our killing that creature saved your treaty."

Alucard sighed and replied, "Everyving's vine. I told zhem a zemon killed zhose people."

An offended scowl stole Zalith's smile.

With a quiet snicker, Alucard headed for the hall's exit as the vampires followed.

He led the way down the empty hallways and towards the portal. Once he reached it, he stopped and faced the vampires. "All of you need to 'old 'ands or arms," he said, snatching the wrist of the man closest to him.

They all took hold of each other's hands and wrists.

"Zon't let go until ve are all on zhe ozzer side," Alucard instructed.

Each vampire responded in agreement.

Then, Alucard proceeded forward, and the moment he stepped into the portal, nausea gripped him tightly. He grimaced, emerging on the other side, and the vampires followed one by one as he felt his strength waning. His body became sore, but the dizziness wasn't as severe as it was when he brought Zalith and Ben through. However, he felt extremely exhausted, and he knew exactly what he needed to regain the strength he lost.

Once each vampire was through, he let go of the man's wrist and took a moment to collect himself. He went to take his flask from his blazer, but before he raised his hand, his eyes located Rodney and Kevin. He still needed to find out whether Kevin was Diabolus. The kid knew Alucard's name, and there wasn't anything else the vampire needed to confirm his suspicion. And he was hungry...so very, dangerously hungry.

He left the vampires and made his way to the ship.

"I see you brought more this time," Rodney said.

But Alucard ignored him. The vampire snatched Kevin's collar with his clawed hands and savagely sank his four fangs into his neck before he could grab whatever he reached for in his pocket. The confused, horrified man yelped, but the life was drained from his body in just moments.

With an irritated snarl, Alucard pulled his fangs from Kevin's throat. The vampire wiped as much blood from his mouth as he could, and glared at the pale, lifeless body.

"What...the fuck, man?" Rodney breathed, mortified.

Alucard turned to face him so suddenly that Rodney flinched and held up his hands defensively. "Zon't you ever bring anyvone along vithout my permission!" he yelled furiously. "You could 'ave compromised me and zhis entire operation!"

Rodney backed off. "I-I said I was sorry, I.... You didn't have to kill him! He was just a kid! What the hell did he do wrong?!"

"Zhe kid knew my name! Check 'is fucking pockets," Alucard uttered as he dropped the body and tried to wipe the blood which had trickled down his neck.

While the vampires cautiously boarded the ship, Rodney shakily reached into Kevin's coat pockets, and as he pulled out a silver stake, the horrified look on his face transformed into realization. "Oh, fuck...I...I didn't know."

"Zhey might know vhere I am," Alucard muttered, staring at the silver stake. That weapon could only mean one thing...and he hated that his suspicions were right.

"Shit, man..." Rodney breathed as he looked up at Alucard. "M-maybe he was just a scout sent out to follow rumours?"

Alucard tried to keep himself composed. He wasn't about to panic in front of everyone. "I zon't know. Get vid of zhat."

Rodney chucked the stake into the ocean.

"And get vid of zhat, too," the vampire grumbled, waving his hand at Kevin.

"Uh...what?"

The vampire rolled his eyes and snarled irritably as he shoved past Rodney and snatched Kevin's mangled throat. He lifted the dead boy and held him over the side of the ship. The water immediately swirled around, and Drac arose from the depths with a curious look on his scaled face. With an appreciative chirp, he clamped his jaws shut around the corpse and pulled it down to the water. Then, Alucard stormed into the cabin, leaving the vampires on the deck to mutter about what they just witnessed.

Rodney followed him. "What are you gonna do?"

"I zon't know," Alucard mumbled, sitting down. "Just get us back to Dor-Sanguis. I zon't vant zhem 'earing my business," he said, nodding at the vampires on the deck.

Rodney shook his head. "What if the Diabolus do know you're here? Will we have to leave again and start somewhere new?"

"I said take us back."

The captain sighed hesitantly but turned around and left the cabin.

Alucard was left with his conflicting thoughts. Kevin was the first Diabolus agent he'd seen in centuries. Why now? How did they find him? Could Kevin have just been sent to investigate the rumours? He wasn't sure, and he couldn't be sure...all he could do was prepare for the worst. The last time the Diabolus found him, they killed everyone he cared about, and he couldn't let that happen again. The rebuilding of the Nosferatu empire took so much time; he didn't want to lose the progress he'd made in Dor-Sanguis. But what could he do? If the Diabolus came, they'd bring Lucifer with them, and that was something he wouldn't be able to escape.

The vampire scowled, thinking. If it were anywhere else, or if it had been any other time, then he would simply leave and start somewhere new. But not this time. Not only did he have a job to do for Damien, but he was also content with his current life. He had a home, people who weren't too afraid to talk to him, and a city that would soon be home to both humans and vampires. He didn't want to throw it all away because of a pathetic cult.

With a quiet sigh, he calmed down and rested his legs on the desk. Kevin may have been armed, but he didn't try to kill him right away. Did that mean that Kevin was trying to confirm that Alucard was who he was looking for? Of course, no agent had lived to share his appearance since he was a child; so, if they didn't know what he looked like, that had to mean that they weren't aware of where he was living. He wanted to believe that, but he couldn't be naïve. He had to be sure.

He snarled angrily and glared out the window. Would he ever get a break?

⤝❖⤞

As the ship approached Dor-Sanguis, Rodney walked into the cabin and stood in front of Alucard's desk, hanging his head in shame—as he should be. He'd made a stupid decision and Alucard was furious.

"We're approaching the docks," Rodney whimpered.

"I can see zhat," Alucard mumbled, tapping his claws on the table.

"I'll prepare the ropes."

Before he could leave, Alucard kicked out a chair in front of his desk. "Sit."

The captain sunk into the seat, trembling and sweating.

Alucard set his aggravated, fiery eyes on the human and scowled. "You do vealize zhat vhat you did could 'ave not only compromised every single operation I am currently running but you could 'ave also cost me my life?"

Rodney nodded shamefully. "I understand, and whatever you choose to do with me, I won't argue."

"Look at me. You are not some child being scolded vor stealing candy."

He took his eyes off the floor and looked at him, nervously fiddling his fingers together.

"Vone of zhe virst vings I ever told you vas to never, ever bring anyvone vith you. Anyvone could be my enemy."

"I know. I'm sorry."

The vampire sighed deeply. "Now, zhat Diabolus agent is dead, and zhat's eizer going to tell zhe Diabolus zhat I'm 'ere or make zhem send more agents to look vor 'im. Vhen zhey get 'ere, I'll 'ave to kill zhem, too."

"If I had known, I—"

Alucard held up his hand, silencing him. "Vhether you 'ad known or not, is zhe vact zhat you brought an outsider aboard zhat angered me."

Rodney murmured, "Yeah, I know. I shouldn't have done that."

"Now I 'ave to deal vith zhem on top of everyving else," Alucard complained.

Rodney gulped nervously. "Well, uh...what are we gonna do?"

The vampire pulled his feet from the desk and leaned forward, resting his arms on it. "I'll deal vith zhis on my own. Vonce ve arrive, you vill leave zhe docks."

Rodney's face worried expression twisted into horror.

"I need you to tell everyvone to meet tomorrow at my 'ome, no later zhan tvelve."

A look of relief struck the man's face.

"I must varn zhem zhat zhe Diabolus might know vhere I am. I zon't vant to make everyvone leave again, so if I must vun again, you zon't 'ave to vun vith me. You all 'ave a place 'ere, and if I leave, zhe vampires are going to need people to vely on in my absence."

The captain laughed slightly. "We owe you our lives, Aleksei. Wherever you go, we'll all come with you. The vampires have Felix and that new guy, right?"

"Vight," Alucard grumbled. "Dock zhe ship."

Rodney frowned. "Is...is that it?"

"Yes...unless you vant to die?"

The captain shook his head and left the cabin.

Alucard glared out the window. If the Diabolus knew he was in Dor-Sanguis, he'd have no choice but to leave. Yes, he could kill them as they came, but eventually, Lucifer would come in their place, and he knew he couldn't fight his father. But he wasn't planning on packing up his life just yet. There was the possibility that Kevin had just been sent to investigate rumours, so he was going to find out if that was the case.

He sighed and stared at the wall. Not only did he have vampires, werewolves, humans, and Diabolus to deal with, but he also had to make sure he performed to Damien's expectations. He'd now brought back ten of one hundred and fifteen vampires. At the end of the month, he would bring another group, and it seemed as though he'd be making fortnightly trips for the following year. However, he didn't feel as resentful anymore. Although he and Zalith weren't friends, he felt as though he might be able to get along with him, so long as the demon didn't demean him again. He did appreciate his help dealing with that Amarok, and he enjoyed the way Zalith amused him.

With a tired sigh, he stood up, and he didn't feel as drained as before. Could the fact that he fed on someone have something to do with that? Last time, he drank from his flask, but that blood wasn't very appetising; it seemed as though killing Kevin might have caused his miraculous recovery. If draining someone of their blood would keep him from feeling the awful after-effects from travelling through that portal, then he'd do it again. The last thing he needed right now was to feel so tired that he couldn't leave his home, especially with the Diabolus on his doorstep.

As the ship stopped in the docks, Alucard left the cabin and glanced at the vampires. "All of you can 'ead up to zhe castle," he instructed, nodding in the direction of the pathway. "Vollow zhat path. Ben vill be vaiting vor you. Zon't vander off, and zon't try to enter zhe castle, or you vill bleed vrom every 'ole in your body."

The vampires murmured unsurely as they left the ship.

Alucard then walked over to Rodney. "Zhe next journey takes place on zhe tventy-vifth."

Rodney took his eyes off the rope he was tying and looked up at Alucard. "I'll be ready, as always."

"Bring Sebastian to zhe gates vor me. I'm 'eading 'ome avter I make sure zhey are vine up zhere."

The captain nodded. "Sure thing. I'll be at the gate in a few minutes."

Alucard made his way up the cliff. When he reached the top, he trailed the vampires towards his castle, where Ben was waiting beside the fountain in the courtyard. The vampires crowded by the castle door, and Alucard pointed at Ben, instructing him to follow him as he made his way to the surrounding wall.

As he joined Alucard, Ben frowned curiously. "What's up?"

"Vhen you make your collections, I vant you to set aside vone of zhe living 'umans and take 'im to Vodney zhe night I am set to leave to meet Zaliv again."

"Sure. Why, though?"

Alucard shrugged. "Travelling vhrough zhat portal makes me 'ungry."

"Oh, okay. I'll keep some of them aside."

"I 'ave also arranged a meeting tomorrow. I vant you zhere. You are not vrom 'ere, so I know I can at least trust you to not be conspiring vith my enemies," he said with a skeptical scowl.

Ben frowned in concern. "Has something happened?"

"You'll vind out tomorrow. Vait 'ere in zhe morning; my groundskeeper vill come and get you. Understand?"

He nodded. "Of course."

"I also need you to take care of zhem," he said, nodding at the newly arrived vampires. "I 'ave to 'ead 'ome and...die," he mumbled.

Amused, Ben laughed slightly. "Don't worry, I'll get them settled."

Alucard looked at the vampires. "You can all go in," he called. Then, as he heard Rodney arrive outside the gates with his stallion, he waved his hand in dismissal and walked off.

He made his way out of the castle's gates and took Sebastian's reins from Rodney.

"So, I'll see you tomorrow?" Rodney asked.

Mounting the horse, Alucard replied, "Zon't be late."

Alucard then rode off. He looked up at the moons as they bestowed shimmering, brightly coloured light on the land. He hated those moons. Every time he saw so much as a hint of their light, he was reminded of Damien and the other Numen.

Rolling his eyes, he glared ahead at his manor as he approached it. Tomorrow was going to be a lot more complicated than hunting werewolves and building relations with humans. He'd have to talk about his past, and that was something he always tried to avoid. But he didn't have a choice. He needed his closest subordinates to know about the threat; he needed to make sure they knew the extent of the situation so that he and everyone else beneath him would be ready. If the Diabolus were coming, things were about to get a whole lot more hectic.

ー ⊰ ✟ ⊱ ー

[THIS IS A PREVIEW - THE PUBLISHED BOOK CAN BE FOUND ON AMAZON, WWW.NUMENVERSE.COM, AND OTHER MAJOR RETAILERS]

[You can also read the published book via the $2 subscription tier on my Inkitt profile, T_Csernis]

ー ⊰ ✟ ⊱ ー

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