~•‡• The rest of the weekend was slow, so Angel got schoolwork done. She was quiet and seemed sad which made Frank worried. The young woman had mentioned the slightly older but young man, well dressed, that was at the bookstore. Perhaps it was a coincidence, but he didn't think so. Frank suspected she had a crush on this man, but he had disappointed her, at the bookstore.
It would be for the better...
Monday rolled around and Angel was sitting on the grass, reading Edgar Allan Poe, instead. She was having trouble concentrating. Her thoughts kept coming back to the bookstore. What had she done to offend him?
The tribal woman wished she had known. Angel felt giddy" and happy around him. To stare in his eyes and run her fingers through his hair, was all she could think about. Angel let a big sigh out. She mumbled "Knew it was too good to be true...who would want to be seen with a monster."
The dark voice whispered, "Another monster let your Morpheus out...."
"What is too good to be true? I do not see a monster but a beautiful young woman..." Vlad stated with a smile.
Angel's eyes blinked quickly and replied, "You...as far as monsters go, can live right under our noses."
"Hmmm, quite true my dear. Would you like to get something to eat? My treat of course," Vlad smiled again and offered his right hand.
Angel grabbed his hand and got up, stiff from sitting on the ground, for an hour. Vlad noted that her grasp, was much stronger, than most humans. Once again, his mind tried to enter her mind and could not. The old vampire was amused, as he had a good mystery, on his hands. He then held his arm out and motioned to interlace her arm into his.
"Tell me about your family and culture. I am woefully ignorant on your tribe..."
Angel told him about living in a village in Alaska and how her people lived. How they fished and hunted caribou even to this day. She told stories about Salmon boy, Thunderbird and of course Raven, helping humans. The young woman didn't realize, how far they had walked until the Count stopped in front of a small restaurant, in an older part of London. Vlad pulled a chair out and let Angel sit down in it. He stepped around and sat across from her, to study her.
The waiter came over and offered menus. Angel grabbed one of the menus then waited for the count to grab his. He waved his hand, "Red wine only, thank you..."
Angel looked the menu over and then looked up to see the Count watching her. She cleared her throat to say, "I am not sure what to order, what is the price range you are comfortable with?'
"I do not know, how it is America but a gentleman, always pays whatever the lady wants to eat."
"Oh, I'm sorry if I offended you. I never meant to," she had a worried look on her face.
"You seem concerned about offending me. You have not so far, and I don't think you will in the future," Vlad made direct eye contact and had a small smile.
The waiter returned with a large glass of red wine. "Are you ready to order miss?"
"Beef Wellington please, with iced tea to drink," she said politely.
"Excellent choice..."
"You could have ordered something stronger you know," Vlad raised his glass and watched for reaction.
"Thank you but no... alcoholism runs in my family, so I don't drink anytime..." she replied with a sad look.
"Will you be at Antebellum this Saturday? Albert is quite happy with your work and time management. There are few, who would like to be in a bookstore..."
"I will be...I just, "she stopped her sentence.
"Just what my dear?" Vlad stated with a raised eyebrow.
"I don't like working at the Shadow Run club. It's too noisy and makes me uncomfortable."
"What makes you so uncomfortable?" Vlad was quite interested, to hear, what she had to say.
"I can't choose who can be at the club. There is a quite scary man that has come in twice when I have worked. My boss says he is a regular and not to worry but he's a..."
"He's what Angel?" There was a twinkle in his eye on this.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you. I can't believe it myself. All I can say is, I can see auras - his is black and swirling with dark shadows. He's evil, he knows it and I know it. He must have a special license, as he carries a large caliber pistol, more like a hand cannon of sorts."
"I see how concerned you are, but it is in the public, so a certain amount of containment, is probably exercised my dear, "the vampire Vlad, said in a quiet and reassuring voice.
She was a scared little girl, and she should be, of him.
After about another twenty minutes of chatting, her food arrived. Angel closed her eyes and took a deep whiff of the food. She smiled then started to eat the meal. Vlad noticed she had a healthy appetite unlike many women who refuse to eat well to stay skinny.
"Do you have room for dessert? The place has wonderful cheesecake, I hear."
"I do but only half. I am used to sharing with others, so no thank you. "Angel smiled and looked at him with a serious expression.
He was swirling the wine in his glass. Her mind started to ask questions. He didn't even want a taste of her food. He had not offered to help eat the dessert.
What did Bram Stoker's book say? 'I have already had dinner and I never drink wine'. What if it was the reverse? No food but drink instead...
Vlad (Alucard) in turn, was baffled, for once in his undead life. He would have just entered her mind, to figure out her behavior. It was fascinating but frustrating too. He realized how much he relied on using his mental powers. Back to the old fashion way, ask her.
"My dear what are you thinking?"
"I just realized what time it is. I need to get back to my place or my guardian will be worried something happened to me."
Angel rose up quickly and grabbed her book bag. Vlad held his arm out again and she hesitated but decided to place hers through his. The young woman's walk was a fast clip, and she was silent.
Angel stopped at her mini cooper and turned, "thank you for dinner and good evening count." Once again, she didn't know what or why she did it, but she placed a light kiss, on his left cheek. He had leaned down to open the car door for her.
"Good evening too Angeline...I look forward to this Saturday, perhaps I can teach you how to play chess if you are interested..." and he did a slight bow.
YOU ARE READING
BaΠe of Nigh† (Hellsing)
Fanfiction(🍋)(🔖Wattys 2022 nomination)This is a version of a Nightbane in which the character Angeline Colter is a young Tribal woman from the Haida people. She is transferred to college at Oxford to become a lawyer, after a terrible incident in Seattle...
