A Beautiful New Wonderland

~{03}~

Alice: 

I woke up to the smell of black coffee, and a note. I sit up, put my glasses on, and take that wonderful first sip. This coffee was rich, sweet, but still got that good flavor I knew. This was rich coffee, and I loved it. I read the note and feel my heart drop. I had to meet with the rivals of my mother today, as Alucard put it, so to dress accordingly. I knew my Mom had a bone to pick with the Vatican, but I didn't know how deep it went. I'm hoping I can patch it up and make nice. I pull on a blue skater dress with a heart cut out in the cleavage, a matching pair of heels, and did nice make up, putting my hair into a French braid. I head downstairs to the office, and see the sexiest man I had ever had the privilege to see. As wide as he was tall, I knew he was jacked under those clerics cloths, and yet, I did not care. I swallow my nerves, sipping my coffee and I walk over, set it down on my desk, and offer my hand with a smile. 

" My name is Miss Alice Johnson, Heiress to the Hellsing fortune and head of the Hellsing Organization. Who might you two gentlemen be?" 

" My name is Father Alexander Anderson, and this is Cardinal Enrico Maxwell. We run Iscariot, sector 13 of the Vatican. We are the Exorcists who take care of most of Europe. Please to meet you, Sir." 

" Oh no no no, I'm not a knight, I haven't seen England enough to know her well yet, but fresh off the boat or not, I'm hoping to make everyone impressed and happy." 

" You're American?" 

" Yes, Father, I am. Born here, raised by my father in Boston. He won the 'divorce', as he liked to put it." 

" Ah, so you know New England, not the old. I understand now." 

" Exactly. Please, gentlemen, sit." 

We sit down, and his silvery blonde locks and stunning storm sky eyes have me spell bound, his brogue was sexy as hell, and I know my Mom would kill me for this train of thought. 

" So, why would Exorcist want business' with Hellsing?"

" We merely wanted to get to know the new face leading such a powerful Order, and to rehash rules and by laws we had as a treaty."

" Ah, I see, because England is anglo-protestant and you're all Catholics. I get it."

" Not quite, but that is a part. You see, your mother-" 

" Shut up, catholic! She knows nothing yet, and you were to wait for me, I told you as such." 

" Alucard, I can run this place fine. How else am I to learn except with hands on experience?" 

" We were to talk first before this meeting. There's a lot about this job you aren't aware of. Secrets were kept to protect you."

" Like what?" 

" Like how your mother was a vampire hunter, and one of the best too." 

I felt my skin go cold. Alucard walked over and stood between me and the priest, a snarl on his lips.

" That was out of line, Anderson, the girl was to be told the truth by me, as was Integral's last wishes!" 

" You have to be joking! I thought it was just coincidence that the names were the same...then that means...Alu...oh, oh no. No, this is a lie, it can't be real..." 

" I'm afraid it is, young miss. Alucard is a vampire, the strongest in known history. Your ancestor was Professor Abraham Van Helsing, and it was his job to eradicate similar monsters like Alucard from the whole of UK. Your mother hid this from you to protect you, because she knew with your American rebelliousness, you'd try to look for them on your own." 

My reality was shattering...how...how the hell is this real...how is any of this real?!

" If you'll excuse me, boys, I need some quiet time to adjust to this and to come to grips with it. Walter, please bring our guests to the Library on the first floor to wait as I take this time for myself. Bring them tea and light refreshments, please." 

" As you wish, Madam." 

I look at the priest, and he mouths 'sorry' to me, guilt painting his handsome features. I call my Dad, and got him on the first ring.

" Hey, rockstar. What's up?" 

" Did you know Mom was a monster hunter?" 

" So, Alucard finally told you the truth...I knew he would rip the band-aid first chance." 

" Actually, Jackson, a certain priest beat me to it, the prick." 

" Hello to you too, ya hell spawn. So Anderson beat ya huh? Lovely. I owe the bastard a bullet to the leg for that. I met your mom through the hunt, I was an old soldier of hers before moving stateside. We fell in love and so we got you. I wanted to marry her, to save her from the scandal, but we fought tooth and nail on it, ending in resentment. She remembered how traumatizing it was to grow up in that life, as did I, so we agreed you'd never know the life until you were 18, when you'd take her place." 

" Why hide it from me?" 

" It's horrific killing something so young! I hated the life, and knew you would too, so we waited, much to her chagrin. It's reason number two of why we grew hateful of each other. Alucard, you know she's in charge, right?" 

" I felt her take my proverbial leash, Jackson, I'm well aware." 

" Good. Now, get back to work, kiddo. Now's no time to crack. Iscariot is Hellsing's biggest thorn in the side. Don't trust Maxwell, he's a snake, and Anderson is his blade to wield. Anderson is a wrathful zealot who'd sooner kill the lot of you then be nice." 

" Why are all the hot ones psychos?" 

" Two things. One, I said the same thing to your mother once, and two, I swear on Christ himself you even try your old bullshit, I'll personally come to England to castrate the bastard. You are there to lead, not breed, damn it. Father Anderson isn't like Deacon Greg. He'll kill you, Rockstar. I know you have a type, but please, fucking behave."

" I know, I know. How's Greg doing anyway, the rotten prick?" 

" He's getting married to Shelby, if ya can believe it." 

" Shelby was always wanting my scraps and second hand trash so I'm honestly not shocked." 

" Alucard, please keep her out of trouble. Oh, and if you manage to keep that Iscariot bastard away from her, I'll even throw in a pint of my own for ya." 

" I will do my best, however she is a grown woman, and I can't do much to stop free will."

" I gotta go, so I'll talk more later." 

" Understood. Bye Dad, loves." 

" Loves." 

He hangs up, and I still felt in the dark, but less shitty. 

" Alucard, be real with me, are you Count Dracula?" 

" Yes, I was once. In my time before your ancestor, I was Count Vlad Dracula, and even longer before that, I was Prince Vlad Tepes the 3rd of House Dracul."

" Do you like being called Alucard?" 

" No, but I tolerate it at this point. I am a servant and my job is to protect and serve you. Why ask?"

" From now on, you are to only answer to your name. I'm not gonna call you something you don't like, and you are not my slave. For fucks sake, I'm half Latina and a quarter Hindi! Slavery isn't something I like or do well with. Do we have an understanding, Vlad?" 

His smile warmed me, the fact he looked so close to tears told me he hadn't been shown kindness like this in a while. 

" As you wish, my Master." 

" Ah-ah! What's my name?" 

" Miss Alice." 

" Exactly. Now, lets go take a couple of boys to church, Evangelical style."