Widget, and Mr. Holt came to retrieve you."
"What are the casualties?"
"None, Madam."
"None?"
"The only advantages the creatures had were their superior numbers and ferociousness. Otherwise, they were easily killed. The only injuries sustained were from friendly fire or moments of panic."
"I see. Mandy told me they were a diversion. My guess is they were either some form of corporeal illusion or a minor paranormal entity normally too weak to be a credible threat."
"I will launch inquiries immediately."
Differel looked around the bed. She was isolated from the rest of the ward by a curtain. "Where's Vlad?"
"He is asleep, Madam. He showed me a chamber in the dungeon level where his coffin was stored, along with his equipment."
"Equipment?"
"Your pardon, Madam, I meant weapons."
"I see. Check them out, and upgrade them as you see fit."
"Yes, Madam. If I may be so bold, there is something I must ask you."
"What is it?"
"We found blood on your clothing. Did the Vampire...harm you in any way?"
"No, Aelfraed, he saved my life. I did give him some of my blood, to restore him, but I did so voluntarily, and he took it from my wound. The blood on my clothes is Mandy's."
"Did the Vampire kill her?"
"No, I did."
"You killed Miranda?" There was a hint of astonished disbelief in his voice.
"Yes, with a sword that...I don't know, it just appeared in my hand when I needed it."
An odd look crossed his face, one that seemed to mix shock, consternation, and pride. Before she could ask about it, however, he said, "Tell me what happened."
She suddenly felt very weary. "It's a long story, and I haven't the energy now. Maybe later, this afternoon. I will say Mandy turned traitor."
Aelfraed nodded. "Mrs. Widget and I suspected as much."
"What's been done with the bodies?"
"They have been stored in the morgue for now."
"Have them autopsied. Look for any evidence of infestation. Also, have the medical staff examine my bedroom. They should find the remains of what Mandy called a Fomorian embryo."
"Yes, Madam. Will that be all?"
She nodded. "For now."
"Very good. I'll pass on your orders and prepare your lunch." And he turned to leave.
She remembered something. "Just a moment. What happened to Mr. Mistoffelees?"
He looked back at her and blinked in a moment of puzzlement. "The cat? The cleanup crew did report finding its body with the others. They will dispose of it."
"No. I want you to take charge of him."
"Madam?"
"You heard me. Store him safely away until I've recovered, and then I want him decently buried. Understand?"
"Of course, Madam, but may I enquire why?"
"He saved both me and Vlad. Mandy would have killed us otherwise. I want him treated like a hero."
Aelfraed nodded. "Yes, Madam, I will take care of it personally." He gave her a short bow and left.
"Your concern is touching, but misplaced."
Vlad's voice came out of thin air, but a shadow formed at the end of her bed, shaped itself, then coalesced. He looked much like he did when she first met him, but wore a wide-brimmed hat and an open great coat, with a vest, shirt, and trousers, and a cravat tied around his collar. His clothes were black, including the shirt; the only spots of color were the blood-red hat band, cravat, and gloves, and a red rosebud inserted into the coat's left label button.
His appearance and comment provoked so many questions that she almost didn't know where to begin. The first one she blurted out was, "Amazing entrance! I wasn't aware Vampires could do that."
"They cannot. I studied the Dark Arts before I was turned, and your family has improved my training since Abraham's time."
"Is that why you can also come out in the daytime?"
"No, I gradually built up a tolerance to daylight through repeated short exposures. I would still rather sleep through the day; I need rest, and sunlight gives me a headache, not to mention it weakens my dark powers."
She felt a chill go down her spine. It suddenly dawned on her that he might be more than she bargained for. He had already demonstrated great power, but he had just surprised her with two new tricks. Who knew what else he was capable of, or what his limits were?
"Aelfraed told me you were asleep."
"For just the morning; I tolerate the afternoon better. In any event, my place is at your side."
"Is that your primary function?"
"In a manner of speaking. I protect and serve the Van Helsing Family, until my destruction or release, or the extinction of the Bloodline. Your ancestors used me as a weapon, to destroy their enemies. It makes no difference to me if I destroy them in defense of your life or because you order me to search them out. But when I am not out searching, I am always nearby, and at your beck and call. Know, also, that no matter where you are, I will come if I sense you are in danger, unless you order me not to, and you may call upon me at any time. Your wellbeing is my primary concern, and I will defend it to the last of my strength."
"I see." She was beginning to realize just how dangerous an ally he was. No small wonder then that someone had locked him away. She would have to consider her use of him very carefully, or she could end up doing more harm than good.
"You disparaged my wish to treat the cat with decency. Why?"
"I have never understood Humanity's sentimental need to honor the dead, and this body is not even of your kind. It is an empty shell. It has no more use than an empty bullet cartridge. If you must honor something, honor the spirit that has departed, but even that is a waste of time, for it will not care."
"It's our sentimentality that sets us apart from monsters such as you."
He grinned at her. "Indeed, but it also makes you weak. Otherwise, you would not need me."
"It can, yes, but it's also what unites us against our enemies, and that union makes us strong, stronger than any monster that has or can exist."
"You seem quite certain for one so young. I, on the other hand, have lived far too long to ever be that certain about anything again."
"That's why I want you to be candid with me at all times. I want your experience and viewpoint; it will keep me from becoming complacent."
"My pleasure, Sir Differel."
"Meanwhile, there's no need for you to hover over my bed like the Angel of Death, if you can sense when I'm in danger."
"I understand. I think I will check out the library. I have been asleep for a long time. I need to catch up on current events."
"Do that, and mind you don't frighten the staff. It may take some of them time to get used to you. Oh, and no snacking between meals. I need my people healthy."
He grinned at her again as he faded to shadow. "You have my word, My Master." And the shadow sank into the floor.
She picked up the bed control and raised its back to get ready for when Aelfraed returned with her lunch. She recognized that Vlad was going to be a problem. He was not only immensely powerful, but also a loose cannon. While potentially her most valuable asset, he could also prove to be her most serious liability. She seemed able to control him for the time being, but she had no idea how long that would last, or even to what extent she could currently do so. But she had passed the point of no return. All she could do was take it one step at a time and hope she continued to command his loyalty, because if she ever lost it, she figured only God could help her.
The ornamental garden plot behind the stables was first put in by the wife of a stable master three generations ago. Though not as large and sophisticated as the manor garden, it was nonetheless the pride and joy of the house staff, and Differel considered it more beautiful. It was lovingly cared for by the grooms, with help from the maids, all of whom spent a significant fraction of their free-time tending it. Differel thought it was the perfect spot for the grave of Mr. Misto
ffelees. One of the stable hands had dug the three foot deep hole, another had crafted a wooden coffin as big as a shoe box, and a third had cut and inscribed the stone marker. The maids had sewn a pillow for the cat's remains to rest upon, and a sheet to cover them, while the gardeners had picked flowers for the memorial. Differel stood with Aelfraed, Mrs. Widget, LCpl. Holt, and Vlad as the stable master lowered the box into the hole and the hands filled it in, after which the head gardener covered the dirt mound with wood chips. One of the maids surrounded the plot with cockle shells, and when all was finished, they stood aside as Differel approached.
"I want to thank you all for your help and attendance. I realize most of you only thought of him as a stable cat, but nonetheless I greatly appreciate your courtesy and solicitude. He was much more to me: a friend and confidant, and at the end a champion. If it wasn't for his sacrifice, I would not be here now, and Miranda Pendragon would be in control of Great Britain's only defense against the Forces of Darkness. Whether he knew it or not, he saved more than just my life. He saved Her Majesty, Our Queen; he saved Her Government; he saved the Church; and he saved the life of every man, woman, and child in this Green and Pleasant Land. He is a hero, in the finest tradition of the British Race and Culture, and were it in my power to grant, he would now be sitting beside my Father in Heaven, among the Communion of Saints. His memory should be cherished as we would that of one of our finest citizens. His name should be shouted from the rooftops: 'Mr. Mistoffelees of the Family Van Helsing lives no more! Beware, all you enemies who would threaten Our Land and People, he has joined the Army of God, weaponed and armored in the Pure Light of faith. Woe to the wicked, your dastardly doings are now past!' This should be his legacy, and so long as I live on this Earth, that is how I shall remember him."
She kneeled down in front of the grave, and one of the maids passed her the bouquet. "Here Lies Mr. Mistoffelees," she quoted the inscription on the marker, "Loyal and Brave to the End. 'Was There Ever a Cat So Clever'." She leaned forward and placed the flowers on the wood chips, then straightened up.
"Goodbye, dear friend." A tear trickled down her cheek. One by one, each attendant walked away, until in the end only Vlad stood behind her.
"I had told you a week ago," he said as Differel stood up and smoothed out her skirt, "that I never understood Human sentimentality concerning the dead, but I do now. I knew you were strong and willful, but I am gratified to see you also have heart. A good leader needs heart. It was the one thing I never possessed."
They walked back to where Aelfraed waited with one of the carts. "Like I said, it's what separates Humans from monsters."
"I was not a monster then, but it does not matter. By the way, your eulogy was verbose and overly melodramatic. If you wish to inspire your followers, you need to garner their respect, and you cannot do that when they are snickering behind your back."
"You're lecturing me on melodrama?"
"Someone must, and I have given myself the job."
She flashed a smirking half-smile. "Do not presume, Servant."
"Do you realize, that just now you reminded me of Old Abraham?"
Astonishment surged through her, but then she scowled. "That's the second time someone has said something similar. Don't do it again."
"Yes, My Master."
"Hmph. I won't need you the rest of the day. You may return to your coffin."
"Thank you." He turned to shadow and coalesced into a four-footed shape, then emerged as a large, black wolf with glowing red eyes. He ran off towards the manor, moving so fast he was just a blur.
Differel walked up the cart and climbed in. As Aelfraed drove off, she said, "Thank you for your help."
"My pleasure, Madam. I was fond of the little fellow myself."
"I've lost three loved ones in little more than a month."
"Three?"
She nodded. "Whatever she became, I still loved Mandy. She was the only mother I ever knew."
"Of course, my apologies. One as young as you should not have had to deal with so much hurt and pain