Lullaby

Lullaby



Walter closed the door softly and sighed.

“How is she?”

He glanced at the vampire with a shrug.  “She’s had a rough day.  Rest will do her good.  What happened?”

“How the hell should I know?  One moment I’m dead, then there’s virgin blood all over me and Richard’s trying to kill the girl.”

“And then you slaughtered all of them.”

Alucard snorted.  “I’m not the one who put a bullet in Richard’s brainpan.  I wouldn’t want to taste his blood, anyway.”

Walter gave him a sharp look.  “Who killed Richard, then?”

He jerked a chin toward the closed door.  “Miss Hellsing.  I see why Arthur left it all to her.  Wasted neither time nor tears on the enemy, blood though he was.”  There was a small, satisfied smile on his lips.  “Yes, she’ll be a good Master.  A bit young, though.”

“She’s thirteen.  Arthur’s been dead three days.”  Walter’s eyes narrowed.  “Welcome back, by the way.  Nice outfit.”

Alucard raised his arms and looked at the straps hanging off of them.  “Yes, I always thought the bondage look suited me.”  His clothes slowly morphed into a black suit with a red duster and matching hat.  “You’ve gotten old, Walter.”

“Mortals do that.  It can’t be helped.  I’ll let the committee know what happened.  Will you stay with her?”

Alucard was halfway through the door.  “Always.”



Integra tossed her head sharply, face scrunching up.  She whimpered once and was silent for a few heartbeats before repeating the aching sound.  Alucard knelt by her side and lowered his chin to the mattress.  He stared at her.  She resembled her mother more than anything, but she was so young . . . What had Arthur been thinking, dying and leaving this child to take over his organisation?

Not that he’d had any choice in the matter, really.  Alucard reach out and laid his hand over Integra’s as it clenched fitfully.  She jerked and then grasped it tightly, relaxing only a little.  He stroked her soft skin with his thumb, and when that ceased to help he started to hum low in his throat.

Integra sat bolt-upright with a small scream, her eyes wide with fear.  Alucard rose up and sat on the bed, pulling her close to him, rocking her gently as she cried.

“It’s all right,” he murmured.  “You’re safe.”

Integra clung to him, only to push away with a snarl.  “I don’t need to be comforted,” she snapped.

Alucard leaned his head down to watch the tears trickle down her cheeks.  “As you wish, my master.  I am at your command.”

He got an uneasy look before she lowered her gaze and put a hand to her mouth to hide trembling lips.  Tears filled her eyes again.  Alucard just sat and waited, and after a while she leaned toward him.  Once again he folded her into his arms, and when she started to sniffle he took up his hum, rocking her slightly.  When she didn’t protest and her tears made her shake he started to sing softly, an old lullaby that he barely remembered.

“Lui lui . . . lui lui lui . . .” he crooned.  “Lui lui . . . lui lui lui, puiul mamei puisor . . .” The combination of rocking, warm and protective arms holding her tight, and his baritone reverberating through his chest was easing her sobs.  “Lui lui . . . lui lui lui . . . dormi cu mama, dormi usor . . .” Integra’s breathing was evening out and Alucard lowered his voice and lay her gently back on the bed.  “Lui lui . . . lui lui lui . . .” His voice got softer and softer, until it was barely audible.   “Vino ca te . . .”

He let the song trail off into nothingness, adjusting the covers around his young master, tucking her in firmly.  He took one edge of his duster and gently wiped the rest of her tears away, then pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead and sat back to watch over her through the night.