Dracula: Vampire Primarch

Three thousand.

The number shocked me.

Molly took a frilly little handkerchief from Hina and blew into it so hard I thought the back of her head might explode. Then she took a deep breath and started sobbing again.

Hina patted her on the back.

"And they were all…" I waved a hand at their dresses. "Like you?"

"Yes," Vela said, wiping her eyes. She shuffled on her feet but lifted her head. There was steel in her, I thought with a grunt. "Our recruitment process is-"

"Selective," I finished for her. "Yes. You said."

Three thousand.

Girls. An army of mortal young girls in frilly lace. And panties with my name on them. I couldn't help but shake my head. What insanity had led them into battle with vampires?

"You shouldn't judge us by our clothes," Vela said, guessing my thoughts. There was a slight challenge to her tone. "This is just a uniform. We are also trained for combat. We knew what we were doing."

I raised an eyebrow at that, but Hina gave me a fierce look. "Please don't doubt our skills," she said. "After all, who will protect you when the sun rises, Master? That is our role. My sisters fought well. And, when they could fight no longer, they spent their blood to deceive the enemy so our mission would succeed. Every Renfield who went into the Hall knew they might not return. And those of us who died, died giving their life for you without regret."

So, Hina had plenty of steel in her, too. I tapped the table with a fingernail, my mind turning over what they'd told me.

The Cheerleader groaned, writhing on the table as she woke.

I no longer felt like drinking her blood.

I felt more empty than before. More lost. The determination I had felt only a few moments before seemed to slip between my fingers.

"Three thousand," I murmured. I cared nothing for mortals, I told myself. Why should their lives matter?

In truth, they didn't.

But something did. Something important.

Something that cannot be replaced very easily.

Their loyalty.

"Umm," Molly wiped her nose again. Her face looked very red. Her tears looked like they were flowing from a tap and didn't show any sign of slowing. She reached into her skirt and pulled out a small book. "This is for you, Master."

I took it from her, not sure what it was.

Also, a bit surprised as to how she'd hidden it in her skirt. I had seen no hint of it when she lifted her skirt earlier. What else were these girls hiding in there?

"It's something we worked on before the Mission," she said, sniffling. "Everybody wanted to meet you so much. But we knew we wouldn't all make it. So, everybody wrote a message for you and signed it. You know. Just in case… So, maybe… Well…"

"So you'd remember their sacrifice," Vela finished for her.

"Yes," Molly said, bowing her head and dabbing at her eyes with her knuckle. "That."

I swallowed hard.

I wished my memories were intact, because I had a feeling I'd never received such a thing before. And, if I had, what might I have thought of it? Would I have treasured it or dismissed it as foolish sentimentality?

I hoped I treasured it.

Slowly, I opened the book. After a moment, I recognised the language. English. A little odd in its form. Some words I didn't understand.

Most of the writing, though, was very pretty. Delicate, even.

Many of the Renfields liked using little hearts above their i's. And cute little bats dotted every page as though each woman had competed with the others to make theirs stand out more.

The messages were sweet. The kind of things a woman might write to her lover before he goes to war. Only this time it was they who went to war.

They who fell, shredded and torn. I knew how vampires kill. Their deaths would have been terrifying. Agonising. Hard. But they'd given their lives for something they thought was more important.

Their words moved me in a way I hadn't expected them to.

"I owe your Order a great debt, Renfields," I said slowly, closing the little book gently between my palms. "It is one I shall repay."

Molly held out a hand to take the book back, but I shook my head.

"No, little one," I told her softly. "It is mine to protect now. As are you."

"But that's our job," Hina frowned. "To protect you."

I looked from one girl to the next, absorbing their faces. Taking in their grief. Their loss. The struggle they must have made to resurrect me.

And then the effort they made to bring me here and ensure there was blood for me to drink.

I gave no more thought to killing them.

"The French," I said, my lips twisting in disgust around the word. "Are a foul abomination. They should be scoured from the face of the Earth. One day, I may do this. Suffer no Frenchman to live. That is a cause I would gladly die for."

Vela nodded, startled by my change of topic but eager to please. "I'll add it to the Association's rules immediately."

"However," I said, holding up a finger. "A single Frenchman once put into words an idea which I feel is most profound. It wasn't something he invented, because that is not the way of the French. But he did give it more thought than many who came before. It is the idea than someone in power over another should conduct themselves with nobility. A position of power is a duty to respect not just one's position, but one's responsibilities. He called this unfashionable concept, noblesse oblige."

The three girls looked up at me, eyes wide in rapt attention. Like they were little mice.

Even the Cheerleader was staring at me.

I could feel their minds wrapping around the idea. I wasn't sure how accurately my memories were, but as I spoke of it, I felt more confident in what I was saying.

"That is to say," I continued with a short cough. I didn't feel comfortable in the role of preacher. Nor did I trust my memories enough to expand on this thought too much. "That by receiving your service, I have an obligation to you, too. One of protection and care."

Molly's mouth was open wide enough to catch flies. "That's so strange, Master. I mean, it sounds awfully nice. But I don't think any vampire has said anything like that before…"

I grunted.

"My Brides did not agree with me on this point," I admitted with a sigh. "Many people seek power, but few understand it. They crave dominion and mindless obedience, which is a fantasy entertained by fools."

"Does that mean we're still killing French people?" Molly asked, raising her hand.

I leaned forward, peering deep into her green eyes. Almost nose to nose as her eyes grew impossibly wide. She held her breath, body quivering.

"The French," I hissed. "Are a scourge!"

"Eep!"

She tried to pull back, but I grabbed her by her chin and held her there.

"You are mine now, Renfield," I told her. "Do you understand this?"

"Yes, Master!"

"And you will obey me in all things. Without question. You will continue to give me your complete and total loyalty. Do you understand this, also?"

"Of course, Master!" She flicked her gaze to the other girls and back. "I've always been loyal. I swear!"

"Then you will receive my protection," I growled. In another lifetime, I was sure I'd use my power to impress this upon her mind more permanently. Instead, I gave her a little pat on the head like one might pat a kitten. Perhaps that would be enough to drive the lesson home. "And my care. Nobless oblige. You see?"

Her cheeks flushed pink and her eyes glazed a little. "Yes, Master…"

I turned to the other two. "And do you see, too?"

"Yes, Master," they replied as one, leaning close. Heads uplifted.

Expectant.

I gave them each a pat, offering no more than a raised eyebrow as Molly slumped with a little moan. Perhaps she had a weak constitution. I would ask Vela about it later.

Sighing, I finished the round of pats and tapped the table again with finality on the subject. Nothing more needed to be said on it. "Then it is good. I imagine there is also much for me to learn about this new world…"

Vela nodded. "When you're finished with the Cheerleader, Master, we'll take you to our safe house."

"Safe apartment," Hina murmured.

"Yes," Vela said, showing no sign of frustration at being corrected. "Safe apartment. We've been collecting documentaries for you to watch."

Her phrasing was strange. I felt knowledge should be read, not watched. But I let it pass. The little book I held in my hands had shown me there were many new phrases I would need to learn.

"I also need time to myself," I told them, thinking of my damaged Meridians and missing True Veins. "I have been damaged somehow. I need to explore these changes so I can repair them. I will need seclusion."

"It's a nice apartment, Master," Vela said. "Very peaceful, I promise. No one will interrupt you."

Molly shook herself out of her trance. "And your room has the most amazing view! You can see all the way across the city!"

"I look forward to seeing it," I sighed, not wanting to deflate them. In truth, I didn't care about any view. Right now, I needed silence more than anything. And blood. I reached for the squirming Cheerleader who began screaming again beneath the gag. "Type B, you said?"

"B Plus," Hina confirmed.

Molly rolled her eyes.