║☓ Twelveth Bloody Rose

- This is my question. You should not walk around at a time like this, you are no longer human.

- I know that, but I could smell that Belgian. - He looked away toward her - What happened? Did he do something wrong?

  She shook her head, without looking into his eyes in no time.

- Even during the daylight you may be injured. Be careful, okay?

  Achila felt his lips pressed on top of her head and firm and soft and his hands on her shoulders. All that would be a lie, because Blake had never mind a cold, calculating and greedy as theirs, even if he has become one of them.

- Blake ...

- Yup?

- What will you do if Richard win this war?

- I do not know yet, but I'm sure of one thing: I'll be free of him forever.

- You do not want to kill him ... right?

  Blake gave a small laugh.

- Where did you get this idea? I do not want to take his place in some way. Do not plan to lose my freedom to take care of them, Richard can do this better than me.

  She sighed, relieved that Blake have no intention of coming to power, as the Belgian vampire had said before. For a moment Achila felt a fool for doubting her brother. However, Blake's laughter sounded somewhat strange for her, as if it were some kind of irony or even a portion of nervousness to try to hide the fact that she had found out what he was planning.

- Come on, you do not need to search for food outside. We have what you need there.

  Achila followed him and what was her surprise to see that they really fed on human food in large quantities.

- What happened? Eat all you want, they will not care. Achila, are you okay?

  She nodded slowly, but without looking in his eyes.

- Do not lie for me. I can smell the lie. What that Belgian made to you?

- He did nothing, do not worry.

- Yes, he did something - Blake was serious trying to seek the truth in her eyes - Ever since I found you at this time there is something different. You do not stop looking at me like I was a monster ready to devour you.

  Achila remained silent.

- If you do not want to tell me I will not force it. - he was angry and went away - When you realize that you can trust me you know where to find me.

  She did not want to end like this. Blake was the only person in the place she trusted, but all that the Belgian vampire said was true so far, so what could she do? Blake would hate to know that she was believing in everything. However, he may not hate her as much as he is hated now.

- Blake?

  She was surprised to see him awake.

- You are mad at me, are not you?

- Why would I be mad at you?

  Achila knew Blake enough to know that he was angry. However, it was important for her to know what was happening to him to know what to do.

- Listen: I was just thinking about what he told me.

- And now you hear the vampires? I am really amazed by it. The person who almost killed me in the forest now believe in vampires, that irony.

- But what he said is nonetheless true. Blake, when you have expressed happiness to see me again? When you really treated me like a sister?

- I've never been so happy to see you in my life, but you know very well that I have always had difficulty in showing feelings, even after growing up with vampires and have become one of them. I faced Richard to keep you beside me and ensure that nothing bad could happen to you; I showed you all the food we have so you do not risk more in the forests, I protected you from them when they tried to attack you.

- But in the end you are treating me as if I were a complete stranger to you, as if I was your meal. You do not give me a chance to talk about things other than this stupid war that's going on!

- So talk! - Blake got out of bed and Achila saw his eyes darken - I'm listening, Achila! Come on, what you want to talk about? - He did not look away when she lowered her head to avoid looking at him - It's like I thought. Talk to the other leaves you more at ease, right? Okay, I will not care from now on, but do not come to me for help when they try to kill you.

  The atmosphere between them was unbearably heavy, but Achila not give up. She knew Blake understand what she was thinking and would be calmer in one way or another.

- I love you, Blake. I do not want you to be mad at me. You're the only thing I still have this world. We were separated by more than ten years and now all I expected was that you were like before; maybe I was looking for that old Blake warm and spontaneous as a child because I still can not accept that I lost you. I still can not see you as a fact of adult, but even as a child, because it is the only memory I have of you. I do not expect you to understand me, but that's what I feel and I am very afraid of losing you again. I do not know what you feel about me, I do not know if you hate me for not having protected you.

- You, like me, was still a child. I could never hate you for what happened. Achila, no passing year I will always love you, no matter the condition. Look at you remind me I'm still human, who have not lost my soul to them fully. I entered this war just because Richard can free us when the victory come so we can get together to catch up. I now seem cold and calculating, but it is because I want more than ever to be free and to do that I lock all my feelings, including all the love I have for you.

║☓ Eleventh Bloody Rose

  Richard smirked as he watched all from the window. Achila was back, bringing Blake with her as planned. Both were again on the battlefield, where downed half of the invaders in seconds. They were a nice team, but extremely dangerous, and that Richard knew very well. Both possessed ruthless skills and certainly his clan would emerge victorious from it all in a short time, though he knew Achila only to fight back if that compromise Blake's life, as what happened this time.

- Looks like they got it, sir.

- Yes, they did.

  The remaining soldiers were the first to enter the castle with shouts of joy for the victory and the Blake rescue. The brothers were the last to arrive and Richard was waiting for them in the main hall.

- Both of you form a good team, if it were not for you we would not have won.

  Both brothers nodded.

- I never expected to see you in action on the battlefield, huntress Allucard. I admit that I am amazed at your skills.

- It does not establish an alliance between us. Blake needed me, I did it for him and no one else.

- But you helped my soldiers.

- When I get into a war - she said, looking firmly in the eye of Richard - is to win. If I had not helped them, they would certainly have been killed.

- I hate to admit it, but I am indebted to you. I promise to pay that debt when this is over freeing you and your brother. - Richard yawned - The sun is beginning to rise, you are free to do what you want.

  Blake touched her hair before going to the room to get rid of dirty clothes ash, blood and dust and could sleep.

- I'm proud of you. - He said, before disappearing down the hall.

  She smiled. Blake was safe and that was what mattered at the time. While they slept, Achila took advantage of the daylight to look for food.

- You do not even got dirty, right? More and more I admire your skills, young huntress.

- How would you risk yourself to come and tell me something I already know; anyway, I'm not willing to make trades.

- Did you chose them? - He seemed incredulous - I'm really unhappy with your choice, a weak clan like that will fall sooner than you think.

- That clan is not weak.

- What?

- That clan is not weak. It is the strongest of all for not doing any kind of alliance; the weak are you who need each other to be stronger and that ultimately will be used and fight against each other for the land. Also, I did not choose them, I will not choose anyone.

- But you helped them.

- My brother was in danger. That's the only thing that matters to me.

- You worry too much with him. If he really cared about you he would certainly try to find you all these years, however he only came to deliver you the clutches of Richard. He let them transform himself and even thought of you.

- He did this to take care of me.

- And do you believe a vampire?

- He's my brother.

- But still remains a vampire. At some point he said he was happy to rediscover yourself or that he missed you? At some point did he said that everything would be fine?

  Achila lowered her head, knowing he did no such thing. Blake wants everything so far is it from the battlefield to bring victory to them, nothing more and nothing less. Anyway, She did not want to accept it, however it was true. He could become one of them, but he could not have become a totally cold and calculating creature like them.

- He just wants power and he is using you for that. Blake will help take the win and then cut the Richard's head and rule.

- You're lying. It is not so. Blake would not be able to do that, loyalty is one of the his greatest qualities.

- You are blinded by brotherly love. Leave that aside for a moment and review his conduct to you for just a moment.

- It protects me from the rest of the vampires.

- Because if you die how can he emerge victorious from this war? He has to protect you now to let you die later.

  She swallowed and clenched her fists tightly, not wanting to admit that Belgian vampire was right. But she could not believe him now, she would do exactly what he said, let brotherly love and see more clearly what was happening between them, which is intended to Blake in the long run.

- He was proud of me for saving him and for fighting for him.

- Of course, my little hunter - he smirked - If he died, how could he rule? It is more than likely his happiness, because it shows that he can control his actions just because he is your brother. You are doing exactly what he wants.

- That's a lie. Blake would not.

- Achila, wake up. He grew up among them, the coldest clan of us all and simply abandoned his original race to join them only because humans had already lost to us. Do not you see? Blake is just drawing the plans for him to take the place of Richard. If you'll excuse me, I have more things to do. Think about what I told you and then come back to look for me.

- And why would I seek you?

  He was not there. For a moment, Achila lost the form because dwelling on what he said. It all made sense so far. From the time she was with him, Blake did not show true happiness as when he was a child. It seems that all that warm feeling had disappeared along with his human form.

- Achila, what are you doing there?

║☓ Tenth Bloody Rose

  The enemy soldiers were approaching, but she was determined not to move a muscle to help them. Blake was with them and therefore the victory would be ensured, at least this time. She could see that the numbers were completely dissimilar, since the enemy had made alliance with another clan. Achila had nothing to do with it, therefore she distanced from the window and came toward Richard.

- Will not you help them?

- Somebody has to protect our home. If all be to the battlefield the enemy can take advantage and we can lose the land. - He looked away to the window and smiled - It seems that the numbers of enemies are decreasing ... Blake is doing an excellent job.

- Blake?

- He is the only general who is on the battlefield, the rest is guarding the surroundings of the mansion. I never had a doubt of his ability. Still, he is not able to do everything alone.

- You should send someone else with him.

- You're right ... - he looked at her - Go help your brother.

  She growled.

- You do not own me, remember?

- Yes, but you are in my castle, remember? If I wanted I could kill you now and make Blake believes that was an enemy attack.

- Anyway I will not get involved.

  One of the wounded vampires crossed the hall door.

- Lord, there are reinforcements coming more and more, we will not be able to cope. They captured the general Blake.

  Achila turned her attention to the soldier.

- Where did they take him?

- For their base on the border not far from here.

- You! - She pointed to a general who was over there - go to the battlefield at once! I'll bring Blake back.

- And why should I obey you?

  She pointed the gun at him, with the preparation trigger.

- Because I can turn you into ashes right now.

  He narrowed his eyes and growled, but turned out to obey. Achila prepared her arms and jumped out the window, prepared to run as far as Blake was. Father, mother, I'm sorry about that; I promised I would not interfere for nothing, but I can not let Blake die when I can save him. I thought I had lost him ten years ago and now that I saw him again I will not lose it again, she thought as she ran as fast as he could in the direction of an enemy group that was coming toward her.

  Richard did not lose sight of Achila for nothing. The agility with which she dropped the group was about to attack was surprising and the fact that she was helping his soldiers was something he did not expect at all, but she was there, helping them while opening the way for find her brother at the border.

- What will you do now, brave general?

  Blake had his hands and feet tied and all weapons were held by the enemy.

- They do not need me to win, there are other generals to replace me. You're wasting your time keeping me here. If you want to kill me, go ahead, Richard will never send someone to rescue me.

- Of course they need - he used the spear Blake to make it cuts on his face - You are the most valuable piece that he has, without you they can not do anything.

- Then I'll have to get out by my own.

  Blake's smile made the other lost his temper. His green eyes flashed with anger and he had to control himself not to throw the spear at the height of his head, after all the prisoner still had utilities. If Richard did not send rescue, he could have him as captain of the his guard.

- You said that Richard would not send anyone, right? So why am I feeling smell of eucalyptus that region?

  Blake sniffed the air and did not need long to realize that there really was someone trying to rescue him. The sound of shots was enough that they both knew who it was.

  The pureblood Belgian smiled.

- I must admit that the redemption that is sent efficiently and at a level of unearthly beauty.

- I will not allow talk about my sister like that.

- And what will you do, boy?

- What? Me? Nothing but, she will.

  A shot struck the hand of Belgian vampire, who dropped the spear Blake on the floor with a growl of pain. The door was broken and dust from the floor went up, preventing his vision, but not the Achila, which released the soon brother who could and gave him the spear, pulling him by the hand so they could get out as soon as possible.

- I did not know you were coming.

- I can not lose you again. Also, Richard needs you.

- Let's get out as soon as possible.

- Close the exits! They can not escape here alive!

  They quickened their pace, however, Achila could not keep up. Blake grabbed her around the waist and used the maximum speed to leave through the main gate, which was about to close.

- Blake, we can not.

- Yes, we are going.

  Achila closed the eyes. There was only a single slot in the gate and it was impossible that they could go through at least not both together. At the same moment she felt her body lighter and at a great rate. When she finally opened her eyes, she saw that had been thrown over the wall and was about to go against the ground. Before this happened indeed, she could support one hand on the floor and do a somersault before standing, unscathed.

- What did you have in mind?

- I said that we could get out of there, did not I?

- But you did not say you would throw me over the gates!

- You managed to fall standing. Quick, let's go back.

- Lord, they fled.

- Leave us. I'd rather kill them under the nose of Richard, so he learns not to underestimate us in battle.

║☓ Nineth Bloody Rose

- I know that, but I have no interest in working for you to be discarded at the end as waste. 
- Who said we'd kill you? - Richard frowned - We thirst for power, but we would never kill such a valuable piece like you, young lady.
 - Of course not. - Achila countered - as they say  "keep your friends close and enemies closer," right? 
- Exactly. - He smiled, showing his white and sharp canines - having you and your brother beside us, we can never lose. 
- Poor Richard ... I really feel sorry for you for thinking so.
  Richard tried to ignore the comment. 
- Are you seeing this? - He had a silver chain with the symbol of a black rose in his hands - This can make all from this mansion have complete respect for you and try not threaten you. 
- And what do you want from me showing it?
 - Give me your gun and I'll give you this. Then both sides threats are safe. You can walk freely through the mansion and we will be quiet to hear that you will not shoot us. What do you think? I guarantee you there is nothing better to offer.
 - I'm sorry, but I'd rather stay cloistered in Blake's room to believe anything you say. I do not give you my weapons to be killed as soon as I come out on this corridor.
 - It's really a big loss, but the decision is all yours. - Richard again kept the chain in the pocket of this coat - I'll give you a time to think about it because I know you still feel resentment for what happened to your family. However, think better: if we were as dirty as you say, we could have killed you and your brother too, but we did not. Blake became our best general and has powers that no one in this world has.
  Blake bowed and withdrew, followed closely by Achila, which did not look at Richard at any time before leaving. As the door closed behind them, the boy decreases step to stand beside his sister. 
- Did you have no idea what you do? 
- I can not trust him. Vampires are not trustworthy. 
- This means that you do not trust me? 
- If I did not trust certainly would not have returned. One way or another, you are my brother and the only source of security that I have in this place. And I know that deep down - she pointed at the height of his heart - something human remains and you insist on choke it.
  He did not answer. Achila knew nothing and did not want to understand. Anyway, they knew very well that the war was about to erupt at any time in that region and that she would have no choice but to fight following the same principles of Richard to survive to the end of it all. 
- Blake, do you think the war will come as early as it seems?
  He nodded.
 - If you look around, the only place that still remains without any dispute is our region. Richard and everyone else, believe that we may be attacked soon and that's why we told you. All other clans formed alliances and treaties to have more strength and we are the ones to dispense any kind of help from the others and asking for someone who is not a vampire. Do you understand what I mean?
- Yes. - Even though she did not want to admit, they were visible disadvantage and would be an easy target for any clan that tried to attack. 
- Our army will not handle it alone. 
- And what do you expect me to do? 
- Your weapons can destroy dozens of us with only a single shot and that would be of great help. Achila, we are not talking about a dozen enemies, but hundreds, perhaps thousands. Therefore, your hunting skills are very necessary for us and for all the clans. 
- Blake! - One of the soldiers called - The clan of the Northern province is approaching!
 - Do they have allies? 
- Yes sir.
 - I'm going on.
  Blake did not wait to see the reaction of Achila, simply wielded weapons and jumped the window into a run to the battlefield. 
- Where is Blake?
 - He went to the battlefield. 
- And what are you doing here?
 - Richard, I said I would not be part of it. 
- Do what you want. Then do not blame me if your brother end up dying.

║☓ Eighth Bloody Rose

  Achila woke up feeling something soft under her body. She moved slowly and realized that she was in the Blake's bed, but she was alone. It was half past seven, so this meant that the vampires were beginning to wake up and that included Blake.
  She thought about leaving the room, but remembered her brother said to her never came out of there alone. For this reason, she got up and waited for some sign of him, who appeared shortly after with a tray of food for her. 

- There's nothing poisoned, trust me.
  Achila started eating and Blake joined her.

 - Will I not be able to get out of here? 

- Yes you will. He wants to see you after breakfast.

  When they put the foot out of the room, Achila saw a maid going through. Undoubtedly was a vampire and looked at her sidelong when he saw her. The girl was not at all surprised by this kind of reaction, after all, she thought the same about them and was just quiet because Blake was there.
  They went down the hall and she could see that there were many people in that castle, although he was big enough to house twice as many residents. They followed by the dining room, where there were some vampires finishing the meal and gave a slight growl when they saw her. One of them tried to move on it, but Blake issued a grutural sound and the other went back to the food. 

- I do not think that's a good start. - She whispered to Blake. 

- You will have to work hard to reverse this reputation.
  After that, she started to walk closer to her brother and without looking to either side until the time they got to the main ruler of the place. 

- I finally can see her in person: the nightmare of vampires, the only human hunter ready to kill us, Achila Allucard. Nice to meet you.
  She did not answer. She stood next to her brother, critically analyzing the real leader of that clan. Like any vampire, he kept the young and healthy. His hair was gray and they were freshly cut and his eyes were green and do not let in anything. His lips were slightly pink, indicating that he had taken human blood and it made her stomach churn. 

- What happened? I do not bite.

 - I have nothing to talk to someone of your kind. If it is about the war, I won't join you or anyone.
  He frowned, but after a laugh.

 - You should be scared of everything that's going on. Let's start again: My name is Richard Grey. I admire be in the company of a girl of such courage and whose brother is an accomplished warrior. I imagine this to be family.

 - Blake, do not want to be here. 

- And since when you need his permission to go somewhere? - Richard smiled cynically - Oh, yes, your fame is not very good between us and who knows what can happen if you are alone.
  Blake growled and remained on the defensiveof her sister. 

- Richard, I did not bring her here to receive insults.
  He scratched his chin thoughtfully. 

- You've changed, Blake. Before the existence of your sister made no difference, but now you are willing to do anything for her. - He narrowed his eyes - I can even see the glow of brotherly love in your eyes.
  None of them answered. Achila was annoyed and attempted to grab the gun from the coat, but she did just because she had heard her brother's conversation with Richard when Blake felt responsible for all of her actions in fields. He in turn, was subdued by Richard until they won the war, so he could not defend his sister as wanted. 

- I hope you change your mind as soon as possible - Richard broke the silence - the war can take shape at any time.

║☓ Seventh Bloody Rose

  Achila returned to the room still feeling hungrier than before. The food was scarce, she still had an injury, which left her worried, because after all she was in a place where all were vampires and could realize the smell of blood on unimaginable distances. 
- I told you not to leave the room alone.
  She got surprised with Blake in the corridor. He still seemed to be sleepy because they were still four of the afternoon.
 - I ... It's just that I could not stay locked in a room without eating anything! 
-  I'm seeing you got nothing.
  He was right. For this reason, she hoped he would not notice the wound on her face and did not feel the smell of blood.
 - How did you know it was me? 
- Are you kidding? The smell of your blood woke me for some time. What have you done? 
- What is happening? I should not give satisfactions for you! 
- You depend on me to keep intact in this mansion. In addition, you are the only human remaining here and for that reason you are as a child.
  Achila snorted and followed the hard steps toward the bedroom, admitting for the first time, she depended on someone and not vice versa. It was hard to be getting younger brother scolding, however it was necessary for her to stay alive.
  Blake closed the door behind him. 
- You can tell me everything that happened. Who did hurt you? 
- Blake, there's nothing to worry. I went looking for food when a pureblood Belgian appeared and wanted me allied myself to him in the war. He said he had plans and would turn me in a vampire when he won. I denied and gave back ... 
- Never give back to a vampire. 
- I know that, but I did not want to keep hearing so many absurdities and he ended up hurting me. I will not ally myself to anything or anyone.
  He was in silence, meditating on what she had just said. 
- So that means you do not would enter this war even if I asked you?
 - No. 
- Then why did you agree to be here? 
- Because I do not want to lose you again; now I found you I do not want to be alone again.
 - You were not like this ... Do people change, don't they?
 - You're right; you also changed.
  The silence hung between them. Blake was still tired so went back to sleep. Achila sat on the floor, her stomach protesting eagerly hunger, but she could not leave the room to look for anything. She looked at Blake, not knowing what to think. He had changed drastically, that was a fact, but certainly he had not lost forever. After all, he still retain the Allucard's mark. With nothing to do, she leaned on the chair and fell asleep.

║☓ Sixth Bloody Rose

  Achila did not want to be confined in that room waiting Blake wake up. However, she promised that would not leave there until night fell. The girl looked toward her brother and realized that he certainly would not wake up so easily. She put her coat and prepared the weapon to defend herself before walking out the window and look for something to eat. Unlike them, she could not stay so long without food.
  She found a rabbit that was in a pool of blood and with two fang marks near the head. Achila could not imagine Blake doing such a thing, but the reality was that and no use denying it any longer because they had other things to worry about. The war was an example.
  She heard the sound of a twig breaking a few meters. This could not be good at all, so she prepared to shoot. Anyway, just a very careless vampire go around in full sunlight noon. Achila turned slowly and began walking toward the noise, being careful not to be surprised.
  While she was walking in that direction, the noise increased and seemed to follow in her direction. Achila had not been able to see anything, so it made the situation even worse for her. If Blake found out this, she would have even greater problems than those.
  There was a stretch of forest that did not allow the passage of sunlight and, as she expected, the noise was coming from there. With weapons drawn she gave the first shot before entering there.
 - I should give you the change for that shooting, young lady.
  Achila saw one of them coming out of the trees with the soaked left shoulder of a violet liquid that was still staining the white ground by snow. As might be expected, he was also an aristocrat and traits stating his origin: he was a pureblood Belgian with green eyes and straight hair and long gold.

 - Lower your weapons, I'm not here to fight, but to negotiate with you.
  She took two steps backward, without taking her finger from the trigger.
 - I'm sure you know we're at war.- That's not my problem. There will form alliance with anyone.
  He narrowed his eyes. 
- I know you're lying. I feel the smell of the lie in every word you say. If so, why do you care so much about the fact that your brother had become of us? 
- You have nothing to do with it, none of you has something about it. Even if I'm there because of Blake, it does not say that I will go on this war. 
- But you can wipe out a large part of us. - He grinned - That's not what vampire hunters do? If you join someone more than half of our population will fall ... And you could wipe out one by one of the rulers to return everything to normal.
 - And why are you happy with this idea?
 - Because if you join me I already have outlined plans: you help me to win this war and before you think to eliminate me, I'll turn you into one of us for the rest of your life.
   Imagine it made her stomach hurt and the taste of bile rose to her throat slowly.
 - I will not waste my time arguing with someone of your kind.
  Achila turned away without another word. He, in turn, growled and advanced on her, making her a cut on her face. She shot, but this time the it went well away from him.
 - No one turns away from me. You are an insignificant human in this world that I could remove in seconds. 
- I'll tell you the same. - Both weapons were pointed it at his head - however I do not need to get so close to do it ... Oh, you're not listening to a word I'm talking about, right?
  He smiled, moistening his lips with his tongue to see her blood running down from the cut that he had done.
 - This is really a waste, but I'll give you some time to think about my proposal. After all, you do not know how the others are standing together with your brother.
  He disappeared before she could realize. If they were the same type that guy, Blake would not be alive. He was transformed, but was alive and knew perfectly take care. That was the most important and she would not enter this war, because anything or anyone.