“
What are we drinking to?"
"The living," said Rhy.
"The dead," said Alucard and Lila at the same time.
"We're being thorough," added Rhy.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
I told you to keep him safe, not cuddle."
Alucard spread his hands behind him on the sheets. "I'm more than capable of multitasking
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
A low whistle behind him as Alucard appeared at the entrance.
'Picking out a gift?' asked the captain.
'No.'
'Good, then take this'. He dropped a ring into Kell's hand.
Kell frowned. 'I'm flattered, but I think you're asking the wrong brother.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
And then the door burst open.
Alucard stood in the doorway, soaking wet, as if he'd just been dumped in the sea, or the sea had been dumped over him. "Stop fucking with the ship.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
I'm sorry." He sounded so...earnest, which made Lila instantly suspicious. Alucard was many things, but genuine wasn't usually one of them.
"For growing on me?" she asked.
He shook his head. "For whatever happened to you. For whoever hurt you so deeply that you see things like friends and fondness as weapons instead of shields.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
No,” he muttered, running a hand through his copper hair. “No. No. There are dozens.”
“Kell?” she asked, moving to touch his arm.
He shook her off. “Dozens of ships, Lila! And you had to climb aboard his.”
“I’m sorry,” she shot back, bristling, “I was under the impression that I was free to do as I pleased.”
“To be fair,” added Alucard, “I think she was planning to steal it and slit my throat.”
“Then why didn’t you?” snarled Kell, spinning on her. “You’re always so eager to slash and stab, why couldn’t you have stabbed him?
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
One day you will be old and wrinkled, and I will still love you.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
What are you supposed to be?” she asked in Arnesian. “A fish?”
Alucard made a noise of mock affront. “Obviously,” he said, brandishing the helmet, “I’m a dragon.”
“Wouldn’t it make more sense for you to be a fish?” challenged Lila. “After all, you do live on the sea, and you are rather slippery, and—”
“I’m a dragon,” he interjected. “You’re just not being very imaginative.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
Resignation is what kills people. Once they've rejected resignation, humans gain the privilege of making humanity their footpath.
”
”
Kohta Hirano
“
Alucard snaked an arm possessively around his shoulders and brought his lips to the prince’s neck, just below his ear. Rhy actually shivered.
“You are far too familiar with your prince,” he warned.
“So you confess it, then?” His brushed his lips against Rhy’s throat. “That you are mine.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
The Bird of Hermes is my name, eating my wings to make me tame.
”
”
Kohta Hirano (Hellsing, Vol. 1 (Hellsing, #1))
“
A head gets lost, but a heart knows home.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (The Fragile Threads of Power (Threads of Power, #1))
“
Ah, there you are, Bard,” came a familiar voice, and she turned to see Alucard striding over.
“Saints, is that a dress you’re in? The crew will never believe it.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” growled Kell.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
Master Kell,” said Alucard, cheerfully. “What an unexpected pleasure, running into you here.” His voice had a natural undercurrent of laughter in it, and Kell could never tell if he was being mocked.
“I don’t see how it’s unexpected,” said Kell, “as I live here. What is unexpected is running into you, since I thought I made myself quite clear the last time we met.”
“Quite,” echoed Alucard.
“Then what were you doing in my brother ’s chambers?”
Alucard raised a single studded brow. “Do you want a detailed account? Or will a summary suffice?
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
If you don't show, I'm likely to do something foolish, like throw myself at Aluc-
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
You want me to ask you why you left? Why you chose the open sea over my bed? A criminal's brand over my touch? I didn't ask you, Alucard, because I don't want to hear them [your excuses]
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
Dammit Bard, you're going to set the cat on fire.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
Luc?” rasped Rhy.
“I’m here,” answered Alucard. “I’m here. Stay with me.”
He tried to speak, but his heart slammed against his ribs as if trying to break through.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
Mysteries are always more exciting than truths
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
Rhy felt Alucard’s eyes wandering slowly, hungrily, over him, and he blushed. The heat started in his face and spread down, through his collar, his chest, beneath shirt and belt. It was disconcerting; Rhy might not have magic, but when it came to conquests, he was used to holding the power—things happened at his whim, and at his pleasure. Now he felt that power falter, slip. In all of Ames, there was only one person capable of flustering the prince, of reducing him from a proud royal to a nervous youth, and that was Alucard Emery. Misfit. Rogue. Privateer. And royal.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
I am ten different kinds of badass now!
[Alucard Hellsing]
”
”
Kohta Hirano (Hellsing, Vol. 8 (Hellsing, #8))
“
If you look at animals like that," said Alucard, clapping her on the shoulder, "it's no wonder they hate you."
"Yes, well, then the feeling is mutual." She glanced around. "No Esa?"
"My cat dislikes horses almost as much as you do," he said. "I left her in the palace."
"God help them all.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
You missed me,” said Alucard. It was not a question, but there was a confession in it, because everything about Alucard—the tension in his back, the ways his hips pressed into Rhy’s, the race of his heart and the tremor in his voice—said that the missing had been mutual.
“I’m a prince,” said Rhy, striving for composure. “I know how to keep myself entertained.”
The sapphire glinted in Alucard’s brow. “I can be very entertaining.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
I’ve found that watching is the quickest way to learn, and the safest way to stay alive.” Alucard
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
Shouldn’t she stay on the boat?” The cat’s ear twitched, and Lila felt that whatever pleasant inclinations the cat was forming toward her, she’d just lost them.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” said Alucard. “The ship’s no place for a cat.” Lila was about to point out that the cat had been aboard the ship as long as she had when he added, “I believe in keeping my valuables with me.”
Lila perked up. Were cats so precious here? Or rare? She hadn’t ever seen another one, but in the little time she was ashore, she hadn’t exactly been looking. “Oh yeah?”
“I don’t like that look,” Alucard said, twisting chest and cat away.
“What look?” asked Lila innocently.
“The look that says Esa might conveniently go missing if I tell you what she’s worth.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
Don't you feel shame? I thought scum like you could at least feel shame
”
”
Kohta Hirano
“
Beautiful night, isn't it, Police Girl? It's especially beautiful if you're a bloodsucker.
”
”
Kohta Hirano
“
Rhy glanced over and caught his stare. “What are you thinking about?”
“Your brother,” said Alucard, regretting the words as soon as they were out.
Rhy raised a brow. “Should I be jealous?”
He rolled his eyes. “Go to sleep.”
“I knew all that loathing was a farce.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (The Fragile Threads of Power (Threads of Power, #1))
“
He tries my patience every day, the king.”
“He sounds maddening.” Rhy’s hand drifted lower, tracing the muscles of Alucard’s stomach. “And yet you stay. You must love him very much.”
Alucard met the king’s gaze. “I do.” He let his weight sink onto Rhy, brought his mouth to his ear. “And he’s very good in bed.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (The Fragile Threads of Power (Threads of Power, #1))
“
Ask me in the morning, after I’ve spent hours weighed down by nightmares, drugged beyond reason just to hold back the memories of dying, which was not so bad as coming back, and I’d say yes. I wish you’d let me die.”
Kell looked ill. “I—”
“But ask me in the afternoon,” cut in Rhy, “when I’ve felt the sun cutting through the cold, or the warmth of Alucard’s smile, or the steady weight of your arm around my shoulders, and I would tell you it was worth it. It is worth it.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
What is that?"
Something bobbed on the surface, a piece of driftwood. And then another. And another. The boards floated past in broken shards, the edges burned. An unpleasant chill went through Alucard.
The Ghost was sailing through the remains of a ship.
"That," said Alucard, "is the work of Sea Serpents."
Lila's eyes widened. "Please tell me you're talking about mercenaries and not giant ship-eating snakes."
Alucard raised a brow. "Giant ship-eating snakes? Really?"
"What?" she challenged. "How am I supposed to know where to draw the line in this world?"
"You can draw it well before giant ship-eating snakes...
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
Alucard never dies. He only fades away...
”
”
Kohta Hirano (Hellsing, Vol. 10 (Hellsing, #10))
“
You must be immune,” said Rhy. Alucard looked down at his hands, considering the scars that traced his veins. “And to think, all I had to give up were my good looks.” Rhy managed a ghost of a smile. “I rather like the silver.” Alucard raised a brow. “Do you? Maybe it will start a trend.” Kell rolled his eyes. “If you two are done,” he said, “we should show the king.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
Go on," Kell told him without taking his eyes from Lila. " Get some rest."
Hastra shifted. "I can't, sir," he said. "I'm to escort Miss Bard--"
"I'll take that charge," cut in Kell. Hastra bit his lip and retreated several steps.
Lila let her forehead come to rest against his, her face so close the features blurred. And yet, that fractured eye shone with frightening clarity.
"You never told me," he whispered.
"You never noticed," she answered. And then, "Alucard did."
The blow landed, and Kell started to pull away when Lila's eyelids fluttered and she swayed dangerously.
He braced her. "Come on," he said gently. "I have a room upstairs. Why don't we--"
A sleepy flicker of amusement. "Trying to get me into bed?"
Kell mustered a smile. "It's only fair. I've spent enough time in yours."
"If I remember correctly," she said, her voice dreamy with fatigue, "you were on top of the bed the entire time."
"And tied to it," observed Kell.
Her words were soft at the edges. "Those were the days..." she said, right before she fell forward. It happened so fast Kell could do nothing but throw his arms around her.
"Lila?" he asked, first gently, and then more urgently. "Lila?"
She murmured against his front, something about sharp knives and soft corners, but didn't rouse, and Kell shot a glance at Hastra, who was still standing there, looking thoroughly embarrassed.
"What have you done?" demanded Kell.
"It was just a tonic, sir," he fumbled, "something for sleep."
"You drugged her?"
"It was Tieren's order," said Hastra, chastised. "He said she was mad and stubborn and no use to us dead." Hastra lowered his voice when he said this, mimicking Tieren's tone with startling accuracy.
"And what do you plan to do when she wakes back up?"
Hastra shrank back. "Apologize?"
Kell made an exasperated sound as Lila nuzzled-- actually nuzzled-- his shoulder.
"I suggest," he snapped at the young man, "you think of something better. Like an escape route."
Hastra paled, and Kell swept Lila up into his arms, amazed at her lightness... Kell swept through the halls until he reached his room and lowered Lila onto the couch.
Hastra handed him a blanket. "Shouldn't you take off her knives?"
"There's not enough tonic in the world to risk it," said Kell.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
Rhy clenched his teeth, fighting back a groan, but his stillness must have betrayed him; he felt Alucard smile against his skin. The man’s fingers drifted to his tunic, deftly unbuttoning his collar so his kisses could continue downward, but Rhy felt him hesitate at the sight of the scar over his heart. “Someone has wounded you,” he whispered into Rhy’s collarbone. “Shall I make it better?
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
He was sitting in the back of the booth, and Lila on the outside edge, as far from him as possible. She couldn't shake the feeling he was watching her beneath that brimmed cap, even though every time she checked, his attention was leveled on the tavern behind her head. His fingers traced absent pattern in a pool of spilled ale, but his green eye twitched in concentration. It took her several long seconds to realize he was counting bodies in the room.
"Nineteen," she said coolly, and Alucard and Kell both looked at her as if she'd spoken out of turn, but Holland simply answered, "Twenty," and despite herself, Lila swiveled in her seat. She did a swift count. He was right. She'd missed on e of the men behind the bar. Dammit.
"If you have to use your eyes," he added, "you're doing it wrong.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
They were alone, the captain and the sleeping prince.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
Royal guards lined the hall to the king's chamber, and Alucard stood outside the doors, leaning back the wood and flipping through the pages of a book.
"This is your idea of guarding him?" said Kell.
The man pointedly turned a page. "Don't tell me how to do my job.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
Don't you have enough knives?" he grumbled, his lip thrust forward in a pout.
Lila's smile sharpened. "No such thing," she said, wrapping her fingers around the blade.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab
“
Wait, so is it waves, or doors, or conversations?"
"It can be anything you like."
"You're a wretched teacher."
"I warned you. If you're not up to it–"
"Shut up. I'm concentrating.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab
“
You cannot fault a captain for wanting to know about his crew."
"And you cannot fault a thief for keeping secrets out of reach."
"You have trouble with trust, Delilah Bard.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
Humans are so wonderful.
[Alucard Hellsing]
”
”
Kohta Hirano (Hellsing, Vol. 8 (Hellsing, #8))
“
Lila shrugged. "Everyone's immortal until they're not."
Alucard shook his head. "What a delightfully morbid outlook, Bard.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
How do you know when the Sarows is coming?" hummed Lila as she made her way down the ship's narrow hall, fingertips skimming either wall for balance.
Right about the, Alucard's warning about Jasta was coming back in full force.
"Never challenge that one to a drinking contest. Or a sword fight. Or anything else you might lose. Because you will."
The boat rocked beneath her fee. Or maybe she was the one rocking. Hell. Lila was slight, but not short of practice, and even so, she'd never had so much trouble holding her liquor.
When she got to her room, she found Kell hunched over the Inheritor, examining the markings on its side.
"Hello, handsome," she said, bracing herself in the doorway.
Kell looked up, a smile halfway to his lips before it fell away. "You're drunk," he said, giver her a long, appraising look. "And you're not wearing any shoes."
"Your powers of observation are astonishing." Lila looked down at her bare feet. "I lost them."
"How do you lose shoes?"
Lila crinkled her brow. "I bet them. I lost."
Kell rose. "To who?"
A tiny hiccup. "Jasta."
Kell sighed. "Stay here." He slipped past her into the hall, a hand alighting on her waist and then, too soon, the touch was gone. Lila make her way to the bed and collapsed onto it, scooping up the discarded Inheritor and holding it up to the light. The spindle at the cylinder's base was sharp enough to cut, and she turned the device carefully between her fingers, squinting to make out the words wrapped around it.
Rosin, read one side.
Cason, read the other.
Lila frowned, mouthing the words as Kell reappeared in the doorway. "Give-- and Take," he translated, tossing her the boots.
She sat up too fast, winced. "How did you manage that?"
"I simply explained that she couldn't have them-- they wouldn't have fit-- and then I gave her mine."
Lila looked down at Kell's bare feet, and burst into laughter.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
Kell's eyes went to the palace on last time, and he thought he could almost make out the shape of a man standing alone on a high balcony. At this distance, he was little more than a shadow, but Kell could see the band of gold glinting in his hair as a secong figure came to stand beside the king.
Rhy raised his hand, and so did Kell, a single unspoken word between them.
Anoshe.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab
“
Alucard knew the Maresh palace better than he should. Rhy had shown him a dozen ways in and out; hidden doors and secret halls, a curtain pulled aside to reveal a stairwell, a door set flush with the wall. All the ways a friend could sneak into a room, or a lover into bed.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
Writing. It's a trivial pursuit, hardly worth the effort, inconsequential on any cosmic level. It's just blood and sweat and guts and bone hauled out of our bodies and fed through a typewriter to slosh all over the platen.
”
”
Kim Newman (Johnny Alucard (Anno Dracula, #4))
“
Alucard leaned across the desk. 'Do you even know how to sail, mas vares?' The honorific was said with serpentine sweetness. 'I didn't think so' 'How hard can it be,' snarled Kell, 'if they let someone like you do it?' A glint of mischief flashed in the captain's eyes. 'I'm rather good with hard things. Just ask-' The blow caught Alucard across the cheek.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
Alucard dropped a ring into his hand. Kell frowned. 'I'm flattered, but I think you're asking the wrong brother.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
And then the door burst open. Alucard stood in the doorway, soaking wet, as if he’d just been dumped in the sea, or the sea had been dumped over him. “Stop fucking with the ship.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
The Essen Tasch is itself a kind of lesson,” continued Alucard, “that it doesn’t matter what you call magic, as long as you can believe.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
Alucard's eyes had gone sharp and empty at the same time, as if he were focusing, just on something else, something far away.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
No. Stop. Listen—” “You forgot collaborate,” Alucard piped up, laughing all over again as he sang Vanilla Ice.
”
”
Shayne Silvers (Silver Tongue (The Nate Temple Series, #4))
“
I’ve found that watching is the quickest way to learn, and the safest way to stay alive.”
Alucard had shaken his head, exasperated. “The accent of a royal and the sensibilities of a thief.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
Och ans, is farr, ins ol’ach, regh narr. There was no easy way to translate Veskan. It was the kind of language where every word could mean a dozen things, depending on their order and their context. It’s why he’d never managed more than a frail grasp on a handful of phrases. But this one he’d held on to. This one Alucard understood. A head gets lost, but a heart knows home.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (The Fragile Threads of Power (Threads of Power, #1))
“
Alucard let the ice melt between his fingers. “London and I did not part on good terms.”
Bard’s smile flashed. “I didn’t know a city could fall out with a man.”
“It can,” he said, “when a man falls out with its prince.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Royal Affair (Shades of Magic #0.5))
“
The king shoved past his own guard, scouring the balcony, while Alucard shielded Rhy, who had one hand to his chest as if he couldn’t breathe. Because, of course, he couldn’t breathe. Kell wasn’t the only one drowning. Lila turned, mounted the balcony edge, and jumped. The water cut like knives. She sputtered, shocked by the pain and the cold, and she was going to kill someone when this was over. Without the weight of her coat, her body
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
To the Nameless Saints who soothe the winds and still the restless sea...
Lenos turned his grandmother's talisman between his hands as he prayed.
I beg protection for this vessel--
A sound shuddered through the ship, followed by a swell of cursing. Lenos looked up as Lila got to her feet, steam rising from her hands.
-- and those who sail aboard it. I beg kind waters and clear skies as we make our way--
"If you break my ship, I will kill you all," shouted Jasta.
His fingers tightened around the pendant.
-- our way into danger and darkness.
"Damned Antari," muttered Alucard, storming up the steps to the landing where Lenos stood, elbows on the rail.
The captain slumped down against a crate and produced a flask. "This is why I drink."
Lenos pressed on.
I beg this as a humble servant, with faith in the vast world, in all its power.
He straightened, tucking the necklace back under his collar.
"Did I interrupt?" asked Alucard.
Lenos looked from the singe marks on the deck to Jasta bellowing from the wheel as the ship tepped suddenly sideways under the force of whatever magic the three Antari were working, and at last to the man who sat drinking on the floor.
"Not really,
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
The catholics fight for the dogma of their God. The Nazis fight for victory on the battlefield. And then there's Alucard...
If you really think about it, they all fight for the same thing. The revitalization of a dream. How very unfortunate...
”
”
Kohta Hirano (Hellsing, Vol. 8 (Hellsing, #8))
“
The trick to winning a fight isn’t strength, but strategy.” Alucard raised his brows. “Who said anything about fighting?” She ignored him. “And strategy is just a fancy word for a special kind of common sense, the ability to see options, to make them where there were none. It’s not about knowing the rules.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
Lila had an idea. It was a very stupid idea. But a stupid idea was better than no idea, at least in theory. So she dragged the words into shape and delivered them with her sharpest smile. “Nas,” she said, slowly. “An to eran gast.”
No. I am your best thief.
She held the captain’s gaze when she said it, her chin high and proud. The others grumbled and growled, but to her they didn’t matter, didn’t exist. The world narrowed to Lila and the captain of the ship.
His smile was almost imperceptible. The barest quirk of his lips.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
You’re a brilliant magician,” she said, “but there’s something you just don’t get.” He slumped back into his chair. “What’s that?” Lila smiled. “The trick to winning a fight isn’t strength, but strategy.” Alucard raised his brows. “Who said anything about fighting?” She ignored him. “And strategy is just a fancy word for a special kind of common sense, the ability to see options, to make them where there were none. It’s not about knowing the rules.” Her hand fell away, and the bottle crumbled again, falling in a rain of glass. “It’s about knowing how to break them.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
She used to hate people like him, people who gave up something good, shucked warm meals and solid roofs as if they didn’t matter.
But then Barron died and Lila realized that in a way she’d done the same thing. Run away from what could have been a good life. Or at least a happy one. Because it wasn’t enough to be happy, not for Lila. She wanted more. Wanted an adventure. She used to think that if she stole enough, the want would fade, the hunger would go away, but maybe it wasn’t that simple. Maybe it wasn’t a matter of what she didn’t have, of what she wasn’t, but what she was. Maybe she wasn’t the kind of person who stole to stay alive. Maybe she just did it for the thrill. And that scared her, because it meant she didn’t need to do it, couldn’t justify it, could have stayed at the Stone’s Throw, could have saved Barron’s life.... It was a slippery slope, that kind of thinking, one that ended in a cliff, so Lila backed away.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
The madness surged around him, and Rhy tore himself away from the breaking city and turned his sights again to his quest for the captain of the Night Spire.
There were only two places Alucard Emery would go: his family estate or his ship.
Logic said he’d go to the house, but something in Rhy’s gut sent him in the opposite direction, toward the docks.
He found the captain on his cabin floor.
One of the chairs by the hearth had been toppled, a table knocked clean of glasses, their glittering shards scattered in the rug and across the wooden floor. Alucard—decisive, strong, beautiful Alucard—lay curled on his side, shivering with fever, his warm brown hair matted to his cheeks with sweat. He was clutching his head, breath escaping in ragged gasps as he spoke to ghosts.
“Stop … please …” His voice—that even, clear voice, always brimming with laughter—broke. “Don’t make me …”
Rhy was on his knees beside him. “Luc,” he said, touching the man’s shoulder.
Alucard’s eyes flashed open, and Rhy recoiled when he saw them filled with shadows. Not the even black of Kell’s gaze, but instead menacing streaks of darkness that writhed and coiled like snakes through his vision, storm blue irises flashing and vanishing behind the fog.
“Stop,” snarled the captain suddenly. He struggled up, limbs shaking, only to fall back against the floor.
Rhy hovered over him, helpless, unsure whether to hold him down or try to help him up. Alucard’s eyes found his, but looked straight through him. He was somewhere else.
“Please,” the captain pleaded with the ghosts. “Don’t make me go.”
“I won’t,” said Rhy, wondering who Alucard saw. What he saw. How to free him. The captain’s veins stood out like ropes against his skin.
“He’ll never forgive me.”
“Who?” asked Rhy, and Alucard’s brow furrowed, as if he were trying to see through the fog, the fever.
“Rhy—” The sickness tightened its hold, the shadows in his eyes streaking with lines of light like lightning. The captain bit back a scream.
Rhy ran his fingers over Alucard’s hair, took his face in his hands. “Fight it,” he ordered. “Whatever’s holding you, fight it.”
Alucard folded in on himself, shuddering. “I can’t….”
“Focus on me.”
“Rhy …” he sobbed.
“I’m here.” Rhy Maresh lowered himself onto the glass-strewn floor, lay on his side so they were face-to-face. “I’m here.”
He remembered, then. Like a dream flickering back to the surface, he remembered Alucard’s hands on his shoulders, his voice cutting through the pain, reaching out to him, even in the dark.
I’m here now, he’d said, so you can’t die.
“I’m here now,” echoed Rhy, twining his fingers through Alucard’s. “And I’m not letting go, so don’t you dare.”
Another scream tore from Alucard’s throat, his grip tightening as the lines of black on his skin began to glow. First red, then white. Burning. He was burning from the inside out. And it hurt—hurt to watch, hurt to feel so helpless.
But Rhy kept his word.
He didn’t let go.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3))
“
Tell me again, from one monster to another, how different are we?
~ Serena Alucard
”
”
John North (The Crimson Witch (Gorgon, #1))
“
If you lose everything, maybe then you can understand what it's like to have nothing!"
~ Serena Alucard
”
”
John North (The Crimson Witch (Gorgon, #1))
“
I said,” snarled Kell through clenched teeth, “that if you break my brother’s heart a second time, I will cut yours out. I stand by that promise, Alucard.
”
”
Victoria E. Schwab (A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic, #2))
“
Giving up is what kills people
”
”
Alucard, Hellsing
“
I stand by my claim that she is trying to buy your body for carnal pleasures. It is only logical. She will see you at eight tonight for your sex. When courting, one often spends above their means, or does an extravagant act to prove that they are worth sexing,” Carl said, folding his arms stubbornly. Alucard burst
”
”
Shayne Silvers (War Hammer (The Nate Temple Series, #8))
“
I spun to War. “Grab Alucard’s Tiny Balls. They’re in his pants somewhere.
”
”
Shayne Silvers (Ascension (The Nate Temple Series, #13))
“
Alucard cocked his head, glancing down. “He’s not dead. He’s happy,” he said, kicking the wizard in the ribs. The man groaned but didn’t wake. “See? He laughed.
”
”
Shayne Silvers (Ascension (The Nate Temple Series, #13))
“
Alucard had been managing the grand reopening of my arcane bookstore, Plato’s Cave, for the past few weeks. Having earned the disfavor of his fellow vampires by helping me out of a pickle against the Brothers Grimm a few months back, he had found himself… out of work.
”
”
Shayne Silvers (The Nate Temple Series, Box Set 2 (The Nate Temple Series, #4-6))
“
Achilles had probably never been called a crybaby. But I didn’t want to tempt fate. “It’s been said that his tears can cure cancer… but he never cries…” Alucard whispered. “No, that’s Chuck Norris,” Tory whispered back softly, sounding distracted.
”
”
Shayne Silvers (The Nate Temple Series, Box Set 2 (The Nate Temple Series, #4-6))
“
He had as much reason to meet with the Sanguines as Alucard did. Those ancient vampires. They were the Masters of the Master Vampires. Like the U.N. of fangers.
”
”
Shayne Silvers (Nine Souls (The Nate Temple Series, #9))
“
With you as Alucard's master, I almost feel sorry for the bloke.
”
”
Anonymous
“
Alucard grunted. “Was there a curfew on saving the world?” he asked, sounding amused.
”
”
Shayne Silvers (Carnage (The Nate Temple Series, #14))