A New Threat

chapter 7:  The Meeting
Over the next several weeks, more men died and people began to seriously worry about a serial killer.  The murdered people were victimized in such a way that looked like a wild animal had torn their throats out.  There was more talk of the killer possibly being a mutant – only regular humans seemed to be the victims – and because of this, there were growing discussions in the government to begin rounding up all mutants and incarcerate them until the killer could be found.

In the meantime, The Count smiled to himself.  He used the Internet to learn more about the mutant issues and how the differences between humans and mutants were being stressed with the recent murders.  He mused in silence on how this all might be a wonderful opportunity to rise to supremacy.  The more he pondered the thought, the more it made sense – he could be a mutant himself and why not use that to his advantage to raise an army?

The Count collected his team of influential comrades and together they began collecting information on the tactics of William Stryker and Magneto’s scheme to make all the world’s dignitaries become mutants during the Liberty Island incident.  He began to organize a mutant rebellion and began sending word out to several government officials that "Mutants would rise to Supremacy and Conquer the Humans."  The Count also discovered where the animal woman lived.  He learned her name, her special gifts, and her unique breeding.  Another smile crossed his face, as he thought it would be so easy to obtain her.  All he needed to do take her and what a perfect opportunity to do so – at a party full of dignitaries and other influential people wanting to donate to the Xavier School for the Gifted.

During this time, Van Helsing immediately ruled out all possible suspects except two.  One was definitely an alias and that one was the one he pursued first.  The alias turned out to be a dead end, so he focused on the last name – a name he had long forgotten about – Vlad Valerious.

He stared at the name for a long while and cursed himself for forgetting about it.  How could he do such a thing?  It was the family name of a woman who stole his very heart centuries ago – the last in the Valerious line.  He blocked out the memory – it pained him so much to remember her – Anna’s strong disposition and assertiveness was so attractive to Van Helsing.  Yet, she too died and Gabriel fought back the sensitive feelings knowing it was by his own hands that she was killed.  The accursed bite from a werewolf transformed him, and although the bite made him into the one creature that could stop the Count, it also cost Anna her life.

His only solace was that she forgave him when she entered Heaven’s gate.  Her farewell vision calmed him and let him have some peace in knowing he had in a way saved her.  But now, it was time to move on.  The Count was alive and lurking somewhere and he had to find him and take him out – for good this time.


The School was full of people visiting and giving money to Xavier to continue his efforts.  Logan was uneasy during most of the evening. 

Logan spied a man of equal height keeping careful watch over Danielle.  He was a man of impeccable beauty; long ebony hair tied neatly in a ponytail and dressed most elegantly.  The Count made his way through the crowd and stood before Danielle, who was obtaining another glass of champagne.  He purposely bumped her making her spill her glass.  Logan walked over.

“My apologies for my clumsiness,” the Count said.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Danielle replied as she dabbed up the spill with some napkins.

“Let me introduce myself.  I am Vlad Valerious,” he said while bending at the waist.

Danielle accepted his kindness and kiss on her hand.  The Count began asking questions about the School and Danielle was all too eager to answer them.  Logan followed closely not wanting to leave her.  His hovering began to aggravate Danielle and she softly ordered him to go check on Jean Marie.  He reluctantly left her.

A short time later, Logan returned from checking on JM, who was upstairs eating dinner with Rogue and Bobby.  Danielle was still conversing with the Count.  Logan sensed a rival in the Count – his senses stretching to the limits and picking up the extreme interest that went far beyond just idle conversation of the School and its residents.

“Danielle, Jean Marie needs you,” Logan said.

She turned to him and smiled.

“Count Valerious, this is my husband, Logan,” Danielle introduced.

“My pleasure,” the Count replied while shaking hands.

Danielle excused herself and joined Logan as they walked down the hallway on their way back to their room.  Logan stopped short grabbing Danielle’s arm strongly.

“What the hell is goin’ on with you and him?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t ya see the way he’s gawking at ya?  He wants ya, Danielle.”

“Logan, don’t start with me,” she replied while pointing her finger in his face.

Rogue opened the door to her room and there was Jean Marie playing with the last few peas on her plate.  Danielle sat down with her and tried to coax the child to finish her meal and was met with much reluctance. 

“Something’s bothering her,” Bobby said.

Jean Marie began to scream in anger after taking a handful of her remaining peas and throwing them at Danielle’s face.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into her.   She was fine up until a short time ago,” Rogue said.

“She’s never been this irritable,” Danielle said.

“It’s so unlike her,” Rogue replied.

“I keep wondering if she senses something,” Danielle said as she watched Logan pick up the child and try to calm her.

Jean Marie was carrying on in such a display that Logan turned to Danielle with worried eyes.  Logan held her close.  The child beat her clenched fists on her father’s shoulder.  They took her to their room.  Logan set her down on the bed and the child continued to cry.  Danielle sat near them and the child grabbed her and cried loudly.  Logan stood up and both parents were baffled as to the reason of the extreme outburst.

“Mama, mama!!  Don’t go!” Jean Marie cried out.

Danielle picked her up and held her tightly.

“Where the hell is she getting this from?” Logan asked.

“I haven’t a clue.”

Downstairs, the rest of the residents continued with the pleasantries until the main doors of the mansion swung open and a team of police officers and SWAT members stormed in.

“Professor Charles Xavier?” the Team leader asked.

Charles rolled out to meet the officer.

“I’m Charles Xavier.”

“Sir, you and all the residents of the Xavier School for the Gifted are under arrest.”

“Under arrest?  What are the charges?”

“Suspicion of leading a mutant revolution.”