Chapter XIV

Author's Note: Back with another chapter my loves! I've read over the new reviews. Thank all of you for leaving me with your thoughts and thank those who have been silently following along as well. I'm doing my best stay true to Seras and Alucard's characters. As usual, please give me your feedback.

***Side note: This chapter took me an especially long time to write because I had to debate with myself over whether or not I truly wanted to let Seras go through with the ritual, but then my beautiful muse came and said "Screw what you want and write what stays true to the plot." So I present what you may want to kill me for: Chapter 14.***

Integra POV

Once again, I am riddled by piles and piles of paperwork. My eyes scanned through each document as rhythmically and carefully as a machine before I would sign my initials at the bottom of the pages to approve of each of their contents.

Two knocks resounded my office followed by a voice.

"Sir Integra, is it alright if I come in?"

I knew that it was Seras and looked up from my paperwork.

"Yes, you may come in, Seras."

Seras strode into my room with a confidence I thought she would have to mend after the death of her Childe.

"Sir, I have come here to inform you of a decision that I have recently made." She stood in the center of my room daring the world to do its worst. "I am going to break the Master-Childe bond I have with your servant."

My eyes widened. I knew that she would be beyond furious at what Alucard had done to Izaiah but I hadn't thought that she would despise him enough to wish to break their bond.

"Are you sure?"

Her eyes held convection.

"Yes."

Her one simple word was all I needed to hear to know that I would not be able to change her mind on this subject.

"How are you going to get Alucard to let you drink his blood?" I asked, honestly curious as to what her plan was. If it required violence I would need to have Conrad prepare an isolated area. I couldn't have two vampires fighting at full force where humans resided.

"Actually, that's what I wanted to talk to you about."

Seras dropped the tension within her shoulders and suddenly looked at me with eyes that looked to be full of sorrow and regret. I didn't like where this conversation was headed.

"Sir. No, Integra," she had never called me by my name before, "I came here to tell you that today will most likely be the last time that we will ever see each other."

My heart dropped. What was she talking about? How was this going to be the last day? She wasn't going to kill herself to go be with Izaiah was she?

I opened my mouth to speak but she interrupted before I could push one trapped word out.

"Before you say anything, I want you to let me finish."

She walked around my desk to pull on my right sleeve, silently requesting that I follow her. She led me to the tea table and sat me down before sitting on the seat across from me. She opened her mouth to continue.

"I'm not planning on killing myself. I am not that weak, but I truly no longer wish to be bound by that man." She took out a book and passed it to me. "I have read that book and figured out a way that does not involve him, but part of the process includes a period of deep slumber. A 30 year period of deep slumber."

I finally understood what she meant when she said that this would most likely be our last time meeting. My life would probably end before she would next awaken.

Seras stood from where she sat and walked over to me. Her right hand grazed my eyepatch before she went down on one knee.

Her eyes filled with unshed tears as she looked down.

"Integra, friend, sister, and Master. I am so sorry for failing to protect you then and sorry to leave you once again for my own selfish desires."

She lifted her eyes to finally meet mine and a blood tear escaped from her control.

"I'm leaving, Countess."

Tears blinded my eyes.

"Have a safe trip, Countess."

Third Person POV

Blood tears were still falling from Seras' eyes as she sped to the location she knew Alucard would not be able to find unless he was truly looking for her.

She felt an immense amount of sorrow within herself not only for Integra but also for the man she knew she should hate but still loved.

Damn you, Alucard.