[ The tarlike shadows bubble more frantically as they approach, three-fingered hands flying out to grab at them. He's not vampire enough yet to be as affected by the smoke as even Alucard. Not enough to have entirely lost his powers. But almost. One hand almost reaches Trevor before breaking apart, only to be lanced through by a thin needle of ice. ]

Shit, thanks. [ Trevor murmurs back to Sypha. ] Fucker's still dangerous. We killing him here, or bringing him for execution? Say the word and I'll do either.

[ Except that that ice wasn't Sypha's. Somewhere deeper in the smoke, there's the sound of rustling cloth, so quiet that only Alucard's hearing will be able to pick it up. They aren't alone here. ]