DISCLAIMER: I do not own the characters in this story. Dracula, as we all know it, is the creation of famed Irish author Bram Stoker. The concept of this story is something that came to mind when watching Dracula (1979) starring Frank Langella. This beginning part is a continuation from the movie before it goes into my story.
The Year 1875
... Lucy lay there in horror as she watched her undead lover burn and blister in the wake of the risen sun. She felt the overwhelming urge to attack his murderer, one Jonathan Harker, but felt Dracula's power over her ebb and fade away with each beat of her pounding heart.
Harker leaned against the lever to the crane, breathing heavily with the exertion of defending himself against the said King of Vampires. He glanced over into the direction of Abraham Van Helsing, already mourning the loss of one of the most courageous and intelligent men he had ever known next to John Seward, his future father in law. Sighing with satisfaction, he closed his eyes, failing to notice the black figure flying away from the crow's nest of the ship where he was nearly confined to his death...
The Present, 2009
He had wandered the Earth for countless centuries...maintaining a youthful appearance while those around him aged and wasted away...watching as empires rose and fell before the birth of what was now known as the 'modern' world today.
That night, he walked down the cobblestone streets of London, England as he had done since he first set foot on English land many centuries ago. The modern world was full of new and exciting wonders to him, presenting new opportunities to enrich his knowledge and tantalize his ancient mind.
And, the modern women...ah, they were heavenly...it was far easier to use his charms on intended victims than centuries before. He had found many places where he blended in with his Victorian style clothing, mostly gothic clubs, and chose most of his willing victims from there to sup.
He was rather fond of a place called Eternity, a gothic club that promoted up and coming musical acts. Although he was quite partial to the Classical music composed in his younger days, he vastly enjoyed the latest versions of 'Gothic Opera' that filled this particular place.
It was a mere matter of time before he stood among the crowded club, savouring the meal to come as he inhaled the different scents that permeated within the confined area. Walking amongst the throngs of nicely painted people, he approached his usual perch, anticipating the first act of the night.
The crowd began to assemble as the emcee came onstage to announce the first band, whose members were quickly setting their equipment up onstage.
He tapped the mic twice before he began.
"Good evening my fellow children of the night" the eerily pale young man announced, clad in an outfit not unlike the ones Dracula wore many centuries ago "I give you our first act of the night, Canada's own Blood Lust!"
Dracula let his gaze roam onstage, noticing the pretty, young lead singer. She reminded him vaguely of Lucy Seward, who would have been his eternal bride. Her long dark hair fell way past her shoulders, nearly touching her shapely buttocks. She was a very curvy woman indeed...the kind of girl who would be irresistible in a flowing gown with a fitted corset...one quality he admired in a woman next to a sharp mind and tongue.
He stared at her with his penetrating dark eyes, his curiosity quickening with every glimpse of the astonishing seraph singing a haunting melody. The sound of her haunting voice made every nerve ending in his body sizzle as he watched with wonder. He had to have her...to claim her as his and his alone.
As the song came to an end, he set his power on her. Willing himself to get inside her mind, he murmured "Look at me".
In a split second, their eyes met...dark brown met dark brown as they gazed at each other silently. The crowd cheered and applauded around them but in their connection with each other, it was as if they were the only two that existed.
After what seemed like a long moment, he willed the connection to break, murmuring "When you wake up, you will remember nothing"
She blinked and turned away from his penetrating gaze as she picked up her guitar and slunk offstage with her male band mates. Smiling with satisfaction, he swiftly moved away from where he was standing to follow her...
... Garnet Glacius walked to the dressing room in a fog. She had this ominous feeling that she could not put her finger on. She almost felt like she was being watched.
Sighing, she followed her friend, and band mate, Jason Weekes into their dressing room for the night. Their performance was one of the best they'd done since their tour of England and she wanted to relish that sense of accomplishment.
"Garnet" Jason said, turning to face her, drumsticks in hand "You were great out there tonight."
"You did well yourself, Jase" she replied, smiling as she opened her guitar case "One member doesn't make the band"
"I wonder if anything good will come out of our tour" inquired Marty Knowles, the bassist and her second best friend "As much as I like touring, we can't just go from place to place like gypsies"
"I agree" Garnet signed, putting her guitar in its case before closing it "I could use a long gig somewhere. Especially here...I love London!"
"You looked a little spaced out there at the end of our set" Chris Masters, the lead guitarist said "Is everything alright, Garnet?"
"Yes I think so" she said, trying to figure out what had happened moments ago when her mind was blank "Must have been relief that they liked our music"
Before Chris could ask her to elaborate on why she mentioned relief, there was a knock on their dressing room door.
"Who could that be?" Jason wondered, twirling his drumsticks around expertly "Did anyone follow us?"
"Maybe it's the club owner" Marty said, heading to answer the door "It could be something good"
"I don't know" Chris said, feeling uneasy "I hope it's not a crazed fan or anything"
"Oh come on, Chris" Garnet said, stifling a laugh as Marty answered the door "Do you honestly think that everyone here could be a cr-"
"Good evening" said a deep male voice with a slight accent "I presume this is the dressing room for Blood Lust"
Everyone else turned to the door to see their visitor. He turned out to be a tall, slim, dark haired man dressed in a black Victorian suit with a crisp white shirt and flowing black cape. Garnet's first instinct was to roll her eyes but she stopped herself as she got a better look. He had a regal air about him and he seemed different than the others they had seen in the crowd.
"Yes this is" Marty said, slightly confused at the man's presence "Why do you ask?"
The visitor looked at the men in the room darkly before his penetrating gaze fell upon Garnet. A smile formed on his full lips as he crossed the room to where she was standing. As he stood in front of her, she realized that he bore a deep resemblance to an actor she had seen in an older movie once.
"Ah yes...Miss Glacius" he said, taking her hand and kissing it before giving her a penetrating stare "A pleasure to meet such a talented young woman"
"Th---thank you" Garnet stammered nervously, making Marty and Chris snicker at her "And who might you be?"
"I am Count Dracula" he said formally, rubbing his thumb across the palm of her warm hand. Garnet looked at Jason weirdly before answering.
"With all do respect sir, Count Dracula is a fictional character created by famed Irish author Bram Stoker" she said, as politely as possible "I mean no disrespect but you're not the first to say that. However I do give you credit for your appearance...you look a lot like that actor..."
"Frank Langella" he said, with the tiniest hint of a smile "Yes...so i've been told before"
Garnet eased up a little, realizing he may be harmless; however, she knew not that he was putting thoughts in her subconscious. She decided to play along with his little charade.
"How may I help you, Count Dracula?"...
