Alright Lovelies, here it is the ever anticipated (at least I hope so) sequel to Blood Countess. Given the years in between the first story and the overall issues with it (I wrote it a long time ago and have since upped my game on the writing scene), I do not blame those of you for not wanting to go back and read it. So I have included a summary. It holds the important info but not the great details. If it sounds good to you, I sincerely suggest you go read it. Just muddle through the grammatical issues. I stand by my character and plot choices, they are good.

Thanks in huge heaps to my amazing Betas, whom of which, I would be lost without! Beej88 and Ninjette Twitch, two fabulous fanfiction writers that you need to check out if you have not already!

Also, a heads up, got this beauty for you all this month for October but also a few more Halloween pieces heading your way soon. The Hot and Heavy Chronicles, found on Ninjette Twitch's page, will include some amazing Halloween themed chapters, a few by me and the rest by some truly incredible writers. And another surprise fic coming to you for Halloween, a team effort by Ninjette Twitch and I that will be revealed closer to the holiday. I just love Halloween!

Summary: Serena, 16, is your average everyday teenager. A bit klutzy and naive, but sweet and caring. Everything her long standing bully, Darien, 18, is not. String, popular, and boy genus, it was hard to live up to his shadow. Things weren't always that way. Darien use to be her best friend. The day after they shared their first kiss, changing their relationship, he dropped her and didn't speak to her again for years. One day, unable to stand "not knowing" one another any more, Serena snapped at him and thus her bully was born.

As Halloween approaches and her parents go out of town, Serena looks forward to a long weekend alone with her friends. The day of her new found freedom, Serena meets a strange man called Nicholas, one that Darien does not like (for how he looks at Serena). He invites all of her friends to a party in which they agree to attend, including Darien and Andrew. Everything is fine until Amy is found in a daze as if she has been drugged. The next day, Mina is attacked by a wild dog in the park. All the while, Serena keeps seeing strange and terrifying things that don't make sense, nightmares while she sleeps and when she is awake. After Rei is attacked by a strange beast, Serena starts to see that what she has been seeing all this time may have been more than a dream. To top it all off, Darien keeps demonstrating strange acts of strength that has Andrew questioning his friend.

Determined to keep Serena safe, Darien does some research, taking Andrew with him to the strange and vast Library his secretive Uncle keeps. An orphan at a young age, he had been left in the care of his Aunt and Uncle, cold and withdrawn people who never spent any time with him. The only time Darien ever got any reaction out of his Uncle was the day he caught him and Andrew snooping around that Library. It was full of strange texts about urban legends and ghost stories, a very strange collection for a man of science or doctor that his Uncle Michael is. There he finds Vampires and informs Rei, Serena, and Andrew as Lita, Ami, and Mina have all gone missing. The foursome is then attacked and although Darien is strangely able to fight a couple of them off, although Andrew gets the shit kicked out of him. Serena agrees to go with them to save her friends, her being the target from the beginning. Nicholas' and the Vampire nest's master, the Countess, has taken a particular interest in Serena and her special, virginal, blood. Serena is taken to a dungeon within the basement of the large home of the vampire nest., where Lita is being held, her blood almost completely drained. Her blood is taken but when drank, it causes the Nicholas to get violently ill and vomit. This freaks him out in which he releases Serena and Lita and runs from the room saying, "I'm sorry, I didn't know!"

Meanwhile, Darien and Rei carry a beaten Andrew back to Darien's place where they confront his Uncle Michael for answers. It is then that Michael reveals the truth behind their family, that they are the descendants of Van Helsing. And that the blood that runs through their veins gives them the ability to fight demons and evil. All of this is the reason Darien's parents were killed, to get revenge against their family and his Uncle specifically. Serena and Lita are caught trying to flee by Mina and Amy, their blood red eyes telling them they were now Vampires and devoted servants to the Countess. She leaves killing Serena to Amy and Mina. Darien, Michael, and Rei are able to stop them before they kill her, leaving her badly injured, a knife stuck in her chest inches from her heart. Mina and Amy get away with the Countess.

While in the hospital, Michael runs tests on Serena as she heals far too quick for a human and finds strange results. Darien agrees to leave with his Uncle to train to become a full fledged Hunter, all to protect Serena. But he must leave her behind, breaking her heart to do so.

Okay so maybe that got your interest? If not, all you need to know for part 2 is, Something is strange about Serena and you will find out here what it is. And that Darien and Serena have been 'together' for a long time, Darien always drawn to her and needing to protect her any way that he can. She was there when he woke up in the hospital (his parents murdered by Vampires and him compelled to forget it all) and they were one another's first kiss. He breaks off their 'friendship' because he fears he brings her down, unworthy of her. This whole run in with Vampires brings them back together, lots of romantic scenes in there for you, but in the end, he has to leave her again so he can get stronger and protect her, given what she is.

Chapter 1

"We are each our own devil, and we make this world our hell."

― Oscar Wilde

It was a perfect night. The fog was rolling off the sea, covering the ground with a thick mist. The moon shone brightly above, lighting up the beach for all to see, not that he needed such things. He could see just fine, regardless and what he saw was her, clear as day.

Her blonde hair was tied up tight, exposing her lovely neck to him. It was enough to make him salivate at the sight. She started to strip, pulling off every piece of clothing she had on and tossing it into a pile behind her, adding to the one that was already there. Then she bounced out into the water, her lover waiting for her. He could care less about him, it was her that he craved this night. She was his one desire.

He went from the cliff he stood on to the beach in a heartbeat and watched the two of them unseen from the sand. A few moments later, they both came out of the water, shivering and grabbing up their clothes quickly. It wasn't until they were completely clothed again that they noticed him and to his delight, they both jumped in fear.

"Who the fuck are you?"

He remained silent, letting their fear rise to its peak before answering. "I am Death."

The boy threw the girl behind him, the valiant type. He hated them. "What do you want?"

His laugh rang out over the empty beach. "I want her of course," he narrowed his eyes dangerously at the boy, pulling him into his control. "You will give her to me and go drown yourself in the water."

His eyes went blank and his body slack, releasing the girl while she whimpered, frozen by her fear. This boy was far too easy. It almost took all the fun out of it. She just watched him as he left her alone and walked back into the water, clothes and all. She screamed when his head disappeared under the waves. He did not come up again.

Now he had her full attention, her eyes wide on him. He slowly approached her and she didn't move an inch, either out of fear or knowing. Knowing she would never escape him even if she tried.

A tear or two slipped out, running down her face, and he wiped it away for her. "Now, now. It won't be all bad, my dear."

With a single movement, he ripped her clothes from her, scattering them to the wind. Taking her into his arms, she began to shake, her fear taking control of her body completely. He just smiled, lowering his mouth to her neck.

She let out a strangled cry as his fangs broke her skin, tasting slightly of salt.

She sprang up in bed, her heart racing while sweat dripped down her neck and back. The dream was forgotten as soon as she opened her eyes but now she recognised the signs. A nightmare. Another one.

She'd been having more and more lately, ones that she never remembered, slipping from her thoughts as her eyes blinked from the bright sunlight.

This had happened before, five years ago, and she shuddered at the thought, the memory of it all bringing her nothing but pain.

The sun's light danced across her face at an angle she still wasn't used to. Serena had been living there for almost a year now and yet, at times, she forgot her new surroundings. The bed creaked below her. It was an old, supercheap, bed that she found online. Its white metal frame twisted and swirled up the pale pink wall, the only one of four that shade, making up the headboard as it did at the foot of the bed as well. The small twin bed fit well in her small room, taking up most of the space.

It didn't matter how small it was. It was her room. HERS. No matter how many times she said it, it still didn't feel real.

A not so gentle knock came at her door and Rei stuck her head in looking right at her. "Serena, if you don't get up soon, you're going to be late!"

"I'm up! I'm up!"

Her alarm hadn't even gone off yet and already Rei was bugging her! It's not like she had any reason to doubt her; she hadn't been late to anything in….two years now? There must have been something in the air, something bothering Rei and putting her on edge.

The long tank top that she had slept in had ridden up her stomach, to which she pulled down after she put on a pair of sweatpants. She clipped her toe on the small bedside table that sat by her bed near the door, knocking the small lamp that sat on top of it over, along with the lotion and chapstick helter skelter. Letting out a few curses, she turned to her desk, sitting on the wall in a corner adjacent to the foot of her bed, and grabbed her ear buds. She had to dig them out from under books and papers and unplug them from her little laptop. Even as big of a mess as it was, her desk would have been a sight that made Ami proud.

She had to fight back the tears at the thought of her lost blue-haired friend. Even after five years of searching and never giving up, they'd found little trace of her or Mina.

She stepped out into their living room. Whatever Lita was cooking in the kitchen had her salivating already. Rei sat in the middle of the living room floor meditating, a large map of the city in front of her. She made her way to the door, ready to start her usual routine for the day as well.

Their living room/kitchen combo was stuffed with a beautiful combination of all three of them. There were green plants that filled the back half close to the windows from Lita's old place along with her dining table; it was a small but thick set with dark wood and deep scratches. Rei's grandfather donated their couch. She was pretty sure it had been in storage most of its life, the bright floral print looking almost new. The arm chairs next to it were a sidewalk find, someone putting them out even though they looked perfectly fine. They even managed to get a coffee table. It was used but still pretty. The apartment itself was a loft, a huge one. Given that it could only bolster itself as a one bedroom, though, the rent was fairly low given its size and location. It was a short walk or tram to each of their colleges.

Rei attended Ochanomizu University where she was double majoring in theology and law. The two, she felt, clashed terribly, but Rei seemed to be making it work.

Lita attended TSUJI Culinary Institute and every week it was a new study of food that they all had to help her with it by means of tasting; she wasn't complaining.

Meanwhile, she proudly attended Todai or University of Tokyo. Her studies were focused on education as her major but she was minoring in Folklore as well. It seemed like a strange combination but when you look at childhood development and fairytales, they can blend at times. Besides, the Folklore was more like a hobby or rather an interest. And they all had it. She would find something...interesting and share it with the girls who would listen with rapt attention.

Rei also added to the obsession, bringing in scrolls and documents from when she visited the shrine. They all alluded to the same things; devils, demons, and monsters.

The dirt felt so good under her shoes as her feet pounded the ground. That was the other amazing thing about their apartment; it was a quick jog to a long greenway. The music blasted through her headphones, fully drowning out the noises of the world around her.

She passed a few other early risers as she ran, all giving her a nod. They were the same runners she passed every day since they'd moved in. First, it was a short, stodgy man. His remaining gray hair a crown around the rest of his bald head. Next, it was the beauty queen, her thick, brown hair bouncing in its perfect ponytail along with her perfect breast in her tiny tank top. And last but not least was the impossibly thin boy, around 16-17, who looked as if he was practicing running from someone or something.

If she let herself, she could really imagine she was running through thick woods, far away from the hum of the busy city that surrounded her.

Running had always been a release for her, having taken it up years ago. Her parents had thought she had lost her mind and so did she at first. But once she hit her stride, her parents did as well, leaving her alone and never questioning her again. They must have seen her need for relief just as much as she felt it.

Everything had changed since that one Halloween week five years ago. Her life had changed into something hard and cold; monsters existed. If that wasn't enough to rock her once stable existence, she'd lost two dear friends along with Darien in one short week.

Darien.

She hadn't heard from him since the day he'd left when he'd basically told her that she was a burden; not worthy of the world he now existed in.

The ache in her heart was long gone now, turning into something hard, crystallizing her heart. She preferred it that way. No more pain. Her friends didn't, however, and they continuously set her up on dates. It was probably how she'd earned the nickname 'Ice Queen' by the end of high school. If any of them had known the true story, they would have commended her for even showing up to school.

The trail came to an end, signaling the halfway point of her run. Hunching over, she stopped for a short break to catch her breath. Ragged breaths peeled in and out of her mouth when something caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. There was movement off the path.

It was a flicker, really. A few of the short trees wiggled and swayed from something pushing up against them. Standing up straight, she pulled her ear buds out in one swift move and searched the trees for the source of the movement. Her senses on edge, she readied herself.

A deer hopped out in front of her, it's fur almost golden in the early morning sun. The sight was both majestic and queer, given that they were still in the middle of the large city. The greenway was in no way large enough or private enough to house a deer.

It stood frozen, looking at her as she did the same. She stayed as still as she could, expecting that with the slightest movement it would soon get spooked and high-tail it out of there. Her breath held and she watched as it walked even closer to her, sniffing the air for danger. It was inches away from her. She took a risk and slowly stretched out her hand. The deer still did not flee. Her hand was just about to touch its flank when it turned to something behind it and leaped back into the brush a second before a laboring jogger rounded the corner.

It was really late as she squatted in some bushes with Andrew by her side. This would normally be a romantic moment; moonlight above them, brushes blocking them from the view of others. Unfortunately, they had work to do.

"Okay, babe, you're up!" Andrew gave her a quick peck on the cheek before she left their hiding spot to enter the small clearing of the park.

Serena had gotten a "sign" earlier that day, telling her to check the place out. It was strange because Rei was usually the one who got the visions about where they should be. But Serena was sure. Now she stood a few feet away at the end of the greenway's jogging path bathed in moonlight. No matter how many times they did this over the past four years, she still got tremors of fear throughout her body.

The sight of Serena was truly one to behold, something she also never got used to. Her hair glowed in the bright light of the moon. She held a long thin sword in her two small hands and, at the sight of Lita, she disappeared into the darkness. Even with her out of sight, she knew Serena would never let anything bad happen to her and was watching her closely.

She moved deeper into the opening, making sure to make as much noise as possible. It wasn't long until a creeping went up her spine, a sign that things were about to begin.

Coming up from behind, something grabbed onto her wrist, holding her still. Its sharp claws were dangerously close to piercing her skin, her eyes drawn to the sight of the long talons that stretched out near her hand.

Andrew bounded out of their former hiding hole, hitting the creature with all his might. He held his favorite weapon, a heavy metal bat that had crosses pounded into it. He washed it with holy water after every battle. It wasn't the strongest of weapons but it gave him a kick, and he could actually wield it, which was not the case with many of the weapons they were given. The bat had also kept him alive thus far, the hit he gave it causing it to kilter slightly, but remain firm in his hold on her.

Rei stood nearby, slowly circling her and the creature that held her tight. Incantations were spilling out of her mouth as she moved, locking it into place for Serena to make her move. The creature screamed, releasing her and for the first time, she got a good look at it.

It was an ugly son of a bitch, with long claws and fangs, both yellowed from age and rot. Its skin was bloated and blubbery, the color of rust, shaking for several seconds everytime it moved. It had four eyes and all of them were now trained on her. Rei's spell would trap it but not freeze it, she needed to get out of there.

Its thick arm found her face before she could make a move away from it and sent her flying across the clearing, landing with a thud. It hurt, but she'd received worse. It distracted Andrew, who was now looking at her instead of watching his footing.

"Andrew! Look out!" but her words were too late.

The creature lifted Andrew up by his leg, dangingly him above the ground like a wet napkin. It readied its claws, planning to impale Andrew through the chest.

Her scream stuck in her chest as she watched on in horror.

Her eyes not leaving Andrew's wide ones, she waited helplessly for his death. But it never came. Slowly, she took her eyes from him and placed them back on the creature, who was now missing its head. It all happened so fast, the creature still held Andrew up in the air. But reality soon kicked in, causing the body to drop and Andrew along with it.

Serena stood to the side, dark blood covering her blade. With one swift movement, she flicked the black liquid onto the ground next to her, not a care in the world for the lifeless body that she had just struck down.

Lita had never told anyone this, but Serena scared her sometimes.

She helped Andrew back to his feet while Rei and Serena lit the motionless body on fire, throwing salt on it as it burned. Something they'd learned after much trial and error.

"Any idea what that was?" She wasn't sure she wanted to know, but it would haunt her dreams tonight regardless.

Rei didn't look up from her work. "No clue, but it was a nasty one."

Andrew rubbed her chilled arms. Even in the warm summer night, she'd managed to get goose flesh all over her. It was probably from her blood running cold at their near screw-up.

Serena turned to the two of them, a slight glare in her eyes. "I think we need to revisit the idea of me doing this alone."

Andrew took a step towards Serena. "No! I told you! As long as you are going to do this, we are going to help. We are all in this together."

She took a cue from him, "Unless you stop, neither will we."

Rei came to Serena's defense, "We don't have much choice, given that our resident Hunter left town years ago and has yet to show his face again."

Lita wasn't sure if Rei was talking about Darien or his Uncle Michael. Either way, no one had seen or heard from the two of them in years. She looked over at Serena for a reaction, but Serena's face had long since stopped crumpling at the mention of him. It was another thing that made her fear and worry about her dear friend.

The job well done, or well enough, the four of them went back to their place. The apartment had been a blank slate when they moved in. It had a kitchen and a bathroom that was closed off but that was it. There were stairs and a loft that was supposed to be a bedroom but it barely gave room to stand in. It was truly meant for sleeping and nothing else. The girls decided to turn it into lounge or movie spot but they rarely used it these days.

They'd managed to scrape and save for the room dividers that now made up each of their rooms but for a while, they lived together like it was one big room. She almost missed that. It was like one big slumber party.

Serena's room was the closest to the door, almost under the loft. It shared a wall of the building, just like all of their rooms did, giving them each a solid wall and at least one window. Her room was near the kitchen, in the middle. Rei's was at the back, in the corner, giving her two real walls and a big window.

They all sat at the large island that 'divided' the kitchen from the living room, but you could easily jump from one of the stools that sat at it to the couch. She knew cause they had all done it one day when they had first moved in during a game of Truth or Dare.

The island held the sink and a small hot top that was their stove top. With only two elements, it hindered her cooking a little, but she had to get used to working with less if she wanted to be truly successful.

She washed her hands and busied herself with cooking, something to calm her nerves. She wasn't even sure what she was making. She was on autopilot as she listened to the rag-tag Hunter team debrief. It didn't matter what she made, anyway. They would eat it.

"Maybe Lita and Andrew shouldn't work as a team anymore," Serena suggested. She was clearly still shaken up at the near loss of their male companion.

Rei nodded, "Andrew is pretty good at the incantations. He has the ear and the tongue for them. He could help me with that."

Andrew held up his hands in protest. "Whoa, whoa. Don't you have to be a mage or Priestess for that to work?"

Rei shook her head, "You just have to have pure intentions and a level head. I will teach you."

Serena seemed satisfied, keeping them both in the game for a while longer. Neither her nor Andrew really wanted anything to do with Hunting but with Serena and Rei leading their own way into the battles, they couldn't just stand around and watch them get hurt or killed!

It all started a few months after the Countess and her freaks attacked them. Serena changed. She started disappearing for hours only to pop back up all energized and excited. She started running and both she and Rei noticed the changes to her body. Her baby fat disappeared, giving way to toned muscles and leaner legs and arms. She even got rid of her buns! They would reappear every now and then but she did not wear them every day like she used to.

Had you asked anyone five years ago if Serena would get in and go to college, they would have laughed. It was like Darien leaving had sobered Serena up. She seemed to be preparing for something, even if she wasn't sure what it was. She used to think Serena was bettering herself for when Darien returned. But as the weeks faded into months and then years, she could see that Serena had given up on that dream. Now she worked hard at everything she touched, making it her life's mission to make the world a better place.

She hated to admit it, given the sweet girl that Serena used to be, but now….she was kind of a badass. It was good; good for Serena and good for their cause. But it made her sad to see the 'nothing but bubbles and sunshine' girl fade away.

But every now and then the old Serena stuck her head out of her hole. "You guys wanna have a party here?" They all looked at her a bit surprised, the old Serena resurfacing again. "I just thought we could have like a housewarming party."

They'd been living in the loft for several months now. They'd gotten the security deposit with help from Serena's parents, even though her father had been very reluctant, and Rei's grandfather. They'd had very little for furniture and it had taken them awhile to get the place in the shape that it was, which she thought looked pretty good, especially given their budget. So they had not had a lot of people over all at once, not even for a housewarming.

She brightened at the idea. "I could practice my appetizers and drink recipes?"

With a silent smile from Rei, it was a done deal. Serena squealed with delight and they all enjoyed the moment with the old Serena.

Social media had made life so much easier at times. She didn't really care much for it. She found it mostly just reminded her of how little her life had at the time. Friends from high school posted pictures of engagement rings and of houses they had bought. It seemed like everyone from her old life was in a hurry, getting associate degrees or going to work for their parents, if that was an option. Getting married and settling down. It made her feel even more restless.

She made the event, their housewarming, and invited family along with the few friends from high school she cared to see like Molly.

Looking over the guest list, it wasn't very long but she didn't care. She wasn't too sure she wanted many people here anyways. Lita and Rei were sure to invite more people, except they would probably do it face to face.

It wasn't that she wasn't a social person, she always had been, she just didn't make life long connections anymore. It gave her less to lose in the future. But she was always up for meeting new people and having a good time.

She had finished her run, taken a shower, dressed, and sent out the invites. Her morning had been very productive.

Grabbing up her book bag, heavy with books and notes, she made her way to school. She had just left the gate, squeaking and popping as she pulled it secure behind her, and stepped down onto the sidewalk when she heard it.

"Serena?"

It was weak and soft and if she had already put her headphones in, there was no way she would have heard it.

She whirled around on one foot, ready for action. But found only a slip of a person before her. They were covered in dirt, head to toe, and looked to be having trouble standing. They appeared to be female and that was truly the only clue she had at the moment. Her clothes were worn as if they had been wearing the same outfit for weeks without a shower and a change. And her hair was long, to the point that it dragged on the ground, turning it into a dark nasty color.

Looking behind the person, she could see another figure, sitting up against the wall of her building not far away. Homeless people?

"Serena? Is that you?"

The voice came out as a whisper again, clearly the person was having a hard time getting anything to come out of her dry throat.

She studied the creature before her hard. "Do I know you?" The shadow that fell on their face slipped away as they took a closer step. Through the caked on dirt and filth, she saw her. "Mina…."

Now she was whispering. The girl before began to shake, tears falling hard down her cheeks, doing nothing for the dirt on them. She took another step towards her, causing Serena to take a step backward.

Confusion twisted Mina's still beautiful face, "Serena? It's me."

She glanced behind Mina again at the figure on the ground. They were staring at the ground, but she could now see the blue hair clear as day, "Ami?"

The bluenette turned her attention upwards, her eyes wide with fear and confusion but she still gave Serena a small, sweet smile.

She looked back at Mina, who was still trying to understand why her friend was being so distant. Serena looked hard into her eyes. They were bloodshot, from lack of sleep or crying or both, but they were bright blue once again.

The dirt and smell from the woman she now recognized as her long lost friend no longer bothered her in the least. Closing the gap between them, she grabbed onto Mina hard, as if her life depended on it. Refusing to let go, she pulled Mina back towards Ami to collect her as well. She quickly helped Ami to her feet and began ushering them into her home. The two of them were silent, even as they climbed the many stairs up to the apartment. She had so many questions, where had they been, how did they find her. The questions kept piling up in her mind creating a muddled mess, making it hard for her to focus on one at a time.

When they finally had the door closed behind them, she turned to watch their faces, still not sure they were real. "What happened? How are you two here now?"

Ami was still silent as if in shock. Mina continued to whisper, "We don't know. We can't remember anything."

Well? Anyone going back to check out the first part yet? Hope you liked it so far. Next chapter to be posted ASAP!