I do not own…
Days became weeks and then weeks became months as Elizabeth and Vlad have gotten close. They had so much in common. She wasn't like any woman that he has meant. Elizabeth was loyal, kind, fierce, one hell of a fighter in hand to hand combat and in weaponry, and not to mention she had one fiery temper that Vlad loved so much. She had told him all about her family and what they do. Then she told him about all the monsters that are out there in the world. But she wasn't like the rest of the hunters. She didn't just assume or was prejudice that they were all evil just like the others. That's one of the reason why he loves her so much.
It wasn't long till Vlad had asked Elizabeth to marry him and she said yes. Everyone was happy for them. Well not everyone. Elizabeth's mother didn't like the idea of her marring someone that doesn't have hunters blood in them. Her father on the other hand didn't mind as he was happy that his eldest was finally getting married. The wedding was at the castle and everyone in the kingdom was invited. Elizabeth was in west wing of the room with all her sisters helping her getting ready. Her mother would have helped too but she was protesting it and didn't come at all. Elizabeth was hurt but didn't let it ruin her special day.
"I'm sorry about mother, Lizzy. You know how traditional she is." Darleen; the third eldest child said as she did Elizabeth's hair.
She is 24 years old, two years younger than her sister. Has long black hair and blue eyes like their mother.
"I don't see why. We both felt the pulse. It's our way in letting us know that we found our soulmate." Elizabeth said
"Its mom, Liz, nothing makes her happy. Now look up so I could finish your makeup." Olivia said as she places some on eyeliner on Elizabeth.
Olivia is 20 years old; six years younger than Elizabeth. She has curly black hair and brown eyes. Then there were the triples Stephanie, Anastasia and Hanna that were deciding which jewelry Elizabeth should wear. They are 18 years old and all had blue eyes. Stephanie and Hanna had red hair like Elizabeth and their father but Anastasia was born with black hair like their mother. The youngest is Rebecca who was holding Elizabeth bouquet, is 15 years old had black hair and brown eyes.
"I think we should place red rose on her dress. It's too white. Red has always been her color." Anastasia said
"It's a little too late for that Ana." Hanna said; rolling her eyes
"It was just a suggestion Hanna." Anastasia said in annoyance
"Then how about we put roses in her hair and use the jewelry with rubies or red diamonds to brighten her up." Stephanie said; holding up necklaces and bracelets up.
They started arguing some more till Darleen clapped her hands and gave them a stern look.
"Not now you three. Her wedding is two hours. So hurry up." She said with sternness
That got them to stop arguing hurry up with their work. When time was up everyone had head the ceremony. Vlad was waiting by the alter with Ingera, Andrew, Dimitru and Petru by his side. When the organ began to play everyone turned to the door as Elizabeth walked down the aisle with her sisters behind her. Vlad felt his eyes getting teary when he saw how beautiful she was. When she got close he took her hand and they both stood in front of the priest. Once the priest was done Vlad and Elizabeth looked at each other and said their vows before exchanging their rings. After that the Priest told Vlad to kiss the bride and the prince couldn't be more happier to. He pulled her close to him and deeply kissed her.
"Together forever." Vlad whispered with a smile.
"Together forever, my love." Elizabeth smiled
.
.
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Four years later…
Vlad and Elizabeth have been married for four wonderful years. Last year she had given birth to their first son, Andrew Abraham Tepes. Ingera was excited to be big brother. Though Elizabeth and her family were surprise that he didn't have the gods mark on his shoulder or golden eyes like Elizabeth dose. Elizabeth's mother thought it was a dark sign but her father had a theory. It was always believed that it was the first born that got the mark and the eyes but he believe it has to do with the gender too. The alpha mark came from her mother side and maybe only to the first born female member.
In the mid of afternoon Vlad was trying to spend time with his family till he was called upon. As much as he didn't want to go he had to. He and Andrew had followed Dimitru to the river where the other men were waiting for them. Vlad looked to the river and he tensed at what he saw. He had heard the rumors but was hoping they wouldn't come here again.
"I left it, where I found it." Shkelgim said as he sat down on the rock.
"What do you think, Vlad?" Dimitru asked
"Bring it to me." Vlad said
Dimitru walks over to the stream and pulls the helmet out between the rock. He walks back to the prince. Vlad looked at and knew what it was.
"This belongs to a Scout. One of Hamza Bey's men." Vlad said
"Turks?" Andrew asked
Vlad nodded and walks over to the river.
"What the hell is a lone Turk doing out here?" Petru asked
"Turkish scouts never travel alone." Vlad said "If there is one, there are more. And whatever they scout, they conquer."
He looks around the area and up the river.
"This was washed downstream." He stated, walking in the direction where the stream came from. "Came from up there. Broken Tooth Mountain. Soon it will be night. They'll seek refuge." Then he looks at the men. "Dimitru, I need you to return to the castle. Alert the guards and double the sentry."
"What? I'm not leaving you here?" Dimitru protested
"For the Turks to cross into our lands unannounced is a sign of war." Vlad said
"And what are you going to do if you find them?" Dimitru asked
"I do what a Prince does best. Negotiate." Vlad said "Nicolae, Andrei with me."
He tossed the helmet to Dimitru and head towards his horse.
"Fall in." Petru ordered the others.
Dimitru turns the helmet over and found claw marks in the metal. Andrew saw it too and looked at the mountain. His hunter senses scent something supernatural was in there and hurried over to his brother in law.
"I'm going with you." He said as he mounted his horse. "There's something up there that's making my senses unease. If something happens to you Lizzy will kill me."
Vlad would have chuckled but he knew how right he was. Elizabeth was very protective with her family, as was he.
The four rode out to the valley where Broke Tooth Mountain lies. It was a place where no man had dared to enter. They climb up to the mountain and looked around. Vlad and Andrew looked at the valley as the other two men stood in front of a cave entrance.
"Anything?" Andrei asked Nicolae
The man looked into the cave and saw nothing but darkness. Then a gentle breeze pushed out and Nicolae stumble back a bit as he coughs.
"Smells like your feet." Nicolae joked
They both laughed and a swarm of bats flew out, startling the men. Andrew walks over to the cave and draws out his sword.
"They're inside." Vlad stated
"How do you know?" Andrei asked
"Bats don't come out during the day, something disturb them." Andrew said
Vlad unsheathed his sword and he and Andrew headed inside.
"Come on." Vlad orders
Andrei lit a touch and saw that there were all kinds of armor and weapons in the cave that were rotting and rusting away. Vlad kneels down closer to the floor and took a hand of the dirt on the ground.
"What is it, my lord?" Nicolae asked
"The floor. It's crushed bone." Vlad stated
"The Turks didn't do this. We need to get out of here right now." Andrew said
A noise was heard and it alerted everyone. Andrei spotted a pair of two red dots staring at them. Then he was dragged into the darkness.
"Like I said we need to leave now!" Andrew ordered
Not needed to be ask the third time everyone took off running. Then Nicolae was dragged into the darkness.
"Get into the light now!" Andrew yelled as he pushed Vlad up ahead.
He slashed at the creature when it got close to him and it let out a painful roared as the sword was made of silver. They were able to get close to the entrance and stood by the sunlight; pointing the swords at it. The creature roars at them but backs away into the shadows. Andrew looks at the blood that was on his sword and saw it dissolve into thin air. That has never happen before.
"What was that?" Vlad asked
"If I had to guess…vampire. But…I never have seen one like that before." Andrew said "And I never seen one when it's blood has dissolve in the sun like that."
They climb down the mountain, mounted their horses and took off. They arrived at Castle Dracula and headed to the monks.
"Father Lucian I need my sisters big book." Andrew said
The monk nodded and grabbed a very large and old book from the shelves before handing it to the hunter. Andrew opened the book and flipped a few pages till he found the vampire section.
"These are all different type of vampires?" Vlad asked in amazement
"It is known that Dagon had given his blood to twelve of his generals. Creating different race of vampires." Andrew said "Each with a different demonic form to show their true self. But I'm not seeing that form in the book."
"I might know the creature that you are seeking sire." Lucian said he showed them another book. "The creature that you've encountered was no accident, my lords. Four nights ago, every brother in our order awoke from an identical dream. I would not thought it possible had I not suffered the same vision myself that night. Of a creature laying siege to this holy place." He flipped through the pages and showed them a picture of an inhuman fangs and claws. "The Roman mystics prophesied the coming of a great evil. A vampire. From the Greek word pi, to drink."
When the two lords looked at the picture and saw that it was the same creature form the mountain.
"The beast was once a mortal man who summon a demon from the depths of hell to trade for his dark powers. The demon trick the man, granting his wish, but his price was an eternity condemned to the darkness of the cave, where he remains until he finds another to set him free." Lucian tells them the tale. "Now you know it's true face."
"You said that you all had the same dream four night ago?" Andrew asked
Lucian nodded and Andrew looked at Vlad.
"That's the same night Elizabeth had her vision." Andrew whispered
Vlad was more worried than before now. She told him the dream was about him going to the creature and asked for his help to protect them from the Turks. Not only that but she also saw Dagon's return and was using the Turks.
"The people of Transylvania lives in enough fear of the Turks' return." Vlad said and looked at Lucian. "Promise us you'll guard this secret with your life, brother."
The monk nodded and the two left the room.
"Did you know about the creature?" Vlad said in a whispered
"If we did we would have killed it a long time ago. There hasn't any records of this kind of vampire or of that story Lucian told us." Andrew said "Something is not right. I have to do some research."