The music was so familiar, the hall so dark, surrounded by strange beings everywhere. But it did not matter, she was with him, they were dancing a waltz. He was smiling at her. She must be the cause of it! He had the most gorgeous eyes ever. Count was so refined and the most charming man ever, she felt lucky to be with him, like this could go on forever. Her in his arms forever… The music is getting faster so their steps. She was not sure she could follow the pace. Now the happiness and calm were transmuting into to fear. He twisted her a little bit brutally then when back in his arms he threw her away from him. She did not hit the floor, but Der Tod arms. Her back was lowered. One arm holding her and the other hand cupping her face and then his lips were about to meet hers… This could only mean…

-No! Stop!

Sarah woke up screaming and threw the casket's door open. She started to cry, had been almost 20 years she did not cry. Her hands went to her face as to stop this motion, but it was useless. She felt arms hugging her.

-It's alright, darling, just a bad dream.

-A nightmare!

-What happened?

-It was… I can't say, I'm sorry.

She sounded angry, but with herself instead of him.

-You would feel better if…

-Stop it!- she broke away from his arms- Stop thinking what is best for me, you do not know what's best for me, no one does! It's my life or death to rule for God's sake. I don't want comfort.

-Sarah.

He looked really sad, he was trying his best, and she noticed what she had done. These 20 years with Alfred taught her to be more respectful towards other people (in this case vampires) feelings. He was always so kind, that somehow moved her more now than when she was human.

-I'm so very sorry. Please forgive, I meant no harm.

-I know you never do, it's just the way you are.

-And how can you love me?

Really, how? She toyed with his feelings, rejected him, turned him, and Krolock…

-You can't ask why for love! But I love how different you are. You're impulsive and fun, and has the most charming smile.

He cupped her chin and tried a kiss, but she retreated from him. She avoid his kisses, like she was doing something wrong.

-I can't right now.

-I will go to the university then.

-I'm really sorry. You always try to do the best thing for me.

Does not mean it was the best thing to be done for her though.

-I see you when I get back.

-I will arrive late today, dear.

-Where are you going?

-To a party. A really small one, just to dance a little bit.

He did not like the amount of parties Sarah attended, but once he was a vampire he understood that it was part of what she was like and nothing would change her. This made him admire and fear her at the same time, he always had to worry about her.

-Just take care of yourself.

-I always do.

She felt tired, really tired. Der Tod's visit shook her. Now she was thinking about the Count almost every second, even dreaming about him! But even in her dreams she felt disposable. He did not want her, not anymore. He literally threw her in the arms of the death. Maybe the dream symbolized that he would destroy her once near him. But she was not anymore that fragile little damsel who offered her throat to him! She was his equal now. Once she said she would do anything for him not mattering it would destroy her. Promise kept, she thought. He destroyed her. Somehow she was unable to reach her desires, better, she reached them but they did not please her as they should.

She went to the party, beautiful as always, in less than a minute after she stepped in the place, she was invited to dance. The music was gorgeous, and the dance was fun, from minute to minute she changed the partner without seeing who it was. Various partners to one single song, just like that dream she had so long ago about the midnight ball. Another twist, another man. She could not control her smile if a little laughter behind it. A gloved hand caught hers.

-Enjoying yourself?

-You!

The music changed to a slower one.

-I said I would be back.

-Why so obsessed with me? Or is the Count Von Krolock the target of your obsession?

-Hahhahaha.

His laughter scared her a lot.

-Neither of you, I only care about one.

-Then why bother me?

-Because I need you to get this vampire out of the way.

He twisted her gently, he was a great dancer after all. She was somehow enjoying to dance with him.

-There are plenty of vampires out there.

-But most of them fear the Count, the others avoid him.

-As do I.

-But you crave for that one moment to prove yourself his equal. Not just another victim.

-Are you spying on me?

-I know you, that's all to be said.

-No, there's much more I need to know if you want my help.

-So you are willingly to go with me?

-I did not say that.

-But you desire it more than anything.

He twisted her, and then he was gone, nowhere to be seen.

Going with him, that was tempting her, she could not deny it. She needed the closure to move on, to enjoy her so ever wanted freedom. But then she would have to run away. Again. She would break Alfred's heart once more, and this was the first time she cared, he was all she had in those last 20 years. But what kind of life she was offering to them? She was distant to him most of the time, she was distant to herself. Her desires were storming inside of her soul just like when she ran away from her home. She needed her home, she needed a bath.

She left the party much earlier than expected. Sarah walked like she was on a rush, like someone was dying and she needed to arrive soon enough to have time to say good bye. She arrived her house, went to the bathroom as fast as possible, she prepared everything for her bath quickly, but for her it seemed it was taking ages to get it done. She tore her clothes off, like she needed that bath more than anything. This was her passion, her cure.

-Ah-ah- urgh!

She could not manage to sing, she was not relaxed. No singing then. Her sponge was annoying her rather than pleasing. For the first time, bath did nothing for her, she felt nothing. Somehow bath gave her a sensation of power, as stupid as it sounds. It should wash it all away! Like always. She wanted to stop it all inside of her. She did not want to think.

-Frustration is such an odd thing.

-Ah!

Der Tod stood next to her bathtub, looking straight to her face. Thank god she had a lot of foam to cover her up.

-Is there a sign or something that says "Come, let's disturb Sarah's private bath!" No one respects my…

-I did not come here to seduce you or anything like that.

-Do you really think that you are going to stalk me into doing something for you?

-You want to go there again.

-But I do not know your intentions.

He had to speak up about Elisabeth. He wished he did not have to, but he needed Sarah's trust. Convincing her was harder than expected; Von Krolock did not have this hard time to convince her to go to his castle. Maybe history taught her. And back then she had feelings for her stalker.

-I will tell you my reasons then.

-So go to the hall.

-Why?

-I'm not going to have this conversation naked.

They met at the hall, like said. He was sitting in one couch and Sarah sated on a chair in front of it.

-You can start.

-I don't need permission… Alright, I'm going to be straight. I'm in love with Elisabeth, you know her as the Empress of Austria.

-What?! Oh my! That gorgeous woman! So pretty death himself loves her...

-I don't love her because of her beauty. Yes, she is the prettiest woman ever, but she is so much more… This does not concern you, though.

He did not mean to sound too emotional

-And what does Krolock have to do with Your Majesty?

-He offered her freedom like he did to you! -he sounded angry- Freedom means everything to her, and I'm afraid she might accept it.

This was a desperate move, but it was a desperate case after all.

-Then she would be out of your reach.

-Exactly.

-Let's save her then! I will go with you, and prove Krolock he cannot play with Sar… I mean us.

-Of course, us.

-When do we leave?

-Now.

-Right now?!

-I don't think the Count Von Krolock will await for our little visit.

-Alright, I just need to do one thing first. Give me 15 to get ready, I need to pack after all.

She went to her room, packed her bag. And sat at her desk, she never knew why she had one, she never wrote to anyone ever. She did not left a note explaining her departure the other time, but now she had to do it, Alfred deserved it. She had to make it clear for him not to go after her, she need to do this alone, not quite alone. Maybe he would not forgive her for it, but she had to, she needed it more than anything to face the Count, to understand this pain. Once again she was slave of her longings.

-Please forgive me, dear.

-Are you ready?

-No, but it doesn't matter, right?

He nodded.

Say a prayer to all the Gods makes us braver than we are!

Answering reviews

queenmedesa

I would rather have the Count too, but she did not choose to be with Alfred. There is a popular dictate (at least in my country) that says better one bird in hand than two flying around. And as you can see she has really strong feelings for the Count, lots of surprises to come ; ) Thanks for reading and reviewing.

That's it guys, hope you're enjoying the dramatic Sarah. There's going to be some really interesting interaction between her and Der Tod. Keep reading and review! Always nice to leave the author a compliment or a critic (critics are good they help you improve), please let me know what you think.