Woohoo! Chapter 4! -does a little dance- I'm excited. :D I made a lot of changes to this chapter because I kept getting new ideas, so PLEASE let me know if you liked it and what you liked. I want to do a good job:)

Disclaimer: I only own Lauren DiCamillo

Note: The first part in italics is a dream sequence. Carry on.

Chapter 4:

Witch Vs. Vampire: Take One

Fiery blue, that was all he could see. The blue-green seemed to pierce through him and peer into what was left of his soul, but despite that, he felt tranquil and at peace. Surrounding the blue was a white light, beckoning to him. But he did not move and continued to gaze into the blue-green. It called to him again. "Come, come Vladislaus. Do not struggle any longer. Let me bring you peace."

The voice was heavenly; it didn't belong in the Son of the Devil's head! But Dracula wistfully looked into the blue-green and wanted it. Badly. The white light swirled and began to take the shape of a woman. The shape was vague, so he could not make out the features, only that she was young, in her mid-twenties or early thirties. The voice spoke again. "Vladislaus, stop hiding yourself in the dark. Trust the light. Let the light trust you."

"I am not hiding in the dark! I have let the entire world know who I am!" he hissed in response. The voice did not answer, but the swirling blue-green captured his eyes again. It both entranced and calmed him. Dracula took a step forward and reached out his hand to the blue-green. He took another step. He was almost there! He craved that light! He needed it!

Before reaching it, everything went black and red. He suddenly felt suffocatingly hot, yet deathly cold at the same time.

"You do not need what the light is willing to give you. You have everything you need. Darkness is what you are! Do not fall for their lies!" Suddenly feeling ill, Dracula felt himself falling and falling as the blue-green and its aura of light faded out of his reach. Coming into view was a dark inferno of menacing black flames. He fearfully cried out, "NO!"

Dracula shot up, breaking the ice that encased his coffin and inhaled deeply. Cold sweat trickled down his undead skin. He had not dreamt, let alone had a nightmare, in centuries. Whenever the Devil chose to give him a message, he either summoned him or gave him the message in person. The woman… she was familiar to him… but it could not have been Lauren. The woman in his dream had wanted him, and had kind words for him. All Lauren had said to him so far were words of sarcasm or threats. But her eyes, they said more to him in the dream than any other words.

But why did his dream consist of a conflict between Light and Dark? He had no regrets of his life as vampire. So what did it mean? Other than he did not want to fall into the flames of Hell again. Hell was not a very pleasant place to be, and he had no desire to ever go back. Dracula rubbed his temples wearily. It had been a whole week since he had last seen Lauren. She had stayed in her apartment, cooking up potions and plans to kill him no doubt. Shaking off the lingering presence of his dream, he grinned. He had to admit, her determination to kill him was humorous. And her sarcasm was mildly entertaining. Taking a sniff of the air, he sensed that night was approaching in one hour.

Dracula lay back down in his coffin and let the ice cover him again. Shutting his eyes, he blocked out the dream and rested. Something told him that he would be seeing that singer tonight. And he would have to be cautious. She would attempt to kill him, and while what he had seen in her bag last week gave no indication of a real threat, she may have found a way. She was definitely stubborn enough. Pushing aside his fear of returning to his father's domain, he let sleep overtake him for one more hour.

(Transition)

-One hour later-

Lauren was in her kitchen stirring a liquid, emerald green-goo in a pot. This was the first potion she would be trying to kill Dracula with. It was a mixture of garlic, holy water, pepper, taro root, and seven drops of werewolf venom that were about to be added. Carefully placing her eyedropper over the potion, she slowly counted seven drops as each fell into the pot. Squirting the rest back into the vial, she then stirred the goo clock-wise seven times, then counter clock-wise, then clockwise again. The last ingredient was the most powerful and dangerous-a drop of her own blood. In doing so, she would be calling on the powers of DiCamillo witches now past.

Picking up a kitchen knife, she carefully raised her left hand over the pot and braced herself. Slicing the smallest cut she could, she let a few drops of her blood spill into the potion then ducked. A loud explosion was heard as the liquid bubbled loudly then burst into the air like a geyser. Slowly peeking up over the counter, Lauren saw that the potion was now a lime green with a few red spots. The reaction she was hoping for. The most powerful potions had a drop of either the maker's or the victim's blood. She didn't have any of Dracula's obviously, so she settled for her own. Carrying the pot to her window, she let the moon shine on it for the last fifteen minutes before she would look for Dracula. The potion had to absorb the moon's rays for three nights in order to be at full power, and this week had been mostly cloudy nights. In other words, it had been a bad week for an attempt to kill Dracula.

Leaving it to sit, Lauren briskly walked to her room to change into a more 'kick ass' attire. Scrolling down her playlists, she clicked 'Rock', pressed 'all' and let the first song play, which was incidentally, I Stand Alone by Godsmack. She needed something fast and loud to help give her confidence, and to keep her calm so fear wouldn't distract her.

Now I've told you this once before you can't control me! If you try to take me down you're gonna break!

She walked into her closet and lay out her outfit on the bed. Pulling a turquoise tank top with a cursive letter L over her head that her sister had given her, she then slid into a pair of dark denim jeans. Sitting back, she pulled her new black, birthday boots over the jeans above her knees. They felt good. A perfect fit.

I'll never rest until I can make my own way. I'm not afraid of fading! I stand alone! Feeling your sting down inside of me, I'm not dying for it! I stand alone!

Lauren put on a pair of black studs and brushed her long, thick hair into a high ponytail. Lining her eyes with some black eyeliner, she then looked in her mirror and stood back to take in her appearance.

And now it's my time. (Now it's my time) It's my time to dream. (My time to dream) Dream of the sky. (Dream of the sky) Make me believe that this place isn't plagued by the poison in me! Help me decide if my fire will burn out before you can breathe! Breathe into me! I stand alone! Inside! I stand alone!

Lauren's reflection showed that of one of the women in her favorite action flicks with a woman hero, like Violet from Ultraviolet, or Selene from Underworld. Except, Lauren was blonde. But she was the farthest from the blonde stereotypes- intelligent, determined, and resourceful, Lauren could be a dangerous enemy to have, powers or no powers.

Remembering her potion, she walked down the hall to pour it into a few empty vials she had on hand. Placing most of them in her purse and two of them in each of her jean pockets, she got out her scrying crystal to find Dracula. Scrying was like a supernatural GPS system, except all she had to do was either use something of Dracula's, or something he touched to make it work to locate him. Picking up the shirt she had been wearing on her birthday, she held it next to the crystal and moved it about the printed map she had of L.A.

It circled the map of its own accord before landing in a small park near her apartment. Lauren smiled. "Time to face the music Dracula." Gathering all of her supplies, she confidently strode to her Vespa, her heart pounding in anticipation and fear. Not fear of Dracula, now that was ridiculous. No, Lauren was simply afraid of what Dracula could to an innocent bystander, or someone she cared about. There had been a newspaper article about two drug addicts that had been found murdered and drained off all blood near her apartment. It could not be a coincidence. Dracula had feed from them when he couldn't from her. Two people had died because of her.

If Lauren died, then that was no new fate to the DiCamillos. They were witches and demon hunters. Death came with the contract. It had happened to her cousins, her grandparents, and her mother. DiCamillos had been brought up from an early age to not fear death. As a result, Lauren did not fear it. If Dracula made her his bride, she would kill herself with the stake in her boot. Alone and on a mission, she sped towards the park. She would protect others from Dracula at all costs.

I stand alone! Inside! I stand alone! Inside! I stand alone! Inside! I stand alone! Inside!

(Transition)

Dracula silently moved about the park. She was coming to him. He could feel it with every fiber of his being. Leaning against a tree that was dark with shadows, he waited for her heartbeat to come into range. It would not be long. Perking his ears, he heard the familiar engine of a Vespa. He grinned and licked his lips. Not long at all. Remaining in the shadows, he watched as Lauren pulled up to the curb and in one swift movement, dismounted her Vespa and stood tall in the grass before darting her eyes to find him.

He had to give it to her, she had style. Taking in her outfit, he was slightly reminded of Anna Valerious, but Lauren's was more modern to fit her time. It fit her form nicely too. Her curves were perfectly accented as she cautiously circled the park. Sucking in his breath, Dracula couldn't help but become mildly aroused as his eyes trained on her swaying hips as she walked. It was time for some fun.

"Are you looking for something Lauren?" Dracula called from his hiding spot.

Lauren stopped and turned to where his voice had echoed. She turned and strode faster to where he stood, not seeing him but sensing him. His dark aroma was strong, and it was all that was on Lauren's mind as she hurried to where his voice gave him away. If she didn't move quickly, then Dracula would. She could just make out his form in the dark before he disappeared. She had gotten too close for his taste.

"Damn," she muttered under her breath.

Amused laughter reached her ears. "You will have to be faster than that my dear."

Lauren turned quickly to where his voice came from. He was sitting on a swing with his arms crossed, laughing. Narrowing her eyes, Lauren slowly walked towards the swings, just to annoy him. "How's this?" she challenged.

Dracula rolled his eyes. "Oh please. Even you can do better than that."

Continuing to walk as slow as she could, she was only a few feet from the swings. With a good, strong jump she could tackle him before ensuring that a vial of the potion got into his system.

"Like this?" she dove as hard as she could and painfully landed with the swing at her stomach. She gasped for breath as the wind was knocked out of her and mentally cursed. He had teleported again!

Dracula appeared on top of the swing set and looked down at her. "What is the matter my dear? Am I a bit beyond your reach?"

Stepping out of the swing, she looked up at him. "Nope," was her answer and flung the swing up at him. He jumped just as it would have hit him and landed next to Lauren.

Crossing his arms with an annoyed expression on his face he said, "Now was that really necessary?"

"Yes!" came her triumphant reply as she hurled the first vial at his face. He dodged and continued to eye her as the vial shattered when it hit the ground and became a small puddle of lime-green goo.

"Come now Lauren, it is all in good fun."

"No it is not! You murdered two people by my apartment!"

"Would you prefer that I feed farther from your apartment in the future? Or would you just have me bite you now so I do not have to resort to feeding from scum like them?" He cockily replied.

"This is just a game to you isn't it? But murder is not a game!" she shouted in response.

"Lauren, they were drug addicts. They would have died by their own hands soon enough as it was. This way, they served as my meal so I did not have to harm anyone else. Like a family member or someone close to you."

Lauren bit her lip. "It's still murder!" she insisted angrily. "No one deserves to die like that!"

Dracula shook his head. "If they had died by the drugs, it would have been slow and painful. By me biting them, it was quick and nearly painless."

"Be that as it may, you still have murdered people who did not deserve to die! You weren't punished for those crimes, so I'll do it for those that failed to!"

"Like who?" Dracula questioned. "Who do you know that I murdered that did not deserve it?"

Lauren gave him a bitter smirk. "Like Van Helsing."

Dracula's eyes darkened and narrowed at the name. "He deserved to die!" he hissed.

"For what?" Lauren challenged. "For killing monsters like you? Demonic murderers in human form?"

"You do not know what you are saying, Lauren. I would suggest you drop the subject," Dracula warned. "Van Helsing is the reason I became a vampire! If you wish to blame anyone for what I have become, and who I have killed, it is him!"

"How would he have anything to do with it? You made a pact with the Devil! Don't tell me he forced you to!"

Dracula's nostrils flared as he fought the urge to snarl. "Van Helsing betrayed me! He murdered me! That is why I made the pact!"

Lauren stopped for a second. Van Helsing murdered Dracula? That was why he made the deal? "But... but you were impaling people! Not just the Turks, which I can understand since they were your enemies, but your own people!"

Dracula smiled dryly. "Yes, but if you read history books, they should also tell you that there were very few crimes committed during my reign. Even you cannot deny that." Lauren blinked as the information sunk in. That was true. Sick, in a twisted way, but true. "Yes, but tell me Dracula, is it better for a ruler to be loved, or feared?" Dracula snorted. "Oh that is a difficult question! I should say fear! Love just asks for betrayal!"

"And fear just asks for assassination!" Lauren shot back and threw another vial at him.

Dracula ducked but was met with Lauren's fist. Staggering back he grunted from the impact and hit his back on a tree. "Damn she hits hard!" ran across his mind.

Lauren darted to the tree and taking a stake from her left boot, she shoved it into Dracula heart all the way through to where it dug itself into the tree trunk. The handle of the stake was lost in his chest. Dracula winced from the pain. It was coated with holy water.

Seeing her chance, Lauren took out every last vial in her purse, (which was five) and heaved them at Dracula before ducking behind another tree for cover.

The potions hit Dracula and exploded, causing such a loud ruckus it was a miracle no one had come out to see what was going on yet. Peeking out from behind the tree, Lauren hopefully looked to see if Dracula was destroyed yet. Still staked to the tree, the King of Vampires was healing the burns the potions had inflicted. He was pissed. And was still very much alive. Damn it.

"Shit," she groaned and walked towards him. Finishing healing himself, Dracula looked up at Lauren and had a look that was a mixture of pain, anger, awe, and strange enough, desire.

"Well I am impressed Lauren. I was not expecting such a powerful potion. But as I told you last week, those ingredients will not kill me."

"They'll just give you a headache," she finished with a grim smile. It was back to the drawing board.

Dracula grinned. "Yes, and I feel a migraine coming on. Would you care unstaking me from this tree so I can dispose of it?"

Lauren pretended to think for a second. Placing a finger on her chin she replied, "Ummm….. No. See ya later Batman." Striding towards her Vespa she heard Dracula call out, "So you are going to leave me staked here all night?"

"Yep."

"That is not very nice."

"Neither was trying to bite me. Here's a lesson for you to learn fast Count. Don't. Piss. Me. Off."

Dracula smirked. "Consider the lesson learned Mademoiselle. Now unstake me!"

"Nope," Lauren replied with a smirk of her own and started the engine to her Vespa up. "You're the almighty Count Dracula, get yourself out."

"I am not going to forget this Lauren," he warned. "I am not a person you want to be on the bad side of."

"Now that is the one thing we have in common, Count. Good night!" With that, she turned her Vespa around and headed for her apartment.

Dracula groaned as he tried to dig the stake from its embedment in his chest. He couldn't help but inhale slightly to catch the lingering scent that was Lauren's. He definitely had to watch himself now. That was twice she had bested him! Twice! He would never hear the end of this from his fellow demons. Not in a millennia, even if he succeeded in biting her.

She was beautiful and very intelligent, a delightful mix in a woman. There was no denying that. But it did not help his pride in the slightest. Clawing at the stake, he sighed painfully.

This was going to be a very long night.

So what did you guys think? Teehee, poor Dracula. I'm so mean. MUAHAHAHA:)

Anywho, Reviews are apprectiated. I hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! I'll try and update soon. :)

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-ForeverACharmedOne