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Zizzi Hungarian

Lord Makura

Gale Frost

BadluckCat

Kantra

BlackWingsBlackSoul

Order 7: Departure

After the attack on the castle, the vampires were growing restless. They gathered together on the front lawn and demanded Dracula's attention.

Mataji found him lounging in the library, sleeping. It was rare to see him sleeping with the sun down; she took the time to observe him before gently shaking him awake.

"What a sight to wake up to," he said, smiling, then paused at the look on her face. "What's the matter?"

"We have a problem," she said softly.

"What? Is someone hurt?"

"Not that kind of problem," she said, evasively.

"Stop being vague and spit it out, Mataji," he said, rising to his feet.

"The entire castle is out front and they're talking about leaving," she said in a rush.

An eyebrow raised in surprise. "That is a problem." He pulled his cloak about him and strode out towards the ground with Mataji following, looking nervous.

The crowd of vampires parted at the sight of him. The murmurs dulled to a sullen silence. Dracula surveyed them all with a level eye. Then he grinned and spoke out to them:

"So you all are thinking about leaving?" It was a challenge more than a question. Faint whispers traveled among the crowd.

"Well, aren't you?" he said, raising his voice. "Yes, that sounds like a splendid idea," he continued, his tone heavy with sarcasm. "One vampire goes out and bites someone then that someone bites another someone and pretty soon we've got an epidemic, a mass break-out of vampirism. Our blood is a disease!" he shouted.

Several different objections came up.

"I will not be treated like a disease or a savage. I know enough not to bite anyone waltzing through the streets," someone countered.

Dracula listened then closed his eyes in resignation. "If I say no, I'd probably have vampires sneaking off one by one during the day. Or I could simply forbid any of you from leaving. Disobedience to my word is death." He let his statement sink in then continued. "But I have no reason to confine you. You are all free to do as you please."

A roar of approval went up.

"Know that wherever you go," he called out to them. "You have the love of your fellows."

He watched them for the rest of that night, picking up and leaving, moving on to better things. He watched them go with a strange feeling in his heart.

"That is sadness," Mataji said, reading his mind. "You're sad to see them leave."

He'd scoffed at her. "Don't be ridiculous," he said, dismissively.

Elena and her bloodmate came up to him before leaving. Elena was beaming. "My lord," she gushed. "I will grace the greatest stages of this world!" And she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. He watched her shoulder her bag, take Stefan's hand, and set out.

Lisha and Olena came about midnight. "Fare thee well, Lord Dracula," Lisha giggled.

"Where will you go?" he asked.

She shrugged. "Some place hot for sure." She grinned wide. "I will return soon, m'lord." She bowed respectfully and pulled Olena along with her.

They left in pairs and packs, not traveling alone their first day out. He watched Vincent, Hunter, and Phyllis a bit aways off. They were saying goodbye to Maida who looked sullen and stubborn. He walked up to them.

"You are staying?" he asked Maida.

"I like it here," she said, sullenly. "It's the only home I've ever known."

"Aw, let her stay," Hunter groaned. "We're wasting valuable moonlight." And he started off.

Vincent looked at Dracula and allowed him a brief smile. "When we meet again, I will have become a stronger man," he said confidently. And he too followed after Hunter.

Phyllis hesitated, suddenly looking very shy. Then swiftly, she rose to her toes and kissed Dracula softly on the cheek. Blushing madly, she nodded her head and turned away, saying goodbye to Maida once more, to follow the boys.

Despite the sadness he felt, he was also happy. He was happy they were expanding and getting a chance to see the world.

"You are leaving as well?" he asked of Mataji.

She grinned widely. "Well, why not? I'm getting kind of tired of this dingy old castle," she teased. She grew serious and looked at him. "Don't forget me?"

"Never."

She smiled. "Reminiscing is nice but don't dwell too long. Monogamy is for mortals."

"You should hurry. The sun will be up soon and I might just be compelled to keep you here."

She smiled at him and gave him a fierce kiss on the lips, tangling her fingers in his hair. He responded quickly, almost cutting into her lip with his fang before she pulled away, breathing heavy. "I am going to miss that." She nodded and turned away. "I'm going to go before I start crying but Dracula-" and she looked at him with bright crimson eyes filled with love. "-I will come back. For you."

And she left too, on the tail of shadows.

He took a deep breath. It was time for bigger things and at the beginning of the sunrise he, too, left the Vampire Castle.

-

Dracula traveled for days that slowly lengthened into weeks. He knew not where he was going but figured once he got someone interesting he would stop. And he did. In a small area of India called Rajastan his attention was caught by a young woman, stalking the shadows, lusting for blood...