buah... she updates again!!!!

-waits for the applause... - crickets

(puppy dog face) c'mon!!! I've been updating! REVIEW!!!!

Please... -sobs- Tell people about this if you like it.

BTW there is going to be some.. .passion. in this chapter. w/e.

Well enough of my blathering,

Enjoy.

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Chapter 9: Night Encounter

Dracula slipped a hand over her mouth before she could scream, or even move.

He pressed her body tight to his, groaning inwardly at the exquisite feel of her body against his, her breasts crushed against his chest as his hand delved through her hair.

His mouth descended on her exposed neck, drinking in her scent, her skin- but not feeding.

Sareesa shook, too overwhelmed to do anything. He looked like a dark angel, evil and powerful, yet seductive and passionate. His black hair was falling in a few strands around his face, framing it with sensual beauty.

Something in the back of her mind nagged her to touch him, making one of her hands slide around his neck, even as her more sensible self screamed defiance at her actions. He growled in arousal, his hands slipping around her hips.

He smiled against her skin, his head raising to brush her lips with his, looking into her confused, gray-green eyes with his own sapphire.

"How?" She managed to choke out. He raised a hand, caressing her cheek with his palm, his thumb rubbing her brow intently as he stared at her mouth.

"You dreamed and reached out to me," he said huskily, his voice erotic, intense. His other arm pulled her hips tighter to his own and he felt her twitch involuntarily as she felt the hard bulge in his pants brush against her.

She tried to push him away, but now he was using his full strength, sheer power holding her to him. He pressed her against the wall, making her body slam into his again, and this time, she groaned openly.

Sareesa was surprised at the desire that coiled through her. So different from her disgust at his seduction before. Probably because now it was fiery, alive; passionate.

Maybe it was the scent of his blood, throbbing so close to hers. The remaining passion from her feeding, or the heat of her anger from Valdisdan's manipulation, all of them urging her to do what her body so feverently begged her to.

Sensing her mixed emotions, he decided to change her mind. His mouth, cold, icy; slipped around hers, his practiced tongue parting her lips as he drank in her essence.

She tasted wonderful.

Like sweet, hot blood after a long fast. Like cool darkness and the wind beneath his wings. The feeling of scorching passion, her lithe body pressing against his own, no barrier between them.

He knew that he could simply transport them somewhere, vanish their clothes and have his way with her; but she would never trust him again. Even this small accomplishment was enough for now.

Slowly, he left her mouth, leaving her wanting more- more of his cool touch.

He lifted away from her, bracing himself on the stone, his hands flat against the wall on either side of her. He was panting slightly, his muscular chest heaving with the effort of controlling his passion. His head hung close to hers. Her own long hands pressed the wall by her hips, trying to steady herself.

He stroked her face again, lifting her chin. Her mouth parted slightly, whether in passion or terror he couldn't tell.

"I will return," he whispered. "Count on it."

The seductive, avid quality in his voice made her body ache with unquenched desire.

And then he was gone, leaving her breathless and shaking in the dark alley, one hand pressed firmly to her lips.

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Sareesa sank to the dusty ground, her lips swollen from the Count's mouth, eyes still wide in shock.

Firstly, he'd found her. Secondly, he'd kissed her; not attacked her. Third, he had nearly ravished her...

Wicked thoughts stirred in her, remnant of her bond with him. Nearly.

Maybe she wanted to be.

"Or not," she snapped aloud at her conscience.

Her breasts were feeling very trapped, sore within the corset, as was her waist.

Sighing, she pulled herself off the ground, brushing off the silk dress as she staggered slightly out onto the street.

For a moment, she gaped as the Count's piercing eyes stared out at her from across the street- then the image vanished, and she started wildly around her.

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Dracula smiled from the rooftop of the small tavern, watching as Sareesa tried to find him.

The image he'd just sent her lingered in her mind, a sweet taste of him, haunting her.

He knew that she wanted him.

He also knew that she hated herself for it.

Another thing he had felt in her mind, though he had not been controlling it at the time, was a name.

A presence. One that connected very heavily to the vampire he'd seen embracing Sareesa.

So this man, the Alchemist, he was hiding behind false banners, winning her affections, sleeping with her even, all the while planning to kill her.

He felt terrible anger at this Valdisdan, for leading her own so far.

To pretend that he loved her.

Dracula felt a pang within his heart, recalling that he had done the exact same thing.

Why was he any better?

This line of thought made him miserable, and he felt like apologizing and kissing all of the tears away from her, taking her away from this sadistic killer.

But he had to wait.

If it was just a freak coincidence, or if there was proof of Valdisdan's being the Alchemist.

He resigned himself to following Sareesa back to the castle through the air, watching as she straddled the small horse, galloping over the broken ground with a fiery passion.

Dracula settled in a copse of trees not far from the cliffs, where he could find a cave to stay during the day; not that he really needed to. Sunlight did not bother him as it did most vampires. (A/N my story. bugoff...)

His eyes closed again as he joined with Sareesa's mind once more, feeling a slight tinge of guilt for spying on her like this. Then he settled into the branch, watching as she returned to the castle.

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Sareesa dismounted in the courtyard, breathing hard. Normally, a ride like that wouldn't have taken her breath away, but with the corset, she felt like she might pass out any second.

Stumbling up the steps, she made her way to her room, shutting the door and making sure there wasn't anyone around.

She began to feel for the laces, cursing as she realized that they were looped and knotted elaborately, making it impossible for her to remove it on her own.

"Need some help?" The soft, husky voice made her jump, and for a moment she thought of the Count. Had he followed her here?

The she looked and her heart eased as she saw Valdisdan, shorter dark hair falling over his eyes as he grinned toothily at her.

She sighed, muttering in a resigned tone. "It's these damned laces. I think that maid wants me to live in this corset." She plucked at the heavy material, her chest rising and falling shakily as she struggled for air.

He laughed, his large hands caressing her shoulders, his fingers sliding across her pale skin as he made his way down her back to the laces in an agonizingly slow pattern.

He untied the first few knots in the lace, then began to loosen the corset.

Then he realized that to take the thing off, he'd have to fully unlace it.

Valdisdan grinned mischievously as he pried the laces open, running them with small clicks through the holes. Sareesa felt her waist loosen, and she took a deep breath, sighing.

Then she yelped slightly as the dress, which was now loose from the abscence of the corset, slipped down over her breasts. She scrabbled with the silk, dragging it back over her chest and holding it there as Valdisdan dropped the corset onto the chair. She started as he pulled the clip out of her hair, letting it cascade over her half-bare shoulders.

His arms twined around her middle, and his body curved against hers, her smooth skin clashing with his own rough quality. He kissed her neck, trailing up to her ear, nibbling seductively on her earlobe.

She groaned, her head falling back.

Then one of his hands somehow loosened the dress, and it fell off her shoulders, sliding down. She blushed, trying to hold it up, but he grasped her hands with his own.

"Don't. I want to see you." He kissed her pale skin, making his way ponderously to her breasts, rising and falling steadily with her every breath. "You're-" he kissed the top of her chest, grinning, his fangs sliding across her skin, and she gasped. "Beautiful."

It was too much.

She whirled, her arms winding around his neck, and they kissed furiously. Her hands fell to his shirt, forcing it off and tossing it away, revealing his darker skin and hard muscles. Meanwhile, he slid her dress down, and she stepped out of it, her pale body pressed against him as her fingers worked on his belt.

They toppled onto the bed, their passions raging as they joined together..

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Dracula's fists clenched- his heart wrenched within him as he felt Sareesa and the other bastard screwing the hell out of one another.

His talons slid in and out, piercing his palms, blood trickling over the leaves in the tree as he listened.

Sareesa's pleasure was evident in his mind, rippling through him, and he wished that it was him with her, not a brutal murderer.

But she was blinded by him, by his 'love' for her.

Tortured with having to wait, Dracula clenched the tree, forced to endure this display of false love.

He withdrew from her mind, trying to close off as much of their bond as possible, just enough to feel her soul. As if she brushed against him. Raw desire coursed through him, and he forced his mind away from lusting after her.

If he wanted her back, truly, he would have to show her which man, which vampire, was better.

He would have to love her.

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Egh.

I'm depressed.

Fluffy time.

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Dracula: -jabs screen- Why can't I just barge in there, take the damn girl, and screw her senseless? It makes sense, doesn't it?!

Hadasah: -rubs temples- This is why I am author and you are simply a figment of my imagination.

Dracula: Of your imagination? - grins darkly- Oh my dear... what a trivial thought. If I was a simple dream of your own, would I be able to do this? - rakes fangs over her neck-

Hadasah: -leans back, eyes closed- No...

Dracula: -stands up - You know... I see so much of you in Sareesa.

Hadasah: -mutters, continues typing - really...

Dracula: -places hands over hers, lips brushing neck- Yes, it's quite fantastic, isn't it?

Hadasah: -stares mindlessly at computer screen - whatever you say Count...

Dracula: - rubs nose on her neck, continues down to her collarbone- Now, that's much too formal... Say my name.

Hadasah: Dracula? - hopeful smile-

Dracula: -nips her- Try again...

Hadasah: -shudders- Vlad..

Dracula: -hands snake around her- Yesss...

Hadasah: Vladislaus...-turns around-

Dracula: - chuckles- Much better.

Hadasah: -stands, hands on his chest, whispers hoarsely- Shut up.

Dracula: wha-

Hadasah: -kisses him-

Dracula: - kisses back-

Hadasah: -gasps- i'll be back later.. a little unfinished business to take care of first...

Dracula: -smirks-

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It gets worse every time...

stupid. stupid... wonderful- Dracula..

-drools-

I am so retarded.

Review if you want. I like reviews. They make Hadasah giggle.

Mind: Why does it refer to us in third person precious?

Hadasah: Because we wants to my love.

Mind: Ahhh... precious, we understands, we do.

Hadasah: We has nooo idea...