Vlad Dracula strode through Alnerwick. The shadows seemed to cling onto him. Swiftly, he asked to see Endon. He didn't seemed surprise to learn that he was dead. He asked who was Baron now that Endon was dead, and scowled when he received an answer. He then requested that he should see Lucius at once. He was hastily brought before Lucius in his office.
"Who are you?" Lucius scowled at him. Dracula hid his displeasure and disgust deep inside of him.
"My name is Vladislaus Dragulia, although most people call me Vlad Dracula. An even larger group just calls me Dracula," Dracula replied. He saw Lucius frown, and knew that he was trying to place his accent.
"I'm from the far East, across the sea."
"The far East," Lucius echoed. He shook his head.
"Why have you disturbed me?" he asked. Dracula struggled not to scowl.
"I seek protection. My army perished when we went to fight the Turks. I've been stripped of my title as 'Prince of Wallachia'. The Turks hunt me. I only seek sanctuary in Alnerwick."
"Oh yeah? And what can you offer to Alnerwick in return for sanctuary?" Lucius asked. Dracula had a feeling that when Lucius said Alnerwick, he really meant himself. He gave a sharp-toothed grin.
"I'm a good soldier- I can show you how to fight," he replied.
"My Father taught me and my brother swordplay," Lucius sniffed.
"There is much more to combat then just swordplay, Lucius. In order to win, sometimes you have to fight dirty. I know a trick or two that might benefit you. Plus, as I understand, your brother has been quite… withdrawn lately. I can help with that." Dracula said. Lucius looked up.
"How do you know about my brother being withdrawn?"
"Servant's talk, young one. I heard that he has taken the passing of your father very deeply indeed."
"That's none of your business!" A sharp voice from behind Dracula snarled. Dracula spun around to see a girl with piercing amber eyes glare at him.
"Who are you?" Dracula said sharply. He wasn't used to being addressed by a child.
"That is my sister, Artemis. Artemis, this is Dracula-"
"I know who he is- I'm not deaf!" the girl narrowed her eyes. Dracula glared at her but she didn't look away. Usually, when Dracula glared at somebody, they quickly looked away. The way this girl was staring at him with her wolfish amber eyes, made Dracula want to look away.
"I want to know what you want with Gabriel," Artemis said.
"Artemis, watch your mouth- Dracula is a Wallachian Prince," Lucius said.
"He's not a prince anymore. He smells like trouble," Artemis replied.
"I'm not trouble! I just seek sanctuary-"
Artemis narrowed her eyes at him.
"You don't seek sanctuary. You seek to start up your cult."
It felt like a knife had just cut into Dracula's soul. How in hell had the girl known about his true intentions?
"My Wolves know things you mere humans don't," she replied cryptically, as if reading his thoughts.
"You seek to set up a cult? What about?" Lucius asked to Dracula's surprise. Artemis arched an eyebrow at him.
"It's not a cult- not really. I worship a powerful entity called Drakenith the Last Dragon. I believe there will come a time when Drakenith will someday fly these skies again with me hosting his spirit."
"Lucius, we cannot let him practise his cult, much less give him sanctuary! He means trouble," Artemis said. Dracula was really hating the girl now.
"But Artemis, with a cult, we can keep everyone out of trouble. The crime rate in Alnerwick has gone up since I became Baron. Plus, Dracula says he can help Gabriel," Lucius said.
"Are you nuts? There's nothing wrong with Gabriel- he's just grieving for father-"
"Silence!" Lucius roared. Artemis flinched.
"I am Baron here, and you will obey me!"
"And you've tasked me with protecting you and Gabriel. Plus, I am your sister-"
"You are a bastard," Lucius cut in. Artemis narrowed her eyes at her brother.
"Excuse me?" she growled.
"You heard me- You are a bastard child. The only reason you're still alive is because of your talents," Lucius replied." Artemis stood frozen in place, shocked at her brother's cruel words. Dracula could see the pain behind her eyes and smiled.
"Family is everything, huh?" she said quietly. Then she gave her brother a dark look.
"Screw family," she snapped. Then she turned around and started to walk away.
"Where are you going?!" Lucius yelled.
"Goodbye, Lucius," Artemis said, without looking at him.
"Stop! That's an order!"
Artemis shot him a dirty look.
"You do not command me," she said darkly and then Artemis Van Helsing walked out.