Sarah's arms engulfed him and Alfred felt the fire inside of him sated and yet growing all at the same moment. This devotion was new, yet as deep and familiar as the old one. He wanted to run off with her now. They would not get far, but he wanted to take her regardless. Last night had been so strange. Sarah had held him, caressed him, kissed him like he were something worthwhile to her. Like she felt this same fire that he did. Her bite had been horribly pleasant as it had burned against his skin.

Suddenly, she jumped from his arms and set a distance between them. He'd displeased her. He had no idea how he'd done it, but he knew that he had. Oh, to displease Sarah! Alfred would go through fire if it would prevent her from being displeased. His devotion to her seemed to have increased tenfold from before. What did she want of him? Alfred would do anything she wanted of him. She was a goddess to him: something now to be worshipped and adored.

"I thought I had killed you." The girl admitted and then broke into a sob. Oh, her tears! He could not stand to see her tears. Alfred rushed to her and brushed them away with his thumb. He wanted to kiss them, they were so precious. Yet this goddess seemed displeased with his touch. "I'm so sorry, Alfred. I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault." He told her fervently. "You did not mean to."

"No, I meant to!" Sarah insisted, her voice hysterical. "I meant to! I meant all of this and now I… Now I don't know." Her little body shook and he wanted to wrap his arms around it. How could he protect her? What could he do to help her? Alfred would do anything, anything at all she commanded.

"What do you want?" Alfred inquired of the angel. "What do you want, Sarah? Name it. I'll do anything for you." His hands brushed her shoulders and his eyes glanced the horrible gash upon her neck. The fiend. The monster. Had he harmed her? Alfred would kill him if he so much as laid a finger upon Sarah.

"No..." She groaned, brushing his arms away. Her eyes, beautifully brown eyes, would not look up at him. It was like she was sick, horribly sick. Alfred did not know how to help her. "No, I don't want this. I don't want..."

"What?"

"This!" Sarah gestured to him, those eyes finally meeting his. "I don't want a slave, Alfred! That's what you'll be now, isn't it? Because I made you, you'll be bared to me. I don't want you to be. I didn't mean for you to be-"

He stepped forward, "Sarah-"

"Don't touch me!" She commanded in a voice that forced him to comply. His body could not move even if he wished it. All in a moment, her bright eyes widened. "No, no, I... I'm sorry for last night. I'm sorry for changing you and kissing you and all of it! I'm so very sorry." Her eyes locked on his, panic stricken. "And what am I now? Am I a slave now? Will I have to do whatever he wants?"

"I won't let him touch you!" Alfred told her fiercely but she threw up a hand to silence him.

She shook her head, "No, no. I don't need you to... I need to leave. I have to go. I feel sick, Alfred. I've never felt so sick." Again she burst into tears but her warning not to touch her rang in his mind like a terrible chorus. "I don't think this is right. I think something is wrong with me."

"Sarah!" He called desperately, but she had turned her back to him. In an instant she was gone and everything inside of him was ruined.

OOO

He had left her lying there when he awoke to attended to the castle. For what was he meant to do? There was business to attend to and Sarah was…distraught. Far more distraught than he had anticipated her to be. How she had screamed when he'd taken her in his arms. How terribly she had gazed at him. Had she not desired this? Had she not desired this freedom from her mundane and dreary life? She had wanted him as he'd wanted her, he'd been certain and yet…

Never mind it, it would all be remedied soon enough. The boy would be gone as soon as Von Krolock could manage it, and Sarah would adjust simply enough. The change was more gripping for some, but Sarah would be his. He'd given her his blood insuring that she would be. He had not anticipated Sarah poisoning the boy's blood but it was of little consequence now. Sarah's ties would only be to Von Krolock. Her loyalty would only fall to him.

There were other things to attend to than the emotions of a young girl. A wing of the castle needed to be restored from the fire. The Professor had fled and Von Krolock had already sent out scavengers to be rid of him. He could not allow word to go to the village. He could not allow an outcry.

He had left Sarah lying there when he awoke to attend his business. She'd awakened from her peace for a moment asking where he was going before he placed a kiss upon her temple and willed her back to slumber. She had rested so sweetly in his arms. After her tears and her pleadings, she had rested in his arms and drifted off to sleep. Everything would be fine. Sarah would soon find remedy when she stopped denying herself her desires. Sarah would find remedy when she allowed herself to be his.

For that was how such a changed functioned. She was his now, an extension of him, and she would be sick and tormented should she deny such a truth.

Hours later, she was awake. He sensed it like a part of himself. Still extremely frightened was she. Still very ill was she. Come to me, he willed but it seemed she would not heed him. Come to me, he insisted again and yet still felt her denying him. Von Krolock moved from his study, sensing her in the near corridor. She breezed past him like she did not see him, her eyes setting upon the grand staircase. It seemed she meant to leave.

He followed her down the hall and the girl made no move to see him. Silently, he stalked her and descended the staircase behind her, completely un-sensed by her. That was a thing he'd have to teach her, he realized, sensing those around her. There was much to teach her but he would not mind it. She was to be his now, his companion. She was not going to run away. Not easily at least.

OOO

Herbert had convinced Alfred not to follow Sarah and instead whisked him down the hall and off towards his bed chamber. Not for any nefarious purpose, mind you (though some did cross his mind), but to save Alfred a dreadful run in with Herbert's father. No doubt father would want much with the girl and it would be best if Alfred were not in the way. Father was unamused by last night's debacle and all the others had been as well. Yes, it was in Alfred's best interest to be far, far away from father. Herbert mused to himself that perhaps the girl could relieve father's torments and then felt like vomiting for thinking such a thing.

Perhaps Alfred could relieve my torments, Herbert mused gesturing the boy in the bed chamber. The boy seemed—once again—nervous the gesture but Herbert rolled his eyes and the boy agreed.

"I'll never hold with rape," Herbert assured him once again. "I've not brought you in here to 'corrupt' you, chéri. It would just be wise for you to stay away from father for the time being. And from his pet too."

"Stop calling her 'his pet'." Alfred grumbled, sitting onto the bed gruffly. Herbert glanced about the room, his own room, and fancied it needed a dusting. "She's not his pet."

God, they were always like this when they were first made. The devotion at first was sickening, and especially worse if some feeling had already resided. Alfred was so utterly devoted to Sarah that he was going to make himself sick with it. Sarah was Herbert's fathers now and Herbert's father was not one keen upon sharing. Especially not with how he'd pined for that girl for years and years.

Well, if father gets a new companion, I should too, Herbert thought as he sat upon the bed. For father was getting a new companion, was he not? It was an odd thing to really consider. For over hour hundred years it had only been consistently Herbert and this father in this place. Was this Sarah meant to be here forever? Was she just a passing obsession?

Herbert sighed. "I know you've taken a fancy to her, darling, but she and father are bonded now and there is no going back."

"Bonded?" Alfred said with a horrified look. Good, so it seemed the little vampire hunter knew a least a bit about the creatures he was trying to kill. "How can they be bonded?"

"I gather he fed her his blood after we dragged the both of you here." Herbert knew, for Herbert could sense such things. In a bloodline as old as theirs, one could sense when another was added to it. As he thought more on his previous musing, Herbert surmised that perhaps Sarah was not a passing obsession for father hardly ever added others to the bloodline. Herbert could not even remember a time that he'd created a blood bond with another.

He cleared his throat. "As for consummation, I make it a point not to know those details about my father."

Alfred groaned at the word, dropping his head into his hands. Men could be so peculiar about women, Herbert thought as he watched Alfred in his self-inflicted agony. Men could be so peculiar about Sarah, Herbert corrected as he studied his nails. Herbert couldn't help but smirk, for having Alfred here was proving to be entirely amusing. Would it matter if Sarah had slept with Herbert's father? Was Alfred of the type to believe all women need be virgins to be worth anything at all? Or was he just too innocent to even consider such a thing? When Alfred meets the other creatures of the castle he is going to be absolutely horrified.

"Well you can't spend the rest of eternity bemoaning your fate upon my bed." Herbert moved towards the boy who was still covering his face in his distress. "You definitely can spend it in my bed, but you'll be no fun if you're crying the whole time."

"I'm not-"

"Joking," Herbert said with a smirk. "Now get up, you'll wrinkle the sheets."

Slowly, Alfred peeled himself from the bed, though he did still look like he was going to vomit. Not only that, the whole of him was quite a mess. His clothes were shabby and his hair absolutely all over the place. This would not do.

Alfred narrowed his eyes, "What?"

"You look dreadful," Herbert responded. "Here, we'll brush your hair and get you new clothes-"

"I'm not changing in front of you."

"Oh, you caught me! This was an elaborate seduction ploy!" Herbert feigned flirtation as he walked to his wardrobe. Alfred was a bit thinner than he, but he suppose they could find something to fit.

Alfred responded gruffly, "Just yesterday you attacked me in the hall!"

"I was overly excited. It shan't happen again." Herbert pulled out a simple white shirt and pants. He was certain Alfred wouldn't want anything more flamboyant than that. Yet. "Here. I'll leave, if that makes you more comfortable." Alfred said it would so Herbert waited in the hall until the boy came out looking far better than he had before. Herbert grinned, "You look tres handsome chéri."

"Thanks," Alfred grumbled in his now usual grumpy tone. He hesitated. "So what do we do? I mean...what do you do with eternity?"

"Well," Herbert began slowly. "I usually start with breakfast."

OOO

He was right behind her. Of course he was, Sarah knew that. Suddenly, she wished more than nothing else that she was brave. She wished she was brave like other women to just face him and not be so frightened of him. Other women all wanted to be in the castle. Other women had talked of how wonderful of lovers vampires were and now Sarah felt her whole face flushing. Why be so frightened of him now? Never in her life had he scared her. Even when he should have, never had be frightened her.

Nothing he'd ever done had frightened her like his hand on her shoulder now did. Nothing was scarier than that.

"I want to go." She said and her voice felt no larger than a mouse. No, something smaller than a mouse. An ant perhaps. A flea. Yet he said nothing and she felt him step nearer. The door was so close. Outside it, it was dark and cold and no doubt her mama and papa were frantically worried for her. How terrible she had been to have left them. What an awful, ungrateful, horrible daughter she was.

She continued, "Please. I want to go."

"Where do you want to go, my dearest one?" His hands locked in her hair like long needles. They twisted around, moving her hair like a needle moves thread. His dearest one. Was she truly his dearest one? Or was this all a lie, a deception, like she'd been told it was before. Yet even as he frightened her, Sarah felt oddly comforted by him as a warmth spread all through her body. Like a spider and a fly... She thought wistfully but didn't think of the danger of it. As he spoke, his voice was like a lullaby long forgotten. Was he singing? She no longer could tell.

"I-I..." Sarah stammered but had forgotten why she was standing there by the door. She wanted to... She wanted to be with him. Yes, he made her feel better. It felt like... It felt like he'd stolen half of her and now held it captive deep in his chest. If only she could tear him open and take that bit back, then she could leave. But for now... For now she wanted to be closer to him. She wanted to stay here. And visions filled her mind like they had before but they were more vivid now. Bright reds and purples in a room made of glass and diamonds and kisses and touches and not feeling so sick and not feeling so sad...

"Come, Sarah," he extended a hand and she took it like a child lost somewhere in a daydream. They walked a familiar way and Sarah came to realize he was guiding her back to the room she'd had before. This part of the castle had not been touched by the fire she'd seen earlier. Down the hall was the room with the bath and several other rooms she had not seen. He led her into the bed chamber but no fear took hold of her like she thought it would.

The Count let go of her hand, moving to the room's wardrobe. Everything looked different now; she had not noticed when she'd first woken up. The colors of the room seemed bright and vivid though the castle's interior was quite dark. Could she see in darkness now? Yes, it seemed she could for there were no candles. How strange to live in a place with no light. It frightened her to think it. Why had he moved so far away from her? Sarah felt so sick when he was far away from her.

"Here." He came back to her with a dress in his arms. "I'll fetch someone to dress you."

"I can dress." Sarah told him immediately for she knew not what else to say. Certainly, she could not look at him either. Why could she not breathe with him near? Her hand touched the dress softly and it seemed to be filled with magic.

"Whatever makes you comfortable." His words were so soft as he spoke to her. They were soft like the finest of fabrics. Again he moved from her, setting the dress out upon the bed. It was dark blue and beautiful and Sarah was left to wonder why he had purchased her such finery. Perhaps there were others before her, others he had fixated upon. Maybe these were dresses worn by others before her and were now meant to be her own. These were other things she had not considered. So many things she had not considered...

How terribly Sarah had wanted all of this and now she had it and knew not what to do. She'd wanted to be a princess. A beautiful princess and Sarah had cast her angel as her handsome prince. They'd live in their castle and be in love and everything would be wonderful. What a silly dream. What a ridiculous fancy.

"How do you feel?" He asked suddenly and she knew not how to respond. His hands cupped the sides of her face, his long thumb brushing along her cheek. Everything inside of her turned to have him touching her so lithely. That ache inside of her was flaring up again. Those giddy feelings she once felt were returning.

Sarah blinked, "I feel ill. Very ill." And she felt compelled to look him in the eye so she did and everything inside of her was rupturing.

"You're frightened." He told her and Sarah found herself nodding even though she did not mean to. "What scares you, precious one?"

"You." She admitted without even a thought. It was the truth, of course it was, but her saying it perplexed her. Then his odd and bone like hand reached for her chin, holding it so her eyes must meet his even if she did not want them to.

"You need not be frightened of me." He told her and she nodded though her heart was still pounding. Sarah had the worst fear that he was going to kiss her, and an even more terrible fear that he would not. "This is your home now, Sarah. This castle. I don't want you to be frightened here."

Her head bobbed once again thought again she did not mean it. It allowed her a release from his grasp in the least. She let her eyes flit about the room. The beautiful bed was still so lush and that ridiculous red lounge still sat in the corner. It seemed to mock her. It seemed to mock her and the ridiculous fantasies she had had the previous night. Silly fancies of him kissing her. Why did it matter that he kissed her?

"What are you thinking?" The Count asked of her for she had begun to move about the bedroom. Sarah was not sure why. Then her legs seemed to be frozen and she was more sure why. He was a hypnotist. Yes, Sarah remembered someone telling her that. And with him creating her... Sarah was certain she must do whatever he desired of her. The thought made her feel ill again.

Sarah blinked, "Stop that."

"You're welcome anywhere in the castle." He continued like he had not heard her nor asked her for her thoughts.

She half wanted to ask if she could leave but knew the answer already.

"What am I meant to do?" Sarah inquired, for the question had been pressing at her mind. "What am I meant to do here?" Her thoughts raced with what he might answer, for he was staring at her so queerly and she felt her face burning up with fire. He stared at her like one stares at a clown or an amusing painting or a silly, silly child.

He answered simply, "Whatever you wish." The paused a long moment before talking again. "Though there are rules."

"Rules?" Sarah repeated, her mind racing with foul and terrible things.

"Simple things," The Count replied. "Don't hunt in the village. Try to stay out of sight. Don't harm children." He stepped nearer, "And you must not leave the castle until maters have been sorted."

Her eyes blinked, wondering what he meant by that. The strange haze had come back: the strange haze that always came back when he was near. Part of this hypnotism, no doubt. Could she hypnotize now too? Sarah had so many things to ask him, but he seemed very inclined not to speak much with her. Everything he said seemed a riddle…. A riddle revealing more riddles…

Sarah dropped her gaze, "All right." Then his hand moved again to brush her hair away. She would not let it affect her. She could not let him affect her. "Is this my room now? Is this where I stay?"

"If you wish."

Sarah wanted to slap him. Sarah wanted to scream at him and toss him out the window and set the castle aflame with herself inside of it. Why could he not just say what he desired of her? Why could he not just say what she was here and what he wanted? Sarah knew what he wanted. It dropped like a boulder in her stomach when she thought it but she knew it in the very least.

So she was to stay in this room for her mornings or go lie back in that box with him. It seemed her options were humiliation or loneliness and Sarah knew not which was worse. Then he moved to leave her and she knew which one she could not bear.

"Wait." Her fingers grasped the fine cloth of his long cape. She ran her thumb along it gingerly, feeling his free beneath her fingertips. "Please don't go."

Her mind raced with what he was going to do. She wondered if he'd kiss her. Sarah wanted him to kiss her. She thought of all those happy visions she'd had, those wonderful fantasies. She thought of those years of waiting and yearning and wanting and how she did not want them to be soiled. Did he even care about her? Sarah thought he cared about her. How could he just leave her? Leave her all alone in this bedroom. Leave her and not hold her... he had held her while they rested. Did he remember? Sarah did. She had liked being in his arms. For her whole life, all she wanted was to be in his arms.

"I..." Sarah stammered as he turned back towards her. "I... don't know what to do. I feel so-"

"Hush."

He reached for her and Sarah collapsed into his arms once again. Please, I don't understand, she wanted to beg. Tell me what's happening. Please don't leave me alone. Why did you want me? Why for all these years did you want me? I don't understand. I thought I understood but I do not. Her eyes opened and were stuck in the darkness of his attire. Sarah remembered she still wore the flimsy shift and she wished she were wearing something less ridiculous. What sort of lady parades around in her undergarment? Her mother would've been so cross with her. Oh, her mother… Sarah clutched her angel tighter. Would he not protect her? Would he not love her?

It seemed he was not one accustomed to giving comfort, for he spoke no words to her as she cried. His hands were brushing her hair. Slowly, his hands moved along different parts of her body and Sarah felt a shock go through her at that. Could she not be brave as she had been before? In the previous nights, she had craved his intimacy. She had craved his touch and his kiss. So much had she thought about it. Did he even still care for her?

The angel spoke, "I shall leave you to dress."

Sarah shook her head fiercely, clutching him tighter to her.

"I shan't go far, my dearest one." He released her from his arms, lifting her hand to his lips and kissing it lightly. It sent a great hum through her whole being. Would he not kiss her? Sarah so wanted him to kiss her. "Then I shall show you the castle."

Softly, Sarah nodded, her eyes reaching to his to find his gaze boring into her. Would he kiss her? Sarah was not so naïve to not know what such a gaze meant. For they were entirely alone in this bed chamber, and she was wearing naught but a flimsy shift. Yes, Sarah keenly realized how very little she had on, and it seemed he did as well. He looked at her like he wanted to inhale her, devour her. She wanted him to. So she moved closer in her wanting him to, her fingers grasping the front of his shirt. Her little fingers touched the fine buttons softly. Closer still she came, her figure lightly pressed against his own. Would he not kiss her? Sarah toyed with the buttons, wondering if she could reach inside of him whether she would find that little bit of her that felt missing.

He quieted her thoughts, "I shall be outside, precious one."

In but an instant, he was gone. Like she had not moved towards him, she was gone. Like he had not looked at her like that, he was gone. Her angel, it seemed, was nothing but a riddle. A riddle of a man who had no answer at all. Why did he fly? He wanted her. Sarah knew he wanted her and still he…

She looked to the dress upon the bed. It was beautiful. Everything in this castle was beautiful.

So why was she terrified to move?

Why did he not love her?