Uncle Vlad- Book 1- The Lost Dracula
Chapter 10: Familiar?
Marlin and Eddie sat on the bed of Marlin's dark bedroom in silence, a lot of things have happened since discovering the Chosen Ones disappearance. The palace servants have been rushing around the castle looking in every room in the castle seeing as if the by some chance that Vladimir was hiding in one of those rooms and playing a trick on them, but it seemed highly unlikely. Marlin knew his uncle had been kidnaped someone had been spying on the castle that is what the camera was for all along, that much was obvious, he should have shown the camera to Wolfie. God! He should have shown the camera to his uncle then at least Vlad would be more aware, but he hadn't and now his uncle had been kidnaped!
Wolfie had sent Marlin to stay in his room, with Eddie to keep him company saying he would question him later, at the moment with the Grand High Vampire missing and Talitha thousands of miles away Wolfie was the next in charge, he had sent some of the servants to search the gardens and the lake where Vlad had been seen being taken away. Marlin and Eddie watched them search from the bedroom window they could tell they weren't having any luck.
Marlin didn't know what had happened exactly but Eddie told him that some of the cleaning staff saw some black figures of maybe five or six running towards loch-ness with a young man that looked like Vladimir Dracula being carried over one of the figures shoulders and the group had suddenly leapt into water and that was the last of them.
"I wonder how they did it." Eddie said.
"Did what?" Marlin mumbled playing with the loose cotton on his t-shirt, feeling horrible, if only he had told Vlad about the camera…
"Get in the castle," Eddie said, "It would have to be someone we know or someone who has access to the castle or they wouldn't be able to get in."
"Or there is a fault in the 'security system,'" Marlin put an emphasis on 'security system'.
"That's true," Eddie said leaning back on the headboard, "And who ever kidnapped His Grandness is likely to be the owner of the camera," Eddie said, he already figured that one out "maybe we should tell master Wolfie about it?" Marlin swore that Eddie was a mind reader.
"I was thinking that myself," Marlin sighed, "By the way did you get any more info on the camera?" Marlin asked.
"Yeah I did actually," Eddie said with a big smile on his face, "The O on the camera logo stands for O-mega it's a foreign company that make cameras, Germany I think...but they are hard to find in the UK."
"So the culprit is probably German or knows where to look for rare things."
"Or he could be any nationality and stopped at Germany to buy a camera...or maybe just used the internet" Eddie suggested.
"That too but I'd rather hope it was the first two options as they narrow it down a lot, the next time we see Wolfie we are showing him the camera"
Eddie nodded in agreement, but none of the two boy's considered where the camera was at that moment...
Xxx
The time was now half past four and Marlin and Eddie where getting bored, they were waiting for that knock on the door that said that they have done searching and they could come out again, finally it did happen. A soft knock sounded behind the door, it creaked open and Beth's head pocked out smiling.
"I'm sorry for the wait," She said, "You must have been bored! But don't worry the investigation is done but Master Wolfie would like to speak to you two."
Beth lead the two boys towards the dining room, Marlin couldn't help but notice that the dining room was becoming a very commonly used room, but Marlin's thoughts weren't on that! He was going to tell Wolfie everything, the camera, the blood seed, his dream and sneaking into Vlad's room this would have never happened if Marlin had just been honest in the first place, no because of him his uncle had disappeared...
Beth pushed open the door, Marlin expected to see Wolfie sitting on one of chairs with a stern face with arms crossed getting ready to give a long lecture about being in his Grandness room at the time he disappeared but Marlin really should of known better and he found himself relaxing when he found Wolfie once again stuffing his face with meat, probably lamb.
Marlin didn't like lamb...
"Hi Marlin hi Edd!" Wolfie greeted them once his food was down his throat, "Sit down and tell me what you want for eat, it's nearly tea time!"
Eddie's face lit up at the mention of food and did not hesitate to sit in one of the chairs and ask for meat pie and chips, Marlin asked for the same thing but not really feeling hungry Wolfie tapped on the table and the food appeared. He just wanted Wolfie to start asking questions already!
"Sorry you had to stay in your room for that long," Wolfie said wiping his mouth, "But we could not have you wandering around while we question people and look for clues on Vlad's whereabouts."
"Have you found anything?" Marlin said, wanting to bring up the subject about the camera.
"Nothing," Wolfie said taking another bite of his meat, "None of the servants are missing so they weren't the kidnappers but they could have always let the intruders in though, so much for the magic security system." Wolfie sighed, "We want to keep this quiet for now from the public and the council, we don't need the whole vampire world in panic or others trying to take the throne but luckily there a very few certain people that can help us they are on their way as we speak..."
"Err Wolfie," Marlin interrupted, "I might have found something that could help."
"Yeah you looked like you wanted to tell me something, you looked a little stressed, tell me what's up"
Marlin then told Wolfie about the camera he had found outside the castle and the clip he had found.
"You know we could have done with you telling us this a bit sooner, like when you first found the thing." Wolfie said sounding a little disappointed if not sarcastic.
"We apologise master Wolfie" Eddie said, even though he couldn't have done anything anyway.
"Sorry Wolfie," Marlin mumbled feeling a little ashamed of him.
"What's done is done all we can do is try to fix it," Wolfie said finishing the last of his meat "Eddie can you go a get this camera please and show it to me while I talk to Marlin for a bit".
Eddie looked at Marlin as if asking permission and Marlin nodded and Eddie hurried off. Marlin wondered what Wolfie would want with him, probably a lecture but that didn't seem to be Wolfie's style he seemed like the type of guy who would just get on with the point and not bother with meaningless speeches.
"Would you like to tell me why you were in Vlad's room just a view hours ago" Wolfie said "Or is it secret?"
This was Marlin's chance he wasn't holding back now!
"Yeah I was looking for something," Marlin started but the moment he tried to say the Blood Seed his throat suddenly froze up like the word 'blood seed' was stuck in the back of his throat and it refusing to come out, it was the same feeling like when he was trying to tell his Uncle about it but he just put it down to nerves but this feeling was a lot stronger than before.
"Ahh, I think I understand now," Wolfie said with a look of worry on his face "I wouldn't force it out it won't do any good."
"But what's wrong with me?" Marlin said now finding his voice now feeling a quite upset his voice was shaking "Why can't I bring my words out?"
Wolfie got up from his chair strolling over to Marlin and knelt down next to him and up his hands on his shoulders for comfort "Marlin," he said calmly, "I think you've been jinxed."
"Jinxed?" Marlin said suddenly confused, he knew that being jinxed was bad but he had no idea what it meant in the vampire world.
"It's just like I said," Wolfie continued "a jinx is when a supernatural creature places something like a curse on you, don't worry its nothing fatal but it just prevents you from doing something or in your case saying something, someone doesn't want you saying something but they want to keep you alive, though you need to be really careful."
"But can't I write it down or show you in a book or something?" Wolfie shook his head
"It's not as easy as that a jinx goes very deep it won't let you write the words down or show it to someone, it's a complicated and difficult spell only the most powerful vampire can do it. And I mean powerful like Chosen One powerful."
"Can you break the curse?" Marlin asked hopefully, but Wolfie just shook his head again.
"Definitely not me, werewolves don't really like magic it's not natural and even if we did find someone who can do magic they would have to be stronger than the person who placed it on you and the only guy I can think of with enough power is Vlad and he's gone! Do you know who placed the curse on you and then we can try finding them?"
Marlin shook his head he had a good idea who it was, but he had no name for him and he couldn't be 100% sure if he was a vampire or not. Wolfie nodded.
"You probably won't be able to tell me anyway," He sighed and went back to his chair, "The only advice I can give you for now is that to be careful where you go and who you speak to, it's possible that the person who jinxed you is keeping tags on you."
"So you are not going kick me out or anything?" Marlin asked.
"No" Wolfie said sternly "It's not your fault, I know just by looking at you that you didn't want this I will look up more information and ask our friends advice don't worry we will sort this out." Suddenly Wolfie was interrupted by Eddie who banged open the doors his face flushed and in panic Beth was behind him looking just as confused as the two young nobles who sat at the table.
"I'm so sorry for my rude intrusion," Eddie said with a slight bow "But the camera that my master found later today and the film footage we saved onto the computer is now gone!"
Xxx
"What is it with things disappearing nowadays?" Wolfie sighed lazily banging his head on the table.
"Em Master Wolfie sir," Beth said nervously not really knowing what was going on, " I just came to tell you that one of our guests is here already."
"Really?" Wolfie said picking his head up from the table, "Which one?"
"Hey guys!" Suddenly the sound a whooshing noise and a breeze came through the door and dark clothed man was suddenly besides Wolfie making Marlin jump in surprise, which it shouldn't have done because Marlin had seen his parents doing this many times when living in Garside he supposed it was because this was usually a quite castle and he hadn't seen much vampire activity.
"Robin, just because your vampire doesn't mean you have to use your powers for every little thing, you should have learnt this years ago!" Wolfie addressed the man who seemed to be called Robin.
"You're so serious about this stuff Wolfie!" Robin laughed patting him on the back, "Well that's werewolves for you hey!" Then suddenly Robin's dark brown eyes found Marlin sitting there in confusion wondering who this strange young man was.
He looked young, about seventeen or eighteen but like Vlad he was probably older, he skin was deathly pale and had neat dark black hair hanging in a fringe above his eyes.
"Are you going to introduce me to the kid?" Robin said turning to Wolfie with raised eyebrows, Wolfie pushed away from the man and turned to Marlin with a forced smile.
"Marlin this is Robin, he is loyal to your uncle, they have been friends for a long time now but he's still annoying as hell don't be afraid to slap him across the head now and again".
"Hey! Don't let the kid get any bad ideas," Robin said but he didn't seem too annoyed going by the smile on his face when he held out a pale hand to Marlin.
"Robin Branaugh, please to meet you," Marlin took the man's hand and to no surprise like all vampires it was cold.
"It's nice to meet you too," Marlin said smiling.
"Ah and little Eddie and Beth as well!" Robin said once he pulled away from Marlin, Eddie was still flushed from his run but he seemed to look pale compared to Beth's face when Robin addressed her.
"Hello Master Branaugh, how was your journey?" Beth asked with a small shy smile on her face.
"Horrible!" Robin groaned "The weather is making the roads bad, not all of us are blessed with a magic car that can go anywhere whatever the trouble."
"To be honest I'm surprised you're here so soon," Wolfie said, "You're the first one here and usually you're the one who's always late!"
"Oh, disappointed?" Robin smirked turning his neck back to see Wolfe's annoyed expression.
"I was hoping we could start the meeting without your annoying habits but I suppose I was wrong, you really are worried about Vlad aren't you?" Wolfie's voice and face expression softened at this point, "You care for him too much and you're shaking in worry though you are good at putting on a brave face."
Marlin noticed Robin's eyes widen and a pained expression on his face but it was gone in a second.
"You werewolves don't miss much do you despite your compulsive eating habits," Robin smiled and shook his head and turned full body to Wolfie, "So who else is coming here and how long do we have to wait?"
"The Van Helsings are on their way for sure, Renfield has gone to pick up Sally and George they should have been here first because I told Renfield to use the special car but something seems to be keeping them."
"Yeah, I would have thought those two would be here first as well considering everything that's happened, and what about Talitha?"
"Talitha is away on business she won't get the message in time and there is also a risk that the vampire council might find out from the message."
Robin nodded understanding then turned to Marlin who had no idea what the pair where talking about.
"Looks you like you don't know," Robin said, "The Van Helsings work for the slayers guild, a lot has changed there now, they only kill vampires who have been murdering humans or they bring them to the vampire council. We are trying to work together to avoid murdering each other but it is a strained relationship I'm just waiting for it to fall apart at any moment!"
"Robin!" Wolfie snapped at the vampire to shut up and turned to face Marlin, "More importantly than slayers Sally and George are your uncle's mother and sister."
"What!" Marlin gasped in shock, he hadn't expected this no one had told him let alone mentioned it! He turned to Eddie who just shrugged.
"I suppose I could have mentioned it" Eddie laughed nervously rubbing the back of his head "It's a long story and I don't think we have the time at the moment..." Eddie said looking back towards the door where a pair of humans a man and a woman entered wearing what looking liked a slayers uniform, Marlin shivered under their presence. He had never met a slayer before but he knew well enough about them from his parents. They were dangerous and their job was to rid the world of vampires...Like him. Nowadays they only killed if it was sure the vampire was a danger to the public but they were still feared if they knew what his mother does at the middle of the night in the town and if they could link the killings to her...
"Jonno! Mina! How are you two this evening?" Wolfie asked in a friendly manner and the two smiled back.
"We would be better if we knew his Grandness was safe and we could get on with the meeting." The woman said, who was obviously a lot older than the man besides her, they looked a bit a like too with a face features although the man was darker skinned it seemed that these two where mother and son.
"We will," Wolfie said "but not until that everyone his present."
"Who else are we waiting for?" The man asked.
"Miss Sally and Miss George of course," Wolfie said, he seemed to go back to formalities knowing that the slayers meant business.
"Wait, I thought they would be rushing here?!" The woman asked looking confused.
"Us too," Robin said, "We even have Renfield in the 'magic' car driving them."
"We can wait for a few more minutes," Wolfie said.
"We can't wait for a few minutes!" The woman snapped, "Vladimir Dracula is a powerful figure in history! He is the only reason that the peace between vampires and humanity is still standing even though it is shaky, but if someone kidnapped him then that means that there is someone more powerful than him and that person obviously doesn't want the peace, we can't waste another minute!"
"We will wait!" Wolfie said suddenly look taller and stronger than before, Marlin like with Vlad could suddenly feel his power, it wasn't as strong as Vlad's but it was very similar, with the power he could get how own way.
"We will wait until midnight if we have too; it's unfair for His Grandness's most loved family members not to be here!"
The slayers didn't say anything to that they just stood with slightly with stern faces.
"Let's give them thirty minutes," The man said turning to the woman to confirm, the woman nodded.
"Thirty minutes sounds fair to you?" She asked the werewolf standing there.
"Thirty minutes it is," Wolfie said nodding, "We will sit down and have tea until then."
"Can I go for a walk please" Marlin asked suddenly "I need some air" or need time to think...
"Sure go ahead," Wolfe nodded understandingly, "I'm sure you would want to take Eddie with you, be careful you two the Grand vampire had just been kidnapped under this very roof and some valuable evidence has been stolen so please just be careful."
The two boys nodded in understanding and left the room.
Xxx
"I'm so sorry I didn't tell you all this sooner!" Eddie said apologetically once they were sure the two were out of ear shot, they had stopped at the top of the stairs where the balcony was so they could see out through the hall and watch who comes in and out.
"It's ok," Marlin smiled reassuringly, "I didn't expect to learn everything in one day, plus we've had other things on our mind, how could both film and camera be gone though?" Marlin asked, "I know about computers they would have needed both my password and username and the only one who knew that was you Eddie."
"I swear to you Marlin, I have not told anyone about your private details, it would go against servant confidentiality and I like you too much."
"Thanks," Marlin smiled going red in the ears, "I know you wouldn't do something like that but what about the camera? Where did we put away last time?"
"You know, I really can't remember," Eddie said putting his hand on his chin in thought, "I thought we put it away in your desk?"
"But then we took it out to examine it for a logo or something," Marlin finished the sentence "But didn't you take it with you to the library to look up the logo."
"You know, I don't remember if I did or not everything had just been hectic with His Grandness disappearing and all," Eddie said sadly, "I checked the library just in case when I didn't find it I checked your documents to see if the film was still there but it wasn't that's when I went to the dining room."
"But didn't you ask the Liberian or any of the staff?"
"Yeah I did but they didn't find anything and info about the passwords and usernames are tightly secured locked in the main computer nothing can get though it"
"There is no such thing as a perfect security system computers are no exception" Living with a computer geek father had taught Marlin that much.
"I wouldn't be surprised," Eddie said, "I mean there is obviously a hole in the secretly system in this castle or they wouldn't have been able to kidnap his Grandness..."
But then Eddie was interrupted by the sound of the front door bell sounding throughout the castle. Marlin and Eddie looked at each other seeing that no one else was coming to open the door they seemed to the closet so they moved towards the door, Eddie in lead the two boy ran down the stairs and opened the front door slightly to see too woman and Renfield standing there, the rain seemed to have picked up again as the three stood there wet and shivering.
"Don't just stand there staring!" The flustered Renfield opened the door wider and pushing past the boys as the two women more politely stepped in giving the boys an apologetic look.
"You must be Sally and George?" Eddie said with a slight bow, "This is my master Marlin but I'm sure you've heard about him."
"So you're the famous Marlin Chance!" George said, she was a young woman with long brown hair and dark big eyes with a round and cheerful face, "so that would make me your aunty, is that right mum?"
Sally was the older woman with blonde hair and a longer face she looked just as cheerful and kind as she smiled warmly at the two boys.
"That's right." Sally smiled, "Vlad told me all the plans he had for you he was really hoping you could live with him and now's he's gone like this..." Sally trailed off now deep in thought, Marlin was wondering if he should say something then the door to the dining room opened and footsteps sounded, Beth was walking towards them stopping half way.
"The meeting is ready to begin within the dining room," She said "will the four please follow me."
Wow that's a long chapter! I would like to thank the people who have reviewed please keep it up it really helps. I really enjoyed writing this chapter I love Robin and the Van Hellsings and I hoped I managed to keep them in character.
If anyone is wondering why Robin is a vampire or is confused about the relationship between the vampires and the slayers it will be all explained in due course no need to worry. And I'm sorry if Wolfie was a bit out of character but you could just say that he and Robin have a love and hate relationship lol.
Here is some little pieces of information which you can expect in the next two chapters
Chapter 11 is the meeting and there will be a lot of talking and hopefully some things explained or it could rise to more questions. Marlin will also have another dream what will it be about this time...
Chapter 12 is where the story should speed up a bit, I can't believe I have spent 10 chapters writing up two days! It will be a time skip to Monday where Marlin and Eddie start school and we will be meeting some new friends, if you have read the original you should know what I'm talking about.
Also I hope things will start to pick from here and the story will start to follow more to the original plot and there will be a lot more travelling involved just something to look forward too. Also if you've read the original you may have a good idea where Marlin is going...
Also some things I should mention:
My mission is to finish this story before August I'm going to try and get a chapter done very two or three weeks.
I also have a lot of plans for this story I was thinking of making it into a trilogy but there will defiantly be a book 2 if anyone is still interested, please tell me how me feel about this or if it's worth doing.
