I will behave

Lara squeezed her eyes shut. She was going to die. She was going to die. She could feel the fangs brush against her skin. Suddenly her ears were filled with a humongous roar. Opening her eyes she saw Dracula standing at the door, furious, and Matana cowering before him.

"Never again!" he roared, his eyes flashing electric blue. "Why?" he roared at the cowering child, tears running down her face.

"I- I - th- thought-" she stammered

"Thought what?" he yelled. Lara felt sorry for the child, she was even scared by Dracula's face. No child deserved this treatment spawn of Satan or not.

"Hey!" yelled Lara. "Leave her alone you big bully!" Dracula turned to look at Lara, his eyes still flashing.

"Why should I? She is my daughter and I can do with her what I please!" he said angrily, clenching his fists behind his back so he would not hit Lara again..

"And you think that would make me love you?" she asked trying to get his attention." Dracula looked back towards his child, seemingly shocked at what Lara had just said.

He regained his composure and then bent down and hugged his child, comforting her. His rage was the most terrible thing, and he hated to lose it, and he had never shouted at Matana before, but he had been so angry at what she would have done to Lara. He placed her on the ground gently.

"Run along now." he said gently. When Matana had gone he strolled over to Lara, his hands clasped behind his back. "I am .. Sorry about hitting you last night. I did not mean to hit you last night."

Lara raised her hand to her face. It felt bruised and sore. Dracula looked intently at her swollen eye and reached out a hand to touch it. Lara swatted his hand away.

Dracula backed away so he would not lose her temper with her. "I can make it better." he said through gritted teeth. "I do not want your hands on my face!" Lara spat back. Dracula could feel his temper rising.

"Fine, have it your way. Are you ready to behave yet?" he asked her, regaining his composure. Lara did not reply. Dracula bent down and picked up a lump of cheese from the tray. He tossed it between his hands.

"Think what you could be Lara," he said pacing back and forth, adopting his syrupy voice. "You and I would be invincible! Power beyond the extreme!" He took a bite of cheese and then spat it out as it turned to ash.

" And," he said crouching down in front of her. "I would love you."

"Love?" asked Lara. "I thought you could not love."

"I could love if you were mine." he whispered in her ear, then kissing it softly. Lara turned her head away, disgusted.

"Very well," said Dracula. "You will stay here for another day." he turned to leave. "Wait!" said Lara suddenly, desperate. Dracula stopped and smirked.

"Yes, my dear?" he asked turning round, the smirk still on his face. Lara hung her head defeated.

" Erm, I-I-I." she stopped.

Dracula walked back over to her. "You will behave?" he asked her pleasantly, a grin on his handsome face. Lara nodded her head, hidden by her hair. Dracula cheered silently. He put his hand under her quivering chin and raised her head so she was looking at him. Tears ran down her cheeks. She knew this was the only way to get a chance to escape.

"I-I am s-sorry for spitting at you." she stuttered, not daring to look into his eyes, in case she was drawn in.

"All is forgiven, my love." comforted Dracula. "But remember spitting is not ladylike." Lara nodded again. Dracula reached out and put his finger on her bruised face concentrating. Lara resisted the urge to hit it away, and tried to ignore the touch of the beast.

Suddenly her face did not ache anymore. Dracula had healed it. He drew out a small key from his coat and undid the chains. Lara rubbed her aching wrists and stood up. Dracula took hold of her wrist, as if he was scared she would try to run off. He gently wiped away her tears.

"Come my dear, would you care to join us for dinner?" he asked. Lara nodded again. To escape she would have to behave. He led her up the stairs and back into the large dining hall. Matana was already sitting at the table, drinking blood. Lara shuddered as the young vampire drank deep. Dracula sat her in the chair next to his and poured her a glass of a red liquid.

"Don't worry my dear, it is just wine," he reassured her upon seeing her face. He clapped his hands, while Lara took a sip of the wine, and the servant entered the room, carrying a single plate. He set it in front of Lara and left the room. Lara attacked the meal ravenously, while Dracula looked on amused.

"What does it taste like?" asked Matana quietly. Lara stopped eating shocked and looked at the little girl who was staring longingly at the plate of peas and chicken.

"It tastes like … like food." said Lara confused. The little girl stuck out her hand. "May I try some?" she asked. Lara looked at Dracula who had his eyes shut, lost in his own world, and then pushed the plate towards Matana.

She took a forkful of chicken and peas and put it into her mouth. She chewed it furiously but it had already turned to ash. She spat it into her napkin and then tried to take another bite but that too turned to ash. She reached across the table to take a sip of Lara's wine but that turned to salt in her mouth. She cried out, frustrated. Dracula opened his eyes with a start and looked at Lara and then Matana.

"Why am I different?" she sobbed. "Why can I not taste food?" Dracula looked sharply at Lara. "I-she asked to. I didn't know!" she explained.

"Wait here," he replied. Suddenly he and Matana vanished. Lara stood up in shock. Then she realised she was alone. She could go. She could run away. She threw her napkin on the floor and ran to the door and wrenched it open. The Count stood on the other side.

"Going somewhere?" he asked.

"Er, I was tired and I was going to find somewhere to sleep." she said blushing. But it was the truth, sort of. She was exhausted. Dracula smirked and took her by the arm.

"Very well, let me show you to my chambers." He began to lead her up the stairs.

"Wait a minute," she said tugging back her arm. "You never said anything about your chambers. I want my own chambers!"

"I may have never said anything about my chambers, but you did say you would behave. But if that is what you wish, then you shall have your own chambers." He took her arm back and led her back through the twisting and winding corridors to the room she had been in upon her arrival. He led her to the bed and let go of her arm.

"The night is still young my princess and we have so much to talk about. Are you sure that you wish to sleep now?" he asked her, as she sat on the bed, with the red silk sheets.

"No. I want to sleep." she said yawning. She slid beneath the sheets and Dracula tucked her in. He kissed her gently on the forehead, but Lara did not resist, she was so tired. When he realised she was not fighting against the kiss, he kissed her on the lips, harder and more passionately, but she wrenched her lips away.

"Please! I wish to sleep!" she pleaded, terror in her eyes.

"As you wish." he said and left the room. "But remember," he said by the doorway. "Do not even think of running away because I will find you, no matter where you go. Goodnight my princess." With one breath he blew out the torches and shut the door. Lara fell asleep, her dreams troubled.

One by one the boys left the gate as the night came, until just Jacob and Tony were left. There was still no sign of Lara.

"Where is she?" whined Toby. "She should have been back ages ago!"

"I know Toby, I know." said Jacob, squinting his eyes for any sign of Lara.

"You don't think she was taken by the vampires, do you?" asked Toby nervously. Jacob paused.

" I don't know Toby." he said thoughtfully. "But listen, go home and tell your mother that Lara is with a friend. If she is still not back by tomorrow, we will do something."

Toby jumped out of the tree and scurried back home. But Jacob stopped until the morning, his tired eyes straining to see any glimpse of Lara.