A/N: Disclaimer in Chapter 1.

Sorry for the late update I've had family today and this is the first chance I'v had to actually get near the computer.

Thank you for all the lovely reviews, they've really inspired me on.

I'm so thankful people weren't disappointed with the last two chapters; it was a gamble to include that mini plot as I wasn't sure how it'd be received. It was something I have been thinking about for a while and I wasn't sure whether to include it in another story but I think it worked better in this one.

HAPPY 2012!

Chapter 12: Secure

Vlad's question only received silence. He shot a look at Erin, to everyone else he looked composed but she could see the nervousness in his eyes.

The only ones who had agreed so far were the Draculas, Slayers and Wolves. The vampires in the hall shuffled before him.

Erin silently pressed her confidence onto him.

He turned back to the clans in front of him, his gaze surveying every one of them.

"Do I have your support?" He asked again.

The Council slowly dropped to their knees in support for him. Yao's knees creaked loudly as he lowered himself down; it took all of Vlad's control not to wince in sympathy for him. He was surprised at the speed at which Fromik bowed before him, he'd always assumed he would be one of those opposing him.

Slowly the clans followed their example, bowing their heads in respect for their leader as the knelt. Vlad felt relief flood him.

A few clans remained standing but grudgingly lowered themselves downwards following the example of their peers.

Vlad looked at Erin who simply raised her hand, she couldn't get onto her knees without creating a show at the effort it would take.

"If you think I'm getting on my knees Vlad you've got another thing coming." She told him firmly, a smile on her lips.

Vlad chuckled slightly; he knew that even if she did manage to get down she wouldn't be able to stand up again without help.

"NO!" A voice cried out across the hall.

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As if they were one, all the heads in the hall turned towards the speaker.

The speaker defiantly looked at Vlad, her posture stiff and her hands holding the edges of her cloak tightly. The vampire was smaller than Vlad and looked quite young, although Bertrand looked young and he was over 400 so there was no way to accurately judge her age.

The Count extended a long finger towards the vampire, "And you are?"

"Dana. All you have done is bend the laws to your own design since you've been in power." She spoke clearly, "You banished Ava without an explanation," Vlad tilted his head; there was a reason it had never been made public – it was none of their business. "She can't talk to anyone, before I give you my support I want to know why. I want to hear the excuse as to why you gave your sister her seat. You just want to keep the power amongst your family." She pointed to Atilla and Ingrid, "Its no secret Lucius is going to be your brother-in-law."

Ingrid's eyes narrowed and she dashed forward to hit the woman. Unfortunately for her she came to an abrupt halt as Bertrand managed to wrap his arm around her front holding her in place. In retaliation she hit him hard in the side, he rolled his tongue slightly in annoyance. It didn't hurt but she was being childish.

Vlad closed his eyes and felt like screaming at the top of his voice. "My sister isn't going to marry Lucius."

"You don't care about us…"

"If I wasn't in charge you wouldn't even be allowed to talk to me." He reminded the female vampire.

"That isn't the answer to m question, Ava was supportive of your wife when everyone demanded an heir and you chose to punish her for it. How do we know we can actually trust you and how do we know you're telling the truth?"

"Is that the reason you're against me? Because I banished Ava?" This was ridiculous.

Dana shook her head, there was more to her comment. "And you killed Bryce and took your cousin's powers away in front of us."

"Bryce was a traitor." Byron sneered from next to her. Byron was one of the Count's oldest friends; Vlad had known him since he was born. He was a firm supporter of their family and one of the only people to defend them against the slander that brought the Former Grand High Vampire to their doorstep.

"And who told you that?" She asked, sneering up at Vlad.

Byron continued. "He worked with the rebels to kidnap the Queen, he was a traitor long before that though."

"Olga betrayed me, she nearly through our world into chaos, no one gets away with it. I was being merciful." He didn't want her staked but he wasn't going to let her get away with it.

Dana played her trump card again, "And Ava? You also took her sister from her."

"Delphi has been adopted for her own good, she's part of the Helvanic Clan." They were a trustworthy clan that Vlad knew he could trust to bring her up as one of their own, they resided in Switzerland. "As for Ava its private."

A smirk appeared on her face as she saw Vlad's hesitation. "Then you haven't got a good excuse."

The Council didn't press him to reveal the reason she'd been banished, Ingrid nodded agreeing with his decision. Erin watched as Dana's words began to sway the vampires around her, Vlad's position wasn't secure until they'd dealt with this Dana.

Erin gently placed her hand on Vlad's arm, squeezing it gently. "Its fine Vlad." Her telepathic thought was soft.

"It's none of their business." He gestured to the vampires around them who looked confused at their silent conversation.

"Vlad you need to secure your position, look around they're starting to side with her. We're fine, it isn't as if the worst happened."

Vlad leaned forward and pressed his forehead against hers drawing strength from her.

"Fine." He spoke aloud making a number of vampires jump at his sudden addressing them. "Ava caused my wife to nearly miscarry our child by attacking her in a moment of childishness. The only thing that stopped me from staking her was because she never intended to hurt the child. I said I would review her banishment after our son or daughter was born." He fixed his gaze on Dana who shrank lower and lower, "I said that it was none of your business."

A low murmuring echoed around the hall, various concerns for the Queen and her child. There were even voiced opinions that Vlad had been soft on her. Erin didn't like the way everyone's attention seemed to be drawn to her and the baby.

Byron looked at Erin who stood at Vlad's side rubbing her back slightly. "The Queen is alright now? And the child?"

"They're fine." Vlad smiled at him, it was a tight smile but a thankful one for his concern, "But I would have preferred to keep it a clan matter." The hostility in his voice wasn't hard to miss, he fixed his gaze on Dana, "I've told you why I banished Ava, now do I have your support?"

Dana nodded, dropping to her knees before him.

Dhamphir strode to the edge of the stage, Vlad could see he wanted to hit the young vampire to teach her some manners. Vlad held out his arm, grabbing Dhamphir wrist and shaking his head to stop him from carrying out his actions. Dhamphir opted to speak seeing Vlad wasn't going to let him reply physically, "Next time vampire, I suggest you actually learn the facts before you speak."

"Forgive me, Sire." She whispered softly, Vlad gave her a sharp nod. He accepted her apology but it was a warning.

Vlad bent down, his voice low so only she could here, "I give second chances but you ever bring up a personal topic in public again I will personally stake you, Understand?"

"Yes Sire."

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The vampires slowly disappeared from the hall, eager to return to their clans. Their abandoning left them vulnerable to attacks. At the moment everything was quiet amongst the rebels but it couldn't last. The capture of Patrick obviously had been a serious blow to the rebels.

Vlad leaned down and kissed Erin gently, feeling relief that everything had worked out in the end. Erin eagerly opened her mouth letting his tongue slide into her mouth. She gripped the material of his cloak between her fingers as he cupped her neck guiding her in the kiss. He slowly pulled away realising everyone's eyes were on them.

The Count grabbed Vlad's neck. "Well done Vladdy," The Count told his son. Vlad nodded pulling away quickly as the Counts grip pinched his neck. Erin gave him a wince of sympathy.

Ingrid moved across and gave Vlad a soft kiss on the cheek startling him. He didn't pull away. Erin smiled softly. "Thanks." She told her brother sincerely, he grinned at her. Her reputation was on the line just as much as his from being declared 'illegitimate'.

The Council nodded to Vlad, bowing their heads slightly in respect for their leader. Yao vanished quickly followed by Dhamphir and Fromik.

Atilla placed her hand on Erin's stomach, Erin jumped slightly at the contact. She didn't like anyone other than Vlad touching it. "I remember when your mother was pregnant with you and Ingrid." She smiled at him, "She glowed, much like Erin does."

"Thanks." Vlad wasn't sure what else to say to the comment.

"I'm sure you both love her or him, Magda felt the same about you and your sister." She wanted Vlad to understand his mother loved him.

Vlad choked out, "She still left us."

"I don't think she was ready to be a mother. That's why she never married your father." That was the reason for the conversation she was trying to justify why their world had almost torn itself apart.

Vlad's eyes hardened, "She still isn't." Atilla didn't respond, she knew her grandson had very little love if any for his mother. "My child will be legitimate according to the old law and the new one, and it will be loved."

Atilla stepped back and away from Erin. The female Dracula relaxed, she really felt uncomfortable with people invading her personal space.

Atilla opened her mouth to say something else but changed her mind, opting to fly directly upwards and into the air.

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"Ingrid!" Lucius shouted across the hall to the disappearing Dracula.

Vlad grabbed Erin and pulled her out of the way knowing full well sparks were about to begin.

Ingrid stopped and turned towards him, or at least Vlad thought she did until Bertrand appeared in front of her. Lucius hesitated in his step seeing the older vampire with her.

Bertrand gestured over his shoulder, signalling that Lucas was there. Ingrid deliberately ignored the gesture.

Lucius placed a hand on Bertrand's shoulder pushing him out of the way. Bertrand stumbled slightly. Bertrand wrapped a protective arm around Ingrid's waist – although it appeared to be a subconscious action.

"Just so you know Ingrid," Lucius began, "I would still have accepted you if you were illegitimate." Bertrand's fangs protruded as Ingrid drew her fist back preparing to hit Lucius.

Ingrid seemed to notice her eyes drawing attention to his action. Bertrand quickly pulled his arm away and the pair jumped a foot apart. Erin smothered a laugh behind her hand, the pair were so stubborn.

"LUCIUS!" Vlad shouted as a warning.

Lucius spun suddenly seeing Vlad, fear was in his eyes as he looked at the young vampire. He nodded before disappearing upwards.

Erin had a feeling that Vlad's position was more secure than ever before.

TBC

A/N: Thanks for reading.