A/N: Sorry it took me so long to update. I got writer's block for this story, but hopefully this chapter came out ok. I would like to thank VintageLyre for giving me the general idea for this chapter.
The castle was quiet when Natasha returned from showing Dr. Frankenstein the castle where he will be creating his experiment. Natasha found Dracula standing on the balcony looking out at the vast mountain landscape.
"I did as you asked." Natasha stated coldly
Dracula nodded, but frowned at the coldness in which Natasha spoke to him. Was it his fault that she addressed him so coldly? "Natasha…" He said while turning to face her. He couldn't think; he immediately lost his train of thought upon seeing her. She was beautiful to him; she always was, but now it seemed like her beauty alone was not enough to satisfy him. Dracula loved Natasha or at least he thought he did. Dracula couldn't remember the last time he felt any other emotion besides anger.
Natasha stood there calmly waiting for Dracula to gather his thoughts before he spoke. Dracula took a step toward Natasha waiting for her to turn and run from him like so many others did. When she remained on the balcony with him he slowly walked closer to her.
"My love…" He stated as he brushed her hair out of her face. There was something in Natasha's eyes that he had never noticed before. She was broken; something inside of her had died and left behind an empty shell.
"Why, why do you torture me so?" Natasha whispered.
Dracula frowned. He wasn't even aware that he was torturing her. "You promised me a new life with you. One where we wouldn't have to fear death, but the only life you have ever shown me is one of pain and sorrow." Natasha stated softly.
He didn't mean to cause her so much pain. "Sometimes I wish things could go back to the way they used to be before you died. We were so happy then and now…now we're miserable." Natasha said turning her gaze away from him.
Dracula knew Natasha was right. They had been happy before he was murdered, before they both became vampires. Was it his fault that they both had become so miserable or were they just not meant to be together? A thought had crossed Dracula's mind. If he was not destined to be with Natasha than perhaps Van Helsing, the man Natasha was promised to, was destined to be with her? Rage flared into Dracula's eyes, he wouldn't lose Natasha to Van Helsing.
Natasha frowned noticing the rage that had sprouted in Dracula's eyes. "What are you thinking?" She asked curiously.
"Van Helsing…" He said the name with pure venom in his voice. "I have tried to protect you from him for so long. What if my efforts have all been for nothing? You can see now that we no longer hold the love we once had for each other."
"Than stop trying to protect me from him and make the time you have with me count for something." Natasha said quietly.
Dracula looked at her sadly before turning to look at the scenery once more. Natasha can never know the truth between herself and Van Helsing. Dracula sighed, he almost lost Natasha once and he didn't plan on losing her again.
"Why do you do this? Why do you wish to push me away?" She questioned.
"I do not want to push you away, my love." He replied quietly.
"It seems like you are. You hardly pay me any attention anymore and all the children that are just waiting to be brought to life aren't mine. Do you realize how painful it is to see those things in there and knowing not one of them are yours? Knowing that the person you love is spending their time with someone else." Natasha stated sadly.
Dracula didn't even turn to glance at Natasha; he just continued to stare out toward the mountains. Dracula actually did know what it felt like to see the one you love in the arms of another, of your closest friend.
Natasha sighed and left Dracula out on the balcony. She was tired of trying to make him understand how she felt. Natasha came to the conclusion that Dracula just didn't care about her any longer.
Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months and months finally turned into a full year. It had been one year since Dr. Frankenstein had started the experiment, which would bring Dracula's children to life. At the end of every week Igor would meet with either Dracula or Natasha for an update on the doctor's work. From what Igor had told them the experiment was near completion and Dracula wished to visit the doctor to see how the experiment was coming along.
Dracula landed outside Castle Frankenstein with Natasha close behind him. They were let into the castle by Igor who quickly shuffled away to find the doctor. Natasha glanced around the room and noticed it was still dirty, but it looked like the doctor had been busy building the experiment and keeping the castle together.
"I was starting to wonder when you might decide to stop by Count." Dr. Frankenstein stated as he entered the room closely followed by Igor.
"I would have come by to see your work sooner, but I have been busy these past few months." Dracula replied.
"It's quite alright Count. I'm sure you will be pleased to hear that the experiment is almost complete."
Dracula smiled. "That is wonderful news…"
"Would you care to see it?" The doctor asked.
"Of course…" Dracula stated. Dr. Frankenstein led them deeper into the castle to where he kept his lab. The room was filled with all different types of equipment for the experiment.
"It's right over here…" Dr. Frankenstein stated quickly rushing over to a metal table that had a blood stained white sheet over it hiding something.
Natasha cringed as the scent of blood reached her nose. The smell of blood was intoxicating and it took every inch of self control she had to not reveal that she was a vampire. Natasha frowned and stared in surprise as the doctor pulled the sheet off. There strapped to the table was what looked like a man or parts of different men. The man or creature seemed to be sewn together with odd electrical devices attached to it.
"Of course it isn't finished yet." The doctor stated nervously waiting for Dracula's approval.
Dracula walked around the table to get a better view at the creature. "Wonderful…" He muttered. Natasha wished he would finish here before she lost control of herself.
Dracula noticed the look of concentration on Natasha's face and he knew the smell of the blood must have been getting to her. "How long until it is finished?" He asked Dr. Frankenstein curiously.
"Um, hopefully in another week or so…" The doctor replied.
Dracula nodded. "Then we shall see you in a week doctor." He stated while wrapping an arm around Natasha's waist and leading her out of the room. Natasha was thankful to leave that room; she wasn't sure how much longer she would have been able to control herself.
Dracula didn't utter a word to Natasha until they reached the castle. "You almost gave us away." He stated trying to appear calm.
"I couldn't help it; the smell of the blood was so strong." Natasha replied.
"You should learn to control yourself better."
Natasha glared at him. "You should stop being so critical. The doctor didn't notice anything wrong, so I see no reason to be upset by it."
Dracula nodded but stayed silent and watched as Natasha retreated to her room.
Natasha was in the woods looking for someone. It was dark out and she could barely see her own hand in front of her. Suddenly she felt someone wrap their arms around her waist.
Natasha was about to scream when a voice said, "It's only me…"
"I was afraid you wouldn't show…" She stated softly.
"I wouldn't leave you out in these woods alone; it's dangerous." The man replied.
Natasha chuckled as she turned around to face him. The man carried a small lantern, but even though there was light Natasha still couldn't see the man's face. "And you plan on protecting me if something frightening appears."
"Of course, I can't let anything hurt you." The man replied. This man wasn't Dracula, this Natasha was certain of but his voice seemed so familiar to her.
"Have you told him yet?" The man asked curiously.
Natasha shook her head. "No, I don't want to hurt him." She muttered.
The man sighed. "Natasha we can't keep this a secret forever. Sooner or later someone will notice something."
"I know, I know…I'll tell him tomorrow."
"Good…" The man stated before something in the woods caught his attention. "Stay behind me!" The man said as he dragged Natasha behind him trying to shield her from something.
"What is it? What's the matter?" Natasha questioned sounding a bit fearful.
"Something or someone is watching us…" The man replied.
Natasha heard a low growl come from somewhere to her left and grasped the man's arm fearfully. She tried to peer into the woods to find the source of the growling, but it was too dark to see anything. Suddenly a werewolf jumped out of the trees and charged toward Natasha.
"Look out!" The man shouted.
Natasha awoke from her restless slumber with a start. She looked around the room and saw that she was in her bedroom in Castle Dracula. Natasha frowned as she glanced out the window. What was that dream? It felt to real to even be a dream. Who was the man with her in the dream? Natasha knew the man was not Dracula for their voices were different, but this man sounded so familiar to her. Did she know him and if she did than why can't she remember him?