Chapter 14: Playing With Cold Fire

She walked down the steps, the long winding staircase and she saw it. A long table filled with food, music filled the air and most of all him. Dracula in the same outfit as before but he was glowing in a smile looking her way. It wasn't a sly smile that he had warned her with, and hour or so ago in the room. He was admiring her? She knew that her red slinky dress and lips probably made her look like a vixen. She also knew that moments before she had heard him creating the devil spawn that now she must kill as well now. But he smiled at her like there was no tension, like he had no ulterior motive.

"Lana, you look stunning." He took his hand out and offered it to her.

She looked hesitantly to it.

"I don't bite...much." And instead grabbed her hand and twirled her into a dance.

"Is this what you do to all women who you try to win over?" She gave him a sly look.

"Some. But only the ones worth dancing with."

"And what makes me worth dancing with? My power?"

"Your beauty."

"Empty words of flattery."

"No, red really is your color. I can see why Helsing fell for you."

"He didn't fall for me."

"And you didn't save him." He twirled her and dipped her down hair brushing the floor of the ground. She returned his comment with a sharp glare.

"Why do you deny it then?"

"Why do you care?"

"Because a woman like you should have a man in your life that can protect you from harm."

"Well a woman like me shouldn't be in any harms way."

"But I think you were destined that way."

"You do?"

"God gave you your gift Lana, and yet you think he wasn't aware of the harm that would be put your way."

"You're preaching to me about what God intended? You are the harm!" She said snatching back her hand from him.

"I am only harmful if I am threatened. On the most part you'll find me quite...peaceful."

"Peaceful?" She repeated looking skeptical.

"Dinner madam?" He asked motioning towards the table. She hesitantly sat down. How could this much food have appeared when they don't even eat food...they eat...people?

"It's not poisoned or anything."

"I'm not very hungry."

"Did anyone ever tell you you're not a good liar?"

Her eyes opened. How did he know? Alex... Here she was eating next to the enemy like she was a guest, and he was out putting himself in danger for her. She felt her stomach knot and lost most of any appetite. She looked to the food, and took a small piece of bread and nibbled on it. His eyes were on her, and never did she feel so self conscious eating. She needed to regain power over him.

"So Lilith is the High Mistress now..."

"So you've heard?"

"I heard...actually I heard plenty." She said getting up from her chair, pacing around secretly mapping out the place in her mind.

He realized the pun she was making. "Did you?"

"Not really my choice..." She added.

"It happens. I have quite a way with women." He said getting up, slithering around the table, walking calmly towards her.

"Do you? I couldn't tell."

"Don't be so cold." He said grabbing her hand once again.

"Speak for yourself." She said, as his cold skin sent a shiver through her.

She looked at him. He was handsome, and she hated it. She was never naive enough to fall for a man dependent on looks, but something about Dracula drew her in. She knew the way it worked; Dracula had a certain power over women, and hell it didn't work on her, but she couldn't deny his game for playing nice was hard not to fall for. She hoped her holy powers gave her immunization to it.

"It's more or less a side effect." He admitted.

"Where is your high mistress? Shouldn't she be by your side?"

"A high mistress is no queen, nor a wife. She can be where I tell her to be, and beside me is not one of them...but you..."

"But I?"

"I could have you by my side."

"I would do you more damage then good." She retorted.

"On the contrary, I think you are a powerful woman, and deserve a powerful man."

"Lilith is your high mistress."

"You are my equal."

"I am your enemy."

"Then you know what they say," he said wrapping her in a dance twisting her closer to him. "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." She was spun so close, her hands held tightly by his, and as she was dipped downwards she saw his fangs close in on her, but instead of waiting for pain or a bite she felt a kiss.

Kissed by a monster, by the devil; kissed by Dracula.