Chapter 14

(Plane ride)

Angel's point of view

The plane was quite as I sat bored twirling a strand of my red hair around two fingers. I couldn't help but think 'Now what?' Raquel and all the other teenagers on the plane were asleep. I don't know why but I felt anoyed they had all fallen asleep. I considered yelling or being loud but I knew Raquel wouldn't stir let alone react to my attempts to wake her up. She could sleep through an invasion. She had slept through a firealarm twice. It made me wonder if her wolf senses were deficient. I would probably wake up the guys but... they'd get mad and yell at me. Malcolm doesn't like being woke up by anyone. Raquel had gotten the bright idea for us to wake him up early the first morning of Christmas vacation last year. All it earned us was a cold toss into the pool. I didn't know how the others would react. Phoenix would probably be annoyed but he probably wouldn't get mad. Still he'd looked out for me and Raquel several times; I'd let him sleep.

I glanced back to where Memphis was but he was asleep along with Hope; who still had her head on his chest. It wasn't looking good for me finding anyone else awake. 'Please don't let me be the only one on the plane awake' I silently pleaded. Realizing at least the pilot had to be awake I decided it was time to vacate my seat. I didn't know the pilot but I didn't exactly care either. I just needed someone to hang out with.

Quietly I stood up and began heading down the isle toward the front of the plane. As I got closer toward the front of the plane I heard Crina and Dragos quietly talking in a foreign language. A smile crossed my face and I didn't think twice and immediately approached. "Do all of you speak Romainian?" I asked.

There were two sets of eyes on me instantly. I'm not sure but I think I surprised them again. I think I even saw Dragos slightly jump. I don't know why but it gave me a feeling of satisfaction. "I think everyone else on the plane is asleep," I said and sat down in a seat across from them. "That is what language you were speaking in right?"

"It is," Crina replied.

"How many languages do you speak?" I asked her. I don't know why but I felt very curious about Crina. I was curious about Dragos and Mecia as well but Crina somewhat fascinated me. I think it was because she was an ancient female vampire.

"Many," Dragos said.

"That's rather open ended. 3, 6, 8 ,14?" I asked rather insistant. Hearing an amused laugh from Crina I looked at her. "I'm curious," I told her.

"Yes, I can tell," She replied; her hazel eyes full of amusement. I fell silent but didn't take my eyes off her. Crina smiled and said, "I speak Romainian, Czech, English, French, Spanish, Slovanian, Russian and a little Hebrew."

"That's awesome!" I said. "What about you Dragos?"

"I do not speak spanish but I do the other languages Crina mentioned," He replied.

"You are far more fluent in Hebrew than I am," Crina reminded him. Dragos gave a nod of affirmation but that was all.

"It's a shame the youth of today rarely know more than one language," Dragos commented.

"J'espère que vous ne sont pas dont moi dans cette phrase parce que je ne parle pas

Roumanie."

"You speak French," Crina said delighted.

"Doufám, že se mi to včetně v tomto prohlášení. Mohu mluvit italsky, rusky a díky Memphis Jsem velmi plynně Chez a samozřejmě francouzsky ", I told them proudly.

"Memphis taught you Czech?" Dragos said becoming interested. Angel nodded. "Mom knows some as well. I'm not actually sure how well she knows it but I think pretty well."

"That will be beneficial to her," Crina commented. "There are many that speak Chez at the castle. They will not expect her to understand them."

"So how do the others feel about my father bringing my mother and me to the castle?" Angel asked. Crina and Dragos both looked at each other before they could stop themselves. The red haired girl let out an amused giggle. "They have no idea do they?" She said smiling with open amusement.

"Mecia knows," Crina said.

"This is going to be fun," Angel said as here bleu eyes sparkled. "What did he tell them before he left the castle?"

"Youe father ows no one an explanation for anything he does," Dragos said in a calm but firm maner. Angel looked at the dark haired vampire with interest. "Fox…you may not understand everything your father does or orders but…never question him in front of others."

The girl was quiet for a moment as she processed what Dragos had and had not said. "It woud question his authority."

"Yes," Crina confirmed. "You will question things at times and we have no doubt he will answer you. You have a very unique relationship with your father. He has changed in some ways since your arrival. However some of these changes could be seen as,"

"A weakness," Angel sain understanding.

"You are unique from others your age," Dragos commented. "You understand far more quickly." Dragos saw something that looked like near sadness in her eyes. "They will be wrong." Blue eyes looked to him. "You are not a weakness so much as a strength for your father. Vlad would destroy the world to protect you. If one is foolish enough to believe taking you out is the answer they will find it is only their end."

"Because of my father."

"Because of you, Fox," The blonde vampire stated. "You are far more powerful and capable than even you realize. They will underestimate you and that will be their potentially fatal mistake. You have surprised Dragos and I twice and that is very difficult to do. You would destroy them before they could react." Angel smiled and she returned the smile.

"You should try and get some rest," Dragos told her.

"I tried. I'm too….I don't know excited, curious, anxious, annoyed by the plane engines…I don't know," Angel pouted and crossed her arms.

"Yes, the plane is rather noisy," Dragos agreed.

"I bet you prefer it over Raquel's music," Angel offered.

"I'd prefer torture over your friends music," Dragos said dryly.

"Careful you might give my father ideas." Dragos face instsntly took on a look of concern. Dragos knew Dracula had changed since his daughter's birth but he was pretty sure the ancient vampire still enjoyed tortuing others. Especially given the count had not hidden how much pleasure he had received from watching baby crocodiles eat a former foe. Crina and Angel looked at eachother and smiled.

"Rummy?" Dragos said producing a deck of cards. Crina and Angel nodded and the card game began. It was safer than allowing Angel to get so bored she woke up Raquel.

Crina's Point of View

Most everyone on the plane was sound asleep. Even Fox had finally fell asleep. I was still surprised that Dragos had succumbed to sleep before the young dhampire. It was interesting to watch Dragos interact with Fox. He was not known to be gentle and yet with her he seemed to take that approach. I wondered if it was because she was Vlad's daughter at first but came to realize it was more likely that it was her. Dragos seemed to almost forget at times that Vlad was her father.

I turned my hazel eyes on the now sleeping redhead. I must admit I was looking forward to watching her surprise the others. She looked so young and innocent. I'm sure her pigtails did not help. I couldn't help but think how easy it would be for her to lure an unsuspecting enemy into a trap; even a slayer. Memphis had taught her well how to act human. She could be far moe valuable to them than even Vlad realized.

"Finally asleep." I looked up to see Vlad. "Thank you."

"There is no need. I enjoy her conpany," I told my old friend. "You didn't mention she spoke four languages."

"I did not realize." Vlad gestered toward another area of the plane. I nodded and rising to my feet I followed him over to another area where no one else was; away from the sleeping passengers. "I was not aware she spoke more than English and French."

"She speaks Italian and Chez as well," I informed him. "Apparently Katie speaks Chez as well."

"That will be beneficial to them," Vlad said.

"They should be taught Romanian as well," I told him. "The more they understand…"

"The better and safer they will be," The Count finished. I gave an ellegant nod of my head. "I think it would be best if others did not know they understood chez or that they are learning Romanian,"

"Agreed. I can teach Katie and I am sure Dragos or Mecia could teach Fox," I suggested.

"Dragos?" He replied not hiding his hesitation.

I smiled at him understanding his concern. "Dragos is different with Fox. He has patience with her. I would not suggest he teach her friend anything."

"No," Vlad agreed.

"I know you would teach Fox and Katie but you cannot always be at their side," I told him. Dark eyes looked into mine. "They must stand on their own. Spending time with us will help gain them acceptance." A frown crossed his face. "Your daughter is more than they will expect. She can handle them and you have to let her."

"If they…"

"Would you have them see her as weak?"

"She's not!"

"No my friend, she is not," I agreed. "Fox has surprised Dragos and me twice. Let them make their mistakes and let her correct them. If you want her to be a leader amongst our kind then she must stand without you as much as with you. They must see her as a vampire and not just your daughter."

"I will not neglect her more than I already have," Vlad said.

"you didn't neglect her you kept her with others to keep her safe," I corrected. "I am not saying you should hide she is your daughter or that you have a strong bond with her. I'm saying when someone makes a move give her permission to put them in their place. You are her father but also the leader. As a leader…"

"You are right of course," Vlad said. "As a father I want to protect her. As a leader I must allow her to fight some battles without me."

"She's stronger than you realize," I assured him. Vlad looked at me almost hopeful. "Katie is stronger than she realizes as well. They are protective of eachother. They have both trained knowing this day would come. Do you truly believe you need to protect them every minute?"

"In most cases no," Vlad admitted. "I am concerned about Rasputin."

"Rasputin is a concern but moreso with Katie," I agreed. "His arrogance will cause him to underestimate Fox. Fox can also handle more because she is a dhampire. Katie on the otherhand is human. You could turn her."

"If the need arises I will," Vlad replied. "I know Katie is stronger now. I even know there is nothing or noone that Katie wouldn't protect Fox from; even me. I need her human right now. Human she shows I am not out to destroy all of humanity. If I turn her now…"

"I see the problem," I said realizing. It would be hard to gain more allies if he killed another human for what was perceived as a whim. Even if Katie agreed to it. I couldn't help but wonder why things always seemed to get so complicated when Dragos, Mecia, Vlad and me got together. Then again the Count had called us. Unfortunately a thought of the last time we'd gotten together brought back the knowledge we'd started a war between to countries. I breifly wondered if the four of us being together again could spell disaster once more for the human race; even if we were actually trying to help them this time.

This is a short chapter I know. Next chapter will bring them to the castle.

Angel speaks Italian, Russian, English of course and chez

Translation:

Doufám, že se mi to včetně v tomto prohlášení. Mohu mluvit italsky, rusky a díky Memphis Jsem velmi plynně Chez a samozřejmě francouzsky translates to

"I hope you weren't including me in that statement. I can speak Italian, Russian and thanks to Memphis I am very fluent in Chez and of course French"