Ruthven and Zillah were lounging on cushions in the Great Hall. They were sunk deep into the plush fabrics, hiding from sight. Occasionally they had had to blend in with the general orgiastic atmosphere of the other occupants. It hadn't been a problem. Ruthven had spotted Edward over the other side of the wide cavern. He seemed to be unharmed but the blonde woman warrior who stood over him indicated he was not free to move about. They had both heard the exchange he had with Dracula. It had been disturbing and strangely erotic. Ruthven hoped that Harry would be sympathetic when he heard the story; Edward hadn't had much choice in the matter.
Zillah had been watching Jonathan and Mina Harker. They never left their places beside the curtained dais. Occasionally a white hand would beckon and one or both of them would disappear into the Dracula's presence. The room seemed filled with an air of despair which could only belong to the couple. Jonathan Harker seemed quite young but Zillah was certain that this was all sorcery. He'd met many magicians in his time and he recognised the peculiar tang of magic in the air. It had been his idea to hide in plain sight, right here in Dracula's hall. If it came to a show down, here would be where the action was. He settled back down next to Ruthven who was toying with the gold tassling of the cushions. As the second blonde guard swept the room with her steel grey eyes he grabbed the startled lord to him in a passionate embrace. He felt the guard's gaze pass over them.
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Dracula's mood was still dark as he leaned back to allow the minion to continue his ministrations. He knew they all felt his anger and he sensed their desire to please him increase accordingly. The air around him was thick with fear and he relished its taste. He would find a way to make the other vampires' powers his own. He needed more time. Harker had informed him that the wizard had made his escape, just as the Count had decided he would. If Potter wouldn't help Dracula willingly then he would allow the boy the freedom to make the discoveries in his own time and simply take them from him. The cruel lips rose in a smile and he felt those around him relax a little. To inject a bit more delicious tension into the air he grasped the hair of the minion crouching over his body, pulling till the boy squealed and squirmed in pain. The smile widened. He decided it was time to let Harker and Edward out of his grasp, just a little.
'Harker,' he gestured with his hand for the wizard to come closer. He smiled to himself to see how Harker feared he would be next in line to receive the Count's affections. 'Take Edward Cullen to the cells. Keep him away from the others. Go now. I need to be alone.' He waved Harker away, dismissing his other attendants.
'Dear Mina,' he purred, 'do stay darling.' Dracula pulled back the fabric covering his lower body, making no effort to conceal his intentions for the wizard's wife. He watched as Jonathan's handsome features twisted in anger and revulsion. This would be enough to encourage him to help Edward escape he decided.
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Edward heard Harker's approach along the smooth stone floor. He watched as the young man, dressed in the impeccable attire of an English Victorian gentleman made his way across to where he was lying. Edward took in the demeanour and attitude of the man. He seemed determined, there was something resolute about his stride, his swinging hand seemed to communicate a decision made, a mind made up. His lips were pressed into a line and his brow furrowed in thought. Edward sat up, eager for some distraction from the hall and its obscene occupants. The lewd behaviour of his companions on the cushions seemed forced and desperate. The whole air reeked with fear and panic. It was driving him out of his mind.
It had taken him hours to take hold of his body again. Now, he felt, he had the beast back in check but he could feel it straining at its chains. The fact that he was hungry did not help. He knew he must look a terrible sight to the young man walking towards him. His clothes crumpled and stained from his ordeal with Dracula, his eyes red with thirst.
'Master Cullen,' the wizard inclined his head slightly showing more respect than Edward had expected from one so close to Dracula. 'Would you please come with me?' He nodded to the blonde guard and she relaxed her stance. It was clear that Harker outranked this woman. He took up a brisk pace towards the door. When they were outside he turned to the guard.
'The Count thanks you for your diligence thus far,' he spoke smoothly. 'He requires you to refresh yourself, hunt and rejoin him in the Great Hall.' The guard was dismissed. Edward could see the confusion and misgiving in her eyes but she bowed briefly and left. Harker turned to Edward.
'Quickly follow me. We have no time to spare.' He ran lightly down the narrow corridor, Edward followed.
It was obvious that Harker knew this place well, without hesitation he took a path which seemed to be leading them down into the rock. Occasionally he glanced nervously behind him, Edward wasn't sure whether this was to check he was still following or to see if they were being followed. Edward knew there was no one following: his hearing could pick up voices far away but they were too indistinct to be nearby. After as few sharp turns Harker stopped in front of a small wooden door. He took from his pocket a silver key fitted it to the lock and opened the door. The room it led to was furnished not unlike Edward's cell but one wall was covered in books. They were rare, antique copies and Edward wondered who had the patience to move them all down here. Harker saw the direction of Edward's gaze and smiled modestly.
'My own humble collection,' he was obviously pleased to show someone,' I have collected these over many years I have been alive.' His face fell at the thought. He pulled himself together.
'But you must have many questions Edward. I would be happy to answer them.' At Edward's puzzled look he went on, 'I saw what the Count did to you last night. I have never seen anyone resist him for so long, it was inevitable that you would fall eventually, but your control was marvellous.' He seemed to know what he was talking about his manner seemed light and nervous. He smiled again at Edward. 'Please, go on, ask away.' He gestured for Edward to sit and he sat down himself in one of the armchairs obviously meant for reading.
Edward's mind clamoured with questions. There was so much he had wondered in his time in Dracula's lair and now here was his opportunity to find out all he could.
'Does Dracula have Harry Potter here somewhere?' He could hardly bring himself to say the name. His shame of the night before felt burned into his skin. Harker nodded.
'Yes, the wizard is in the labyrinth of cells above us,' he went on quickly as he saw Edward poised to leave,' he has escaped his cell. I did not conjure the lock as I was told. No doubt his quick mind will have taken full advantage of my error,' he smiled.
'What does Dracula want us for? Does it have something to do with the different vampire powers?'
Again Harker inclined his head. 'You're wisdom does you credit young man.' For once Edward felt that Harker was not patronising him by the phrase, he was indeed much older than Edward despite his appearance. 'The Count has noticed over his many ears the differences among his kind. He wishes to learn how to combine the strengths and eradicate the weaknesses of all the vampires he has discovered. For example your impervious nature in regard to sunlight. He has spent many years and has carried out many... experiments,' Harker shuddered, 'but to no avail. His drinking of your blood was a vain attempt. Even he knew it would not work but such is his desire for this power that he would try even though he knew the attempt was futile.' Edward understood what Harker was saying, Dracula had just been playing with Edward, that wasn't a serious attempt. The thought made Edward feel colder still.
'How long have you been with him? What is he to you? Are you married to Mina?' The questions came rushing out. Edward didn't know if he's been rude but Harker seemed to expect him to ask. He bowed his head and steepled his fingers together.
'I have been with Dracula for over a hundred and fifty years now. He is my master,' Edward saw the struggle on Harker's face as he said the word. 'Mina is my wife and we love each other very much. Many times Mina has begged me to forget her, to find another who would not cause me so much pain but ... I cannot Edward. I think you understand.' He looked up into Edward's topaz eyes and Edward saw the pain burned into Harker's brown eyes. Edward ran his hand through his hair and stood up.
'Have you tried to escape?' The question came out more harshly than he had meant it but Harker understood that Edward's brusqueness was born out of frustration. He merely nodded. Edward understood that Harker would not leave Mina. Dracula knew that too.
'Is this what he wants for us? For Harry and I?' Edward was pacing the small room, his hands in his thick hair.
'I believe so Edward.' Harker's response was barely a whisper. 'I am getting old and I cannot maintain the magic the Count requires for much longer. He must replace me or lose some of the comforts he so enjoys. He becomes bored of Mina. Without my jealousy his pleasures are cold.' Harker sounded like a beaten man. He stood up, taking a deep breath. 'But I will not let it happen Edward! I will not! I swear upon my honour.' He held out his hand to Edward. Edward clasped it in his own and he felt the resolution in the handshake.
'Take me to Harry.' Edward asked plainly. Harker nodded and led Edward from the room.
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Above in the labyrinth of cells Harry wondered how he'd got into this mess. There seemed to be no cohesion to the group of vampires Spike had set free. No one could agree on how to proceed and now Carmilla seemed to be sulking with the other aristocratic looking female vampire while Spike argued with Sir Francis and another younger looking vampire with an Irish accent.
'Look Mick,' Spike was saying aggressively pointing at the young man's chest, 'I've been biting necks while you were still running around at Ypres playing soldiers!' The Irish vampire growled threateningly in his throat.
'Look, mate,' he growled, his accent strong with emotion, 'I need to get back to Bristol. There's people relying on me. I'm not interested in your power posturing.' It looked like it might come to blows. Sir Francis stood back cringing.
'Why are we letting these men,' the aristocratic vampire sneered the word through her elegant lips, 'make any decisions at all?' She arched an eyebrow at Harry. 'We should let the boy decide. He has an air of authority.' She ended.
'Er, thanks Lady Elizabeth,' mumbled Harry as all vampire eyes swivelled to glare at him. 'Right.' God, he sounded like Ron. Ron, thought Harry, Ron and Hermione, what are they doing now? He dearly wished he'd left them that message now. He wondered if they were worrying about him. He hoped they didn't decide to do something stupid like rescue him.
'Right,' he said more clearly,' Spike and Mitchell?' The young Irish vampire nodded at his name. 'As you have the most experience in fighting,' Spike laughed, 'you go ahead and scope out the way to the throne room. If you see the female guards fall back, understood?' the two vampires nodded now, united in their task. 'Lady Elizabeth and Carmilla, you are our best hope with the guards,' Harry went on ignoring the sniggers from Mitchell and Spike, 'take over once we get to the throne room. Get us passed those women however you can.' More sniggers and a glare from Harry. 'Sir Francis, stay with me in the middle. Ok,' he looked around at his merry band of independent, bloodthirsty creatures of the night and sighed. 'Let's go.'
Mitchell and Spike took off so quietly that they blended into the shadows of the corridor. Harry saw them stop at the bend and Mitchell indicted silently that he would go on ahead. Spike frowned but nodded. They seemed to be making a pretty good team thought Harry.
From the corridor came the sounds of a muffled and dangerous fight. Mitchell had been ambushed. Growling indicated that the attacker was a vampire and Harry rounded the corner to find Mitchell pinned to the floor while another vampire held him down with sharp, white teeth at his throat. The attacking vampire seemed very strong and angry. He also had auburn hair that Harry would know anywhere.
'Edward!' in his joy at seeing his lover Harry forgot all his doubts about the relationship. Before he could rush over his brain made him stop with a thought. It might not be Edward.
The vampire that looked like Edward stood up from where Mitchell was sprawled obviously still winded. He took swift strides and grabbed Harry up in a powerful, crushing embrace. He grabbed the raven hair and kissed him long and hard on the mouth. There were tears in his eyes.
'I thought I'd lost you.' Edward whispered fiercely into Harry's ear. Harry grabbed the tawny hair and pulled Edward into another kiss.
'Never,' he whispered back into Edward's mouth. They stood holding each other, running impatient hands over each other's arms, shoulders, hair, kissing and crying and smiling.
'Ahem,' Spike coughed,' touching as it is like, but... when you boys have quite finished 'Grope Fest 2009...' They fell apart laughing. A man stepped out from behind Edward; it was Harker. Harry grabbed Edward and pulled him behind him, pulling his wand from inside his jacket and pointing it menacingly at the strangely dressed young man. Harker took out his own wand and, laying it in his palm, offered it to Harry.
'I mean you no harm young wizard.' He said solemnly.