Beta-readed by the lovely Wilwy Waylan, who also beta-readed some parts of a more mature Krolfred fanfic I put by mistake in the file with the chapter ^^;

Thank you for your work and patience!

Chapter II – Back in business.

Life at Chagal's inn went more quietly and peacefully than their first night. M. Chagal was perfectly calm and almost pleasant, the fact he had two customers paying the rent being the reason of his good mood. Willing to please, he would often come to see Alfred and Abronsius in their room, asking in a honeyed voice if they needed anything. Professor Abronsius wasn't impressed by the man. Mrs Chagal wasn't impressed by Abronsius either, and she would often ignore him to take care of Alfred. She fussed over Alfred's health and tried to force him to eat a second or third helping at every meal. Alfred always had had a small appetite, and he wasn't used to hearty dishes. However, his feeble protests fell on deaf ears and he found it hard to refuse when Mrs Chagal was looking at him with kind eyes and with motherly care. It was something Alfred hadn't had for years. Something he missed.

Distractions were also something he missed. Because of their latest travel in the cold roads of Transylvania, Alfred had grown sick. As a result, their work was put on hold as Alfred had to keep the bed, with Abronsius's medicine, while being tended by Mrs Chagal who came checking on him every morning. Alfred was left with no work and no distraction.

Alfred looked inside his suitcase. While he couldn't see it, he knew The Hound of the Baskerville was packed with his clothes. Ever since the day he and Abronsius left the previous inn, he didn't pick up his copy of the Sherlock Holmes novel again. Being weakened and sick and on the run after a vampire weren't ideal conditions to read, not to mention that Alfred didn't dare reading the book again, considering he had spent most of his time reading it to a bat who turned out to be a vampire who had fed on Alfred twice.

The figure of a red haired girl came into his mind. Ever since her father stumbled upon them, Alfred hadn't had the chance to see Sarah again. Most of the time, Chagal kept her locked in her room. Alfred could sometimes hear her sighs of frustration and her steps going around in circles, when he passed by her door.

Poor girl… Alfred thought. Though he had only spoken to her for a brief time, she was the loveliest girl he had ever seen. He hoped he would have the opportunity to see the girl again and befriend her. Maybe… maybe more, he thought, his heart beating a little bit faster in his chest.

Alfred hoped he would get better soon. Sickness was coming to him in waves. For a couple of hours, Alfred would feel well rested and strong enough to work with Abronsius, then, he would shiver and feel his head aching. It was a good thing Professor Abronsius packed some medicine in his suitcase before they had taken the train to leave Prussia. Transylvanian winters were cold, the Professor had told him, colder than the ones they were used to back in Prussia, and the chances of catching a cold or getting hurt in a foreign, dangerous land were high.

He coughed again, making his throat ache. Curling up on the couch, he looked at the right side of his bed. The small glass of syrup Abronsius left him stared at him from the bedside table. Gathering all his courage, he took a sip and grimaced at the bitter taste of the medicine. If only medicine could taste better!

Eager to get rid of the taste, he jumped from the bed and rushed to the bedroom. Thankfully, the room was empty. He splashed himself with cold water, drinking some of it in the process.

Feeling refreshed, he glanced up at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. He was pleased to see his face looked less pale and feverish. As he examined himself further, he noticed the familiar wounds on his neck. Though they were smaller now and no longer bleeding, Alfred couldn't help but shiver at the sight of the two puncture wounds. It had happened nights ago, yet he could still remember Krolock's breath on his open, vulnerable throat and the sensation of sharp teeth sinking into his neck and cold lips drinking his blood.

He adjusted his clothes so he wouldn't see the wounds anymore, but he couldn't fool himself. They may have been hidden under his clothes, he knew deep down the wounds were still there. Even when they would fade away with time, he wouldn't be able to look at his neck without thinking it had been the place where a vampire bit him. Whenever he saw or touched the scars, he would feel… as if he had been marked by the vampire.

The Count von Krolock had put his mark on him, and Alfred was afraid he was here to stay. For a while.

What could he expect next, during their journey in Transylvania?

It took a full week for Alfred to get settled, and Professor Abronsius wisely left him enough time to recover from his cold, which was exactly he needed, before they started working on the vampire case again. They hadn't spent much time with the villagers, mostly because he was bedridden most of the time with Abronsius looking over him and reading books about the undead. So far, they had only seen them at meals, with the exception of Mrs Chagal.

Today, Abronsius had decided to be a little more sociable. The villagers already found them strange enough, there was no reason for them to let them think they were even stranger and give them a reason to be suspicious and wary of them. It was the last thing Alfred and Abronsius could want!

They joined the living room of the inn just in time for diner. Mrs Chagal smiled at Alfred, seeming happy to see him hungry and on his feet, and she was quick to give him a cup of tea as Abronsius asked for their meals.

As they were eating their diner, Alfred idly watched around him. There was a couple of customers looking at them curiously, others seemed more wary, but most of them were busy eating and talking to each other. On the other side of the room, there was a young maid with dirty blonde hair washing the dishes, while Chagal was leering at her. It wasn't unnoticed by Mrs Chagal as she gave her husband a cold stare. With an air of false innocence, Chagal looked away.

Alfred noticed there were crucifixes and garlands of garlic at every corner of the room, and was reminded of the previous inn. He looked at Abronsius, wondering if he noticed anything as he was busy writing in his notebook.

As they finished their meals, Abronsius requested for Alfred to wait for him in their room and to take out their books and notes from their suitcases, for he had something to say to the innkeeper. Alfred, who thought Abronsius would talk about their stay, nodded and went upstairs.

The professor joined him half an hour later. He looked quite agitated but satisfied. "The good news is," Abronsius said, as he closed the door behind him. "I am now positive there's a vampire nearby. The bad news is that these villagers really need to calm down."

Oh no… Alfred thought. It seemed his mentor tried to question the innkeeper about vampires again. He suspected it didn't go well, much like the last time.

"Professor, what did you do?" Alfred almost feared the answer.

"It isn't about what I did, my boy, it's about what they did. One of them almost spilled the beans. The innkeeper pretended the man was the village's fool and that he was speaking nonsense, but I know better! I saw the way they tried to silence the man. They definitely know something, Alfred, but they won't tell anything!"

"Like the people from the previous inn, then?" Alfred guessed, remembering the wariness and the fear of the people whenever the professor asked about vampires.

Abronsius nodded. "Exactly, my boy! Their suspicious behaviour only confirm to me that we're closer to our goal This Count is somewhere, close to us… I can feel it!"

Having being fooled by a vampire under the disguise of a bat had renewed Abronsius's resolution and he was determined to find the vampire who had bested them. Alfred wished he shared his enthusiasm. He wasn't keen on facing the Count again.

"We must get back to work quickly! Quick, Alfred! My notebook!" he said, suddenly businesslike.

They spent the next hours working on their notes.

"I've been looking into our books," Abronsius said, gesturing at the pile of books he had brought with him, "and I've compared what they proclaim about vampires with what we've learn from your… misadventure. What I thought as a myth is actually true: vampires can turn into a bat. They can be hurt, as we saw with this vampire Count, which means they can be defeated."

Alfred couldn't help but frown. He couldn't picture the Count as… defeated and dead. He seemed so strong. He imagined him dead and found the notion to be so… strange and unlikely.

His professor leaned forward and flipped through his notebook. "Vampires can manipulate minds in a way I hadn't suspected: they can create dreams and control them, this is precisely what he did to you."

Alfred weakly nodded. "He said it was the only way for him to… to feed from me without being aware of it and dismissing it as a dream."

"Hum… of course! I assume vampires would create pleasant dreams in order to feed from their victims while they're asleep. There is no point in creating a nightmare which would leave the sleeping victim restless."

Alfred grimaced. His dreamy sleep didn't feel restful at all!

"What did he make you see?"

"You already know, Professor." Alfred tiredly pointed out. "I already told you all you needed to know."

"Then, tell once again!" Abronsius urged him. "I need to know everything my boy, every detail matters!"

Alfred internally sighed. There was no point in debating the matter with Professor Abronsius when he wanted to know something. The man could prove to be very stubborn!

"Just as I told you, I was in a forest at night and it was snowing." He described his dream once again, trying to remember every detail. How hypnotising Krolock's voice was, as soft as silk, how he couldn't help but follow that enticing voice, how ethereal Krolock had looked, the feel of his teeth in his flesh and the darkness taking over him, and the afterwards of the dream, when he felt weak and tired.

Abronsius nodded, furiously writing down on his notebook, mumbling under his breath as he did, pressing him with more questions. Alfred had the unpleasant sensation of being a scientific subject for his mentor's studies.

"He fed on you specifically, even though I was in the same room," Abronsius pointed out, "which, I guess, is because you're young and in good health. You must have appeared as an interesting prey, much more than myself."

Alfred grimaced. He wished the Professor wouldn't talk like he was a piece of meat. His mind unconsciously went back to this night, as he recalled Krolock's words: "I was hungry… have been for nights… and you were there. A charming, healthy young man." and, to his shame, blushed at the memory of Krolock choosing him and calling him "charming".

It was ridiculous! The vampire had fed on him twice, for God's sake!

He shook his head and tried to concentrate on Abronsius again. Not having noticed Alfred's absence, he went on. "He fed on you, twice, which means they can drink without killing their victims or turning them into one of their own. Most of them probably wouldn't bother, but they can learn to control it. Why is that? Maybe to maintain a source of fresh blood."

Alfred thought back of Krolock's words, "It is not the first time your veins have appeased my thirst, neither will it be the last time…", and he shivered. He hoped he wouldn't see Krolock's sharp teeth on him ever again. He remembered the pain and the sweet surrender.

Abronsius must have noticed his assistant's uneasy state, for he patted his shoulder. "Don't worry Alfred, my lad. This creature won't lay his hands on you again, I'll make sure of it!" he said with a gentle yet determined tone.

Alfred's shoulder relaxed slightly, wanting to believe the older man. He smiled slightly. Abronsius's marks of affection were so very rare, and it was nice to know he was appreciated, despite his mentor's reserved nature.

"Mark my words, Alfred!" he said, gesturing his finger to emphasize his point. "This Count will soon wish he didn't cross our way!"

He then proceeded to describe everything he planned to do, in the name of science, once they would have caught a vampire, and what kind of studies he would conduct. Alfred half-listened to him, relieved they stopped talking about his nightmare. He absently hummed at Abronsius, as tiredness was starting to envelop him like a cloak.

And then, he heard something, something quite apart from the sound of the fireplace and Abronsius's voice. It was a voice, a voice to chill the bone, breathtaking but faint, as if talking from afar.

"Be prepared…"

Alfred jumped from his chair. "Did you say something, Professor?"

Abronsius looked at him, frowning. "You need to pay closer attention to my words, boy. I just told you about the importance of catching this Count to –"

However, Alfred shook his head. "No… it wasn't that… There was a voice… a voice that said… didn't you hear it?"

Abronsius looked at him in astonishment. "Now, what are you talking about, Alfred? Perhaps you're getting a little drowsy? Mein Gott, look at the time! We've been working for nearly four hours. Time's flown, hasn't it?"

Alfred didn't answer. He was straining his ears to hear the voice again, but there was no sound except Abronsius's voice.

"You look pale, my boy. Why don't you relax yourself by taking a warm bath, hmm? We shall continue our studies tomorrow."

Alfred nodded, thankful for the break, though he couldn't help but wonder.

Did he truly hear something, or was it just a fragment of his imagination?

The bath tub was old fashioned and made of wood. It wasn't big enough for an adult to spread their legs, but for now, it was more than enough for Alfred who wanted nothing more than to partake in this hot bath. He removed his clothes once the tub was filled enough.

Alfred shivered with pleasure when he sunk into the bath. He thought he would melt in the hot water. His latest hot bath had been weeks ago and, since then, his only option at bathing had been with cold water in an icy room in various inns. While this inn didn't seem any different than the ones he stayed in previously, it seemed like someone in the Chagal family enjoyed the luxury of a hot bath.

He soaked happily, splashing himself with water, the memory of the "voice" fading from his mind. He wished the tub would expand so he could go swimming, like he used to on hot summer days in the woods with his parents, when he was a child. He felt so relaxed he could have fallen asleep, if he hadn't been afraid to drown. Instead, he washed himself, using the sponge and soap he had been provided with.

He relaxed in the bath until the water was cold and his skin was wrinkled like a prune. He climbed up reluctantly and took a towel from a small table nearby and wrapped it around his waist. He felt like the bath refreshed him, he felt warm and aglow and perfectly in agreement with the world.

The air of the bathroom was thick with steam, along with the scent of soap. He went to wipe the fog off the window with his hand, and saw the evening was already there. He must have spent more time than he had thought in the bathroom. It would be best for him to prepare himself for bed, in case someone else wanted to use the bathroom.

He took a seat on a stool, humming to himself as he was drying himself with another towel. Once this task was done, he brushed his hair and struggled with the knots. Absent-mindedly, he turned his head to the side, briefly looking at the window.

He then froze, his heart skipping a beat.

There was something outside, looking through the window. Dread and suspicion overtook him. He stood up, letting the towel in his hair fall down the floor in the process. However, as he reached the window, the… thing was gone.

What was it? Alfred couldn't quite discern what it was from where he had been seated. It was dark, darker than the evening's sky, and big enough to block the view from the bathroom's small window. Its form was strangely familiar, though Alfred couldn't quite recognise it from where he stood. If he had to guess, he thought it looked like a bird… or a bat, Alfred thought with dread.

Could it have been a bat, thought? It was very brief he could have dreamt it, or so he hoped. Maybe his mind was playing tricks on him? He was no stranger to dreams about bats and the Count, since their misadventure. Surely, it wouldn't be surprising if it had been a sort of hallucination, caused by his over-excited brain and the strange experience he went through.

What if he didn't dream it and there had been something out there? It was quite possible as well, considering Transylvania counted many animals and some of them being nocturnal, such as owls and bats. However, most animals didn't wander outside during winter, especially in the cold and harsh winters of Transylvania. Most of all, animals didn't go closer to human habitations, unless they were starved and looked for food. However, very few of them would be able to reach the window.

So, what did he see? Alfred shuddered at the possibilities.

Could it have been… a bat? Could it have been Krolock… or another vampire? Alfred shook his head. The possibility of other vampires lurking outside, in the lands of Transylvania, was likely, though he didn't want to think about it. Moreover, the Count von Krolock was far away from them and it wasn't certain he would come back to them, when he already got what he wanted.

At least, that's what he hoped.

A loud and sudden sound was then heard. Alfred jumped, his heart beating like mad in his chest, as he was looking at the door. Someone was vehemently knocking at the door and tried to open it at the same time.

"Sarah! Are you still in that damned bathroom? Sarah?!" Chagal yelled, pounding at the door.

Alfred breathed loudly, trying to calm down the frenetic beating of his heart.

"I-It's Alfred, Sir!" Alfred cried, making his presence known.

There was silence for a couple of seconds, until he heard the innkeeper's voice:

"Oh… I see," he replied; then he mumbled, though still loud enough for Alfred to be able to hear him, in a contemplative and surprised tone: "Is this a youth's thing to bathe so much? I'll never understand it…!"

He was gone and so was the thing he had supposedly seen. However, any feeling of relaxation Alfred had felt since his bath had now disappeared.

He took his night clothes and dressed quickly, his eyes still darting to the window, apprehending to see the bat again. Alfred knew it was stupid, maybe he dreamt it or maybe it wasn't the bat. However, the young assistant couldn't help but feel his beat jumping in his chest. It had been the first bat he saw since… since Krolock.

Alfred thought he was acting ridiculous. It would be quite pathetic for him to grow wary and scared of bats, despite what happened. Besides, he wasn't even sure he had seen something at the window, even less hearing voices! It could merely have been a trick of the light or from his anxious mind. He was most probably making a fool of himself! He was perfectly safe in the inn!

As he went to bed, he found his self-reassuring thoughts did little to appease his mind. Maybe, he thought, it wouldn't hurt to be cautious and observant of his surroundings while they stayed here…

With this decision made, Alfred turned off the light. He closed his eyes, waiting for Morpheus's call, completely unaware of the dark silhouette watching him meters away from the inn.

Professor Friedrich Aloisius Abronsius was a patient man. He had to be, after all. As a teacher, he was used to repeat himself to absent-minded students during his lessons and, as a scientist, he was used to long researched and experiences before reaching to the long-awaited result. He couldn't forget the patience he had to show before the taunting of his colleagues from Koenigsberg who thought of him as a fool. Abronsius was eager for the day he would show them his worth and how wrong they all were for mocking him and his work!

Yes, Abronsius considered himself to be a patient man. The villagers, however, were sure trying this patience! He had tried to question them, again and again, insisting on the importance of his work, promising them they were all going to be safe, they had stubbornly kept refusing to tell him anything and had pretended there was no castle nearby and that they just happened to love garlic a lot.

Getting answers from them wasn't going to be easy! Abronsius sighed from frustration as he entered the bathroom. Maybe a hot bath will calm his nerves…

"Stubborn secretive people, all of them!" Abronsius couldn't help but curse.

It was said out of frustration, he certainly didn't expect someone to answer him.

"They won't tell you anything," said a soft-spoken voice.

Abronsius looked up from where he stood. A thin, smaller figure stood at the door, curiously looking at him, with a fair face and curly red hair. Though he only saw her once or twice, Abronsius recognised the girl as Sarah Chagal, the innkeeper's daughter.

"But I could," she suddenly said, her eyes glittering.

"Is that so?" He looked at her curiously. "So, you happen to know precisely what I want to know, young girl, hmm?"

Sarah's mouth quirked into the shadow of a smile. "You are looking for a castle, aren't you? You're looking for them. For vampires." she said the last word in a mysterious whisper, like it was a secret, a taboo.

Abronsius's eyes turned wide. Was she saying what he thought she was saying? "By Jove! Do you know something, girl?"

"I'm not supposed to know," she replied with a grimace. "Father would be furious and upset if he knew but I'm not a fool. I know they're here, they have this horrible hunchback working for them. Sometimes, he comes to the inn to pick up some supplies for the castle."

Abronsius looked at her in a new light. According to her father, Sarah was an innocent and vulnerable girl that had to be preserved from the dangers of the world. He believed he could protect her by locking her in what he called the "safety of her room", away from temptation, away from the outside world. It was clear to Abronsius that the innkeeper underestimated his daughter. Sarah Chagal wasn't as innocent as her father claimed. She was observant and she seemed to know much more than she let her father believe.

Abronsius wasn't surprised. It was always the quiet ones…

He thought back of her words. "So there is someone working for them! A human, no doubt, so he would be here to watch over the castle and his masters during the day! When does he come to the inn, girl? You must tell me!"

Sarah shook her head. "He doesn't come often. The last time he came, he asked for candles and washing supplies and it was weeks ago. I don't know when he will come back…"

At Abronsius's disappointed expression, she added: "I do know where the castle is, though." A malicious, secretive smile appeared. "But I need for you to do something for me." she added, suddenly serious and businesslike.

Abronsius arched an eyebrow at that. "Like a deal, hmm? Well, state away, child!" After all, there was nothing wrong in indulging a young girl, whatever she wanted, if she could give him precious, important information.

"I need some time for myself… I'm sure you understand it is important for young girls, but it's difficult when my father is watching me like a hawk… he can really be annoying!"

Abronsius couldn't disagree on that. Chagal was obsessed with the idea of locking his daughter in her room and would go mad when she found a way to get into the bathroom or to talk with strangers.

"I would appreciate it if you could… distract him, for a couple of hours and if I could have the bathroom this evening."

"The bathroom?" Abronsius asked, astonished. Her father, he could understand, but of all the things she could have asked him… she requested the bathroom?!

"It's important for me!" she said, putting her hands on her hips. "It has been days since I was permitted to go to the bathroom. I only had a bucket to wash myself, I need a long, hot bath!"

Abronsius looked at her, then he shrugged. The mind of teenagers… truly a mystery!

"Well, my dear child," Abronsius said. "We have a deal! Tell me everything I need to know!"

Sarah's brown eyes sparkled in the semi-darkness of the room.

I had lot of fun writing the scene with Sarah and Abronsius, can you tell? Things are starting to move! Though, I do hope it's not moving too fast, as eager as I am to get to castle von Krolock. Vampires… they are never too far, aren't they? Thanks for reading!