Hello my dear Dragathas! I hope you had amazing week and now relax, enjoying already the weekend. I decided to post another chapter Balaurs already left Carcassonne, now visiting Italy and have adventurous plans … as always, when you plan too forward, something happens and changes everything …

Thank you aaaaall for the kudos and comments that I love and thrive for Keep it on! …

CHAPTER 16

Red Moon

The large, almost empty room is immersed into a terrifying darkness and she is in a strange pain. The entire body of Agatha Balaur hurts and the unusual ache only intensifies. All alone, her long-forgotten human weaknesses return and intensify the agony, that accumulates inside of her body. Her usual ally, the sharp mind of hers, is now silent and doesn't want to help her escape this room. Not knowing where she is; Agatha suspects, someone kidnapped her and this time, she is sure, it isn't a game. Her husband is not involved, she knows that and alike starts to worry about him as well. Is he held captive too? Does he feel the same torture? Is he even conscious? Does his body hurt as if expecting an enormous explosion? Do they keep him under a lock as well? What is going on?! No answers! No one and nothing respond to her wordless questions. Agatha´s chest raises in irregular intervals, though even she knows, her lungs do not yearn for oxygen. Something, other than her own mind, expands inside of her, pushing all those non-functional guts aside. That´s the reason why everything hurts so much, the source of the pressure inside of her that only grows and wants to tear her apart.

- Shall we? - suddenly, out of nowhere, a person dressed in a white, sterile, surgical clothes, appears in the room, bringing some light in the contrast to the all-surrounding darkness. Agatha instantly tremors, not only because of the ache accumulating this time between her legs. The icy, contemptuous, mysterious tone of the voice unsettles her even more than the silence before …

- Who are you? - Agatha asks, regaining her voice surprisingly and with a raising level of fear, watches the figure of an unknown face and voice, approaching her closer, positioning between her legs. - What are you doing?! - raising her voice, Agatha panics and at the same time screams … as if someone kicked her pubic bone forcefully, she bends immediately forward, clenching her hands into fists and … the other person in the room, spreads her legs apart and although it frightens her at first, the pressure inside of her lowers … though minimally … just to strike its peak a moment later … she screams in agony, looking around herself, wondering what´s the source of all that terror…

- Now you need to push with all your strength. - the unknown voice commands, meanwhile Agatha´s questions are fully ignored … - Then it will be over … - disgust, contempt, eagerness … that leans closer to her bare knees …

- What?! - as if a lightning crossed the dark room, her mind starts to function again and suddenly, Agatha Balaur knows that she is not being kicked and no one is preparing to rape her … it´s a …

-/-

Agatha suddenly opens her eyes wide, and panting as if running a marathon, looks around herself. Confusion overpowers her rational thinking and she indeed expects to find a mortal dressed in white to approach her and … what? That´s puzzling her even more. Something terrible happened, that´s something she knows, though the more she tries to remember what it was, the more she realises it was just a dream. Eventually, Agatha lies her eyes on the peaceful figure sleeping right next to her. A large bundle of her happiness is lying on his back in a comfortable posture and all she wants right now, is the same easiness and peace. Taking an unnecessary breath, Agatha closes her eyes to calm down again. Returning back to the sandy beach of San Vito Lo Capo a smile returns to her face … again, she can hear the calming sound of the Azur blue sea and when she looks to the right, her sexy husband, dressed only in swimming shorts, talks about his plans for a bike tour across the coast that awaits them in the morning … now she can breathe out the needless oxygen and open her eyes again … once more, she almost jumps from an unpleasant shock … just like a year ago, in her modest London house, an old wrinkled woman hatefully stares at her and with a mocking smile clutches in her long-nailed, bony fingers something that looks like a … pineapple? … however, Agatha doesn´t have enough time to muse what it is as the old woman nears her and sleeping Vlad, whispering possibly another curse in an unknown language, meanwhile squeezing that something in her palms … accordingly, a strong spasm paralyses Agatha´s body once again. Striga stands by the bed already and Agatha feels her guts being squeezed, just like the object in those repulsive hands, that explodes shortly after. Now she expects the worst. Just like during Dracula´s resurrection, even now she believes, her chest will be open and heart disposed, though the pain concentrates lower … the hateful murmur only intensifies and Agatha´s head starts to spill. Losing her consciousness, the apparition of a toothless striga disappears and … a fragrance of pomegranate fills the room. Eventually heavy head of Countess Dracula hits the pillow and all becomes just a dream …

-/-

The bedroom is immersed in an early morning sunlight, French door are wide open and the warm wind caresses shoulders of the sleeping vampire couple. As it became a custom, naked Agatha lies partially on her still husband, cuddled, sharing the warmth they both lack. Count´s face in her hair is something he cherishes the most in the first moments of morning' awakening. Thus, when he opens his eyes, Agatha is the first thing he sees in the morning. Today, he is the first one to wake up again. Smile immediately replaces the slightly sleepy and confused look on his face. Even though a year has passed since Agatha saved him from the hands of the army and took him home, sometimes he still cannot believe that this reality is not only a wonderful dream. Caressing her bare back, Dracula gently removes those few strands of her hair that are covering her calm face. He wants to see her in the morning sun and feast his eyes with the beauty in his arms. The first minutes of the early morning are usually the only time when he can admire her looks without any interruptions and huffs. Countess lying on top of him doesn´t want to accept that she is a stunning woman not only with her personality but also with her looks. In his eyes, she is simply a Goddess that took pity at him and decided to love him completely under one, simple condition that he gladly accepted. The best decision ever. Certainly, the most rewarding one. Mr. Balaur muses another 10 minutes when his wife starts to stir a bit, which can mean only one thing. She is finally waking up.

- Good morning, beauty. - he whispers the moment Agatha opens her blue eyes. A soft, dreamy smile appears on her face as well.

- Hm. - the answer is sleepy, as it seems Agatha is still partially in the realm of dreams. It´s possible, that she would be able to return there back … that's why Count decides to speed up the process of awakening and kisses her on the slightly swollen lips. A soft, partially faraway smile appears on Agatha´s lips, something that they now share. Impatient Count lowers his voice again a look full of expectations, even possible hints, asks:

- Have you dreamt of me, my Sun? - he asks with a tender smile on those pome-red lips. Obviously, Dracula's eyes are not as innocent, since a hint of teasing is well incorporated in those chocolate pralines. Agatha's confusion however, grows.

- What? - with a teasing grin, Dracula continues explaining his persuasion.

- Already wet, my dear. - that's what was he hinting … that's the source of his countless satisfaction. - What else could cause that if not me? - oh, his self-confidence seems to be only growing, even though in this case, she has to admit, he is correct. However, no such dreams occupied her sleeping mind. Not at all. Now that she recovers some pieces of her sleeping adventure, considerable concerns start to occupy her mind. She has though no more time to muse or worry further as the Count starts kissing her again.

- Sorry to disappoint you, Vlad, - she says in between the kisses. - but tonight, you were not the hero of my dreams. - not even nightmares … this definitely was … that demon woman … That´s all she can remember … that old witch … pineapple … painful spasm … pomegranate … now thinking about it, it sounds ridiculous … Dracula leaves her no time to think about her dreams further, simply believing his wife want to tease him as the previous morning …

- Then explain this. - following, Vlad Balaur uncovers them swiftly … - That´s … blood. - now he eyes Agatha, whose facial expression changes to horror. - I am so sorry, darling. Didn´t mean to hurt you. - the mood in the room changes immediately and Count no longer grins so happily. Even his face froze in a shock. Dazed vampiress just shakes her head in a disagreement.

-You did not. - she swallows empty, stiffening. Dracula´s eyebrows frown in a growing confusion when Agatha jumps out of the bed and runs to the bathroom without any further explanation.

- Darling?! - what´s wrong? He does not understand her reaction and that makes him feel uncomfortable. At this moment, Dracula hesitates. Should he follow her and try to find out what´s the source of such a sudden change of her mood? The option to stay in the bed seems though more adequate and safer. He won´t risk an unnecessary outburst of anger. Agatha needs some privacy; he has learned that already and tries to respect it. This time, he looks down on his thigh, that was few moments ago entangled with Agatha´s long legs. A smudge of blood covers it partially, so he is trying to find out what it might be sourcing from. It´s a sudden realisation and unlike in Agatha´s case, it calms him down. She is right. I did not hurt her. It´s normal. She is just ashamed … but why? I am her husband! He still does not understand her sudden escape. With a disappearing frown, Vlad decides to taste the blood. His motto is after all "blood is lives" and never does he waste even a single drop of it. The taste surprises him … pleasantly … definitely the content of iron is higher and if he could, he would certainly compare it to that of a high-quality whiskey. What´s more, studying its unique taste, he finds no trait of any previous owners. Each trait, every picturesque scene of everyday life belongs just and only to Mrs. Balaur and reading it, brings him back to the convent gates, where he tasted her for the very first time. It´s entirely her! Human Agatha! That´s strange! How is it possible? We consumed the same food, though I cannot spot anything else in these drops than her. 10 minutes later, the door opens and Agatha wrapped in a dark-blue towel, finds her husband in deep thoughts with a forefinger covered in her blood in his mouth.

- Vlad! - she frowns immediately, little bit disgusted. - How can you … - what? - suck it? - coming back to his senses, the guilty Count only shrugs his shoulders.

- It would be a shame to waste it. - he responds and finally sits. A deep wrinkle crosses his forehead. - My dear, I am your husband. There´s no need to blush. It´s normal that you bleed this way, isn´t it? - that's it! That would explain why I cannot identify there anything else apart from Agatha! - We have had more intimate discussions concerning similar topics and heavens, enjoyed much more sensual acts including juices of the other one. Even on the boat and then … well you did not love me the way you do now. - Agatha shakes her head though, frowns and has hard time not to cry. Eventually she explains her worries.

- We share the bedroom already for some time, however, have you noticed that something similar occurs on regular basis? I haven´t bled this way for 124 years, Vlad. - that what concerns her and surprises her husband even more.

- No? -

- No. I am dead, remember? - she tightens the towel around her even more, feeling uncomfortable. - My … well our organs are not working and I know that. I am a doctor. - she huffs in annoyance, taking the lower lip in between her teeth. - Something is changing and I have no clue why. - nevertheless, she very well realises what might follow once the period ends … if it can be compared to a monthly bleeding of regular women this way.

- My body changed as well, when I met you and I am glad for it. C´mon. It´s not that bad. - that mischievous sparkle in Count´s eyes, does not change Agatha´s mood at all. First, it´s not hard to guess, what he is thinking of. Second, the fact he does not realise possible consequences frustrates her.

- It is! - Agatha unintentionally raises her voice, which is full of concerns and uncertainties, that include the troubling dream. She doesn´t like such spontaneous, unexplainable situations. - Don´t you realise what that could mean? - definitely, she was not prepared for even such thoughts. - Try to browse in your all-knowing bloodstream how woman´s body functions and you´ll understand! - again, she huffs in frustration. Vlad furrows as well in a further confusion and does as he is told. Agatha returns to the bathroom meanwhile and with tears in her eyes, uses the shower again. This is one of the things she did not miss at all! The feeling of being constantly dirty and unfit for literally anything. Women in those times were really viewed like that and no man would touch them as if they were contaminated by plague. Yet Vlad … he is an understanding husband. This however, doesn't change the fact something natural is happening to ME! Standing in the shower, many memories appear in her mind and none of them are pleasant. Stinking pads, that had to be used over and over again, in a nunnery with limited source of water, blood stains on hard mattresses, or God forbid, on a faded habit, separation from the other nuns … which wasn't that bad, since then she was excused from the common prayers. Nevertheless, from her first period to the last, she never got used to that feeling of unworthiness and impurity. Now as the blood mixes with the hot water in the tub, her old-self from those times would smirk and say: what a luxurious life a woman in this century has. She doesn't doubt that, however, I am dead. This is not normal! It cannot be true! Agatha rather turns the water off and stepping out of the shower second time of that day, wraps herself again into the towel. Now, her day is ruined and she has absolutely no mood to go to the beach again or cycle across the coast, even though she has been truly looking forward to it. How could I? Like this? Looking at herself in the mirror, she eventually shakes her head stubbornly and decides to return. After all, she needs … The door opens again and Dracula, whose eyes have been fixed on that piece of wood, has found his answers.

- I think I understood, my dear. - unlike Agatha, as she expected, Count Dracula smiles. As agreed, he hasn´t brought the topic of an offspring to the table anymore, yet that might change now … if she evaluated the current situation correctly. - The nature plays a strange game with us, doesn't it? - the joy is not shared, though he doesn´t wait for an answer, rather continues. - Maybe it's a sign, that having a baby would be alright and … safe. -

- Sign from who? Heavens? God? - she almost spats with an offended grimace on her face. - Oh, Vlad. Don´t be superstitious. - similar response from the side of Count Dracula is quite expected and partially Agatha wishes to see anger on his side as well, because obviously, that´s the emotion they don´t share right now. Dracula however, only sighs in response.

- Darling, come here. - again, he opens his arms wide, inviting her to join him again. Agatha though shakes her head, already feeling a thin stream of strangely warm blood, flowing down her inner thigh.

- I need you to get off the bed and go to the drugstore to buy … - she sighs heavy in discomfort and scratches her anxious forehead. - some tampons. I can´t spend my days in shower and this way ... - a first tear escapes her eye, followed by a frustrated groan, raising the level of shame incredibly. After all, she is a strong, independent woman, that has found herself in incomparable worse situations, yet always managed it without tears. Even Dracula knows that.

- Whatever you want. - leaving the bed, naked Count moves to Agatha, embracing her tightly. - It will be alright, honey. I´ll be right back. -

- Just … - how could this ever be the same as before … nonetheless, Agatha has no more strength or emotional capacity to argue or protest. Even if, nothing is Dracula's fault. Words of gratitude are in place: - thank you, Vlad. -

-/-

The second day is nearing its end and the atmosphere in the villa grows only more tense. They are avoiding each other, Agatha intentionally finding nooks in the large house where she can be alone. Her hopes that the morning accident was indeed caused by a small rupture, sourcing from more intense lovemaking, are wasted. What if she is indeed able to conceive a child? Would it be a normal baby or a small, uncontrollable, blood-thirsty monster? Her mind inclines to believe the 2nd option. Now I cannot even believe my own body! That´s ridiculous. How could it happen? Now? After 124 years of being barren, literally dead inside, my womb decides to start working again? Bloody hell! Those are the over and over again repeating questions and conclusions that occupy her mind constantly, separating her from her husband even more … Dracula is trying his best to give her some time and space but it´s so hard and unpleasant. Having Agatha constantly somewhere near yet not within the reach of hands or eyes, current situation influences him visibly. No more smiles. His face is full of concerns. Eyes saddened and full of uncertainty. No longer they share the same bed and that´s one of the reasons, he cannot fall asleep. How could he? Without Agatha by his side something is amiss and it doesn´t take a genius to find out what it is. Nothing has improved, that´s certain. Agatha´s bleeding intensified, the blood loss is heavier, yet she hardly drunk half a glass of the freshly delivered blood. Even if not being present in their room, Count Dracula very well knows, that his wife did not sleep at all. 2 days. A lot of time to contemplate. About the present. About the future. What might and might not happen. What consequences can these changes in Agatha´s body cause and mean. First hours after his return from the drugstore and a cold, yet somehow sincere thank you, she gave him in return for the embarrassing purchase of toiletries, Dracula felt terribly offended. His male ego was hurt by the idea that Agatha simply doesn´t want a child with him. A vampire. The flame of anger however, did not burn for a long time and just like the shore outside, was washed by logical arguments. Unexplainable. That´s something Agatha never liked. Most of the times, when something like that happened, she was able to find a clarification for anything she wanted, often disproving stated facts and knowledge, yet now … All that is happening is against actual logic and in a sense … nature as well. Just like she said. Agatha needs to find her answers and so does he. Since Agatha wanted to be left alone, he tried to do his own research. World wide web. There he was supposed to find all the answers or at least some links that would direct him the correct way. Nothing. The search engines, working usually flawlessly, disappointed him completely. All he could find were some legends and myths, that he already knew about and partially guided himself by them for long centuries. As Agatha proved, almost none of them were true, but even a myth has some source and has to be based at least on something. Yet, nothing even mentioning a pure vampire baby could be found. Damphire. That´s all he got and was surprised how popular this theme was in the current culture. The problem though is, both Agatha and he, are full vampires and all the explanations of how a mortal and vampire can conceive a child sound like a nonsense in his ears. No links for further literature based on an actual research of folk mythology exist and that could mean only 2 things. Either it is impossible, or nothing similar has ever happened. Like there were any vampire couples before. We are unique. Agatha and I. The only of our kind! That´s an advantage and a damnation at the same time. After all of this, Vlad Balaur, Count Dracula starts understanding how his wife must feel and is slowly sharing the frustration (and certain limit of desperation) with her. It must stop though! We cannot live in a silence for the rest of our days?! Even though Count Dracula has all the time in the world, he is not a patient man. He needs his answers, he needs his explanations but foremost, he needs his wife. Taking courage into his hands to face Agatha again, Count Dracula knocks on the wooden door and waits for an answer that does not come. Two explanations exist (at least). Either, Agatha is so immersed into her thoughts that all the sounds of the reality cease to exist or she simply doesn´t want to talk to him (as if it was my fault … it might be … even my body underwent significant changes only when I met her … can it work both ways … nonsense … is it?). Nothing. Transylvanian warlord waits few more seconds and then, clenching the handle in his hand, slowly opens the door. Small library is almost completely dark. The only source of light is a large, scented candle which yesterday occupied their bathroom and 3 days ago created a pleasant, romantic atmosphere when they bathed together. How things can change … That´s something he has learned a long time ago, especially since Agatha entered his life. Nevertheless, no light is needed for him to see that Agatha has been crying and that converts all the unjust he might have felt to the deepest concern. The named one notices Dracula immediately. In fact, Agatha Balaur expected her husband to come sooner … precisely, burst into the room impatiently, demanding attention. She knows very well how he hates to wait. Her husband nears her quickly.

- What can I do to make you feel better, Agatha? - falling on his knees, he asks desperately and taking her hands into his larger ones, squeezes them gently. Raising her head, Agatha truly looks at him the first time within the last 2 days.

- Turn back time. - it takes her a minute to answer and sadly, no better answer comes to her mind. This answer doesn't sound good at all in Dracula's ears. Quite the contrary.

- To what period? - he asks with a concern and already present worry.

- A week ago. -

- Only a week? - now, Dracula breaths out in relief. - I was afraid that you would like to return to the times when you did not know about me. - even though she has no mood for jokes, she admits that an apology is needed

- I always knew about you, Vlad. - raising her hand from her lap, she caresses lovingly Dracula´s cold cheek. - My dear, I am so sorry to act like this. But … - sad vampiress sighs again, shaking her head, not knowing what to exactly say. All of her emotions are after all so obvious, that he must have figured how she feels already.

- It´s scary, I know. - sigh of understanding escapes his lips as well. - I´ve tried to … you know … do some research …. However, … - Agatha shakes her head and interrupts him abruptly. There´s no need to waste words ...

- It´s useless, Vlad. Nowhere in the history, in no library, you could have found a mention of a child coming from a union of two vampires. -

- So, you have been already thinking about it? Having a child? With me? - the annoying silence fills the room again. Agatha averts her eyes from her husband.

- Yes and no. - she just cannot tell him about the reappearing dream that hunts her now even more and prevents her from sleep. That might only support his superstition … it already supports mine. Confused look, eyebrows almost creating a single line on Count´s forehead are enough signs, that further explanation is needed. - Look, as an idea it might be nice. Everyone dreams of a family. From time to time. It´s in the human nature after all. And it might have been lovely having little Vlad or Agatha running around. - she admits honestly, but has to agree that only appearance of Dracula in her boring life made her think about it. Truly he is the only man she could imagine in the position of the father of her children. - However, you must know, Vlad, why such an idea is unacceptable. It´s hard to raise a human child, but that at least you can get under control and raise properly. -

- You managed me. -

- You are an adult man that was once mortal. You can rationally think, reason and are mostly aware of the things you do and their consequences. Child´s brain functions completely different and if that was corrupt by pure vampire needs, lusts and uncontrollable addiction … - even such an idea shakes with her. - It´s a big unknown and I think not worthy to find out what it could be like if even possible. -

- Do you really think that we could have had a baby? - he needs to hear her honest opinion.

- I don´t know, Vlad. There was never an actual research done on this subject as no one was so brave and mad to study it. -

- Apart from you? -

- Apart from me. - she was and is truly the only person in the history of humankind who has thoroughly studied vampire legends and myth, finding many new interesting facts and truths. - There are no written sources, no legends, nothing. - Agatha sighs again. - During 123 years of my immortality I have already found out what is and isn´t possible, however, with your return, many facts and truths changed. -

- Example? - retrieving her hands from his, Agatha moves them to Dracula´s face and a kind of smile, even if still saddened, appears on her face.

- Happiness. - she admits, explaining further. - I am worthy. - that´s something she never quite believed. In her eyes, the immortality was a punishment for all those deaths she was indirectly responsible for and every hint of such an emotion was viewed as undeserved. Being satisfied with the life she led, that was acceptable, being happy … well that was a big no-no. Only recently has she fully experienced the meaning of that word. - And love. That I can feel and accept. -

- You deserve all of it Agatha. - as I do. Staring into each other's eyes, the study room is filled with silence. Thinking about all that was said. Reading the emotions and feelings written all over their faces. - Now, can´t we undergo some tests? - Dracula asks eventually. His scientific approach surprises Agatha. Why haven't I thought about it? - We haven´t been at home for 2 months. Why not return? It might resolve our concerns. -

- Would you agree with that? - if all goes well and the results would favour them … truth can be relieving, but saddening as well …

- I´ll do anything to ease your and honestly, my mind as well. Darling, I just can´t be without you … sleep alone, dine silently. I miss you. I want you back. - it´s decided then. No more hesitations and living in uncertainty. That did not bring any good so far. Agatha though nods and leaning closer, finally, after eternity (so it seems) of two long days, kisses her undead husband.

-/-

- Why does he have to analyse my seed? - Dracula asks once again as the door of their tiny, Carfax flat closes behind Agatha´s friend. Doctor Balaur rolls her eyes. She should have expected such a childish approach.

- Because he is a specialist and has my complete trust to keep our identity secret. - she could understand Dracula´s objections, though they have already discussed the details. - Mike is a doctor, a scientist and knows what to do. -

- So are you! - he protests, crossing his arm on his chest and sits down ashamed.

- Be glad that he didn't have to take your sample, Vlad and that I did it. - and he enjoyed that.

- For God´s sake, Agatha don't! Oh shit. - he grimaces in an enormous disgust. I shouldn't probably say it … however, he acts like a boy!

- I just couldn´t analyse it objectively. What if … - she cannot even pronounce it! He is able to ejaculate … his body creates sperm … already that should have told her to be careful … - Whatever the results will be, Vlad, I need to hear them from an impartial mind of my colleague. -

- That doesn't change the fact that I dislike that man. - the sound of Dracula's voice softens a bit. At least the offended subtone disappeared.

- Well, he probably feels the same. Call it even. He is not eager to be in your company too, Vlad, yet he can look pass it to help us … or at least me. And stop walking in a circle all the time. It's frustrating. - he didn't even realise to be in a constant movement and stops immediately, huffing.

- That makes him even more unlikable and annoying. That man has a crush on you! - placing his hands on his hips, he stands there like a preaching man with a childish approach. Really amusing … - I can see that! Just like that idiot captain Sokolov! - how much it irritated him, that that man has touched his wife, hugged her … even more because at that time, Agatha already forgot what she felt towards him … and never hugged him! … not that she was that eager to hug that man back … what a relief it was, when the captain finally took his last breath, that was taken away by him ...

- Nonsense, Vlad. - she has never noticed anything. - I could be his great-grandmother. - Dracula's jealousy is flattering, even if unreasonable, especially in this case. - Anyways, I love you. Don't you see? - she rolls her eyes. - And Sokolov … heavens that happened 123 years ago. -

- I do. - he huffs in defeat. - I just don't believe that man. That's all. I can already see his mocking facial expression when he delivers the results. -

- And I am sure, you will return the glare in the exact same expression. Personally, I think Mike will call, not paying another visit to us. Certainly not driving to Balaur Manor. -

- Hm. Let's go home then. - he agrees and pulls Agatha to his arms … the sooner they live the better ...

-/-

- Are you sure? - Agatha asks the second time already, clenching the android phone dangerously firm. On the other side of the line, Mike delivers the news in an absolute persuasion. Agatha's facial expression is though neutral and Dracula, watching her closely, doesn't know what to expect. - Alright. Thank you, Mike. Yes, I will. - the call is ended and Agatha joins her husband on the large sofa. Before informing him about the results, she closes her blue eyes and finally breathing out, delivers the news to her husband as well:

- Negative. -

- Negative? - that doesn't explain that much. Well, Agatha's sigh could be interpreted as sourcing from relief, though he can be mistaken. Why else would she close her eyes if the news were satisfying? Definitely he needs to know more.

- Yes, Vlad. Zero sperm motility. All of them are lacking tails. Conception is impossible. - at least the regular way … this idea surprises her. Why would she think of that? No babies. For sure. It´s not worth the risk … even though she now believes, something similar, a little detail, prevents her actual fertility as well, no matter that her cycle returned. Finally opening her eyes, relief can be certainly spotted in them. Now she looks at her husband, studying his face that definitely is not that enthusiastic as she would prefer.

- Oh. - it isn't that shocking after all. He is technically a dead man. No wonder he is infertile, though with all the ongoing changes … hope was given to him. Isn't it absurd that you, who kidnapped a few new-borns to feed your experiments just for fun, would like to have your own and love them unconditionally, just like you love Agatha? His mind criticises him. With Agatha, even his conscience returned and that is not always a positive gain. - So that sorts it out. - he clasps his hands with pretended relief. - No need for you to undergo that surgical sampling. - honestly, he didn't know what feelings to expect, though he surely did not think of small hint of hurt and not only of his ego. Agatha though has a different opinion.

- I´d rather do that. - just to be sure. Vlad though rolls his eyes at her …

- Why? No need for such an invasive treatment as my seed is … useless. - An annoying, malicious feeling that he failed and lost something he never had - You probably might expect similar results, Agatha. - the named one can see his discomfort, even though he is trying to mask it with a hint of joke, that contains more sarcasm than would suit a jest. - We are walking, exceptionally good-looking corpses. You were right. - it´s hard to hide the disappointment and crushed hopes, he was sure at least up until recently, he lacked completely. Agatha´s period and her explanation of what that might mean somehow ignited the spark of hope even more and now it is put off … even if she could, he would be the one to be blamed. Nevertheless, he tries his best to keep the carefree and unaffected expression on his well-composed face. Agatha believed her relief to be absolute, but seeing Vlad, she feels a bit sorry for him. Thus, she moves closer to him and lifting his arm, cuddles to his torso. With the same arm, she hugs herself and rests her head on his shoulder.

- We still have each other, love. -

- I know. - Dracula sighs, immediately in a better mood, tightening the embracement. - I suppose, it´s better this way, Agatha. Just you and I. We can travel the world, enjoy each other to the fullest and still have enough time for medicine and business. -

- Yes. - that´s the correct approach to this entire situation. After a short pause, with a small blush, she adds. - I am still bleeding. -

- I know, honey. - he can smell the delicate fragrance. - And it is so … - however his words fail him. Somehow the idea of a life-giving fluid sourcing from her excites him enormously. It´s the opposite process, he knows, that the female body does this when it fails to create a new life, though he cannot stop thinking that quite the opposite should occur. Blood is life-giving. Blood belonging only to his wife, so unusual for a vampire, arouses him, though all he can do is dreaming about them being together in an intimate way.

- So what? - she wants to know … Dracula has to chuckle and roll his eyes sheepishly. Now his typical facial expression adorns the face of his wife. Superior look of someone who always knows better …

- Nubile. -

- Nubile? - it´s a whisper only, though teasing one.

- Hm. - sincere pralines are melting in Agatha's oceans and with a sheepish smile in his eyes, that are completely lost on her provoking smile, the older vampire only nods.

- Take me to the bedroom, Vlad. - no hint of hesitation or embarrassment can be heard. Just sincere lust. - Make love to me. - Dracula's jaw drops. He did not expect such proposal ...

- I don't want to hurt you, Agatha. Are you sure? - no matter how great it sounds; he doesn't want her to do it out of pity or cause her any discomfort. With a deadly serious look and absolute certainty, Agatha raises her eyebrows.

- Take me or I´ll drag you there! - how sexy such a threat sounds! Swallowing empty, Count´s eyes widen in a pleasant shock.

- No. No. No. No. No. - there´s no need to ask twice. Immediately, he stands up and takes her into his strong arm. - Let me carry you to the palace of exquisite, utmostpassion, my dearest! - sorrow is left in the past, now his mind is occupied with the future, mainly upcoming events in their bedroom. Finally at home…

-/-

… a contraction! … heavy panting and the pressure in her abdomen are stimulated by a little being trapped inside of her … she, barren vampiress, is in the middle of a painful labour …

- This cannot be real! - she yelps, though notices at the same time, her enlarged stomach that she believed, would never trouble her. - No, no, no! - sharp pain in her vulva is persuasive more than enough and in response, a grimace of torture crosses her face… - How could it happen?!

- Isn´t it a little bit late to ask, Countess? - the unknown voice spats at her, in a mocking tone. Dark cold-blue irises pierce her with a sharp judgemental look. - Push that little monster out of you, or it will tear you apart! - immediately, the memory she gained from her husband, sneaks into her mind … a little baby, not older than 5 or 6 months, crawling on all four, with bloody-red eyes … thirsty, hungry, unstoppable … yearning just for blood … sharp teeth in a mouth, piercing through the gingiva, even though its first human teeth have not perforated them before …

- I cannot allow that! - it´s a beep that is silenced by another contraction … the strongest one … this time, her body takes the control over her mind and pushes even though, she wants to stop and keep that … monster, no … my child … inside … in safety, well protected from the outside world … keeping safe that world from her offspring at the same time …

- Here it is … - the person … a woman! … announces and … takes something sharp to her hand … scissors? Tongs? - Monster! -

- NO! - it might be a damned creature, but it´s mine … - Give me MY child! - Agatha wants to grab that little crying bundle, though heavy pain attacks her anew. She is paralysed, frozen … worried about life … not only hers … all of it repeats … painful contractions, heavy pulsation, strenuous chest lifting … the other person, already with hands lifted, fully prepared to murder Agatha´s crying infant, freezes in shock as well … disgusted, she roughly places it aside …

- Lord have mercy! - blue-eyed, grey-haired woman, in a doctor´s cloak, rolls her eyes angrily, and clenching teeth, mocks the fresh mother once more: - Another little evil´s bastard! - accompanied by the terrified cry and loud screaming of its older hypothermic sibling, the 2nd child is born within few splitting moments.

- Don't hurt them! - breathless Agatha pleads as soon as the baby crying becomes two voiced. - Please. - older doctor just guffaws scornfully and teases the pain-stricken new-mother.

- Wasn´t it your task to rid this world of evil forces and prevent further spread of it? - scissors are already in her hands again, though she doesn't stab … yet … rather than that, she looks at Agatha with an utter disgust and adds: - And what did you do? Huh? Multiplied their number by two! - umbilical cord is cut, that she can say and babies … - They mustn't live! -

- NO! - Agatha bends forward again, trying her best to reach for her children and save them from the horrible fate … they are not the ones to be blamed for the sins of their parents …

-YES! - it´s though … in the last moment, a tiny ray of light enters the darkness as a spark of hope that this won´t be the end …

… Exhausted vampiress wakes up from her nightmare, shaking from horror and panic. At first, sitting up, she starts looking for her crying infants, but sees none. The idea that the old doctor killed them both strikes her, making her feel sick. Cold sweat would cover her body if it was able to produce it. Confused vampiress still feels the remnants of childbirth-pain and hears frightened cry, however all is silent and no one else from the empty, dark room is present. The vividness of her nightmare has been so real that few moments need to pass until she realises, nothing of those previous moments is true. Only then she breaths out in relief and finally notices Vlad, snuggled next to her. Eventually, piece by piece, all returns to her. Those good news from lab test and tremendous love-making that to her surprise was so special, meaningful and unique. Noticing a small smudge of blood on Vlad's cheek, she smiles and quickly cleans it with her thumb. Agatha looks around one more time, as if expecting the appearance of the old striga from the last time … no toothless monster stares at her, whispering devious curses. It´s just her and Dracula, to whom she cuddles immediately. Feeling of safety warms her nicely and it multiplies even more when her eyes rest on large French windows. Luna is sleeping outside, on the patio, protecting them from all the harms. She is safe, she can rest and finally closes her eyes without fears. The worst is over, no nightmares haunt her anymore …

- TBC -

There are some hidden symbols with further meaning in the story. Can you spot them?

I truly hope that you enjoyed this chapter as much as I did … now I want to hear some theories, feedback from you

Next chapter takes us to Dracula's homeland … and …let´s see if there will be any consequences …