Valarie lead Erin back through the halls to the dining room where Ingrid was laid out.
"I'll show you to your coffin-room, if you want you can borrow some of my clothes they may be a tad small but they should do until we get you some of your own."
Erin let out a chuckle.
"I don't think spandex and corsets are really my thing, besides I've got clothes in my bag."
Valarie returned the laugh.
"Don't worry, It's not really me either, it may surprise you but I do have breather clothes."
The pair were cut off my the count who was still sat in his throne.
"What's she doing here?" He pointed an advising finger at Erin.
"I've asked Erin to stay with us."
"Why?"
Val Shrugged.
"She saved Ingrid's life."
"Your really not selling her."
"She's staying wether you like it or not." Val stated leaving no room for argument.
The count was not to thrilled about that.
"My castle my, rules" he bared his fangs making Erin step back, the count then looked at renfield "Renfield Chuck her bag out."
"Yes sir."
Valarie stood toward, head held high.
Everything about her screaming authoritative.
"Times have changed and I say she stays."
"And i say she goes!"
"Don't I get a vote." Ingrid croaked out from the couch.
"No!"
"Yes!"
"I don't want her."
Valarie pursed her lips.
"She doesn't get a vote."
"You can't have two queen bees in a hive, it would be a fight to the death." Ingrid coughs
"My moneys on the half fang." The count pointed out.
"I will not have fighting in the house, Erin Is staying and you two will leaver her alone."
Val silenced both vampires with a look.
The count huffed but relented, he sped out the room to sulk.
...
...
Renfield was able to pull a coffin from the cellar and had set it up in a spare bedroom for Erin.
Erin slowly placed her bag in the floor beside the coffin speaking to Valerie.
"Look I don't want to come between you and your family, I can look after myself."
Valarie walked around the coffin running her finger along the sleek wood.
"Not if the slayers guild attacks you, ever since Ingrid's attack on stokley it's been stake first ask questions later….dad will be fine, at least stay until you get your full powers, there's so much you need to learn."
Valarie gave the girl a understanding smile.
Both held eye contact until Erin funnily nodded.
"Alright, I'll stay until I'm ready, thanks Val I'll just get the rest of my stuff."
Val watched as the girl walked out the room.
Hope bloomed in her chest.
It would be nice to have someone her age around the house, her only friend had been Robin and now she was alone.
...
...
Valarie the ever dutiful sister was sat by her sisters side.
At this current moment Ingrid was bringing up piles of ask, every-time renfield would come with a vacuume to hoover it up, val would like to look into renfield mind just to see what his brain was making of all of this.
Breathers didn't exactly couch up ash.
"I've never seen anything like this before, I just don't know what to do." Val said to Erin full of hopelessness.
"Maybe I can help."
Valarie looked up from her sick sister to Erin.
"I could take care of Ingrid if you like me too."
"Really?"
"We need to make her more comfortable , see if you can't fine.. whatever is vampires like."
Eager to offer comfort val tried to reassure the girl.
"I know all this vampire stuff seems strange at first, but you'll get used to it….. ok I'm on it…. Thanks Erin."
Val sped out the room to find some blood.
She hadn't even made it to the caller when erins voice called out.
"Val!"
Fearing the worst val spear back into the room.
"What is it?!"
Erin stutters out.
"She's…. Breathing."
"Breathing.
"Ingrid! Ingrid."
Val shook her sister, hoping to get A response.
Once again Ingrid projectile vomited onto the carpet, and like clockwork renfield came in and hoovers it away.
"She got a pulse!"
Val called out to her father desperate.
"Dad!
"Dad!"
The count appeared beside her.
"What now?"
"She's gotten worse!"
"Do let me know when she crumbles to dust."
"Seriously, she's breathing and she's got a pulse." Valarie told her father concerned.
"We need of do something to cool her down."
The count studied his eldest.
"It looks like an advanced blood infection, it a temporary thing, all her vampire abilities are shutting down, no but this is good news."
"What"
"It incurable she'll be gone in a week."
"But there must be something we can do?"
"To cure a vampire illness, you'll need a specialist in the dark arts, alchemist, dare to probes into the dark places, not matter how twisted or wrong."
Erin looked between the air confused.
"We need renfield." Val deadpanned.
She knew what she had to do.
She was going to miss the clean and poised servant, that offered fine dining and homework.
"Renfield!"
The butler in question appeared.
"I'm going to give you your memories back."
"Miss?"
Valarie approached renfield slowly.
Holding eye contact.
"Look me In the eyes."
"I thought you said you couldn't do that!" The count accused.
"I lied."
"When I click my fingers-"
"For four years! This squeaky clean imbecile was be tottering about-"
"Do you want him back or not!"
Thunder crackled.
The count went silent.
Val turned back to renfield.
"You will open your eyes and see things as they really are and you will remember."
Valarie held up her finger hoping this would work.
Click.
Renfield continued to stare blankly.
"Did it work?"
Renfield looked at the ground.
An exited grin came across his face.
"Oh look!"
He reached down and picked up a cockroach.
Then ate it.
Valarie grimaced.
He was back.
"Renfield I need you to cure Ingrid."
"Right away." Renfield scurried off.
The count points to Valarie with a frown on his pale face.
"Your insolence needs correcting."
...
...
A tutor.
That was her father big idea to start making her act like a proper vampire.
Well Valarie had other ideas.
She was currently working in the training room on her plan, for when the tutor arrived.
"Alright I'm ready, you be a tutor." Valarie gestured to Zoltan.
Zoltan rolled forward and Valarie flipped the switch, a UV cage surrounded Zoltan trapping him.
It was the same one used on her father back at stokley.
"One wrong move and that tutor will be toast."
She hadn't Finished a moment to soon.
Bells began to ring.
"Showtime."
...
...
Val was stood in front of the shipped coffin her father tapping on the hollow wood.
He gestured her forward.
"Open it, I wonder who they've sent."
Valarie moved the shipping top away To reveal the person inside.
It wasn't Wht she was expecting at all.
Val had expected someone like her father, long hair, leather cape and black formal outfit.
Not a slight plump type of vampire, wearing a pressed blue jacket and skirt with Mary Janes, hair up in a bun, red lips and glasses.
She looked like one of those nanny's you see for Rich family's.
The nonsense type.
The tutor smiled.
"Good evening Count Dracula, and this must be Valarie."
She stepped out the coffin hells clicking on the wooden floor.
"I'm Goody McEldrich."
"We are honoured, madam." The count bowed.
"Are we?" Val raised an eyebrow slouching to the side.
"Goody McEldrich is infamous." The count praised.
"You're talking to Transylvania's greatest expert in shape-shifting."
Not one to let the chance slip.
"So why'd you choose that one? Why'd you choose..." val snickers looking at the tutor.
She was the only one.
"You were right to call upon me. This girl needs discipline!"
"Yes. I'm afraid I've been too soft with the girl."
"You have."
Goody walked around the room befre turning to face the pair.
"I Smell breather!"
"That will be renfield."
"The Chosen One should not harbour breathers in her lair, The only good breather is a drained breather."
"Actually I quite like them." Valarie challenged.
"We'll soon cure you of that. Let the training begin!"
"Good luck, Vally. Oh, and by the way, I took the liberty of disabling your little booby-trap."
"Dad!" Valarie hissed.
"I'm waiting!" Goody called.
"Of you go." The count shood val.
Goody smiles at the pair.
"You too, Count Dracula! Her unvampiric behaviour is your fault. You need to be taught a lesson in parenting."
This did not please the count, who bared his fangs and growled over Vals shoulder.
Goody true to her teaching didn't even flinch.
She laughed.
"Put them away!"
The count truly stunned quietened.
In a tone that one would use to address naughty children goody spoke to the father and daughter pairing.
"Children who answer back get put on the naughty step."
"What?" Val scoffed in disbelief.
"She sounds just like my old Nanny Clontarf!" The count proclaimed stunned.
"Finger on fangs!"
Obediently the count and Val follower her instructions.
Playing their fingers on their lips.
"Now, who's going to tell me where the training room is?"
Both pointed at each other.
...
...
"Lesson One. The relationship between us and them, Breathers have feelings, just like us. They experience pain, just as we do. Which is why it's so much fun to play with your food."
The count smugly turned to Val.
"I hope your paying attention Val."
Goody did not like that.
She sped forward baring her fangs making the other two slightly jump.
"What did I say about fingers on fangs?"
The count stutters out.
"I was just…"
Goody snapped her ruler on the count knuckles.
"Don't make me use this again."
"You can't just go around hitting people." Valarie contradicted.
"The next time one of you is naughty, I shall cut off a limb!" Goody said the threat so calmly as if she were tell off the weather.
Valarie was truly stunned.
"Don't be a baby."
"Where do you keep all your weapons?"
"Weapons?"
Valarie looked at her father confused.
Did they have weapons?
"Your swords? Your axes?"
"Over here"
Valarie looked to where her father pointed it was a cabinet.
The count lead giddy to a an empty wooden cabinet and banged on the back of the cabinet which open to a room.
With a swift push, the count chucked goody into a room filled with a liquid.
Screams and hisses could be heard through the room.
The count closed the door and walked back to a mildly surprised Valarie.
"Of course, I set up my own booby-trap, The old false-cupboard garlic-pit wheeze."
Valarie gave her father a half smile.
"I always wondered what happened to Nanny Clontarf."
Both listen to the muffled screams.
...
...
Valarie was getting annoyed,
Not only was Ingrid getting worse but renfield wasn't having any luck with the cure, all he had managed to do was give Ingrid a beard.
Dad found it hilarious val not so much.
"It's not funny!"
"Oh but it is Val!"
Not only was she having to deal with Ingrid's situation she had to indure another tutor.
After what happened with goody McEldrich val was so sure her father would give up on the tutors.
She was wrong
The next one was called Baron Von Racalud.
Apparently he had been an old hunting partner of dads.
Right now she was having to indure his gloating of the time he'd beaten a slayer wielding a sword.
"Die, cursed creature of the night! I shall pierce your heart with my sword of vengeance!" Baron held the thin sword to Valerie's chest.
"And I said to him, "Not likely, mate, this shirt is Armani."
Trying to appear interested Valarie was boosting his ego.
"Oh wow! And what did you do next?"
"Turned to smoke, of course. Left him grasping at thin air and attacked from behind. Got my fangs in his throat quicker than you could say "bon appetit."
"Now, where would you like to start?"
Valarie pretend to look at baron in awe.
"I would love to learn to smoke like you."
Baron puffed up like a peacock and handed Valarie the sword.
"I will show you how it's done."
Before her eyes the baton had transformed into smoke only and outline of his body was left.
"Wow! That is...smoking."
Valarie reached for the Weapon she had hidden behind her.
"Now, observe how all the particles are perfectly detached."
"Whatever"
She turned on the vacuum and held it out, baron was sucked into the hoover bag.
"What is this? You tricked me!" The baron screamed from the hoover bag.
"Yep, And there's a nugget of argentalium in there to stop you turning back."
She picked up the envelope and push the hoover gab inside of it before sealing it shut.
"Oh, you will pay for this insult to my honour and the dry cleaning!"
"Have a nice trip back to Transylvania!"
"You will wish you'd never been unborn!"
...
...
"How's Racalud? Is he teaching you some new moves?"
Valarie went to sit by Ingrid.
She addressed her dad.
"He's gone back to Transylvania, An important package to attend to, apparently. How's she doing?"
"She seems to be getting worse." Erin spoke form where she was sat.
Renfield approached with another bottle.
"Time for your medicine, I promise this will sort out your facial hair problem."
Ingrid drank the potion, suddenly her the beard began to get longer and a horseshoe stash was also begging to grow.
"You look divine, Mistress Ingrid."
The count and renfield were laughing.
"That's it! I've had enough of you torturing my sister." Val stood up to her father.
The count lets out an exasperated sigh.
"Your no fun."
"I have to go back to school. You stay here, get some rest." She looked to Ingrid then pointed an accusing finger at renfield.
"I'll be back to check on her in an hour or so, You, look after Ingrid. The next potion you make had better work! Or else!"
...
...
Fate was really screwing with her today.
Ironically she was in history when the vampire walked into the room with an air of arrogance.
If Valarie was being honest an attractive vampire, pale skin like the rest of them, curly brown hair and hazel eyes with broad shoulders.
"Good afternoon. My name is Bertrand du Fortunesa."
Miss McCauley looked at the stranger in confusion.
"Sorry, er, Bertrand?"
"Bert-ROND." Bertrand elaborated his tongue rolling over the rond, his French accent standing out.
With a click of his fingers the entire class froze.
Val looked around at the frozen forms of her teacher and classmates.
Before letting out a tired sigh.
"Oh, great. You're one of them, Look, I don't care what Dad's told you."
"I've never met your father."
"But he sent for you, though."
"Nobody sent for me. I came to find the Chosen One. The one who can open the Praedictum Impaver. Valaria Dracula, it is my solemn duty and honour to present you with... Praedictum Impaver."
Bertrand placed a strange book on vals table.
It was certainly odd looking, with its leather bindings and what appears to be skeleton hands holding the book together tight.
Val tapped it with her pencil.
"Right, so, what does it do?"
"I don't know, I believe that when the Chosen One opens it, vampires will rule the world as we did in ancient times."
Well that made up vals mind.
"Right. Well, I think I'll just leave it shut."
"You don't understand. Opening it is not a choice. It's your duty. That is, if you are who you say you are."
Bertrand gave the girl a serious look.
"So, let me get this right. If I don't open it, I'm not the Chosen One?"
Well that worked for her.
"You must open it to prove your claim." Bertrand pressed.
"Got it." Val sped from the room leaving Bertrand behind.
...
...
Val tried to push her thoughts on the vampire from her mind and focus on Ingrid.
"You can't giver her any more potions you'll kill her." Erin begged.
Valarie was in agreement, Ingrid was as getting worse.
"The half-fang's right, I don't think she can take any more."
The count pursed his lips.
"Alright give her the vomit." He was Disappointed.
Valarie turned to her father confused.
"Pardon."
The count elaborated.
"This is a fairly common blood allergy, Like her, it's very painful and irritating But unlike her, it's easy to get rid of, renfield sort it out."
"There's a cure!"
Valarie should of known, why did she think for even a moment her dad would care about Ingrid.
She turned an accusing eyes to her father.
"There's been a cure all along."
"Transylvania bat vomit, does the job every time."
Renfield held the a small spoon filled with a Murky tick substance to Ingrid's lips.
"Open wide."
Ingrid ate the vomit.
Valarie watched her sister as right before her eyes Ingrid lost the greyish complexion and sickly look.
It was that easy!
Ingrid opened her eyes to stare accusingly at her father.
"What...did I ever do to you?"
The count leaned forward with a growl.
"Gloated at my execution, Plotted to overthrow me Left me to die."
"Oh, that."
"Welcome back, daughter. I loathe you as much as ever."
Valarie let out a sigh of relief, everything was back to normal.
That was one less problem she had to face.
Speaking of problems.
"Valeria Dracula! Neither of us can escape our destiny!"
Ugh this guy!
Val sped off though not that it worked, Bertrand was right behind her, seriously hadn't he ever heard of personal space.
...
...
Bertrand followed her all the way to the training room.
There was just no getting rid of this guy!
"Alright fine! I'll listen to what you have to say."
Val watched as Bertrand took the weird book out of his bag and placed it on the table.
"The book Valaria, Open the book."
Val looked down at the ancient skeleton clasped book.
Bertrand was intently fixating on Valaria it was making her slightly uncomfortable.
"I'm not touching it."
"As I said, you cannot escape your destiny."
UV lights encased Valaria who snapped her hand back when one of the lights caught her hand.
How did…..
That bat faced bastard!
Bertrand had locked her in the UV cage she had built for the Tutors.
At another time Valaria would chuckle at the irony.
But as of right now she was mad.
"Let me out!"
"Or what?"
Bat faced, two timing….
He was baiting her.
"Come on, Dracula, what are you going to do about it?"
Well considering she was trapped in a UV cage……
"The Grand High Council won't stand for this. I'm the Chosen One!"
Bertrand had his back to her.
"So you say. You're not the first."
There have been other?
"I thought there could only be one."
That's why it was such a big Hurrah.
"But there have been many pretenders. How do I know you're different?"
Well then.
"OK. I'm not the Chosen One. Whatever. Who cares?"
If it can get her out of being the chosen one then alright, she's not the chosen one.
"I do, You see, the penalty for fraud is death."
Bertrand looked at her right in the eyes when she said that.
Oh
"If it's any consolation, I won't enjoy these executions."
Executions? Like plural.
"Executions?"
"Yeah. Posing as the Chosen One means death for your entire family."
Valaria Contessa Mercinda Dracula was a genuinely easy going person, she was the type of person that would ditch school with you, but you NEVER went after her family. She may look docile but she was a Dracula through and through, and she could be just as dangerous as her father or sister if challenged.
And Bertrand had just waved the red flag in front of the ball.
"You touch them, and I'll.."
"What? What will you do?"
"Leave my family alone!"
"I am not responsible for the deaths of your family, Vlad."
He pulled a steak out of his jacket pocket and held it up mockingly.
The ball was out of the pen.
Valaria's eyes went form their blue to an alarming pitch black, not a hint of white left.
If she had been paying attention to anything other than protecting her family she would of seen the skeleton hands holding the book begin to unclench.
Bertrand did though.
Mystified he turned from The book to Val.
A bony finger shot up from the book piercing Valarie with a sharp blue light.
Valarie held up her palm suddenly the UV cage began to flicker, it was no match for the chosen one.
With a puff of smoke it was gone.
Leaving Bertrand at the mercy of Valaria.
She was going to enjoy this.
Blue eyes returned.
Valarie stalked toward Bertrand holding out her hand and closing her fist, she would make this pathetic half-breed pay.
She would watch as he turned to dust before her very eyes.
She wanted to hear his screams.
Under her power Bertrand fell to his knee's she felt his body turning to dust.
"No."
Before she could complete the task she fell back, her fangs disappeared.
"What just happened?"
Bertrand could only stare amazed.
"I had to force you to show your power, Look what you have become! And this is just the beginning. One day, you will have power over all vampires!"
Valeria turned and leaned in close until his nose was pressed against hers.
"Great! I'll start by getting rid of you." Val growled, her vampire and human voice mixing together.
Bertrand shrugged his shoulders.
"If you like, But what will you do next time? You've got enemies, Valaria. The Slayers' Guild want the Chosen One dead. So do half the High Council."
Of course they did, the day those old bats found out she was the chosen one they had almost burst into dust, the comprehension that a woman was to lead them was unfathomable.
"I can look after myself."
"If that's all that matters to you, good luck."
Ooh he was good.
"Wait, what exactly is it you think you can teach me."
Bertrand turned to her and approached her.
"Everything, I've been preparing for 400 years, With me as your tutor, you can force all vampires to do your bidding, You can decide the destiny of vampirekind."
The entire destiny?
All vampires would do as she says?
It was becoming more and more alluring.
"I'd still be able to do things my way, right?"
If she did this, she doesn't want to become another person entirely.
Bertrand nodded.
"Alright, you can tutor me."
Bertrand puffed.
"Excellent, we begin."
Bertrand went to the book, but Valarie held up her arm.
"We should first introduce you to dad, you know so he doesn't stake you straight away and then we need to find you a coffin.
Valarie began listing off tasks that needed doing.
"Follow me."
...
...
The count had been happy and welcoming of Bertrand.
"Finally you shall learn to be a proper vampire!"
Her dad been very interested in the Praedictum Impaver, he was all the more eager to see what was inside.
"Their is no time to waste you must begin training!"
Erin had been slightly weary but she was probably just nervous around vampires, Valeria was sure she would warm up to him eventually.
Valaria hoped to.