Author's note: Unedited and complete with borrowed quote from The Rock, the movie not the wrestler. Hope you enjoy, and have fun!

Chapter Eight: The Brides

"I've decided." Eoin announced thoughtfully as he stood in the doorway beside Severus. Both men were staring into the darkened bedroom that Dracula had claimed. The Count was sleeping with a beautiful woman on each arm, each curled into his body with one arm extending over to caress the other's arms in slumber. "I want to be Count Dracula when I grow up."

"So do I." Severus nodded. "Where'd they come from?"

"No clue, but were do I get some?"

"Think they come with the title?"

"Sure, everyone digs a Count…"

"I want to be a Count." Snape said glumly, as he tilted his head the other way, admiring the curve of the one on the left side. "Got the stake?"

"Got the crucifix?"

"Yup."

Eoin looked over and shook his head before turning his full attention to the women on the bed. To say they were lovely would be a severe understatement and he knew innately somehow that he would have to call upon all of his discipline and skill as a Kaga to avoiding becoming dinner for these harpies.

Still, it never hurt to admire one's enemies.

The black woman on Dracula's right was finely built and the first to catch Eoin's attention, being as she was obviously the fighter of the two. Tall, regal and above all toned with the skill and precision of any soldier, this one had high cheekbones, thin nose, full lips and wide set eyes.  The fair one on Dracula's left was the lover of the group. Blond haired, and slender with a frame so thin she looked like a mighty wind could overtake her. Her hair was her most arresting feature; being long and thin, it trailed down her body to the small of her back.

"Aren't there suppose to be three of them?" He whispered to his counterpart. But it was not Severus' rich voice that answered him. It was Dracula's.

"There was."

Despite all their training, and all their combined prowess, Severus and Eoin still jumped like startled children when they heard Dracula respond. Thankfully, however, they were able to compose themselves before they darted from the room like scared rabbits. Dracula opened his eyes, and rose, beckoning them to come in. He smiled at them knowingly before speaking again, this time to the two women. "Tale, Fallon, rise and greet your admirers."

"But Master," Whispered the blond between a yawn and a long, catlike stretch. "We've flown all night to be near you and you would leave us so soon?"

"Quiet Fallon," Purred the other one, Tale by default, said as she stared hungrily at Eoin. The Kaga did something he had never done in his life: shiver. Tale's gold eyes smiled at this. "Master has brought us something warm."

"And handsome." Fallon cooed as she smiled at Severus.

Snape and Malone exchanged glaces then stepped back in unison. Dracula laughed, "You must forgive them, I had to leave them in Istanbul, and they haven't only just returned to me." He smiled coyly. "And they haven't fed."

"Ah-huh. Where's henchmen number three?" Severus asked, with only the softest bit of concern in his voice, as if he feared the bride would drop from the ceiling on them. Eoin even went as far as to look up just to check.

Dracula's face darkened, and his voice became low, pained but mockingly so, as if he only acted this way to appease his remaining brides. "Deiene was killed in Ankara by a Slayer."

"I'm sorry," Eoin whispered. He still wasn't like the way Tale was looking at him like he was a summer chicken.

Tale smirked. "Don't be."

"She was delicious." Fallon rejoined.

"We tore the Slayer apart." Tale by now had come to Eoin's waist.  Her hands had slid under his shirt to toy with his back. "Piece."

"By piece." Fallon completed. She too had claimed her dinner. One of her pale, bony hands was caressing Severus' cheek.

Snape smiled at her thinly. He pulled away, and placed a hand over his chest, where his heart rested before whispering in a cold, deadly voice. "Such a beautiful creature you are." He murmured. "I would hate to have to hurt that pretty little face of yours."

Fallon hissed and fell back. She looked fearfully at Tale and Dracula for some security and Tale came to her rescues, sweeping down beside Fallon and taking the blond into her bold arms. Tale began to whisper softly into Fallon's ear, kissing her cheek and petting her hair. Fallon began to purr and returned the action. Meanwhile Eoin was getting uncomfortable just watching, and presently he tugged on his collar.

"Can you tell him what you want to tell him?" He whispered to the Prince darkly. "So I can go?"

Snape smirked at him. "Unnerved, Companion?"

"A little, Prince."

"There's no need to be." Dracula announced as he returned to the bed, to have Tale and Fallon curl around him and begin to stroke his neck and chest. He smiled, eyes sliding close in pure ecstasy as he basked in the Brides company. "Now what do you have to tell me." 

"Just a friendly warning." Snape said, tugging on Eoin's arm to keep him close. "My sources have told me Van Helsing and his Angel have secured a werewolf…clearly they mean to do away with you."

Dracula nodded idly, clearly more engrossed with the prospect of a repeat performance of whatever had gone on between him, Fallon and Tale. "I have little cause to be concerned," Dracula said coolly as he leaned over to caress Tale's cheek with his lips. "I have already taken measures to address the situation."

Eoin was the first to react and in that detached, methodical way he dealt with things, he tackled this. "In what way did you address it?"

Severus turned, focusing on the Kaga. In was his not tone but his words that caught Severus' attention. Eoin was a quiet man with a passive, dull demeanor that never, never would have asked questions whose only answers would be gloating. Eoin cared little or the grand scheme of things, focusing only on the mission at hand, or his Charge's well being and the fact he was interested now told Severus he'd best pay attention.

Dracula smiled hungrily, "I have chosen Gabriel's Angel to take Deiene's place."

"Erised." Severus whispered, and the name tasted like ash in his mouth. He felt like he had been struck but he took care not to show it. Eoin, however, was not that controlled, the Kaga's hand flew to his wand, and Severus barely had time to catch his arm and favor him with his coldest glare "Excuse us, my Lord." Severus muttered, as he pushed Eoin into the hall.

Eoin allowed Severus to take him three doors down before exploding. "How dare you stop me?" He demanded. "You heard what he plans to do with my sister. I won't allow him to take her!"

"Calm down!" Snape hissed, glancing fearfully at the door in case Dracula heard. "You're talking treason."

"I don't care! I'll be damned before I let him…"

"You're already damned." He returned savagely, and then exhaled to calm himself. He looked up, into Eoin's expressive gray eyes, and ignoring the memories that came with them. "And if you wish to save your sister, you'll be patient. Ari is not a fool, and neither Gabriel, do you really think he'll allow harm to come to her?"

"What does he care of Erised?"

"He's a hero. They always care."

"How do you know?"

"Because I was one too." He whispered. "Once."

Eoin looked up. "I won't endanger her." He pulled his wand and made his way towards Dracula's suite.

Snape bowed his head, not turning. "You're being asked by one Prodigal to another."

Eoin kept walking.

"You're being ordered by your Prince." He never faltered, and Snape, pulling his wand, turned and aimed at Eoin.

Eoin stopped, and turned, looking at Severus with a cold, determined glare. "You'd have me sacrifice my twin for Voldemort's alliance."

"I'd have you be patient." He relaxed his wand, and tried his best to remain calm and compassionate. "I loved your sister, Eoin. But like you told me, we can't save her from this fight. We have to trust they will."

Eoin looked away, returning his wand and bowing deeply. "Kaga view Vampirism as a disease, a weakness and Erised will not tolerate such a fault. She'd die before she fell to that."

"Don't be boring." Dracula called as he entered the hall, looking at Eoin knowingly. There was a glint in his eyes as if he knew all and was amused. "Everyone who holds to that does end up dying."  He smiled, and motioned for the door. "Besides, I have assurances, Erised will come willingly."

"How can you be so sure?" Eoin seethed.

Another voice came, this one gentle and assured, familiar. Snape stepped back, wisely so, just as the person appeared. Isaiah smiled simply, calmly. "She already belongs to us. It's only stubbornness and her Kaga immunities that keep her from her rightful place. I haven't been able to turn her, but perhaps someone…" He turned and admired Dracula. "Stronger and older then I will be able too."

"You traitor." Eoin said, coldly. "You sold her out!"

This time Snape could not stop him for the Prince had been too engrossed in the study of this new Vampire. This was one of Daniel's children, and that had frozen Snape's thoughts, invoking memories he could not fight against. Against his will, he shivered. And it was only Eoin's pained scream that brought him out of it.

The Kaga was on his knees, one arm hanging limply, awkwardly at his side where Isaiah had broken it once he attacked. His other hand was pinned firmly behind his back, where the Vampire had it firmly. Dracula was laughing at the spectacle.
            "Hungry ladies?" Isaiah asked, calmly as he turned to the women. "Enjoy!"

With one fell swoop, Isaiah had lifted Eoin from his place and thrown him to the Brides. Severus made a motion for Eoin but was held back by Dracula. "That would not be wise." Dracula warned.

"That is Voldemort's chosen!" Snape hissed. "If he dies, my Lord will blame you."

"Then hope his sacred Kaga immunity will save him." Dracula answered coldly, before motioning to Isaiah. "Now, let's go claim the Angel…"