Author's Note: Wow…updated the same story twice within a week. Scary. Damn the summer for its boredom. This is unedited but I'll make it better one day yadda, yadda and remember folks: Every time you review, a Vampire gets his wings!

Chapter Six: Vaseria Town Square

At first Gabriel had thought this was one of his nightmares. It all seemed typical of dreams: the surreal nature of the scene that clung to Gabriel like cold sweat, the distant screaming, the way the blood turned Vaseria's gray dirt to mud and most of all the idea that anyone could fell the mighty Valerious family. Four members of Vladislaus' elite guard had formed a circle around the family but having just exited from church most were unarmed, those who were carried makeshift short swords that appeared to have been taken from the attackers. As Gabriel pushed into the town square, he threw back onlookers and struggled against frantic women who were screaming in Romany to their Count or their Gods Gabriel couldn't tell. Kolos had followed him too, probably out of curiosity rather then concern and had Gabriel a sword, he would have run Kolos through for no other reason the sheer anger and disgust.

"Stelian!" Gabriel shouted to the first man he recognized. "Let me through!"

Stelian looked up, panic-stricken but relieved to see him. He pushed aside another foot soldier to grab firmly Gabriel and bring him into the clearing.

Jenci, the family's physician, was squatting on the ground beside Count Valerious. His hands ran over the Dragon's body searching for wounds. Gabriel winced at the sight of so much blood running from man that he worried he was already lost. Valerious the Younger was in Anne's lap as she sat on the floor, rocking the crying child trying to comfort him. She had a nasty wound on her cheek that she was ignoring demanding everyone else do the same until someone had tended to her father-in-law.

And Vladislaus Dracula was standing with the support of Nicolae, one of his lieutenants. Vlad looked winded, and the bruise on his cheek was now compounded with a busted lip and more importantly, a wound to the ribcage that he was ignoring.

"Count Dracula," Stelian called, "Gabriel has come!"

But Vladislaus was not paying attention to him. His full attention rested on three black hooded men that were on their knees before him. Two other men lay unceremoniously where they had been killed (one was almost complete decapitated.) Gabriel put his hand on Stelian's shoulder to keep him from calling again. There was something in Dracula's eyes that had never been there before and rather then have it disappear again into some corner of his soul, Gabriel wanted to see what would be birthed from it.

"Unmask him." Vlad told Nicolae quietly at first, then once more with feeling. "Unmask him!"

"Yes sire."

There was a series of gasps that followed as Nicolae pulled off the black hood to reveal the rugged, worn face of Vladislaus' first in command and mentor, Grigore. Grigore was as old as Vlad's father, and had served with the Dragon on the campaigns that had made him a Count. He was also the man who had taught Vladislaus everything he knew of combat and nobility. It was uncertain what emotion tore Vladislaus' face: pain, shock or pure hatred.

"Why?" Dracula said after a time. He looked weaker now, and his arm found Nicolae's shoulders to steady him. Nicolae complied and snaked an arm around Dracula's waist. "Why would you do this?"

"It's not against you, Dracula." Grigore whispered, looking down at the Count's feet. "But rather the demons that have overtaken your home. The Valerious family has grown fat on Hungarian gifts and favors, have forgotten their ways to become like Casimir." He turned, glaring at Gabriel. "Have taken their Europeans into their confidences and forgotten what it is like to be Romany! You have given room for Satan to enter our lands. Your family's greed and arrogance have brought the Mulo' to us, it can only be taken away by your family's atonement."

Dracula blinked and for a moment stood mute. Gabriel knew the words must have stung Vladislaus but there was no way Dracula would admit it. Not here. Here he was Count Dracula and now, with one well-placed wound, he had become the ruler of the Gypsy settled in and around Vaseria. His eyes never left Grigore but Gabriel knew he was keenly studying the crowd.

It was precarious place for Dracula and everyone there knew it. Grigore was closer to Vlad then his father, but has actions had gone to show just how desperately afraid these people had become because of the Demon that lurked around the city. If Vladislaus showed mercy to Grigore, it would show weakness, something everyone present would see and what rivals may turn into opportunities. But there was no one beside Gabriel that was closer to Dracula then Grigore. What pain must have been lurking behind his cold brown eyes, Gabriel could not begin to imagine.

"Such a rare and worthy man." Dracula began in barely a whisper. "To have put such a judgment on me and mine. You must have seen God Himself Grigore, to know that it the only way to protect our people from this monster is by my death…by my family's death!" This last part was barked out and everyone flinched, never having seen Dracula so cold…so inhuman. "Therefore, you shall share in our savior's path." He had begun to pale now, shaking and looking near collapse.

Jenci had eased Count Valerious into a carriage with Anne and the boy and was walking slowly to Vlad. He made a movement to take him away Nicolae but Dracula struck him with the back of his hand, causing the surgeon to stumble back.

The Dragon sigil ring had left an imprint on Jenci's cheek, and clearly rattled the doctor now remained quiet till Count Dracula had finished his proclamation.

"Stelian, Imre?"

"Yes sire." Both foot soldiers called in unison.

"Take Grigore and his avenging angels and impale them over the Church's grounds for all to see."

"You will not shed blood on holy ground!" Kolos shouted, walking forward.

But Dracula would hear none of this. He had already turned away. "Come now Father," He coaxed. "It is as Grigore said. My family must make atonements…and therefore I offer his and his accomplishes up to God. Let it wash my sins away."

He favored Kolos with an icy glare that dared the Father to rebuttal. Kolos bowed out wisely, leaving Dracula to recline his head on Nicolae's neck and whisper slowly. "Now you may attend to me, Jenci." He shut his eyes and allowed his body to slump against Nicolae's; assured the Captain of the Guard would catch him as he fell. A small smile graced Dracula's features. "Take me home, Nico."

"Yes sire."

Gabriel was frowning, but exactly why was a good question. He inhaled quickly and followed Nicolae and Dracula. "How wise our patron Count is!" He called. "That he would murder old men who have dreams rather then face the truth."

The people stopped again, eyes darting quickly between Dracula as he stopped, but didn't turn. "What truth is that?"

"That Dracula has lost his way!" Gabriel called. "He has damned his soul for notoriety, for his own pleasures. He will rule by fear, they will say, not by wisdom!"

Dracula turned now and studied Gabriel. He felt his resolve vaporize with one look into Vlad's pained eyes but held his ground. To renege on this point would cost more then his reputation. Dracula's proclamation was murder, not only for Grigore but also Vladislaus. His people were already frightened of monsters; they had to be assured their ruler was not one.

Somehow, Gabriel had to prove that. Here, now, in front of everyone. Let Dracula be angered, he thought, let his pride be hurt but not his soul. One act of tyranny could lead to another and Gabriel had to make Dracula see that.

"I earn my rule by the blood I shed for my people." Dracula said, hand falling to his side to the newest of his wounds. "And my rule shall not be questioned by any man who has never tasted battle but chooses to hide behind his dreams instead."

That was a direct attack against Gabriel, and he flinched from it. "Has Dracula known to much of war, that he will lead women and children through fields of blood?"

"If it means protecting them from monsters?" Dracula asked softly. "Yes." Then, his eyes deadened suddenly. He looked away from Gabriel's gaze and mounted his horse. "And if it must be, I will do it alone." He said slowly. Looking down, he whispered something into Nicolae's ear before leaning against the horse and taking off towards the Manor.

Nicolae walked slowly to Gabriel and bowed before pulling him by the arm against the Church, out of earshot from everyone else. Gabriel exhaled the breath he didn't know he was holding. "Nico, you have to talk him, this ruling will do more harm then good…" Having paid lip service now, Gabriel's concern with Vlad's political well being ended there. "Now tell me, how is he?" Silence. "It's not bad is it?" Nicolae was looking down. "Damn you, Nico, tell me!"

"He has told me to relay a message, sir." Nicolae said slowly, never looking up. "He says that if ever you question his commands or rulings in public again, you will find yourself accompanying Grigore."

Gabriel stepped back. His mind was swimming now, both with Intessar's words, the scene in the Forest and then this revelation. Something was wrong. There were other forces at work here. He knew that now. Whatever monster was frightening the villagers was indeed been invoked by some black magic. Black magic that was not working its will on Vladislaus. There was nothing else to explain it. But he wondered who would go to such lengths just to damn one man and why Vlad?

"Nephew?" Catherine's voice called from his side. He turned, not realizing she was there. Her eyes watched him sadly. "Nephew, don't be troubled."

"How can I not be?" He asked. "He needs me the most now but I fear I cannot go to him."

"His pride is injured." Feodor supplied, quietly. "Things like that take longer to heal. Until then be patient and he will return to you."

"I hope so." He bowed to them both. He touched Catherine's hands. " You'll be wanting to check on Count Valerious so I won't keep you aunt." He kissed her cheek. "I'll be there shortly."

Feodor wrapped his arms around Catherine thoughtfully. "I told you it'd be enough to split those two up."

"And I still think you're underestimating their love for one another." Catherine retorted. "But, you've instilled doubts in Gabriel, that'll be enough for now. I continue working on him, convincing him that Vlad has gone mad…you just make sure the people remained afraid."

"I won't have too. A few days with Grigore up there rotting, and they'll be primed."

"Good. Then work on Kolos. We need him or all this goes is for nothing."

"Calm down, woman!" Feodor said, laughing. He leaned in and kissed his mother. "You'll get wrinkles."

Catherine looked up at him and smiled. He was right of course. They had made this plan full proof and it was going to work out wonderfully.

Thank the Devil.