It was with a long, low groan that Gabriel Van Helsing awoke. He was lying in a huge bed made up in black silk in an otherwise empty room. The floor was wooden, the walls bare stone. The room had a dark, sinister quality, and in the back of his mind, Gabriel heard a piercing scream which he was sure came from this room. This place was haunted by it's past inhabitants. He could sense their presence.
He slid out of the bed, and gave a silent thank you to God that he was dressed exactly as he had been in Carl's room. His feet recoiled from the cold floor, and he shuddered, but forced himself to stand and totter over to the window. It was a large, dirty window. It was closed and locked. Through the splodges on the window, Gabriel could see a clear, bright morning in Transylvania. It seemed eerily out of reach. Gabriel realised he was in Valerious Manor, and another shudder shook him, this one brought on by memories of Anna.
He walked to the door and tried to open it. Locked, of course. He sat on the bed, and wrapped his arms around himself, trying to fool himself into thinking they were Carl's. He wondered if he'd ever see the friar again. He wondered if Dracula would murder him, then go after Carl. Carl would not be able to fight it. Gabriel decided that he should have let Dracula take Carl instead, then he could have chased after them and perhaps saved Carl. Yes, this was all Gabriel's fault; his fault for being selfish about Carl.
His thoughts wandered over to Anna. She had been one hell of a woman. He had regarded her as his equal, fearless and brave, yet also vunerable. He had loved her, in a sense, but he realised now that it was a different love to that he felt for Carl. He had cared deeply for Anna, but he felt something inside him was part of Carl. Carl seemed to be burned into his heart. He longed for his friar, needed to touch him, hold him, kiss him. He had never felt that for Anna.
The door opened, and Gabriel leapt to his feet, anger and defiance burning in his eyes. He refused to go down without a fight.
He expected Dracula to come in, but it was the vampire with long red hair, dark green eyes and the slender figure accented by her small dress, Jemmy. A small smile curled her lips cruelly.
"Mr Van Helsing," she purred, "I trust you are finding your quarters quite comfortable?"
"Where is Dracula?" Gabriel asked coldly.
Her eyes narrowed. "Do you not find my company pleasurable?" she whispered, taking a step towards him.
"Not really," he replied through clenched teeth.
She came closer, so close that their eyes were about five inches apart, and he could feel the deathly cold that seemed to surround her. "Normally," she murmured, "I would try and seduce you. But it would be wasted, I know that you prefer men."
Gabriel's eyes narrowed, but he tried to hide the flare of anger which had burst through him at these words. Her smile widened, revealing her pearly white teeth. "I know your secret, Gabriel. I know your filthy, dirty little secret."
Gabriel grabbed her neck and heaved her back against the wall, still holding her neck tightly. He glared at her.
"You speak of what you do not understand," he growled.
She merely gave a choking noise, but her dark eyes sparkled with defiance. He tightened his grip, and she uttered a low curse.
"You... cannot kill me like this...." she choked.
But he was obviously causing her great pain, and he felt a vindictive pleasure at this.
Dracula suddenly swaggered into the room, his face dark with displeasure, his cloak billowing out around him. He stood watching Gabriel attempt to choke Jemmy.
"Release her," he ordered sharply.
"Why?" Gabriel asked angrily. "You do not, you cannot love her. You cannot care for her. And as much as she may fear you, obey you... pleasure you, you know she cannot love you."
"It will be too much bother finding another bride," Dracula replied lightly. "Release her."
Gabriel knew he was fighting a losing battle, wasting his time, and lowered his arm. Jemmy flew back to her master, and he caught her in his arms. Gabriel scowled as Dracula kissed Jemmy's head gently.
"What is it you want with me?" he asked.
"Revenge," Dracula replied. "It just so happens I have found your weak spot."
Carl. Gabriel felt a cold chill run up his spine.
"You may be surprised to hear that Carl is currently on his way to us," Dracula continued.
Gabriel's jaw dropped. Carl really was a stupid friar. And he loved him with all of his heart.