Chapter Three: Preparations
Shortly after Count Dracula had left her, two Dwergi entered and pulled Anna roughly to her feet. Deciding it would be futile to resist, she let them lead her out of her cell, up three flights of stairs (which was a difficult, slow, and painful task), and into a lavishly furnished tower chamber where Aleera was leisurely sprawled on the canopy bed, watching her mockingly.
The Dwergi shoved Anna to the carpeted floor, bowed to Aleera, and left the room. Anna quickly got up and looked at Aleera defiantly, but the vampire simply laughed and moved so quickly that Anna could not even see her until she was standing right in front of her. Surprised, Anna stepped back and fell from the weight on her ankle.
Aleera cackled but said with bitterness, "I do hope you enjoyed meeting my master. He has been looking forward to this night for such a very long time..."
"I will not comply to his wishes, Aleera. Nor yours."
"Oh, but you will. You see, you are an important key in my master's plans. How would you like to be a vampire also, Anna? Would you too like to be Dracula's bride?"
Shocked, Anna was about to reply, but Aleera continued, walking over to a table where food had been laid out. "Here is your supper, princess...enjoy it, it could be your last!" With that, she tossed a half-rotted apple to her captive, which Anna caught and bit into deliberately, still watching Aleera's every move. The bride sauntered over to her and leaned in close. "My master wishes me to heal that poor ankle of yours...but I believe I shall not. No, dear Anna, I have other plans." Anna dropped the apple and tried to stand up, but Aleera caught her arms and held her down as her fangs grew and she leaned in to Anna's neck.
No, thought Anna helplessly, it cannot end this way! She struggled, but it was no use. She would die like this, just another meal for Dracula's hateful bride...Suddenly, the door swung open and Aleera was thrown across the chamber, where she cowered in the corner. Anna, who was weakened and half-unconscious, briefly saw the count himself stomping into Aleera's room and yelling angrily at his bride and Aleera crying before she passed out, engulfed by darkness.
When Anna came to, her surroundings had changed yet again. This time, she was lying on a stone table in a room lit by torches. Sitting up and rubbing her head, Anna looked around in confusion and hoped Aleera was nowhere nearby. She wasn't, but Dracula was.
He stood silently in the corner, watching her with a half-smile on his face. When Anna saw him, he walked over to her and said smoothly, "Do not fear, Anna. Aleera lost her senses for one jealous moment, but she is better now. And so are you, see?"
Anna glanced down to see her boots had been removed and her ankle was healed. When she looked back up at Dracula, he was now pacing the room as he said, "I did not allow Aleera to kill you, although you deserved it, because I need you, Anna. And tonight, at the ball, you shall accompany me and help me with my own purposes." He stopped and looked at her again with those piercing eyes. "Do you understand?"
Anna furiously leaped off the table and reached for a dagger in her coat but saw she had been disarmed. Even angrier, she said, "You are mad, Count, I will never willingly assist you, you murderer!"
He laughed and said coolly, "All right then, unwillingly."
Seething, Anna clenched her fists, watching her enemy walk over to a chest and pull out a huge scarlet gown, shoes, a crown, earrings, gloves, and an elaborate mask. He carried them over to her and laid them out on the table. He then turned to her and bowed mockingly. "For your use, Lady Anna. Made of finest silk and pearls from all across the world. I would be honored if you would wear them tonight."
Anna glanced at the gown. It certainly was beautiful, but it repelled her. Anything from him on her body would make her sick. "No," she said simply.
Dracula's smiling gaze wavered as he said threateningly, "Do not make me force you, Anna. You will wear the gown and you will come to the ball. This is final."
Anna picked up the dress with shaking hands. What choice did she have? Turning around, she saw that Dracula was still there. "Leave!" she snapped. "I cannot get dressed with you staring at me!"
The count laughed. "Why not?" He reached out an fingered a lock of Anna's long hair. "You are my prisoner, Princess, and I shall do with you as I wish."
Anna glared as she yanked away from his cold touch and put the gown back on the table. Her captor laughed again and said, "Very well. There will be plenty of time to stare at you very soon, Anna Valerious. Very soon." He then turned on his heel and walked out, but leaving the two Dwergi guards standing at the door, ruling out possibility of escape.
"Turn around," she ordered to the Dwergi. Snickering, they appeared to, but she didn't trust them not to look. Sighing and turning around herself, Anna removed her torn and weary outer garments, leaving her corset on—there was no way she could undo it. Then, with great trouble, she maneuvered the great gown over her head and attempted to smooth it out before slipping on the ruby shoes. They were her exact size, and Anna wondered just how long Dracula had been expecting her. Then she hurriedly put on the rest of the accessories. Looking at her blurred reflection in a windowpane, she had to admit the effect was ravishing, but the knowledge she was covered in Count Dracula's gifts repulsed her. She wanted to fling them off, but knew this was not an option. She imagined this masquerade ball, what would it be like? She could guess of course. A public occasion for Dracula to either kill her or make her his new bride...or both. Revolted, she imagined him playing again with her hair, and quickly tore a scrap of fabric from her own clothes to tie her hair up in a loose bun. There. She looked back at the Anna in the window and hardly recognized herself. What would she look like as a bride of Dracula?
The thought made her sick.
Anna glanced back over at the Dwergi guards and saw they were watching her intently. Disgusted and a little intimidated, she couldn't help but wonder how long they had been doing this.
All of a sudden the door once again swung open and Dracula entered, dressed elaborately in an embroidered robe and cape, set off by a jeweled mask that, to Anna's disappointment, did not hide his eyes. He leisurely looked her over as Anna stood, seething but helpless to his cold and analytical gaze. She clenched her fists as he approached her. "Very good, Anna. I must say, you do clean up nicely." He reached out for her hand, and Anna saw herself take it, against her will.
"What are you doing, "she cried. "You cannot control me!"
"Can I not?" he replied, raising one eyebrow. "You are under my thrall now. Completely in my control."
Anna cried out in dismay as she found herself curtsying to him before walking over to meet his outstretched arm.
"Now," he whispered in her ear, "you will come downstairs with me to the ballroom. The guests have just started to arrive, and we must not be late."
Wish that, Anna and the count left the room and walked down the stairs towards the monster's ball.
A/N: Whew, long chapter! Hope that made sense to you guys and that you like it! Much more to come, we're just getting to the good parts...