Alex slowly opened her eyes. She was lying, barefoot, on a bed in a dark, unfamiliar bedroom. It looked like it might have belonged once to a young, wealthy woman but a smell of must and a certain emptyness gave the feeling that it had not been used in a while. The curtains were drawn. Alex sat up, and was first aware of how much her head hurt.

"Vladislaus?" she called out shakily. She knew it was he who had brought her here. She needed to get out, get back to the Vatican.

Then he was there, leaning casually in the doorway. He had appeared as if from nowhere, and was looking at her with a small, fond smile.

"My dear," he purred. "I apologise for the crude manner used to bring you here. Though I expect a formal invitation would have been turned down?"

He did not wait for an answer. Crossing to the desk, where there was a decanter and some glasses, he smirked widely. He reached the desk and raised the crystal decanter, pulling out the stopper and filling two glasses with some red liquid with a great display. He replaced the decanter on the desk and went to the bed, offering her one of the glasses.

"Take it," he said, smirk widening at her doubtful expression. "It isn't poisoned."

Her trembling fingers brushed his ice cool ones as she took the glass from him. She raised it nervously to her nose and smelled something metallic and sharp. Blood. She quickly placed it on the bedside cabinet. Dracula chuckled softly and sat down beside her. She automatically scooted away and drew herself up protectively.

"Where am I?" she asked, her voice a hushed whisper.

"This place is Valerious Manor. It's in Valeria, Transylvania. This very bedroom belonged to a Princess." He smiled indulgently at Alex's disbelieving snort. "It's true, Alexandria. She was Anna Valerious, Princess of the Gypsies."

"Where is she now?" Alex asked, not too sure she wanted to know the answer.

"Funny you should mention that. Perhaps you should ask your brother."

"My brother? What's he got to do with it?"

"You see, Anna's family had been fighting me for generations. They were losing. Anna and her brother Velkan were the last remaining Valeriouses. Then, Velkan died, and Gabriel was sent out here to aid her fight me, along with Carl. She died in the final battle."

"You mean... you killed her?" Alex asked, shocked.

Dracula's face softened with what might have been the shadow of emotion. "I do not know if I could have done. Anna was a beautiful, strong woman, much like you. Your brother stole her heart. They were in love."

Alex raised her eyebrows as she absorbed this.

"No, Alex. I did not kill Anna Valerious. Gabriel did."

It took Alex a few moments to take this in. She shook her head slowly. Gabriel would not, could not, murder an innocent woman, especially one he loved. "No."

"Oh, yes."

Alex scowled. "Why are you back?"

"I am back to kill you."

Her breath caught in her throat as she realised how much danger she really was in. She prayed Gabriel and Carl would show up soon to save her. But they had no idea where she was...

"Then do it," she replied coldly. "Kill me. Put me out of my misery."

"Hmm, do not wish for death so soon," Dracula replied, extending a hand to slowly stroke her cheek. She shuddered. "Do you not want to know why?" She did not reply. He continued anyway. "You see, now that the Church has found you, you will be made a Hunter alongside Gabriel. The Devil cannot allow this. So I have been sent to kill you."

A terrified Alex managed to keep her voice cool and impartial. "Fascinating. Do it, then."

Dracula smirked. "I do not have to kill you. I can... bring you across to my side."

"You mean... make me a vampire?" she asked, voice shaking again.

"Exactly."

He stood up, and drained his glass of blood, making her shudder. As tears filled her eyes, he walked to the door, disappearing half way across the carpet.

"Think about it, Alexandria," his voice echoed in her mind.