Author's Note: Sorry! I know it has been forever since I updated. Please forgive me. I have been so busy with other stories. I know this chapter isn't much and nothing really happens in it, but I promise to make to the next one longer. Thanks again for the great reviews! I really appreciate them. I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Van Helsing

Chapter 11 Distant Thoughts

Vela swooped and swerved, her eyes scanning the forest floor below. The echoes of human heartbeats were lost to her, the scent of fresh blood no longer floated past her nose. Van Helsing and the princess brat seemed to have completely disappeared. How could they have gotten so far? It had been less then an hour ago when they had escaped from her master's castle. The werewolf was in hot pursuit of them as well, but so far, they had remained hidden. It had taken the young vampire quite awhile to convince her master to let her go in search of them as well. He had been hesitant at first, remembering all too quickly Marishka's demise earlier that day. Did he now dare risk losing his youngest bride? But Vela's pleading eyes had broken through his question and finally he had let her take flight off of the parapet in search of the bothersome mortals. Dracula was not aware however, that his sweet little Vela had an ulterior motive and that she wished to rather insure Van Helsing's survival rather than his death. Of course, as soon as Verona and Aleera were gone she would kill the man, but as for now he was too useful to let the werewolf get a hold of.

The air was thick with the remnants of the lightning storm. An electricity still hung on the atmosphere, causing the vampire great excitement. This night was just like the night of her turning, when the master had made her his fourth and hopefully final bride. She remembered the events with clarity now, as her wings beat furiously against the raging wind.

The first thing she saw was the dim light of a lone candle. It was strange that such a small thing could give off so much light as to illuminate a large part of the room in which she lay. The walls were made of stone as was the floor. Tapestries hung from the slick surfaces surrounding her, depicting ancient battles and horrors unknown. Gossamer thin curtains floated lazily around the strange bed in which she lay. It was hollow, with four sides, blocking her view of most of the room. Vela knew she should be frightened, but for some reason she felt quite at ease in this place. The girl sat up slowly, her gaze now traveling to a huge window opposite the strange bed. Bats fluttered around outside, flying past the bright full moon. She sensed she was not alone, the presence of another clearly detectable. Turning carefully she let out a small cry of surprise, for perched right next to her was none other than the Count who had met her in the woods.

"Hello, Vela my darling," he purred softly, reaching out to stroke her face. His touch was cold, but comforting almost.

"Where am I?" her tone was breathless as she stared into his deep, dark eyes.

"You have nothing to fear my sweet," the man licked his lips. "You are safe with me. I shall protect you from them now."

"Them?" she asked, confused. "Who do you speak of?"

"The villagers my child," he replied, his features gentle and kind. "I came upon you in the forest. You were being chased by them."

"Chased?"

"Yes, chased," he nodded gravely. "It seemed that they didn't want you." Vela shook her head, something did not seem right. She was not hated by the villagers. But this man, the Count, he seemed so caring so compassionate, he could not be lying. What a wonderful man. Her mind whirled as she gazed into his eyes. He was good to her…he was her master. "Come my lovely," Dracula held out his hand, helping her out of what she now realized was a coffin.

"Yes master," she answered almost automatically. His smile widened, but for some reason, never reached his eyes, those dark, powerful eyes. A chill passed over Vela, but she did not shiver. Her body felt strange, hollow, as if her heart would not beat. Count Dracula wrapped his arms around her thin shoulders, cradling the girl carefully.

"Vela," he mumbled in her ear. "You are mine now." She sighed and fell deeper into his embrace. Vela knew she would be happy with him. Yet, before she could relax completely, her eyes caught sight of a full length mirror hanging on the wall opposite them. Though the couple stood directly in front of it, there was no reflection. The girl pulled away, gasping in shock. The forest… the villagers… the monster. Her mother had told her stories that spoke of mysterious creatures of the night, vampires. They were seductive and deadly, appearing attractive to the human eye, but transforming into bats. Vela raised her hand to her neck and felt two small pinpricks near her jugular vein. Where the warmth of blood should have flowed, was now ice cold. The taste upon her lips was one of bitterness, but surprisingly, delicious. And all the while the Count stood there, letting his smile grow.

"What have you done to me?" she fumbled over the words, backing away from him and into the dusty mirror.

"Made you like myself," he cajoled, "immortal, beautiful, powerful. You are a creature of the night now, I have turned you. The villagers may not have chased you before, but they will chase you now." Vela wanted to cry, but no tears came to her eyes. She tried to summon the emotion, any emotion. Dracula had drawn closer to her again and now rested his slender, pale hands on either side of her face. "My bride," he whispered softly, leaning down to kiss her softly on the lips. The Count's mind overpowered hers, calming the newly turned vampire with his will and chasing away any last remnants of her apprehension.

Vela looked back on the memory now as a pleasant one. She now enjoyed the gift of flight as she swooped downward, nearly touching the ground. Rotten planks of wood, stood in front of her, the remains of a windmill that had been burned to the ground almost a year ago. The bride landed, her eyes searching the rain soaked area. The sound of two voices speaking reached her ears. Van Helsing and the princess were nearby.