Author's Note: Thanks to my reviewers and above all The Devil's Juliet for her brilliant advice and ideas. This chapter would not have been possible without her.

WARNING: This chapter and all of the chapters following are rated R. If you think this might bother you, please, for both our sakes, discontinue reading.

Chapter 12 – Best Left in the Dark

I woke that morning to find Havard's large eyes in my face. He was smiling and in his deformed hands was a white mask, obviously part of my outfit for the masquerade ball. The mask was elegant and reminded me vaguely of swan feathers. I grinned and sat up, pleased with Havard's choice. He had saved me the trouble of finding a costume. One less thing to worry about.

"What is the master wearing to the ball?" I asked as I removed myself from the warm bed and went over to the window, where a small patch of light was streaming in.

"Well, Miss, in a sense it is going to match your outfit. The master insisted on a bird's theme, and after consulting Jovan Havard decided to go ahead and dress Miss up as a swan. If that's okay of course," he added shyly.

"Whatever you think, Havard. I trust your judgment. May I see the dress?" I kept my gaze focused outside, on the ground, where some of the snow was starting to melt.

Havard was delighted with my response and giggled. "Just a moment Miss."

I heard the little creature ruffling around in my closet; his happy hums making me smile. He squealed with glee and placed the dress in my hands like it was the Holy Grail. I had to admit, it was beautiful, and as I ran my hand along the fine workmanship, I began to ponder where Havard had gotten it.

"This hasn't always been in my closet, Havard. Where did you get it?" I asked, admiring the length and volume of the gown. It looked somewhat like a wedding dress, but since there was no veil I dismissed the thought.

"Well, the master bought it. He is going as a raven and wanted Miss's outfit to match his. Havard knows that the master spent a small part of his fortune on this dress. Miss, you should be very grateful. It is clear the master favors you," Havard said, while rearranging the pillows in my sitting area.

"I do not wish to be the object of his desire," I replied, throwing the gown on my bed in disgust. I felt extremely guilty for treating the count in such a horrible manner. But it wasn't like he didn't deserve it…

"Oh Miss, do not say that! If the master could love you he would, I am sure of it. The master thinks about you all the time," the little creature said, his tiny hands moving skillfully across my table, organizing the various books I had strewn about.

"Now does he?" I challenged. "His volatile and uncontrollable temper makes his feelings unknown to me. If he even has feelings."

"Oh yes, Miss, the master has feelings. He has a hard time controlling them, but he does have feelings. You've rekindled his heart, Miss. Soon the master will be stronger than ever before. None will be able to resist him. Not even Miss. Havard knows that the master sleeps now, gaining back his strength and eternal youth. Gabriel will be in for quite a surprise," the creature said, his hands pausing above the book Dracula's Demise. He picked it up and eyed it carefully. "When he wakes up, the master's heart will start beating. Then there will be no doubt that he is Count Vladislaus Dragulia, son of the devil. And the master will have his unquenchable revenge on Gabriel." Havard opened the book and ran his hand along the spine, grumbling about the torn out pages.

"My father is going to beat him. Even if the only way to kill Dracula is by using the 12 Lost Swords, my father is going to beat him. He will think of something," I said defiantly.

"Gabriel is blinded by the fact that Miss is his daughter. He will do anything to save Miss's life. ANYTHING." Havard chuckled, and then set down Dracula's Demise. "Havard must talk to the master about the book…"

"What do you need to talk to me about, Havard?" inquired a familiar voice from my open doorway. The little creature squeaked and turned to Vladislaus, bowing.

"Master…"

"Leave us," he said commandingly. Havard fled, passing underneath the count's legs.

"May I come in, Isabelle?" he asked in a gentleman-like tone. I made a point of not even looking at his face as I put the dress away, and when I sat down, I looked out the window.

"As you wish." I felt him step across the threshold and into my room, bringing a warm gust of wind with him, which was odd. Curious to see if he looked any different, I glanced over at him and almost passed out in my chair.

He had indeed grown taller. His hair was the same, and the little golden earring still hung in his left ear. I recognized his basic facial structure, but the similarities stopped there. His eyes had lost the hollow-look and in its place was an overwhelming sense of power, along with a bountiful wealth of knowledge. His skin glowed, an obvious sign that he was healthy, and I sensed warmth radiating from his body. He was a force to be reckoned with. And for the first time since my arrival, I started to doubt that my father could kill him. The mere thought seemed so far away now, so distant and hopeless. The count was superior to Gabriel. Nothing could stop him now. Resistance would be futile.

"It appears that a good night's rest is EXACTLY what I needed," he said slowly, pacing my room, casting dark shadows on my wall. "I have regained my strength that I lost so long ago and now nothing, not even the wrath of God can stop me."

"Don't blaspheme. No one is as powerful as God. You overestimate your present state," I said calmly, but inside, I was terrified.

"Stop believing in those who you cannot see," Vladislaus sneered. "I am real. Flesh and blood. And I have a heartbeat." He smiled, a satisfied look on his face. "Thanks to you." He caught me with his gaze and I knew I was gone. The only resistance I could show now would have to be with words.

"You may be able to control my body, count, but you will never be able to control my heart. Hypnotizing me doesn't prove anything, except that in order to get what you want, you must lower yourself to forcing people to do things, instead of them doing it according to their own free will. Any normal vampire can manage that." He was closing in on me, but I was determined to resist him until I couldn't hold out anymore. I would go down fighting…

"Nay, Isabelle, you have done everything here by your own free will. I have never once hypnotized you in this castle. It is your mind denying the inner pleasures that you feel in which you think I am hypnotizing you." He smiled wickedly and walked in a circle around me. I swallowed hard.

"You lie," was all I could manage. Did he really know?

"Do I?" His warm breath tickled the back of my neck.

Can't do this, I told myself firmly. Can't do this.

Yes you can. Let him… you can't deny that he is drop-dead gorgeous. A normal woman would kill to be receiving the affections of such a handsome man.

He is a vampire! He is going to kill my father! He might show mercy for me but think of WHAT HE IS!

Don't let his morals and religious beliefs stop you, my conscious argued. And now he has a beating heart… he could learn to love again. And you love him.

DO NOT! I screamed silently, horrified.

Denial will not get you anywhere. Start listening to your true feelings instead of your brain. You will be surprised where it might take you.

NEVER… I want to but I can't. You don't understand…

Very well.

"Please," I begged, turning around to face the count. "Why must you kill my father? You can have me but leave him alone! I know he has wronged you and if you don't murder him you will not get your seat next to the devil, but living as a vampire, is it really that bad? Do you truly want to be with the devil for the rest of eternity? It makes much more sense…"

"Talking about that which you don't understand, yet again, my dear. Allow me to make a list: Gabriel has murdered me twice, killed my brides, slaughtered my children, terminated all my dreams… and taken something from me which he cannot return, even through his death." Vladislaus said, his body convulsing with anger. I sat still, feeling utterly helpless and alone, stranded in hell on Earth. "Having you around has… eased that bitter pain to some extent, but it will not stop me. I am not killing Gabriel for the devil. I am killing Gabriel for what he did to Aurora. And what he did to me." The count walked swiftly over to my fireplace and glanced up at the painting. I followed his eyes and suddenly understood what he was trying to convey.

"That is…"

"Your mother, yes. She was my pride and joy, the Helen of Transylvania, but she loathed me more than anyone else. I was unable to come within five feet of her or else she would go insane with rage. I kept her in a secret room, where she could live in peace and where I could admire and desire her from afar. However, when Gabriel sent me back to hell, he found her and was smitten, considering she did look similar to Anna…" Vladislaus grimaced, like an old and painful memory was being resurfaced. "He took Aurora to Budapest and you were born about a year later. But one night Gabriel came home, drunk and in a foul mood. Your mother offended him by commenting on his morals, and before she could do anything he shot her through the heart with the same gun he had used to kill Velkan Valerious. He has not murdered one innocent woman, Isabelle, but two. THAT is why I am back. To avenge myself, Aurora, my brides, and all the other people Van Helsing has wronged, all of the people I adored. I am the person who deals out the punishment he has hidden from for so long. He took something that belonged to me and now he is going to pay."

I sprung from my chair and in one quick movement had the count caught between me and the fireplace. "I don't believe you."

He took my face in his hands and I closed my eyes, savoring his touch. "Would I lie to you?"

I shrugged, keeping my eyes closed, for fear of tears being released if I did otherwise. I knew the count was not lying to me, and I didn't want to cry in front of him. I was too strong for that. Or so I thought.

"Gab… Gabriel wouldn't do that. He…NO!" I cried, pounding on Vladislaus's chest like it was a punching bag. He took my beatings, which would have surprised me, but how the count was feeling was the last thing on my mind.

"He is not a murderer! He loved my mother! He has never stopped mourning her death! What you are saying can not be true!" I screamed in anguish, clawing at his neck with my nails. He didn't even flinch when I drew a large amount of blood.

"You evil, scheming, inconsiderate, lying bastard…" I snarled at him. He grabbed both of my arms and I fought his grasp, but he was too strong. Grief-stricken, I gave up and threw myself at him, only to find that I was wrapped in his embrace. I buried my face in his hair and clung to the loose garment that was clothing him. He smelled wonderful, and just being in his presence calmed me down so that I could think properly. I did not let go.

"My mother…" I whispered sadly. "I wish I could've known her. I feel so betrayed by Gabriel…"

"Plenty of time to know the dead when you're dead," he murmured. "Plenty of time."

He stroked my hair and I sighed, content to just stay that way forever. At that precise moment, he was no longer a monster, or a vampire, or a demon. I was able to see past his repulsive mask and into his very soul. Maybe there was a chance for him. And now that his heart was beating…

"I don't think I will ever understand you," I said, pulling away so I could look into his eyes. They were overflowing with life, but glazed over with anger and something else I did not recognize. "Your motives are so unclear to me."

"Some things are meant to be understood. Others are best left in the dark. I'm the latter." He drew me towards him, so that our bodies were in direct contact with each other. I swallowed hard and struggled to control the burning lust and passion that was stirring within me.

He bent down so that his lips were hovering over mine, just inches away. "You've been such a challenge, Isabelle, such a challenge. I've quite enjoyed it…"

Then he kissed me softly, like he was testing me. When I didn't resist, he pulled me even closer, so I could feel the energy running through him. I smiled and returned the kiss, baffled by the sensations that this alleged demon could create just from his touch. It was amazing and terrifying all at the same time.

Vladislaus moved down to my neck, his mouth caressing the two small puncture wounds that were still healing. I responded instinctively by wrapping my arms around his neck and closing my eyes.

"You are… so full of life. I can feel your heart beating," he said huskily, unlacing my bodice gingerly with his left hand. I dismissed what he was doing and kissed him again, overwhelming desire flowing from my lips. It was in the middle of the kiss that I realized he was gathering the bottom of my nightgown in his right hand, while his left one was buried in my hair. Scared and a tiny bit unsure, I pulled away.

"No, Vladislaus… please. Not now," I implored, my voice rising.

Sighing, he casually relocated his right hand to the small of my back as his fangs scrapped along the tender flesh of my neck. I cringed and recoiled.

"You're still frightened by me, aren't you?" he inquired, straightening up and letting me free from his arms.

"It depends. Most of the time I'm not," I said honestly, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. He caught my hand and looked at the palm, where I had been burnt by the sword. The wound was not healing and I had long since become immune to the pain it caused me. Without a single word, he traced a line with his finger across the gash. I watched, amazed, as the skin turned from a patchy red to pink, and then finally to white. He did the same to my other hand, and before I knew it both of my hands were as good as new. I stared at them, astounded.

"You… you can heal?" It was more of a statement than a question.

"Yes," he replied simply.

"Why didn't you heal me earlier, then?"

"Pain is essential for human life, my dear. Makes the mind stronger and more willful. The easy way out is not always the best choice." Vladislaus said, as he picked up the book Dracula's Demise and tucked it into his waist pocket.

"You've become quite philosophical, count. Have you always been this way, or have I just failed to see it?" I asked, half-serious.

He ignored my question and headed towards the door. "Havard has prepared the most splendid breakfast, and quite frankly, Isabelle, you look famished. After that, I think another piano lesson is in order. Also, Valdemar is coming tonight to assist me with the music choices for the ball, and I trust you will be polite to him."

"Ha. Only if he is polite to me," I answered boldly, my hands on my hips.

Vladislaus muttered something inaudible under his breath and then left. I lifted my hand to my neck to brush my hair away and realized that the two puncture wounds were healed and covered by a thin scar. The only thing I could remember him by. The only thing that proved to me he was actually real and that this was not a dream. But when I went over to my closet to find an outfit to wear down to breakfast, a soft, melodious voice rang in my head: "All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream."

Author's Note: I LOVE Van Helsing, even more than Dracula, if that's possible. It was not my personal decision to portray him in such an insolent manner, but that is how the plot worked out and changing it would ruin the story. Please, I beg forgiveness from those of you who are Gabriel fans. I adore him and I am going to try and fiddle with the plot.

Helen of Transylvania/Helen of Troy

Helen of Troy (the city) was rumored to be the most beautiful woman in the world, according to Greek and Roman Mythology. She was the daughter of Zeus.

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