Author's Note: Sorry this took so long to update; school is demanding much of my time. I thank you all for being patient with me. Onward soldiers!

Chapter 20- Bathed in the Devil's Light

He was coming. Tall, fair and inexplicably handsome, he made his way through the crowd like he was parting the Red Sea. God's grace shone down upon him and the wind ruffled his hair, her sighs of content and awe buffering him in a storm cloud. Piercing purple eyes shone through the smog, all powerful and all knowing. He was drawing closer...

But there was another force to counter this one. Darker, yes, but just as handsome. And as he approached, the Earth trembled, the sun hid behind the clouds, and birds were silenced by his piercing stare. They were the two balances of the scale, and their confrontation would mark the beginning of the end of something that had existed before the creation of time. The lethal Prince of Light versus the pungent Lord of Darkness. The redeemer and the destroyer would risk almost everything to terminate the other's presence. And only one insignificant human being stood between them...

"Miss? The guests have begun to arrive." Havard said through my chamber door, his tiny voice barely audible. "Is Miss ready?"

I made the final adjustments to my dress and opened the door. Havard beamed up at me, his eyes twinkling.

"Miss decided to wear the dress Master gave her," he stated. "Master shall be much pleased."

I rolled my eyes. "As I have told you before, Havard, that is the last thing that I want to do. Pleasing him never once crossed my mind. I just so happen to be quite fond of this dress."

Havard nodded solemnly and motioned to his neck. I placed my hand around the necklace that Vladislaus had given me. "Protection from him," I explained, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear.

My stomach was turning violently as Havard led me out of my room and down the hallway. The dress glided behind me, which made me feel like I was in a wedding gown. My hair was done up in a French bun and white gloves adorned my hands. I was already wearing the swan mask. In an odd sort of way, I felt like I was going to my doom. If only I could somehow warn my father...

"Miss, we are here," Havard said, breaking my train of thought. I did not remember traveling any distance, but apparently we had, for now we were standing in the grand ballroom surrounded by guests shrouded in various types of masks. My mouth dropped.

The ballroom was extremely spacious. Long red banners hung from the balconies, bearing obscure symbols that bore no significance. An entire orchestra of musicians sat up front, testing their instruments. Jugglers, mimes, and acrobats bumbled around, providing entertainment. I was taken aback by the amount of people who had arrived already. It was sure to be one crowded evening. Apparently Vladislaus wanted an audience.

I looked down at Havard and realized he was no longer with me. Perturbed, I went over to the refreshments table and got myself a glass of cider. That was when the music started and the men and women joined hands. The tune was a soft and melodious one, but I had never heard it before. Everyone moved in perfect unison and I was quite content to just stand there and watch. But that would not be so, for right at that exact moment I spotted two figures standing over by a pillar, their eyes studying me carefully. I immediately identified them as my father and Carl. My heart skipped a beat. They were here for me.

The music was now becoming livelier, so I stood and glanced around for any sign of Dracula. He was sure to make a grand entrance and he would want no one to miss it. The musicians stopped playing and all heads turned to the main entrance, where a man cloaked in black stood. He was dressed ornately in raven feathers and could have been mistaken for the devil himself. A chill went up my spine.

"My dear guests, please, continue!" He said slowly. I moved as quickly as I could away from the main entrance, but he found me before I even got the chance to hide.

"I spot your valiant protectors over there, by the statue of Metratron," he whispered in my ear. "I think that they have brought no weapons. What do you suppose they plan to fight me with?"

I tore away from him and nearly succeeded in knocking a couple over. My heart was beating so quickly I did not even take the time to apologize.

"You know I am going to win," his voice rang in my head. "There is no stopping me."

I clutched my breast where I had secretly hid the lily. It was my only means of hope. I glanced around the congregation but saw no sign of either Carl or Gabriel. My heart sank.

"Drink my blood. It is the only way."

"No," I murmured softly. "No."

The world began to spin as the musicians started to play Lacrimosa from Mozart's Requiem. Of all music to choose, he picks a funeral mass piece? What was he thinking? The guests did not stop dancing; they seemed to feed off the music, like it was empowering their very souls. The sight made me feel nauseous.

I shook my head and went over to a thick column and hid myself behind it, dropping to the marble floor in vain. It was hopeless. The lily was wilting. My strength was failing... but I had seen my father and Carl. Or had I? I was floating in and out of conscious now; I couldn't even trust my eyes. It was all a disaster. I just wanted it to be over.

Out of nowhere, I felt a strong hand on my arm. I glanced up and found myself face to face with Dorian, who had one finger held to his lips. I nodded and stood, automatically checking for signs of Dracula. He was over by the punch bowl talking to some guests... that was good, perhaps we could make a run for it.

Dorian led me through a door adjacent to the ballroom. I found myself in another library surrounded by a horde of angels including Raphael. In the middle of the library was my father, his eyes glowing like fire. My jaw dropped.

"What-how?" I squeaked as I studied Raphael out of the corner of my eye. I knew it was him because he was clad in green and he smelled of the forest. I bowed in respect to him and turned back to Gabriel who had not gotten up to greet me, much to my surprise. He stayed in the center of the angels. I noticed Carl was standing behind him.

"Don't move, Isabelle," he whispered softly. "Don't move. You are protected from the forces of evil by this ring of angels. Do not break the bond."

I dared not breathe. My father lifted his hands towards the heavens and said something in Aramaic, a language that I was unfamiliar with. A purple light flashed, blinding me temporarily. When I could see again there was another presence in the room, a presence that forced me to my knees. A single tear rolled down my cheek.

"He has come," I murmured.

"Who?"

My eyes snapped open. Dracula was staring down at me, a scowl on his handsome features. I glared back at him and stood, painfully aware that he towered over me.

"Who has come?" he inquired simply. I shook my head and tried to move away from his pensive stare.

"You will answer me. NOW!" He ordered.

I withdrew the lily from underneath my gown. It was alive and thriving, and a purple glow tinted the edges. His eyes widened upon realization of what it was.

"JOVAN!" he screamed in the most unearthly tone. I cringed and clutched my ears. Jovan appeared out of nowhere and landed calmly on the ground, parting the crowd easily due to his fearsome demeanor. He folded his wings and shook his mane to the right side of his neck.

"You called me, Vlad?" he said with a blasé tone of voice. Dracula disappeared from in front of me and materialized next to Jovan, who merely batted an eye. I trembled at the thought of the fate that awaited the demon. Vladislaus did not know mercy.

"You helped her," he snarled, withdrawing a sword from inside his robes. "TRAITOR!"

Jovan reared up at the sight of the sword, his eyes flashing blood. "You know not of what you speak, vampyre. Beware false accusations!"

"LOOK AT THIS!" he roared, flinging the lily underneath Jovan's front hooves. "LOOK AT THIS!"

Jovan grinned slowly as his eyes of red scrutinized the flower. "The sign of Uriel, that is. I would recognize it anywhere. The lily is a symbol of hope. Purple is the color of salvation." He looked up at Vladislaus. "You accuse me of giving this to her?"

It was evident to everyone that Vlad would not be able to control his anger much longer. People were beginning to file out slowly, their eyes fearfully watching his every move as they made their exodus.

"No. I accuse you of letting someone else give it to her." The grip on his sword was growing tighter.

"And who might that be?" Jovan said, his fangs curling in a satanic smile. The demon knew that he had pushed the vampire over the edge. With two quick movements Vlad drew an X on his forehead. Blood flowed like a river down the front of Jovan's face to the ground where it stained the marble red. Jovan's eyes remained as cold as steel despite the intense pain.

"I mark thee..."

"In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen." Vlad spun around, his long black cloak whirling about him like a windstorm to face my father, who was scowling at him. Carl and Dorian stood behind Gabriel, their stance fierce.

"Well, well, Gabriel, we meet at last," he said smoothly. "I presume there is something you need?"

"I ask you only to help my daughter. Please... she needs blood." I caught eye contact with my father and saw the pain in his eyes. I looked away quickly.

"Why should I help you when you have been a hindrance to me? Not to mention I receive my overdue reward once I deliver your head on a plate to my master. I see no reason to help you, or spare Isabelle's life." Vlad smirked and turned to me. "Come here. Now," he ordered.

I went to stand beside him, my eyes on Jovan the entire time. His head was bowed in the excruciating pain. I saw that the wound was not healing, indicating to me that Vlad must have used one of the 12 Lost Swords. I could not help but pity Jovan, and in a split-second decision, I tore myself from Vlad's influence and went over to him. He raised his head and looked at me with an expression that read, "I am dreadfully sorry." His knees then gave way and he plummeted to the ground with a sickening thud. It took everything I had not to scream. In an intense fit of rage, I ran at Vlad and latched my hands around his neck in a foolish attempt to strangle him. He calmly broke my death grip and clutched my shoulder, his claw like nails embedded in my skin. I took a deep breath and blinked back tears.

"Please, let my daughter go. She has not harmed you in any way. I need you to help her. Please." Gabriel was begging now. He had lowered himself to the ground and had his arms gestured upward towards Vlad.

"Don't beg, you fool!" I sobbed, my tears boiling over with the grief and anger that had been shut up in me for the last week. "Get up! Do not submit to the devil! Fight him!" I said. Vlad's grip on my shoulder grew tighter as a warning, but I paid no heed. "He is a liar!" I screamed. "He is a deceiver! A demon bathed in the devil's light! He has no heart! Destroy him!" I bent down and threw Vlad's sword at my father, oblivious to the scorching pain that seared through my hand and the harsh shove I received from Dracula. My father did not make any attempt to catch the sword, since he knew that it would cause him intense pain. Instead, a deity surrounded by a blinding purple light caught the weapon and then materialized in front of us, revealing who he was. I fell to my knees in relief and let my tears run unchecked.

"No," Vlad said, his stature shrinking. "This can't be..."

"Greetings to you, servant of those who we do not speak," Uriel said, his immense wings of fire fluttering in the air. The seraph had long, silver hair that reminded me of gossamer. As he spoke, his eyes of violet glowed with an exuberance that could not be countered, even by the richest jewels of the earth. Gabriel, Carl and Dorian had shrunk back against a column in awe of the archangel. I remained fixed to my spot, for I could not move for wonder.

"You have come to fight... me," Vlad said, loosing the edge in his voice that he usually carried.

"No, I have come to redeem you," Uriel said calmly. His voice was wise and just, with just a hint of spite. He was careful to keep it hidden.

"You used Jovan for your own benefit," Vlad remarked, turning to the fallen demon. He was still breathing but his eyes were closed. I shivered but remained quiet. "You poisoned his already weak mind."

The seraph's laugh gave me the chills. "Jovan hath a weak mind? You know naught of what you speak. He came to me of his own accord. I suppose his guilt for the injury he hath caused Isabelle outweighed his respect for you."

"That is unnecessary," Vlad said, his lip curling. "Be gone from us."

Uriel smiled and grasped the sword. "I see this is my own sword. Interesting choice."

"Are you challenging me?" Vlad said, his voice raising. He withdrew another sword from his robes. The inscription on it flashed in the weak light: Satanam.

The seraph raised his sword upwards to the heavens, his wings of fire batting fiercely. Vlad did not wait. He slit his neck, grabbed me, and thrust my mouth to his jugular. I felt warm liquid flow into my mouth and I tried in vain not to swallow. But soon I was gasping for air and the disgusting taste overwhelmed me, forcing me to consume the disgusting liquid. Convinced I was done, he threw me to the ground. I looked up at Uriel and his eyes paralyzed me with fear upon the realization of what Vladislaus had done.

"There is something I forgot to tell you, Gabriel," Vlad said haughtily. "She let me drink from her, so now that she has supped on me, she has no choice but to become a vampire. Your daughter will be of the living dead, doomed to wander this earth without any knowledge of the pleasures of mortal life." He grinned and then threw himself into battle with Uriel, who was now crying tears of blood.

Author's Note: CLIFFHANGER ALERT! STAY TUNED!