Disclaimer: I own my friends that's all. (Friends glare) ok ….. maybe not.
Chapter 57
"I am my own master!" Sarah spat in righteous anger, struggling against the count once more.
Dracula matched her anger, his mouth becoming impossibly wide displaying row upon row of razor sharp fangs. Sarah didn't even blink.
Abruptly a cold and powerful grip seized the back of her neck under her braid, just as unbreakable as the one the Count had secured around her wrists.
"The master holds power over all who walk the earth." Aleera proclaimed sweetly. "Who are you to deny him?"
"Someone with half a brain." She muttered in sarcastic reply.
Almost immediately a searing pain exploded on the skin of her right breast. She cried out unable to move away from the burning torment.
Dracula grinned manically, her own vial of holy water uncorked and posed above the bare skin of her chest. He had allowed a single drop to fall from the vial and was watching with amused interest as it burnt a scarlet hole through her flesh to expose a pinprick of her shining rib bone beneath.
The pain was incredible, had she been human, the shock would have almost certainly killed her or at the very least rendered her unconscious. As a vampire, neither was an option.
Weak with the pain she sagged into Dracula's waiting embrace, eyeing him hatefully through tear filled eyes.
She was pinned, weak and helpless between them; Aleera's cold hand on her neck keeping her head in place while Dracula leaned forwards to claim her lips.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Jory and Marston moving reluctantly towards the exit, both watched her, unable to do anything to help her escape.
Jory started forwards angrily as Dracula caught her in his cold dead kiss, but was held back by Marston who had seen her desperate shake of the head.
Sarah watched in a mixture of relief and misery as they disappeared into the night.
They were safe now, she told herself trying to block the disgusting sensation of the counts passionate embrace. Van Helsing and Anna were on the balcony, and she could tell by the echo of their heartbeats, this display was for them, Dracula's way of showing Van Helsing that he had won at least part of the battle.
The acrid scent of burnt flesh rose in a plume of smoke from the already healing chest wound.
The vampire within her was stirring, in her present state, and with Dracula to urge it forwards, it began to take control and Sarah began to fade away.
Faintly the sound of a new heartbeat came to her; it hammered violently, the rhythm increasing with adrenaline.
'Tony!' She realised with a jolt of hope and fear, his imminent arrival giving her new strength and helping her to push back the demon within. She wasted no time in renewing her struggles against the counts dead kiss.
Dracula allowed her to pull away finally, holding her at arms length. "You know I've never been one to settle for only half." He said.
Above the ballroom Van Helsing set the princess down on to her feet, only to have to grab her again as she slumped to the floor.
"Anna!" he yelled desperately shaking her "Anna wake up!"
The princess blinked Dracula's influence slowly leaving her body, realising she could move she began to angrily tear away the elaborate jewellery and tiara the vampire had dressed her in.
Van Helsing sighed in relief and helped her to her feet, her startled gaze locked with his for a moment.
"You came for me?" she whispered seeming utterly surprised by this action.
Van Helsing nodded, tenderly brushing her cheek with his fingertips "Was there ever a doubt?" he asked.
The music stopped abruptly below them and Van Helsing cautiously made his way to the edge of the balcony to satisfy himself that the others had gotten away cleanly, he cursed as he saw Dracula holding a struggling Sarah against him.
The monster his ancient brother-in-arms had become, locked eyes with him and whispered something to the captive girl. With pride he witnessed Sarah defy the arrogant count, wincing in sympathy and fury as Aleera joined the girl's torment.
Guilt gnawed at the hunter as he watched the girl being tortured, sweet innocent Sarah cried out in incredible pain as a wisp of smoke drifted from her maimed chest. As her final humiliation, the count drew her weakened body into a passionate embrace.
A quick glance around told Van Helsing that his other young charges had already escaped the ballroom, which at least was a small mercy.
He didn't wish for them to witness such a barbaric show of cruelty.
He watched as Dracula broke the embrace and Sarah stepped away only to be caught in his arms, the count whispered something to the girl dramatically spinning her so that she was pressed helplessly against his body.
It was then the count looked up and their gazes locked again, Van Helsing's hand gripped his Togo blades tightly anticipating an attack, the count grinned mockingly.
The entire congregation had their eyes on him now and simultaneously they all removed their masks.
Ghastly grey faces looked up at him, aluminous eyes of all demonic shades glinted hungrily in his direction and their fangs grew long in their mouths.
Sarah was right… they were all vampires.
Dracula called up to him "Welcome to my summer palace!" it was then that Van Helsing realised his plan had really gone to hell.
Dracula gave an evil laugh of triumph "Ladies and gentleman!" he cried "I give you…VAN HELSING!!" the crowd roared as one and began to surge towards the base of the balcony.
Sarah struggled against the counts grasp "No let me go!!" she screamed as his hold became tighter, crushing her ribs slightly.
He laughed sure of his own victory when suddenly a burst of pain seared his back. He cried out in shock losing his grip on the startled girl.
Sarah rushed away from him and bumped into a warm figure, turning quickly she came face to face with her grinning saviour.
"Tony!" she yelled overjoyed.
He smiled at her before glancing over her shoulder. "Duck!" he yelled quickly.
Sarah obeyed a second before he raised the half empty vial of holy water, and flung the last of the deadly liquid at the advancing Aleera, hitting her squarely in the face.
She screamed feeling the terrible liquid eating through her flesh for the second time in less than half an hour.
Without waiting for either the Bride or her master to recover from their injuries he grabbed Sarah's hand and turned to run, coming face to face with half of Dracula's demonic subjects.
To their dismay the exit was blocked with at least ten bloody thirsty vamps.
"You call this a rescue?" yelled Sarah as he began to drag her in the opposite direction where they met yet more vampires.
"Wrong way!" Sarah yelled turning to head back towards the balcony.
In one smooth move, she grabbed Tony around the waist and made the astonishingly high leap on to the overhead platform.
Van Helsing nodded as they landed beside him "Glad you could join us."
Anna was already moving. She ripped the arm off a nearby suit of armour, removing the steel morning star from its grip.
"I don't think that's going to help" Tony pointed out worriedly as the swarm of vampires took to the air, heading straight for them.
"This way!" Van Helsing yelled grabbing Anna's hand and pulling her through the large doors behind them.
Sarah and Tony followed, pausing briefly to shut and barricade the doors behind them.
"Where are we going?" yelled Tony as they caught up with the hunter and the Princess.
Sarah and Van Helsing shared a glance, keeping pace even as they heard the distinct splintering of the wooden doors.
They passed through another archway framed with solid oak doors, barricading them as they had the last. The four of them continued to rush down the hallway.
A moment later, Carl and Chris raced around the corner to meet them. The Friar saw them and held up the lava contraption he'd been working on for twelve years.
"You were right Sarah! I know what it's for!" he yelled a hint of pleasure in his voice.
"Great!" Sarah yelled, "So use it!!"
Carl flipped a switch and set it down at his feet just as a loud pounding sounded at the doors behind them.
Van Helsing and Anna grabbed his arms and pulled him along as they ran towards a large stained glass window, Chris keeping pace with Tony and Sarah.
"Where are we going?" Carl asked fearfully.
"Out that window!" Van Helsing, Anna and Sarah all yelled quickly.
As they neared the glass Sarah raced ahead using her body to smash through, she gritted her teeth against the pain, as the tiny shards of glass sliced into her flesh. Simultaneously the wooden doors shattered and a wave of vampires crashed into the hallway.
Van Helsing, Anna, Carl, Chris and Tony didn't look back as they threw themselves into the cool night air, plummeting to the water below. Above them a dazzling light shone out of the window and the vampire screams were cut off abruptly, burning chunks of flesh fell with them into the water.
Sarah cried out as she felt their pain even as she hit the surface of the Danube River.
Weakened and feeling her gowns begin to drag her down she floundered helplessly.
Strong arms seized her and with Tony and Chris's help she finally broke the surface of the water. She fought to stay afloat and saw the others treading water at her side.
Swimming for the bank they kept hidden in the shadows as they made their way to the bridge where Bob, Amie, Jory, and Marston were waiting with the coach.
They clambered aboard "Head for the woods we need to put some distance between the palace and us while Dracula is weakened!" Van Helsing ordered urgently as Bob quickly reined in the horses. The carriage disappearing into the night.