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Chapter 63

With the help of a few willing villagers, Anna and Van Helsing groomed and saddled their horses to begin the search for Sarah's last resting place. It had been agreed that the knowledge would give some comfort for her grieving friends and perhaps make them feel like they were with her in her last moments.

It had been just under two hours since the sun had fully risen, two hours in which the small group of friends had been inconsolable. Pale with grief no one had been able to eat, no conversation had past amongst them and it had been Carl who suggested this excursion to perhaps put their minds at rest.

A nod from Chris had been enough to convince them that this at least would lift the hopelessness of the group; this made them feel like they were doing something for her.

Anna was no stranger to grief or death, her whole life was based on tragedy, but Sarah's end was truly terrible. To die honourably in battle or after being taken was one thing, but to know that unless you took your own life those whom you cared about would die.

She couldn't imagine that. When she asked herself if she could have had the strength to do such a thing, she doubted her courage would take her so far.

"I should have killed her myself" Anna looked up startled, Van Helsing was staring towards the east, regarding the sun kissed mountains with angry eyes; regret and grief marred his handsome face. "She asked it of me and I turned her away…I drove her to it."

Anna patted her horse reassuringly and made her way around it to stand next to the monster hunter. He stirred as he felt her hand on his looking at her as if seeing her for the first time.

"You could no more have killed her than any of us" she said gently.

He smiled sadly at that "Could I not? Would she not have just been the latest of many innocents I have slain?" his voice had risen slightly and he pulled his hand away from hers.

She regarded the man before her and it dawned on her how much his job had cost him and how many he had seen die by his hand.

"When I kill them" he said quietly meeting her gaze "Whatever they are, whatever they have become. In the end they lie before me as the people they once were. Innocent people who didn't deserve the hand God dealt them." He gestured towards the mountains "She didn't deserve that fate. I could have spared her that, could have spared her the pain of it and the sadness of dying alone far from those who love her." Anna nodded her assent.

"No she didn't deserve that fate," she agreed. "But would it have been any better had you taken her life? Tony was behind that door when she asked you, what if he had seen you lift the sword and strike down his friend? Your Job, Mr Van Helsing, is to destroy evil and save innocent lives, and you did that no matter what the price. Had you have struck her; events would have been set that could have led to the destruction of everyone in that house. She made her choice long before we had a hand in it, the least we can do for her now is see to it that she is avenged and that her friends have a chance of returning to their world."

Sighing Van Helsing put his hat on, bending the rim forward so that he had to tilt his head to see the princess clearly.

He smiled grimly and gestured towards the house behind her. "It seems we will not be going alone after all" Anna turned; Amie, Chris, Jory, Bob, Tony, Marston and Carl were standing in front of the door.

Each wore the riding gear she had brought them and most carried a sword or knife at the belt.

Anna sighed and turned to one of the stable hands "We're going to need more horses."

Dracula was artfully courting Sarah within her dreams, wooing her new vampire mind. He placed them in an elaborate ballroom similar to that which he visited yearly in Budapest.

She wore a flowing black corset gown, her shoulders were exposed and a black choker with a single pearl at its centre rested over her throat.

She caught sight of herself in the mirrored wall; her hair was fastened at the back with a butterfly pin and generous amounts of it hung across her shoulders, stray strands of her fringe tickled her face.

The music was hauntingly beautiful.

As she turned to look at the dancing couples it didn't occur to her to wonder how she had gotten here or why she had no memory of any time before it. There was only here and now.

Feeling awkward she walked through the dancing couples, making her way to the back wall.

Gratefully she slumped against it, content to watch the dancers and listen to the music.

"Enchanting isn't it?" Sarah jumped at the voice and turned to see a handsome gentleman standing beside her.

He smiled "The music, the dancing it's like a fairytale" he said. Sarah glanced again at the dancers and found that she agreed with him.

"It is," she breathed smiling at him.

"Well then if we are in a fairy tale, it appears I have found my princess." He said bowing elegantly.

Sarah blushed and wrung her hands self-consciously, he seemed to be greatly amused by her discomfort "Ah it seems that I have unwittingly embarrassed an innocent girl?" he asked pleasantly.

She smiled at him. "Let's just say I'm not known for my confidence" she admitted, his smile grew at this.

"And yet you would come unescorted tonight?" he asked reasonably "Well then my fair princess" he said bowing "allow me to introduce myself. I'm Vladislaus Dragulia, but you may call me Dracula. I would be honoured if you would accept me as your Prince for the rest of this evening."

Sarah giggled and then curtseyed "I am honoured to meet you Prince Dracula" she said dramatically rising to meet his eyes.

He took her small hand in his and brought it delicately to his lips, she was startled by how cold his skin was.

"May I enquire as to your name fair princess?" he asked drawing her on to the dance floor.

"Sarah" she whispered as he took her into his arms. He smiled and began to lead her in the dance.

They talked as they danced; Sarah discovered he possessed a passion of ancient mythology to rival her own. For hours they discussed the rise and fall of the ancient civilisations and he recounted with amazing accuracy Homer's Iliad and the fall of Troy.

The night ended all too soon and he led her out to a waiting carriage.

Kissing her hand reverently as they parted.

Dracula tore apart her memories, smiling as he discovered her love for literature and his own fictional figure from her world. Delicately he incorporated her fascination with him and allowed it to grow into a longing; he wanted her to awaken believing she loved him.

There would be no more of those foolish games; he was her master now indefinitely.

It was midday when he finally broke the connection, satisfied that her memory was significantly altered in his favour.

Sarah still slumbered beside him, her hair was settled around her shoulders fully restored. Her skin had healed, glowing a fresh pink colour, not yet taking on the characteristic paleness of the vampire, her lips were a delicate pink and he traced his finger over them now.

His gaze travelled over her body and he noted her nakedness.

Rising he left the room and returned carrying a delicate white gown that was typical of his brides.

Gently he lifted her body into his arms and dressed her lovingly, as one would an infant. Laying her back down once this was accomplished.

What Dracula felt for his brides was not strictly 'love.' Most of the time he managed to convince himself, that they meant nothing to him. But when faced with the death of Marishka he had realised that he held a fondness for them, their presence never failed to sooth him and their sadness often brought him into a silent despair.

Truthfully his brides were all he had, his only comfort in a world that hated and feared him. Granted they had good reason too, but all he wanted was to live.

He felt the need for sleep cloud his mind. Grudgingly he removed himself from Sarah's side and gave her a parting kiss on her death like lips.

"Until this evening my dear," he whispered walking silently away towards his coffin.

There he found Aleera as he had left her that morning, slumbering in the space beside where his own body would lie. She stirred as he climbed in beside her and immediately asked after him.

He grinned at her "Your sister has returned to us, and soon we will be free to rule a new world" he said. She smiled brilliantly at him before they both settled themselves in for the day.

Note: ok I'm being forced to leave it there for tonight but weekend 2moz so I will be adding lots more! Sorry Christine Marquez about the Sarah/Drac relations ;)

Oh would like to know who out of my characters is everyones fav? So please read and review and let me know which of the teens you like best!!