I'm sorry I haven't updated forever! I have had really bad writers block, and I'm going to try and finish off my stories one at a time. Oh, and I have a question for you guys: do you want to see a sequel to this?

Disclaimer: I own nothing except what I made up. Fair enough.

,.-´¨¯¨·-.¸-( () ),.-´¨¯¨·-.¸

Lucia did not want to open her eyes when she awoke the next morning. She felt so warm, so comfortable. Gabriel was lying facing her, and had his arm around her waist. She slowly looked at him. He was awake, his soft eyes twinkling sleepily at her.

"Good morning," he whispered, his breath tickling her face. He smiled. "How did you sleep?"

"Like this bed was Heaven on earth," Lucia sighed. She yawned and closed her eyes. "I never want to leave this place, this bed. I love you."

"That was a deep, meaningful speech."

"I'm full of them." She rolled over onto her back. "Is anyone else awake?"

"I wouldn't know; I didn't feel like getting out of bed to find out," he replied, sitting up and stretching. "Shall I go and have a look for you, Lucia?"

"Not if you don't want to," she yawned. "It isn't that important."

He smiled down at her, then stroked her cheek. "I won't. Tell me, what is important to you?"

She smiled sadly. "Spending this time together and enjoying it." She sighed. These could well be her last moments with Gabriel, and the thought made her want to cry, scream and latch onto him. She wanted him to touch her, kiss her.

He lay back down, and turned her head softly to face him. "This isn't the end, you know."

He was trying to reassure himself. Lucia wanted to comfort him, but she couldn't. She didn't want to lie to him. "Gabriel... you know we won't both make it out of today alive."

"We will," he whispered desperately. His eyes filled with emotion and he pulled Lucia closer to him. "We will, Lucia, I swear we will."

The look in his face brought tears to her eyes, and she longed to be able to help him. It wasn't fair. Why did she have to finally meet her soulmate now? "I wish it could be different, Gabriel. But it can't."

A tear rolled down his cheek. She couldn't stand it any longer. She climbed out of bed and wandered over to the window, looking out at the dull, cold morning. It was snowing. Gabriel followed her over, and firmly turned her around. He was wearing a baggy black shirt.

"Why can't you be positive?" he asked suddenly. "What is it you want?"

"I want to be loved," she shrugged. "I want you to hold me, kiss me, make love to me..." She was surprised that she had said the last one, but it was true. Somewhere inside of her, she had a flaming desire to feel his hands all over her body, then his lips...

"Lucia..." he murmured, his expression suddenly quite different. "What...?"

She didn't know why she wanted it so much. Perhaps it was because she knew she was going to die. Perhaps it was because she loved Gabriel so much and wanted to leave him with something before she left. "Please, Gabriel."

He sighed, and stepped closer to her. "Are you sure? Have you been with anyone before?"

"I'm sure," she whispered, as he wrapped his arms carefully around her hips. "And no, I've never been with anyone."

He nodded, then lowered his mouth to her neck. He was kissing it so lightly, so lovingly. Lucia felt so good. A moan escaped her lips as he lifted her suddenly, dumping her on her back on the bed. He knelt down beside her, looking at her in awe.

"You're beautiful," he breathed, slowly unfastening the buttons on her shirt. She felt her heartrate quicken as he pulled it open and grinned.

Some time later, Lucia opened her eyes. She was lying beside Gabriel, her head on his chest. He held her in his arms, and their legs were tangled together. They were naked. Gabriel was asleep, breathing softly. Lucia couldn't sleep. This felt so right, and yet she knew she would never feel like this again.

She heard voices in the hall. The others were up. She knew she needed to get up now. She considered waking up Gabriel, but realised she didn't want to have to talk about what had just happened. Softly, she slid out of bed, and walked over to the door. Someone had pushed a pile of clothing and weapons through.

She smiled, pulling them all on, eventually finding that she was dressed in a black camisole, a black blouse, tight black leather trousers, and pointy heeled black boots. The double-ended stake was fastened to her back by a thin sash, there was a sword sheathed in her belt, two pistols by her thighs and a stake by her ankle.

She cast a final look at the sleeping form of Gabriel, then headed out into the hall. She almost ran into Gregory, who was standing just outside. He smiled at her as she closed the door.

"Good morning, Miss Craft," he said. "I trust you slept well?"

She nodded. "Not too bad, considering, I suppose."

He nodded. "I know exactly what you mean. Is Gabriel up yet? I much desire to talk with him about the plan for the day."

"Go in and wake him, if you like," she shrugged. She grinned wickedly. "Though I must warn you he's naked. I'm going to get my breakfast."

"Sounds like you've already had it..." muttered Gregory as she wandered off. He went into the bedroom.

Maximo was sitting in the kitchen having a cup of tea when Lucia entered. He smiled at her as she poured out a cup for herself and sat down beside him, taking a long swig.

"Morning," he said, draining his cup.

"Are you alright?" she asked, remembering his failed attempts to woo Deanna last night.

His expression darkened slightly, but he nodded, running a hand back through his curls. "I'm just so scared something will happen to her," he admitted, his voice choked with emotion. "I love her some damned much, Lucia."

She did something rather out of character then. She stood up and pulled the man beside her into a tight hug, stroking his hair softly. He held onto her tightly, sobbing dryly. Lucia felt so at peace comforting Maximo. She regretted not being a more cuddly person all her life.

Finally, she drew back, and sat down again. Maximo still looked a little upset. She felt a small pang.

"Maximo," she said slowly. "I don't have a brother, but if I did... Well, I think he'd probably be a lot like you."

He smiled then, and she found herself smiling back.

"I have a sister," he said slowly, as though thinking carefully. "She's called Isabel, and I suppose she's a lot like you are, actually."

Lucia laughed softly. The back door opened, and Deanna walked in, looking out of breath and annoyed.

"Dee?" Maximo asked, staring at her. "Are you alright? What happened to you?"

"Bloody vampire," she replied, panting. "Chased me back here. I took it out, but I think there are more of them out there."

"Are you alright?" Lucia asked, watching her close the door and raise a hand to her mouth.

"I fell," she muttered, pulling her fingers away to examine the blood on them. "Fuck. That hurts."

"Shall I clean it for you?" Maximo asked, standing up.

Lucia smiled to herself, and quickly left them to it. She walked into the hall, and then into the bedroom once more. Gregory and Gabriel, who was now dressed and armed, were sitting on the bed talking. They looked up as she entered.

"Lucia, it's almost time for you to leave," Gabriel said sadly. "You have to go in there and make Dracula believe you are willing to be his Queen. He'll take you to his headquarters. Just roll with whatever happens, and we'll come and get you as soon as we can."

"What if you're too late?" Lucia asked slowly. "What if he makes me his Queen before you get there?"

"He won't," promised Gabriel.

Lucia felt very unsure. This was definately not a good plan. If she was made into Vladislaus' Queen, she would not be able to control her urges, she knew this, and she would not be able to help Gabriel. She would become what she had fought her entire time as a Hunter.

The three of them walked back to the kitchen, where Maximo and Deanna were in the middle of a very sweet, tender, lingering kiss at the table. They must have sensed the others there, but they did not pull out of the kiss. Finally, their lips became detached.

"If I don't make it," Deanna began slowly, "I want you to know... I loved you all along."

They hugged. Deanna was crying. Lucia felt very guilty; if anything happened to either of them, she would be responsible.

"You'd better get going," Gabriel whispered to Lucia. "I won't let you down, I promise."

Lucia nodded numbly. Gregory shook her hand and patted her cheek, wishing her good luck. Maximo pulled her into a tight hug. Deanna gave her a light squeeze. Gabriel walked her to the front door and stood facing her, holding her hands.

"I love you," he whispered. "I love you so, so much." His eyes teared up. "We will live happily ever after, I promise, my darling, my love."

She shook her head. "You gave me light in a time of darkness. But if you are too late, you have to kill me. I'm dangerous."

"Good luck," he sighed, kissing her softly. "Don't give into darkness. Hold out, and I will be there, I promise."

She nodded, and walked out. There was a horse waiting for her. She felt tears prickling her eyes as she mounted it and set off, speeding through the icy morning to the castle once more. Would she ever see Gabriel again? She had thought this would be the day of her death, but now it appeared that it could be the day of the start of her immortal life.

In no time at all, she was standing outside of the main doors of the castle, fighting against the tears. Slowly, she gave the doors a push. They opened easily, and she stepped inside reluctantly.

It was quiet and still in the hall as Lucia closed the doors behind her. Licking her dry lips and tossing her hair over her shoulder nervously, she wondered if she should call for Vladislaus to come and see her.

"Why call for me, my love?" came his voice. "I felt you enter." He was walking down the stairs to her, dressed in his usual attire, smiling at her in a surprisingly happy way. "I knew you would return, Lucia. But dressed like that... that I did not imagine. You look like you are about to go to war."

She swallowed painfully. She forced herself to speak. "I... I love you." As much as she wished this was a lie, it wasn't. It was anything but. She wasn't sure she could kill him.

His expression softened as he reached her. "I know, my love, I know. Have you reconsidered becoming my bride? I want you beside me for all time."

This was it. Tears flowed freely down her cheeks, and she grabbed his arms, needing to know he was there as she answered in a small, trembling voice. "I want to be your bride, Vladislaus."

He kissed her. As their lips and tongues worked together, he pulled her close and she held tightly onto him. He was evil, but he loved her. She knew he loved her. Finally, he pulled away.

"We are going to the Castle of Insettia," he told her softly. "Come along, darling."

He took her arm, and they walked through the castle to a small room at the back. There was a huge, ornate mirror taking up all of one of the walls. Vladislaus tugged Lucia in front of it, and she gasped as she looked into it. Of course, Vladislaus had no reflection, and her own was almost transparent.

"Don't we look so good together?" he murmured, extending a hand to touch the smooth, flawless glass. It cracked amazingly, but instead of falling all over the floor, it simply vanished, and Lucia stared into the spot where the mirror had been.

It was now a doorway into a different place. The sky was dark grey, and wet snow fell steadily from it. A huge dark castle sat a short distance away from the entrance to this realm, and it was bustling with vampires. The trees beside this place were dead. Only evil could thrive here.

Lucia was home.

TBC.