AN: Hey everyone, I am sooooo bad about not updating. Smacks self on hand BAD WRITER! Oh well, I hope you all like this new chapter.

I don't own anything from Van Helsing.

Lilacskissgoodbye

The scent of roses faintly wafted in front of Anna's nose as she woke to find herself still in the arms of the being who carried her back to her quarters. Though he was sitting upright against the headboard of the ornate bed, cradling Anna, he seemed to be sound asleep.

I wonder how long he has been here holding me…Anna thought to herself as she gazed up into his face. It was now that the fearsome creature, Dracula, the bane of the Valerious clan, with bangs falling across his softly closed eyes, seemed more human than herself sometimes as she gazed into the mirror. Such pain she saw…hundreds of years of lonliness and death. Slowly, and with a peaceful smile on his face, he opened his eyes, and she was frozen, much like the woman in the turret. The purity of the look that she just saw was swept away by a much more cunning and lecherous, deep-rooted gaze that melted her insides and planted a seed of fear in her stomach all at the same time.

"Good evening…" said that longhaired, beautiful demon said has he lazily stared down at her, his beautiful accent lilting through the air around her head like miniature song notes.

Oh, dear God, Anna thought as she listened and became entranced in those two words, he is captivating me more and more with each passing moment together.

The soul-searching look lingered on for a few more seconds before interrupted by a squat little figure shuffling in with a tray of hot tea, bread and cheese in his hands.

"I do apologize for the lack of sophisticated…food, however, as I am sure you are aware, we have no need of it here," he taunted with a smirk on his face, more playful than anything malicious.

Anna just nodded dumbly and immediately started to devour the food set down in front of her, most unlady-like, and Dracula, getting off the bed and courteously bowing, left the room to allow her a few hours alone to herself.

How can the demon be both black and white? Is there a gray area between the two that could describe the creature that my family has hated for centuries? Is there some way to bridge the gap between the man that he was and the horrible monster that he is now? Anna thought as she looked out the window, having finished her meager meal. The stars really are beautiful.

She chuckled as she thought of all the time that she had spent, away from the light of day in pursuit of Dracula. Would it really be that different if I were bound to the night? Would I miss the sun and the clouds?

The thoughts carried her far, far away, and she didn't hear the large, oak door as it creaked open to allow the cunningly gorgeous master of the castle enter and walk up behind her. When he finally put an arm around her waist and turned her so that she was facing him, she noticed his presence. Nothing, however could have readied her for what happened next; his lips brushed her with more passion and heat than she could bear…

AN: Sorry, but its 10:30, and while I wanted to update tonight, I don't think I can go on any longer, so you are going to get a cliffhanger…kind of this time. I do apologize once again for the time in between updates, but I have had NO time, whatsoever in my life. Between vacationing with the family and school, I have been unable to spend time on the computer. I do hope you all forgive me and will return to my story.

Thank you for the reviews. I appreciate them and I love to read them, even if I don't reply, they are all extremely appreciated.

Lilacskissgoodbye