Chapter 6: Of Passion and Temper Tantrums

I can't believe it. I really can't believe it. Here I posted chapter 5 today, complaining about writer's block, then I go and write all of chapter nine in one go! Life's funny that way. Cheers to Verona for giving me so many reviews. I'm really glad you like my story so much. It's currently 9:29 at night, I just took my sleep medicine, and I have just 4 minutes of internet time in which to post this thing before CyberPatrol (ooooooh, I HATE it!) shuts it down because I've reached my daily limit. Will I make it? Guess we'll find out.

my kitty muse says hi. (and has been hitting me over the head repeatedly with a large rubber mallet to get chapter 9 done so fast. Ow.)

Dracula wrapped one arm around my waist and drew me close, tipping my chin up with a cold finger. I stared at him defiantly.

"Do you know," he whispered, his handsome face inches from mine, "how beautiful you are when you are angry?"

"Do you know how possessive you are?" I asked dryly, quirking one eyebrow. He laughed appreciatively and traced the outline of my mouth with his finger.

"You would have made a wonderful Bride, were you not an angel. Not," he added, "that I mind you like this."

His mouth descended on mine and I tried to pull away in surprise, but he held me fast, one hand behind my head. Dracula bit down on my lower lip and I tasted the coppery taint of blood in my mouth.

Vampires. Have to drag blood into everything.

Oddly enough, it felt as if a ribbon of fire was uncurling in the pit of my stomach and for some reason, I felt like wrapping my arms around his neck. So I did.

My mind started to grow fuzzy as I hung there in his grasp. I believe he forgot that one of us at least needed to breathe. Just before I was about to faint from lack of oxygen he pulled back, but still maintained a firm grip on my waist, which I was thankful for.

"You're manipulating me, I know it." And I was getting annoyed with him again for it.

Dracula's eyes glittered and he started to kiss my neck. "But it is so much fun, no?" I had no reply to that. His hands began to wander around my waist and it sent a shiver down my spine. I had had no sweetheart in my village, and I wasn't sure how to deal with these new emotions, however much I hated the cause.

'Just go with them.'

And I wanted to, damn him, I wanted to. But I could not; no matter how darkly wonderful he seemed at that moment, he was still a vampire. And an egocentric womanizer at that. I racked my brain for an excuse to get away.

"My Lord…" He ignored my whisper. I tried again, placing one hand lightly on the side on his face and twisting my neck slightly away from his pursuit.

"Dracula," I said softly. Blue eyes met black in concern. "What about the Brides?" It was as good an excuse as any.

"I do not forget them. They feel emotions yes, but not to the extent that you do my angel. With our bond, they are…intoxicating." I was quickly coming to hate the pronoun 'my' with a passion.

I shook my head. "That's not what I meant. I mean, won't they be jealous and try to get revenge or something of the sort?"

Dracula's smile was fond. "Do not worry," he assured me. "I will not slight them with inattention, if that if what you fear. Besides, they know that this is the purpose I brought you here for and they will not risk my wrath by disobeying me. I am still the master here."

"Purpose?" I searched his face for an answer.

"For me to give life to new children, they must be nurtured by a living person." He caressed my cheek. "And perhaps, by taking a living Bride, she could rekindle feeling inside of me again." His voice grew distant.

Comprehension dawned on my face, quickly to be replaced by horror, then rage. So I wrenched away from his grasp and slapped him as hard as I could. Dracula's eyes darkened slightly, if that was even possible.

"Monster!" I screamed at him. "You are nothing more than a cold unfeeling demon who would decide my fate out of his own selfishness!" There seemed to be an unholy blue tinge to his eyes and his fangs had elongated. I knew his patience with me was undoubtedly wearing thin; I was dancing around the edges but could not stop.

"If I could, I would personally torch every one of those disgusting sacks hanging out there in the hall and dump the ashes into the deepest abyss I could find rather that let you find some way to give them life!" My finger jabbed in the corresponding direction, and I quickly found myself dangling a foot above the ground, looking at an enraged vampire who had his hand locked around my throat, effectively cutting off my air supply.

"You will soon learn," he said in a deadly cold tone that sent fear running down my spine, "that I will not tolerate constant fits of temper such as you seem to be so fond of displaying. If you will not cease them voluntarily, you will find I have other, more unpleasant means at my disposal to achieve the same end." He tossed me to the floor and glared at me. I think he broke something, I though in disgust. Despite the pain, I managed to stand and face him, though I did so from the opposite side of the hall.

"I use to pity you, did you know that?" I asked him in a distant tone. Giving him no time to answer, it was rhetorical anyway, I continued. "When I first came here, I pitied you for your isolation. I pitied you for your inability to feel, for your lack of a soul. Even though they were little monstrosities, I pitied you for your unborn dead children."

I shook my head slightly and contempt colored my voice. "No longer Dracula. I despise you to Hell and back." With that I turned and left, heading up one of the numerous staircases into an unfamiliar area of the fortress.

Hey! Another two pager! (the full story at this point is up to about 18 pages. Go me) reviews make the world go round. And I love you guys soooo much for the one's I've gotten. And in such a short amount of time too. : D