Chapter XVII

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Silence-before-betrayal

Risika Tziporah

Lady Nessa

Thank you so very much!!!

"Oh yes, pity him. It must be such a burden, such a curse to be the Left Hand of God."

There was silence as Dracula stepped out of the dark corner.

"What a pleasure to see you here, Van Helsing. Yes, I do know you are back here, at Castle Frankenstein. I have seen you before. Why do you think I would have sent my brides here in the first place? It was not a mere coincidence that you met them tonight. Now, kindly introduce me to your friend. You never got to doing that the last time we met." Van Helsing rolled his eyes. Of course he knew that the brides had been sent to kill them, did Dracula think he was mentally impaired?

"I see, well, that will be something for you to look forward to the next time we meet."

"Tsk tsk, Van Helsing. You still have no manners. I would have thought you would have learned some by now."

"Not for you."

"Hmm, we shall have to change that," said Dracula coolly, taking a step forward.

"You are becoming quite a nuisance Van Helsing. You killed my bride."

"Just thought I would do the world a favor and remove that abomination from the face of the earth." Dracula's eyes flickered in a slightly menacing way.

Van Helsing put his hand inside his jacket and grasped a gun, even though he knew it would have very little effect on Dracula if he attacked. But if the count was going to attack them, now was going to be the time to do it.

However, much to everyone's surprise, he didn't attack, and rather just stood there looking ominous. Van Helsing raised his eyebrow in question as Aluka did the same. Carl just looked scared, clearly not picking up on Dracula's movement.

"Well, I am not pleased that you destroyed my bride. That will be the second time you have robbed me of life."

"It isn't life that robbed her of, it was death." If Dracula had a plan not to attack them, it was this moment that his apparent careful preparation could have been ruined. He looked mutinous, glaring pure daggers at Gabriel. Van Helsing noticed this, and also saw Dracula's canine teeth getting longer.

"Not a good sign," he whispered so that only Aluka and Carl could hear, or so he thought.

"No, not a good sign at all," said Dracula, smiling slightly.

"Oh, I see," said Van Helsing, suddenly remembering something.

"Yes Gabriel, I have heightened senses. Hearing is a sense," said Dracula, slightly mockingly.

"Yes I know what hearing is," snapped Gabriel.

"Good, now, I have a question. I presume you know what that is?" said Dracula, teasing him, to some extent. Gabriel growled at him. (yes you heard me growled)

"Please, let us save some time, and you just hand over your friend," said Dracula, pointing at Aluka, who glared at him.

"I would rather die then go with you," said Aluka icily.

"People have a tendency of saying that to me, but, just so you know my dear, everyone who says that dies."

"Then I shall be a first."

"A first what my sweet?"

"I am not your 'sweet', and I shall be the first to live. I presume you know what life is?" said Aluka, using a cruel irony to mock him. Van Helsing looked down and smiled. Carl, who had been silent this whole time sniggered slightly, but stifled it when he noticed Dracula's cold, lifeless stare on him for the first time.

"Why do want me anyway?" asked Aluka, somewhat curious, somewhat disgusted.

"Why wouldn't I want you?" he said seductively, stepping forward, making the space between them a little too close for comfort.

"Uh-"said Aluka nervously, taking a step back. She clearly wasn't quite accustom to the evil undead wanting her. In fact, she wasn't even quite accustom to the evil undead yet.

"Just come with me-" said Dracula, attempting to control her with his mind. She was under his spell. Aluka took a step forward to him.

"She likes me."

"And it isn't for your personality, I assure you," said Van Helsing. He grabbed Aluka's shoulder, taking her out of Dracula's trance.

"Thank you for that assessment Van Helsing," said Dracula, only slightly angered that Aluka was no longer in his trance. Aluka took one very large step away from the count.

"I was trying to work this out peacefully, but I see that you just can't agree," said Dracula, eyes flickering with a blue flame. "I will just have to take your friend Miss Ulgacis off your hands."

Aluka looked up suddenly.

"How do you know my real name??" she asked, trying to look unconcerned, but to no avail.

"Your real name?" asked Van Helsing of her.

"I'll tell you later."

"There will be no later Miss Aluka, for you are going with me. Now."

"How does he know me??!"

"Welcome to my world," said Van Helsing grimly. Dracula smiled as he stepped once again towards Aluka. She tried to step back, but realized they had been cornered.

"So very not good," she said, a slight look of worry on her face.

"Run," whispered Van Helsing, as he, Aluka and Carl sprinted down the stairs and throughout Castle Frankenstein trying to avoid the winged beast behind them. The only thing that was saving them was that the hallways were narrow, and not as easy for Dracula to fly through.

They ran hard and fast. They ran for their lives.

Hehe. That is all for that chapter. Please review! Brownies and milk for reviewers! Or something else...0o

-the evil platypus of doom