They stood on the drawbridge and stared up at the castle.

"Lovely," said Van Helsing. "Needs some touch up work."

Rachael shoved him lightly. "Let's go."

They went forward to steps and Arve dropped down in front of him.

Rachael whipped out her gun. "Arve, you're going to get yourself killed doing that."

"Did you get the message?" asked Arve, softly.

"I did."

Arve bowed. "Good." And was gone.

"What is going on around here?" asked Van Helsing.

Rachael swallowed hard. She moved a little bit closer to Van Helsing. "I think there about to be a war."

Van Helsing stopped dead still. "And we're going to be in the middle."

"Yes." Rachael pushed him forward and clung to his arm.

"You're shaking."

"Yes." Rachael drew her gun. "It's the Dark vampires I fear."

"Why should you be afraid? They can't kill you unless they all come at you at once."

"But it's they're appearances," Rachael whispered. "The nightmares I had after I saw them." She briefly closed her eyes and then opened them.

They where before the door.

Rachael squared her shoulders and slowly let go of Van Helsing. She stepped in front of him. And brought her fist crashing down on the door three times.

Van Helsing reached out and around his hand around her waist and pulled her back quickly as the door swung open.

A tall vampire stood there. He simply bowed to Rachael and stood back.

"Thank you," said Rachael and entered.

"Count Drake is waiting for you."

"Take me to him."

"Is he with you?" The vampire's tongue shot out and he licked his lips.

Rachael leveled a gun at him and cocked it.

He hissed at her and then instantly composed himself. "I apologize for my rudeness, princess."

"If it happens again, there will be consequences," said Rachael. "Now, take me to Count Drake."

The tall vampire opened large double doors and bowed. "In there."

Rachael marched past him, Van Helsing on her heels.

"Rachael! My Princess!"

"Drake," Rachael said softly with a smile.

A large vampire rose slowly from a chair. He had thick black hair that he tied back and the brightest blue eyes Van Helsing had ever seen.

He came down three steps and opened his arms to Rachael.

Rachael went into them and was enfolded in his strong arms.

"I was never able to apologize for…"

Rachael held up a hand. "Drake, it's forgiven."

"Thank you," whispered Drake. He pressed his cheek against hers. Then turned to Van Helsing. "And this must be Van Helsing." He bowed to him. "I bow to you because you rid the world of Vladimir. And now I hope you have come to help rid the world of Vladan and his offspring."

The three of them sat down.

"Now, what is going on?" asked Rachael.

"Well, it began when Vladan left the Castle. He didn't come back for years," said Drake. "And then one day, he returned with about five hundred of his offspring. He trapped me into marrying one of them. The one who attacked you. My other wives, the ones who liked you, bit you to save you. Amaris and Amata where in tears when they had to leave you in Rome. They've gone to see you every year. And every year they come home to tell me how beautiful you've become."

"Where are they?"

Drake's face fell. "Amaris, my darling and beloved, was killed by Vladan. He said she was turning traitor. Amata died not long afterwards, at the hands of Vladan's first wife, Saril."

"Where did Saril come from?"

"She claims she came from the river," said Drake. "She is not but a deceiving hag."

Rachael turned her head away and quickly dashed her tears from her eyes. "Oh, how John Paul would laugh at me. Crying over vampires."

"He does not yet understand?" asked Drake.

"No," said Rachael. "And I have never tried to make him understand."

"Not understand what?" asked Van Helsing.

"You," said Drake, "Should understand above all. We, my people, are not vampires by choice. My mother was once a human, captured by Vladimir and bitten by him and she became a concubine. I am not what I am by choice. But vampires like Vladan where born evil. And will remain so."

"There is no such thing as a good vampire," said Van Helsing.

"That…" began Drake. Then he stopped. "I know. I know," he said softly. "But there is a difference between good and evil. I am no evil nor am I good. Yes, I have killed people. To live."

"We are not here to judge you and your people, Drake. We are here for Vladan and his people."

"So what of your other wives?" asked Van Helsing.

"Aditi and Adrienne are still well."

"And your daughter?" asked Rachael.

Drake's face went soft. "Bo becomes more and more beautiful with each day. She cannot wait to see you, Rachael."

"So, if I can kill Vladan, all his offspring and people will die?" asked Rachael.

"Yes," said Drake. "It is as simple as that."

"No," said Rachael. "It is not that simple. For me to kill Vladan, I must have a reason. By law. But don't worry, I'll find one."

Just then there was a knock at the door.

Drake stood as the door opened and a woman entered.

She was beautiful in a hard sort of way. Her hair was fiery red and her eyes a brilliant green. "Drake, Vladan wants to see her."

Drake looked at Rachael and held out his hand to help her to her feet. "Rachael, I would have you meet Vladan's first wife, Saril."

Rachael looked the woman up and down. And bowed stiffly.

Saril meet Rachael's hard eyes with hard eyes of her own. "Right this way."

Drake followed them. They reached large black doors and Saril opened them.

Instantly Rachael stopped. The room had several dark vampires in it. They turned when the doors opened and several starred at her.

Van Helsing touched her back. "I'm here," he said softly.

Instantly Rachael tucked her crucifix into her shirt. And slowly drew her gun.

"Princess Rachael!" The voice boomed out as the largest vampire Rachael had ever seen came down the center of the room.

"You must be Vladan," Rachael said stiffly. "That's far enough."

Vladan stopped about ten feet away from her. "You don't trust me?"

"No."

Vladan looked past her at his wife. "Saril darling, go and get the other brides so that they may meet the long awaited Princess."

Saril turned and vanished.

"Well, I heard that you had an unfortunate experience with some of us, years back. I do hope you didn't hold that against us."

"You'll die wondering," said Rachael.

Vladan's fierce teeth showed as he grinned. "What was that?"

Rachael suddenly smiled beautiful and put away her gun. "It was but a figure of speech, Lord Vladan."

Vladan's smile grew more brilliant. "That's more like it, your highness."

"You persist in calling me by my title," said Rachael as she relaxed against Van Helsing's chest. "Why?"

"Because, once a vampire Princess, always a vampire Princess. You'll go to your grave with your title and make no mistake about it."

Rachael's eyes narrowed. "I would hope there was no hidden meaning in that, Lord Vladan."

"None whatsoever," said Vladan.

Four women entered the room on the heels of Saril.

Rachael studied them as Vladan introduced them.

Saril with her brilliant red hair and bright piercing green eyes. Sanura with golden hair and soft blue eyes. Sasha with rich brown hair and deep brown eyes. Shaina who had waist length hair that was as golden as the sun and eyes that where the color of the sky on a perfect day.

Rachael nodded to each of them and they all bowed to her.

"Your highness," they said softly.

The instant Rachael met their eyes, she knew that she would kill each of them, Saril last of all.

The four women stared at her, their eyes glittering.

"Such beauty," whispered Sanura.

"I've never seen any such as you," commented Sasha.

"You would make a beautiful wife to one of our men," said Shaina.

Rachael raised an eyebrow. "Not likely," she said. She turned to Vladan. "It's been a pleasure." Then she turned and left the room, Van Helsing and Drake with her.

The four brides turned to their husband. They came to him and gathered around him.

"Her blood would make us stunning," said Saril.

Vladan looked at her. "Touch one hair on her head, my love, and suffer my wrath for the rest of your life."

The four shrank away from him and hissed.

"No, make no mistake," said Vladan. "She's dangerous. It would take her no time at all to kill each of you. So, keep your distance and mind your manners."

"I want to get out of here," said Rachael. She was pacing. On the ceiling.

"Come down from there," said Van Helsing.

"No. I think better upside down."

Van Helsing sighed and shook his head. "I do hope you have a plan for those lovely ladies."

Rachael turned to him "Why?"

"Because they have a plan for you." Van Helsing looked up. "Surely you know. If they where to drink your blood, your beauty would enhance them. They would be dazzlingly and dangerously beautiful."

"I'd forgotten," muttered Rachael. She dropped down from the ceiling. "I must see what I'm up against."

Just then there was a knock at the door.

Rachael whirled and crouched to the floor.

"Relax, a little, Rachael," said Van Helsing.

Rachael looked at him. "I can't believe you just said that. I'm in a castle full of vampires. Half of them would give their lives for me. And the other half are ready to kill me."

Van Helsing stood and went to the door. "But you're no help to me or anyone else, least of all yourself, if you're all wound up like a clock." He opened the door.

A vampire stood there. He handed Van Helsing a letter. "For her highness, The Countess Gabriella." He then bowed and vanished.

Van Helsing shut the door and handed Rachael the letter.

She opened it and scanned it. "We're invited to the ball tomorrow night."

"I went to a vampire ball once."

"Yes, I know," said Rachael as she dropped the letter on her vanity and crossed to the wardrobe. "I saw you there. And Ana. And Vladimir." She threw open the doors. The closet was full to busting of dresses of every conceivable style and color. "This will be a ball to remember."