A/N- Thanks for all the reviews! Now, please enjoy!

I'm gonna keep my sheep suit on
Until I'm sure that you've been shown
That I can be trusted walking with you alone
Owoooooooo

Little Red Riding Hood
I'd like to hold you if I could
But you might think I'm a big bad wolf so I won't

--Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, "Lil Red Riding Hood."

Chapter 9

"We have to find out where that demon went!" Iris exclaimed, trotting to keep up with Adrian and Terence.

"I know," both men replied.

"But how?" she continued, now breathing quickly with the effort.

Adrian stopped. When he turned to face her, Iris's eyes filled with tears. He looked worried. In fact, he looked sick with it. And if he was worried…what did that mean she should feel like?

"I don't know, Iris. This castle is huge. To be quite honest, all we can do is hope that Orlox keeps her alive as bait. It's harsh, but…" Adrian said, running a hand through his hair.

"But…but…he's…a--a vampire! They don't do that sort of thing! They only kill!" Iris protested, then gasped.

The reality of her own words hit. Finally, the tears spilled over. She turned her back on the men and stood, her arms wrapped about herself, crying.

"Iris," Terence said, putting a hand on her shoulder.

"I can't lose her too!" the young girl cried.

"We won't, Iris. Orlox, I'm sure, has something planned for Sage…something that requires her being alive. I mean, she escaped from him before."

Adrian walked around to kneel in front of the girl. Putting a hand under her chin so that she would look him in the eye, he smiled at her.

"We'll get her back. I promise," he said.

Sniffling, Iris replied, "Don't make promises you aren't sure you can keep."

The dhampire's eyes widened at this. Terence, equally as shocked by this statement, turned Iris gently around into his arms.

…………………

"What do you mean?" Sage said, slumping back into her chair. "What could you possibly know that I don't?"

"Is that an honest question or sarcasm?" the sickly looking vampire asked.

She considered this. After all, even she wasn't sure. She hated the thought of asking someone else other than Adrian about his own life story. It seemed as though it were backstabbing. However, there again was the fact that Adrian would not turn her, even though he claimed love. Did Orlox truly know something that Adrian wouldn't tell her? Or was it all a ruse?

Sage looked up at the wicked creature. He was smiling in a way not unlike a hungry predator would. Glancing at her own feet, she asked, "What do you know?"

The smile widened. Then, it disappeared and turned, shockingly, into a look of sympathy.

"Honestly, dear, I'm shocked and disappointed that young Alucard would not tell you…" he said, placing his hands on her shoulders.

"Just get on with it…"

"You're a strong woman, Sage. But I dare not tell you myself. It is understandable if you would not believe me. So, instead, I'll ask you to go to the Library--I'll transport you there myself--and look up Sonia Belmont. You'll find your answers there. But, to make sure you don't run from me, I'm putting this necklace on you. If you try to leave the Library, It'll bring you back here," Orlox explained, clasping a simple gold chain around her neck.

Sage stood. She closed her eyes and nodded. When she opened them again, she was standing in front of the ancient Librarian. The old man stood from behind his desk, utterly shocked.

"Well…my dear Sage…I never expected to see you again. This is certainly a pleasant surprise!" he said, his arms opening wide, as if to hug her from afar.

"Please," she said. "I need all that you can give me pertaining to a woman named Sonia Belmont…especially if it mentions Adri--"

And Sage stopped. She looked back at the Librarian's oaken door, thinking. Then, finally, she finished her sentence, revising the last part.

"Especially if it mentions Alucard, dear sir."

…………………

Two hours later, Sage had already poured through one of the two records that the Librarian had found for her. Now, halfway through the second one--a journal written in Adrian's own hand--she paused. Not but two minutes ago, she was reading of Adrian's adventures while he loyally served his father. But now…now her beloved was describing his love for the enemy of his father. The young woman destined to destroy Dracula. Sonia Belmont. He was falling in love with this woman. Had fallen in love with her.

Adrian's journal told of how Sonia destroyed Dracula, and how he had left the castle, relinquishing the servitude of his father. He and Sonia spent days and nights together. Finally, the journal told of something that Sage could've never guessed. She could feel the angry tears build up in her eyes and spill forth onto her cheeks. Suddenly, she felt Orlox's familiar cold hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him and seeing him, in this moment, not as the cold, evil creature, but rather as a comforting figure. Someone who understood her anguish.

"Trevor Belmont," he said. "Alucard's son."

End Notes- Okay, how did you like it? I know that I'm probably boring you to death, but I'm going to tell you the story of how I named this fic. You see, it came the time to write the sequel to Beauty and the Dhampire, but I couldn't think of a decent title. And so I sat down with SlinkyAndTheBloodyWands to brainstorm. She suggested Little Red Riding Hood. I said, sure, that'll work. But the more I thought about this story line and the fairytale itself, it didn't fit…not really. Then, one morning going into homeroom, I found myself humming the song "Lil Red Riding Hood" from which the above quote is from. It was perfect! Anyhow, you guys can wake up--since I've bored you to sleep with this--and review! Thanks!