Chapter 4 Unwelcome Request
The creaking of floorboards roused a young Grace from her sleep, and she glanced bleary-eyed at her bedroom door. Nothing happened. With a groggy sigh she was about to resume sleeping when a sudden eerie silence filled the house, so thick that it hit the girl with the force of a physical blow. Feeling suddenly more awake, Grace slipped out of bed, padding quietly towards the door. Just as her fingers touched the brass doorknob, a blood curdling scream crashed through the house. Abandoning a stealthy approach, Grace raced towards her parent's bedroom, heart pounding, terrified of what she would find. Her knees buckled underneath her as she laid eyes upon the mutilated flesh of her family. The blood soaked carpet oozed dark fluids as Grace walked to the bedside, her body shaking. Her parents still lay in bed, as if they had no time to react to the gruesome attack. She didn't need the lights to see that their chests had been ripped open and that their sightless eyes looked up to the ceiling in painful horror. Whatever had done this couldn't be human. As she suppressed a scream of terror, Grace stumbled over to the dresser and grabbed her father's pistol with trembling hands. As tears began to cloud her vision, she raced outside to find the thing that murdered her parents, intent on taking it to its grave.
Sitting bolt upright Grace took a few shaking breaths before realizing where she was. That nightmare had plagued her since childhood, and she knew it would continue to for the rest of her life. Her parents were brutally murdered because they possessed power, power that was coveted by others, others that would use any means necessary to possess or destroy it. Growing up, she'd always known there was something unique about her, but after that terrible night she had a personal vendetta to slay each deadly creature unfortunate enough to cross her path.
Blinking out of her reverie, she noticed a few candles illuminating the silent bed chamber. Notably absent this time was a certain sinister vampire. With a sigh she whispered, "Why am I here?"
Her best guess was that Dracula wished to use her as some sort of paranormal assassin, judging by the fact that he hadn't eaten her for breakfast yet. Gambling her assistance for her freedom seemed like a good bet. Though she had a feeling it wouldn't be that simple. It seemed that the Count wished for more than her compliance to kill enemies; he wanted her mind as well.
At that moment, the creaking of the door hinges signaled a visitor. Grace slid off the opposite side of the bed instinctively, her mind feeling clearer than when she was last conscious. To her surprise it wasn't Dracula, but a youthful man with chin length wavy blonde hair and cold blue eyes. He was human, his skin a healthy shade of golden brown, and he wasn't emanating the power that seduced her senses. He stood patiently as if waiting for Grace to speak first.
"What is it now?" Grace snapped, wishing she had a weapon in her hand, anything to wipe away his smirking visage.
"The Count has requested an audience with you over dinner." He walked over to the wardrobe and pulled out a formal, wine colored dress. "You are to wear this."
Grace almost laughed. "You have got to be kidding. I'm not wearing that!"
"You are in no position to bargain, Miss Davin. You have ten minutes to change." And with that he walked outside, locked the door, and waited.
Grace stood in mild shock. Dinner with a vampire…in formal wear. She shook her head with a sigh. To simply not go would probably be a bad idea, and going would give her a chance to put her plan into action. Walking over to the wardrobe she snatched the dress with a grimace and changed. Glancing around, she located a gilded mirror on the opposite side of the room and evaluated her reflection. The dress was tastefully simple in design. It had thin straps leading into a v-neck and a band of fabric accentuating her slim waist. As she turned the mirror revealed smooth skin as the silken folds dipped low to expose most of her back. She took her only hair tie and put her hair in a loose bun at the base of her neck.
Precisely ten minutes later the human servant reentered without knocking. He eyed her form appreciatively as three other men came in behind him. Grace's eyes narrowed suspiciously as they strode toward her; her suspicion was justified as they grabbed her arms and legs. She struggled valiantly, but unfortunately the odds were not in her favor. The blond man promptly obscured her vision with a black blindfold. Two men continued to hold her arms as they escorted her out of the room, down numerous winding corridors, and a few steep staircases.
It irked her that they had been clever enough to use the blindfold. She could have attempted to escape by constructing a mental map of the castle. The thought seemed rather whimsical even to her, but apparently her captors where taking no chances, and Grace was not pleased.
She was once again stumbling down steps and would have fallen were it not for the strong arms holding her upright. Suddenly her entourage came to a halt and someone knocked twice upon a door. Acquiescing to their request, the door creaked open to beckon them forward. The blindfold was snatched off as she was shoved forward into an immaculate dining room. She squinted for only a moment before taking notice of the long polished oak table, ivory candles, and place settings for two. Her wandering gaze froze as it reached the dark figure standing, hands folded in front of him, at the head of the table. He was a vision in black, wearing a ruffled shirt showing a hint of pale chest, a velvet cloak trimmed in gold and pants hugging his trim waist. She hadn't expected less, but nonetheless cursed as she heard the men leave, the door closing with a snap.
The flickering candles burned in Dracula's intent gaze and for a moment it was as if she were being sucked into the pits of hell. "Welcome," he said, his silky baritone reverberating through the cavernous room. "Please, have a seat," he smirked, gesturing to the ornate chair to his right. Grace complied reluctantly, walking as the condemned walk to their execution. This would be a long night indeed.
Author's Note:
I hope you all don't want to chop my heads off for not updating this story in forever. I've had some personal problems that have kept me from writing this, and not to mention I am concentrating my time on a serious story that my friend and I intend to publish. I really hope you enjoy this chapter and there will be another one coming as I feel like updating this again. Again, I am sorry for my outrageous lack of updating! Please feel free to email me with pestering notes to update. Oh…and REVIEW! Reviews make me happy and will make me update )
And thank you to LAUREN! Who will forever be my beta for this story.
Mrs. Mina Harker – Thank you so much! I'm glad you like Grace….I like her too )
Delightful Sin – Well I suppose this story is AU….sort of…pre Van Helsing. Yes…these are modern times….but I'm taking the liberty of having Dracula live in a more secluded country side type of place. Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
The Honest Reviewer – Well…you may be right….but maybe this chapter will change your mind )
Aleera21 – I'm so glad you like it! Hopefully this chapter will live up to standards )
Lotrluv – Thank you! I'm soooo sorry I took ages and ages to update this story. I hope you understand and that you enjoy the chapter!
Bex – Phew…it is a relief that you have called off those blue flesh eating monkeys…though I'm sure you want to sick them on me again P I'm so glad you enjoy the story! I am very flattered that you aspire to write like me! Writing all of the time definitely helps ;)
Black Garnet – Thank you ) And were your suspicions correct?
DraculasLover – Oh I am flattered that mine happened to be the first story you read! I am happy you enjoyed it and I'm so sorry about not updating….it will be better now I promise!
Raz 42492 – Thank you very much ) I am very very very sorry about not updating until now…but you will get the next chapter soon! I promise!
Phantom's Bride – Here it is! The update! I hope you enjoy )