A/N Yes. I know the constant apologies for lateness with chapters is getting old. But my granddad died after all. So things have been hectic. Plus I was away on a Scuba diving course. Anyway, if I still have any readers, here's the next chapter.

Chapter 7: Kidnapped

Marie crouched on the windowsill and watched Van Helsing leave Anna's room. She wouldn't attack, not yet. Not while Van Helsing was still awake. No, she would have to wait for him to go to bed before moving in. Marie took off and flew to the window of Van Helsing's room and peered in the window.

Moments later, Van Helsing entered the room. He took off his coat and slung it over a nearby chair. He sat down and pulled his boots off before crossing to his bed and pulling off his pinafore and shirt. He hung them over the wooden board at the end of the bed. Marie's eyes slid over his body, taking in the toned muscles around his middle. She licked her lips, fantasizing for a minute, imagining... 'Stop it Marie!' she reprimanded herself. She shook her head and turned her attention back to the room.

Van Helsing removed his hat and placed it on the table beside the bed. He pulled back the covers, lay down and blew out the candles. Marie smiled with satisfaction. It would only be a matter of minutes until he was asleep, then the princess would be hers.

While she waited for sleep to embrace the monster hunter, she thought about Dracula. He would be pleased when she returned with Anna. Her mind drifted to the moment they had shared. Although her mind screamed to deny it, she couldn't shake the idea that he was going to kiss her. Spurred on by the thought of his pleasure, Marie took off to return to Anna's window.

To her luck, the window had been left open a fraction due to Carl's constant ramblings about fresh air. She eased it open slightly and slid through, landing on the floor undetected. Marie's eyes roamed the room. A small fire was burning, casting a warm glow across the room. Anna's jacket, boots and corset, like Van Helsing's clothing, were lying on a chair not far from the fire.

Marie turned her gaze towards the bed, her eyes falling on the princess's sleeping form. She quickly moved over to the bed, to be just inches away from Anna. She gazed at Anna, her contented face and her chest, slowly rising and falling. Pure hatred swelled up inside Marie and she felt a demanding urge to stop Anna's chest from moving at all. But Dracula needed her so instead, Marie bared her fangs, hissing silently at the sleeping princess.

'Say goodbye to your sweet life, princess' Marie thought silently. She pulled a small pouch out of her pocket and poured a small pile of black powder into the palm of her hand. Marie held her hand over Anna and slowly let the powder fall down onto her. Anna frowned and mumbled something in her sleep. Marie leaned back and smiled. She had gotten the powder from an American witch years ago. Jacob had insisted that it was useless, but she knew otherwise. The powder would knock Anna out for a few good hours at least.

Marie was about to pull Anna from the bed when she heard a loud creak. Instantly, she flew up to hide on the roof. A small beam of light slowly grew larger as the door to Anna's bedroom opened. Carl poked his head in.

'Damn it! The friar!' screamed Marie in her mind

Seeing nothing, he walked in and went up to Anna's bed and put a hand on her forehead.

"Seems okay." He mumbled to himself. He crossed his arms and looked seriously at Anna. "You have to recover Anna, Van Helsing needs you. More than you know." He said softly.

His eyes scanned her face and he looked away, to the floor. Suddenly his eyes fell on something. Marie's eyes followed his.

'The pouch! I must have dropped it when he came in!' she thought furiously.

Carl bent down to pick up the small velvet pouch. "Now what is this?"

"Mine!" hissed Marie. She dived down from the roof and hit Carl, pinning him to the ground beside the bed. He struggled against her grip, reaching out his arms and knocking the table that stood next to the bed. A vast tumbled to the ground and smashed.

Marie glared at Carl.

"Damn you!" she shouted. She pulled her pouch out of his hands and turned it upside down, dumping all that remained of the powder in his face. A dark cloud of powder swirled around Carl's head and he stopped moving. Marie moved back, relaxing.

Suddenly, footsteps were heard coming down the hall. Realizing who it probably was, Marie jumped off Carl and transformed into her vampire form. She gripped Anna by the shoulders and pulled her out of the bed, flying hastily towards the window. The door opened with a loud bang, but Marie was already through. Hovering in midair, she turned to look into the shocked eyes of Gabriel Van Helsing.

Gabriel's eyes moved from her down to Anna. Still unconscious, her head was hanging limply. Van Helsing ran over to the window.

"Anna!" he looked back up at Marie. "Who sent you? What do you want?!"

Marie ignored his questions. "Say goodbye to your love, Van Helsing. See you soon!"

She gave him a manic grin and took off into the night.

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When she arrived at Castle Dracula, Jacob was waiting for her. Marie flew in the big window and set Anna down in front of the fire.

"So you were successful?" Jacob said as his eyes scrutinized Anna's unconscious form.

"Yes."

"What did you do to her?" His eyes didn't move from her.

"I used the powder."

"Were you seen?"

Marie didn't want to answer, but forced the words out of her mouth. "Yes."

"What?!" Jacob's neck snapped to look at her. "By who?!"

"Van Helsing. And the Friar." Marie answered silently, keeping her eyes on her feet.

"You fool!" Jacob stormed, "Do you have any idea what you've done?!"

"Yes." A cold voice cut in from behind Jacob. "I'm sure Marie is well aware of what will happen."

Marie eye's darted from the floor to look up at Dracula. Jacob slowly turned around and followed her gaze.

"My Lord, Marie she-" Jacob started

"Silence!"

Marie's eyes dropped back to the floor. Dracula glared at Jacob and walked past him to Marie.

He put a hand under her chin and pulled it up so she as looking at him.

"Well done." He said sincerely.

"What?" Jacob said. "Pardon me my Lord, but she was seen. By HIM."

Dracula turned to look at Jacob. "Yes, that is unfortunate. But Gabriel had to find out about me sometime. And besides, look what Marie has brought for us."

He gestured towards Anna.

"I would imagine that you would be grateful Jacob."

Jacob looked up at Dracula. "I am grateful my Lord." He bowed slightly.

"Then," said Dracula, "Let the games begin."

A/N Well. That's the end of another chapter. I'm sorry if it's sucky, I'm just in a tailspin at the moment.

Please read and review – I need to know if I should continue this story. Every review counts, no matter how small or fiery!