Chapter 9 : Pain

A cold gust of wind brought Anna Valerious back to consciousness. Still half-asleep, she sat up, and swung her feet over the side of the bed, intending to shut her bedroom window. Burning pain swept across her ribs. Anna grimaced, holding a hand to her side, and pushed herself off the bed.

But the ground didn't come! Or not at least as soon as Anna expected it to. She hit the floor with a loud thud. The pain in her ribs flared red-hot and Anna let out a shrill cry.

Anna kept her eyes closed, her other hand on her chest as she tried to breath as the pain slowly eased. Why had that happened? Her bed wasn't that high. Her bed.

Anna's eyes shot open. She looked around the room in horror. Dull colours met her eyes. The room was dark, and eerie.

"Where the hell am I?" cried Anna.

As if in answer to her question, the door was flung open and in walked Jacob.

"Why princess, you're in hell, of course!" he said boldly.

"Who are you?" Anna demanded as she winced and pulled herself to her feet.

Jacob raised an eyebrow, "You don't recognise me?"

Anna glared at him.

"Think back princess, think back two years ago," he began to slowly circle her. "We lived in the forest, barely ever hunted. We weren't made vampire of our own choice, we had somehow survived a bite." He put his face close to Anna's, "Just like your precious brother." He snarled.

Anna felt a bitter pain stab at her heart at the mention of Velkan, but she held her head high and looked sourly back at the vampire.

Jacob's voice grew dark as he continued, "We were peaceful, unlike those your family so often hunted." He paused, looking out the window for a moment, then continued, "But that Valerious! Oh no, he believed every vampire was evil. Mama didn't see it coming. Neither did Papa or Nina. They were dead before we could do anything, ashes at our feet. And we had watched them die, watched as Boris Valerious put stakes through their hearts!"

Anna noticed tears forming in his eyes. She remembered the night he was talking about. Velkan and her father had gone out hunting vampires they believed could lead them to Dracula's fortress. They had chased the vampires past the house, where she had been sitting at her window, watching and wishing to be there with them.

"Marie and I were lucky to escape. Our lives were already destroyed." His voice began to rise in anger. "It took two years to find our way again. Two years of pain, starvation and near death! Because of the Valerious! Damn him and all with him to HELL!!!!" Jacob's eyes flashed in anger. He spun around, grabbing Anna by the throat and slamming her harshly against the wall.

She cried out as searing pain returned to her ribs. Anna couldn't breathe and began clawing at his hand to free herself. But it was to no avail. A look of total rage and bitterness was plastered on Jacobs face as her gripped her, taking out his pain.

Her head began to spin from lack of oxygen. Just when she thought she was dead for sure, Jacob released her and she dropped to the floor in a gasping heap. Trying to be strong, Anna winced and gripped the wall for support as she tried to stand. Her ribs ached and her throat stung.

Jacob had backed away and was breathing deeply, trying to calm himself.

After a while, Anna was the first to speak, "I'm sorry about your family, but-"

"But!? But what!? Anger flared in Jacob once more and he stormed up to her. Remembering her courage, Anna didn't move, staring him directly in the eye.

"You're obviously not as peaceful as you made yourselves out to be. You are vampires. There will never be peace as long as vampires walk the streets of this town!" Anna said, knowing it would anger him, but not fully caring.

Jacob's eyes raged, turning red as he transformed into his vampire form. Before Anna could react, he had swept her across the room into the opposite wall. She crashed to the ground, taking a few seconds to recover, her ribs still paining. Quickly, Anna searched for a weapon. She grabbed a torch off the wall and hurled it at the vampire, catching him unaware. It pierced his wing, making a large rip. Jacob keeled over as he tried to pull it out. Anna tried to take advantage of the opportunity. She ran for the door only to run into the female vampire from the village.

"Hello princess," she said viciously, baring her fangs.

Anna took a few steps back then spun around to make for the window. Marie was there before her. She quickly backhanded Anna who flew across the room into the chair that instantly splintered, harshly slashing the princess across the cheek. Anna screamed in sheer agony, sure that her ribs were broken again. Hot tears began to stream down her cheeks, burning the cut. It hurt to move, even just to breathe. She gasped for air, trying to get air but at the same time, trying not cause herself more pain.

Marie gave a satisfied smile and went to help Jacob up. Satisfied that his wing was ok, they stood over a gasping Anna. She looked up at them pathetically, trying to remains strong but feeling truly helpless. She could barely breathe, let alone fight.

Just then, the door opened once more, revealing the black form of Dracula.

"YOU!" Anna managed to hiss vehemently.

"Hello my dear Anna." Dracula said eloquently.

"I see even Hell cannot stand you!" Anna said bitterly.

"Quite the contrary, I cannot stand Hell," Dracula said. He flashed his eyes at her then turned to Marie.

Grinning, Marie stepped forward and forced Anna's arm above her head. Anna cried out in pain, but was too weak to fight back. Marie produced a long, thin blade. Anna's eyes widened as possible outcomes filled her mind.

Forcing her hand open, Marie pushed the blade deep into Anna's hand and sliced down across her palm. Anna screamed, feeling her blood begin to flow. Marie pulled out a small vial and held it under Anna's hand, forcing her hand into a fist and squeezing, forcing more blood to flow.

Dracula had to physically hold himself back. The intoxicating smell of her sweet blood was tempting him beyond belief. The time would come when he drank her blood, but he would have to wait if he was to kill Van Helsing.

Once the vial was filled, Marie ripped a part of Anna's shirtsleeve off and wiped it across her palm, covering it with blood. When she was satisfied, she released Anna's arm and stood up.

"Thank you dear Anna," she said with a smirk before leaving.

Anna watched her go, still keeping an eye on Dracula and Jacob. She looked from her bleeding palm to Dracula, questions burning in her eyes.

Dracula stepped forward, "Don't worry my dear, I will taste you, but not tonight." Using his power, he kept her still and bent down to kiss her forehead. He watched her eyes rage with fury and ran his finger along her cheek. "Goodnight my dear."

When Anna could move again, she would have ripped his throat out if Jacob had not grabbed her arm. She glared at Dracula as he left then looked up at Jacob. He grinned and hit the side of her face hard.

Jacob smiled manically then looked upwards towards Heaven. "Hear the screams of your daughter Valerious and know that I will have my revenge!" he yelled. He delivered a harsh kick directly to Anna's ribs, leaving her sobbing in agony before he turned and swept out of the room.

Shortly after he had left, two Dwergi came in hauled Anna onto the bed. She did nothing, allowing herself to be moved. Finally, when Anna heard the door lock click into place, she grimaced and ripped a strip of the sheet to wrap around her hand.

Anna curled into a tight ball, trying to ease the pain surging through her torso and began to silently cry. The blood loss had made her dizzy and her entire body was exhausted. How she wished o be in Van Helsing's comforting arms. They would ease all her pain. He would protect her and make everything good. Just thinking of him made her smile, but soon the smile turned to a grimace at the emptiness that now filled her heat. How she ached for him.

"Oh God Gabriel, where are you?" she said silently, for the first time, Anna Valerious admitted defeat, "Please Gabriel, please find me."

Soon the exhaustion overpowered her and she feel into a stormy sleep, still praying he would hear her.

A/N The power of Dracula's to which I am referring is a type hypnosis. His is sort of a combination of that and telekinesis. I know in the movie, some people said it was the jewellery that controlled Anna, but I'm making it a bit of both. Please don't flame me too badly! But please take the time to review – it would really make me feel a bit better. At the moment, I'm not sure whether I should carry on so please please let me know if you have read this!

Thanks!

