A/N Hello everybody. I do apologise for the wait. I've been writing exams and really trying to do well coz my varsity application depends on these averages.

I'm going away for a couple weeks and won't have access to a computer so I thought I should update before I go. Please bear with me.

And

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your WONDERFUL reviews!

Chapter 19: Crusade

Jacob returned to Dracula's chamber to find him seated on his large stone chair. His eyes were closed, but he was laughing malevolently. The sound filled the chamber, echoing in the cracks. Pure evil.

Jacob shivered and decided it was best not to disturb Dracula. He moved to the two bodies lying on the floor a few metres away. He quickly began hauling one towards a large window, keeping his eyes away from Dracula.

Slowly, Dracula's laughing slowed as the dark prince composed himself. He opened his eyes to see Jacob, quietly pulling one of the lifeless humans across the room.

"Why thank you Jacob," He said calmly.

Jacob kept his eyes down but nodded in response. Dracula studied him.

"You look pale Jacob. What troubles you?"

Jacob stopped and looked up. "Nothing, my Lord."

"How long have you been in here?"

"Not long," Jacob said quickly, not wanting any more pain.

"You must have wondered what I was doing?" Dracula inquired.

"I can only guess, my Lord, that you were contorting the princess's dreams once more." Jacob said, going back to the body lying at his feet.

"Indeed," Dracula smiled, "You are sharp Jacob. It' s pity you didn't use that intelligence earlier. You might have still had a brother."

Jacob tensed, but shook it off as he neared the window. Lifting the limp body, he let it roll over the edge of the windowsill and watched as it fell into the black abyss below.

"Fear not Jacob, your revenge is coming," Dracula said as he continued to watch him thoughtfully. Jacob looked up to him and nodded.

Dracula motioned his head towards the second body, "Thank you for that little gift, Jacob. My physical wounds are healed but it will be sometime before my full vampiric strength returns."

"It is an honour, my Lord," Jacob said as he lifted the second body.

xxxxxx

Gabriel rushed to Anna, falling down beside her and pulling her into his arms.

"Anna! It's okay, I'm here," he said soothingly, softly stroking her hair.

Slowly, she began to calm down. Anna looked up at Gabriel with red eyes, her cheeks wet.

"You're alive," she said softly, putting a hand against his cheek.

"Of coarse I am, it was just a dream," Gabriel said.

Anna looked down at her nightgown and sighed with relief. She relaxed against Gabriel's chest and sighed. Gabriel motioned to Carl to give them a few minutes alone and he nodded in understanding and left the room.

Gabriel turned his attention back to Anna.

"You okay?" Gabriel asked tentatively.

Anna paused for a moment and Gabriel was afraid he had upset her. But Anna frowned and nodded sternly.

"That bastard!" she yelled suddenly, " To take advantage of me like that…!" Anna stood up, still a little shaky. "This ends now!"

She strode towards her closet and threw it open, pulling out a fresh shirt and a pair of black riding pants.

Gabriel stood up. "Anna, what are you doing?"

"Ending this forever. I'm sick of hiding from Dracula," Anna responded, moving behind her closet door and pulling her nightgown off.

Realisation suddenly hit Gabriel and his eyes grew wide, "Anna, be reasonable. You've barely recovered from the fever! Night has just fallen – the vampires are strongest at night. And we don't know what state Dracula is in – he could be fully healed!" Gabriel cried.

Anna put her head over the top of the door. "I've never known you to run from a fight Gabriel."

"I only enter a fight when I know the circumstances."

"Oh really?" Anna raised an eyebrow at him then ducked back behind the door.

"Well, maybe not always. But this is so sudden. We need time to plan this!" Gabriel's voice softened, "I don't want to lose you to him."

Anna came out from behind the door wearing her usual gypsy shirt and riding pants. She went up to him and put her hands on his face.

"I don't want to lose you either," she said gently, " but I don't think I can go through another of those nightmares. I want to end this now, and then get on with our life."

Gabriel understood. Long had he wished for an end to his own nightmares. That end had been Anna. Now it was his turn to help her.

He covered her hand with his. "I understand."

Anna smiled and him. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her softly. The two stood in silence for a few moments.

Gabriel was the first to break the embrace.

"Now finish getting ready. I'll tell Carl. Meet me in the weaponry."

xxxxxx

Gabriel found Carl in the entrance hall, saying goodbye to Theresa. The old woman was insistent that she wanted to help but Carl assured her Anna was fine: it was not fever.

Eventually, Theresa gave up and Carl closed the door. He leaned against it and sighed. Carl heard footsteps and looked up to see Gabriel. He knew something was going on: Gabriel was wearing his huge leather coat.

Gabriel frowned at the friar as he approached. Carl followed his eyes down to the front of his robe. It was soaking wet.

"Accident, old friend?" Gabriel said, a note of humour in his voice.

"Hmpf." Grunted Carl. "It was your fiancé's fault. I got a fright when I heard her and spilt a pot of water on myself."

Gabriel chuckled.

Carl grumbled something as he waiter for the hunter to compose himself.

When he knew he had his attention, he motioned towards Gabriel's coat. "And that?"

Gabriel's smile vanished. "Carl, we're going after Dracula."

"What? Now? Of all times!"

"Yes. Anna has her reasons, as do I."

"You two are madder than I thought." Carl said.

Gabriel cocked an eyebrow at him and he left quickly, grumbling as he went. Gabriel hurried to the armoury to find Anna.

xxxxx

Minutes later, Gabriel and Anna stood in front of the map of Transylvania. Anna wore her black boots and – to Gabriel's surprise- her corset. Anna noticed him looking at it and said, "The pain is killing me, but I thought it would be a good support."

Gabriel nodded in understanding, wondering how well her healing ribs were going to weather the upcoming battle. He made a mental note to keep a close watch on her, then turned to face the painting once more.

This time, it was Anna who spoke the words, "In the name of God," her voice was firm, "open this door!"

The painting melted away, revealing the familiarly icy mirror.

Anna took a step forward but Gabriel gripped her arm, pulling her back towards him.

"Be careful," he said, "I love you."

Anna smiled slightly, "and I, you," she said.

Her hand found his and she squeezed it. Both took a breath and stepped forward, bracing themselves for the icy feeling that came with passing into Dracula's world.

"Hey!" a voice yelled suddenly. The hunters stopped dead, turning to see where the voice had come from.

Carl was hurrying towards them, carrying a bag. He caught up to them and stood, breathing heavily. "What… do you think… you are doing?" he said, glaring up at them, clearly annoyed.

"I told you Carl, we're going after Dracula," Gabriel said.

"Well, Hell be damned if you're going without me!" Carl said, thrusting the bag at Gabriel.

He ignored their shocked expressions and nodded at the bag.

"I've been working on those while Anna has been sick. They're for your crossbow. Each arrow has a small chamber of holy water; I don't want to go through our first day at the village again- all that panic isn't good for my sanity."

Gabriel's eyes met Anna's as a common thought drifted through their minds: the first day they met. It seemed like so long ago.

Carl didn't notice, and continued, "I made some for your gun as well, princess, but there are very few."

"Thank you Carl," Gabriel smiled, quickly loading his crossbow with the new ammunition.

They turned, friar, hunter and princess, ready once more to face the battles that lay ahead. In a breath, they were gone through the icy barrier.

xxxxx

Way up in his tower of Castle Dracula, the dark prince sensed a new presence and glanced down out of a nearby window.

"Jacob," he said coolly, not moving from his seat, "We have visitors."

A/N You're probably wondering how Dracula could sense them now but not when they rescued Anna. I'm going to blame it on the nightmares he's been giving Anna. It establishes some sort of bond between them so he can sense when she's nearby. It usually wears off, but because the last dream was fairly recent, he can just sense her. It will be gone within the next few minutes, so it won't feature at all in the next chap.

Hope you enjoyed. Happy Holidays!

Catch ya on the flip side!