Well, after taking a very long break (I last updated in July), I am back and writing again. And determined to finish up my story. Thanks for being patient everyone! And yes, I still do not own any of the characters except for Lauren.

The sun was setting behind the everlasting mountains surrounding the aged castle. Lauren opened her eyes. "You are awake. Welcome to the first night of your immortality." Dracula said, standing at the window. Lauren still dazed, got up and walked to Dracula.

"So...what now?" Lauren asked softly.

Dracula tracing his fingers along her jawline with the slightest touch, answered "What ever you wish, my darling."

Lauren shuddered as his lips met hers. I could really get used to waking up to this, Lauren thought. Suddenly, there was a very loud creaking coming from somewhere in the castle. Then there were voices talking.

"Mary." Dracula said, surprisingly calm. Lauren searched Dracula's countenance for any sign of permission to meet Mary.

"Go to her, Lauren. I will be waiting for you." Dracula said. Lauren hurriedly put on the red robe lying on the old chair beside the bed. Dracula continued to stare out the window.

Approaching the staircase, Simon and Mary spotted Lauren coming down the stairs. When Lauren reached the ground, Mary hugged her and said frantically, "Lauren, are you alright? Come with us, we need to get you out of here!"

"Mary, I am fine. You and Simon don't have to worry about me.", replied Lauren smiling.

"You don't understand, we have to leave now before he makes you like him." , Mary said.

"You are too late, Mary," came a voice descending down the staircase. "Lauren is mine. No other will touch her." It was Dracula. He, too, was wearing a robe, except his was black.

"Stay away you bastard!" screamed Simon Shepard, pointing the sword at Dracula. Quick as a fox, Lauren grabbed the sword. She ran her fingers down the sharp blade, staring at it with an amused expression. Then, she handed it back to Mary.

"That will be enough." , said Lauren. Dracula was now standing behind Lauren. He moved her hair away from her neck, exposing a tiny puncture wound, and started kissing it.

While Dracula was still kissing her, Lauren said, "Look, Mary, Simon...I am happy. He did not force this upon me. I wanted it."

Mary, taking Lauren's hand, said, "Can we please talk alone? We need to talk about this."

Lauren nodded, then turned to face Dracula. "Give us some time alone. I will join you later. And please, do not harm Simon."

"Anything you want." replied Dracula, giving Lauren a small peck on the lips.

Lauren led Mary outside to a balcony overlooking a beautiful garden. "Mary, I know you can't understand why I chose this, but I really need you to." Lauren said.

"He is evil, Lauren. He kills for the pure pleasure, the blood-lust. Our father is dead because of him. I will not let my only living relative be taken by him." Mary answered, eyes filled with seriousness.

Lauren, lovingly touching Mary's arm, replied, "I love him. I have never felt this way about anyone. He's not what you think him to be which is some sort of Satan. Imagine how hard it would be to live centuries all alone. Everyone you would ever come to love would die. Sure, he's had many lovers, but never a soul mate. He's been in search of a true companion for so long. He thought you were it, until you betrayed him, and proved that you were not. I have awakened my beauty, my Judas...Dracula. And now we are free to be together forever. Please, do not interfere with this, Mary. The best thing for you and Simon to do is leave here and never return." After having said that, Lauren turned and went back inside, leaving Mary alone.

For the first time, Mary understood. She saw how Lauren's eyes were filled with both love and sadness as she talked about Dracula. How lonely it must have been for Dracula, she thought. Then, she remembered his words from the previous night, "Not just her soul, Mary. I don't want only her soul. I want her love as well. Just as she wants mine in return."

They really love each other, she thought. Nonetheless, Mary still knew that it was wrong.

"Can I really forget about the past and just leave?", she asked aloud. Dead silence followed her question as she stared out at the night sky.