Vladimir walked down the cold halls of the castle, in thought. He was so deep in thought that he didn't notice the shadow walking along behind him.
"For your reputation of vile murder, you seem to be quite different from what I expected."
Vladimir didn't even turn. "And just what did you expect, my dear?"
"Something like the other nightmares I've experienced." Gabriella stepped into the light. "Without the Frankenstein monster, your children can't come to life."
"You always where exceedingly smart. Far smarter than your twin."
"How do you know much about me?"
Vladimir turned at last. "You don't remember and it pains me."
"Did we know each other once?"
"I was wondering when you where going to return, my dear." A cold hand took hers and Dracula bowed elegantly over it. "But where is Gabriel? And dear little Anna?"
"Not here." Gabriella jerked her hand away. "You're cold!"
"That's because I'm dead. Why are you here?"
"I know what you're doing here. With Velkan. But it won't work with him. You have to have the monster."
Dracula looked at Vladimir. "Are you not bursting with pride over her, Vladimir? I know I am."
"She always was smart," said Vladimir, his eyes shinning.
Gabriella stared at the brothers. "Who are you?"
"Don't you know?" Dracula asked.
Gabriella turned and fled.
Gabriel and Anna where hard pressed to keep up with Gabriella, who had coming running out of the castle as if the very devil himself was on her heels.
"Gabriella! Wait! Slow down!"
They came upon a ruined building and Gabriella sat down suddenly.
"What happened in there?" asked Gabriel.
"They know who we are, Gabriel," said Gabriella. "They know us…from somewhere. They know too much…and the way they look at me."
"Did they hurt you?"
"No. But the way they both looked at me…they knew me. They loved me. And I…I loved them. But it was so long ago…"
Anna suddenly bent and picked up a bottle. She squinted at it and then smiled. She picked up another and handed one to Gabriella. "This'll help."
Gabriel took the other one she handed him. "Absinthe? That's strong stuff."
Gabriella snatched the bottle from Anna and crossed herself. She opened and took several deep drinks.
Gabriel watched his sister, amused. "You'll have to confess that later."
"Go to Hell!" his sister snapped.
Anna took the bottle and took a drink from it. "Just don't let it touch your tongue, it'll knock you straight on your…"
Suddenly, the ground caved in and they all plunged straight down into darkness.
Gabriella landed on her brother's chest and a board hit her in the head.
Gabriel lifted her off him. "What the…"
Gabriella rubbed her head and cursed vehemently in French and Gabriel laughed. "You're alright. Anna?"
"I'm fine." Anna looked around. "Where are we?"
Gabriel's eyes narrowed as he looked around. "There's something down here." He studied a pile of bones by a small pool of water. "It's carnivorous. It appears to be human. About 360 pounds and 9 feet tall."
"Look, Gabriel." Gabriella pointed to a huge footprint.
"He has a bad gimp in his right leg." Gabriel turned. He blinked and grabbed Gabriella's arm and she turned too. They both didn't move for a long moment.
"And he has 3 copper teeth," said Gabriella.
Anna stared at her. "How do you know he has copper teeth?"
Gabriella drew her gun. "Because he's standing right behind you."