A few minutes later, Degana had everyone sitting down, listening intently to her story of why she was in Transylvania.

"So, if you're an angel, that means that you're dead. When did you… um, die? If you don't mind me asking," Carl said. Degana shrugged.

"I don't mind," she said and her eyes grew faraway as she remembered what had happened the day she had died, one of the few memories she still retained.

"I was twenty-one years old, and it was quite a while ago, in the year 1462. I lived in London, and my parents made their living by making furniture for the nobles, so we were somewhat wealthy. Okay, we were very wealthy. We moved that year to Transylvania, kind of a quiet, country retreat," Degana recollected. Then she frowned.

"It was then I heard about a man who had taken up residence in Transylvania and looking for one of the Lords who lived there. I had met that Lord before. He had actually courted me. His name was… Vladislaus Dragulia," she said, her eyes wide. "And the man who had come looking for the Count was Gabriel Van Helsing, a member of the Knights of the Holy Order. It was you, Gabriel! I met you when I was still alive!" Degana cried. Gabriel stared at her and Anna and Carl both stared at Gabriel.

"I remember meeting you. It was at a ball that my father was throwing for me as a coming of age present. You were there and so was Vladislaus," Degana said, lost in her memories. She smiled and giggled. "You asked me to dance with you, the minuet. While we danced you told me the truth about the Count. About the monster he was and to stay away if I valued my life. I ignored you and continued to see the Count and allow him to woo me.

"A few nights after the masquerade ball, I was told that my beloved Vladislaus was dead by your hand." At this, Degana's eyes grew cold and troubled. "You came calling, and tried to explain things to me, but I ran out of my home and into the woods. You tried to follow me but I soon got lost myself. It was cold and I was wearing nothing but my dressing gown. Then the wolves started to bay and I knew my end was near. I ran for my life only to find myself surrounded by the bloodthirsty beasts.

"Suddenly Vladislaus appeared out of nowhere and he commanded the wolves to leave. Some obeyed, but others ignored him and lunged at me. Over my screams, the last thing I remember was him calling my name," Degana said. She now had tears streaming down her face and her nails had dug into her palms so hard, blood covered her hands. The room was dead silent. Degana hastily wiped her bloody hands on her wool dress and sniffed, trying to stop the tears from falling.

"Degana-" Gabriel started, but she shushed him and stood.

"I'm going to sleep, and then I'm leaving first thing in the morning," she said coldly and stormed out of the room.

"You killed Dracula?" Anna breathed. Gabriel was in shock. He had learnt many things about his past and about the young woman, Degana that he hadn't even known. But as he searched his memories, he vaguely remembered falling in love with a young woman who was already promised. She had been beautiful beyond belief… and she still was. Gabriel got to his feet and went to Degana's room. He knocked once on the door.

"Go away," Degana called, her voice muffled.

"Please, let me talk to you, Degana," Gabriel said, leaning his head against the door. When she didn't answer, Gabriel slowly turned the doorknob. He found it wasn't locked and let himself in the room and shut the door behind him. Inside, it was completely dark with only the moonlight streaming in the window lighting it. The moonlight revealed a large form on the bed. After Gabriel's eyes took a few moments to get used to the dimness, he saw that Degana had enveloped herself in her wings, making a giant white cocoon. Gabriel sat on the edge of the bed next to her.

"Degana, please," he said, laying a hand on one of the feathers. Degana pulled her wings away and sat up. Her face was streaked with the drying trails of tears and her nose and cheeks were pink.

"I told you to leave me," she hissed. All the angelic beauty that she possessed was twisted as she scowled at Gabriel.

"I didn't even know what had happened centuries ago. You brought back the memories and told me part of my past that I would have never remembered without you. And thinking back on it now, I realized how much I was in love with you back then," Gabriel said. Degana calmed down a bit and gazed at the monster hunter, though her eyes still were cold. "I loved you so much and I didn't want to see you hurt. That's why I told you about Dracula. He was a monster and still is. I tried to save you, but you didn't see that." Gabriel smiled crookedly. "You always were a bit stubborn."

"And some things will never change, Mr. Van Helsing," Degana said coldly.

"But what about feelings felt long ago?" he asked, placing his hands on her waist.

"Those were buried along with my body centuries ago," she said. "And as far as I know, neither have been unearthed." She pulled away out of his grasp, her eyes narrowed.

"How did you get like this, love? I've never seen you so bitter," Gabriel said.

"Don't call me that!" Degana snapped. "And why do you think? You're a holy man, Gabriel. Ask the Lord why I was cast down and why I am being shunned by Him!" she cried. Her wings spread out behind her threateningly.

"I don't know the answer to that, Degana," Gabriel said softly.

"Then leave me alone," she hissed and folded her wings with a gust of air that blew a lock of hair in front of her eyes. "Get out of here. I wish to see your face no more tonight." Gabriel looked at her sadly and saw a flicker of sadness and grief behind the coldness of her icy blue eyes. Van Helsing nodded and opened the door, standing the in the doorway.

"All right then. Goodnight," he said and closed the door. Degana stared at the closed door for a few more minutes and then sank to her knees and cried herself to sleep.

Degana opened her eyes the next morning and found herself in her bed. She sat up and looked around, confused for a moment of where she was. She remembered the events of last night, though, and she scowled. Even if Gabriel had put her in her bed last night, it would still not be enough for her to forgive him.

Degana rubbed her tired eyes, stretched and then crawled out of bed, eager to leave this manor and get as far away from Van Helsing for a while so she could think. She walked down the stairs and was intercepted by Gabriel. She sighed and continued walking out the door without even acknowledging his presence.

"Would you like a ride home?" he offered, following her out the door. She looked at him from over her shoulder.

"No. Goodbye," she said. Then she spread her wings and launched into the air and sped home, eager to get away.

Thanks, again, for reading. Please review!