When Degana reached the Borokov's farm, she found Michael and Gretchen outside working the fields. As she landed, the dust from her wings stirred up, causing the couple to stop what they were doing and look up.

"Degana!" Gretchen cried, dropping her shovel and running forward. She hugged Degana hard as Degana smiled back at Michael from over she shoulder.

"Where have you been? We were worried sick!" Degana pulled away and smiled reassuringly.

"I'm fine, really. I had a bit of a run in with Van Helsing," she said. Gretchen's eyes widened.

"Really?" she asked in wonder. "What is he like?" she chattered inquisitively as she walked Degana inside.

That night, Degana had spent almost an hour putting Alessandra and Nicholas to bed, but finally they fell asleep. Degana hovered over them, smoothing Alessandra's hair down. Then smiling, she climbed down from the loft and sat at the table where Gretchen handed her a cup of tea.

"Thanks," she whispered and took a grateful sip of the sweet liquid. Just as she put the cup down, there came a knock at the door. Michael and Gretchen exchanged looks and then he rose and opened the door. Degana peered around his shoulder and saw a very nervous Carl standing there. She smiled and went to the door.

"Carl! What are you doing here?" she asked as Michael moved aside. Carl smiled when he saw a familiar face.

"Hello there, Degana. Um, I was just… I, er," Carl said, not being able to find his words as he stared at Degana. This made her blush.

"Why don't you come in, Carl," she said, pulling him inside and ignoring his protests. Gretchen and Michael stood.

"Well, we'll head off to bed. See you in the morning, love," Gretchen said and she and Michael left Degana and Carl alone.

"Go ahead and sit. Would you like some tea?" Degana asked. Carl nodded and she handed him a cup of tea. He thanked her.

"So what brings you out here, Carl?" Degana asked, sitting in a chair across from Carl.

"Well, you see, Van Helsing wanted to apologize, but he thought I should come in his place for his safety," Carl said with a bit of a grin. Degana sighed and ran her hand through her hair, causing it to fall into her face.

"No, everything that happened that night was my fault. Just, with the suddenness of my memories returning to me, I got caught up in them. Just remembering Vladislaus…" Degana said but trailed off. When Degana said Dracula's name, Carl shuddered, and she gave him a look. "Tell him I'm sorry. I never should have gone off like that."

"All right. He'll be glad to hear that," Carl said. "Another thing. He wants to know if you remember anything else about your past with him. He has the same problem as you. When he showed up on the steps of the Vatican centuries ago, he couldn't remember anything other than his name." Degana frowned and shook her head.

"I'm sorry, I don't. If I do remember something though, I'll find you guys," she promised. Carl stood.

"Thanks, Degana."

"Carl, are you sure you want to walk back home in the dark?" Degana asked, concerned, as she opened the door. Carl took one glance at the gathering gloom and swallowed audibly.

"It's okay," he squeaked.

"Here, let me come with you. It's better if there's two of us at least," Degana said and slipped outside with Carl. They walked quickly back to the Valerious Manor, and at the front door, Carl said goodnight and disappeared inside. Degana decided against walking back and instead spread her wings and jumped into the air, her powerful wings propelling her forward.

As she passed over the main village of Vaseria, she saw a white form flying her way. Squinting into the darkness, the white figure seemed to appear and disappear as her eyes couldn't focus clearly. Degana sped up wanting to get home as fast as she could, not knowing what the white form was. When her home was in sight, the white figure that she had spied from far away suddenly came hurtling from above her and knocked into her, causing her to almost crash into a tree. Degana heard cackling as she straightened her course and hovered in the air, looking for her assailant. Then she spotted it.

It was what appeared to be a human sized white bat. Except that it was human, in a sense. The face was feminine with long red hair and the body was shapely. Only the feet had three main toes and the hands were clawed.

"There you are, angel," the bat-woman cackled in a thick Transylvanian accent much like Anna's.

"Who are you and what do you want?" Degana called.

"Dracula has plans for you, my love. I've come to fetch you," the creature cooed, flying a little closer. Degana lowered herself slowly to the ground but kept her wings out in case she had to suddenly flee. The creature did the same, but when it touched the ground, the wings melted away and the flesh became peach. Suddenly a beautiful woman stood in front of Degana, with a wicked smile playing upon her lips.

"What are you?" Degana whispered in shock.

"Do you not know? I am of the undead, a vampyre if you must," the woman said. "My name is Marishka."

"How do you know, Dracula?" Degana asked, slowly approaching the vampyre. Marishka lifted her head a bit and peered at Degana.

"He is my master that I have served for centuries. He is my Lord," she said whispered.

"You blaspheme," Degana spat, but even as she spoke those words, she didn't believe what she said. Marishka seemed to sense that.

"You should know of blaspheming, angel. That's why you were put back on this earth," Marishka cooed. Her words were like a lure and they drew Degana in, making her want to know more.

"How do you know of me?" she said. Marishka frowned.

"I am tired of these questions," Marishka said, sounding entirely bored. She suddenly lunged at Degana, and in the process, changed back into her flying form. But Degana launched herself into the air and avoided her, shooting up into the sky. Marishka quickly swerved up and chased Degana through trees and over rooftops, both getting a couple of hits and scratches in. Finally though, Degana pulled out a revolver she had taken from Van Helsing and fired at Marishka, making five big holes in her wings. Marishka screamed and spun downward, as the wind whistled through her wings. But as she fell they healed and soon she had regained altitude. Her face was an ugly mask of hatred.

"Don't think I won't come back for you, angel. My master will not be happy that I failed him and soon I will come for you again," Marishka hissed and then flew off towards Castle Frankenstein. Degana tucked away the revolver, barely remembering to keep flapping her wings. She then turned tiredly towards home.

"I've got to remember to thank Gabriel for that revolver," she muttered.

That night, Degana tossed and turned in her bed as dreams and lost memories flooded her mind…

Degana stepped into her midnight blue gown with only a small amount of silver thread decorating it. Her maid tightened the corset's strings, instantly making her waist several inches smaller. She examined herself in the mirror and when she was satisfied with the dress, she sat down at her vanity and ran a brush through her hair. Unlike many other nobles, she always decided to let her hair down, as the unnatural coloring of it usually made up for the fact that it wasn't up. People would admire her hair nonetheless. She then checked her makeup and added just a small amount of blood red lipstick to her full lips, making them stand out vibrantly against her otherwise pale complexion. Pleased with her appearance she stood, just as there came a knock on the door.

"Are you ready yet, love?" her father called.

"I am," she said and he came in.

"You look absolutely gorgeous," he said, smoothing a strand of her hair. "I can't believe you've grown up so fast. Twenty-one already, no longer a child. Vladislaus is here and is waiting. Are you ready?" Degana's heart quickened as she thought of her husband-to-be. She nodded fervently. Her father smiled and held out his arm, which she took, and he led her down a grand staircase where Vladislaus waited at the bottom.

His jet-black hair was pulled loosely back in a ponytail with a few strands hanging in his face. His piercing blue eyes watched her as she approached him and gave him a shy smile as she blushed. He took her hand and pressed his lips softly to it, his eyes never leaving her face.

"You are beautiful tonight," he said.

"I'll leave you two alone," Degana's father said with a smile and walked to the door to welcome the guests who were still arriving.

"You tell me that every night," Degana said, shyly.

"But I mean it the most tonight," Vladislaus said. He leaned in and kissed her seductively on the lips. When he pulled away, Degana was a light shade of pink, but smiling hugely. He smiled.

"Can I offer you this dance?" he said holding his hand out to her.

"You may," she responded and took his hand. Vladislaus led her in the waltz, twirling her around and dipping her when the music called for it. All that mattered to them at the moment were each other, their eyes strayed no where else.

"May I step in?" a male voice said, bringing the couple back to reality. They both turned and Vladislaus smiled.

"Hello, my good friend. Of course," he said and handed Degana over to the man. Degana was a bit worried and her eyebrows creased as she sought help from Vladislaus as he retreated to the edge of the room. He just gave her a reassuring smile before Degana was whisked away.

The man that she danced with had brown hair that was tied back into a ponytail and soft brown eyes that smiled down at her.

"My name is Gabriel Van Helsing. I'm a good friend of the Count," he said, leading Degana through the room. Her eyes brightened at his name.

"Vladislaus has spoken so fondly of you many times. I've heard all of the tales of you. You are said to be a very courageous man, Mr. Van Helsing," Degana said, as she peered at Gabriel from under her long lashes.

"I'm honored that he speaks so highly of me," Gabriel said but suddenly his smile faded and his eyes became troubled. "But there is something about him I think you must know." Degana frowned.

"Here, come with me," Gabriel said, and taking her hand, quickly led her out onto one of the many balconies.

"What is it?" Degana asked anxiously.

"Vladislaus hasn't exactly been himself lately…" Gabriel said, trailing off. He turned away form Degana, wondering if he should plague her mind with the fearful knowledge he knew. She touched him lightly on the shoulder, questioningly, and he knew that he must tell her. For her safety.

"Vladislaus has made a pact with the Devil… He has sold his soul for the prize of immortality. He has been corrupted," Gabriel spat out. Degana just stared at him a moment, but then she chuckled.

"You're kidding, right?" she said. "Vladislaus would never… do anything of the sort! He is a true gentleman and kind-hearted!" she exclaimed.

"You've never seen him angry then, have you?" Gabriel asked with a sad grin.

"He has gotten annoyed only once, but he has a very controlled temper," Degana said in defense of her beloved fiancé.

"Why have you told me these lies, Van Helsing?" she said, her eyes narrowing.

"I did it for your safety!' Gabriel cried. "I care so much about you, I wanted to save you before it was too late. You have to trust me." Gabriel slowly approached Degana.

"I've seen you numerous times when I came to visit with Vladislaus, but you never saw me. I watched you from afar and fell deeply in love with you. I did this because I love you, Degana," Gabriel whispered as he took her face in his hands. Her lips were slightly parted as her eyes searched his.

"But- me and Vladislaus…" she trailed off.

"I know and understand. That is why I must say goodbye," he said and then pressed his lips gently to hers and took her into his arms. Suddenly there was the sound of glass breaking and the two leapt away from each other, to find an extremely mortified looking Count staring at them, a broken wine glass shattered in his hand.

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