Chapter 6

Seeking for answers

Seline awoke in Dracula's grasp; it was so well … she has already forgotten about this pleasant feeling. Vladislaus felt the same when opened his eyes and saw her.

"Hey, maybe you'll tell me what's going on?" Sel asked, while he was caressing her hair.

"Right now?"

"Yes. I'm afraid you'll leave me without any explanations. So you won't be able to leave this bed before tell me everything!"

Vlad kissed her deeply, then took by chin and said:

"You're so insistent, but I love it. Ask what you want to know; still try not to be too curious."

"O.K. Well, I saw Diana's pictures … you were there."

"Diana is the Ancient power, she might have seen me in her past and these memories returned to her again," he replied simply, after all these years he learnt how to lie without being revealed. Even such acute person as Selin.

"And why was she frightened?"

"Maybe she knows that I'm a vampire. I can be horrifying, you know."

Sel put head on his chest; these simple answers were so obvious, that's why strange and unreal, but she used to trust him.

"The last question: where've you been for two days?"

"In San-Francisco, Washington … the world definitely gone mad after my 'death'; this prediction about Diana keeps everyone in fear. By the way you're 'in law' now."

"'In law'? You mean no more assassins to kill Diana and us? So pity, it was very interesting."

"But you miss your previous life, don't you?"

"Of course, I do. I haven't seen Lora, Mirek and Alex for so long. Where are they?"

"I don't know, but isn't it's great that you all can return back to San-Francisco."

Seline stared into the ceiling. Could she remember this feeling – to be an assassin? Absolutely obedient killing machine, devoted to the Council.

"I've lost my job, Vlad. And I don't want to work for elders anymore. Only if Valdemar's alive."

"He's alive, waits for our wedding day."

"Wedding? You still want it?"

"You kept the ring. It means we're engaged."

"Don't mind if I smoke?" she asked, taking the pack of cigarettes from the table. Vladislaus watched her lighting the cigarette, but then she coughed and covered her mouth with hand.

"Feel unwell?" he asked, taking her by shoulders gently.

"No, I'm fine; I think I'll give up smoking." Sel put on her robe and went to the bathroom. Dracula hurried to dress up, then fixed up his ponytail and came to the mirror where instead of his reflection he saw Lucifer, smirking at him:

"Slept well?"

"Just great. And you are going to control my every step?"

"If it needs, yes. I know Diana has seen you … How did she look like?"

"Frightened, you know."

"I can't feel her. There's some energy blocking me, but I still can speak in her minds. Get her and bring into New-York."

"Why New-York? Why not to Bucharest as we planned first?"

"My demons found the place where the Third Seal would be drawn. The place of concentrating the dark energy … You should make Diana to drink this," the devil showed him a goblet full of black liquid, which Vlad recognized immediately:

"Your blood?"

"Oh, you know its taste … Diana has to drink my blood to start the ceremony."

"For what? I thought you need her blood."

"My demons will explain. Bring me Diana and you'll get what you asked for!"

Lucifer disappeared and his son felt more relaxed.

"Who were you talking to?" Seline asked, walking out of the bathroom. She looked sick and broken, but completely dressed in her leather suit.

"What's with you, Sel? Maybe you need to have a rest?" he caressed her face lovingly.

"Don't prevaricate! I heard two men: you and someone else, I don't know the language you've been speaking on. Maybe Romanian?"

"I was speaking with … myself."

"Yourself? Good try, but I won't get it! Tell me the truth!"

"The truth? Well, later, alright? I'll tell you someday, not now. Give me the time."

"O.K., I must go. Diana, you know."

"Yes, of course …" he watched her going away and then flew into the night …

Meanwhile Diana was sitting at the table in the small café with a cup of coffee. She liked this place because it was always quiet and less people here. Her hair and clothes looked untidy and there was no make-up on her face. The police were checking the house where her familiar was killed. No traces, no evidences … Still no one has accused Dia in anything, but she felt the sense of guilt.

"Black stripe in my life," the girl said to herself.

"Hello, Diana, dreaming again?"

Diana raised her head and saw …