Chapter 17

Taste of Freedom

Gloomy and terrifying. Two adjectives were enough to describe Van Helsing's prison. Still the worst thing about it was the lack of air. Minds that he would die from simple suffocation made him sick. He even tried to transform into a werewolf and to champ the cold metal, but just spoiled his teeth. Thinking about a dentist, Gabriel continued pulling the shackles with enviable tenacity, not giving attention to the pain in whole body. He stopped only when the heavy door opened and his familiar entered the prison.

"Hello, is anyone … Hey, hunter!" Seline flinched, her eyes rolled. He felt the same: surprise, shock, etc. It wasn't a miracle, actually. The vampiress was sent here by Council's order to keep an eye on some 'criminal'. Going to the dungeons, she was sure elders did so to get rid of her, perhaps there was a huge demon, waiting for her. To see Gabriel was the least she expected.

But Van Helsing saw someone else, not Seline, Anna. He pressed to the wall, feelings and emotions mixed in one mess in his head. It was his lovely Anna! A bit pale, with dark curls and warm brown eyes, wearing a simple white dress, Anna was smiling to him. Gabriel's eyes filled with tears: "Anna! I can't believe it! Is it you? You came back!"

"Anna? What Anna?" Sel faced back, but didn't see anyone, then walked closer to the hunter. "It's me, Seline!"

"Anne …" he repeated, watching the beautiful gypsy moving straight on. Anne touched his lips gently and he felt her light inside his heart.

'Living only in past won't make you happier, Gabriel. Now when the world is in danger you should find your way …'

"What do you want to say, my love?" he exclaimed, enjoying every word, flying from her lips.

"Who? Love? No, you're really gone mad." Sel waved hand at his nose to draw his attention on herself.

'The Great Gift … Find it to save the Ancient power …Hurry up … I believe in you, be brave and God blesses you …' she said and disappeared like a fog under the sun rays.

"Anna …" he breathed, feeling how Seline slaps him to recover him for senses.

"Raise and shine, hunter! It's not Anna, I'm Sel Cale, remember?" she shook him by shoulders then.

"Yes, I know your name, stop it, please." Gabriel was shamed that gave way to tears in Seline's presence. The vampiress crossed arms on her chest and leant to the wall nearby.

"That Anna … Have you seen the ghost of Anna Valerious?" she asked, staring at him with interest.

"It wasn't a ghost … It was like a daydream … a-a … We have an armistice?"

"Yeah, perhaps, but I don't think I had done something wrong."

"You … no matter, really!" he cut severely, but she laughed back.

"Come on, hunter! We're here, two crazies, one sees the ghosts, the other believes in his twaddle!" he joined her laugh; so strange, she has always made him happier. 'Is it what Anna meant? Perhaps I've never tried to live,' he thought, admiring Seline's beauty.

"Are you gazing?" Sel smirked at him.

"Oh, just a little. Listen, do you know anything about the Great Gift?"

"The Great Gift? No … Maybe Angelica knows, but she's quite busy in searches for the way to awake Diana."

"The Great Gift can save Diana!"

"Are you sure? You don't even know how this thing looks like!"

"I know … Trust me!"

Selin thought for a while and then shoot into the shackles with a sigh. Shackles fell on the ground and Gabriel rubbed his wrists.

"Wow! No spells or other magic things!"

"Yes, surprised, ah? It's like a riddle: easy to break, but hard to put off. Angelic taught me this. So, let's go and save Diana!" Sel walked to the door, but the hunter grabbed her by hand.

"Wait. Friends again?"

"Friends … Sounds good."

"Or more?" he walked closer, feeling her cold breath and the scent of her perfume. She was frightened, so frightened for another storm of emotions she used to every time he touched her, but there was nothing. Van Helsing released her. 'What a fool I am! The same mistake as with Sophia."

"We'd better to go …"

"Yes … Good idea."

Dracula tried to do as Gabriel did: to use teeth, fangs better to say. His wings slowed his tries as were silly beating the walls, spoiling beautiful tapestries. 'Damn!' he repeated nearly a thousand time, tired and angry on the whole world.

"You're so funny!" laughed Marinette, appearing suddenly. She was in her leather extra-open dress and looked satisfied. More than anything else he wanted to wipe this smile off her pretty face.

"Are you going to release me?" Vlad asked, tensing every muscle. The demoness laughed again and put head on his chest, making him to flinch.

"You're too tensed, relax, my dear count." she smiled sweetly, covering his neck with kisses. It was pleasant, but being a prisoner made him irritated. He had been to prison long ago when he was a human and spent there about three years. Vladislaus even learnt to sew there not to die from famine, that time Van Helsing saved him.

'She can't keep me here forever,' he thought while she was caressing his bare chest. 'What if I …' Yes. Decision came quickly. He had only one chance and one weapon – his natural charm.

Vlad kissed her hungrily, then made his way down to her neck, nibbling her soft skin playfully. Marinette moaned slightly, enjoying his kisses, but then stepped back with a smile.

"What's with you, count? Gave up so fast?"

"When such a beautiful woman says 'yes', I can't refuse. If you release me I'll show you more …" he whispered, smiling devilishly charming, hypnotizing her with each look of his incredible dark eyes. But she used to be careful.

"What if you lie?"

"There's only one way to know …"

That was done. Marinette clicked fingers and the shackles opened. Vladislaus rubbed his wrists, then walked to the demoness and started kissing her chest and breasts; she lifted leg up around his waist and he pressed her to the wall, continuing kissing her. Then in few seconds took her wrists and clicked shackles on them quickly. The woman pulled them, but couldn't release herself. She was in her own trap. Dracula stepped back with a self-complacent smirk.

"Damn you, vampire! Release me now!" she hissed.

"I'll think about it … maybe … Good day to you, Marinette," he bowed and flew through the window.

"I'll destroy all you love, count! I swear! You'll beg me on your knees!"

The vampire smirked again, he was so glad with freedom, but another important thought made him upset: Seline …