Vlad left Crina alone later that morning, so that she could get changed. He gave her a soft white jersey and black trousers, with boots. She changed quickly, pausing to admire the diamonds still at her throat. Diamonds. They sparkled beautifully, reminding her of twinkling eyes she had loved so much.
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"Happy birthday, Crina!" Ioan spun the slender figure of Crina around him gracefully. He had loved her since he had first met her, but now she was no longer a child. The girl was now a woman, of sixteen years.
"Thank you," she sighed, smiling happily, the pretty face beautiful now, the smooth hands slightly rougher from the lessons Ioan was teaching her.
"You are amazing," he whispered, and then he was hugging her, their eyes locked. His twinkled, the amazing soft brown showing deep care. He stroked her hair. "Dear God, Crina, how beautiful you have grown."
She laughed. "You told me learning to defend myself was more important than beauty."
"Only because you are so naturally gifted in the latter. Miss Arany, my dear Miss Arany, they tell me that there is a dance in your honour this evening. Forgive me for asking... but will you attend it with me?" A stray curl blew across his forehead, his eyes anxious as he awaited her reply.
Her heart was racing, her breathing rapid. "I would go with no other, Ioan..." Then their lips met, touching softly.
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Crina sighed, picking up the hairbrush Vlad had left and shaking her hair free down her back, brushing it until it was smooth. Things had been so simple then, and now... She needed to think. Damn her for falling for Vlad, when she had promised herself it would never happen. She tugged her hair hard with the brush.
"Crina, are you ready yet?" Vlad's voice floated through the door.
She chewed her lips. "Yes, Vladislaus." She looked up at him as he walked back in, a wonderful figure in black. He saw her troubled expression and she looked away.
His lips brushed her forehead and he held her. "What is it, Crina?"
"May I walk? I feel I must think, Vlad," she pleaded.
He stroked her soft cheek, smiling lovingly. "Anything you like, my darling. I only want you to be happy in this castle. It is your home too."
She returned the tender kiss he gave her, her mind far away, resting firmly with Ioan, her beautiful, lost love. Finally, Vlad pulled away, and Crina rose, heading towards the door. "Good-day, Vladislaus," she said.
He smiled, then quickly rose. "Crina- wait!" As she turned back to him, her hand on the doorknob, he handed her something long, slim and silver.
She recognised it instantly. Van Helsing had threatened her with one just like this. Her lips fell into a confused pout. "A silver- but, why?"
"I know, it seems strange for me to give you this," Vlad replied. He kissed her forehead once more. "Use it on any vampire who tries to hurt you. It's best through the heart."
"Yes." Crina thought of one vampire she would love to stake. She remembered the way he had licked her cheek, the way he had tried to violate her, the way he had tried to kill her... Viktor. She held the stake in her hand, and her fingers tightened around it. She remembered Viktor's words. "Dracula- Vlad? Viktor... Viktor said you bring women... you bring women to rape..." She swallowed painfully.
His face was unreadable. "I promise you, I do not." He kissed her. "I only bring women to feed upon..."
Disgust washed over her. Vampires... "Yes. Yes, well... I'll see you later, Vlad..."
She was glad to escape into the cool corridor. Once again, the feeling of being in too deep haunted her. She tried to focus on Viktor, trying to remember the things Ioan had told her about hunting vampires. Determination numbed her brain, she was entirely focused on her new vendetta.
"Viktor!" she shouted, making her way towards the place she had first encountered him, that dark corridor.
Nothing, and yet she knew he was there something. She went into the large room with the beautiful window, which was now illuminated by dusty, pale sunlight.
"Viktor!" she screamed it this time, her throat hoarse.
A tall, broad figure dropped gracefully from the ceiling then. She tensed automatically as bright blue eyes regarded her coldly, staring out a handsome, impassive face. Viktor cocked his head slightly, a few strands of blonde hair loose around his face. "It says a lot about the character of a woman if you give her a stake, and she instantly gets the killer instinct," he said, his voice revealing nothing.
She ignored him. Her mind was calm. "Are you ready to die, Viktor?"
"I am already dead, mortal," Viktor laughed. "You, however, are not. You are a greater fool than I already believed."
Crina's dark eyes flashed as Viktor adjusted his midnight-blue shirt, apparently quite at ease. "I assure you, I am no fool, Viktor."
"Ah, are we on first name terms now?" he asked, with the flicker of a cruel smile. "Your name is Crina, isn't it? Well, well, well, my dear Crina-"
"It is Miss Arany to you."
Viktor's smile widened. "As you wish, Miss Arany, but that means it is not Viktor to you, but Lord Regalia, if you please." He walked towards her then, stopping close to her, so close she could see her dark expression reflected in his eyes. "So, Miss Arany, they tell me you have a bit of thing for... Dracula."
Her mouth tightened. "Close your mouth," she hissed.
"But why? I am merely intruiged. Surely, a nice, innocent young lady- such as yourself, I'm sure- does not fall for the Lord of Darkness? He is evil personified, the horror that haunts the hearts of the living."
Crina blinked. Maybe she wasn't so innocent after all. Viktor had a good point. Seeing he had weakened her, Viktor flew at her suddenly, knocking her to the ground, holding her down by her neck. The stake rolled away, lying inches out of Crina's reach. She struggled fruitlessly.
"Go on, scream for darling Vladislaus, you little whore," Viktor murmured, leaning close to her face. "Go on. You know he's only using you, don't you, you bitter little wench?"
She fought to remain calm. "You're insane, Viktor!" she cried.
He laughed. She swung her leg up, catching him in the side. As he stumbled, she leapt onto the stake, landing on her front, her fingers closing around the cool silver...
"Get back here!" he roared, and she felt his hand on her shoulder. He rolled her roughly over...
... And she staked him in the heart, driving it in with all the force she could muster. For a moment, they remained like that, Viktor leaning over her, his face frozen in horror.
"You will regret everything," he hissed.
Then he vanished, the stake falling onto Crina's lap. She leaned back, panting.
To be continued.