Hello! Sorry for so long. Here's my second chapter and I was really glad to see your reviews:) Well, this time and as usual - any critique welcomes!

Chapter 2

The New one

The carriage with black Transylvanian horses stopped at the magnificent old manor in Budapest. Vladimirine was wearing the dress which was tight around the waist and bust, but absolutely closed. It had a corset like front and the skirt flowed down to the floor. Her hair was up in an elegant manner with few tresses framing her face and also decorated with a widow-like hat with a black shawl. With proud and greatness she entered the manor and embraced the hostess.

"Any luck?" asked a tall woman with long black hair and in a dress of a pink color.

"Yes, a lot of! Congratulate me, Katherine! I know who my father is!"

"Just father?"

"I don't want to speak about my mortal mother! She was a fool when thought that I'll thank her for the entire lie I used to live in!"

Her eyes were filled with anger and a mad smile appeared on her face, which scared Katherine a bit. Something has always been not right with her friend. For example: one day Vladimirine's stepfather took her to a town, bigger than their in province. Witch's alumnae Katherine was there, too, and as her friend saw people beating the strange fellow, who did nothing wrong, he was just the other. Vladimirine watched this scene with a fanatic fire in her eyes, which couldn't be in a ten-year old child. That day she said: "He deserved it, he spoils the ground he walks with his presence. I feel his heartbeat, so fast that I can dance to the beat! Weak must die … I'll be strong …".

Dracula's daughter had her own minds about people around. She divided them on three groups: victims, fighters and 'royals'. Victims were born to become her food, fighters to kill them for her surviving (hunters, priests, etc.) and 'royals' – the group in which she included herself and now her father. That philosophy made her to see enemies in everyone, even in her old friend Katherine Androshy. Vladimirine thought that Katherine is her friend just because she's afraid of her fury and vampiress used to surround herself with weak friends who she was able to control. Thinking about years of hiding the bloodlust and being always alone with her fears, too depressed to share with anyone, Vladimirine stayed cold and if wanted something badly – always get it.

"So, who's your father?"

"Let's have a sit and I'll tell you everything …"

After an hour Kathy covered her mouth with hand, her grey eyes danced about with candlelight reflecting in them.

"You want to defeat Van Helsing! He's stronger than you and … ah, you're mad, you know!"

Vladimirine wasn't listening, but staring at the portrait of her father, she took from Cloanse. She has already learnt every line of his face, feeling how much she looks like him. It was true, she had his charming half-smile and manner take away the hair, she was as graceful on the dance floor and could seduce every man she wanted. But as more she looked at the picture the more she was falling for him. 'Damn, why I'm his daughter! I wish him to be mine not like a father, but …' thought Vladimirine with a wide grin on her face.

"What satisfied you?"

"Nothing … Kathy, listen, I need your help to disappear."

"What do you mean 'to disappear'?" Katherine was surprised with her words, watching Vladimirine moving around the room. By the look on her face the witch's alumnae could guess that her friend was creating some wicked plan of the revenge.

"Anyway! To change the hairstyle, clothes, anything which would change me so that Van Helsing won't see Anne in me? I heard he loved my mommy, my appearance will interest him."

Katherine's face was lit up with an idea.

"Yes! I know how! It's quite simple, hope you ready for this!"

"Give in to you!"

Katherine wasn't good at spells or rituals which old witch had taught her before death, but learnt some interesting potions. So she washed Vladimirine's amazing raven black hair with something and made it to become dark gold. The vampiress touched her head, feeling that nothing's changed.

"Give me the mirror," she asked, but it more looked like an order not a request. The woman had a reflection and thought it's the best she got from her mother. When Kathy gave it to her, she started discovering her new appearance. She stayed as beautiful as was, but her new hair color of the dark gold made her lips to curl in a smile, thinking how less needs to change.

"I look even better! No signs of Anne, just me!"

It was true. Anne has gone and the new Vladimirine was smiling back from the mirror.

"It suits you, blonde one. Hmm, you look just like Marishka!"

"Who is it?"

Katherine left and soon returned with a portrait of a beautiful woman with long blonde hair, amber eyes and pale soft skin. "Marishka. One of your father's brides."

"She's cute. Better her to be my mother. Marishka you say … Mar … Maria! Certainly! My new name would be Maria!"

Kathy rolled eyes. "Why do you need a new name? Don't you like your own?"

"It's great, but if I changed I need a new name. Vladimirine is no more exist! Call me Maria for now before I'll finish my plan."

"So … Maria, you'll also need this."

Long new silver daggers with golden filigree were made specially for her just before traveling west so Vladimirine wanted to take them on her way to Britain, but the truth changed her plans cardinally. Well, her father's resurrection can wait. What if she gives Dracula his old enemy? Weak and miserable.

"Van Helsing, wherever you are! My revenge will be CRUEL AND PAINFULL!"