The light of day had disappeared and the moon rose high above the small town of Transylvania. Men and Women from the town gathered at the local taverns, and others walked freely among the streets relieved to be rid of the dark creatures of the night, Vampires. Though many people had still wandered around town, Ahelia was indoors. Hours earlier she had woken from a short slumber, and Anamaria had assisted her while she washed herself with the water of the rooms porcelain basin and changed into clean skirts and one of Anamaria's lovely dresses, which had been a beautiful deep shade of indigo. After Ahelia had made herself presentable once again, the gracious couple had made her dinner. But now Ahelia wished to have some time to herself and to be left alone in her new room. Ahelia sat on the bed and stared out of a window that was situated in-front of her.
The bright white rays of the moon shone through the dirty glass panes of the window and splayed themselves across the wooden floor. It looked to be such a beautiful night, and a part of Ahelia wished she could go out and explore the mysterious streets of Transylvania. But she knew she would surely become lost, and who knew, who she could run into. Anamaria had come to Ahelia's room earlier and left her some books to read. Ahelia now had her eyes on of the tattered brown books that rested on the bedside table. Leaning over across the bed she took the book into her hands and opened the book to reveal an old yellow stained page. There was a date at the top of the page. She read the date, seventeen ninety nine. Interesting, she thought to herself.
Making herself comfortable, Ahelia climbed up to the top of the bed, arranged the two pillows on the bed and leaned upright against them. She let the old book rest on her lap. She flipped to the next page and began to read.
Dragi prieteni, -am început o nouă carte ca o predică veche; dar, după cum știți, am fost atât de accumstomed-
Ahelia stopped reading for a moment to look out the window to see if it were open, the room became so cold, she thought she must have opened the window earlier and had forgotten to close it. But when Ahelia looked at the window, it was closed. She could not understand why she was so cold, Ahelia then noticed something rather odd, she could see her breath move in-front of her face when she breathed. How was such a thing possible while she was indoors? Ahelia got out of bed to put on one of Anamaria's brown shawls she had leant to Ahelia. Wrapping herself up tightly in the knitted shawl she climbed back into bed. She opened up her book and tried to act as if what she was experiencing was normal.
Să predice toată viața mea, că orice spun eu sau alb va fi mai mult sau mai puțin să ia forma unei predici;
No. She knew whatever she was experiencing was not normal at all. She couldn't no longer ignore the freezing cold room. She put down her book once again and just sat there atop her bed and looked around, trying to see where the cold air was coming from. But she could not find the source of the cool air, any where. Ahelia decided perhaps she was seeing things, after today's events she believed it was enough to drive her somewhat mad. Ahelia didn't feel like reading anymore, all she wanted to do now was to go to bed and forget about the day's events.
Ahelia pulled back the covers of the bed and got underneath them, they were heavy quilts and they gave Ahelia some warmth from the mysterious cold around her. Placing her head on her pillows, she saw the candle on her bedside table was still lit, but decided to leave it on. She didn't want to be left alone in the dark.
As Ahelia laid still and silent in her bed, she could suddenly feel something jump atop her bed, her heart rose in her throat and she was to scared to look to see what it was. So she just closed her eyes and hoped whatever it was, would go away. Ahelia could feel the weight shift on the bed and whatever was there had now crawled up behind her. She could feel her heart pound in her chest and her breathing increased. Ahelia gave a small whimper of fear when she could feel a wet tongue move across her cheek, mustering up all the courage she had she turned her head to face whoever was there and when she saw what was behind her she gave out a laugh.
"Albert you nearly scared me to death, you silly dog!" Ahelia smiled, the large dog crawled on-top of Ahelia, and began to lick her face, she giggled and turned her head away from him so he could only lick the side of her face.
"Okay Albert, okay that's enough boy," Ahelia paused when she heard Albert give a dangerous low growl. Ahelia looked into the dogs face and could see something change in Albert. His black lips were pulled back and he showed his large fangs, Ahelia's heart nearly jumped out of her chest when Albert went to snap at her, Ahelia rolled out of the way of Albert's large jaws and she got out of her bed, rushing to the window she turned to face she rabid dog. Albert stood on the bed and gave Ahelia a murderous look. Ahelia couldn't breath and she could taste the sour bile that rose in her throat. Ahelia didn't move, she did not dare try to run to the door to get away, and she was about to call out to Anamaria or Costache, but she feared that would also trigger the dog to attack. Ahelia could not understand what was wrong with him, he was so sweet and gentle. And now he was as ravenous as a Werewolf on a full moon. The dog continued to growl and copious amounts of drool hung from the dog's lips and fangs. Albert readied himself to pounce and Ahelia noticed this, all she could do was shield herself from the attack. She raised her arms in front of her face and let out a large scream, Albert lunged at her. And then Ahelia awoke.
Ahelia opened her eyes and sprung upright in her bed. She looked beside her and noticed Albert was sound asleep and snuggled up against her. Ahelia took her hand and cautiously moved it towards Albert, she placed her hand atop his furry head and pet him softly. He stirred in his sleep a little and Ahelia quickly pulled her hand back but he did not wake. She had only been dreaming. Ahelia laid back down and sighed, she began to get comfortable in her bed but a small dull pain could be felt in her head, the pain started to build and soon Ahelia was holding onto her head. Closing her eyes she saw the same bright flashes she saw earlier that day while she was with Mr. Calin. She did not see a woman this time, but instead she saw herself standing alone in a forest. She was young, younger than she was now. She looked to be about eleven or twelve years old. She was crying and calling out to her mother, but her mother was nowhere to be seen. She could hear herself saying.
"Mommy, don't leave me here. Mommy please!"
Then there was a growling noise and Ahelia could see a lone wolf standing behind her, the wolf attacked the young Ahelia and grabbed her by her leg and began to shake her violently. Little Ahelia screamed in pain as the wolf dragged her off away from the clearing she had been standing in. The vision had came to an abrupt end and the pain in Ahelia's head disappeared. Ahelia pushed the covers off of her, causing Albert to wake. Once her legs were visible Ahelia turned her right leg to the side and noticed a large scar on her leg, they scar looked like four large teeth marks. Ahelia rested her hand in her head, what did all of this possibly mean. Why did she have a vision of herself being attacked by a rabid wolf in a forest? How did she get away from the viscous creature? Who was her mother and why would her mother leave her? Ahelia felt that her visions must have been pieces of her memory returning to her. Would she finally remember who she really was. She turned to Albert and rested her head against his, she cupped his face in her hands and placed a gentle kiss on his snout.
"Oh Albert, lets pray I remember who I am tomorrow morning when I wake. Come now, silly dog. Let's get some rest, hopefully I won't have another terrible nightmare." Ahelia sighed. Both Ahelia and Albert laid back down, Ahelia put her arm around the dog and Albert rested his head on her shoulder, and together they slowly but surely fell back asleep.
As Ahelia lay peacefully asleep, a dark shadow had let itself into the room through the girl's window. The shadow filled the entire room in darkness and then began to float down towards the sleeping Ahelia. The Shadow studied the girl, she was beautiful. Her skin was so fair, so fair that it almost illuminated like the nights moon. The shadow lowered itself, so it was only an arm's length away from her face. The shadow reached out its dark misty arm and gently placed a hand to the girls full rosy lips, the shadow let an inky black finger move across her lip. Ahelia stirred softly, and the dark mass drifted away from Ahelia and landed gracefully by her bedside. The Shadow materialized into human form, and there stood Count Dracula. He carefully bent down towards Ahelia insuring she would not wake from her sleep. Then letting his lips near the shell of her ear he began to whisper to her.
"Dream, dream sweet dreams of us little one. My dear, you will be mine. I will make you mine soon enough." Dracula said.
Ahelia's dream started to come into focus, she was in a grand ballroom filled with mysterious masked individuals who wore extravagant outfits. It was absolutely gorgeous it was nothing she had ever seen before. The room was glowing with hundreds of candles, there were large marble pillars with carefully carved statues that almost looked to be living. There were also acrobats around her and above her, she watched intently as two trapeze artists swung from the ceiling she raised a hand to her gaping mouth and gasped when both trapeze artist let go of their trapeze bar's, they flew gracefully to the opposite bar and continued their routine. Ahelia was astonished how two people could possibly do something so amazing?
Ahelia continued to look around at all the the incredible people, she stood still while others danced around her without even touching her or dancing into her. Then Ahelia noticed the music, it was so lovely and charismatic. She watched a man on a large ball balance himself while playing the violin. Where was she? How did she end up in such a marvellous place? The dream was all too real to Ahelia and she believed she was actually awake. A man then caught Ahelia's eye, and he seemed to be staring right at her. She stared back and studied the man, he was wearing a intricate gold mask and a beautiful black outfit paired with a breathtaking gold cape. Ahelia became slightly embarrassed and a little nervous when the man gave her a small smile and started towards her. Ahelia could feel her cheeks redden. As the man neared closer she noticed more about him, his raven black hair was long, pulled back in a gold clasp and his hair shone like silk. Her eyes met with his, they were an mesmerizing shade of blue, and she couldn't take her eyes off of them. Now he was standing in-front of her, he took her black gloved hand in his and gave it a gentle kiss. Ahelia dragged her eyes away from him and smiled shyly.
"You look absolutely gorgeous, my love." Dracula cooed, he let her hand down. He noticed Ahelia's entire face was red, and she nervously bit her bottom lip. Ahelia looked down at herself to see she was wearing a large jet black ball gown. It had a big bustle, and both the back and front of the dress was covered in ruffles. There was a gold trim that ran across the very bottom and along the neckline of the dress. Ahelia realized both herself and the mysterious man's outfits had complemented one another. There was something else Ahelia noticed, she wondered why he had called her 'my love' had they known each other before, were they friends? Were they lovers?
"Thank you, you look very handsome, and your outfit. It is quite marvellous," Ahelia paused, "I'm sorry, forgive me but, do we know each other? What is your name, sir?" Ahelia asked.
Dracula just laughed, he ignored her question and he took the small of her back with one hand and he took her right hand with the other. Dracula waited for the music to begin once again, and when it had he lead her in a slow waltz. Ahelia didn't know how to dance, but it strangely seemed to come natural to her.
"Good God, what have I done Anamaria. I have put all of Romania in danger, no, no not only Romania but the entire world! Dracula's children will once again live and will attack like they had before! Christ, forgive me!" Costache shouted, he took his fist and drove it hard into the wall in anger. He quickly took his hand back and held it in his other hand when he felt the bones in his fingers crack and a pain shoot through his hand.
"Costache," Anamaria hissed. "Keep your voice down. Do you want Ahelia to hear us? Didn't you hear what the bride's said. If Ahelia finds out who she is then Dracula's plans will be ruined and our son," Anamaria paused and let out a small cry, she held a hand to her mouth. "Petru will be taken from Heaven by those she Devils and dragged down to Hell."
"How can they do that Anamaria. God would not allow such a thing. Maybe, maybe they were lying. Maybe Petru will not be sent to hell. Perhaps we can still ruin Dracula's plans. And Ahelia, we can tell her the truth, she will remember who she is and then she will leave our home, we can be rid of all this evil." Costache replied back, in a whisper. Anamaria shook her head.
"No, Costache. I do not want to risk anything. I do not think they were lying to us, I will never forgive myself if our son's soul is to become damned for who knows how long, perhaps eternity," She sighed. "And not all here is evil, Costahce. Ahelia is not evil, I can sense good in her."
"How do you know for sure, Anamaria. Ahelia was born a Witch, you were not. You told me once before that only pure Witches can truly sense other Witches. She could very well be evil for all we know." Costache retorted.
"Costache, she isn't evil, I know she isn't. It is true that only pure Witches can confirm the presence of another one of their kind. But practising witches like myself can sense things as well, not as well as Ahelia or any other pure Witch could but... I know when I can sense good, and when I sense evil. And besides Dracula's Brides said that Ahelia is a White Witch, not a Dark Witch, there is quite the difference between the two." Anamaria protested, Costache plowed his hand through his thick hair and shook his head.
"Al-right, Ahelia is not evil. But you can not deny Anamaria, that Ahelia attracts evil beings. She is the reason the she Devils came through to us during your ritual. What if," Costache paused and a chilling thought crossed his mind. "What if Count Dracula makes an appearance. He could be anywhere, and no one truly knows what he looks like. Dracula always made his brides to his evil bidding. And in the off chance when Dracula would visit Transylvania, any one who came face to face with Dracula, died, their blood drained. And now he's back. God help us." Costache gravely added. Both Anamaria and Costache stood in silence and thought to themselves about the horrors that would soon unleash upon Transylvania. Everyone was in danger.
Anamaria noticed something out of the corner of her eye, the two black candles she had used for her rituals had now re-lit themselves, and Anamaria stared at the two strange candles, she felt something odd wash over her. She could feel a knot in the pit of her stomach, and she felt a sense of caution. Anamaria knew something ominous was lurking in their home.
"Costache, I can sense evil..."
"What?" Costache feared what he said about evil entering their home, was now actually happening.
"Oh Lord there is something evil in our home. I do not think Ahelia is alone in her room, something is there with her. Come Costache, quickly!" Anamaria panicked, she picked up her skirts and ran out of her 'spell room' Costache followed closely behind his frightened wife.
Together Dracula and Ahelia danced, Ahelia became lost in Dracula's eyes. I wonder what he looks like without his mask? Ahelia thought, but she did not dare ask for him to remove it. The music slowed and the man twirled her around, so her back was against his broad chest, they stood their for a moment, Ahelia waited for him to spin her back around. But instead she felt something at the side of her neck, was he kissing her? He was. She could feel his soft thin lips hover over her sensitive neck and he gently placed soft kisses down the side of her neck. Ahelia wanted to say something, but was compelled not to. Instead she enjoyed the mysterious man's odd actions and let him kiss her neck. Chills ran up and down her spine. Finally he spun her around so she was facing him again. The music sped up and become quite loud, together they spun faster and faster, Ahelia felt slightly dizzy. But did not let her large brown eyes stray from the man's. He dipped her down and then brought her back up to him again. They stopped dancing.
"Darling, you dance so well." Dracula stated, Ahelia smiled and thanked him. Then to her surprise, he relieved her curiosity and removed his gold mask from his face, then he reached up and removed hers. Ahelia studied his face, she thought him to be very handsome. How did I end up here tonight? And how did I end up dancing with such a charming, handsome man. I must know who he is. I must.
"Sir please, you must tell me who you are. I wish to know the name of my charming dance partner."
"First you must tell me your name, my dear?" Dracula said playfully. Ahelia thought for a moment and then she answered.
"Ahelia. My name is Ahelia, sir. Now you must tell me yours." Ahelia answered. Dracula looked at her with a stunned look on his face. How did she remember her name? Dracula feared he had made a mistake, what if she woke and it was too late. What if when she woke she would remember her dream and her name? Dracula knew that he had to compel her to forget once the dream ended and before she woke. So Dracula decided to tell her his name, his full name.
"Count Vladislaus Dracula." He replied.
"Such an interesting name you have sir, though it seems quite familiar. Have we met before? I am sure we have. You look familiar as-well." Ahelia repeated, she was sure they knew one another. She was positive. Dracula, feared he had given away too much already and that he was taking his chances.
"Let us ask no more questions." Dracula whispered, almost seductively. He pulled Ahelia even closer towards him so that her chest was up against his. She looked up towards Dracula and she only just realized just how tall he was. Dracula cupped Ahelia's heart shaped face in his large cold hand, Ahelia slightly shivered at his touch. He moved his hand down her face and held her small chin in between his finger, he tilted her head up a little bit more. Ahelia felt her lips instinctively part and she waited for his lips to meet with hers. Dracula lowered his head down to her, Ahelia could now feel Dracula's cold, but sweet breath move between his lips. Before he allowed his lips to touch hers he whispered.
"I know what you crave. You want to feel our lips meet, you want to feel the sweet warm passion of our kiss. I can feel your heart dancing wildly against my chest. Now let us share a moment of sensual bliss, darling."
Dracula's words drove her nearly wild, it was as if he had read her mind. Ahelia wanted his lips on her's now, she wanted to feel what it would be like to kiss him. Finally Ahelia got what she had been waiting for. Dracula's lips hovered and then met his hers. His lips were so soft. Dracula gently took her bottom lip and began to play with it and suck it gently. Ahelia lifted her hand and placed them at the back of his neck, she took his soft hair in her hand and began to twirl a small section of his silk like hair around her gloved finger. Dracula deepened the kiss, Ahelia opened her mouth and Dracula took the opportunity to let his tongue enter her mouth, she accepted it and together they let their tongues dance together in their own waltz.
They resumed to lock their lips with one another, until Dracula pulled back and allowed Ahelia to catch her breath. Ahelia didn't want their sultry kiss to end, not ever. But she could hardly breath.
Then something odd happened.
Ahelia noticed Dracula became blurry, his features, and the rest of his body was hardly visible. She squinted her eyes but he did not come into focus. She looked around the rest of the room and noticed it and the other couples that were dancing in the room were blurry as-well. The music was not clear as it once was, it was now becoming out of tune and the violins squealed and screeched. Ahelia quickly covered her ears and backed away from Dracula, she didn't understand what was going on. Then she heard Dracula whisper.
"Forget me, forget everything. Forget. When you wake, you will remember nothing."
Dracula stood by Ahelia while she slept, he watched as her face slightly twist in confusion, her eyebrows furrowed and she moved her head side to side. She mumbled softly in her sleep. Dracula took his hand and gently placed it atop of Ahelia's forehead, he stroke her forehead with his thumb and then carefully ran his finger through her brown hair that was splayed across her pillow. She is quite a sight to behold. Dracula thought to himself. As he continued to stare at the young Witch.
He imagined them together, he imagined what it would finally be like to have his children last for eternity. And he imagined how he would possibly make her fall in love with him, without accidentally divulging to her who she was or who he really was. Why did Ambrosia have to make things so complicated for him? After all he promised to grant Ambrosia eternal life, the least she could have done was make things a little less complicated and tricky.
Dracula, stood up straight and looked around when he heard the sound of footstep approaching Ahelia's room, before he could hide himself or leave he noticed a man and woman enter the room. Dracula noticed their eyes widen, they were in complete and utter shock at the sight of this strange man in Ahelia's room. Was this the man the evil force she sensed? Anamaria wondered. He had to be. And though Costache and Anamaria had never seen Dracula until then, they both had a feeling that's was who this strange man was. Dracula turned to face the two and he gave them a small devious smirk, he found the sight of the two rather amusing. They seemed to be almost petrified, their bottom jaws trembled and Dracula could see the pulses in their necks viciously thud and pound against their necks.
"Y-You, are you? Oh God you must be, C-Count Dracula." Costache said in astonishment.
Dracula just gave a slight bow, he then began to walk towards the terrified couple. With each step he took the couple took one step back until they walked into the wall behind them and they had nowhere else to cower in Dracula's sinister presence. Anamaria noticed Dracula's threatening eyes and how they bored deep into her own eyes, if looks could have killed, Anamaria would have dropped dead right then and there. Now that there was no where else for Anamaria and Costache to go, they had no other choice but for Dracula to near closer to them. Anamaria felt her heart pound in her chest and she felt both her and Costache's lives were at risk. They were in danger, grave danger. Costache looked around for anything he could defend themselves with, and there on the wall, only an arm's reach away was Jesus on a wooden cross they had hung in the room.
Costache grabbed it and Dracula allowed him to do so, he knew those silly things had no fatale effect on him. Costache bravely took the cross and nearly shoved it in Dracula's face. Dracula gave a small laugh, then took the cross out of Costaches shaking hand. Holding it in his hand, both Anamaria and Costache could not believe what they were seeing. They both had always believed things such as cross's could vanquish any Vampire, including Dracula. Dracula could feel a slight burning sensation in his hand, he took the cross and threw it across the room. The cross flew through the air with such force and such speed that when it had hit the wall, it had broke through the wood and became stuck there. The old couple saw Dracula hold up his hand and show off the burn mark that was left from the cross, the red fleshy tissue of Dracula's burn began to dissolve and was healed.
"You can not hurt me, Costache." Dracula stated, Costache couldn't understand how Dracula knew his name. It was a mystery to him.
"H-How did you?" Costache replied. Anamaria was about to say something next to the Count, but all three turned their attention to the sound of Ahelia tossing and turning in her bed, she finally rested on her back. Lifting an arm she took her fists and rubbed her eyes. From beside her Albert awoke, the dog stood up from where he had been laying down beside Ahelia. When he noticed there was a stranger in the room he began to snarl and growl. Dracula feared the dog would wake Ahelia, so he quickly lifted his arm and pointed straight at the dog's eyes. The dog stopped his growling and both Dracula and Albert stared in one another's eyes. To Anamaria and Costache it looked as though the two had been communicating somehow, Albert began to give out small whimpers. As Dracula started to lower his arm, the dog became relaxed and laid back down. Closing his black eyes, Albert fell back into sleep.
"Please, Count. Do not hurt my husband, nor I." Anamaria begged, Dracula turned around and focused his attention back to the couple. He could see tears begin to well in the woman's helpless eyes, and she quickly took her husband's hand in hers. Costache gave her hand a small reassuring squeeze. And Costache silently prayed to God that he would save them from the horrible undead creature that threatened now put their lives danger. Dracula turned his head to briefly look at Ahelia to see if she had awaken from her slumber, but she had not. Anamaria went to let out a scream when she suddenly felt herself pressed up against the wall, but Dracula covered her mouth before she could make a noise.
"Be quiet Woman." Dracula hissed, he noticed Costache prepare to strike him, but Dracula caught the man's arm and held him still. Before he dealt with Anamaria he would deal with Costache first.
"Look into my eye's, I want you to look deep into my eyes and listen carefully to what I am telling you," Dracula ordered, Costache, looked into Dracula's soulless empty blue eyes. "When I leave you and your wife, I want you to forget everything that has just happened here. Do you understand me, Costache?" Dracula asked, Costache only nodded. Costache seemed to go into a relaxed state and Dracula released his arm. Dracula turned his head to Anamaria and then said the same to her as he did to Costcahe, she nodded as-well. And Dracula had then to, let her go. Dracula decided not to waste any-more time, and not to risk staying in the presence of Ahelia. He once again turned back into the ghostly black shadow he had appeared as earlier and left the house. Costache and Anamaria were left in the room wondering to themselves how they had ended up there. That. They would never understand.
I decided to make a fun little trailer for my story The White Witch, you can watch it on Youtube. It is called, Van Helsing|The White Witch