Disclaimer: I do not own Young Dracula. All rights reserved for BBC. This story is an AU from Season 3. What would have happened if Erin had reacted differently when Vlad bit her and turned her into a vampire. Hello reader. Please read and review. I know these are a little rough but I do not have a beta reader and I am trying to get them up as fast as I can. Hope you like where this story is going.

The darkness did not feel like a 'shadowed cloak' as Ingrid had once melodramatically referred to the night. Erin could hear each squeak of the old floor boards and could smell the way that Becky's perfume lingered on the air. Sure the suppression spray was doing its job. Becky's heartbeat, breath, and human scent was nonexistent even to Erin's heighten vampire senses. Secretly Erin could not believe that they were actually doing this. Prior to being bitten, Jonno had given Erin ample supply to help her manage with the orphans and any visiting vampires who might get ideas to put a fang in her. Erin never thought she would be using the spray to deceive Vlad again. How much of our relationship has been built on lies and such simple deception? Erin thought as she led Becky to Vlad's room. Had Erin been human she might have blushed at the memories of this place with its erotic dalliance from only a few hours prior. Still this room was the most secure place Erin knew of that would allow them privacy and it was the one place that Vlad would not avoid. Erin smiled with bitter joy. The trap was perfect.

"Nice," Becky said looking around the room. There was sarcasm underlying those words but Becky kept it in check. Her eyes fell over the once spot where the bed should have been. "Is that a coffin?"

"Vlad had it custom made. Trust me, it only fits one person and in truth, probably just him."

"Custom made coffins, too weird." Becky said. "Wait how do you know about who the coffin can fit? Have you tried it?"

Erin shook her head dumping her coat on the sofa. Trying not to smile at the shear glee in Becky's words. Deep down inside the confident woman was equally as much as little girl. "No, but I know someone who did." The memory was still painful and full of guilt. But reflecting as Becky leaned over to look inside the coffin walls, a new emotion filled Erin, disgust. It was all Erin could do not to snort. That vampire girl had been an idiot. I was an idiot too. Erin thought. Caring about keeping her entertained was what got her killed.

"Who?" Becky asked when she realized Erin was quietly watching her while fiddling with her bag.

Erin forced a sigh. "The first vampire I ever killed, actually."

Becky jerked her eyes to meet Erin's. "Ooo you staked her in Vlad's own coffin?"

"Not exactly." Erin said regretting opening her big mouth, but Becky was waiting for the story. "Ingrid bit several of the girls rugby team that were visiting a few days past. She sent one of the new half fangs here to kill Vlad with a UV grenade."

Becky frowned in confusion. "What's that?"

"Basically a glass ball that has a chemical that sets off a UV reaction like a burst of light. It is strong enough to temporarily blind a person, but for a vampire it will turn them into dust is they are within a 50 foot diameter of the blast."

"How did you get her to use it?"

"Well, she was holding it and when she saw the coffin. I was in here and she thought I was another half fang sent to assassinate Vlad. But on finding he was not in his room, and seeing the coffin, she wanted to try it. Being a vampire we kind of need them during the day."

"Wait, Vlad's own sister tried to have him killed?"

Erin nodded. "Just part of vampire politics. Trust me they are bloodthirsty." Erin walked over to the coffin and sat on the lid looking back at Becky. Who was waiting eagerly for the story to continue. "So the girl, hell I don't even know her name, climbed in and asked me to close the lid. She didn't fit, so when I sat on the lid, the grenade fell, and well, she was dust."

"Wait, so this happened when you were human, right?"

It was Erin's turn to frown in confusion. "Your point?"

"Well, how did she not know you were human?" Becky said with drawing out her make up case from her bag. Becky was always one to multitask as she set to work refreshing her flawless eye makeup.

"Remember that spray I used to get you up here?" Becky nodded. Erin continued. "That was a suppressant spray that slayers use to hide our scent, our heartbeat, and breathing from vampires. That's why I sprayed you before we came up here."

"But how does that even work?" Becky asked looking first at her wrist which had the invisible spray on it and then up at Erin. "I mean I get the scent part but the breathing and heartbeat that doesn't make sense." Becky had always been better at school than Erin and the fact that she was asking questions that Erin had never even bothered to considered irked the vampire a bit.

Erin shrugged. "I'm not a chemist. But the slayers have been fighting vampires for centuries and vampires have magic and alchemists. It would stand that so does the guild. I wasn't trained in that. It was not my job. I tend to be more hands on."

Becky looked away and went back to her make up case. She seemed to be digesting Erin's words while working on her own make up. After a few more moments, Becky clicked shut the case and turned to Erin. "Why don't we get more... presentable." Becky proceeded to kick off her shoes and strip off her stocks revealing red toenails that matched her fingers. The school tie and jumper went next leaving only her skirt and white shirt which Becky now unbuttoned to reveal her bra just a bit. Erin found herself watching the line of Becky's neck following the flutter of her pulse. Granted, had she not been looking for it (i.e. staring) Erin would have missed the beat of that human heart. The thirst was there but Erin kept it in check. Erin knew she would need all her control to make it through this. The bag of blood she had downed earlier didn't seem to be helping much. The draw of something fresh was just so damn seductive.

"Aren't you going to change?" Becky asked.

"Right." Erin knew she had been staring. With a hop she was off the coffin. "Be right back."

Moving with vampire sped, Erin disappeared into her room in a blink of an eye, only to return in the exact same outfit as Becky, minus the nail polish and makeup.

"Wow," Becky said. "Ok. That was amazing."

Erin shrugged.

A deep seated knot began to form in Erin's stomach and she steeled her resolve. Erin had to make sure there was nothing left for Vlad to salvage after tonight. No love. No hope. No chance to be forgiven. Vlad had to hate her or at least reject her for the next stage of her plan to move forward. Erin still hated to admit it, but she had no idea how to take the next steps once Vlad had abandoned her. Still there was just tonight, only the few hours of darkness to complete her plan. Erin was going to have to make it work, this last chance, last step towards redemption for all the evil she held in her heart and regret steeped in her own darkness.

"So do you want some help?" Becky said gesturing to Erin's lack of embellishments on her face. "I mean, it's not like you can look in a mirror, or can you?"

Erin shook her head. "Nope. That part of the legends is true."

"Well then, let me get to work." Becky, as if by magic, held up an eye pencil and began to doctor Erin's look. The make smelled of Becky's scent along with the chemicals. Erin's face was like frozen stone as Becky layered on the stuff both to her eyes, lashes, and brows. Erin watched Becky smile and go through the motions. A deep ruby lipstick came next. Erin noticed that Becky had gone for a more subtle shade of maroon to complement her skin tone. Looking down at their hands Erin was almost mesmerized by the hue of milk white against Becky's deep coffee. Becky pulled back chewing on her lip as she admitted her work. And put away the make up without a second glance. Erin reached down and looked at her still buttoned shirt and began to undo each button until her cami and chest showed.

"What are those?" Becky asked gesturing to the stone shards.

"They are what killed me," Erin said.

"Wait?" Becky said frowning. "I thought Vlad bit you and turned you into a vampire."

"He did, but that is not what killed me." Erin looked down at the gems and stroked them. "Another vampire, Adze, a spoiled princess, basically, shot a fire ball at me when I was on the roof. It hit the ring which was on my hand making the jewel exploded and embed these things in my chest."

"What the hell were you doing on the roof?" Becky raised an eyebrow.

"Long story, but the blast and the fall did too much damage to my body for me to survive, so Vlad took ...steps to save me, as he saw it."

Becky watched Erin. There was something sad and lost in her friend's face. Despite the make up and everything that Becky knew about what little Erin had shared of the vampire world, the fact that they were still moving forward with the trap meant that Vlad's betrayal of Erin's wishes was more motivating than the love that still was written on the poor white girl's face. Becky wisely didn't ask any more questions.

"Damn," Becky said stroking the stones. "They are pretty."

Erin found herself enjoying Becky's touch as the warmth from Becky's fingers radiated over Erin's now ice cold porcelain skin. The touch was seductive and Erin wanted to lean into that crush of heat. Was this why Vlad had always leaned into me? To savor even the smallest hint of warmth.? Erin blinked and pulled back, then went over to her coat which she had left on the couch when they entered the room and pulled out her leather satchel.

"What is that?" Becky asked coming over to see what Erin had cleared space on the couch to obviously show her.

"My slayer kit." Erin said rolling out the leather. There was garlic, a stake, several vials of the suppression spray and all too many empty slots that Erin had used in the all too recent past.

"Can you still touch that stuff?" Becky asked. "I mean won't it, like hurt you?"

"Sure some of it will. See this is garlic juice but it is a glass vial, sealed. Nice and safe." Then Erin began to touch each item. "Crosses don't do crap, but there are other things vampires are allergic to. Several poisons. I used most of them. And of course there is the old standby." She pulled out the stake and handed it to Becky.

"What about our plan?" Becky said with a frown. "I don't plan to stake you or Vlad."

"This is insurance, in case things go wrong." Erin pressed the stake into Becky's hand. "Remember aim for the heart. Nothing else matters but that."

"But-"

"No buts. There is always a point of no return for every vampire, even with me, even with Vlad. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it."

"Fine." Becky said but turned and hid the wooden tool under her clothing, out of sight and turned back to Erin but with one swift motion, Becky drew out the small blade that was also in the kit. "Shall we get on with this part?"

Erin nodded and packed up the kit, hiding it back in her coat. Steeling herself, Erin faced her friend who was hovering the blade over her wrist. Erin waited. Becky placed the blade to her skin, then lifted it again, repositioned, lifted again, and then stood there heistating.

"Problem?"

Becky scowled. "I've never done this before, thank you very much."

"Let me help," Erin said gently.

"No, I got this," Becky stammered but Erin was too quick. A small slice flicked across her wrist and as blood welled up, Becky's eyes went wide. "I didn't even feel it!"

"Trust me, I keep my blades sharp. The key is to be quick." Erin said, focusing on her words to ignore the part of her screaming in silence telling her to bite, to attack, to move even an inch closer to Becky. It took a moment for Erin to realize that Becky had gone dead silent, as if frozen. Erin tore her gave from Becky's bleeding wrist to look her in the eyes.

Becky made an audible intake of breath. "Your eyes."

Erin forced herself to blink, but the burning red would not fade. "Sorry."

"No, its ok. Its what we wanted." Becky said taking a breath and slowly letting it out. "Are you ok?"

Erin didn't know how to answer that, just talking seemed to help. Erin was able to focus more on Becky as a person instead of lunch. "Just keep talking for a few minutes."

"Ok." Becky brushed back her hair then twisted it up with her good hand. "Which do you think he would prefer? Hair up?" Then letting her curls fly free. "Or down."

Erin smiled. "Down. I always loved your long hair."

Becky giggle back. "I know right. It takes me forever to manage it in the morning. I spend almost two hours sometimes before school just to get it to behave."

Erin swallowed. The copper smell was still there but her mind was getting clearer, more used to the smell.

"Look, if you are really that thirsty, I mean we have to do it anyway to convince Vlad, why not take a sip?" Becky said holding out her hand.

Now Erin froze. Here was her moment of truth. Either she could do this, taste blood but control her blood lust or it was time to send Becky packing with a good firm mind wipe. Erin dug her fingernails into her palm but took a step towards Becky who sat down on the couch that Erin and Vlad had made love on not a few hours past. Becky watched Erin like a mouse watches a cat but there was a small smile playing on her lips.

"You'd think I was nervous, but it is kind cool," Becky said. "I mean, a vampire. You're really a vampire. I mean wow."

"Becky," Erin said.

"What?"

"Shut up." Erin closed her eyes and bit her lip. "I need to focus. Look I am going to lick you. Not bite you. Understand?"

Becky managed a head shake but now here body raidated tension. The pulse on her neck was beating rapidly though Erin could not hear it. Erin forced herself to go slowly to the sofa and sit carefully next to Becky, though every instinct was screaming at her to rush the girl, take what Erin desperately wanted. Becky, as if reading the heistation, lifted up her wrist which had begun to slowly bleed. Erin had been precise. Avoiding every vein and artery though she easily could have severed them. This would let the skin bleed, just a little, just enough for a taste without lasting damage. Erin closed her eyes, even with the suppression spray in place hiding Becky's human scent, it could not hid the scent of blood. This was too powerful, too heady, and Erin savored the smell as she hovered over Becky's bleeding wrist.

"Are you ok?" Becky asked, but her words were stolen as Erin bent over and began to caress the wound with her tongue. Becky gave a small sudden inhalation before she caught herself. But Erin was already wrapping her icy hand around Becky's wrist drawing her closer.

Erin's other hand remained balled in a fist, her fingernails like claws digging into the meat of her palm. The white sharp tips of her fangs peeked out from ruby lips that were now lightly stained with blood as Erin continued to lap up the blood, ever so slowly. Each motion was smooth, careful and ecstasy. Erin felt that thin line of control and need. Each time her tongue delivered the blood to her mouth was a test in her fortitude. Becky too was beginning to relax and even enjoy the sensation. Erin could smell her arousal and the smile that played across Becky's lips made it clear that the legend of a vampire's kiss being like a fine wine was also true. Erin could feel the tremble in her arm that had started with tension had melted into something else as Becky slowly drifted closer to Erin as if pulling the vampire into her warm human embrace. Without realizing it, Becky had begun to stroke Erin like a cat as she nuzzled her neck. Erin suddenly paused her lips hovering over the wound that had stopped readily flowing.

"He's here." Erin said.

"How do you know?" Becky asked her voice slow and sultry with desire.

"I can sense him." Erin could always sense Vlad, whether he was near of far, her heart or her vampire nature was always able to find him. Had this been the same for Ryan once Ingrid had bitten him and he had changed? Erin pushed away the thought. It was only a simple distraction and she needed to focus. Erin could still feel the betrayal her brother had thrown in her face after she had rescued him from the slayer's guild. Erin remember the way he no longer cared for her desires or even the life debt he had owed. All Ryan had cared about was getting to Ingrid to be at her side and aid her in whatever destructive plan. His only goal was to protect her. For Erin it was the same with Vlad, though her actions may illustrate a difference. The training as a slayer was all that was keeping Erin going at this point. Her mission. Her choice. Her fate in her own hands and no one else's. Vampires could move in silence if they wanted to, but Vlad didn't seem to care. The echo of his boots announced his presence about ten paces from the door. Even Becky could hear them. Then Vlad stopped outside the door, just for a moment, but Erin knew. Knew that he was scenting the air and could smell Becky's blood just as easily as she could. The door slowly opened. The look of concern plastered on his face turned to shock as Vlad's eyes went wide.

"Hello Vladdy," Becky purred as she curled into Erin. "Welcome, to the party."

Draped across Erin's lap, Becky's long legs looked even longer. Erin to avoid Vlad's gaze nuzzled her face into Becky's neck. The simple caress sent shivers down Becky's body Erin peeked out through the curtain of curls. "We were waiting for you."

"What are you doing?" Vlad demanded.

"What does it look like? Chosen one?" Becky said stifling a giggle at his title.

"Why do I smell blood?" Vlad said stepping further into the room. "Are you hurt?"

Becky giggled again. "I feel fang-tastic!"

Vlad flinched at the pun. "Becky it is time to go."

"I just got here!" Becky pouted.

Vlad tried to his most reproachful look. "Erin what have you done?"

Erin watched as Vlad came closer, trying to steel himself as he began to muster his rage. The hurt quickly vanished from Vlad's face as Erin pulled herself out of hiding behinds the human's embrace to face Vlad. Erin put on her most seductive smile, feeling a bit better as her own rage, vampire need, bubbled to the surface. With careful grace, Erin guided Becky's bloodied wrist into view and towards her face again allowing the girl, her friend, the only human she seemed to trust with this risky, dark plan, curl around her. Erin seemed to almost wear Becky like an accessory of living need. Vlad responded in kind. Sure Erin had watched him stand apart while his father and god knows how many vampires engaged in such power plays with their food. The pain was there, written in his eyes, as Vlad tried to hide behind his own stone faced mask. But Erin could see. The plan was working. She smiled.

"I thought we could share her," Erin said giving Becky's wrist a small lick which elicited a gasp of pleasure.

"Sharing is caring," Becky added. "Come on, Vlad, don't be such a stick in the mud." Those last words held a bit of slur to them.

"Becky, are you drunk or something?" Vlad asked.

Becky blinked a bit. "Not a drop of liquor had crossed these lips, scouts honor." She said crossing her heart. "Your girl just knows all the right moves to put on a willing breather."

Becky was becoming more 'hand-sy" as Erin continue to stroke her long hair, never releasing her wrist, which she noted Vlad watched with the same cautious need.

The slang seemed to stir something in Vlad. "What did you do to her?"

"Nothing much, just a little suggestion to make her feel better." Erin said then using her fingertip to guide Becky's head until her neck was stretched out as an offering. "I was strong enough to wait for you."

Erin, despite her words and actions was fighting with every inch of what remained of her slayer's soul. The warmth of a human so close, so willing, sang a song of desire that even now was eroding her will power ever so slowly. It was all Erin could do, to stay frozen in place, watching Vlad who was not watching Becky as if she was an insolent child.

"We are not doing this." Vlad growled. "Becky you need get away from her."

Becky's head swiveled back and she held a coy smile for him. "Now why would I do that?"

"Come on I will take you home." Vlad held out his hand to Becky and she looked up at him.

Becky pouted. "No."

"What do you mean no?" Vlad said not dropping his hand but his eyes narrowed now pressing his gaze on her. "No have no idea what she is."

Becky's laugh startled both the vampires and Vlad dropped his hand. "Of course I do. Erin told me everything." Becky wrapped her arms around Erin's neck presenting herself within biting distance but her eyes were for Vlad. "I want you to bite me."

"You have no idea what you are talking about." Vlad hissed.

Becky's laughter filled the room again and even Erin smiled. Vlad's darker side was rising to the surface. Erin could feel it, and her own anger and outrage simmered under her cold eyes. Becky was doing a better job that Erin had ever hoped for.

"Of course I do, see exhibit A." Becky said gesturing to Erin. "Just think what it would be like to have two gorgeous girls on your arms, Vlad."

Erin raised Becky's wrist to her lips. Her eyes on Vlad. The wound had begun to heal and scab but one lick it would start bleeding again. Erin placed a chased kiss over the wound her eyes not once blinking as she watched Vlad her eyes now dark. "She is delicious." Then her smile parted revealing a pearly white single set of fangs.

Vlad was behind Erin in an instant spinning Becky out of Erin's arms and ass end on the floor. The wind was knocked out of Becky and she lay coughing. Vlad now had Erin's arms clamped with one hand as he growled. Erin was pinned but she didn't care. Had he really wanted to harm her, Vlad could have dusted her with a flick of his wrist. He was still holding back, despite the anger in his eyes.

"Why are you doing this?" Vlad shouted his fangs were bared as the voice reverberated around the room. .

Erin offered just a bit of resistance so that Vlad could feel like she was fighting him. Jaw was clenched with fang bared she still was smiling up at him. Anger naked in her eyes. Sure Erin knew she could escape use his unstable position as a fulcrum to topple him and send him on his ass, but instead Erin held his gaze. Schooling her face, as she had numerous times with the vampires of his own home had tried to bully her, Erin smiled and answered the question.

"Because this is what I am now." She ran her tongue over her fangs, eyes red gazing up at him. "This is what you made me."

"You're better than this." Vlad pleded.

The sound of the hurt in his voice almost broke her, almost. But Erin was stronger than that. Her anger, her need to prove herself and finish what she started drove her with a purpose that was stronger than her regret.

"No, I'm not. Or didn't our little love making not demonstrate that enough?" Erin then did move. She did exactly what she planned and used Vlad's weight against him twisting him in the air and pressing him into the ground. Before he could find footing to bounce back to his feet Erin was on top of him with her hips pressed down on his feeling the zipper of his jeans grind into her panties under the flimsy school uniform skirt. It was Erin's turn to pin his arms but she was better with her arm locks. One thing being small and female had taught her in the slayers' guild was to use your opponent's strength against them and know your grappling locks. One of the things Erin had learned from their love making, was that Vlad liked to be dominated just as much as he enjoyed being dominant. Erin smiled again this time the heat was bitter that filled her face and her words with dark need. "The taste of that baby's blood was like a forbidden nectar, better than the Lady Grey but nowhere near as delicious as that which comes straight from the source. You have no idea what you are missing. Why not let me show you?"

"Erin-" Vlad tried to say but she silenced him with a kiss. This was not some gentle chaste kiss, no; she bit into him, sharing not only the hints of blood she had taken from Becky but biting into his lips and hers sharing her blood as she ground into him. He tried to fight but pinned as he was he could do nothing but bite back. And to his shame, but not to Erin's surprise she could feel his desire grow between her legs. Erin broke the kiss.

"What do you say lover? Shall we continue from where we left off with one special edition?" Erin glanced over at Becky, who had been watching them as she caught her breath. Becky gave a small nod and began to crawl over to them. Erin turned back to Vlad. "It is so much better with a willing victim."

"NO!" Vlad screamed his voice filling the room, filling the castle. Black eyes looked up and Erin felt herself thrown off him as Vlad materialized at his feet across the room. Becky froze watching him, fear finally filling her face. Vlad arm flew out as he shouted again. "NEVER!" Erin had witness this surge of power before when his father had attempted to feast on the cleaning lady. However, watching the power lash out at another vampire and experiencing it first had were entirely different. Erin flew into the window taking the cheap Ikea lamp with her as she hit the glass full force. Only Erin's quick reflexes as she grabbed the jagged window frame prevented her from falling to the courtyard below. The shards of glass tore under her skin and down to the bones of her hands. The window frame held and she snarled out in pain. Swinging back then forward again, Erin thrust back into the room in a disgruntled heap. The lash of power had hurt, as if Vlad's anger had beat into her muscles and down to the bone.

"Erin!" Becky yelled as she tried to bolt for Erin's side. But Vlad was their holding her by the upper arm in a vise like grip.

"Leave her!" Vlad ordered and Becky froze unable to move. "Look at me."

Becky could only obey. Erin did not so much as watch but heard and felt Vlad's commands as he wiped Becky's memory. There she stood a doll in the room as Vlad stalked over to Erin. Reaching down he grabbed her by the throat and hoisted her into the air as the tips of her toes barely touched the floor. His eyes were still black with rage as his fangs remained bared and menacing as he spoke.

"You will never touch her again, understand?" Vlad ordered.

"Yes." Erin croaked. She could feel his will bearing down on her, but being her maker she was unmoved by his gaze. He couldn't make her bend to his will as Becky had, or could he? That idea sent a whole new wave of fear through Erin. Vlad was the chosen one. He was still discovering new powers every night. Maybe he could erase her, make her no more a than a doll just like Becky was. But instead here he stood, choosing to hate her.

"You will leave this place, tonight." Vlad growled. "And if I ever see you again, I will dust you. We are done."

Then he dropped her. Erin crumpled to the floor unable to stand much less move. She forced herself to blink. He's letting me go? Erin was shocked. Granted she had hoped for this outcome but now that meant she actually had to make a plan to move forward. Vlad killing her would have been too easy. If anything, this life had taught Erin was that she never was going to have an easy way out. Erin lay on the floor as Vlad disappeared with Becky in his arms with all the vampire speed of a forgotten nightmare. Erin smiled. She had done it. And she hated herself for her success. Now it was time to begin the painful steps to get dressed, pack up what she needed and leave.

Vlad was gone. Becky was safe. For now. The hour it had taken for her to recover had irked her to no end. The clothing she had worn, Erin left cast off in the room in favor of black motorcycle pants, black v neck t-shirt and her leather jacket. A solid set of boots completed the outfit. Strangely it felt as if Becky's make up was none worse the wear. Pain hit her again. Erin dug her fingers into her arms. Had she not been wearing a leather jacket, no doubt she would have drawn blood. The hour on a clock somewhere in the school chimed the hour. Hard to think that so much had happened in the mere 3 hours past sunset. Still time was running out. Erin knew she had to act before the night was spent and she had a mission to complete. If it was the last thing she did, she would complete this mission. Reaching over to the discarded books that Becky had left. Erin opened up the poetry textbook to the page she had memorized and tore out the page. With a quick flick she folded the sheet in into fourths and tucked it into her pocket. Now all she needed was an envelope, thankfully she knew where the Count kept such stuff. There was movement in the dark and Erin's head shot up, as she saw a female form manifest from the shadows.

"What do you want Ingrid?" Erin asked.

"You've changed." Ingrid walked around the room watching Erin as she sat on the couch head in her hands.

"Of course I have, I'm vampire now." Erin steeled her face to hide her emotions from the craftiest vampire she had ever met. Ingrid stalked her until Vlad's sister came to sit down in a chair across from Erin. The older vampire watched Erin. Erin raised her head to meet Ingrid's eyes. It took a great deal of effort but she did it. Vlad could mesmerize vampires, but Erin doubted Ingrid could.

"That's not what I mean." Ingrid studied Erin. "You should hate Vlad, but you don't."

"Are you sure?" Erin asked with a bitter smile.

"I saw you." Ingrid said. Erin froze. Ingrid continued. "You did ...that with the breather, it was to hurt him, but it wasn't because you hate him."

"How can you be sure?" Erin shot back. It was better if Ingrid thought she hated Vlad. Easier to deal with the next plot Ingrid no doubt had under her sleeve.

"I know that look." Ingrid said with a smile. "It tells me Vlad is not the one you hate."

"Then who is?"

Ingrid leaned forward, dark eyes holding Erin's gaze.

"You hate yourself."

Erin didn't know what to say to that. She was right. Ingrid was reading her like a book.

"So?"

"You are trying to make him hate you. Why?"

Erin blinked. What should she say? There was only so much time left, and none of it could be wasted on petty vampire intrigues. In the end, truth could be the best weapon.

"Its because deep down I know he will never accept me."

Ingrid sat back and steepled her fingers together. "You don't give my brother enough credit."

"Perhaps, but I am running out of time."

Ingrid cocked her head. "What do you mean?"

"I'm changing and I need to put these vampire powers to good use. Adze must pay." Erin could not hide the vehemence in her words and Ingrid had to smile. This was exactly what she wanted to hear.

"My father already defanged her father, that is a blow to any clan. With the loss of status they have nothing. Also they have to be on the run from the high council."

"It's not enough." Erin said with more feeling than she meant. Ingrid was back to staring at her.

"What are you not telling me?"

Erin had nothing left to lose. "While I was their prisoner they talked freely about killing Vlad. I know Adze won't stop. I need her dead."

"You want revenge."

"Wouldn't you if our places were reversed." Erin knew one thing was that Ingrid hated to be crossed. She always wanted vengeance.

"I would." Ingrid leaned forward, smiling almost coy. "What do you have in mind?"

"I will kill her."

Ingrid's smile got wider. "Just like that? She is a vampire princess."

"And I am a trained slayer," Erin shot back. Then her shoulder slumped. "I just have no idea how to find her. I need to get some distance from Vlad."

"Thus the little show with you breather friend."

"Yeah." Erin hated it. She had really been ready to drain Becky. Had things gone differently, she would have done it. Rather than think about what might of been, Erin studied Ingrid who was deep in thought.

"Why not ask the slayers for help?"

"Do you really think they would help now that I am vampire especially when they learn it was Vlad who bit me?"

"Good point."

Erin stood there sizing up Ingrid. Erin knew better than to fully trust her, and yet, Vlad had told Erin, that it was Ingrid who had tried to get Vlad not to bite Erin. That his sister, for what she was worth as a vampire, had tried to do the right thing. Vlad had told Erin, that Ingrid wanted Erin to hate him to turn Erin into a tool to hurt Vlad. Erin hadn't the heart to tell him that Ingrid's interference was not needed. They would hurt each other enough in time. Her own actions were proving that. It was just one more reason why Erin should never had been turned into a vampire. But still Erin had to use this power why she had it. That meant she had to get Ingrid to trust her enough to help her, one last time.

"Listen, this is important." Erin said moving into Ingrid's personal space and taking her hand. "I know you wanted to kill Vlad at times, but right now. I need your help."

Ingrid gave her a look and pulled back.

"I admit Adze is a bigger issue and with her gone I could further secure my place on the vampire high council."

"So you will help me."

"Yes, but you will owe me."

Erin rolled her eyes. "I figured." Ingrid walked over and touched the stone embedded in Erin's chest. "What is it?"

"Malik gave my father band which was all that was left the Ring of the Son." Ingrid said.

"What?

"Well the stone was gone but the band was intact. When Malik tricked Adze by releasing her from the dungeon he picked her pocket and got the ring band."

"I thought it was destroyed." Erin blinked her own hand going to the stone shard closest to her neck.

"Nope. They used the ring band to track Adze because she was still wearing the Ring of the Mother."

"That worked?"

"Yup."

"Do you think she is still wearing it?" Erin asked more to her self than to Ingrid.

"It's dark magic, not something a vampire would give up. If I was her I would still be wearing it. So you can track her."

"How?" Erin asked.

"The psychic bond in the ring allows you to track one another."

Erin raised an eyebrow and frowned. "But I don't have the band, and even if I did how do I track with it?"

Ingrid laughed. "You don't need the ring."

Erin looked down at her chest. The gems embedded in her skin. Could she use it to find Adze. A wicked smile played on her lips.

"Then how do I use these?" Erin said caressing the gems.

"It's simple. Close your eyes." Erin followed her directions. "Now you are connected to the stones, feel their energy it pulses."

"I feel it."

"Good. Now remember what that feels like and cast yours sense out. Search for that same feeling. That's the Ring of the Mother, calling to the dark magic in the gem shards."

Erin's eyes brow clenched, but then she did feel it. "Thanks Ingrid."

"Killing Adze will be thanks enough along with that favor you owe me."

"I will remember."

"Now can you tell where the ring is?" Ingrid prompted.

Erin raised her hand and pointed north. "That way, but she is miles off."

"I doubt she is going anywhere, you have time to-"

"I'm going tonight."

"Eager are we?"

"Ingrid?"

"What?"

Erin reached into her pocket and headed over to the desk where the envelopes were along with the Dracula seal and quickly scribbled something on the page and folded it back up and placed it in the envelope.

"Do you mind?" Erin asked. She had not been able to summon fire despite several attempts. Holding up the candle that was the wax to seal the page.

"Fine," Ingrid said watching Erin, intrigued

The candle caught and Erin pored the hot wax on the back of the envelope before blowing the candle out. But instead of grabbing the Dracula seal as she had planned, Erin lifted her thumb and pressed it into the boiling wax. The pain was instant and intense but she ignored it and focused down on her mission. Maybe one day Vlad would understand. But all she was going to leave behind for him was this final farewell. THen she turned to Ingrid.

"Can you give this to Vlad tomorrow night?"

"What your love letter?"

Erin didn't even wait for any more of Ingrid's snide comments. She had watched Vlad and the Count long enough.

"Just do it, please."

"Whatever."

Erin grabbed Ingrid's hand. "Please."

"Fine." Ingrid said and shoved the envelope in her pocket. "Now how do you plan to find Adze?"

Erin smiled. "I thought I might give flying a try."

Ingrid snorted. "It took Vlad ages to learn how to shape shift."

"No," Erin corrected her. "It took needing to get to you, to save your life, for Vlad to decided to shapeshift. Where there is a will there's a way."

"Oh Please," Ingrid said rolling her eyes.

Erin nodded and focused her thoughts and summoning her powers. Erin pictured in her mind wings forming and the need to fly. Then suddenly she was a bat. Wings pounding and flapping, Erin shot out the closest open window and headed into the night.

"Well you are quick study," Ingrid said and watched as Erin disappeared into the night. "Good luck and good riddance."