Disclaimer: I do not own Young Dracula. All rights reserved for CBBC. 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? Thank you to all my readers. I have always shipped Erin and Vlad.
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With each step Vlad felt Erin's body twitch and strain against a pain only she could feel. The night seemed to pale around him as he moved faster than he ever had before. Vlad felt as if his dark power was reaching out ahead of him, clearing the way, pulling him forward with even more speed. He was back at Garside Grange within minutes. Vlad slowed only to allow the doors to open throughout the castle like halls. Renfield at least was in his lab when Vlad appeared. The wail filled the room as Renfield fell to the floor in shock. Vlad didn't care. Gently he placed Erin on the nearest table. Renfield climbed to his feet.
"Master Vlad, what happened?" Renfield asked.
"Poison," Vlad hissed as he gently placed Erin onto Renfield's work table. Vlad did all he could to be as careful as possible, but Erin's body twisted in pain as another seizure hit.
"Poison? How?" Renfield bent over Erin working quickly. Erin stopped seizing. Renfield looked into her eyes, nose, mouth, all of which were seeping black blood. Renfield began to tear and cut away at her clothing to get a better look while Vlad watched.
"Slayers." Vlad said his fingers tracing the stone shards embedded in her chest. Now there were dark angry red lines pulsing out from her skin encircling the stones and pulsing like a heartbeat that Erin no longer had. Erin's eyes flew open. She shuddered violently then leaned over table and vomited black blood all over the floor.
"I've never seen anything like this," Renfield said backing towards his supplies. He began to scoop up the blood from the ground and held it up the light. "Do you know what poison was used Master?" Renfield asked.
"Something the slayers made to take out half fangs."
"Not pure bloods?"
Vlad shook his head. "Give me your phone."
Renfield handed his black outdated device to Vlad. Renfield frowned. "Who are you calling?"
"Jonno."
The phone rang. Jonno picked up on the second ring. "Hello?"
Vlad didn't hesitate. "Jonno. It's me. Vlad. Beach Ball. Butterfly. Basket. Baking."
Renfield quirked a look at Vlad. Which he ignored. The code had been set into Jonno's subconscious. Vlad wanted to trust the slayers, however, it was moments like these that he was glad he didn't. The code would force Jonno to tell Vlad the truth to whatever question Vlad asked. Hypnotizing humans had its perks.
"Ask your question." Jonno said.
"Erin had a slayer poison. Something she called a failsafe. I need to know how make the antidote. You will give the details to Renfield, right now."
Vlad handed over the phone. Renfield put it to his ear and pulled a pad of paper and pen from his stained shirt coat. Scribbling furiously he wrote and asked questions. Vlad ignored him and turned his attention back to Erin.
"Do you know when she took it, master?" Renfield asked.
"Yesterday. After she woke from being bitten." Vlad answered. He could hear Jonno curse as Renfield conveyed the information and began to move to his supplies. Still writing still listening to everything Jonno was telling him. Most didn't make much sense to Vlad other than the urgency and sorrow in Jonno's voice.
"How much time do we have?" Vlad asked brushing back Erin's hair and taking her hand in his.
"Not enough," Renfield said. He was already busy mixing things. Vlad reached out with his senses. He could feel her dying. Each second seemed to rush by.
"Try this," Renfield said handing Vlad a vial with a green liquid.
Vlad tipped Erin's head up. "Drink." He commanded and she did. At first the cure seemed to help, since Erin lay back and the pain creasing her face seemed to subside a bit. Still the angry red lines continued to pulse and grow across her flesh as Renfield worked diligently to examine her. He had closed the phone. Jonno was on his way over. Vlad didn't care. "Is it working?"
Renfield bit his lip. "All that did was help with pain."
"Then it's not a cure."
"Master, if what the Slayer said is true, we are too late."
"No!" Vlad snarled. "You have worked miracles before!"
Renfield cowered. "Not this time Master. It's in her blood at the source, in her bones. If I had more time-"
"There is no more time!" Vlad roared and threw Renfield up against the wall. "Do something!"
"I can't. I wish I could master Vlad. I do."
Vlad looked the man who help had raised him. The man despite all his hygiene flaws and quirks had done his best to serve the Dracula clan. He had saved Ingrid. Why not Erin? Vlad cursed the slayers. He dropped Renfield and stood over Erin. Eyes closed. He tried to quiet his mind. I have what you need. A familiar voice whispered. Vlad tried to listen but there was nothing more.
"Think." Vlad said. "Think!"
"This is beyond alchemy, master. Maybe there is something more ...supernatural."
Renfield gestured to the stones. Their dark power had been a part of this. Part of what had drawn Vlad back to her, kept her alive, allowed her to defeat Adze. All of it.
"Bertrand!" Vlad shouted. Vlad didn't have to wait long.
"What happened?" Bertrand asked as he came over to the table where Erin was lying.
"Erin went after Adze." Vlad said. "She's dying."
"And Adze?"
"Dead. Erin killed her."
"Impressive." Bertrand smiled. At least the half fang had done something useful. Then again. Vlad distracted and in distress is the opposite of useful.
"That's not why I need you. Look at this." Vlad gestured to the stones.
Bertrand frown and moved closer to touch them. Renfield fiddled with test tubes and potions, running all sorts of tests. Bertrand's eyes moved to the shards of stone in Erin's chest. His eyes grew wide as watched the red lines continue to pulse as if on some sort of countdown.
"What are those things?"
"What is left of the stone that was in one of the Rings of Arianrhod?"
"What?" Looking down at the stones, Bertrand reached out to touch one. A small part made him jerk back his hand. Vlad's head shot up.
"What did you do?" Vlad asked.
"It shocked me. That's dark magic," Bertrand said. "I think it is what is keeping Erin alive."
"I thought so," Vlad said. "Can we use that to save her?"
"What did Adze do to her?" Bertrand asked. "I see a lot of cuts, but she should have healed."
"She was poisoned by the Slayers." Vlad said holding up his hand as Bertrand looked at him in shock. "And before you ask, she did it to herself."
"And there is nothing you can do?" Bertrand turned and asked Renfield.
Renfield shrugged. "No. It's been in her system too long."
"How long does she have?"
"Sunrise."
Bertrand flinched. Not enough time. No wonder Vlad is desperate. The Rings of Arianrhod were dark magic meant to control and kill even the most powerful vampire. Bertrand knew the story. The mother of the last high vampire had used them to control her son. No one knew how she had managed to create such weapons but all agreed it was powerful dark magic. But what had happened to the Ring of the Mother?
"I need to do some more research." Bertrand said starting to retreat but Vlad grabbed his forearm.
"There is no time. Tell me what you know." Vlad said as Bertrand shook him off. "There has to be something we can use."
Bertrand's eyes flicked back and forth between the stones and Erin's face. He had to think of something. "If only we had the other parts, the other ring..." Then his face looked back at Erin's chest. "Adze had the ring?"
"Yeah, it was how Erin found her, using the shards to track her."
Bertrand looked at Vlad. "How did you track Erin?"
"With this," Vlad said and gave him the empty ring band.
"You had it all this time?" Bertrand held the ring in his hand. It felt empty but he wasn't fooled. Dark magic was like. Lying dormant until the trigger for the spell unleashed disaster.
"Does it help?"
Bertrand didn't want to get his hopes up. "Maybe. Do you have the other ring?"
Vlad shook his head. Bertrand gaze kept returning to Erin. "Have you checked her?"
"What?"
Bertrand didn't answer but instead produced a wickedly sharp knife from his coat. With careful grace he quickly cut away what remained of Erin's clothes. Looking at Vlad he ordered, "Help."
Together the three of them stripped away what remained of Erin's outerwear. Leaving only her undergarments and the bandaged. However as Vlad was carefully pulling the last of Erin's shirt away, the ring that had been hidden in her bra fell to the table with a thunk.
"There it is." Bertrand picked it up. The last powerful dark magic item he had handle, hell that he had dedicated his life too, had unleashed a terrible monster of a vampire who wanted to destroy the world and kill not only the humans but vampire's as well creating nothing but pure chaos and death. What would these dark object unleash?
"Good job Erin," Vlad whispered. Then turned to Bertrand who was holding both rings examining them. "Now what?"
"I'm thinking."
"Well think faster." Vlad snarled.
Bertrand looked at the rings. There might be a chance. He looked up at Vlad. By all that was dark, he was just a kid. A powerful kid. But a kid. And still not even in his full power yet. Bertrand thought of something.
"What is it?" Vlad asked.
Bertrand held out the rings. "Put them on. One for each hand."
Vlad did as instructed. "Now what."
"Stand at her head. Put your hands on her shoulders."
Vlad followed Bertrand's order. The rings seemed to pulse and feel hot but Vlad did not let that stop him. Gently he let his fingers caress Erin's now bare shoulders. The clothes were gone but the bandages made from his cloak and several new white dressings covered her and helped to keep her dignity intact. Erin's skin was icy. Vlad could feel the sun drawing closer, threatening to break through and bring the dawn. No time!
"Now focus. Feel your energy connect to her."
Vlad did. He reached down inside of him, his eyes black with power as the rings on his hands began to pulse and burn with dark light. Erin's eyes flew open. Black pits that held no recognition of the world around her or the pain she had felt.
Dark whispers filled the room. Come to the mirror room. The light from the candles began to pull in on itself and darkness began to churn and pool around Vlad. The stones in Erin began to show a red glow that only increased the darkness.
"Vlad?" Bertrand asked. "What is it?"
Vlad was no longer responding. Not in words. Instead the floor began to squeak and the boards beneath their feet began to warp. Darkness turned to smokes and curls like tendrils began to snake out from Vlad. One grabbed at Renfield who darted away. Others began to pull at Bertrand.
"Vlad stop! It's not working!"
Whether it was Renfield's screams or Bertrand's shouting, the Vlad and Ingrid came into the room from opposite sides of the school.
"What the hell is going on?" Ingrid snarled. "Are we under attack?"
"Vlad? What are you doing?" The Count shouted, looking at his son. "Stop Vlad! Vladimir! I said STOP!"
With the Count's voice shaking the halls, it just seemed to press the darkness around them. The vampires began to pull together as the darkness slowly started to surround them. Wolfie darted out of his hiding place and into Ingrid's arms.
"Help!" Wolfie yelped.
"Vlad stop!" Ingrid pleaded placing herself between the closest tendril and Wolfie. Wolfie batted at it and snarled. The nearest one lashed out grabbing both Ingrid by the leg and Wolfie by the arm. Both screamed.
The Count moved as two other tendrils attempted to grab him. Instead he was there at Vlad's side. Looking at his son. The Count hesitated a moment before acting.
"Stake her!" Bertrand said.
Then Vlad did move. His head jerk in Bertrand's direct and a wave of swirling, snake like tentacles lashed out and grabbed Bertrand around the neck wrapping themselves around him.
"Vlad, YOU'RE KILLING US!" Ingrid screamed.
"The rings!" Bertrand gasped. "It's the rings."
Looking down, the Count grabbed Vlad's hands, pulling he broke the connection. Vlad snarled at him and lashed out but the Count continued to dodge his blows. Then suddenly light filled the room again and Vlad fell to the ground, coughing up blood. Look for the mirror. The whispers were getting stronger. The Count held up the one intact ring.
"What the hell was that?" Ingrid snarled, trying to comfort Wolfie who was now burrowing his face into her lefts while wrapping his arms around her knees. Ingrid had to fight to stand but her glare was all for Bertrand.
"I -the rings, I didn't think that would happen." Bertrand stammered with a rough voice. Where the tendrils had touched seemed to burn and continued to hurt. Vlad had been sucking the life out of all of them. There had been no way to even guess what the dark magic would have done. Bertrand regretted his actions immediately.
"You let Vladdy open a door to the heart of all evil! Are you insane?" The Count growled. "Vladimir are you all right?"
"Don't worry about me, did it help Erin?" Vlad said pulling himself to his feet and back to the table.
"What happened?"
"She killed Adze, took poison and Vlad tried to use all the forces of darkness to bring her back from the dead." Bertrand summarize.
"Well, then. Did it work?"
Everyone was staring at Vlad who was looking at Erin. She was not moving but her black eyes continued to stare at the ceiling, unmoving, unresponsive. Renfield moved forward using one of his many tools and waved it over Erin. Vlad looked at him. Renfield shook his head.
"She's not any better."
"Dawn is almost here. Just a handful of minutes. We need to do something," Vlad pleaded. He looked at his father, he looked at Bertrand. No one would meet his eyes. Even Ingrid looked away.
"Have you tried everything Master Vlad?" Renfield asked.
"What are you saying?" Vlad asked.
"You could try sucking out the poison-" Renfield said as Vlad cut him off.
"I tried that. I even gave her my blood-"
"Oh Vladdy, you didn't." The Count scoffed. "That is so, obscene."
"Shut it!" Vlad snarled. He hunched over Erin's body. How did we get here again! Someone. Anyone. Help me! Then the whispers came. Bring the ring. Come. Vlad turned back towards the stairs leading down into the basement where the mirror lay. His eyes narrowed. That's right. The voice said. Over here. Remember the way.
"Where are you going?" Bertrand asked. Vlad ignored him heading down to the basement. Bertrand followed. It was simple, they moved at human speed as if Vlad was considering something. Vlad looked in the distance. He was aware the others were talking, muttering around him, but he could not focus on their words. It wasn't until Bertrand touched him.
"Tell me what is going on Vlad," Bertrand almost pleaded.
"Give me the ring." Vlad said.
"No. You saw what happened."
"I wasn't asking." Vlad was there, his power filled the room and Count was pressed to the wall unable to move. Vlad took the room.
"What is going on?" Ingrid asked. "Bertrand?"
"We have to go." Vlad reached down and gathered Erin up in his arms. She was still unresponsive. The Count got to his feet and watched his son disappear out the room.
"Do you know what is happening?" Ingrid asked her father.
"Vlad is being summoned to the mirror." The Count said.
"Again?" Ingrid snorted.
"We have to follow him." Bertrand said.
"Are you sure that is wise?" the Count said.
Ingrid rolled her eyes. Unhooking Wolfie from her legs she looked down at him. "Look, stay here. Stay with Renfield."
"I want to go with you."
"You're not a Dracula. You can't go into the mirror. If something bad happens I can't protect you."
"I will look after him Ms. Ingrid," Renfield said.
"Do that." Ingrid turned to follow her family. "And you might want to have some blood ready. This is most likely going to get messy."
"Right."
Renfield watched them leave. Dawn was coming and no amount of magic could stop that. He felt for Vlad and Erin but there was nothing more he could do. And truth be told Renfield was glad he was able to stay back. The darkness that was filling the castle was actually beginning to frighten him. He hated to admit but Vlad scared him even more than the Count.
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Vlad stood in front of the mirror. Its clear glass held no reflection. Erin lay limp and unmoving, her dark eyes unnerving. The Count watched as Ingrid and Bertrand exchanged looks. Last time the mirror had called Vlad, he had returned an evil nightmare. Vlad never told his father or his sister that when he faced his reflection there had not one but thousands of reflections in the mirror that had taken him over during that first visit. Vlad had battled and lost. The darkness that had poured into him, waking up his vampire nature, forcing fangs and bloodlust and all the power on him. It had been too much. The darkness had consumed Vlad. In that place of evil Vlad had attempted to kill, his father and his sister. Only Erin, only the woman he loved, had he been able to stop himself. Stop himself from biting her. Erin had given him the strength to face his darkness. To cast out the evil reflection and the power it held. Vlad knew he was not going to be able to run from himself. No matter how much he wanted to. Only upon Vlad's second visit when he choose to return to the mirror realm that Vlad had summoned the strength to face his evil reflection and defeat it by absorbing his darkness and accepting his true vampire nature.
Vlad could still remember Erin fighting to get him back as the gargoyles prevented her from approaching the mirror. Her naive words still rang in his mind. "Maybe if we smash it, it will release him?" Erin's face had broken his heart when she learned that destroying the mirror would only kill him and his family. Vlad still remembered watching her walk away, unable to hear him while he remained trapped with only the golden gargoyles to watch his fate unfold as he faced the monster within. To this day Vlad had never told anyone where he had gone for that week after accepting his darkness. Never had he shared what it had taken inside him to return to himself and his power.
The answer lies within. Come Chosen One.
Vlad stood in front of the mirror, and sudden his reflection shining back at him. In all the world this was the only mirror that could show his true face. Erin was still not shown, but the reflection, smiled at him with flashing fangs and beaconed him forward.
"What do you see?" Bertrand asked.
"I see me." Vlad said and shifted Erin's weight to one arm. Vlad lifted his hand to reach out to touch the mirror. Eyes dark with power, Vlad called up the strength of his bloodline. "I, Vladimir Dracula, son and heir command you to reveal the answers I seek. Open to me."
The mirror shuddered and the portal opened.
"Vlad don't do this!" Ingrid said.
"I don't have a choice, dawn in breaking." And with that Vlad crossed into the mirror. Erin still held in his arms.
The Dracula clan watched as Vlad crossed into the mirror realm. The golden gargoyles who were once asleep now stood and held weapons blocking the way as Ingrid approached the mirror.
"They won't let you in," the Count said.
"Well I can see that," Ingrid said and turned on her father. "Why didn't you stop him? You're supposed to be the head of this family!"
The Count glared down his nose at his daughter. "What makes you think I could stop him?"
Ingrid blinked and Bertrand watched them both unmoving, unwilling to draw attention to himself. The Count began to pace. His dark robes brushing the dust and cobwebs at his feet.
"If you did not just witness it for yourself, Vlad had surpassed my wildest expectations and he is not even eighteen! What do you think is going to happen once he comes of age?"
"He will be unstoppable," Bertrand said.
"Yes. Right now he is standing on the edge of a knife. That girl, for whatever her purpose, slayer, breather, half-fang; she had done something that not one of us could do. She had made Vlad see that in the end, his power is what he will need to wield to change the world. Right now he is doing it to save her, but think about what he will be like when he returns."
"That's what I am afraid, or don't you remember dear daddy? How your beloved son almost killed us?' Ingrid turned on them. "Hell, because of this one's advice to play with forbidden dark magic Vlad almost killed us again!"
"I had no idea the power those rings would unleash was of any danger to anyone but Vlad."
"But you admit there was danger?" the Count said, his voice going low and quiet.
Bertrand blinked and stepped back. "I knew there was a risk. But Vlad ordered me-"
The Count dark stare weighted down the room as he glared at Bertrand full of threat and menace. Then the Count blinked and drew back.
"I understand. There was no way you could have known."
"Exactly-"
Bertrand fell in a heap with the sound of crunch and something wet. Bertrand lay stunned a moment as the Count's voice filled the room.
"You risked my son! That is not something easily forgiven." The Count stood his rage making him shake.
Bertrand looked up blinking as the warm wet sensation dripped from his lips. His fangs had bitten through his tongue be he still found his voice. "Wait. You will need me."
"Really? What do I need you for?" The Count snarled. "Another fool hang on Vlad's coat tails in the desperate search for power?"
"When Vlad steps out of the mirror, either with Erin or without her, what do you think he will do?" Bertrand asked. He managed to pull himself up to his feet, using the wall as leverage. The Count stood between him and the exit but Bertrand was not leaving. The Count would have to dust him first. A little beating was something he could endure. Still every time Vlad had gone through the mirror, the consequences to everyone around him had been dire. Bertrand hated home unpredictable Vlad was. But the Count hated it more. Over the years the old vamp had become accustomed to Vlad being a bit of a softie. Like father, like son. Bertrand thought.
"I have no idea." The Count hated to admit it, but Bertrand had a point. Better to use him as fodder for Vlad's rage. "Most times I have no idea what motivates Vlad." The Count glowered at Bertrand. "And I suppose you can predict his actions?"
"Perhaps," Bertrand said pushing off the wall. His wounds already healed. "If Vlad manages to save Erin, I doubt she will come out of this without some sort of damage, agreed?"
"Agreed." The Count said. "You're point?"
"Vlad will need someone to work with him to look after her, he will be distracted and I can help there."
"And if he comes back and she is dust?" Ingrid asked. Both men turned to look at her. Normally she hated being overlooked but this time, well the look on their faces. It was if they didn't think Vlad could fail. Fools. "Please, just because he is the Chosen One, doesn't mean he can't fail. Look at the mess he created already. Do you really think he is strong enough to defeat death?"
Bertrand's eyes narrowed. "I have seen Vlad do some amazing things. Sure there were consequences but I never doubt his power."
"Really?" Ingrid smirked. "What about that little rebellion you lead against him?"
"I could ask you the same thing," Bertrand shot back.
"ENOUGH!" the Count roared. "This bickering is getting us nowhere. We will not know what to expect until Vladimir returns from the mirror realm. All we can do is wait."
"For once, father, you have a point." Ingrid said. "Besides we have other things to sort out."
"Such as?"
"Your other son?" Ingrid said quirking an eyebrow. "Or did you forget about Malik?"
"That's right, where is my new prodigy?" The Count said looking around.
"Probably hiding." Ingrid said. "I mean once Vlad went all dark side and tried to suck out our life force, it is not surprising."
"How long do you think Vlad will be in the mirror realm?" Bertrand asked.
"I have no idea." The Count answered. He took a seat across the room and contemplated the mirror. The golden idols had moved to block the way, a clear indicator that things were not normal. The Count hated to admit but those unseeing golden eyes had always set his fangs on edge and now was no different.
"Seriously?" Ingrid said. "You are useless."
"This isn't like some coming of age ceremony like on his sixteenth birthday. Then he was gone only a handful of hours same as you my dear daughter."
"And when he kidnapped into the mirror he was gone most of the day," Bertrand said ignoring the Count. Bertrand looked at the Dracula's thinking. "What about the last time he went in? You know when he fought his darker half?"
"No idea, the only person who would know is in the mirror right now. She never trusted any of us to confide that information. Trust is not something we have a lot of," Ingrid said. "Loyalty is for breathers. Isn't that right, father?"
"Quite right, Ingrid." The Count said. "So, Malik. What do we know?"
"Not much," Ingrid said.
"There is more to Malik and we need to be cautious." Bertrand said. "This distraction with Vlad and Erin, it's just that ...a distraction."
"Whatever are you talking about?" the Count asked.
"The level of threat, of malice. It has increased since Malik came here. We have been too ...entertained, by Vlad's little melodrama to pay much attention, but he is a threat to Vlad. Why can't any of you see it?"
"And I suppose you talked to our Chosen One? About this supposed threat?" Ingrid asked.
"I tired." Bertrand said. But Vlad had been too distracted by Erin and his own guilt to listen or to consider that anyone could seriously harm him thanks to Vlad's growing powers and discovery that he was now able to zone vampires and lock them away in crystal cages.
"And I take it he didn't listen to this nonsense either?" the Count said.
"Why won't you listen? You know more about the dangers to Vlad than any of us," Bertrand snarled at the Count. "This latest threat is all your doing."
"Because you have no proof that Malik is a threat." the Count countered.
"There is no proof he is a Dracula either." Ingrid said. "And we can't exactly use the mirror at the moment."
"Wait," Bertrand paused, thinking. "If Malik is your heir why didn't he turn up at his 16th birthday, and claim his power as a vampire?"
Ingrid turned on her father. "He has a point. Who was Malik's mother?"
"His mother Elizabeta was a powerful dark sorcerers. One of the things my brother permitted was for her to create her own mirror, using the power of her bloodline and our own. She must have used it with Malik."
"Wait, your brother?" Ingrid said. "You got your brother's wife pregnant?"
"It wasn't like that," the Count whined.
"Fine. Tell me how you become entangled with Malik's mother." Ingrid said sitting, legs crossed to stare at her father, cool and judgmental. Her father loved a good story and had a flair for the dramatics, but watching him fidget now, made Ingrid suppress a smile. She loved to watch him squirm.
"She was the wife of my older brother. He died. I assumed the title." The Count said simply.
"How?" Ingrid pressed.
"It is vampire law, the next in line has to marry the widow." Bertrand said.
"Did you love her? Arthur's wife?" Ingrid asked.
The Count shook his head. "No. But it was my duty to marry her."
"What about my mother?"
The Count seemed to sink into the shadows, lost in thought at moment. Ingrid watched him like a hawk. Then the Count spoke, almost with wistful longing. "There was only one vampiress for me, your mother. She was bewitching. But what can I say. Love is the sweetest poison."
"That doesn't explain how you ended up marrying Malik's mother. I mean what happened to your brother?"
"All right. I will tell you. Not that it matters. And if you breathe a word, I will not hesitate to kill you both." The Count snarled.
Bertrand and Ingrid exchanged a look but waited for the Count to continue.
"The party was in full swing. Tipsy I may have been, but I certainly wasn't drunk! Said I was embarrassing myself! Killjoy.
I mean, everyone loves the gavotte!"
"Arthur wasn't happy, I take it?" Ingrid said.
"No, he wasn't." The Count said in a dark voice. "Argh! He confiscated my goblet. So I decided to dine out. He was waiting for me on the battlements on my return. There was a scuffle. He lost his footing."
"But the fall itself wouldn't have killed him." Bertrand said.
"I didn't wait to find out." The Count said. "I returned to find Elizabeta grieving over his ashes. Apparently, he'd impaled himself on the fence. A wooden post staked right through his heart.
"That's one way of assuming the title." Ingrid said.
"And his wife." Bertrand added.
"Now my betrothed." The Count said, still sounding reproachful. The memory stung. But he had his duty. Father would not allow such a thin to pass and it was not as if he could pass it his younger brother.
"You had to bind blood with her?" Ingrid asked.
"It's vampiric law." The Count said. "I've never, never told a soul. I didn't realize I was responsible for Elizabeta being pregnant. That I would have a son."
"Why didn't you stay with Elizabeta?" Ingrid asked.
"We were not a good match, and once I met your mother. I cast her out." The Count said.
"No wonder Malik hates you." Ingrid said. And if their places has been reversed, would she have acted any differently?
"So it's revenge. Malik wants to take Vlad's legacy and claim his place as the head of the Dracula clan." Bertrand said. "But that doesn't explain his actions. Why not take more advantage of Vlad's distraction with Erin?"
"You tell us," the Count hissed. "What have you been doing while your star pupil was being led astray by that little half fang?"
"I have been conducting a sweep for insurgences. Smoke is the enemy of the shape shifter and it reveals their true form."
"Have you found anything?"
"Not yet, but that doesn't mean anything. Look I broke into Malik's room."
"Don't you think you're becoming a bit obsessed?" Ingrid asked. "Seeing enemies everywhere?"
"Enemies are everywhere. Vlad is the leader of our people." Bertrand said. "I would lay down my life for him."
"So you should," The Count said. "But what have you discovered? Any proof?"
"Hellfire Vaccaria. That was written in a book in Malik's room."
The Count blinked. He knew the name. "Elizabeta Vaccaria, she's Malik's mother."
"Yes. I looked up her name - she's still alive! Her birth is written, but there's no date of death in the records. Malik's lying."
"All vampires lie." Ingrid said.
"And we lie for gain." Bertrand corrected. "Malik? According to him, his mother was ashed during the uprisings of 1882. But she wasn't there."
"How do you know?"
"My records show that she was studying in Kerala. On the other side of the world. A pupil of Daralum."
"Who's Daralum?" Ingrid asked.
"I know." The Count said. "He was the only vampire to teach the dark arts of shapeshifting and Astral Projection."
"What is that?" Ingrid asked.
"An out-of-body experience. The ability to travel the world at the blink of an eye." Bertand answered as the Dracula's looked at him finally sensing the danger. "Exactly."
"So Malik's mum could literally be anywhere in the world." Ingrid said.
"Well this might narrow it down a bit." Bertrand said.
"What's a locket got to do with anything?" Ingrid asked.
"Who do you think this belonged to?" The Count said.
"Malik's mother." Bertrand said.
"So?" Ingrid asked.
"Vampires give off vibrations. It was how Vlad used the rings to find Erin. How Erin used the gems to find Adze.
That dark magic was stronger than a vampires own dark power. However, with Elizabeta, if even half of what I have read about Daralum and his followers, she should be pulsing with dark power. Easier to track. She will be giving off signals infinitesimal, like sound waves. They're absorbed by the real world. Walls, objects. It's just a question of tuning in."
"Like a sniffer dog? Hm." Ingrid said. "You're not as dumb as you look."
"Thanks for that," Bertrand said. "Now what are we going to do with Malik?"
"Play along." The Count said. "He's still my son. You can do what you can to protect Vlad but until he comes out that mirror there is really nothing that can be done."
"I can get close to him." Ingrid said.
"Why do you think he will believe you?" Bertrand asked.
"Please. I am better at this game than you will ever be. I can convince him. Beside he is going to be absolutely throwing himself at the Count trying to prove his birth right."
"Exactly. I may not have wanted him, but if he is indeed my son, well I will just have to think of a way to test that."
"What about Elizabeta?" Bertrand asked.
"That is your job. Until you can bring me proof that she is sulking around my home, Malik is the priority."
"Agreed." Bertrand said.
"I will see what I can do about this new son of mine," The Count said and disappeared up the stairs.
"Do you really think he will be of any help?" Ingrid asked Bertrand.
"We can only take what we get. Until Vlad comes out of the mirror we are on our own."
"Just the way I like it." Ingrid said and trailed after the Count.
Bertrand stood in the mirror room. The golden statues seemed to watch him with sightless eyes. Vlad was on his own. Still despite all his studies and all the oldest tombs that Bertrand had spent the centuries pouring over. He still was at a loss as to what to do next. Danger was lurking around every corner, but he still needed to convince Vlad of that. The Dracula Clan had been easy in comparison. With Erin in danger, there was no telling what would come out of the portal. Could this unleash some new nightmare? The sense of dread continued to grow. Bertrand shook himself. He had a job to do. Vlad would need him all too soon. He had to be ready. Back to the books. Vlad was on his own.