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.
The Dracula clan had spent the last handful of days waiting for Vlad to return. After the first night when Vlad did not return, the Count had given up his vigil. Ingrid had abandoned her waiting after an hour. But at times she wandered down to peer into the mirror. The golden gargoyles refused to let anyone near the glass. Malik didn't even bother. Renfield, had other duties but spent his days asleep nearby, just in case. Bertrand was the one who returned without fail. Having consulted his books, it was his duty to hold vigil and wait for the Chosen One's return. Bertrand had created an altar of sorts, in which he meditated trying to reach out with telepathy to Vlad. But so far nothing. The disturbances in the house had reduced and with Vlad gone, Bertrand had set aside his investigation. Bertrand had sent message to gather the oldest texts that explained the clan mirrors, hoping for some answer, but it would still be several days before the books could be delivered. Until then all he had, was waiting.
Just before dawn on the seventh day, the Count wandered into the room and found Bertrand in front of the mirror, legs crossed, eyes closed, waiting as he had been since the Count abandoned him. The Count investigated the mirror. The golden idols seemed to glare at him, but the Count made no move to touch the glass and they did not stop him from his investigation.
"Any change?" The Count asked.
Bertrand did not move but answered. "If there was, I would have called for you."
"How long do you think he will be in there?"
"I have no idea. No one has ever done this before." Bertrand said and opened his eyes as the Count turned to face him.
"Are you going to sit there all night, evening after evening?"
Bertrand lifted an eyebrow. "It is my duty..."
The Count waved his hand dismissing Bertrand's explanations. "I know. It's just..."
"You miss him."
"Is that so strange?"
"You are his father."
"Quite right." The Count spun away looking at the mirror again. "How will we know when he comes out?"
Bertrand shrugged. "We will know when we know."
The Count snorted. "Well, then, good day."
Betrend watched him leave. Picking himself up, it was tiring to wait. The bottled blood was sustaining him, but he longed to go hunting. Still he could not leave not until Vlad returned. Bertrand could feel the sun rising. He hated daybreak and began to retreat to his quarters, hearing Renfield return to the room and roll out his sleeping pad. The breather had his uses. It was better that he spends the day down here. Bertrand had debated bringing his coffin down but had decided against it. No one knew what would happen when Vlad stepped out of the mirror either with or without Erin. From what Ingrid had hinted at, when Vlad had been the one to do battle with his darker half and lose himself for a time, he had almost killed his clan. Still this was different, Vlad was stronger now. Still the loss of Erin had seemed to break him, even after he had turned her, things had been different with Vlad. The Chosen One was more reckless, lethal, and more vampire like. Which Bertrand was having a hard time deciding was a good thing or a bad thing?
Bertrand had hardly been in his coffin four hours when a chime like that of a low, dull bell rang through the stone walls, shaking the foundation. Once asleep for the day, it was difficult at best, unless the sun broke into a vampire's lair to wake them, but Bertrand was out of his coffin and on his feet in an instant. Looking around he felt the power begin to pulse in the air and he knew where he had to go. Running with vampire speed, he met with the Count. There they stood as the mirror glowed filling the room with a bright white light that the vampires had to shield themselves from. It died and the mirror's surface wavered. Ingrid, and Malik joined them as Renfield snorted and woke scrambling to his feet. All of them stared at the mirror.
Stepping out of the mirror, the golden statue bowed as Vlad turned to look at his family. Blood and gore covered his skin, his pants were in tatters. There his family stood, off next to the entrance, a safe distance away, and they were all staring at him. How long was I gone? Not that it mattered. However long, whatever had happened in his absence, it was worth it.
"Vladdy, you're back," The relief in the Count's voice seemed to send a shiver through Vlad. Without meeting his father's eyes Vlad turned and reached back. Resting his right hand on the empty glass of the mirror, Vlad willed his fingered to press back through the gate. Erin's hand slipped into his, interlocking their fingers. True to his training, Vlad helped her step from the mirror. The sound of her heartbeat, the smell of her breath and scent of her human skin filled the air. Erin looked almost as worse for wear as Vlad did. Vlad had left her his over shirt which was haphazardly buttoned. Erin had turned the sheet into a makeshift skirt of sorts leaving her legs and feet bare on the stone floor. Vlad wondered for a moment if she was cold, but Erin looked at him, her cheeks rosy with a soft smile and Vlad was lost in her eyes. Erin was the first to look away. Her eyes drifted past Vlad to the audience in the mirror room. Her left hand came up holding the stake and still she clasps Vlad's hand, daring those around her to challenge him.
Renfield stood his mouth agape as the Count, Bertrand, Malik, and Ingrid all wore the same look of shock. Erin glanced at them, pulling Vlad's shirt tighter around her. The blood still stained her skin and it had begun to itch. Absently mindedly she scratches and her fingernails, still sharp as a vampire's cut into her skin, a single drop of blood welled up for a moment though Erin did not feel it.
"You did it," Malik hissed low and under his breath.
No one moved. The only sounds were from Renfield and Erin as their breath filled the space. The smell of her blood was a perfume they seemed to call to all of them. Erin noticed that the vampire's eyes began to glow red and her fingers dug into the only weapon she had, the stake that the guardian had given her. Erin shifted her weight holding still to Vlad his right hand holding her left. The need to protect him, to protect herself was fresh like a burning desire to act which the Count could read in her stance.
"Vladimir, step away from her." the Count said, his voice low, with a quiver of fear.
That got Vlad's attention. He looked to his father; brow furrowed. "No."
"I would listen to your father," Bertrand said.
Vlad was even more confused. Rarely did Bertrand agree with Vlad's father especially when Vlad was in the room. Vlad had no doubts that his tutor was able to talk his way out of any situation that pitted Vlad against his father or vice versa, but this was different. Erin let go of Vlad's hand with a small squeeze and took a step back allowing Vlad to move forward if needed unencumbered by her embrace. Erin's eyes never stopped moving as she shifted her weight and waited.
"What is wrong?" Vlad asked.
"She's human, Vlad." Ingrid said.
Vlad's frown deepened. "Yes, that is why I went into the mirror."
"She is a Slayer, and you have just left in her care one of the oldest, most dangerous weapons in vampire history," Bertrand added gesturing to the stake.
Vlad spun back to look at Erin. She clutched the stake in her hand. Vlad noted that her stance was one that kept Erin on the balls of her feet as if ready to fight. The bearing like one ready for a fight. Vlad listened. Her heart was racing and even though her breath was steady he could almost smell her anxiety.
"Erin?" Vlad asked.
Erin's eyes shot to his. In that moment her face communicated all he needed to know. She was afraid. Not of him, but for him, for herself. Her eye contact lasted for a heartbeat and returned to their searching as if expecting one of the other vampires to attack.
"No one will harm you," Vlad said softy.
"Vlad..." Ingrid started and Vlad turned on his sister. "I said no one will harm her. She is mine!"
Ingrid snarled back and before Vlad could move, Erin was on Ingrid, throwing the vamp into the wall, pinning her arm down with the stake raised.
"Erin! No!" Vlad shouted. Erin thankfully stopped.
"Apologize." Erin hissed.
"What?" Ingrid said eyes wide, frightened and confused. How had a breather moved so quickly? Granted not as fast as a vampire but the surprise of the attack had left Ingrid open. Ingrid felt the steel of Erin's grip as the stake pressed into her back, edging slowly between her fourth and fifth rib.
"I said, apologize." Erin growled. "He is your king; you owe him your respect; your life."
"Erin, you don't need to do this..." Vlad started to say but Bertrand stopped him.
"Wait. She is right. Vlad let her do this." Bertrand said. Even the Count was speechless. Renfield remained as small as he could crammed in a corner.
"I'm... sorry." Ingrid spat. Erin pressed her harder.
"Know this. I am loyal to Vlad. If you come at him, I will do to you what I did to Adze and unlike before, I no longer have reservations about killing."
Ingrid nodded. "Understood."
Erin let her up and took a step back, still ready, still expecting an attack. Ingrid moved slowly sensing how ready the Slayer was to end her life. The glare she shot Erin held anger, but also fear. Vlad could see that as could everyone else. Erin continued to hold her stance loose and ready with the stake easily visible a threat. Malik moved to Ingrid's back as if to offer support and she brushed him off. Vlad thought he might have seen hurt flash behind Malik's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by the same arrogant smirk Vlad knew all too well.
"Erin?" Vlad asked.
"I'm ok," Erin said.
"What was that?" Vlad asked.
Erin looked confused. "She threatened you."
"She always threatens me, it means little." Vlad said.
"It means everything," Erin said.
Vlad blinked. Erin was different. Yes, she was human, but something was different.
"What is wrong with you?" Vlad asked. "This is not like you."
It was Erin's turn to frown. She looked at Vlad, then down at the stake in her hand. "I am not sure."
Erin's eyes bolted back to his, there was something behind them that Vlad felt as if his blood grew cold. He was so tired, but Vlad knew he had to deal with this.
"Vlad, if I may," Bertrand said coming forward. In response Erin turned her body to face him as if preparing for an attack, but Bertrand noted that this time she put herself between him and Vlad. Bertrand raised his hand palm up in surrender. "I mean you no harm. I have always supported Vlad. You know that. He is the Chosen One."
Erin nodded and relaxed a bit. Bertrand continued.
"The stake in your hand is the weapon of Merovech a great king called Marwig that means 'famed fighter' who was a slayer in 434 as part of the Germanic tribes. He was said to have slayed entire vampire high born households due to his weapon a spear made of the silver blessed by an angel to destroy the demons plaguing the lands of his Frankish tribe. When he was killed, the relic was lost."
"And we found it." Vlad said. He remembered the guardian giving it to him, to kill Erin, to fulfill her wish for death before she changed her mind. Vlad had known it was a powerful relic when he had held it, but he had no idea it was that old or that powerful.
Bertrand continued. "Any Slayer said to bear that weapon, will be undefeated by any vampire the slayer might face."
Ingrid's eyes went wide, and she looked at her father. He was watching Erin and Vlad. He too had recognized the weapon.
"How did you get such a thing?" The Count asked Erin.
Erin shot a look at Vlad. He answered. "I was given it, in the mirror reteam."
"And you gave it to her?" Ingrid sputtered.
"Quiet." The count barked. "Why were you given that stake?"
"I was going to end Erin's life, as she asked. But then, we found another way. The guardian, let us keep it." Vlad opened his hand. Erin looked at him. Carefully she handed him the stake. Vlad held it up for Bertrand to examine.
"Exquisite." He said. "You should keep it."
Vlad was suddenly tired. He handed the stake back to Erin. "For her protection."
"You don't trust us." the Count said.
"No. Not right now." Vlad suddenly felt the weariness of the whole ordeal all at once. His bones hurt. He wanted to sleep. The sun was up and still they were awake. "We are tired."
"Understandable," Bertrand said. "But you must tell us about what happened in the mirror realm."
"Later." Vlad just wanted to get something to eat and a shower then to bed. But he had duties. He had to see to Erin. She was not acting like herself. Hell, what did I expect? She died, became a vampire, almost died a second time only to return to human. That has got to be what is wrong. Vlad tried to assure himself. He didn't want to think that something worse was happening to Erin. Hadn't he put her through enough?
"Vlad. What have you done?" Ingrid whispered. "She can't be human."
Vlad held Ingrid's gaze and Erin wrapped herself around him. There was something soothing and empowering in her touch. Vlad stroked Erin's hair, but continued to face his family. "I know you can smell her, hear her breath, and the thunderous beat of her heart. She is human, Ingrid."
"What she did to me just now was not something a human could do, not even a Slayer. She is something more."
Bertrand was thinking. There was something itching in the back of his mind as he looked at Erin, watched her movements. Vlad seemed to relax as he touched her, gain strength both of mind and body and fortitude in Erin's arms. Slowly it began to dawn on the tutor.
"It's not possible." Bertrand whispered. He circled Erin and Vlad. Erin forced her head up to watch the vampire. "Can I examine her?"
Erin looked at Vlad. Vlad stared into her eyes; he didn't want to let her go but even he had to admit something was different.
"You won't harm her." It was not a question.
"On my honor, you have my word." Bertrand said.
"Erin, please..." Said and turned her to his tutor and took back the stake. Bertrand held out his hand. "May I see your wrist?"
Erin placed her hand in his. "What are you going to do?"
Bertrand bent, and gently placed her wrist to his mouth. Caressing her skin with his tongue, Erin looked as if she wanted to strike him, but held firm. Bertrand did not bite her, but instead used his tongue to taste her pulse. His eyes went black. Looking up at Erin, his eyes met hers and the weight in them was filled with power, that was not her own. Vlad felt it too. He felt as if his will was pouring into her, reaching out, Vlad took Erin by the shoulders and under the weight of her gaze, Bertrand was pushed down to his knees to kneel in front of her, hands still holding her wrist, eyes dark. He released her. Still she held him with her gaze. Vlad stepped back watching.
"How is she doing that?" Renfield asked.
"I do not know," The Count said.
Bertrand's hand shot out. Erin blocked him. Each blow came faster and faster. Still Erin blocked him. Bertrand's eyes black held only concentration, Erin held him, moving in time, like a dance. She tracked him and they were almost evenly matched. Bertrand growled. Erin closed her eyes as the vampire spun around her faster than a human eye could follow. Then she struck out, blind save for the power only she and Vlad could feel. The blow connected in Bertrand's solar plexus knocking him to the ground and prone on his back.
"Stop!" Vlad ordered.
Erin rose to straighten and opened her eyes.
"How did you do that?" Vlad asked.
"I'm not sure..." Erin whispered.
"That is impossible!" Malik growled. "How can a human move like that?"
"I don't know," Ingrid said. "She wasn't even able to see him."
Bertrand coughed and got to his feet. "She didn't need to be able to see me, because Vlad could."
"What was that?" The Count asked.
"A test, and if I am right. Erin is Vlad's Servus Sodalis."
"My what?" Vlad asked.
"You are an idiot." Ingrid said. "Didn't you just see how she moved. She's more than human."
"She's a human servant," Bertrand said. He was not happy as he crossed his arms to watch Vlad and Erin. Neither denied it. Never answer the accusation.
"Oh, like me," Renfield said with a sappy smile.
"Not like you," Bertrand corrected. "You serve the Dracula's in the hope that one day the Count will bite you, turn you into a vampire. Erin," Bertrand again turned to look her up and down. "She is something more."
"But this is ridiculous," The Count said. "There hasn't been a Servus Sodalis in-"
"A thousand years," Bertrand finished. "And yet here she is."
"How can you be sure?" the Count asked.
"I felt Vlad's power in her eyes when I tasted her pulse. She is human, but Ingrid is right. She is more than human now."
"What the hell does that even mean?" Ingrid asked. No one answered for a moment. "Vlad, care to weigh in? I mean this is your creation."
Instead of answering Vlad drew Erin into his arms, holding her as if he was ignoring the world. Erin continued to remain silent. Wide eyes watched the vampires, but her arms were wrapped around Vlad as she couldn't bear to let go of him. Vlad continued to stroke her finding bare skin under the shirt. Being with her, whatever he had done to her, was worth it. He didn't care what label Bertrand used. This was his Erin. She was human again. Her heart beating steady under her skin. It was intoxicating and Vlad began to realize how fatigued he was as the world around him seemed fuzzy.
"Are they even listening to us?" Malik snarled and stormed over to his brother.
"I wouldn't do that-" Bertrand said, but it was too late. Malik seemed to hit a wall and was tossed across the room.
"What the hell was that?" Ingrid asked.
"Force field. When they are together, it just sorts of happens." Bertrand explained. "At least that was the legend I read."
Seeing Malik tossed aside seemed to wake something in Vlad. He made a decided effort to step away from Erin. She let him. Eyes watching him waiting for the next step he was to make and yet she seemed to be pleading to run away with her. Not in words but Vlad could almost sense that was what she was silently asking him without words.
"Explain Bertrand," Vlad said. "But after that we must retired." Vlad shook his head. "What time is it?"
"A little past noon," Renfield said. The older man had several things in his arms and Vlad could not remember when Renfield had found time to grab clothing.
"Master, here." Renfield said and offered up the coat. Holding it, he helped Vlad shrug it on, covering most of the carnage under the cloth. Vlad took the cloak and wrapped it around Erin.
"Fine, she's his human servant, what does that mean?" Malik said pulling himself up. "Is this another power? Another way he proves that he is the Chosen One?"
"It means Vlad has given her half his power." Bertrand said.
"He what!?" the Count snarled.
"Vlad made her human but at the same time he has tied himself to her. Erin will not age if Vlad lives. She had accelerated healing and increased strength speed. She can walk in the sun, have human children, but she will forever be connected to Vlad. Vlad in turn is stronger when she is near him."
"Great," Ingrid huffed.
Bertrand continued. "Old legends spoke of Vampire kings would use their human vassals to wander the land and keep the peace. In time, Vlad will learn that Erin has become his eyes and ears during the daylight hours, and that she can become his voice; he will be able to usher commands through her and share his powers to control his people."
Vlad watched Bertrand who stared back at him in awe. This was not what I wanted. Vlad clutched Erin closer. She wasn't saying anything, but she was listening. If Erin had not been at his side would she have thought this was just another ploy to gain power. From the look that spread across his father's face, Vlad knew that the Count certainly did.
The Count has a smile he could not contain. "I knew that girl was going to be useful one day. Way to go Vladdy."
"He's not even listening to you." Ingrid said.
"Of, course. He is tired. Look at them. Renfield!" The Count shouted.
"Yes, Master?"
"Draw a bath for Vlad and help them get cleaned up."
"Right away, Master."
Vlad looked at his father. Vlad was too tired to fight. A bath sounded wonderful. There was still so much he didn't know but that could wait. Bertrand obviously wanted to talk but Vlad waved him off. Leaning over he touched Erin's chin and she looked up at him.
"Ready?" Vlad asked.
Erin nodded. Together they headed upstairs followed by the Count and Bertrand, leaving Ingrid and Malik to plot. Erin didn't care what the vampire thought. All she wanted was to get out of that room, get out of the stone walls and if possible, into the sun. Her silence was something she had been willing to capitulate so that she could leave. But Bertrand's words echoed in her mind. Servus Sodalis. That was what she was now. Still human, but supernatural at the same time. she had never been normal, being born into the life of a Slayer, but at least, she could pretend once upon a time. But now, as she let Vlad lead her up the stairs to the kitchen, Erin could not lie to herself. This power, whatever it was, it gave her skills and talents she could only dream of when she was a slayer. Now she felt for the first time on equal footing with the supernatural world. Now she could make a difference standing beside Vlad as his equal and not just someone for him to protect. Erin felt a tired smile creep across her face. For the first time she had hope that what they fought for could be achieved.