Chapter 3 - To Understand Me

Catalina POV

Standing by the window, gazing into the bustling streets of Venice, I was careful to avoid the sunlight that pooled nearby. Closing my eyes, I sighed sadly, remembering the warmth it had offered through the cold days of my human life, before my brother cursed us both with his selfish fear of death.

The soft shutting of the door alerted me to Lena's presence. "How is he? Will he see me?" My soft murmur reached her easily. She stood in the pool of sun, absorbing the warmth, though careful not to reflect it on me. While my tolerance of holier things was better than Dracula's, I was still a vampire. As much as I hated that fact, I could not change it.

Lena's gentle exhale and warm grasp of my hand brought me back from my thoughts. "He will see you. I do not think he understands, Catalina." Smiling sadly as she squeezed my hand, she spoke once more. "I do not think any of them understand. Even as you are, I cannot be afraid of you, and can only see you as a sisterly friend." I blinked back tears, touched, but also sorry for putting her through the effort of speaking in rough English around me.

Pulling away from her, I crossed my arms protectively over my shoulders and waist. Walking into the path of the sun, I let my skin resist before it gently burned away. Before any major damage was done, I stepped into the shadows. My long black hair brushed my waist, blending in easily enough with the blood-red gown I wore. The white gloves covering my hands reminded me of Anna during Dracula's ball... the one time since our confrontation that I had seen him. It had been a bitter meeting, yet filled with sweet reminders. I remembered his loyalty to our family and his tenderness as a brother. I found myself repeating one of his favorite phrases.

"Il sangue non รจ acqua. Blood is thicker than water." Turning, I felt my skin heal as Lena looked at me, sadness in her face. "To him, I am water. Lena, I cannot change what I have become, but I may try to save your brother. I am not the same as Vladislaus. Though I bear the symbol of my family, I am not his copy." Letting a single tear escape down my face, tinged with scarlet, I whispered into the silent room. "I am poisoned water, Lena."

Closing my eyes entirely, I heard the Italian princess approach before her warm arms enveloped me in a hug. Blinking my lashes open, I observed our differences. Golden hair stood out against my black locks. Wrapping my own arms carefully around her, I could smell her scent; roses and honey. Her pulse was steady, albeit slightly quicker than usual. It was only to be expected... she was within biting distance of humanity's worst enemy: a vampire.

"Oh Catalina... Cat, you are not poisonous. If you were, then I would be dead." Lena dropped all pretenses of formal princess behavior, using the pet name she had for me. "You are my dear friend. You are the closest I will ever have to a sister, and you are nothing like your brother." Pulling back to smile warmly at me, her green eyes glittered. "Now, I believe that Giovanni is expecting you, Catalina." She noticed my downcast eyes and lifted my chin with a finger. "Take your time. I know he'll come around."

Embracing my friend gently, I breathed in her scent one final time before stepping away, smiling hesitantly. "Good things come to those who wait, I am told..." Lena grinned encouragingly at me and tilted her head sweetly. "I will see your brother now. I promise you, I will save him."

Taking an unnecessary deep breath, I knocked lightly on the sick-room door, calling out to the Prince. "Prince Giovanni... I am coming in. I am Catalina Dracula, my Lord, come to see you." I knew that he was aware of my position and my name, but it was courtesy to inform him of my identity. A cough echoed through the room, along with some rustling. He was moving about slightly. I only prayed that he would be more... calm ...than last time.

Even as I entered the room, I knew that he was no more accustomed to my presence and nature than last time. Propped against his headboard, the skilled prince threw a series of knives. The first three I caught and dropped to the floor carefully, but the last two caught me by surprise. Thrown at the same time, the first cut deeply into my left arm, pinning me to the wall. The second was no more than an inch from my heart. One more unit to the left... Smiling sadly and casting my eyes downward, I pulled the dagger from my arm, letting the cut heal quickly.

Not bothering to take the knife from my chest, I collected the knives from the floor and placed them neatly in their appointed drawer. Gripping the last hilt, still embedded in my bosom, I braced for the sharp pain and tugged it out. The wound took longer than before to heal, and I knew it was due to the time between my feedings. Placing the last family dagger in its case, I turned and curtsied to my sickly host. "Hello, Giovanni. I am glad to see you too."

Hello, everyone. Me again. :)

I hope you liked the chapter. I know it's been a while, but I'm having a field day (field night?). I plan to update quite a few of my stories tonight, and I hope that this chapter met your expectations. I must say, I enjoy writing from a vampire's perspective... Catalina/Cat is a very interesting character to me. I connect strongly with her.

Anyway, I hope that you will forgive me for the long waiting time between updates on ALL of my stories, and I am glad that you have stayed with me to read this far. :D It means a lot! Please drop a review and tell me what you think.

Ai ~

Atarashii Tanjou