VII

Diary Entry – Arthur Holmwood23 September

My God, what have I done? I'm tearing myself apart with my own jealousy, and I'm killing Lucy. She's gone to the ER now. I would be there with her, but John sent me home. The last I saw of her were IV tubes and a breathing mask.

We fought today, over that mark on her neck. I guess if it had faded I would have been able to get over this, but every time I see her it glares at me brighter and brighter. She claimed not to have noticed it, though she spends probably an hour a day in front of a mirror.

I blame myself. I lost my temper. I saw her getting upset, and I kept on talking, even when she asked me to stop. I cornered her, and she tried to leave the room and passed out. I could barely feel a pulse when I checked, so I called the ambulance. I kept hoping she would wake up in the mean time. John said he would call me as soon as she woke up, but it's been twelve hours.

Diary Entry – John Seward24 September (Voice Recording)

Lucy's stable, but she's still unconscious. The doctors are a bit mystified by her condition, which is simply excessive blood loss, though really there's nothing simple about it. The wound on her neck may possibly be from an animal, but why there wasn't more damage to her throat they can't tell. Nor can I. The punctures are too deep for bug bites if that is where the blood loss occurred. There's no other visible trauma, and the test results so far are all thankfully negative. There are more tests yet, so we should know by morning. Her body is reacting positively so far to the donor blood.

Arthur, on the other hand, is his own issue. He couldn't seem to control himself yesterday at the hospital. His mood kept switching from panic to anger to a sort of melancholy. What explanation I could get from him was merely that he'd yelled at her and she fainted. I would imagine he blames himself for her condition. I sent him home. He was just getting in the way and causing a fuss. I've never seen him act like that before. I'll call him later to speak with him.

Renfield has been quiet as of late, more his usual self, though I'm still suspicious as he won't speak of recent events. It is as though to him they don't exist. He's denied a week of his life ever happened, and while I would expect this from some patients, his condition perplexes me. He claims to not remember his trip abroad beyond meeting his client, though even that description is sketchy. He changes his mind as to when his memory ceases and when it is crystal clear. He spoke often of a promise and an oath when he was initially admitted. He never elaborated, and claims in the next breath to not know anything of a promise. He is doing the same thing now. It's difficult to sort through what are lies and what is truth with him.

Voice Recording – John Seward to Abraham Van Helsing25 September

Abraham, I'm sorry to call you at such an hour. Lucy is dead. I haven't told Arthur yet. She was taken in yesterday morning for blood loss. They gave her a transfusion and ran every test they could. The night watch found her a few moments ago.

Abraham, there's no medical reason for her to be dead. I have to tell Arthur.

When you get this, please, call me.

Diary – Arthur Holmwood 25 September

They can't tell me why. Why so suddenly… she was fine… and Abraham, with his ridiculous superstitions. I can't believe… Why, Lucy? Can you ever forgive me?

Mina sat on the edge of her bed, holding the old bear against her stomach. The night was wearing on, the strong moon pulling her heart with the tide, wishing her spirit away to wait for the dawn. She could not feel. Not pain, nor fear, nor joy at the sight of her once-dead friend. The woman before her was not dead, and so no need for feeling existed.

She heard her name called softly near her ear, the whispering breath teasing her hair and ticking her neck. At the touch of a hand on her cheek she turned to the woman next to her.

'Mina,' Lucy said. 'You went somewhere.'

Mina turned away, silently willing the woman to leave her be. 'I'm tired.'

Lucy smiled, petting her friend's dark hair and idly braiding bits between her fingers. 'I know you are, dear.'

Mina sighed, stretching her neck to look out through the glass at the pale moon. She shivered at the could fingers stroking her neck. 'It's time you forget the past and move on, Mina,' Lucy said softly.

Mina pulled away, standing and glancing at the door. 'Please, Lucy, I'd like to rest.'

Lucy rose with her, reaching out to be dodged by the younger woman. 'Mina, I know your pain.'

Mina's fingers clenched around the bear's coarse fur. 'You know nothing, Lucy. Please, leave me alone,' she whispered.

Lucy's long fingers curled through Mina's hair as she continued to reach for her friend. When she reached for Mina's cheek the younger woman had no slack with which to pull away and was forced to meet Lucy's eyes. In the dim room she could see little but shadowy outlines and the pale glow of skin against the dark walls, but Lucy's eyes shown with a light seemingly without origin.

'Don't send me away, Mina,' Lucy begged, her voice thin and desperate. She cupped Mina's jaw and pressed their foreheads together. 'Please, just let me stay a moment longer.'

Mina closed her eyes, Lucy's fingers gently massaging the base of her skull, gently kissing away the built up pain hiding beneath her skin. Her mind let go of gravity and flew with the night, soaring ever closer to unconsciousness, but never reaching the desired haven. She wanted to lay down, to relieve her muscles from supporting her, and then suddenly she no longer felt the need to support herself. Her body swayed without her control, falling easily into Lucy's arms as they encircled her narrow waist.

Lucy brushed her fingers over Mina's neck, pushing the thin strands away to bare the pale flesh beneath. Beneath her fingers drummed the beat of Mina's heart, pulsing against its thin shield. Lucy parted her lips, placing a soft kiss on her friend's neck before bearing her fangs.

'Stop.'

Lucy pulled quickly away, turning to the source of the voice. Dracula stood in the open door, his eyes fixed on his child's. Lucy returned her gaze briefly to the young woman in her arms, to the gentle drum of blood flowing under her skin. Her eyes brightened as instinct dominated obedience.

In seconds Dracula's sharp nails dug into her own neck below her jaw, threatening the source of her own powers and holding her immobile. He spoke near her ear, his voice low and threatening. 'She is not yours to take.'

When her master released her, Lucy let Mina fall from her arms and fled Dracula's threatening glare. The elder vampire caught Mina as she fell, ignoring Lucy's flight from the house. Lifting her from the ground, the count cradled her to his chest, softly stroking her brow.

'Mina,' he called softly.

She stirred only slightly, holding herself away from time in the comfortable void Lucy had cast her to. She felt warm despite the cold hands stroking her. The bear fell unheeded from her lax fingers. She wanted to stay like this.

'Mina, come back to me,' Dracula ordered, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. He laid her down softly on the bed, sitting next to her.

Mina opened her eyes, returning in part, but leaving what she could in that warm plane. She stared blankly at him, past him, her eyes vacant.

'Come back, Mina,' Dracula ordered again, passing his fingers across her vision with his caress.

Mina felt herself pulled from her warm nest and gasped, looking up at the man above her. 'How did-'

'You left the door open,' Voivode answered quietly.

Mina's brow furrowed, looking at the open door to the bedroom. 'Lucy,' she cried suddenly, sitting up.

'Shh, Mina,' the count whispered, gently pushing her shoulders back down and caressing her face. Mina looked up at him, her thoughts confused and scattered. She was tired, and wanted to return to the warm darkness, but the dark figure above her held her eyes as he pet her softly.

Mina let herself relax into his hands, breathing in deeply the scent of the night, cold wind and light mist. She sighed and closed her eyes, capturing his hand in hers and lightly brushing her lips against the palm. Dracula smiled, turning her face toward him with a finger under her chin, closing the gap between them and pausing with his lips over hers before he kissed her softly.

Dracula pulled her consciousness back as she began to drift away before him. He sat straight and watched her eyes open slowly, looking at him clearly for the first time since he had entered. She sat up next to him and stared, unable to pull her eyes from him. Less entranced than revived, Mina felt more than just pain for the first time in months. The night that had drained her of all spirit suddenly gave it back, as if the man before her stood as a shield between her and the moon's pull.

'Why did you come here?' she asked.

Voivode met her dark eyes with his own, watching the life revive in them. 'I know how hard it is to pass a night like this alone,' he answered.

She studied him a moment longer before looking away, her cheeks flushing as a shy smile pulled at her lips.

'What?' the Count asked, his hand on her arm.

Mina shook her head, her answer coming out in almost a whisper. 'It's just, no one ever kissed me before.'

Dracula's smile softened and he put a finger on her cheek, pulling her eyes to meet his for a brief moment before kissing her again, the hand on her shoulder moving up and gently massaging the muscles at the back of her neck. Mina's heart pounded, her insides fluttering as his hands massaged her while their lips met. His cold hands stroking her skin and the play of his lips over hers enlivened her in a way she could not remember feeling. All thoughts of sorrow and night fled, the moment of their being everything as he laid her back onto her bed, cushioned among the blankets and pillows.