A/N: You know, I love reviews where I get comments on things that I do well, but I know that my work could have been a little better. I couldn't believe that I closed the first chapter like I did, and no one noticed that I kind of left off part of the ending. So as a warning, I will finish the chapter to make it a little more complete sounding, and I will re-upload that chapter, which will hopefully be better.
In the meantime, I still want reviews, whenever possible. The threat still stands! Don't force me to punish you by keeping my story to myself!
Oh! By the way, I am going to attempt to share P.O.V. in this story, to make sure you do not get confused. From now on, I will tell you who is speaking with some slight indication (Name at the start of a change in P.O.V, ect.). Some of you have already noticed, and I apologize for informing you so late.
Those of you that are constantly reviewing and are being ever so patient with me, THANK YOU SOO MUCH! I especially like my chapter quotes, Charmes Malheureux, Evanece! I never thought that someone would appreciate my attempts at keeping Dracula in character. Also, a great deal of thanks also goes to Aleera13 and Ron's Sexy Girly 750. It helps to know that my work is appreciated!
Chapter Three A Cheerful Visit
In Dracula's Castle…I was deeply engrossed in R.I. Penwell's novel, and failed to notice Israel walk in with a large wineglass filled to the brim with a mix of an aged looking crimson colored fluid. I took a whiff, and a strong smell came through my nostrils. I frowned, and said, "Israel, I did not mean a pina colada with a hint of blood, I said a glass of O positive blood with a hint of pina colada!"
Israel wobbled in, the glass tipping dangerously on the serving tray. His ranking breath now ranked with the same, strong, smell as what the unusual cocktail had possessed. He hiccupped and laid the tray on the side table. 'Master I couldn't help-' hiccup 'I mean, it smelled so good, I-' hiccup 'decided that I wanted a small taste of it. Here is the-' hiccup 'address and full name you had asked for,' he completed with one final hiccup. I took it from his hands, and turned back to R.I. Penwell's masterpiece.
"One more thing Israel, and you must go and sleep off the alcohol before you enter my presence again," I said with a dangerous smile.
'What-' hiccup 'sir?' Israel gurgled out, as I beckoned him closer. He brought his furry snout close, waiting for a whisper that I knew would never come…
SMACK! My hand sent him spiraling back, and he landed with a BAM on his poor bottom. He whimpered and rubbed his face, suddenly sober again.
"Let that teach you to never again disobey my orders. Next time, it will be your neck and not your cheek and your bottom," I said, suddenly pausing to find that I was on the last paragraph of her lovely novel.
"I realized that not all the time that the things that I cared about I had all along. Going through Hell had not only proved to me that love is forever and forgiving. I realized that my dear vampire love had cared so much for me; he was willing to sacrifice himself, in return for the reaper to give my soul back to me, along with my humanity. And I was willing to go through Hell to reclaim his. Even though I failed, I knew that I never had completely failed. Our love survived us, and we were now together, in paradise. So I guess Rest in Peace could go more than one way, especially if you R.I.P. what you sow. My father used to tell me; "If you sow the seeds of hate and malice, you get nothing but malice and hate in return." I think I did sow those bad seeds, but yet, father was proved wrong yet again. I reaped forgiveness and love, while I deserved the opposite response. Mercy…Peace…Patience… The three key words for the rest of my life…"
"Israel?" I asked, shocked for the ending I had now finished reading, and how it had just seemed to drop off.
"Yes master?"
"Alert every vampire you know of this book; I want it to be the most popular book in Transylvania," I said, rising to my feet.
"Yessir. Will do, master," Israel said, hopping out the window to alert everyone he knew of Miss Rona Isabella Penwell's novel
Then, I turned to the open window, and rose in my vampire form to meet the eager night sky. She was going to get a call, a personal call that I normally did not do…And I would be coming home with a new resident of Castle Dracula…
Rona Isabella Penwell
Work had been Hell today. Every dim-witted dunderhead with a mind to get in the way was there at the shop wanting an autograph from me. I couldn't stand it anymore, and decided to close at five instead of six. I came home, did my housework, got a relaxing bath, and settled into my chair with a creamy mug of hot chocolate.
Once settled in my big red leather chair, I found solace in my cup of hot chocolate. It had gotten quite foggy and stormy outside, so I decided that the situation called for the hot, steamy, freshly brewed drink. I preferred it much more to coffee of any kind, and enjoyed it more when curled up in my chair with a blanket and a book.
I had barely slipped off into sleep when I felt a draft in the window. "What's that from? I thought I closed the door before settling down to relax?" I said to myself, restlessly. I then fell back into a catnap, when I felt another draft, and felt as if I wasn't alone.
"Hello Miss Penwell…I did not realize that you would have closed the shop so early…" The man said, with a small chuckle. The mysterious man from the other day had managed to sneak into my house!
My eyes snapped open. "Excuse me, but it is very rude and impolite to enter someone's house without the owner first entreating you to come in first!"
"You would have made me begin to believe that you had already invited me in without knowing that you did, Rona. Your stories have cried out to me in a pain that only I can soothe by talking to you…"
"Whoa, when did I actually say I wanted you to come into my house in the middle of the night? And since when did I ask for a stalker? I am not interested in a man; and I have no intention of getting married whatsoever. So go away, I don't need you around," I said while raising myself to my feet.
He grinned, and said, "Maybe you did not ask for an admirer physically, and maybe you don't need one, but I sense that you are deceitful to yourself," and as he walked over to meet my gaze, I flinched back.
"Stay away from me, I do not trust you right at this moment," I said, but he advanced. His coat seemed to flutter with his movements, as did my heart.
" I would have expected more from such a bold writer of my kind, and our habits," He said, advancing one more step.
"What exactly do you mean by that, sir?" I asked, full of curiosity and intrigue. He managed to get close enough that I could feel his breath on my chest.
"I am implying that I enjoyed very much the way you wrote about my kind. You have managed to somehow capture my heart, and remind me of my experiences as a fledgling. I want more, only I want you to write my history this time around, as a sequel…" He said pulling a piece of stray hair out of my eyes. I was mesmerized for a moment, and then I turned away.
"You are an intellectual person, how could you not write your own story?" I asked.
"I will not write my own story, because I am outdated. My style of writing is molded into a style of old. You, and your style of writing are fresh, new, and a different voice to an old story. Have you not noticed the many people requesting autographs?"
"Well, yes but-"
"Then you must realize that your style of writing draws people in. That is why I have invited you to stay at Castle Dracula, so that you can write this sequel in my presence."
"What if I happen to decline this invitation of yours?"
"I would knock you out, drag you by your toes, and fly out the window with you anyway. It would be much easier to your health and well being if you would be wise and not decline the invitation. I would not be forced to carry out said plan if you would comply. However it does not matter to me, you shall come either way, " He said with a shrug of his shoulders.
"How can you be so sure I will come?" I dared to venture defiantly.
"I will not delve into something like that, to keep your innocence innocent. I don't want to inconvenience you by frightening you with tales of a vampire," He said dangerously.
I snorted. " Surely you don't want me to believe the old myths of vampires do you?"
"Who said that vampires were myths, my dear Rona?" He asked with a gleam in his eyes. Then I couldn't move, after being spooked. He was serious, but now I knew why. And now I knew why I felt that way about him. He was a vampire.
"Where are my manners? Allow me to introduce myself. I am Count Vladislaus Drakul, otherwise known as Count Dracula."
This introduction would have sent my skin crawling in the opposite direction of my body, that is, if it had been able to move at all. So I just stood there speechless, and looked at him.
"What is the matter, child?" He asked with a short pause, "Vampire have your tongue?"