Yes…This chapter is very late…very very late. Ok, it's so late it's not even funny. Some things came up and I simply did not have the time to write or I could not write. I'll try to post another chapter soon to make up for it.

Ch7

Dracula glance at Amira sideways to see her mouth hanging open. He stepped on her foot in order to make her shut her mouth. Amira glared at Dracula, he had stepped on her foot quite hard and she knew he did it on purpose. She couldn't keep her eyes away from the person in front of her for long though. Zane was the oddest person she had ever seen. The first thing she noticed about Zane was the collection of brilliantly shiny bracelets that dangled from his thin, pale arms. They glinted off the firelight and made her nearly have to squint. Her eyes traveled from his bracelets up to his face. He looked absolutely ancient; he had so many creases on his face you could barely see any of his other facial features. He had a wide smile painted across his face that showed that he only had three teeth. His hair was thin and white but also quite long, it reached past his shoulders. His small eyes were a dark brown color, so dark it almost looked to be black. She could tell that they held an infinite amount of wisdom and knowledge. The old man's choice of clothing could be called no less than strange. He was wearing a white tunic with green embroidery around the hems. A leather belt held the tunic in place. Amira could not imagine how Zane traveled here without attracting too much attention.

"Zane!" Dracula exclaimed. "So good to see you!" Dracula bowed politely and nudged Amira to curtsy. She curtsied elegantly before continuing her examination of Zane.

"Good to see you too, old friend." Zane replied. "And who is this young lady you have with you?"

"This is my…guest, Amira." Dracula replied. Amira kept a smooth face though she was truly puzzled. First I'm his slave and now I'm his guest? She shot a glance at Dracula who was ignoring her.

"Pleasure to me you My Lord Zane." She said courteously. Zane's grin dropped quite suddenly as was replaced by a small frown. Amira was even more puzzled by this change in expression. Did I do something wrong?

Zane mouthed Amira's name and mumbled something under his breath. Amira began to get nervous. Zane stared at her before directing his stare to Dracula who raised an eyebrow questioningly at him. An awkward silence filled the air as the three of them just stood there.

"Vladislaus, may I speak to you in private?" Zane inquired. There was a dangerous gleam in his brown eyes as he looked pointedly at Amira. Dracula and Zane exchanged brief glances before both of them disappeared without warning. Amira jumped in surprise. She frowned at the spots where the two men had been standing just a moment ago before stalking off to her room. She was not quite sure she liked this Zane character.

Both Zane and Dracula reappeared in Dracula's personal chambers. Zane was contorted in fury which made Dracula puzzled. He had no idea what had was wrong. "What is it, Zane?" Dracula questioned.

"What is it? What is it!" Zane nearly shouted. "I told you not to kidnap the girl! Why do you always have to do this? Did I not say that the last Valerious would be the death of you one century ago?" He demanded.

"Yes but you also said that I would have to fall in love with her." He replied calmly. "Which I highly doubt that I will."

"Are you so certain?" Zane hissed. "You said the same thing five hundred years ago about Annaiya but you ended up falling in love with her in the end." Dracula gained a pained look in his eyes at the mention of his first bride, Annaiya.

"I will not fall in love with Amira." Dracula replied quietly. "She is just fun to toy with. In three weeks when she is of age I will make her my bride and that will be that." Dracula turned away from Zane to stare at the vast grassy landscape shown through the large window in his room.

"Must you always be so stubborn? All you need to do is take her out of your castle and back to her home. When she awakes she will either think it was all just a very vivid dream and even if she doesn't no one will believe her. All your problems will be resolved."

"I am not being stubborn." Dracula replied shortly. "Amira is a beautiful young lady. I want her as my bride." He began to pace the room. "I need to feed. Watch Amira for me please." He spun around and stared Zane hard in the eyes. "If she somehow escapes all blame will go to you. I will not be happy." Without another word he disappeared. Zane shook his head slowly and left the room.

Before long Amira grew hungry and left her rooms. She stalked off towards the kitchen with a scowl on her face. She did not want to appear sulky but she was angry at Dracula for leaving her so unexpectedly. She opened the doors to find Zane examining the food, tunic and all.

"Ah, Amira. I was wondering where you had run off to." Zane had a kindly grin plastered on his face. It made Amira sick. "Vladislaus wishes for me to watch you while he is off feeding."

"Watch me?" Amira replied scornfully. "Watch me like some pet? Is he afraid it might escape again and he'd have to come running after me? Wouldn't want to hurt his oversized pride." She grabbed an apple before stalking away.

Zane was immediately in stride with her. "You do that stalking thing rather well you know. Though might I say it will eventually begin to hurt your back. I suggest you end your stalking and stand straight like a proper young lady." Amira sped her pace up, hoping the elderly man would soon grow tired and leave her be. Zane actually did not grow tired at all.

Zane chatted contently with Amira, seemingly unaware of her obvious discomfort and lack of response. As they reached Amira's door she turned to Zane and forced herself to thank him for accompanying her back to her room before opening her door and sliding in and shutting it before he could follow.

Zane remained at her doorway for some time with an amused smile on his face before walking back to his own room.

A/N: I apologize once more for not posting at all…for three months. But I'm allowed on the computer now and my mind is brimming with ideas for this fanfic! I can't wait to post the next chapter.