Chapter 4
Even as Dracula began to fly above the trees Anna knew she couldn't give up. She quickly retrieved two of her knives from their sheaths and stabbed Dracula's foot. He cried out and released her. The gypsy girl was lucky enough to land in one of the trees. The most she had were a few dark bruises.
"Who says I can't put up a good fight?" she muttered to herself as she carefully jumped to the ground.
"Impressive," said a growlish voice from up in the air. "I expected more of a challenge out of you, Anna. It appears I got my wish." Dracula was hovering in the air still in the form of a monster. The gypsy girl jumped and pulled out her sword.
"I won't let you take me away, Count!" she said sharply. "You can't do this!" Dracula chuckled as he flew to the ground and changed back.
"Ah but we had a deal, my darling," he said seductively. "We play the game, I capture you, I get two days to do what I want with you, then you escape and once you've recovered we do it all over again." He took a step. "Deals like that can't be broken." Anna's grip on her sword tightened.
"Even if these are just games you aren't being fair, Dracula!" she snapped. "Because no matter what you will eventually catch me! You're cheating!" The Count rolled his eyes.
"What do you expect, Princess?" he said. "Since when have my kind played fair in games like this?" Anna sneered.
"To you, Count, 'fair' means that YOU win and I get captured!" she said. Dracula laughed.
"What a smart girl you are," he said taking two more steps. His heart was pressed against her sword's tip. "Go ahead and stab me. It won't do you much good but it's worth a try."Anna did just that. The sword went right through Dracula's chest and stuck out of his back. But as she expected he didn't die. He pulled it out of himself and tossed it away. The Count's smile grew larger.
"Funny that you did that," he said. "Because now you have no weapon." Anna raised her fist and punched Dracula in the chest. He gave her a look and grabbed her wrist. "What's this? Still trying to put up a fight?" He shook his head. "You're such a naughty girl." The gypsy princess sneered.
"Who are you to treat me like a child?" she said coldly. Dracula smiled.
"You belong to me, Anna," he said. "So I can treat you how I want." He released her wrist. "Go ahead and run. I'll catch you in three seconds." His eyes glowed with excitement. "And this time you won't be able to stab me and get away!" Anna shook her head harshly in fright and denial. She couldn't let him do this.
"No," she whispered. "You can't capture me! I won't let you!"
She bolted into another run. This time when the claws closed in on her shoulders she couldn't pull out a knife and stab Dracula's foot. This time he'd finally captured her. The first battle had been won.