A Change

I woke up and slowly opened my eyes. Once I had reassured myself that the reason that my head was throbbing wasn't caused by a hangover, I closed my eyes to think of what Dracula had told me.

Von Trappe wanted Frankenstein's monster, but why? To bring something or someone to life? A loved one? Or was it to create an army to take over the world? I smirked at the thought of the last one. It was so cliché. Yet…I wouldn't put any of them past Von Trappe. All that I know is that he is trying to bring something to life.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

I jumped and opened my eyes as I sat up. I ignored my swimming head as the door opened.

'I'm coming in,' warned Anastasia as she walked in. She saw me sitting up and smiled, 'how are you feeling tonight?'

'Since when do you care?' I snapped. I did not want to talk with her.

'Listen, I know that you are upset with the fact that I led you into a trap. If I had had another choice, it would not have happened at all.'

'Why'd you do it then?' She hesitated on her answer.

'Master Von Trappe had agreed to make me into a bride of his.'

'I'll believe that when I see it,' I replied. She ignored me and continued, 'the Master orders that I wash and dress you for tonight's proceedings.'

'And why would I ever want to do anything that involves him?'

'Because,' she smirked, 'you eat with him or you don't eat at all.'

'I'll starve,' I said. That wiped the smirk off of her face. She didn't expect that coming.

'Then, you'll…' she paused, trying to think of a valid threat.

'I don't care what you threaten me with,' I said, 'I'd rather die then stay with a scumbag like your master for a minute.' She smiled deviously, showing her teeth. They began to elongate.

'Oh, shit,' I said, scrambling backwards.

'What was that you were saying?' she asked, taking a step forward.

'You can't kill me,' I spat, 'your Master wants to change me himself, doesn't he?' She raised an eyebrow.

'Would you like to wager on that?' I said nothing, so she continued, 'get ready. There is a basin over there, wash yourself.' She gestured to the fireplace that I hadn't noticed earlier.

'When I return,' she finished, 'I expect for you to be clean.' And, with this, she left. She closed the door behind her and I heard the lock slide into place.

I stood there dumbfounded.

How can she be a vampire? She was out in sunlight, the middle of the day!!

I sighed and turned to look at the basin near the empty fireplace. I stood from the bed and walked to it. The water in the two pitchers next to it was ice cold.

I wish there was a fire so I could at least heat it up. I looked at the fireplace, before I realized something. I walked up to it and looked up, at the very top was a dim light, moonlight. Freedom.

My heart lifted. But how could I climb it? Especially with the heavy gown I wore? But then again, I had put on those pantaloons, and a slip over all that and a bodice over that. I quickly loosened the ties on the dress and slipped out of the dress and left it lying on the floor as I attempted to climb up the chimney. I leaned against on side and then put my feet up on the other end and began to shuffle upwards.

I wonder if this is how Santa feels.

The chimney became considerably smaller as I climbed up for what seemed like forever and a day. When I finally reached the top, I squeezed through the opening and stood on the roof. Smog had begun to settle in again and I could barely see anything, everything was almost pitch black except for the half moon above. I carefully moved forward, hoping to see where I was, to see if I recognized anything. As I made my way to the edge, I stepped on a loose shingle and I felt my foot sliding and soon I fell backwards, sliding towards the edge at an alarming rate.

I turned on my stomach and attempt to grasp any thing at all, including the rough shingles underneath me. I finally felt my feet dangle in mid-air and I grasped one last time, hoping for some type of gutter surrounding the roof. My fingers wrapped around a thin edging and I latched onto it. The good news was that my body had stopped falling, the bad news was that my grip sucks, and I knew that I would soon be slipping.

I took a chance and glanced down to see how much farther I had to fall. To my surprise, I saw a hedge, a tall outer one from Chesterfield's Garden. And it was just a few feet to my left and I would only have to drop a few feet. I carefully began to slide my hands to the left, praying that my grip wouldn't falter. The metal gutter began to cut into my hands and I winced at the pain, but refused to let go. Soon I was above the three-foot wide hedge and I took a deep breath as readied to let go. I dropped and my feet soon felt the leafy floor. I dropped to all fours and smiled. I had made it. I then look down again to see the twelve-foot drop next to me. I probably could jump down from that, but I would end up with something broken or sprain. The next hedge, one of the inner walls of the maze, was about eight feet tall, so I carefully walked to that hedge and was about to jump when I realized something.

I don't know how to get out of there…I would probably just get lost. Maybe I should just follow the walls until I get near the entrance, where I can jump down and get out.

I glanced around and soon found the entrance, and a fairly easy path to it. I began to walk at first to it, but when I gained confidence in my footing, I hurried and was soon at a quick jog. But as I ran, my foot sunk into the hedge and I fell to the hedge and soon rolled off from my lack of balance. I hit the ground on my hands and knees and I collapsed to the ground soon after as the pain went through my body. I lay on the ground, trying to recover from everything when I heard rustling.

GRRR…

I froze.

I hope that was my stomach.

GRRR…

This time the growl came from ahead of me. I slowly looked up and saw two shining eyes in the darkness. I carefully got to my knees and then stood, ignoring the pain in my legs. I took a step back and the creature took a step forwards. The moon shown and glistened off of the shining silver fur of a very large wolf. The wolf let out a low growl again, showing its large teeth.

A werewolf.

'Nice doggie,' I said, holding my hands up as I took another step back. It growled again.

By the way, did I ever mention that I have a very deep dislike for dogs? I was playing with my cousin's dog when I was ten years old and it got pissy with me (and I never pulled its tail, just got too close to its precious bone). To make a long story short, I almost lost my eye and I had a scar on my nose that took a year or so to disappear.

'Nice, wolfie. Go away?' I pleaded. It crouched down, preparing to pounce, and then it lunged itself at me. I held up my hands, protectively, as it landed on me, knocking me back onto the ground. Almost a second later, its weight was lifted and I was picked up, bridal style. I looked up to see a mildly familiar face. It was Septimus, and, even though his face was deeply shadowed, he looked grim. He raced back through the maze and I was soon in the house again.

I was taken to some room near the back door and I was placed onto a couch gently. The lamps in the room were dim and barely lit up anything as several vampires, two women, a man, and Septimus, all stood around me. Septimus turned to the man and growled, 'find the master, and haste.'

The adrenaline that had filled my body only moments before had begun to fade and pain became obvious throughout my body. My arms, legs, back, head, and shoulder all hurt. But the most pain was in my left upper arm, and it burned.

'Where was she?' demanded Von Trappe as he appeared by the couch. He looked at Septimus.

'The Maze,' he answered. Von Trappe cursed under his breath and kneeled next to the couch. He turned to Septimus and muttered something. Septimus left the room.

'Where does it hurt the most?' he asked as he carefully examined all my wounds. I looked up at him, at his dark green eyes and I saw that they were full of worry, pain, and concern. This puzzled me…Didn't he want me dead?

'Miss Townsend,' he said, 'where does it hurt?'

'Arms, shoulder, legs, back, head,' I listed. Septimust returned and had a bowl, towels, bandages, and such.

Von Trappe dipped a cloth into the bowl of water and went to clean my wounds. I attempted to scoot away from him, not wanting any of his help, but I couldn't with the back on the couch. So, I closed my eyes and flinched as he began to clean my wounds. He carefully took my right wrist and began to clean my arm. He then turned to the left one and he extended it to clean it. His eyes went up to the torn part of my dress, near my shoulder and he sneered at it and let out a low growl.

'She was bitten. Get me the silver nitrate solution,' he said as he cleaned the wound. I gasped at the pain as Septimus disappeared again. He returned quickly with a syringe and a bottle.

'What is that?' I asked, eyeing the needles. I hate needles.

'It will slow down the virus until we can get access to the antidote,' he explained as he filled up the syringe with the silver liquid.

'You are not putting that in me,' I objected.

'Hold her,' he said simply as he tapped the air out of the syringe. Septimus came around the back of the couch and grabbed my wrists and held them out so that my arms were straight. I began to panic and I slipped my wrists out of his grasp and jumped up, trying to run for the door. Septimus grabbed me again and he wrapped his arms around me, pinning my arms down. I struggled to get out as Von Trappe approached me.

'NO!' I growled. My voice was not my own, but I paid no attention; I just knew that I didn't want that silver nitrate stuff in me. I winced as the needle went into my skin and the thick solution was shot into my veins. He pulled the needle out and I looked at where he had injected me. Silver lines traced my veins and it ran quickly down my arm and I knew that was throughout my body already.

My arm was the first to become numb and then my entire body soon followed. I was so cold and then I began to shake uncontrollably. Septimus let go of me and I dropped to the ground, too weak to do anything but convulse. I lay on the ground for several minutes, but it felt like hours.

When it finally stopped, I lay on my back on the carpeted floor and gasped for air. Von Trappe kneeled next to me and slit his wrist. Blood began to drip as he put his wrist to my lips.

'Drink,' he said. I closed my lips tightly and I felt the cold blood drip down my cheeks. Someone pinched my nose closed and I was soon forced to open my mouth to take a breath and blood gushed in. I began to gag and I turned onto my side, coughing. I had spit quite a bit of blood out, but I knew that I had still swallowed a lot of blood.

I looked up at Von Trappe and was too weak to do anything but glare at him.

'Go to sleep,' he commanded and I felt fatigue wash over me and I fell asleep.

A New Me

I awoke in my designated bedroom, which seemed unnaturally chilly despite the roaring fire in the fireplace. I sniffed the air and smelt something decaying and it seemed fairly strong. I turned my head to see if I could pinpoint the source of the smell and saw Von Trappe standing in the doorway, talking to another vampire that I didn't recognize.

'If it isn't brought to me by tomorrow, there will be hell to pay,' growled Von Trappe in a low voice. The vampire left and Von Trappe turned around to face me. I quickly closed my eyes and acted as though I were still asleep and hadn't heard a thing.

'Good evening, Princess,' he said. I slowly opened one eye to look up at him.

'How'd you know that I was awake?'

'I saw your eyes open,' He replied simply and he sat down gently onto the bed.

'What did you do to me?' I asked in a low voice.

'I simply gave you a bit of blood. It slows down the virus.'

'You knew that this would happen.'

'What would happen?' he asked, innocently.

'That I would be changed into a werewolf!'

'No I didn't.

'You wanted to change me!' I accused him.

'Not into a filthy vermin.'

'But you were still planning on changing me,' I concluded. 'But why did you give me blood?'

'To slow the virus,' he repeated. I raised my eyebrow.

'Why do you care so much to "slow the virus"?'

'Because I do,' he replied. He then said in a casual tone, 'how are you feeling?'

'What do you think?' I snapped.

'Answer the question,' he ordered. I closed my mouth, but soon it opened up, against my will and words flowed out of it.

'Much better. But I still have a mild headache, I'm fairly confused, and am currently pissed off at you.' I clasped my hand over my mouth. I watched at his amused face as I slowly said, 'did I just say that out loud?'

'Yes,' he smirked. I lowered my hand.

'How did you make me do that?' I asked slowly. He merely smiled more. I then began to think of what he could have done to make me follow his order. 'It was the blood, wasn't it? That's why you did that. To have control over me.'

'How do you think that I control my nocturnal slaves? They each get a few drops of my blood.'

'You bastard,' I growled.

'Relax, love,' he replied and paused for his command to take its toll on me, 'tonight, I will have a ball to celebrate a fairly special occasion. You will be cleaned and fashioned completely presentable for it. And you will be my escort for the night.'

He stood and headed towards the door. But before he left he turned around and said, 'Anastasia will assist you. But get washed before she arrives.'

He then left, closing the door behind him. I wanted so badly to defy his orders, but I stood robotically and headed over to the water basin and washed myself with the freezing cold water.

I had barely finished drying myself when Anastasia appeared. She placed a blood red and gold dress onto the bed. Anastasia then helped me into a new under dress and laced up the bodice.

'You smell like wet dog,' she commented. I sniffed the air.

'Better than Eau de Rotting Corpse,' I replied, wrinkling my nose.

'I do not know why the master saved a putrid mongrel as yourself.'

'Because,' I said, deciding to play on the information that I already knew, 'He's going to make me his bride. It's a much better choice that what he had earlier, I believe.'

'Shut your mouth,' she snapped.

'I don't have to listen to you.'

'You had better,' she began. I turned around.

'Or what?' I taunted again. 'You can't kill me or harm me.'

'I'll tell the master.'

'See if I care.' For the rest of the time was silent as she dressed me, curled my hair into ringlets, and helped me put on jewelry. By the time I had finished, I looked like Princess Anna in a different dress (which disturbed me in multiple ways).

I heard Big Ben toll ten in the distance as Anastasia led the way to the main room where I had first met Von Trappe two nights before. In the room, I was taken directly up to him at the front of the room and I was very surprised to see that he look fairly handsome black and white coat with tails. He welcomed me with a bow and I curtsied in return. He then offered his arm and I took it as he led me to the center of the room.

'You look absolutely delicious, love,' he said. I ignored the part of the comment suggesting his intentions involving my blood.

'You clean up pretty good yourself,' I returned. We joined in the first dance.

'So, where did you say that you were from?' he asked.

'Obviously not here.'

'Tell me,' he ordered.

'The United States.'

'When?'

'Why do you want to know that?'

'Answer the question.' I sighed.

'21st Century.'

'So the rumors are true.' He smiled. I already knew that he was referring to the incident with Dracula.

The song ended and we began a faster tune. As we through this dance, as well as the next half a dozen, I found myself, oddly enough, enjoying myself. During the next slow dance, he pressed me close to his body and stared into my eyes.

'Tell me, how do you feel about tonight?'

'It's quite enjoyable,' I replied.

'And what about me?'

'What about you?' I asked, sarcastically.

'How do you feel about me?'

'You are quite handsome when you clean up, and I have conflicting feelings in me.' I bit my tongue and added in a low growl, 'you bastard.'

He chuckled. A few seconds later, I saw a person out of the corner of my eye jogging up to us. He was not dressed in formal attire, so he had to have been on patrol or something like that. Von Trappe and the man made eye contact and, although the man's mouth did not move or open, I heard his voice in my head.

'Van Helsing has returned. He demands negotiations.'

'Good,' Von Trappe smiled, I watched Von Trappe's lips move and he looked at me, 'stay hidden in the shadows, near, and appear when I call for you.'

I growled but obeyed anyway. So I went to the corner of the room nearest the doors and in the shadows as everyone stopped dancing and went to either side of the room. Soon the door opened and Van Helsing stormed in, followed by a frightened Carl.

'Welcome back, Van Helsing' called Von Trappe, 'this is sooner than expected.'

'Where is she?' he demanded.

'The monster first.' The two men glared at each other before Van Helsing replied first.

'He is dead,' he voice was almost convincing, but a part of me didn't believe him, couldn't believe him, 'The Order had him eliminated.'

'Where is his body then?'

'In the ocean,' he replied quickly.' Now, where is Miss Townsend?'

My chest began to ache because of the breath I had been holding. I wanted to scream out at him, telling him that I was near. Von Trappe looked past Van Helsing, to me, and held out his hand to beckon me. 'Come, my dear.'

I walked up the center aisle and past Van Helsing and Carl, trying not to look at their faces as I past them. I took Von Trappe's hand and he held onto it and turned me around to face Van Helsing and Carl.

'Here she is, Van Helsing. And here is where she shall stay until I get that monster.' Van Helsing looked at Carl and I could tell that they had a second plan going on incase this had happened.

'We tell you that the monster had been killed by the Order,' said Carl in a small voice.

'And I tell you that no exchange will take place,' Von Trappe reassured Carl and Van Helsing. Van Helsing and Carl looked at each other once more before they both turned and left, looking defeated. I watched the door close behind them before Von Trappe turned me to face him.

'I want you to go to my office next door,' he said and then turned to another vampire near him to start giving orders. I left him and headed out of the room and into the grand hall. Van Helsing and Carl had both already left, so I had no hope of being rescued as I headed to his office.

Once I got in, I closed the door behind me and leaned against it.

There has to be a way out of here. But how? I hit my forehead against the wooden door a few times as I thought through everything. I can't do anything contrary to what I am directly ordered to do. So, there must be a way to twist his words to get what I want, but how? He told me to "Go to his office next door"…but he never told me to stay here.

I smiled and gently opened the door and looked out into the empty hall. I then tried my plan by stepping out of the door. I didn't get thrown back into the room, nor did any pain go through my body. So, I ran for the main doors, both in plain view and quickly slipped through one. Once I closed one, I ran for my life, not stopping until I knew that I would be safe.

Fog was already setting in and it was becoming difficult to see where I was going, so I had to slow down quite a bit. Plus, a woman running in the middle of the night in London may look bad.

I was passing in front of an alley when I felt someone grab my arm. I screamed and turned around and defensively raked my nails across the person's face. It was too late when I realized it was Van Helsing.

'Oh, Van Helsing, I'm sorry. You frightened me,' I explained. I carefully looked at his now clean-shaven face that was now bleeding. I carefully cupped my hand behind the wounds and whispered, 'I'm so sorry.'

'I'm fine,' he replied, 'but we must hurry.' I glanced around.

'Where is Carl?' I asked as Van Helsing took my hand and began to pull me away.

'He's working on a plan back at the Inn,' he said and he began to pull me along. We quickly went to the Rogue Inn and hurried up the stairs and into my room that I had had there in the beginning. Once inside he closed the door behind us.

'Sit,' he said and I plopped down on the bed obediently. He sat next to me and said, 'tell me what happened.'

'Nothing really. I was just locked in a room the entire time,' I really didn't want to go into detail. Van Helsing would kill me if he knew all the details.

'Then why did you go to him when he bade for you?'

'He, um…' I looked away, 'force fed me his blood.' I heard Van Helsing let out a low growl. I knew that he was angry so I decided to change the subject. I looked back up and carefully stroked his left cheek, avoiding his wounds.

'Are you in pain?' I asked in a little above the whisper.

'I've had worse.'

'I feel bad.' Honestly, I did.

'Don't.' Our eyes met and I scooted a little closer until our faces were just inches apart.

'Van Helsing…I've missed you so much.' He took my chin, lifted it a little before our lips met in a kiss.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

'Van Helsing,' called Carl through the door. 'Are you there?'

We parted quickly and both stood. I headed for the door and opened it.

'Hello, Carl,' I said with an innocent, welcoming smile, although I'm sure that my face was red.

'Eee!' squealed a familiar voice as I was tackled to the ground.

'Nice to see you too, Kait,' I smiled at her kneeling over me. She pulled me up and we both stood.

'How dare you run off like that,' said Courtney as she came towards me. She smacked my arm, directly on the wounded part, and I winced a little. But she, thankfully, did not notice. 'You could have been killed.'

'Gee Erica, I'm glad you are okay,' I said sarcastically. I looked around the room. 'Hey, where's Marie, James, Derek, and Van?'

'Next door, getting sleep,' replied Carl.

'We better wake them up,' said Kait, pulling me to the door. 'They'll want to see her.'

I glanced back at Van Helsing for any help but he seemed far away in his thoughts. But once he realized that I was looking at him, he gave me the "I'm-fine-but-bothered-about-something" smile.

Kait and Courtney pulled me next door and Courtney knocked on the door while Kait went to another room. Courtney didn't wait for someone to answer and pulled me in. It was Marie's room and she was still awake, sitting in bed. When she saw me, she launched herself out of bed.

'Erica!' she cried, 'you're alive.'

'Yep,' I smiled.

'We thought the worst,' she said. As she said this, her eyes flickered past me, 'right guys?'

'Yep,' agreed James and Derek as they walked into the room. Van followed behind.

'Glad you are okay Erika,' said James.

'Thanks.' Derek smiled at me and I hugged him. I honestly had missed him (don't ask me why, but you might know ;-). ) I then turned to Van, who lingered in the back. I walked up to him.

'I'm glad that you are well,' he said in a low voice.

'Thanks.' There was an awkward pause.

'I'm sorry,' he apologized.

'It's alright. I overreacted.' I smiled and so did he.

'So what happened?' asked James.

'Leave nothing out,' added Courtney.

'When the sun rises,' said Van Helsing, leaning against the doorframe. 'She needs rest. As do we all.'

I looked at Van Helsing and mouthed "Thank You" to him.

'Come on, Erica,' he said as he stood up straight and led the way to my room. I opened the door and led the way in. He followed and closed the door behind me.

'Is something wrong?' he asked. I froze and turned to look at him. Our eyes met for a second before I looked away. His voice was guarded as he said, 'you were bitten, weren't you?'

'Yes. By a werewolf.' He cursed, loudly. I headed over to my bed and said as I sat down, 'I need the antidote, Van Helsing.' I took in a deep breath as I felt the tears begin to well up in my eyes. 'I can't be a werewolf, Van Helsing. I just can't.'

I buried my face into my hands and began to cry. I felt Van Helsing sit next to me and he put his arm gently around my shoulders and I turned to cry into his chest. He hugged me and we rocked back and forth.

'We'll find it. The Order will have one. We'll have to search for it. I'll send word tonight.' He said.

'What if they don't have it, or it doesn't come in time?' I asked, wiping my eyes and looking up at him.

'It will,' he reassured me. I looked at his eyes and saw that there was doubt behind them. He cupped my chin and tilted it upward so I was facing him. 'I won't fail you.'

I offered him a smile.

'I know.' I laid my head on his shoulder and closed my tired eyes. 'I know, Van Helsing. I trust you.' I fell asleep quickly.

Dracula smiled at me, his head was propped up on his hand. I frowned when I saw that we were lying in the same bed. I sat up and growled.

'The antidote, Dracula. Where is it?'

'Why?' he asked, innocently.

'I was bitten, you moronic bloodsucker.' I snapped. I had this awful feeling that he knew that this would happen.

He laughed and replied, 'served you right.'

'Then I hope you serve an eternity-worth of eternities in hell!' I retorted.

'Fine,' he sat up slowly. 'You must return to Von Trappe. He has it now.'

'Okay, where does he keep it?' I asked, warily.

'I don't know.'

'Fine, I'll go at dawn.'

'Then you must wake up now.' And with this, he shoved me off the bed.

I woke up as I hit the floor. I groaned as I rubbed my head and sat up.

'Damnit Dracula.' I got up and quickly dressed in my men's clothing, placing a dagger in each boot. I grabbed my coat and rushed down the hall to the stairs.

'Going somewhere?' asked a voice behind me. I turned to see Van.

'A walk,' I replied. It wasn't a total lie.

'Need company?' he asked. Crap! If I tell him that he can't come, he'll think that something is up. But he can't come…

'Sure.' I headed down the stairs and threw open the front door and froze. The sun had almost already set.

Damn you Dracula!!!

'Are you alright?' asked Van behind me.

'I'm fine,' I replied. Van offered his arm and I took it. We walked down the street, in the direction of Von Trappe's mansion (I led the way and he didn't seem to mind. He was too busy talking about what had happened since I had disappeared. Not much in my standards). By the time we had reached Von Trappe's home, the sun had already set and the full moon had begun to rise. I glanced at it and felt my entire body shudder. I need that antidote.

'Erica, why are we here?' he glanced up at the house.

'He has something that I need,' I replied, letting go of his arm and headed up to the door.

'Erica,' he grabbed my hand, 'I won't let you go.'

'Too bad,' I replied. 'I need something that he has.'

'What?'

'Something that may save us all. Now release me.'

'That's suicide,' he objected.

'Let go.' He's trying my patience.

'No.'

'Now!' I growled in a voice that was not my own. Van released me out of surprise and looked horrified. Before he could recover, I turned and ran to the house and opened the door. I slipped in, unnoticed and began my search for Von Trappe. I headed for his office first.

'Erica,' said a familiar voice behind me,' welcome back.'

'You know why I'm here, Von Trappe, 'I replied without turning around.

'First exposure to a full moon,' he commented. I felt my body shudder again and I almost doubled over in pain, 'do you feel it calling? Calling for change?'

Why do I feel so unstable and blood thirsty?

'Come, love,' he said, 'you must see something.' His voice was commanding, so I had no choice but to follow him. I turned around and followed him into a part of the house that I hadn't seen before. He opened up a door and beckoned me in.

The room looked like a sanctuary; stonewalls, and an alter in the front. A large window overhead allowed in the high moon rays, which shown as a haze to me

'Love,' he said, 'I will give you the antidote n return for your life. As my bride.'

What is with these vampires and their obsession with needing a bride?

'Do I have a choice?' I asked. I glanced up at the moon and caught the magnificence of the brilliant white orb. My body shuddered again, and pain coursed through my body. The pain was so intense that I doubled over and fell to my knees. My bones audibly cracked and my veins felt like they were on fire. This pain that I felt was worst than anything I had ever felt before. Was I dying?

I glanced up at the horrified Von Trappe and knew that my freedom was at hand. My mouth watered and I let out a low growl before I launched myself at Von Trappe. He had no time to protect himself, so I buried my canines into his neck and felt the cold blood pour into my mouth. Von Trappe collapsed below me and I growled and backed away, looking as he convulsed on the floor and turned black as ash. I then sniffed the air, smelling a new smell, another vampire. I turned around to see Dracula.

Dracula?

Dracula!

I leapt into the air. I was about to bite him when I felt something being inserted into my stomach. I fell backwards and glanced down at the syringe in my stomach.

I began to convulse and my body began to cool and the pain came back, but not as intense this time, and I soon felt almost normal. I gently pulled the syringe out, wincing as I looked at the two-inch long needle.

Ugh, needles.

'Hello, darling. Did you miss me?' asked Dracula.

Was I hallucinating? How could he have possibly returned? He was ash!!

'You knew that he would bring you back this entire time, didn't you?' I said in a low voice. He smiled.

'You catch on quickly.' He swiftly approached me and picked me up by my arm, standing me up. When he released me, I staggered backwards and leaned against the wall before sliding to the ground.

'How is this possible?'

'A mixture of my remains, magic, and Frankenstein's brilliant elixir.'

'But, you were ash,' I stuttered. He stepped towards me.

'You cannot believe how long I have waited for his moment,' he pulled me up and lovingly held me close, 'six long months in hell for you to be mine. It was almost worth it.'

'You can't have me,' I snapped when I regained my voice and wits.

'That's what you think,' he said. He put his mouth close to my neck and I closed my eyes in anticipation. Suddenly a bat-like screech filled the air and I was released. I opened my eyes to see Dracula turning to face Van. Protruding from Dracula's back was a silver stake. I backed away as Van yelled, 'Erica, run!'

Don't need to tell me twice.

I ran out of the room and out of the house, into the street. I turned to head to the Inn when I ran into Carl, knocking both of us to the ground.

'Carl,' I said as I stood and helped him up. His eyes were wide as he looked me up and down.

'Erica, why are your clothes torn?' I glanced down and saw that he was right.

'Long story.'

'And where have you been?' he demanded.

'It's Dracula,' I gasped, 'he's been resurrected!'

'Impossible.'

'Not this,' I added. 'Where is Van Helsing?'

'Looking for you.'

'Where?'

'He went into the maze.' My heard dropped.

The werewolves. He doesn't know about them.

I pulled out a dagger from my boot and sprinted to the opening.

'Erica, wait,' called Carl from behind me. I ignored him and headed inside. Once I was in the maze, I called out, 'Van Helsing!'

Where there was no answer, I hurried in. I chose my footsteps carefully, though, listening for any signs of life.

GRRR!

I gripped the handle of my dagger tighter and looked around. I saw nothing.

GRRR!

I hurried towards the sound this time and soon saw what I was looking for. The werewolf. But where was Van Helsing?

The wolf sniffed at me and bared its teeth. I began to back away slowly before I got the courage to turn and run. The wolf chased after me and I let the way through many twists and turns before I came to a dead end.

Why do mazes have dead ends?

It was here that I began to curse and I turned around, pulling out the other dagger and baring them protectively. The wolf jumped at me and landed on top of me. I had thrust my dagger into its abdomen before slicing the other one across its neck. Blood spurted out and its dead weight collapsed on me. It had to weigh at least 200 pounds.

I shoved it off with great effort, grimacing at the smelly fur and matted blood. I then carefully got up, not know what blood spots belonged to him and which belonged to me. When I stood and put weight on my left foot, pain shot up my leg and I collapsed to the ground one more. I sat on the ground and gently prodded my ankle. It was broken.

My right forearm now hurt, as did my neck. But I ignored the pain as I attempted to stand again, this time I leaned against the hedge.

'Erica?' called Van Helsing in the distance.

'Van Helsing,' I called back. Pain shot up my leg again and I cried out as I fell. My vision was blurred by tears.

'Where are you?' he called.

'I don't know, near a dead end I suppose,' I called back.

'Are you injured?'

'Not badly.'

'She sounds closer,' commented Carl.

'Good,' I replied sarcastically, 'it means that I'm nearby.'

Their torchlight preceded them as they walked around a corner. I quickly stood and acted as though I were fine and attempted to walk to them, without the support of the hedge, and I fell. Van Helsing rushed to my side.

'Not badly?' he raised an eyebrow.

'I could be missing some limbs,' I replied, 'could be worse.'

'Like what?'

'Dracula resurrected,' suggested Carl.

'What?' growled Van Helsing.

'It's true,' I confirmed, 'I just saw him.'

'Damn it all,' he said.

'Listen, Van Helsing,' said Carl, 'he was just brought back to life, he's weak.'

'Stake through the heart, behead him,' said Van Helsing, 'then throw the head into the river and bury the body.

'What of Von Trappe?' asked Carl.

'I killed him,' I replied, 'werewolf venom.'

'Speaking of which,' Van Helsing glanced at the dead wolf. 'It's a full moon, why aren't you one?'

'Dracula gave me the antidote.' I smiled. Carl sighed.

'It would have been nice if you were a werewolf.'

'CARL!' scolded Van Helsing and I.

'I was merely stating that it would have been nice to have some venom to kill Dracula.'

'The venom is in the saliva, correct?' I asked. Both men nodded. 'Coat a couple of stakes with the saliva from that wolf.'

'Not bad,' replied Carl, looking at Van Helsing, 'it may work.' He stood and took two stakes out to begin soaking them.

'Ever thought of becoming a full-time slayer?' suggested Van Helsing.

'Not until I met you, and still not really,' I said. I began to attempt to stand but Van Helsing picked me up bridal style.

'I'm running Erica back to the Inn,' he said to Carl. 'I'll return shortly.'

He carried me out of the maze and five minutes later we were at the Rogue Inn again. He laid me on my bed gently.

'I don't want to stay here,' I told him, 'I want to fight.'

'No. You stay here and recover,' he said, 'you can't fight with an injured leg.' He carefully took off my boot. I clenched my fists and attempted not to cry out in pain. He prodded my swollen ankle.

'Broken,' he concluded.

'Bind it, then I'll fight,' I sat up.

'No,' he growled. I'm going to bring in someone to help clean up these wounds.' He turned to leave, but I grabbed his hand and he turned around. We kissed briefly. When we released, I muttered, 'for luck.'

He looked mildly disturbed but whispered back, 'I don't need any luck.' He left and soon Derek, Courtney, and Kait came in.

'The Innkeeper's wife will be bringing up some water and bandages,' said Kait as she plopped down next to me. I winced as it jolted my ankle.

'What happened?' asked Courtney.

'Werewolves and Vampire complications,' I replied. There was a knock at the door and the Innkeeper's wife came in, placed a bowl, pitchers of water and bandages on a nearby table and left.

'Now, what really happened?' asked Courtney as she began to clean my wounds on my face. Derek carefully went to work on bandaging my ankle and Kait cleaned my bloody arms. I began to explain everything from when I had first met Anastasia Bureau up until the part of escaping Dracula. When I began to talk about Van, I froze.

'Oh, God, Van!' I sat up, but was quickly pushed back down.

'Relax,' said Kait.

'No, Van,' I said, 'he attacked Dracula and told me to run. I did. Oh, he could be dead. I've got to help him!' I attempted to sit up again, but was pushed down again.

'Listen, Van Helsing will probably keep him safe,' said Courtney reassuringly.

'He could be killed, let me go!' I growled. Suddenly pain shot through my entire body, a familiar pain. It felt like all my bones had broken at once and my blood had begun to boil.

I glanced out at the moon; a bit of it was uncovered.

I was cured, how this happen? Unless…

'Kait, was I bitten?' I asked, through clenched teeth.

'I don't know,' she replied. I felt my body lurch.

'Run,' I growled, 'hurry. Find Van Helsing, I need the antidote.' I felt my body painfully transform. Everyone began to back away as I quickly jumped up and ran for the window. I threw it open and jumped out. When I landed, my entire body had transformed into a wolf, and I hungered for blood. And, as any dog would want, a leader, a pack, a master.

But my human brain still had some control and I knew what I had to do. Kill Dracula. I let out a hair-raising howl and bounded off to Von Trappe's house.

A few seconds later, I arrived and sniffed the air, smelling a mix of blood and corpse. The front door was open, so I went in, sniffing again. I was let into the Great hall and found Van Helsing and Carl standing in front of a pile of ash. Dracula was dead.

I sniffed the air and smelt more of the undead. I glanced around to see Anastasia hidden in the shadows. A growl rumbled deep in my throat as I bounded towards her. She saw me coming and I watched her transform into a wolf.

I let out a small snarl and headed for her throat.

My human side must have allowed the werewolf in me to dominate, because I can't recall what had occurred. All I know is that her throat was torn out and my side was bleeding profusely.

A cloud briefly passed over the moon and the light faded. I was transformed back into my human self, barely clothed, as Carl and Van Helsing approached me.

'Help me,' I gasped. My body burned with pain again as the cloud had passed, 'Run!!'

I was soon a werewolf again and I watched Van Helsing pull out a tube from his jacked. He put on end to his mouth and blew on it. A dart wooshed out and embedded itself into my neck. I let out a small whimper and collapsed.

When I awoke, I found myself in a somewhat dark room, one that should have looked familiar. My limbs were all changed to the ground so that I rested on my right, uninjured side. I sniffed the air and smelt food and meats. My eyes slowly adjusted to the dark light and I saw that I was in a storage room.

I heard a door open somewhere in the distance and footsteps approaching the room where I was being held captive. The door to the room opened and two dark figures came in. I let out a deep growl. The smaller of the two gave off the scent of fear and it pleased me to know that they still saw me as a threat. Even though they were the men who had chained me there like a savage beast.

'What if it doesn't work?' asked the shorter of the two, the fearful one.

'It will,' reassured the taller, scruffier one. But I could hear a bit of doubt in his voice. I watched as he held out a syringe with a needle on the end. I let out another low growl and began to pull at my chains.

There was no way that they were going to inject me with anything. Especially since they were the enemy. I bared my teeth at the taller of the two as he neared me and he pressed down on my neck, at the base of my skull, and injected the liquid in the needle into my neck.

My entire body froze and I began to shiver as pain shot through my body once more. My thirst for blood lessened and my senses all dimmed as I began to realize my surroundings.

'Van Helsing? Carl?' I asked in a hoarse voice as I finally recognized them. Why was everything black and white?

'It worked,' breathed Carl.

'Why am I chained to the ground?' I asked.

'You tried to kill us,' answered Carl.

'Thanks Carl,' muttered Van Helsing as he undid the chains.

'What happened?' I asked.

'We had just killed Dracula, again, with the werewolf saliva-drenched stakes when you arrived. You fought with another wolf, you won by ripping out her throat. She fell to the ground and transformed into a vampiric form. You then returned to your human form, asked for help, and then you were transformed back into your form. Van Helsing drugged you with a dart and we brought you here, chained you a precaution, and went to work on an antidote,' explained Carl quickly.

'An antidote, out of what?' I asked, curious of what they had used.

'Silver nitrate, sulfate, Van Helsing's blood,' listed Carl casually.

'Van Helsing's Blood!' I glanced at Van Helsing. He shrugged.

'I figured that I still had some of the antidote in my blood.'

'So, the Order didn't have the antidote?' Carl shook his head.

'They might have but had we told them, they would have ordered your death. So, we improvised.'

'Is this why I'm colorblind currently?' Man, this black and white thing was annoying.

'No, that is temporary,' Van Helsing assured me. 'It will disappear in an hour or so.' He helped me into a standing position and I threw my arms around his neck and was about to kiss him.

'Erica, wait,' he said, 'we need to talk first.' I frowned. What the hell did that mean?

He looked at Carl and said, 'Time alone, Carl.'

'Of course,' he replied and left.

I've never had a boyfriend in my life but I definitely think I know what he means by saying, "we need to talk first."…But then again, it can't be all that bad, can it?

What's wrong?' I asked as he reached up, took my hands from around his neck and brought them down so that they were between us.

'First of all, we don't know what happened to Van, Erica. I know that you were worried about him. But, I know that you will be glad to find out that he was, in fact, Velkan Valerious.

'What? He was supposed to be dead,' I asked, really surprised.

I never thought of that. That must be how I recognized him.

'I don't know. He probably acquired an antidote and it changed him back, but destroyed his memory in the process.' He added a painful smile to his face, 'and the second thing.'

'It's about us, isn't it?' I asked as my heart fell lower in my chest. He nodded.

'There can be no "us". Although, I admit that I do harbor feelings, they are nothing more than a mortal's whim. And the fact that our age and time periods differ so vastly.'

'But aren't opposites supposed to attract?' I asked, feeling tears fill my eyes.

'I suppose, but we are not even meant to be.'

'You say this because the Order told you to?' I whispered. When he didn't answer, I bowed my head, unsure of what to think. He cupped my chin and pulled it up so our eyes met. I blinked a couple times in an attempt to clear my eyes of tears.

'I say this because you already have someone.'

'Who?'

'Derek.' I was confused. I don't already have Derek. He noticed and continued, 'I have seen more affection and pure love in him to you than anyone I have met in these times. And I see in your eyes that you return it as well, although you cannot see it because you are blinded by something else.'

'Damn it, Van Helsing,' I muttered, turning away. I hugged myself as I thought about Derek, finally seeing what he had just pointed out to me. Seeing what I had learned about him during this adventure. I thought of how he has expressed his love and I smiled a little.

'See,' he grabbed my shoulders and kissed the back of my head. 'You do.'

'Erica!' I heard a voice call in the distance. I looked at the door and saw Derek. I smiled at Van Helsing and called out, 'Derek.'

I ran to him but stopped myself before I tackled him.

'How are you?' he asked.

'Much, much better, Derek,' I smiled and he returned it.

'What are you smiling about?' he asked. I smiled wider.

'This,' I replied and threw my arms around his neck and kissed him. He put his arms around my waist, returning the kiss.

'Oh, get a room,' I heard Kait say. Our lips separated and we glanced at our friends, our arms still around each other. James and Marie smiled at each other.

'Are you guys ready to head home yet?' asked Courtney. I glanced at Van Helsing and he smiled.

'Definitely,' I replied. My friends filed out of the door with Derek and me following.

'Wait,' I said to him, 'I'll meet you in a bit with the others, kay?'

'Alright,' He kissed my lips gently and left. I turned and walked back to Van Helsing.

'You are right, Gabriel,' I said, using his true name for the first time ever. I gave him a kiss on his scruffy cheek, 'but you will always have a place in my heart.'

'And you, in mine,' he kissed my forehead.

'When we return to my time, you will visit me, won't you?' my voice sounded overly hopeful.

'There is always a possibility,' he looked at the door, 'we best be going or they may think that something occurred.'

'I suppose,' he offered his arm and I took it. We walked to the door and he asked, 'how's your eyesight coming?'