Opps, it seemed I unintentionally lied in my last author note. Fleur does meet a new very important character, and Dracula does finally figure out Fleur's secret [he's extremely excited about this little piece of news but it won't be till next chapter that we get to see a little glimpse of feeling on Dracula's part.
Also, I'm pretty happy about the reviews from the last chapter, I once again TIED my review record. NOOO!! But maybe this time…
AND I'm so happy to say thanks to Violetrose18 & Gem Of The Stars for being my newest reviewers!!! YAY!! Hope you continue to enjoy the story.
Also, little shout out to all my continuous reviews whom I absolutely adore.
cheryljulia
VintageLyre
ForeverACharmedOne
Elwyndra
Topgallant
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CHAPTER 11.
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The servant that had been busy tidying up the count's chambers was nearly thrown to the floor as his master arrived with a struggling and cursing bundle that could only be described as a half terrified half furious woman.
"Restrain her," the count yelled tossing the woman to the lesser vampire. Banu managed to catch her and wrap one arm securely about her middle while the other muffled her frantic shouts. Dracula quickly stalked across the room, throwing open the doors of a tall wooden wardrobe to reveal shelves literally over flowing with an assortment of weapons.
Fleur's eyes widened as she spied the cabinet's contents and her anger immediately evaporated as the familiar feeling of panic set in causing her to struggle even more frantically. This could not be happening!
Dracula found a thick rope and tossed it to the servant as he continued to look for something. "Tie her to the bedpost, and make it tight." Obediently the servant dragged Fleur to the closest bedpost and secured her hands tightly around the strong wooden pole of the canopy bed.
Dracula turned having found what he was searching for. The black leather length of a coiled whip was grasped tightly in his hand as he approached the now silent yet still struggling Fleur. "Would you like for me to remove her armor my lord?" the servant asked respectfully.
"It matters not," Dracula replied, his eyes still burning in icy rage. No one spoke to his like that in front of his subordinates, especially not some mortal wretch. "Leave us," he commanded and then waited patiently as the servant quickly exited the room leaving the chamber in eerie silence.
Fleur shut her eyes tight and leaned in against the bedside as she clenched his fists. She wouldn't break. Not for him. Not for any of them her mind silently repeated over and over as she waited for the first blow. There was silence for a while as Dracula eyed the woman, waiting for the tears and pleas for mercy to start. But nothing happened.
She lay there, still and braced, her head bent into her arms as she trembled. This was the part she hated most, the waiting; that unknown space of time where the predator had already cornered its prey yet liked to see it squirm a bit before pouncing, and as much as she hated herself for it, she couldn't stop the quivers as they swept through her body.
If possible, the fact that she had yet to crumble made Dracula's eyes grow even more intense with displeasure and nearly blind with rage. "She will pay, be it in tears or blood, she will pay," he thought venomously, raising his hand and lifting the whip threateningly over her hunched form before bringing it swiftly down with enough force to make the air hiss as the leather cut through it.
The sickening sound of the whip slicing through the thin armor into flesh could be heard and Fleur felt the air abruptly leave her lungs as she gasped out in agony. For the next five minutes the assault of blows rained down on her back, though after the first thirty hits Fleur's mind finally drifted into its familiar dream-like delirium where no pain could follow. She no longer heard the howl of the whip, the sting of the strike, the trickle of tears as they slipped unnoticed down her face, nor the taste of blood as she bit her lip in the attempt not to cry out. She lay weakly, gasping for breath, wondering faintly if he planned to beat her to death. In a way she hoped he would, if only to bring this torture to an end.
Unfortunately for her, Dracula ceased in his merciless onslaught just as Fleur thought she could take no more. The air was filled with the sounds of ragged breathing as Fleur slowly regained her composure, slowly managing to raise her head as she fought back the nausea that was threatening to overcome her. A cold finger to her chin forced her to meet the icy blue eyes staring down at her; no longer filled with rage but the displeasure still radiated out of them. "Bastard," Fleur managed to think as her vision swam in and out of focus.
After studying her for a second he released her jaw and cut through her bonds with a quick swipe of his razor edged talon. "You have twenty minutes to clean yourself up and met me in my private parlor. Fail to cooperate and the consequences will indubitably be most unpleasant for you. Gavin seemed quite taken with you,—"
Fleur's face visibly paled.
"—perhaps I'll let him keep you for the rest of night."
Standing up, he licked his finger sensually, savoring the blood that had dripped from her lip. "The bath is already full and time is already ticking so I suggest you hurry," he said offhandedly before sweeping out the door.
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Dracula scowled as he strode down the hall way, the night had not gone as he'd hoped. Was wanting to seduce, ravish, and perhaps taste the little huntress really such a outlandish wish? The furrow in his brow became even more distinct as he recalled her disrespect to him. No she had gotten what she deserved, no more and no less; although he would have much preferred it if she had just given in after the first few strokes. Then he could have given her a little false comfort, healed her wounds, maybe taken a sensual bath together as she thanked him for his kindness and mercy…
Halting abruptly in the hall way as a sudden thought hit him he changed direction and headed back toward his chamber grinning slyly. Perhaps this night wouldn't have to be a total waste after all…
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Fleur audibly hissed in pain as the hot water lapped over her back but she forced herself to continue sinking into the bath till the water brushed the bottom of her chin. Slowly opening her clenched eyes she grimaced as the now pink colored water and felt her stomach roll. "Please don't let me vomit in the bath," she prayed as she slowly reached for a wash cloth, every moment straining the muscles in her back and causing her to flinch in pain.
Far above Dracula stealthily managed to materialize into the rafters that hung over the bathroom, starring down at the now nude woman submerged in the foamy pink water. He cursed silently when he realized he missed her disrobe, but quickly forgave himself as a long tan arm emerged from the water and stretched to reach the wash cloth on the side of the tub.
Dracula grinned as he let his eyes roam over what skin he could see. Dark hair had been let loss to tumble down her bare shoulders and the water had washed away much of the dirt and dust that had accumulated on her body over the last few days. He felt himself harden slightly as she lifted herself more out of the water to reach for the towel and he was able to see the graceful length of her neck and temping skin of her collard bone and then the soft rise of her breast… "Just a little further darling," he nearly whispered aloud.
Obviously fate was against him because it was at that second the servant Banu decided to barge in. Quick as a flash his green eyed goddess disappeared beneath the water only to emerge again on the far side of the tub, her chin down once again hidden by the water. She watched horrified as Banu reached down to gather up her shredded cloths and light armor. "Wait," she said hastily, nearly rising out of the tub. Luckily she stopped and reconsidered.
"The master wished me to dispose of these clothes," Banu said, scooping them up and ignoring Fleur's noises of opposition. "He also requests that you wear this," he continued, setting down a black bundle of clothes on the dry stone.
"Wait!" Fleur called as Benu turned to exit the bathhouse, "a bracelet. There was a bracelet in my clothes. May I keep it please?"
"I'm sorry miss but the master's orders were clear. I'm to take everything you brought with you. I apologize miss; but perhaps if you take it up with the master directly he will reconsider," Benu said trying to help.
Fleur only nodded. Above Dracula watched this whole ordeal with curiously and not a little impatience for Benu to be gone. As soon he left Dracula began making his way slowly down the side of the wall, perhaps he could even slip into the bath without the huntress knowing. He grinned. In quite a vulnerable position she was too, all alone and naked and wet…
The sight of something stopped Dracula cold in his tracks. On her wrist – Dracula would have recognized that specific birth mark anywhere. The black pointed coil that encircled her left wrist, it was obvious now why she wanted that wrist band. Dracula nearly laughed out loud as he realized what this meant. She was a Van Helsing.
Dracula remembered the first time he'd seen that mark, nearly fifty years ago on the tiny wrist of Gabriel's infant daughter. He was surprised the child had lived long enough to reproduce. He'd been almost positive that the Order, if not Brookerious himself, would have had the girl killed the first chance they got; sins of a father, bad blood, and all that which the church was so fond of.
"It must not have been easy," he thought, thinking about what his various spies and informants had told him, "surviving when your entire race would like to see the Van Helsing line burn to the ground. I wonder how she managed to pull that off. She must try very hard to hide who she is…" he grinned, and now her secret was his; to do with as he so pleased. The prospect just left him ecstatic with all the possibilities.
This news was just too valuable, he needed time to decide how to best use this new twist to his advantage. Gabriel's granddaughter! Oh how he could have fun with this one, he thought. Quickly Dracula materialized out of the room, scheming plans forming drastically in his twisted mind…
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Fleur reached for the door handle, but quickly let go as her courage abandoned her, again. She couldn't do, she had enough nerves about going out into public dressed in full body armor with nothing but her face showing, but this; she couldn't go through with it.
The silk dress, more a night gown than anything, felt like heaven to her battered skin but it was the cut that made her want to cringe. The top half wasn't so bad, with its high neck and long loose flowing sleeves that reached past her hands it wasn't so different from her usual modest facade. But the bottoms half— twin slits ran up to her mid-thigh so that when she walked the gap parted neatly exposing the entire length of her leg.
Fleur fought an internal battle with herself; she'd do nearly anything not to be left with Gavin tonight. That particular vampire made her very nervous with his sly demeanor and cunning eyes; but on the other hand, she'd never worn anything of this particular nature in her life and she was going to be meeting with both Dracula and his high lords. Please, she prayed, don't let Damien be there.
Willing to give her courage another shot Fleur reached out to grasp the doorknob when suddenly it turned by itself. Stumbling back Fleur barely managed to avoid being knocked to the ground as the door swung inwards. Looking up Fleur was caught in the dark green eyes of a man she'd never seen before. Long shaggy brown hair fell below his ears and he wore some kind of black military uniform with a gold paw embroidered onto the breast.
His gaze locked on hers and a look of surprise appeared, "Excuse me, but I was sent here to fetch the master's new pet, are you she?"
Fleur felt her heart sink at the title, pet, she was now not even a human being but had been reduced down the status of some kind of trophy dog. To be played with and shown off, and then discarded. Her eyes lost some of there liveliness as she truly came to terms with her situation and she dropped her gaze as she gave the man a small nod.
"Don't lose heart mortal," he said softly, bringing Fleur's eyes back up. He gave her a sad smile. "There is a fine line between breaking someone and bending their will. The master has a talent for using his power to twist people as he pleases, but only you can decide when to give up, when to break." He smiled encouragingly at her, "we werewolves may have learned this lesson the hard way, but in the end we know that single distinction makes all the difference."
Fleur felt a shimmer of hope at the stranger's words and returned the man's smile with a small one of hr own. "Thank you," she said, straightening her back, "I needed that."
"We all do at some point," he responded and then gave her a small bow, "Allow me to introduce myself; I'm General Caliburn Devolvo, the alpha leader of the lycan packs."
"I'm Fleur," she said, obviously surprised at the man's identity. How did one as blatantly defiant in his own way rise to such a high rank as alpha leader?
"A pleasure," Caliburn replied smiling, but the grin soon faded away as he remembered what he had been sent here for. This woman was obviously dressed to play the part of the whore but her demeanor spoke volumes as she fidgeted with her dress, trying to make it stay at least semi-modest. She had kind eyes and from the ghost of the smile she'd given him he could tell it was truly enchanting, but he could sense she was still cautious around him. Suddenly his brain picked up on something his nose had been telling him for a while now, blood. Fresh, he thought and took a deep breath, and coming from…Fleur.
"Are you okay?" he asked quietly knowing all too well how merciless the master's beatings could be.
Fleur's eye widened in surprise. How had he known? "I'm alright," she responded, trying not to feel touched that he had asked, "I applied some salve I found in the bathroom and wrapped the injuries. They're fine," she said, trying to act convincing. At least they'd stopped bleeding…mostly.
Caliburn gave her a look that said he didn't believe her but let the issue go. "The master requested I escort you to the parlor," he began, "but he said if you refused that I should take you directly to Lord Gavin's chambers. He said he left the decision up to you."
Fleur swallowed. "I'll come to the parlor," she answered, her heart sinking,
Caliburn felt a stab of sadness go through him at the thought of what was waiting in that room for the woman but quickly stopped that train of thought before his expression betrayed him. Don't make her even more nervous, he thought.
"Very well," he answered formally and turned to head back out the door, "Come along."
They walked in silence for the most part, Fleur feeling too nauseous because of the combination of worry and pain to speak and Caliburn simply because there was nothing more to be said. Eventually they came to a tall mahogany door, Caliburn was about to turn the handle when Fleur suddenly stopped him. "Wait!" she said, the feeling of dread threatening to overwhelm her, "I just…I need a moment…I—"
"It's okay," Caliburn interrupted, his expression softening, "Take your time."
Fleur shut her eyes trying to find some shred of courage to hang on to, anything that would help her when she entered that room. Yet all she could see was Dracula's glowing eyes and Gavin's malicious smirk. She felt tears string to her eyes as she remembered the day's earlier punishment and her back blazed in pain. She thought she was going to break down and be sick when she felt strong arms gently wrap around her, careful not to brush her back. Caliburn frowned as she tensed up but ignored it and soothingly ran a hand down her hair.
"I don't want to go," she whispered, knowing and hating that she sounded like a child and a coward as a tear slipped unbidden down her cheek.
"I'm sorry Fleur," he whispered and Fleur could tell he honestly meant it. Then she did something she hadn't done in years, hesitantly she reached up and slipped her hands around his waist giving him a small hug before quickly releasing him. She stepped back and tried her best to give him a brave smile, "Thank you," she said softly before turning to face the door. That was exactly what she needed; now she was ready.
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Yay for Caliburn, he's so sweet…so bad he's a deathly werewolf commander…but he cans till be nice right? Well shall see!
Um what else…REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!!
Review inspiration more chapters faster.
TEASER::: (I love these things, they make people so frustrated haha) Ok, Dracula has a flash of something that maybe could be called 'concern' next chapter, Gavin may or may not try an make a move on our little heroine…I have yet to decide. And I think Fleur is due for a breakdown and I might introduce her newest flaw. My evil little brain is still playing around with the plot so I guess we'll find out together!
-Alias is still in the making….
GAH ONE MORE THING!!! I say this every time but so far I've only gotten like, two corrections for my writing. I KNOW I'M NOT PERFECT AND I KNOW YOU SEE MISTAKES THAT I MISS! Please let me know! Nothing frustrated me more than trying to read something with a ton of errors in it!! Okay, now I'm done.