Chapter 13

(Torture Ends)

Dracula's point of view

I left Katie and immediately headed for the dungeon. I knew Brock would be disappointed but he would obey my command. I didn't race to end my pet's agony. What did I care if she suffered a while longer. Katie had asked me to end her suffering and I would. That didn't mean I would rush to end it as quickly as possible.

I turned the corner to see the end of the whip enter the air. "Enough," I said in a calm but firm voice. The brown haired human turned and looked at me almost hurt. "I've made a bargain Brock."

"Bargain?" He asked. "You're giving her to the slayers?" he asked sounding shocked.

I laughed. "Why would I do that?" I walked past him and looked at the bleeding woman that would have been collapsed on the ground if not for the chains that held her up. "No, I'm going to have what I want from Katie." I watched as concern and anger flashed through my pet's eyes.

"I think you may be even angrier than I thought," I commented looking the naked and bloody beaten woman. Danielle looked away but I grabbed her by the head and forced her to look at me. A bloody slash was across her nose and over most of her face. "Not even sparing her face."

"She's not worthy," The angry human said flatly.

"No she is not," I agreed. "Still as long as Katie obeys me no more torturing her for your pleasure," I said and released my grip on my pet. Danielle's head immediately jerked down to look at the ground. I turned my eyes on my disappointed servant. "Go and find a new playmate." Brown eyes looked in mine with clear hope.

He was silent for a moment. "The new maid?" He asked sounding almost unsure.

"If you wish. Enjoy." Turning around I began to leave the dungeon. "I will certainly enjoy my bride." I hesitated at the stairs. "Put her in a cell and leave her." Without looking back I headed up the stairs.

Brock's point of view

I was disappointed that I would no longer be allowed to torture the woman who had betrayed me but I understood. My master had been waiting to have Katie and this was his means of obtaining her. Still the fact he was granting me permission to help myself to the new maid pleased me. Sasha is a very pretty blonde afterall.

Danielle began to cry even though I had stopped hitting her but I ignored it. Reaching over I picked up the keys I'd left on a stool and walking to where she was I unlocked one of the chains. The entire left side of Danielle's body fell closer to the ground. I walked to the other chain and unlocking it the beaten woman fell to the ground. The clang of chains hitting the ground filled the area.

The Count's pet sobbed but I only grabbed the chains and pulled her into the cell before walking back out and closing the steel bared door. I left the chains still attached to her. I had to stop beating her but not make her comfortable.

Closing the door I headed upstairs to the 2nd floor. Sasha should be seeing to the guest rooms. I didn't know if she'd fight me or not but it didn't matter. I had my master's permission. Sasha was mine for what I wished now.

Parker's point of view

I was glad to be out of the hospital but things weren't looking good. We needed more help to go up against Dracula. There was a small group in Romania that might be able to help but we'd had no luck contacting them. Slayers seemed to be disappearing. Personally I think they are scared. Scared of how Dracula might retaliate.

Hearing my phone I reached over and picked it up. "Hello?"

"Parker it's Sonya."

"What have you got?"

"I got a hold of Anca. They'll meet us at Debrecen,Hungary. We have to move quick. They have gathered more help. We're all going to meet there and move in on him at once. If we do this right we'll finally rid the world of that bastard and get Danielle and Katie back."

"Alright where am I headed?"

"Monica is going to pick you up on the way. We'll meet you both at the airport."

"Alright." I hung up. I sense of anticipation and hope flowed through me. One way or another I'd get Katie back and we'd kill that vile creature. No one would go through what we Danielle and Katie were facing now again. If we killed Dracula we'd be set to eradicate the world of any other vampires. Things were finally looking up.

Dracula's point of view

It was late as I walked calmly through the halls of the second floor. Katie had already gone to bed. I wasn't surprised though I knew she hadn't slept well after her punishment. My beauty had actually tried to stay awake longer but I had put her to bed.

As I reached the end of the hall toward the back of the castle I heard whimpering and sniffling. Surprised to hear a woman crying I went to a mostly closed door and opened it. Looking inside I found a blonde woman in the bed looking away from me.

"What are you doing in here?" I asked in a commanding voice. Scared green eyes looked my direction. Seeing her face I recognized her immediately. Sasha went to speak but couldn't. A sob escaped her mouth instead. "Made use of you already has he?" she looked at me surprised before pulling the blankets around her even tighter. "Perform your tasks well and you will be treated well. Brock can be cruel or gentle. Your attitude will determine how he treats you. Get cleaned up and finish your chores." Turning I left the room and the crying woman behind.

Danielle's point of view

Every part of my body hurt. It was too painful to try and get up so I stayed lying on the cold stone floor. What Dracula had told Brock kept playing over and over in my mind. 'Oh Katie, what have you done?' I wondered. 'What have you sacrificed trying to protect me?'

A wave of guilt rushed over me as I considered what price Katie had paid. I feared I knew what the price might be. But I hoped with every ounce of my being I was wrong. There were a few things Dracula wanted from Katie that I knew of. He wanted her as his Bride and queen but I was well aware he wanted her body as well. Whatever price she was willing to pay to protect me was too high.

Sadness entered me as I thought of my son and Daughter in law and my granddaughter. There was little chance I'd ever see them again. Even if they stormed the castle there was little chance they'd find or even recognize me. I didn't look like their Danielle anymore. My body and face held scars that nothing would ever cover. If I could I'd tell Katie to keep fighting and let them kill me. I knew I had to be sickening to look at now. I wanted Katie to be saved but for myself I just wanted death.