Chapter 17

(The end nears)

Katie's point of view

The castle was so quiet it was unsettling. My heels clicking as I walked was the only sound. My blue eyes glanced down at the pink dress I wore. It was the same dress I'd worn to the theater the night Dracula had taken me from my once normal life. I didn't understand why he'd sent word I was to wear this dress to breakfast but there were a lot of things I didn't understand.

Sedrick moved to the side as we approached the dining room and I entered the presence of the count.

Dracula took in the sight of me for a moment and then standing up said, "Come." I didn't argue and approached the powerful man before me. There was no reason to fight him; it would only hurt me.

I went to the chair on his right and he helped me with my chair. It was strange really. Dracula was always formal but there was an almost gentleness to the way he was suddenly treating me. With me situated he walked back to his chair and sat down. A rare smile was on his face. If I had to guess, I would say he looked proud.

"You seem happy," I said carefully.

"You have never looked more radiant than you do this morning, Katie."

His words were approving and I couldn't help but think 'Does he truly like this dress on me that much?'

Memphis point of view

I was leaning on the wall watching the various leaders and other slayers argue about what we should do and how we should do it for the third day in a row. You would think with this many skilled people in one place we'd already have a plan in place. I consider myself a patient person but between the constant arguing, Badia constantly hitting on people and pissing off several of the women, one being Monica, I'd finally had it.

No longer willing to listen to this anymore I stuck two fingers in my mouth and let out a deafening whistle. "That's it! Shut the Fuck Up and listen!" I ordered. It was almost instantaneous as several eyes went wide and the room became full of shocked faces. I ignored everyone and walked to the front of the room .

"Anca," I said approaching the table holding a diagram to the cemetery where Katie's change was to take place. "Which area has the most hidden areas to try to escape from?"

"The South," She replied.

"Then it only makes sense for your group to cover the south entrance. This is your turf and you know it best." Anca nodded and with a glance at her group they also nodded.

"I really…"

"Shut up, Zack," I interrupted. "Dividing the groups up will make us weak not strong," I told him calmly. "If we had time, then yes, it could be beneficial but we don't have the time and neither does Katie. We stick to our groups. We know everyone in our own group's strengths and weaknesses." I noticed a few nods of agreement but paid them no attention.

"Based off the fact your group can't keep buildings straight, I don't think you should cover the entrance heading toward the city." Looking at Antonio I said, "It's better if you do." The Hispanic man gave a simple nod.

One by one I went through each group and where I felt they should be. Actually I told them where they would be and if one went to object I gave them a daring look and they shut up. Finished giving directions to the others I looked at Dennis.

"If they bring your mother we'll get her then; if not, you will have to wait until Dracula is dead. Zack is right; you can't focus too much on Danielle. We don't even know for sure if she is alive." I saw a look of hurt enter his eyes before he looked down. "I hope she is alive but facts are facts and we just don't know."

I shifted my eyes to Parker. "We know Katie is alive." The blonde man simply nodded.

Next I looked out toward all the leaders, "You are all so focused on having a who's going to be in charge pissing contest; have any of you even considered the fact that we have Brock and Sedrick to contend with as well?"

"They are humans," Badia said unconcerned as she started to play with her long black hair.

"Yes, they are. We can't kill them," Anca reminded her. Badia looked at her and immediately stopped playing with her hair. She'd apparently not thought about that fact.

"Won't they just die when the count does?" Jaenka asked.

"No. They will start to age again but no they won't die," Tibor informed her. He looked at me. "I see your point."

"Police won't take them," Monica said knowingly.

"They will if we can prove something," Sonya said with thought. I watched as Dennis' wife looked at Anca. "You said a girl named Sasha was at the castle. If they have hurt her…"

"That is possible," Zack agreed.

"We capture them, get the evidence, then turn them over," I announced. Looking at Anca I said, "You turn them over." The blonde woman only nodded.

"Alright. We all need to get some sleep; tomorrow will be a long day," I stated.

"Yes, well, it could be longer," Badia suggested.

I looked at her and looking at her coldly I said, "Keep your focus on killing Dracula and not how many men you can land in bed," I scolded. "And keep your fucking hands to yourself! I don't want you, Parker doesn't want you, and one more attempt at Dennis or Vaclar and Sonya and Elga are likely to team up and take your fucking head for a trophy!"

I heard a few gasps and even a snicker or two but didn't address them and headed for the door. Pausing at the door I glanced back and made eye contact with each of the leaders. "Be ready to go in the sanctuary by 5pm." Turning around I walked out.

"Damn he's sexy when he's commanding," I heard Monica say. I couldn't stop a smile from crossing my face.

Dracula's point of view

"You wanted to see me, Master?" Sasha said entering through my open office door and immediately giving me a curtsy.

I watched the girl before me. She was young; younger than Katie. "You were sent here to learn about me," I said calmly. I knew who she was and whom she was connected to; I'd always known.

I watched as she immediately dropped to the ground. "Yes, I was but I swear I will not betray you or Brock! I…"

I was by her side before she could blink. Calmly I gently raised her chin to look at me. "Your love for Brock is too strong to allow you to betray us young one," I told her. "When are you to meet…"

"I was supposed to meet with them two weeks ago," The young blonde German woman instantly admitted. Her eyes looked down and I understood.

"I want you to meet with them." Her eyes instantly focused on me once more. I stepped back and helped her to her feet.

"What do you command?" Sasha asked ready to perform whatever task I assigned her.

"Go under the guise that you have been sent for bread." The girl nodded. "I want you to tell them you've learned the ceremony is to take place at 8p.m." Again the blonde woman nodded. "Tell them Danielle is to be sacrificed."

"I will do as you say," Sasha said with conviction.

"Katie is to know none of this." Sasha gave me a nod she understood. "In exchange I offer you a trade."

"Trade?"

"Do as I say and I will secure your beauty once you have aged a few more years. You are not yet old enough for me to make you a human servant. Obey me and do as I say and I will enable you to be with Brock for all time."

I saw the joy in the human girl's eyes. "I will do as you command." She gave a quick curtsy and almost sprinted from my presence to begin her task.

An arrogant smile crossed my face as my eyes fell on a granite chess set on a table not far away toward the side of the room. "You've already lost slayers," I told the empty room. "Even if you manage to kill me my child grows. I can never truly be gone."