Chapter 18

(It's almost time)

Dracula's point of view

Katie was fast asleep and had been for sometime but I remained in my position spooning with her; my hand stretched out over her womb. I knew Katie had no idea she was with child; it was better that way. My dark haired beauty would simply believe the child was the slayers. A frown crossed my face as I thought of my child in the presence of my enemies. Still there was little choice in the matter. There were too many of them and I had seen more than a few eyeing my castle. The best way to protect the child was to let them believe it was one of their own.

My frown faded instantly as I sensed the growing fetus come near to where my hand rested on the outside of its mother's belly. The fetus was barely growing and yet it knew it was mine. I sighed internally at the thought of 'it'. Unfortunately while I knew my bride was pregnant, I had no idea of what sex the child would be, male or female, it was a mystery to me. Either way didn't matter but I hated referring to the unborn babe as "it" even just within my mind.

Thoughts of an alternative way to think of the unborn child began to fill my head. I needed a term that was gender neutral since I had no idea what sex the child was. The wrong term could be embarrassing later.

Again I frowned. I had to let everyone believe I was dead; at least at first. I would have to allow a near fatal blow to take me down and allow my enemies to believe I had been vanquished. If I wasn't careful I really would be killed. Chances were high my recovery would be far longer than I would want. It would take me away from my bride for quite some time.

Katie was young though and would remain so. As long as I could make it to her within ten years she would still be beautiful and I could turn her then. It was quite likely it would be a minimum of that long. Near fatal blows are not so easily recovered from and I would still need to gather my armies. This was not something I had ever planned on. It made me wonder how the slayers had managed to gain so much help over one girl.

I thought of marking her as a human servant here and now but when she didn't age it would reveal I was alive. I couldn't have that; ten years minimum would not be long enough.

Carefully I slipped just a little away from her so that Katie would roll onto her back. I waited for a moment and then once I was sure the woman wouldn't wake I brought my lips to her naked stomach and kissed her skin where I knew my child was beneath.

"I will come for you," I told my child. "Look after your mother and keep her safe for me and you," I quietly commanded. Gently I rubbed a hand over her stomach. The child was growing but the brain was developing at a rapid pace. I had no doubt my child understood me. "Your mother belongs to us and no one else; my little fox." I smiled at what I'd called my child. Foxes are considered beautiful and are often underestimated. I had no doubt the slayers would underestimate my offspring; even if it was only because they didn't know the child was mine. Gently I reached down and kissed Katie's stomach once more before looking up and my eyes falling on the site of her bare breasts. It was nearly immediately that I began to feel aroused once more.

I looked over at the clock Katie had insisted she have. It had been a few hours. I considered ignoring my yearning but the thought it could be the last time quickly changed my mind. Slowly I moved up to her beautiful lips and gently kissed her. It was only a moment and Katie began to respond. I loved that she no longer tried to fight me. In truth she didn't even look upset and at times I think she was pleased.

Parker's point of view

I watched out the window as Sasha disappeared behind a building. I was relieved she'd seen Katie and been able to tell us both Katie and Danielle were alive. The news Danielle was to be sacrificed, however, had not set well with any of us. Still it wouldn't be much longer and we would have both of them back.

Dennis had inquired about how his mother was doing and very reluctantly the blonde woman had admitted Danielle had been beaten and even tortured. She'd warned us that there were visible scars. Sasha said it had happened long before she'd ever seen the woman and that at first the count had Danielle hidden so that she didn't even know that she was at the castle. Dennis was furious but in truth none of us were exactly surprised.

Dracula was not a forgiving person and the news she'd been tortured was a shock. We were, however, surprised to learn it had been Dracula's human servant Brock that had inflicted damage to Dennis' mother. It was then Sasha informed us that at one time Danielle had belonged to Brock. Danielle had said she'd belonged to Dracula but as far as we knew even Dennis' father had never known about Brock. It bothered me but then it was possible Danielle was embarrassed by it. I had never seen Brock. I had seen Sedrick a couple of times but that was all.

I turned away from the window and glanced over at an old wooden clock hanging on the wall. A few hours more and we'd face the creature that had taken Katie and Danielle. 'You're time is almost up, Dracula,' I thought to myself.

Brock's point of view

There was only a few hours left until sunset and I felt anything but calm. I didn't like the idea of my master taking the risk of being killed or that he didn't want us there. Or at least we were not to be seen.

Dracula had ordered Sedrick and I to give our word we would not enter the cemetery before the slayers had all left. At first I had refused but he explained he needed us safe and for the slayers to not be able to capture us. Chances were high he would need our help to recover but the slayers had to believe he was dead and that we had abandoned him. With great reluctance we finally agreed. I hated it but as always his plans were never without reason.

The one part of his plan I did like was that Danielle would be killed at the first site of a slayer. It would be our first strike and would secure Sasha's secret as a servant to the count.

A frown crossed my face as the thought of Sasha entered my head. I didn't like phase two of his plan either. Sasha was to leave and go with the slayers. Dracula had sworn he would mark her but wanted her to age a few more years first. Sasha was to go with the slayers pretending to let them rescue her as well. The plan was for her to keep tabs on Katie during the Count's recovery. He wanted someone loyal to him to be with Katie and his child.

I hated the idea but it did make sense. Sasha would look after Dracula's child and bride but would reunite with us as soon as possible. I knew the count would keep his word and make Sasha ours for all time. I didn't doubt that. I just hated to be separated from my beauty.

"Brock."

I turned to see Sasha standing not far away. I could see the look of concern on her face and even the fear in her eyes. She was afraid of what was to come.

"Come here," I told her. Sasha didn't hesitate and immediately came to my side. She wrapped her slender arms around me instantly needing to feel comfort. I gave her what she needed and held her close. "It will work out," I assured the frightened girl.

Her eyes looked up at me almost full of tears. "What if something goes wrong?" She asked with a trembling voice.

"You did everything just as the Master wanted. Everything will be fine and we will be together again," I assured her.

"We'll be separated though. What if…?" The blonde woman looked away.

Sasha didn't say her fear but I'd been around enough women to understand it. Gently I turned her chin to look at me. "You are the only woman I want," I told her. "You are the only one I have claimed since Danielle." I reached down and gently kissed the scared woman in my arms.

Slowly I began backing her up toward the wall while I continued to kiss her. I knew she was so involved in the kiss she didn't know what I was doing.

"Promise me you'll wait for me," Sasha pleaded.

"Only to discard," I told her as I lifted her up against the wall. "We will use others in our absence but belong only to each other."

"I'll wait for you," She vowed.

"No," I said shaking my head at her. "Use one of the slayers. Stay close to Katie." I saw a look of hurt cross her face. "You must hide your loyalty to the count to stay close to Katie and the child. Use a slayer and stay close to them. I will not punish you for it later. It's only to hide your true loyalty."

"But…" Her voice fell silent as she suddenly felt me touch her beneath her dress.

"Do this for me. When you return we will both bathe and reacquaint ourselves." Reluctantly she nodded. I knew part of her wanted to argue but any protest died as I slid her thong to the side and began nurturing both her need and mine for the last time before we met again.

Memphis' point of view

I looked at the slayers in the sanctuary and knew they were feeling what I was. Anxious, excited, and scared shitless. It was time to head for our places and get ready to face the vilest creature that had ever lived. By the end of tonight he would die or we would.

Author's note: I need your opinion for the sequel. This note was supposed to be in the last chapter but I forgot to add it. I have three options for you. Continue the sequel through point of views like this tale, write it as a narration such as in Visionary, Chased, etc. or do it through the eyes of one character. Send me your thoughts. Thank you. I'm asking because I can't decide which way to write it. =o)