The church library had incredible variety for a church. Old vampire myths were found dating back to the war lord Vlad (Dracula) Tepes. Mary was still wrapping her around her father's, keeping him in "some sort of dungon" as she put it. I explained to her it was more of a crypt.

'Do you wish to know why I chose Dracula over any other name? Not why Vlad Tepes held it, I am aware you know that. But why did I keep it even after him?' Dracula whispered. I did not pretend to know the answer. 'We are so much more...complicated them our names. Until we know the meaning behind that name, it is simple a word we go by. I keeped the name not only because the Son of the Dragon or Son of the Devil was fitting... but because a monster needs a monsterous name! I am no longer simply a cursed man but a beast. Only you know my real name can see the man I once was, yet accept the monster, am I know. Someday, when Mary does too, she too will know me. I only wish to see if she can figure it out on her own first.'

'In other words, keep your identity a secret. Got it.'

We knew from Van Helsing's journal that Dracula was only one of his many names. Still, he had to be much older. "He could not predate christian times by much. All vampire myths are too unlike this him passed that time. I do believe he was not the first or only original vampire, just the only one still around," I explained.

Simon considered my words, "If that is so, it seems like those vampires are dead or locked away real well somewhere. Even according to their legands. Let us hope if they were destroyed, so can Dracula. His origin has to be tucked away in historical records like the others."

Mary sat still and looked up at Simon standing next to her, "The only way to understand death is to embrace it." I laughed to myself, Azrael does not like to be' embraced'. Literal or figuratively. Only gives him more work and ruins his dark, mysterious personality everyone thinks he has.

Simon was concerned for Mary and told her not to think like that. To not even say it. It was hard if Simon had feelings for Mary or his admiration for Abraham was passing onto his daughter. Either way, Simon may put a target on his neck for Dracula. He was smart and picked up vampire hunting like an old pro, so maybe he already was a threat to Dracula. Unless the vampire still wanted a challenge like he did with Van Helsing, there is little reason for Dracula to let Simon stick around. "We know he detests all things Christian. Which matches Ana... Sorry Anastasis theory of him not predating Christian times by much,' he finally remembered how I detested the nickname Ana. I always thought he did it to irritate me. Why the sudden change? Maybe his newfound group leadship, or my help, insited it. It was nice, but I felt too weird coming from him.

Dracula never called me Ana for short, only Stasis. The vampire tapped back into my mind, 'I knew how much you detested it. Besides, Stasis has more power. It matches you more. Also, your name does not give options for anything else if I can not call you Ana.'

'I think you just wanted something that only you called me...' I rolled my eyes as he laughed. 'Anastasis was given to me after...well, I can't tell you that yet. Anna was my real name. It was changed for a reason, and that reason seems pointless if people still call me Ana.'

Silence...I thought the vampire left, but I was wrong, 'You do not think I have not found out about a certain angel you know? Death can see death... My brides saw him after Van Helsing died.'

I immediately became nervous. Azrael did not want to know the vampire. Yet, if he was seen, it was because he allowed them to. I knew he would not go into my mind while the vampire was there, so I would have to ask later.

Simon interrupted our conversation before I could think of something else to say. He was listing things vampires particularity hate, "Holy water, the cross, the bible..."

"And silver..." Mary added, getting up from her seat. She walked over and was inspecting Leonardo Da Vinci's 'Last Supper'.

'Maybe she will get it. She is damn close.' No anwser, and I was worried Dracula was angry, or worse, close by.

Simon was confused by Mary's addition, "Why silver? It is not uniquely Christian." I full-on snorted. It was hilarious to know how close they were. Practicely staring him in the face! "Do you know?" Simon asked. I said nothing because if I did, they would nag me into telling or turn on me for not. Simon ignored me and flipped through a book to Aramaic writing.

Mary recognized it as simular to that in her house on the wall. Tapping into Dracula's mind, she was able to read his writing, "Believe in me, for I am the path to...to eternity."

"You know Aramaic." Simon looked amused because he previously stated it was a dead laguage for almost two thousand centeries.

"No... but he does!"

A noise outside the door alerted us. I drew my sword while Simon grabbed a gun. The door burst open, and Dracula emerged from the smoke that filled the room through the door. Simon had a weapon but stupidly walked up to the vampire instead of just shooting him. Simon was quickly disarmed and was thrown to the table. Back on his feet, he held up a bible.

Dracula only snickered at the book as joked, "Propaganda."

Mary tried to tell Simon something I assumed the same thing in about to. Simon yelled at her to run, which she did. "Simon, remember how Van Helsing said holoy items only make him mad... Why do you keep using them to fight him!" Dracula's smirk grew at my statement.

Simon was not so amused, "I had to think of something to distract him with. Besides, he is not moving!" With that, he opened the book, and the pages flew out. The vampire held his hands in front of his face, backing away from the pages as they light on fire upon contact with his skin.

Simon had his weapon back and was ready to shoot. However, the vampire was gone. "Apparently, they can hurt him, which full pisses him off."

"Shut the fuck up, Ana! You could have helped. Now he has gone after Mary!" Simon ran after the vampire. I slowly followed, Dracula would not stop till Mary was his or regected him. Even then, he may switch is obsession to kill her. The only way to save her now is to let her deside, remain close by when she does, and get her out if need be. Mary must choose to fear death, conquer it, or, heaven forbid, embrace it.