I'm back! Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed the last chapter. Just as a heads up, we are starting to wrap things up. I am thinking there may be a couple more chapters. Please remember to review (they usually make my day to see someone's opinion).
Her lips were interlocked with his, refusing to let go. She sighed with pleasure as his hands sliding up her sides. She started running her hands through his hair, then raking her nails down his back. He then started slipping off her dress, one shoulder at a time, and would have continued had the door not opened.
Marishka was the one who caused the disturbance, poking her head through the door. Verona quickly moved her sleeves back up, to try to hide what had just occurred. Marishka had a small trail of blood coming from the corner of her mouth.
"I thought that you two would have taken longer."
"We would have, but I heard quite an interesting tale that was being said by two of the villagers, I had to come back and tell you."
"You didn't leave Aleera there by herself, did you?" Verona grew slightly worried. She was the one who enforced the rule that the only one who would be able to leave the castle by themselves was Dracula. This was made shortly after Marishka had joined their family.
"Of course not! She reluctantly came back, since she was so looking forward to feeding."
"It appears as if you did," Verona said, pointing to the side of her mouth. Marishka quickly wiped away the small trail of blood that was left on her face.
"Just a quick snack."
"What is this 'news' that you were so anxious to tell me my dear?" their husband asked. Marishka ran over to his side.
"They were saying that there was some new doctor in town."
"And this concerns me because?"
"They said he was working for you!"
"Hmm, interesting," he replied, putting an arm around Marishka. "What else did they say?"
"That was all I heard before…" They then heard the loud knocking downstairs at the entrance to the Grand Hall. Both of Dracula's brides look at him, with curious and worried expressions on their faces.
Verona walked over to the balcony, just far enough out so that she could see who was at the door, but not too far so they could see her.
"It is a man, alone. He has quite a few large bags."
"I will attend to this, you two stay upstairs. Verona, find Aleera and make sure she stays up here as well." He quickly turned on his heel and sped out of the room.
Marishka turned towards Verona and asked, "Who could it be?"
"I'm not sure, but we better find Aleera fast, before she makes a meal out of him." Marishka nodded in agreement and sped out of the room to find their younger sister. Verona looked around near the library and the ball room, but she was no where to be found. She then looked in her room, and saw that the curtains were drawn, and her coffin lid was closed.
Verona quietly opened the lid, to find that she was sleeping, peacefully. She looked slightly better than she did before. Her cheeks were more filled out, although there were still dark circles around her eyes and here skin was still very pail, for a vampire.
She sat down next to her coffin, and looked in at her youngest sister. What have I done to my family she thought to herself. All the pain that I had was their pain too. She softly stroked her forefinger against Aleera's cheek. She then closed the lid to the coffin and walked back to her room.
When Verona reached the door, she found Marishka sitting next to her dresser, running her fingers along the velvet box that held the tiara that belonged to Rose.
"I thought you were looking for Aleera?"
"I was, but by the time I found her, you were sitting next to her."
"So then why come here?" She slowly walked to her side.
"I just came to reminisce," she placed her hand that was stroking the box on her lap. "But I can see that you require me to leave." Just as Marishka started to rise to leave, Verona put her hand on her shoulder.
"I never said anything of the sort, just simple curiosity."
A small smile came across Marishka's face. "I wonder if we could go listen to what our master is talking about with this stranger."
"No, we were told to stay here. If we need to know something, he will let us know. For now, go get some rest."
In the grand hall, Dracula waved his hand and the giant doors flung open. A great gush of cold wind entered, but it did not seem to bother the prince of darkness. In stumbled a man, who looked like he was half frozen.
"Dr. Aldini, what brings you here to my humble abode?"
"I…I…I bring news that might be of interest to you," he said through chattering teeth. With a simple wave of his hand, Dracula closed the doors with a loud bang that echoed through the hall. Dr. Aldini whirled around towards the doors and then back towards Dracula.
"Well, out with it."
"Please, let me catch my breath, the air was so cold…"
"I do not need to give you that luxury. You show up to my castle uninvited and unannounced, so this had better be of use to me." Aldini looked up into Dracula's cold and unfeeling eyes, letting terror sweep over him. "You are trying my patience."
Aldini swallowed the lump in his throat and said, "There is a boy, who has just arrived at the university. He is incredibly smart and…"
"Why should I care about a new student?"
"You see Sir, he is naturally in reanimation, and specifically that of human life."
Dracula put his hands together and started drumming his fingers against one another. "Yes, this is some interest of me."
Aldini let a small smile come across his face, hoping that he had pleased his client.
"Do tell, what is this boy's name?"
"Frankenstein, Victor Frankenstein."
"I will keep a close eye on this Frankenstein boy, but let us go and tell my brides about this wonderful news."
"B-B-Brides?" he asked in a shocked and scared tone.
"Yes, they are always fascinated with this sort of thing. Come, we shouldn't keep them waiting."
As the two walked at a normal human pace towards Dracula's study, all three of the brides heard their master beckoning them towards there. By the time that Dracula and their guest had reached the room, the brides were each positioned near Dracula's desk. Verona was standing next to Dracula's chair, Marishka was leaning against one side of the desk, with one hand on the desk and the other on her hip, and Aleera was sitting on the other side of the desk, her legs crossed just so that there was leg showing, but just enough to tease and not show.
"My dears, this is Dr. Aldini. He has found a solution to our problem."
Aleera looked at Marishka, who was just as unsure as she was, and then both looked at Verona, whose eyes were wide with realization. Then it hit both of them like a slap in the face, and they both lit up with excitement.
"Is it true? You are going to help us?" Marishka asked quickly.
"Unfortunately no, Madame."
"So you have a solution for our children, but you aren't the person to fix the problem?" Aleera asked in a stern voice, trying ever so hard to contain a growl that was buried deep in her throat.
"Children?" he then turned to Dracula, "You never said anything about children!"
"Yes, I believe I left that out of the original conversation, but now I feel that you have overstayed your welcome. But first, let me show you the….laboratory that these experiments will happen in."
A wicked smile started to come across his face, which was soon reciprocated by Marishka and Aleera. He took Aldini by the arm, and started to lead/ drag him down towards the dungeons. Dracula led the way as each of the brides followed in close pursuit. They soon reached a large wooden door.
"Please, go see it for yourself," Dracula said after unlocking the door. Aldini looked cautiously at the door, then at Dracula, then back at the door. He slowly opened it, only to reveal a great blackness that engulfed the room. He slowly walked in, but just as he was clearing the door way, the door locked behind him, leaving him alone in the darkness.
He heard the laughing of the brides and their master. He franticly began to start trying to find a way out. He ran straight for where the door was, banging against it with all his might, trying to open it. It was to no use though. Despite his persistence, it was to no use. The horrific laughter that had filled the air was soon replaced by a low and menacing growl.
Aldini turned his head towards the sound, but was unable to see what was lurking, just beyond his field of vision. Before he was able to make out the shape of what was watching him, it was upon him, and it was too late for anyone to help.
I hope to have the next chapter up very soon. Please leave your thoughts or comments, I love to hear what my readers are thinking. Until next time.
~aleera-mistressofallevil