Chapter 7

(What you didn't know)

Memphis' point of view

Rain poured from the skies as I looked outside my bedroom window disappointed. Reth and his pack were anything but welcoming to me and less than gentle when they'd seen to my injuries as I recovered. The biggest downside to being human is we don't recover as fast as immortals.

I'd been out of bed for a week but I hadn't had a single word in private with Katie. I knew something was up but I wasn't completely sure what. My gut told me I needed to see Katie alone. The pack was trying to be nonchalant but I knew they didn't want me alone with Katie for a single second. The only thing I didn't know was why.

Hearing the door I turned around to see Katie close and lock my door. "Memphis, we have to talk," She said sounding openly afraid.

"Yeah, we do. What the hell is going on? Why…"

"Dracula is alive!" She blurted out in a slightly raised whisper.

I knew whatever was going on I probably wouldn't like it. I knew something was definitely wrong but nothing expected me for her statement. "Are you …"

"He's been here, Memphis. He was here when you were recovering. He was here for only one day, but he was here!" Katie said.

"I'm surprised the wolves didn't throw me out to him," I commented. "He must not have known I was here."

"He knew," Katie informed me. "Memphis….I…"

"I know you are scared," I told her and put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"He's going to come back for us, Memphis; Dracula is coming for Angel and me!"

"When?" I asked. I wanted to know how much time I had to try and get them out of here.

Katie gave me a small smile. "You can't protect us from him and I'm not asking you to," She replied sounding suddenly brave. "I don't think he'll hurt Angel but others might. Train her."

"What?" I asked. "What do you mean by train….as a slayer?" I asked. Seeing her nod I admit I was surprised. "Katie…"

"Angel isn't fully vampire. If some of them try and harm her I want to know she'll have a chance!" tears began to stream down her face. "Please, Memphis, Angel isn't evil and…"

"Okay." It was out of my mouth before I could even think it over. I cared about Katie and Angel. Angel was a good kid. Katie wasn't wrong to be concerned about the girl's safety amongst other vampires. Dracula might want Angel, but I was well aware Dracula had enemies even amongst the vampire community. Even within his own servants some would object to the presence of a dhampier. Angel could become a sitting duck if left alone for even a couple of moments.

"You'll train her?" Katie said sounding hopeful.

"Her and you. You both need a fighting chance," I told her.

"There's one more thing." I didn't respond and waited for her to continue. "When I was breastfeeding…"

"I already know about that," I reminded her.

"Yes, well, Dracula permanently marked me when he was here," Katie informed me.

"He gave you no idea when he'd be back?" I asked her.

"No. I think he's trying to, I don't know, he said something about getting things prepared. Memphis…sometimes I think I hear him."

"He marked you, Katie. You can hear him and he can hear you," I informed her. "There's no sense in me trying to get you out of here because between you and Angel he'll find you."

"I'm sorry Memphis. I…"

"It's not your fault." Katie put her arms around me and I hugged her in return. I barely heard a hand on the door knob when it was forcefully opened and I suddenly had Reth, Isaiah, and Tyler glaring at me.

"Get your hands off her!" Tyler snarled.

"It's not what it looks like!" Katie said quickly as she raised her hands with palms up at them in a surrender gesture.

"So Dracula is alive after all," I commented. Reth looked at Katie less than pleased. "Don't Reth. You can be as pissed at me as you want but I will do everything in my ability to make sure Angel has a fighting chance."

"Dracula won't hurt her!" Tyler snapped at me.

"No, but what about other vampires?" I asked them. "If he's going to raise his armies, as I suspect he will, you know as well as I do there are some that will not be pleased about a dhampier; let alone that Dracula has a child now."

"Shit!" Isaiah said as realization dawned on him. He looked at his alpha with concern.

"We will protect her," Reth said.

"Fine, but I'm going to train her," I told them.

"Train…to be a slayer?" Tyler asked with a mocking tone.

"Yes and I want him to," Katie said firmly. I watched as the brown haired woman turned blue eyes on Reth. "I don't know what you have against Memphis and I don't care. Angel is my daughter and if her father is determined to have us with him then I want to know my daughter has a chance if some other vampire decides to kill her! You don't have to like it but Memphis is training her!"

"Dracula…"

"I don't give a damn what he wants while he's gone!" Katie snapped. "I'm her mother and I'm the parent that's here. I will not allow my daughter to …."

"Alright," Reth said suddenly agreeing with her. "Memphis can train her as a slayer and we will help her with some of her other abilities," Reth conceded. Katie simply gave a nod before looking at me. Giving me a smile of appreciation she walked past the wolves and left the room.

I admit I was surprised that Reth had suddenly agreed. But then again, he was an alpha and understood the dangers to Angel among other full vampires better than his pack.

Reth looked at me. "For Angel." Turning he and the others walked out of the room.

I let out a sigh and rubbed a hand through my hair. Dracula was alive. Reth hadn't denied Dracula was raising his armies which meant I was right and a war might not be that far away. I thought back and remembered the triumphant smile on Zack's face.

He'd been so sure he'd destroyed Dracula. I was betting if I asked I'd learn that Zack was no longer alive. A frown crossed my face as I began to wonder who else Dracula had already taken vengeance on. I admit I was somewhat curious as to why I was still alive. I had been there and I was a lot of the reason Dracula had ended up being almost destroyed. He knew I was alive and there so why hadn't he acted against me.

I glanced toward the dresser and stopped as my eyes fell on a picture of Katie, Angel and me. Reth's words were in my head in a second. "For Angel," he'd said. Was that why I was alive? Had Dracula spared me for Angel? If so what did it mean? Dracula did not spare people. Questions were beginning to mount in my head but there was no point in trying to figure any of it out now. Opening the door I headed out to find Angel; I needed to see her.

Dracula's point of view

It was late into the night as I sat quietly in my private sitting room that was just off from my office. A black leather binder Sedrick had put together for me containing pictures of my daughter and Katie lay across my lap. I took care as I flipped each page admiring every picture.

A frown crossed my face. I had hoped to be going to collect my ladies by now but it would not yet be. It had taken me longer than I expected raise my most trusted vampire servants. They had now risen and all that was left was to await their arrival.

I turned the page and my eyes fell on a picture of Katie in a long blue dress. My thoughts immediately took me back to the last time I'd seen my beauty. I could still feel her lips. Though whether it was the last physical kiss I'd shared with her or my invasion of her dreams I honestly don't know.

A smile crossed my face. I knew Katie was confused by things she was now experiencing. I invaded her dreams almost nightly. I heard her thoughts; her fears. Katie was determined to stand strong but I knew she feared and dreaded the day I took her. Yet I knew from her dreams that not all of her feared me. Hidden deep within her subconscious was the desire to be with me. It might be a physical desire but any desire she held for me was a step in a positive direction to winning her heart.

As I thought back on my last encounter with Katie what I remembered most was her fierceness at protecting Fox. I silently hoped my beauty would become even more fierce with time. I would have control over Katie but even I knew there would be times I would not be with her. Katie would have to be able to stand her ground when I wasn't around.

While I knew most of my servants would behave, I also knew there were some that would test her. Katie would have to show her strength to at least a few of the females and a couple of the males or they would be quick to move against my lady. If they sensed weakness they would use it against her. Katie would have to be strong or I might have to anger my daughter and turn the woman.

Sensing power I closed the binder and placed it on the small end table next to me. It was only a moment before a bat and mist entered the room. Both forms gave way and two of my most trust vampires appeared before me. "Dragos, Micea." Dragos was first to take form by a mere second. Dark brown eyes looked at me less than thrilled. Micea, however, looked completely refreshed. His long pale blonde hair was pulled back in a low ponytail as it had been for centuries. Micea always looked proper. Dragos, however, often let his midnight black hair lay where it pleased. He never pulled it back unless he was attending an event or I demanded it.

"Vlad," Dragos said. "I can only assume you have a reason for forcing me from my rest. I do believe I said I did not wish to see the light of day before the human race remembered what music is supposed to sound like."

I smirked knowing how my old friend felt and in truth for the most part I agreed with him. Dragos had not liked disco music. He despised rock and metal. However, when rap was born it was the last straw. Dragos abruptly decided it was time to rest. Dragos liked classical music and nothing more.

"Yes, well, I am in need of you my old friends," I told them as I gestured to two empty chairs.

"By all means," Micea said as he and Dragos became seated.

"A time ago I was nearly killed when five groups of slayers attacked me over a woman," I told them.

"Because you killed some random girl?" Dragos asked.

"I took her."

Light blue eyes looked at me. "What don't we know?" Micea inquired sitting back in his chair.

"Vlad?" Dragos said when I didn't immediately answer.

"Crina should be joining us at any moment," I told my old friends. "Once she arrives I will explain."

I couldn't have been more right as it was but a moment and I felt her presence. A few seconds later a woman appeared standing within the floor length window frame. "Crina," I said as the golden blonde woman appeared. "Join us." Crina gave an elegant nod before stepping away from the window and joining us.

"New look?" Dragos said. Crina wore tall black boots with 4-inch heals to them. She wore a long black leather jacket and a purple knit dress with a black braided belt that hung slightly below her waist. Crina gave a light shrug and then took a seat in the remaining empty upholstered chair.

"I have called the three of you here first because you are my most trusted," I told them. I watched as each gave me a nod of appreciation. "Let me begin with who Katie is."

The three vampires fell silent and listened as I explained how I had become taken with Katie after seeing her in a theater. I told them how I had killed the girl's boyfriend and then kidnapped her. I went on to tell them about the slayers interference and then my reclaiming her from my enemies. I told them of the battle and how I had almost been killed.

It wasn't until I told them Katie still lived, was marked, had delivered me a child, and was protecting the child from my enemies that they were caught off guard. Finished, I sat back and allowed my words to sink in.

"Do you know the slayer that nearly took your head?" Dragos asked.

I smiled cruelly before saying, "He has been dealt with."

"Is there anything left?" Micea remarked.

"No, the alligators were hungry," I replied simply.

"Then we need to round the rest of them up," Crina said with a hint of anger and determination.

"Yes, but I need things in place first," I agreed.

"I assume you plan to bring this Katie and your child here?" Dragos asked. I gave a single nod he was correct. "You are of course aware there may be problems," he said.

"Zweena could be hostile toward both," Micea warned. "More so toward your Katie."

"Zweena will act out but can quickly be put in her place. It is Akila that could be the real problem," The blonde woman warned.

"Her and Rasputin," Dragos acknowledged.

"Rasputin will not like a Dhampire," Mecia said knowingly.

"He will view Angel as a threat," Crina warned. "The fact she is your daughter will make it worse."

"He'll view her as a threat to his position," Dragos agreed. "Crina is right. The fact you have a child may bother him more than anything."

"Hense why he is not here," I said calmly. I looked at each of them before saying, "The question is can you handle it?"

"I believe you already know the answer to that," Crina said. I gave the woman a nod. Crina was not a woman that could hide what she truly thought well. She might hold her tongue but if she was truly against something I knew it.

"Has the child showed any sign of vampire abilities?" Dragos inquired.

"Indeed," I said. I internally sighed as I saw Dragos raise an eyebrow revealing I may have come across as a proud father.

"Katie must submit herself to your authority," Dragos said firmly. "And ours under your orders."

"Katie has already resigned herself to her fate as mine," I assured them.

"Your daughter?" Micea asked. His voice was inquisitive but far more open than Dragos.

"She has much to learn," I admitted. "Katie and Memphis have sheltered her in many ways. Angel must learn punishment is necessary and must be given harshly."

"Very well," Micea said. "When do you plan to bring them?"

"When the others are raised and the slayers found."

"Not killed?" Crina asked.

"As I said, Angel needs to learn punishment and retaliation; I want her present for some of it. Especially since a few of them tried to have her killed before she was even born!" I said becoming angry at the thought. I was on my feet before I even realized it. Seeing the question in their eyes I said, "The slayers Katie was with tried to make her get an abortion when they thought the child might be mine. Katie never said it was or wasn't but told them I hadn't raped her." The three vampires nodded they understood.

"Katie is also to be present. She has been on the receiving end of punishment but needs to learn how to punish as well," I told them. "How to punish enemies."

"I assume you want this taken care of as quickly as possible?" Micea said rising to his feet.

"I had hoped to be bringing them here now but it took a bit longer to call you here than I anticipated." I watched as Dragos looked away with a slight look of guilt before looking my way.

"I will not fail you again."

"No, Dragos. I am perhaps a bit impatient right now. You are all three here now and that is what matters," I told them.

"I trust you have a plan?" Micea said. I gestured toward my desk and the four of us walked over to take a look at what I had planned.