Author's Note: Pardon for such a long recess. First and foremost I want to wish everyone Happy Holidays! It's almost Christmas, yo! Secondly, the holidays have been such a drag and I haven't been able to really update or even write in my book to continue my story. Well, I wish everyone will enjoys their Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Chapter 7: My God, My Tourniquet
"Our children live, my dear." Dracula said, staring at Nathalia before him. The love of his life has returned to him, but it would seem she wasn't here to stay. He walked past her to his brides. Verona sighed in pleasure as one of their children perched on her hand. Nathalia looked at it grotesquely. Verona let the 'child' fly off in a frenzy and both women sighed in pleasure as the were embraced by Dracula himself.
"They need to feed." he whispered to them. "Teach them how. Teach them!" He had literally pushed his brides off the balcony and they screamed delightfully. Aleera and Verona turned into their hellish-bat formsand flew out the castle, leading their hungry children out for a midnight snack.
"And beg the Devil-!" Dracula yelled out before saying the last few words in a whisper, "-that this time they stay alive."
Ater that, he turned around to face Nathalia who stared at him with much disgust. He could sense her anger, but fear was clearly written all over her face. "How long has it been, my dear?" he asked her, smiling.
Out of anger, she intended to punch him, but like any other vampire he was quick, maybe quicker. His grip was deadly and all of a sudden, Nathalia felt a heavy spell upon her.
"Your mind," he began. "has become more... human." he whispered. Nathalia didn't respond. "The children remind you so much of your own child, don't they?" he hissed angrily. His arm wrapped around her waist and he pulled her closer rather roughly.
"You.. monster! You.. ki..killed him! You did!" she yelled at him. She wasn't able to move. He had crawled inside her mind and had control over her.
"Now, now. Anger is not the solution to your problems." he said more calm.
Dracula could sense her struggle, but now that she was weakened, he could easily control her. Like a puppet. "You need to rest." he said as he placed his palm on her eyes, covering them. His voice echoed inside her head. "Sleep." And she did as her body suddenly slacked.
ooo
Anna had run off. He knew because she had tried to stop him, but when she was too late she had fled. To save her brother, of course. Van Helsing had realized that Nathalia was gone too, but then spotted her with a pale, raven haired man clad in black. Nathalia was unconscious.
He began shooting anything that had wings. The last remaining of Dracula's offspring weren't so lucky for lagging behind. The hunter looked up at the balcony, the man with Nathalia had his attention diverted to him. "Now that I have your attention." the hunter said.
Dracula growled at him and threw himself into the air, shrieking loudly. As Van Helsing ran towards the exit, he could hear the sound of flapping wings and felt powerful gusts of winds as leaves, wires, and anything that got caught in the wind were thrown and swirled. The doors were closed shut before he could even reach them as he dodged the sparks and winds.
There was no escape.
ooo
Nathalia felt the spell wear off slowly. Sleep no longer held its sway, but she feared the worst. Shaking away its last remnants, she realized Dracula was no longer there with her. She got on her feet and ran over the the balcony's edge. The wind hit her lightly, Dracula was in the air and Gabriel cornered.
She threw herself into the air and landed on her feet gracefully. When she regained posture, she stuck to the wall's shadows so she wouldn't be spotted.
"I can tell the character of a man by the sound of his heartbeat."
Something in her mind clicked. A name escaped her mouth. "Anthony."
--
Her bulging stomach could not provide her with the agility and speed enough for her to run or even move. The macabre was awful. Her husband layed on the floor, his own blood and guts spilling out of him and his neck nearly gone. She cried as the creature loomed over her and all she could think about was her son. "Anthony."...
--
The sound of loud groaning interrupted her memory as she stared at the scence before her. Gabriel had a staked pierced through Dracula's heart as he shuddered violently. Gabriel made the sign of the cross and prayed in sayed a small prayer in Latin. "No." she whispered.
Dracula stopped his act and he looked at Gabriel, satisfied. "Hello, Gabriel."
Nathalia apporached both men, walking calmly towards them. Dracula had removed the stake and stared at it pitifully. "Is this your silver stake?" he asked. Dracula then looked at her and pulled her beside him. "Now, let us find out if the techniqui you used will work on her." he said, pointing the stake threatingly where her heart would have been.
Gabriel took one step forward, but stopped when he met with Nathalia's eyes. They pleaded him to stay where he was.
Dracula chuckled and tossed the stake aside, pushing her away. Gabriel immediately took her hand and pulled her to his side.
"How long has it been, three, four hundred years?" Dracula asked Gabriel.
She sensed Gabriel's confusion and this made Dracula smile with delight. The moment of truth was here. "You don't remember, do you?" Dracula asked as he removed gloves and his cloak. "Just like the young lady here." he said, nodding at Nathalia.
"Exactly what is it I should be remembering?" Gabriel asked, trying to divert Dracula's attention to him.
"You are the great... Van Helsing." Dracula said, his arms extending to express the grandeur as he moved closer. Both Gabriel and Nathalia moved back. "Trained by.. monks and mullahs from.. Tibet to Istanbul. Protected by Rome herself."
"But like me, hunted by all others."
"The Knights of the Holy Order know all about you." Gabriel began, pushing Nathalia further back. "It's no surprise you would know about me."
Dracula only moved closer. "Oh, yes, bit it's much more than this."
Gabriel pushed her farther back, almost making her tumble. Dracula was amused at the swift action of protection Gabriel was providing for her.
"Tell me, why are you willing to protect her when she is one of my kin?" he asked, a hint of interst in his voice.
"Same reason why I seek to defeat you." Gabriel retorted.
Dracula looked at everything as an amusement. "We have such history, you and I, Gabriel." He turned his back to them and walked calmly.
"Go and help Anna. She's probably looking for her brother." Gabriel whispered to her.
Nathalia shooked her head. "As long as I'm here, he will not harm you." she said.
"Have you ever wondered why you have such horrible nightmares-?" Dracula asked, "-horrific scenes of.. ancient battles past."
Nathalia's face paled. Was he talking to her or Gabriel. The macabre of it all. But it wasn't just battles. It was a slaughter. The one that had haunted plagued her dreams for as long as she could remember.
Gabriel was now more curious than protective and he asked only one question. "How do you know me?"
"So, would you like me refresh your memory a little, hmm?" Dracula asked, a hint of annoyance and anger in his tone. "A few details from your sordid past?"
She heard a light sling and Gabriel revealed a crucifix. Nathalia hissed and looked away. Just staring at the crucifix burned her eyes. Dracula's scream and howling echoed through the hall. She could slightly see the crucifix in flames and melting in Dracula's hand and melting quite rapidly.
When Gabriel had let go, Dracula threw the crucifix aside and breathed deeply. His howling stopped and he clicked his tongue in dissapointment. "Perhaps that is a conversation for another time." he said, pushing a strand of his raven hair from his face. "Allow me to reintroduce myself." he said. "I'am Count Vladislaus Dracula." he bowed courtly. Then he stood up and stared at them coldly. "Born 1422." he began. He then looked at Gabriel with rage and despise. "Murdered.. 1462."
ooo
Van Helsing had Nathalia safely secured behind him. She was drawn to him and it would have seem that Dracula had total control over her. Reason why Van Helsing had Dracula's attention drawn to him. Then, silence was interrupted by shrieks of agony. Dracula looked around, anger flaring in his eyes.
Van Helsing grabbed Nathalia's hand and ran.
"No!" she yelled. pulling herself away from his grip. He looked at her, aghast.
"Are you mad. We have to go." he said. If he came with both Anna and Nathalia, he was going to leave with them as well. In one piece.
"I'am a danger to you and Anna. Go!" Leave without me." she said. He was hesitant. Her words echoed in his head and suddenly, he began to rouse around them. Her voice whispering to him until, at last, he began to move. Leaving her behind. Leaving her with the beast.
"Forgive me." she whispered, before falling inot a deep slumber. Dracula held her in his arms and marveled her beauty even in sleep. "Once more, we are together, my dear." he whispered. 'And this time, I will make sure you are with me forver."
A/N: That's the ending. The name for the chapter was actually inspired by my favorite band Evanescence. The song is called Tourniquet and it basically reminds me of Nathalia everytime I hear it. Look for the lyrics at Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!!