Author's Note: Hello! Once more, I've found some spare time to post, yet, another chapter. I've been debating about how to start off the main climax and suspicions to this story (even though I doubt anyone has yet to feel). Well, this chapter will leave you hanging. I promise!

In other news, I've also decided that this story will have a continuation! And guess what? It's already up! I guess this is so last minute, but the other story is not in full bloom so I'm taking all my time on this story so I could continue the other. For those who are curious to know what the story is called, here's a heads up! Of Angels and Demons.

Enough talking. On with the story!

Chapter 13: Dancing With the Devil

The ballroom was filled with life and color. People danced and laughed, having a grand time. Nathalia didn't like it one bit.

Why are you so cold?

I'm dead, remember?' she reminded herself. "A walking corpse who feels nothing for anything or anyone."

That's not true. What of Gabriel?

"He's a murderer. He killed my son." she said, angry at the mention of the cursed man. Then, she wasn't sure anymore if she believed what she just said. If he were a murderer, he would've killed her. And she had her guard down the last time they had see each other. Was he really responsible for her son's death? Or was it all because of her irresponsibility? She stared down at her hands.

"Am I the murderer?" she asked herself. She saw her hands covered in blood and she gasped, afraid of what she had just seen. She blinked her eyes to see them clean. She looked away. "Am I?"

"Nathalia."

She turned around to see Dracula, a woman beside him, holding his arm. She was dressed in a red gown and wore a gold mask. Her face was barely recognizable. But she knew who was under that mask. "Is that-?"

Dracula chuckled. He nodded and said, "Yes, my dear. It is Anna." He looked at the princess, smiling at her. "The mind is so easy to persuade." he said. He looked at her. "Isn't it?" He frowned to see her in nothing elegant and she looked away. "Why aren't you dressed?" he asked.

From the balcony's view, she saw everyone fine garments, expensive as well. Beautiful colors and exquisite silks. None of which would please her. She despised elegance. All the things fine and expensive were simply temptations to a life of purgatory. At least in her point of view. And she did not wish to trade her boots for heels.

"I will not be attending the ball." she responded. He let go of the Anna and walked towards Nathalia, joining her. Anna stayed in her spot, not moving. "And why is that?" he asked her, almost tenderly. She looked at his face to see that it had softened and his eyes seemed to drift away, as though he were in his own world.

She looked away and smiled. "I hate gowns." she said. she jumped when she heard him chuckle and felt his hand on her shoulder. He stared down at the people as they danced, like leaves in the wind. "Just like your mother." he whispered. He didn't intend her to hear him, but she did. And she looked at him, confused.

"My... my mother?" she asked, her eyes seeming to lose a bit of it glazed look. He looked at her and his face was in a scowl. He walked away to join Anna. "Watch out for Gabriel." he said. "He may decide to... blend in with the crowd." He walked away with Anna in his arm, leaving Nathalia dazed.

ooo

The music sounded peaceful in her ears as she danced with her partner. He was quite the dancer. And as they danced, she felt at peace, almost weightless. Then, the music stopped. She stopped and so did he and both applauded, praising the orchestra. Moments later, she was in his arms again as the music started again, a more slower tune before a woman started to vocalize in perfect harmony.

They danced and danced and she was carefree. It was... perfect. Too perfect.

Wait! What are doing? You're not doing all this! Wake up. Wake up!

A voice in her head screamed for her attention, but she felt so serene that she ignored it completely. She was free, she had no burden to carry. She was floating on a cloud. The music resumed and they continued to glide across the floor, hitting each step correctly. Then, they suddenly stopped. The music had not finished and her brows frowned in confusion.

An arm wrapped tightly around her waist like a vise, pulling her rather roughly. A hand reached for her mask and removed it. Her eyes were closed, but her face showed much confusion. Her lips searched for the man, the man she so badly wanted to plant a kiss and be in his arms forever. Then, it hit her with a disgusting taste in her mouth.

Ice, cold lips descended almost greedily upon hers, suffocating her. She came back to reality, seeing that this was not the man she had imagined would be. It was Dracula and his hold was strong, almost crushing her. Her squeal was muffled by his mouth and she tried to pull away, but she couldn't. She couldn't move. She felt... numb.

He pulled himself away and suddenly dipped her with ease and no strain. Her eyes looked around her surrounding, the only part of her body she could move at will.

"How does it feel to be a puppet on my string?" he asked, pulling her back up.

The people around them continued to glide across the floor, missing each other and dancing as if they've danced to the song thousands of times. Were they, too, puppets in Dracula's string?

Anna stared at Dracula, her eyes like daggers. "I won't let you trade me, Count." she said.

He chuckled lightly, taking her defense rather amusing. "I have no intention of trading you." he said. "And if I know Van Helsing, which I do, he's not planning on making a trade either." He pulled her closer and a gasp escaped her mouth as the contact blew the air out of her. "Neither of us has settled for half!"

"Where's Nathalia?" she asked immediately, not thinking. "You're using her against her will! She would have never worked for you. She despises you!" Anna spat viciously. So much anger was welled inside her and she so dearly hoped that her friend was not harmed or worse... dead.

"Why do you care about her so much?" he asked, amused. "You and Gabriel care about her so much, but you," he said, smiling, "you and her brother cared about her as though she were family. You took her in as though she were family." his smile was suspicious and Anna was beginning to suspect. was Nathalia also a...

"What... what are you saying, Count?" she asked, confused. It couldn't be. It was not possible. I couldn't be unless someone in her family claimed it. And then, it hit her. There were stories of a lost heir, but Anna doubted it all. Now, she wasn't sure.

"You mean to say," Dracula said, bringing her back to their conversation, "Nathalia hasn't told you?" he asked, pretending to sound surprised. He leaned closer to her ear and whispered those words that Anna was afraid to hear. "Nathalia... is my daughter."

ooo

Nathalia spotted Gabriel easily. He was up in the balcony a few feet away from where she was, only a few feet away from her. Dracula was right. Tonight, Gabriel had intended to blend in with the crowd and how well he did. He almost looked like a noble gentleman. Of course, his friend, the friar, was quite the opposite. He wore a jester's suit, complete with silly shoes and dangling bells on his hat.

They were searching for Anna and Dracula from above the balcony, hoping to get a better view. The friar pointed to something in the large crowd. She looked to where the man pointed to see Dracula's mouth over Anna's neck, her face twisted in disgust. Suddenly, she felt a strong wave of anger. And jealousy. She looked over to Gabriel. Though his face was concealed to show his disappointment, his feeling were emanating towards her. She smiled amused.

She walked towards them, disappointed that the friar was leaving, scurrying as his silly hat jingled as he left. She heard punches being blown and she hid behind a pillar. An unconscious acrobat laid on the ground. "Nathalia?"

She looked up to see the the hunter had spotted her. He was holding onto something, but she had no time to see what it was when she pulled out her sword. "The monster is not with you." she said, holding out her sword at him. He looked at her, confused.

"This isn't you, Nathalia." he said, but his voice took a different tone. A tone she knew from long ago, but could not place her mind to it. "You were kind and gentle. You would have never let Dracula seduce you." he said. Her mind boggled for a voice registration. She put her sword down.

"I'm dead, Gabriel. I have no feelings for anyone or anything." she said. She started to walk away, but he grabbed her arm tightly. "Don't leave. Not again." he said, his eyes pleading.

She stared at his neck, her hunger growing. "You've made a bad decision." she said. She swiftly had her hand over his neck and pushed him against the pilled, the marble cracking under her strength. "I'am dying to feed." she said. She bared her fangs, her mouth opening extremely wide. He closed his eyes, ready for the pain as she lunged for his neck...

A/N: Oh my God! Is this the end of the legendary hunter. Will Nathalia ever fight against Dracula's control? Will she ever remember that Dracula is her father? Is Anna going to accept the surprising truth Dracula had just spilled? Will I ever stop leaving my readers with heart gripping cliffhangers? Who knows! But all the other questions will be answered later on... if you continue to read. Well, that's it for now. Unfortunately, I won't be able to post the next chapter until tomorrow, so hold on tight, people. Ciao!

Luna