MUAHA evil twist coming up.
Enjoy.
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Chapter 26: The Bride of Count Dracula
"Hey-red, wake up. I don't do dead bodies. Get up!" Firm, supple hands closed on Terra's upper forearms and she sat up, her eyes fluttering open blearily.
She was lying on a dusty couch, and someone cold and hard was propping her up. The voice that had spoken to her was surprisingly female. And the Count had never called her red. And he certainly didn't speak in that chilled English accent.
"Hello? God your lucky all those buggers outside didn't get you bleedin head off aren't you? Well you look right like you tried to do the job yourself silly goose. Now- what are you doing here? I don't quite enjoy strays my dear."
Terra shook her head. Was this girl serious? What the hell was going on? And the count...
"I- I'm looking for the Count. I need to talk to him. And you? Who are you?" She twisted around to see a pale tumble of snaky locks toss indignantly.
Terra looked higher and met cool, appraising ice blue eyes. What a perfect English babe, she thought bitterly. Her frame was much taller and willowy than Terra's, and her hands were like smooth lotus blossoms, curved and pale. Her nose was a bit strong though, and her mouth had a decidedly crooked appeal to it. Her overall appearance was a graceful, yet rough and tumble blond goddess.
Terra hated her instantly.
"Me?" The woman laughed. She set Terra back against the couch with a surprisingly gentle motion, settling herself on the low table in front of it. "All you need know is that I am the only bride of Dracula, and my name is Aliana. You say your looking for the count- he's out hunting or somewhat excuse. It's all the same with the males i'nt it? Anyway, what's your name."
"..Terra." She had decided real names worked best, and she was not entirely sure that Nadia had truly perished. Best leave it be for now. "It's urgent- look, I know I may seem like I'm completely arrogant and presumptuous, but I need him. He's the only one who can save me." Now she was certain Aliana would kill her. Terra's heart was twisted in her and she pushed away a fleeting disappointment. She had wanted to see the count.
Aliana stood, her blue eyes bleeding black with anger. Her voice was brittle as she snapped, "May seem like? You've got your pants in a knot I have to say. Why would he want you? He's got me. Besides, I'd kill you before you got the chance. Go home, Red. You're not welcome here." The vampiress turned away, her sheet of blond locks whipping around in a moonlight halo. Anger radiated from her stiff shoulders. Terra struggled to sit up better, reaching towards Aliana.
"No you don't understand! He is- oh- was, my er... second sire." Terra stopped babbling, frozen by the look on Aliana's face.
"You have a second sire?" Incredulity crept into her voice. She obviously didn't believe her. Terra watched Aliana eyeing the swords mounted over the fireplace adjacent to the couch. Terra sat up and rubbed her curly head, grimacing at the feel of crusted blood beneath her hand.
"Yes. But it's ended, I asked him to break the bond and he did. I had to lead my coven. They're here, now, in Transylvania- but I need his help. The residue from my first sire-"
"Wait, residue?" Aliana plopped down next to Terra, tucking one black booted foot underneath her as she faced Terra. "And your first sire? Who was he?... or she. Explain love, your making my head spin."
"My sire's name was Eleric. He's dead, courtesy of the Count- but his mind somehow melded with mine, and now he's trying to kill me through the connection. That's why I was covered with blood outside."
"Oh, so those wolves didn't get at you. Gave me a bleeding heartattack. Eleric? I know him. Knew. He was the worst kind of monster I've ever known- and I only knew him for half of my life because he's my sire too."
"Then- how did you not know he was-" Aliana closed her eyes, Terra rubbed her head where her nails had scored deepest. "Dead? I knew. I just didn't care. That bastard took more than he was worth I should say. What he left in you, I can guarantee is one of his sick recipes for disaster. Do you remember when Europe fell two years ago?"
"Of course, I lived in Paris. Everyone remembers." Terra glared at the fire. Her blood encrusted fingers curled into fists.
"Well, do you remember a certain group of vampires that went out during the day? unShinev.4 (version 4) was what they used, but it had side affects that Eleric didn't anticipate."
"Wait, Eleric designed the unShine formula?" Terra was horrified. For the past two years she'd been living off her dead sire's protection.
"Yes. Look here-" Aliana pulled back from Terra, undoing the buttons of her sky blue blouse. She bared her back, revealing a thin white lace camisole. Terra's eyes bulged.
All across Aliana's shoulders and upper back was pale pink lacerations, parts of her skin were raised in a strange, bubble like pattern. The effect was hideous.
"What happened?"
"Eleric. I was his guinea pig," Aliana whispered bitterly, pulling her sweater back over her shoulders. "He tested the first three versions of unShine on me, and then made me stand out in the sun to test it. It never worked. Then the fourth version did- but the side effect made itself known once his followers took it and used it in destroying the human population. It takes away all vampiric traits- immortality, healing, flight, sense of smell- whatever relates to a vampire, it vanishes. Of course, the vampires who were in the night forces thought these were just humans left over, and slaughtered all of them. unShine is the way back to mortality. It is the key to becoming human once again."
"Then how are you a vampire? Didn't you return to mortality?"
"Of course. Then the Count took me as a bride and here I am- immortal once more," Aliana was bitter. Obviously it was a strike between her and Dracula.
They sat in silence for a few minutes, the truth dawning over both of them like the opening of a thundercloud.
Terra finally broke the quiet. "But... I'm still a vampire- and I've been using unShine since the vampire covens started making it two years ago. I'm not mortal."
"You see? That's the point! You remained vampiric, and so did your friends. That's because you have been using unShine's fifth version- a version free of all side effects. The formula to the fourth unShine, the one that has the ability to protect from the sun is still the one that removes immortality. The ONLY one. We need that formula Terra." Aliana's voice was quiet.
"Why would the vampires want to keep around something that could change them into humans? Some of the older ones would die returning to their original age. They're thousands of years old!"
"Terra, I know that. But think about it. How many vampires do you know miss mortality? They want to die. They want to grow old with their friends and rest. That's why this formula is needed. But, it is too dangerous to distribute widely."
"Then what am I supposed to do?"
I'm pretty sure that what Eleric left in you was kind of like a blob of his power- and in the middle of that protection is the formula to the unShinev.4. I hope the Count gets here soon. With his help, we can decide where to hide unShine's formula for safe use. Do you know how dangerous this formula is in the hands of an enemy? Right now- to all of the ruling vampire clans, you are the most wanted."
"They want you dead Terra- and the unShine dead with you."
The castle echoed with a long screech and the fire went out in a single gust. The doors to the room opened, and the clicking of boot heels announced the presence of Count Dracula.
"Why Aliana- I didn't know you had guests for dinner. How thoughtful."
Terra froze in her seat, fear seeping through her.
"No my love, it's not that." Aliana rose and walked around the couch. "This is Terra. She says she needs your help." Terra imagined her caressing his face and anger burst in frail blossoms beneath her skin. The doors shut softly behind Aliana as she left the room.
And then she was alone with him.
"Terra?"
Terra pulled herself off the couch painfully slow. She stood with her back to the Count, and squared her shoulders. She took a deep breath in and faced him.
"Hello Count. You look well."
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BIG PLOT CHANGE
-waves arms around crazily- wooohooo
:D rofl.
anyways, hope you liked it.
Hadasah
