A/N: Hi! There's a time jump here. Just a few months. Nothing big. There are going to be a few of those throughout this story though.
There's violence, mentions of violence and mentions of torture.
Sorry for mistakes.
With that said, enjoy!
Chapter Four
The Dark One opened the large leather spell book that sat before her on her desk. She had retired to her study for for the night hoping to get some reading in with her free time. It was the middle of the night and Regina was fast asleep. She's finally starting to sleep through the night. Something that both Granny and Stella were thankful for but Dark Swan missed her sometimes. The baby kept her company during the night when sometimes the silence and loneliness becomes too much. The little girl helped to keep her mind off of the darkness that had taken root inside of her so long ago and the dark things she's done because of it. That baby was a little bit of light in her dark cold world. She hasn't felt anything like that in a very long time. She hasn't felt that since she's lost him. It was safe to say that Regina was exactly what she needed in her life. She would never give Granny the satisfaction of letting her know that though. Some things should be kept between her and her little brunette.
She planned on never getting too close though. She needed to stay focused. She had a plan and she needed to stick to it. She couldn't risk getting too comfortable.
She had been waiting months for Alexander to become successful with his invention. She watched him through her magic mirror and shared his frustration as he hit dead end after dead end. He was frustrated and had broken the structure apart that he had built, on multiple occasions. She almost felt sympathy for him. She realized that what he need was some motivation. She knew that it worked well with anyone. She knew from experience that death was an excellent motivator.
Maybe she could stage an accident that would...
Her train of thought came to a screeching halt when she heard Regina's scream cutting through the silence of the night. Despite the nursery being a few doors down, she could hear it perfectly clear and that was not a normal cry. The baby sounded upset, almost as if she were hurt. The Dark One's stomach sank and she stood immediately. She's heard Regina scream before but never like that. It alarmed her. She didn't like that at all and she felt uneasy. She poofed from the study and reappeared in Regina's nursery. The room was still dark save for the moonlight streaming in through the open window, the night breeze was blowing the sheer white curtains gently. Her gaze landed on the crib and what she saw made her blackened heart stop. There was a strange large dark figure hovering over the little white crib.
"Get away from her!" She screamed and thrusted her hands forward. With a powerful force the figure was shoved backwards and crashed into the rocking chair by the window, breaking it into a bunch of smaller pieces of wood. Their back hit the wall with enough force to knock the wind out of them and they went still. The noise along with Dark Swan's fury just upset the baby even further causing her to scream louder. The sound attracted both Granny and Stella who came barreling into the room.
"What is going on?" Granny breathed out as she tried to catch her breath from running. She looked around the Dark One and saw the figure lying on the floor unmoving. "Who is that?"
"Is Regina alright?" Stella asked and for the first time ever, Dark Swan heard anger in the woman's voice. "Did they hurt her?"
The Dark One didn't take her eyes off of the intruder as she addressed the two women, "Take Regina and try to calm her. Check her and make sure that this pig hasn't harmed her."
Both women said nothing as they came into the room. Granny quickly grabbed Regina up into her arms. The little girl was still screaming just adding to the Dark Swan's fury. "Alright Regina, it's alright. I have you. You're safe now. It's alright." She heard Granny whispering to Regina. Out of her peripheral she saw Stella grab the baby's stuffed swan, rattle and her blanket. The Dark One knew that Regina would be safe with them. It gave her a little peace of mind so that she could focus on what needed to be done.
"And gather all of the children and take them to Granny's room." She ordered before the women exited. "You'll all be safe there until I eliminate this threat."
"Yes, Dark One." Stella said as she followed Granny over the threshold. Dark Swan said nothing but once the women were gone she raised her hand in a sharp movement, the force of her magic slammed the door behind them. There was a click as it locked. A sudden wave of the same hand brought all of the candles to life, brightening the dark room.
She could finally get a good look at their intruder. She eyed the person. She noticed that their large hat had come off and she could see the head of a man. That just infuriated her even more. The man was large and muscular. He had long dark hair and even unconscious he looked exhausted. He was wearing a long black coat but she couldn't really see what was underneath it. He had on black pants and matching leather boots. There was a crossbow lying right beside his limp hand on the plush white carpeted floor. To any mere mortal he would have looked intimidating or menacing but to her he looked like a twig she wanted to snap in half. She moved closer and thought of all of the ways she was going to torture him with each step. Slow castration has become her favourite and that seemed to fit well for him. She was going to throw him in the dungeons and he was never going to see the light of day ever again.
What she wasn't expecting was for him to regain consciousness so quickly and grab the crossbow lying beside him. She especially didn't think he was bold enough to aim it at her. She smirked at the foolish man and shook her head.
"Now what are you-" She was cut off when the man fired an arrow at her. There was a quiet 'zip' sound as it cut through the air. By reflex she reached out and caught it around the shaft. The tip of the head was an inch from her heart. She growled in pure anger. Sure it wouldn't have killed her. It would have stung at best but how dare he. He invaded her castle, hurt her baby and he had the audacity to shoot at her. She looked at the arrow and noticed that the tip was... is that silver? She raised her brow as she then took both ends into her hands and bent, snapping it in two. She threw the pieces to the floor. "How dare you! You've came into my home and threatened me with-"
She was cut off by another trajectory. She caught it as well and examined it. This one was... a stake? She looked back up at the man with a raised brow. "I am not a vampire."
"But you are an undead." The man said with nothing but hate in his voice. What has she ever done to him? Sure, she had crossed a lot of people but she had never seen this man in her entire life. "I will send you back to the pits of hell where you belong, demon!"
She chuckled at the last part. "I am not from hell. I might end up there but I did not descend from there." She motioned to herself. "Do I look like a hell beast?"
"That does not mean anything." He growled. "The devil was one of the most beautiful angels."
"Alright." The Dark One said slowly.. "Well, I was cursed. Being the Dark One is a curse. I do not even know your... devil."
She watched as the man's thick dark brows knitted together as he thought her words over. "Is that why the arrow didn't affect you?"
"What?" She snapped.
"That arrow and stake were both dipped in holy water. Hell, even my crossbow is blessed. No evil being should be able to withstand that." He explained.
"Oh..." She chuckled dryly. "None of your weapons can destroy me."
"I know." He said. "I just wanted to stun you while I got a hold of your dagger." He admitted as if he had nothing to lose but oh he had no idea.
Dark Swan glared at him then her hand shot out. She closed her fingers and the man began choking as he was lifted to his feet and up off of the floor by the Dark One's magic. He began gagging and clawing at his throat as his feet kicked wildly. "Who told you about the dagger?!" She demanded. Her voice echoed throughout the room.
"Dorian." He gasped out. "Dorian Gray."
"What?" She growled. Why that ungrateful little...
"Mr. Gray said that you killed his love and drained her life force." He choked out.
"He's a liar." She screamed. "His love lives."
The man for the second time looked confused. "But he said..." She rolled her eyes.
"Dorian Gray is a liar and coward." She growled as she released him and let him fall to the carpet. He instantly started gasping and pulling in air as he rubbed his throat. "Did he also tell you what happens when you plunge that dagger into my heart?"
"He said you'll go back to hell." He croaked.
She shook her head. "This is my hell." She chuckled darkly as she opened her arms to indicate this. "No. Actually you will become what I am. A Dark One. Your heart will be filled with darkness and the only way to relieve the pain is to kill and cause more pain."
The man looked completely scandalized. He pulled himself to his feet. His dark eyes gazed into hers. He looked both confused and furious. "How do I know you are not lying?"
"Do you want to test it?" She challenged.
He shook his head quickly. "No."
She nodded. "Smart man. I like you." She said with a shrug. "Which is why I will not kill you. You were deceived. I will not punish you for that. Dorian on the other hand..."
"I wish to kill him."
"Now, now." Dark Swan said raising a hand. "You've traumatized my baby. The least you could do is give me the satisfaction of destroying him."
"I did not mean to scare your little girl." The man said sincerely. "Her window was the one I climbed in through. I didn't know it was hers. I was told that you were a lonely vicious beast."
"Lonely?" She asked in shock. She had no idea why she was so surprised. She was the Dark One after all. "I am not lonely. More people tolerate me than him." She waved that off and got back on track. "I will make him pay." She growled, leaving no room for discussion. The man nodded back with a small dark smile.
"I owe you a debt for your trouble." He said stepping closer to her.
"Well..." She said with a smirk. "I have to get back to you on that."
He nodded. "What ever you or the child may need just find me."
She nodded. She figured he was from another realm given his clothing and he spoke of things she's never heard of. She knew that he wasn't from Dorian's either. "Very well." She clapped her hands together. The room door unlocked and flew open. She smiled at him. He could be useful and he'd be a good ally. "Now why don't I enchant those weapons of yours? I can make your job a lot easier." She turned on her heel without giving him a choice. "Follow me." She could hear his shoes clomping behind her with each heavy footfall. She could understand how he woke Regina. "What is your name?"
"Van Helsing." He replied.
"Well, Van Helsing." She began over her shoulder. "I am the Dark One, I am often called Dark Swan. It is lovely to make your acquaintance and to do business with you."
"Yes." Was all he said. The Dark One hummed in response.
What he did not know was that that is not a freebie. He just sold his soul to the Dark One.
She smirked as she showed him down the hall. Another pawn for her chessboard.
The next morning she spent most of the day with Regina. She didn't get to comfort her the night before and she regretted it. By the time she was done with her newest puppet, Regina was already soothed and back asleep. She hated that she hadn't gotten to her before she fell asleep. Then again she felt even more guilty that the baby was not better protected. That very night she headed back to the nursery and enchanted it so that only the castle's residents could enter. She knew that Maleficent would get in regardless though. The Dark Swan has known Maleficent for a very long time and she knew that she is no threat to a baby. Well, unless her name is Aurora. Every baby except Aurora, daughter of King Stefan and Queen Briar Rose was safe from the Dragon. Besides Dark Swan knew that Maleficent had been visiting the baby at night. Dark Swan would come to greet Regina in the morning to find gifts in her crib or a new dress hanging in her wardrobe. She didn't mind Maleficent. Did she trust Maleficent? Hell no, but the Dark One didn't trust anyone except for Granny and Ruby. Maleficent wouldn't hurt her though. The Dark One felt much better with the magic barrier though. There would be no more incidents such as the one that occurred the previous night. Sure, the vampire Hunter was no threat but they were lucky. Someone could have hurt the baby. Dark Swan never would have forgiven herself. So she took drastic measures to ensure that another breach was not eminent.
She sat the baby down on the rug and handed her her stuffed swan. Regina looked at the toy and shook it just to make sure that it still worked. Of course she put it straight into her mouth. When doesn't Regina put things into her mouth? That was a habit that the Dark One hoped the child would grow out of soon. It worried her that one day she would get sick but Granny always assured her that Gina was fine and that her environment was completely sanitary, but what happened when she's outside of her playroom or nursery? Regina was crawling now. At ten months the busy little brunette was all over the castle. It was quite entertaining to see though despite her concerns. The staff was always running after her and she would try to make a break for it. If there was a surface for her to balance on she would try to stand but she'd quickly realize that crawling is quicker. It was fun crawling around but walking was her goal.
The little brunette's good friend Daniel was already walking and Regina found it quite frustrating that her legs wouldn't do what his did. Dark Swan loved when the baby's dark brows furrowed and she tried to take her first steps. She always frowns when she falls onto her little bottom. Daniel was always helpful as ever and sweet. He'll go over and check on her. When she pouts, he always hugs her.
He's very affectionate towards his friend and Dark Swan really likes that Regina has someone her own age to play with. Regina spends a considerable amount of time with Ruby but Ruby is five and likes to spend time with the older little girls and teenagers in the castle. Sometimes Ruby asks to bring Regina along and they let her. Surprisingly the little girls spoil the baby even further and treat her like a doll.
Dark Swan doesn't particularly mind. If Regina's happy then she's happy and boy was that a happy girl.
Regina giggled when Dark Swan tickled her tummy. That made the Dark One smile. Regina grinned wide at her. She looked like a little angel in the little white dress she had on. The Dark Swan shook her head with a smile. Regina opened her arms and reached for her. The Dark One frowned and shook her head. She couldn't pick her up because she had business to attend to and she was already late. Regina frowned and poked out her bottom lip. Her pretty eyes glistened. The Dark One frowned because she knew what was coming. Before she could react, Regina burst into a fit of harsh angry screams. Fat tears were streaming down her flaming red cheeks.
Regina threw her toy down to the floor and began screaming louder at the top of her lungs. The Dark One watched the angry little girl. She had dealt with tantrums before but that was many centuries ago and Regina's always felt way more intense. She had a temper on her and it was hard to calm her once she started.
She heard two sets of footsteps rushing their way. The sound obviously drawing Regina's caregivers. They stopped outside the door and she looked up to find Granny and Stella standing there in the doorway of the room. Both women looked concerned. She was comforted by the fact that the two women loved the baby so much.
"Is she alright?" Granny asked as she tried to catch her breath. Granny has been on edge as well. She didn't want to let Ruby or Regina out of her sight. She kept both girls close the entire morning until the Dark One came for Regina. She reluctantly let the baby go then.
"Would you like me to take her?" Came Stella's gentle question. Regina looked over at the woman as she continued to cry. Stella started to rush inside to soothe the angry child.
Dark Swan simply raised a hand and shook her head. She could handle an angry baby. She reached for the girl but Regina's tiny hand hit at her as if saying 'no'. She heard Granny chuckle and she had to hold back a chuckle of her own at the amount of sass in that tiny package.
"I'm sorry." She said gently. She knew that she had to apologize. Regina was young but she was advanced and understood more than most babies her age. "I'm very sorry, Regina. I did not mean to hurt your feelings. You know that I will never hurt you on purpose."
Gods that felt strange. She hadn't apologized to anyone in her entire immortal life and here she was apologizing to a baby. She rolled her eyes at herself for upsetting her in the first place.
Regina's cries began to calm down very slowly until she stopped screaming altogether. She was still sniffling and whimpering here and there with her little bottom lip still poked out. Her eyes were still sad and glistening. The Dark One's heart clenched. She hated that face.
"Can I give you a hug?" She asked. Regina leaned away from her still angry. The Dark One smiled. "Please?"
Regina hesitated as she looked into her eyes. She was still quite pissed off but at the same time she wanted her friend to cuddle her. She opened her arms again and that time the Dark One did not hesitate to pick her up. She brought the little one close to her and squeezed her gently. She kissed her hair as she stood with her. Regina was still pouting so she bounced her a little. That usually cheered him up. Regina was nothing like him but she was still a swan nonetheless.
Regina sighed and laid her head down on her shoulder. The Dark One knew that she was forgiven then.
"Thank you." The Dark One whispered then kissed the little girl's hair. Regina didn't respond, obviously still angry but she was coming around. Dark Swan conjured a black handkerchief and began wiping the baby's chubby cheeks. Once they were all dry she gave her another kiss. This one on the cheek. Regina looked up at her with her brows scrunched together and a frown still in place. After a moment her resolve broke and she snuggled with the Dark One. "That's my little princess." She said rubbing her back.
The Dark Swan looked over to see Granny and Stella watching with small smiles. She rolled her eyes. She needed to get to work but she couldn't leave Regina just yet. She was still upset. Besides she didn't want to deal with Stella or Granny at the moment. She held the child close and the two of them vanished from the playroom in a plume of gray smoke, leaving the two women to melt at the idea of a baby taming the Dark One.
They appeared inside of the Dark One's study. Regina had only been in there a few times. In fact she was the only one of the castle's residents allowed inside. The little girl looked around the large room, her young eyes trying to take in everything and checking to see if there was anything new.
Dark Swan walked them over to a bookshelf that took up the entire back wall of the room. She then adjusted Regina so that she could hold her with only one hand. Regina watched on curiously as the Dark One selected a black book with a silver spine. She then pulled the book back. There was a small click and the book shelf split open right down the middle creating a small entry way. They stepped inside of the dimly lit room. Regina's eyes widened as she looked around the new place with interest.
This room was even better. There were wooden shelves lining the walls with vials rested on them. Each vial contained a different colored substance. Some sparkled, some where bright and glowed. An array of glittery wands and crystal balls were locked away in a cabinet with clear glass doors. There were new toys everywhere and Regina wanted to play with all of them. Regina began squirming in Dark Swan's arms so that she could get down and explore. Maybe even taste a few things.
"Not now." The Dark One said gently. Regina looked up at her with a glare on her adorable face. The Dark One caught on instantly and laughed. "Don't you look at me like that." Regina just gave her a warning look. The woman simply laughed. She waved her hand and a small cloud of gray smoke flew around her palm. When it cleared, there was Regina's favorite stuffed swan in her hand. "Here." she said handing it over.
The baby accepted the toy but she was still giving the Dark Swan a look for daring to say no to her. Regina hugged the toy to her chest and rested her head on the Dark One's shoulder.
"Okay good." Dark Swan muttered. She patted Regina's back as they walked across the room. This should be a quick trip. They walked to the middle of the vault and stood before a tall standing mirror. Regina had taken to sucking her thumb, fighting a nap that she knew she wanted in favor of seeing what was going to happen next. She spotted herself in the mirror and sat up to get a better look. She pointed and giggled at the baby staring back at her.
The Dark One smiled. "Yes, that's you." She said giving her a squeeze. "Look at how pretty you are."
Regina smiled even wider then looked up at her. She touched the sorceress' face with her tiny fingers in the way that the Dark One loves. The baby then looked back at the mirror and giggled. She pointed a tiny finger at the mirror again.
"That's me." The Dark One chuckled. "That's us."
The baby laughed and continued to stare. The Dark One of course couldn't look away from the baby admiring herself in the mirror. The first time she showed him his reflection he was frightened. Here's Regina braver than ever with a hint of vain. She had to get her a mirror.
"Alright Regina." She muttered before giving the baby a little bounce. "You can admire yourself in the mirror later. We're going somewhere new."
Regina's face lit up and her eyes widened. That was one of her favorite words. She liked discovering new things.
"I got this mirror from a friend of mine." She explained. She knew that Regina was learning new words as the days went on. She understood 'friend' as well. It was a good thing. "It will take us to a brand new place. A place you've never seen before. I have to go see another friend and he's been a very bad boy."
Regina wrinkled her nose at the other familiar word. 'Bad' is not a word that she hears thrown her way often but she's heard it thrown at Daniel multiple times and she doesn't like it.
"But you're a good girl." Dark Swan whispered. Regina looked up at her and smiled. Her friend bounced her a little. "Now, we have to go bye-bye."
The baby instantly started fussing and squirming in her arms. She had to hold her firmly not to drop her. "I'm not leaving you. You're coming with me. Look..."
She held Regina tight as she took a long step and her boot went straight through the mirror. Regina looked up in surprise. The Dark One gave her a reassuring smile and took another step into the mirror. A clear blue void with swirls of white surrounded them. There was no feeling, only air. There was no smell either but that of magic. She was sure that Regina understood the smell of magic. She wasn't afraid of it because the Dark One only used it for good in her presence. She was unsure if Regina would someday have magic as well but it was a possibility because of her parentage. The Dark One hoped to keep it suppressed if that were the case.
Dark Swan looked at the baby to find her staring ahead of them with wide excited eyes. There wasn't an once of fear anywhere. She looked up at her and pointed ahead of them.
Dark Swan nodded. "Indeed, we are going there."
Regina smiled at her and the Dark Swan took that as an okay to continue on. She held the baby close as they waded through the nothingness. A bright light showed that they had reached their destination. There was a large tall rectangle, exactly like the mirror they had come through right ahead of them. Through it they could see what looked like a dark corridor. She took another big step and her boot went through the tall rectangular shape. She took another and they were on the other side. The baby's eyes were still wide as she looked back at the mirror. She looked back up at the Dark One with a curious furrowed brow.
The Dark One smiled at her and squeezed her gently to reassure her that she was safe. They both looked around them. They were standing in the dimly lit eerie corridor of a dark mansion that almost rivaled her own in dreariness. She could feel the pain and misery within the walls. For a moment she wondered if she should have left Regina at home. Not for her safety because as long as she was with her, safety was never an issue but because a tortuous dark place like that is no place for a child. She looked over to see Regina distracted by her toy again. She was fine.
They set off down the hallway and the sound of the Dark One's heels echoed throughout the empty space as they headed towards their destination.
Regina put a tiny hand on her cheek and giggled. The Dark One smirked at the little face looking up at her. Regina giggled again and closed her eyes. Dark Swan laughed and placed a kiss on her cheek. Regina giggled and fell back in the woman's arms. Dark Swan chuckled as well. It amazed her how much this baby liked her. Most people feared or hated her, especially children but Regina actually enjoyed her company. She clearly didn't know any better.
"You are so damn cute." She chuckled. "Don't tell your granny I swore."
Regina gave her a look and the Dark One smirked. "Thank you." She whispered. The baby smiled as if she understood. She kissed Regina's forehead as they stopped in front of a dark wooden door. "Now, no matter what you see, you will be safe. I will never hurt you. I will always protect you. You are always safe with me, Regina. I... lo..." She stopped herself before she said something ridiculous. Something she didn't mean. Maybe she did feel that but if she said it out loud, that would make it real so, she kept her mouth shut. She had to play this safe. "Everything is fine, Gina. Don't be scared."
Regina tilted her head as she tried to understand. Dark Swan chuckled and petted the girl's head. "Good girl."
She held Regina close and with a flick of her wrist, the door flew open and slammed against the wall behind it. Regina didn't even flinch at the sound. Instead she turned a little to get a look of her surroundings, curious of this new place. They stepped inside of the room which appeared to be a poorly lit sitting room. An old wooden desk sat in front of a window that was covered by thick dark red curtains. There was a sudden movement from the large suede arm chair by the raging fire place. A man shot up and a book toppled to the floor from his lap. The Dark One raised a brow at the man.
"D... Dark One..." He stammered as he tried to adjust his suit. He ran his fingers through his black hair.
"Dorian." The Dark One said with a dark smirk. The man just stared at her. His dark eyes were wide and he looked panicked.
Regina tilted her head as she took him in. She thought his skin was odd as pale as it was. She didn't like it. She didn't like him. Something was wrong with him but she couldn't figure it out. She knew that she didn't want him near her. She started fussing, wanting to leave that place with the scary man. His eyes darted to the squirming baby in the sorceress' arms.
"What are you looking at!" The Dark One snapped. He didn't have the right to even look at Regina after what he had done. The man tore his gaze away from the child, he was clearly pulled in by Regina's light as well. Something about this girl just attracted the darkest of souls and the odd part was that they just wanted to be near her, not harm her.
He appeared to relax and a lazy smirk graced his red lips as he looked back up at the Dark Swan. He crossed his arms over his chest and looked her up and down. "I didn't see you as the..." He shrugged lazily. "Motherly type." He said with a hint of disbelief. Dark Swan made a face.
"I'm not. I got her from a deal." She snapped. The man looked back down at Regina.
"Hello there." He said with a wave. Regina made a face and turned away from him, hiding her face in her friend's chest.
"Stop that!" The Dark One hissed at the man for scaring her. "Its okay." She whispered into Regina's hair. Realizing that Regina didn't like the man and for good reason, she gently placed her down on the rug, facing away from the man. She lowered herself to a squatting position so that she could address the child. "Hey." She said softly. Regina looked up at her. Damn those beautiful brown eyes. "Don't move." Regina furrowed her brows then she was distracted by the jingle of her swan as it started floating around in front of her, touched by the Dark One's magic. It successfully distracted the child so that she could handle her business quickly.
The Dark Swan then petted the baby on the head and stood, leaving her to try to grab a hold of her toy. She checked the baby one last time then headed over to the man. He stepped back with every step she took towards him. She rolled her eyes at his cowardice. Such a proud man became a complete coward in her presence. "How are you, Dorian?" She asked as she looked the man over. He looked well physically but she knew that he was battling some of his own demons deep within just like her.
He shrugged. "Well, my ego is a bit shot. Your friend there wounded me." He motioned to the baby that still had her back to them. Her chocolate curls were fall down her back freely. "The ladies usually find me to be quite charming."
The Dark Swan smirked. "Well, at only ten months old, my little princess is a bit more refined than the ladies you encounter, I'm sure."
The man made a face then placed a hand on his chest, feigning hurt. "Ouch."
"I could really cause you pain." She growled stepping closer. The man took a step back.
"Now that is not very motherly of you." Dorian pointed out. "You don't want to expose that little angel to violence at such a young age now, do you?"
The Dark Swan shrugged. "She'll forget. That's the thing about babies. They don't remember much. Now, stop worrying about my child. Out of the two of you, she is the only one safe from me." Just then Regina's giggle drifted across the room. The Dark One raised a brow at him and his shoulders slumped. "Good." She said as she picked some nonexistent lint from her jacket. "Now... I've heard some very upsetting things, Dorian."
"What?" He asked trying to sound innocent. She knew good and well that he was anything but. The Dark One could tell that he was full of shit and his performance was horrible at best.
"Watch your tone." She snapped. "I would tear your dead heart from your chest and let my baby play with it."
His eyes widened. "Dark Swan..."
"Don't act so surprised. We made a deal. You wanted to live handsome and charming forever and in return you will do whatever I say." When he fell silent she continued. "I received a visit from a man last night. I believe that he goes by the name of Van Helsing."
Dorian's dark brows shot straight up. "I can explain." He said quickly.
"He came to kill me." She chuckled dryly ignoring his attempts at lying. "The fact that he thought that he could is hilarious but what he told me when I captured him is what really infuriated me." A dark shadow cast across her face as she stalked closer. She was so angry that she could have just pushed him backwards into that fireplace. "He said that a man named Dorian sent him and told him that I was an evil creature from hell and I killed someone that he loved to drain their life force." She paused and sighed dramatically. "I thought... well, that makes me sound like a... a vampire. Van Helsing hunts vampires and other hell beasts." Dorian was watching her with wide eyes. She could see him slightly shaking. "Anyway. He also went on to say that he knew about my dagger. He also said that he needed to find it to 'vanquish' me and send me back to the flaming pits of hell. I wonder where he got that idea."
"Dark One..." Dorian began.
She raised a finger to silence him. "I explained to him that I was cursed. He seemed to understand and accept that. He and I became really good friends afterwards over a mutual hatred of you. I paid him well and even gave him some enchanted weapons to make his job a bit easier." She grinned wide at her victory. "What enraged me the most though was that I found him in my little girl's nursery. He was not harming her but Regina does not particularly like male strangers. I don't know why but she never has. She was quite upset and he was trying to calm her which just upset my little princess even more. The only reason I didn't kill him was because when he saw me he said... no." She shook her head. "Guess. I want you to guess."
Dorian shook his head. "I don't know. How... how would I know?"
The Dark One's brows rose and she frowned, "Oh really?" She said in mock surprise. "You two are such good friends."
"I don't know him." The man said much too quickly to be believable.
"Oh?" She asked. She then sighed. "Well, I thought he knew you. He must have been referring to another Dorian Gray when he charged me screaming 'prepare to die beast.' I have come to avenge Dorian Gray's beloved. Prepare to die for your sins'." She grinned. Sure she was fabricating a little but aren't all of the best stories a little fabricated? "Now I enjoy a good threat or assassination attempt just as much as the next person but when she is startled, that's when I draw the line and someone has to die."
"Let me explain." He pleaded.
"There's nothing to explain. You clearly no longer want to be indebted to me so you tried to have me killed." She said with an air of disinterest. "Is that it?"
"Yes." He said as his shoulders sagged. It was incredible that this man that had been so proud not too long ago was now a sniveling coward. What a transformation.
The Dark One shook her head with a chuckle. The chuckle quickly turned into a full out laugh from deep within her belly. Of course it wasn't funny but she did find it humorous that Dorian thought that he could defeat her. A broody, spoiled, playboy like him was incapable of such a thing. He should stick to his grand parties and other rich boy things. He had definitely bitten off more than he can chew. Her laughter died down and she wiped a fake tear. "Oh Dorian, you messed with the wrong Dark One." With a snap of her fingers, a large, wooden frame appeared in her hands. Dorian's eyes slammed shut immediately when he realized what it was.
"No." He said desperately. "Please. Don't."
She looked at the portrait in her hands and grimaced. It was once a perfect portrait of the man before her but after one hundred years, it was now nothing more than a portrait of a skeleton wearing an expensive suit. She warned him of what would happen when he traded his soul for immortality. He now belongs to her for the rest of his eternal life.
A deal's, a deal.
He must have thought that killing her would get him out of the deal. He wasn't even brave enough to do it himself. All that she knew was that after she explained to Van Helsing what would happen after he killed her with that dagger, the man was furious and now Dorian has yet another enemy.
"Look at this thing." She said in mock shock. "Dorian, you must see this. It's so grisly."
"No!" He screamed and fell to the floor with his eyes still squeezed shut. They both knew what would happen if he looked at it. He would no longer be enchanted with eternal youth. He would embody his true self, aging to match the portrait which holds his true image. He would become the skeleton on the page and the portrait itself would return to its true form of him in his early thirties. "I will do whatever you wish. I'm sorry."
The Dark One chuckled. "Good boy." She said as if she was talking to a disobedient pig. "Now, what have we learned?"
"I apologize. I will never betray you ever again. You have my word." The groveling man said. The Dark One shook her head at the pathetic man before her. Dorian is prideful. Not many can bring him to his knees but Dark Swan knew that she could do that to anyone, including him. They have a long history. He knows very well what she is capable of but sadly she knew that Dorian was a snake and he would likely try to end her again. He would fail but he still couldn't be trusted. "Please do not make me look at that." He cried.
The Dark One chuckled. There's nothing she loved more than to hear someone pleading and begging for mercy. She was feeling such a high that she didn't want it to stop.
"Oh, I won't kill you, Dorian." She said simply. "Well, not yet but if I catch you trying to kill me or putting my little girl in danger again I promise you, I will stitch your eyelids open and sit that painting in front of you." She smirked when he gasped at her words. She lowered her voice and leaned closer to him. "Do not test me ever again."
The man nodded frantically. "Yes, Dark One."
"Very good." She said. With a snap of her fingers the painting disappeared from her hands and returned to where he had it hidden in the attic. "Now, if you'd excuse me," She slapped the man's cold dead cheek with more force than necessary. He hissed at the sting. "My little princess needs a snack and a nap." She straightened up and stepped away from him. She could see him physically relax. She smirked with a shake of her head. Oh, he had no idea. For an immortal he certainly thought like a mortal. Moron.
She walked over to where Regina was still playing. She had somehow gotten a hold of the swan and was currently trying to eat it. The Dark One lowered herself. She smiled at the baby and Regina instantly opened her arms to be picked up. She had clearly had enough floor time. The sorceress chuckled and put her hands under the little girl's arms, lifting her. She grabbed the swan as they stood. She held the baby close to her chest and they headed for the door. She stopped and looked over shoulder at the man who was still crawling around, scared to open his eyes. She smirked wickedly.
"Oh and Dorian," She whispered. The man turned his head toward her voice. "Your painting is hanging somewhere in this very room so, I'd be very careful where you look."
With a snicker, she and Regina slipped out of the room. As soon as she shut the door behind them, she heard the man let out a blood chilling scream. She chuckled to herself, causing the baby to smile. The Dark One began humming a soothing melody as the two of them headed down the hallway, back the way they came.
I had to put a little twist on those two characters. I couldn't help myself.
Thanks for reading.