Mary's POV

Judas' message was alarming and earnest. However, he seemed in no hurry to get to me. I thought back to the odd conversation we had...

"Mary. I know you don't want me here, but you have no idea how much power I used to contact you," Dracula appeared exhausted and tired before me.

"You are correct. So I wonder why you appeared in first place?" I crossed my arms. Try to appear unbother or even annoyed by him. Twice in one night is more than I ever saw of Judas. At least I know what and who he is now.

"Forgive me, but you are in danger and need to leave your house," he earged. I could not tell if he was apologizing for whatever supposed danger I'm in, or for interrupting my night. Maybe both.

"How can I know you are not outside waiting for me?"

"Because then I would have knocked on the door or simply entered somehow," he was agitated, but continued with a sigh, "Vampire hunters after me are on their way to your house. Your father used to be one of them. Here, I thought he was the only one still after all these years with no backup... These hunters are not like you and Simon. If they know I turned you, they will kill you!"

This confused me, "But you released me? You changed me back? Also, if they are coming here to help find you, I have no reason to move. They are not after me."

Dracula appeared to look for certain words, "Mary, I know you still feel it. My blood in your veins is still stronger than before. You may appear normal, human. But, Mary, you never were, nor will you ever be. The blood is in a stand still, but it will always be there. It is not hard to awaken within you."

I sighed, "Get to the point, please, Judas."

"Don't call me that. You no longer have the right," He huffed. "Mary, you are known as a day walker. You can do everything a human can, but you still have your vampire powers and connection to me. Just not as strong as when you were a full vampire. Yet, stronger than when you were human. That is why you have the strength to block me out or reach me that you had not before, but you still have unhuman strength, beauty, life, and healing abilities. Things you might have noticed yourself. You are still a vampire but can live as a human. However, one drop of blood, which no doubt still calls to you, will make you stronger. Crave it more. Eventually, I'm turning you back to a full vampire. They are vampire hunters, and you, Mary, gave potential to be as strong as me, if not greater."

This news did not sit well with me. I knew he was not lying and could feel the strength and power I had. I could not deny it, as I wrote it in the journal before Judas' first appearance. "My skin itches when exposed to sun, but I don't burn..."

Dracula looked surprised and nodded, "Day walkers are rare. Usually, it is a term referring to half blood or those bitten, but suppress the venom from turning them somehow... There is a hotel near you home I believe. Met us there. Trust me, please, just once. You had when you were a child..." he looked at something I couldn't see. Maybe from where he was, as his image was disappearing. "I'll bring Simon."

~-~

The hotel wasn't busy, though i went some odd looks as I waited. I wished to explain that I was waiting for someone and was not even sure I had the right hotel. If I couldn't simply feel Judas presence, the looks all turning to the door said enough. I, however, remained looking around the lobby so as not to seem eager to see him again.

"Mary?" Anastasis called softly. "I hope you haven't been waiting long. These two tried to kill each other. Naturally."

I turned to face her as she gestured to Simon and Judas. Both had looks that claimed the still might try again the moment we both looked away. Judas avoided my gaze as Simon asked if im alright. He explained all he knew. Unfortunately, it wasn't much more than I knew.

It was Anastasis who seemed unfazed by the tension in this room. "I do not know all Dracula told you, but let me explain in full. A religious order of monster hunters are after Dracula, and he is concerned they might come after you, too. You may not be full vampire, but you may have been seen as a threat to them. Ironically, many in the order, like yours truly, are not human. It takes a monster to kill a monster."

I became confused, "You are one of them?" She informed me she was but was kicked out once her identity was revealed. My father also had ties to this group. With him gone, Judas was their responsibility, and Anastasis nor I would stop them from dealing with him. Not alone anyway.

Anastasis got us rooms for the night. Leaving me with Judas and Simon. "I see you got her clothes after all. Do I want to know where you got money for them?"

Judas looked surprised. I was talking to him, "Funny, she asked something similar. At least she appreciates the gifts I give her." There was an unnecissary venom in his voice.

"It was no gift to be Bloody Mary, born of vampire blood and a mad man. A man who only went mad because he had to. Because you made him..."

"Your father may think he was the hero, Mary. But he was my villain! He used my blood of his own. He kept taking more than he deserved and became addicted to blood. Obsessed with me. If I had any saay, he would have died long ago, and you never born. Be grateful for your life. It is only because of my blood that you live. Or have you already forgotten?" Dracula spoke with a stern but quiet tone. No doubt, referring to the almost over doses of medications my psychologists gave.

"How were those doctors to know I was part of the vampire?" I asked. He simply crossed his arms regarding me. For once, he looked at me without that possessive hunger. A face I once prayed he would never look at me with again, each night before I knew I'd see him in my sleep. This look of indifference and betrayal was not much better.

Anastasis gave us our room keys. I took mine and retreated to the room numbered on the key. I'm not willing to speak to anyone anymore. It was easier to accept all this without having to look at him, feel him near. Now, I wish I could go back to being crazy. Go back to my house and listen to Lucy talk about the man she met that day. Go to work and be half normal. Even though I knew it was not the better option. It was better than this, than what I knew was coming.