Hello everyone. Sorry about the long wait for this chapter. It has been two years since I last uploaded and to be honest; I have been busy with finishing college, moving accommodations and another city, settling into University and doing my selected course before we had the devastating news of COVID-19 in 2019/2020 which lead to countless deaths around the world and many countries coming and going into lockdown.

In a very late Merry Christmases and Happy New Years.

I hope everyone is keeping safe and health. Myself and my family are doing okay though we've had near brushes with COVID-19 ourselves.

Chapter Eight – Truth is what she deserves

"Do you have a clue, on why the girl was taken at all?"

"Weeks ago, the sisters went going through official residence records and came across a fellow hunter and barmaid… a woman who the sisters said that she bore a striking resemblance to their missing sister. This has something to do with her past… we discovered that the late woman had companions – all of whom are deceased – and dealt with a vampire problem." responded the legendary hunter of monsters. "After that; they went their separate ways. It was rumoured that the woman left behind a daughter that I truly believe is the missing sister, based upon that fact that I saw their missing sister's photo and the appearance is nearly exact except the eyes and other factors."

"How did the companions perish exactly?" the aged-hunter replied as he sipped his alcohol.

"It is believed to be natural causes… like old age. The youngest was the last to go. He may have been something similar to a friar."

The immortal hunter couldn't stop thinking about his late friend; Carl once he said that. It was just many years since he allowed death to take him to rest in peace. Even in his last life moments, the friar caused his fellow comrade to shake his head with his hazel eyes closed in what he had said that would only be understood with humour. The sad thing was he died in his sleep, that was kept undisturbed.

'Carl'

'Anna'

It had also been more than one-hundred-and-twenty-plus years since her death at his unwilling clawed-hands on that very night. Prior to her death; he and Anna had grown close and the thought of family had occurred to him, the prospect of a wife and child that followed with grandchildren. Even after all this prolonged torture of time; he still couldn't forgive himself.

'At least, she is at peace… with her beloved family'

"So basically, the missing sister/daughter is kidnapped based on some kind-of-revenge by that vampire from nearly twenty years ago?"

"Yeah,"

'Dhampirs'…. Are the product of an forbidden union between a vampire and a human, regardless of whether it was willingly or forceful. Dhampirs' will resemble humans in every way though their physical and mental attributes will be more pronounced such as their mental protection against other dark powers of their kind like mind control or hypnosis. They are naturally unaffected by their parents' weaknesses to sunlight, crosses, garlic, etc, which is what makes them harder to be found. They are also born living, and not dead with a fully-beating heart, fresh blood running through their veins and warm bodily temperature as proof of them being alive.'

'Many hunters consider half-Vampires as second-type Vampires that must be destroyed like their full-blooded brethren. If a Dhampir existed with their mortal relatives in plain sight. The hybrid would be destroyed in front of its' family who would be forced to serve as witnesses and subsequently varying punishments would be executed with the mother being either imprisoned, painfully tortured or even killed.

'Although Dhampirs' can live much longer than an human; their lifespan is not eternal and eventually, they will die from old age but completely protected from the negative effects of old age such as loss of hair and colour, saggy skin, frail bones, fatigue, fading of physical and mental attributes, etc. They can retain their youthful appearance for much longer periods of time than non-Dhampirs. It is accepted that their lifespan is range from one-hundred-and-ten to one-hundred-and-thirty years in a full length from birth to natural end of that lifecycle. Nonetheless, their immunity to diseases, illnesses, viruses, poisons, bacteria, alcohol and so-on… will become stronger as they reach adulthood and, once they are an fully-grown adults'; they will never suffer in sickness ever again, nor will they need to survive on food and water as their bodies will adapt to being self-sustained although they will still need to sleep and breath oxygen to survive.'

'Additionally, Dhampirs may be rare occurrence amongst their parents' vampire kind; they will never be truly accepted by some as they are considered an 'insult to vampires who would stoop low to breed with their prey to keep their numbers going' and an 'unwanted half-breed that shouldn't exist in the first place'. It is known that while vampires can breed with their respective partners; their children will be born dead thus never being able to be the 'living dead.'

'Lastly, what is not widely known is Dhampirs are sterile. They will never be able to gestate their own flesh and blood nor pass on their bloodline to further generations. It is rumoured by believed-to-exist Dhampirs that some are glad to be sterile as they are enjoying life without taking on the responsibility of children that they feel they would immensely hate with all their heart and enjoy to rid of.'

Chloe finished the book page with the ancient knowledge of dhampirs' in her hands as she leaned back into her chair, whilst taking in all that has happened recently. She crossed her silk-made covered-trousered leg over her other leg. Her blonde-whitish hair was brushed from her face. It was only hours ago that Polished-accented bride left her master's study and wanted to be on her own. She didn't blame her master nor the Madison girl, as she was the true victim in this endless war. No matter how hard some supernatural creatures try, people will fear what they can't understand.

'Oh… Natasha. I am very sorry.'

_x_x_x_x

It was about a week or less before 'All Hallows Eve' would soon be upon the vampire race, and the invitations had been sent out and received with who was coming. The ballroom had been prepared with large bowls of fresh blood prepared as drinks and other refreshments, and the orchestra has already practised for their great music. A lot of effort had gone into this special celebration and nothing, nor no-one would destroy that. Not even that destroyer of monsters known as 'Van Helsing' could break in and disrupt the celebrations, even though he did the last time.

Count Dracula had to pay countless amounts of money to professionals to get the palace restored to its former state from that damage which had been caused by the device of that created sunlight by that friar when Anna Valerious needed rescuing from a fate worse-than-death.

Thanks to modern technology; Dracula had taken advantage of having both the see-through and glass-coloured windows fused with special properties of explosion-resistant panels so this incident didn't happen again. He had already lost so much that time, that he didn't want history repeating again like it was with his death – a second time by the same person.

'It's never going to end – history repeating itself as if we never learn.'

What he hadn't forgot was anniversary of his late human lover's demise.

'Caitlyn,'

Even though they fought as enemies, they appreciated each other as passion-filled lovers. Their actions led to them being blessed with a child that neither would allow any harm to come to and why would they? If harm did strike their child, they didn't deserve to be parents.

The Count can still remember the night of Caitlyn's passing. He had decided to visit her, only when she was alone and despite him begging her to allow him to turn her to save her life. She refused and told him that being human part of who her is and she wouldn't never sacrifice that nor her child for anything. That was one of her descent traits that Dracula loved about her – strong until the very end.

Dracula appeared into the upper bedroom of an house that Caitlyn Madison and her six-year-old daughter, Natasha resided in. The window had been left open, on a hook, for fresh air to flow in whilst the fire in the fireplace roared to life and the candles scattered around came together to lit the room.

On the bed was Caitlyn, who leaned against piled pillows and covered with bed-covers. She looked as the illness did since it attacked her health. Her skin tone was off and she coughed every few minutes with her breathing being harsh as she took deep breaths after the coughing fit. Beside her side was her daughter who was fast asleep and keeping her mother comfortable though it was obvious that both females had a bad gut feeling that something bad was going to happen, that neither wanted to admit to.

"Caitlyn," spoke the Vampire King. The thirty-two-year-old barmaid turned her head to where her name had been whispered and when she saw the man she loved, standing there. She smiled weakly and reached her left hand out to him.

He approached her in seconds, with such grace. He took her hand with his and pressed his cold-filled lips to the back of her boiling hand. The action was gentle. And then, he moved his head away from her hand to her lips, pressing his own lips against her own and they stayed like that for what seemed like an eternity. He didn't want to let go and she knew this. But they did. The hand he had kissed came to rest against his cheek and she rubbed her thumb back and forth over his flesh, showing affection.

"Vladislaus,"

Her whispering of his name on her tongue was almost silent. The Count's eyes moved from his lover's face to their sleeping child beside her. He had no trouble in listening to her breathing movements; the sound of every beat that her heart produced as if music to his ears. Dracula moved to sit on the edge of the bed as he reached his hand over and very faintly, caress little Natasha's exposed cheek with his fingertips. He did try to not wake her as he did so.

She looked very innocent as she slept.

"Natasha been a very good helper, with the doctor from the village." Spoke the Transylvanian mother, "I know that she tries to not show it, that she wants to be strong but I can see that she worries about me."

"You are her mother, Caitlyn… and besides, we both know that she takes after you more than me."

Caitlyn silently chuckled before she suffered another coughed that she managed to mask with her hands, after they left her dead lover's touch. "That is true. But she does have the devil of her father in her… she has your eyes."

Dracula smirked at her words. They were true. In spite of Natasha inheriting her mother's features, like her brown hair and fair skin tone; there was something of her father she had inherited, which were his very beautiful blue-shaded eyes that could strike people in their soul and make them freeze with an unknown force of will.

"Either way, she is going to have a good life because of us…. Because of our sacrifices', when the time comes."

"Sister Catalina and I have spoken that if anything happens to me… meaning that if I do perish from this disease, she has agreed to take Natasha away from this place… take her to England and make sure she is away from danger." The words sounded so shaky as Caitlyn spoken them, with tears leaking from her tired eyes. It was the most hardest decision she had to make but parents' make these decision all the time, don't they?

That was the sacrifice that both had to make.

Dracula had sacrificed to only be in the shadows as Natasha grew up. He would keep watch over her, regardless of where she goes. Whilst, Caitlyn had to arrange for her contact to agree to look after her daughter when she dies, and take her away from Romania; place of absolute nightmares to give a better life. However, she would have something of her mother's to keep her comfort thus allowing her to remember and honour her.

Caitlyn took her lovers' hands into hers and eyed him as she spoke the words that would remain with him. "Promise me, Vladislaus… promise me that you will never let her out of your sight, watch over her always…"

She didn't have to ask him. He would do it anyway. "I promise, Caitlyn. I give you my eternal word that no enemy will ever come near, touch or harm her. She will be safe."

"Thank you,"

"It's time that Natasha is told the truth… with everything that has come into motion. I guess, Caitlyn, that the time has arrived." Spoke the Vampire King as he remained in his study and focused on the last touches of his up-coming special ball.

When the next morning rose and the sky was proven to be gloomy enough for the creatures of the dead to walk in the daytime without worry, Chloe had gone out into the open city (having taking precaution) and had her special evening dress prepared for the up-coming ball. Yes, the dress was the same she wore every year, but that is what it was designed for, in her opinion and she wouldn't change it for the world whilst some vampires did. She had chosen it for what she liked about it and that was it's 'boring' designs.

The gown was designed to include long-lost traits of her long-ago background as a Polish noblewoman before becoming a vampire Bride. She still kept in touch with the traditions that her beloved master honoured.

Natasha, on the other hand, had no idea if she would be allowed to attend, since the servants had been speaking and she had happened to have heard and even questioned them about it, of course but given with what had happened in the latest weeks; she doubted that the Count would allow. She was fine with staying in her room, at least she could celebrate her birthday of eighteen years. The only difference is without her sisters…. And her late mother.

And thinking of her late mother; Natasha had never once raised the issue of who her father was. Caitlyn Madison had never mentioned him; how he looked, acted, how they met or why he wasn't in her life. Maybe he was married and wanted to protect his other family from his 'dirty' secret? Maybe he died and her mother was so in love with him that she couldn't bear to tell her about him in fear of losing her mind? Or maybe, she did know him and he just wasn't able to be involved due to his profession and wanted to protect her, and her mother?

However, Natasha never hated her mother because she was the only family she had and both of them loved each other unconditionally. She really missed her mother at times, which is to be expected. Especially when she was only a child when Caitlyn died and everyone knew she fought hard to beat that illness with all her strength and will before it did its job and took her soul. When it was her mother's funeral, the amount of people who turned up was incredible. They had come to pay respect and even offer condolences to the only remaining family member still alive. Sister Catalina hadn't left her side, not at all.

"Oh… I don't know. All I know is my sisters are out there, trying to find me and I am stuck here, alone and alive." She said to herself. And then it hit her, "Shit! I don't know if he still wants to turn me once I am of legal age?!"

But that was stopped by another thought, "But he doesn't know when my birthday is, does he?"

She signed in some sort-of-relief as she placed her head into her open hand, but that could change. What Natasha has no idea is what her true connection to her 'kidnapper/host' is nor the sad truth behind it.

Tasha sighed again and spoke words that seemed almost foreign to her, "Oh mom, I miss you… and what would you do if you were in my position?" She had no idea of her mother's past, as a brief hunter because she only knew that her mother worked as a barmaid to keep them together, and happily.

The nearly eighteen-year-old female teenager left her guest room and made her way to the main, private library to free herself from her situation, and her sadness. She had her brown hair tied back, into a ponytail and wore an long-sleeve shirt under an dark navy jumper as well as dark navy-coloured-jeans and black/white-coloured-sneakers. It was obvious that she wore her mother's silver-locket and cross necklace, as why wouldn't she?

Once Natasha had reached the library, she pushed open the large oak doors and closed them after her as she settled in the quietness of the estate within Budapest. The fireplace had been lit sometime in the early hours, it was only time as the warmth filled the room; from cold to hot. She decided to keep her mind focused on something else and that would be reading books until dinner.

'There is always something scary to keep the human mind off,'

After finding what she was looking for and then settling into a descent, comfortable chair to relax her whilst being occupied. The moment her eyes settled on the words and her fingers turning the page as she finished the previous one, would cause hours to pass her by and the result would be for her to fall asleep.

Tasha only stirred when she felt an presence near her, as if she was being watched and sensed it at the same time to which she was right. She opened her sapphire-coloured eyes to find the Count standing in the largest window which overlooked the vast city of Budapest and it seemed that other people had preparations coming for what was happening. Dracula having already rested in his coffin, maintaining his strength for what was coming next.

'It's now or never,'

Natasha sat herself up and placed the book that laid open on her lap as she slept, onto the small table in front of the chair. As she stretched and fixed her ponytail hair, she spoke; "Hello, Count. I must have fallen asleep."

He turned to her with such grace, moving his sight from before him to the young woman and spoke in his heavily-accented words. "That is okay, Miss Madison. You are not the first person to have done that, and you won't be the last." With a slight smirk on his mouth.

She moved to stand on her feet and wrapped her arms around her as she met his gaze and then came the happening. "There was something I wanted to ask, Count Dracula," she began to say. He didn't speak but nodded with his head. He had his hands clasped behind his back. "which is the celebration that is taking place in the days to come. I'd overheard the servants in the past evenings, outside my door."

"Yes, my annual ball that I host every year on All Hallows' Eve… or what it's called now… 'Halloween', and yes, it is attended by all my kind."

"What is to happen to me when the celebrations are in progress?" straight to the point as she spoke. She didn't want to ask but might as well since this is where they were and she didn't want to wait to find out. "Where will I be when you and Chloe are downstairs? Will I be in my room, which is no objection from me on that side… but, do I have to worry that I will be in the celebration as a special treat? To be there as what you had originally planned for me?"

Silent fell as the words settled and she couldn't take them back as she said them nor now. The sound of her heart could be heard in her ears. Natasha clasped her hands over her mouth loosely and watched for any reaction, physically or verbally. The Count just watched her; opening and closing his eyes. Standing still as a statue.

'I had to ask, didn't I?'

Her mind told her.

And then, he spoke. "Do you remember celebrating All Hallows' Eve when you were a child?"

"Yes, in fact, the holiday has a special importance to me and my family." She wasn't going to tell him what that importance was. He had already taken her from her family, he wasn't going to take her life.

"What other family, if I may ask?"

The question caused her to halt for a brief second and then Natasha responded. "My mother, who is not around anymore… I am sad to say."

"Oh?" he said. Dracula unclasped his hands and moved nearer to her. "Is she?"

"She is. My beloved mom perished from an illness when I was six years old…" after she mentioned her age, she kind of mumbled the last words but he heard them for sure.

"Such as young age for a child to lose the one it loves the most."

"Yes," Natasha had to fight the tears back as she spoke of her mom's passing when she was really young. Even mentioning the term 'mom' had brough forth tears. The tears made her eyes become more radiant in shade. She turned and walked towards another piece of furniture; a sofa and sat herself down, giving a slight distance between a mortal girl and Vampire nobleman.

She moved her hands to grasp her hair bobble and pull the brown-coloured-band from the back of her head, releasing her hair before she ruffled the thin locks with her fingers and then it settling over her shoulders and down her back. She managed to part her hair down the middle at the same time before the hair bobble was placed in the front pocket of her jeans, hidden from the world.

Her mind shifted during this time to those fond memories of her mother, on her birthday. Just herself and her mother, which she is what she wanted, at the time.

Dracula turned on his heel to fully face the window again. He watched as the sky shifted and become more gloomy. At least, his Bride won't be harmed by the sun's deadly rays whilst she was running her errands on her own. He trusted her, like his previous first Bride; Verona.

Both first Brides showed great strength and it was partly that what the others followed after, amongst cleverness and skill.

'My beloved Brides,'

"For your first questions relating to my little party," he began to say. "If you would like to stay in your room whilst celebrations are happening, is up to you… However, I think it would be very nice for you to celebrate…"

"Your Birthday. After all, you will be eighteen years old." He finished saying.

Natasha eyes darted to Dracula, with her mouth dropping in a very slow motion once he said her birthday and her heart almost skipped an beat as she felt dread coming over her. There is no way that he could have known that. Even if he could read her mind, because of his vast Vampiric powers. She wouldn't stand for it. "How did you… know… that my birthday… is on… Halloween?!"

He turned back to her, still standing at the window before he moved; moving his legs in front of the other as he made his way over to her. She began to place her hands behind her as she motioned her body to slide in case she had to dart and run for safety. Dracula reached her in no-time and leaned in front of her as she leaned back, and the sound of her blood pumping furiously through her ears, could also be heard through his ears as well.

"I've always known when your birthday was. What I am to say next… is all true and that you should have been told the truth when you were a child but because of the circumstances: precautions had to be taken to ensure your safety and…" he moved to sit on the table in front of her, being level with her as she moved her hands onto her lap. Curiosity caused her stay, and it was curiosity that killed the cat. "You have the right to know."

"What truth?! What circumstances and precautions?! What are you talking about!?" Natasha reacted.

"You were a little girl that was raised in Romania before your mother passed away when you were six years old and then you were taken to England where you, Natasha stayed until only a month ago before coming back to Romania."

"How?…"

"Your mother loved you, Natasha more-than-life itself… she was so overjoyed when you were born. When your mother was depleted of her strength because of ill-health, she knew she wouldn't survive so she made arrangements with an fellow woman named… Sister Catalina." it was all coming out. The truth. The absolute truth. "The arrangements were that after your mother, Caitlyn Madison passed away. Sister Catalina would receive legal guardianship of you. She would proceed to take you to England where she raised you and two other girls; Claire and Sophanne. However, it was only months ago did Sister Catalina perished as well… leaving you and the others as orphans, but she did leave behind the legal ownership of the house that you lived in with your mother, to you and your sisters… but mainly you – as it should have gone to you when you were little though not old enough to inherit… until now." tears filled her eyes, which wouldn't move from where they laid. Her mouth trembled. Her gut was telling her something and the more he spoke, her gut lessened.

"However, before Caitlyn perished…. She had a dark secret that she kept hidden to keep you safe because if it came out, you would be in extreme danger and even though, she was partly responsible for the potential danger you could be in, she didn't regret you in anyway. She was proud of you, always have and always will be. "

'The danger is… people fear what they don't understand and hate what they fear'

"HOW DID YOU KNOW ALL THIS?! HOW do I know this all TRUE?! How do you know about my MOTHER?!" Natasha demanded. Her mother has been dead for nearly twelve years and no-one talked about her out of respect for the mother and her daughter. She was angry but very faintly. there was no stopping it now. The truth had a way of coming out, if not then, now. "I knew Caitlyn, your beloved mother… the only family you had and because of my association to her, I am… the one who you could call your father… since you are my daughter."

No sooner than the words had left his lips. Natasha shook her head in absolute no-no, repeating the words. "No… No... NO!" she raised her hands into the air, palms facing the undead nobleman, before grasping her head.

But then, it was almost inhuman as she spun her body on the top of the couch in an agile-like move before landing on her feet and greatly darting towards the doors. She reached them and her hands grasped the knobs to turn. She just wanted to run and hide. It wasn't true, she didn't believe it. Count Dracula, king of all Vampires and former member of the Valerious family by blood. Her father. The supposed man, or should I say monster to have existed for centuries as a blood-sucking creature and caused terror… has been intimately with her mother to birth her and then for years, she had been kept in the dark for what her parents had done.

The door opened for about an inch before it was shut closed abruptly. She tried, with all her mortal strength, to desperately open it but to no vail. She had to cry. It wasn't too difficult on who closed the door. "Natasha…"

The seventeen year old turned and faced him, with fear and disbelief. "It's not true! It's a lie! You are not my father! It's not possible as Vampires are the undead and are sterile! I can't be your daughter! You just trying to fool me so you can feed on me at a later date!" she told The Count. The tears kept falling and falling. Piles began to fill her throat, causing her breathing to become harsh.

"Natasha, myself and your mother never wanted you to find out. I never wanted you to know. What your beloved mother and myself agreed to was to keep you safe and allow you to live your life in peace. If it came to it, you would have died without knowing. I only told you because you were in danger…not from me, never from me… but from others who knew Sister Catalina. Somehow, they figured out your physiology as a 'Dhampir' and it was obvious that they would destroy you… and your other family. It was both good and bad that she had to die because her death saved you, and your sisters from their clutches and allowed you to relocate to somewhere you were familiar with and more safe, even if it had been years since you been in Romania. How it was possible for you to be born from my blood is still unknown to me,"

What he was telling her seemed to make sense. He knew who her mother and Sister Catalina were, their names'. It still be a lie to fool Tasha for his further plans. "I was in danger? You kidnapped me the night after I was back in Romania!"

"Only because you were in danger and that it would a matter of time before things get worse. I did what I thought was best though it would have been planned better."

"I… am a… Dhampir?"

"An product of an distinct union between a human and a Vampire. You are a half-breed, a Vampire-human hybrid. You have improved physical and mental abilities as well as being more resistant to diseases and mental ailments until you are an adult to which you will be immune from one side touch of death… Nonetheless you don't need to drink blood to survive nor will you possess any of our weaknesses which is why you can go out into daylight, touch and hold crosses, taste and eat garlic and other type-foods. You can still live normal life if you wish so…"

"You will only become immortal if you made the decision to… fully-drained to near death and then infused with vampiric blood." He continued on. "No-one, not even I would force you to become dead."

'She too good for the dead. Too pure and filled with life to cursed for eternity,' The knowledge of Dhampirs was something Natasha had little information about. Vampires, on the other hand, was world knowledge that she did know about through studying as well as watching many, many Vampire-based movies.

Dracula leaned to stand tall from Natasha before proceeding to place the tips of his fingers to the edge of her forehead. "Let me prove it to you, Natasha. Just… trust me and remain calm."

Tasha still kept her eyes on the Vampire King, her acclaimed father in case he did anything though an unknown force told her to close her eyes which she did without a word. He moved his head close to hers and placed his lips in the middle of her forehead, in the form of a kiss. His strands of black hair tickled her skin. Those stubborn strands that framed his handsome face that swayed many women to his feet over the past centuries.

"Let me show my memories,"

Dracula used his mental powers to connect his mind with his once-long-lost daughter via the kiss he placed on her forehead. A chain-like link became established between father and daughter as Tasha was shown his memories, past and present – distantly-old and brand-new. He took control of the memories he wanted to show her to prove that he was telling the truth.

'He's an manipulator,'

'He's an monster who can't feel any emotion and only kills to survive,'

She began to see his recollections of his time with her deceased mother; when they first met, what was said, how they responded through their actions. She felt as if she was in his place as the recollections unfolded; feeling what he felt, seeing what he saw, responding on what he said. She saw her mother as she appeared in scene.

A smile on her face at times. 'Mummy,' she thought. 'she looks so happy and peaceful,'

Every memory Dracula showed her proved what he had been telling her all along. He is her father. He did love her mother. He did stay in the shadows for both her and her mother's sake, to protect them.It was not a lie.

Finally, the memory of her mother on her deathbed as she and the Count were together for the last time. Sharing a last kiss and talking about Natasha. How much she takes after Caitlyn, and himself. An angel and her devil.

"Promise me, Vladislaus… Promise me that you watch over her, keep her safe…"

"I promise you, Caitlyn… I give you my word that no harm will befall her. I'll keep her safe."

"Thank you…"

Natasha eyes that had by now dried from the tears, commenced to water and then fall again. Her mother's last conversation before she died that very night/day. Her last thoughts were on their shared child. A mother's last act of protection against those who mean harm.

Tasha placed her hands on his elbows and then move her head to which the link between herself and her father broke as she opened her eyes. They were misty as if she was about to collapse. He removed his fingers from her head as she woke from their 'linking' and his hands descended onto her shoulders. "Tasha?" he spoke.

"It's all true. You.. and my mom? You are my…. Father," The way Tasha spoke it, wasn't negative but she glad to know the truth either way. She managed before her eyes fluttered shut and her legs gave way to which her body collapsed due to the strain of the link that was unleashed upon her. It takes a mind of great strength to withstand the effects. However, Dracula used his body to prevent her body from sustaining damage by hitting the ground hard and kept hold on her by sliding his arms under hers thus holding her in a hug-like embrace. "It's okay, my darling daughter. It's okay. I am here and will keep you safe."

The fire in the fireplace of the vast library roared in the background as the Count held his daughter like he did when she had been born nearly eighteen years ago.

_X-_X-_X-_X-

Yay!

Natasha has found out the dark secret that her parents kept hidden to protect her from her father's enemies.

Sorry about the long wait for this chapter but I do hope it was worth it and that you enjoy reading it for the next one to come!