Hello all,

Sorry for the delay, but here is the new chapter


It took some time and thinking to decide what to do, but eventually this route seemed best as Dracula returned to his chamber. Ever since Lecura had learned the truth she largely pretended he did not exist and when she didn't; he always receieved nasty glares. This time was no different as he watched the fiery vampire hunter sit in one of the arm chairs in front of the fire place watching the flames dance. When she did not think him to be looking she looked miserable, and when she thought he was not listening her thoughts lingered on her Uncle and friends. Before entering the room he saw briefly her fighting to mask her face and bury the thoughts deep. Lately she had figured out that she could block him from most of her thoughts if she imagined a wall around her mind.

In silence Vlad watched as Lecura sat in the chair in one of the dresses he was making her wear, which only added to her misery. Finally the vampire sighed knowing he would have to call to her to gain her attention. "Lecura."

Finally the hunter looked up at her captor with a nasty icy glare, but did not say anything. Already the wall briefly slipped and her thoughts were wary. 'What does he want now? What other demands will he make of me?' Her eyes fell on the bundle in his arms and she stiffened, 'Oh no what has he planned now? I wish this nightmare would end.' She had considered taking her own life to escape any terrible fate from befalling her, but Vlad had taken the dagger and had the weapons rack taken from the room as a precaution.

Vlad sighed at her thoughts, then the window closed as she replaced the wall around her mind. "Relax my dear. I have a gift for you."

"Is it a blade to kill you with?" Lecura asked coldly not relaxing the slightest. Vlad allowed a small chuckle before answering her.

"No actually my captain made a very good point to me. He is always right and I know to value his advice above all else, thus I was wrong." Vlad said then taking a deep breath before continuing, "I am sorry. I have been giving you altimatums and forcing you to do things you do not wish to do. I have expected that because you are identical in appearance to Elora that you would also be the same in personalities. Instead you are as different as fire is to ice."

While still wary, Lecura seemed to relax only slightly unsure wether to believe the master vampire or not. She watched him carefully as he stepped forward and set the bundle next to her then stepped away. She peeked down at the bundle then back at him wary of what he was 'giving' her. "Go ahead, open it."

Hesitantly Lecura reached over and untied the string before pulling away the cloth wrapping to reveal a couple pairs of tunics and trousers. Lecura tilted her head to the side perplexed as she noted the clothing was of a finer make then her usual travel garb. Her wary eyes travelled up to Vlad. "I thought you preferred making me wear dresses."

"I prefer you in dresses, and would love to see you in them more. However you do not like dresses, and I do not like making you do anything. So this is a gift and a gesture. I will never again demand you wear a dress, I may request it of you; but you alone will choose what to wear. Also no more altimatiums or demands. I would give you your own private room but there is a problem with that."

"You like having me in your chambers and in your bed." Lecura assumed feeling ill.

"Yes, but that is not the reason for keeping you in my room. You are safer here. There is someone within these walls that would seek to harm you to get to me. A rival." Vlad said, and for a moment the wall around her mind slipped as she thought on a vampire back in France. The one her uncle and she interrogated. "Yes you have encountered this rivals minions. Whoever he or she is they seek to kill you to get to me."

"So you will not make demands or force me to do things I do not want to do, but I am to be kept in your bed chambers." Lecura said slowly trying to figure out exactly what was being allowed.

"Yes, and you have my word that I will not force you in my bed. I am an honourable man in that regard." Vlad said.

"You could simply let me go." Lecura pointed out, in truth it was a long shot. However the pained look that crossed Vlad's features told her letting her go would never happen. Instead Vlad turned away.

"I already told you I will never be able to let you go." Vlad said after a moment. Lecura bit her bottom lip wanting to say her uncle would come for her, that he would never give up. But what good would that do? Her uncle stood no chance against Dracula, and that was still if her uncle and team even lived. There was only Dracula's word that he did not kill her friends. However at the same time he had kept his word on everything else, so why doubt that her friends were still alive? Again her mental wall slipped allowing Dracula into her mind. At least she was starting to believe him about her friends still being alive, it was a start.

Finally he sighed gaining Lecura's attention. "I will leave you to change your clothes if you wish. Tonight to get you out of my chambers we will dine togeather in the dining hall. You do wish to get out of this room, correct?"

Lecura could only nod wishing she could voice what she trully wanted, again Dracula left her alone in the chamber to dress for tonight. In a way it was a relief to be freed from being made to wear dresses. However the fear at the back of her mind was now the questions: Why the change of heart? And what would be the price he would demand later? Changing into one of the tunics and trousers, Lecura looked at herself in the mirror. 'Definately better qaulity material. Feels like silk-'

"That is because it is." Vlad's voice made her spin around. Somehow the master vampire returned without her noticing. A smile spread across his lips as he noticed how surprised she was, then he came forward and ran his hand over the sleeve of her arm. "While I prefer you in lovely dresses, I must admit you do look lovely no matter the clothing worn."

The way his eyes ran over her made her shiver and grow uncomfortable. Strangely he noticed this and quickly stepped back. "Come we shall enjoy an evening in the dining hall."


For a moment she thought being out of the room would be better, but she should have known better then to think that. The master vampire gently took her arm and was leading her to the dining hall, they past vampires and always she stiffened expecting an attack. It was like a cat encountering a mean dog, it would be in their nature for the dog to give chase of the cat. Just as it was in their nature for vampires and vampire hunters to be natural enemies. It was silly to react so, but perhaps not as silly as first thought. After all Dracula mentioned a rival wanting her head, perhaps she had even more reason to be jumpy.

Eventually they entered a large chamber, in the centre was a long table and past it a balcony. The sheer silver curtains danced in the breeze, and Lecura focused on the outside world. The moon light cast an ethreal glow and Lecura thought she heard the sound of a waterfall closeby. Already she longed to be out there, would her uncle and friends be hunting tonight? Did they search for her? She swallowed trying to reign in her longing and focus on anything else so to avoid Dracula seeing her miserable. The waterfall brought up a memory, it was years ago when the group was out at a remote cabin hunting some vampires. It had been situated not far from a small waterfall and on one particularly hot morning she snuck out for a swim. She was reckless than at times, and blushed as she remembered looking around before removing the last of her clothes and jumping into the cool water.

A sharp yank of her arm had her facing Dracula who stared down at her trying to control his breathing. It was then she realised her mistake she had let the wall slip and he got into her head to hear her thoughts. This time she blushed for an entirely different reason, then felt her anger get the better of her. "Can you not stay out of my head and give me some privacy? Or will I have no sanctuary?"

"I try, but when the mind wonders as yours did..." Vlad said looking down on her and imagining her swimming bare at a waterfall. Then he gripped her about the waist pulling her against him and leaned in dangerously close until her hands came up to his shoulders to push him away then he stopped short, "Best to keep your mind from wondering lest you show me something else...personal."

It was then he released her and took her to the dinning table where he pulled out a chair for her and he waited for her to take her seat, which she hesitated before she did. Then sat across from her and relaxed into his chair as his guest looked around. The numberous candles cast soft light about the room and soon some servants brought in food and wine. Then when the servats left Lecura looked down at the well cooked food. "Do you always feed your victoms?"

Vlad took a drink of his 'wine' and looked at her over his goblet before swallowing. "You are not my victom, you are my guest."

Lecura could not help it she gave a snort and shook her head. "Guests are allowed to leave."

Vlad took another sip of his drink then set down his goblet. "Tell me about yourself, Lecura? Why Lecura? Sure it is an exotic unique name but why pick that name?"

"Same could be said about you, why Dracula?" Lecura asked unwilling to give him any more information about her.

"I did not pick the name the people did, now your turn." Vlad replied.

"I picked it so no one would guess my real name. Guess my real name and you get a cookie." Lecura replied calmly, but Vlad laughed at her response.

"Tell me more about you."

"I hunt vampires, favorite weapons are silver daggers and short swords. I also play the possible victom or damsel in distress until the bloodsucker lowers his guard then I dust him. Do not suppose it would work with you though." Lecura replied flatly.

Vlad sighed, "What else?"

"I like sunlight, daisies, and kittens." She added sarcastically.

"Well you must like food and fine wine." Vlad pointed out trying to keep his temper in check.

"Depends." Lecura said non-commitally.

"On what?"

"It is poisoned?" Lecura asked.

"No."

"Drugged?"

"No." Vlad said getting a little annoyed.

"Then maybe I like food and wine." Lecura answered, though did not reach for anything. Instead she studied the food, and when she did reach for something it was her wine glass to study the liquid inside.

"Are you worried to try it?" Vlad asked.

"I am worried to try anything and have half a mind to let myself starve to death first."

"As if I would allow you to do that." Vlad chuckled.

"And how would you stop me?" Lecura asked calmly.

"By turning you." Lecura looked away disgusted unable to keep herself from despairing she looked down at the blade on the table. She could snatch it up, turning the blade towards herself then thrust it into her beating heart. Sadly Vlad would be quicker than her and even if she did succeed he would turn her. Vlad found his patience fraying at her latest thoughts, in part he was relieved when one of the servants came in saying Aiden wanted to talk to him. Rising from the table he excused himself and left the dinning room but not before taking the knife she had been eyeing.

Once Vlad was gone Lecura finally broke down and started to sob aloud. Covering her mouth she let the tears flow freely. For a moment she preyed, then straightened. Any moment Vlad would return and so she took up her wine goblet and looked down at the liquid. She was going to need a lot of wine to erase what he would most likely do to her, so she started to drink. In a moment she downed the wine and grabbed the bottle to pour herself some more. Once she opened and filled her goblet, she noticed this had a stronger aroma, but simply hoped it would be stronger as she started to drink.

While Vlad had come out of the chamber and breathed a sigh at how poorly things were going. Then looked around where was Aiden? Had he not sent the servant? As if the thought itself called Aiden the captain came into view. "You had better have some good news, and a good reason for making me wait." Vlad said and the captain looked up confused.

"My lord? I came as soon as you summoned me." Aiden said, immediately both looked to the door and rushed back into the dinning room where Lecura had just started to drink some wine then realised something was wrong for her fingers touched her lips and she began to cough. The goblet slipped from her fingers splashing the contents on the floor as she gasped and held her throat. Both vampires rushed forward with Vlad being faster as he pulled Lecura up from the chair and looked her over carefully. Aiden picked up the wine glass and ran his finger inside.

"Poison! My lord she did not drink all of it. She can still be saved! Either take her to the royal healer or bite her now." The easiest course would be to sink his fangs into her and turn her before the poison went too far, and on instinct that was exactly what Vlad was going to do. Leaning in he brushed her hair from her throat.

"N-nn-n-ooo ple-ease." Lecura managed between gasps as a few tears spilled down her cheeks. She would not have been able to stop Vlad if she wanted to, but preyed he would not turn her. His fangs extended and grazed the sensitive skin on her neck. "Ple-ease!"

Her soft plea was followed by a wet splash on Vlad's cheek which stopped him. He pulled away to look at her fully. She had closed her eyes expecting the vampire to bite her, instead his hand came up and brushed the tears away. Her eyes partially opened the poison making her feel drained, but Vlad's sharp blue eyes seemed so...familiar.

"My lord! She will die, you must choose!" Aiden yelled to get his lord to do something. Lifting her into his arms, Vlad left the room in a blur as he rushed her to his healer. The healer if he could be called that was actually an older looking man turned vampire called Asher who had a Scottish accent and was whistling in his lab. Dressed simply in a brown tunic and trousers, he was just pouring himself some whispkey when he felt someone rush in and slopped his whiskey.

"OI! How many times do I tell ya nay to come in here like a tornado! Ya made me spill some o' the best whiskey in Scotland! That is a crime!" He called out before turning to see Vlad laying a girl on his table.

"I will buy as many bottles as you like, but right now help her." Vlad said as Asher set his drink down and came up to the girl trying to breath. A moment later Aiden appeared holding the goblet.

"I thought you might need this to identify the poison used."

"Poison?" Asher asked perplexed few things were poisonous to vampires with the exceptions of silver, wood, and sunlight. The man ran his finger inside the goblet Aiden gave him, then licked it, then spat. "Hmmm..." he grumbled, then checked her over carefully before realising she had a heartbeat. "Woah! Ya brought me a live one. Why nay bite her and be done wit' it?"

Immediately Lecura began struggling at the suggestion. "Noo-oooh."

"Awe c'mon lass it nay so bad. Ya will be a young beautiful lass fer all time." Asher said, but Lecura was shaking her head and trying to squirm loose.

"Lecura calm down I will not turn you yet." Vlad said firmly.

"But my lord she is going to die!" Aiden protested.

"Are you not the one that told me I needed to woo her first?!" Vlad snapped at Aiden.

"Yes my lord but-"

"I want her to be mine willingly. Now heal her." Vlad said the last to Asher who downed his whiskey.

"Very well my lord but this nay be pleasant fer her." As promised it turned out to be a nightmare as they made her throw up first to try and get rid of the poison. Next Asher mixed togeather the most vile drinks using charcoal and chalk to try and 'absorb' much of the poison, followed by a nasty drink that burned her throat meant to counteract the remaining poison in her system. After hours of this, Asher sat back and poured himself another whiskey. "She will be weak fer the next couple o' days poisons do nae like to leave all too soon."

Lecura shivered on the table and was curled up into a ball sleeping. Finally Vlad turned to Aiden. "Captain find out who summoned us anyone connected to this goes to the dungeons. I want to know who did this one way or another, understand?"

"Yes my lord." Aiden rose to fulfill his new orders. Once Aiden was gone Asher gave a low whistle.

"Those involved should be messin' their britches bout now. The good ol' captain is one scary s.o.b." Vlad chuckled at the healer's view of Aiden. "Ya know he was just worried right, he didnae mean ta anger ya. Ya know bout biting her, if the treatment didnae work ya would have had ta."

Vlad slowly nodded as he ran his finger through Lecura's hair. "I know he has always had my best interests at heart."

"Well ya had best get her ta a safer place. Ma lab is hardly safe nay very comfertable either."

As Vlad was gently picking her up he ask. "Any medical advice?"

"Yeah donae let her eat or drink too much. Keep a close eye on her and donae let her do too many things or wear herself out. Rest is the best thing fer her. Lastly she may get hot but keep the covers on her, have her sweat out the poisons. I will also whip up some concoxions help her recover some and rebuild her strength."

"Thank you Asher." Vlad replied promising to get him several bottle of his favoured whiskey for this. Then he carried Veirra from the healer's lab.


Author's Notes

Ok just a few things to point out. First Lecura being poisoned, the first glass of wine was one Vlad would have smelt if it had been poisoned. Hence it was the second bottle, the one she opened that was poisoned. I did it this way because Vlad would have known if anything was poisoned merely by smell and proximity. Hence him being called from the room. So if anyone is wondering how come he did not notice well it was because he was not in the room when Lecura opened the wine bottle.

Secondly the new character Asher, while Vampires do not really have need of a 'royal healer' one could say it is a type of running joke. In true sense Asher is more of an alchemist. I have not done a whole lot of back story for Asher other than he is obviously from Scotland and enjoys his whiskey, but I would say he was an healer in his human life. While his healing skills may not be of much use amidst vampires he does still dabble in alchemy. As for the actor I would picture him as well Bill Connolly.

Also sorry just re-edited the story after being asked who Veirra was. Sorry about that, Veirra is the OC in the hobbit story I am writing and sort of got mixed in by accident.

Anyway hope you enjoyed this latest addition

Lesliezin