Dracula
Theresa didn’t say goodbye. He knew she wouldn’t. She also didn’t look back once she, the mutt, and… the … boy left. He didn’t think she would, but a small part of him had hoped for something. It wasn’t his fault she left all those years ago. Dracula would have done anything to keep his daughter safe.
Being a parent was often a thankless task, but Theresa was old enough to handle herself in most situations. She knew how to find him if she needed to. But right now, Dracula had another task involving children to take care of. He waited until the sun began to rise and returned to his room, only to find a woman with jet-black hair that reached the floor, tanned skin that spoke of a love for the sun, and the greenest eyes he’d ever seen.
She smiled, lips parting just shy of the fangs he knew she had, and gestured to the chair as if this was her room and he, a visitor, and not the other way around.
“Good morning, Count,” she purred.
“Good morning, Lilith. When did you arrive?” He crossed the room, leaving the door unlocked, and closed the curtains. Dracula hadn’t feared the sun in ages, but some habits refused to die.
Lilith chuckled, a rich sound that reminded him of the bells shepherds used to help keep track of their flocks. “So quick to get to the point, my friend. I almost think you’re not happy to see me.”
“I’m a married man, Lilith. It’s not proper to find a woman who is not my wife waiting for me in my room.”
“I wouldn’t be against marrying you, Count. Just say the word, and my children will be yours.”
“I’m not looking for another bride.” He stared at her then, taking in the purple dress that left her neck, shoulders, and arms bare while the skirt ended above her knees and clung to her like a second skin. At least she isn’t naked this time. “I’ve found and dealt with the one who killed your son.”
Lilith pouted briefly before crossing her arms and nodded. “Who was it?” she asked in a tone devoid of emotion.
Dracula raised an eyebrow, confused at the sudden mood swing, but obliged. “Elizabeth Bathory. Carmillia’s Childe.”
Lilith gasped, eyes closing as the full weight of his words filled her. “You killed her?”
“Yes.”
“How long ago?” she pressed.
“Only a handful of hours. Carmilla must have felt it by now.”
Lilith glared at him. “You know perfectly well she felt it the moment Elizabeth died!”
Dracula nodded. “I know.”
But she broke the law, and you were the one who asked me to avenge your son. She stared at him, silently imploring him to break, to reveal more.
But Dracula had said all he intended on the subject and simply returned her gaze. He could feel the sun’s heat licking through the fabric and stepped further into the room without thinking. Lilith noticed and smiled knowingly. “And the other matter?” she asked.
“What other matter?”
“The abomination.”
“He lives.”
“You were supposed to kill him.”
Dracula snorted. “He is of my blood. I will decide when and how I will dispose of him. Not you. And not Carmilla. Is that understood?”
“Have you grown fond of him, then? Is it because he’s the product of your favorite daughter?” Lilith challenged.
“I have no favorite daughters. Or sons.”
“But you do have a favorite wife.” Dracula said nothing, making Lilith smile as she continued. “You’re quite the cruel man, my dear. Were you like this when you were human?”
“I wouldn’t know. I did my duty as I saw fit.”
“And murdered countless people to do so.”
“What’s your point?”
“Point? You wound me, sir. I’m only trying to help you keep your perspective straight on this matter.”
Dracula resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He didn’t know which child started doing so, but he knew he got the habit from one of them and said through gritted teeth. “Your son has been avenged. Justice has been carried out. There’s nothing more for you to concern yourself with here, my lady.”
Lilith giggled, stepping closer and leaning close enough for him to touch her if he chose. He didn’t, but that didn’t stop her from speaking. “But there is. This is the second time an abomination has been born from your line, Count. And with another werewolf at that. Tell me, why do you think that is?”
“I wouldn’t know. Theresa never chose to share the reason behind her infatuation with the mutt.”
“But what of Radu?”
He slammed her against the wall, fangs bared as he snarled. “DO NOT SPEAK HIS NAME!”
To her credit, Lilith only grinned before pushing him away. Dracula caught himself on the bedframe and glared at her. Her eyes glowed as the room darkened beyond human perception, but this did nothing to soothe or stop his rage. Her laughter came, darker than dark and colder than cold.
“Did I strike a nerve, my dear Count?”
“You know you did,” he growled, channeling his power as he waited for her to strike. But she surprised him. The darkness withdrew as swiftly as it came to reveal her kneeling at his feet with palms raised as if begging for mercy.
Dracula couldn’t stop himself from rolling his eyes at that. “Get up. You know I hate these games of yours.”
“This isn’t a game,” she insisted as she rose. “Your line has produced two abominations now and–”
“One,” he snapped. “There’s only been the one. It’s impressive that he’s survived this long. I’ll admit it, but–”
“Two, old friend, she insisted, each word striking him like a stake through the heart as she whispered. “You have one grandson and one nephew… The child of your Childe–”
“Died. It died in the mother’s womb. I told you this.”
“You did. But what did you do after you realized the werewolf wasn’t breathing?”
“I buried it behind their home. Radu was…” He couldn’t finish as the memories threatened to overwhelm him, but Lilith didn’t give him time to recover.
“You buried a werewolf who was nine months pregnant in the backyard of her vampire lover, but you didn’t actually check to see if the monster growing in her belly was dead, did you? You simply sought the swiftest way to ease your brother’s pain… along with your own.”
Dracula shook his head, hands clenching for a weapon he hadn’t used in centuries as he sagged against the bed. “It’s dead,” he whispered.
“He wasn’t.” Lilith tilted his head up and stared into his eyes. “The baby wasn’t dead, Dracula… and you aren’t the only one with a claim to him.”
“He?”
The question made Lilith’s lips curl into a cruel smile. “He. A boy. More of a man now, but he wasn’t that different from the one Theresa birthed… Would you like to meet him? He keeps asking about his father, and I believe you are the best one to tell him about Radu, don’t you agree?”
“Why are you doing this? You asked me to avenge your son’s death as a friend. I helped you, and this is how you repay me?!”
Lilith sighed, a hint of sorrow darkening her face as she moved to the door. “Yes. This is how I choose to repay you, my dear. You have my thanks for avenging Klaus… Though, I’m sure you’re already regretting the pain you caused Carmilla. But fear not. For I will go to her. She may not be one of my brood, but I still care for her like a daughter. And she will need me in these trying times… You understand what I’m saying, of course?”
“Of course.” He didn’t watch her leave, nor did he rise from the floor. Dracula pulled a chain from around his neck with trembling fingers and opened a bronze locket with his ancient family crest, that of the house of Dragul, and sighed as an almost-faded tiny portrait with a man in his twenties with laughing eyes and a strong smile greeted him.
“Radu… my Childe… my brother… my poor brother.” Dracula gently closed the locket and pressed it to his forehead as if praying for something he couldn’t name. The sun eventually set once again, and yet no one dared approach his door. It was well that they did not, for Dracula loathed being disturbed and was quick to punish those foolish enough to test the rumors of his wrath.
Yet something did dare to distract Dracula from his pain. His phone, a gift from Clay so they could have a family plan along with his mother, started ringing. He ignored it, growling softly even though he knew whoever was trying to contact him couldn’t hear. The phone finally stopped after the tenth ring, and Dracula sighed in relief. Only to groan when the phone immediately began ringing again.
He answered it with a snarl. “I am going to kill you very slowly, you miserable excuse for a writer!”
The voice, on the other hand, laughed. “And hello to you too, old friend. Has the Queen of Night taken her leave, then?”
“She has… Though, now I’m curious as to how you even knew how she was here in the first place.”
“Simple. Lilith called Mina, and Mina called me to check on you. Are you alright?”
“I’ll live,” Dracula rubbed his right temple and climbed onto the bed. “Progress report.”
“Theresa and Antione arrived home safely last night. The mutt made a bit of noise but wasn’t allowed to stay.”
“That’s my girl,” Dracula chuckled. “What else?”
“Elizabeth was working alone. I’ve found several locations where she scratched doors, hoping the marks would be confused for a werewolf sign. The local vampires all say they knew nothing of the Countess’s plans and are eager to resume their normal hunting patterns now that the tests are done. How did the young master do? Have you spoken to him yet?”
“Not yet. Lilith said… some very stressful things. I may have to ask that you devote more of yourself to protecting my daughter and her spawn, my friend.”
“Fine by me. But I must say I’m surprised. I thought Her Majesty wanted to make a baby with you. Not kill you.”
“She doesn’t want to kill me. She wants to create the ultimate lifeform…” And she has Radu’s child… He shook his head and rose. “I need you to do some digging as well.”
“Actual digging or the kind that involves a computer?”
“Both. Lilith has never dared to lie to me before, but I haven’t come this far just to be caught unawares now. Carmilla will come for me sooner or later. I doubt she’ll try to harm Theresa, but we can’t be too careful. Use whatever means necessary and see that my will is fulfilled.”
“Of course, sir. Will you be returning to Romania with Clay?”
“No. I’m going to visit Mina. Our daughter is being rebellious again, but she’s always listened to Mina in the past.”
A dry chuckle reached Dracula’s ears as the count stretched onto the bed. The game had been an amusing one. It took nearly a week for him to realize a vampire was involved with Klaus’s death, but he hadn’t wanted to believe it was Elizabeth all along. What happened to make Elizabeth hate Theresa so much? She and Carmilla were Theresa’s closest friends as she grew up. We were a family…
And now, one of them was dead while another was living in a self-imposed exile. Which leaves Carmilla free to go on a rampage. I hope Lilith won’t let things get that far. But why would she dig up Radu’s mistress and save their abomination? Is he part of her plans since I keep rebuffing her advances? And what about…
Dracula shook his head and said. “Protect them, Abe. I’ll never forgive you if you fail me in this.”