Chapter 15

I was received by a troll in a half tux again. We were separated from others. I was escorted to Dracula while the others were sent elsewhere. He hugged me and asked me if I was ill-treated. I told him what they wanted to do to me. He wasn't happy about it any more than I was. He promised to deal with it.

I sat on the veranda with the other wives of Dracula and watched as he argued with the others. He was very verbal and so was James. They talked in languages I didn't know. James was warned for breaking the rules with me. He shouldn't have fed me his blood. They finally asked to see me. They saw firsthand my abilities and agreed I should be one of a kind. All though some wanted to evolve. These guys insisted that I be drained. Dracula politely reminded her that I was his wife. A doppelganger of his deceased wife sure. We have been lawfully married which means off-limits. She gave him a look. And he said he would happy to switch sides if he is allowed to kill her most frightening way imaginable. This earned an outcry from her part. She insisted that her intention in good till I played a word game that proved otherwise. She ended up blurting out her agenda. She was dragged to the dungeons which I am told was a place I must not enter.

I was excused and I walked out to see a Windigo. It was a half human creature that lunged at me and I turned into bats to get away. I grabbed a set of chains and restrained her. I didn't forget the rules. No violence in this property. I turned to see the heads of both sides eyeing me. I explained what happened and let her go. She charged at me as the chain that bonded her had loosened. One of them pulled a different chain and one of the marble dragon figure released flames from it's mouth that burned her to ashes. I was ordered to remain in the guest wing of the palace till the matter was resolved. It took a week before we went back home. Like I said I requested Dracula if he could allow me to see my family and friends if possible. He shrugged that he will think about it. I was asked to go to my room.

The next day we went back to Dracula's mansion. I decided to ditch practice and went to sleep. I saw my entire family having dinner in back yard. I heard clattering of cutlery behind me. I saw a woman in black wedding dress and a black veil serving them dinner. I greeted everyone and was about to reach for the bowl of fried chicken when a strong pair hands yanked me.

What just happened? I jumped out of my bed and I fell face first to the ground. I surveyed the room as I hoped to find the source that woke me up. I must have screamed because the door flung open and a young girl in a toga came running towards me. She pressed her hand against my forehead. She asked me if I was ok and I told her it was a bad dream. She smiled, "Nothing the master can't fix" She whistled to call for assistance and I placed my hand over her mouth. She was perplexed I did that. I explained that I just needed some fresh air. She smiled and escorted me out into the sunlight. I sat down and admired the surrounding nature when I heard quiet footfalls. I turn to see a man in rough clothing standing behind me. He had a stern face that could give you cardiac dysrhythmia. He stood there till I got up and turn to go back to the mansion before thing get from bad to worst. But what I did was turn into bats and I flew to the roof of the mansion. I got an amazing view of the place and I hoped Dracula was here sitting next to me. A throaty chuckle, "I can happily grant that wish." He was sitting next to me admiring the clouds as they pass above us. He seemed genuinely happy to be outside. He looked at me and nod his head. I asked him if he was in my head. He gave me an impish grin, "Guilty. I was viewing the moments of your childhood when you thought of enjoying this moment with me. I particularly liked how you managed to stop the mad scientist. He reminded me of doctor Frankenstein. I met him once and he belonged in a straight jacket in my opinion. Before I left London he did end up in one trying to violate his late fiancee's corpse." I wrinkled my nose, "Don't you think you should stay away from London. Haven't you read the books. It always say you go there. It is so overdone that I wish they say you were in New York working as an archeology professor or running self defense classes for women who have suffered abuse." This had him laughing. He shook his head, "I never thought of that. That sounds wonderful and selfless." I asked him if he would consider it. I reminded him that he didn't sign some stupid contract or something so he can change his mind. I have read enough bad guy Dracula so how about Vlad Tepes that does make a positive impact on the world. He smirked, "I am too deep into the darkness to go out into the light." I waved my hand, "First of all, you are literally out in daylight. The next you swore you can't control yourself and yet you did when you drank from me. So you not going back to light is an excuse. You are more than able to do anything you want. The only thing holding you back is yourself" He gave me a deep look and mumbled, "If you want to see your grandfather, I can take you to see but I can't let you go home to your father. I am afraid that I might do something that would make you hate me" I was contemplating between saying I appreciate his honesty but I am grown up and Thanks but no thanks. I decided I say I am going for fight practice before someone decided that this mansion should be demolished. The moment I was about to say it he laughed and carried me downstairs.

I changed and walked to the exercise arena and found Dracula in teacher mode. He was stern faced and he decided to handle my hand to hand combat training personally which everyone was envying, enjoying not to mention relieved. They wanted him to teach him but unfortunately, he can be brutal so they backed down. They enjoyed me getting beat down. Like I said I had to push him out of my head to push his face down on the mat. He chuckled, "All's fair in love and war" I managed a few hits but like I said he was better. He asked me where I learned to fight. I mumbled something about self defense tactics my uncle taught me. He was concerned that I would end up in a dumpster. He taught whatever he knew. This seemed to make him smile as I tried to knock him out. I decided to take his own advice and knocked him on his back. I thanked him for teaching me that and he laughed hard. "That was for William not for me" I smiled, "Doesn't matter! It still worked" He gave me an approving nod and we practiced for another eight hours after which he decided we should take a break.

I hit the showers and saw that my clothes have been replaced with party outfits. I seemed to be going to a party. My assigned slave Viktoria made sure I looked drop dead gorgeous. When I reached the foyer he took my hand. I wish he didn't take me with him when I saw where he had taken me. In fact I begged him to take me back to his mansion.