“One brief moment of pain,” the Count pulled me hard enough that the air was pushed out of my lungs, “and we can be together forever.”

Fear gripped my heart as the Count and I danced over to the center of the ballroom. None of the other dancers took any notice. It was as though things like this were none of their business. My hand glided over his chest. There was the feeling of his breath as he spoke but no beating of his heart.

“You have no heart beat,” I said.

The Count dipped me again, only more slowly. My body started to feel limp as I feel under his spell.

“Perhaps, it just needs, to be rekindled,” he said.

The Count’s eyes began to glow an electric blue as his fangs grew out. I looked up at him not being able to do anything but watch as he prepared to bite me. But then something strange happened. There was a huge jolt that shook the room and everyone in it. The Count dropped me.

I started to feel sleepy as the room began to fade away. The jolting kept coming as though someone was jumping up and down on something. I could hear a laughter filled voice singing to me. I tried to open my eyes.

~*~

There you are, Miss Sleepy-Head!

Why are you still in bed?

The sun in gone so the night will corrupt,

Why then are you not up?

I blinked sleepily as I opened my eyes. There was someone jumping on my bed. At first all I saw was a flash of red hair. Aleera. What was she being silly with me for? I tried to say something but when I spoke I sounded drunk.

“Don’teatmynightdressyaninny,” I said. Aleera frowned in return.

“Who are you calling a ninny?” she said. “Anna, get up! It’s past nine o’clock in the evening!” I opened my eyes all the way and stood up on the bed.

“What gives you the right to give me such a rude awakening?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. Aleera smiled innocently.

“Oh I have plenty of right to do this,” she said smiling up at the ceiling. “Right girls?”

In a swift motion Marishka and Verona jumped down from the ceiling and onto the bed. Before I knew it we were all jumping around on the bed like a bunch of little girls. We jumped for about ten minutes when suddenly I lost my balance. I grabbed Marishka by the wrist, she grabbed Verona’s shoulder, and she grabbed Aleera’s ankle. A moment later we were all on the floor laughing our heads off.

The sound of a cute bark caught my attention. I looked up and saw Nightshadow standing in the doorway looking at us. Verona patted her lap and the little puppy ran over and jumped in it.

“Where did he come from?” I asked while petting him.

“We found him in the woods a while back while hunting,” said Marishka.

“Aleera was going to feed off of him but I thought he was so cute that I couldn’t resist keeping him as a pet,” said Verona.

“Question,” I said. “What was with this hilarious awakening?” The brides laughed.

“You and Nightshadow were the first ones to witness the effects of an alarm clock,” said Aleera. I raised an eyebrow.

“What’s an alarm clock?” I asked. They shrugged.

“We don’t know,” said Marishka. “Probably something that will be invented in the twentieth century.” They all stood up. “We have duties to attend too so we will see you later.” With that they left the room.

“They can be so silly at times can’t they?” said a voice.

I looked up and was surprised to see the Count standing upside down on the ceiling. He smiled at me. I turned on my heel and ran out of the room only to bump into him outside.

“Why do you keep tormenting me?” I demanded.

“Because you keep asking for it with your behavior, my dear,” The Count said with his eyes falling to my throat.

“If you like tormenting me so much why don’t you just bite me and get it over with?” I cried. “Even death would be better than going through all of this!”

The Count reached out and brushed my hair away from my throat. I remained still and unafraid. I didn’t miss that look of longing in his eyes. His fangs briefly grew out before going away. He shook his head.

“No,” said the Count. “I’m not going to bite you.”

“Why not?” I asked.

“Because for now I just want to settle for this!” replied the Count.

Before I could stop him he grabbed my shoulders and crushed his lips against mine. The kiss was brief but violent. When he pulled away he gave me a final glare before disappearing. I stomped my foot and started storming through the hallways. Gee, was I mad or what?

Back                         Home                              Van Helsing Main Page                         Next