Even with her whole body protesting, the elf princess forced herself to sit up in the bed whose softness should have ensured comfort but somehow made Erinna feel like she'd never been in so alien a place.

The atmosphere was frigid and although the room was filled with more light than was allowed in Castello Dracula, she found herself feeling cold. As she fought back the urge to shiver, Erinna was reminded of thecevents that had brought her to where she was.

Never in her life had she thought she would be kidnapped by werewolves; the most savage creatures known under the sun. They lived by no rules, a law upon themselves. Should they decide to make her dinner, there would be nothing to stop them. Unless she came up with a plan.

"Princess, you're awake."

Lost in her mind as she tried to assess her options, Erinna had not heard the door open. She looked up to see the bearer of the obvious news and gulped.

Living with vampires, one of the most physically gifted races, she should have been used to handsome men yet looking at the man in front of her, the elf princess found herself floored. He was attractive in all the ways she was not used to.

He looked like a cross between a demi-god and a giant. He was tall in a way most men could only dream of and had a heavyset structure that made him seem like Mount Vesuvius come to the people.

His body was a contraption of bulky, bulging muscles such that his biceps alone looked like Erinna's entire torso. To add to his impressive musculature was his face which was handsome in a rugged, almost wild way. The most arresting feature on his face were his eyes, they were blue and clear. As Erinna gazed into their azure depths, she knew that there, was a sincere and honorable man.

"Quite surprising after how you almost spilt my head open," she said, standing up from the bed.

She did not want to talk to him whilst sitting down for it would automatically put her in an inferior position but the move was miscalculated because it put her in the sun, bathing her in the warm morning light and exposing all her features to her kidnapper. The wolf's eyes widened and a shocked gasp left his mouth.

It was not an unusual reaction, but unlike in Transylvania on the very few times she had made the mistake of leaving the castle without her veil, there was no Dracula to stop the man should from acting on his impulses. If he decided to take liberties with her, there would be precious little she would be able to do to stop him.

Hoping she looked more composed than she felt, Erinna took a step back but the man countered it with a step forward. His pupils were dilated, golden eyes burning with unmistakable predatory lust. Erinna looked quickly grabbed a candelabra next to her and wielded it like a weapon.

"I do not want to hurt you but if you take another step..." She warned.

There was nothing she could do of course and he probably knew it but the words seemed to shake him out of his trance and he shook his head, seeming surprised with his surroundings. He immediately took a step back.

"I'm sorry, that has never happened before, I- I don't know what happened."

His hand went to his temples as he frowned in confusion. His mystification seemed genuine so Erinna put down her weapon. She could have eased his conscience by telling him he was not tge the first to react to her that way but she was not yet sure of his intentions.

"Are you the leader of those who kidnapped me?"

"There is one above me, my father but yes, they report to me."

"I assume you don't know who I am or who I'm engaged to," Erinna frowned because if he did, he would have never kidnapped her.

It was only a matter of time before Vlad found out what had happened and came to collect the blood that he felt was owed to him. Why would the werewolf want to risk his life and those of his people like that? Vlad would not take anyone breaking into his territory and kidnapping her lightly.

Heads were going to roll, punishments exacted and blood spilled. Erinna already had a lot of blood on her hands where Vlad was concerned and did not want to add another massacre.

"I know who you are, Princess and you can consider your engagement with the leech broken. He won't get to you here."

The nerve of the man.

"You kidnapped me, knocked me around and now you want to tell me who I can and cannot marry?"

"This conversation is not going well, perhaps I'd better explain."

"What you need to do is take me back."

"I realize it's too much for me to ask you to be cordial after what happened, my men really overdid it. They didn't mean to harm you; I specifically told them to make sure you didn't get hurt. But we're werewolves, sometimes we get carried away and for that I apologize," the wolf- Zane, her mind supplied, said sincerely.

Carried away? Her skull had cracked and the man was saying they got carried away? If it was not for her body's new way of healing itself, Erinna knew she would be dead.

"It doesn't matter, what matters is that you take me back before sunset. You said you know yourself who I'm engaged to, which makes this a very brave move or a stupid one."

Erinna was getting agitated. Being away from her mate was making her nervous, Vlad was prone to the stupidest of decisions when he was angry or thought her life was threatened in some way. His need to protect her, coupled with the bond would have him acting first and thinking later. Her only hope was that Alexander would be there to calm him down since she could not.

Vlad had been making very good progress im controlling his temper and urges and Erinna absolutely loathed the werewolves for doing this. He had been really trying to figure out who he was and his place in the new world and the provocation feom the werewolves was going to set back and undo everything he had accomplished so far.

Of course tests were bound to come every now and then in life but it was too soon. Vlad wasn't ready yet. It wouldn't take much to tip the scale and drive him back into the abyss of lawlessness, recklessness and bloodlust.

All their relationship had needed was a bit of reprieve; a moment of peace before all the problems and baggage that followed them around came crushing in. But so was not to be, for theirs would always be a restless union; cursed from the beginning and destined to end in doom.

"I'd like to believe it's the former. I know you don't like being held captive, but really Princess, you're safe here. The leech won't get you whilst you're with us."

Erinna's eyes flashed and the merest of flames flickered on the surface of her skin but were quickly gone in the blink of an eye.

"His name is Vlad, Count Dracula for you. He's a vampire and twice the man that you are so please, keep your insults."

Zane frowned.

"You don't have to defend him, you know that right? You're free to speak your mind here; the rooms are magic proofed against external sources, he won't know anything you say. You're truly free princess."

"Free? You kidnapped me! Who are you anyway?"

Erinna was not a rude elf but her emotions were getting the better of her. She was panicking, not because she was afraid of Zane, but because she was afraid for him. Things were going to get bloody when Vlad got there and Zane's pretty face and kind eyes would not be able to save him.

"I'm Zan_"

"I know what your name is. I want to know what you want with me."

"Nothing except to come to an agreement. Your people approached my people, they begged us to go and rescue you from the clutches of the long tooth."

"You're lying."

Elves were proud, there was no way they could have stooped so low as to ask help from anyone, let alone begging.

"I have nothing to gain in lying to you. Your father loves you. He asked us to rescue you and fight on their side in the war that is likely to come when the leec_ Count Dracula realizes you're gone," he quickly changed the werewolf derogatory term for vampires when she glared at him.

"In exchange for what?" She asked for she could see he was indeed telling the truth.

"You."

Erinna told herself to breathe and focus but it still was not enough. She clenched her fists and closed her eyes to try and regain some equilibrium but her anger and outrage were too strong and she found herself overpowered by her emotions.

Thunder rumbled outside and flames lit her eyes. A strange darkness swirled inside her, aching to be released. Her skin was heating up and she knew it was seconds away from breaking out in flames. Where was Vlad when you needed him?

Zane took a step back, his eyes wide. That was a wise move, because Erinna did not know how much longer she could restrain herself. She extended her claws and dug them into her palms until blood gushed out. The pain was excruciating and it finally distracted her from what she was about to do.

Her eyes cleared, the weather calmed and the darkness inside her withdrew. When her eyes looked at Zane, he was as white as a sheet. She looked aside in shame, she had almost hurt another person. Self loathing filled her, making her just want to be alone.

"Does that always happen?" Zane asked gently, his voice full of concern.

"No. But I guess people kidnapping me and using me as a trading currency is an exception."

She tried to keep the bitterness out of her voice but failed. Being kidnapped by werewolves on its own was bad but knowing that her father had orchestrated the whole operation gutted her. They had treated her like some form of prize, object even.

A lot of her life in Ellingsdale, Erinna had had no say but living with Vlad, she had fought for her rights and demanded to be heard. He did not like most of her opinions but he listened. What her father had done was despicable.

She felt her anger building up again and took a deep breath. Control yourself Erinna, this time Vlad won't be there to bring you back if you fall over the edge, her head tried to tell her but it was so difficult to rein in the energy once it started seeping out and taking over. She summoned the most calming picture in her head, the ocean, the forest, anything...but it wouldn't work.

It was finally the serene picture of her mate as he had laughed at her after she passed out from him satisfying her body so much that made her able to subdue the flames and lightning itching to break out of her skin. Again, he had managed to keep her from being dragged into the pit of darkness that accompanied her temper rages.

Erinna was getting rid of the last vestiges of her temper when the door swung open and the last person she'd expected to see walked in.

"Mara?"

"Erinna, thank heavens I found you in time!" The woman exclaimed, rushing forward and enveloping Erinna in a minty scent that spoke of home and things familiar.

Joy and homesickness washed over Erinna in a nostalgic wave. She hugged the woman back, basking in the almost motherly comfort and feeling of security that she seemed to always project. It was the most wonderful feeling and she never wanted to let her go. It made her believe that perhaps there was a better explanation for everything that had happened. Surely her father had not pawned her off to werewolves?

"Mara, I never expected to see you here. What is going on? Is it true about father? What have you all done?" She asked, trying to hide her distress.

"Princess it was the only option we had. We would have rescued you on our own, you know your people will do anything for you but our numbers are simply not enough. It wouldn't have been a rescue but a massacre. We suffered heavy losses when the vampires took you last time. I know it must seem terrible what we did, but everyone thought it'd be better if you were married to Zane rather than a vampire. Erinna, tell me you understand please," Mara cried out passionately and Erinna could see the elf's heart clearly displayed in her eyes. It gave her a new understanding.

Whatever her actions, Mara had had no malicious intend behind her decisions. She had simply done whatever she could to save Erinna from a fate no other elf would have ever wanted to be subjected to. Among their people, death was better than being touched by a vampire and it was obvious Mara had done everything she could to save Erinna from the torture of living among the very creatures they had been brought up to loathe.

Anything must have seemed better to them than letting Erinna marry a creature who sustained his own life by taking those of others. She naturally couldn't get angry at something that had clearly been done out of love but Mara needed to know what she had done was wrong and also not worth it. Even if Erinna hadn't been mated to Vlad, risking thousands of people's lives just for one person seemed very stupid and imprudent.

"Mara, I know why you did what did but you still sold me. You treated me no better than a cow," Erinna frowned.

Mara's usual graceful façade fell and she began wringing her hands nervously, her eyes on anything but Erinna.

"I'm sorry. I just thought this would be better, you told me he hits you, Princess. Zane will never do that. It might not seem like it now since you don't know him yet, but he'll treat you well. You should have seen him taking care of you when you arrived. He was so angry and shouted at his men for letting you get hurt. He's the one who cleaned your face, your cuts and had their healer look at you. He's a good man Erinna; everything that monster will never be for you."

"Stop calling him that. You don't know anything about him and I forbid you to pass any judgment when all you know is what you have been told. Unless you talk to Vlad, spend time with him and actually try to understand him, I will not hear a single about him from you."

"It's natural to feel an attachment. As I told you before, Diana cursed Count Dracula to be killed by you but she also specified that you'd love him so that he could feel the pain she wanted him to feel when you eventually took his life. So whatever feelings for him you think you might have, it's part of the curse Erinna, don't let them distract you from your mission."

🏯 🏯🏯🏯🏯🏯🏯

Ever since they had returned, Dracula had been issuing instructions non-stop, snapping at anyone who dallied, even for a second. Recognizing his foul mood, everyone kept a wide berth of him but unfortunately Alexander did not have that luxury, nor would he have wanted it. Even though the Count would never admit it, Alexander knew he needed him there.

He was trying to use his powers to soothe the agitated older vampire without being detected but was not sure it was even working. Usually Dracula kept a tight leash on his emotions that sometimes it was hard to tell if he actually felt anything but that night his emotions were all over the place. Fear, anger, agitation, anxiety and helplessness all had them in their tight grip, sweeping him towards the precipice of panic.

"Alexander if you continue to use your juju on me..." Dracula warned.

"Why does it have to be juju though?" Alexander laughed, hoping to distract the Count from his meddling.

"What else can it be? You can't actually consider that as powers. Stay out of my head; we have more important things to focus on. I hear the werewolves relocated last millennia. I need a layout of their territory," Vlad said to him, still pacing the ground.

Alexander was sure if he looked at the marble floor, he'd be able to find tracks of his footsteps where he'd been pacing; it was all he'd been doing for a full hour.

"I'll send a scout. I think Tristan will do a good job," Alexander said even though he knew he was wasting his breath. Dracula continued to insist the boy was a child even though it was clear he was their best human warrior. Tristan had actually come far since the days he couldn't hold a sword without breaking his wrist.

"No, he's untrained, a child and a human...too slow. He'll get caught before he even leaves the boarders," the Count said as Alexander had predicted. If only he'd placed a bet.

"I can't send a vampire, the sun is still up."

"Send a shifter then."

"That, you'll have to do on your own my friend. You know how your hairy buddies are like," Alexander said with a shudder.

Long back, the shifters in the area had recognized the Count as their Alpha and pledged him their allegiance. But while the shifters had made themselves servants of the Count, that didn't apply to other vampires; in fact they didn't even want to see a vampire in their part of the province. They listened to him and only him.

They were useful though, if you didn't count the state of complete lawlessness they lived by. They were a good buffer if there were any attacks because anyone who came to the province from any side had to go through Death Town first and then Shifter Hive. Why they had decided to call their forest a hive, Alexander would never know but it was not that much of a shock, the things completely disregarded convention.

"I'll be calling Samuel then. You can get me your best war strategists and Jasper, he'll need to report his defense plans to me."

Alexander looked down, shifting on his feet, at the same time trying to erase unpleasant images from his mind.

"I swear, if I have to repeat myself one more time," Vlad glared impatiently when Alexander remained standing.

"Jasper's dead."

"What?"

Alexander hated having the duty of delivering bad news fall on him, especially when the recipient happened to be a very unstable and unpredictable count. But even worse had been hearing the cry of his brethren as they had fought a losing battle, crying for help which had not been available. When he had heard them, Alexander had dropped everything but had simply been too slow.

He had not arrived on time, finding both Jasper and George fallen. Of course they had died for a noble cause, doing their job and protecting the Countess as they'd sworn to but it didn't hurt any less. Even Jasper's valiant fighting had not been able to save them from the ruthless jaws of the rapacious monsters that had descended on them.

They'd been brutally torn from limb to limb as if by wild animals, their skin shredded and their insides hanging out like a sick gruesome joke. Alexander had vomited then and even now when he thought of the vivid images of his fallen brethren, bile rose to his throat.

George had been a good man and Jonathan only a kid. What kind of animals could have done that to someone who had barely even lived a century? But he guessed to wolves, someone a couple of decades was not considered too young.

"He was the one who was closest and ran to George and Jonathan's aid when they were attacked."

"And George and Jonathan?"

"Dead."

The Count ran his hand down his face in an exhausted manner and Alexander could sense his sorrow. He had personally trained Jasper so Alexander knew how he felt. Although the Count rarely showed it, Alexander knew he cared about his people. It was the same reason he did not just choose anyone to become a vampire.

"I'm not going to choose someone who's going to annoy me for eternity Alexander," he had once said to him.