"I said move!" Erinna turned sharply from the balcony and looked at the closed bedroom door, trying to discern the loud voice packed with so much menace that it made goosebumps break over her skin. It was followed by screams, silence then outright commotion.

What was happening?

Her hands shaking, Erinna walked out of their bedroom and walked down a lot of hallways to the top of the steps leading downstairs. The air around her became more stifling with each step she took and she rocked on her feet as a wave of vertigo hit her. Her limbs felt weak and she knew whoever was down there had a lot of blood on their hands. Her foreboding did not prepare her for the scene when it finally came into her line of sight.

"Stop! Stop right there!" Erinna yelled.

She gathered her dress and flew down the stairs, her pulse pumping hard with fear, dread and disbelief.

The vampire leading the procession looked nervous as he cast glances around. He held a steel whip in his hands and twelve chained men followed behind him. They were barely recognizable, so beaten up and tortured that they looked to be at the brink of death. Erinna felt like vomiting, especially when she saw one of the chained men.

"Countess, we really have to go. The Count-"

Erinna ignored the vampire and went to the familiar looking chained man. He was so bloody and torn up that there was no skin on his face. Erinna's eyes teared up and her heart shattered as she regarded him. If not for his energy, she would never gave recognized him but she would have known that strong, honorable and brave force field from anywhere.

"Zane," she wept, her voice shaking.

"What have they done to you?" She wanted to ask but did not dare, suddenly aware of the eyes on her, from the vampires leading these men out, probably to be executed and also from the guards in the foyer.

Quickly, she wiped her tears off and straightened her spine. No one ever listened to an irrational woman. So whatever anger was beating in her veins, she stifled it and forced herself to be composed.

Terrence did not know what to make of the woman before him. He had known who she was from the moment he had seen her, heavens how could he not? She was simply breathtaking. The Count had warned him never to go near her, in fact, his instructions were to run if he ever saw her coming in his direction and now he understood why.

It wasn't just the beauty for he had seen his fair share of it over the years. It was something else that was purely and elementally her. It made him want to drop to his knees and worship her. She glowed with a purity that he could not comprehend, only its effects. Facing her, he was suddenly aware of all his mistakes and Terrence took a step back, his body shuddering.

Tears glistened in his eyes and he looked down, suddenly feeling ashamed and overwhelmed by the blood on his hands. He felt as if he was looking at himself but from another body and what he saw greatly disturbed him. How had he come to this? How could he have sunk to this level and wrecked so much violence?

'It's all you have ever known,' his mind answered but suddenly it was no longer enough.

Terrence had been a slave, beaten up and used every day of his life when the Count had rescued him. He would never thank him enough for it but by the time his maker had shown up on the scene, Terrence had already been too far gone. He had lost much to be able to function normally in acceptable society.

He had nothing of himself to give, just a lot of anger, frustration and burning need of revenge. The Count had recognized that in him and put him in a place where he could let loose his passions, punishing the monsters in society but he had never fully realized how he himself had become a monster along the road. Not until her.

This woman he had never seen before had showed him who he was and by God, was he disgusted. He felt sick to his stomach and suddenly bent to the side to retch. A soft hand touched his back, rubbing soothing circles on it as he vomited. His body jerked because no one had ever touched him with kindness before, no one had ever found him worthy.

"Bring him water and a towel," he heard the angel before him say to Chase.

He knew The Count said she was an elf but Terrence did not buy a word of it. The woman was nothing short of an angel, one brought to save him. Five minutes later, when he was cleaned up, she stepped back from him and he wanted to step forward but did not want to frighten her. He wanted her light, needed it. For the first time in his life, he had not felt cold as she stood next to him.

"What's your name?" She asked softly.

"T-t-" His throat clogged so he cleared it before trying again. "Terrence."

Goddammit, when had he become such a simpleton? If he had any friends, they would probably laugh at him for becoming a five year old boy once again, but as it was, Terrence had no friends. Even as a vampire, he was considered more violent than most and everyone avoided him. The Count was the only person who had ever talked to him like an equal. To everyone else, he was an animal. Not that he had ever given them reason to believe otherwise.

"Are you the one in charge of this?" She asked and Terrence suddenly wished that he had never touched the dogs, wished he had told the Count to deal with his own prisoners.

He could see that his actions disgusted her yet she had been civil to him. No one had ever taken care of him before but she had cleaned him up when he had thrown up. It intensified the guilt inside him and the need to do better.

"Yes."

"Go and get me your books," she said in a calm voice filled with authority.

He did not understand her. Everyone mostly obeyed The Count because they knew what would happen if they didn't but with this woman it was different. He knew she held no physical threat to him but he wanted to do everything she said, mop the very ground she walked on if she wanted. There was so much power and strength banked in her voice and Terrence felt it with every fiber of his being.

"My books?"

"Yes. Where you record all these activities?"

Terrence frowned in confusion.

"There are no records. The Count sends me a letter when there is a special prisoner or he comes himself but usually I just do as I see fit."

"Go fetch me a new book then," she instructed.

He wanted to, lord he really wanted to but if he lingered there and did not get these prisoners to Death Town in time for their execution, The Count would have his skin. He was already a dead man for even talking to this woman who looked like the moon and felt like the sun.

"I should really-" He began but she cut him off.

"Go and fetch me a book, Terrence."

"Yes, my lady."

It embarrassed him that he was at the command of a woman but he could not refuse her. He went to the store room and returned with a thick book which had nothing written inside.

"You see this book?" She asked.

"Yes."

"Every prisoner who walks through your doors, you will record him here. You will write me a letter, listing his crimes and I will tell you how to proceed. If I tell you to punish him, it will be recorded in this book, if I tell you to keep him under arrest, it will be recorded in this book and if I tell you to release him, it will be recorded into this book. But you will not touch any prisoner without my approval which I will give in form of a stamped letter. Are we clear?" Green, bewitching eyes pierced into him and he wanted to give her everything but-

"The Count-"

"Gave me his signet ring. You seem reasonable to me, Terrence and I don't want to go far with this but did you hear what I did to Ingrid?"

Terrence grinned, "Aye my lady; that was good work. I wanted to tell you myself but Count Dracula did not think you would appreciate me saying so."

"It will look like nothing compared to what I will do to you if you ever lay your hand on another prisoner without my permission and hurt them like you did these men. Agreed?"

He really liked her, Terrence thought. Ingrid had said she was weak but how wrong she had been. As a slave, the only thing he knew to follow was authority and this woman had it. For the first time it wasn't being used against him.

"Agreed," he smiled.

"Now take these men to the guest wing. Clean them up and have some food sent for them."

He was all for this treating-prisoners-kindly campaign but this was going too far. But he did not want her to hear his disapproval so he mumbled, "Count Dracula is going to test out his new whips on me," under his breath as he led the dogs away. A dog in the guest wing of Castello Dracula, the Count was going to lose a fang.

****

Vlad was in his study, after his meeting with one of his provincial leaders when the doors to his study banged against the wall and a furious Erinna walked in.

Her cheeks were flushed and green eyes spitting fire as she marched to his desk. He should probably feel threatened but the sight added fire to his veins. She looked alive and he wanted to take her right then and then and stroke those fires into a furnace that would rival the very fires of hell.

"I want my signet ring now," she held out her hand.

Vlad frowned, wondering where this was coming from.

"You said you didn't want it at the wedding."

"I said I trusted you to make the right decisions."

"And that has changed?"

"The ring, Vlad. You are wasting my time."

He took off the ring and gave it to her.

"Did Alexander say something to you?"

It would not be the first time the imbecile ran his mouth on him but Erinna did not answer. Her glared said it all as she gathered her dress and left his office in a flurry of feminine garments and righteous anger. Vlad was in a state of confusion and would probably have remained there had Terrence not appeared at his door a minute later.

Vlad was out of his chair, his hand around the man's throat in the space of a heartbeat.

"What did you do?" He asked and when the man continued looking at him with simple eyes, Vlad yelled loud enough to rouse the dead, "I said what did you do?!"

"I- I didn't know she was going to be awake."

Vlad thrust him away in disgust. He had given the vampire one simple instruction, to transport the prisoners out of the dungeons whilst Erinna slept off her journey. He hadn't wanted to risk Erinna sensing Zane was in the dungeons. It was unlikely but he had not wanted to take the risk, which was why he had sped up the dog's execution but that plan was now shot to hell because of the fool before him.

*******

Erinna was in their bathroom later that night, or rather towards dawn, when she felt Vlad behind her as she washed the blood of the prisoners off her hands. She had hoped that with the war, she had seen the last of blood and mutilation, but her first day back in Transylvania had proved her wrong.

"Can we talk?" Vlad asked.

She sighed and dried her hands with a towel, then turned to face him, her weight leaning against the sink. He walked to where she was and cupped her face in his hands, dark intense eyes looking into hers with so much emotion that she swayed on her feet.

"It wasn't my intention for you to see what you saw down there and Terrence will be disciplined for his carelessness but that's all I can offer you. I can't apologize for anything else."

Erinna encircled his wrists and gently removed his hands from her face. It was not that she did not want his touch but as long as she felt his skin on hers like that, they would not have any conclusive discussion.

"I wasn't going to make you apologize, Vlad."

He frowned in confusion.

"I know why you did what you did. The werewolves were wrong and you need to make an example out of them."

"But you don't agree."

"I agree with the end, just not the means. We don't have to sink to their level, Vlad. Violence on top of violence will not solve anything. It will keep on breeding until all there is, is an endless cycle of hatred."

"What would you have me do then?"

Erinna was surprised. She had expected him to fly into a rage, not actually attempt to get her input.

"It's your kingdom."

"And we are co-rulers."

She took his hands and kissed them.

"These hands have done a lot, most of it to protect, sometimes to feed and other times to survive. But if you kill these men, Vlad, it will just be for revenge and I will not have your hands stained like that. Look where it brought us with Daniel and Enai."

"You want me to let them go? Erinna they touched you."

He closed his eyes and his body trembled with a mixture of rage and agony.

"And you don't think they regret it? They have lost the only home they have ever known and their friends and relative are buried in lava as we speak."

"It's not enough. It will never be enough."

"They have surrendered. Do you kill defeated men?"

"These I will."

"Give them a choice. Have them pledge their allegiance to you. If they do not want, then by all means, exile them or at least let them earn their freedom by serving under you for ten years. Even imprisonment, just not endless torture or death, Vlad please. I can't deal with that."

Vlad was quiet for a moment, before sighing.

"Slavery for twenty years, then exile."

"Five years with proper food, shelter and no abuse of any kind," Erinna bargained.

"Fifteen years with food and shelter. I cannot speak for their masters or how they will choose to handle them."

"You are the ultimate master, Vlad and whoever you put in charge of them will listen to you, no matter what. Seven years."

"Twelve and I will leave their treatment to you."

A bright smile she could not stop, broke on Erinna's face. She was so happy and so proud of him. This was the Vlad she loved, the one people didn't get to see.

"You have a deal," she told him.

"One I'll probably regret."

His lips twitched but before they could break into the smile that she loved but rarely saw, he was kissing her. She sighed into his mouth, savoring the delicious heaven that was just Vlad. Her love for him swelled in her chest and he groaned as he felt her feelings through the bond. He drew back from her shaking, his forehead resting on her forehead.

"You're going to be the death of me."

"Then we'll die together," she grinned because she was dating no better than him.

With just one touch he seemed to be able to totally undo her.

He shook his head, "Never that. I can't believe Terrence talked to you. I told him never to come anywhere near you."

His concern for her and unsaid apology was heart-warming and Erinna could not resist pecking his lips.

"He didn't know. I'm the one who came to him and you don't have to protect me, Vlad. Your people are now my people and I want to meet them all."

"Not Terrence. You don't know what he's done. He's like me except I love you and he doesn't. I don't want to risk you like that."

"They all worship the ground you walk on, he would never hurt me and if he tried to, I can take care of myself."

"You will never have to, I promised you that. I will take care of you."

Erinna nodded, remembering Silvercrest. When she had been feeling guilty over what she had done to save Vlad's life, Vlad had told her no one would ever put her in a position where she had to kill again to save his or her life.

"And who will take care of you?"

A wicked twinkle lit his eyes and Erinna internally groaned knowing whatever was going to come out of his mouth would be dirty. She was beginning to notice he did that to deflect from serious conversations.

"Well, we can discuss that, Countess. Especially if you want to do it on your knees."

"Be serious, Vlad." She swatted his chest but could not help her smile. It was good to see him in a good mood again.

He put his fingers under her chin, tilting her head up.

"You take care of me every day you wake up, every time you smile. You are what I need and you being happy is all I can ever want."

Erinna wrapped her arms around his waist, putting her head on his chest. This right there was happy for her. Knowing that the whole world around them was crazy but that they were together and would always be.

"I'm happy."

"Me too."

Erinna drew back to look into his eyes.

"Thank you for what you did today. I know it was hard for you to let them go and I want you to know I appreciate you compromising."

"Well, I didn't let them go, Countess. They are my slaves for fifteen years if I remember correctly."

Erinna laughed at his efforts to get around her.

"You are not so old that your memory is failing you. It's twelve years and you know it. Now get me Terrence please, we need this to be recorded in the Prisoners' Journal."

Vlad raised his eyebrow.

"Terrence? You are comfortable speaking with him again?"

The man had sent shivers down Erinna's spine when he had met her and everything within her had resisted going near one who had so much blood on his hands but she had also wanted to reach out. Just like Diana, something within Terrence had called her. He had wanted her to reach out to him, to help him even though he might not realize it. Terrence needed her, just like Diana had needed her to send her to Daniel.

"Yes," she told Vlad.

"Everyone is terrified of him."

"I would understand why."

"Yet you're not?"

"I think he just needs a friend," Erinna shrugged, hoping she was being non-chalant enough.

"No. Hell no. Uh uh. We are not going there."

Erinna laughed at his adamant refusal.

"I think I have bullied you enough for one night but we will talk about it later."

"No we will not. But tell me about this journal."

Erinna blushed because she did not want him to think she was taking over his castle or kingdom.

"I just- I thought it would make us more accountable. Everyone who comes through our doors, prisoner or visitor is our responsibility. It's important that we treat them right."

"Our."

Erinna looked up.

"What?"

"You said our. Our doors. I like that."

She shook her head in amusement.

"I have one last errand to give Alexander. I'll get the book from Terrence on my way back."

"You really don't want me to see him," she laughed at his passive possessiveness.

"No and we are not discussing it."

"Alright. Don't take long."

Vlad was almost at the door when an idea formed in her head.

"Vlad?"

"Yes?" He turned around.

"I'm thinking that people work when they have a sense of belonging as well as an incentive. We have given them their freedom as an incentive but they need to feel like they have a home and a family."

"What are you saying?"

She took a deep breath and trudged on.

"Won't it be better if we put the werewolves in an unoccupied area and let them turn it into a village of their own like the shifters did with Shifter Hive? They will still be working to produce food, clothes or weapons for the kingdom but they will also have a space of their own."

He raised his hands, palms out, "Your call, angel and please don't tell me anymore because I'll start thinking we are raising our children instead of punishing prisoners."