A Fate Worse Than Death

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Clara woke up exhausted but ecstatic. She had just spent the best night of her life with the man who stole her heart. She felt her neck and found two small holes.

"Those will go away after a while," Vlad said as he looked up from the book he was reading in his chair.

Clara sat up and smiled at him. "I don't mind. They're a great reminder."

He smiled and walked over to her. He leaned in close to her. "Well how about another reminder?" he said as he kissed her passionately.

Her heart raced as he pressed his body against her. "That's a great reminder," she said smiling as he held onto her body and took off his shirt.

After they got re-dressed they talked about their plans for the day. "Well I'll need to help Ben again. I'm sorry I won't be around much anymore." Vlad said as he reached for her hand.

She smiled and took his hand "It's fine. I really should be spending more time with Xandria."

Vlad smiled "I'm sure she's having her own adventure."

_____Part 2_____

Clara put on her shoes as Vlad put on his jacket. "Would you like to go hunting with me today?" he asked smiling.

She looked up suddenly. "Wouldn't I just get in the way?" she asked hesitantly.

He smiled at her. "It would be good for you to learn how to protect yourself if you'll be with me for a while."

Clara's heart raced as she smiled. "Alright," she said walking over to him. "It'll be safe right?"

Vlad put his arms around her waist. "Of course. I'll be there to protect you," he whispered into her ear, causing her hair to rise on her neck.

"Well we better get going," he said suddenly as he put on his hat. Clara smiled as she put her hair in a pony tail as she looked at herself in the mirror. She seemed paler than she originally thought.

Vlad came up behind her and smiled at her "Are you ready?" he asked as he put his arms around her waist.

She nodded and turned to face him. "I'm ready."

Vlad leaned in and kissed her.

"Sorry I keep interrupting but it's time to go Vlad." Clara heard Benedict's voice coming from the doorway as Vlad sighed.

"You really need to work on your timing Ben."

_____Part 3_____

Clara peeked around the corner at her target. She knelt low to the ground and quietly moved up behind him. She rammed her fist into his back as he made a hissing noise.

"Ahh, you got me! The great Vladamire Von Montag has been slain by a human! Oh, the shame!" He fell to the floor dramatically.

She rolled her eyes and sat on the floor next to him. "Why are you always so dramatic when I kill you?"

Vlad grabbed her wrists and pinned her to the ground. "Oh you know you love it," he said smiling as he moved his hand down her body. He kissed her neck as Clara giggled.

"Good job Clara. You need to be quieter, but your aim was right on." Benedict said as he stood over them.

She smiled up at Benedict. "Thank you Ben. I'll remember to work on that," she said still pinned under Vlad. She whispered into his ear "Can you get up now? I need to stand."

Vlad lifted his head and thought for a moment. "No. I'm asleep." He lowered his head back onto her chest making snoring sounds between kisses.

Clara laughed and pushed him off of herself as she got up.

"Oh that's no fun!" Vlad said as he lifted himself off the ground.

_____Part 4_____

Clara and Vlad stood together looking out of a big picture window in the back of the train. He turned to look at her. When she turned to look back, he turned away quickly. Clara smiled softly as she turned back to the window.

"When I get off the train I want you with me." Vlad confessed as he turned towards her.

She moved closer to him and stuck her arm through his. "Alright. When will we get off?"

"At the next stop tomorrow. Will that be alright?" he asked smiling.

Clara nodded as she lied her head onto his shoulder. "That's fine. I'll have to tell Xandria."

Vlad put his arm around her. "Of course. Do you think she will join us?"

Clara shook her head. "I don't think so."

He smiled and held her tighter. "Then I get you to myself."

_____Part 5_____

At dinner Clara was sitting between Eliza and Vlad. She hadn't seen Xandria much but knew that she was aware of Vlad already. Vlad squeezed her hand as he stood. "I have an announcement," he tried speaking over everyone. He banged his cup on the table loudly. "Hey! Listen up I have an announcement for you lot!"

They all looked up at him as he cleared his throat and straightened his coat. "Right. Well I'm a dhampire. End of announcement." He sat down and took a giant swig of his drink and turned to Clara about to say something.

"You want to say that again Vladdy?" Eliza said shocked.

"Well it's quite simple actually," he said convincingly as he turned to face them. "My father was a human and my mother a vampire. Don't worry Eliza you aren't sleeping with a dhampire. Benny is fine. It's just me." He explained everything to them slowly as the night went on.

"Vlad, why did it take you this long to tell us?" Serkis asked after a long silence

"Because you weren't in danger until now. There are vampires on this train that wish to harm us. I had to tell you so you could prepare yourselves."

Amelia shook her head. "I can't do it. I can't be around vampires. I'm sorry everyone." She walked out the door leaving everyone watching her.

"Anyone else want to leave? I won't hold it against you." he said looking over them all.

"Vlad I don't think we're going anywhere." Serkis said smiling.

Clara held Vlad's hand and smiled up at him. He smiled and sat back down "Alright. Then let's finish eating and go dance!" He sat down and whispered to Clara "Thank you." He kissed her gently before he went back to the conversations.

_____Part 6_____

Clara had found herself getting better at dancing with Vlad. As he held her body close, swaying back and forth, she felt herself craving him like the night before. She leaned in to whisper to him when she heard a woman screaming from down the hall. She ran down the hall with Vlad towards the sound of the scream. Vlad was the first in the room soon followed by Clara. She looked down and saw Amelia's lifeless body on the floor of her room. She kneeled next to the body. "Vlad she was bitten."

Serkis ran up behind Vlad and push him out of the way. He sat down next to her body and began to weep.

Vlad put his hand on Serkis' shoulder. "We will find them. Don't worry Serk." Vlad tapped Clara's shoulder and helped her up as they walked out, leaving Serkis alone to say goodbye.

Clara cut her dress off at the knees and grabbed a bag full of stakes and other weapons she made with Vladamire and Benedict. She heard Vlad walk up behind her.

"I can't promise to keep you safe anymore Clara," he said quietly. "You should go to the nearest city and wait for me there."

She shook her head and held onto him. "This is my fight now also Vlad. I may not be a vampire but I can help."

He nodded and held her close. He leaned in to kiss her as they moved towards the bed.