Vlad Dracula

Chapter 21

Vlad's POV

I couldn't help but smirk. Alexander's ability to find humor in any situation was a valuable asset. But I knew that beneath his cheerful exterior, he was as aware of the gravity of our situation as the rest of us.

Katrina turned to me, her eyes seeking reassurance. "What do you think, Vlad?"

I hesitated. A part of me wanted to dismiss Alexander's suggestion outright. But another part of me realized that a brief respite from the mounting tension might be beneficial. And perhaps, as Alexander had suggested, we might stumble upon something useful.

"I suppose it couldn't hurt," I replied, trying to sound indifferent. "But let's keep our eyes open. And remember, our primary objective remains unchanged."

The others nodded in agreement. As we dispersed to our respective rooms to freshen up, I couldn't shake the feeling that this brief interlude was a necessary evil. The city of Istanbul was calling to us, and we would answer its call. But beneath the surface of its vibrant culture and ancient history, something sinister lurked. And I was determined to uncover it. Despite wanting to get rid of this curse that has been haunting me for centuries, I couldn't help but be afraid of Katrina. If it was not for her I would have stayed like this forever. 

Afraid of Katrina? The thought was absurd. I was a centuries-old vampire, a creature of darkness and power. Fear was not a concept I was familiar with. Yet, as I stood alone in my hotel room, the weight of my feelings for Katrina was heavy upon me. She was a beacon of light in a world consumed by shadows. Her kindness, her compassion, they were a stark contrast to the darkness that defined me. And yet, it was precisely these qualities that drew me to her. She saw beyond the monster I had become, and she saw the man I longed to be.

But with this newfound hope came a terrifying realization. If I were to ever truly be free, I would have to let her go. To protect her from the darkness that clung to me. The thought of a life without her was unbearable, yet it was a sacrifice I might have to make.

I ran a hand through my hair, the gesture a futile attempt to quell the turmoil within. The city outside was a cacophony of sounds, a constant reminder of the world I had once abandoned. But here, in this quiet room, I was alone with my thoughts, a prisoner of my own mind.

I forced myself to focus on the task at hand. The search for a way to break free from the curse. I had to find a way to reconcile my love for Katrina with the monstrous part of me. It was a daunting challenge, but I was determined to find a solution. After all, for the first time in centuries, I had something to live for.

Suddenly I heard a knock on my door, my vampire instincts helped me to recognize Katrina. The knock on the door startled me out of my reverie. My vampire senses immediately identified Katrina's presence on the other side. My heart pounded in my chest, a sensation I hadn't felt in centuries. I took a deep breath, composing myself before answering the door.

When I opened it, Katrina stood there, her face etched with concern. "Everything alright, Vlad?" she asked, her voice soft.

I nodded, forcing a smile. "Just thinking," I replied, stepping aside to let her in.

Katrina hesitated for a moment, her eyes scanning the room. "You seem...different," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Just tired," I lied.

Katrina sat down on the edge of the bed, her gaze fixed on me. "You can tell me anything, Vlad. I'm here for you."

A wave of gratitude washed over me. Her unwavering support was a lifeline in the darkness. I wanted to confide in her, to tell her everything, but the fear of scaring her away held me back.

"I know," I said finally. "And I appreciate it."

I reached out and took her hand, my fingers trembling slightly. In that moment, I realized that I was more afraid of losing her than I was of anything else.

"I want to ask you something." Katrina was innocently playing with her fingers which she took from my hold unable to look at me. "Ask away" I shoot not wanting to wait anymore. Her eyes looked at me as she began to ask, "is it true that you were married?"

End of Vlad's POV

Vlad's heart skipped a beat. This was it. The moment of truth. He had been dreading this question, but he knew it was inevitable. He took a deep breath and forced a calm smile.

"Married?" he echoed, feigning surprise. "Where did you hear that?"

Katrina shrugged, her eyes still avoiding his gaze. "I don't know. Rumors and the internet, I guess."

Right, people made lies out of his life. This was a part of it. Vlad's mind raced. He couldn't risk telling the truth. Not yet. Not when he didn't know how Katrina would react. He had to be careful.

"Those are just rumors," he said firmly. "There's no truth to them."

Katrina seemed to relax slightly. "I'm glad," she said, her voice barely audible.

Vlad reached out and took her hand again, squeezing it gently. "Believe me, if there was anyone I would have wanted to spend my life with, it would have been you," he said, his voice filled with sincerity.

Katrina's eyes met his, and for a moment, he thought he saw a flicker of doubt. But then she smiled, and it was as if the moment had passed. "But I was born almost after 7 centuries after you. How can you love me? When you are a supernatural being and I'm just a regular human girl."

Vlad's heart pounded in his chest. Katrina's question was a direct hit. How could he explain the complexities of his feelings, the centuries of loneliness, and the sudden, overwhelming connection he felt towards her? He had to find a way to bridge the gap between their worlds, to make her understand without revealing his true nature.