Vlad Dracula

Chapter 28

Vlad shot him a warning look, but Alexander only chuckled, clearly enjoying this too much to be deterred. "Oh, I'm just getting started. Like, did he ever tell you about the time he tried to impress a bunch of local villagers by, uh... doing acrobatics on horseback?"

Katrina's eyes widened as she turned to Vlad, who was now trying (and failing) to hide his embarrassment. "Acrobatics on horseback?" she echoed, a grin tugging at her lips.

Alexander nodded, his face lighting up with delight. "It was brilliant. Picture this: he's galloping through a field, fully convinced he looks like a knight out of a legend, with his long hair flowing and everything. Except—" Alexander could barely hold back his laughter now, "he tried to stand up in the saddle, lost his balance, and ended up hanging upside down, clinging to the horse's neck for dear life."

Elena stifled a laugh as Vlad groaned, shaking his head. "You promised you'd never bring that up again."

"Oh, come on, Vlad!" Alexander said, waving him off. "You should be proud of how... resourceful you were. Besides, it's just one of many glorious moments. Like the time you challenged me to a drinking contest in the 15th century—you were so confident you'd beat me. But you passed out halfway through the second round and ended up sprawled across the floor."

"Only because you were cheating," Vlad muttered, though the ghost of a smile tugged at his lips.

Alexander leaned closer to Katrina, clearly relishing the storytelling. "And there was that one time he tried to make a grand speech to rally his troops. You know, real fire-and-brimstone stuff. Except halfway through, a flock of birds flew by, and one—shall we say—left a little present on his shoulder. He kept talking like nothing happened, but we could all see it."

Katrina's laughter rang out, and Vlad rubbed his temples, his usual stoic demeanor crumbling into a sheepish grin. "I knew I'd regret bringing you along on this journey," he muttered, though the humor in his voice was unmistakable.

"Ah, but that's what friends are for, Vlad!" Alexander said, clapping him on the shoulder. "Besides, these are the stories that keep us sane. Right, Katrina?"

She nodded, beaming, her heart lightened by these glimpses into Vlad's past. "Absolutely. I'm glad to know even Vlad has his less... intimidating moments."

Vlad sighed, though his smile lingered. "All right, Alexander, you've had your fun. Just remember—I know stories about you too."

Alexander's eyes widened slightly, and he quickly changed the subject. "Ah, uh, so! More kebabs, anyone?"

lexander turned to Elena, his grin shifting into something a bit more charming as he leaned just a little closer to her. "Speaking of stories," he said, voice low and playful, "I've heard a few interesting ones about you too, Elena. Though I have to say, none of them do you justice in person."

Elena raised an eyebrow, trying to hide the smile that threatened to break through. "Oh really? And what exactly have you heard?"

"Oh, plenty," he said, his voice a little too casual, though his eyes sparkled with mischief. "Like how you once fought off five armed guards all by yourself to protect a friend. Or how you managed to outsmart an entire group of smugglers using nothing but a hairpin and your charm."

Elena laughed softly, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. "I think you might be exaggerating just a bit, Alexander."

He placed a hand over his heart in mock offense. "Me? Exaggerate? Never. But if I were, it would only be because you make it so easy. I mean, here I am, a legendary sorcerer, and I'm practically at a loss for words around you."

She rolled her eyes, though her smile had softened. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you were trying to flatter me."

"Oh, I am," he said, his tone dropping to something more genuine as he met her gaze. "Believe me, Elena. I'd have to be a fool not to appreciate someone as brilliant and... captivating as you."

Elena blinked, taken aback for just a moment by the sincerity in his eyes, but she recovered quickly, smirking as she shot back, "Captivating, am I? Then it's a good thing I have a spell for avoiding smooth-talking sorcerers."

Alexander grinned, leaning in just a touch closer. "That's fine by me. I enjoy a challenge."

Katrina nudged Vlad, whispering with a smirk, "Do they always bicker like this?"

Vlad's mouth quirked into a slight smile. "Always." He glanced at them, a knowing look in his eyes. "But I suspect Alexander might finally have met his match."

Alexander, overhearing, gave a little wink. "Oh, I certainly hope so."

Elena's cheeks colored, but she kept her gaze steady, lips curving into a soft smile as they continued their playful back-and-forth. 

The evening had fallen deeper into Istanbul's night, and the group found themselves gathered around a large table in a cozy tavern. The dim lights cast long shadows across the room, and the air was thick with the scent of spices, roasted meats, and freshly baked bread. Bottles of local wine and rakı were brought to the table, their labels written in elegant Turkish script, and glasses were quickly filled.

At first, they were all somewhat reserved, each of them cautious with their drinks as the tension from the day slowly faded. But the laughter and stories began to flow freely, and before long, the drinks started flowing just as fast.

Alexander, already several glasses deep, lifted his own in a mock toast. "To the most extraordinary bunch of people I've ever had the pleasure of being stuck with!" he declared, his voice just a little louder than necessary. "May we continue to survive one dangerous situation after another!"

"Here here!" Penelope chimed in, raising her own glass. She took a long sip, her cheeks already flushed.

Vlad, ever the stoic, took a slow drink, his gaze flicking briefly to Katrina before his lips curled into a slight smile. "Surviving seems to be our specialty."

Katrina, also a few glasses in, giggled, the sound uncharacteristically light and carefree. "Is this what normal people do when they're not fighting for their lives? Drink and relax?"

Elena, clearly enjoying herself, leaned back in her chair. "Sometimes, Katrina, it's the only way to survive the chaos. But beware, the alcohol can make you do some...interesting things." Her eyes sparkled mischievously.

Alexander raised his glass again. "Oh, I can only imagine what kind of chaos we'll cause tonight," he said with a wink, eyeing Elena with a playful smirk.