Dracula's Groom

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE: Rebirth

Nathan

"Because I love you."

Those words would be forever etched into my brain no matter how hard I tried to forget them. But he meant them that much was true. There was a certain authority in his voice when he spoke. A claim that ran a chill down my spine as I saw the look in his eye. A look that was almost dominate in every way. I touched the side of my neck, feeling a slight tingling from the spot where his fangs had been not that long ago.

Vampire are real now, I suppose. But what's next on the list. Werewolves? Witches? There was a time in my life when all of this was just a make believe scary bedtime story. I guess I can't say that anymore, can I. Subtle, vivid images came rushing to the surface at the exact moment I heard a knock at the door. I shook my head and went to the door, calling out to the person from other the side.

"Who is it?"

"Room service."

"Room service?" I muttered. "I didn't order any food."

"No need to worry. The gentleman staying in your room took the liberty of ordering upon his departure."

Confusion dashed across my face as I unlocked the door and turned the knob. A man dressed in a uniform appeared pushing a big cart with a tray full of food. He gestured to let himself in as I stepped to the side but kept the door open just in case. At the foot of the bed he handed me a bill-fold along with a pen as I signed my name while noticing a mighty fine tip.

"Thanks." I said, handing him back the bill-fold.

"You have a good night now, Nathan."

"What did you say?"

"Nathan. That is your name isn't it?"

I clamped my mouth shut as my knees bent and my legs sprinted for the door but I didn't get far. A hand found my wrist as I struggled against his grip only to turn back and a see fist come flying at me. Lights out. Pain struck my nose like a crowbar to a doorjamb when I came too and found myself sprawled out across the back seat of an unmarked car. I groaned at first upon sitting up, my head swimming as my conscious became clear.

Buildings and streets passed us by before the surrounding area became nothing more than barren wasteland. I sat back against the seat, mentally blocking out the dull pain that was slowly settling from my fearfully broken nose. The driver in question remained focused on his task at hand but did occasionally look back from time to time as I stared at him. Neither my hands nor legs were bound together by any means necessary so I guess that was a plus.

Yet after an eternity the car turned down a dark gravel road that seemed to stretch on for miles. We crossed a bridge and drove along the side of a mountain until we came to a lavish mansion that looked like something out of a horror movie. The car came to a stop in front of the stone steps as the driver got out and walked around the front of the car as he opened the door and yanked me outside by my arm.

"What is this place? Where am I?" I asked.

"Silence!"

I struggled. And my reward, was a slap across the face. "I hope you get what's coming to you."

The doors to the mansion opened like magic as we crossed the threshold and stepped into the grand vestibule. When the doors shut, a figure seemed to glide down the stairs in a black dress with flowing raven hair and red fingernails to match the color of blood. Her face was perfectly smooth, porcelain almost child-like in nature. When she reached solid ground it looked like she was floating not walking on two legs.

But it was her voice that blew me away. Familiar yet unbelievably similar she nearly sounded like a woman I once knew. Her fingers reached out to touch my face as the driver let go of my arm and stepped out of the arm. For a moment she stared at me. Then she asked me to follow her into another room as we sat in front of a roaring fire. Tea was served with a couple of cookies on a separate plate along with a two lemon wedges.

"Please," she began. "Have some tea. It'll put you at ease."

"Where am I?"

"You are safe for now. That's all you need to know."

"But why am I here? And how did that guy know my name?"

"Drink your tea, Nathan. Do as I say."

I stared at the tea sitting in the cup but I didn't touch it. I wasn't thirsty. I wanted answers and I wanted them now. The lady stared into the fire, her hazel eyes looking distant, unmoving. I thought about running and making a break for it but something told me that I wouldn't get far. Reaching for the tea cup opposite mine. She brought the thin gold rim to her pink lips and took a sip as she savored the taste.

"Who are you?" I asked.

"I have been called many things in my time. But you may call me Dahlia."

"What do you want with me?"

"What I want is to protect you. Together, you and I share a common enemy. Dracula."

"Dracula? What's he got to do with anything?"

"He's a monster who must be stopped before he decides to try and destroy the world."

The sharp distinctive tone in her voice proved otherwise as I leaned back against the chair. But Dracula as a monster? Come on, I mean, that hardly seems fair. Oh, shit! I wondered if Dracula arrived back at the hotel yet. Pushing the worrying feeling aside for now. I stared at Dahlia in question and tried to see if I could figure her out. The black hair, the elegant complexion, and a voice that sounded younger yet held the key to unlocking the mystery that was Dahlia.

"Dracula is not a monster, Dahlia. I can assure you."

"Do you know what he has done? How he became what he is?"

"Bits and pieces but nothing concrete."

"He was once human too. A noble prince. An heir to a great legacy that would one day spanned centuries. But all was lost on that dreadful night. The death of his beloved proved to be too much. Out of anger and sadness, he wanted to join her. But fate had other plans in mind. And so he jumped from the tallest room in the castle to the watery rocks below. At first the impact killed him. Overtime, his body began to change, heal, and awaken the bloodlust within him. Immortality would become his curse for all time."

"How do you know all of this?"

"From stories that were once told to me by my late great-grand father."

"So what are you like a wannabe Buffy the Vampire Slayer or something?"

"Nonsense my dear. I'm a witch."

Yup. Witches. Called it. "Prove it."

A set of dimples peeked along the corner of her lips as she waved her hand and extinguished the fire in the blink of an eye. I nearly jumped in my seat.

"Do you believe me now?" She said, rising from her chair and moving towards the French doors that led out into an enchanted garden.

"Yes."

That's when it hit me. The sudden realization that anything and everything was possible. Vampires and witches are real. Eternal foes locked together forever in battle. Each side fighting for control until the other one either surrenders or dies trying. I ran from the chair only to stop at the top of the stairs as Dahlia plucked a white rose from the garden before giving it a sniff.

"Aunt Agnes!"

She smiled. "It's about time you remembered whoI was. I was getting worried."

Author's Note: Mwahahaha! I'm back with another late update. :D So can you guys believe the ending of this chapter. What do you think it means for Nathan and Dracula? Let me know in the comments below. Happy reading. Love you all. And, and, and. Don't forget to follow for more future updates.