Warning: this chapter might come off a little sick,

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When Erinna cast her eyes down and remained silent; neither accepting nor rejecting his plea. Count Dracula gave a sigh and soldiered on.

"And about what happened earlier," he began and Erinna's head shot up instantly, knowing what was coming.

"Don't apologise for that, Vlad. I know it was the only way and I could have said no at anytime."

"I should have been more gentle."

She was not a doll, despite what he was keen to believe. Elves were stronger than humans and Vlad tended to forget that.

"In the state of mind I was in, I don't think gentle would have worked so thank you for that."

It was true, she didn't know what she would have done if Vlad had not thought fast. She shuddered to think of how close she'd been to hurt another person again. It was the part about her powers that truly scared her, the utter lack of control she had over them. How could she be around people if she didn't know how she'd react when negatively stimulated?

She also knew it would not be always that she could be distracted enough for the energy to burn itself out. Vlad had managed it because he was her mate and as the moon drew nearer, so did the desire to mate. Her cheeks heated as she remembered the way she had thrown herself at him, it was embarrassing and she didn't know if it was her powers or the bond that had made her so...reckless like that.

Vlad shook his head, brushing off her gratitude.

"It's my responsibility to take care of you; I'll never let anything happen to you. But will you at least think about what I said?"

"I will, Vlad. I don't see what difference it will make, I am no longer angry at you but I will think about it. By the time I finish my final rounds in the village and see Miya I should have come to a decision; we will talk then."

He smiled, it wasn't the mind-scattering, heart-stopping smile that she'd come to expect from him on the rare occasions he smiled but it was something. She saw the first ray of hope in his eyes after weeks of encountering despair and hopelessness in their shadowy depths.

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The urge to follow his bride, to dwell and bask in her company was strongly tempting but the Count put a leash on his shamelessly eager heart. It was more than he deserved that she was even talking to him, let alone trying to come to some sort of understanding with him. He needed to stop pushing her and start giving her some space.

After she left for the village, Vlad opened the door, coming across the cowering man on the other side. It seemed his bravado show was running out. Dracula launched himself at the guard, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt and destroying what was left of the vampire's dignity by unceremoniously lifting him off the ground like a rag doll.

"She saved your life earlier and might have believed you but I find myself lacking that same benevolence and trust," he said into George's face, his calm and almost seductive voice displaying none of his underlying rage.

"I would never harm Erinna, Count Dracula," the guard implored with beseeching eyes.

A muscle ticked in Count Dracula's jaw.

"On first name basis, are we?"

"No- I meant, I- she asked me to call her that. I mean no disrespect by it."

"Relax George, my bride is allowed to choose what people call her."

"Oh, alright then because I mean no disrespect, Count. I'd never-"

"I know. Which is why I don't understand why you choose to lie to me about the tea."

"I'm not lying, my lord."

"So you say. But like I mentioned, I'm a sceptical man and I find it hard to believe that poisoned tea magically appeared in my chambers on your watch. I cannot take the blood I need from you to be able to read your mind but I can swear to you by the time the sun comes up, you will have divulged every piece of information you ever kept from me."

He tossed George across the room, with so much force that even his fast vampire reflexes could not break the guard's fall and he crashed into a nearby table; the splintered wood embedding into his skin and clothes.

Dracula paid no mind but whistled for Alex who came bounding up in joy. Before he could launch himself at Dracula in one of those fits Erinna called 'playful' but usually left Dracula with a broken rib, the Count gave him a clear instruction.

"Escort him to the dungeons Alex. He slows down, encourage him for me."

Which of course translated to bite as hard as you can.

George did not need the instruction to be relayed to him. He was off his feet in the blink of an eye and running down the hallway in a blur of colours with Alex hot on his trail while Dracula watched with an amused smile. At least he was faster than Alexander.

People leapt sideways, plastering themselves to walls as they tried to avoid the tornado rush that came in the form of a growling Alex and a shrieking George.

"Was that necessary?" Alexander asked, coming down the hallway to stand where Dracula stood.

"Probably more necessary than your presence. Stop hovering over me, Alexander."

"I'm not hovering," his right handman lied to him as if he could not pick up the lie straight from his face.

"I know what you're doing, but I don't need you to keep me in check."

"Clearly you do," Alexander glared back.

"You want to explain that tone to me?" Vlad raised his eyebrow.

"No, I don't. You know why."

"Actually I don't. So please explain to me why someone who is alive only because I allow him to be, would feel the need to raise his voice at me? Are we equals now Alexander? Is there something I'm missing here? Is it now Count Alexander?"

His tone had turned icy and his scarlet eyes revealed his banked rage. He would take impertinence from Erinna all day because he knew he had been wrong but he would be damned if he let Alexander talk to him like his child.

Alexander cast his eyes away.

"No of course not. But I will say this anyway because you need to hear it. Do what you want with me later."

"Oh I will."

"I thought you were trying to be better for her. I thought you were changing. Why would you go and do this?" Alexander asked, his eyes looking pained and anguished.

Vlad hardened his heart, steeling himself against reacting to the emotion in Alexander's face. If he opened himself to it, it would knock him off his feet and sweep him into a pool of pain that was already trying to drown him.

"Are you finished?"

"No, I'm not finished. You are selfish and heartless for doing this to her. You don't deserve her," Alexander glared.

"And who does, you?"

"Don't make this about me. Erinna loved you and you acted like a fool."

Like he needed anyone to point that out to him.

"So you're not going to say something?" Alexander said in disgust when Vlad remained silent.

"I was waiting for you to finish," the Count replied calmly.

"I'm finished."

"Good. Now bring me the guards who were guarding this floor and the one beneath, the kitchen and staircase guards. I want the register of anyone who has entered or left the castle in the last three hours. I also want the whole castle searched from top to bottom, whoever he is, he can't have gotten far."

"So that's it, you won't even own up to what you did?"

"What is there to own up to Alexander? Your mind was made up when you approached me."

"Because you were supposed to tell me I'm wrong! You were supposed to say it's not true," Alexander cried, wiping the angry tears off his face.

"Because I am a saint now?"

"No one ever wanted to be. You were just supposed to show her you and I know you does not like Ingrid."

The conviction in his words belied his actions. The same person who was claiming to have faith in him had also been one of the first to accuse him even before his guilt had been proven. Of course it didn't matter anymore because all their instincts had been right and he was a filthy bastard who did not deserve to lick the dust under Erinna's shoe.

"Alexander," he said quietly.

"What?" Alexander answered hoarsely, hope in his eyes.

"This heart to heart... It's not happening. Wipe those tears off your face before I'm inspired to give you something to truly cry about. I will give you a minute to compose yourself then I want you in my chambers."

Vlad entered the bedroom he shared with his bride and closed the door. His facade fell off and for a moment, in the privacy of those four walls, he allowed himself to be weak. He allowed himself to be as broken as he felt inside. But only for a moment. When Alexander joined him a minute later, he was back in control.

"Someone tried to poison Erinna and I want to know who," he said.

It was hard for Alexander to regard his maker with the same respect and almost hero-worship as he had before but he forced himself to keep a straight face. He had given him a chance to explain himself and since he had not, Alexander could only assume he had had his reasons.

He just wished that whatever those reasons were, they had not included hurting one of the kindest and sweetest people he had ever met. Erinna had loved his maker selflessly and unconditionally. Alexander had honestly thought she would be the one to bring him back everything that he had lost.

"Could it be the person from last time?"

They had never been able to find the person who had shot a poison ivy dart at Erinna. Alexander guessed it would be good news if it was the same person because it would mean there wasn't a multitude of people out there waiting to have a go at his little tiger. But it also meant whoever it was, they were really determined if they were willing to make a second attempt.

"Probably. Is Derek secured?"

Since Derek absolutely refused to talk except to say he had done it for the Count, they had never known if it had been him who had sent someone after Erinna again or not.

"He couldn't have moved if he had tied, Terrence is doing some sick things to him," Alexander said, unable to hide the disgust in his voice.

The pleasure Terrence took when he skinned and deboned people always managed to leave Alexander on the verge of vomitting.

"Don't undermine him, Terrence has more hope than you. That boy is creative and when the time comes, he will be transferred to Death Town."

That was an upgrade Alexander could never be jealous of.

The pay was generous and the benefits incomparable since whoever worked in Death Town was allowed to drink from all the prisoners with the sole condition of not killing them. It was an easy life, girded with both status and luxury but Alexander wanted no part in it. Besides, his salary was the highest anyway.

"You insulted me by naming that hairball after me but comparing me to that emotionless troll... that's walking a thin line, my friend. Not to mention how utterly ug-"

He tried to force back some of his humor and easy going nature into his replies but it was hard. His hero had fallen.

The Count was by no means perfect, Alexander knew that but he had thought loyalty if not honor was one of his better qualities. Dracula always acted in the best interests for those who cared about him, from those under his rule to those under his employe.

"I will call you when I have time to listen to you whine, Alexander. Right now I want the castle searched from top to bottom and call me the sorcerers; I want the search on Ingrid to continue."

How could he talk so normally as if nothing had happened, Alexander wondered. His maker was acting as if he had not just destroyed a bond he had waited four thousand years for.

"They haven't found anything in days."

"That's why they're going to redouble their efforts. Gather me their families; that should be enough motivation."

Alexander frowned; it had been long since he'd gotten orders like that.

"Does Erinna know about this?" He asked.

Of all the people, Alexander knew how deep the Count was stuck in muck where Erinna was concerned. He did not need to dig his own grave deeper.

"Obviously not, my limbs are still in position and my head connected to my neck isn't it? Keep her distracted for me, she wants to leave today."

This hit Alexander with surprise. He had always hoped no matter their differences, Vlad and Erinna would always work back to the way they'd been before, that they'd always solve their problems and restore their bond.

Was this the reason his maker was being utterly reckless? Before Erinna it might not have surprise him, Dracula would do anything to stay in control but things had been a bit different, especially ever since Erinna returned from Purgatory. He did not want his maker to plunge back into the pit of darkness that Erinna had rescued him from.

"Wants to? You mean you're not going to let her."

Vlad looked at him as if he had asked him to donate a fang.

"Of course not, do I look stupid? How can I show her I'm sorry when she is miles across the world with that spineless troll she calls a father feeding her nonsense about me every day?"

"It's not all nonsense."

"He knows nothing about me and it might be time for you to review where your loyalties lie. I will cause irreparable damage if I have to listen to you oppose everything I say again."

"Why don't you get Rupert if you want a parrot?"

"We will see if you will still be flexing that tongue when Terrence has a two stone weight clamped to it."

Alexander's eyes widened and he wisely sealed his lips. The Count continued.

"As I was saying, I want Erinna distracted. She will stay if she thinks the humans are in danger."

Shock registered on Alexander's face as his mind registered the implications of what Dracula was suggesting.

"You want me to attack them?"

That at least showed him he felt something about what had happened with Erinna. His maker would die before he allowed anyone harm the weaker race he had always protect. Only desperation could have driven him to such a drastic decision.

But Alexander could not allow it to happen, Erinna would go berserk when she found out and they would be back to square one again.

"Did I stutter?"

"No."

"Then go and carry out your orders. What Terence is doing to Derek will look like children's play compared to what I'll do to you if she escapes."

Point well made, Dracula went to the dungeons, the no-nonsense expression on his face ensuring he got there on time. No one dared to stop or interrupt him as they sometimes did with their mundane questions and requests. He strode through the hallways, thinking they were wise in staying away from him, frustration was gnawing at him and he was dying to tear through an insolent jugular.

Extracting information from his subjects had never been remotely difficult for him due to his ability to read someone's mind once he had established the blood connection necessary.

Of course if he fed from them then fed them his blood, the circuit would be complete and his thoughts would spill into their minds as theirs flowed into his. This was not something Vlad wanted with anyone so he always made it one way by only taking their blood. No one had ever been in his mind, no one except Erinna and it still filled him with shame how he had forced her in there against his will. What had he been thinking?

No one could feel the things he felt and see the things he had seen and remain sane and by showing Erinna, Erinna who had never seen any real suffering in her life before he had turned her life upside down...he had overstepped the line. No wonder she wanted to leave.

He hadn't really dwelt on this idea because the more he thought about it, the more the pain and panic closed in on him. He could already feel the desolation and agony pressing in on his barriers trying to knock him down. A survivor, she had once called him but thinking about it now made him want to laugh. How in the hell was he supposed to survive this?

He knew what Miya would tell him, 'If you love her Vlad, you have to let her go.' But he didn't want to let her go dammit. Didn't any of them understand he just couldn't live without her? There was no him without her.

In the days they had met, he had told her to just kill him if she wanted to leave because that was the only way it could be. He had never wanted to live this long, the only thing that had kept him going was her and if she wanted to go away...

He clenched his fist, his extended claws digging into the flesh off his palms, deep enough to break through some undiscovered muscles and tendons. Blood was gushing out and some part of his brain faintly registered the pain coming from his hand but the pain was good.

But it wasn't enough; he needed something better, something painful enough to distract him from the agony and sheer terror and panic rising in his chest. Erinna couldn't leave him, lord what would he do without her? He paused and ran his claws down his arm, making sure to break through muscle but the pain still wasn't enough.

What he needed was a whip...No, that wouldn't be good enough. He could probably find something in the dungeons. Perhaps Alexander would be willing to skin him if he asked well, or cut his tongue, his eyes; whatever organ it was that had caused him to cheat on Erinna.

The pain should be able to remind him what he had lost, what he had given away. But no, Alexander would never agree, he was already squeamish about the dungeons. Terrence. Yes, he'd ask Terrence. He knew this ache; this rushing pain in his chest would fade into insignificant the moment real physical pain set in.

He had known one day it would happen, that one day he'd push her to far, show her the bastard he really was not the one people thought. And lord forbid he had, and now she was leaving him. Perhaps it was for the best, after all, he couldn't cause her any pain if she was away from him, he couldn't hurt her any more. Yes it was for the best.

But why then did it feel like drowning? It felt like he was in a constant state of tug-of-war with someone who wanted to rip out his soul from its very roots. Whatever bit of light, whatever bit of positivity Erinna had plated in him ever since she had arrived was now facing terrible extinction.

How long could he keep up the fight? How long could he resist before it was all extinguished or the seedlings of goodness dried up and wilted? Not long, the rage and self-loathing lying just beneath the surface of his skin told him.

He could feel darkness closing in him, the familiar coming back to him. He could feel himself going back to the Dracula who had been so deep in bloodlust and vengeance that there had been no hope for him except a quick and merciful death.

They thought he was bad now, but they knew nothing. They knew nothing of the utter beast and terror he really was and right then something in him yearned and begged to be released, to be unleashed on all those around him without discrimination or distinction. He would make them all feel his pain.

What good will it do you though, some part of his post-Erinna brain interjected but he was past listening or caring. She was leaving him no matter what he said, what difference would this make?