Erinna was surprised when she came from the archives and opened her door to find her hostile familiar lounging on top of a pillow at the center of her bed.

Xander had never made secret of his feelings of her and she knew the only reason he had allowed her to touch him when Vlad was visiting was just so that he could rub it in her mate's face. Since then, she hadn't seen him again.

"So you're finally ready to talk," she smiled.

"I don't like you."

"Okay," she shrugged, that wasn't something she hadn't already figured out herself.

At least the animal was honest.

"You don't want to know why?"

"I'm suspecting you'll tell me anyway."

"You're making a mockery of the institution of the Alahastar."

Alahasta (Alahastar plural) was the Elven term to refer to pure beings since it put together all things unmarred, uncorrupted, uncontaminated, unpolluted and untainted.

"And how is that?" Erinna asked, sitting on the bed.

"You are fraternizing with the dark one."

Erinna couldn't help herself; despite her best efforts she couldn't withhold her laughter. Xander glared at her and she put her hand over her mouth.

"The dark one?" She laughed again.

"I'm glad you find me funny."

"Oh you are," Erinna teased the grumpy scorpion.

"He killed my mistress and he'll kill you too. Don't let yourself be fooled by flowery words. I have been on this earth longer than you."

Erinna stood up, still laughing. She really couldn't take Xander seriously.

"You two should sit down and bond over your mutual hatred of each other," she said and gave Xander a squeeze before she walked to the door.

"Foolish princess," she heard the scorpion mutter as she closed the door.

It was after eight in the evening when Erinna and Mara knocked at the Thilmador household. Vylith welcomed her with open arms and expressed her joy at seeing Erinna again. She led them into a room Erinna had not seen on her last visit.

"Lady Mara do you wish to see my garden?" Vylith asked in a rather obvious attempt to get Mara out of the room.

Erinna looked at her with pleading eyes.

"That's wonderful Mrs Thilmador but I think I'll stay here," Mara smiled politely and Erinna gave a discreet sigh of relief.

"Oh. Alright then, I'll just go and tell Deacon you have arrived."

Erinna mouthed a 'thank you' to Mara after Vylith had left to go and fetch her son.

She suddenly noticed the drawings on the walls. Her father had been right, Deacon was accomplished at reading the skies. As she went over his drawings, she could see how he had managed to predict a lot of events before they came to pass.

She was looking at his latest drawing with a puzzled frown when Deacon came in.

"When did you draw this?" She asked.

At first, she had been drawn to the chart because it showed her birth constellation but there was something else. Besides her birth constellation, the astrological drawing showed the ascendant in the latter half of Sagittarius with Taurus as the fifth house.The ruler Venus, made one applying Trine to her constellation. The new added stars were shining brighter than the original ones that had been there when she had to her constellation. The new added stars were shining brighter than the original ones that had been there when she had been nborn.

Erinna was surprised at these changes. She had been so busy lately that she had not had time to look at the skies and what she was seeing then was cause for worry because that constellation represented her and any changes within or around it foretold changes in her fate.

"A few weeks ago," Deacon answered quietly.

"And?"

She needed him to confirm that what she was seeing was wrong because she just could not believe it was. Vlad would kill her.

"You don't need me to explain the skies to you," Deacon said but watched her with a worried glance.

"No, this cannot be true," she shook her head.

"It is. You can see the stars in your constellation, the top half has moved up and the bottom part have moved closer together, creating breaks in your being. That represents discord within yourself. You will betray someone close to you and after that as you can see from the way the planets are aligned and how other constellations are placed in relation with yours, there will be the birth of a child. Your child."

It was nothing Erinna herself had not already deduced but hearing it said aloud made it that much worse. There had to be some sort of mistake. There was no way she could betray Vlad and go on and have a child with someone else. It simply wasn't plausible.

"This is wrong, you don't understand. Vampires cannot have children," she tried to explain.

"The father of the child wasn't revealed as you can see."

"There won't be any other father. This is rubbish, I'm going home," she knocked over the painting and strode out of the house. Mara called after her but Erinna didn't wait. Her head was swimming with confusion and fear. It couldn't be true. She would rather die before betraying Vlad.

"Princess!" Mara called, finally catching up to Erinna.

"I'm sorry, I just want to go home now."

"But the drought_"

"I want to go home."

"Did he do something to you?"

"No, I'm just tired."

She did not want Mara or her father think there might be a chance of turning her away from Vlad because they would probably do everything in their power to make that false prediction come to pass. But first, there was something she had to ask.

"Mara, have you gotten any premonitions about me lately?"

Mara stopped and turned to face her.

"Premonitions? No, but you know I couldn't tell you even if I had had."

"I just- I just want some warning," Erinna said and wiped away the tears that were welling in her eyes.

Why was she crying so much?

"I haven't seen anything princess but if I do, you will get your heads up."

"Thank you," she smiled and turned away to go back to the castle.

A part of her wanted to teleport but another wished for the fresh air that the night had to offer. After little deliberation, the princess set upon one of the narrow paths that would take her through the forests, one of her favorite places. She had managed to make friends there ever since her return from Transylvania and they always came out to greet her when she passed.

Erinna let her thoughts run free as she walked in the dark forest. Deacon's prediction had blindsided her, she hadn't in her wildest dreams expected something like that when she had walked up to closely inspect his painting. Was it a lie? Was it a ploy to get her to betray Vlad and go into his arms instead? If it was then it was really low of him. She had expected better.

Erinna quickened her pace so she could get to the castle quickly and look at the skies herself from a good vantage point. Her greetings were terse as various birds and animals of the forest came out to greet her. She didn't even join into the routine song they always did. Her thoughts were too distracted. It was only when she was in the middle of the forest that she realized her companions had grown wary, low threatening sounds leaving their throats instead of the happy songs of the few moments back.

Erinna stopped and listened but she heard nothing.

"It's okay, there is nothing out there," she reassured them but the words had hardly left her mouth when a swift shadow passed by.

Erinna's heart skipped a beat and she grew more wary.

"Hello? Is there anyone out there?" She asked.

There was no real threat in Ellingsdale, everyone loved everyone and no one was ever inclined to commit violent acts.

She waited for an answer but there was none so she began moving again. Perhaps she had been mistaken. Her companions walked closer and the birds flew closer in an endearingly protective fashion. After she had walked for close to a hundred meters with no other incident, Erinna decided she had indeed been mistaken in thinking there was something out there. It was probably a trick of her eyes.

Out of nowhere, a shell landed in front of her. Erinna's head jerked up and searched the shadows but she could see nothing. She bent down and picked the shell. This was something she would have expected in Transylvania not Ellingsdale. Ellingsdale was completely landlocked without any access to the seas.

"Vlad? Is that you?"

It had better not be because if it was, she would give him hell for these inane games.

"I'm going to take offense at that. I came all the way across the world for you and you can't even recognize me?" A voice said from behind her.

"Alexander!" Erinna screamed and quickly turned back.

Alexander laughed as she ran and launched herself into his arms.

"Oh lord, I didn't know it was you. Have you been here long? How did you find me?" She asked excitedly as she disengaged from their hug to look at him.

"Okay, calm down tiger," he laughed, "I arrived a few minutes ago. Your father told me where to find you."

"I can't believe you came all this way to see me," she marveled.

There were a lot of times she had missed her friends in Transylvania in the past few weeks.

"Yeah, about that," Alexander scratched his neck, a sign that he was feeling discomfited.

Erinna narrowed her eyes suspiciously, "Did Vlad send you?"

He had mentioned sending people to guard her but she had hoped he would come to his senses and realize the ludicrousness of that suggestion.

"He means well."

Erinna rolled her eyes but then asked Alexander about how things were in Transylvania. He told her everything from Tristan, to Miya to Leila but remained tightlipped about Vlad.

"You know that you avoiding the obvious just makes me more suspicious, right?" She asked him in amusement.

"You mean River? But I've told you everything I know."

"I don't mean River and you know that. What has Vlad been doing?"

"Oh The Count," he said as if it had never crossed his mind to mention his maker's activities.

Erinna didn't buy the nonchalance for a second.

"Yes, the Count," she said with exaggerated patience.

"Oh nothing, just...county things you know."

"Alexander if he's doing something you should tell me."

"Why don't you ask Miya? They have certainly been spending a lot of time together," Alexander said in disgruntlement.

"They have?"

His jealousy amused Erinna but she was happy that Vlad was spending more time with Miya. Her days were numbered and she wanted them to say their goodbyes. When Vlad looked at their last days together, she wanted it to be in fond memory not regret.

"Yes but I don't think he's too keen on spending time with her. She's just showing up wherever he goes so he has no choice."

Erinna laughed because she could just imagine Vlad's reaction at Miya's sudden need to see him every day. He would be annoyed by it.

"Or maybe he just realized she's better company than you," Erinna teased her friend.

Alexander scoffed, "Please. He's already withering in my absence."

"Sure Alexander," Erinna indulged him with a smile.

She was truly happy to have someone from home and it distracted her from her discovery at Thilmador's.

"You know I was hoping to see elves but ever since I arrived, the only ones I've seen are you and your father. Where is everyone else?"

Probably hiding from you, Erinna thought but didn't say it. Her people detested vampires, even from a distance. Having one in their midst would send them into hiding.

"They have probably all gone to their homes, it's late. How many of you came?"

"Just six."

"Just?" Erinna arched her eyebrow.

"Well he wanted twelve so you really owe me for getting him to reduce that number."

"He is being paranoid, nothing can happen to me here," she said but recalled Mara's words.

"Better safe than sorry, right?"

"I guess you're right."

When they got to the castle, Erinna was surprised to find the guards that Alexander had brought still on the door step. She knew her father hated vampires but these levels of ill hospitality were unwarranted. She greeted them and invited them all in.

"Can you wait here? I'll get someone to show you to your rooms," she said to Alexander once they were in the foyer.

"Oh I can share yours," he winked, "Just to....keep you safe."

Erinna laughed at the silly vampire and left to find a servant. She moved from hallway to hallway and room to room but she couldn't see any living soul. It took her twenty minutes but after no success in her search, Erinna came to the realization that whatever elf had been in the castle had vacated upon the arrival of Alexander and his friends.

"Looks like it is just you guys and me," she smiled awkwardly when she returned to where she had left them.

She looked down because she was honestly ashamed by the behavior of her kin. Alexander stepped forward and took her wrist, caressing the skin with his thumb.

"Hey, it's fine."

She gently disengaged her wrist from his because she didn't want any problems with Vlad and because her Recognition Mark was burning her on her other hand.

"Do you want anything? I have never cooked but I can try. You must be hungry," she wrung her hands.

Playing hostess in a home she had always been prisoner was strange. And it only occurred to her after she had spoken that she was speaking to vampires. What sort of cooking did she hope to offer them?

"Cook? Like human food?" One of the younger vampires that Alexander had introduced as Lloyd, asked.

"Yes human food Lloyd, or did you want her to conjure blood out of thin air?" Alexander dealt the man a withering glare.

Chastened, Lloyd quickly bowed his head in submission.

"Of course not, my lord. Human food is just fine."

"Glad we're all on the same page. Now lead the way little tiger," Alexander grinned.

She smiled and led them to the kitchen. Like the other rooms, it was deserted. She opened the cupboards and they were filled with lot of things she didn't recognize. Sure, she had seen the plants in her herbal books but she had no idea how they were supposed to be used in the kitchen. Did she cut them, did she boil them, did she mix them or just serve them like that?

"Your face right now," Alexander laughed and drew out a chair for her. "Sit down, I'll handle the cooking," he told her and again her friend saved the day.

Erinna could see why Vlad had made Alexander his right hand man because even with his kinder, softer side, Alexander was still a mini-Dracula. He commanded all the men around, making them cut tomatoes and other ingredients even as they grumbled. The scene oddly reminded Erinna of the day Vlad had tried to cook for her, tried being the key word.

"Earth to Erinna," Alexander said, flicking water onto her face.

"Hey," she complained, wiping away the water.

"I know he is prettier than me but Alexander is the one who is here so you pay attention when he's speaking. Okay?" He smiled.

"I would if he wasn't boring me to death," she laughed.

"Costas did you hear that?" Alexander said in mock offense, "I think she just called me boring."

"Sorry, my lord but the Countess might be right," Costas replied.

"Oh you'll pay for that."

"If we all live to see the day, you mean," Lloyd said, dubiously looking at the food as if it was a poison in the making.

"Vampires shall not live by blood alone," Alexander declared, rolling his eyes.

"I don't see why we just can't go hunting. The Count would let us," the younger vampire grumbled.

"No one is going hunting and that's final."

Erinna was glad for Alexander's intervention. Her people were already unsettled by the presence of their enemies amongst them, if word got out that the vampires were on the hunt, all hell would break loose.

"Can we at least catch rats?" Lloyd mumbled.

"You know if you actually continue speaking, I might start thinking you are questioning my authority. Is that what's going on here Lloyd?"

There was silence.

"Uhm, grapes anyone?" Erinna asked awkwardly, holding up a fruit bowel next to her.

She got no reply either.

"I think the Countess just offered you all some food," Alexander cocked his head to the side.

One by one, the men moved forward and each plucked a grape from her hand. Alexander's eyes didn't move from them until they had popped those grapes into their mouths.

"That wasn't so difficult now, was it?" He grinned.

Erinna shook her head, he was so enjoying this. She took the left over bunch and toseed it at his face. He was unprepared and it landed in his mouth.

With Lloyd griping and Alexander forcing them all to taste the food for him, the meal was finally finished. Erinna and another vampire called Chase helped to set the table.

"You should come back soon, it's not the same in the castle without you," he said to her as they were looking for matching cutlery.

His comment surprised her.

"How so?"

"I don't know, but it is. The atmosphere is more relaxed and feels more like home when you're there."

Erinna smiled and inclined her head in pleasant acknowledgement of his compliment. She had not thought her presence would actually be missed.

After that, they all sat down and began eating. Erinna came to the conclusion that vampires were not very humorous creatures with the exception of Alexander. They hardly cracked a smile.

"Don't you guys ever laugh?" She asked Costas after she finally managed to sop laughing from one of Alexander's hilarious stories.

"We do laugh, Countess but Lord Alexander has told that joke a hundred times already," Costas explained.

"Try two hundred," Lloyd grumbled.

"Oh but it's still funny," Erinna defended her friend.

"Yes Lloyd, I'd like to see you do bett__" Alexander began but all of a sudden chairs were scrapped off and all the vampires had leapt across the room.

Erinna was confused as to what had happened but before she could ask, Alexander had returned, snatched her and whisked her away to a dark corner behind one of the cupboards.

"Alexander what's h__"

"Shh," he muffled her, putting his hand over hear mouth, "It'll hear us."

'What will hear us?' She asked mentally.

They were pressed so close together, his chest glued to her back and the position made her uncomfortable. She pushed him back a little and he apologized as he released her.

'I'm sorry. But we have to be quiet, there is- there is,' he broke off as if he was at a loss to describe what he had seen.

Erinna tried to take a peak from beside the cupboard but Alexander pulled her back.

'Don't look.'

Just then, Erinna heard what suspiciously sounded like laughter. When she registered where it was coming from, she couldn't stop herself from laughing either.

"You were afraid of Xander? He won't hurt you," she laughed, pushing away from the corner and going to greet her familiar.

"Xander?"

Alexander followed her into the room but kept a few feet between them. His eyes were eyeing the huge insect warily.

"Yes, he's my familiar. Vlad didn't tell you?"

"He told me you got a familiar alright but he didn't tell me it was a bloody scorpion or that you named it after me!"