First half of the chapter is here, last half is available in a mature version in the other book for those who want it.

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Maturity tasted bitter and sour in Count Dracula's mouth. At 4000 years, it was expected of him but when it came to staying in Transylvania whilst there was someone who thought they had a shot with Erinna in Ellingsdale; he found it particularly more difficult to swallow.

His instincts were to drop everything and hightail it to Ellingsdale. He could get in; grab Decker or whatever his name was and dash out without anyone seeing him. But there was no fooling Erinna, she would always find out. So he postponed his desires. David, Decker or Dylan would be introduced to the Draculian dungeons and all their treasures, but not that night.

"Count Dracula," a voice interrupted his ruminations.

"Yes Joseph," he answered without turning around.

"We have a visitor."

"Someone worth my time?"

"Not precisely, my lord. But I should think you would like to see him. If only to give Terrence instructions on how to deal with him."

A new person to torture. He had enough decency not to salivate.

"Very well, bring him in."

He had promised Erinna to moderate the punishments he executed and he fully intended to do so but even Joseph seemed to think this person, whoever he was, was in need of a fair amount of disciplining.

The scent alerted Vlad of the identity of his visitor even before the dog itself appeared. His nostrils flared with revulsion and his body tensed with hostility. Every predatory instinct within him awakened and he turned sharp eyes towards the doorway. A tall werewolf who might have been weight-lifting Mt Everest in his spare time walked in.

"Look what we have here," Vlad said in a low acidic tone that contrasted with the smile on his face.

"Count Dracula," the dog acknowledged him, "I cannot say it's a pleasure but I am grateful that you let me into your home."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, I agreed to see you. I cannot guarantee what will happen after now that I have actually seen you."

"Understandable. I am Zane, leader of-"

No sooner had the name left his mouth that the Dracula's amicable façade fell off. He launched himself at the man, claws extended. Zane had enough time to see the attack coming but not enough to stop the Count's claws from razing his chest, leaving his heart exposed. His hand clutched his chest, making it easy for Vlad to kick his legs from underneath him and make him tumble to the ground.

Vlad raised one boot to crush Zane's face but the werewolf held up both hands in a plea.

"I am not fighting you. Please, hear me out."

"If you don't want to fight, then that is your problem. But either way, you are dying here tonight, defenseless or otherwise."

Dracula proceeded to break every bone and shred any part of the man's flesh that it could access but after half an hour, it became clear that the dog was not going to fight him back, no matter how much he provoked him. This irked Vlad because for all his loud talk, he could not beat a defenseless warrior. He very much preferred his victims to be kicking and screaming, not passive and indifferent.

"Fine, talk," he kicked the wolf one more time in the face then moved across the room.

Zane nodded, and sat up, as much as he could. His body had already begun healing but it would take a while to mend all the damage that Dracula had done to him. He spit out blood from his mouth and whipped his face with his sleeve. His voice when it came, was labored and raspy. That probably had to do with a certain count shredding his vocal chords.

"I know you're angry, you have every right to be. But we both lost a lot in the war. All I am in need of is a chance for my people to start all over again."

"And you're telling me this because?" Dracula arched a sardonic eyebrow.

"Your people have been on my trail for days now. We have run but we can't run forever."

Vlad put his hands behind his back and paced in a semi-circle around the area Zane was seated. His footsteps were light and calculated, his muscles coiled tightly as those of a wild cat.

"Let me make this easy, wolf. We will see if I understand what you are saying. A few months ago, you came into my territory without my permission, infected my people with one of your viruses, slaughtered my guards like livestock, chased after my wife like a common dog, kidnapped her against her will, kept her locked up like a criminal, fed her poisons I dare not imagine, put your filthy hands on her, unleashed my worst enemy on her, forced her to do something she will forever regret to save my life and now you are here begging for your lives. Do I have that right, Alpha Zane?"

The word was spoken with so much disdain that Zane felt the contempt in his very bones. The Count's eyes did not hide his disgust or desire for retribution.

"Nothing is black and wh-"

"I said do I have that right, Alpha Zane?" The Count barked, his voice rising to echo throughout the castle. The rage it carried made picture frames shake in their positions.

Zane looked down.

"Yes."

"Some honesty, finally. I do admire that. Since we are being truthful, why don't you tell me just what sort of mercy you think you deserve after your deplorable acts against my own?"

"The same kind of mercy I accorded to your wife when she was in my care. My father, the Master Alpha wanted me to marry Erinna-"

A harsh slap dislocated Zane's jaw and he glared at the Count harshly, hatred burning in his azure eyes.

"That will be Countess for you."

Zane spit blood and a molar but did not remove his gaze from the Count's. His bravery was refreshing if not stupid. Dracula liked being challenged and he admired courage, it made it that much more fulfilling to bring his victims to their knees.

"Of course," Zane replied sarcastically.

The Count wondered if they should have lessons in tone and manners but decided it could come at a later date. It was not like the dog was going anywhere. He had eternity to do with him as he pleased.

"There were a lot of things I could have done to force that marriage but I didn't. I treated her like a human being with choices."

"Was that before or after you drenched her blood system with poison ivy?"

"A precaution on my father's part. The pri- Countess," Zane quickly corrected but the blow had already fallen.

He spit out another tooth, glad the first one was already regrowing.

"The Countess is too powerful; we could not risk her attacking any of us. That was the only reason we gave her poison ivy. She always had her choices as she will tell you, if you ask her. I'm asking you now to give my people the same consideration as we gave her."

Fury built up in the Count and he could not have stopped the blow up if he had tried. It swept through him and erupted like a volcano, violently spraying all those in the immediate vicinity.

"She wouldn't have been in the position to need your goddamn consideration if you had not taken her in the first place!"

His eyes immediately bled over; becoming a red so dark it was hard to tell whether it was crimson or black. His fangs shot out and all the veins in his neck pulled tautly. An answering rumble accompanied his words from the sky and a gust of wind harshly blew into the room, breaking the windows. To his credit, Zane did not take tail and run.

"I realize that now. We thought she wanted to be rescued but our mistake became clear when she told me of your relationship."

"She told you what?"

"About your relationship. We became friends against the odds."

Did the dog not know him at all?

"Your life was already over when you walked through those doors. Telling me you are Zahid's last descendent sealed your fate. What favors do you think mentioning your affections for my wife, will do you?"

The silence in the room became death like. Zane quickly saw his mistake.

"I erred."

"You asked me to leave your people alone. I haven't heard what's in this for me yet."

"Yes, I came to offer a trade. As you said, I am my father's last descendent. If you kill me, his line will end with me and your revenge will be complete. There is no reason for the whole race to suffer."

The Count quirked a surprise eyebrow. It was not every day that he came across willing martyrs or fools of such magnitude. He supposed he could relate on a certain level. If anyone had Erinna captive, he would give anything, hell he had been ready to give himself in exchange when the dogs had kidnapped her. Was that the dog's motivation? Did he have loved ones, a wife or perhaps a cub to protect amongst those Dracula was hunting?

"Very well. You heard him guards. Tell Terrence I said merry Christmas," he said and turned his back as four guards separated from the shadows and surrounded their resident martyr.

"I need your word. Assure me my sacrifice is not in vain and that you will let my people go to faraway lands where they can start anew and regain their losses."

The Count turned.

"Let us get one thing straight, Alpha Zane," the title was spoken with derision, "You do not come into my house and tell me what to do. Your surrendered yourself into my custody upon no request of mine. What happens to your people will be upon my discretion. Now cease wasting my time."

"You lawless bastard! You do not deserve her. Erinna!" He shouted.

So that had been his plan? To run behind Erinna's skirts? How pathetic.

"Perhaps if you cry louder she will hear you from Ellingsdale."

Panic flew into the man's eyes.

"She's not here?"

"No. It's just me and you so why don't I help you scream. Somebody help! Come on Charles, you heard the man, help him scream."

The guards looked at their Count but just laughed and shook their heads.

"Ah, even my guards have better things than expend their voices to aid a plunderer and murderer."

"If anyone is a murderer between us, it's you," Zane glared at him.

"Perhaps, but you see dog, I was not the one to tear apart their brothers. Take him boys, tell Terrence to get him a special place in the bottom dungeon. You all have leave to do what you wish with him but no one kills him until I give my word."

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When Erinna woke up, Alexander and the guards were gone. A note had been pushed under her door.

(The words in brackets are crossed out. My phone doesn't have the cross out font)

Hi (Tiger) Countess

By the time you find this, we will probably be somewhere waiting out the day in our coffins. I jest, but yes indeed, we are going to find shelter now. If you need anything, tell the Count. He will inform us since I've completely been banned from communicating with you telepathically.

(Love)

(Yours truly)

(Yours faithfully)

(Yours)

Oh what the hell

Alexander

Erinna smiled and put the letter aside. The sun was already up and she felt happy as she absorbed the heat through her thin curtains. With a content yawn, she went to the bathroom and took a bath. After that she wore a yellow dress that went with her sunny mood. Vlad had just gone to sleep, so she didn't bother him.

Instead, she went downstairs for breakfast.

"Good morning," she kissed her father's cheek.

He was already sitting down and adding sugar to his tea.

"Princess," he replied tightly.

"Oh come on, you cannot still be angry. They are our guests."

"And this is our home; you can't just be bringing bloodsuckers when you want."

"Vampires," she corrected.

"Vampires, bloodsuckers. It's the same thing. Your position in this kingdom is already at stake, you cannot be doing things like this. People are going to start thinking you're deliberately ignoring the laws," he said and Erinna could see where he was coming from.

"I understand father but they are all really nice. It would have been rude to turn them away. They will not harm anyone, I promise."

His father still looked disgruntled but let the matter drop. When they were almost done with breakfast, Wranfaren, one of the castle servants came in with a letter on a tray. He bowed before both Eric and Erinna and left. Erinna watched her father's face as he read the letter. By the blue seal, she knew it came from the council.

"What is it?" She asked as his expression changed.

"It's a summons from the council. They want to try your case today. I'd hoped it wouldn't be necessary since everyone has warmed up to you already but they must have changed their minds."

Erinna wasn't surprised. She did not mean to be pessimistic but the truth of the matter was that everything was back and white for elves, there was no in between. If you were guilty, then you were guilty. No amount of good deeds would ever erase that one dark spot.

"That's alright. What time?"

"At sundown. You don't have to do this princess."

Erinna looked up; she had expected her father to be the one wanting this the most. Her being formally accepted into the race meant so much to him.

"I mean it. You are the Pure Being, you don't answer to anyone. You don't have to sit there and be treated like an errant child. Whatever their feelings of you, they know the kingdom needs you."

She wanted to laugh at the irony. All she had managed to do was bring her people trouble. What could they possibly believe she had to offer?

"Going would be a show of respect. No one in the kingdom will respect this family if we cannot respect the council we put in place," she said gently.

"So be it then."

, go over to the adult book now for the rest of the chapter

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'That color is hideous. Please put it back and we'll pretend you never considered it as a choice.'

Erinna was nervous and Vlad was being no help at all. He was supposed to be helping her find a dress but he was discarding every dress she picked.

'Anything that is not black is hideous to you,' she rolled her eyes but took off the dress.

Appearances were everything to her people; she was not just being neurotic. In Ellingsdale, books were indeed judged by their covers. They believed you could not show what you were not to the world. She picked up a yellow dress and put it on.

'That's not true. I like white.'

'You never wear it,' she pointed out.

'Wouldn't that be the oxymoron of a lifetime?' He said wryly and she laughed.

'No, not really. You're quite the angel these days.'

'First Saint, now angel. Do have a religious fetish?' He teased her.

'Vlad be serious!'

'Alright, alright. Wear a white dress, the color looks good on you.'

It wasn't about the color looking good on her she knew. Vlad had said he liked her in white because it made him feel like he was looking at her from the inside out. But she humored him and wore a white dress.

'No, it's too tight,' he denied the moment she sent him a mental picture of the dress.

'Vlad,' she warned.

He had been the one saying she could wear anything yet he was discarding her whole wardrobe and half because of his own petty jealousy issues. He knew she had tighter dresses than that in Transylvania.

'I'm not being jealous. I'm just saying these are people you want to believe you're still their sweet innocent princess, even though we both know how dirty you are, little angel. You wearing a dress that makes you look like a nymph is not going to transmit the virtuous image too well.'

She knew that was not the reason he didn't want her to wear the dress but she changed anyway, since he raised a valid point. She had to look the same as she had before she left if they were going to get back into their good graces. But it was hard, her figure had grown fuller and her chest bigger; expecting her to fit into the same clothes as she had fit into before she left Ellingsdale was ridiculous.

Erinna dug into her closet and pulled out a dress she had never worn before because it had always been too big and too loose. When she put it on, it fit perfectly; it was probably one of her least provocative garments.

'This one?' She asked Vlad.

'You look beautiful. Now take it off.'

'I thought you said_'

'Erinna,' he said quietly but firmly.

'Yes?'

'Take off the dress.'

She didn't know what his problem now was since he had said the dress was nice. But knowing he wouldn't stop bothering her if she didn't do as he said, Erinna pulled the dress over her head and wrapped her towel around her. Her door was locked but it felt weird to just be standing there naked.

'It's off?'

'Yes.'

'Now lose the towel.'

How did he even know she had a towel?

'Vlad there's no time; I have to find a dress.'

'You have the dress. Now lose the towel and get some of your coconut oil for me.'

She didn't know what he intended to do that involved her being naked with oil but she trusted him so she went along. She loosened her hold on the towel and if fell down, pooling at her feet. Cold air hit her and her skin flushed, tiny goose bumps breaking over. Her state of nudity sent her mind running wild. Unsuccessfully, she tried to keep a tight leash on it so Vlad wouldn't know what was going on inside her head.

'What are you thinking about?' Her mate, ever the mind reader even though he lied to her that he couldn't read minds, asked.

'Nothing,' she replied too quickly, a blush stealing over her chest and travelling further down to her stomach.

'That's not what I heard. Is your door locked?'

'Yes.'

'Then relax, it's just you and me.'

She nodded then realized he couldn't see her.

'Okay,' she whispered, licking her lips as they now felt dry.

Her heart was racing with both fear and anticipation. She really had no idea what Vlad wanted to do. He had visited her dreams sometimes, but it was different from this. Here she couldn't see him, just hear his voice in her head and it was setting her whole body aflame.

'Will you open your mind for me?' he asked.

'No!' She replied too hastily, mortification causing her skin to become redder. She would die if Vlad knew what she had been thinking about. 'I mean, I'll be late, I have to find a dress,' she inserted quickly when she realized her answer might have come too brashly but Vlad laughed.

'Why so uptight Countess? I thought we had successfully made a rule-breaking wanton out of you,' he teased her.

'I'm not a wanton,' she denied, her blush deepening.

'Yes you are. Inside that pure soul of yours, there is a wanton, immoral side and I love that only I get to see it.'

'I was thinking about you,' she admitted, her heart beating faster at her confession.

'What about me?'

Things that will have me thrown out of this castle together with my bags and everything that I've ever touched.

'Everything.'

'Like how much you miss waking up in my bed with your skin pressed to mine and your pretty limbs wrapped around me?'