The Black Flame, Chapter 4

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Dracula and Van Helsing crept silently up the stairs of a ruined castle. It was a dark night, the little light from the moon obscured by thick clouds. They could hardly see each other let alone the surroundings. Groping the stone wall for support, they ascended up towards a tower room. Each of them carried a silver stake in their hand and had bottles of holy water tucked in their belts. Van Helsing also kept a crucifix in his belt. They had been sent out tonight to eliminate a group of vampires that had lately been plaguing Vaseria and the surrounding country. This old castle was thought to be their lair. As Knights of the Holy Order, they should have been completely focused on the task at hand. However, both of their thoughts were elsewhere.

For months now Dracula had been wanting desperately to see Sonya again. He and Van Helsing had actually gone once to visit her. It had not been pleasant. The entire time they both had to restrain themselves from letting on how much they were falling for her. She had been similarly restraining herself. They left amiably, but with awful longings tearing them apart inside.

Subsequently, every time Dracula had attempted to go visit Sonya, Van Helsing had stopped him. His duty was to the Order. He had sworn a vow of celibacy. Of course he knew all this. Gabriel was only reminding him of these things. He was right, of course. But as each day passed, Dracula found his resolve weakening. Sooner or later he would have to see Sonya again. He would tell her that he was in love with her. The life of celibacy was no longer for him. Perhaps he would leave the Order, marry Sonya and start a family. Then Sergi would no longer be the only one to carry on the Valerious family line.

Van Helsing knew Dracula was dwelling on these thoughts. He seemed always to be dwelling on these thoughts. And every time he did, Van Helsing was there to return him to reality. Not an easy task for either of them. He could not blame Dracula for what he was feeling, since Van Helsing was feeling the same things. But being an immortal and living many hundreds of lives of men, he had a stronger resolve and was able to fight these temptations off. He only wondered how long Dracula would be able to before he gave in utterly to his emotions and did something he would certainly regret.

The sound of beating wings above them brought them both back to the situation before them. Dracula hurried up the stairs, ready for the fight. Van Helsing was right behind him as they reached the top. The door to the chamber was decaying, the wood rotting and breaking. Quickly, Dracula kicked it open and they entered the room. It was large and spacious, with open-air windows allowing the cold to blow inside. But above all, the room was empty. They walked around cautiously, searching for any trace of hidden passageways or crevices. Finally finding nothing, they went back towards the door to go search another room.

"Giving up already? How sad. I would have expected more from Knights of the Holy Order," said a voice from above them.

Dracula and Van Helsing stopped in their tracks and immediately looked up. Far above them, three vampires were suspended upside down from the ceiling. Female vampires. The one who had spoken grinned saucily down at them. She had long auburn hair falling around her head and was clad in a black gown. The other two, one brown-haired and one blond-haired, were both wearing similar black attire. The first one continued to smile as she addressed the men below her.

"So you have been sent to destroy us, I presume," she said sweetly, "Just like so many other fools over the centuries. Tell me, Vladislaus and Gabriel, how you propose to do this when your thoughts are elsewhere?"

Dracula and Van Helsing exchanged a look at her mentioning their names. They knew vampires could read minds so this was no shock to them. But they did not want her probing any further into their thoughts, most of which were on Sonya. They attempted to close their minds to her. Too late.

"Ah yes, your precious Sonya. You both long for her," she laughed, "Both of you sworn to celibacy and yet your deepest desires betray your lust for this woman. What would you do if anything were to happen to her?"

Enraged, Dracula stepped forward.

"Come down here and face us!" he yelled up at her, "Cowards! You toy with our minds as you have done to countless others. Come down and fight!"

The auburn-haired one laughed again, the sound echoing around the empty room. Then in a motion so fast that neither man could see it, she dropped to the floor and now stood in front of them. The others remained on the ceiling.

"Well, here I am, come down to face you. The question is, are you prepared for a fight?" she inquired.

Without an answer, Dracula flew at her, the stake held high in his hand. But she lashed out with one hand and threw him against the wall. Van Helsing moved in to attack her, but the other two suddenly flew down from the ceiling. They took on their true vampire forms as they did, descending upon Van Helsing in the blink of an eye. He was ready for them. Immediately he thrust up the silver stake in his hand. It impaled the brown-haired one through the chest. She shrieked horrifically and tried to fly out the window, but soon disintegrated into nothing. All that remained was the stake, which hit the floor with a ping.

The auburn-haired one rounded on Van Helsing now. She transformed and flew at him, hissing violently. The blond one turned to Dracula, landed and turned back into human form. Dracula had gotten to his feet, but the stake was laying on the floor too far from him. He reached for it, but the woman got to him first. She grabbed him by the neck and slammed his back into the stones. He gasped for air, her inhuman grip tightening on his throat. Gathering all his strength, Dracula reached for one of the bottles of holy water in his belt. Managing to grasp one, he fumbled with the cork. It would not budge.

The vampire looked down and saw the bottle in his hand. She smiled and loosened her grip on his neck. Dracula fell back against the wall, taking quick intakes of breath. Then she caught his arm in her vice-like grip, forcing him to drop the bottle. It hit the floor and shattered into pieces. He looked at her, now grinning at him with her fangs visible. Dracula reached into his belt and pulled out the other bottle of holy water. As quick as he could, he hurled it at her.

The glass broke as it hit her face, the liquid spraying over her. An awful scream came from her as she too disintegreated before his eyes. Now the auburn-haired one was alone. She flew up towards the ceiling and looked down at them. Van Helsing retrieved both stakes and gave the other back to Dracula. They stared up at her, waiting for her make a move.

"It seems you have won," she hissed, "You have killed my sisters. But you will not kill me. I will survive and continue to bedevil you. I wish you the best with the woman you desire. But use caution, for though you do not know it, she will be the downfall of you both."

With a maniacal laugh she flew out one of the windows. Dracula and Van Helsing watched her drift over the fields below and then eventually lost sight of her as she passed over the mountains. Van Helsing sighed.

"At least we eliminated two of the three," he said, "And we will destroy her as well."

Dracula did not responded. He was thinking about the vampire's last statement. She will be the downfall of you both. Did this vampire know things neither of them did? How could Sonya be their downfall? True they could be expelled from the Order if it was known they loved her. But then at least he could marry her and raise a family. He would not begrudge Gabriel if she happened to choose him, of course. It certainly was Sonya's choice after all. But the thought that she could select Gabriel over him sparked an insistent flame of jealousy in Dracula that would not be easily dispelled.

~*~*~*~

It was only a few weeks later that Dracula found himself going to see Sonya again. Van Helsing had been detained by Valerious the Elder for the afternoon. Secretly Dracula thanked his father for keeping Gabriel occupied. It gave him the opportunity to leave the castle unnoticed. He could no longer contain his feelings. He had to tell Sonya how he felt about her or else Dracula feared he would go mad. And so it was that he was now being led down the hall of her manor by a servant. They stopped outside the door of the drawing room, the girl leaving him and telling him to wait a moment.

It was only for a few minutes but it seemed infinitely longer to Dracula. Finally the door opened. Sonya was on the other side, slightly surprised but nevertheless pleased to see him.

"Vladislaus, welcome. Please do come in," she gestured for him to enter.

Dracula did so. She closed the door behind him and went to sit on a nearby chair. He remained standing.

"Would you like to sit down?" Sonya said. He appeared quite nervous as though he was having some internal struggle.

"No, no thank you," replied Dracula, trying to keep his composure.

There was a moment of silence as they each debated what to say. Dracula knew it was now or never. If he did speak his mind now, Sonya would be lost to him. He could not bear the thought of her being with another man, not even Gabriel. He needed to tell her how much he loved her. Dracula came across the room and stood in front of her.

"Sonya," he said, "I must speak my mind. This past year has been difficult for me. I have been in constant torment from the growing desire in my heart. The truth is...I love you."

She was speechless. What she had been suspecting was true. Dracula did love her, as she loved him. He dropped to his knee in front of her, holding her hand as he continued.

"I would like nothing more than to make you my wife. But I cannot, for I have sworn a vow of celibacy. I am a Knight of the Holy Order, a covert society that for centuries has fought the forces of darkness. Mankind does not know these evils exist, nor do they know that the Order exists. Even in telling you this I have betrayed the sacred vow I made to never reveal the existence of the Order to another. But I tell you this now because I do love you and I fear I cannot live without you. For this offense I may well be expelled from the Order, but so much for the better since then we could marry. Either way I have condemned myself. I beg you, Sonya, tell me if this transgression has been in vain. Tell me if you feel the same. I merely wish to know. Then I shall leave you in peace."

Sonya stared at him, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Oh Vladislaus," she whispered, "I have loved you since I first laid eyes on you. But I do not want you to reject your sacred vows for my sake only."

"I reject them of my own free will," Dracula insisted, "I have lived a life of celibacy too long. I need you Sonya. I want to marry you."

She was crying openly now. Dracula took her hands and pulled her to her feet. Gently he wiped the tears off her cheek.

"No one has to know," she said, "We can keep our love a secret."

"But I want to profess how much I love you. I am not ashamed of it," he said.

"Neither am I. But still, let us give it a chance. Perhaps you may not have to give up your vows after all."

Dracula smiled.

"Very well. I am willing to conceal my feelings for now. Now that you know and share them they do not seem such a burden," he answered.

"I love you Vladislaus," Sonya said.

In response, Dracula bent down and kissed her, slowly and gently yet full of passion. And in that instant he knew at last how life could be for him without the commitment to the Order. The desire to leave it all behind seemed greater than ever.