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Mistaken and Taken

Chapter 4: Fear and Conversations

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Chapter 4; Fear and Conversations

In the days since she was held against her will, Natalie’s mind was thrown into a deep depression; she entered a most disturbing state of: crying, staring aimlessly out the window, and sleeping. They left food for her but she wouldn’t eat. Maybe, she thought, if she didn’t eat they would be forced to let her go or she would starve… she quickly dismissed that idea as ludicrous. If this vampire was who she thought he was… and it was just possible, then what would he care if she starved? He would be more likely to just let her rot or use his power to convince her to eat. She thought it much too likely that he would end up turning her from a prisoner into a future bride. None of these options were the slightest bit appealing. Natalie could see no way out of her predicament and so sank further into depression.

Eleven days after her capture Natalie found herself becoming desperate for an answer. Around noon she had all but given up hope, ‘I should just kill myself and be done with it.’ Seconds later the girl realized what she had just thought, ‘Oh my God… No that is not an option what kind of a sick, sorry state am I in?! …. I can’t give up. Claire and Sophie will come for me, they will find some way to rescue me. Besides who says I’m completely helpless! I could still find a way to escape on my own! Either way I will have to keep my strength up so ,No more of this starving myself nonsense.’ These thoughts were all very uplifting and the more she thought about it the less depressed she felt. Natalie resolved eat something the next time they brought food in to her. She would have to be careful though, after not eating for ten days, she could make herself sick. Maybe she would talk to that servant girl as well, ‘what did she say her name was… Tasha that was it!’ She had nothing better to do, so she picked a book from the shelf in her room and began to read. Soon after Natalie found she was unable to stay awake and fell asleep, the book tumbled to the floor next to the bed.

About an hour after Natalie woke up the next day Tasha came in as per usual with a tray of food. She was desperate to get this girl to eat something. After all mistress Selena was counting on her she had sent Tasha in to try and cheer the girl up and encourage her to eat. “Good evenin’ miss, and how are we feelin’ today?” She greeted Natalie cheerfully out of habit, not really expecting an answer.

“I am feeling much better thank you Tasha.” Natalie replied politely in hushed tones.

Tasha was baffled by the first words Natalie had spoken since Tasha was sent to her five days ago. However she recovered quickly, “I brought you somethin’ t’ eat. You must be ‘ungry.” Her voice was calm but Tasha was excited to see that progress was being made; she was truly desperate to get the girl to eat something as her face was starting to look gaunt.

“Thank you… but I’m not really hungry.” Natalie said, even though she had decided to eat she didn’t want to make Tasha suspicious by changing her mind about eating so quickly. After all the maid night suspect that the girl was up to something and she would be right. It wouldn’t bode well for her escape plan if the servant found out about Natalie’s plan which wasn’t fully formed as of yet but the concept was there.

“Please miss you must eat somethin’. You haven’t eat’n anythin’ in twelve days! Please, Miss Natalie you must eat. Please?” Tasha pleaded.

Natalie was about to answer that ‘fine yes she would eat something’ when the door opened and the most beautiful woman Natalie had ever seen entered the room followed by the man she had first spoken to. When she saw him she forgot about the woman as her heart skipped a beat with anxiety.

Tasha was surprised that her master had come to see Natalie as he had put her mistress in charge of that but concealed her surprise and apprehension behind a calm manor. “Master… I was just tryin’ to get Miss Natalie t’ eat some breakfast!”

It was the beautiful woman who spoke next, “it is alright Tasha. We simply wish to speak to Natalie in private.”

Tasha had been worried that the mistress was angry with her for not succeeding in her task, she had never angered easily but frustration could be misdirected at a certain unsuspecting servant. But the gentle way in which she spoke reassured the maid, “as you wish mistress, master.” She replied with a curtsy and left the room quietly closing the door behind her.

Now both vampires turned towards Natalie. The man spoke first, “Good evening Natalie,” his accent still struck her ear pleasantly.

Natalie did not say anything. She just glared at him, carefully avoiding his eyes in an attempt to hide her fear and avoid any tricks he might have up his sleeve.

“Allow me to introduce myself, as I failed to do so when we last met. I am Count Vladislaus Dragulia.” He gave a bow for effect. Natalie just gave a small nod in reply and tried to hide her newly heightened sense of fear. Her worst fears had been confirmed… she was prisoner to the most powerful vampire who had ever lived.

‘Didn’t Van Helsing kill him?’ she thought but didn’t say it out loud. She had always read that Dracula had a bad temper and a short fuse and she would rather not be on the receiving end of that.

The teenager took a moment to look the vampire king over, ‘he looks exactly how I always imagined him… except more real. All I can say is Bram Stoker way off on his description.’ She mentally rolled her eyes; she was talking to herself in her head again.

“I don’t believe you have met my senior bride.” The count continued bringing Natalie out of her reverie, “This is Selena; she will be looking after you from now on with assistance from Tasha. Now Natalie, Selena has informed me that you are not eating. She has also informed me that my manor when we last spoke may have been a little harsh…” then Natalie interrupted which frustrated the vampire lord to no end as he really hated apologizing to anyone, even his brides knew to very rarely expect an apology..

“Harsh! Are you crazy? First you kidnap me and you have the nerve to get mad at me and accuse me of lying. Then when I prove to you that I’m not lying you say that I can’t go home and lock me in a room where I am left to scream myself hoarse! Then to top it all off you completely ignore me and fail to realize that being trapped in here would drive any normal human being to the brink of insanity!” the teen yelled as she glared at the arrogant Prince of Darkness.

The count took a deep breath and counted to ten to maintain his clam, then continued, “I am sorry you feel that way Miss Madison and I … apologize for any hard ships you may have suffered these past ten days on my account.” This was said through gritted teeth as he concluded his rehearsed apology, God how he hated apologizing. “Now if you ladies will excuse me I have some business to attend to. Oh and Selena, my love? Make sure Natalie eats something, you have my permission to use whatever means necessary.” As he said this last part he sent his favourite bride a significant look meant only for her but Natalie also caught its meaning, before he walked out the door closing it with a sharp click. For a moment all was silent in the room while its occupants studied each other. Natalie was nervous as she watched the vampiress trying to remember if Tasha had ever said anything about her mistress. Other than making it completely obvious that she was devoted to her vampire mistress.

At the same time Selena was trying to figure out the best way to deal with Natalie’s unwillingness to eat. She decided it was best to give Natalie an option. “So, Natalie,” the bride began in a calm voice, “will you eat now or will I have to… convince you?” Selena asked making her meaning clear.

“Oh no… uh… that’s alright I’ll eat on my own.” She quickly assured the vampiress, “I’m feeling much better today.”

Selena surprised Natalie by smiling, “good, I really would prefer for it to be your choice to eat. My lord, as you may have realised, has no real preference he just wants you to be well.” Selena could tell the teen did not believe this last statement. The young woman just nodded in reply. This made Selena chuckle. “You need not fear me young one.” She said gently, “my only concern is for your well being… as my master’s guest of course.”

At this time Natalie had picked up a piece of toast and was spreading strawberry jam across it, “I am not afraid.” She replied with determination in her English accent. She then folded the piece of toast in half and ate it.

“You are a very good actress my dear, but you will need more than that to fool my master. Your heart beat tells the true story. We both heard how it sped up when the master entered the room.”

“You have to admit though our first conversation was far from pleasant. Just because he makes me anxious does not mean I am afraid. I should think vampires would make anyone nervous.” Natalie pointed out knowing full well she was lying. She did fear Dracula but for some reason not as much as she had expected.

Selena was silent for a moment. She studied the girl as she took another piece of toast, spread it over with jam, folded it and slowly ate it. “Now that you are eating my master has decided that you will now be allowed to wander about the castle. However for your own safety there are a few things I must warn you about. Firstly be wary of my sisters, my fellow brides. They are not quite as human as I am and much more possessive of the master. Tread carefully around them especially Alina she is the most possessive as well as mean spirited.”

“Just out of curiosity… how many of you are there?” Natalie ventured.

The eldest bride gave a small smile and answered, “There are three of us me, Alina and Aria. Now, when out and about you must watch for the Dewergi, they are small dwarf looking creatures, they should not harm you as my master has forbidden it but I suggest you try to stay out of their way. They can be extremely vicious at times, and if you come across the werewolves just be sure to give them their space.”

“w-werewolves?” Natalie stuttered as her voice raised a couple octaves.

“Do not worry they are well trained, but some of them tend to get irritable and unless you are experienced in dealing with them it is just best to give the master’s pets their space.”

Natalie nodded tiredly though her fears were not entirely assuaged and attempted to stifle a yawn but Selena noticed this.

“For now though you should rest. I am sure you are tired, Tasha will bring you breakfast when you wake up. Just pull the rope next to the bed and she will come serve and help you dress. Your dinner will be served at seven.” After this Selena bid the girl good night and went to feed.
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Transition to Claire and company…..

It had taken the four of them four days to return to Valerious Manor. Claire used her key to unlock the door and she led them into the entrance hall. “Sophie! I’m back and I brought help!” Claire shouted. The manor was extremely quiet, too quite for anyone’s comfort. “Sophie?” There was no answer, “something is wrong.” The eldest sister whispered just loud enough for her companions to hear. At this Van Helsing readied his automatic cross bow; Raphael unsheathed his silver laced sword.

“Lead the way Claire,” Van Helsing instructed, “We have you covered.”

Claire nodded and proceeded up the stairs. The girl led her companions through the house calling for her sister. They looked in the armoury, the girls’ room, their parents study and every where else Claire could think to look. Finally they entered the library and Claire called out again, “Sophie Marie Madison, this is not funny!” Then to all of their surprise they heard a quiet voice from the rafters.

“Claire is that really you?” They looked up and saw a young girl straddling a ceiling beam and looking down at them. She looked pale and frightened.

“Sophie! What happened? How did you get up there?” Claire asked trying to stay calm as slight anxiety crept into her voice.

“Claire I’m scared. I climbed up here but now I can’t get down and I was so scared that they would come back and find me!” The last part confused Claire but she would ask about that later.

Raphael remembered meeting Sophie. She had been full of energy and was absolutely fearless in exploring the whole manor from tower to dungeon. For some reason he could not fathom Raphael could not stand to see her frightened and he felt he would do whatever he could to make sure that she felt safe.

He stepped forward to speak to the youngest Madison, “It is alright Miss Madison, you can jump, I’ll catch you.” His voice was gentle but firm and his accent gave it a somewhat soothing quality.

“I can’t do it I’m scared! What if I miss?”

“Yes you can,” he reassured, “trust me, I’ll catch you.” The girl still hesitated, “I promise I will not drop you.”

The girl fidgeted and muttered to herself seemingly talking herself around to what needed to be done. When she spoke her voice was quiet and very shaky, “Okay, I’m going to jump now.” She closed her eyes and slide off the ceiling beam. She gave a small squeak of fear before Raphael caught her bridal style. The young woman gave him a weak smile as he gently placed her on her feet.

“On my God! Sophie are you alright? What happened? What the bloody hell were you doing up there in the first place?!” Claire had, by this point, all but lost her cool.

“Claire, relax. I am fine; I don’t even have a scratch.” The youngest sister seemed much braver now that she was not twenty-five feet above the ground, “let me catch my breath and then I will tell you what happened. Who are your friends?” She asked momentarily changing the subject.

Claire took a few deep breaths to help her regain her calm. “Right, Sophie I would like you to meet Gabriel Van Helsing and Friar Carl. They heard about our dilemma and offered their assistance and you’ve already met Mr. Valerious.”

“Miss Madison how many times must I ask you to please call me Raphael?”

“Until I have to stop asking you to call me Claire.” She replied pertly, “you call me by my first name and I will call you by yours.”

Van Helsing stepped in before the two could start bickering as they had been for most of the trip. “Now Miss Sophie, perhaps you can enlighten us as to what took place here in your sister’s absence?”

“Yes what on earth scared you so badly that you had to hide in the rafters?” Carl looked nervous as he considered the possible suspects.

“Vampires of course!” she stated matter-of-factly and looked at her sister, “it was the same ones Claire, except there were only two this time. The brunette and that blonde.”

Claire frowned in worry but Carl asked the important question before anyone else. “What did they want though?”

Sophie hated to be interrupted. Carl, of course, didn’t know this but she glared at him anyway. “I was getting to that. Anyways it was two days ago when they came, it was miserably cloudy, so they were able to be out side. They were only here part of the first day and the night. They must have been here for Natalie’s things because I remember the brunette saying ‘Let’s just get the brat’s stuff and get out of here’ and the blonde was worried about someone she called ‘the master’ hearing but the brunette, I think her name was Alina, told her not to be silly. Oh and the blonde’s name was Aria I remember that too.”

This is where Van Helsing jumped in with a question of his own, “Did they say where they were going?” his interruption caused the girl to scowl.

Sophie thought about that for a moment, “no the brunette just said that they should get back to the castle they did not say a name. But the fact that they were here for Natalie’s things means she is probably still alive!... Right?” she asked the hunter looking hopeful.

“Yes there is a very good chance of that” Van Helsing answered, then thought to himself, ‘but for how long’

Raphael was obviously thinking something similar, “we should all get some rest in preparation for tomorrow, but first miss Sophie and I will go down to the kitchen. After all she has not eaten for three days.”

Claire agreed immediately but Sophie was confused, “what is happening tomorrow?” she inquired.

It was Van Helsing who answered, “Tomorrow we look for your sister.” Raphael nodded in agreement.