Chapter 19: The Tormenting Truth

CHAPTER 19

The car sped through the streets of London as though caught in a high speed chase and within ten minutes, the splendour of the famous Buckingham Palace rose into view. The guards were standing at attention by the grand iron gates and the lights were on in all the windows. Kaileena could barely discern the dark shadow of a vampire walking up the steps of the palace.

“We need to pull over here,” said Vincent. Kaileena blinked.

“Why?”

“I am uncertain if Mother will be home at this hour. There is only one person who would know where she is.” He pulled the car over at the Palace gates and killed the engine. He quickly gestured for the Vampire Hunter to follow him as he emerged from the car and raced to the palace gates. The guards stopped them before they could enter.

“Halt! None but the Royal Family and their guests shall enter here,” boomed the guard.

“I need to speak with His Royal Highness. It's urgent,” argued Vincent.

“His Highness cannot be disturbed at this time.”

“Please, it's about Lady Catherina!”

“It's all right, guardsman. Let them pass.” A richly accented voice cut the argument short and Kaileena's attention was directed to the vampire who had been about to enter the palace. He was a very handsome man with black waves that flowed from his silk top hat and eyes of the purest gold shone from beneath the brim. A face accented by an aquiline nose and a strong square jaw completed the regal yet fearsome silhouette of the man that stood before them. Clad in full Victorian garb, the Vampire Hunter was reminded of the tales that the women, both mortal and vampire, whispered in the cafes, taverns and the smoking rooms all over London. The vampire glanced towards Vincent and a smile curved his soft lips.

“Ah, Vincent Angelus. It is a pleasure to see you again.”

“I apologise for disturbing you, my Lord.” Vincent bowed low in respect. The vampire laughed.

“Please, such formality is unnecessary amongst brethren of the circle.” His attention was diverted to the dhampir. “And who is this stunning young beauty?”

“This is Kaileena, my Lord.”

The vampire raised an eyebrow as he pierced her with his intense gaze. “So, this is the infamous Rose of Death. An apt title for such dark elegance.” He took her hand and kissed it in a courtly gesture. “It is an honour to meet one of such battle prowess and beauty.”

She blinked at him. “You are not offended by my presence, my Lord?”

“Certainly not. You are doing this city a service by ridding it of the vermin that continue to go against our laws. We vampires value discretion above all the codes that we live by. It is necessary to snuff out those who disobey that creed.” His smile was genuine but she suddenly felt naked under his stare, as though he was staring straight past her into the soul that was driven by vengeance. She felt as though everything was laid bare before this vampire, which meant that this man was more powerful than any vampire she had encountered thus far.

“Prince Dracula, if I may interject, there is something of great importance I need to ask you.” Vincent nodded towards the courtly vampire gent that stood before her. Her eyes widened. This.....this is the infamous Dracula?! But he's so....so....

“Gentle?” finished Prince Vlad, releasing her hand and gesturing them inside. The guards stepped aside and allowed them to pass and the pair followed the vampire prince into the palace. “Yes, I have heard the stories that are circulated about me. That I turn into a wolf or a bat. That I can transform into mist to enter bedrooms and feed on my prey. That I am a ruthless predator, incapable of remorse or compassion, driven only by the need to gorge myself on blood.”

The dhampir felt herself going red. She had believed many of those tales. Dracula saw the look on her face and chuckled. “Do not be so embarrassed. It gives the mortals something to believe in and to entertain themselves when they are alone at night or in the company of others.”

“So...You're not who they say you are?”

“Tales of mere fantasy, my dear. The fiction of a deluded Irishman who caught a glimpse of me during my time in Romania.” He sat himself in the parlour and gestured for them to sit down. Vincent shook his head.

“Vlad, I'm here because something has been set in motion and my mother may be in great danger.”

“Lady Catherina?” mused Vlad. “I doubt she would be in any kind of danger.”

Vincent's eyes frowned deeply “What do you mean?”

“She sensed something was amiss and immediately sought out my aid. I told her she could remain in the palace until the threat subsided.”

The vampire lord's eyes widened. “What?! Mother is here?!”

“She is currently visiting Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. Once she is done, I will send an escort to bring her here. In the mean time, please relax and make yourself at home, Vincent.”

Vincent slumped in the chair, relief flooding his face but Kaileena remained standing. Dracula directed his attention to the dhampir.

“Is something the matter, Lady Vampire Hunter?”

“Do you know of the reason Lady Catherina came to you?”

“I did not delve further into the matter, but she did seem most distressed. She said a shadow has been on her mind.”

Her eyes flashed crimson. “A shadow?”

“Yes. She kept hearing this voice calling to her. She was very frightened and came to me as soon as she could. She said she was chased by strange creatures in black robes.”

“Then we only got here in time,” muttered the Vampire Hunter. “My Lord, those creatures are seeking her out for a reason. They are trying to resurrect a vampire and restore her to her full strength. The atrocities that will be committed will be on the same plain as the slayings in Romania six hundred years ago. It will be a massacre!”

“Calm yourself, my Lady. Who are you speaking of?”

“My Lord....Countess Elizabeth Bathory has returned.”

The vampire prince's eyes widened and darkened to the hue of fresh blood. “What?!”

“I saw her coffin. Her followers, the Cerc De Diavoli have been gathering sacrifices to undo the seal the Church of Virtue placed upon her centuries ago. But they are missing the blood of the descendant who sealed her away. They are trying to resurrect her, Your Highness, and she will wreak a vengeance upon both vampires and mortals alike if she is awakened.”

“Is this true?” He directed his piercing gaze towards Vincent, who nodded briefly.

“It's true, Vlad. I was present at the time.”

Dracula rose to his feet and began to pace the room. He seemed very disturbed by this news, but compared to the reaction that she had seen elicited from Mordekai, the vampire prince actually seemed enraged by this news. He finally broke his silence, his baritone voice carrying an ominous undercurrent.

“I knew she would return at some point, but never did I imagine she would tell her followers to utilize the Ritual of Unholy Sacrifice to do it.”

Kaileena frowned. “Ritual of Unholy Sacrifice?”

“It is an ancient but forbidden means to resurrect a powerful vampire elder,” explained Vlad. “You must gather the hearts of mortals who are impure to initiate it, but to break the seal you need the blood of the pure spirit that was used to seal them away or destroy them.”

“That explains why we've been finding the hearts of prostitutes missing at the crime scenes, “ said Vincent. “I thought we had a copy cat Jack The Ripper on our hands. So the killings have really been part of a forbidden ritual?”

“It is the only possible way for a vampire who has been essentially destroyed to return to their full strength at the moment of their awakening,” said the vampire prince. “They can still perform the ritual without the pure blood, but it is the key to restoring Elizabeth's power. That b***h.....I never thought she would go this far to restore herself.”

“You know her?” Kaileena's eyes widened.

“Of course. I have travelled through that part of Wallachia many times in my vampire youth. I had heard of the disappearances of young girls and the link between them and the castle of the Countess. I was only a Count at the time, but I will never forget the horrific rumours I had heard during that time. But I had heard she had been foiled by one of her very own, and that person and her lover were destroyed for their defiance...” His expression grew sad. “She was such a beautiful woman with a kind and fiery spirit.....Poor sweet Darlienne...”

Kaileena's eyes widened. “Did you say Darlienne ?!”

Dracula frowned. “Yes, I did.”

“Kaileena, what's wrong? What does the name Darlienne have to this?”

The dhampir sighed and looked at Vincent and Dracula. “......Because Darlienne was my mother.”

Vincent's eyes widened. He had head that name before. “You mean....you're the daughter of Lady Darlienne Svetlana and Lord Archer Kenyon?”

The Vampire Hunter nodded. “Mother changed her last name before she eloped with Father. I....I don't remember what her previous name was.” Vlad blinked in surprise and looked at her.

“Now I see why your features were so familiar to me. You have your mother's beauty...but you have your father's eyes. I am so sorry for your loss, my Lady.”

“Elizabeth butchered my parents...I am not going to rest until she is sent to hell as a pile of ashes in a flaming coffin.”

“So this is a vendetta of vengeance...” mused the vampire prince.

“Even though Elizabeth's awakening must be stopped, vengeance will get you no where, Lady Kaileena. No matter how hard you struggle against the tide.”

A strange female voice broke the train of conversation and they all turned to see a middle aged woman enter the room. She was clad in a gown of blue silk and white lace, a garnet choker elegantly adorning her neck. Even though her features held the careworn expression of a woman who had suffered a long and hard life, her natural beauty still shone with youthful radiance. Her blue eyes sparkled as she took in the scene before her, a smile curving her soft rose lips.

“It is good to see familiar faces after such a stressful day,” she said, her voice soft and gentle. Vincent's ice blue eyes sparkled with joy as he saw the woman in blue.

“Mother!” He rushed to the woman and wrapped his arms around her tightly. The woman was stunned at first but returned the embrace, stroking the vampire's silken black hair.

“It has been such a long time since I last saw your darling face.” She pulled him away from her and frowned in disapproval. “But you know it is highly improper for a man of your position to give in to such inappropriate behavior.”

Vincent glanced down at his feet. “I'm sorry, Mother. I was just so worried about you.”

The Duchess of York smiled, the frown disappearing from her face and she embraced the man again. “Still such a kind heart after all those years with the council...You haven't changed at all, my dear son.” She pulled him back once more to examine him closely, gently caressing his features. “Not even a little...but I suppose that is the vampire genes for you.”

Vincent smiled and glanced at the Vampire Hunter. “Kaileena, this is Lady Catherina Angelus, the Duchess of York.”

“So you're the Vampire Hunter the city has been buzzing about?” Catherina gave her a once over and smiled. “You are certainly quite lovely for someone in such a ghastly profession.”

“Um, thank you, my Lady, “ Kaileena muttered. What is it with everyone calling me beautiful today? Well....not everyone.... She glanced at Vincent whose attention was solely focused on his mother once again. Well, I can't say I blame him...why would a vampire be attracted to a dhampir....? Wait a minute. Why the hell am I thinking these thoughts? She shook herself and looked at the Duchess.

“Lady Catherina, you said to Prince Vladislaus that you were chased by creatures in black. Did they bear this insignia?” She removed the cuff on her wrist and held out her arm. Everyone except Vincent gasped at the tattoo imprinted there. Catherina nodded.

“Yes, that is the very same symbol I saw etched on their throats....but how did you get it?”

“It's nothing to concern yourself about.” She quickly fastened the cuff back around her wrist. Dracula was eyeing her strangely and Vincent frowned as he saw the expression. Did the vampire prince know more than what the dhampir was saying? He couldn't really tell. “What else can you tell me about these creatures?”

“They had rather distorted faces, like something had gnawed at them. And glowing eyes that seemed to burn right through me.”

She and Vincent exchanged glances. “It sounds like Fickzo's already given chase.”

“Which means it won't be long before they reach the palace,” cursed Vincent.

“I will triple the guard,” Vlad responded. “They will not set foot within these walls.”

“It may not be enough,” said the dhampir Hunter. “Fickzo has other means of getting what he wants. Even if it means using those within the walls as pawns.”

“What are you talking about?” The vampire prince frowned slightly, the expression just a bare ripple upon his smooth countenance. Vincent glanced at the Hunter and shook his head, warning her not to speak of the ordeal. But Kaileena shot him a glance that told him she had no other choice. He sighed but nodded. He knew full well that she was not ready to recount what happened in the mine shaft, but everyone present needed to know of the imminent danger they faced. Kaileena took a deep breath.

“While I was in the mine shaft, Fickzo tried to mind-jack me. I don't know how but he was able to get a grip on my conscience and try to manipulate me to kill Lord Vincent. Had I not had the Trance Dispeller at my disposal....no matter how hard I fought him, I would not have been able to break his grip on me.”

“A Trance Dispeller?” Vlad's frown deepened and he swiftly closed the distance between himself and the Vampire Hunter. He held out his hand, silently demanding to see the trinket in question. She hestitated but pulled out the crimson stone, holding it aloft for all to see. It pulsed with a brilliant glow that sent a chill of power through the group. Dracula cradled the jewel in his hand, studying it intently. After a few moments, he glanced up at the dhampir, a dark fire in his eyes.

“Lady Kaileena, I am going to ask you this only once, and you must not lie to me when you give your answer,” he said softly. The tone of his voice sent a thrill of cold through the Hunter that settled deep into her bones. From the grave expression on his visage, he would not tolerate anything less but the truth. Dracula met her gaze squarely, fixated upon the dhampir's countenance. “Did you get this jewel from a demon by the name of Nevermore?”

She felt her breath hitch in her throat as he spoke the name and she stared at him, her voice a hoarse whisper. “How.....how could you know of him?”

“Answer me!” he hissed and she felt like cowering like a frightened puppy. But she did not back down.

“Yes. It was he who told me of Lilith's Call, a metal I extracted from the corpse of one of the Cerc De Diavoli's victims.”

Vincent felt as though the blood had completely drained from his face. He had only heard whispers of a demon by that name. Very few dared to speak of his existence and when they did, their voices trembled with a fear that seemed to unite every demon within this world and the next: the fear of impending death. Vlad released his grip on the jewel and Kaileena quickly tucked it in her bodice.

“I know this case requires drastic measures,” he said quietly. “But going to the lengths of contacting the last Soul Devil in existence-at least to the breadth of my knowledge......I did not think even you would go through such danger to achieve results.”

“No one else knew of Lilith's Call,” she said. “And at the time, I was rather unwelcome around vampires. So, I did what was necessary.”

“Even if it meant risking your very soul?”

Kaileena sighed. She knew this would be brought up. “Nevermore desires my soul, yes. But I have not allowed him to get anywhere near obtaining it.”

“You have dealt with him before?” Vlad's eyes widened.

“This is the twelfth time I've had to call upon his assistance.”

There was a hushed silence. Vlad turned to the duchess. “My Lady, may I please ask you to take your leave and return to your guest quarters? I need to speak with your son and his friend alone.”

“Of course, Your Highness.” Catherina bowed low and walked out of the room, shutting the door behind her. Dracula turned to the dhampir and opened his mouth to speak. But it was the vampire lord that spoke first.

“Are you insane?!” hissed Vincent, finally breaking his silence. “Even the most powerful vampire knows not to mess with a Soul Devil! And you willingly went to seek the aid of one?!”

“What else was I supposed to do, Vincent?” growled Kaileena, throwing deference to the wind. “Walk blindly into the lair of the Blood Countess and ask politely for her servant to stop trying to hi-jack my brain?” She gripped the jewel's chain in her hand tightly. “I need this....it's the only way I can fend off Fickzo's attacks.”

“You could have been killed!”

“I did what was necessary,” she snapped. “I couldn't get you involved.”

The sound of Vincent's palms slamming on the table rendered the room silent. She jumped slightly and stared at the vampire lord. He was trembling with rage but there was also something else there...Fear? Fear of losing his mother? Or fear of something else? Dracula merely stood calmly, watching the interaction between the pair. The vampire sighed and turned to glare at her.

“I've been patient with you until now, Kaileena. But you are leaving too many things unspoken and unaccounted for.” He pushed his hands off the table and met her gaze briefly before she averted it. “That crest has been shown twice now, and your hatred for Elizabeth seems to stem far beyond avenging your parents' deaths. And now to find out that you went so far as to delve into Apocrypha and contact possibly one of the most dangerous demons in existence? Your methods are far too reckless.”

“Vincent....”

“Kaileena, only members of the Cerc De Diavoli bear that crest,” said the Full Moon lord. “I went so far as to contact an expert in insignia to verify its existence.” He crossed the room and gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his eye. “I didn't bring this up again, but now I need to know. Why do you have that mark?”

She looked at him, her eyes burning with a hatred he'd only seen once before. “You want to know?” she snarled, removing his grip on her. “She killed the only family I ever had. She deprived me of a life of normalcy. She almost tore me to shreds the last time we met. It is because of my accursed link to her that I want to destroy her!”

“What link?!” cried Vincent. “What link could you possibly have to her that you would risk your own life to kill an extremely dangerous vampire that used a woman to sate her obsession with vanity?”

“That woman you speak of was Elizabeth's daughter!” screamed Kaileena. “She slaughtered her own child and her son-in-law because she would not give up her baby for her sick experiments! She's the reason I am a dhampir in the first place!”

The vampire lord and Prince Dracula were stunned into silence. The beautiful Hunter stood before them, tears streaming down her face. But these were not the cursed blood tears of the damned. These were the tears of a tortured soul, lost in a sea of hatred. Vincent was at a loss. He could not believe his eyes, nor his ears. Kaileena turned away, lowering her eyes to the carpet. Her hand was clenched into a tight fist, her nails digging into her flesh hard enough to draw blood.

“You're.....”

“Yes.” The Vampire Hunter raised her head and turned her tear-dazzled gaze to the vampire that was her partner in this case. “Countess Elizabeth Bathory is my grandmother.”

“But how?” The words came out in a hoarse whisper. Dracula did not seem to be surprised by the information, but Vincent was floored. He still could not believe that the half-breed Hunter that stood before them with real tears-human tears-staining her face was kin to the Blood Countess. Kaileena briefly explained about the experiments Elizabeth had conducted to maintain a steady flow of virgin blood to sustain her beauty and immortality. The vampire lord was chilled to the core by the depravity of these experiments.

“It cannot be true,” he whispered.

“It is, Vincent,” Dracula said. “I have witnessed some of this depravity myself. Still, to use her own child as a catalyst....even she would not be so cruel as that-”

“I have proof.” Kaileena dipped her hand into her coat and pulled out an old, blood-stained tome and set it on the table between them. Vincent felt his heart froze as he beheld the royal insignia on the cover. That's-

“The diary of Elizabeth Bathory,” said the dhampir softly. “The only clue I had to her previous location.”She glanced at Dracula as he picked up the diary gingerly, careful not to damage it as he flicked through the pages, skimming the gruesome entries. “I found that in her old castle before I managed to track her down. But I couldn't kill her then. She was too powerful.”

“How long have you been tracking her?” Dracula asked.

“Five hundred and fifty-seven years today.”

Vincent stared at her. “But you're barely an adult in our years!”

“It doesn't stop me from pursuing her.”

“If you're only after her, then why kill us?” The vampire lord was confused. “Why hunt vampires?”

“Because no one else can,” said Kaileena. “You heard my story and you've read Mordekai's journal and heard his words. Besides, I needed the money and it was the only way to find her.” Her eyes darkened. “I'm a dhampir, Vincent. There are only two avenues open to someone like me. And I would rather pay the high price for freedom as a hunter than trawl the seedy underbelly of London's east end.”

Vincent looked at her. So, this was the true fate of a dhampir. Instead of choosing false affection in the dark clubs that sold sex for a high price, she chose an even higher stake. To be the protector of one kind and the slayer of another, forever hated by both. When he had first met her, he'd thought it was for her own personal gain and pleasure. That she thrilled to killing vampires. But he saw now she took no pleasure in the killing. She just simply saw no other way to get what she wanted. And she had even gone so far as to degrade herself to the status of the humans' guard dog instead of being the vampires' w***e. Until now, he thought he knew all there was to know about humans and vampires and dhampirs. But now, he realised he knew nothing. Nothing at all.

“So you truly thought your purpose was to be used. Again and again. Whether by humans or vampires?”

Kaileena nodded. Vincent blinked at her and approached her again. She couldn't look him in the eyes but he gently grasped her chin and turned her gaze towards his. She did so reluctantly.

“Kaileena, I may have held a biased hatred towards your kind at the beginning, but that is because I knew nothing about you. Everything you have done up to this point completely contradicts the cruel legends and depraved horror stories I have heard about dhampirs. And now you are risking your life, your very soul, to hunt down and destroy the Blood Countess.” A gentle light glimmered in his eyes. “I had no idea you were so noble.”

“I have another reason.” She sighed and fully pulled back the sleeve of her coat, revealing the hateful crest. It was barely discernible, but a single thorny vine dripping with blood was creeping past her wrist. Vlad studied the mark and glanced up at the dhampir with a serious question in his eyes. She nodded.

“Ever since the murders began, the crest began to manifest itself. At first, I didn't notice but it seems to be growing, creeping its way over my skin to cover my body. And each time that vine grows, I feel.....dark.” She glanced at Vincent. “Did your servant Constantine return to you?”

“Yes, but he was scared to death, and the way he looked when he returned to report to me.....a few of my maids actually fainted at the sight. He said “I'm sorry” and collapsed. I had to have him committed to the infirmary until he recovered.” The vampire lord glanced at her guilty face. His eyes widened. “Did you....?”

“When I left the ball that night after you had given your orders, I was pretty pissed off. At the time, I hated you and all vampires. But something else manifested itself....this sadistic rage came over me and I needed something to take it out on. A victim. I wasn't fully aware of what I was doing, but the way I was torturing him felt good....really good. It wasn't until he begged me to stop that I came back to myself. I was so sickened by what I had done I threw up that night.....I did that to Constantine...” She clenched her fist. “And I grew afraid....not of what you would do to me when he came to your door...but of myself....what I was becoming.” Kaileena shut her eyes and turned away. Vincent frowned as he tried to make sense of what she was saying. But then he remembered the times Fickzo had brain-jacked her and the bestial rage in her eyes....and the hint of sadistic pleasure when she swiped at him. He felt like a truck had hit him.

“Wait, are you saying.....?”

“The Bathory bloodline has finally awoken within her,” said Vlad. “And it is trying to take over Lady Kaileena's consciousness. Each time a trait of Elizabeth's manifests itself that crest will grow until it covers her entire arm....perhaps even her body.” The vampire prince looked at Kaileena with great pity. “She is losing herself to Elizabeth's bloodline, one piece at a time.”

Vincent stared at Kaileena who only nodded. He slumped into a chair, trying to process everything.

“So, this is the reason you are pursuing her,” he whispered.

“Yes. Until she is destroyed, her bloodline will continue to manifest itself in my veins. I'm not just losing my mind, Vincent. I 'm losing my soul as well. And I......” She clenched her fists so hard that blood trickled down her fingers. “I don't want that. I don't want to become like her. I don't want to be part of this sick, depraved bloodline! I don't want to kill for pleasure and I don't want to hurt the ones I care about to sate my craving for blood!” She slammed her blood stained hand against the wall, leaving a dent. She was trembling with fear. “I have been hunting her for almost six centuries. I am not going to lose to her. I will track her to the very depths of Hell if I must. I want to avenge my family's death. But most of all....I want to be free.” She slumped to the ground on her knees and buried her face in her bloodied hands, sobbing wretchedly. “I can endure the exile of being a dhampir, but I'll be damned if I become like her.”

There was a long silence that was only broken by her sobs. It wasn't until now that he realised what a cruel hand fate had dealt her. He could see the mark writhing on her wrist, that single vine curling slowing around her arm. He rose to his feet and walked over to her. Vlad watched the pair, that pity still in his eyes as Vincent gently pulled the dhampir to her feet. She turned away from the vampire hybrid, still trembling.

“I'm sorry I kept this secret, but I was scared,” she whimpered. “I don't want to face the reality that I am losing my soul one piece at a time to Elizabeth's influence. But it's something I have to deal with. And if I do lose control again-”

“That won't happen,” Vincent said firmly. “Your will is stronger than anyone I have ever encountered in my long years as a vampire. You will not give into her so easily again.”

“But, my hatred for your kind is well-known,” protested Kaileena. “And now her followers know this as well. And my past....it's drenched with blood, human and immortal alike. They can exploit that now. I can't have someone around me if that happens. I could kill you! I don't want that! I don't want to be responsible for your-”

The vampire lord grabbed the dhampir and firmly wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. Kaileena froze in shock, her tear-dazzled eyes wide with surprise. Vincent said nothing for the longest time, cradling her tightly in his arms. Dracula smiled gently as the young vampire held the dhampir. Ah, so he has finally opened his eyes and his heart. The question is, what will you do now, Lord Vincent?

“Vincent, what....?” The question died on her lips as she stood frozen. It was a myth that vampires were as cold as the ground they were supposedly buried in, a myth that Kaileena had believed all these years. But now, feeling the warmth of a vampire embracing her without any hatred in his form....she didn't know what to think anymore.

“You won't be responsible for my death, or anyone else's,” said Vincent softly, gently pulling back to look at her. “And you won't succumb to Elizabeth's bloodline. You will be free of this curse, and that mark will no longer mar your flesh.”

“But what if I do? What if I can't resist the call?” whispered Kaileena, very afraid and still in shock. A dark look entered the vampire's eyes and she gasped at the emotion displayed there. What was that? It wasn't compassion or concern. Even so, why do I feel so weak in the knees gazing into those eyes?

“If that happens, I'll hunt Elizabeth down and kill her myself.”

Her eyes widened. “You can't be serious!”

“I am,” said the vampire lord firmly. “We're in this battle together now. And we are going to win it. I'm not going to stand by while you lose your soul to that murderous b***h.”

She gasped at the conviction in his tone. He was deadly serious. And he had cursed openly! She had no idea what to think of him anymore. But it certainly wasn't an enemy. Taking into account recent events, her eyes widened slightly. All of what he had done recently....he had done this out of kindness. Pure, unadulterated kindness. She dried her eyes and nodded firmly, a slight smile curving her lips as she shook her head.

“You really are one-of-a-kind, you know that?”

“I could say the same for you.” The vampire lord grinned. Prince Vlad chuckled at the display and then his countenance became grave once more.

“Well, as touching as this is...How will you go about destroying Elizabeth? She has already been awakened and she will find other means to restore her former strength and power.”

Kaileena thought about this for a moment. “....We will need to contact him.”

The vampire prince's eyes widened. “Surely you don't mean-”

“No, not him. Someone that I haven't spoken to in a long time. Someone who knows the inner workings of the Cerc De Diavoli almost as intimately as if he was a part of them.”

“What are you saying?” asked Vincent, frankly a little confused.

“We need to find the Incubus.”

“You've had contact with one?”

“Only when I first attempted to hunt down Elizabeth. He was in the area at the time and promised to aid me in return for finding his goat...gaining favours were far simpler back then.”

“So where would he be found?”

“Hard to say,” admitted the dhampir. “He left Romania in the 18^th century and journeyed to the further reaches of Europe. Other than that, I don't have the faintest idea.”

“Where was the last place he was said to have been seen?”

“Oh, that's easy. There was a sighting at the Black Church in the village of Snagov. I'm guessing that he spooked the priest there who was supposedly guarding the resting place of The Impaler. Of course we all know that is untrue, considering who is standing with us.”

“Well, I guess there is no other choice.” Vincent released the woman and glanced at Vlad who nodded briefly.

“I'll make all the arrangements.”

“Thank you, Vlad.”

Kaileena frowned. “Whoa, wait a minute. What are you doing?” Vincent glanced at the dhampir and smirked slightly, causing the woman to blink in amazement.

“We're going to Romania.”