**

Serenity almost dropped her sword in complete horror and amazement at the figure standing in front of her. The figure's pitch black cape fell with grace behind him, resting ever so lightly against his back a few inches above the floor.
His deep crimson eyes regarded her with amusement as he remarked, "You look as if you have seen a spirit my dear. Surely you are not so surprised to see me standing in front of you?"
Serenity swallowed once, then twice trying to calm herself enough to speak. When she finally did speak her voice came in a quivering whisper, "Lord Dracula..."
The Lord of Darkness smiled at her slightly, the tips of his fangs glimmering faintly in the dim light of the dungeon.
"How?" she asked bringing her sword up to meet his chest, "How is it possible that you are here now? We sealed you away."
Dracula's laughter echoed off the walls much like the other voice had, "My child, I have broken many seals in my time. I admit the one you placed was quite troublesome even for me, but as you can clearly see I broke free."
"No, that shouldn't have been possible. The cavern you were sealed in could have only been opened from the outside, and even then we placed over six hundred seals around the cavern." Serenity stated, talking to herself and Dracula both.
At this Lord Dracula did not respond, he merely smiled slightly at her wondering what she would do now.
"You...Why did you save me from the dragon?" she questioned not risking to drop her guard for a second.
Again he did not answer her but his smiled vanished and he turned from her. Serenity took a deep breath and slashed at his back, only to get a rush of air in her face while her sword hit the damp stone floor where he had been standing.
"I do not wish to fight you here. In fact I do not wish to fight you at all at the moment." Dracula's voice sounded behind her.
Serenity whipped around in time to face Dracula before he gripped her wrist with so much force her sword left her hand and clanged against the floor. Her left arm lashed out against him but he dogged her assault and grasped her left wrist as well.
"What do you want then?" Serenity asked with anger in her voice.
At first she didn't think she would get an answer but soon his deep and seductive voice rang through the catacombs again, "There are countless things I want my dear Serenity."
He brought his face closer to hers and for an endless second she thought he would kiss her, but an even horrid event happened. Dracula slid his frozen face down Serenity's already chilled cheek and stopped at her neck. Serenity's heartbeat had slowed due to the curse of being half vampire but now it was back to it's regular pace.
She thought it would burst from her chest as she tried to protest, "No...please don't..."
Her breath left her, she knew what her heart wanted and she wanted so much to give into her desires but she had a job to do. Chaos had stated before that she had been in love with him and she had denied it. Now, in his presence once again, she could not deny it anymore.
"Serenity," he whispered against her neck, "you know you cannot lie to me, I can feel you, all of you. I know what your heart desires, you're blood is to thank for that."
It was true, that was one thing she could not deny. Lord Dracula was the one who turned her, they had shared blood and because of that they could feel what the other felt. It was the same for her, her brothers, and Hugh.
Without another word Dracula bit down on Serenity's neck, drawing long mouthfuls of blood into his mouth. There was only a single sharp pain and then she was in a cloud of desire.
"Is it true?" Serenity thought as her light body leaned into Dracula's, his powerful arms drawing around her.
"Am I really in love with him?"
Dracula's voice echoed through Serenity's mind, "What does your heart tell you Serenity?"
Dracula drew away from her, only to come forward again to catch her in his arms. "Serenity..." he said simply.
Her clear eyes drew up to meet his in question before he continued, "You have not been taking care of yourself."
It had been ages since Serenity had blood and even longer since she had her blood taken. At the shake of her head Dracula drew across his wrist with a sharp nail and soon a thin line of blood appeared.
"No..." Serenity whispered, "I can't..."
"You must, if you do not you will die in this castle next to the Ice Dragon." he replied with a smile playing at his ruby lips.
She knew this would happen if she let him take her blood, she was weak from not drinking regularly and the thought of letting it touch her tongue again set her nerves on fire. Both loved the taste of each other's blood; Serenity's was the sweetest and flavorful for all vampires and Lord Dracula's was by far the most addicting and powerful of them all.
Against her better judgement Serenity licked at Dracula's wrist then began to drink as deeply as he had on her neck. His blood would help her in the coming battle, there was no doubt in her mind that it would. Dracula smiled as his eyes closed, he had her, once more he had Serenity in his grasp. It would be only a matter of time before he tried to take her over again.