Date: Fri, 24 Dec 2021 13:49:13 -0500
From: Richard McQueen <mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com>
Subject: Blueblood: Dracula, Chapter 9 I Am NOT Dracula!!

Story: Blueblood: Dracula

Chapter 9 I Am NOT Dracula!!

Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Adult Readers, Sexual Situations, Sex

Freedom of expression is precious. To do that Nifty needs help. Your
donation is greatly desired. Give to http://donate.nifty.org/ or this story
ends and all the others! That would be a crime!

Coming to Dragon about who he was has a troubling reaction.

I Am NOT Dracula!!

Flying back to Romania was again a long flight. It was after we'd been
flying an hour or more when Colin began to fall asleep and napped. I wasn't
tired at that moment, so I brought up a website I'd seen on counseling and
psychology in general. It was true about the other...vampires and regular
people. They did talk to me about things...more than they would to others,
I had to admit. I had the time, so I had been reading about techniques and
approaches found by others the decades. I would feel better with a
degree. Later, maybe.

I was reading when I noticed a change in Colin's breathing and I looked
over to find him...just staring at me, but a very contented smile on his
face.

"I like what you're doing..." I said softly, smiling at him, "...can I ask
why you're doing it?"

Colin smiled more and leaned over kissing me very gently. "Because I like
looking at you." He shrugged. "I can't help it, I love you." He said
simply. "I married a great human being. I'm just loving that you love me."

I closed my laptop and turned to him. "You know I do," I said.

He nodded. "Not a single doubt. You've been so great with me...and this
life."

"It's our lives," I said. "I do my part, just as you do yours," I said
returning the gentle kiss, light and more time used to prolong our contact.

Then he looked at me and looked as if he were about to
propose...something. "We are...connected, you and I..."

I nodded. "Of course."

"But I feel we really need to reconnect, to make it stronger." He looked at
me puzzled. "Do you understand what I mean?"

"I do," I said reaching over and touching his face, running my fingers in
his dark hair that was beginning to curl, indicating he would need a
haircut soon. "I'm grateful you feel the need to be connected with me and
want it done often."

"You and I need time away..." he said again. "I mean, just you and me. We
don't need to go back to that island...anywhere would do, but I would love
a month alone with you. Alone."

I chuckled. "A month?" I looked at him. "And what will we find to do?"

Colin grinned as he moved forward putting his arm around me, his hand going
over my chest and went down. "I'd give you an example, but there a people
on the plane beside us." He said in a whisper as his hand went over my
crotch where he gave a slight squeeze.

I laughed at him doing that. "Keep that up, and I won't give a damn if the
flight attendant's in here or not. The pilots are in the cockpit, but may
need to use the bathroom." I looked in his emerald eyes and thumbed over at
the bathroom. "Of course...there is that great bathroom! I know there's
lube on board."

He smiled and took my hand. "What are we waiting for?"

What Colin was feeling right now...well...we had sex often and enjoyed it
very much. We had some vigorous sex that left us both breathless, but this
time...we made love, slow and with more purpose than just to have sex. We
were connecting, making that connection even stronger. Me to him and him to
me. It was after I felt him cum in me, he remained close...his was hugging
me gently, but tightly as he said in my ear. "I do love you so much,
Devon."

"I know you do," I said smiling as he pulled back a little as we kissed
again. "You're my best friend. You mean everything to me. I love you."

"With everything you do and say, you let me know." Colin smiled. "I know."

We hugged again. "My husband," I said kissing him deeply again.


This time we lost time, as in we weren't traveling with the sun, but
against it. It was another few hours of our fourteen-hour flight before we
landed and another hour or so back to the house. Colin and I rested on the
plane, so we went directly to Stan. It was night now, so the others were
out patrolling. Almost everyone. Edwin looked up from the chair he sat in
with Stan in the room with the computer and instantly smiled.

"Colin!" He stood up coming to us. "Devon! It's good to see you." He stated
wrapping his arms around both Colin and me. He looked at us cautiously. "I
wish the circumstances weren't as they are." Then he looked very
serious. "This Iilya guy...he can't be serious! What does he want!?"

Colin nodded. "I'm afraid he's very serious."

"We think he wants several things," I said. "He wants the serum so he can
go around in the daytime. He wanted the Old Ones we had to have access to
the purest form of venom to make him the more dangerous vampire in
existence and he wants to force us..." I paused, "out of the closet...so to
speak as vampires; on live television."

Edwin shook his head. "What!? We'll all be killed!"

"He's a psychopath," I said shrugging. "A megalomaniac."

"Just like the people that helped to make and use the Old Ones in the
beginning," Colin stated. "Mostly...he wants power."

"But that's crazy!" Edwin balked.

I nodded chuckling. "That's what I was saying."

"And with this attack on the people going to Dracula's Castle for this
Halloween Transylvania, he'll be adding new vampires to his numbers," I
said.

Edwin thought about all I said as he wandered away slightly. He turned
back. "Well, we're all here to help, just tell us what is needed and what
we need to do."

Colin smiled as he shook Edwin's shoulder. "That's why we called you!"

"I brought eighteen of us with me," Edwin said. "Including Sarah, who has
proven to be quite effective sniffing out vampires. Matt's here, too...he's
out with the others to get a lay of the land."

"We need everyone," Colin said. "We welcome your help."

"Colin and I will be down in some caverns a group of vampires lived in for
a while," I informed. "We really need people out with the people to protect
as many as possible."

"You've returned!" We heard behind us as Dragon walked in.

He looked...so different now. Human! A very nice looking and dressed well
man in a sweater, haircut and groomed nicely. Normal. Handsome, but normal.

I turned and smiled. "We did." I brought Dragon forward. "Dragon, have you
met Edwin Dunning? He heads a group in England. Edwin, Dragon heads this
group in Transylvania."

The two men shook hands, but I saw wonder in Edwin's eyes.

"That's an unusual name, Dragon," Edwin said. "I know history. I read that
Vlad Dracul was also named Vlad the Dragon. Are you...?"

Dragon looked a little ashamed but nodded. "I really don't care for the
name. I am not that man and I'm not Dracula."

Edwin shook his head. "Why not!?" He asked. "If you are who I think you
are...you're like..." he thought of the words, "...vampire royalty!"

"I am not Dracula!" Dragon insisted again, firmer, and louder.

"You could be!" Edwin also insisted. "If anyone can bring us together right
now, you could! I saw the broadcast..."

Dragon was angry now. "I AM NOT DRACULA!!" He shouted. "Even if I wanted to
be, no one would believe I am. He is fiction!"

Colin was coming to stand between them as he nodded as he pushed gently
against them to keep them apart. He looked at Dragon. "We know you're not
Dracula, okay, Dragon?" He looked at him with a pleading look at
Dragon. "Please. We have a tough situation about to happen; we can't have a
conflict with each other."

I looked at Edwin. "He's very sensitive about the past, Edwin," I
explained.

Edwin raised his hands in surrender. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to cause
problems. I didn't mean to offend you."

Dragon looked away at first but then smiled as he looked back at
Edwin. "I'm the one that should be sorry. I apologize." He stuck his hand
out again.

"Not a problem." Edwin nodded. "I also apologize. I hope we can be
friends."

Dragon nodded as he smiled. "We are."

I chuckled. "We're one big no-longer-blood-sucking-vampire family!" I said
grabbing both Dragon and Edwin in a hug as they both chuckled.


It was after daybreak when the others came back to the house. It was nice
to see everyone we'd left in England, but still, we were making plans. The
house was getting crowded with people, so we decided to move everyone to
the caverns. In the largest chamber, where Dragon had his...throne room?
Sorin was attending tonight as we spoke together to talk about a plan.

"...but what plan!?" Sorin asked pressing us with this need to have a
better one. "This is no real plan."

Colin shook his head. "There is a real plan, Sorin! We are going to be out
there to help protect, but Iilya will come after the Old Ones."

Sorin shook his head as he stood and did a slow circle as he
thought. "M-aş simţi mai bine cu meu de poliţie
să ne susţină." He muttered and turned to us again. "I
need more police! That's what I just said."

There were nods as the others held up translators making Sorin simply nod.

"We know." Mom said. "We're going to be there."

"We have all the help you can use!" I waved at the many here now. "What
better back up can you get? Most everyone is here is a vampire!"

"They can sense the other vampires." Colin reminded Sorin. "Cops can't."

Sorin nodded again but frowned. "People are going to die." He moaned.

"And we are working to make that number a minimum," Colin assured again.

Edwin stood and looked at Dragon. "I am so sorry, but...you could really
help here. I know you were upset before, but...you can help so much!" He
pleaded.

Dragon looked surprised. "Me?"

"I know you're not Dracula," Edwin said. "But I saw that broadcast. You
have a powerful influence. More than I've ever known about. Your voice
could help. Be Dragon! Be whomever, but put your voice and talent to work
to help us deal with this!"

"And say what?" Dragon asked.

"Who cares!?" Edwin said helplessly. "Tell them not to do this; I don't
care...if nothing else; it may take the fight away a little from those
vampires and humans following Lucian and Iilya! They will listen!" He shook
his head. "This isn't a vampire thing anymore, it's a Human thing. At least
try!" He walked toward Dragon. "You have a natural power! That power was
not because of the venom or you being a vampire, but the real you!" Dragon
was looking at him uneasily. Edwin shook his head. "I read more about you;
the real you. I know what you did and I know why, to protect your
people. You are needed to do that again to prevent more deaths! Our own
deaths included!"

I could see the conflict in Dragon's eyes. "You do have a strong
personality. More so than any rock star or movie star I've ever seen or
even known about." I said. "That's why we had you do the first
broadcast. Vampires, whether it's part of being a vampire or because they
fear people's reactions to them...don't trust easily. They will trust you."

Dragon let out a frustrated huff, rose and walked out of the
chamber. Everyone watched stunned that he would seemingly give up so
easily.

Colin took my hand and leaned into me. "What's going on with him?"

I shook my head. "I don't know."

Colin smiled at me. "Maybe you can find out?" He bumped his forehead to
mine gently.  I nodded and I got up. "I'll try." I headed in the direction
Dragon had gone.

Dragon's caverns had tunnels aplenty and he knew them and could disappear
with no trouble, but I had a feeling where he would be. I walked into what
had been Iustina's and Repetate's holding area. He stood there looking at
the now empty cell, resting his head on the bars.

"They miss you," I said softly, but he knew I was here.

"Do they?" He chuckled lightly.

"Sure, they do." I walked slowly over to him. "I saw how they would react
when you would come down the tunnel. They love you."

He turned to me, resting his back against the bars. "When they were brought
here...of course, Iustina was first and alone, but not too long later, we
got Repetate." He did a slow turn as he looked at the empty cell again. "At
first...they were a curiosity." He scratched behind his ear as he
remembered. "I would come here and just watch them. They were no threat to
any of us, and we kept them fed. At the same time, they were watching me. I
began talking to them. They didn't talk back but knew what I was saying. It
was nice...they seemed to actually like me. They didn't try to run away or
anything, so I befriended them."

I nodded. "They're easy to love."

He smiled at me. "You do, don't you?"

I nodded. "I do. I care what happens to them; just like you do. I don't
have to ask you that."

"Even knowing what they are and what they've done in the past." Dragon said
to confirm I really understood what the Old Ones did. Not in history, but
here in Romania and Eastern Europe...the world!

I shrugged. "I know what they did," I said. "They were made to be what they
are. They didn't make a choice to become an Old One. I can't blame them for
what they born to do, but they are responsible for what we are. That needs
to stop. It's not fair what they are or their fault, but I see them smile
at you. A real genuine smile. I see them smile at me! They enjoy cartoons!
While I know they are what made us all, I can't not love them." I sat down
looking at Dragon. "The first Old One I met I named Gizmo."

"Gizmo?" Dragon's eyebrows rose.

"Named after a character in one of the many movies I love." I shrugged. "I
was terrified at first, but he didn't attack me. In fact, he defended me!
He offered to share the blood they gave him thinking I might want some!
They were made from humans." I smiled remembering Gizmo. "He was more human
than the captors that took him and me. I believe he was not just nice, but
he was capable of love and really began to love me." I smiled at
Dragon. "When this is over, you can see them again in Manhattan."

Dragon threw his head back with a sigh. "Manhattan." He shook his head and
then sat forward. "I saw Manhattan." He waved at the tunnel toward the
outside world. "Stan showed me...video?" He said. "I never imagined a city
could ever be...so BIG!"

I nodded. "It is a very big city; one of the biggest." I agreed. "One of
many big cities in the world; there are billions of people now."

"When I was asked to make that broadcast...I knew there were big cities,
but...I had no idea how many people there are now." Dragon was shaking his
head again. "When I was bitten...I thought...and don't believe me if you
don't understand," he smiled as he nodded chuckling, "but...I felt in many
ways...free!"

"Free?" I asked puzzled.

"For decades, I was a leader! Everyone's lives depended on what I did or
said." He shook his head and leaned forward covering his face with his
hands and rubbed his face from fatigue, but it was the fatigue of
pressure. "Then, when I was a vampire, I thought the people were no longer
dependent on me. I didn't have to worry if I made a mistake as much. I was
free!"

"You're human, of course, there will be mistakes," I said simply. "No one's
perfect."

"You don't understand yet." Dragon said. "I'm tired of it! I was voivode
for decades, then I became that thing and still, I was looked to for
answers. It never ended." He shook his head. "I've been in the role of
leader for centuries and I don't want it anymore." He waved his hand out
the wall of the tunnel indicating the outside world. "There
are...what...hundreds of thousands of vampires now?"

I nodded. "George and some others think it could be in the millions."

"Millions," Dragon repeated, the awesome number just was blowing his mind
away.

"We're on every continent, we're finding." I waved at Repetate's and
Iustina's cell. "Those Old Ones did a damned good job! After the people
became vampires, they hid in the darkness and stayed hidden and didn't talk
to each other. Now, we are!"

Dragon shook his head again and sighed again. "Millions." He repeated still
feeling the pressure of the number. "When I was voivode, I ran a country
that had thousands...several hundred thousand spread around...but
millions!?"

I was getting what he was saying. "You have this...charisma...a drawing
power that...I've not known any movie star or politician to have. Everyone
would join you."

"After I began the serum and I was able to walk around town..." he
smiled. "I was just a man out there. I was not voivode, but everyone acted
like I was!" He nodded. "There were more than a few that wanted a lot more
from me." He gave me a crooked smile. "Many I believe wanted sex!"

I chuckled. "Of course, they did. That's what people do! We have sex."

"Woman and men were..." he thought a little more, "flirting?" He asked. "Is
that the right word?"

I nodded. "It is. I wouldn't be surprised if they just propositioned you
for sex, saying right off that's they wanted from you!"

Dragon laughed. "There were a few of those, too. Some even touching me in
personal places! They were so...free about it!"

"Time's change and that's great! They felt they could. That's not a bad
thing!" I said. "You are a very attractive person, Dragon. You have that
charisma and personality...many will want a part of you. Sex is a way to
connect with you...if just a few moments. You could give them a connection
to you."

"But they didn't know who I was!" Dragon said again. "I was just a man they
were wanting sex or something else. I want that!"

To be sure I got it. "The just a man part, not the vampire or voivode
part."

"Yes!" Dragon said nodding. "I want to be just a man!"

I got up and walked over to Dragon. "When I first met you. I was a little
frightened of you. You were very intimidating." I admitted. "Now, what I
see...is just what you said. A man. Not a vampire or voivode. A man I know
now as a friend." I put a hand on his shoulder. "I will promise you
this. There's a big world out there. I'd like to show it to you. When this
is over..." I held my hand up, "...and it will be over very soon. We will
take you away from this. You can visit with Repetate and Iustina, you can
come to stay at Colin's and my house! We'd love to have you there." I
smiled as I saw his look of temptation at what I said. "You will never be
asked to leave. You're welcome there as often and as long as you want to
stay. I wasn't kidding when I told you and Edwin this...we are a family
now. We share something that brings us together, but in getting to know
you, you're a very needed and valuable member of this family. We love
you. I love you. I've not known you that long, but I'd like to know
more. The man, not a legend or fictional character, but you, Dragon." I
looked in his eyes that now had moisture that allowed his eyes to water
now. "You'll just be our friend there, I promise."

Dragon pulled me in a tight hug. "You and Colin...you have become such good
friends to me." He nodded. "I'd love to visit you in your home." He smiled
and took a deep breath. "Okay. We'll do this. I will make the broadcast and
ask them not to follow this...Iilya and Lucian. I will do what I can."


When we came back to the others, Colin smiled as he saw me and Dragon walk
back, Dragon's arm around my shoulder and looking better than before.

"Okay." Dragon said happily to everyone. "I'll make the broadcast. I will
ask the others...the humans and vampires...not to do this."

Edwin nodded. "Wonderful!"

Stan nodded also. "We'll work on what you will say."

"There will be some that won't listen," Sorin said. "Not even to you."

"Our numbers will be out there as well." Dragon said. "Those...we will have
to fight." He shrugged.

I realized that Dragon had really missed a lot of life. He'd lived a long
time, but he didn't see the world. He didn't know the world. He was told
things about it but didn't know it. If we did this and were successful, he
could get to know it at last.

The others on our team were getting ready to be out with the people for
this Halloween. It wasn't just one night, but three. We knew the attack was
going to be the actual night the thirty-first. Things were building up even
before that. Anticipation was high for the fun, but for us...it was like
watching the clock count down the hours before all hell was going to
break. What had been a somewhat busy town or village was now housing a lot
more people. Most of these new guests were young, ranging from the early
twenties to mid-thirties. Transylvania was gearing up for a wild few
nights. Vampires were the theme naturally. There were all the things about
vampires hanging around, clusters of garlic and various crosses hung that
were ornate. The whole feeling was Gothic but fun! There were going to be
witches there, too, but this was Transylvania. Dracula was the featured
guest. Bram Stoker's Dracula, that is. We made sure we had enough of those
serum cartridges to give to everyone. The batteries were all charged and
ready for the sun guns.

There was a lot of beer, ales, and other alcoholic drinks being brought
in. There would be other...things not so legal to be taken those nights to
make the user who was having a good time, have an even better time.

We discussed what we were going to do several nights with everyone. There
were going to be fifty vampires on the serum out with the partying crowd,
yet we knew that was still not enough. With the vampires coming from
Thornwood and our English VUN family, the ones on our team and Dragon's
people, we were still going to be short.

Vampire senses allowed those going out there who weren't vampires to be
paired with them and kept safe. Chuck, Mark, Shelly, Stan, and Sorin were
given the Disflavor, so they wouldn't be victims of becoming a vampire, but
they could still be hurt or even killed. The vampire detectors would not be
needed if they went in pairs. We were feeling the tension.

The 29th, as soon as it became twilight, people began coming out to the
town square and were in the taverns and just...roaming the streets. The
castle that was Vlad's...or Dragon's in the past was going to be crowded as
well. The mood of this was spread out all over Romania, but Transylvania
was the main focus. Dracula's Castle was impressive, large, and just
loomed. As the evening came, the lights began to shine brightly, focused on
the castle making it glow. Set on a precipice the view from the main tower,
you could see the surrounding countryside to watch approaching
enemies. However, now it was for just tourists.

Dragon had made a broadcast telling those that had access to a computer,
not to do...whatever Iilya had planned for them to do. It would be all our
deaths if they did. Dragon said they were being deceived by Iilya. The
problem was the ones that got the broadcast were not the ones that would be
attacking. Those vampires with Iilya, if they checked a computer they had
access to, would not really listen. We hoped that maybe a few would see it
and rethink this attack.

It was as we went through the crowds in the village square, Dragon was
looking at the many "vampires" there in costume. Not one of them was a real
vampire, it was just for the next three evenings; these people wanted to be
a vampire. There were good costumes and some just had the teeth in their
mouths. The skin was lightened to give the pale look. These days were the
last of October, so the weather was cold, but there were portable heaters
lit and spread about to give some relief. Dragon was looking amazed as
there were so many that was loving being a vampire now. He was
mystified. He watched as a woman passed by him...her costume was more like
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark if you know Cassandra Peterson's character on
TV who hosted a show with those...often very bad movies. This woman had the
pushup bra and showed she was well endowed. The real Elvira was funny. I
loved her and many of those movies were really corny, but it was fun to
watch and hear her crazy comments!

Dragon turned as another vampire...complete with a dark cape, the black
tuxedo, and the teeth. Good teeth, too, not those little white plastic ones
often worn. "I don't understand." Dragon said still looking at all the ones
having a good time. "They imitate being a vampire!?" He looked at
me. "Why??"

I nodded. "Because it's fun." I grinned. "I did the last few years I was a
kid. Being a vampire was fun."

"Fun!?"

Colin nodded. "To escape an otherwise routine and sometimes dull
life...school, the burden of bills like rent, car payments and maybe a boss
that isn't very likable...it's a form of escape from the realities of that
life; a fantasy for one night only." Then Colin gave a nod to the crowd,
"...or two more nights for these people."

"Dracula isn't you, we know and understand that," I said. "But Bram Stoker
did create a very powerful legend. His portrayal of the vampire was as a
villain, but as the decades went; vampires often are shown as lost souls
looking for love." I shrugged. "The vampire has become an anti-hero often;
people who want to get their souls back. They are shown as trying to find
that special someone that will mean something to them and wants to become
that person's love."

Colin shrugged. "Well, that is true." He grinned hugging me. "I was."



The evening progressed, laughter and many voices talking loud to be heard
over the noise and there was music! Groups took a podium/stage erected in
the square. Dressed again like vampires, the performers played loud and
sang, adding to the party mood. There were those that drank a bit
much. There were those that got into confrontations with others, be it over
a girl or just disagreeing. Around the square were high platforms where
cameras were placed to film it all. There were the ones in this crowd,
dressed in dark clothes with badges, but had bright yellow vest over the
clothes that said, "Poliţia." Sorin did not have that on, but most
of the Poliţia knew him since Sorin was a part of the police
enforcement.

As we walked through town, we were all connected by Stan and Buddy. We had
the earpieces in and could talk to the others. Not one vampire could be
sensed. Colin and I knew this group following Iilya and Lucian were biding
their time until Halloween.



On Halloween evening, we gathered at the house. The overall feeling was
this was it. Everyone knew that what was going to happen, was going to
happen in the next few hours. We really didn't talk that much as we quietly
prepared.

Dragon came over to Colin and me as we were getting ready to head to where
Dragon had lived in his underground home for centuries. Checking the serum
cartridges and made sure we had plenty, though one shot to the leg would
hinder a vampire's ability to walk. In the arm, they would not be able to
wield a weapon well and the sun guns would drive them back.

"Are you sure I shouldn't go with you?" Dragon asked.

"Gaius will be there," Colin smiled at Dragon. "You need to be out there
with those people. When it does come down and they start attacking, your
voice will be needed to try and stop them."

I picked up a gun. It was a real gun, not a sun gun and made sure I had
bullets. I made sure the safety was on and put it in my holster on my chest
to the side. "I hate we have to do this," I said to no one.

Colin came over. "I know." He said quietly. "We can't think of an
alternative. Iilya must be stopped. He kills and will do it again."

"I know." I sighed and nodded without looking at Colin. "And Lucian?"

Colin put his arms around me. "He's a willing follower. He's so convinced
what we say is a lie, I don't think he can be reached." Colin turned me
around. "Iilya has given him something he needs. I don't think Lucian will
listen." He looked out the window as it was getting dark. "We'd better go."
He kissed me gently. "I love you, Devon."

I smiled. "I know. I love you."

Colin kissed me again. "I know."



The others were ready as well. Mark was saying things to Stan as they
parted for the night. Mark's usual lighthearted and often hilarious
demeanor was not at his usual level. Kissing and hugging Stan, he swore
he'd be back and looked at Colin and me.

"Are you sure you don't need me to go with you to Dragon's Lair?" Mark
attempted his lighthearted joke, but it fell a little short this time.

I hugged him. "No," I told Mark. "We'll need people down there who will be
able to sense Iilya and any others he brings with him. Some of Dragon's men
will be down with us." I patted his arm. "We'll be fine." I pointed at
Dragon. "Stay near him," I instructed firmly. "Stan doesn't want to lose
you." I smiled. "We don't want to lose you." I hugged Stan and ran a hand
over his face. "Be careful. You have a sun gun and serum gun?"

Stan nodded. "And an actual gun, just in case."

I was about to go when Stan grabbed me and hugged me again. "Take care of
each other." He pointed to Colin and then looked at Colin and pointed to
me. "You've got each other's six."

I grinned. "What!? Are we on NCIS!?" I shoved him lightly. "We'll be back."

Mom, Willie, Alex, and Gabriella hugged both of us and said the same
things. It was Willie that brought me close to him.

"You're a good man, son." His voice a little heavy with emotion as he
hugged me and even gave me a kiss on the forehead. "Colin said I was a
father to him. He means a lot to me, but you are my son as well. I love you
both. I owe you and Colin everything. Be careful."

He really meant what he said. I could hear it in his voice. I hugged him
again. "Thanks, Dad." I looked at Mom. "Watch each other."



Along with two of the men that had been with Dragon, Gaius, Colin, and I
headed toward the caverns where Dragon had lived. Colin held my hand a
while as we walked quietly toward the caverns, but soon he put his arm
around me bringing me closer as we walked.

In spite of what we said about it going to come out well...there was a
chance that we could be hurt; even killed if we let our guard down. I was
determined not to let my guard down.



In the cavern, we gathered near what had been Repetate's and Iustina's
cell...we sat and waited. No one had much to say right now. Time just
seemed to crawl. It was just...quiet.

It was about five minutes until eleven o'clock when Colin suddenly sat
up. Gaius tilted his head and then I felt it. Someone else was down
here. My sensing other vampires were not as strong as theirs. I felt the
two vampires that came with us and Gaius, but now...there were
others. Several others were down here with us and my heart began to
pound. This was it. The sound of hard soles on the cavern floor got
louder. There was no need to hide, they could sense us as we did them, but
from the sound, there were more than a few. Iilya was leading a group of
six others. What I saw made me feel...he was dressed like a Soviet Military
man! An officer with the grayish blue double-breasted coat, the belt around
his waist and even that grey fuzzy hat. Behind Iilya was Lucian dressed in
black, but no uniform. The other men were also dressed in various
clothes...all black. There was that dress code again.

Colin rose from his chair. "Iilya, you do know the Soviet Union is gone,
right?"

Iilya smiled again and just as he did when we first met him. There was
little humor in his smile or eyes. "Where are they?" He asked taking his
leather gloves off and waved the gloves at the empty cell.

I got closer to Colin. "Your senses should tell you they are not here...or
anywhere else in these caverns."

"They were taken to Manhattan with Dr. Holms," Colin said. "We had to get
them safe from you."

Iilya nodded and stepped slowly forward. "They're killers."

"So are you," I said.

"I kill to stay alive." Iilya pointed out, but not too defensively. "They
are what started all this....according to you."

"Why would we lie about that?" Colin asked. "Use your senses, but also use
your minds. We have evidence."

Iilya nodded and did a slow turn looking at the others. "Evidence you would
show me, but tell me what I'm looking at." He shook his head as he pointed
in the air. "No...I won't believe it."

"Lucian," I had to try and reach him. "You are not stupid." I waved at
Gaius. "He was...what you are now! Look at him!!" I waved at the other two
of Dragon's men. "You've known them! Look! They are not like you are now
anymore. How is that a lie?"

"I'm human, Lucian," Gaius said softly. "I am a human that got that..." he
shook his head, "...venom, just like you have. It's a physical condition
that these men are doing something to try and cure us."

"Can't you believe your own eyes?" I pointed at Gaius and the other
two. "You can sense, I am a vampire. Colin is a vampire and so are they!
We're not lying. Please." I begged.

Lucian was looking...well...he was shaking his head, but as I asked him
to. He couldn't ignore what he saw. "Iilya?" He asked the big Russian
hesitantly. "You said Gaius was a hoax; that they'd done someth..."

"Shut up, Lucian," Iilya said sharp and terse.

I nodded. "Oh, I see. When we brought Gaius to meet Dragon that time...we'd
done something to trick you? Watch this..." I went to the cooler and opened
it.

"Stop!" Iilya demanded.

"Why?" I asked. "I'm simply going to show Lucian it isn't a lie." I reached
into the cooler and pulled out one of the many sandwiches we'd brought due
to Colin's huge appetite.

"I said stop!" Iilya said again moving closer to me more rapidly, but Gaius
pulled out his serum gun and fired at Iilya's leg causing Iilya to stumble
and lower to the floor. Lucian jumped startled and rushed to Iilya's side.

Iilya was inhaling as his eyes widened grasping his leg as pain shot
through his leg. Colin pulled his serum gun out and so did the others
before any of Iilya men could reach us stopping them.

"We've got plenty more; come on!" Colin urged doing that thing with your
hand when you were waving someone forward. "He's in a lot of pain." He
pointed at Iilya. "Want to share the pain?"

Lucian was trying to help Iilya, but Iilya was shoving him off. "Don't be
stupid, Lucian, they are lying!!"

"Really?" I asked waving the meaty sandwich toward them. "Would you like
some? We've got plenty of them."

Waving food in front of them. Like Willie did when he was first brought to
the VUN and Colin and I ate with him, there were looks of revolution on
their faces as they backed up a little.

"You knew him as a vampire!" I handed the sandwich to Gaius who bit into
the sandwich and began munching. "See? He's eating it!"

Gaius grinned and rubbed his hand over his mouth as juice spilled
out. "Delicious." Now the tension was lessened. "I've got to get Eva to
make more." He said and swallowed. "Good roast beef. I forgot the many
tastes and it's so good!!"

"It's a lie!" Iilya shouted, but Lucian was wavering.

"How is that a lie, Lucian?" I asked as loud. "You saw him eat and he
enjoyed it! How can he lie about that? The problem is, when we brought
Gaius down, having him here could have been a lie. We didn't have him prove
while you were here. Look!!" I looked at Iilya. "The only lies have been
yours!"

Lucian was moving away from Iilya. "What lies?"

"He lied to you!" I said pointing at Lucian. "He used you. I don't know who
bit him, but...there is no magic about being a vampire. He wanted to get
down here and meet Dragon. He wanted to be a part of Dragon's empire
here. The only way to do that was through you." I looked at Iilya. "What do
you want Repetate and Iustina for?"

"They're power," Iilya grunted still in pain.

Colin nodded as he came closer. "Power you wanted because of the venom we
told you about."

"But Dragon never let them out," I added. "He loved those two and so do I!"
I nodded. "Yes, they killed. They were doing what they were created
for. You had a choice!" I said. "Like these men here...they didn't feed on
people. They needed blood. They found how to get the blood without killing
anyone! You admitted you did to stay alive. No one has to die!" I looked at
Lucian. "I don't know what happened to you, but...did he tell you he loved
you? Do you believe he does?"

Lucian looked at Iilya now very uncertain. "But it's wrong." He said
softly.

I smiled nodding. "Who told you it was wrong? Priests?" Then I asked
softer. "Your father?" I saw Lucian had emotional pain as he remembered.

"It's not wrong." Gaius said simply. "I've loved a few men myself." He said
casually. "A human being seeks companionship with another human being. It's
what we do. Who cares what the gender is?"

I smiled at Gaius. "You told me that before."

"I've loved one man for centuries." He shrugged. "I still do."

Colin looked at Gaius. "Dragon?"

Gaius nodded. "We've been off and on for centuries." He held up his
finger. "I loved Nicholae's mother, but Dragon and I...have an
understanding."

"No!" Iilya said again and reached to his side. "The venom was to make us
powerful, I won't..." he pulled a sidearm, but was still shaking from pain,
he pointed the gun at Colin and fired.

Watching Colin grab his left side and stagger, without even really
thinking, I pulled my gun from its holster and fired, but my hand was
steady and the bullet went right through the middle of Iilya's forehead. I
turned quickly to Colin who was holding his arm.

"Colin!" I said rushing to my husband who was grimacing in pain.

He smiled even though I knew he was hurting. "It's a flesh wound." He
chuckled. "I've been shot a few times. I'll be okay."

Hugging him to me, I turned to Lucian and raised the gun, pointing it at
him. "Well? Do you want to go with Iilya? Or do we talk now? No lies."