I was born in the Principality of Transylvania in the year 1588. I had royal blood — being related to quite a few nobles. It only meant that I was a Lady - not a peasant. My life was really nothing to me until my rebirth. I married young to a Duke in Arad. I became a Duchess of Arad. It meant nothing but a title, being arranged by our parents. My given name was Maria.

I was bored! Wealthy for the time that I lived in, with anything that I desired handed to me. I had servants and only the best food and the best clothing. I was soon looking for more in my life than I had. A foolish weakness nearly all humans possess, yes?

I was soon enamored of a young and very dark man named Gregor Bathory, himself a cousin of Sigismund Bathory, Prince of Transylvania. He was vampire of course. Something about me attracted him and he began to visit me when my husband was away from our home. He enthralled our servants so they would not report to the Duke.

He fed on me often and I was his thrall in all things. I pined for him when not at his side. When I reached twenty years he turned me and I awoke with hunger and began to feast upon any and all that I could! One night my husband angered me — he complained I slept every day and only arose at night; I would not go out in the day with him and he was shouting at me over it. I drained him and played the grieving widow for a time.

Gregor had told me to lick the wounds and let my superior healing power heal them before my victims passed. It is good that I did, because the Duke had many friends and they were all quite upset at his keeling over dead with not a mark upon him. He had always been hearty and hale.

Gregor and I moved on from Arad to a small village, craving anonymity and solitude. Far easier hunting in a great city like Arad, but with more people comes more chance for discovery of our natures, was his argument to me. So, we settled in an old monastery for a time. The irony of us living in a monastery was not lost on me. I was becoming so much more than the decadent Duchess that I was, bored with life and consumed with gossip and trivia.

About two years after Gregor turned me; I returned early one morning after feasting on a few morsels and found his corpse ran through with a wooden stake! I was filled with anger and vowed that whoever destroyed my Gregor would pay dearly. I became vengeance upon the small village and before the moon cycled I had destroyed it and avenged Gregor. I never found the person or persons responsible for his death, for certain. But I was sure that the village was to blame.

I became more careful after his Final Death and I hid myself away from all. I ventured out only to hunt when needed, not wanting the stake myself! I wanted to live. I wanted to feast forever. I had no pity, nor mercy, for any who crossed my path. They were sustenance to continue my existence only. They begged, they pleaded — it availed them nothing. I was death to any who crossed my path.

I stayed in these mountains for countless years, trying to be as cautious as one could who feasts on humans. For a time I reigned in a small village not far from here. I was their Goddess! They were all my thralls and I took from each whatever I wished, up to death if I so desired. They were my thralls and the wife would eagerly offer up her husband to please her Goddess! The husband his children, even so.

I turned one who worshiped me and made her my Daughter. Her appetite was insatiable, and in time she was my downfall. Her pride and sloppiness would often combine and she would leave her victims with bite marks plainly visible. Oh, Ecaterina, you fool…

Conquerors came and went throughout the years. This was good for me. Soldiers disappear all of the time. Easy to take for me — what soldier would turn down a smiling woman offering herself? I grew to love war. War brought me safe meals with nobody caring to look closely at just one more dead soldier. I know from your memories that you are a student of history, Richard. Then you must know that life in those times was near-constant war. I was satiated with blood and death.

Between the Hungarians and the Ottomans I never lacked for blood! The Russians were my downfall, however. It was 1877 and they came in to Wallachia and Transylvania to help oust the Ottomans. They brought their Orthodox Priests. Priests who knew vampires and knew them well, it seems!

Maria sighed and was silent for a moment. Ecaterina fed well on the soldiers over the years but her appetite betrayed her to the Priests. She was careless and left corpses everywhere. She didn’t care enough to hide her bite marks. The Priests and their helpers tracked her down and staked her. And through her they found me.

Mark my words; we are far more intelligent and cunning than any human. Far more! However, if one is not careful, one’s hubris can become so powerful that one can become careless. This happened to me. I acted as if no mere mortal could ever harm me, let alone destroy me. I should have taken Ecaterina’s death as a warning and fled. But, my pride was great and I thought myself indestructible.

Eventually, I was caught in a trap - as you correctly surmised my dear. They began stalking me and baiting me when I would hunt. I later understood their intent — they wanted me to chase! And I did. Until one night I chased one of them into a trapped room. They sealed me in a room with windows behind steel bars that I could not break. And they waited for daylight.

I was in agony in full sunlight. I was burning, slowly but surely. Sometime after I became unconscious they took me to the room you found me in and chained me to that post.

I know not why they did not stake me. I would have, in their place! I also do not know why they took me to the room that you found me in. I do know this — they were terrified of me. I could sense it — taste it.

Perhaps their fear kept them from finishing me? I will never know. They never once spoke to me, though I pleaded with them in Russian and offered deals, wealth, whatever it would take to make them release me.

I spent decades when I was not sleeping there wondering why they never destroyed me. I know that I shall never learn the answer, now. I would love to, though.

So, chained and unable to break it I slept and conserved my strength. I recovered from the burns, somewhat. But I knew that I was permanently weakened. Nobody found me until you. It was a bad time for you. If you had come slightly later I would have been dead — earlier, I would have drained you and bought myself decades.

You sound as if you regret being found? Richard asked her.

Eh, my time is past and I weary of things. I cannot take over this body as you have feared! He heard her mocking laughter. Yes, I know your fear but it is groundless! Your modern world with so many marvels that I see in your memories would be a frightening place for me. I will leave you eventually and be glad of the eternal rest. Part of me will live on in you and part will go on to whatever there is. At least, this is what I sense will happen. I may be wrong in this.

Her tone turned curious. We must prevent this odd state where neither of us is in control. I do not understand it but we must not risk it. Perhaps it is a struggle between us?

I honestly do not know, Duchess. I am completely lost. Is there no way to change me back? Maybe find you a woman’s body to inhabit?

He detected actual sympathy in her answer. No, that is beyond anyone’s ability to do. My innate magic changed you. I did not mean for it to happen. It… happened. There was no thought to it, my new friend — my consciousness, soul if you will… that which is ME, leaped into you and you transformed. I had no control over this and did not expect such a thing to happen. I was, and am, shocked that such a thing could happen!

Richard nodded, sadly. What did you mean you will fade away or leave me? What will I do with you gone? How will I survive? I know nothing of being a vampire!

She laughed. He was beginning to like her musical laugh. That might be years, decades, or even a century from now! There will be time before I go to teach you all you need know. We shall feed often and you will come to love it as I do.

No. I don’t want to go around killing people to ‘feed’. It is evil!

Evil? Bah! The rabbit, were you able to ask it, would call the wolf evil for hunting it for food. The wolf, his opinion would differ! We are wolves to humanity’s rabbits. You understand this I see. You call it a ‘food chain’ — you learned of this in school when you were nine years old, am I right?

He hated when she prowled through his mind, but agreed. Maybe so, but a rabbit is not a human being and there is morality involved in killing people.

You speak to me of morality? We are advanced far beyond humans. As far as people above a wolf, yes? We are stronger, smarter, immortal save for misadventure or being murdered. We have superior vision, hearing, sense of smell and taste. Do you not see? But do not speak to me of morality! I do not take children, for instance. One could argue that I do not for the same reason the hunter does not take the baby deer. Or one could argue it is because I treasure children. Both are valid reasons — and both are true for me.

Richard sighed. Couldn’t we just take a pint or two and not kill them?

She laughed again. Why limit ourselves to a paltry amount when we can take what we wish? We can grant rapture as we drain them and they go willingly and experiencing bliss. Or, we can let them stay lucid and smell their fear and terror as they struggle as we drain their life away! It is delicious!

Witness it!

Her perception shifted and she was before a haughty woman dressed very regal, who ordered her to leave at once. She smiled, revealing her fangs, and the woman gasped in fear and tried to run. She easily overtook the woman and pulled her into an embrace, grinning in delight at her terror. The woman fought hard but she was so much stronger. She bit into the woman’s neck and began to batten on her as the struggles slowly weakened. Maria’s excitement grew as her prey struggled and fought her.

Duchess, that… that was horrible!

Bah. She was a bitch, another spoiled brat daughter of some local duke. She lorded it over all until I showed her true superiority! We fed once and you loved it — do not deny it! We shall feed again and you will see. I love feeling them struggle and fight me and then slowly they weaken in my arms.

Richard was horrified. You… enjoyed her terror. You reveled in it, even. You are so evil. You’re like the most evil vampires in the movies. You lust to kill and you love their fear as you murder them.

She did a mental sniff. I do not see it that way. I am just a predator and she was prey. But of course I enjoyed it! Your movies I can see in your mind. ‘Dracula’ and ‘Van Helsing’ and all of that. So amusing! Of course the prey portrays us as evil and cruel and vicious! As I said before, so would the rabbit portray the wolf! My thralls that I mentioned before? They adored me and I was never cruel to them. They were useful and kept me safe for close on a century.

He thought for a few moments before advancing his next argument. If we are stronger and more intelligent, then we should attempt to be more moral, too! We should protect the weak and not prey upon them. Preying on the weak and helpless is wrong. That is true evil.

Does the lion protect the lamb? Does the snake defend the rat? No. We owe the weak nothing! At best, we owe them a painless death… perhaps as payment for nourishing us. Though at times I can be cruel — I can admit this! — most times, Richard, I put them into a trance and they go happy. Can the victims of your TWO World Wars say as much, eh? I find myself gasping at the sheer numbers of dead you humans piled up over the years while I slept. Deaths in the millions? Incinerating entire cities with these atomic bombs? And you question MY morality? She sniffed, again.

That’s neither here nor there, Maria. I’ll starve myself and die before I murder people like that! He was certain that that was the only option and he said it to her as firmly as he could.

He could tell she thought him a fool again, though she did not voice the thought. No, we will not starve. The hunger would force us to attack long before that happened. And we’d end up staked. I FELT Ecaterina die, and it was not pleasant. I know you eat meat. Do you feel sorry for the cow that died for your steak? What of the poor cow, hmm?

Richard fired right back. The cow was taken care of, well-fed, and was slaughtered as humanely as possible so that it didn’t suffer. And a cow is not self-aware! It is not human.

Neither are you, now. And as I said before, my foolish naíve friend, we are as far above the humans as the humans are above the cow. I see no difference.

Humans have a soul! Cows, rabbits, and even wolves do not! He replied heatedly.

Her reply was sly. Oh, do they now? Then why do you not believe that? Do not forget that I see your memories and know you better than you know yourself, now! Do not prattle to me of souls and morality, Richard Harrison. You doubt the existence of God; you doubt the existence of the soul. You are agnostic, in an agnostic world judging by your thoughts and memories. The church seems to have lost its grip on the world, at last! She seemed pleased by this.

Why are you so happy to learn that, Maria?

Her answer was tinged with amusement. We are not so different, you and I. I listened to the Priests, and I did not know their words for truth or lies. Regardless of whether they are right or wrong, I was never certain. If they were right that I am a creature of darkness — a supernatural Hell-spawn, even… why then does the cross not harm me? Why could I drink the holy water of a priest and stand there grinning at him when it did nothing?

She shared that memory with him and it made him laugh. The poor man was just stunned that the evil vampire woman in front of him touched his cross and drank his holy water. He was even further stunned when she made him her latest snack.

I still don’t know that I can get used to living like this, Duchess. It just feels… wrong. Not just the feeding! But I am a woman now! There is too much to take at once, here!

You call me Duchess one moment and Maria the next. She giggled. Call me Maria. We are much closer than any other two people have been, I daresay.

Alright, then, Maria. How is it that you speak English so well? I’d have thought you’d speak Romanian.

He heard an exasperated sigh. I told you when I was born, and I told you what year I was trapped and chained up. Do you not think that I had thralls and even friends who were not Romanian in all that time? I also told you how intelligent we are. I knew German, English, French, Russian, Hungarian, Romanian, Polish… hmm, some Greek, Latin, and German as well.

Richard was a bit shocked that she knew all these languages. Wow!

Also, do not forget that I am in your mind, or you are in mine. Your language is like my own, now.

Richard thought of the sheer amount of history that this woman must have witnessed and for a moment felt jealousy for what she had seen and experienced. This prompted another chuckle from Maria.

You mistake living in that time for experiencing everything. I kept myself isolated for the greater part of the time, you see. For example, the Wallachian Uprising in 1821? Of course I knew of it, but for me it was yet another source of food with less danger to me.

Richard replied. Still, you had the opportunity to see so much! It is a shame you didn’t take it.

Do not think I did not know what was going on in the world. I knew of your Civil War in the United States, you know. I could have gone there, easily. I even considered it, once. Your country appealed to me in some ways, from the things that I heard of it.

Maybe we can get there one day soon, Maria. I am open to try if you wish. I don’t know what to do or where to go, at all.

As a vampire we can go where we wish and do what we wish! You shall see.

Richard idly wondered if there were still vampires around today, and if so how many there might be.

I do not know, of course. I can tell you that, in my time, I only ever knew of one other like me besides Gregor. I sensed him or her but they fled my hunting ground before I could make contact. If we still exist in your time you will sense if you come near one. Your stories and movies that I see in your mind suggest to me that some may still exist.

Richard nodded, thinking that she was most likely correct.

Now, we must leave this place and hunt. After, we should travel. Humans fly, now! Such a thing astounds me. Maybe we go to your home country, yes. Oh, and we must read this book ‘Dracula’ one day soon. Your memories of it are not precise and I would read this story that introduced vampires to the world!

Richard was surprised at the reading request but said, sure, if you want.

Richard looked down at his generous bosom and the simple dress she’d forced him to steal from the poor peasant’s house. He asked her another question. What do I look like, now?

Did you not see yourself in the mirror? I saw a glimpse as we walked through. You look like me, of course. If I may be immodest, quite lovely. Beautiful hair, luscious red lips, a perfect womanly figure that always attracted the men! You will never lack for companionship! Go to the mirror!

Richard looked at himself and saw an exquisitely beautiful and sexy woman looking back at him with a shocked expression. The reflection looked slightly haughty and sophisticated, while at the same time wanton and sexy.

She laughed and sent more scenes into his head of various men pursuing her with lust in their eyes. Worse, from his point of view, she also let him experience sex with some of them.

He shuddered and then decided to change the subject and answered her earlier question. I don’t think I could fly home now even if I wanted to, Duchess! My passport says ‘Richard Harrison’ and lists me as male! I’d not get through security to even board a plane! Look at me! I could not pass for myself no matter how hard I tried!

Perhaps, then, we tour Europe for a bit, eh? I never left the confines of Wallachia and Transylvania for most of my years. And even then, I’ve only been to Hungary and a short time in Austria, once.

That will be hard to do, I am nearly broke. I was going to leave for home, soon.

She was amused at his answer. Money is not a problem any longer for you, as you shall see.

Richard didn’t answer; he was holding a hand to his chest.

I have a heartbeat! Very slow but I feel it! Richard exclaimed.

She answered lazily, in a way that told him she had zero curiosity about biology or how vampiric life differed from human. Yes, it does beat. What of it? Ah, you are thinking of your movies again. ‘Undead’ corpses shambling about, with glowing eyes, sucking victims dry! No heartbeat because they are animated corpses! Bah! We are not ‘undead’. The concept is a fiction. We are beyond life.

Richard’s curiosity kept bringing up new questions. What about crosses, or holy water? Shouldn't they affect you, us?

What about them? Oh, yes, your movies and books about vampires, again. No, they are just objects to us. Nothing to fear. She became amused. You do not see it as I do, yet. Think… you are writing a book about the evil vampires against the noble humans. You MUST give the poor humans some weapon or a way to win, yes? You give the poor humans a powerful talisman that the vampire cowers before!

So, being staked in the heart is the only way we can die?

That or beheading or burnt up in fire are the only ways I believe we could die, yes. The light of the sun is painful and over time will kill. I was never tempted to find out. The time I spent in the sun when they captured me was quite enough! Guns could be a problem if they shoot us in the head enough times, I daresay. The heart recovers if shot, though. It happened to me, once. Our healing powers are astounding.

Richard finally voiced something that had been bothering him. You were in control at the house when we left the castle, weren’t you?

Maria hesitated for a few moments, then answered, slightly puzzled. I was, but yet I was not. We were both present, yet not. It felt like instinct to me. I did not think conscious thoughts at all during that, and I can tell that you did not, either. It is as I said, earlier. It is some strange state and I think it is dangerous to us both. We fed on that couple you keep remembering and feeling guilty about. But, we did it and did not realize we were doing it. We must prevent that happening again! It is too dangerous for us to do this sleep-walking!

I don’t know why or how it happened. You said that when you tried to take control it happened?

Her response sounded annoyed. Yes. It seemed to cause the fading for me.

Then I suggest we don’t fight over control, to keep that from happening.

You are correct. We must work together if we are to survive.

Well, we need to settle this feeding thing!

When he mentioned feeding the thought raged up from her. We should feed again, soon. It has been so long!

I’d rather not. He’d started remembering the walk from the castle, and attacking the couple at their cabin. It was almost a pleasant-seeming memory, to his mortification and utter horror.

She laughed with delight, having caught his feelings. Oh, yes. Soon you will be eager enough. You are just beginning to learn how wonderful it is!

He shuddered. How often must we feed?

She responded promptly. At least weekly, perhaps every two weeks. When I could safely do it, I sometimes fed daily just for the thrill of it. Going without more than a month is extremely painful.

She abruptly changed the subject.

You must take a woman’s name. Your mind is becoming more female and you know your body IS female. You cannot continue to think of yourself as ‘Richard’. That is a strong masculine name and is no longer you.

What should I choose? Maria?

No. You are not me, you are you. A new name is needed.

Richard thought for a while as the Duchess grew silent. He thought of women’s names beginning with the letter ‘R’ for some reason. How about Rachel? I always liked that name.

Mm, yes. That name is a good name. Rachel Harrison.

Rachel Maria Harrison?

Maria was pleased, he could tell. Yes! I like that. You honor me by keeping my name, as well. I am happy with that.

Rachel silently pondered her new identity. It seemed to make her transition to womanhood more real, somehow.

Exactly, Rachel. You ARE a woman now; you need to embrace your new self. Now, let us go back in the old castle. I had you bring the satchel for a reason…

~o~O~o~

Soon Rachel was led to an area that looked no different from any other and was pointed to a certain stone by the Duchess. When she removed it and reached in the resulting hole she pulled out tattered pieces of cloth and gold coins. In the end there were nearly a hundred of the heavy coins.

Rachel wondered how Maria knew of the coins and learned that this castle was a place she and Gregor had actually stayed in, for a time. They always kept some gold or silver around for emergencies.

Maria caught Rachel’s excitement over the coins and laughed. We can use these, yes, and having money is a good thing of course. But, our nature means that we can get by in this world without money in most circumstances. You shall see.

Rachel made her way back out of the ruins and decided to sit down for a bit and continue her conversation with Maria.

Ok, if we are going to travel and err, feed, we need to get identification, and a passport.

I do not understand this need for paper that says you are yourself.

Rachel laughed out loud. Without it we could not go to my homeland. We could not do a lot of things. It’s just part of life in the twenty-first century, Maria. Better get used to it! I think with all of this gold we could afford to pay someone to make a fake ID…

Pay? She was amused, again. No, Rachel, we will not pay. And we do not need to get anything that is faked. We will go visit whatever official grants this ‘ID’ and he will happily give us whatever we need. I will teach you how we enthrall a man. They are easier than women, especially when giving direction. You forget, you are a ravishing beauty, now.

Rachel blushed and glanced down at her breasts and looked at her small petite hands. She WAS ravishing and exotic, now. This brought uncomfortable thoughts of male attention that she’d rather have not come up. Maria was laughing at her again and this made it all worse.

I would like to be there when you are first with a man. Oh yes, I will be, will I not? Her laughter pealed through Rachel’s head.

Rachel shuddered and replied acidly. What makes you think that I will ever be with a man, Maria?

You will, I think. One day, it will happen. But, Rachel, long before I became vampire I learned to control and manipulate men. They are so easily led! Being a vampire makes it too easy, honestly. We must work out our body control issues so that I can show you this, soon. You need to learn to BE a woman, Rachel — for that is what you are, now. Vampire or not, you are a woman!

Rachel knew that Maria was right, but felt so lost and adrift in this new body and situation that she almost wanted to cry.

Now, enough of that. I want you to relax completely and let me attempt to raise your arm.

Rachel nodded and relaxed as much as possible, and was soon watching her right arm rise up and her fingers opening and closing with no apparent will of her own doing it.

Maria was very pleased and projected a sense of overwhelming relief that she was able to move Rachel’s arm and use her hand. Rachel assumed that the relief was due to Maria not feeling as trapped and unable to touch the world but that wasn’t it.

Of course it feels good to DO something, Rachel. However, my fear was that you would not or could not feed and we would be left wandering the world, half-starved, feral, and fangs showing to all humans who came near!

Rachel let Maria continue to move her arms and even stand up and sit down, and finally walk around a bit. Letting Maria do this allowed Rachel to think on her situation a bit more, and face what really bothered her even more than becoming a woman: feeding on humans.

Would that really happen if we didn’t feed for a long time? I’d turn into some feral monster lashing out at whoever I saw?

Yes, it would. Your instincts would take over. It would be much like the state we were in when we first fed at that cabin near the castle. It would end with us staked or, if your thoughts and memories are anything to go by, locked in some laboratory and studied and probed and even dissected! Maria shuddered and Rachel’s body shuddered right along with her.

You think of me as a bloodthirsty evil monster, Rachel. And yet, you have scientists and researchers doing horrible things all over the world. You read an article not long ago about an allergy to wheat. Wheat, of all things! And there was speculation that it might be caused by humans who have manipulated the seeds to make the crop larger.

Rachel nodded, remembering that well. But, that has nothing to do with murdering people!

Maria snorted. Does it not? If this keeps happening, millions could starve, Rachel. It would be genocide if they mess with food to the point that people cannot eat it! Listen to me, Rachel. And please listen carefully. Rachel nodded and focused on Maria’s voice.

Yes, I kill to survive. I often enjoy it, truly. It is my nature! It is what I am. But I am nothing compared to what I see going on in your world, Rachel! Still there are countless wars. Famines, not only caused by poor weather but by human greed and stupidity. Horrible new weapons in an endless quest to find better ways to kill. World War Two? Prussian efficiency taken to such sick extremes it even nauseates a killer such as myself! The Russians and their Soviet State? Millions more starved and killed. I cannot comprehend such numbers of corpses! Still it goes on and on.

Perhaps humanity’s problem is that killing has become too easy? Your soldiers no longer face each other on a field, and hack at each other with swords or shoot at each other with simple rifles such as in my time. Oh, no, it is so much easier now. Your soldiers fly and drop death from the skies in safety while people below are blown to pieces.

So please, Rachel, spare me your moralizing and your superior attitude! I am appalled at so much that I have seen in your mind. People now kill and destroy at a remote distance, their hands un-bloodied — or so they think! Your people kill by proxy, Rachel. Your butchers kill cows and chickens and sheep and your hands are never dirty. You receive your meat nicely packaged and never need see how it reached you. Your enemies are slaughtered by your soldiers and you do not even have to see the results — you merely profit from the destruction at a distance.

We must soon visit a library or this internet you often think of so that I can learn more. I do not like much, if any, of what I have seen but I want to know what the world now holds for me, and for you.

Maria left Rachel feeling stunned and somewhat ashamed after her speech. Rachel could not refute what was said, but still felt that killing people was wrong and they needed to find a way to survive without ending lives.

A sigh from Maria reached her, and Rachel was surprised to sense some idea of compromise forming. Rachel… we may be able to do something as you suggest. I will consider what could be done. You have thought repeatedly of ‘blood banks’, which are, if I understand correctly, places blood is stored to replace blood lost in accidents and misfortune, yes?

Rachel replied, Yes, I was thinking that maybe we could dine on blood from there rather than killing people!

We will try it, when we get settled in somewhere for a time. I promise nothing, and I suspect we need it fresh — but we will try if it soothes your conscience.

Thank you, Maria. Rachel was very pleased that Maria was willing to at least try a different path.

Think nothing of it, Rachel. We must work together to survive and I am quite capable of compromise.

~o~O~o~

She left the castle ruins and began to make her way back to the rental car, hoping it would still be there. After some time she found it, undisturbed. With a happy sigh she settled into the driver’s seat.

Now, let us go to that town you passed through to get here. We must find lodging and then a meal! And I have a strong desire to ride in this automobile of yours.

Maria loved riding in the car, exclaiming occasionally about various changes in the world as they neared civilization. After the roads became better the sky began to lighten and they pulled into a small hostel to spend the day. She had gotten quiet, and when Rachel asked her what was wrong her reply was simple.

So much has changed, Rachel. It really is a brand new world for me. I am taking it all in. Silence reigned again as she let Maria take it all in while she pondered her new life. Rachel was still a bit shocked that she actually liked Maria, and was growing fond of her. The woman was a murderer, a thousand times over… yet she was likable and fun to talk with!

Rachel expected a reply to that thought but Maria was too busy taking in the scenery and enjoying riding in the car to bother to respond. She might have had a moment of amusement there, though. The Duchess was often amused at things that Rachel would not be.

Rachel’s thoughts triggered a response, finally. Live almost three hundred years, Rachel, and you, also, will find more things amusing than not. Life seems, at times, to be a huge joke perpetrated on humanity — and vampires! — by some unknown prankster!

 

---

 

They stopped and got a room at a bed and breakfast and after settling in the room Maria pointed out that Rachel was hungry and that it was time to hunt. Rachel did not like this at all and they argued for nearly an hour before Maria prevailed and they began to prowl the streets. Maria was looking for a certain type of person, and Rachel finally asked her about it. Her reply was distracted but informative. We are looking for cutpurses, thieves, rapists, and the like. The kind of people that, if they are to disappear, nobody will take note of it — or if they do get noticed, it will be welcomed. Well Maria, I must say I’d be much happier making a meal out of some rapist or murderer than some innocent person. That is well, Rachel. I am trying to work within your morality and at the same time lessen chances of you raising any alarm with anyone.

Maria spotted a man who was watching a small store. The words on the store escaped Rachel though she thought it might be a pawn shop of some sort. Maria confirmed that it was indeed just that. This just annoyed Rachel, who thought it unfair that this unholy merger with an ancient vampire would not have at least granted her some language skills.

Maria laughed at her annoyance, thinking she was being childish. I did not set the table for this meal, Rachel, no more so than you did. We must eat the meal provided and be thankful we have the meal, yes?

Rachel agreed but felt slightly petulant that she did not seem to gain a lot from this nightmare other than possible eternal life.

Quit feeling sorry for yourself. Eternal life, strength, beauty, intelligence… you have gained far more than you lost. Enough moping, Rachel, we need to either cooperate here or you need to let me take control of our body. Which do you prefer to do?

Rachel’s answer was prompt. You do it! Just tell me what to do and I’ll let you drive.

Drive?

Like the car? You will be in control.

That brought laughter, again. I love your idioms, Rachel! I look forward to visiting America and seeing the land that produced so many amusing phrases! All right then, I want you to relax and just let me try to move our body, as we did before. Do not resist, just pretend you are riding in the car beside me!

Rachel stood quietly beside a lamppost and waited to see if Maria could do anything again. Suddenly she felt herself walking and let out a squeak. There! Ah, now we shall feed, Rachel! Just observe and do not interfere, please.

Maria walked up to the man who was obviously casing the pawn shop and smiled seductively at him. He spoke to her, in Romanian. Rachel could follow what he said pretty well. “Get lost. I have no time for whores right now, woman!”

Maria simply stared into his eyes and Rachel noted that the man soon became relaxed and pliant. He followed Maria’s gesture and followed her to an alley less than a block down the street. Once deep inside the alley Maria turned and Rachel felt her fangs come out as before. Soon they were feeding on the man and they both reveled at the energy and power felt from the man’s blood. The man did not struggle at all, but seemed lost in rapture, a huge grin on his face. Rachel understood that Maria was causing the man’s joy even as she drained him.

Soon, trouble came, however. Rachel spoke to Maria. Let’s stop now, we’ve fed a bit. Let him live!

Maria’s shock and annoyance was obvious. No! He is a thief and likely worse, and we need all that we can get from him. Small loss to the world that he leaves it and this will keep us from having to feed again for a few days, Rachel!

Soon the man’s body was dropped, right after Maria licked at his wounds and Rachel watched in amazement as they slowly closed over and vanished.

Will he rise as a vampire, later? I know you don’t expect it, but could it happen somehow? I don’t want to be responsible for an epidemic of vampires all over Europe.

Neither do I, but no, there is no danger of that. Turning someone takes a lot of blood and that is the last thing I have in mind! We have much to do before such a thing could even be considered!

Rachel stood staring at the body until Maria became annoyed and prodded her to get moving. The last thing we need is some official or anyone else to come by and see you standing over a dead man’s body, you fool! Now, move!

Rachel fled the alley and went back to the room they had rented. Her guilt bothered Maria but nothing was said. Rachel wasn’t just guilty. What bothered her most was that she had enjoyed draining the man’s blood and actually wanted to do it again.

The next evening Rachel found herself awakened at around five in the afternoon, the sun not quite set. We do not rise at the exact crack of dusk or fall over at dawn, Rachel! Avoiding the sunlight is the main concern.

They continued in the car, until they came to a signpost and Maria became animated. Sibiu! Yes, let us go there. I would love to see it, again! I am sure that it has changed much.

Sibiu was the capital of Transylvania, so I’d assume you’ve been there of course.

Certainly, I even lived there for a time. She brushed his thoughts, briefly. Ah, then to Arad and finally to Budapest! A good plan, I agree. You think to get our ID there, eh?

Yes, it’s a large city and it is also the capital of Hungary so we should be able to find someone to help us out. If you can, you know, put the whammy on some officials we might get a flight out there, too.

Maria dissolved in laughter once again. The ‘whammy’, Rachel?

Rachel blushed but soon joined Maria in giggles. Well, whatever you call it!

Rachel laughed so long and hard she hiccuped a few times, which set Maria off yet again.

Beyond the bizarre nature of the changes Rachel had been through, and the still unresolved issue of killing to feed, one thing became clear. Rachel and Maria were bonding and becoming close friends.

Rachel we are very close and I do consider us best of friends. We will work things out, I have no doubt. Now, we must purchase some clothing and supplies. I for one do not intend to go about Europe dressed in a peasant’s farm dress for the rest of our existence!

~o~O~o~

Sibiu astounded Maria, silencing her for the most part. She had Rachel look around often, and marveled at how the city had changed. Nothing much was the same as in her time. It was called Hermannstadt for a long time. Mostly German people lived here.

Yes, most emigrated back to Germany in the last sixty years or so.

They came to the part called The Lower Town and the sights became slightly familiar to Maria. Rachel could tell she was pleased to recognize an old church and some towers.

~o~O~o~

Rachel drove back to a hotel she had stayed at before and checked in. After handling that, she ran into a problem — selling the gold coins for Euros or some other currency would be hard to do limited to night-time only.

It is simple, Rachel. We wait for a rainy day and we go late in the afternoon. It will not be a problem.

Rachel accepted that, telling Maria: Alright, you are the experienced vampire here, so we’ll try that sometime in the next few days.

They spent two days in the luxurious hotel that Rachel had picked out for them. Both Rachel and Maria enjoyed decadent baths, tasted expensive wines, and enjoyed being pampered by the staff. Maria insisted on quite a lot of television time. She and Rachel watched countless movies, including Dracula, and any other vampire movies that they could find.

They ended up in quite a few discussions after watching such movies. Maria remarked, after Dracula ended, that being able to turn into a wolf, a bat, or even mist would be an incredibly handy thing to have available.

One of the Hammer Films was on and they watched it, as well. Taste the Blood of Dracula made Maria snort, giggle, and at times rant in disgust. This is so silly. This Dracula is an imbecile. They make the so-called King of Vampires into some foolish oaf who discards his servants and helpers left and right and so brings about his own end! Bah!

It’s a product of its time, Maria. It is not particularly good, but it gives you a good indication of what vampire films are like.

Yes, as I said after examining your memories, Rachel — the fictions about vampires make them weak or stupid, or they have some easily exploited weakness such as running water or crosses. So transparent and pathetic, is it not?

Now that I can see it through your eyes, yes, I have to agree!

One of the movies they watched was Star Wars, and if Rachel expected Maria to be blown away by it, she was sadly disappointed.

Oh, it was fantastical, Rachel! But the story itself is as old as me! Just retold in a different setting.

~o~O~o~

Rachel was shocked to find she could drink wine and eat food. Maria explained that the wine’s taste was the point, and that the alcohol would not affect Rachel in the slightest. Food did nothing for her, either. Some tastes, like chocolate, were still good. Maria discouraged her from eating very much, as she found having to use a toilet bothersome and would rather not deal with it any longer. It was Rachel’s turn to be amused at Maria, for a change.

Three hundred years old and afraid to go to the bathroom? Really, Maria?

Bah! That is something that I left behind when I turned, and good riddance to it.

~o~O~o~

The next day Rachel awoke at four in the afternoon and looked out to find overcast skies and intermittent showers. Maria was delighted, as this would be their opportunity to cash in the gold coins and do some shopping.

Their first stop was an antique dealer specializing in old coins, gold, silver, and other precious metals. The proprietor was excited over the old coins, and happily purchased a dozen of them for what Rachel considered to be a fair price. Loaded with Euros they left the shop and saw the shopkeeper locking up after them. The sun was soon to set, judging by the clocks around. But the overcast skies hinting at rain made it safe for them to be out and about.

After hours of trying on various dresses, tops, bottoms, bras, panties, boots, shoes, panty hose and stockings, Rachel decided that Maria was quite vain.

Of course I am, Rachel! We have a beautiful body and you would not drape rags over a palace window and call them curtains, would you?

Rachel admitted that she would not, but was still amused at the endless shopping and finickiness displayed by Maria. She seemed to be in her element and not more than once did Rachel fear their money would soon be exhausted.

Maria had her staring at every woman that crossed their path so that she could see what styles were worn and what class each woman was from. When Rachel tried to explain that there were not, exactly, classes any more it brought a snort from the ancient woman.

Do not be silly, Rachel. Look at that woman, there, cleaning those windows. She is a laborer and dresses the part. Now look over there at that bank. See the woman standing there waiting on a taxi? She is wealthy and knows it. Look at how she looks at others. See how different she dresses. Bah, you know all of this! You just never LOOKED closely before.

You are right, I never really considered it. Men do it, too, sure. I just never looked at women’s fashion and thought much about it.

You will be looking and wearing a lot more, Rachel. I want to project a wealthy woman’s appearance, I think. It will do more for us than anything, unless I am quite mistaken. But not too wealthy, we do not wish to attract attention, either.

There still aren’t classes, anymore, really Maria. Society has advanced far while you slept.

This brought laughter and derision from Maria. Then you are far more blind than I thought, Rachel. Peasants will always be peasants. Lords and Ladies, the same. Humans have not changed one whit! Only the terms have changed for what they do and who they are.

That is just not true, Maria! Your peasants’ lives were short and brutal and they barely kept themselves fed. They were fodder for the aristocracy to spend in war or to tax and oppress. We do not allow that, any more.

That brought a snort of derision from Maria. Your people in this century have this ridiculous notion that every man and woman is the equal to every other in all things. This egalitarianism you all practice, I find it childish and naíve. Tell me Rachel; was that thief that we killed in the alley your equal? You, who have a degree in Medieval History that you spent a large sum and four years of your life to achieve?

I just had more opportunities than he did, Maria. If he had the same ones as I, he could have gotten a degree and improved himself just as easily. It is all a matter of opportunity given or not given.

You do not believe that, Rachel! You are not stupid. Some are born to lead — born to greatness. Others are born to follow. I have seen it happen in countless villages and towns. Peasants gather and select a leader for themselves. They typically choose the man who is smarter and who sees things clearer than they. This is how communities and nations are built. The thief in the alley, the rapist prowling through the streets, the toughs who murder for fun — they will never aspire to be anything more than the scum that they are.

Maria you were in the aristocracy so perhaps that influences your view that —

Do not patronize me, Rachel! I have spent hundreds of years amidst every possible kind of person that you could imagine. Whores, thieves, murderers, lords, ladies, priests, orphans, builders, blacksmiths… I could go on for hours listing all of the people that I have spent time with and gotten to know well.

Maria spoke with passion and authority, and Rachel honestly was enjoying their debate.

Rachel, what is a Lord, a Mayor, a Duke? He was often a man who saw what needed to be done, and organized people for common defense, or to make sure the grain was planted, harvested, and safely stored. He made sure that thieves and bandits did not molest his people. Humans need leaders. Yes, I know you are now thinking of Stalin and Mao and Hitler and many other deplorable despots to throw at me. Those were not leaders, Rachel! They were thugs who ruled through fear and butchery. There is a difference.

Next you will be telling me that Kings and Queens ruled by Divine Right.

Bah! I do not speak of royalty but of leadership. Humans crave order and someone to follow, you know this! Your study of history, if nothing else, should have taught you that. Without leadership, there is only the rule of the mob. Vicious and nasty and it only leads to death. Mob rule is pure chaos and the end is always grim.

Rachel felt the strange sensation that accompanied Maria prowling through her memories and soon enough Maria had more ammunition. Every time there is a natural disaster, Rachel, what happens? I see memories of many in your mind and each time people loot, burn, rape, and kill. Every single time, Rachel! Your society is not so stable or as advanced as you would paint it. The least upset brings it down to a level below the society in my own time! Do you deny this?

No, I don’t deny it, Maria. I just think that you have this elitist view that some people are greater than others, and I just can’t agree with that. Are you saying that some are just born greater or maybe you mean that that the privileges and opportunities one is given determine that? I’d agree with the latter view.

Nature versus nurture, as you have heard it referred to? Perhaps, we can agree somewhat on that. But regardless of birthplace or birthright, there will always be the nobles and the peasants. The terms change but the mindset of humanity does not.

~o~O~o~

After returning to the hotel, Rachel found that the vast selection of clothing that Maria had chosen would project a modern-day businesswoman or perhaps a vacationing woman of leisure. Nothing about the clothing was slutty nor was it screaming wealth.

Rachel was soon sporting a pencil skirt and a stunning print top with a matching jacket. Ankle boots and stockings completed her look. She gazed at herself in the bedroom’s door-length mirror and was in awe. “I look incredible!”

Yes, Rachel, you certainly do! You look like the wealthier women we have observed but not too wealthy! People should treat you well but not get too interested, I hope. We have a nice selection to choose from, and we will add more as time goes by. Now, get those magazines out with all of the fashion and models and makeup and we will learn the proper looks and more importantly you will learn how to copy them. And this ‘laptop’ you bought, I wish to see what this ‘Internet’ is, and what it will do for us.

~o~O~o~

Rachel sat in her room in the hotel and argued with Maria about feeding for a while, and managed to put the Duchess off, for now. Instead, she let Maria “drive” their body and brush out her brown hair until it shone. Seeing the brush triggered more memories from the cabin and Maria remarked: You need to get over this… this… repugnance you feel about how we must survive. It is who you are now, who WE are.

I am dealing with being a woman, now. I think I am dealing with it quite well, considering. But the feeding really bothers me, Maria. I wish that I could just take a little and leave them alive.

The reflection in the mirror had perfect makeup that highlighted her natural beauty and enhanced it. With Maria’s help she had learned her lessons well. It almost seemed natural. Of course, they had gone through two entire bottles of makeup remover, a bottle of foundation, and put quite a dent in several trays of different eye-shadow colors. On the dresser beside all of the makeup was a brand new laptop with several makeup instruction sites opened in the web browser.

Maria has insisted that Rachel look not just good, but perfect. Rachel couldn’t argue with the results. In the mirror was a woman that Richard or just about any man would find stunning.

I look like a supermodel, now! I can’t believe that, it is just incredible. I also half-expected not to see a reflection in the mirror, you know.

She baited Maria, knowing that the woman tended to rant when confronted with vampire superstitions and weaknesses but she didn’t bite at all.

I would like to spend more time reading, Rachel, if you would not mind. This Josef Stalin you were thinking of... to think that the Russians, of all people, controlled half the world for a time. It astounds me! I would not expect such a thing, ever!

You really don’t like Russians do you, Maria?

Who does?

Rachel laughed and didn’t have an answer to that one.

~o~O~o~

Rachel dressed, put on makeup, and was brushing out her hair to make herself look presentable in preparation to go hunt, much as she didn’t want to. She could not argue with Maria though, she felt the hunger. Maria stopped her before they left the room and offered an interesting idea.

Rachel I would like you to ‘drive’ when we feed this time. You need to know how to do it.

Rachel paused in her brushing to explain how well that idea went over.

Listen to me! I want to let you try your notion of taking only a pint or two, then moving on. You wanted to do it, I am willing to let you if you will feed on your own, this once. Do we have a bargain?

Yes! Just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it!

Very well, first you need to learn to mesmerize your victim. Rachel nodded and began brushing her hair again.

You need to make eye contact. Rachel stared into her own silvery-gray eyes and nodded, pausing with the brush.

Once you have contact you need to mentally reach out to the man or woman, and grasp their will. It is hard to explain but once you do it, you will find… Rachel? Rachel!? Rachel was staring into the mirror with a slight smile and her eyes did not seem to focus on anything.

RACHEL! Close your eyes. You fool girl, you mesmerized yourself!

Rachel shook her head and looked around sheepishly. She was blushing and felt like an idiot.

I see we have no need to train further on this subject. Maria’s tone was quite dry but tinged with amusement.

Now, when we find a likely victim you will mesmerize him and lead him to a secluded spot, then feed for a bit. You then will seal his wounds and order him to forget meeting you, and walk away. Understood, Rachel? You will have to fight to stop, girl. It is not easy but we will just have to see how you do.

Rachel nodded and hopped up, eager to try a humane feeding. Maria did not seem very excited about the prospect but offered no further comment as they headed out.

Maria, can I feed on a woman as well as a man? I know you fed on both at the cabin.

Of course you can. Men are more easily bent to your will, as there is a sexual component to the enthralling but either sex will work as well. Certain women who are more open to… closeness with other women would work just as well. Why do you ask?

I want to try with a woman!

Maria sighed and agreed. Very well, we likely need a whore, then. Do not be shocked, that is the easiest route for us. But a man would be far easier.

Rachel didn’t have a problem with this, but she suspected that Maria did. There was not a single reply or emotion in response to her pondering though, so she didn’t worry and focused on their mission.

~o~O~o~

After some searching they found the local ‘red-light’ district and found plenty of girls of various ages congregating on several streets. Rachel picked out a girl with blonde hair and very large breasts, earning a sniff of disdain from Maria. Rachel glanced around carefully to make sure that nobody was paying close attention to the upcoming transaction.

The girl got in the car and Rachel waved a hundred Euros at her. She smiled, nodded, and they drove off to the local park for some privacy. Rachel drove around until finding a lane that was deserted and parked the car, shutting off the engine.

The girl asked “Lesbiana?” and Rachel nodded. The girl nodded in return and smiled.

She then asked “Ce vrei?” Rachel knew enough Romanian to know she wanted to know what Rachel wanted to do.

“Doar saruta” (just kissing) she replied. The girl nodded happily and smiled again. This seemed an easy and quick hundred euros to her.

Rachel sensed several emotions from Maria; amusement, exasperation, and oddly enough, worry. She dismissed that and mesmerized the girl. Soon the girl was glassy eyed and her stare was vacant and Rachel made her move.

Her fangs plunged into the girl’s neck and soon she was sucking greedily at the wounds. The blood was delicious and her body felt the glow as she drank. Maria kept trying to talk to her but Rachel paid no attention and Maria faded to a distant buzz as she gulped more and more blood.

She came to her senses and found the girl slumped in the seat, nearly dead. Rachel licked the girl’s neck and watched as her body fell over, dead. She was horrified and waited on Maria to lash out at her for her idiocy. But that did not happen.

I am truly sorry, Rachel. I tried to reach you but the bloodlust was too strong for me to overcome. And I dared not try to take control! We know what happens when I try that. This is not your fault, you are not experienced enough to stop yourself, yet. In time, you will be able to, however.

Rachel started crying while Maria talked, and she got the sense that Maria wished to hug her and ease her pain. Maria did seem to understand her remorse and horror, at least.

Of course I understand, Rachel. I went through this for a time after I was turned. My first few victims left me guilty for a while. But in time I was able to shrug it off and it no longer bothered me.

Maria don’t you understand? I WANT it to bother me. I don’t approve of killing people just to eat lunch! It’s wrong, and it will always be wrong to me.

I do not completely understand your reasons, Rachel, but I do respect them. We will work to try to avoid killing as we can. And, when feeding we will try to limit ourselves to the more… unsavory and dangerous elements, perhaps? As we discussed? I do not want you to feel such hurt when you feed, Rachel.

Thank you, Maria. I can live with that, for now.

Good! We need to put her body in the bushes and flee this place before someone notices anything.

Rachel was driving away from the park when Maria surprised her yet again.

Let us go to where they store blood. We should try that, as well. I promised you we would seek out and try this, and we will.

Rachel was quite delighted with this proposal and regained some of her good cheer. She headed for the local hospital.

After mesmerizing a nurse, Rachel soon found herself in the hospital’s blood storage area. She instructed the nurse to go back to work and forget that he’d seen her. She pulled one of the small plastic bags of blood out of the refrigerated storage and looked at it. Well, here goes nothing!

Her fangs pierced the soft plastic and she began to drink. She immediately noticed that the taste of it was slightly off, and it did not quite provide the quick energy of live victims. Maria noted this herself and said, This blood would do in an emergency, Rachel. But, we cannot live drinking only this chilled blood. It has lost something by being stored, I believe. It is… ah, empty calories, yes? Filling but not nutritious!

Rachel nodded sadly, as she completely understood what Maria was saying and could feel the truth of it herself. I know, Maria. Thank you for letting me try this option, though!

There is no need to thank me, Rachel. I want us to survive and work together to find a safe haven where we can live in peace and have options. For instance, I think that having a supply of this blood on hand would be good for emergencies. It would sustain you for a time if there was not another choice available.

Rachel smiled, seeing that Maria was honestly making an effort to accommodate her morals and feelings.
Maria was silent for a time, and Rachel made her way back out of the hospital. As she reached the car and got in, Maria surprised her.

Rachel, things are so different now than when I was turned. Death was so common then that families had children almost yearly and could only hope that half of them grew up. Plague, war, wild animals, and yes even vampires, made life a short and brutal thing for most.

Rachel interrupted. But you were a noble, so your life and the lives of your peers wasn’t near as bad as it was for the peasant class?

Maria snorted. It was bad enough, Rachel! You have studied history but I lived it. Disease was rampant, even among the nobles. Teeth rotted out, hearts gave out, and food was scarce even at times for the wealthy. The peasant considered thirty to be old. We nobles, maybe age fifty at best, often. And always there was war. Why do you think I was happy to become a vampire, Rachel? So, if you and I are to do well in this century, I must adapt. You must, as well, Rachel.

What do you mean?

I mean that yes, I will adapt and we will not kill unless there is need. You must accept, however, that at times there will be such need.

Rachel smiled and nodded. Maria was working with her to the best of her ability, so could Rachel not do the same? I will adapt, Maria!

I am changing, Rachel, as you are too. I don’t sense this as a bad thing, though. Very strange, yes. But… not a bad thing, at all.

Rachel had no answer to that, but had a broad smile on her face, echoing both herself and Maria’s feelings, as they headed back to their hotel.
 

---

 

Rachel arrived in Arad and the first order of business was a meal, of course. She began to think that her eternal life would mostly be spent sucking stranger’s necks.

Maria was not amused. Rachel it is a small price to pay for what we gain!

I admit that eternal life is nice, but-

No, Rachel! Eternal youth and beauty, not just life! You did not grow up and age as a woman so you have no idea how heartbreaking it is watching your beauty fade year after year!

You didn’t have to experience that, Maria.

No, but I have seen plenty of older women and we all know that we share their fate. Beyond that, our speed, strength, healing power, vision, and hearing are all improved. There is so much more than just living forever.

They chose a car thief that they caught breaking into a vehicle in a dark parking garage. Rachel steeled herself to watch yet another death but was surprised when Maria only took a few pints. It left the man unconscious, but alive.

Maria I am so proud of you for letting him live! Thank you, my friend!

It was nothing. I just need to practice not taking too much. I did it with my thralls when I fed on my favorites.

Rachel looked around the garage and decided that her rental car sucked and it was time to go car shopping for something more suitable for their travels. Richard’s rental car was small and was becoming quite crowded with the results of Maria’s shopping spree, so Rachel decided to return it to the rental agency and visit some dealerships.

After finding a dealer, she prowled through the rows of cars at the dealership, looking for something sporty yet practical. Practical began to win out over sporty when she considered all of the clothing, makeup, jewelry, and shoes Maria was collecting. The shoes alone would soon need their own trailer, if she didn’t slow down. That thought earned her an amused giggle from Maria.

Rachel ended up choosing a 2010 Dacia Duster, a nice SUV built by a Romanian car company that was now owned by Renault. It was roomy and had all-wheel drive, and of course she was able to get a fantastic price from the dealer once eye contact had been made. She convinced him to tint the windows to the maximum allowed by law in Europe.

I do not know if this ‘tinting’ will work, Rachel — but it was a good idea and we can test it!

I am hoping that with the tint, large sunglasses, and some heavy-duty sunblock we can travel in the day some, Maria. You’ve hinted that we don’t have to sleep that often?

No, just occasionally is good, Rachel. We appear to need some rest, but I have gone weeks without sleep and did not suffer many ill effects. During my captivity that is all that I did for the most part was sleep. Well, it was more like hibernation I suppose. I only awakened occasionally and… it was strange, Rachel. I still have faint memories of someone visiting me down there.

I don’t see how, Maria. The tunnel that I fell into had not been disturbed for centuries. Rachel shared her memory of entering the hallway then falling and finding the door and opening it to find Maria.

Yes, you are correct. The entrance was not disturbed the entire time that I was there. Maybe I dreamed of visitors because I was lonely.

~o~O~o~

After the car was purchased, they spent the better part of the evening and night cruising around Arad, mostly so that Maria could visit some of her old haunts. She was unusually quiet and Rachel contented herself to just drive where directed and let her companion take in the sights.

She had Rachel stop at an old building and was silent for a time. What is that building, Maria?

That was the Clădirea Preparandiei, a training school. Teachers who taught the Romanian language were trained here. It was built in 1812.

I assume you visited it, perhaps as a student?

Maria laughed. No, no. I helped fund it, Rachel.

~o~O~o~

Rachel was driving along the highway towards Budapest when Maria made an odd request of her.

Rachel, would you let me drive? The car, I mean? It looks fun, and I have never done such a thing before!

Umm, well, okay if you wish. Do you need me to explain how it all works?

No, Rachel I have watched you. The right pedal makes it go faster and the left slows you down. The wheel makes you turn left or right. I can do this.

Rachel nodded and let Maria take control. The car wobbled a bit as she got the feel of how the steering wheel operated, but soon she was doing fine.

She allowed Maria to drive while she took in the sights, but soon began to worry when she noticed that the sights were flashing by at a very rapid rate.

Uh, Maria? You’re doing 170!

Is that bad? I love this driving, it is fun!

That’s like one hundred miles per hour! Slow down you will get us killed!

You forget how hard to kill we are, Rachel.

Maria if we wrecked I could get beheaded or burned alive.

Oh. I see, yes. How fast should I go then? And I watch this little stick and it points to our speed. How clever!

Keep it below 110, please?

You really are a killjoy, Rachel.

~o~O~o~

After a four hour drive, Rachel found herself in Budapest, Hungary. Thanks to the European Union and their open borders, there was no issue at all crossing into Hungary. The concept of open borders in the EU was a shock to Maria but she was pleased that it made things easier for them. Rachel and Maria both enjoyed touring the city and seeing all the sights.

Rachel had explained to Maria in more detail about passports, identification, and the troubles that it could cause for her if she did not have any.

Rachel and Maria, after some debate, decided to go with United States citizenship. Rachel knew the country well, and they both felt that it was their best eventual destination. Maria claimed that they would never want for anything, or need to worry about monetary matters, and Rachel understood this so didn’t worry much about that aspect of things.

Rachel looked for and soon found the United States Embassy and had wisely chosen an overcast rainy day to explore. Upon entering, very little effort got her to the Ambassador’s office. After mesmerizing the Ambassador she gave him orders to speak nothing but the truth and to help her in any way that he could.

“You can get me a valid US Passport, yes?”

The man smiled and answered. “Oh, yes we most certainly can, Ms. Harrison. We just have to fill out some paperwork and I have to attest to your Birth Certificate, then-“

“You have seen my Birth Certificate, and it was valid. Do you need a copy or can you do this without it?”

“Umm, there really needs to be a copy filed with your other info…” The man looked very doubtful and Rachel cursed to herself. “I am sorry, ma’am, but ever since 9-11 security requirements have been much more stringent.”

What is the matter, Rachel? What is this 9-11? Wait, ah I see. Terrible tragedy, to use these airplanes to do such a thing!

Rachel was frustrated. I am not sure what to do now! If I push him hard he might come up with something but I am worried that when we actually try to use it things will fall apart fast.

I have an idea on that, Rachel. Thank him and make him forget you and let us go.

Rather than continue on or chase paperwork, Maria surprised Rachel by asking about nightclubs, and if they could visit one.

I was never one to go to such places, Maria. I am sure Budapest would have a few, well more than a few. The Hungarians that I’ve known did like to party.

Good. I saw these nightclubs on the television and it looked fun! I used to dance often when I was younger. Also, perhaps they would be a good place to hunt. Let us find one and visit.

The music was a pounding nightclub beat and Rachel’s entire body throbbed with the bass line in each song. The smoke in the air was thick and heavy, and it seemed every man and woman in the place was smoking. Rachel waved at the smoke in annoyance. Maria probed her mind to see what was wrong and was soon laughing.

It harms them but it certainly cannot harm us, Rachel! I agree that it smells bad but just ignore it. We are here to have fun, and perhaps snack a bit, yes?

Rachel agreed and she moved through the mass of people dancing. She was looking for a corner to hide in. Richard was very shy and had never once been in a nightclub and avoided bars and other such places in his lifetime. Though she was now Rachel, and a very beautiful woman, she only wanted to park in a chair somewhere and watch.

Maria didn’t like that at all and asked Rachel if she could drive while in this club. Rachel quickly gave her assent and soon Maria was on the floor dancing with the people there. Maria was having the time of her life flailing about to the music and Rachel noted that Maria was copying the best female dancers and doing it perfectly.

She had attracted quite a following and soon had several men vying to buy her a drink. Rachel simply observed as Maria picked one and led him to a darker corner of the club and into a booth. Soon they were kissing and making out, and Rachel fought down her discomfort at actually kissing a man.

To Rachel’s horror, Maria asked her if they could take him back to the hotel and have some more intimate fun. Rachel’s response sent Maria into peals of laughter, but she agreed that they would not do that, now.

Before Rachel knew it, Maria had the man in a trance, drained about a pint, licked his wounds closed, and resumed kissing him. Rachel felt a certain smugness from Maria, as she showed her how it was done. The man was sent off to dance, with orders to eat something soon.

Maria that was… incredible! You stopped so easily — after barely a pint, while I could not!

I would not say that it was easy, Rachel, but then again I’ve had much experience at this. I wish to dance some more!

Filled with energy from her brief snack, she hopped up and rushed back to the dance floor, a grin on her face and feeling more alive than she ever had in her existence. Rachel, too, felt much the same way.

Rachel was wearing a Little Black Dress cut way too short in her own opinion, a bit too long in Maria’s. She’d been a bit shocked that a woman from the 17th century was not more reserved in her clothing style.

This only brought raucous laughter from Maria.

Maria was not choosy about her dance partners at all, dancing with men and women and being felt up by both genders on many occasions. This would bring a smile or a musical laugh and Maria would often return the grope. Rachel simply took it all in, knowing that she had a lot to learn about being a woman.

Maria danced the night away, feeding once more and again only taking a small amount and sending her prey away with a smile, no memory of what happened, and an urge to eat some food.

Rachel was beyond pleased with Maria’s new feeding habits and said so, also praising her for making their prey eat so as to help replenish the missing blood.

Maria’s response was warm and happy. I am doing well at this, Rachel! It is a new thing, yes, but it accomplishes what we wish in many ways. It soothes your conscience, it feeds us, and it attracts no attention! Win-win you would call it, yes?

Yes, I would! You know, Maria, you are always surprising me.

How so?

The dancing at the club, I would never have suspected that you’d be a dancer or that you’d adapt so quickly to modern music and dancing. There is so much more to you than I could have imagined when we first met.

I will take that as a compliment, Rachel. I loved to dance as a girl, and I never lost my love of it. And you must realize that most people have many facets, but even so, after I was turned I did many things and I always looked for new things to do and learn. I embraced change when I could. What about you? You acted as if we were entering a wolves den when we arrived but I think you had fun, as well?

Yes, I have to admit that I enjoyed myself, Maria!

Good, eventually I’d like to be with a man, again. You could let me drive and you could just watch if you wanted to. It has been so long, and I miss it.

Rachel told her that she’d consider it but she still felt revulsion at the idea. She was also beginning to see that Maria was not some one-dimensional horror-movie creature but was instead was a very complex and passionate woman, vampire or not.

~o~O~o~

As she came to her hotel room she started to unlock the door with the pass card when she sensed something strange. Maria did as well but thought it might be people in the next room. Rachel shrugged acceptance, swiped the card and opened the door.

“Muri vampir jegos!” The man cried as he rushed forward with his sharp stake. Rachel was stunned but that allowed Maria to take charge and she used her arm in a quick block to shove the stake to the side. Within a few seconds Rachel grasped what the man had said with shock: “Die filthy vampire!”

The hulking man snarled and backed away, stake back up and pointed at Rachel’s heart. Rachel felt her fangs descend and hiss at the man. Maria tried to make eye contact but he would have none of it. He rushed her again and this time Maria kicked him in the chest, sending him flying across the room into the sofa.

He hit and flipped over it to the other side, landing with a crash and destroying the table. Maria wasted no time and leaped over the sofa and onto him, trying to make eye contact. He would not look her in the eye and struggled to throw her off. To Rachel’s surprise he succeeded and was up with his stake coming for her once again.

“Cacat cu ochi!” Maria yelled at the man, and when Rachel worked that one out she was amazed that Maria would use such language. The man snarled and tried to run her through and got knocked across the room again for his trouble. “Shit with eyes,” Maria, really?

There was no response as the man was back at her again. Rachel did not for a second contemplate taking over, as Maria was doing a fine job fending off their attacker. He switched tactics and Rachel’s vision crossed momentarily as the thick stake smashed into the side of her head, knocking her a few feet across the room. Maria shook her head and caught the stake as it was being shoved at her chest.

The man howled “vampir curva!” which Rachel instantly picked up, “Vampire whore!” and tried to yank his stake back from Maria. She grinned at him, fangs still out, and would not release it. The man cocked his arm back and punched her in the face, knocking her back several feet and Rachel was seeing stars for just a moment. The man was incredibly strong.

Maria yelled “de ce?” but asking the man “What for?” got her no answer but another rush towards her with the stake. She flipped him back over the sofa, and this time when he stood up he had his original stake and a broken-off table leg to use as a second stake.

He stalked towards Maria and paused, looking for an opening. Once more he rushed forward with both stakes raised, one aimed for her heart and the table leg for her eyes.

Maria once again sent the man flying with a snarl, and Rachel could tell her anger was building up to rage-level. Oh, you have no idea, Rachel!

The man panted and stared at Rachel’s chest with pure hatred, not willing to look her in the eye. Maria growled and stalked forward, intent on ending things. The man circled her and looked as if he was waiting on an opening. They circled and watched for nearly a minute when with a roar the man swung the stake at Maria’s arm, knocking it aside.

He shoved her hard, knocking Maria back against the wall, then raised the stake and ran at her, intent to plunge it in her heart. She moved faster than he could see, and he ended up impaling the wall instead. She immediately kicked him across the room, but his stake came with him, still clutched in his hand. She ran after.

This ends, now.

Before he could raise the stake she leaped upon his body, reached in with her nails and ripped his throat. He coughed up blood, which she ignored. She spit in his face and backed away to watch him die.

Um, Maria? Shouldn’t we, you know, drink that blood?

She didn’t answer but her emotions told Rachel the intent. It was her version of a grave insult to let him bleed to death in front of her while refusing to drink.

She repeated her demand to know why he was attacking but he ignored her. He still would not allow eye contact and was soon beyond any contact.

Rachel walked over to the sofa and dropped down, exhausted. She’d have preferred to drink from their unknown attacker despite Maria’s wishes — the fight left her feeling weak and hungry. The irony of her wanting to feed while Maria refused to was not lost on Rachel, or apparently Maria, who snorted but didn’t say anything.

After resting for a time, Maria finally spoke to Rachel. I hope that you noticed that our friend here screamed “Die filthy vampire!” before we had even fully entered the room?

Yes, I did notice that. Very odd, isn’t it?

ODD? You have a gift for stating the obvious, Rachel! Tell me, how did he know you were a vampire?

Rachel was silent, trying to figure that one out.

Indeed, it is a puzzle, no? He was not in the nightclub. I would have noted and remembered a brute that size! I do not like puzzles that could end my existence - and yours as well.

Neither do I, Maria.

We had best leave tonight, Rachel. I do not like this, at all. Nobody should know what we are and yet this man came, recognized you as a vampire, and had a sharpened stake ready to attack. Search his body, let us see if there is anything to indicate his origin?

Rachel searched his body and found nothing whatsoever. Neither of them liked that, either.

Shall we head to Prague, then, Maria?

Yes, to Prague. How long to drive it?

About five hours, roughly, I’d say.

Let us leave, now. We are being hunted, Rachel.

~o~O~o~

They spent most of the drive to Prague debating about their hotel room visitor and how he could have known she was a vampire, where her room was, and also knew not to look her in the eyes. This troubled them both but they could not come up with a plausible explanation for what had happened.

Prague was much like Budapest, in that Maria wanted to see the city and they spent hours driving around, taking in all that there was to see.

Do you speak Czech, Maria?

No, I never learned it. But it will be fine, Rachel. Everyone seems to know English these days as their second language, yes? And I would guess that many of these Czechs know German, besides. We will do well.

You never visited here, did you?

No. During my time this was part of Hungary and I never travelled this far north.

They spent much time driving around Prague, looking for what Maria had in mind. Rachel let Maria question quite a few people after she put them under her spell, and soon they were pulling up to a modest-sized building, about five stories tall. They went in, leaving a trail of admirers and finally ended up with the local crime boss they’d hoped to find.

Maria addressed the man in German. “I need a passport and a European Driver’s License, as fast as you can get them. And they need to be real, not fake ones that are easily spotted.”

The man smiled at his new goddess on earth and nodded. “I will have these for you in twenty four hours, my Lady. We need to take a picture and write down some information.”

You see, Rachel? As you would say, a piece of cake.

You’re getting the hang of modern idioms, Maria!

I suppose that I am. But whatever does that MEAN?!

Rachel sighed.

As Rachel was walking along the street, the rain stopped but luckily the sun did not come out. She wasn’t overly worried as she had large sunglasses on, a scarf, and sunscreen. As she strolled along, looking at old buildings she was approached by a beggar. As she was about to brush him off Maria demanded that she give the beggar a coin, so she did. The man smiled his gratitude and scurried away.

Ok… why?

Rachel you have often considered me a monster but you need to realize that no one is pure evil or pure good. I always have given to those less fortunate than myself. I feel that it is my duty as a noble, a person of wealth, to help those who suffer and are in need.

He will probably spend it on booze or drugs, Maria. It was a waste.

You do not know that, Rachel! And even if he did, it brings him some small measure of happiness. That is a thing that is precious in this world. You have always felt morally superior to me — do not deny it! And yet you can be so callous and cold to people.

Next you will be telling me that you donated to orphanages!

I did.

Rachel decided to let Maria have the last word on this one.

~o~O~o~

They went back the next evening and soon Rachel sported a shiny new Driver’s License and a valid passport for one Rachel Maria Harrison. She was from Romania, of American parents. This would allow her free travel and help avoid sticky situations with the police.

Maria kept staring at the License once they went back to the hotel room, and expressed amazement that this license was needed to prove who you are to the world and that you were capable of driving a car.

Rachel was sleeping soundly when something caused her to awaken, becoming immediately alert. She sensed someone nearby in some fashion. She also heard the door lock click and the door was eased open slowly.

The room was pitch black, as it was 4 AM and she’d just gotten into bed a little while earlier. Maria had demanded to visit a nightclub in Prague and they’d danced, and fed, nearly all night. Rachel had enjoyed herself nearly as much as Maria, and had finally managed to take some blood without killing the man. He’d passed out from blood loss but Maria said that he would be fine after some rest and food. They had come back happy and ready to rest.

Luckily her night vision was excellent, and Rachel could see into the infrared spectrum quite easily now.
She saw four men slipping into the room as quietly as they could. To her their breathing was loud but she doubted that they knew that. They were all carrying extremely thick chains. Not a single stake was to be seen. Her first thought was ninjas.

Ninjas? Japanese martial artists? I think not, Rachel. Hmm, these men have chains. They mean to capture us! We need to question one, this time. Allow me?

Rachel gladly handed control of their body to Maria without hesitation. True, she was learning more and more, but this was best left to her experience.

Maria chose the man furthest on the left and gathered herself to leap when he reached her chosen spot. As soon as he had taken another quiet step she leaped and landed on the man and they both tumbled to the floor.

Rachel knew Maria was serious when she clawed his throat open and then leaped to the man closest. This one she forced back to the entrance and beat his head rapidly against the door till he was unconscious.

The two remaining men wasted no time and dived at her with their chains. On each chain was a manacle and they nearly managed to close on around her wrist before she took the chain away. She used it as a weapon and spun it in circles, snarling at the men.

“Why are you here? What do you want with me?” she yelled in English.

The lead man replied in English with a slight Russian accent. “We do not intend to kill you, Maria! Surrender and you will not be killed. This I promise you.”

Her answer was to wrap the chain around the man’s throat and jerk, hard. Rachel heard his neck snap. The final member of the quartet had switched tactics and was trying to sneak a manacle around her ankle. As a reward he got a boot heel in his face, kicked with so much force he flew backwards, blood pouring from his face. She leaped on him before he could move and was soon draining him, fast. Need energy.

Maria tossed the man aside and turned back to the man she’d left unconscious in the entry area. He was gone.
“Fute!”

Maria walked over to the bed and sat down, still cursing out loud.

Rachel timidly voiced her own thoughts to Maria. Maria, he knew your name!

Her response was dry, rather than angry. I had noticed that, yes, Rachel. Do all Americans go around stating the obvious all of the time? “The sky is blue, the water is wet!”

Rachel was not amused at all. Very funny, Maria. Ha ha. I’ll laugh if we make it another day without being staked or chained up. Did it also cross your mind that this bunch has found us twice now?

Of that, I am not so sure, Rachel. The first one only wanted us dead. This group wanted to capture us. Yes, both the first man and these men dressed identically… but I do wonder if they are the same group.

They sounded Russian.

Yes they did.

Is that good or bad?

With Russians it is probably bad.

What’s up with you and Russians, anyway?

Maria sent Rachel the memory of the Russian priests chaining her up under the castle.

Oh. Sorry.

They spent a day sleeping in Nuremburg with no incidents or sightings of the hunters and Rachel relaxed a bit. Rather than sight-see as per usual, Maria agreed that they should move on and soon the SUV was entering Frankfurt.

Rachel was slightly surprised that Maria seemed to have no prejudice against Germans while nearly always had something bad to say about Russians. Maria thought this silly and elaborated.

Rachel there was no World Wars when I was around, as you know. Your emotions are colored by the history that you grew up with. Of course I can access your studies about the Second World War and share your outrage at the atrocities. We have done much reading and I feel that I am catching up on events well. World War Two was horrifying, yes. However, I never really had any bad relations with Germans.

There were the Teutonic Knights, of course. Stinky bunch, you know that they never bathed? An enemy might well throw down their swords and run when faced with that stench! Ugh! The French were far more of a conquering nation back then. Napoleon took over quite a bit of Europe, as you know. Who is to say that if circumstances were different, another people could not have taken as much as Germany and committed atrocities of their own?

Rachel nodded because Maria had a good point. However, Maria, I don’t think a Hitler would have gotten quite as far in France, or even Russia. Germany was broke and the people were desperate for a leader who could get them out of the mess they were in.

Ah, yes, they were. But Rachel, who is responsible for making this mess in the first place, eh? The nations who wanted to punish Germany for World War One, yes? Inflicting horrendous reparation payments on them, taking away their right to an Army or much of any fighting force?

And what, exactly, did the Germans do that was so wrong in that war? They were on the losing side along with Austria-Hungary, of course. From all of our reading and your memories I think that the winning side went too far in punishing Germany.

You cannot wreck a nation’s pride while at the same time nearly starve them and not expect consequences. I do not argue in favor of the Nazis! But events conspired to make things easy for them to take power.

When people are cold, hungry, and beaten down they will naturally turn to a strong leader who promises to lead them into greatness and security, Rachel. Give people hope, point them to a menace — real or imagined! - that caused their suffering and let nature take its course. Any leader who is a student of humanity and knows people and has a strong projection of leadership can lead the masses to where he wishes.

I know you’ve read a lot with me since you woke up, Maria. But I am surprised you were not shocked at the events in Europe in the twentieth century. It feels as if you almost expected it when we were reading the other night. Rachel remembered their reading about the events of the First World War, then into the Depression that followed and the events in Germany in the Thirties. She’d not been shocked at all at any of the outcomes. She’d snorted when the Russian Revolution led to the brutal thuggery and mass murders committed by Stalin, as well.

You are a student of history, Rachel. You could say that I am a student of humanity, in a way. Let a human live one hundred years and he or she could be considered very wise, yes?

Rachel nodded in agreement. Yes I agree that if their mind is still sharp, older people are usually much wiser. I had a professor in college who was nearly eighty! The man had a mind like a steel trap. He often challenged me and made me think — much as you do!

Ah, well multiply your centenarian’s age by three but keep the faculties sharp and the ability to learn and grow never atrophied and you have… me. The bible says that there is nothing new under the sun, and when speaking of humanity in general this is very true!

Now, Rachel, all this talk has made me thirsty, and I am also in the mood to dance again. Shall we see if Frankfurt has a good nightclub that we can visit?

Rachel laughed and rolled her eyes, but agreed and they went searching for a busy club.

~o~O~o~

The club they had chosen had a long line but all Rachel had to do was walk up and smile at the bouncer and she was immediately allowed to enter. She didn’t even have to put the “whammy” on him, which pleased her, somehow. Maria told her that being a beautiful woman with class who dressed in style was plenty enough and often obviated the need for any vampiric ‘help’ with men.

They danced for a while and had one snack and then the karaoke began. Rachel explained to Maria what it was about, and was not surprised that she wanted to try it. She chose a song they’d heard in several clubs, Adele’s ‘Rolling in the Deep’. To Rachel’s ears Maria sang it pitch-perfect, and obviously to the crowd’s ears as well because they got a roar of applause when it ended.

So vampires have perfect pitch, too?

Maria giggled. Rachel I do not know, but I was a good singer before I was turned.

The crowd demanded an encore and after searching for a time on the machine they found another song that Maria had learned during their clubbing. It had interested her at a club in Prague and she remembered the tune and hit every note of “I Touch Myself.” Once again, she was pitch-perfect and sounding as good as, or better, than the original singer. She stepped off the makeshift stage to thunderous applause and cries for another song. Rachel was amazed and internally applauded Maria for the performance.

I would like to sing more but I just do not know all of these songs, yet. Perhaps, someday we can do this again?

Your singing was just incredible, Maria! I always wished that I could sing well.

Rachel dear, you can sing just as well as me, you know!

I think I’d need a lot of practice, still, before I could do what you just did. I do remember someone telling me that we needed to keep a low profile, Maria. Who said that?

Some fool, I suppose! Maria dissolved into giggles and Rachel joined her.

They had been dancing some more, and had fed already upon a man in the club when a chilling sentence came from Maria. They are here. Look, over there at that corner table!

Two men, dressed all in black, were sitting at a table with heads close to each other, talking.

Maria hissed internally at Rachel: I wish to talk to them!

Rachel did not think that was a very good idea but agreed that it might get them some more information. She hated blundering around in the dark, not knowing what was going on or why they were being chased. She headed towards the men.

What if that is just two men hanging out at the club and not our pursuers?

We shall find out!

As Rachel approached the table both men stood instantly and headed for the door, ignoring her — or pretending to. Rachel followed them at a distance, cautiously. When she exited the building there was no sign of them.

They searched the parking area, the streets adjoining the club, and Maria was all for spiraling out to the next block when Rachel pronounced the men gone and got reluctant agreement. Their mood spoiled, they returned to the hotel to rest.

Rachel reached her room with no incident and had spotted nobody following them or showing any interest. Rachel felt that she was becoming paranoid and often caught herself carefully scanning every man they came near if he was tall or had a bulky build.

It is not paranoid when they really ARE out to get you! Maria agreed and didn’t laugh at her joke at all.

~o~O~o~

The next evening Rachel guided her SUV into the outskirts of Paris. The car was working out flawlessly and she was very glad she had decided to purchase it. She’d let Maria drive for a bit and while at times Maria managed to scare her, nothing bad had happened.

As she drove they continued their conversation they’d begun many kilometers back. They were also practicing with body control and so were speaking out loud. The idea had been to switch back and forth without even thinking about it. Rachel had suggested they talk to each other in this way and it was working out perfectly.

“Rachel, I don’t know how they are tracking us! It must be some magical spell?”

“I think that is the most likely thing. I’ve searched all of our belongings and the car and I cannot find anything suspicious or electronic devices of any kind. That leaves… mystical things. That is more your department than mine!”

“I think that it is very much your department now, also, Rachel. You keep forgetting that you are a vampire now as well. I am not the only spirit inhabiting an undead corpse riding into Paris, am I?”

Rachel’s laughter filled the car. Despite their constant run-ins with the homicidal hunters and the hunters who wanted to capture her, she was having the time of her life.

Rachel turned serious. “Do you have a plan, Maria? Or maybe some idea at all on what we can do? I have to confess that this stuff is way out of my league.”

“Obviously we need to be cautious and keep our eyes open, and we are doing that. Capturing one of them to enthrall and question should be our top priority, certainly. We have no information and no idea why they are doing this. And we must soon find out and find a way to put an end to this nonsense.”

“I still don’t think those two men in the club were part of this gang that is after us, Maria. If they were, wouldn’t they and maybe some others outside have jumped on us when we followed them out?”

“Perhaps you are right, Rachel. We are walking about in the darkness, blind. The next time that they appear, I intend to shed some light onto this situation and see what is going on!”

~o~O~o~

The funds were getting low so after some inquiries they made their way to one of the wealthier sections of Paris. Soon they were in a mansion with a new devoted follower. Arnaud Roussel was a multimillionaire exporter of wines, pharmaceuticals, and autos. He was delighted to tell Rachel all about it but she soon shut him up out of boredom. Deeply enthralled, he was the perfect host and gave them the run of the place, of course.

He was a widower, so they decided to spend the day and the next night at his home, rather than at a hotel. Maria had pointed out that their pursuers might be slowed down a bit if they were looking at hotels rather than in the suburban areas of Paris. Rachel felt that she was correct and agreed.

Arnaud offered them thousands of Euros if they could but wait one day while he arranged the funds. Rachel asked him to honestly state how much he could give them as a gift without it incurring financial damage on him, or triggering some kind of alarm bells with his accountant or banker. He told her that forty thousand or so would be nothing, and he was of course eager to give it. After some debate with Maria, Rachel agreed.

Rachel had opened a bank account with their remaining funds, as soon as they hit Paris. After some mesmerizing of the bank staff, she found that she qualified for a Platinum credit card with a high limit.
Maria didn’t like the idea of credit cards, at all. She thought the idea of usury itself to be bad, and spending money you did not yet have to be even worse. They had a long debate on the merits, or lack thereof, of credit cards, mortgages, and fractional-reserve banking. Maria was frighteningly fast becoming an expert at any topic that caught her interest in her marathon reading sessions. Rachel found herself soaking up knowledge right along with Maria, and enjoyed the experience.

Maria hinted that she wanted to spend some intimate time with Arnaud, but Rachel asked her if they could find someone else, maybe a bit younger.

So, you are no longer objecting to trying this with a man, you are objecting to this particular man, Rachel?

Yes, he puts me off for some reason. He just doesn’t seem all that interesting to me at all. But, if we can find someone we both like I am open to trying it and see how it goes.

Excellent, Rachel! Very well, we will, ‘shop around’ as you say, and see who we can find. Thank you, dear! I appreciate that you are willing to do this for me.

You have changed my life in so many ways, Maria. I should be the one thanking you for everything you have done. It’s true I was not happy at all when this all started back in Romania but I am beginning to love being a woman. Being a vampire means I will have many years to enjoy and experience everything that life has to offer. I owe you so much! How could I deny you something that means so much to you?

Maria was silent and before Rachel knew it she felt tears running down her face. Maria was crying and it was pushing through to make Rachel physically cry as well. They were truly bonding more and more now, and Rachel found that she loved her companion and could honestly say that Maria had improved her lonely and boring life.

~o~O~o~

Maria wanted to see the Eiffel Tower and Rachel, having only seen it in the distance, agreed happily. They came to it just after sunset and both were enjoying themselves. Rachel told Maria a joke.

Here is a joke for you, Maria. Why did the French plant trees along the Champs-á‰lysées?

Why, Rachel?

So the Germans could march in the shade!

Maria had been reading a lot of twentieth century history and appreciated the joke, laughing along with Rachel. They spent over an hour prowling around the Tower, and for a while visited the restaurant on the second floor, La Jules Verne. Although they didn’t need to eat, Rachel wanted to sample some of the cuisine and enjoyed it.

They returned to the ground and were debating about going back to Arnaud’s home or finding a nightclub. Standing near the Tower itself, Rachel spotted a tall man in black clothing, sporting a thick beard, trailing them. She warned Maria and they went on alert.

Soon they spotted a second man, who was keeping his distance and obviously trying not to look their way. Rachel looked in all directions but it seemed there were only two of the strange men around at the moment.

The first man was closing in on them when Rachel whirled and began to close with him. He glanced around, seeing no spectators around, and then whipped out a sharpened stake. He said nothing as the distance between them closed.

When he got within striking range he slowed and prepared his stake to plunge forward at her chest, but Rachel had other ideas. Rather then turn control over to Maria she decided to run at the man, then at the last moment stepped slightly left, grabbed him by the upper arm and spun. This sent him flying nearly twenty feet. He sprang up and started back towards her.

As the man with the beard tried to stake Rachel again, the other man they had spotted earlier slipped behind the first man, and then plunged a knife into the bearded man’s back, dropping him to the ground as the knife pierced his kidney. She stared in absolute shock as the man retrieved his knife, and then winked at her!

Maria spoke before Rachel could even react. “Get away from me, you Russian pig or you will join your friend in death!”

The man smirked at her. “I am not Russian, love, I am English, thank you very much. And he was certainly not my friend. Why don’t you come with me and save yourself all of this running and fighting? You’ve fought the good fight but sooner or later we will capture you.”

Rachel replied to him, as Maria would likely curse or attack rather than talk. “WHY are you trying to capture me rather than kill me? “

“I can’t tell you that yet, love. If you surrender, though, you’ll soon know all about it.”

“I won’t let you dissect me or put me in a cage!” Maria cried and lashed out with her nails, leaving bloody scratches on the man’s face.

He cursed but backed away rather than attack her. “No need for that, now! I was protecting you, you daft vampire! That’s a piss poor way to thank me!”

“Protecting me? Why would you do that? Aren’t you with the other ones?”

“No, I am not. And maybe I wanted to rescue a fair damsel in distress?”

Rachel snorted and rolled her eyes. This made the man laugh. “You’re quite beautiful, you know. So why not chalk this up as a man stepping up to save a beautiful lady?”

Rachel shook her head. “You know what is going on here and you are going to tell me.” She tried to make eye contact but he obviously knew that was a bad idea and would not let her.

“Sadly, love, our chat must be ending. If you don’t want to surrender then I must be on my way.”

Rachel snarled, “You’re not going anywhere till you give me some answers!” She started toward him, intending to grab his head and force him to look into her eyes. But he continued backing away until they reached the street. Before she could say another word an SUV pulled up and she could see it was packed full of men. A second one came behind the first.

The man winked at her again, and stopped, obviously baiting her to keep coming. Rachel knew the odds were very much against her, and took off running as fast as she could. After a time she slowed down and made her way back to their own SUV.

Rachel, you did well with that. There were at least eight men to deal with so running was our best option.

Rachel nodded, still thinking about what the man had said to her. Why on earth would they protect me? And kill the one trying to stake me? Maria this makes no sense!

It makes perfect sense to them, does it not? This means that eventually it will to us, as well. Let us shake these bad feelings off and find a nightclub, eh?

Maria I hardly think that now is the time for us to go dancing! We need to figure out what our next move is. Or, maybe, get out of Paris now!

They will not attack us in a crowded place, Rachel. We know this from past experiences. And while we dance and enjoy ourselves we can think more on this and plan our next move. I would like to go on to England, soon.

I thought you wanted to fly from Paris to the United States?

That was before all of this business with these men started, Rachel. Gregor once told me that England hosted quite a few vampires. I have hopes of finding one or more there and perhaps they will know what this is all about.

That sounds like a great idea, Maria! And, even if they don’t know anything about our pursuit, they could possibly help us out.

Exactly, Rachel!

~o~O~o~

Rachel danced with abandon, completely enjoying herself in a nightclub. It was a surprising development but all of the clubbing was starting to rub off on her, she suspected. Maria was very pleased to see her having so much fun.

Maria was not able to talk Rachel into any karaoke but to see her dancing was pleasure enough for now.

She’d gone in the ladies to freshen her makeup and had found a drunken woman shouting at anyone who entered. She was asking women who came in the room if they were the “worthless putain who stole my date?”

Rachel assured her that she was not, and then was surprised when Maria told her to feed on the woman. She did, and found enthralling her was childishly simple and easy. After she finished she ordered the woman to go home and sober up, and Maria explained that drunken people were always easier, male or female.

Rachel asked her if the alcohol would affect her at all, as the woman’s blood alcohol must have been very high. Maria told her that sadly, no, it would have no affect at all.

This is one of the bad things about being vampire, Rachel. We cannot get drunk!

Rachel didn’t see this as a bad thing at all.

She eventually found herself dancing with a very striking young man, about her own age. His eyes stayed with her for most of the night, and when they danced close during a slow song she could feel a tight bulge in his jeans. They sat at a table with him, later, and soon were kissing passionately and doing some heavy petting, indeed.

Let us take this one to a hotel room, Rachel? Please? Rachel was amused at the way Maria asked with such need, so agreed that they would bring him along. He did not hesitate to accept their invitation, and soon Jean was sitting in the passenger seat of the SUV, still smiling at Rachel from time to time.

He asked her, “You are American, no?” and she confirmed that she was. “I like Americans, you know. Some do not, but I have never had any bad experiences with them. And you are such a lovely American woman!”

Rachel smiled and thanked him but inside she thought, Hey, Jean, you already got the girl and a trip to her hotel room, so you don’t need the hard sell now! She then addressed Maria. Does he think if he doesn’t keep talking me up I will change my mind?

Oh, Rachel, he is just being nice! Relax and enjoy this!

Rachel felt the orgasm coming, and when it did she felt that she would black out. She continued panting occasionally, even though she did not really need to. Maria had suggested it so that she would not freak her lover out.

Men have enough performance worries that we do not need to add to them!

Rachel had decided not to feed on him, after Maria had told her it would affect his performance if she did. Besides, they’d snacked well at the club, including the drunken woman in the ladies room.

After a time, Jean departed, leaving Rachel with a long slow kiss and a genuine smile before he left. She sighed and leaned against the door, closing it.

I had NO idea it would be this good as a vampire, Maria!

Maria laughed long and hard, as she had known that if she could ever get Rachel to cooperate, the fledgling girl vampire would truly enjoy herself with a man.

Well, Rachel it IS better as a vampire, and from what I have been told over the years, also better as a woman. So you are twice blessed!

I can see us doing this more often, for sure!

Good! I know you hate wasting money, but let us go back to Arnaud’s for the day. We put this room to good enough use, anyway.

~o~O~o~

Upon rising the next evening, Rachel was happy to find Arnaud handing her a receipt from his bank. It showed that he had transferred forty-five thousand Euros to her bank account. She took the receipt with a huge smile and gave him a kiss.

Rachel packed all of her things and prepared for the journey to England. She’d debated with herself and Maria at length on keeping or selling the car. She had become slightly attached to it already, but pointed out to Maria many times that the English drove on the left side of the road and it would be annoying at the least for them. Also on her list of reasons to get rid of the car was their plan to fly to America when they were ready to leave England.

Do not let me stop you from talking yourself into selling the car, Rachel! Maria was amused at Rachel’s dithering over selling it or not. Just remember that money should not be a problem for us and we can replace it when and if we need to.

Eventually Rachel decided to sell it, and added the proceeds to their already large bank account. She let herself smile as they bid farewell to Calais and boarded the train to take them to England.

They both hoped that England would hold some answers, or if not answers at least some other vampires to compare notes with.

Maria enjoyed their trip through the Channel Tunnel immensely, and remarked on what a feat of engineering it was. The high-speed train impressed her and Rachel asked if she had ever been on a train but this was Maria’s first time. She told Rachel that this was the kind of thing that humanity did well and should be praised for. Building, not destroying, is humanity’s finest attribute, Rachel. Would that there was more of the former and less of the latter!

Rachel had always liked England, not least because the language barrier was non-existent and she honestly liked the people as well. They decided to head for London, first, since it was a major population center and was the most likely place to find other vampires.

Rachel decided to rent a car for their time in England, and then took the M20 north into London. Maria seemed to like the countryside and the sights. Rachel let her drive for a time, and it went quite well despite her grumbling about driving on the wrong side of the road.

“You’re such a seasoned driver now, Maria! Already set in your ways,” she teased.

“Bah. These English just want to be difficult, apparently. What is wrong with driving on the right like the rest of Europe?”

Rachel had no answer, but suspected Maria could be right.

~o~O~o~

They took a room at the Dorchester Hotel, a fancy and expensive hotel. Maria argued that they owed themselves some decadence and luxury after all they’d been through lately. In the end, Rachel agreed. They took one of the Belgravia Suites, and Maria actually cooed over the all-marble bathroom, and their first order of business was a hot bath.

While soaking in the hot water, Maria and Rachel plotted their next move.

Rachel had been thinking a lot on the subject and said, “They always seem to know where to find us, so I am sure they will turn up sooner or later. I would like to find some allies before they appear, though.”

Their thoughts dovetailed and Maria was in agreement. “I do hope to find other vampires before they appear as well. I have been straining my senses to feel out any that may be near. We need to drive all around the city and see if you or I feel their presence.”

“That sounds like a good plan to me, Maria. You know I wish we were here in two different bodies so that we could scrub each other’s backs!”

Maris laughed her musical laugh and answered. “This is why I had servants and thralls, Rachel dear! A maidservant is perfect for that task!”

Rachel felt uncomfortable at the idea of thralls doing things for her and told Maria so. “The idea of it feels too much like slavery. And you know we had a lot of problems with slavery in America. The lingering problems from that still have an impact today.”

Maria shook her head. “It is not slavery, Rachel. At least, I do not see it that way. They may not leave, true — unless I removed the memories of me and then they could. But, you must understand, they gained benefits from serving me.”

“Such as?” Rachel asked, doubtfully.

“Well for one, they were well fed, Rachel! I kept plenty of food and farm animals when I had my small village of thralls. I took care of them as if they were my family! That is what a noble is supposed to do, you know. Also, they gained longer life as well. And they were safe from bandits and the like. It was a good living, being my thrall!”

Maria shared a memory and suddenly Rachel was there:

The little girl was very sick and her mother was certain that she would die. Her fever was very high and her skin blistering hot to the touch. Maria smiled at the woman and told her she’d try to help her child. The woman nodded, and thanked her, but seemed to think her daughter was a lost cause.

In the next memory the woman was there on her knees, thanking Maria profusely. Her daughter stood beside her, weak, but healthy and happy to be back with her mother.

“Maria you doctored and nursed them all when they were sick, too?”

“Yes, of course Rachel. I took good care of my servants! They were not slaves in any sense of the word. Certainly not what you were thinking earlier! I would be offended being compared to some Confederate slave owner beating slaves to death on a plantation!”

Rachel grimaced and apologized to Maria. “I am sorry, Maria! I should not have thought that of you. It is just that when you say the word 'thrall', it makes me think in terms of 'property' or 'slave.'”

Maria laughed at that. "Oh no, Rachel. It is meant to convey that they are enthralled to my will in a way, but I did not forcibly enslave them and turn them into zombie creatures as you picture! I simply had to nudge each one to accept my rule and not fight me, and ignore little things such as me not aging. We were very much a Duchess and her loyal subjects. Though, my subjects were more loyal than many in that time would be!"

She giggled. “But think nothing more of it, Rachel! I do agree with you that it would be fun to scrub your back!”

Rachel grinned but then spoke more seriously. “Honestly, Maria, I sometimes do wish that we could be two people in two bodies. Not that I regret sharing this one with you but just to have someone to cuddle with, hug, and help protect each other. There have been several fights that had me a little worried, you know?”

Maria nodded. “I understand Rachel. And I feel much the same way. We seem to be stuck this way, though. I will say that there is no one I’d rather share a body with than you!”

Rachel finished her bath with a happy smile, glad that she and Maria were really beginning to click and were happy with one another.

~o~O~o~

Rather than go clubbing, they decided to drive around the town all night to try to feel out any vampires that might be in London. Maria had argues that a nightclub would be THE perfect spot for a vampire to lurk, snack on prey, and have fun all at the same time.

Rachel did not disagree entirely, as Maria had made a convert of her to the nightlife in clubs. But she wanted to see London and thought that a tour of the city would kill two birds with one stone. Maybe it was a sign of their deepening closeness but Maria quickly agreed and they set off to explore.

London was huge, sprawling out in all directions. Rachel used the GPS in their rental car to try to do some sort of logical search pattern. Maria would have preferred roaming randomly about and letting luck have its way with them, of course.

~o~O~o~

After four hours of driving, Rachel had to admit that her plan wasn’t getting them anywhere. Maria did not sense even the slightest hint of a vampire and they were both getting discouraged, even though Maria enjoyed seeing London. They decided to go back to the hotel and spend some time reading and surfing the internet.

Rachel parked in the parking garage and was headed toward the elevator when she spotted two men coming out of it. Both were dressed in black and had the look and feel of their hunters. The men spotted Rachel as she spotted them and they both started toward her.

Rachel since there are only two I think we should attack!

I agree, let’s separate them and try to capture one.

Rachel leaped at the man on the left and grabbed him, spinning her body while holding his arm tight and aiming his head at the concrete wall. He hit with a loud crack and he was down. She immediately darted back and to the right watching for the other man. He had produced a knife and came towards her.

She ducked and rolled, bowling him over. She leaped up and darted back at him but he was ready and tried to plunge the stake into her chest. She batted it to the side and it grazed her arm instead. She hissed at him and clouted his head.

He pulled the stake back and was about to make another run when Rachel snapped her knee into his groin. He groaned and backed away, cursing at her in Russian.

She was about to disarm him and work on mesmerizing her attacker when she heard a squeal of brakes and an SUV appeared. Four men piled out of the car with stakes in hand and came towards her.

Well, these are not here to capture us, Rachel!

Maria acted instantly and kicked their attacker in the head, knocking him out cold. If nothing else maybe we can take a prisoner if we can deal with these, eh?

Rachel found herself surrounded by four grim men with stakes in their hands. She held her hands up and said “Look, I mean you no harm, I do not kill people… please, let me go?”

There was no answer at first, and then one of the men spoke, with a Romanian accent. “Doesn’t matter if you beg or not, leech, you are going down.”

“But, I am no threat to you. I don’t hurt people! Can’t you just let me slip away? I’ll never ever darken your doorstep again. I’ll leave London tonight!”

The man shook his head and said “Leeches don’t get second chances with us, bitch.”

The man who had spoken raised his stake and Rachel could see the planes in the wood all around the point where a blade had sharpened it. She could feel her death. Maria was calm and cool and finally spoke up. Four of them. I do not see this ending well but we must try, dear. When he goes to stab you, grab the stake and use it against them. I see no other option here but maybe to run?

Maria seemed doubtful that they could get away and obviously preferred the thought of fighting these men. Rachel thought for just a moment and agreed. They would make a stand, here. She was as tired of running as Maria was.

Just as she thought the man would strike, a new sound penetrated the room. Echoed clicks from what sounded like high heels. The man paused and the other men glanced back.

A tall beautiful blonde woman walked out of the darker area of the garage and into the light. Honey-golden hair was a halo around her head and spilled down her shoulders, which sported a mink stole. A little black dress was under the stole, and Rachel’s vision followed the dress on down to long slender legs in ebony hose, and six inch black stiletto heels. Beautiful gold earrings dangled from her ears and her right arm sparkled with a silver charm bracelet. She was stunningly beautiful and would have looked right at home at a fashion show or Hollywood red carpet event.

The woman stopped behind the men and grinned, perfect white teeth like a movie star showing behind blood red lips. “Is there some trouble here, boys?” She had a French accent, and a sweet musical voice.

The man in front of Rachel answered her, while keeping his gaze upon Rachel. “None of this is your concern. This is a police matter, ma’am. You need to leave, now.”

“Oh, but this looks so interesting! It takes 4 of you with these small spears to apprehend this dangerous young woman? I am a reporter, you see, with the BBC. And this looks to be a fascinating story! Do tell me more?”

The lead man frowned and spoke to one of his men. “Dave, get her out of here.”

Dave took the woman by the arm and said “Please, come with me, ma’am. You shouldn’t be here at all.”

The woman pouted, then nodded and started away with Dave. They stopped, and Rachel could see the woman looking into Dave’s eyes and smiling.

Inside, Maria brightened considerably. Do you feel her? She is one of us, I am certain! Get ready to move, Rachel!

Rachel tensed as Dave turned and headed for one of his teammates. As he closed in, he pulled a large hunting knife from his belt. At that very moment, the blonde vampire leaped across the room and landed atop the other man.

With three out of commission, Rachel reached out and grasped the arm of the man holding the stake on her and felt her teeth extend. She hissed at him, more from instinct or perhaps that was Maria’s doing? Regardless, she did not hesitate to plunge her fangs into his neck and drink. She regained energy after drinking for a bit then let him drop to the floor. She stared at the corpse for a moment, feeling shame from killing him while Maria ranted.

Move, you fool! Do not stand there! Aggh, what if her thrall hadn’t gotten one? When someone is going to kill you, you do not stand there like a statue weeping for your would-be killer!

I’m sorry Maria, killing still bothers me, you know.

Luckily for them both, while Rachel had been drinking and then staring, the blonde woman and her charmed thrall had wasted no time. All of the men were dead. The woman wiped her mouth and grinned at Rachel.

“Well met, indeed, sister! I am Clarisse Antoinette Dubois. Welcome to London!”

“Thank you! I am Rachel Maria Harrison, and I appreciate your help, Clarisse.”

Clarisse smiled and reached for Rachel with both hands extended. Rachel cautiously walked forward and the woman hugged her tightly. “It is so good to meet you, and your thanks are not necessary at all, mon ami. I despise these stupid hunter types and quite happily slay any that I find. But let us continue our conversation in a more pleasant place, no?”

Rachel held up her hand. “Wait, we captured one and I’d like to...” The man she had kneed in the groin had likely crawled in the elevator or perhaps somewhere else. He was gone.

Rachel sighed and nodded and they walked towards the direction Clarisse had come from. She started to ask about interrogating Clarisse’s new pet, but Maria told her not to ask, it would be impolite and they did not know this woman at all, yet. The man followed Clarisse out as would a puppy.

They came to a limousine with a very tall and handsome driver opening the door as they approached. They got in and sped away.

After a short drive Rachel found herself entering a luxurious estate, with attentive guards at the wrought-iron gate blocking the entrance. The gate had a huge stylized “D” on it, presumably standing for ‘Dubois’.

The limousine slowly followed the road into the estate, and pulled up to a huge mansion-like house, with perfectly manicured gardens and opulence anywhere she glanced.

Clarisse ushered them in to pure decadence and works of art prominently displayed in every room. Polished marble floors, overstuffed furniture, and expensive drapes lined the room she led them to.

A servant poured her a flute of champagne and withdrew quietly. She sat on a low couch with Clarisse by her side. A fire in a huge hearth roared in front of them.

“It is so good to have you here in my home, Rachel! Our kind are so rare, and when I felt your presence I had George turn the car around and pull in here quickly. I am so glad that I sensed you!”

Rachel took a sip and asked Clarisse, “Who are those people? Do you know why they are after me? And how do they keep finding me? They’ve chased me all across Europe!”

Clarisse laughed and took a sip from her own glass, then set it on the glass table in front of them. “They are Vampire Hunters, my dear. They were going to kill you due to your nature, just as they would love to kill me. Though of course some try to capture me, too. Alas, I do not know how they are finding you… they always find me as well. No matter where I travel, eventually I run into either the Kidnappers or the Killers!”

Rachel thought that her terms for the two groups were perfectly suitable. “Are you going to interrogate our new ‘friend’, Dave?” she asked.

“I have interrogated his type before, Rachel. We will still try, certainly, but typically they only know that they must capture me for their leadership. They do not seem to know much more than that, and that we are vampires. They do not even know how we are tracked.”

Rachel sat puzzled while digesting that information. “But… that makes no sense, Clarisse! Surely some of them would know why they are doing this?”

“The leaders do, Rachel. But the leaders often will fight to the death. I’ve never managed to make one my thrall. The minions of the Killers only know that we are evil bloodsucking vampires who must be exterminated to save humanity!” She laughed and held her hands out and popped out her fangs, imitating the comical vampire villain.

She sat back down and took a sip of her wine and went on.

“The Kidnappers are a different sort, in that they do not try to kill me, ever. They just want to cage me, but will not say why. I have enthralled a few over the years but I never get much useful information from them. Just that their leaders want me captured and that they will not stop until they get me.”

“I keep an eye on them, of course. At times I try hard to thin their herd but they always recruit new members. I suppose I might need to exterminate them, one day. They can grow tiresome, as you know! But they provide a pleasant diversion at times. One day they may be more of a threat, but I’ve never worried much about them.”

Rachel was a bit shocked at this, since the woman didn’t seem to even take the hunters seriously at all. Maria was not. Rachel, she’s bored and finds their attacks thrilling. I went through a similar phase after my first one hundred years. When you can, ask her how old she is, but be polite.

“I still must thank you for your assistance, Clarisse. Without your help things might have gotten a bit sticky.” Rachel smiled her gratitude at the beautiful blonde and got an answering twinkle.

“Non, it was nothing! I enjoyed it, Rachel. So, what brings you here to London? Are you thinking to settle here in England, perhaps?”

That got Maria’s attention. She is afraid you will try to invade her territory. Rachel answered: Yes, I kind of figured that she’d be nervous about us dropping into her little pond.

“No, Clarisse, I just stopped here to see London. I am on my way back home.” She took a sip of her own wine, finding it to be delicious.

Clarisse appeared delighted to hear her response. “Well then, you are most welcome here in my home Rachel! And you may stay here for the duration of your visit. I insist that you accept my hospitality, dear! You are American, yes?”

Rachel nodded her head. “Yes. I would be honored to stay here as your guest, Clarisse. Have you lived in London long? I assume you are French?”

Clarisse took a sip and replied. “Oui. I am from a town near Paris. I decided to live in England for a time, as France became a bit too… hot, during the revolution. I love my home here but I still visit France often.”

Rachel asked her the question most on their minds when they had left France. “Are there other vampires here in England or in the UK at all?”

“No, I am the only vampire in the United Kingdom - or in Ireland for that matter, that I am aware of.”

“You are the only one in all of the British Isles? How could that be?”

Clarisse frowned and took a sip of her wine. “Honestly I do not know, Rachel. When I was living in France there were at least a half dozen that I knew personally here. They all vanished over the years and I have not seen, nor felt the presence of, a vampire in France, the Low Countries, or England in over one hundred years.”

“Do you think that these Hunters could have anything to do with this, Clarisse?”

“Mm, I suppose it could be possible, yes. I just do not see a group of humans easily wiping out every vampire in Western Europe, however.”

Maria what shall I tell her if she wants to know how old I am?

Maria was thinking, Rachel could tell. Tell her my age and my story if she asks, Rachel. She will want to know your sire I am certain, so it is better to tell her that. Besides, it is the truth!

“You look… distant, Rachel. Is there anything wrong?”

Rachel started and replied. “Oh, no, nothing is wrong at all Clarisse! I was just thinking of my journey through France. I was only there for few days, but it was a lovely country.”

This brought a smile to Clarisse’s lips and she tilted her head at Rachel. “Yes, I love France and sometimes I visit it, still. Homesickness, perhaps?” She laughed. “The Chunnel is a fascinating bit of engineering. Well for the English that they did not construct it one hundred years previously or they might all be speaking French now… or German!”

Rachel decided that was a good opening for Maria’s question. Maria had cautioned her to be sly about it. “You witnessed the Terror, then? And of course the Little Corporal? I agree Napoleon would have made good use of the Chunnel.”

Clarisse smiled and nodded. “The Terror was a bad time, indeed. The guillotine would end ones such as us no less than the stake. And I met Napoleon on two different occasions. The man might have been a great general but he was a damned Corsican and his accent was quite noticeable.”

So, she was around for the Revolution, anyway. I am sure you knew about it in Romania?

Yes, the news of it ran like wildfire through all of Europe, Rachel. Anyone with a drop of noble blood risked beheading. A horrible time. She could be lying, you know. She could read a history book as well as the next woman.

You really don’t trust her do you?

Maria snorted at Rachel. I would not trust me, so of course I do not trust her!

Clarisse was watching Rachel and noted that Rachel would often go completely still and seem to withdraw into herself, then rapidly come back to the outside world. It fascinated her. “Rachel, is there anything wrong? If there is, please tell me. Let me help?”

Maria answered before Rachel could form words. “Oh, not at all, Clarisse. I am often caught up in my own thoughts. It is a bad habit from being too many years alone and solitary, I fear.”

“I know loneliness well, Rachel. I often long to find other vampires — to spend time with those I have more in common with and share memories of the same times. Until you appeared I had all but given up hope!”

While she was talking Clarisse was also thinking about Rachel’s strangeness. It seemed like another person besides Rachel had answered her last question. Even the inflections and accent were subtly different. She thought furiously for a moment, recalling various accents she’d experienced over the years.

“You have lived in Romania for a time, yes?”

Maria answered that she had, and then froze. Clarisse had asked the question in Romanian and Maria had replied in the same language, and sounded like a native.

Clarisse laughed delightedly, the laugh of someone who often found amusement in life. “Oh, Rachel, please do not take offense! You are so cautious and you seem to be worried about me. I have no intent to harm you in any way! Please, do not be so stuffy and tense! We have much to talk about, and it is pointless for us to bristle like two hissing cats in a backyard!”

She leaned forward, and looked very earnest. “Even if you declared your intent to stay in England, or even London itself, I would not mind at all! You have obviously survived long thus you do not leave a trail of bodies lying about to arouse suspicion! As I told you, I have been so lonely for other vampires.”

Rachel was not sure how to respond so Maria replied. “Very well, Clarisse. I was born in 1688 in Romania, yes. I absolutely have no plans to settle here, however. I plan to go to America and make a safe haven there.”

Clarisse was pleased and her expression brightened with another huge smile. “Ah, see that was not so hard, Rachel! You are only slightly older than I. I was born in 1766, in France, as I said. I was turned around the same time that King Louis was executed. To be forever 27, yes? I lived through the Terror and managed to escape my appointment with Mr. Guillotine.” She shuddered.

“So you were part of the nobility, then?” Maria seemed absurdly pleased at the thought, and Rachel sniffed.

Clarisse nodded. “Yes, I was, which at that time was a very bad thing to be! Vampire or not, I had no desire to have my head removed. And, remember, I was a fledgling at that time, and had not reached my full strength. I was captured and was due to be executed, due to several knowing who I was, before. I was able to escape though, and left quite a few of them dead.”

Rachel and Maria were torn on whether to tell Clarisse of their unique situation and finally they decided to level with her, as she seemed to be the only ally they had. Maria went against her natural cautious nature, as she had a good feeling about this woman.

“Clarisse, I would like to share my story with you, and after, ask if you would like to work together to solve this mystery?”

“Rachel I would be delighted to hear anything you wish to share, and of course we can help each other and attempt to put an end to these annoying hunters!”

So Maria told her story, from the very beginning, and went on through to Richard finding her and transforming into Rachel. This utterly shocked their host but she could not deny that when they switched off the accent changed slightly and it was almost like a different person was present. She also noted that when Maria spoke she often gestured with her hands as well, while Rachel kept hers in her lap usually.

“These Russian priests who chained you up, Maria; you said that they never spoke to you even once?"

“No, they were silent and refused to answer any of my questions. I spoke Russian so I know that they understood me.”

“Maria, both groups speak with a Russian accent, usually — but not always! So I have assumed that they are related in some way. The Kidnappers seem more numerous and talk more. The Killers are only focused on killing me and they rarely say anything.”

Maria nodded, as that matched what she and Rachel had experienced.

“Have you met any vampires in your travels other than me, Rachel? Have you sensed any, Maria?”

“No. We haven’t met any and I have not felt any vampires’ presence at all.”

“I always thought that Romania and Eastern Europe would have lots of our people. It does make me wonder if the Killers have thinned our ranks. It worries me as well. What if we two are the only remaining vampires?”

Maria hadn’t thought along those lines and didn’t like the conclusion at all. “I hope that we are not! I have always felt that we are the next step up in human evolution, and it would be terrible to see our existence put to an end!”

Clarisse nodded and stood. “Let us continue this discussion tomorrow, as it is getting near sunrise and I do believe that we all could use the rest? Tomorrow evening I would like to discuss more of this and try to make a plan to deal with these people. I also have the beginnings of a plan, of sorts, that I would like to discuss with you. ”

She led Rachel to an opulent bedroom with a huge canopied bed and a waiting maidservant at her disposal. “Bonne nuit, mon ami!”

~o~O~o~

Before they slept Rachel asked Maria why Clarisse and Maria were both so curious about how old the other was. She was silent for a few moments and Rachel wondered if she would answer the question.

“There is… a pecking order among vampires, Rachel. Please understand that I know this secondhand from Gregor, never having experienced it myself with others beyond my child. He told me that as vampires get older their power waxes and the older the vampire the stronger the magic — the overall power, the vampire possesses. When we first awaken we are much more powerful than a mortal, as you could attest!“

“When you say more power or magic what does that entail, Maria? You refer to physical strength?”

“Yes but that is not the main thing, Rachel. You know how we enthrall humans? A stronger vampire can bend a weaker to his or her will. Gregor was only decades older than me but I felt an urge to obey him. Ecaterina obeyed me in most things, cursed girl, but not all! “

Maria’s tone changed and she lent her voice a serious and direct tone that Rachel was learning to recognize.
“Rachel, about what happened back there. You MUST learn to defend yourself without remorse! I do not speak of hunting and killing prey, now. I am speaking of defending against a would-be murderer who is trying to kill you. Do you doubt that the man was going to plunge the stake in? Do you?”

“N-no. I knew he was, and I let you take him, as you saw?“

“You let me take him? No, Rachel, I did nothing. I was observer not participant, there. You did that.”

Rachel didn’t like that at all. “What? NO! I let you have control and you vamped out and killed him.”

“Vamped out?” She said flatly.

“You know what I mean.”

Maria sighed and Rachel could tell she was very upset. “No, Rachel. I did not take control — I cannot, remember? You have to relax and allow it. You were extremely tense and emotional back there — I could do nothing! YOU handled that, but you did not handle it well. If Clarisse had not appeared you and I would be gone. You did well in Paris. Perhaps you just need more practice fighting. Or perhaps we both thought the other would take charge. We must be more careful, regardless.”

She continued on. “I am very worried about these Killers, Rachel. I strongly suspect that Clarisse may indeed be correct with her suspicions. Maybe they are just in Europe, not the entire world… but who knows how far that these Killers reach?”

Rachel brought up the point that both had been thinking but not said. ”And what if Clarisse and I are the only vampires left in Europe, or the world?”

“That is not a pleasant thought before bed, is it?”

“It is most certainly not!”

The next evening began with a soft knock upon Rachel’s door, with a servant bearing a silk gown for her and an invitation to dine on the woman’s neck for breakfast. Rachel did feel slightly hungry, and even though it felt rather strange she graciously accepted the offer and drained about a pint.

After her breakfast, Rachel went downstairs to find their hostess relaxing in one of the parlors, smoking a cigarette in a foot-long holder that brought to Rachel’s mind the character of Holly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Clarisse beamed at her and put out the cigarette, remarking “Nasty habit I picked up in the roaring twenties but I still enjoy it, occasionally. So, good morning, Rachel, and Maria! I hope that you slept well and enjoyed your breakfast?”

Rachel returned her smile. The woman had an infectious joyful attitude that was hard to ignore or to not reflect. “We slept well, thank you. And thank you for the breakfast, which was very thoughtful of you.”

Clarisse could tell that Rachel had answered, rather than Maria, from the inflection and faint American accent. “No thanks are necessary! You are my honored guest, and I am thrilled to have you here! I hope that you will stay a good long time! Several decades, perhaps?” She giggled, but Rachel knew the woman was at least half serious in her invitation.

She beckoned Rachel to follow her over to the divan and they both sat down.
“Let us continue from where we left off last night, yes? I told you that I had been making plans, and our conversation touched upon them all, in truth.”

Rachel nodded and smiled, waiting to hear what Clarisse had in mind.

“I have been pondering turning a woman for some time. As I told you last night I have been so lonely and wanted another vampire as a companion, and a sex partner as well. She would be someone to help me face these Hunters and perhaps end them as well. I’d been searching for just the right woman in the last few months.”

Rachel cocked her head slightly and asked Clarisse in her usual straightforward way, “So, you’re a lesbian, then?”

Clarisse giggled and shook her head. “No, Rachel, not at all. I am happy with either sex, you see? Yes, bisexual as they call it. No, I just wanted a close friend and companion to share my life with and a woman would be the first choice for that — the sex would just be… how do you say it? A fringe benefit, yes?”

Rachel nodded, thinking that fringe benefits with Clarisse might be a fun thing to experiment with. Maria snorted but offered no comment.

Clarisse continued. “More to the point of our discussion, I even considered raising a small army of vampires to combat these Hunters and finally put a stop to all of this nonsense. Your appearance has made me think more on it all and I have high hopes that together we can come up with a good plan. Would you want to help turn a few humans and then begin fighting back? Or do you agree that maybe that is not such a good idea?”

Rachel and Maria were both impressed with the woman’s thoughts, and it must have shown in her face because Clarisse started laughing. “I am not just another pretty face, mon ami! I hold three doctorates and there is much more going on beneath this blonde hair than most would think!”

This made Rachel laugh and give Clarisse a hug. She was starting to like this woman. “I am sorry! I did not mean you to think that I considered you some blonde bimbo and act all shocked when you make intelligent plans!”

“I get that all of the time from people when I speak my mind, do not worry! So, what do you and Maria think? Is it a workable plan or, perhaps too long-term?”

Maria answered at once. “It is a bit too much time to invest to build up a small group of us, Clarisse. They would take a few years to reach their full potential. Meanwhile we would still be dealing with the Hunters. And if we settle here with you to do this, I am sure they would start sending larger teams.”

“Exactly, Maria! That was one of my concerns, but I wanted to share it with you both and hear your thoughts on it, regardless.”

Clarisse poured some wine for them both then clapped her hands together, once. “So! We call that Plan B, and we come up with Plan A. And I think Plan A would be a frontal assault by the two of us, but the question with that is — could we pull it off?”

Rachel nodded thoughtfully. “The first step would be the one we have been stuck on all along. We need to capture one that actually knows something, especially where these people are based at. Then we could plan the assault and cut the head off the snake.”

Clarisse smiled and agreed. She thought that what Rachel had said was coming from both of them rather than one, and was delighted that they said she was right when she asked.

Maria formulated and offered her version of Plan A and Rachel was happy with it, as was Clarisse. They spent several more hours going over various what-ifs and how they would react to each. As to where they would execute it, Clarisse had a suggestion.
“While we wait for them to appear again, we might as well have some fun! Have you ever been to a nightclub, Rachel?”

Rachel had to explain, a few minutes later, why that question had her falling over laughing herself silly.

“Well, we shall have our fun, and if our Hunter friends show up, we will be ready for them. If not, we all love to dance, so it still works out well!”

~o~O~o~

One of the most popular nightclubs in London, known far and wide as a place to rub shoulders (and other body parts) with the wealthy, the up-and-coming, and the famous, was packed on this night. The line to get in the door stretched for half a block, and a trio of bouncers worked the door keeping the undesirables at bay.

A gleaming limousine pulled up, and one of the bouncers went and opened it. He smiled and greeted the blonde who got out first, as she was a regular here. He looked impressed at her designer dress, mink stole, and her overall regal bearing. He was no less impressed with the brunette temptress who came out next, wearing the latest designer fashion, and wrapped with a chinchilla stole.

Expensive, and very real, jewelry dripped from their ears, around their necks, and wrists. They looked like royalty and took in all of the stares and pointing as their due. They were escorted in the door and they leaned close to each other in the foyer.

“Wow, Clarisse, you sure know how to make an entrance!” Rachel remarked.

Clarisse grinned and flashed her bright smile. “Ah, I have had a lot of practice, since I come here often. I enjoy the attention, and I do adore the finer things in life, as well. Let’s dance!”

Rachel and Clarisse danced for over an hour, and both snacked on a man, each.

Clarisse was dancing with her chosen prey while Rachel sat at a small table to relax for a few moments. Maria didn’t let her relax for long.

Tell me, Rachel. Why do you disapprove of Clarisse’s lifestyle? I have felt disdain from you regarding her servants, her decadent ways, and even her expensive collection of designer outfits and furs.

Before Rachel could respond, Maria went on.

I have also noticed that you look down upon the nobility, and the wealthy people. Are you at heart one of these communist people we have read about? Or perhaps your American egalitarian views color your view of Clarisse and even me?

Rachel pondered her questions for a few minutes before responding. First of all, Maria, I do not look down on you at all. I look up to you, as my friend, mentor, and I suppose you could say soul-mate?

Thank you my dear, I feel the same about you. But please answer my question?

Rachel sighed. I don’t much like decadence or displaying wealth, yes. And being American might have something to do with it. The very idea of servants, to me, is kind of unreal and somewhat appalling. I would prefer a world where everyone had whatever they wished and the rich could not lord their wealth over the poor and the starving, you know?

Before Maria could reply, Rachel went on. However, having said all that, I am not a communist or anything like that. The old me was a bit more of an ascetic, and disapproving of all these kind of things. The new me is enjoying living the lifestyle, and I am quite impressed, honestly, by the charity I see you display from time to time. That tells me that even the rich can be good people and their wealth doesn’t make them evil.

It is good that you are seeing that, Rachel. Even I agree that Clarisse is a bit too decadent for my tastes, but I think that at heart she is a person of good character. She is filled with fun, laughter, and a great love for life. Much like me in the latter!

Rachel focused her gaze on the vampire in question and quickly found her on the dance floor, moving her body in ways that made the men around her openly stare. Clarisse had a huge smile on her face as she danced, obviously having a great time.

I find it ironic that the first two vampires I know love life so much.

Not at all! We are not creatures of death, Rachel! Even though we bring it to some, or at least have before, at times. We are creatures of life, and celebrate life in all ways that we can. I think that you are learning this, yes?

Rachel nodded. Yes, I have to agree with you. And I do like Clarisse, so far. She seems a lot like you in some ways, I think.

Hmm, yes, I think you are correct. And, I’ll say this on the subject of Clarisse. Rachel felt strong amusement from Maria. She wants to play with you, or us. It is your decision, of course, whether to encourage or rebuff her. I am happy regardless of your decision.

Rachel blushed and stared at Clarisse, dumbfounded. She’d not picked up the slightest clue, but then again she had not the experience or wisdom of Maria either, she ruefully thought.

Wow, I had no idea, Maria! I’ll… have to think about that. I do feel some attraction to her, but I hadn’t considered acting upon it.

Maria laughed. No, really? I had not noticed, Rachel. She pronounced Rachel’s name as Clarisse always did, “Ray-shell”, then dissolved into giggles.

Rachel rolled her eyes and headed back to the dance floor, where she and Clarisse danced together for the rest of the night until closing. Clarisse seemed to especially enjoy the few slow dances with Rachel, and held her tightly through each one.

~o~O~o~

Clarisse and Rachel left the building separately, as part of Maria’s overall plan. They had agreed to rendezvous at the limousine from different approaches, hoping to catch one or more of their annoying hunters. Rachel arrived first, and looked carefully about, extending her senses to the limit and relying on Maria to sound an alarm if anyone approached.

Unfortunately, nobody did, and within a few minutes Clarisse joined her and they crawled in the limo and snuggled on the way back to Clarisse’s estate.

Clarisse put an arm around Rachel and hugged her. “Do not be disappointed, Rachel! They will appear in good time, and when they do… we shall have them!”

Rachel returned the hug and settled back in the seat, agreeing that if not tonight, then sometime soon they would have their chance.

A few moments later, Clarisse leaned close to Rachel and whispered in her ear. “May I kiss you, Rachel?” Rachel nodded, unsure of what to say.

Clarisse tenderly touched her lips to Rachel’s and the kiss grew firmer by the moment. She took Rachel in her arms and their kissing became more and more passionate and urgent. This went on until both were extremely worked up and filled with lust.

“Rachel I have been so lonely for companionship and love. My thralls are nice but I have wanted to be intimate with our own kind. Many is the time I have almost turned a thrall just to have this intimacy. But, I also feel strongly that I should not turn someone just because I want sex with them. Do you see?”

Maria answered, rather than Rachel, who was still quite fuzzy after the heavy petting. “Clarisse I must say that I respect your decision! Turning someone should never be lightly done, and I applaud your restraint.”

“Thank you, Maria. You see now why I have hesitated at creating more of us just to fight the Hunters? I could not justify it to myself! Vampires are immortal and powerful creatures. Just creating vampires for the sake of foot soldiers in some war… non.”

Maria nodded and said “I agree with you there, as well.”

Clarisse smiled. “Would you like to share my bed today, Rachel and Maria? I would very much like to share it with you!”

The blatant and sudden invitation bowled Rachel over momentarily. But she finally regained the power of speech and said “We would love to share the bed of such a beautiful and elegant woman such as you, Clarisse!”

Maria was smug. I told you so, Rachel!

~o~O~o~

Clarisse took Rachel by the hand when they entered the mansion and practically drug her along to her bedroom. She sat down on her king-size canopied bed and patted the spot beside her with a grin. Rachel joined her and soon they were taking up where they had left off in the limo.

After some time they removed each other’s clothing and things began to heat up beyond any level that Rachel could have ever imagined. Maria had been with women before and knew what to expect. Rachel had, too, in her previous life, but to her this was a brand new experience indeed. Soon Clarisse had Rachel on her back while she pleasured her American friend in every way that she knew.

She nipped Rachel’s breasts, licked at her nipples with her tongue circling the aureoles until Rachel was driven frantic. At one point she playfully bit into her breasts with her fangs and sucked a small amount of blood, then licked the wound and then her lips while staring into Rachel’s eyes. As she pressed forward and kissed Rachel passionately, she worked a finger up into her and began searching for the right spot. It was not long before it was found.

As Rachel’s back arched and she moaned, Clarisse grinned and began to massage in earnest, driving Rachel wild with lust. Rachel stuttered “P-please…” and Clarisse giggled and relented.

She trailed kisses down Rachel’s chest, stomach, and soon homed in on her target. Rachel screamed in ecstasy as Clarisse gave her mind-blowing orgasm after orgasm. Rachel felt that she was in the presence of some kind of sex goddess.

Then, it was Clarisse’s turn to be attacked by Rachel. She duplicated Clarisse’s efforts but after a time let Maria take over. She wanted the more experienced woman to drive Clarisse into the same frenzy that they had just experienced, and Maria was more than happy to return the favor. Rachel just enjoyed watching Maria in action as she drove the elegant woman into a total frenzy.

Clarisse was soon screaming herself as the experienced Maria used all of her tricks to drive the blonde vampire over the edge repeatedly. Soon they both collapsed on the bed, completely spent but both feeling a glowing happiness that each felt should be visible to anyone.

~o~O~o~

Clarisse lay snuggled up against Rachel as they did some pillow talk before sleeping. She’d called for servants and they had both snacked. Rachel felt incredibly good, probably the best she’d felt since waking up in this body, and she told Clarisse so.

Clarisse beamed at her new lover. “It is always good with another woman, Rachel. And I could tell that Maria has had her share of experience with women, yes?”

Maria nodded and replied. “Oh, many times, Clarisse. I love men, but I also love women. I am not picky!”

They both giggled and shared a kiss. Clarisse offered her a sip from her wine glass and she took it.

Rachel was a bit star-struck and quite infatuated with Clarisse, and Maria was nothing but amused by the situation. I agree that she is incredible, Rachel. I like her! But this was two friends sharing each other. Do not get too crazy for her right now. We still have a large threat hanging over our heads.

Rachel came to her senses and blushed slightly, but agreed that Maria was right.

Clarisse pulled out a cigarette holder and inserted one into it and looked at Rachel. “Do you mind, darling? I really like to, after good sex!” She grinned.

“I never liked smoking or being around it, but please, go ahead if you want. It won’t bother me at all right now!” Rachel smiled at Clarisse and motioned for her to go ahead and enjoy herself, and she did. “Does it do anything for you, like it would a human?”

Clarisse nodded slightly. “Somewhat, but it is very faint. Our bodies just shrug off toxins and chemicals and drugs that would addict or even kill a human. For instance, I’ve tried cocaine, but it was a very faint rush and I did not have any great desire to do it again, after. I tend toward the more classic vices, I suppose.”

“My vice, before all of this happened, was junk food. Luckily I had a high metabolism, or I’d have likely weighed three hundred pounds!”

Maria cleared her throat and shared what was on her mind, ending their discussion of vices. “Clarisse, I have been thinking about what you said about converting some humans to build our own army. We agreed that it was not a good idea. But, why do we not build an army of thralls instead? I know you have quite a few here, and many of them are guards. We could both work and build up some more?”

Clarisse nodded thoughtfully. “Actually I often do have to recruit more after one of their tiresome attacks. They decimate my guards every time they come here in force. Yes, I like your idea, and I know just the place to recruit a good-sized force!”

“Where did you have in mind?”

Clarisse smiled a mysterious smile, and then laughed. “I have a friend in the Foreign Legion; he is Commandant of a Battalion and has often sent me soldiers who wish to retire from the Legion or sometimes he even assigns active soldiers here as duty. He would be ranked a Major in your country, Rachel.”

Rachel nodded thoughtfully. “That would work, Clarisse! How many do you think we could get? And would we have to ‘talk’ to each soldier, right?”

Clarisse shrugged. “We shall have to ask him and see. I’ve never asked for more than three or four, at most, at any one time. But this time I think a dozen would serve us well, do you agree? And yes, I always have a special chat with the ones he sends so that they do not note or remember anything that they might witness here.”

“Does this Commandant know of your nature?”

“Oh, most definitely, Rachel! We were sweethearts for a time, and if circumstances had been different I might have turned him. But, alas, they were not.” She went silent and looked sad, and neither Rachel nor Maria wanted to pry.

Maria and Rachel both thought that this was an excellent number to counterbalance the groups of four to eight they’d encountered previously. Maria shared her thoughts with Rachel and Clarisse. “We must overwhelm them with superior force, and capture as many as we can. We must find out more information. I do not like being blind and deaf in this matter!”

Clarisse frowned and shared something that was troubling her. “One thing I have found on the few occasions that I could enthrall what was obviously a group’s leader was that the two I have managed to capture were always very resistant to my mesmerizing. I had to put a great deal of effort into it. And, unlike with most humans, it wore off!”

Maria frowned and shook her head. “That is unheard of, Clarisse! Oh, I believe you, my dear. I have just never experienced such a thing. For sure, some humans are more resistant than others, but I have never had any thralls actually break free of my will!”

“It is all too true, yes, Maria. The first time I thought that maybe I had been careless, but twice marks a real problem here. I have some cells in the basement that I had constructed back when these Hunters started to pester me. We can store any prisoners we capture there.”

Rachel suddenly had a thought, and asked a key question that was bothering her. “When exactly did they first start pestering you, Clarisse?”

“The first one was not that long after I was turned, when Napoleon was down adventuring in Egypt. It was the summer of 1798, and it was a lone Hunter trying to stake me. I handled him without too much difficulty, and thought nothing more of it at that time.”

She shifted on the silk sheets and sighed. “Unfortunately, soon there was another about a year later. That was, hmm, not long before the Corsican was appointed Consul, in 1799. He was quite determined but I fought him off. I tried to enthrall him but he was forewarned and avoided it.”

Rachel nodded and spoke out loud for Clarisse’s benefit. “Maria, did any Hunters come after you in this era?”

Maria nodded excitedly. “Yes! Yes, indeed. It was around 1800 that I had a series of men try to kill me. It was in my little village that I have told you about. One of the killers was quite clever. He killed one of my male thralls and tried to impersonate him to get close to me. It did not work, but he came closer to killing me than any others.”

All three went silent, digesting the import of this clue they had discovered. Rachel voice what they were all thinking. “So, the Killers started their vampire hunting around the year 1800. So we know when all of this started. We don’t know what triggered their hunting, but at least we know when they began.”

Clarisse spoke before Rachel could get out her next sentence. “And now we turn to the Kidnappers!” She grinned at Rachel, knowing that she had leaped ahead of her next topic. “My first attempted kidnapping was just after spring in 1877. The Monarchists wanted to put a king on the throne but the Republicans did not. It was quite the governmental crisis — I was a Monarchist, of course. Anyway, five men came to my home in a carriage and tried to chain me up! I killed four and one got away. There was no chance to enthrall one, as they fought like wildcats against me.”

Maria became animated. “It was June of that year, and Romania had declared our independence from the Ottomans in May. The Russians came in on our side and that was when they captured me. I always blamed the Russians, and thought that it was the Priests of the Russian Orthodox Church who captured me! I thought that because two of my captors were indeed priests. It appears that I was wrong!”

Clarisse hopped off the bed and began pacing in her excitement. “It was providence that brought you to me, mon ami! Sharing our knowledge will help us figure out these crazy people at last!”

Rachel scooted to the edge of the bed and addressed her excited friend. “So, the Killers started around 1800, and the Kidnappers in 1877. We don’t know for sure if the two groups are related but they seem to at least know each other.”

Maria nodded, and shared their encounter with the English-accented man who had stabbed a Killer and then tried to lead them into an ambush.

“They do not like each other at all, our Killers and Kidnappers,” Clarisse stated, in response to what Maria related.

“No, they certainly do not. Maybe we can use that, when circumstances allow,” Maria replied.

Clarisse walked over to the windows and looked outside. The sky was slightly light to her eyes, so she knew that dawn wasn’t far away. “It is false dawn, my friends. Let us sleep and continue our plotting in the evening, tomorrow? And we can arrange to visit my friend and perhaps recruit some soldiers for our cause.”

She pressed a button and segmented metal curtains descended over the windows and clicked into place, blocking out the world outside. She then walked over to her bedroom door and slid a heavy bolt into place.

“I see you are big on security these days, Clarisse. I like what you have done here.”

“One cannot be too careful, and my servants keep the rest of the house quite secure as well. I know these measures would not stop a determined group, but that is not their function. They simply slow them down and give me time to awaken and ready myself. I have vowed that these Hunters will not catch me by surprise!”

She glided over to the bed and Rachel crawled back to the head of the bed to join her. They snuggled together under the peach-colored silk sheets and Rachel had a final thought for Maria. With her help, I think we are going to put an end to these people chasing us!

I hope that you are right, Rachel.

Clarissa closed her eyes and murmured “Bonne nuit, my friends!”

Maria and Rachel did not sleep quite yet. Maria wanted to chat for a bit. So, you really like her, eh?

Yes, I do, Maria! She is enchanting and very intelligent as well. The only thing I’ve not liked about her so far is her smoking, but she does it so rarely I that don’t mind, really.

Maria gave a mental shrug. I do not care about that at all, Rachel. I do agree with you about Clarisse, though. She is a good friend, and is an able ally for us. I think that with her help we may be able to finally free ourselves of this relentless pursuit and then find a place to settle down in peace. That is my utmost goal, to settle in a happy and secure home as I once did. Do you agree?

Most definitely, Maria. We are in harmony on this goal. I wonder if, after this is finally over, we might settle here with Clarisse, or maybe entice her to come to America with us when we go there.

I would welcome her company just as much as would you, Rachel. But I do not think that we should settle in London. I long to see your home country, and I have felt your homesickness many times since we joined together. Once this is over, let us ask her if she will come with us, if not forever then at least for a time?

I completely agree, Maria! Good night, my friend!

Rachel slipped off to sleep, still snuggled up against Clarisse as the sun rose.

 

Rachel dithered over whether to bring up relocation to America, but since they had a long ride ahead of them, she plowed forward. “Clarisse, I have a question for you. After this war with the Hunters is finished, would you consider coming to America with us?”

Clarisse listened and then looked thoughtful, as she obviously was thinking about Rachel’s proposal. “I will not say yes or no right now, Rachel. I am torn of course. I want to stay with you and found a safe haven and spend much time together. But, I do not know if America is the place to do that. For that matter, I do not know if England or France is, either.”

“Why do you feel that any of those three is not a good place, Clarisse?” Rachel was honestly curious and couldn’t imagine someone not loving any or all of the three named countries.

Clarisse looked uncomfortable and didn’t seem sure how to respond. Maria sent a feeling of understanding and puzzled Rachel as well, though she didn’t comment.

Finally she answered, but seemed hesitant as if she was afraid of offending Rachel. “Rachel, my dear friend, please take no offense to what I say. The western democracies are full of good intentions, but I feel that they are all destined to fail eventually. Democracy works for a time, but eventually this will devolve into bankrupt nations and mob rule, then dictatorship.”

Rachel gaped at the woman, and felt even worse when Maria silently agreed with her. “Clarisse, I… I can’t agree with you there. America, especially, is a good example of what a nation should strive to be! France is not that different. And they are Republics, not Democracies, in reality.”

“Rachel I do not wish to argue politics with you! That is a sure route to disharmony and bad feelings! I will just say that both countries are becoming more a democracy and less a republic as time goes by. Look at your state of California, where the people often vote in these Propositions. It is often in the news. The state teeters on the edge of bankruptcy every year, partially due to this!”

Rachel nodded, conceding the point. “Look, I know that you and Maria both are Monarchists, for lack of a better term?”

Clarisse nodded and Maria took this opportunity to chime in. “Very much so, Rachel. Humans need strong leadership to prosper, not this counting of noses and letting the whim of mobs rule the country!” She shuddered at the very prospect.

“But strong leaders lead to things like World War Two, not-“

Clarisse interrupted her. “Stalin, Hitler, and even Franco were not leaders, Rachel! They were despots! There is a huge difference there. I will admit that a Republic is a grand notion and in the United States and France it has worked reasonably well for over two hundred years, more or less. But I do not see it lasting.”

Rachel pondered her answer while Maria spoke again. “Clarisse and I are perhaps products of our time; I know that you are thinking that, Rachel! But, I think that we both would agree that a wise leader who looks to the future and always keeps the health, safety, and happiness of his or her people foremost would trump a democracy, where the whims of the majority trample the minority.”

Clarisse nodded emphatically in agreement. Rachel thought privately that she was dealing with two nobles who just couldn’t identify with the dreams and hopes of the common man. Unfortunately, this was picked up by Maria.

“‘Dreams and hopes of the common man’? Bah! Rachel, please do not insult my intelligence, dear. I have lived high and low, and we know that Clarisse has, as well. With age comes wisdom, yes? Well, think about how old we both are and how much we have seen.”

Rachel felt a little tag-teamed when Clarisse nodded and said, “Exactly, Maria! And do not think me that far from the common man, Rachel. After the revolution I lived in some horrid circumstances, even once with a family of pig farmers! We had nothing! I had a dress that was little more than rags, for a time. That was all that I owned!”

She went on, with a twinkle in her eyes. “Rachel, I know that you think me a filthy rich noble whose decadence at times shocks you, yes? I live well, and I do not apologize for it. I had a hard life for many years, and even as recently as the 1940s I had things rough.”

Maria sounded contrite when she responded. “Oh, Rachel, please do not feel that either of us are condescending to you in our views. After seeing so much in our lives, I think that we both believe much the same things. It does not make you wrong, and ourselves right. I just feel strongly that your society teeters on a precipice and a strong wind would blow it off into chaos.”

“What do you see happening?” asked Rachel, honestly curious.

Clarisse responded first. “The world’s financial system is a huge house of cards, Rachel. And it is awaiting a small wind to bring it all down completely. This system you have of creating money from credit is insane, to me. You let bankers run rampant and in the end it will lead to bad things.”

Maria chimed in. “The number of people alive now is staggering, just awaiting some virus like the Black Death to run rampant through all countries. Disease has always been a worry for mankind, Rachel. Clarisse is quite correct, and I suspect that if the financial systems do not break down on their own, an epidemic would be the push that starts it all.”

Clarisse nodded. “I do not even speak of climate change, peak oil, natural resource scarcity, terrorism… ah so many possible woes that we stand on the brink of! But Rachel I am an optimist at heart, and I think that we shall overcome any and all problems, in the end. However, that does not mean that we will not see tough times. We will, I fear.”

Rachel sighed, thinking that these two were a real pair of grim predictors.

Maria snickered. “Rachel I am always, first and foremost, completely and totally honest with you. We both share our concerns, but nothing says that they will come true. And, so what if we disagree on political things? There are more important things!”

Clarisse put her arms around Rachel and hugged her tightly. “We shall agree to disagree on government and leaders, for now, eh mon ami? Let us revisit this topic in, oh, say one hundred years? And see which of us were closer to the target, eh?”

Rachel grinned and agreed with her. “You do have a gift for bringing the sun out from behind the clouds, Clarisse! And yes, both of you, we will agree to disagree on politics!”

Clarisse laughed softly. “We will not always agree on everything, Rachel. And politics and religion are two areas where you rarely will see that. As long as passions do not inflame things into arguing and petty insults, I do not see any difficulties in discussing them from time to time.”

~o~O~o~

Clarisse’s old friend lived in a modest-sized home not far from a Legion base. She knocked on the door and a Caporal answered. He obviously recognized her as he led her and Rachel into the home.

He called out to someone and then bowed to the two women and departed.

A very tall and handsome man walked into the room and smiled at them. He looked to be much younger than the fifty years of age that Clarisse had told them he was. His hair was cut military style and only showed a few touches of gray around the temples. His eyes were a piercing blue beneath thick brows. He had a strong chin and the harsh planes of his face were offset by a ready smile that always seemed to reach his eyes.

“Bonsoir, Mademoiselles! Clarisse, it is so good to see you again! And who is this lovely woman you bring with you to delight my eyes?”

“Bonsoir, Julien! Rachel, I would like you to meet Commandant Julien Laurent, of the Foreign Legion. Julien, this is my dear friend Rachel Harrison.”

Julien took Rachel’s hand and bowed while he kissed it. She smiled and said “It is a pleasure to meet you, Commandant Laurent.”

“Non! It is I who has all of the pleasure tonight, in the company of two such lovely and elegant ladies! Welcome to my humble home, please come sit and talk with a lonely old man.”

Clarisse and Rachel followed him into his den, and sat side by side on a loveseat as he took the chair facing them. Clarisse smirked and said “Lonely, Julien? Such a fable!” She turned to Rachel, “Julien has his pick of lovely women from everywhere but cannot seem to choose one and settle down!”

Julien laughed and shook his head. “Ah Clarisse, but I always wait for you, as you know! Why settle for second best, when the most beautiful woman in France is right here!”

Clarisse gave him a mock frown, and then dissolved into giggles. “Your pardon, Rachel. We always flirt and fence with one another. We settled that long ago, as you well know, Julien!”

Julien stood, walked over to Clarisse, and kissed her on the cheek, before returning to his seat. “Yes we did, my lovely Lady. Now, I know that you did not come here just to break my heart once more. What can I do for you my dear friend? Anything that I have or can get is yours. You but have to ask me.”

Clarisse smiled at Julien and then sighed. “It is those fils de putain once again, Julien.” Rachel blinked at her uncharacteristic foul language.

Julien stood up out of his chair, angry. “Merde! When will they stop this? How many of my men did they kill this time, Clarisse? And I hope that you were not harmed?”

Clarisse shook her head. “Not a one, yet, Julien. My friend Rachel and I have decided that it is time to end their crusade against our kind. They are after her, as well. We came to ask you for slightly more support. Not three or four soldiers but a dozen! And not as guards, but as soldiers to hunt these vermin down at last!”

Julien clapped his hands. “Bravo, Clarisse! And I applaud you as well, Rachel, especially if you were the catalyst that convinced our Clarisse to go on the offensive! I have often counseled her to stop fighting a defensive war with these people!”

Clarisse laughed and Rachel giggled, but both nodded. Rachel said, “Yes, my arrival here was a good thing for us both. I think that they would eventually have gotten me. Clarisse saved my life when she appeared. Four of them had me cornered!”

Julien shook his head and looked sadly at both of them. “You know, I could see capturing you and locking you away if you went about indiscriminately killing people and leaving a trail of bodies. But I know from Clarisse that you do not do this. You take what you need and you try not to harm people. You do not deserve to be hunted down like rabid dogs.”

He paced around the room as he continued. “When Clarisse revealed her true nature to me, I was stunned, of course. But I had known her for some time already by then, and knew her to be a woman of character, who would not harm anyone if she could but avoid it. I have happily helped her against these swine that hunt her, and will again. Of course you will have my help, Clarisse, and you as well, Rachel. How soon do you need these men?”

Both women smiled at Julien and Clarisse looked at Rachel with an eyebrow raised. Rachel asked the Commandant, “How long would it take you to recruit twelve to help us?”

He sat back down and rubbed his chin while he considered her question. “At the fastest, including travel time to Clarisse’s estate, probably two days, my dear. You need experienced men, both for your own sake and theirs as well. I would not send recruits in against these Hunters of yours.”

Rachel and Clarisse looked at each other and Rachel nodded. Clarisse smiled warmly at her old friend. “Julien, that would be splendid. Just send them to my estate, please? I will do the usual… adjustments, so that they will not have any fantastic stories to tell. They will just have memories of boring guard duty and training, no?”

Julien laughed and nodded. “As per usual, dear lady, that will be good.”

Maria had a question on her mind. “Julien, could you make sure that one of the men is an officer who is good with tactics and hand-to-hand combat? I believe that would better the odds for us.”

“But of course, Rachel! I’d intended as much, anyway.”

She nodded. “This is good. We may be stronger and faster, but their strength worries me somewhat, and none of us have any training in combat.”

Clarisse stood and walked over to Julien, who then also stood. She took his hands for a moment and looked into his eyes. “Julien, I always wish that we could have shared more, but I understand why we cannot. I appreciate all that you do for me, truly. You have been a hero to me countless times.”

Julien took Clarisse in his arms and hugged her tightly. “You need never thank me, Clarisse. Just having you in my life has been thanks enough. Please let me know if anything happens and I will personally take leave and come to you.”

Clarisse placed a warm kiss on his lips and shared a smile with Rachel. Rachel could see why she was attracted to this man, indeed.

~o~O~o~

They took their leave of Julien and got back in the rental car they’d procured earlier. Rather than make the long drive back to Calais and then to London they chose to drive into Paris and spend the day at a hotel.

They spent the rest of their evening enjoying each other’s company in various ways, which deepened the connection to each other. Later, in the afterglow, Clarisse told Rachel and Maria that when this was over, she might very well come across the Atlantic with them. At least, for a time, she added.

Rachel finally asked about Julien. “Clarisse, I sensed a lot of history between you and Julien? If I am prying please forgive me, but you looked so sad.”

Clarisse shook her head. “You are not prying and it is not a secret, Rachel. I revealed my nature to him over twenty years ago, when he was a sergeant. I asked him to join me but he refused. He felt that to voluntarily become a vampire was an offense against God. I respected his feelings and we parted at that time. We have remained friends, however.”

“I am sorry, Clarisse. He seems quite a man, and soldier.”

She smiled fondly. “He is an extremely honorable and loyal man, Rachel. He was quite taken with me, and I him. If not for his religious concerns you might very well have found us as a couple when you came here.”

Maria added, “Again you show remarkable restraint, Clarisse, not to mention that you have acted very honorably yourself in this matter. Some would have turned him against his will, but you asked, and then honored his refusal. That is true honor and I must say that you have gained my respect many times over since we met.”

Clarisse was moved by Maria’s words and they saw her eyes moisten with tears. She wiped her eyes and gave her dazzling smile in answer.

~o~O~o~

They turned in and spent the day sleeping and undisturbed. The next evening they arose and went out hunting for a short time before leaving for London. Nothing untoward occurred and they saw no suspicious men or felt any eyes upon them during the entire visit to France. Rachel remarked on this curious turn of events.

“Maybe they have us down as being in London, so coming back over here to France has thrown them off? Of course we still don’t know how they are tracking us, either.”

“This is a good thing, Rachel, for now at least. I’d prefer they attack after we get our soldiers in place. Hopefully this will work, I can think of many things that I would prefer to be doing than playing soldier!”

As they were headed toward Calais, Clarisse’s cell phone rang. She spoke briefly to someone then tossed the phone into her purse with a frown. She fished a cigarette out of her purse and lit it with an angry snap of her gold lighter and turned to Rachel, who was driving. Clarisse rarely drove, always preferring to have a driver.

“Just a few minutes ago my guards caught a Killer trying to sneak in to the Estate. They had a firefight and killed him, but not before he killed one of my men! It appears that he was coming to camp out. He had rations that my guards said would last several days. He was trying to pry open a window into one of the guest rooms.”

Rachel’s frown joined Clarisse’s. Maria voiced her and Rachel’s thoughts. “This is more proof that they can track us, Clarisse. This Killer knew that we were not at home, and so brought food with him to await our return and then surprise us while we slept.”

Clarisse fumed and puffed and finally growled, “I feel so violated when they trespass into my home like this! And they killed one of my men, which makes me so furious! How dare they come into my home and do this! We will end this, soon.”

~o~O~o~

They rode the train back to England through the Channel Tunnel with no incidents or, to their knowledge, anyone tracking them or watching their movements. After disembarking they found Clarisse’s limousine waiting with her driver and an extra guard along with him. They climbed into the limo and headed for London and the Estate.

Clarisse insisted on seeing her dead guard’s body upon arriving home. She caressed the dead man’s cheek and whispered something in French before standing up and gesturing at the other men to take his body away.

She told Rachel that his body would be returned to Julien, and if he had a family they would get a payment from her to cover burial expenses and help them through their loss.

“Do you pay this weregild to every soldier’s family?” Maria asked.

“Yes, I feel it is my duty to help their family if one dies in my service. Julien says that it has helped some greatly. It does not bring back the dead man, but I feel that I must do something for his family.”

Maria smiled and Rachel agreed with her sentiment. “You are truly a woman of honor, Clarisse.”

~o~O~o~

They slept the next day away and when they awakened that evening they snacked and debated whether to go clubbing or stay home and keep a watch for trouble. Staying home won out, and soon Clarisse was entertaining them at her grand piano, in her music room. It seemed that the graceful woman could not only dance well, but had played piano for many years, and her talent impressed Rachel greatly.

Maria showcased her singing ability with a little coaxing from Rachel. Clarisse was delighted to hear her sing, and joined in on a few songs that they both knew. Her singing voice was not the equal of Maria’s, but was still quite impressive to Rachel.

About mid-evening they retired to Clarisse’s bedroom for some intimate fun, and once again the saucy blonde took Rachel, and Maria, to new heights of orgasmic bliss with seemingly little effort. Rachel was a fast learner, however, and with a few tips and comments from Maria was excelling at driving Clarisse mad with lust and orgasms of her own.

~o~O~o~

The next evening, when they came downstairs they found Sergeant Corwin Atkins waiting for them in the parlor. He kissed both of their hands and asked for layouts of the estate and wanted to discuss plans and procedures. He was British, they learned, as soon as they heard his accent. Clarisse informed him that her head of security would brief him on all he needed to know about the estate and what they had in place.

He gave her a quick nod and said, “Commandant Laurent said that I am to protect you both with my life, and to capture, if at all possible, as many of these attackers that can be caught. Do you have quarters for my men? We will only need bed space for four at a time; the rest will be on duty in shifts.”

“Yes, there are several guest rooms, and you and your men are free to use them, and you will also be well-fed while you are here. My home is yours during your stay here, Sergeant!”

“Very good, my Lady. Commandant Laurent also said that you both are night owls, that you prefer sleeping in the daytime and that you are up mostly at night?”

Rachel answered, “Yes, we both are nocturnal people by nature. Is this a problem, Sergeant?”

“No, not at all, Miss Rachel. I just needed to confirm that so as to plan my guard rotations and the like. Is there any certain time these men seem to attack?”

Clarisse nodded. “Yes, they often come at dawn. Sometimes as late as mid-morning, but usually within that time frame. The Kidnappers have come at night, a few times. But the Killers seem to prefer dawn, mostly.”

“Excellent. I’ll take that under consideration, then. If you will excuse me, I will go meet with your head of security and make our plans. I’ll see you both soon?”

“That is well, Sergeant. But, there is one a last thing. I would like to meet you and all of your men, shortly, before we begin this operation?”

“Most certainly, my Lady! We could meet you here in, shall we say, an hour?” Clarisse nodded her approval.

He bowed to her and to Rachel, then snapped to attention, and headed to meet her head of security, who also happened to be her limo driver.

Almost exactly an hour later Atkins escorted his men into the room, where Clarisse and Rachel were waiting. They were all dressed in simple camouflage uniforms, with no Foreign Legion insignia to be seen. They were, after all, in England and were there very unofficially.

He introduced each man and each man bowed to the lovely ladies that they were here to defend, to the death. After the introductions, Clarisse stepped back and caught each man’s gaze and held it, briefly.

Once she had done this to them all, she explained to them that she and Rachel were vampires, that this was not a bad thing, and that they were not to speak of this amongst themselves or to anyone, ever. She also explained about the Kidnappers and the Killers, and each groups apparent goals and methods.

Clarisse ended the trance for her soldiers and smiled at them all. “I appreciate your being here, my friends, and your dedication to your duty. I have high hopes that you shall help end this constant war against me and my friend here.”

Atkins yelled, “Dis-missed!” and the men all filed out of the room. He then handed each woman a small device, which he said was a communicator. “It is like a walkie-talkie, but is scrambled and quite small and unobtrusive, as you can see. If there is trouble one of us will call you on them. And if you spot trouble before we do, heaven forbid, all you need do is press this button and yell for help.”

He said that they would be taking their appointed stations now, bowed, and left the room as well.
Maria remarked, “He seems to be a good one. I think that we are in good hands, girls.”

They spent some time with the piano, and then watched a movie in Clarisse’s movie theater. Rachel was beginning to become inured to the extravagance, and she honestly enjoyed the ambiance in the theater. Clarisse had chosen the movie, in the spirit of the situation they found themselves in. She had a vast collection, and she played The Magnificent Seven as their movie.

After the movie, Maria spoke up and suggested some fun upstairs, and Clarisse’s instant grin was all the acceptance they needed to see. Maria told Rachel that she thought that Rachel was getting addicted to all the sex with Clarisse. Rachel felt that it was absolutely true.

After quite a bit of “fun time” Clarisse suggested a bubble bath to relax. This sounded excellent to them all and she led Rachel to her bathroom. She had just thought she was becoming used to the extravagance, however.

She gasped at the opulence when she first entered the room. Marble floors, marble tub, gold-plated faucets, and recessed lighting with dimmers made the place look incredible. A servant filled the massive marble tub, a tub with room for six, easily. She left and they both disrobed and walked down into the hot water and bubbles. Rachel found a seat at one end and she and Clarisse sat beside each other and relaxed.

“This is magnificent, Clarisse. I know I felt a little put off by all of the opulence here. But it is growing on me!”

Clarisse’s beautiful laughed echoed throughout the bathroom and she replied. “After the rough childhood and bad times in my life, I promised myself that I would spare no expense to totally spoil myself in every way that I could. After two hundred years of accumulating wealth and building it with investments, that is something that I can easily afford to do!”

They scrubbed each other’s back and other body parts, which set Maria to giggling inside Rachel’s head. Remember the last time we discussed this, Rachel? It seems we have solved our back-scrubbing problem, yes?

You are right, Maria! This is wonderful, isn’t it?

She shared their thoughts with Clarisse, who giggled and said “I wish that I could talk to you both in my head as you do with each other. But, yes, it is so wonderful having you here with me. I have been so lonely for so many years! I love humans and their companionship, but you are special. You know what my life is like, and we share a special bond.”

A short time later they got out of the tub, Rachel a bit regretfully. They dried each other off with huge terrycloth towels and went on into Clarisse’s boudoir to get dressed. They brushed out each other’s hair and spent some time deciding which nightgowns they’d prefer. Dawn was not far away.

About the time they were finished dressing the communicators that Sergeant Atkins had given them both chirped.

Rachel ran over to the dresser where they lay and picked one up, and heard Atkin’s voice come out of it. “My ladies? We have nine intruders in two SUVs that rammed through the gate and are disembarking in the driveway right now. My Commandant said that you would wish to be involved in the defense. If you would care to join me downstairs, we will deal with this?”

Rachel pressed the button and told him that they would be right down. They switched clothing plans and Clarisse pulled out black denim jeans and a pair of black cotton blouses she’d already put aside for this moment. Rachel mentioned that they both looked like ninjas now.

Maria snorted, and said out loud, “What is with you and these ninjas, Rachel? We must discuss this when we have more time!” Clarisse just giggled. Rachel recalled asking Maria the same question once about Russians, and laughed in appreciation of the joke.

They both tied their hair back in a pony-tail and grabbed their communicators. Rachel turned to Clarisse with a grim look and nodded, ready to go.

It was on!

Upon reaching the bottom of the staircase they found Atkins waiting on them. He was talking in his headset to his men, and gave them both a quick nod and gestured them to follow. Rachel happened to notice that the boots she and Clarisse wore matched Atkin’s footwear.

This woman leaves no detail overlooked, Maria! She amazes me.

I have noticed this Rachel, and I very much admire her.

They spilled out the double-doors into the front porch area and then down the steps to where the driveway curved in around a fountain. Beyond the spray of water they could see a group of men, all dressed in black, marching towards the manor. They were advancing cautiously, some armed with semi-automatic weapons held ready.

Corwin barked orders into his headset microphone, and received numerous acknowledgements within seconds. One of his soldiers came running up behind and placed himself beside Rachel, while Corwin flanked Clarisse.

“Ladies, as we planned, let us slowly withdraw and pull them in!”

They slowly backed away from the intruders to an area to the right of the manor spotted with fruit trees.

Several of their soldiers were up in the trees, armed with tranquilizer guns rather than conventional weapons. They had told Corwin that they wanted prisoners, and the man was doing his utmost to provide them.

Rachel’s vision was much better since her conversion and she was able to spot the leader of the opposition quickly. He was hanging back in the rear of the enemy formation, and sported a goatee. She mentally marked him as an important target as she, Atkins, and Clarisse all broke for cover around the trees and flowering bushes.

The men in black did not hesitate at all when they reached the front of the manor, but plowed ahead into the trees, weapons ready. Clarisse noted that most of them had a set of chains with four manacles slung over their shoulders — presumably for herself and Rachel to wear. She frowned and grimly stated that she would not be wearing any manacles or chains today.

As the men entered the area and passed the first tree, multiple “pfutt” sounds occurred and four of the men dropped to the ground, tranquilizers already working. The remaining five men scattered and found cover.

At least two of them raised their semi-auto weapons and began spraying the trees and bushes. Rachel was nicked by one bullet in her upper arm, but shrugged it off, knowing she would heal soon enough. She knew she’d need blood soon enough, though. Healing seemed to use up blood at a phenomenal rate.

The one that had shot her now sported a tranquilizer dart in his throat and fell over face-first into the grass. She smiled, silently thanking whichever of their soldiers did the deed.

Bullets were flying in all directions from the enemy soldiers, and Rachel’s chief concern was that none of their own soldiers were killed. She glanced around and didn’t see anyone down or worse, dying. She felt the inner tingle that meant Maria wanted control and she let go.

Maria was keeping a sharp eye out for the goateed man who was in charge. She had spotted him circle past two trees and kept Rachel looking out for him as the bullets continued to fly. Atkin’s men laid down covering fire to keep the enemy pinned down, with no intent to kill them.

The enemy leader had a Bluetooth headset on, talking nonstop. She pointed him out to Clarisse and the Frenchwoman instantly grasped what was up and they both headed toward him at a furious run. They separated and came around the tree from both sides.

They leaped almost simultaneously on him and bore him to the ground, while Clarisse yanked a pair of handcuffs from her belt she’d brought along for just this reason. They wrestled his hands behind his back and she snapped the cuffs on. Rachel leaped back up and knocked unconscious one of the men coming to rescue his commander. She took his manacles and chains and soon he was wearing them.

She spun around, checking in all directions for threats, and then came back to the commander of the soldiers they had caught. She kept the commander down on the ground with one foot on his back. She relieved him of his headset and listened to see if she could learn anything useful. She nodded at Clarisse, letting her know things were secure, here.

He cursed at her in Russian, then in English but she paid him no attention at all, wanting to keep focused on the fighting for now. She did note that he spoke English, in case that came up, later.

Clarisse darted up behind another one of the kidnappers who was fighting with one of the Legion soldiers with knives. She leaped on to his back, pulled the man’s head to the side and battened on him as he flailed about in a panic. Their soldier took the opening and slashed the man’s arm, forcing him to drop the knife.

Soon the enemy soldier fainted from blood loss and Clarisse dropped his body, still alive but completely out of action.

Atkins came over to Rachel and put his back up against hers, realizing the importance of her prisoner. She nodded at him and pondered whether to try to move him to safety or stay here and keep an eye on the battle.

Maria answered that. Best to stay here at this tree than move and risk him being shot. We need this man and the information he has. Turn his head up and stare into his eyes, Rachel. I want to put him to sleep so he is no trouble.

Rachel spoke to Atkins. “Corwin, turn his head and if you have to hold his eyes open so I can see them for a moment, would you?”

Atkins nodded and wrestled the man’s head into position as she’d asked. She locked eyes with the man and Maria said one word to him. “Sleep!” He was out cold in seconds.

Corwin snorted and remarked, “Handy, that.”

Maria giggled. “You have no idea!”

She whirled around, searching for Clarisse, and found her down and wrestling with another black-clothed soldier. Before Rachel could move, Clarisse punched him in the face several times and he was out. She hopped up and looked around, fangs out, mouth bloody, looking quite dangerous.

Clarisse saw Rachel looking towards her and grinned, fangs slowly pulling back in. Rachel felt Maria say in her head “Dieu merci, elle est vivante!” and was puzzled for a moment. Since when do you talk to me in French, Maria?

Evidently Maria was too, as she spluttered at Rachel. I did not say that! That sounded like Clarisse to me, Rachel!

Rachel stood, gaping at Clarisse as she walked up. “Clarisse, did you just think to yourself, “Thank God she is alive” when you looked at me?”

Clarisse smiled and nodded. “Yes, I did, Rachel. How did you know that?”

“Because I heard it, in your voice, inside my head, Clarisse!” replied a still-shocked Rachel.

The woman looked quite surprised but she also shook her head. “This is something we must look into further, and soon! But right now, let us take stock of these trespassing fils de putain and begin to get some answers!”

Rachel smirked, thinking that ‘sons of whores’ was beginning to catch on as their enemies’ official designation. As Rachel turned, a shot rang out from behind one of the trees out beyond the area they had been fighting in, and Clarisse hit the ground, blood pouring from her chest. Rachel growled and ran towards the source of the shot, fangs extended. She was a blur, moving so fast that Atkins did not even see her move.

She reached the place and found a man with a rifle just shoving the receiver shut, readying to take another shot. She hissed and pounced on him, and nearly ripped his throat open as she tore into it in anger. She drank almost a pint before she calmed down slightly and licked his wound closed. She grabbed his leg and dragged him back over to where Clarisse lay.

Atkins was cradling Clarisse’s head in his lap, watching her chest wound slowly begin to close. She opened her eyes and hissed, fangs out and face contorted with pain. Rachel dragged her prisoner over close to her and said, “Here, Clarisse, drink! You need blood, I can tell!”

Clarisse nodded weakly and fastened on to the man’s throat and began to feed. She obviously had needed the blood because she drained the man dry in a very short time. As she fed, the man struggled but he could not break Rachel’s and Clarisse’s combined grip. Soon he was still.

She slowly stood, wound healed over and the pain on her face receded. She spared a glance at the corpse lying at her feet and shrugged. “I do not kill indiscriminately, but for you, I made an exception.”

She glanced at Rachel, but Rachel offered no condemnation of her act at all. She still explained, “His intent was to kill me, so I do feel justified in returning the favor. Intent, to me, is not much different than actions.”

Rachel did not feel the least bit bothered by Clarisse’s kill, and of course neither did Maria. She took Clarisse’s hand and squeezed tightly, glad that her friend and lover was not permanently injured or worse. Clarisse returned the squeeze and gave Rachel a bright smile, eyes twinkling.

“It takes more than a bullet to keep a tough Frenchwoman down, mon ami!” She tsked at the bullet hole in her blouse, then reached inside and retrieved the bullet which had popped back out of her chest. She passed it to Rachel and said “Souvenir?”

Rachel rolled her eyes and tossed the bullet aside, bringing a grin from Clarisse. The fighting had stopped and things were now quiet. She turned to Atkins. “Let us see what we have collected, shall we?”

They went back towards the manor entrance and found six men lying in the grass, all of them trussed up in their own shackles they’d so nicely provided. All of them were gagged, blindfolded, and chained securely. Most of them were also unconscious. Atkins took in the scene and checked on his men.

“My lady, we have two wounded, but none severely. No deaths on our side, two on theirs. And six prisoners! A good resolution, would you agree?”

Clarisse beamed at Atkins, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “My dear Sergeant, this is a wonderful resolution. But, we are missing one, no?”

He nodded ruefully and gestured to one of his men to report.

“Ma’am, one of them did get away. Made it back to one of their SUVs and took off while you were… indisposed.”

“Merde! Ah, I suppose it could not be helped. Do not fret, Sergeant, you and your men did an excellent job!”
Atkins gave her a short bow, obviously happy with her praise.

“Now, if you and your men would kindly lock these men down in the basement? A cell for each, I think, would be best.”

She walked over to the goateed leader and smirked. “But leave this one for us; we are going to have a long chat with him.”

“Oh, and Sergeant? Have your men search those SUVs thoroughly later today when they can, and report to me tonight if they find anything at all.”

Atkins saluted and ran off to see to her orders.

~o~O~o~

They carefully bound the man to a metal chair that Clarisse sat in the center of one of her garages. There were not any cars in the garage at present. Her cars were in her primary garage. Rachel had rolled her eyes at having two garages and so many cars and Clarisse had smirked and poked her in the ribs.

Clarisse began smacking the man in the face to revive him and soon he was wide awake and glaring. This might have been because she smacked him a lot longer than necessary to wake him up.

She stopped and his eyes fell on Rachel. The man grinned insolently at her. “Pokazhi pizdu detka!” Rachel wasn’t sure what he said but Maria knew all too well.

She casually backhanded him, sending blood spraying as the corner of his lip was torn. “I am not showing you my cunt or anything else, Russian pig!”

Rachel spoke up, “Umm, Clarisse you might want to handle this one. Maria has… issues, with Russians. She might kill him.”

Maria sniffed but did not object as Rachel backed away and Clarisse walked in close to their prisoner.
The man spat blood at her feet and smirked at her. “I speak English too, vampire whore! There is some blood for you — why don’t you lick it off the floor!”

Clarisse smiled at him sweetly and then casually reached down and broke his pinky finger. “Firstly we will remember our manners here, or we will regret it. Am I understood?”

He groaned, but then spat blood in her face and smirked.

Rachel feared that Clarisse would fly into a rage but she simply wiped the blood off her face with her fingers, she then sniffed it curiously. She touched it to her tongue, and then wiped her fingers off on his shirt. She looked intently at him for a moment, and looked to be lost in thought.

She shook her head and glared at their captive.” I think we’ve had enough of your insolence, my new Russian friend.” She moved and in a flash she had his head cradled between her hands and was staring deeply into his eyes. Her fangs extended as she put every ounce of energy in her being into enthralling the man.

He was obviously resisting, at first. But she kept staring and kept mentally pushing at him and after a few minutes his will crumbled and his body relaxed under her power. She let go of his face and backed away, but kept her gaze locked on his.

“You will answer any question that I, or Rachel, here, ask of you. You will answer completely and speak only the truth, nothing more. Do you understand?”

“Yes.” The man replied as if drugged, and sat limply under her spell. He answered in a monotone.

“You were the leader of this group, yes?”

“Yes.”

“What is your name?”

“Vasily Popov.”

“Why were you trying to kidnap us, Vasily?”

“I was ordered to.”

“By whom? What is his name? What does he do?”

“The boss. Arkady Volkov. He is the leader of our gang.”

“What gang? Where is it based?”

“The Wolf Pack, he calls us. We are based in Bucharest.” Maria’s eyebrows raised — she’d been expecting them to be based in Russia.

Rachel said, “Werewolves?”

Maria snorted. “Nay. Volkov is a common Russian surname, meaning wolf or wolf’s. Their leader is a bit vain, I would guess.”

Clarisse could see that Rachel was about to veer the topic to werewolves and held up her hand and shook her head. She continued with the questions they had discussed asking before the battle. “Why does this Arkady Volkov wish us captured? What does he intend to do with us?”

“He has a use for vampires. He has told me directly that we must not exterminate every last one. I do not know exactly what he does with them. He will not tell us. He plans to chain you up in a cell, as Maria once was.”

Maria hissed and walked over to him. “How do any of you know me?”

“Our order imprisoned you centuries ago. We are all under orders to recapture you at all costs.”

Maria bristled. “Why?! Why must you recapture me?”

“I do not know. Arkady does not usually explain his orders, and asking him ‘why’ is not ever a good idea.”

Clarisse went on. “Who are these men who try to kill us rather than capture us?”

“They once were with us, and we all had the same goal — to eradicate all vampires in the world. But Arkady’s father decided to keep some imprisoned rather than wipe them all out.”

“Why? And this man’s father imprisoned Maria?”

“I do not know, and yes, so he said.”

Maria spluttered. “That is impossible! I was imprisoned in 1877!”

The man offered no response. Clarisse shook her head. “We will return to this. Why does this Wolf Pack wish to destroy all vampires?”

“Vampires are evil. If we do not destroy them, they will destroy mankind.”

Clarisse snorted. “And this gang was responsible for killing all the vampires in France and England?”

“Yes. We have cleansed all of Europe over time. There are only two bloodsuckers left, and Arkady wanted you captured rather than killed.”

“How many people are in this Wolf Pack?”

“I do not know, exactly.”

“Give me your best guess, as a minimum and a maximum.”

“There are at least fifty, but not more than one hundred, presently. We lost many in our attacks here over the years.”

“How many are among the Wolf Pack that wants to kill us, rather than capture us?”

“Roughly twenty left, I would say. They are not so numerous as they once were.”

“How do members of the Wolf Pack track us?” Rachel asked.

“I do not know. We are called and told where you are.”

“Who calls you and informs you where we are?”

“By Arkady himself, or his lieutenants.”

“And how do they inform you of our location? Street names, GPS coordinates, or what?”

“GPS usually, though at times we have just been told to go to the French Whore’s home.”

Clarisse showed no reaction to the term and continued on. “Where is Arkady right now?”

“I do not know. He was in Calais yesterday. He sent us here today.”

“When are you to report in to him?”

“After we have failed or have captured you.”

“By cell phone?”

“Yes.”

She held up the cell phone that had been removed from his pocket, and the Bluetooth device that was paired with it. “This phone, here?”

“Yes.”

“Do you have any secret code words or phrases that you use with Arkady to prove that you are not under any duress?”

“No, but — we are instructed to ask Arkady to bring vodka if we are in such a situation.” Rachel laughed at the phrase, but was also impressed that Clarisse had thought to ask such a thing.

“Did he know that you were attacking this morning, or was there some set time?”

“We were to determine if you were here, then attack. No set time.”

“When does he expect you to check in?”

“Any time within the next twenty-four hours he will expect a report of success, or failure.” Rachel raised an eyebrow at Clarisse, who nodded in reply. An opening they could use to trap Mr. Volkov, perhaps.

Clarisse thoughtfully tapped her index finger on her chin for a moment. “What do you and your men get out of this? What is your motivation to work for Arkady? Does he pay you?”

Her rapid questions did not seem to bother him. “We get satisfaction from stopping the vampires. That is our motivation. Most of us have seen vampires so we know that they are real. Yes, he pays us enough to live on.”

Rachel looked out the tinted garage window and noticed the sun rising. She turned to Clarisse. “The sun is rising, Clarisse. Shall we save more questions for tonight? I am tired, myself.”

Clarisse nodded in agreement. “Rachel I am extremely tired as well. Let us go rest, and we will have Corwin’s men keep an eye on this one and the others while we sleep.” She turned to their captive and said “Go to sleep, and do not awaken until you hear my voice again!” The man’s head fell down, and he was sound asleep almost instantly.

They left instructions with Corwin and went upstairs to Clarisse’s suite. One of her servants had thoughtfully lowered the metal blinds for them. Rachel remarked on this and Clarisse was not the least bit defensive, but more amused.

“Rachel my dear, you tend to think of my servants as prisoners of my will or something like that. You should begin to see that they love me, and I in turn take very good care of them. I only use my power to keep them silent about who and what I am to the outside world. Otherwise, they are here of their own free will.”

Rachel understood and was contrite. “I am sorry, Clarisse, I do see what you are saying. I am adjusting to a lot of things here.”

Clarisse smiled and told her to think nothing more of it. She bolted the door and they snuggled into the silk sheets. Clarisse sensed that Maria and Rachel wanted to talk, and welcomed the notion.

Rachel brought up what was bothering her most, first. “Clarisse, Maria and I heard you quite clearly in my head when you were saying to yourself you were glad we were still alive. How is that possible? And can we do it again? I could see that being a very useful ability!”

For her answer, Clarisse stared intently at Rachel and was obviously concentrating hard. Rachel relaxed and tried to ‘listen’ with her mind but heard nothing.

Clarisse sighed and shook her head. “Yes, I was trying to send you something but it is not working, now. This is something we shall have to spend some time working on, but not tonight!”

Maria responded. “I have not experienced such a thing but I agree that when we have time we need to try to duplicate what happened. But, before we rest, let us discuss what we have learned?”

Clarisse agreed. “Mm, we have learned much about our enemies, my friends. But I feel that there is much more to learn as well, no?”

Rachel happily answered. “Let’s see what we have, here. The Wolf Pack began as a group to exterminate all vampires. They had some kind of split about their goals, right around the time they imprisoned Maria. The larger portion of the split wants to cage at least two of us. The remainder wants us completely eradicated.”

“Yes, Rachel, that is a good summation. I, for one, think that we can lay a trap for this Arkady, if we are devious and put to good use this man that we captured.”

Maria chimed in. “I agree, Clarisse. We need to get the head of the snake, certainly. I do wonder if everything that he said was absolute truth, though.”

Clarisse replied. “I sensed no pushing back from him when we interrogated him. From all that I could tell he was telling the truth — at least the truth as he knows it.”

“Ah yes, I was thinking about that myself, Clarisse. So he’s being truthful to us, but what he knows to be true and what is true may be two different things,” Rachel mused.

“Oui, Rachel. We shall find out more tonight, and perhaps we can plan a trap and finally put an end to all of this nonsense. I do not know how we will stop the second group, though I-”

The communicator on the nightstand beside her beeped, and she picked it up and pressed the button. “Yes, Corwin? Is there a problem?”

His voice came out of the device. “No, my lady, I just wanted to let you know that I’ve posted a guard outside of your bedroom door, guards on the prisoners, and the manor is secure. I bid you a good day’s sleep!”

“Thank you, Corwin! Please awaken us if there are any disturbances. And please give Julien a full report so that he will not worry?”

“I will do that immediately, my lady. Good day!”

She laid the communicator back in its place and turned back to Rachel and caressed her cheek. “We did well today, darling, and I must once again say how wonderful it is to have you here and in my life — both of you!”

“We both feel the same way about you, Clarisse,” Rachel replied softly, then leaned in and kissed her beautiful friend gently on the lips. “I was terrified when you were shot that you might somehow be killed by it, and I think Maria and I would have been devastated if that happened. We love you, and once this little war ends, we want to spend a lot more time with you.”

Her brilliant smile answered more than words could have. They both slipped off to sleep, each with a smile on her lips.

The next evening, Clarisse led them down to the cells as soon as they had dressed, and the two of them feasted on their prisoners. They each took about a pint, leaving the men slightly spaced out but alive.

She and Rachel each interrogated the survivors to confirm what they had been told previously by the men’s commander. Nothing of any use was learned, other than to find out that he had not told them any lies.

Clarisse decided that the men could stay in her cells for now, and left orders with her staff to feed them.
Clarisse and Rachel then went in search of Corwin Atkins, who they found in the kitchen snacking on some ice cream.

“It is my weakness, my lady. Your cook was kind enough to offer some and I could not resist!” he exclaimed.
Clarisse giggled and assured him that he could have all that he wanted and then went on to more pressing matters.

“Corwin, I would like you to have your men riddle the first SUV out there with bullet holes. Not a ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ thing but a good handful? Then, toss a grenade in it and let it burn for a bit before you put it out.”

Atkins looked puzzled at the order but answered immediately. “It shall be done my lady, at once. Do you have any further tasks for my men tonight, beyond their keeping watch? We are all at your disposal for as long as you need us, I hope you know.”

“No, not at the moment, Corwin, you may all do as you need to do. I wish to thank you and all of your men for such an excellent job of defending my home yesterday. All of you have earned a special gift that I shall bestow on you all before you leave my home.”

Atkins started protesting that they were only doing their duty and that no gifts or remuneration was required when she silenced him with a quick kiss on the lips. “That will be enough arguing, Corwin. I like to bestow gifts on those who serve me well, or do something special for me. So, no more of that, off you go to start your evening!”

Having been dismissed, he offered her a short bow and headed off to have his men trash an SUV.

“Care to share your master plan with us slower folks, Clarisse?” Rachel asked with a smirk. She was trying to work out what the devious woman was up to and coming up blank.

“Oh, I should let you percolate all evening trying to figure this one out!” she said impishly, offering a giggle. “But I will not do that to you. I think that we need to lure this Arkady here, and I want him to see a warzone when he arrives. I want him to come in here as a prideful conqueror and leave here as our pet, at the least.”

Maria nodded and Rachel could tell she’d worked it out, just as Rachel had. “Yes, we have our prisoner call Arkady and tell him that we are in chains and they do not have enough working vehicles. Hopefully he will rush here to claim his prizes. Yes, I like this plan, Clarisse. I think it has potential. What are your thoughts, Rachel?”

Rachel considered their situation for a few moments and then brought up one possible flaw in the plan. “What if he brings one or even two more carloads of thugs with him? If he’s the cautious sort, I am sure he would?”

Clarisse raised an eyebrow, as she had not considered that as of yet. “Very good, Rachel, you thought of that before I did. We will make a good vampire out of you, certainly!”

She pondered for just a moment. “First, we post two of his men at the gate, with weapons, to help convince him that he controls my estate. That should at least somewhat relax him. We need to find out if Arkady knows all of them well. If he does not, we slip in one of our soldiers to make sure the ruse goes well.”

“If he does know them well, we shall just have to trust to our control and try to cover every contingency. If he is as eager to get us as I think, he will not waste much time talking to them, anyway. He will rush to the manor and want to claim us both as soon as possible.”

She led them to her favorite parlor, the same one they’d been in several times. The décor was from the twenties, a time she’d mentioned more than once that was her favorite era. She reclined in her favorite spot and put her cigarette holder to use as they continued to plot.

Maria had some additional things to offer. “We must question this commander deeply and make sure that we get him to completely fool his boss. I wish that we could find out how many men he will bring without raising his suspicion.”

Rachel said, “First off, we tell him only one casualty, and that the rest of his men are all safe and well. At least he will count them as usable troops that way, and maybe he won’t bring as many?”

“That is very good, Rachel. But, let us plan for the worst, shall we? Let us say that he still brings, oh, a dozen men. How shall we handle that, Rachel? Clarisse?”

Clarisse and Rachel both frowned, as they reached the conclusion that if he brought that many men it could lead to a bloodbath among their troops. While they considered that, Maria walked over to the bar and poured herself some red wine. She was quite fond of the taste of wine, and always had been.

Clarisse spoke up first. “We need to have our meeting with him deep in the basement levels of the manor. That, at least, would thin their ranks somewhat, I believe. He would post some of his men as guards outside the manor and perhaps a few more on the way, no?”

Rachel nodded. “Could we pick a room where that, once he comes in, we could have Sergeant Atkins men in rooms close by so that they could close in and trap him there?”

Clarisse beamed at Rachel and nodded eagerly. “I have just the room in mind for that. That was an excellent idea Rachel!”

“There’s a saying that no plan survives contact with the enemy, and I think we’ve planned about as far as we can, don’t you?” Rachel said, as she was eager to get moving and finish things off with Arkady.

Clarisse was in agreement as was Maria, so they headed to the smaller garage to visit with their prisoner.
Vasily was still sitting in the chair they had tied him to the morning before, but they knew their soldiers had taken him to the bathroom twice and also fed him. He was still somewhat entranced but Clarisse could tell it had worn off, slightly. Vexed, she held his head and used her power on him again and soon he was pliant.

“Vasily, if I have you call Arkady and tell him that you and your men captured us, and have us locked up, would he believe you? And would he come here himself? Think carefully and give me your honest answer.”

Vasily sat quietly for a moment, obviously he was thinking it through. “Yes, I think that he would believe me, he has no reason not to. And he would come here if he felt it safe.”

Rachel smiled, knowing that their plan had a chance. “How many of his men do you think that he’d bring along if he came?”

“There would be at least three or four. He never travels alone. His chief lieutenant, Lucas, would be with him certainly.”

“Do you think that he’d bring more than that?”

“Probably not. We do not have that many men here in England.”

Clarisse paced around for a moment before asking her next question. “Can you make him believe you, Vasily, when you say that we are your prisoners? Will he want to speak to one of your men to verify that fact?”

“Yes, I can. And I doubt that he would do that, he would just come here quickly.”

“All right. I am going to give you your phone and headset and I want you to call him. Talk to him as you always would. Tell him that you captured us and that we are imprisoned in the basement in a cage that I have here. Understood so far?”

“Yes, and I will comply.”

Rachel had a question. “You referred to Clarisse as ‘the French Whore’, yesterday. Was that just an insult or do you have code names for us?”

“That is how Arkady has so named her.”

“What about me?”

“The Gypsy Slut.”

Maria rolled her eyes. “I am not a member of the Roma, you fool Russian!”

He did not respond to her, but tracked Clarisse with his eyes. Of course, she’d been the one to mesmerize him and she was his boss, now.

Clarisse handed him the phone and slipped the Bluetooth device into his ear, then leaned down so she could hear everything clearly. “Very well, Vasily. Call him and tell him what we discussed. If you do not know an answer to his question I will hit mute and tell you what to say. Understood?”

“Yes.” He activated the phone, then hit speed dial one and they waited for an answer.

A Russian-accented voice came barking across the headset. “Vasily! It is about time you called. What do you have to report?”

“I report success, boss! We have them!”

“Both of them?”

“Yes, sir. The Gypsy and the Whore are all tied up.”

“Where are they?”

“We have them in the Whore’s basement, in a cell that she had. It was a perfect place to hold them.”

“Do you have casualties? How did you capture them?”

Clarisse held up one finger in front of Vasily’s face.

“We lost one man only. The rest of us are in good condition, sir. We came in after dawn, overpowered her guards and caught them sleeping.”

“Are any of her guards still there?”

“No, sir. They fought to the death and we were forced to kill them all.”

“Good. I will have you transport the whores to here, then.”

Clarisse shook her head furiously at Vasily and hit Mute. “Tell him that one SUV is burned up from the fight, and the other won’t start, perhaps due to bullet damage.”

“Sir, we lost one SUV during the fight, it is burned. The other one has bullet damage we think, it will not start.”

There was silence for a moment but both Rachel and Clarisse could hear that Arkady was conferring with someone there with him. “Very well, we will head there to meet you. We will have to rent another car to carry all of the men, but we will work that out later. I will see you in about an hour, Vasily. Watch those bitches closely! Do not disappoint me!” Arkady hung up.

Rachel grumbled. “Really getting tired of being referred to as a whore all of the time.”

Clarisse laughed and Maria remarked, “You can take it out on him later, Rachel.”

Clarisse smiled and put the phone away and untied their prisoner. She and Rachel led him back to the manor and downstairs to the basement. They gathered all of the prisoners together and began to issue detailed instructions to each one.

Two of them were sent out to the gate, primed to tell Arkady whatever he might want to hear. One was posted to the entrance of the mansion, with orders to escort Arkady and his companions downstairs when they arrived.

They posted Vasily at the doorway of the basement room where a single cage sat. More cell than cage, it was four walls of steel bars with room for at least four people inside. Clarisse ordered Vasily to remain at his post, then she and Rachel headed upstairs to her driver-slash-head of security’s office.

Atkins was there talking with Colin, her head of security when they walked into the room. Atkins bowed to the ladies and Colin smiled. Clarisse addressed them both. “Gentlemen. Is everything ready for our incoming guests?”

Atkins deferred to Colin. “Yes, Madam Clarisse. Sergeant Atkins soldiers are stacking up the crates and boxes as Madam Rachel specified right now. We have ‘bodies’ placed in a few strategic locations. When this Arkady Volkov arrives, we will be ready for him.”

Rachel smiled and nodded, and Clarisse beamed at the two soldiers. “Excellent, my brave and loyal comrades! I do not want anyone on our team injured or killed if we can prevent it, so please make sure everyone is careful.”

“Yes, Madam!” said Colin.

“Of course, my lady. My men will all be in position within the next ten minutes,” Atkins stated.

Rachel looked at Clarisse, and she looked back. “Shall we?”

Clarisse took Rachel’s hand. “We shall! Lead on, Rachel, mon amour!” Hand in hand they walked down two staircases and then into the basement. One long hallways and a turn to the right, through a door, brought them back to where their cage awaited. Vasily stood just inside the door, patiently awaiting new orders or Arkady’s arrival.

Clarisse swung the door of the cage open and both women walked inside. She pulled it shut and took a key from the pocket of her jeans and locked it, then slipped the key back in her pocket. Vasily had another key, and for a fail-safe, Atkins and Colin both had a copy as well. She waved at the camera in the corner near the ceiling, and the communicator in her other pocket chirped once.

Both Rachel and Clarisse stood still while one of Atkin’s men rigged up the manacles and chains around each of them. A bit of work on each manacle had made them removable without a key. They were very stiff to open but Rachel and Clarisse had practiced and both could remove them without any real effort. A tug on them by a human would not reveal anything, it was hoped.

The soldier left and the two shackled women shrugged and sat down beside each other to wait. Both had fed as much as possible earlier so as to be at full strength in case of any problems later.

Not much time passed before the communicator chirped and Colin’s voice broke the quite spell in the basement. “Two SUVs just pulled up to the gate. The driver is talking to the men we posted there. Corwin is listening in, and says it is all good, they are buying it. They are driving on, now, and headed to the manor. Good luck, Madam Clarisse, I will see you shortly!”

Clarisse kissed Rachel and settled down to look like a prisoner, so Rachel copied her. They sat together, with heads slumped, looking very defeated.

About five minutes later footsteps were heard and Arkady was soon talking to Vasily, who led him into the room. “You have done well, Vasily! So much effort has finally paid off. You will be rewarded in ways that will astound you, once we put these bitches to work!”

Rachel looked up at the men standing in front of the cage, sullenly. She bared her fangs at the man in front, who she knew was Arkady. Both men were dressed in black and Arkady cradled an Uzi automatic rifle in his hands. Beside him was the British man who had stabbed one of the Killers and tried to capture them before. He had the same weapon, but it was on his shoulder. Behind them was Vasily and one other Wolf Pack soldier.

Arkady grinned down at the women. “Hello my vampire bitches! It is so good to finally end this chase. You have killed many of my men, and you will pay dearly for that, I promise you!”

He opened the door and walked into the cage, gloating at both of them. “The elegant French Whore in chains at last. I will enjoy torturing you for hours on end, you arrogant bitch.” He kicked her in the face and laughed. “Look at them Lucas!” He spoke to the Englishman. “Once so proud and arrogant, now they are our slaves!”

Lucas stood in the doorway looking down on them. “You’d have done better to surrender to me, ladies. Slightly better, anyway! You pissed Arkady off and he’ll take it out on both of you, now.”

Rachel did not have to await a signal to make her move. Her sensitive hearing picked up Clarisse’s shackles slowly easing open, so she started easing her own open. Besides, she wasn’t about to let Arkady continue abusing Clarisse.

Rachel was free first, and she wasted no time. She leaped up and smashed Arkady into the bars, while Clarisse leaped across the room into Lucas, who fell outside with her on top.

Rachel was quite shocked when Arkady picked her up and threw her across the cage, where she hit the bars hard and fell to the floor. He raised his Uzi and fired bullets at her, several of which penetrated and caused her to scream. Vampire or not, the bullets were quite painful.

He whirled around, and spotted Vasily standing next to the cage door. Arkady glared at him and screamed, “Traitorous pig!”, then sprayed him with his Uzi. Vasily was dead before his body hit the floor.

The other Wolf Pack member started forward but before he could move two of Atkin’s men popped out of the crates and caught him in a cross-fire. He dropped instantly. Arkady got one of them with a spray of bullets but the other ducked back down behind cover.

Maybe it was a small sound or maybe a sixth sense but he quickly turned before Rachel was on him and tried to shoot her again. He managed to shoot her twice more before she grabbed his Uzi and pulled the barrel up and away from her body. She swung her free fist at his face and hit him several times.

Lucas and Clarisse rolled away from the cage, fighting and each trying to gain control of his Uzi, but neither able to control it. He also had to contend with an angry vampire’s flashing fangs right in his face and while he wasn’t doing nearly as well as Arkady was with Rachel, he was managing to stab her with the knife he’d had on his belt.

Rachel thought she had pounded Arkady senseless enough to disarm him but he surprised her and she felt a bullet enter her shoulder. She hissed and bit his arm and drew a small amount of spicy blood from it before he shot her again, this time in the stomach.

Rachel! Get that gun away from him before he shoots us in the head! Maria screamed inside her head.

She shoved him as hard as she could then followed with a right cross to his face. As he staggered she grabbed his gun, made sure it was pointed away and yanked as hard as she could. It came out of his hands and the strap broke. She turned it into a makeshift club and began battering away at Arkady’s face, his head, his body, anywhere she could land a blow.

One last blow, delivered like a baseball player hitting a homerun, sent Volkov flying hard up against the bars, where he dropped to the floor, spread-eagled.

Rachel, blood streaming from her face, arm, stomach, and various other places, staggered over to Arkady. He was finally unconscious! He looked much worse than she did — a fact which pleased her immensely for some reason. She checked his pulse and found none, and then sighed. They had wanted Arkady a prisoner, not dead.

She shook her head sadly, not in mourning for him, but sad that they might have lost a valuable source of information on the Wolf Pack gang.

Maria, I can’t get over how strong he was!

Yes, few humans I have ever encountered have showed such strength. This is something we must look into, but let us see to Clarisse first!

She walked slowly outside the cage, limping slightly from her bullet wounds in her left leg. Arkady must have put half a dozen into her leg, at least.

Clarisse still had Lucas pinned down in the hall, and had managed to fasten manacles to his arms at least. Her body was covered with stab wounds and cuts from Lucas’s huge knife. The skin on one side of her face was an open flap where he had slashed her. With Rachel’s help his legs were soon secure, as well.

Rachel sank to the floor and looked at Clarisse. “I need a vacation. This vampire stuff is hard work.” She coughed up some blood and spat delicately to the side.

Clarisse held her facial wound closed, and smiled at Rachel while she called Atkins and Colin. She told Colin she needed a snack as fast as possible and he replied, “On the way, Madam Clarisse!”

Rachel informed her that Arkady Volkov was dead, and she shrugged. “We still have a prisoner who will tell us everything that we wish to know, Rachel.”

Both women sank to the floor and leaned on each other. Their bodies were healing but they needed blood badly. Both were eyeing Lucas as if he were a steak dinner. This wasn’t lost on Lucas, who looked quite nervous.

“Err, ladies, I could be very valuable to you alive. You don’t want to kill me, now, do you?” he said, his English accent strong and his voice rising in pitch.

Rachel felt her fangs pop out as she leaned over him and grinned her most wicked grin. “The loss of a pint shouldn’t hurt you, now should it, Lucas?” She ignored his bellow as she placed her mouth to his neck, poked two holes with her fangs, and began to suck. After just a few mouthfuls she rose up and allowed Clarisse, who was showing her own fangs in an evil grin to Lucas, to move in and take some blood as well.

Lucas’s struggles availed him nothing as Clarisse took an equal amount and then sealed the wound. Both felt a little better after their snack. They sat back and Rachel noticed the backpack that Lucas had been wearing before the fight began. She pulled the zipper open and began to rummage around inside.

She pulled out a small paper-wrapped package that was soft and yielding to the touch. Ignoring Lucas’s protest she sliced the string holding it sealed and tore the paper open. Inside was packing foam, from which a small glass vial appeared when she finished unwrapping it.

She raised an eyebrow at Clarisse, who leaned forward with interest. She removed the stopper and sniffed the vial. “It’s blood, but very spicy smelling blood?”

Maria exclaimed almost immediately, “That is vampire blood!” Clarisse at almost the same time said, “Yes! I smell vampire blood. Let me taste it and I will be certain.”

Rachel handed her the vial while Lucas glared but said nothing. She tipped the bottle to her finger and wet the end, then touched her finger to her mouth. “Yes, this is definitely vampire blood — but it is not mine. But there is a slight hint of your blood in it, Maria. It tastes very flat and dull, as if it has been carried around for some time.”

Maria tasted the blood next. “It tastes as if it were mine but at a distance, perhaps. Ecaterina’s blood tasted like this, as I recall. What is going on here?”

She turned her gaze to Lucas, as Clarisse did the same. He looked very uncomfortable, and seemed to be looking for a way to sink into the concrete floor.

Clarisse leaned over him, carefully placed her hand on his shirt, curled her grip tight and pulled him up slightly from his prone position until his face was an inch from hers. He could see her fangs extend and her eyes had a dangerous look.

“Now, Lucas. You will tell me what this is about, and you will tell me right this fucking minute! I think I know, but I wish to hear it from your lips. Start talking!” She let go and his head bounced painfully on the concrete.

Rachel leaned over as well and he saw that there was no getting out of this. “Well, err, ladies, you see, it is vampire blood, you are correct there.”

Two sets of silvery eyes continued to glare at him, and he cleared his throat. “It’s kind of old, because it’s been in storage in a freezer for several years. The, umm, the owner of it passed on, you see, and it’s getting pretty much useless, now.”

“Go on, let’s hear it all,” Rachel said, fangs still extended and glaring eyes still staring at him. How much of the glare was hers and how much Maria’s, neither could have said.

Lucas wiggled and grimaced. “Could you sit me up, love? I’ll tell you everything but I really would prefer to be sitting up?”

Clarisse grabbed him and pushed him roughly up against the wall. “There, now talk — in detail! Start at the beginning. We want to hear it all!”

At that moment, Colin, Atkins, two more soldiers, and several of Clarisse’s thralls arrived. She put the men to removing Arkady’s body, and had a thrall each kneel beside herself and Rachel. Soon they had fed, right in front of Lucas — who looked very uncomfortable, and sent the thralls on their way again.

Rachel suspected that Clarisse did that for shock value and Maria agreed with a laugh. Rachel felt much better as the last of her wounds closed up.

“Now, let us hear this story, and we can detect lies, you know. It is one of our powers as vampires. So, I would suggest that you do not lie to us.” Maria sounded quite menacing and the man was even more terrified than before, if that was possible.

Lucas was sweating, rivulets running down his face, even in the chill basement. He shook his head wildly back and forth. “No! I will tell you everything, just please let me live?”

Clarisse laughed. “We shall see, Monsieur Lucas. Let us see how cooperative you are, no? Get on with it.”
Lucas nodded and began to explain.

“Well, a long time ago, Arkady’s father was one of the chiefs of this group, the Wolf Pack. It was a group of men from Russia and Moldavia who hunted vampires. As you know there’s some of us from all around Europe now, but back then it was just that region. When they formed this group vampires were very common in that part of the world.”

“It was during one of the wars with the Ottomans that old Volkov discovered something. He saw a vampire woman feeding on one of his men and he saw her lick the wounds and they healed. This intrigued him, you see, so rather than stake her, they captured her.”

Rachel narrowed her eyes, seeing where this was going. She was quite correct in her thoughts.

“His men were totally buggered in the capture, but once they had her, rather than staking her they drained her blood. He then fed some of it to his wounded men, and sure enough it healed them right up! However, one of them got too much and soon enough he turned vamp and had to be staked.”

He shook his head, sadly. “Some of the Wolf Pack thought the whole idea of using vamp blood quite dodgy, and they refused to go along with it at all. That was the split, you know. They left the gang right then and there, and vowed to carry on the fight without this evil tainted blood passing their lips.”

“Well, to make a long story short, the whole Wolf Pack was all sixes and sevens then. Almost came to blows but old Volkov let the, err, purists go without any bloodshed. After that he was demanding a new vamp be captured as soon as could be done.”

“The split, it happened not long before you captured me?” Maria asked.

“Yes, it was not long after the American Civil War ended that this all happened.” He nodded and went on.

“After they caught the next one, apparently old Volkov started experimenting. You see, he wanted to find the exact amount that would heal most efficiently, without actually turning the man who ingested it into a vampire himself. He kept the vampire prisoner for quite a long time, feeding him enough blood to keep him alive but just barely.”

Lucas grimaced. “The poor lads who took too much and became vampires no longer got staked, either. Instead they were chained up as well and used for more blood.”

Clarisse growled “This is sick! This man was a sick sociopath!”

Lucas didn’t bother to defend Volkov. “I do agree with you there, but remember they were fighting vampires who killed people when they fed, unlike what you two do, usually? It was a different time… anyway, his experiments went on but often he didn’t feed the vamps enough and they perished.”

“Over time he was down to two chained vamps, and of course his estranged Wolf Pack brothers were out staking vamps everywhere they could be found. When they captured you, Maria, they stashed you in that castle for a ‘pristine source’. That is how old Volkov referred to you in his journal. He wanted you safe, and a source for fresh vamp blood when needed. I don’t know how often, but I do know they fed you from time to time, and bled you as well.”

The flash of fire in Maria’s, or Rachel’s, eyes was enough to make the man gulp visibly. “Well, err, that was him, not me, you understand!”

Maria was too angry to speak so Rachel asked. “How did they get in and out? The passageway in there had not been touched for years.”

“Trapdoor, you know? Just open it, lower the ladder in, feed her, draw some blood, and back out. He used her blood to turn prisoners or Wolf Pack members who’d pissed him off, then used them as his sources.”

Rachel shook her head, feeling an idiot for missing that. “Go on with your story.”

Clarisse interrupted. “Where is this journal of Arkady’s father you mentioned?”

“I don’t know, really. I saw it years ago and he let me read it, since I was his second.”

She nodded. “Go on.”

“So, old Volkov started doling out vials of this vamp blood to his most trusted lieutenants in the gang. It soon became a status thing, or one of rank. He’d discovered that regular doses slowed down the aging process tremendously!”

Clarisse nodded thoughtfully. “Just as I suspected when Vasily told us that Arkady’s father had been the one to imprison you, Maria. From that moment, I was suspecting that they were using vampire blood as a longevity drug. But it didn’t last, did it, Lucas?” Her smile was quite grim.

Lucas nodded. “Yeah, you know, don’t you? Old man Volkov slowly went insane. He was trapped in some half-vamp, half-human state and he just went bloody bonkers one day. His own son, Arkady, had to kill his father. Apparently, over time whatever it is in vamp blood builds up and causes that. It could not force the change into a full vampire and the body and mind just go crazy.”

“After that, Arkady took over. That was right before the war began, I was told, World War One I mean. Yes, Arkady was 118 years old! Hard to believe, isn’t it?”

Clarisse pounced on that statement. “And how old are you, Monsieur Lucas?”

He looked nervous again. “I’ve only had it four times, and I’m only sixty-four! Not nearly as old as Arkady was. He has been drinking the stuff for nearly a century, and I must confess he was getting a bit mad.”

Clarisse shook her head. “You were all mad! Vampire blood will turn a human, yes. But in such small amounts it will drive them insane. This was known ages ago!”

Lucas looked down at the floor. “Well, we should have learned from Arkady’s father. But the son went after it as bad as the father did. I have to admit, even without the fountain of youth aspect, the stuff is addictive. Never felt so alive and vital, not to mention strong, as after drinking some!”

“How many of you have been drinking vampire blood?” Clarisse demanded.

“Just the leadership, and they are all dead now but me, I am afraid. Well, no, there is Stepan, he’s had some. He’s still in Bucharest.”

“You were all fools to drink our blood,” Maria stated.

He attempted a cheeky grin. “You have to admit, turnabout is fair play, eh?”

Clarisse backhanded him across the mouth in answer. She pulled out her communicator and pressed the button. “Colin, come back please, and bring a soldier along to help you.”

She stood up, still somewhat shaky, and offered Rachel a hand up as well. “Come darling, you and I need to feed again, I think, and we need rest.”

Rachel did not offer any argument and neither did Maria.

Within a minute Colin appeared, with Atkins and one of Atkin’s men in tow.

Clarisse gestured down at Lucas. “Take this merde and put him in a cell. Leave the shackles on him for now! Have him watched closely.”

Colin replied, “At once, Madam Clarisse!” He and Atkin’s soldier pulled Lucas to his feet and escorted him out.

Corwin Atkins bowed to Clarisse and put a hand on her shoulder. “My lady, please go and rest. We will clean up here, and get things in order.”

She asked him how many losses he had from the fight.

Atkins face went sad. “We lost two, my lady. The man here in this room, and the one outside at the driveway. Good lads, but they went out fighting, in the true spirit of the Legion. All of the Wolf Pack men are dead, save this one you captured.”

“I will take care of their families, Corwin, and their funeral expenses. Thank you, I think we will go upstairs now.”

Rachel and Clarisse, once again hand in hand, walked up the stairs and retired to the master bedroom. They soaked in the tub for a very short time then retired to her bed.

Clarisse voiced the thought that was on all of their minds, first. “We shall have to go to Bucharest and clean out the rest of this Wolf Pack. I do not want any more of them coming for me or you.”

Maria brought up what was troubling her. “Yes, but that only removes one threat, Clarisse. We also need to plan to remove the Killer sect of the Wolf Pack, as well.”

And then Rachel nodded along with Clarisse to Maria’s contribution, and said “Yes, and I am so happy we know what was going on now… but… we still have one mystery to figure out.”

Clarisse looked puzzled. “What would that be, Rachel?”

“I want to know what caused Maria and me to be sharing the same body!” she exclaimed.

Maria agreed. “So do I, Rachel.”

Clarisse suggested that some more talk with Lucas would be a good idea to start their evening tomorrow, and they agreed.

Exhausted, even after much snacking and their bath, they snuggled into the bed to rest, even before the sun rose.

The next evening they rose, fed, and then Clarisse decided that after the events the night before they both deserved to relax. She led Rachel to the bath and they soaked for over an hour, not talking about anything seriously, just enjoying each others company.

Maria, Clarisse, and Rachel all shared bits of their lives and amusing moments. Rachel felt a little sad that she did not have as much to share as the other two. Maria picked up on this and laughed.

“Rachel I lived for almost three hundred years before I was captured, and Clarisse has lived — and been active! — for nearly as long. Of course we have seen and done more. Be patient, your time is now, dear.”

Clarisse chimed in, while caressing Rachel’s breast. “Maria is right, Rachel! We have untold years before us. We will make our own history and you shall live it with us!”

“Thank you both, I shouldn’t feel that way. You’re right, we have lots of time and we can see and do a lot, now. I guess I am a little jealous of all the history you both got to live. You know I was a history major and history was my passion, before.”

Clarisse leaned in and kissed Rachel slowly and passionately, and any further talk was not necessary.
Rachel did not know if it was Clarisse getting frisky or their words but she cheered up and soon she could say that she’d had her first sexual experience in a bathtub.

After, they went to Clarisse’s bedroom, where she tore through her massive walk-in closets to find them both khaki outfits that made both Rachel and Clarisse look like they were going on safari, rather than to the basement to question a prisoner.

Rachel raised her eyebrow at Clarisse’s wardrobe choice and got nothing but her beautiful laughter in response. Sometimes, even though Rachel was now a woman, she just didn’t understand women.

~o~O~o~

They found Lucas, still manacled and chained, in the cell Corwin had put him in. He seemed glad to see them both.

“Ah, good evening ladies. You both look beautiful and well-rested today! Now, look here, can’t we dispense with the chains and manacles? I answered your questions, and will answer as many more as you like.” He was both cheerful and pleading in his tone.

Rachel glanced at Clarisse. Maria and Rachel agreed internally that he couldn’t be trusted, but Rachel felt that since this was Clarisse’s home they should defer to her decision.

“Ah, Monsieur Lucas, we shall see about that. For now, the chains and manacles shall come off, but you will stay in this cell until we decide whether we can trust you further.”

Corwin, who had been standing in the doorway leading to the cells, overheard and came in with a key. He unshackled Lucas, bowed to Clarisse and Rachel, and went on his way.

Lucas seemed extremely grateful for his new-found freedom. “Thank you so much, Madam Dubois! Madam Rachel! It feels good to be out of those things!”

They led Lucas upstairs to Clarisse’s ‘African’ parlor, complete with real African savannah plants, stuffed animals, and paintings and photographs of various places in Africa. Rachel was very impressed and Lucas seemed to be too.

She pointed to a chair and Lucas hopped into it immediately, which brought an amused smirk to Clarisse’s face.

She sat down in a beautiful African print loveseat, and patted the seat beside her. Lucas made as if to hop over with a cheeky grin, but a glance from her made him sit back down quickly. Rachel took the offered spot with a smile.

“Let us begin. You do not wish to know the penalty for lies, do you?”

“Err, no. Nothing but the truth!” he replied.

“I have one question first, Lucas. How did Arkady and the rest of you know that I had escaped?” Maria said.

“Quite a stroke of luck on our part, love. Stepan spotted you in Sibiu. He was there seeing some woman at the time.”

“So Stepan knew me from the time I was imprisoned?”

“Oh, yes. He was a recruit back then, and impressed Arkady in some fashion. Started taking the blood not long after Arkady. I know what you’re thinking, and I’ll tell you straight off. He’s barking mad, Stepan is. He’s been getting flaky for years, which is how I ended up as Arkady’s second, you see.”

Clarisse frowned, obviously not looking forward to another one like Arkady. For that matter, Rachel didn’t exactly look thrilled, herself. “Where does this Stepan usually spend his time?”

Lucas shrugged. “He prowls around all over Eastern Europe. Romania, Slovakia, Hungary - even wanders into Serbia occasionally. He’s a Serb, you know, on his mother’s side.”

Rachel posed the question they were wondering. “When could we catch Stepan at your headquarters in Bucharest? I think we’d both rather catch him there than roam all over Europe trying to catch up to him.”

Lucas pondered for a moment. “He stops in there at least every month or so. It’s as good a place as any to wait for him. Of course, he will sense you both, probably. He’s ingested so much vamp blood he’s extremely sensitive to vamps. He even avoids sunlight, he’s so far gone.”

“So, that is how you tracked us so well?”

He nodded. “The same way that you can track other vamps, of course. If a vamp is anywhere near you can turn round and round and feel which direction they are. Of course, the more blood you’ve had, the more sensitive you are.” He lectured them as if he was a university professor, and Rachel told him so.

“Funny you should say that, because I was, once! But, yes we used that and triangulation to keep abreast of exactly where you were. It wasn’t hard. Stepan was best at it, and after him Arkady. It was a bit dodgy for me, but then again I’ve not had as much vamp blood.”

“So he will be very hard to corner, I am thinking,” Clarisse mused.

“Well, yes and no. Remember he is addicted to vamp blood much like Arkady was. But with Stepan the addiction was much stronger for some reason. He will be looking to capture one or both of you.”

“I think we have no choice, we have to take Stepan down, especially if he is as insane as Lucas said,” remarked Rachel. “Then again we could wait and let him come to us?”

“I agree completely, Rachel. But no, we will not wait and let him pick a time of his own choosing to attack. We will make preparations and go find him, soon,” Clarisse replied firmly.

Lucas cleared his throat. “Why do you call her ‘Rachel’, Clarisse? I am a bit puzzled.”

“Because that is her name, of course! Why else would I call her that?” laughed Clarisse.

“But this is Maria, I know it is. Arkady and Stepan both recognized her.”

Maria spoke. “I wish to share what happened with Lucas. Any insight into our unique situation would be welcomed.” She glared at Lucas. “But what I say is never to go beyond this room. Understood, Lucas?”

He bowed his head and replied, “I do swear that it will not, Rachel.”

She then told him the story of Richard Harrison and how he ended up in the secret room with Maria, the Duchess of Arad, and what had happened when he touched her.

“You used to be a bloke?! That is just unbelievable! Although, once you believe in vampires I suppose anything else could start looking likely.” Lucas seemed amazed but didn’t doubt her story. “So, Maria you are in there, and Rachel is too?”

Maria replied. “It is the honest truth, Lucas.”

He mused silently for a few minutes. “I don’t doubt you at all, Rachel. Oh, and err, Maria. I’ve just never heard of such a thing happening in all of my years. So, Maria’s body somehow drained this Richard, and somehow you both ended up in her body? But how did you get free from the chain?”

Rachel frowned and closed her eyes for a moment to remember. “I awoke in a strange state, where neither of us seemed to have any control or consciousness. The first actual clear memory that I have is waking up in a root cellar of some sort. I came out of it and found two bodies that I, we, had drained.”

She went on. “Later, after I discovered Maria was inside here with me, a few hazy memories came back but I still don’t remember much of anything of the castle and what happened there.”

Lucas asked Maria, “What about you, Maria? Do you have any memories or thoughts from that time?”

Maria spoke, and Lucas noted that her mannerisms and accent were subtly different from Rachel’s when she spoke.

“No, I do not remember much more than Rachel. The last clear thought that I had, which was not all that clear since I was dying, was Richard touching me and I was reaching out to attack him as prey. I was so hungry and my body was nearly gone. Nothing is really clear and had not been for many years in that room.” She shuddered and shook her head angrily.

Lucas grew quiet, apparently sensing that discussing the castle and her imprisonment further with Maria would not be good for his health.

Clarisse decided to move on to other questions. “This Wolf Pack of yours, did they operate in other places besides Europe?”

Lucas nodded. “Oh, yes, very much so. They followed vampire migrations over to the new world and cleansed all of North and South America many years ago. To the best of my knowledge, you two are the only existing vampires left.”

“Now there’s a cheerful thought, isn’t it?” Rachel gloomily asked.

Clarisse shook her head. “That is not to say that he is absolutely correct, Rachel! They may have missed some of us. We will just have to see.”

Lucas nodded in agreement. “Just because Arkady thought that you were the last two, doesn’t necessarily mean that it was true. He was getting a bit wobbly, you know.”

Maria addressed Clarisse while looking pointedly at Lucas. “I think we need to bring Lucas with us when we go after the Stepan. He could be very useful, yes?”

Clarisse looked at him thoughtfully and agreed with Maria. “Yes, Monsieur Lucas will go with us and help track down this madman.”

Lucas grimaced. “I love hanging out with such sexy ladies but I don’t look forward to tracking him down.”

Clarisse eyed him. “Do not forget, Monsieur Lucas, that while to your eyes we are both beautiful and delicate ladies, we are also very much deadly ladies who could snap your neck or drain every drop of blood from your body if you trifle with us.”

He looked very uncomfortable after that. “I wouldn’t dare mess with either of you, I swear. I will help in any way that I can, of course.” He smiled an ingratiating smile at her and she stared back into his eyes.

“Yes, Lucas, you will obey me and Rachel and Maria at all times. You will never lie to us. You will not betray us to Stepan or anyone else in your old organization. Your will is ours.”

“I will obey you. I will never lie to you. I will not betray you. I am yours,” he replied in a monotone.

“Why’d you do that, Clarisse?” Rachel asked, slightly puzzled. “He seemed to be cooperating quite well?”

Maria shook her head. “I agree with Clarisse. I did not trust him at all and I feel better with some reinforcement.”

“Lucas, have you told us any lies last night or tonight?” Clarisse asked, sweetly.

“No, Clarisse, I have been completely honest.”

“Why were you honest? Did you not feel that you were betraying the Wolf Pack?”

“I was afraid you could detect lies, as you said, and I do think you are both hotties.” He replied without a hint of cheekiness.

Rachel and Clarisse both burst out laughing at that.

Rachel tossed out an idea. “Why don’t we fly into Budapest, and drive from there. We can stop at the castle on the way and see what we might discover about Maria’s prison and our strange situation?”

Clarisse exclaimed, “Excellent idea, Rachel! I agree, let us do this!”

“I’ll book a night flight for the three of us,” Rachel said and started to get up and head for the phone.

Clarisse put her hand on Rachel and eased her back down. “No, no, Rachel. We’ll take my jet.”

Rachel rolled her eyes. “I might have known you owned a jet!” They both laughed and started talking about what to pack.

~o~O~o~

Flying over France, Maria was having the time of her life. She made Rachel sit at a window of the small jet so that she could look out constantly. This was her first time ever flying and she was making the most of it.

Clarisse sat nearby, sipping some wine and relaxing. Lucas was sitting by himself in the rear of the cabin, not sullen, just tranquil. Clarisse did not plan to ease up on her enthralling until this mission was over.

Maria stayed at the window for the entire flight, saying little, and letting Rachel and Clarisse chat while she enjoyed the sensation of flying.

They landed in Budapest and rented an SUV with no incidents or problems. Lucas was programmed to keep his eyes peeled and report if he saw the slightest glimpse of a Wolf Pack member anywhere near them. He insisted he had not seen anyone he knew, Wolf Pack member or not, so they all relaxed and planned the drive into Romania for the next evening.

Sleeping accommodations were simple: Rachel and Clarisse shared the bed, Lucas slept on the carpeted floor with a spare pillow Rachel scrounged for him. He didn’t object to the arrangement.

They decided that it would be prudent to keep Lucas close at hand and out of any possible trouble, so forgoing any nightclub expeditions was a given. Clarisse was saddened by this, as she’d wanted to prowl the clubs in Budapest very much. But, she agreed with Maria that keeping their prisoner safe and secure was their most important priority.

They watched some television and talked for a while before dawn, and went to sleep happy yet alert.

~o~O~o~

The next evening they checked out and Rachel grabbed the driver’s seat of the SUV and was eager to get underway. Clarisse and Lucas piled in and they were off. For Rachel and Maria the trip was just a repeat of their previous journey but in reverse.

They kept a close watch and even set Lucas up as their day shift guard in Arad and in Sibiu, but not one sign of the Wolf Pack was seen.

~o~O~o~

Rachel parked their rental vehicle in the exact same spot that her old car had occupied on her first visit to this remote area. Clarisse was admiring the view and remarking often about how beautiful Romania was.

This pleased Maria, as she loved hearing this elegant Frenchwoman praise her homeland.

While walking on the path to the castle, Rachel raised a question. “Shouldn’t we go in through the trap door rather than the tunnel that I fell through? I wonder if a lot of that area is unstable.”

They all agreed to use the other entrance, so when they approached the castle Lucas was ordered to lead them to the entrance Arkady used. He led them around the ruins that Rachel was familiar with and to an area with more walls standing. Amidst the walls was a wooden door in halfway decent shape, compared to the rest of the surroundings.

Lucas began searching along a wall that ran parallel to the door for a certain block, and when he found what he was looking for he inserted his fingers and pulled it out, revealing a small hollowed out slot in the wall. Inside was a key, which he removed and opened the door with.

They cautiously entered the room, Lucas holding an electric lantern much like the one Rachel had used here before. Inside the room was an ancient wooden table strewn with several flashlights, rusty chains, and a few glass vials of the type the Wolf Pack used to transport their stolen vampire blood. Against the far wall was a wooden ladder. Old well-used lanterns covered in cobwebs sat on a shelf along one wall, forgotten in this modern age of flashlights.

Clarisse voiced the question that was foremost in her thoughts. “Lucas, why did Arkady choose this ruined castle to lock Maria away? This place is a wreck; I would have thought that he would choose a more secure location. Perhaps one closer to his base in Bucharest?”

Lucas shook his head. “When he put her here it was not all ruins as you see now. From what I was told it met his criteria then. It was remote, abandoned, and it was quite easy for the Wolf Pack to gain title to the land here. The trap door and the room below already existed and so it was a perfect prison.”

He walked over to the corner of the room and pointed at the trap door. There was a rusty sliding bolt holding it shut, which he slid open with some effort. He began to lift on the door slowly and pulled it up and open.

Clarisse and Rachel picked up the ladder and lowered it down into the dark opening revealed. They stood looking down into the darkness for a moment.

“Lucas, has the Wolf Pack been here since Maria’s escape?” Clarisse asked.

“I’m pretty sure they haven’t. After she was spotted in Sibiu all of our efforts went to re-capturing her. Nobody really thought much on how she escaped; we all just wanted to get her back as soon as was possible. Though there was a bit of a row about that, actually.”

“How do mean?”

“Well, Arkady advanced the idea to let her roam a bit and possibly make some more vamps. Then we capture them all and have this huge supply of vamp blood, you see. He was all fired up about it. He wanted a new and fresh supply of blood. He had some crazy theory about ‘blood diversity’ and how it would help us in some manner.”

They did see, and from the glares it was obvious what they thought of that plan. He shrugged, still more under Clarisse’s spell than not. “If he had gotten his way, Maria would have been allowed to find some village and start making some kind of vampire haven once again. He had it all planned out until the arguing began.”

“Stepan was obsessed with getting her back. He thought that vampires should be eradicated except for his special ones locked away. They argued quite a bit, but in the end Stepan’s viewpoint prevailed so all of our resources went towards that.”

“So Arkady went along with Stepan, and abandoned his plan?” Rachel asked.

“Yes, it took a lot of arguing and back and forth, but in the end Stepan convinced Arkady that he was risking another ‘infestation’ covering Europe, destroying mankind, and all that.”

Clarisse rolled her eyes. “You know very well how stupid and wrong that statement is, Monsieur Lucas! We do not kill or bring attention to ourselves. And we certainly do not just roam around creating new vampires at random!”

Lucas nodded. “I had advanced an idea to Arkady of my own. It was more of a truce and an arrangement kind of thing, you know. We would allow Maria and some friends to settle in some remote village and donate blood to us in return for the Wolf Pack rounding up thralls for her.”

Rachel raised an eyebrow and Clarisse laughed. Maria remarked on what she thought of that plan. “After chaining me up and starving me for hundreds of years, what on earth made you think that I’d accept this fool plan of yours?”

Lucas shrugged. “It was a way to get everyone what they wanted, is how I saw it. It didn’t matter in the end; Stepan would have none of it. To him you are evil and must be contained or destroyed. He doesn’t compromise on that.”

Maria took the lead and climbed down the ladder, followed by Lucas. Clarisse simply jumped down the opening and landed casually on her feet. She looked around and immediately spotted the iron post and the chain leading to the body in the center of the room.

They all walked up to the body and looked down. The corpse was severely desiccated and reminded Clarisse of how Egyptian mummies looked once the wrappings were removed. Not much could be told on first glance but one thing was very obvious. The corpse was male.

Rachel knelt and stared with mouth open, while Maria was silent and obviously just as confused. Clarisse noticed that the man’s body had long blondish hair, and had been in good physical shape when alive.

She nodded thoughtfully as they absorbed this new development. “I’d never thought that two people would swap bodies magically as was described to me, my friends. This actually makes more sense to me, in a way. This body is Richard’s, yes Rachel?”

Rachel stared at the body and nodded slowly. To say that she felt weird would be quite the understatement. She didn’t quite know what to say.

Maria pointed to the collar. “If what you said is correct, Clarisse, how did the collar end up on his body rather than mine?”

Clarisse pulled at the collar and found that it was unlocked and had just been draped across the throat of Richard’s body.

Lucas noticed and swore softly. “That son of a bitch went and did it! Arkady told me his plan. He was going to unlock her collar and bring her some blood and then flee, knowing she’d escape on her own most likely.”

Maria frowned. “If he wanted me to escape why did he not remove me from this room and give me blood? All he did was unlock my collar?”

“He was deathly afraid of you, Maria. I can’t say I blame him for that. Wouldn’t you be afraid of a powerful vamp that you’d kept locked away for hundreds of years? I can’t say for sure what he was thinking when he did this, but it is obvious that he went through with that part anyway.”

Maria nodded. “He was insane, yes that is obvious. But if he unlocked my collar then what of the rest? He gave me no blood, so I would have still lain here dying and asleep till the end without that.”

Clarisse picked up an empty vial nearby, and held it up. “Look at this. It is clean and has hardly any dust on it.” She opened it and sniffed at the open end. “It has had blood in it, certainly. Apparently he did bring blood to you, recently, Maria.”

Maria snorted. “He obviously did not bring me enough to accomplish his insane plan. Would that he had! I would have drained him dry if I had been free and aware!”

“And that is exactly why he gave you so little, I think,” Lucas said. “He was trying to avoid that very thing.”

Rachel spoke up from where she was still kneeling beside Richard’s body. “Okay, we know why Maria was free and why the collar is open. We know she likely drained my body, yes?”

Clarisse and Lucas both nodded and Maria signified the same inside Rachel’s head.

“Then why am I here, inside Maria’s body, and not just a dead victim of a vampire? More to the point, why did I become the dominant force in her body, while she became kind of a secondary one?”

Clarisse sighed. “Rachel that is a very good question, but in all of my years I have never heard of such a thing happening. For many years after I was turned, I would track my prey, drain them, and leave their dead body behind. I never once felt any semblance of another presence trying to merge with me in any way.”

She paced the room. “The only way that I can see to find out more is if you or Maria or both of you could remember exactly what happened when you came into this room. If either of you could but remember this I think we would have our answer.”

“I wonder if a hypnotist could get us to remember the details of what happened here that day.” Rachel asked.

Clarisse shrugged. “I suppose that is possible, Rachel. Perhaps after we deal with this Stepan and his minions we can find a reputable psychologist and see if that can be done.”

Maria responded. “I would like to do this, if it is possible. Meanwhile, shall we bury Richard’s body?
Rachel has not shown it to you, but she is quite affected by this discovery.”

Rachel nodded slowly, but replied, “No. Let this be Richard’s crypt. I am Rachel now, and this is a fitting place to leave his body.”

“Would you like for me to say a few words? This is a funeral, of sorts, Rachel. We are paying our last respects to your old life.” Clarisse was extremely sympathetic and wanted her friend to have closure.

Rachel pondered her words for a few minutes. “No, but thank you for offering, Clarisse. I think we can go now. I am fine. Richard can rest here. I am Rachel Harrison, and he is a fading memory.”

They turned and left the room, each ascending the ladder with a glance back at Richard’s remains, and each in their own way wondering how this unique transference had happened. When they were all out, Clarisse closed the trap door effortlessly. This got a small chuckle from Lucas.

“You know I had a taste of your strength, in a matter of speaking. A man feels jealous around a woman who could easily beat the sauce out of him at will, you know!”

Clarisse and Rachel both laughed, and Clarisse replied. “Always keep that in mind, Lucas, if you get any funny ideas about betraying us, or running away!”

“Madam I keep that in mind constantly, I assure you.”

As they left, Rachel locked the door and replaced the key in the ancient hiding place. She felt that she was locking away the last vestige of her old male self when she turned the key. She voiced this thought to Clarisse.

Clarisse nodded and hugged her friend tightly. “Keep this in mind, my dear friend. Regardless of whether you were Richard or Rachel, the person within was the same person. Gender does not decide whether you are a good person or an evil person. And you, Rachel, are a good person and one that I am honored to call friend.”

Rachel returned the hug and wiped a tear from her eyes as they headed back to their car to begin the task of finding Stepan and ending the Wolf Pack.

Over the next two days, Maria delighted in showing Rachel, Clarisse, and Lucas all around the sights and sounds of Bucharest. Even though she had not seen it in centuries, she seemed to be more or less at home there. She also knew the modern layout thanks to Rachel’s memories, as she admitted to Rachel after driving all around the city and not getting lost once.

Lucas gave them the exact address of the Wolf Pack headquarters before they even entered Bucharest, and they did several drive-by scouting missions. Both Rachel and Clarisse thought that they could sense a vampire presence — or an almost-vampire presence if Lucas was correct about the amount of change that Stepan had undergone.

As there was no reaction to their multiple visits, they decided to try infiltration next.

~o~O~o~

Rachel grumbled to Maria as they snuck into the warehouse where Lucas had said the Wolf Pack was headquartered. Clarisse led the way, with Lucas behind her and Rachel bringing up the rear.

I don’t like this, Maria. We should have brought some soldiers or reinforcements. What if they have dozens of people like Arkady here waiting on us?

Nonsense, Rachel. Lucas said that Stepan is the chief concern. Do not worry! We shall find this Stepan and end the threat. Be bold, be brave!

Rachel snorted but said nothing back as they penetrated deeper into the warehouse. Crates were stacked near the walls of the cavernous building along the side they had come in. They made their way behind, hugging the wall and using the crates for cover. No lights were on in the main warehouse but they could see lights in the offices along the opposite wall.

Lucas had told him they used the main area for training and the offices were used for staff, computers, and paperwork. It seemed Stepan had his hands in money-laundering, drugs, and even human trafficking as well. They had been angered when he had told them of Stepan’s grandiose plans to have a large contingent of chained vampires to drain of blood to sell at high prices to wealthy individuals as rejuvenation treatments. This furthered their desire to put an end to him and his Wolf Pack.

They came to the end of the crates and were slowly making their way along the wall when all of the lights snapped on and Wolf Pack members began to pour into the room. All had automatic weapons and a few carried stakes as well.

Maria estimated at least sixty to seventy facing them. Rachel groaned.

Nothing to worry about, you said. Be bold, you said. Be brave, you said.

I could have been wrong, Rachel?

They slowly walked out to the center of the room, mindful of the dozens of men surrounding them. One man walked out to meet them. He was very tall, at least six and a half feet, and was clean-shaven. He had dark hair and looked to be as young as thirty, but had some gray hair showing at his temples. He had an AK-47 slung across his chest, and looked ready to use it.

They stopped walking and stood watching him. He glared at Lucas, and made a throat-cutting gesture at him, which caused the man to pale.

Clarisse broke the silence. “You must be Stepan, I take it?”

Stepan gave her a short nod, and then turned to Maria. He grinned unpleasantly, and they could see that while he did not have fangs, he had the beginnings of them. “Ah, Maria it is so good to see you return to me. I love the taste of your blood and I plan to be drinking much more of it in the future! It was so nice of you to bring the French whore along, as well.”

The “French whore” snorted. “We’re not here to donate blood, you sickening man. We are here to put an end to your chasing us all over Europe.”

“Why do they always call you the French Whore, anyway?” Rachel blurted out.

“You turn tricks one time and you are marked for life!” she replied, ruefully.

He didn’t laugh or react much at all to their words. He waved his hand in negation and said, “You are here to be drained. If you behave well I will keep you well-fed. If not, then you will suffer considerably.” It was obvious to both women that he was quite insane.

Rachel decided to be funny. “We are here to kick ass and chew bubblegum, and we’re all out of bubblegum.”

Clarisse took her at her word and lunged for Stepan, thinking that his troops would not fire at her for fear of hitting their leader. She was right, but Stepan was prepared for this. He grabbed her as she closed and spun fast, slinging her well over ten feet away. He nodded and his troops opened fire.

Clarisse dodged reasonably well and rushed back towards Stepan as Rachel let Maria take over and charge at the same time. The man was incredibly strong for a human, and used her momentum against her as he had with Clarisse. But Maria’s attack gave Clarisse the chance to barrel into him at full speed, and knock him back a few yards. She held on tight and he pummeled her and finally knocked her off. Maria wasted no time and lunged back in, nails slashing at his throat.

He shoved her away and turned to bark orders, when Clarisse used his own trick to toss him into the wall. He came back up with unbelievable speed and crouched, ready for the next attack.

While they sparred with Stepan, Lucas had pulled out his Uzi and ran for cover and began taking down Wolf Pack members and trying not to stay in one place. He seemed to be doing well, judging by the number of bodies lying on the floor.

Stepan was soon cornered by Clarisse, who was trying her best to either claw his face or attack with her fangs, Rachel was not sure which. He was trying to bring his AK47 to bear on her but she kept kicking it to the side and trying to close.

Rachel started to run to her assistance but shots from two different directions slammed into her and she spun around and hit the floor, cursing from the pain of the multiple bullet wounds.

She got her bearings and glanced back towards Clarisse in time to see Stepan spray her with the AK on full auto, she was pummeled with bullets and went down with a shriek of pain. Rachel screamed out her name and started moving toward her when she saw Stepan look shocked and whirl around toward the entrance.

Rachel crawled over and cradled Clarisse in her arms, hissing at the pain from her own bullet wounds beginning to close. Clarisse was not dead but she had nearly a full clip in her body.

Five people had walked in the doorway, and Stepan’s troops had swung their weapons from Rachel to the newcomers. Three men and two women stood in a line, looking at Rachel, Stepan, and glancing around at the assembled Wolf Pack minions. Rachel felt a certain resonance with the five strangers and Maria confirmed her feeling — they were vampires.

One of them, a dark-haired handsome man who looked to be about thirty, stepped forward, and addressed Stepan with a very slight Russian accent. “So, Stepan, you found two lovely ladies and as usual you are abusing them. How sad and how typical for you to do this.”

Stepan merely stared at his uninvited guests for a moment, and then shrugged. “This really is not your concern, Alexei. Leave now, this is between me and the girls here.”

“Ah but let me make introductions before any unpleasantness occurs, or we leave you. I know the unconscious one there is Clarisse Dubois. And I assume this one is Maria?” He looked at Rachel and raised an eyebrow.

Rachel and Maria were both uncertain how to proceed, as these five vampires seemed to know Stepan in some fashion. Maria decided to respond. “I am Maria, yes. Who are you?”

The one in the lead actually bowed to Maria, and said “My name is Alexei Simonov, Duchess. It is my very great honor and privilege to meet you. Please allow me to introduce my companions.” He gestured and a beautiful raven-haired woman with a soft face and an inviting smile walked over to him and took his hand.

“This is the love of my life, Doctor Renata Simonov.” The woman bowed and said, “Honored, Duchess.”

Alexei then gestured to a small and beautiful young Japanese woman in the group. “This is Chiyoko Satou, from Japan as I am sure you can tell?” She gave a formal bow to Rachel and quietly said “I am honored, Duchess.”

A very tall and able-looking man then walked forward and gave a slight bow to Rachel. “This is Master Sergeant Randolph Peterson, formerly of the United States Army. “

“Pleased to meet you, Duchess! “, he said with a warm smile. He looked to be around thirty-five years old, and had a Midwest accent to Rachel’s ears.

“And last, this young lad with his face in an Ipad is Steven Tallant, quite the master of technology and computers and other bizarre things humans have come up with in the past twenty years.”

A skinny and geeky-looking young man in cargo pants, tool belt, and indeed holding an Ipad nodded at Rachel, said “’Lo Duchess, nice to meet ya,” then went back to whatever he was working on. This caused Renata to frown, and Chiyoko to sigh, for some reason.

Stepan had remained silent during the introductions but Rachel could tell he was growing impatient. “Enough of this, this… vampire social gathering nonsense! These women belong to me, and you should just turn and leave them. I will forget you were ever here if you leave now.”

Chiyoko looked at Stepan with loathing. “We can hardly leave our sisters behind to be used by you to extend your already too-long life, Stepan.”

Stepan shrugged. “You risk our truce. If you will not leave, you will all be put in cells and supply me with blood just as they will be.” He did not seem to care which route was taken.

Alexei stepped toward him. “Stepan you filthy peasant, did you think we would let you just carry on with your mad schemes forever? Our talk of a truce was just that, talk. Time to put you down like the rabid dog you are.”

Stepan waved his hand. “I have decided to take Renata as my own, due to your insolence, Alexei. You have only yourself to blame.”

Renata hissed at him and bared her fangs. Stepan took no notice of this at all.

Randolph stepped closer to Stepan. “You have killed nearly every vampire in the world; do you think we will just let you go on as you have been?”

Stepan shrugged. “Лес ру́бят -- ще́пки летя́т.”

Maria translated for Rachel. “When wood is chopped, woodchips will fly.”

Rachel responded, puzzled. What does that even mean?!

It is like your saying, about breaking a few eggs to make an omelet.

Oh.

Alexei frowned, obviously getting angry and wanting to end things. “Stepan you have a chance to surrender and we will pledge not to kill you.”

Stepan laughed. “Nyet! My troops and I will stake every one of you if we must. You must surrender to me and I will rule you and use your blood. There is no other way.”

Chiyoko broke her silence. “Stepan we could still make some arrangement if you were willing to listen to reason.”

Maria didn’t like hearing that at all, and made it plain to Stepan, by also speaking in Russian. “Не мечи́те би́сер пе́ред сви́ньями. That is, don’t cast beads before pigs, Chiyoko. This man needs to die.”
Stepan sneered at her, and told her something vile that Maria did not bother to translate. She just snarled and her fangs popped out.

Chiyoko sighed and without any particular change in expression let her own fangs appear. The Japanese woman looked quite fierce with fangs, and in Rachel’s opinion, very hot. She got a mental snort from Maria over that one.

Rachel had recovered from her wounds, mostly. At least they had all closed up and the bullets were lying around her. She carefully eased Clarisse’s head to the ground and stroked her hair gently. Clarisse was conscious, now, but quite weakened. She took Rachel’s hand and gave her a reassuring squeeze. Rachel tensed herself, ready to help when the fight that looked to occur actually started.

She heard a very faint whisper - Chiyoko’s voice. “No, Maria. Keep yourself and Clarisse safe, please. We will deal with these vermin quite easily. You have weakened them considerably, we will do the rest.” The woman whispered it so faintly that she doubted Stepan heard a thing.

As the vampires stared down Stepan, multiple footsteps came echoing in the door, and over fifty soldiers poured into the warehouse and began taking position behind the vampires.

Alexei grinned at Stepan. “So much for your Wolf Pack, Stepan, they are far outnumbered. We’ve been slightly busy.”

Stepan did not appear to be impressed. “This means nothing. A group of thralls? I will not surrender!” He gave a nod at his troops and they raised their rifles.

Rachel wrapped her body around Clarisse, who began to push her away. For whatever reason, she heard Clarisse clearly in her head.

No! Get away, I will not allow you to sacrifice yourself for me!

Too damn bad, Clarisse, because I’m not moving!

Rachel is right. You have massive bullet wounds, more and you would not survive. So hush and we will protect you!

A roar of automatic weapons distracted them from further conversation as the fight began in earnest. Rachel looked around and saw Alexei, Renata, and Randolph struggling with Stepan. If she had any fears that three vampires could best an almost-vampire, they were put to rest as she saw Randolph snap Stepan’s neck.

Unfortunately, the death of their leader did not stop the rest of the Wolf Pack from a fight to the death. Randolph dropped Stepan, and the three vampires converged on Rachel and Clarisse, and shielded them from further wounds.

Chiyoko soon appeared, dragging a live Wolf Pack member over to Clarisse. She slit his throat open with her razor-sharp talons and pushed the bleeding wound to Clarisse’s mouth. She drank gratefully and had soon drained the man dry.

Renata came back with another, and they allowed Clarisse to feed for herself this time, as her strength was returning. Soon, she was standing and watching Rachel feed as well, though Rachel did not take as much.

Rachel and Clarisse both looked around, and did not see a single Wolf Pack member standing. Sadly their allies seem to have lost a few troops as well, and Renata went to help those she could. Rachel imagined that a vampire doctor would be a really good person to have around. Such a doctor would have untold years of training and experience to rely on, and an always-sharp mind to absorb new skills and knowledge.

The four of them crowded around Rachel and Maria, asking after their well-being and fussing over them both as if they were fragile eggs that might break at any time. Rachel tried to send an observation about this to Clarisse but without success. She sighed and decided to ask the other vampires about this.

“Umm, Alexei? And the rest of you? I wanted to ask about something. Sometimes Clarisse and I can talk to each other mentally, you know, mind to mind. Other times we cannot. Do you know why?”

Alexei looked shocked at this, the others shrugged, but Chiyoko nodded. “I have heard of this. As vampires get older their abilities strengthen over time. You are beginning to find this out, I think. In time, you should be able to talk to each other in this way all of the time. I have some time to go before I can hope to do that.”

Clarisse brightened at hearing that. “That would be magnificent! I look forward to this happening with my dear friend!” Rachel beamed back at her, for herself and for Maria.

“I am glad you brought this up, actually,” said Alexei. “We would like to talk with the two of you, and discuss something very important.”

Rachel nodded and Clarisse smiled and said “Please, do so. You have our attention, kind rescuers! And you have my eternal gratitude for your timely entrance!”

“Mine as well,” Rachel added with a smile.

Alexei waved his hand in a casual dismissal. “We’ve been planning to take the Wolf Pack out as soon as we could get an advantage. Their distraction while stalking the two of you was the perfect chance to finally do it.”

Before anything else could be said, one of the soldiers brought Lucas to the group. His arm was in a sling but he was alive and seemed to be well. “Sir! This man claims to be working for the Baroness Dubois. We wanted to check his story out.”

Clarisse giggled, obviously happy Lucas survived but Rachel could see the mischievous look on her face. She was about to deny ever meeting the man.

Rachel laughed at Clarisse then spoke up. “He brought us here to their headquarters. I would not quite say he was working for us, as much as serving probation for being in their ranks for a few decades.”

Alexei looked at Chiyoko, then at Randolph. “I think he can stay and serve his probation at one of our places, if that is alright with you ladies?”

Both Clarisse and Rachel nodded. Neither wanted a pet around, and that is what he’d have to be if they kept him underfoot. A carefully guarded pet that they would never fully trust. Lucas put on a false hurt expression then bowed to Rachel and Clarisse and was led away.

Rachel addressed Maria before anything else was said. Should we tell them about you and me, Maria?

Hmm, let us wait for now. I want to hear what they wish to discuss and what their plans are.

Chiyoko and Alexei traded glances, and then both turned to Clarisse and Rachel. “We all feel very strongly that our people need a Queen,” Chiyoko said softly. “For obvious reasons we did not want a King, as male vampires tend to be a bit too… aggressive?”

Alexei and Randolph both burst out laughing at her euphemism. Randolph touched her on the arm and grinned. “Chiyoko is being very diplomatic, but she is correct. All five of us want one of you as our Queen. It was something we could all agree on.”

All five of the vampires nodded and even Steven gave a grunt of assent before returning to his Ipad.

Rachel glanced at Clarisse, who looked just as confused as she felt. She turned back to the group. “Which one of us do you refer to?”

Chiyoko gestured to Rachel. “The eldest, of course! The Duchess! Though if she does not wish to be our Queen, then Baroness Dubois would be welcome as well! I was turned in 1924, in Seoul. I am the eldest of our small group here, but you far outrank me.”

Alexei nodded. “I was turned in 1942, in Stalingrad. I was a Red Army Sergeant.”

Randolph grinned at Alexei. “Alexei turned me in Berlin in 1955. He just wanted an army buddy to hang out with!” This produced a roar of laughter from Alexei.

Renata smiled at Alexei. “My Alexei turned me in 1965 in Moscow. I later turned Steven here in New York, back in 1985. He’s the child of our group, as you can see.”

Steven finally spoke. “I was 21 years old, hardly a child, Renata.”

Chiyoko steered the conversation back on track. “Regardless, Maria you are the eldest, with Clarisse a close second. We need a Queen to help keep order, and adjudicate disputes.”

Alexei became animated. “Yes! A Queen to set laws and punishments for breaking our laws — the laws of vampires. It would not be a hard task, I promise you this.”

Randolph nodded enthusiastically. “We really could use a strong leader, Duchess. Someone we can look up to and listen to. We can all feel both of your immense power beside our own. Your wisdom and that power would be perfect for our Queen.”

Renata added her voice to the chorus of pleas. “I would gladly serve either of you as my Queen. We need rules, such as deciding how often we create new children, and under what circumstances we do this. You can be that guiding voice to us all.”

Clarisse spoke first. “If one of us became your Queen, you would actually obey her in all things?”

Alexei promptly replied. “Unquestionably, Baroness. In the old days, I was told that we had Kings and Queens, and every vampire obeyed them implicitly. It only made sense, for survival. We five will pledge our undying service to either of you.”

Rachel sounded a bit dubious of the whole plan. “You’d really just give up your freedom to be ruled by me or Clarisse? Why not a committee? Or some kind of council could rule? Wouldn’t that be more democratic?”

Alexei snorted, Randolph shook his head, and Renata laughed. Chiyoko answered Rachel. “We are a committee now, and we have spent more time debating matters than acting. The Wolf Pack was allowed to rampage far longer than they should because of this. We had no leadership and they took out our people one by one. We came together before it was too late — and it almost was, for both of you.”

Steven finally had put his gadget away and approached Maria. “Please, Duchess, we need you. It would not be a hardship for you.” He looked at Clarisse then. “Or for you, Baroness. You both are nobility and we know your history more or less. You traveled around Europe and didn’t leave bodies everywhere — you showed intelligence, caution, and empathy. You’re both good people. We could use your help!”

Maria frowned. “You seem to know much about us both!”

Steven grinned at that. “Computers are my thing, and the Wolf Pack kept detailed records on both of you. Your travels, the fights with you, and all that. I hacked in and that is how we kept up with what was going on. You both have a fan club, here!”

The other grinned and nodded, and Rachel actually blushed. Or was that Maria blushing? Clarisse looked slightly abashed but at the same time she did enjoy the attention.

Alexei looked at both Rachel and Clarisse. “This is something you both might need time to consider. We can escort you back to one of our safe houses if you like. There, you can rest, feed, bathe, and decide what you would like to do.”

Chiyoko spoke once more, in a heartfelt plea. “All we ask is that you, both of you, please consider this request carefully. We need you.”

The vampires escorted them to their vehicles and soon Clarisse and Rachel were whisked off to a remote estate outside of Bucharest. Armed guards manned the gate, and several were patrolling the ground with dogs. It was a veritable fortress. Rachel noted this, and Chiyoko, their companion in the car, nodded.

“We have had to increase our security to insane measures since the Wolf Pack began to become a real nuisance. They grew too fast and we wasted too much time debating and spent not enough time acting. By then it was too late, they had almost an army to face us.”

They entered the opulent mansion and Chiyoko escorted them to their room. It had a bath fit for a King, or a Queen, and a luxurious king size bed. The drapery was thick and heavy and would block sunlight. Maria noted that the had vampires planned well and she liked what she saw.

Chiyoko bowed deeply to both Rachel and then Clarisse. “My Duchess, My Baroness, I will leave you to rest, bathe, relax and contemplate our plea to you. A servant is in the hall if you have need of anything at all. Please do not hesitate to be at home here. We will be downstairs should you wish to ask questions or favor us with an answer.”

She bowed again and left the room, closing the double-doors behind her.

Rachel and Clarisse stared at each other for all of five seconds then raced to the tub and began filling it with hot water.

Clothes were shed and they were soon soaking in hot suds and in a sea of bubbles.

~o~O~o~

“But I don’t want to be a Queen!” Rachel wailed.

Maria sighed, and shook her head. “Rachel, this duty does not sound so bad, and I think that either Clarisse or I could do it and do it well. And please do not pout, or be petulant. It does not suit you. More to the point, it certainly does not suit me in this body!”

Clarisse smiled at Maria. “I agree with Maria completely. You heard them Rachel, they need one of us. I understand exactly why they wish a Queen, and I believe that one of us would be ideal.”

Maria continued, looking sad but quite unsurprised at Rachel’s rejection of the very notion of being a Queen. After all, she’d shared her very thoughts for quite a while now. “Rachel, darling, this would not be a bad thing. And perhaps we could share the duty somewhat between us, yes?”

Clarisse applauded and looked delighted with the idea. “Maria will be the Queen, and I will be her Duchess! I like it!”

Both Clarisse and Rachel were completely flabbergasted when Maria responded to that. “No, no, Clarisse! I want you to be Queen, while I become your Duchess!”

Clarisse finally found her voice. “But… you are the Eldest! And, a Duchess already! You outrank me by human AND vampire law!”

Maria snorted. “I could care less about that. I have been asleep for over a century, Clarisse — you have not. Also, lest you forget, Rachel does not want this duty. Besides, Rachel and I have many things to work out between us, not the least of which is trying to find out how we came to be this way.”

“Maria… I feel deep in my very being that you should be our Queen. I know you are not much older than I, but it would feel wrong to me to ascend and be the Queen while you were my Duchess!”

Rachel voiced her opinion. “I have to agree with Maria, Clarisse. She and I are still getting used to this strange situation that we are in. I think that you should take the job.”

Clarisse pouted her cutest pout, which in Rachel’s opinion was pretty damn cute. “Please, Maria and Rachel, accept the throne? I will help you and be at your side for as long as you would have me there! I have come to love and respect you both so much! I would be so thrilled to have you as my Queen.”

“We love and respect you as well, Clarisse! It is why Maria and I would be happy to serve you as our Queen.”

They got out of the tub and toweled off slowly, then donned the thick luxurious robes that had already been provided. Neither were surprised to find the robes a perfect fit. Their hosts were very detail-oriented.

They walked back to the sofa and Maria plopped down and prepared to argue until she got her way. Rachel felt that the two of them could talk Clarisse into the crown if they wore her down.

Clarisse went digging through her purse and out popped her holder and a cigarette, which she proceeded to smoke. Rachel smirked, knowing that Maria had unnerved the Baroness with her proposal.

Clarisse paced and smoked for a few moments then whirled around to Rachel. “I will accept this crown on one condition, mon ami!”

Rachel and Maria nearly both replied at the same time, or tried to. “And what is that?”

“You will indeed be my Duchess, which in this case would be my second in command. You will pledge to help make certain that I am fair and just in all my decisions. And you will take my place if something happened to me.”

Rachel let Maria answer first. “I find that an acceptable situation, Majesty.”

Clarisse threw a pillow at her. “Cut that out! What about you, Rachel?”

Rachel grinned at Clarisse. “Oh yes, your Majesty, I would approve as well!”

Soon a pillow fight broke out and feathers and shrieks filled the room.

~o~O~o~

Chiyoko paced the floor constantly, hoping that one of their two honored guests would be willing to serve as their Queen. She’d despaired of ever being able to see her people make decisions or make any positive steps to a structured society.

All vampires were so stubborn and could be so arrogant that her efforts to date had gotten nowhere. Even though Alexei wholeheartedly agreed with her, in fact they all did, none of them felt that any of the others would make a good ruler.

Randolph had pushed for Chiyoko to be the Queen before they discovered that Maria was alive and had escaped the Wolf Pack. This had led them to learn of the reclusive Clarisse’s existence as well.

Chiyoko had refused to even consider being Queen once they heard that Maria and Clarisse existed.

Renata had her head cocked, obviously listening to something upstairs. “Chi, Alex… they are fighting! I hear them hitting each other and shrieking! Perhaps one of us should go up?”

Alexei leaped up from the chair he was sitting in. “They fight over the crown? Surely not? Renata would you go check on them?”

Renata smirked at her husband. “Coward,” she offered, and then headed up the stairs.

~o~O~o~

Silence reigned for some time, and Alexei nervously tapped his foot in the total silence. Steven was still absorbed in his Ipad and Chiyoko continued to pace. Randolph was slouched on one of the expensive sofas, apparently not overly concerned with whatever was happening upstairs.

Just as Chiyoko was about to go up the stairs, Renata re-appeared, with Clarisse and Rachel in tow. All three were laughing, dripping wet, and covered in feathers. Steven dropped his pad and stared, and Randolph snickered. Alexei and Chiyoko just looked confused.

“They were having the mother of all pillow fights! And they dragged me into it, and we ended up in the bath!” She started laughing again, as Rachel and Clarisse both grabbed her and gave her a hug.

All five gathered around, grinning at the two feather-covered elder vampires, and waited patiently to hear what they had to say.

Rachel sighed, and then Clarisse sighed. Both would have rather continued the pillow fight, and then had some “make-up” sex after the war, but both also knew how anxious their hosts were.

“We have some questions for you all before we make any permanent decisions, if you do not mind?” Maria said.

Alexei bowed to her. “Of course, my Duchess! Please, come sit with us and we will answer any and all questions you might have. We are at your disposal.”

Rachel frowned, all of this bowing and scraping wasn’t something she really liked, but she kept silent, earning Maria’s gratitude.

Rachel voiced the first question. “Just how real would this Queen position be? I mean, would it be more Queen Elizabeth the Second of England in the present time, or more Queen Victoria of England as in ‘off with their heads’ and total despot kind of thing?”

Alexei laughed. “Duchess you have a unique sense of humor and way of talking sometimes. Almost as if you were two different people! Well, as we envisioned this, you could be considered a despot if you look at it that way. You would have total power and say-so over all vampires, present and future.”

Rachel frowned, both from his noting of the differences in the way she and Maria phrased things and the idea of being some all-powerful despot.

Maria asked, “And who would enforce the Queen’s power?”

Chiyoko fielded that one. “Over time, we assume the Queen would appoint people to positions, such as a First Minister or Secretary — someone to note and prosecute crimes before the Crown, and keep careful note of laws and regulations and a census, etcetera.”

Randolph chimed in. “We thought something along the lines of the British Monarchy, but with real power. We don’t want to have another situation where we do nothing but argue and debate every little thing while disaster strikes.”

“If one of us were to accept this position, it would only be if it were understood that the Queen would be obeyed implicitly and not questioned on every decision or order. Of course, if the Queen became insane I suppose a vote could be taken to impeach her?”

They all nodded and seemed to agree with this. Chiyoko once again spoke for them all. “We have already agreed that if we do this, we will surrender our will to the Queen, and make sure that all future vampires will obey her.”

Steven walked over to Rachel and handed her a piece of paper. On it were an oath for the Queen to pronounce, and an oath for her subjects to swear to her. Alexei ran over to a table and brought a wooden box over and held it ready.

Shit just got real, as they say.

Indeed, Rachel! I am glad we are not the one saying this royal oath!

Amen, Maria!

Rachel asked the next question. “Would you expect or require the Queen to reside in any particular place or a palace or something like that?”

Randolph grinned at her. “We have estates in all of the major countries of the world. Our Queen will have full use of them all, or she can also build her own palace if she so desires. We do not lack for money after all.”

Chiyoko agreed. “We only came together here to deal with this Wolf Pack. We travel often, we visit, and then we part. There would be no need for you to be tied to any particular location unless you wanted to be.”

Maria cleared her throat and looked at the hopeful faces. “We talked about this unique honor you offer both Clarisse and I, and we decided that in the best interests of all of our people, that Baroness Clarisse Dubois would be the best choice for our Queen.”

Surprise was echoed on several faces but nothing was said while they awaited the rest.

Clarisse took Rachel’s hand. “My best friend, and lover, speaks the truth; I will be your Queen if you would have me. Maria will be Duchess, my Second if I am incapacitated or otherwise unable to do my duties, and will also be my voice in many things. You get two-for-one with us!”

All five of their hosts smiled broadly. It seemed they liked the proposal. All five immediately knelt on the floor, and then Rachel joined them. Clarisse looked radiant and every bit a Queen as she read her oath:

“Assuming the office of Queen of the Vampires, I, Baroness Clarisse Antoinette Dubois, do solemnly swear and affirm that I will rule my people with fairness, justice, and mercy. And, I shall, with every fiber of my being, defend, protect, and nurture my people for as long as I shall live, so help me God.”

She passed the paper to Rachel, who read the oath to the Queen along with the five others kneeling before Clarisse.

“I, Rachel Maria Harrison, do solemnly swear and affirm that I will be a true and faithful servant to Her Majesty, Queen Clarisse Dubois, and that I do faithfully promise to maintain, support, and defend, to the utmost of my power, Her Royal Highness to the death. And, I will obey without question, and counsel my Queen if she so asks, in any fashion that She sees fit, so help me God.”

“Arise, my loyal subjects!” Clarisse intoned, smiling lovingly at them all.

Alexei stepped forward and held his wooden box out to Rachel. She opened it, and inside was a simple golden crown, set with several large diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. It was beautiful. She gently raised it, and turned to Clarisse. Clarisse lowered herself for a moment and Rachel set the crown on her head amidst her golden hair.

Clarisse stood upright once again and her people all cheered their new Queen.

~o~O~o~

After the ceremony, Clarisse declared that a Coronation Party was in order, and they all were quite pleased with her first royal order. Servants were summoned, and a party was quickly put together. With a stereo blasting dance music, and quite a few servants dancing with the vampires it soon looked like a nightclub in the ballroom of the manor.

Steven turned out to be a good DJ, which was all he was willing to do at the party. He didn’t dance, but he entertained them all. Clarisse danced first with Rachel, of course. Steven might have been a computer geek but he wasn’t slow on the uptake at all. He put on a slow romantic song for their first dance.

She then danced with all of her subjects, and after some teasing and mock-angry orders managed to entice Steven to her side for one dance, as well. Of them all, Randolph surprised her by being an impeccable dancer. Alexei was good, but seemed hesitant, perhaps in fear of jealousy from Renata.

Chiyoko preferred a thumping nightclub beat, while the men and Renata preferred slow, more conventional dances from older times.

Rachel and Maria danced with everyone as well, and Maria took the opportunity to speak quietly with each of her partners as the dancing and music allowed. She told Rachel she was doing her duty to Clarisse and sensing the mood of her subjects and finding out what the expectations were.

Rachel was slightly surprised. I thought Clarisse would just issue some orders and that would be that.

I have called you a foolish girl several times in the past, do not make me say it again Rachel! Rachel could hear her laughing. I know how you think of royalty and nobles, but you know so little of the reality. Of course I must sample the mood of everyone, and then advise Clarisse on what her people want. She then will proclaim her wishes, which in most cases will be very close to what everyone already wanted.

Maria that is… devious, and quite astounding! Nothing like what I was expecting.

No, no Rachel. It is just how you do it properly. You shall learn!

And Clarisse is expecting this, right?

Of course, Rachel! As her Duchess I must watch out for her, and help her maintain peace and happiness. You will see how well things work, so do not worry please.

I’ll trust you both; you seem to know this stuff pretty well.

They spent the rest of the night dancing, talking, singing, and laughing. Clarisse was even able to coax Maria into singing quite a few songs, to the delight of everyone. Maria spent some time whispering suggestions and things her people were hoping for to Clarisse. Rachel was not surprised that Clarisse expected this, and seemed pleased at all she heard.

At one point Renata brought special servants in so that they could all take some nourishment.

Clarisse took this opportunity to address that very issue. “I am quite pleased that we all already share the same philosophy when it comes to our sustenance. When I was first turned I was a vicious killer, and in time I came to regret that. Not just for the practical reason — trying to avoid attention. I also speak of my guilt for killing without need.”

Everyone nodded, and she could see that they all agreed with her on both counts. “I think that our first Laws should address that, my friends. We do not kill without need, and we keep our existence as secret as possible from humanity.” Everyone in the room looked pleased at her pronouncement, as Rachel had suspected they would.

Steven was taking notes on his Ipad and Clarisse beamed at him and gave him a thumbs up. She knew her words would be archived and preserved with him on the job. She made her first royal appointment.

“I appoint you, Steven Tallant, as our Royal Archivist, Law-keeper, and Technologist. You will keep track of pronouncements, laws, history, and also secure communications and privacy for me and our people.”

Steven bowed low, looking more pleased than she’d seen so far. “Thank you, My Queen. I am honored to accept and I will serve you well!”

“Now, Alexei Simonov. You shall be our Minister to Fledgling Vampires. You have turned several and I must say you have done an excellent job as their sire! I would like you to continue to supervise, train, and help new vampires that we here turn, or that we discover later, to fit in with our society, moral code, and such things as finding safe havens.”

Alexei bowed very low, his face radiant. “You honor me, my Queen. I accept this task and will not let you down!”

Clarisse turned to Alexei’s lovely wife and took her hand. “Renata Simonov, you are a skilled doctor, and your appointment shall be the Royal Doctor and Researcher. I hope that this pleases you, and leaves you plenty of time for happiness with your husband, and time to help him when he might need it.”

“My Queen, I am honored and accept graciously. I will always be there for you, you need but ask.” Renata bowed low.

“Randolph Peterson, my sources tell me you can best even Alexei in two out of three falls. Is this true?”

Alexei groaned and Randolph let out a belly laugh. “Well, if I don’t let him win, then yeah, Majesty, I can!”

Clarisse smiled. “That is well. Unfortunately we cannot always live in peace and tranquility. People like the Wolf Pack might show up again. And, we still have the splinter organization to deal with — the ones who only kill, rather than capture us. I appoint you as our Minister of Security, to deal with such eventualities and to keep us all safe.”

Randolph bowed, and then kissed her hand. He looked up into her eyes with a fierce loyalty and to Clarisse’s eyes a slight bit of flirtatiousness. “Your Majesty, I am honored to accept your appointment and I won’t let you down, ever.”

“And last, but certainly not the least, Chiyoko Satou. I understand that you organized this group and kept them together, while proposing that we have a Queen to start with? And you also talked everyone into coming to our rescue?”

Chiyoko actually blushed and looked down at the floor. “Yes, Your Highness, that is true. But, you give me more credit than is due, I think.”

Clarisse took Chiyoko’s chin in her hand and raised her head gently to look right into her eyes. “You shall be our First Minister, Chiyoko. You will organize things for me, help keep me from being drowned in minutiae, and help Maria keep me on the right path.”

Chiyoko bowed deeply to Clarisse. “You honor me, my Queen, and I shall serve you with loyalty and love to the ends of the earth.”

Clarisse smiled at everyone, and then took Rachel’s hand in her own. “Maria will of course be my Duchess, my Second in Command, my strong right hand, and, if she will, my royal consort.”

Rachel gasped and threw herself into Clarisse’s arms and they kissed deeply, hearing a round of applause from not only the vampires but all of the servants as well.

“I will take that as a ‘yes’, my dear?” Clarisse teased.

“Yes, your Royal Majesty, that is a yes,” Rachel answered with a grin.

Maria, what exactly does a Royal Consort do?

She sensed quite a bit of amusement from Maria. They fuck, Rachel, duh?

Nobody understood why Rachel was laughing so hard that tears came from her eyes, but since dawn was approaching they all retired for the day.

~o~O~o~

The next evening, Clarisse informed her subjects that she and Maria would be traveling to America to spend some time, and consulted with Steven on a secure website, secured encrypted cell phones, and locations of all safe houses they owned in America.

Before leaving, she told them to think of favorite servants, friends, and others that they might wish to turn, so that their depleted ranks would grow again.

“Of course I do not want a population explosion, but seven is far too few of us. I’d like to have more of us as soon as we can arrange it.”

She and Rachel were driven to the airport and were surprised to find that the Queen had her own special jet already fueled and awaiting her. Clarisse was obviously touched that they had done this and hugged all of her subjects tightly. She left it to Chiyoko to plan a gathering sometime within the next year.

They boarded the plane with a few servants, and the first stop would be Paris, she learned. Rachel had arranged to stop and let Clarisse take her favorite servants and outfits along on their trip.

“You look very pleased, your Majesty,” Rachel noted.

“Rachel. If you do not stop calling me that in private I will put you over my royal knee and give you a spanking,” Clarisse said through gritted teeth.

Maria said, “Promise?”

Both Maria and Rachel’s pealing laughter filled the plane as they headed west into the sunset.

The End

(for now)

Dramatis Personá¦

• Duchess Maria, of Arad, turned 1608, Arad, Romania
• Baroness Clarisse Antoinette Dubois, turned 1793, Paris, France
• Chiyoko Satou, teacher, turned 1924, Kaesong, Korea
• Alexei Simonov, Soviet Army Sgt., turned 1942, Stalingrad, USSR
• Randolph Peterson, US Army Sgt., turned 1955, Berlin, Germany
• Renata Simonov, doctor, turned 1965, Moscow, USSR
• Steven Tallant, computer science major, turned 1985, New York City, USA
• Rachel Harrison, Historian, turned 2010, near Sibiu, Romania