CHAPTER 10

Loneliness and despair filled the soul of Count Vlad Tepes. It had been five years since he had become human, yet his life felt more barren and empty than his existence as Alucard. Other than servants, his only human contacts were with his Parish priest and with his one true friend, Captain Broz.

His conversations with the pastor were superficial, the few times that Vlad had ventured to reveal his true feelings were met with the need for prayer and forgiveness. Vlad could feel the anxiety emanating from the priest; counseling a former vampire was clearly beyond his intelligence and experience. He found himself spending less time at the church, his expectations of being eventually accepted in the community recognized as folly.

In five years his only social contact had been with Captain Broz. Although their meetings were never more than monthly, the Captain being head of a large shipping empire, Vlad looked forward to these dinners at his castle. Broz brought news of the outside world and always seemed genuinely pleased to see the Count. However, until the past month, neither man spoke of the woman who had given him human life.

Vlad had always felt a certain reluctance in his friend to speak of those days, as if Vlad should move on, make a new life! However, Vlad had been pondering the papal document that revealed the secret to making a vampire human. The German Count who had been made mortal by the kiss, freely given, of a pious woman. How did he live a happy, normal family life? Why was this joy denied him? Was he that evil, his deeds so dastardly, that God would deny him happiness?

As Vlad brooded over this, the major difference in their lives became clear to him. Count Wilhelm married the woman who had saved him; Carrie had left him to return to Philadelphia, perhaps to the arms of Sean Taylor! In five years Vlad had not spent a waking hour without Carrie`s face entering his thoughts. The night she had made him whole, lying next to him, her head resting gently on his chest.

With these thoughts overwhelming him, Vlad had demanded his friend to bring news of Carrie at their next meeting. Captain Broz reluctantly agreed and Vlad spent the intervening month with daydreams of a happy life spent with his true love. Finally, the waiting was over! Captain Broz would be at Redicz Castle within the hour!

Vlad was sitting in his library when Captain Broz arrived for dinner. He shook the Captain`s hand and poured two flutes of Dom Perignon Champagne from the bottle that had just been opened. Bowing to Broz, Vlad lifted his glass in toast. "To my oldest and only true friend."

As the two men drank the wonderful Monk`s drink, Vlad led the Captain to his sitting area and started his CD player. The overture to Mozart`s "Le Nozze de Figaro" filled the room. Broz seemed a little nervous as he heard the familiar Riccardo Muti recording; it was extremely rare for Count Vlad to play comedic Opera, especially with a theme of successful marriage! Had the Count already had access to the information he possessed about Carrie Taylor?

The Captain sat back, a forced smile on his face. He would wait `til Eternity if he could spare the Count his news. Vlad felt his uncomfortableness and spoke.

"Captain, why don`t you just tell me what news you have of Carrie? It`s clear that you are upset."

The Captain leaned over and refilled their glasses, taking time to light a cigarette. "Count Vlad, first the news I`m sure of. Carrie and Sheriff Taylor were married six months after she returned to Philadelphia. They have a home in Bucks County, PA, where they live with their three children."

"Did you say three children, Captain?"

"Yes, Count, her two daughters with James Corgan, and a young son, Wolfie."

It took all of Vlad`s steely control to remain seated, sipping his wine. "And how old is this young son?"

Sweating profusely, Broz replied, "He was born three months after their marriage."

Vlad reflected on this, remembering the night that he had spent with Carrie, only days before she returned from his Castle. "The child is mine! Why haven`t I heard of this before?"

"Please, Count, you had pledged to yourself that you would not check on her life, only that I should assure myself that she was in no need!"

"Wolfie is my child! I have no doubt! The Tepes line is continued! I must see them! I am going to Philadelphia!"

"But Count, you have vowed to van Helsing to never leave Roumania, in return for his not prosecuting you as Alucard!"

Vlad stood, pacing the floor, one of the few overt signs of anger that Vlad allowed himself. "To hell with the vow! And to hell with van Helsing and Sean Taylor! Book me immediately on the fastest charter you can arrange."
"One second, Count, I have further news. Van Helsing is in Philadelphia with Carrie and Sean. This is a very rare occurrence. You are not aware, but Sean has joined the Doctor as an Interpol investigator. Even given that, when meetings between the two of them are necessary, it is Sean that travels to Lyon, France to meet at Interpol Headquarters. Further, van Helsing has ordered the large Interpol Gulfstream jet to pick up a group of passengers at Northeast Philadelphia Airport. Something important is going on!"

Vlad stared directly into Broz`s eyes, a frightening sight to see the fire in that black penetrating gaze. "Broz, I`m sorry. We will have to postpone our dinner tonight. It is imperative that you discover the flight plan and passenger list of the Gulfstream! If Carrie is on that plane, their destination is mine!"

CHAPTER 9

Back in the apartment in Monmartre, Maurice was awakening to his immortal existence. Mondrian took his head in her lap and began to speak softly. “Maurice, Maurice, relax, calm down, take it easy. You and I are one.”

As he opened his eyes to mountains of new experience, Mondrian continued to speak this mantra. She vaguely remembered the terror she felt when Alucard awakened her hundreds of years ago in Roumania and she repeated his words to Maurice. Comforting words, welcoming him to his new life as vampire.

Maurice startled as he adjusted to the wealth of sensations that threatened to overwhelm him. Mondrian wisely directed his attention to his own paintings and Maurice seemed to relax for the first time.

“Maurice, you have entered the world of the immortals. Endless time to paint, to let your creativity reach its full fruition. You and I will live together, my love. I will teach you all that you need to know to remain immortal.”

Mondrian stood and brought Maurice to his feet in front of his framed paintings. “Do not worry, my dear. I have made arrangements for all of your paintings to be moved to your new home. But it is now time for us to fly! Please concentrate; see yourself as bat.”

As Maurice envisioned this, he found himself in the air, batwings flapping, soaring above his paintings! Beside him, Mondrian circled the room twice, pausing at the open window. As Maurice followed her, Mondrian flew out of the window, leading him to her home on Rue de la Roquette.

As the bat flies, it took only seven minutes for Mondrian and Maurice to arrive at her home on Rue de la Roquette. As bat, Mondrian led him through a window left open on the rear of the building. Mondrian transformed to human form and spoke to the hovering Maurice, “Imagine yourself as being in your former body; relax, calm down, take it easy.” In a few seconds, Maurice stood beside her, eyes wide with fright.

“Relax, my dear, we are home. How did you enjoy your flight?”

Maurice stammered, replying, “Unbelievable! Not just the flying. The things I can see! The smells! It`s wonderful!”

“Yes, Maurice, isn`t it? And this awareness is forever. There are many things you must learn about your new life, but this is of primary importance. The sun is your mortal enemy. Each morning, before dawn, you must retire to your coffin until the sun sets. The bottom of the coffin must be filled with soil from your native land. Any deviation from this rule will result in your immolation! Do you understand that clearly?”

“Yes, Countess, I do. But where will I find such a coffin?” Mondrian took his hand and led him down the back stairway into the kitchen. Sitting at the kitchen table was Brian Woodson, her hypnotized servant. Brian immediately stood and bowed, “Good evening, Countess.”

Mondrian replied, “Good evening Brian. I would like to introduce my house guest, Count Maurice. Is everything in readiness for us?” Brian walked to the doorway of the basement and opened the door. “Your instructions have been carried out, Countess. May I escort you?”

Mondrian thanked him and waved him off. “No need, Brian. I`ll escort the Count myself.” Mondrian led Maurice down the basement steps, not bothering to switch on the lights; there really was no need. At the center of the basement were two coffins, both very simply made.

Mondrian sighed, thinking to herself of the years of her escape. Oh, the many coffins she had lay in, always carrying with her the soil from her coffin in Scotland. The worry that she would be discovered, the nights spent desecrating newly buried bodies in order to use their coffins for an evening`s safety.

Ah, but now here she was safe in her own home, with a hypnotized servant to protect her against discovery during the long daylight hours. And now, a brilliant artist as her vampire protégé! Mondrian opened a refrigerator and poured two champagne glasses of plasma, offering the red liquid to Maurice.

“To your future, my dear. Drink fully and I will see you to your coffin." Both drained their glasses and Mondrian took Maurice`s hand and helped him into the coffin with French soil. “This is your resting place, my dear. I bid you good day. I will awaken you after sunset tomorrow.”

Mondrian closed the lid on the coffin and ascended the stairs to the kitchen. After assuring herself that Brian was aware of his instructions for tomorrow, especially in paying Maurice`s landlord and bringing his paintings home, Mondrian bid him good night. She ascended the stairs to her sitting room overlooking Place Voltaire and stood at the window. Smiling, she thought of Alucard.

V

CHAPTER 8

Back at the apartment in Philadelphia, Sean was very troubled. He asked van Helsing, “Bram, if Mondrian is the vampire we are searching for in Paris, do you think that Carrie and Wolfie are in any danger?”

Van Helsing replied, “I believe that the whole question of Mondrian`s dangerousness to your family comes down to information. First, if she is aware that Alucard has been transformed to humanness there will be little to stop her from extracting her vengeance upon him. Second, if she becomes aware that Carrie has born his child, Mondrian would definitely have designs on Wolfie. I believe Carrie`s life could be in danger and …..”

“Bram?”

Van Helsing sighed and sipped his cognac. “Sean, I believe that Mondrian may try to initiate Wolfie into the life of immortal evil. She would be sorely tempted to have Alucard`s love child as her vampire slave!”

Sean rubbed his eyes in anger and stared intently at the Doctor. “Then we must catch this bitch in Paris and kill her before she can destroy any more lives! When can we leave?”

“Sean, first you must decide the best way of preparing Carrie for this news. Then, between us, we must come up with a plan to protect your son.”

“Bram, there`s no time like the present! Why don`t we drive home and talk to her now? The kids will be in bed and Carrie should be alone. Let`s get it over with!”

With that, the two men stood and left the apartment, taking the elevator to the ground floor and getting in Sean`s car for the trip up I-95 to Sean and Carrie`s home in Bucks County. When they arrived in about 40 minutes they found a Ford truck in the driveway.

“Bram, that`s Elaina Koss` truck. I`ll bet she and Carrie took the kids horseback riding today. You know, since they ended Carrie`s therapy, they`ve become the best of friends.”

“Yes, Sean, I`m aware of that and it does an old man`s heart good! Along with Lucinda, these are the most important women in my life.”

The two men entered the house and found Carrie and Elaina sitting in the family room, sharing a bottle of Chablis. All four exchanged hugs and kisses and Carrie spoke, “Bram, this is such a surprise! And shame on you, Sean, not calling to let us know our favorite guest was coming.”

“Elaina chimed in, “That`s right Sean. Look at us! Carrie and I just came back from taking the kids to ride Sami. We look a mess!” Before Sean could even reply, Carrie pouted, “And how about dinner? You bring Bram here for the first time in ages and I have nothing ready to feed him!”

Van Helsing smiled and with a hand gesture asked permission to light a cigarette. Carrie nodded and the Doctor replied, “Please Carrie. It`s my fault for arriving unannounced. As far as dinner, if we get hungry, I`d love to have one of those peanut butter and jelly on rye sandwiches that Amie first made for me. Now that`s an American treat!”

Sean rushed to the kitchen and returned with two Yuengling lagers and handed one to the Doctor, who was sitting on the sofa next to Elaina. Sean shared a love seat with his wife, putting his arm around her and kissing her neck. Van Helsing spoke, “Elaina, it is providence that you are visiting tonight. Sean and I have some troubling news and your input will be much appreciated.”

The two men took turns sharing the information and when the issue of the family`s safety was raised, including the possibility of Wolfie becoming a direct target of Mondrian, Carrie clenched her teeth with determination. “Then Wolfie and I are joining you in Paris to hunt this woman down! The girls will stay here with my parents. Mondrian has no vendetta against them.”

Elaina chimed in, “And don`t you dare count me out, Bram. I`m not staying here while all of your lives are in danger! I won`t stand for it! And how about John Kelly and Lucinda?” Both men shook their heads and smiled. Sean spoke, “I guess I should have known better!”

Van Helsing replied to Elaina, “It will be my distinct pleasure to have you along on this adventure, Elaina. And as far as John and Lucinda are concerned, I tracked them down to Venice. You are aware, I`m sure, that they are vacationing together. Or were! They will meet us in Paris in two days. And God will be with us, have no fear!"

CHAPTER 7

Alucard had always loved the nights. As an immortal, he was excited each evening when he was able to rise from his coffin. Even on those evenings when he wasn`t hunting he could hardly wait to become bat.

Of all that he had lost following his transformation to being human, the freedom of flight, that stuff of dreams, was most grieved. He loved standing on the patio of Redicz Castle, overlooking the Carpathians and the valleys below.

Alucard would transform himself and fly for hours. He knew every inch of his domain and remembered how proud he was to show it all to Mondrian. Ah, those first evenings!

Mondrian, wide eyed, flying on his right side; her first attempts in attack mode, dropping down, swiftly through the clouds. Her first feeding; Alucard saw a human in the mountains, camping, obviously a stranger. No one from the villages any longer ventured far from their homes at night. He directed Mondrian to the campfire and nodded his approval.

Mondrian pulled in her wings and fell directly towards the victim. Wings again spread, the final swoop, tendrils ripping the victim`s face as she transformed to human form. With vampirish strength holding the man in his struggle; the biting and gnashing, the ripping. Blood spurting before she settled to feed. Alucard felt the sweat on his brow as he remembered that evening. How happy he was for her as she lay sated next to the body. How beautiful she was in the moonlight, smiling at him, calling him to herself. No more!

His evenings were now filled with unsettling dreams. Alucard had read all of the important works by Freud and his disciples concerning dreams and generally agreed with them as to the impetus for dreaming; unresolved internal conflicts and wish fulfillments.

For Alucard, as for most humans, the beginning of his dreams usually involved visions of recent experience. As he settled into REM sleep, his subconscious began seeping into his dream, things becoming more bizarre as his mind attempted to integrate more intimate parts of himself, those unfilfilled desires and conflicts which if not disguised would immediately awaken him.

Symbology of his earlier lived experince would then resurface, a somewhat more threatening attempt to rid his present conflicts of their charged energy, their cathexis. For most people, this powerful threat to their identity was enough to awaken them in the middle of their nightmare.

But Alucard had lived for hundreds of years as vampire. His dreams spiralled downward, through the killing and evil, through the destruction. Only images of his own mortality would awaken him.

Waking up, shaking, perspiring, he would get out of bed, disoriented and walk out to the patio. Sitting there, his respiration normalizing, he would think of Carrie.