Even before he approached us, making it possible for me to see his face, I knew it wasn't Vlad.

I let my arms drop to my sides as disappointment hit me hard, feeling my legs tremble and give way. The second man reached me just before I fell, his strong arm wrapped around my waist helping me stand upright until I could manage on my own again. Breathe. You knew it couldn't be him.

"Thanks, Lucas," I muttered after a while, not surprised at all to see him at my side.

I was much more intrigued by the presence of the tall stranger, now leaning above William. The man who looked enough like Vlad to make me hope...

"Hey, man, what... are you?" William drawled as the stranger helped him to his feet. "You look like... a vampire... like that guy in the museum." He laughed, then hiccupped, looking like he would fall again the moment the man would let go of him.

"It seems that the lady is not interested in your company, young man. I suggest you take your leave," the dark-haired man said, his clear and imposing voice filling the darkness that spread around us.

William chuckled. "The 'lady' is mine. I shall stay... as long as I want. We need to... talk."

"No, William. Go home. I have nothing more to tell you," I said. "Please."

"Mara..."

"Lucas, please, accompany our friend home. I'll look after her." The stranger decided, his tone leaving no place for discussion.

As Lucas left my side to escort William, he drew nearer. "Nice to meet you, Lady Samara," he said, taking my hand in his and kissing it. "I didn't think we would ever meet personally."

I lowered my eyes and curtsied, my ingrained medieval manners coming back in a flash. And as I straightened up again and looked in the man's face, I knew who he was.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Stoker."

I saw surprise flashing in his eyes before he could mask it.

Lucas laughed somewhere in the darkness. "I told you she would find out." Then he spoke to William, leading him away, "Come on, pal, let's take you home."

"Lucas, thanks. He lives in Chiswick," I called after them.

"Strand-on-the-Green, by the river..." William slurred his address, letting Lucas lead him away without further complaint.

"Mr. Bram Stoker," I said, looking at the man towering above me as soon as we were alone. "A vampire."

"I don't go under that name in this century, Lady Samara. Abraham Balcombe, in your service." He bowed again and smiled.

"And I'm not Lady Samara here. I'm Samara Marlowe," I replied.

He nodded, looking at me intently, his eyes as full of questions as my own.

"Shall we talk?" he suggested. "Somewhere warm, preferably. You are freezing."

"Please," I said, shivering with cold as the adrenaline running through my veins started to wear off. "Follow me."

When we reached the flat, Lia was still on the phone in her room, but Anne and Mark were back in the sitting room, waiting for me to serve the cake. As Mark recognized our guest as Lucas' uncle, I left the introductions to him and went to get more plates and glasses, expecting Lucas to join us once he was done with William.

"I'm sorry for what happened outside. For the... misunderstanding," Stoker said quietly, studying me, as I sat down next to him and sliced the cake.

Some of my disappointment must have still been visible in my face, and he, thanks to his enhanced, vampire senses, could probably perceive my inner turmoil, too. Be careful. They are so much more perceptive than humans, my subconscious reminded me.

I looked in his dark brown eyes, trying to disperse the slight aversion I felt towards him unsuccessfully. This man made Vlad look like a monster in the eyes of the whole world. He made him the awful Dracula.

"It was just your hair, really. I wonder where you got your inspiration," I said drily, passing him a plate.

"Guilty as charged!" He laughed, making Anne and Mark look at us in confusion. "I find your... " He looked at me for permission, and I shook my head quickly, not wanting him to say too much in front of the two. "I find him quite an impressive and inspirational character."

Of course you do. Otherwise, you would base your evil count on someone else, I thought, rolling my eyes at him.

"This is good," Mark said once he tasted the cake. "Honestly, you're such a good cook, girl."

Anne nodded her agreement, her mouth too full to speak.

"I remember this cake," Stoker said, his eyes clouding over with memories, "you recreated it perfectly. But you should serve it with a warm mead," he added, producing a packet of cigarettes from the pocket of his coat, which lay spread over the arm of the sofa by his side.

"They didn't have any in the supermarket," I muttered, surprised and curious. Just how much does he know about my other world? I couldn't wait to talk to him properly.

"Even if they did have it, she wouldn't be drinking it. And you are not allowed to smoke while she is in this room. You shouldn't smoke, full stop. It's detrimental to your health." Lia entered, making her presence known to everyone.

She kept complaining until her eyes met Stoker's, then she stopped and stilled, transfixed by his gaze. Entranced by him.

Oh no, Lia, please don't! Not him! I screamed inwardly, realising that this was most probably how I looked around Vlad. Smitten. Devoted. Brainless.

"I'm sorry, Miss," Stoker told her, putting the cigarettes away, apparently as intrigued by her as she was by him.

Luckily, Anne and Mark were so lost in each other that they noticed nothing. It was... embarrassing.

"Lia, sit down, please," I hissed, even as Mark and Anne stood up, announcing that they were leaving.

"I won't be back tonight; don't worry about me," Anne told me as I accompanied them to the door. "And I'm still planning to move over to Mark's place, by the way. Soon."

"She told me you didn't like the idea, Samara," Mark chimed in, "but..."

"I guess you two are big enough to know what you are doing." I shrugged as they exited the flat, hand in hand.

I couldn't stop them from rushing into this relationship, and Anne could just move back if she changed her mind, anyway. Lia and Stoker seemed to be the more pressing problem right now.

"Thanks for dinner," Mark said while Anne kissed me on the cheek before they headed towards the stairs.

I just closed the door when someone knocked, the sound followed by Lucas' voice. "Samara, it's me."

"Is everything alright?" I asked, letting him in.

"Yes, I took him home. He won't remember anything tomorrow."

I raised my eyebrows at him, doubting his words. William was drunk, but not enough not to remember meeting two vampire-like individuals on the dark, snow-covered green behind Lia's flat...

"Don't worry about it," Lucas smiled mysteriously. "How are you? Have you spoken to him?" he demanded, nodding towards the sitting room, where we could hear Stoker talking to Lia.

"Not much, what with everybody around..."

"Yes, I met the two downstairs. They let me in," he said as we walked towards the sitting room together.

We found Lia deep in conversation with our guest, blushing like a schoolgirl. I had never seen her like this before. So much for not having time for romance.

As Lia had taken my place on the sofa next to Stoker, I sat on one of the chairs placed on the other side of the low table, opposite of them. When Lucas sat down next to me, they finally acknowledged our presence, looking at us at the same time.

"Did everything go well?" Stoker asked Lucas while Lia beamed happily at me. Goodness gracious me. She was head over heels for him.

"Perfectly. Here?" Lucas replied, raising his eyebrows at Lia, who was now slicing the rest of the cake, letting Stoker understand what he meant without putting his questions into words.

"Great," Stoker replied simply, looking away from him.

Lucas looked at me then, searching for answers, but I only shrugged. I wasn't sure what was going on between the two. Or I did-- Lia was succumbing to Stoker's vampire charm, fast-- but even though I wasn't thrilled about the situation, there wasn't much I could do about it. Not now, at least. Now I had questions to ask. Too many questions.

"We must talk. Please," I begged.

Stoker inclined his head towards Lia, in a silent question, 'What about her?'

"She knows everything," I told them. "You can talk."

"Good," Stoker said, looking at Lia admiringly, making her blush again. Then he turned to Lucas. "So, I don't suppose this was the man you had seen with her earlier?"

"No." Lucas and I replied in unison.

"William is my..."

"Her ex-boyfriend," Lucas said, looking at me reproachingly. Is he... angry with me? "By the way, didn't I tell you not to go out alone? At least at night, Samara!"

"And why should I listen to you? Who are you to tell me what to do?! I don't even know you properly!" I snapped.

"Because I'm trying to protect you, which you apparently can't do alone! When I saw how that drunk boyfriend of yours was about to hit you and you just stood there, instead of trying to fight him, to defend yourself... Have you no sense of self-preservation at all, woman?"

Maybe I didn't. It hadn't even crossed my mind to fight, or even just push William away before he could hit me, knowing how guilty I must have looked in his eyes... Still, who was Lucas to talk to me like this?

"I apologize for my nephew. He put it in his head that you require his protection and won't be dissuaded," Stoker said as I scowled at Lucas, who in his turn scowled at him.

"Just... Why would you worry about me, Lucas? I don't need you to look after me. I can manage..."

"Samara, have you already forgotten about that vamp..."

"That's enough," Stoker spoke, loud and clear, silencing us both.

I leaned away from Lucas as far as I could and crossed my arms across my chest. He was annoying. But maybe he's got a point, my subconscious whispered. Who knows what would have happened if he hadn't turned up at the right moment this evening. Twice. He saved you twice today.

"So it was you, who's been following me around," I told him, still scowling. "And you, too," I added, turning to Stoker. "I saw you in Barnes, by the pond."

"It wasn't only us, Samara, that's the problem," Lucas replied. Then, taking a deep breath, he added, "Please forgive me. I didn't mean to..."

"It's all right. I'm sorry, too. I know you mean well," I mumbled, relaxing my unfriendly pose. There was something about Lucas, something in his behaviour that reminded me of Junior. I couldn't be angry with him for long.

"That's better," Stoker said, as Lia, who kept uncharacteristically quiet, nodded. "Now tell me about the other man."

"Hmm... he was one of you, he said so," I started, letting my eyes drop to my hands, resting on my lap. I closed my left hand firmly around the diamond, my talisman, concealing it in my palm as I tried to remember all the important details. "He was tall and well built, his hair was short and blonde, and his eyes were grey with maybe a hint of green... " Even as I said that, I realised that the man had looked familiar. "Have you ever met Andrei? Jusztyna's brother?" I asked, raising my eyes and finding Stoker staring at me. "The man reminded me of him..."

He nodded, lost in thoughts.

"I've seen him before," Lucas said. "Not your Andrei," he replied to my confused look, "I mean this guy. I saw him in Bran. Outside the hotel, when I went out with Anne and Mark that night, after we returned from the castle, and again the following morning. When I insisted on carrying your bag, remember? I thought he was following us, that's why I didn't want you to stroll behind alone. But then he disappeared and I did not see him again until tonight." He shrugged.

"Viorel," Stoker said.

"You know him?" Lucas asked incredulously.

"I do, and he's not good news for you, my lady. Samara," he corrected himself.

"Is he dangerous?" Lia asked, looking alarmed.

"Miss..."

"She's Lia Murray. Sorry, I forgot to introduce you two," I tried to rectify my mistake. "And he's Abraham Bal..."

"Just call me Abraham, miss Murray," he told her. Then he looked towards me, trying to hide the smile lurking in his dark eyes, making me remember that my best friend shared her surname with his Mina.

I rolled my eyes at him as Lia repeated her question. "Is this Viorel dangerous?"

Stoker looked between us, serious again. "He... might be. Viorel has been trying to get inside your other world, Samara, ever since I met him, and that was many years ago. He used to live abroad somewhere. The fact that he followed you over here bodes ill. He must have recognized you."

"He knew me, yes," I said, remembering the encounter.

"And you didn't want me to follow her, or to meet her yourself... Just what were you thinking?!" Lucas snapped at his uncle. "You are as... inconsiderate, irresponsible, and selfish as that husband of hers, who sent her back here alone, defenceless and ignorant..."

"Lucas, don't," I said, feeling my anger return. He knew nothing about Vlad, his reasons, or my situation.

"I didn't even know that this was really her! Not until tonight. And he asked me not to reveal myself; he wanted her to live her normal life again. Life without vampires."

"He asked you?" Lucas stared at him sceptically. "How?"

Instead of answering him, Stoker turned back to me.

"Samara, what happened there? Why are you back? Was it not possible for you to stay with him in that... time loop?" he asked, his voice soft and gentle, and I realized that there were tears running down my cheeks.

I was exhausted. Overwhelmed. And I did not understand what they were talking about anymore. It was too much to take in.

Lia scooted over to me, putting her hand on my shoulder protectively. "That's it for tonight, guys. You must let her rest."

"I'm fine," I mumbled, wiping the tears away with my sleeve. "I need to talk to them, Lia."

"Not tonight. It's too late. You have to get up early tomorrow, remember? Your appointment..."

"You're right, Lia. Please don't let her go out alone, at least until we find Viorel and whoever works with him," Stoker said, standing up and putting his coat on again.

"I'll be around, too. I don't think that Viorel, or any other vampire who would want to get to Samara, would stop at seeing Lia with her, definitely not after dark," Lucas reasoned. He stood up as well and put his hand on my other shoulder.

"Good. So you can bring her over to my place tomorrow afternoon, and we can finish our conversation."

"But won't that attract more unwanted attention to her if someone sees her in your house? That's what you've told me before," Lucas demanded.

"It's too late to worry about that now. You might have not noticed, but we've been seen tonight, Lucas. They'll all know everything by tomorrow. We must make it clear that we're with her," Stoker explained.

I looked up at the three of them from my chair. Feeling the weight of Lia's and Lucas' hands on my shoulders, I watched as they stood above me, discussing me as if I wasn't there. As if I was a problem to solve.

Soon, I gave up trying to follow their discussion. I missed Vlad terribly, and even with all of them there for me, I was feeling lonely. I wanted to curl around my pillow and sleep...

"I'll see you around. Sleep well. And don't worry." Lucas left my side with the final squeeze of my shoulder, and I nodded, noticing Stoker kissing Lia's hand as she walked with them toward the door.

"Thank you," I mumbled after them before they exited the room.

And as they all turned back and smiled, I finally gathered enough courage to ask what, for me, was the most important question at the moment. I couldn't let them leave without answering me.

"I... I'm pregnant... with my husband's child and... I was wondering... " I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment; it was so weird to talk about this with two strange men, two vampires I barely knew.

"I'll wait outside," Lucas said, letting Lia accompany him to the door while Stoker walked back to me.

I stood up to face him, my left hand lying over my belly in a protective gesture, which was slowly becoming my habit.

"Hasn't your husband explained anything to you?"

"I... was forced to leave before I was sure... He doesn't know. We... didn't really speak about this possibility, about ever being separated again..." About me going through this alone and ignorant, as Lucas had said.

I felt new tears flood my eyes as Stoker nodded thoughtfully.

"I'll tell you everything I know tomorrow, Samara. For now, it suffices to say that you have nothing to worry about. No one will perceive anything out of the ordinary until the birth. Then, most probably, the doctors will notice an anomaly in the baby's heartbeat, and you'll be told that your child has some rare, but not a life-threatening syndrome. Half-vampires are very 'human-like'."

A huge weight lifted off my chest at hearing his words, and I managed to smile at him through my tears. "Thank you, Abraham."

"I'll see you tomorrow, Samara," he said.

Then he disappeared from the room in a flash, and I heard the front door close behind him before Lia's disappointed voice reached me from the kitchen, "Is he gone?"