There is darkness, then I notice I'm in the basement of my last home with Corneliu; the big manor in Albany and the year is 1907. Just as I remember it, the large room is dim; candles are lit. I habitually ball my hands into fists while looking around. But then I stop at one corner. It seems to be unusually darker than everywhere else. I eye it suspiciously. That area gradually lightens up soon enough for me to see there's a bronze kerosene lamp swaying gently back and forth above a long table. What I see on the table makes me immediately step back. It's Corneliu's dead body, and he's wearing the same thing he did the day he died. Now I know for sure this is a memory–Not a random dream.

Quickly, I look up at the ceiling and then over to where I remember the stairs being. They're not there. I turn around. Where are they? There's no way out. Frowning, I look at Corneliu again. Something is going to happen. I'm waiting for it; I can expect nothing else. But, everything stays calm and still. I decide to go to him.

I was right; he looks exactly how I last saw him; eased face, eyes and mouth slightly open, and his somewhat small fangs are just about to touch his thin bottom lip. It's dark around his eyes and his lips are purple. I take his arm and turn it, roll his sleeve up and look for the bite marks I had left. There they are–I see them. Sighing, I put his arm back down and place my hand on my forehead. Not long after, I choke on a small cry and sniffle a few times. "I'm so sorry Corneliu...I'm sorry...sorry about everything!" I inhale deeply before I lose my breath to this painful feeling and slowly peek through my fingers at him. If only I knew better. Things could've been different and life could've gone how it was supposed to.

I wake up and stare at the ceiling. Wonderful...another dream of my past, haunting me some more. I blame this on Corneliu; the dream manipulation. He always does this. He doesn't even have to be in the same room to do it. These dreams are always about death and guilt. I should think less of it now, but I know...that is my humanity, and it still somehow exists. I'm not what Rozalia wants me to be. No, I'll never change. The past should remain where it is.

Turning my head to look at the window, I notice it's still dark out. I glance over and find Ivy half-covered with the blankets, curled up into a little ball at the edge of her side. She looks so beautiful in the moonlight. Her porcelain skin is so fragile and perfect, and her fine curves... She's just gorgeous. I smile slowly and scoot myself closer and trail the side of my index finger down her arm around to her back and then down to the lower area. She stirs in her sleep. I switch my eyes up to her face. Her grip on the blankets tightens. I smirk and then kiss behind her ear. She softly sighs, "Nicolai," I stay quiet. She turns over onto her back, turning her head toward the window. My attention falls down to the calmly beating pulse in her neck. My lips part. So smooth, so fragile, so kissable...so...bitable.

"Yes," Rozalia's echoic voice murmurs, "...It won't hurt her at all." I leisurely lower my head to her neck and gently kiss her. She utters a little sound. My now-glowing eyes drag open to half-lidded and we make eye contact for a second. I softly smile, "Don't worry...everything will be alright. Sleep Ivy... Dream..." She lazily smiles back, closes her eyes and falls asleep again. I begin to nip at her neck, then gently take a hold of the area above her waist and carefully climb over top of her. She turns her head as I lean back down, sliding my hands up her body to hold her arms down to the mattress and then I start licking the place of her quickening heartbeat. "We must take our time with this one." Rozalia purrs. Ivy moans quietly, pleasured by the sensation, making Rozalia curl my lips up into a wild smile. She makes me say, "Finally...I can taste you now...Ivy." She closes my eyes, opens my mouth while tilting my head and then she starts to close me in on Ivy's neck. Suddenly, Ivy gasps, eyes flying open. She clutches the blankets as tight as she can as her heart races faster, "Nick! What are you doing?! Let go of my hands!" Her legs shift around behind me and try to knee my bottom. Holding her in place, I blink and then quickly jump off and sit with my back facing her. My face falls into my hands, "God, no." She backs up to the headboard, panting, feeling her neck. I turn around. She gulps, "Did- did you bite me?!" she pats it. I shake my head, "No." She points at me, "Don't come any closer to me!"
"Ivy," I sigh. She hisses, "I mean it!" With a roll of the eyes, I crawl toward her. She pushes herself closer to the headboard, "I'm warning you!" To avoid getting kicked, I suddenly make a quick advance on her. She squeals as I take her shoulders and push her back down to the bed. Now we're face-to-face. Her breathing is fast and mine is a bit above comfortable.

"I will not harm you."
She nervously puts her hand on her chest. I grab it, "I mean it." My hand slides off hers, down her stomach and stops at her navel. I can feel her jerking reaction to this.

"Calm down Ivy." I whisper.
"How can I?!" she quickly asks. I lightly brush her hair back while looking into her eyes, "I can make you calm down."
"No." she shakes her head repeatedly, "Don't hypnotize me!" I gaze down at her lips for a few seconds. My hand stops and moves away slightly. She takes it in midair, "How close were you to biting me? I dreamed everything." I raise an eyebrow and tip my head to a side in wonder. She releases my hand and tries to pull the covers up over her chest. I stop her. She looks at me isapprovingly. I inch in closer to her face, almost touching noses with her as I return my eyes to her lips, and I soften my voice, "What did you dream of...?" She's goes silent, visibly disturbed, but also beginning to blush.

"Well..." she quietly says, "I dreamed that you were on top of me, kissing me..." she looks up from my nose into my eyes, "I...enjoyed it...and kissed back, wanting more–to go further. But deep inside, something was telling me not to. I am not sure what side of me was more powerful." To go further, she says... "What do you really want?" I whisper. She gives me a blank expression. I can see it though; I can see she's really thinking about it. She sighs and throws her head back into the pillow, "I don't know." I don't really think that's true. I lie down next to her and stroke her cheek in admiration with two fingers. She turns her head toward me. I slowly smile, "You are so beautiful Ivy." She watches me, and after a moment goes by, she mumbles, "Nick...I kissed you like you were someone I've missed for a very long time. What does that mean?"
I pause, then look at her and warmly smile, "I think it means you want to stay." What I say makes her look like she doesn't believe me. I arch an eyebrow at her again. She returns to staring at the ceiling.

"I...have a question..." she says.
"Hm?"

"Will you hold me?-Kiss me like you did in my dream?" Her cheeks are darkening. That request is a dangerous one. I really would love to give her what she asks for. What will it do though? How far could I go? I suppose I will...chance it...

"Ivy," I pull her close, "of course." I cup the back of her head and stare down at her lips, "Of course." She looks at me with such innocence and curiosity; it's very cute. I lean in and press my lips to hers. She slowly wraps her arms around my neck as my right hand rides down her ribcage to her waist and gropes her bottom, receiving a surprised 'mmh' from her. My fingers clutch her tighter while I softly bite her bottom lip, granting a quiet moan from her. My left hand runs down her leg, around to her inner thigh. She makes another surprised sound and takes it before I do anything else. I grin at her and she gives me a smile of disapproval. "Not so easy," she breathes. I tilt my head, "You are challenging me?" She must not understand me very well. I grin wickedly and suddenly roll her over on top of me, then I broaden my smile to a wolfish gleam, "Go on and try me. Let's see what you've got." She immediately stares at me with wide eyes, blushing redder. My own narrow almost impatiently, and intensely. "I'm waiting." She looks down my chest. I smirk, "Time's up." I grab the back of her head, she gasps, and I pull her down to me and start kissing and gently tugging at her bottom lip again with my teeth. She's hesitant yet quick to respond and slides her hands down my chest while I trail mine down her soft, curvy midsection to her waist, and I let out a baritone hum. Again, I clutch her bottom tightly and pull her lower body flush against mine. Yet another moan escapes her as she feels me pressing against her. I grin into the kisses. Her hands move down my chest as she rises off me a little. I gape up at her lustfully, breathing a bit heavily. She starts to smirk, and again I see such innocence in her features, but it's slowly going away.

She seems to have more confidence; it's in her eyes. I watch her run the sharp tip of her index fingernail down my chest, stomach, and slow down when she nears my pelvic region. I huff as my heart jumps. I snatch her hand, "No." Oh, I want her so bad! I can't risk this though. I frown sadly, "Ivy, we can't do that." Things will go too far and I might kill her. I almost say something but she runs her hand down and stops near my crotch. I grunt in surprise. "Ivy," I breathe coarsely, "Don't!" Oh god, no. She moves closer to it. Where is this sudden daring behavior coming from? Is this not her but Rozalia making me think it is? No, I'm not ruining this by thinking that! I suddenly snatch her hands and flip her underneath me, and I warningly look down into her eyes, "You want this?"
She pants, "Yes." That's not good enough for me. I firmly place my fists down on either side of her and more seriously say, "Are you sure? You have no idea who you are dealing with." She goes breathless, "I am." I suppress a sudden chuckle from Rozalia. She grabs the back of my head while leaning up and kisses me romantically. I purr lustfully. Freedom...this is a little taste of freedom. I've yearned for this for so long.

I move away from her lips and kiss along her neck to her ear, making her breathe faster. I sigh into it, "Ivy, my love–remember what I said before." She moans, "I do," I kiss below her earlobe, "Then we will risk it–Now." She moans again, holding me closer. I quickly sit up, take my shorts off and snatch the straps of her gown and tear it apart, then throw the clothes across the room. She gasps at the pain. I look down at her again and see her body...is perfect. Absolutely perfect.

I beam darkly at her, "You are stunning... I will take you now." She again goes breathless. I thrust into her and she suddenly gasps and I groan in pleasure. Once I realize it was painful for her, I ask, "Ivy, are you alright?" She takes in an unsteady breath, "Yes,"
"Should I stop?" I ask. "No," she shakes her head quickly, "don't stop." I make a sudden fanged smile, briefly closing my eyes. I ease farther inside, being careful, granting another moan from her, and she leans the back of her head down into the pillow again, fingers drilling into my back, forcing a somewhat pained groan out of me. I move in close to her neck while beginning to pull in and out of her. She whines out in pleasure, clenching my back tighter, almost breaking my skin with her nails. I gradually quicken my speed, groaning more. I can hear her heart beating quicker by the second, her breathing getting more and more excited; how mouthwatering. I huskily say into her ear, "Let me know if I am too rough." My answer is a fragile sort of whimpering; "Ah-hm,"

"Shh, Ivy," I lick her neck and drag my fangs across it when I take little bits of her skin in between my teeth. I feel her muscles begin to tighten around me. Her body is starting to buck into mine and she lets out an, "Ah!" I let out a throaty sound to her pulling me farther in. My pace hastens more; in and out, faster, faster. Her nails drag across my back as she loudly cries my name. Her heart is racing madly now, deliciously pounding in my ears. I can just taste it now; her sweet warm blood caressing my gums and running down my throat... Oh, so tasty! I need it–I need it NOW! My suddenly-glowing eyes fly open again while my nose wrinkles; I open my mouth with a hiss, eagerly tilting my head and clamping my teeth down on her smooth, pale, soft skin. Instantly, her blood fills my mouth. Ohh, YES!

She screams, "AHH!" her head jerks farther back and her body lurches forward as her chest rapidly moves up and down, "Nicolai!" She's so delectable! Her body, her neck, her blood–She's perfect! By her doing this, I roar in delight, eyes squeezing shut to her pushing herself closer again while I drink in her absolutely delightful blood. It's much richer, now that her heart is pumping so much faster. Rozalia's haunting laugh is beginning to fill my head but I ignore her. I keep slamming Ivy over and over, lust and passion just consuming me. Ivy whines again, turning her head the other way while she suddenly scrapes her nails down my back, drawing blood. I fling my head back with a shout as I find my release. She also belts out a loud moan, climaxing along with me.

Breathing heavily, I slow down, slowly pull out and fall over next to her. I rest my hands on my fast-moving chest and then look at her. Her neck is still oozing blood and she's completely drained of energy; very sensitive too. I scoot closer to her, "Ivy," She looks at me with her hand reaching for her neck, "Nick, my neck-" I stop her, "I will clean it for you." She blinks at me and pants, "Ok," I lean in and lick around the bite marks. "Ohh," she breathes, arching her back only a bit. I finish licking it up and then gaze into her eyes, hovering over her face. She puts her hand on my cheek and slowly smiles. I hold it there, returning her loving smile. "You wore me out," she says. I grin at her, then lean down and whisper close to her lips, "Then I believe we should sleep." I give her a chaste kiss and then tap her nose. She tilts her head at me and smirks faintly, "I agree." I smile at that.

"Here, lay down," she pulls my head to her chest. I inhale deeply, softly rub her shoulder and stare ahead at the wall, blinking slowly while listening to her calming heart.
"Goodnight, dragostea mea." I murmur. "Goodnight...my lovely Nick." Hmm...her voice saying 'my lovely Nick' like that... I smile in content. Too bad she can't say my real name. What an evening this is. I did not expect all this to happen. In fact, I never did expect to go so far. The thought has always been there to do this, of course. Every time I'm around her, I want to do all kinds of bad things to her. I am a gentleman though–with her anyway.

"Thank you for all that pleasure." Rozalia chuckles wickedly. My eyes slowly open, narrowing in hatred. She chuckles louder, evilly excited about the energy gained from Ivy.

I awaken a couple hours later to the sun beaming through the window. Squinting at it, I look over and see Ivy is almost uncovered. I halfway smile and pull the covers up to her shoulders and kiss her hair near her temple, then slide off the bed. Yawning quietly and stretching, I look at the window again and start to realize that I'd slept better than I have in at least 20 years. My clock says it's 8:30.

I start getting my clothes; a white shirt, gray button-up vest, gray formal pants, black shoes and a burgundy tie, all the while thinking of early this morning. I give Ivy an amused side-glance. 'She was fun.'

I take a quick shower, put some cologne on, then after I put everything on, I check myself in the mirror and leave.

"Dmitri." I hear Corneliu while walking to the other end.
"Yes uncle?" I glance at him.
He bows his head slowly, "I will make sure she will not be tampered with."
I point at him, "Good... Do not ogle at her." He folds his arms. I nod once and firmly at him, then I see ahead of me Walter is coming up the spiral staircase. I soon meet with him.

"Good morning Walter."
"Good morning sir. I realize you didn't come down for breakfast at your usual time."
"Yes...something different today." I say. He smiles shortly, then straightening his posture, he becomes more professional. "I must speak with you in private sir."
"Of course," I wave my hand toward the direction of my office, "Let's be on our way then, shall we?" He follows me there, shuts the door carefully, then he walks toward me as I sit down at my desk.

He says, "I received a phone call from the sheriff's office at 8:15 this morning. They have finished their investigation and deem Maria's death a suicide. They will not be returning to the castle sir." I put my hands together and give a sign of acceptance. "Very good... I am glad... This entire situation has been stressful for everyone."
"Indeed sir. Shall I put the elevator back into service?"

I glide my eyes across the desk to a mirror placed on a corner. "You are actually quite chipper this morning." Rozalia says while beginning to contort the mirror. I slowly narrow my eyes.

"Sir?" I blink, then look at him, now back into reality, "No. Remove the police tape over the doors and lock it up until I say otherwise."

Leisurely, he tilts his head, murmuring in a somewhat apprehensive voice, "Something is wrong." Yes. Something is always wrong...in my life. I start to grind my teeth while dragging out an inhale.

"There is something on my mind; do you ever notice that sometimes, things go bump in the night?"
He forms a slightly confused face. "Mr. Francis, I have witnessed some things I cannot exactly explain. As a personal rule, I do not usually engage in conversation about things of this nature, but because you asked..." I tap the table in anticipation, "You are my friend, and I'm very interested in your thoughts." I flick my serious eyes back up to him, "Please continue."

"...There have been times I've heard voices from someone that isn't there." He utters above a whisper. I grin and rest my chin on my hand, "I believe in the supernatural."

"What are you doing?" Rozalia says.
'You will see.'

I look at him sternly, "We are not alone. We never are. There is evil here–I feel it all the time." He widens his eyes, which really gets my attention.

"You are suggesting there are spirits here?"
I raise a hand, "I am not sure what it is-"
"How clever of you. He is of no help." Rozalia's voice gives me a sudden migraine; my ears are ringing because of it. I grab a side of my head with a wince. "Sir, are you in pain?" I shake my other hand at him, "No, I'm fine." I clear my throat and readjust myself in the seat, "Every waking moment, I am tormented. I have headaches." I lean forward, "They are real Walter–as real as I am to you. I have gotten used to these headaches."

"My god..." he muses. I know he's skeptical but I think he trusts me. He has the whole time he's worked for me.

"Where did these 'spirits' come from?" He is very curious and on the edge of not believing and trying to believe. I sigh, "That is something I don't know. What I need is peace. I desperately need it." He half-crosses his arms and places his left hand over his jaw in a contemplative manner, "Well, may I suggest you doing some research on 'ancient' supernatural beings?"
"What for, I wonder?"
"There is a certain kind of book in a certain place..."
I rub my forehead, "Enlighten me."
He nods, "When I was in town, I went to Gales' University Library and asked about some books on that subject. Because truly, I have noticed strange events taking place of late. Ever since Ivy came into in our lives, the castle has become an eerie place." I pause and stare at him, "And...?"
"I believe they might have what you are looking for, sir. I spoke with a gentleman by the name of Albert Strauss who told me about a book named 'Mythological Creatures of Ancient Times', and he mentioned that it was written in 1863. It was sent to the university from England about 15 years ago. Currently, it's on display." Interesting...that's very interesting. I knew Walter would know something. He visits that library from time to time.

I tap my chin and then rub across it as I look off to the right at a bookcase. I've been to that library many times before, but have never had such luck finding anything like that. In fact, I cannot remember the last time I visited it; it's been at least 30 years–more or less.

"Would you like me to visit the library again?" he asks. I stop rubbing my jaw and look back to him for a minute. Putting my hand down, I give him another stern look and then I say with a slight dip of the head, "No. I will go myself–today."

"Cleverly planned... Though I do question why the word 'mythological'." Rozalia is entertained.

'I have not lost my interest for that subject and I am curious about what other people have believed in.'
"Hmm."

Now Walter is more concerned. I move my head to one side, "Problem, Walter?"
"No sir." he shakes his head, "It's just...as I said–Ivy and the 'ghosts'. Also, the event tomorrow evening... Sir, she hasn't anything proper to wear. You didn't quite make arrangements for her."
I roll my eyes and then stand up, "Walter, you question me?-On this? I know exactly what I am doing." I approach him, "You know where I keep the most formal dresses. Find a dark red one with diamonds and a lot of black lace–one of the most beautiful dresses we have. She likes those colors and looks amazing in them. This is a grand surprise." I pause, then ask, "What do the spirits do when I'm gone?"
"Well... Not really anything...sir." he mumbles. I shoot my finger up, "Yes! Now, I ask you to do something for me; make sure Christine leaves a rose on the pillow next to Ivy and this note." I go to my desk, lean down, take a pen and notepaper and write on it, then I reach it out to him. He takes it, and I go to the door and look over my shoulder at him, "When she wakes, she will ask where I am; tell her I am out looking for this book. As far as speaking of the event, don't give anything away." He raises an eyebrow, "Yes sir, of course." I leave the room, taking my black trilby hat off the hat rack near the door.

As I walk quickly up the hall, I say "Good morning," and bow my head to Angel as she dusts off a lamp. She smiles and curtsies. As soon as I am ten feet away from her, I start to hear someone following me.

"Dmitri," It's Corneliu. I continue walking fast. He appears in front of me with an angry face. I go through him, "Out of my way Uncle." He shows up in my path again, "DMITRI!" I stop and growl, "Why do you disturb me now?" My voice is quiet enough for no one to hear me.

"Get rid of her now! She is too much for you!" he says. I point at him, "I said I refuse to listen to you! I have plans and they will work! You made a deal with me; don't fuck it up!"

He slowly shakes his head, "But don't you see it? You cannot love, nephew. This is becoming ridiculous." Just after he says that, I hear Jennifer belt out a bloodcurdling scream, "YOU'RE A MONSTER! A MONSTER! GO ON AND KEEP THREATENING ME! I CAN TAKE IT!" She starts laughing madly. I dart my eyes to the right and see her phasing through the wall. I clutch my hat as my head falls to one side in distress and horror to seeing her face twisting into a waterlogged scowl. I almost make tighter fists but my stiff, trembling fingers stay the same. Angel notices me and thinks I am in some kind of trouble. She walks toward me in a hurry and asks if I'm ok. In my mind, I'm screaming at the top of my lungs. I slowly lift my chin, giving them a death look as I loudly say out of the corner of my mouth, "I'm fine...Angel." She stops just behind me. "Excuse me but, what are you looking at sir?" She's unnerved.

I turn to her, "See to it Ivy has a good breakfast. I have to go to the mainland for a little while." I pick my hat up and start walking away while she bewilderingly stares at me. "Yes sir." she says.