Resurrected lover

Chapter 3: Cat and mouse game

Daniela's POV :

I was running through the woods. The wet leaves under my feet made me slip so many times that I lost count of my bruises. My lungs hurt like hell but there wasn't time to make a break. A wolf howled nearby. How did I end up in this miserable situation? I just made it whole from one nightmare and now I have fallen into another. Just when I thought it can't became any worse it did. What did I ever do to deserve such a punishment? I must say.It sucks. 

Behind me a group of hungry wolves and before me…. Yeah, I shouldn't make of it such a mystery. Before me came into view the last place that I wouldn't ever again want to cross. The vampire's castle.

Now the dilemma. What to choose. Wolves or vampire?

I came to the old double door and stopped my pace. Stamping and panting of the wolfs caught my ears and the first wolf emerged from the woods. Behind him the second and third became visible. At the end there were six. Six hungry growling wolves slowly approaching me.

Then everything changed. Strong arms wrapped around my waist and I was swapped inside the castle and into the arms of my… Savior?? 

Should I call a psychotic bloodsucking vampire a savior? Hell no! But right now I was down six hungry wolves. Just to come up with how to get ride off this leech problem. 

His right arm was holding me around my waist. I felt his hard body pressed against mine and my heartbeat quickened. It must have been from his nearness. But I didn't feel the urge to freak out. 

Then I felt his breath at my ear and his silky voice gave me goosebumps. 

"Hello sweetheart. Missed me? Because I sure have." 

His finger brushed slowly down from my ear to my cheek. Then with a slow motion he removed hair from my neck.

"How is it possible that you can touch me?"

I tried to distract him. He chuckled and nuzzled my neck.

" There are many ways and when you live as long as me… But don't bother your beautiful head with such malicious things."

This is it. I knew what is going to come next. He is going to bite me. Wheels in my head were spinning in full speed and an idea plopped out.

 I made my right hand into a fist and covered it with my left hand. Then I lightly turned in his embrace and ram my elbow into his stomach.

His immediate reaction made me giggle but I didn't wait and run as fast as I could. I heard him curse somewhere behind me but in an instant later he was pinning me to wall with my hands above my head. I was trying to free myself but his grip was unbreakable. 

"Let me go you bloodsucking asshole!" 

Now was the time to be afraid. I kicked and turned around but with no luck. This was the end. No way to make it alive. I closed my eyes and felt icy chill on my back.

Then…

I sat up in the little wooden cottage. Sweaty, panting for breath.

It was just a dream. I'm safe. 

Then a wolf howled somewhere nearby.

 I heard Eva's soft breathing from the pile of blankets. Time to take a calming breath. Everything is fine. No need to stress myself. Not more than I already am. We are safe. 

Or not. 

The nearest shadow moved and my nightmare became alive again. 

"Please tell me that I am dreaming. Again." 

I didn't plan to tell it aloud. But it did happen.

The shadow became the shape of a human body which grew before my eyes into huge figure of my vampire stalker.

My comment made him chuckle. 

" Hello sweetheart. Nice to see you. Again. "

I don't know if just seeing him or the stupid nickname which he gave me but blood began to boil in my veins.

"I'm definitely NOT your sweetheart so stop calling me that!"

He flashed his pearly white teeth and made a small bow. 

"Than I think came the time for introduction. Vlad Tepes. Prince Impaler or more familiar for your ears Count Draculea." 

"If you think that I will say nice to meet you. Just forget it. Better to say go to hell!" 

He made a dramatic sigh. 

"And I thought that chivalrous manners would never die. How disturbing. And to answer to your….. Hmmmm. How to name it? Suggestion. Yes that will work. Been there. Cozy place but a little bit too hot for my taste."

Again that killer smile which made him just more dangerous. This is bad. I really tried to find a good solution for this big mess but nothing. My brain decided to take a vacation in the worst possible moment. Not to blame it. I was face to face with the most famous and most feared vampire ever. 

But I'm not going down without a fight! 

This time I frowned. 

"If you think that sweet talk and a title makes me fall head over heels with you and offer myself as a snack. Sorry to disappoint you." 

I need to wake up Eva. Why is she not up? She is snoring like nothing's happening. That's strange. Deep sleep is particularly my special ability. 

He must have noticed my vague looks because a next wave of chuckle came. 

" She is not going to wake up. "

My heart misses a beat. She is not death. I can hear her breathing. What did he do to her?! 

I jumped out of my so called bed and run to her side. With all my strength I began to shake with her.

Nothing happened. Her head dangled from one side to the another but she tried to snore her vocal cords out. 

"What the hell!! I don't know what you did to her but reverse is or I'm going to stake your smug ass on the wall like a new kind of trophy!!" 

How dare he!! I was like a raging bull ready to strike but when I turn to face him all my rage was forgotten.

His face held new kind if emotion which I didn't see on him till now. Something took him out of his balance. But that didn't last for long. His attention fell back on me but not for long. He swing his long black cloak before his face and was gone. Just like that. Just a poof and he was gone like if he had fallen through an invisible hole. 

Now that can be handy! Need to find out how he does it! I already have such brilliant ideas how to use it. Could even patent it and make some fortune for my study. Bey bey late night work!

Okay. Back to reality. 

After his spectacular departure Eva's breathing changed and she stirred in her sleep. I began to shake with her again. This time she opened one eye. 

"Is it already morning? Don't tell me that this time I overslept." 

She rubbed her eyes and yawned.

I can't describe how happy I felt. 

"No girl, but we had a visit. That bloodsucker shoved up. First he terrorized my dreams and then he even came here right in this room. I don't know how he made it but I couldn't wake you up and that's not all. In one moment he was all that flashy smile and in another he looked like a ghost shove him his ass and poof he was gone."

"Next time you should better skip the dinner. It gives you a hell of a nightmare."

"The next time, please more confidence in me and a thank you couldn't hurt ether. I nearly did poo into my knickers because of you."

I know I shouldn't be mean to her but my stress level in combination with all the s**t happening was all I could handle. For now. Then I took a deep calming breath. 

"You know. Just forget it. We have a long day before us so a good sleep is a necessity. Morning we will talk, okay?" 

I didn't wait for her reply and cocooned myself into the blankets. Then the sleep overtook me. 

Morning. My most favourite part of the day. I wake up with the first rays of sun full of energy and ready to begin a wonderful new day. 

Just kidding. But today was even worse than all the previous. My eyes were already open but my body forbade to move. Even though the awful bed made my every muscles ache. I wasn't ready to face all the s**t happening in my life. Who can blame me? All of this was like a bad third grade movie. 

When I got out of bet Eva was already sitting behind the only table available in this little place.

"Morning, friend! Come! They provided for us a little breakfast. Nothing fancy but it helps to fill the belly."

I ate and then the interrogating began. 

"Now please begin. I'm sorry for the freaking out last night but you must understand. Waking up in the middle of the night after you told me how I've been trapped in dreams. Not to mention the fact that the vampire made a visit. I don't think that I overreacted."

I don't think so ether. I was the one who was on the edge. I can try to give a brave face but inside I'm not so confident. Hell, I'm not confident at all. I too have my own issues, like any other person.

"You are right." I sighed. "But believe me, you had it better. First he came into my dreams and he…" My face gone instantly red, but I wasn't ready to admit what I felt. " He tried to bite me. I somehow escaped. Then he appeared in this room. Please tell me that he appeared in your dream too. "

Eva shook her head.

"No Dani. From the first moment after you overpowered him he is fixated on you. He didn't give a damn about me."

I sighed. Good to know. 

All what had happened and all that was going to happen. I felt trapped but I knew what I needed to do. The time has come to crack the stone. It was a prophecy. We were destined to find and free him. And now comes the difficult part. So take the shield and make it clear, that you will win against the fear. The shield… That's the thing which keeps me safe from harm. Silly. My shield is the necklace! And now he knows it too. That's why he run when he saw it. He somehow knows it! But that doesn't change anything. Time to fight him and shove who is the boss here. Even though there's the little but. But how? I need to find a way to ensure the safety of every human being. To make him loose his appetite for human blood or just don't take in by force. And I need to do in quickly. What if he is right now eating some misfortunate people? So no pressure. 

After arriving back at the hotel I excused myself and gone back to our room. Then I took my laptop out of its case and opened it. Few minutes later I was looking at the empty window in Internet. Where to begin? Something about his life? Of first a little searching about vampires? There was so much and so little time… 

Eva came back into our shared room. 

"What are you doing?" she asked. 

"I'm on the search for informations about my little bloody problem.", was my answer. 

"You know you are not alone. And it is  NOT just your problem. It's ours. We made the apocalyptic decision so we ale in it together. First tell me the whole truth. I know you are hiding something from me and I'm not a fan of it."

I sighed. "Do you remember the old woman from the metro train? Of better to say her gift?" 

"You mean the necklace? Yes. I remember." 

"It's not just it. Inside the package was not just the necklace. There was a text written on the paper. A property to be correct. I made a photo into my phone so I'm going to shove it to you."

Once she read the text I waited patiently for her reaction.

"Now I understand. But it doesn't mean you have to do it alone. I'm going to help and WE will make it. Together." and she hugged me. "So where are we going to start?" 

"That's a good question. Vampire things or he personally?" 

"I'm suggesting to share. One of us will take him and the another will study vampires as a group."

"Good point. But if you don't mind I want vampires. Just one more thought about that particular person and I will scream."

Eva laughed. 

"Whatever you want, girl." 

And so our study began. 

Christmas came but I was like Grinch. No singing Christmas songs. No decorating. I just lived from one minute to the another. Why? Because I was overloaded with work. After the good part of our plan, which was collecting informations came the bad part. Make them useful. The plan was to make a contract which was like the one he made with the devil. But these one needed to be fireproof. Not just the text. The paper too and it needed to be signed with blood or with a special atrament. So the paper needed to be made of one particular kind of rosewood. This wood wasn't fireproof but it could last long without burning so when you add a little this and that it can be really immune against fire. Big surprise. This was mine task. Then came the text of the contract. Here came Eva's law studying in handy. And the last part was the writing equipment. This was another plus job for me. And we are not at the end. We needed to make him sign it. Not to mention get to him or him making come to us. Complicated. And with all of this came many if or ands. I was like a bundle of nerves. Not even sleep could help me. First night after our return Dracula didn't show in my dreams but the next… I thing when I say boys have their wet dreams and I have Vlad is a cogent description.

You see. No pressure. 

After a few days of hard work all was ready for the last part of our plan. Eva brought the text and I wrote it down with the special ink. Contract ready. Checked. 

Then I needed a place where to perform my plan. First thought was to go after him. This idea I quickly rejected. I needed to get in advantage. So a personal space would be a benefit and if I add salt around the windows he won't be able to run away. Eva wanted to stay and help but I rejected her offer. Not that I've been so sure of myself but because I didn't want to share my dirty secret. I wasn't ready to expose how I reacted to his touch. I was ashamed of myself. But it gave me a way how to call him and I was sure he will not turn me down. Now the only question was: where? As I searched maps on my phone I came to an old storage hut for fishermen. It was really near my old house so I didn't wait any longer and made my way up there. Eva bought a big sack of salt and two big bottles of Holly water. (I'm really curious where she got it from) I've added a crucifix to it and the papers of our special contract. 

After around fifteen minutes of walking I saw my destination point. But my first joy ended after I saw the lock on the door. I'm not a vigilant but I saw how they are always using a bobby pin to open a lock. Why not try it myself? It lasted longer that I thought but I made it. Finely. Then I made everything ready for my big plan. Now all that was left is to call for my dream stolker. How I would enjoy to repay the large debit account he made to me. A devilish smile crossed my lips. This would be the first night after a long long time for me to go into bed without fear or remorse. I made my way back to grandma's old little house. I'm calling it grandma's but it is already 6 years after she left this world. I loved her very much and this place will ever remind me of her, of the days we've been together. Now it is mine. I'm using the basement as my personal laboratory and the one little room, a kitchen and bathroom are all that's left. After I reentered my little home I directly jumped to bed. No need to remove my clothes. I need to be ready because after I wake up I need to lure the vampire to the fishermen's hut. So time is essential. Now let the game begin. 

First I slept an ordinary sleep full of insignificant stuff. But from one heartbeat to the another everything changed and I found myself back at the Dracula castle. Then I felt a pair of strong hands wrap around my shoulders and the smell of santal wood and coriander enveloped my senses.Yes, he smelled like sin. My breath got caught in my throat as his hands wandered all around my body. Then he harshly turned me around and pressed my back against the solid wall. 

"Hallo, sweetheart. The day without you was boring."

"Using new tactics of lurking me with sweet talk?" 

A rumbling little laugh escaped from his throat which not even slightly helped my already soaked panties. How should I fight him if my own body is working against me? Need to play with his own dirty tricks.

"Just trying to make the fire burn even hotter." 

He whispered into my ear and his seductive lips were leaving a burning trail from my ear down my throat to my left breast.

"A bucket of cold water will help." 

"Oh no, it won't be so easy. This yearning can extinguish just a release. " he purred and took my n****e between his teeth. My whole body shuddered and I wrapped my legs around his lean hips. Now he set my hard n****e free and grinned like a cat. 

"Time to move our little adult game into another room."

"Just my words. But not here." 

"No?" 

Now his attention was all mine.

"No. I want you. But for real." 

My notice gave his face a big smug smile.

"Finally! Just after you wake up remove the pendant from your neck and call me. Simple."

"And how should I do it? Just yell your name, or what?" 

My good old brain returned from its vacation but I tried to hide the anger with lust. I don't know if it is possible but his smile even more widened and then sank his head to the crook of my neck. 

"Remember, I'm just a drop of blood away. All you need to do is draw your blood and I will smell you." 

And then his teeth sank into my neck…. 

I woke up heavily breathing and sweaty. But no time for a shower. After the trap clicks in, there could be time for a vacation. Not to think, trying to catch a vampire isn't a walk through a rose garden. More like a prediction for stomach abscess… Or a lot of them. 

I just took my coat and was already on my way to the hut. Before I came to my destination, I removed the cross necklace and put in into my pocket. The hut wasn't locked up which means more saved time. Now the blood call. No playing with my health more than necessary so I didn't brought a knife. An ordinary needle must be enough. One little prick into the most sensitive part of it and a drop of blood is just ready. And… What now?? Should I just wait? Is it enough? 

My heart is thundering like crazy. It's like a drum is beating behind my ass. So yeah, no stress. 

"Hmm, I thought about something more ordinary and comfortable like a bed. Now you made me really curious."

So much to my previous questions. And yeah, not to forget. Poof appearance, check.

"The smaller the place, the bigger the adventure." I placed a grin on my face to play my role properly. Just one more step and he is inside. Then I must somehow close the door and the show can begin. I'm not sure how the cross will react if it isn't around my neck. But I needed to make it the most plausible. I patiently waited for a few more leisure steps. Then I grabbed his shirt and pulled him to me. I didn't wait for his reaction and kissed him with everything I had. The pendant is not working. Good for me. For now. Now just to turn him away from the door… Just like that. My right hand left his shirt and grabbed the pendant from my pocket and that was it. He flew all the way into the opposite wall. I used the little time to close the door.

"You little… You lied to me!" he growled. His eyes glowed like red lasers. It wasn't pitch black, it was already around four in the morning but I must admit. Locked alone with a utterly pissed vampire made my panties wet in more ways than one. But I pushed all the unwanted emotions away and put on my bravest face.

"You can rage just as much as you want. You were to sure of yourself to even consider that a woman can make a worthy opponent. Now you are trapped and the only way out is after you sign my contract."

He began to laugh. He really laugh! That asshole!

"Oh little girl, your childish games are amusing me profusely. Do you seriously believe that a piece of paper can harm me? I'm invincible. No weapon can kill me. For hundreds of years there were bold challenges but as you see with no effectively."

"And again I'm telling you. You are underestimating me. I'm no fool. First I made sure to found out all your dirty little secrets to make sure you won't be able to surprise me. I'm not an adventurer. I'm a scientist and science gave me answers how to make sure you never again take anything without permission. Now it will be my phrase: Just a drop of your blood is all you need to be free. Free from this walls and to my joy, free from me."

His frown gave me new courage and pissed me off. I looked at him like he tried to grab a boat vessel. I believe to smack me on my head, but failed because the Holly water did work. A feeling of satisfaction overflown me.

"I would say, try the fishing chair but am not such a bad person. All around us is sprayed with Holly water. Every crack, door frame, window and link is strengthened with salt. Not to forget. As you can see the door has its own crucifix. There's no way out."

"That doesn't mean I am going to play after your rules. You are human. You will get tired, hungry, thirsty." The last word made his eyes light up even more. 

"True. But are you prepared to enjoy beautiful sunny day in my company? It's a date." I winked at him and giggled. "I think it's time to stop the flirting and get to the point of this situation. You can't run away. Attacking me will only gave you another bump on your head. Touching things just burns your hands and if you don't sign my contract. Be prepared that I throw you out on the bright daylight and while you would be spasming I take your blood and make the contract whole without your permission. Soo, now that we know about the current status. I gladly advise you to let the crap flow and save yourself from the pain and for me, save my precious time."