Disclaimer: Story and OC I own…Van Helsing stuff I do not own…

This is the most difficult of my stories so far, and I am proud to say I dedicate it to a friend of mine, whom is my favorite Dracula writer. Remember, this story is for you. I write this in wake of your memory, and hope that maybe one day you'll come back to us again and write once more. May your journey into the world be full of adventure and romance like in your stories. I hope with all my heart that you find your dark prince one day and feel the joy and sorrow and all those wild emotions that Elizabeth always feels around Vladislaus. May life bring you all that you wish in this world. You will be sorely missed.

RedHairedDarkness

Romania 1882

Deep in the woods of the Carpathian Mountains, ran a woman, her golden curls flowing behind her with each swift cat like movement she made. Not far behind rang the cries of some kind of beast, its angry roars echoing across the woods. She laughed to herself, her blue eyes scanning the area as she climbed up a tree. She sat crouched on a branch, watching as the beast grew close, his wings fluttering around him as he landed.

"You are very clever, Helena….but I am going to find you…" his raspy voice said, which sounded more like a growl then anything else. She watched him shift back, his black hair blown back from his face in the icy breeze. It was disheveled, come lose from the pony tail he'd originally had it in. Blood sweat glistened on his forehead and neck, as he panted heavily. His jacket was gone, revealing the black pressed shirt he wore, which was partially unbuttoned at the collar; he wore simple black pants and shoes with it. Moonlight filtered down through the trees, reflecting in his eyes, making his skin glow an eerie white. He had an almost demonic look about him. He sniffed the air, his blue eyes glittering like sapphires in the white light of the moon. His footsteps were slow and graceful, as his hand lightly touched the tree she was sitting in, hovering only a few feet above his head.

He sniffed the tree, and a slow, dangerous smirk crossed his features as he tilted his head upwards, black strands of hair falling into his eyes.

"I see you…" he whispered, as he grinned at her, flashing a pair of brilliantly white fangs.

"I noticed." she grinned and got to her feet, her balance impeccable on the thick tree branch. She paced back and forth on the branch like a wild cheetah, prepared to take her prey. The dark haired man's eyes followed her back and forth, a feral look crossing over his features.

"Bring it…" she said, and flipped backwards over the branch and down towards the ground as he launched himself upwards at her. She hit the ground running, her laughter floating in the breeze as she sped up, her long legs carrying her through the woods. She was a fast runner, extraordinarily so. Far behind, she heard the beating of wings and knew he'd caught her scent once more.

She decided to take a detour, mix it up a bit. She whipped around, and turned east, towards the slow approaching sunrise that would happen in a matter of hours. She reached the old wooden bridge in a matter of minutes, the bridge leading over a deep canyon, far down below ran the Danube River. She fled across it, the beating of wings picking up again as he caught onto her trail once more. She stopped mid-bridge and turned, grinning at him as he hovered just above her now.

He landed, shifting back and stood before her now. "Your getting tired Helena…" he hissed, a cold hand touching her sweat covered cheek. She stepped closer, there bodies brushing against each other.

"Maybe.." she murmured as she brushed her lips against his, and immediately he took advantage of that, crushing his own against hers now, his hand cupping the back of her head, holding her against him. There tongues fought and explored, her hands on either side of his face now as she moaned against his mouth.

"Vladislaus…" she breathed as they broke apart for air, there foreheads leaned against each other.

"I think I win my dear…" he murmured, his hand sweeping back her hair to reveal the creamy white skin of her neck. He sucked in his breath sharply, enchanted by the delicious scent of her hair as he buried his face in her neck, earning soft moans of pleasure from her. His hand grazed along the tips of her breasts, as the other curled around her waist. He nibbled and kissed at her neck, running his tongue along the length of it before grazing his sharp incisors across it. As if on cue, she wrapped her arms around his neck and secretly slid a dagger from its hiding place in her sleeve. His blue eyes electrified as his fangs lengthened further, preparing to bite. Just before he could succeed though, she slammed the dagger right down into his back and he let out a roar of anger, shoving her away. She laughed and fled, running across the rest of the bridge. When she reached the end, she stopped and tilted her head, as she unsheathed her sword.

"Oh Vladislaus my love…" she said, smiling innocently. He pulled the dagger from his back and lifted his head to look at her. She smiled and waved. "mmmm…Buh-bye…" she slammed her sword down on the ties that held the bridge together, cutting both sides and laughed as she watched his started expression turn to a mixture of anger and wicked amusement. The bridge fell, and he slid down it, shifting as he went. She watched him fall a great length towards the river, disappearing into the deep black below. Then suddenly he came sky-rocketing upwards again, letting out a roar of warning. She bolted into the woods behind her, her heart beating wildly in her chest as the rush of wings got louder behind her.

"Helena…" said a singsong voice from behind. She laughed as she sped up, clawed hands grasping wildly for her, but never quiet capturing her.

She grinned and went to a sliding halt, ducking down so that he flew right over her. She turned and bolted the other direction, forcing him to turn around and scramble to keep up with her.

She flew down the steep mountainside, forcing her to use all of her strength and balance to keep her from falling face forward and rolling down the steep hillside. Unfortunately, her grace failed her. She tripped over a rock and was sent hurtling forward. She went rolling head over feet down hill, then spun out and rolled on her side over rocks and branches. She came to a crashing halt when her head cracked against the tree she ran into. She let out a moan of pain as she touched her now bloody and bruised forehead. She was dizzy, and quiet uncertain at the moment. She clambered to her feet and leaned against the tree, taking deep breaths of the cold night air. The sound of wings beating in the wind were steadily approaching, and she knew she had to run once more. She forced herself to bolt of the village, which wasn't far now, only a few feet from where she was. At last she burst out from the trees and ran down the alleyways of the village, listening as the wings faded and were quickly replaced by footsteps. She looked behind as she ran and smirked to see Vladislaus running after her on foot. He mustn't want to stir attention she thought to herself.

"You're not going to win this time Helena…" he hissed, his temper getting the better of him. She knew that he was angry now, tired of her games.

"Come and get me my love!" she called and laughed, her blue eyes glittering in the moonlight. She broke free from the alleyway and into the main village, fleeing for the church. She pushed open the heavy wood doors and threw herself inside, onto the floor of the church. Dracula stood now, hovering just outside the door. She laughed at the sight of his angry face.

"Oh my love…it looks like you lost…" she purred and grinned like a Cheshire cat at him. He glared venomously, his face white and livid with rage. His tone was low and dangerous as he spoke. "You think…that I cannot enter the halls of God!" he roared, as the building shook with the booming sound of his voice. Her laughter was silenced, replaced by the look of fear spreading across her features. Her eyes watched him step forward, and glide into the church. She stumbled backwards on all fours, struggling to get to her feet.

"I will have you Helena…no more games….I have waited long enough for you!" he growled sinisterly, as he advanced on her. She picked up a cross and held it out before her as if it were an angel from heaven there to rescue her. He wrapped his long pale fingers around it, setting it aflame as he roared in pain, letting it melt there in his hand. She dropped it with a startled gasp, completely floored. She'd seriously made a huge mistake. It was no matter though, she knew how to play his game, and she knew how to work with his temper too.

"No matter what you do Vladislaus…you will not have me." she said defiantly, her chin held proudly. She stopped her backwards retreat and stood there, as he approached her, his must larger form shadowing her own.

"You are to brave for your own good Helena…" he whispered as he touched her cheek. "No more games my love…I tire of it and long to have you at my side…"

"You have brides…you need not me!" she snapped and suddenly cracked a silver candle holder alongside his head, making him hiss in pain as the silver touched his skin. He stumbled back, startled by the sudden strength she had. No one had ever had such strength against him. Normally such an action wouldn't have even budged him, but not with his Helena.

"I will not give in Vladislaus." she told him, and watched his eyes darken considerably as he roared his pain at her refusal, making the very walls of the church they stood in shake, the fire of the candles surrounding them erupt in huge flames of at least twelve inches tall, and the beautiful stained glass windows shatter into millions of pieces. His face was distorted now, his teeth were all sharp edged tiny incisors as his eyes turned there beautiful electrified blue and his skin turned paler then it was only moments ago. The monster inside him was begging for freedom, threatening to overcome him and maul the beautiful woman before him. How easy it would be just to force her to submit.

"One day Helena!" he hissed, pointing a clawed finger at her. "One day I will come back for you..and so help me I will have you…that I promise you!" he roared again, and she stiffened, refusing to back down. "I will make you remember this day Helena…your every waking dream will be of me…nightmares will plague you at night and there will be no mercy! This I curse you with Helena Ciodaru!" he spat and shifted into his hell beast form, and flew threw one of the broken stained glass windows. Helena stood there, mouth agape as her eyes watched the retreating form. Somehow she knew there games had finally come to an end.

She left the church, her feet carrying her steadily towards her home. She and Dracula had been like this for over a year now, ever sense the first time he'd hunted her, thinking she was an unsuspecting victim, up until the point she slammed a stake into his heart and kicked him down to the ground. Then he realized she was a hunter-a very good hunter at that. They spent a year doing the same thing once a month. He'd end up chasing her all night, hellbent on capturing her. She'd escape him every time, drawing him more and more too her, which was the opposite of what she wanted to do in the first place. She'd hoped maybe he'd go away and give up.

Apparently she was wrong. She met her match with this man, and despite how attracted they were to each other, how many nights they passionately kissed and touched each other, be it against a tree or on the soft earth floor of the woods, she'd never let him have her entirely. He was an addiction, and so was there game. Soon it got to the point where he'd look forward to each month, and find new ways to taunt her. Then as time passed he wanted her more then before, and his wants had changed a great deal. He'd approached her one night, acting very peculiar. He wasn't trying to trick her, or insult her like he usually did.

He did the one thing she did not expect. He offered her immortality, asked for her hand in marriage, wanted her as a bride. Needless to say, that didn't go to well. She refused him, and she'd never seen him so angry, and yet sorrow was there in his eyes. From that night onward, there games got increasingly dangerous and seductive each month. Eventually though, he began to get tired of her rejection and started to get hostile towards her. He began to get persistent about her accepting him, and yet she refused every time, sending him into a violent rage.

Finally it had come to this. He had cursed her and stormed off into the night. He'd never gone that far before. Something told her though, that this won't be the last she'd ever see of him. He may dissapear for a while, but if she knew Dracula, which she did-he wouldn't be to far away from her.