Blueblood

Story: Blueblood: Dracula

Chapter 9 I Am NOT Dracula!!

Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Adult Readers, Sexual Situations, Sex

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Coming to Dragon about who he was has a troubling reaction.

I Am NOT Dracula!!

Flying back to Romania was again a long flight. It was after we'd been flying an hour or more when Colin began to fall asleep and napped. I wasn't tired at that moment, so I brought up a website I'd seen on counseling and psychology in general. It was true about the other...vampires and regular people. They did talk to me about things...more than they would to others, I had to admit. I had the time, so I had been reading about techniques and approaches found by others the decades. I would feel better with a degree. Later, maybe.

I was reading when I noticed a change in Colin's breathing and I looked over to find him...just staring at me, but a very contented smile on his face.

"I like what you're doing..." I said softly, smiling at him, "...can I ask why you're doing it?"

Colin smiled more and leaned over kissing me very gently. "Because I like looking at you." He shrugged. "I can't help it, I love you." He said simply. "I married a great human being. I'm just loving that you love me."

I closed my laptop and turned to him. "You know I do," I said.

He nodded. "Not a single doubt. You've been so great with me...and this life."

"It's our lives," I said. "I do my part, just as you do yours," I said returning the gentle kiss, light and more time used to prolong our contact.

Then he looked at me and looked as if he were about to propose...something. "We are...connected, you and I..."

I nodded. "Of course."

"But I feel we really need to reconnect, to make it stronger." He looked at me puzzled. "Do you understand what I mean?"

"I do," I said reaching over and touching his face, running my fingers in his dark hair that was beginning to curl, indicating he would need a haircut soon. "I'm grateful you feel the need to be connected with me and want it done often."

"You and I need time away..." he said again. "I mean, just you and me. We don't need to go back to that island...anywhere would do, but I would love a month alone with you. Alone."

I chuckled. "A month?" I looked at him. "And what will we find to do?"

Colin grinned as he moved forward putting his arm around me, his hand going over my chest and went down. "I'd give you an example, but there a people on the plane beside us." He said in a whisper as his hand went over my crotch where he gave a slight squeeze.

I laughed at him doing that. "Keep that up, and I won't give a damn if the flight attendant's in here or not. The pilots are in the cockpit, but may need to use the bathroom." I looked in his emerald eyes and thumbed over at the bathroom. "Of course...there is that great bathroom! I know there's lube on board."

He smiled and took my hand. "What are we waiting for?"

What Colin was feeling right now...well...we had sex often and enjoyed it very much. We had some vigorous sex that left us both breathless, but this time...we made love, slow and with more purpose than just to have sex. We were connecting, making that connection even stronger. Me to him and him to me. It was after I felt him cum in me, he remained close...his was hugging me gently, but tightly as he said in my ear. "I do love you so much, Devon."

"I know you do," I said smiling as he pulled back a little as we kissed again. "You're my best friend. You mean everything to me. I love you."

"With everything you do and say, you let me know." Colin smiled. "I know."

We hugged again. "My husband," I said kissing him deeply again.

This time we lost time, as in we weren't traveling with the sun, but against it. It was another few hours of our fourteen-hour flight before we landed and another hour or so back to the house. Colin and I rested on the plane, so we went directly to Stan. It was night now, so the others were out patrolling. Almost everyone. Edwin looked up from the chair he sat in with Stan in the room with the computer and instantly smiled.

"Colin!" He stood up coming to us. "Devon! It's good to see you." He stated wrapping his arms around both Colin and me. He looked at us cautiously. "I wish the circumstances weren't as they are." Then he looked very serious. "This Iilya guy...he can't be serious! What does he want!?"

Colin nodded. "I'm afraid he's very serious."

"We think he wants several things," I said. "He wants the serum so he can go around in the daytime. He wanted the Old Ones we had to have access to the purest form of venom to make him the more dangerous vampire in existence and he wants to force us..." I paused, "out of the closet...so to speak as vampires; on live television."

Edwin shook his head. "What!? We'll all be killed!"

"He's a psychopath," I said shrugging. "A megalomaniac."

"Just like the people that helped to make and use the Old Ones in the beginning," Colin stated. "Mostly...he wants power."

"But that's crazy!" Edwin balked.

I nodded chuckling. "That's what I was saying."

"And with this attack on the people going to Dracula's Castle for this Halloween Transylvania, he'll be adding new vampires to his numbers," I said.

Edwin thought about all I said as he wandered away slightly. He turned back. "Well, we're all here to help, just tell us what is needed and what we need to do."

Colin smiled as he shook Edwin's shoulder. "That's why we called you!"

"I brought eighteen of us with me," Edwin said. "Including Sarah, who has proven to be quite effective sniffing out vampires. Matt's here, too...he's out with the others to get a lay of the land."

"We need everyone," Colin said. "We welcome your help."

"Colin and I will be down in some caverns a group of vampires lived in for a while," I informed. "We really need people out with the people to protect as many as possible."

"You've returned!" We heard behind us as Dragon walked in.

He looked...so different now. Human! A very nice looking and dressed well man in a sweater, haircut and groomed nicely. Normal. Handsome, but normal.

I turned and smiled. "We did." I brought Dragon forward. "Dragon, have you met Edwin Dunning? He heads a group in England. Edwin, Dragon heads this group in Transylvania."

The two men shook hands, but I saw wonder in Edwin's eyes.

"That's an unusual name, Dragon," Edwin said. "I know history. I read that Vlad Dracul was also named Vlad the Dragon. Are you...?"

Dragon looked a little ashamed but nodded. "I really don't care for the name. I am not that man and I'm not Dracula."

Edwin shook his head. "Why not!?" He asked. "If you are who I think you are...you're like..." he thought of the words, "...vampire royalty!"

"I am not Dracula!" Dragon insisted again, firmer, and louder.

"You could be!" Edwin also insisted. "If anyone can bring us together right now, you could! I saw the broadcast..."

Dragon was angry now. "I AM NOT DRACULA!!" He shouted. "Even if I wanted to be, no one would believe I am. He is fiction!"

Colin was coming to stand between them as he nodded as he pushed gently against them to keep them apart. He looked at Dragon. "We know you're not Dracula, okay, Dragon?" He looked at him with a pleading look at Dragon. "Please. We have a tough situation about to happen; we can't have a conflict with each other."

I looked at Edwin. "He's very sensitive about the past, Edwin," I explained.

Edwin raised his hands in surrender. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to cause problems. I didn't mean to offend you."

Dragon looked away at first but then smiled as he looked back at Edwin. "I'm the one that should be sorry. I apologize." He stuck his hand out again.

"Not a problem." Edwin nodded. "I also apologize. I hope we can be friends."

Dragon nodded as he smiled. "We are."

I chuckled. "We're one big no-longer-blood-sucking-vampire family!" I said grabbing both Dragon and Edwin in a hug as they both chuckled.

It was after daybreak when the others came back to the house. It was nice to see everyone we'd left in England, but still, we were making plans. The house was getting crowded with people, so we decided to move everyone to the caverns. In the largest chamber, where Dragon had his...throne room? Sorin was attending tonight as we spoke together to talk about a plan.

"...but what plan!?" Sorin asked pressing us with this need to have a better one. "This is no real plan."

Colin shook his head. "There is a real plan, Sorin! We are going to be out there to help protect, but Iilya will come after the Old Ones."

Sorin shook his head as he stood and did a slow circle as he thought. "M-aş simţi mai bine cu meu de poliţie să ne susţină." He muttered and turned to us again. "I need more police! That's what I just said."

There were nods as the others held up translators making Sorin simply nod.

"We know." Mom said. "We're going to be there."

"We have all the help you can use!" I waved at the many here now. "What better back up can you get? Most everyone is here is a vampire!"

"They can sense the other vampires." Colin reminded Sorin. "Cops can't."

Sorin nodded again but frowned. "People are going to die." He moaned.

"And we are working to make that number a minimum," Colin assured again.

Edwin stood and looked at Dragon. "I am so sorry, but...you could really help here. I know you were upset before, but...you can help so much!" He pleaded.

Dragon looked surprised. "Me?"

"I know you're not Dracula," Edwin said. "But I saw that broadcast. You have a powerful influence. More than I've ever known about. Your voice could help. Be Dragon! Be whomever, but put your voice and talent to work to help us deal with this!"

"And say what?" Dragon asked.

"Who cares!?" Edwin said helplessly. "Tell them not to do this; I don't care...if nothing else; it may take the fight away a little from those vampires and humans following Lucian and Iilya! They will listen!" He shook his head. "This isn't a vampire thing anymore, it's a Human thing. At least try!" He walked toward Dragon. "You have a natural power! That power was not because of the venom or you being a vampire, but the real you!" Dragon was looking at him uneasily. Edwin shook his head. "I read more about you; the real you. I know what you did and I know why, to protect your people. You are needed to do that again to prevent more deaths! Our own deaths included!"

I could see the conflict in Dragon's eyes. "You do have a strong personality. More so than any rock star or movie star I've ever seen or even known about." I said. "That's why we had you do the first broadcast. Vampires, whether it's part of being a vampire or because they fear people's reactions to them...don't trust easily. They will trust you."

Dragon let out a frustrated huff, rose and walked out of the chamber. Everyone watched stunned that he would seemingly give up so easily.

Colin took my hand and leaned into me. "What's going on with him?"

I shook my head. "I don't know."

Colin smiled at me. "Maybe you can find out?" He bumped his forehead to mine gently. I nodded and I got up. "I'll try." I headed in the direction Dragon had gone.

Dragon's caverns had tunnels aplenty and he knew them and could disappear with no trouble, but I had a feeling where he would be. I walked into what had been Iustina's and Repetate's holding area. He stood there looking at the now empty cell, resting his head on the bars.

"They miss you," I said softly, but he knew I was here.

"Do they?" He chuckled lightly.

"Sure, they do." I walked slowly over to him. "I saw how they would react when you would come down the tunnel. They love you."

He turned to me, resting his back against the bars. "When they were brought here...of course, Iustina was first and alone, but not too long later, we got Repetate." He did a slow turn as he looked at the empty cell again. "At first...they were a curiosity." He scratched behind his ear as he remembered. "I would come here and just watch them. They were no threat to any of us, and we kept them fed. At the same time, they were watching me. I began talking to them. They didn't talk back but knew what I was saying. It was nice...they seemed to actually like me. They didn't try to run away or anything, so I befriended them."

I nodded. "They're easy to love."

He smiled at me. "You do, don't you?"

I nodded. "I do. I care what happens to them; just like you do. I don't have to ask you that."

"Even knowing what they are and what they've done in the past." Dragon said to confirm I really understood what the Old Ones did. Not in history, but here in Romania and Eastern Europe...the world!

I shrugged. "I know what they did," I said. "They were made to be what they are. They didn't make a choice to become an Old One. I can't blame them for what they born to do, but they are responsible for what we are. That needs to stop. It's not fair what they are or their fault, but I see them smile at you. A real genuine smile. I see them smile at me! They enjoy cartoons! While I know they are what made us all, I can't not love them." I sat down looking at Dragon. "The first Old One I met I named Gizmo."

"Gizmo?" Dragon's eyebrows rose.

"Named after a character in one of the many movies I love." I shrugged. "I was terrified at first, but he didn't attack me. In fact, he defended me! He offered to share the blood they gave him thinking I might want some! They were made from humans." I smiled remembering Gizmo. "He was more human than the captors that took him and me. I believe he was not just nice, but he was capable of love and really began to love me." I smiled at Dragon. "When this is over, you can see them again in Manhattan."

Dragon threw his head back with a sigh. "Manhattan." He shook his head and then sat forward. "I saw Manhattan." He waved at the tunnel toward the outside world. "Stan showed me...video?" He said. "I never imagined a city could ever be...so BIG!"

I nodded. "It is a very big city; one of the biggest." I agreed. "One of many big cities in the world; there are billions of people now."

"When I was asked to make that broadcast...I knew there were big cities, but...I had no idea how many people there are now." Dragon was shaking his head again. "When I was bitten...I thought...and don't believe me if you don't understand," he smiled as he nodded chuckling, "but...I felt in many ways...free!"

"Free?" I asked puzzled.

"For decades, I was a leader! Everyone's lives depended on what I did or said." He shook his head and leaned forward covering his face with his hands and rubbed his face from fatigue, but it was the fatigue of pressure. "Then, when I was a vampire, I thought the people were no longer dependent on me. I didn't have to worry if I made a mistake as much. I was free!"

"You're human, of course, there will be mistakes," I said simply. "No one's perfect."

"You don't understand yet." Dragon said. "I'm tired of it! I was voivode for decades, then I became that thing and still, I was looked to for answers. It never ended." He shook his head. "I've been in the role of leader for centuries and I don't want it anymore." He waved his hand out the wall of the tunnel indicating the outside world. "There are...what...hundreds of thousands of vampires now?"

I nodded. "George and some others think it could be in the millions."

"Millions," Dragon repeated, the awesome number just was blowing his mind away.

"We're on every continent, we're finding." I waved at Repetate's and Iustina's cell. "Those Old Ones did a damned good job! After the people became vampires, they hid in the darkness and stayed hidden and didn't talk to each other. Now, we are!"

Dragon shook his head again and sighed again. "Millions." He repeated still feeling the pressure of the number. "When I was voivode, I ran a country that had thousands...several hundred thousand spread around...but millions!?"

I was getting what he was saying. "You have this...charisma...a drawing power that...I've not known any movie star or politician to have. Everyone would join you."

"After I began the serum and I was able to walk around town..." he smiled. "I was just a man out there. I was not voivode, but everyone acted like I was!" He nodded. "There were more than a few that wanted a lot more from me." He gave me a crooked smile. "Many I believe wanted sex!"

I chuckled. "Of course, they did. That's what people do! We have sex."

"Woman and men were..." he thought a little more, "flirting?" He asked. "Is that the right word?"

I nodded. "It is. I wouldn't be surprised if they just propositioned you for sex, saying right off that's they wanted from you!"

Dragon laughed. "There were a few of those, too. Some even touching me in personal places! They were so...free about it!"

"Time's change and that's great! They felt they could. That's not a bad thing!" I said. "You are a very attractive person, Dragon. You have that charisma and personality...many will want a part of you. Sex is a way to connect with you...if just a few moments. You could give them a connection to you."

"But they didn't know who I was!" Dragon said again. "I was just a man they were wanting sex or something else. I want that!"

To be sure I got it. "The just a man part, not the vampire or voivode part."

"Yes!" Dragon said nodding. "I want to be just a man!"

I got up and walked over to Dragon. "When I first met you. I was a little frightened of you. You were very intimidating." I admitted. "Now, what I see...is just what you said. A man. Not a vampire or voivode. A man I know now as a friend." I put a hand on his shoulder. "I will promise you this. There's a big world out there. I'd like to show it to you. When this is over..." I held my hand up, "...and it will be over very soon. We will take you away from this. You can visit with Repetate and Iustina, you can come to stay at Colin's and my house! We'd love to have you there." I smiled as I saw his look of temptation at what I said. "You will never be asked to leave. You're welcome there as often and as long as you want to stay. I wasn't kidding when I told you and Edwin this...we are a family now. We share something that brings us together, but in getting to know you, you're a very needed and valuable member of this family. We love you. I love you. I've not known you that long, but I'd like to know more. The man, not a legend or fictional character, but you, Dragon." I looked in his eyes that now had moisture that allowed his eyes to water now. "You'll just be our friend there, I promise."

Dragon pulled me in a tight hug. "You and Colin...you have become such good friends to me." He nodded. "I'd love to visit you in your home." He smiled and took a deep breath. "Okay. We'll do this. I will make the broadcast and ask them not to follow this...Iilya and Lucian. I will do what I can."

When we came back to the others, Colin smiled as he saw me and Dragon walk back, Dragon's arm around my shoulder and looking better than before.

"Okay." Dragon said happily to everyone. "I'll make the broadcast. I will ask the others...the humans and vampires...not to do this."

Edwin nodded. "Wonderful!"

Stan nodded also. "We'll work on what you will say."

"There will be some that won't listen," Sorin said. "Not even to you."

"Our numbers will be out there as well." Dragon said. "Those...we will have to fight." He shrugged.

I realized that Dragon had really missed a lot of life. He'd lived a long time, but he didn't see the world. He didn't know the world. He was told things about it but didn't know it. If we did this and were successful, he could get to know it at last.

The others on our team were getting ready to be out with the people for this Halloween. It wasn't just one night, but three. We knew the attack was going to be the actual night the thirty-first. Things were building up even before that. Anticipation was high for the fun, but for us...it was like watching the clock count down the hours before all hell was going to break. What had been a somewhat busy town or village was now housing a lot more people. Most of these new guests were young, ranging from the early twenties to mid-thirties. Transylvania was gearing up for a wild few nights. Vampires were the theme naturally. There were all the things about vampires hanging around, clusters of garlic and various crosses hung that were ornate. The whole feeling was Gothic but fun! There were going to be witches there, too, but this was Transylvania. Dracula was the featured guest. Bram Stoker's Dracula, that is. We made sure we had enough of those serum cartridges to give to everyone. The batteries were all charged and ready for the sun guns.

There was a lot of beer, ales, and other alcoholic drinks being brought in. There would be other...things not so legal to be taken those nights to make the user who was having a good time, have an even better time.

We discussed what we were going to do several nights with everyone. There were going to be fifty vampires on the serum out with the partying crowd, yet we knew that was still not enough. With the vampires coming from Thornwood and our English VUN family, the ones on our team and Dragon's people, we were still going to be short.

Vampire senses allowed those going out there who weren't vampires to be paired with them and kept safe. Chuck, Mark, Shelly, Stan, and Sorin were given the Disflavor, so they wouldn't be victims of becoming a vampire, but they could still be hurt or even killed. The vampire detectors would not be needed if they went in pairs. We were feeling the tension.

The 29th, as soon as it became twilight, people began coming out to the town square and were in the taverns and just...roaming the streets. The castle that was Vlad's...or Dragon's in the past was going to be crowded as well. The mood of this was spread out all over Romania, but Transylvania was the main focus. Dracula's Castle was impressive, large, and just loomed. As the evening came, the lights began to shine brightly, focused on the castle making it glow. Set on a precipice the view from the main tower, you could see the surrounding countryside to watch approaching enemies. However, now it was for just tourists.

Dragon had made a broadcast telling those that had access to a computer, not to do...whatever Iilya had planned for them to do. It would be all our deaths if they did. Dragon said they were being deceived by Iilya. The problem was the ones that got the broadcast were not the ones that would be attacking. Those vampires with Iilya, if they checked a computer they had access to, would not really listen. We hoped that maybe a few would see it and rethink this attack.

It was as we went through the crowds in the village square, Dragon was looking at the many "vampires" there in costume. Not one of them was a real vampire, it was just for the next three evenings; these people wanted to be a vampire. There were good costumes and some just had the teeth in their mouths. The skin was lightened to give the pale look. These days were the last of October, so the weather was cold, but there were portable heaters lit and spread about to give some relief. Dragon was looking amazed as there were so many that was loving being a vampire now. He was mystified. He watched as a woman passed by him...her costume was more like Elvira, Mistress of the Dark if you know Cassandra Peterson's character on TV who hosted a show with those...often very bad movies. This woman had the pushup bra and showed she was well endowed. The real Elvira was funny. I loved her and many of those movies were really corny, but it was fun to watch and hear her crazy comments!

Dragon turned as another vampire...complete with a dark cape, the black tuxedo, and the teeth. Good teeth, too, not those little white plastic ones often worn. "I don't understand." Dragon said still looking at all the ones having a good time. "They imitate being a vampire!?" He looked at me. "Why??"

I nodded. "Because it's fun." I grinned. "I did the last few years I was a kid. Being a vampire was fun."

"Fun!?"

Colin nodded. "To escape an otherwise routine and sometimes dull life...school, the burden of bills like rent, car payments and maybe a boss that isn't very likable...it's a form of escape from the realities of that life; a fantasy for one night only." Then Colin gave a nod to the crowd, "...or two more nights for these people."

"Dracula isn't you, we know and understand that," I said. "But Bram Stoker did create a very powerful legend. His portrayal of the vampire was as a villain, but as the decades went; vampires often are shown as lost souls looking for love." I shrugged. "The vampire has become an anti-hero often; people who want to get their souls back. They are shown as trying to find that special someone that will mean something to them and wants to become that person's love."

Colin shrugged. "Well, that is true." He grinned hugging me. "I was."

The evening progressed, laughter and many voices talking loud to be heard over the noise and there was music! Groups took a podium/stage erected in the square. Dressed again like vampires, the performers played loud and sang, adding to the party mood. There were those that drank a bit much. There were those that got into confrontations with others, be it over a girl or just disagreeing. Around the square were high platforms where cameras were placed to film it all. There were the ones in this crowd, dressed in dark clothes with badges, but had bright yellow vest over the clothes that said, "Poliţia." Sorin did not have that on, but most of the Poliţia knew him since Sorin was a part of the police enforcement.

As we walked through town, we were all connected by Stan and Buddy. We had the earpieces in and could talk to the others. Not one vampire could be sensed. Colin and I knew this group following Iilya and Lucian were biding their time until Halloween.

On Halloween evening, we gathered at the house. The overall feeling was this was it. Everyone knew that what was going to happen, was going to happen in the next few hours. We really didn't talk that much as we quietly prepared.

Dragon came over to Colin and me as we were getting ready to head to where Dragon had lived in his underground home for centuries. Checking the serum cartridges and made sure we had plenty, though one shot to the leg would hinder a vampire's ability to walk. In the arm, they would not be able to wield a weapon well and the sun guns would drive them back.

"Are you sure I shouldn't go with you?" Dragon asked.

"Gaius will be there," Colin smiled at Dragon. "You need to be out there with those people. When it does come down and they start attacking, your voice will be needed to try and stop them."

I picked up a gun. It was a real gun, not a sun gun and made sure I had bullets. I made sure the safety was on and put it in my holster on my chest to the side. "I hate we have to do this," I said to no one.

Colin came over. "I know." He said quietly. "We can't think of an alternative. Iilya must be stopped. He kills and will do it again."

"I know." I sighed and nodded without looking at Colin. "And Lucian?"

Colin put his arms around me. "He's a willing follower. He's so convinced what we say is a lie, I don't think he can be reached." Colin turned me around. "Iilya has given him something he needs. I don't think Lucian will listen." He looked out the window as it was getting dark. "We'd better go." He kissed me gently. "I love you, Devon."

I smiled. "I know. I love you."

Colin kissed me again. "I know."

The others were ready as well. Mark was saying things to Stan as they parted for the night. Mark's usual lighthearted and often hilarious demeanor was not at his usual level. Kissing and hugging Stan, he swore he'd be back and looked at Colin and me.

"Are you sure you don't need me to go with you to Dragon's Lair?" Mark attempted his lighthearted joke, but it fell a little short this time.

I hugged him. "No," I told Mark. "We'll need people down there who will be able to sense Iilya and any others he brings with him. Some of Dragon's men will be down with us." I patted his arm. "We'll be fine." I pointed at Dragon. "Stay near him," I instructed firmly. "Stan doesn't want to lose you." I smiled. "We don't want to lose you." I hugged Stan and ran a hand over his face. "Be careful. You have a sun gun and serum gun?"

Stan nodded. "And an actual gun, just in case."

I was about to go when Stan grabbed me and hugged me again. "Take care of each other." He pointed to Colin and then looked at Colin and pointed to me. "You've got each other's six."

I grinned. "What!? Are we on NCIS!?" I shoved him lightly. "We'll be back."

Mom, Willie, Alex, and Gabriella hugged both of us and said the same things. It was Willie that brought me close to him.

"You're a good man, son." His voice a little heavy with emotion as he hugged me and even gave me a kiss on the forehead. "Colin said I was a father to him. He means a lot to me, but you are my son as well. I love you both. I owe you and Colin everything. Be careful."

He really meant what he said. I could hear it in his voice. I hugged him again. "Thanks, Dad." I looked at Mom. "Watch each other."

Along with two of the men that had been with Dragon, Gaius, Colin, and I headed toward the caverns where Dragon had lived. Colin held my hand a while as we walked quietly toward the caverns, but soon he put his arm around me bringing me closer as we walked.

In spite of what we said about it going to come out well...there was a chance that we could be hurt; even killed if we let our guard down. I was determined not to let my guard down.

In the cavern, we gathered near what had been Repetate's and Iustina's cell...we sat and waited. No one had much to say right now. Time just seemed to crawl. It was just...quiet.

It was about five minutes until eleven o'clock when Colin suddenly sat up. Gaius tilted his head and then I felt it. Someone else was down here. My sensing other vampires were not as strong as theirs. I felt the two vampires that came with us and Gaius, but now...there were others. Several others were down here with us and my heart began to pound. This was it. The sound of hard soles on the cavern floor got louder. There was no need to hide, they could sense us as we did them, but from the sound, there were more than a few. Iilya was leading a group of six others. What I saw made me feel...he was dressed like a Soviet Military man! An officer with the grayish blue double-breasted coat, the belt around his waist and even that grey fuzzy hat. Behind Iilya was Lucian dressed in black, but no uniform. The other men were also dressed in various clothes...all black. There was that dress code again.

Colin rose from his chair. "Iilya, you do know the Soviet Union is gone, right?"

Iilya smiled again and just as he did when we first met him. There was little humor in his smile or eyes. "Where are they?" He asked taking his leather gloves off and waved the gloves at the empty cell.

I got closer to Colin. "Your senses should tell you they are not here...or anywhere else in these caverns."

"They were taken to Manhattan with Dr. Holms," Colin said. "We had to get them safe from you."

Iilya nodded and stepped slowly forward. "They're killers."

"So are you," I said.

"I kill to stay alive." Iilya pointed out, but not too defensively. "They are what started all this....according to you."

"Why would we lie about that?" Colin asked. "Use your senses, but also use your minds. We have evidence."

Iilya nodded and did a slow turn looking at the others. "Evidence you would show me, but tell me what I'm looking at." He shook his head as he pointed in the air. "No...I won't believe it."

"Lucian," I had to try and reach him. "You are not stupid." I waved at Gaius. "He was...what you are now! Look at him!!" I waved at the other two of Dragon's men. "You've known them! Look! They are not like you are now anymore. How is that a lie?"

"I'm human, Lucian," Gaius said softly. "I am a human that got that..." he shook his head, "...venom, just like you have. It's a physical condition that these men are doing something to try and cure us."

"Can't you believe your own eyes?" I pointed at Gaius and the other two. "You can sense, I am a vampire. Colin is a vampire and so are they! We're not lying. Please." I begged.

Lucian was looking...well...he was shaking his head, but as I asked him to. He couldn't ignore what he saw. "Iilya?" He asked the big Russian hesitantly. "You said Gaius was a hoax; that they'd done someth..."

"Shut up, Lucian," Iilya said sharp and terse.

I nodded. "Oh, I see. When we brought Gaius to meet Dragon that time...we'd done something to trick you? Watch this..." I went to the cooler and opened it.

"Stop!" Iilya demanded.

"Why?" I asked. "I'm simply going to show Lucian it isn't a lie." I reached into the cooler and pulled out one of the many sandwiches we'd brought due to Colin's huge appetite.

"I said stop!" Iilya said again moving closer to me more rapidly, but Gaius pulled out his serum gun and fired at Iilya's leg causing Iilya to stumble and lower to the floor. Lucian jumped startled and rushed to Iilya's side.

Iilya was inhaling as his eyes widened grasping his leg as pain shot through his leg. Colin pulled his serum gun out and so did the others before any of Iilya men could reach us stopping them.

"We've got plenty more; come on!" Colin urged doing that thing with your hand when you were waving someone forward. "He's in a lot of pain." He pointed at Iilya. "Want to share the pain?"

Lucian was trying to help Iilya, but Iilya was shoving him off. "Don't be stupid, Lucian, they are lying!!"

"Really?" I asked waving the meaty sandwich toward them. "Would you like some? We've got plenty of them."

Waving food in front of them. Like Willie did when he was first brought to the VUN and Colin and I ate with him, there were looks of revolution on their faces as they backed up a little.

"You knew him as a vampire!" I handed the sandwich to Gaius who bit into the sandwich and began munching. "See? He's eating it!"

Gaius grinned and rubbed his hand over his mouth as juice spilled out. "Delicious." Now the tension was lessened. "I've got to get Eva to make more." He said and swallowed. "Good roast beef. I forgot the many tastes and it's so good!!"

"It's a lie!" Iilya shouted, but Lucian was wavering.

"How is that a lie, Lucian?" I asked as loud. "You saw him eat and he enjoyed it! How can he lie about that? The problem is, when we brought Gaius down, having him here could have been a lie. We didn't have him prove while you were here. Look!!" I looked at Iilya. "The only lies have been yours!"

Lucian was moving away from Iilya. "What lies?"

"He lied to you!" I said pointing at Lucian. "He used you. I don't know who bit him, but...there is no magic about being a vampire. He wanted to get down here and meet Dragon. He wanted to be a part of Dragon's empire here. The only way to do that was through you." I looked at Iilya. "What do you want Repetate and Iustina for?"

"They're power," Iilya grunted still in pain.

Colin nodded as he came closer. "Power you wanted because of the venom we told you about."

"But Dragon never let them out," I added. "He loved those two and so do I!" I nodded. "Yes, they killed. They were doing what they were created for. You had a choice!" I said. "Like these men here...they didn't feed on people. They needed blood. They found how to get the blood without killing anyone! You admitted you did to stay alive. No one has to die!" I looked at Lucian. "I don't know what happened to you, but...did he tell you he loved you? Do you believe he does?"

Lucian looked at Iilya now very uncertain. "But it's wrong." He said softly.

I smiled nodding. "Who told you it was wrong? Priests?" Then I asked softer. "Your father?" I saw Lucian had emotional pain as he remembered.

"It's not wrong." Gaius said simply. "I've loved a few men myself." He said casually. "A human being seeks companionship with another human being. It's what we do. Who cares what the gender is?"

I smiled at Gaius. "You told me that before."

"I've loved one man for centuries." He shrugged. "I still do."

Colin looked at Gaius. "Dragon?"

Gaius nodded. "We've been off and on for centuries." He held up his finger. "I loved Nicholae's mother, but Dragon and I...have an understanding."

"No!" Iilya said again and reached to his side. "The venom was to make us powerful, I won't..." he pulled a sidearm, but was still shaking from pain, he pointed the gun at Colin and fired.

Watching Colin grab his left side and stagger, without even really thinking, I pulled my gun from its holster and fired, but my hand was steady and the bullet went right through the middle of Iilya's forehead. I turned quickly to Colin who was holding his arm.

"Colin!" I said rushing to my husband who was grimacing in pain.

He smiled even though I knew he was hurting. "It's a flesh wound." He chuckled. "I've been shot a few times. I'll be okay."

Hugging him to me, I turned to Lucian and raised the gun, pointing it at him. "Well? Do you want to go with Iilya? Or do we talk now? No lies."