Archive-name: Fantasy/nmusic13.txt
Archive-author: Flying Pen
Archive-title: Night Music - 13


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*** To recap: David and Victoria, finally married, head to Europe for the  ***
*** honeymoon. Castle Dracula is now a tourist attraction, and inhabited   ***
*** by Victoria's vampire stepmother, Marta. Marta works at seducing David ***
*** while Victoria plans to regain control of the castle. Victoria and     ***
*** Marta have an arcane battle over David...                              ***
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	      VICTORIA, OR HOW I LEARNED TO LOVE NIGHT MUSIC

		    Chapter 13: It's A Family Affair...

   The castle was _very_ quiet the next day.  I went outside to find the
guard posts and souvenir stands deserted.  There was a big, crude, hand-
painted sign on the outer gate.  It said, "CASTLE CLOSED" in big, black
letters.  Victoria's plan was working so far; I just wished she were con-
scious to enjoy it.  Unable to do anything about Victoria's condition, I
busied myself in the kitchen.  I was happily munching a cholesterol-laden
breakfast when I heard a voice.  "Hello?  Is anyone here?  Please?"  It was
Agnes.

   I walked to the foyer.  Upon seeing me, Agnes fainted.  I rolled my eyes.  
Gee, I always wanted to have that effect on women.  I knelt next to her,
patting her hand gently, waiting for her to come to.  Her eyes opened, and
immediately filled with fear.  "Vampire...  Daylight..." she whispered.  She
started to cry, then stopped sniffling.  "My family has rejected me.  My
father does not want me in the house, the townspeople run away.  I have no-
where to go."  Agnes bowed her head, kneeling.  "I am your servant forever."

   "Stand up, child."  Victoria appeared, looking slightly pale.  "I am sorry 
that your family has exiled you.  That was not my intent.  I welcome you to 
castle Dracula."  Agnes gaped at Victoria, who walked over to me and gave me
a short, wet kiss.  "Good morning, my husband."  My wife was not as well as
she pretended to be; she leaned on me a little more than usual.  I supported
her gently.  "Agnes, please shop for us.  We are having up to nine for dinner
tonight.  Tell the cook at the inn; he will tell you what you need," Victoria 
gently instructed.

   "Yes, Countess.  I am experienced in hosting a formal dinner.  You will
not be disappointed."  Agnes looked at us strangely.  "I -- I..."  Her voice
faltered.

   "Yes, we move about during the day.  You have nothing to fear from us,
dear young girl.  I am sorry for last night, but it was necessary.  Your
father is a stubborn man," Victoria explained, answering Agnes' unspoken
question.

   "You... apologize to me?" Agnes asked, her voice showing her amazement.  
"Countess, I am your servant.  I should not question your will," she said, 
curtsying.  She turned and left the castle purposefully.  Victoria sagged 
against me.  Her body felt cold and clammy.  I dragged her to a sofa where I 
made her lie down.  She protested feebly, but within a minute, she was fast 
asleep.  She breathed deeply, easily, and steadily.  There wasn't much to do 
until sundown, so I sat down and stroked her hair while she slept.

   Agnes returned with enough food to feed an army.  I helped her with the 
groceries.  "Count -- you do not have to help me," the young girl said.  I
heard fear tinge her voice.  She was surprised at my kindness and humanity.
I spoke lightly with her as we worked, and that seemed to calm her down.  She
refused the money I offered her.  "That is not necessary, master.  The mer-
chants do not wish to offend you, so they gave me the food.  If only to keep
me and the curse out of their store."  We finished putting the food away.  "I
am sorry that I am no longer welcome in town, but perhaps you will favor me
on occasion, master."  I was confused because she kept referring to me as
"master."  During the day, I had no power over her.

   "Agnes -- I'm not really Count Dracula.  My name is David, and I'm an 
American.  I am the Countess' husband, but I'm not nobility.  I'm not your 
master, and it makes me uncomfortable to hear you say that," I said, as the
two of us started preparations for the cook's arrival.

   "No.  I am yours.  You have marked me without --," she indicated the bite 
marks on her neck.  Her voice got softer, and her eyes fluttered.  "You have 
also marked me within..."  Agnes parted her lips slightly.  I could hear her 
hoarse breathing, and her cheeks turned a faint pink.  Agnes' eyes drooped,
and she leaned slightly towards me.  Oh shit, I thought.  Now I've got a 15-
year old girl with a crush on me.  I backed away slowly, hoping that she
would understand.  Her face filled with disappointment as she opened her
eyes.  "As you wish, master," she whispered, bowing her head.  I left the
kitchen feeling like a complete heel.  I went back to the drawing room to
resume my vigil over Victoria.

   About an hour before sundown, she opened her eyes sleepily.  She rubbed
her eyes and shook her head as if to clear the fog.  "Good evening, my
love," Victoria said, kissing me very deeply.  She wrapped her arms around me
and hugged me tightly.  She _felt_ better.  "Marta contested my will last
night.  It was very -- strenuous.  I proved my birthright, and she will serve
without question from now on."  Victoria sat back down.  "But now I am hun-
gry.  We will also need food for Marta.  Bring me four strong young men from
the village, David.  We will have to be ready for Van Helsing."

   I flew into town on my mission as soon as the sun had set.  It turned out
to be an easy task, because I quickly found four young men dressed in soccer
uniforms at a park just outside the town.  They were engaged in conversation 
after the game, ignoring the darkness.  I dove, biting each of them (I'm get-
ting better at this fang thing), and turned back into human form.  I com-
manded them to drive to the castle.  They got in the car and left, with me
flying on ahead of them.  Marta met me outside in the courtyard.  "Where's
dinner?  Victoria said you would have something for me," she said, leaning
provocatively against a shuttered souvenir stand.

   "It's on the way.  They didn't have room for me in their car," I replied.
I looked at Marta's blue, blue eyes.  She was very pretty.  Very inviting.
Very sexy...

   "I'd rather have a cocktail first," she purred, walking over to me.  Her
hips swayed hypnotically.  She put her arms around me, drawing close.  My
dick got hard, and my head started to spin in time with her eyes.  "You do
have something for me," Marta whispered.  "Just a little bite.  Victoria
doesn't have to know."  She brushed my neck with a fang.  My mouth opened of
its own accord.  My fangs extended, seeking Marta's essence.  I leaned to
Marta's neck...

   The gate opened, and the car of soccer players drove up.  The headlights 
interrupted our clandestine embrace before I could actually bite her.  Marta 
hissed, "Shit!" as she grabbed my arm.  She looked at me tenderly.  "There
will be another time, my sweet, young vampire," she purred.  Her eyes spun
again, drawing me into her.  Marta's voice became throaty; sexy.  "My lord-
to-be, and new master.  I shall serve your _every_ desire."  We led the young
men into the castle.  Victoria was too hungry to notice my erection.  She and
Marta each fed on two of the men.  This left the soccer players alive while
allowing the women to gorge themselves.  The men would not be playing soccer
for a while, though.  The guards carried the unconscious bodies to another
room.

   "Now what?" I asked as we had blood and cigars in the living room.  The
smell of food wafted from the kitchen.

   "We wait...  For the other shoe to drop?" Victoria answered.  Her use of 
English idioms was improving.  I nodded.  Marta reclined in her chair,
crossing her legs leisurely.  Her foot described absent-minded, lazy circles
about her ankles.  She was attractive, but I was not consumed by her as I had
been earlier.  She was obviously keeping her power and desire for me under a
lid.  Whatever had passed between Victoria and Marta the previous night was
sufficient to keep Marta a respectful distance away from me in Victoria's
presence.  The phone rang and my wife answered.  "Ah!  Set the table!  We
will have three guests arriving soon," she said as she hung up.  We all moved
to the dining room as the mesmerized waitresses moved quickly around us in
response to the command.

   A few minutes later, the door opened.  One of the enthralled guards 
announced, "Minister Van Helsing, his nephew Benjamin, and Mayor Hunyadi."  I 
thought I saw surprise flash across Victoria's face for a second, but it was 
gone instantly, if it had ever been there.  Suddenly, a stocky middle-aged
man appeared in the dining room doorway, wielding a cross.

   "Begone, foul demon!!!" he commanded, bellowing at the top of his lungs.  
Marta shrieked and ran to the farthest corner, hissing.  She cowered, eyes
red, fangs fully extended.  Her face elongated slightly, giving her a lupine
appearance.  I wondered if I could do that.  The man advanced, waving a small 
vial filled with a clear liquid threateningly at Marta.  Victoria watched him 
walk past, more than a trace of amusement on her face.

   "Simon, _she's_ not the Countess Dracula.  _I_ am," my wife sighed, trying 
not to laugh.  Simon???  The man wheeled with impressive quickness, opened
the vial and threw its contents on her.  "I have already taken a shower, I
was already clean.  But I am insulted that you fail to recognize me,"
Victoria said evenly.  She wiped her face with a napkin.  Marta, Van Helsing,
and Mayor Hunyadi gasped loudly in unison.  Marta had stopped hissing, and
her face was normal, but she didn't move from the corner.

   The boy, a teenager, spoke.  "Auntie Victoria?"  Simon Van Helsing's jaw 
dropped, as did his hand holding the cross.  Marta left the corner, ap-
proaching him warily.  She circled, still a respectful distance away from
him.  Benjamin walked over to Victoria and hugged her, giving her a kiss on
the cheek.

   "Nooo, Benjamin!!!" Simon roared.  "She's enthralled you lad!  Snap out of 
it!!!"  He raised the cross at Victoria, who just looked at him.  Marta began 
her attack, moving like lightning, but stopped short as if she had run into a 
brick wall.  Simon attacked my wife, pushing Benjamin away.  I decided that 
enough was enough.  I grabbed him with one hand, and dragged him to a chair.
I forced him into a sitting position. (I'm getting stronger every day.)

   "Auntie, are you all right?" the boy asked.  Victoria stood up and nodded, 
straightening her hair.

   "Yes, Benjamin, I am.  Benjamin, this is my husband, David.  David, meet
my nephew, Benjamin."

   "Nice to meet you Ben - "  Simon squirmed in my grasp.  "Oh _sit_ still, 
would you?  If we had wanted to kill you, we would have by now.  You must
have realized that your cross doesn't work, and neither does your holy
water."  I sniffed the air and figured out why Marta hadn't been able to
finish her attack.  "The garlic just plain smells bad on you."

   "Auntie Victoria... Are you really a... a... v-v-v..." the boy stuttered.
He was fascinated, not frightened by his aunt.

   "Yes, Benjamin.  But please, do not tell your parents.  They would think
that you are crazy, and I would not offer them any proof to the contrary."
Victoria turned to the men, who were appreciably pale.  "Please, join us for
dinner.  I have made arrangements for us all.  We have a wonderful kitchen
staff."  Marta hissed once and left the room, giving our dinner guests a wide
berth.  My wife mouthed the word "garlic" and I nodded.  "Simon, do you still
not recognize me? I realize that it has been a little while, but not _that_
long," Victoria pouted.

   Simon gaped.  "Victoria... Heresford?" he gasped.

   "I am truly Mina Harker's daughter, Victoria, so it is Victoria Harker.  
Except --"  She proudly held out her hand, displaying her wedding band.  "I
am now Victoria Morton."  She smiled warmly at me.  Simon wasn't so happy.
He wiped his brow feverishly, looking extremely pale.  "Yes, your distant
cousin is really the Countess Dracula, daughter of your family's ancient
enemy.  But that is past, I would hope."  She clapped her hands and the soup
arrived.  "Let us eat.  We may discuss business afterwards."

   The meal was excellent.  Dinner conversation was limited to Benjamin and 
Victoria discussing family matters.  Simon ate hungrily, but in silence.  His 
eyes had become saucers when Victoria and I started to eat when they did.
The mayor kept casting nervous glances at his daughter, who was coordinating
the waitresses' efforts.  Agnes seemed not to notice.  "You know, Mr. Mayor,"
I began.  The man jumped and his eyes bugged out.  "Agnes would really like
to come home.  You can not blame her for what has happened.  Besides, it
would serve you well to be less..."  I searched for the proper word.  "Pro-
tective of her.  This is not the nineteenth century."  Agnes blushed, having
overheard my little speech.

   Mayor Hunyadi's face filled with rage (he's a very angry man, it seems),
and his whole body trembled.  "You -- VILE creature -- have no right to speak
of my dead daughter.  She is no longer alive, and YOU have despoiled her."
He growled, choking on his angry words.  A tear ran silently down his
daughter's cheek.  The mayor ignored her, staring maliciously at me.

   "David," my wife interrupted, "we do not discuss business over a fine meal 
here at the castle."  It was a reprimand.  "That is the American way," she 
finished.  She smiled at me to soften the impact of her words, but she did
make her point.  I'd have to learn the etiquette befitting a Carpathian
noble.  Victoria's rebuke did nothing to diminish the tension between the
mayor and myself.  To further complicate matters, Agnes' heartbreak washed
through the hypnotic link we shared.  I kept my mouth shut through the rest
of the meal.  After dessert, we moved to the drawing room for brandy and
cigars.  Marta was still absent.

   Victoria stood and waited for me to light her holdered cigarette.  She
leaned against the fireplace looking very much like the flapper girl she said
she had been.  "Simon, I want the castle back," she stated.  Simon choked on
his brandy.  "I want the souvenir stands out of the courtyard, especially
that damned vampire hunter kit one.  Everything else is -- _negotiable_."

   "Victoria, I am sorry.  There is no area for negotiation.  The state and
the surrounding area are starving for money right now.  The castle brings in
a good deal of money," Simon said firmly.  "I do not have the power to close
the castle," he apologetically added.

   "I will make it up to the town, as far as the money," Victoria resumed.
She paused for a moment, thinking.  "We would not live here permanently, but
we would like to be able to come home.  If I leave certain areas of the cas-
tle open while we are gone, would that be more acceptable?  Of course, the
daytime restriction would still have to apply."  Simon's eyes flickered.
Victoria had started him thinking.  I was impressed by Victoria's negotiating
skills.  She wasn't using any hypnotic power as far as I could tell.  "In
fact," Victoria continued, "I could leave you everything except the second
floor and dungeon.  Even when we would be here."

   "What about concessions?  Food and souvenirs?" Simon asked, obviously
warming to the idea.  An alarm started going off in my head for some reason.
I looked around the room nervously.  Benjamin's eyes were closed; his snifter
was empty. The mayor was sitting defensively, glowering alternately at Vic-
toria, Simon and me.  Victoria walked over to me for another light.  She
kissed me on the cheek for the courtesy.

   "The courtyard.  The stable area could be arranged to provide shel-"

   Mayor Hunyadi jumped to his feet.  "Enough!!!  You!" he shouted, pointing
a finger at Van Helsing.  "I called you, the great vampire hunter to destroy
the devil's spawn!  Now you would make deals with them!"  His eyes were wild.
I tried to grab his mind, but I couldn't catch his eyes long enough to make
contact.  "DAMN YOU ALL TO HELL!" the mayor roared and began to chant.  I 
recognized the language from that endless high school torture known as Latin.

   "No, Hunyadi!!!" Simon shouted, bolting for the mayor.  Mayor Hunyadi
pulled a gun and Van Helsing froze instantly.  He didn't even twitch.  The
hair on the back of my neck stood up as the man chanted.  It was a faint,
irritating sensation, akin to nails on a blackboard in an adjacent room.
Victoria was grimacing as well.  She must have been hearing it too.  I saw
the mayor point the gun at Victoria, and I moved to protect her.  My feet
felt as if they were mired in quicksand, and I moved much slower than I
wanted to.

   A screech signaled Marta's reappearance.  She rushed into the drawing
room, screaming.  Hunyadi turned and calmly shot her three times.  Before he
could return his attentions to my wife, both Simon and I jumped him.  We
wrestled the gun from him, and Simon ended his frantic struggles with a
_very_ solid fist to the jaw while I held him.  I turned my attentions to the
rest of the room.  Victoria was kneeling over Marta, talking quietly as the
blonde vampire lay very still.  Benjamin decorated the carpet, moaning.  I
was a little surprised that Marta seemed to be hurt, then Van Helsing said
quietly, "The bullets must have been made of silver, and marked with a
cross."

   Victoria was helping Marta sit up; she was in obvious pain.  "Da... Da..." 
Marta hoarsely whispered, reaching feebly in my direction.  Victoria looked
at me, her eyes telling me what I didn't want to know.  I walked over to the
women, and replaced Victoria as Marta's support.  My wife walked away
silently, tears in her eyes.  "See? -- I... knew..."  Marta swallowed
audibly.  "That it wouldn't work."  She gasped for breath, and her eyelids
drooped.  "It hurrrrtss so baaad..." she whispered.

   I bit Marta gently.  She sighed, "Ohhh, ye-e-e-ess... My young, sweeet 
masss..."  Marta's eyes closed, and her body went limp.  Neither of us had 
wanted it to be like this.  I lay her body on the floor with tender care.
Then I stood up, and approached the groggy, defenseless mayor who had re-
gained consciousness.  Simon moved out of my way.  Agnes stepped directly in
my path, standing defensively over her father.  "Please, master.  I beg you,
do not harm him."  I was about to make Agnes move and beg me to kill her
father.  Slowly.

   "David.  My love.  Please rethink what you are about to do," Victoria
said, using the quiet voice that always got my attention.  "The vampire's
ultimate revenge is to watch your enemies die.  Revenge taken in haste is
something that will haunt you for all eternity.  There are more important
things than revenge, David."  Fuck that.  I was going to roast the mayor's
heart and hang his heartless body over the hearth.

   "You must think about the reaction you would cause," Victoria continued,
as the anger in my eyes still burned.  "If he is dead, he will become a mar-
tyr to the townspeople, and they will hunt you down.  If not them, then their
children.  Am I correct, Simon?"  Simon nodded as Victoria walked over to
me.  She stroked my trembling arm, and kissed my neck, flicking her tongue
across my throat for an instant.  The only sound in the room was Benjamin's
snoring.

   I was still boiling mad, but my wife's gentle voice was beginning to take 
effect.  I stood, silent and trembling with rage.  Finally, after a very long 
instant, I commanded, "Agnes, remove your father's garlic wreath."  Her eyes 
became vacant, and she obeyed woodenly.  "Victoria, I leave his fate in your 
much wiser hands, because I _will_ kill him."  Turning to the rest of the
group, I continued.  "Simon, let's get out of this room and go to the living
room.  Guards, bring the boy and be gentle.  Agnes, you must come with us."
Agnes fought my power briefly, but she didn't have the will to provide more
than token resistance.  Simon led everybody out of the drawing room in si-
lence, not turning back to look.  Victoria and Mayor Hunyadi joined us after
five minutes.

   "Agnes, it is time that we left," Mayor Hunyadi said.  Agnes gaped at her 
father.  "Come, child, we should leave the Count and Countess alone now.  
Minister Van Helsing, Count and Countess, my daughter and I would take our 
respectful leave.  We thank you graciously for your hospitality this
evening."  He paused, looking at his stunned daughter.  "Agnes?"  The girl
curtsied and her father nodded in approval.  Agnes' eyes thanked Victoria as
they left, since it was clearly improper for her to speak.  Father and
daughter exited the castle hand in hand, escorted by two guards.

   "Now, where were we, Simon?" Victoria asked.  Coffee was served and cigars 
passed as if nothing had happened earlier.  I went back to the drawing room,
but Marta's body had vanished.  There were ashes in the carpet, and I cried
internally for the woman I would never have.  I returned to the drawing room, 
sullen.  Victoria stuck to me protectively, and warmed my body.  She broad-
cast her concern for my emotional state.  Her gaze held nothing but love.  It
was obvious that the night's events were too fresh in everybody's mind, and
that nothing more would be accomplished until tomorrow.  The discussion
meandered aimlessly before stalling.

   "Simon, you are welcome to stay," Victoria announced.  She stood and 
stretched lazily, giving me a playful look.  She knew how much I liked to
watch her do that.  "Benjamin is clearly in no shape to argue.  The guest
rooms on the second floor are ready."  Simon agreed, yawning involuntarily,
and we all went up the steps.  Victoria carried her still-sleeping nephew,
placing him in the first guest room.  She tucked him in, kissing him lightly
on the cheek.  He sighed, and we quietly closed the door.  Not that it would
have mattered.  "He is very well behaved for a sixteen-year-old.  I will have
to commend my grand-niece," Victoria said.

   We continued down the hall.  "Simon, this is where you will stay."  My
wife indicated his room, a few doors away from Benjamin's.  "We will be in
the master suite, David and I."  She linked her arm with mine.  Anticipating
the question forming on Simon's lips, she shrugged.  "We can survive holy
water, crosses, and garlic.  Why would we sleep in a coffin?  Why would we
_want_ to sleep in a coffin?"  Victoria gave me a squeeze and a knowing
smile.  We turned, leaving him.

   "Victoria," Simon called.  We stopped and looked at him.  "One of the
serving girls is lying naked in my bed," he said, perplexed.

   "Consider it a... _courtesy_ of castle Dracula, Tourism Minister Van Hel-
sing.  The hospitality and thoughtfulness of the Countess Dracula are legen-
dary," Victoria demurely replied, bowing slightly.  I could see Simon smile.
He wasted no time in returning to his room, shutting the door without as much
as a good night.  "Come, my husband.  I am tired, and I would sleep with
you."  There was a pause.  "I _need_ to sleep with you," she emphasized.  We
went to the master suite, dressed for bed, and lay down together.  Victoria
rolled on top of me.  "David?"

   "Mmmm?" I responded as I stroked her back, temporarily lost in my own 
thoughts.

   "It was wonderful thing you did for Marta.  She did not deserve to die in 
pain."  Victoria looked into my eyes.  "You wanted her, yes?  You would bite
her for love slave?  It was her power that made you notice her at first, but
after, I was not so sure."

   "She didn't need to die, Victoria," I answered without answering.

   "It was my fault.  I thought that only Van Helsing would have weapons.
Simon didn't know that Hunyadi knew the Paresi curse as well."  I looked at
her strangely, and Victoria began to explain.  "Is magical spell to hold
vampires before speaker, and leave them helpless.  That was the strange
feeling you had when he was speaking in Latin.  Your love that turned me into
quarter vampire saved my life.  Being full vampire, Marta was much more
susceptible."  My wife closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, her pretty face
burdened by guilt.  "I was a fool.  I underestimated my opponent.  Hunyadi
had gun and special bullets to avenge daughter; I should have known better."
Victoria lay her head on my chest and opened her eyes again.  "Now I am truly
last member of Dracula clan."

   "Vic-," I started.

   "Ssshhh.  Just hold me," Victoria whispered, wrapping her arms around my
neck and closing her eyes.  A tear trickled down my chest, and Marta was
mourned by both of us.

   I was greeted in the kitchen the next afternoon by the young woman who had 
spent the night with Simon.  She had _that_ smile on her face, and blushed
when she said, "Good afternoon, Count."  Simon, Benjamin and Victoria showed
up for a very late lunch about an hour later.  The young woman and Simon's
eyes met and lingered for a somewhat discreet moment; they both turned shyly
away from each other.  Although Victoria's power of command had vanished at
sunrise, it appeared that Simon possessed some magic of his own.

   Benjamin looked horrid.  He was _still_ hung over from the brandy.  His
aunt gave him a familial kiss on the cheek, gently (and softly) lecturing,
"Brandy is to be sipped and savored, not guzzled like cheap American beer."
There wasn't much conversation during the meal and we all just sat around the
table for a while after.  Nobody seemed to want to do anything.  "My husband
is a good cook, yes?" Victoria said, patting my hand.  There was mild frus-
tration on her face.  Her mind had turned to business, and she wanted it
dispensed with.

   The group finally retired to the drawing room, and the negotiations began
in earnest.  Simon seemed to be _extremely_ receptive and sympathetic to Vic-
toria's desires.  (Amazing what good sex can do, isn't it?)  He also ex-
plained his official position as Minister of Tourism Van Helsing.  "It will
be awkward, since I was hired to be the head vampire hunter, and make sure
that the castle would be vampire-free for the tourists.  Now I'll have to
come up with a plausible story as to why certain areas of the castle are to
be placed off-limits."

   "Simon, again, we will not be living here.  David and I have a home in the 
United States," Victoria said.  "But I would like to be able to come home and
be free of tourists for a while.  Perhaps the castle can be closed tempo-
rarily; we would let you know in advance by a month," she said hopefully.  I
could see "that won't work" written on Simon's face, even if my wife didn't.

   I broke the awkward silence.  "Perhaps if you could schedule periodic
castle closings; you know, for -- maintenance.  We could schedule ourselves
around those periods."  Victoria glared at me as I spoke.  She obviously
believed in the superiority of her birthright over any other claim.  "Say,
three weeks every quarter.  To offset the loss of revenue, we can have the
kitchen staff cater private breakfasts and lunches while we're gone."  An-
other bright idea hit me.  "When we're here, we could host one or two formal
dinners.  Just think, dine with the "Countess Dracula..."

   "No.  Not that," Victoria objected, hands on her hips.  "We do not want 
everybody coming through and testing us to see if we are vampires, David.  Is 
_very_ bad idea.  But, I am willing to compromise on scheduling, Simon."  
Victoria rearranged herself and cuddled against me, giving me a little smile.  
"We have reminded the townspeople that they live in the shadow of castle 
Dracula.  The new Count -- "  My wife turned to me and gave me a kiss on the 
cheek.  "Is considerably less bloodthirsty than the old.  I do not wish the 
townspeople to fear the castle."  Victoria paused and sighed, "But vampire 
hunter kits on sale in the courtyard is considerably short of the respect I 
desire."

   From there, an agreement was struck in short order.  I told Simon pri-
vately that I'd introduce him to supermodel Alexandra Bowers to grease the
wheels a little bit.  I figured she'd probably kill the old boy, but what a
way to go.  We got down to specifics and legal arrangements remarkably fast
after that little discussion.  Agnes returned shortly before sundown while
dinner was being prepared.  "Countess, I wish to thank you for sparing my
father and for returning me to my family.  I am forever your humble servant.
Will you wish me to help with dinner tonight?" she asked.  The stars were
gone from her eyes as she looked at me.  I shook my head at the volatile
nature of teenage infatuation.  Victoria dismissed Agnes, who curtsied before
leaving us.  "That is proper respect for a Count and Countess," Victoria
noted.

   Another marvelous meal was served in the dining room that night.  Simon
was very curious about the nature of our powers.  "You both seem so --
_human_.  I mean, you spent the night in a room with a bed.  We negotiated
during the daylight hours in a sunny room.  _Now_ you're eating _food_ with
us after dark. Are you really...?"  Victoria extended her fangs and her eyes
turned red.

   "Does this answer your question, dear Simon?" she asked innocently.  Ben-
jamin gave a peep of horror, and Simon recoiled slightly in his chair.  "I --
_we_ -- can largely choose our form.  At night we can do some vampire things,
but for large part is no difference between mortal or vampire.  Yes, we do
bite people and drink their blood."  Benjamin's face turned very white, and
his eyes were big and round as saucers.  Victoria smiled at her nephew.
This, of course, prominently displayed my wife's sharp, white fangs and
Benjamin lost any vestige of color that remained in his face.  Simon trembled
in his chair.  "However, we do not kill or make more vampires, and we do not
have to have blood every night."  She changed her appearance again, and the
two mortals at the table relaxed in involuntary response.  "Most of the time,
I prefer being mortal."

   The small talk resumed after a brief interval.  The mortals were no doubt 
reclaiming their wits.  Eventually, Simon decided that it was time for he and 
Benjamin to leave the castle.  As they were putting their coats on in the
foyer, Benjamin asked Victoria, "What's it like to be bitten by a vampire?
Would you bite me, Aunt Victoria?"  Ah, the ignorance of youth.

   My wife smiled, shaking her head.  "I could bite you, Benjamin.  But then 
would you like being made to obey your mother all of the time?  You would not
be able to resist her or me, and I would do that for my grand-niece."  She
looked up, making a big show of thinking about something.  "It would be funny
to see you walk around school proudly showing your baby pic- "

   "That's quite all right, Auntie.  I think I understand," Benjamin 
interrupted.  His face had gone beet red at the mention of his baby pictures.  
Victoria smiled innocently, sweetly.  I got the shivers looking at her at
that moment.  It hit me how beautiful she was.  Victoria's response seemed to
make her nephew want to leave a little faster, and he basically dragged Simon
out of the door.  They were gone, and we were finally alone in the castle.
Victoria had sent the kitchen staff home earlier.  My wife shut and locked
the front door.  Smiling impishly, she took my hand and pulled me to the
living room.

   "Now, my husband, it is time for the ritual of castle Dracula."  She re-
moved the painting over the fireplace, and removed a very dusty book from a
safe.  Opening it, she turned the parchment pages with a great deal of care.
"I will be speaking in my father's language; I have not had time to teach you
yet.  When I squeeze your hand, just say, 'I do.', OK?"  I nodded.  Taking my
hand, she began to speak.  Truth to tell, it sounded more like a boring,
overly-dramatic monologue from a bad stage play.  I stood there impatiently
for fifteen minutes until she squeezed my hand.  I said, "I do."; Victoria
resumed her monologue for another couple of minutes.  Then she punctured my
finger (Ow!) with a fang.

   "Sign your name here, in blood," she directed.  I complied, wishing that
the dull ache in my finger would go away.  She kissed my finger, sucking on
the bleeding puncture wound.  The pleasurable sizzle that accompanied the
action made me forget about the dull ache completely.  "Welcome to your new
home, Count Dracula," Victoria purred.  I smiled at her.  "There is one last
thing to do, David.  We must consummate our bond," she said.  I let my fangs
come out.  "No, we must do it _mortal_ way," she whispered, her voice
throaty.   From out of nowhere, the "Let's fuck.  NOW." expression appeared
on her face.  Clothes flew in all directions.

   She pushed me over on my back and straddled me.  Easing herself onto my 
erection, Victoria sighed, "I have way-yay-yay-yaited sooooo looong fooorrr 
thiiissss..."  Her moaning started almost immediately, and her pussy pulled
at my dick with her every movement.  "Ohh-ohhh!  Hunnnhh...  Mmmmfff...
Oooohhh..."  Victoria's hips slid back and forth easily over my pelvis.  She
did not speed up when I felt her cunt contract rapidly.  She breathed with
little gasps.  I shuddered in pleasure, but held back my ejaculation.  My
wife's pumping became circular as her climax ended.  "Ohhh, lo-o-o-ove, I
want a baby."  Where did that come from?  She kissed me and drove her hips at
me.  Victoria threw her head back with a sharp intake of breath.

   Victoria began to play with my nipples.  My body trembled as my spine 
registered the tickling sensation.  She ran her hands gently around my chest, 
tracing circles on it in time with her hips.  "Do you like this, David?"  I 
groaned in acknowledgment.  My wife played my body like a musical instrument, 
slowly creating an incredible tension with gentle movements.  It was not long 
before that tension demanded release.  The sounds of my orgasm reverberated 
through the empty castle as the pleasure of Victoria's ministrations 
reverberated through my body.

   Loud, contented purring noises rolled in my throat.  My wife had stopped 
moving on top of me.  "Again, David," she whispered.  Her inner chamber 
contracted, keeping me in her.  It slowly expanded, pushed by my re-inflating 
cock.  The sensation kept me on orgasm's edge.  "Ohhh, ye-e-e-ess... Li-i-ike 
thaaaat..." Victoria softly encouraged.  She resumed her motion, gentle and 
languid.  "Nooooo...  Donnn't mooove.  Ohhh, s-s-staayyy therrre...
D-d-donn't mooove...  Soooo sweeeet..."

   She was panting softly now.  Victoria leaned forward, and we kissed
deeply.  Her hips were bouncing up and down.  My cock was very slick with her
warm juices, and she slipped off after one particularly enthusiastic stroke.
She frantically repositioned herself.  My wife drove her hips down with a
lustful grunt, enveloping my rod with her slick, warm-honeyed sheath.  Vic-
toria had become very wild in our love-making, her motions much more impa-
tient.  The soft pants were ending in little squeaks.  My wife leaned
forward, putting her weight on her hands and arms while her hips continued
their piston-like movement.

   Her eyes were closed, and her body was rosy with the flush of arousal.  
Victoria was masturbating herself furiously on her favorite quasi-human sex
toy.  She was lost to all save the joyous singing of her own body.  She
leaned backwards and as her back arched, the back of her head touched my
legs.  "Ohhhh..." , she squeaked.  "I -- I..."  My wife stopped bouncing and
started bucking sharply.  My pubic hair got soaked, and I could _really_
smell her essence.  "Huuuh-UHHH!!!  Huuuh-UHHH!!!  Huuuh-UHHH!!!!" she howled
with each thrust of her hips.

   I couldn't take the stimulation; the physical combined with the mental to 
force another ejaculation out of me.  I snorted, then gave a short, but loud, 
and not very flattering, "URGHHH!!!!"  The tropical mixture inside of
Victoria became a little more gooey as the internal convulsions continued.
Victoria was still arched over backwards, crying.  My arms spasmodically
pounded the carpet, and my hips pumped; I could not control either of them.
Time distorted...

   My wife finally leaned forward, collapsing on top of me.  It seemed that 
several hours had passed since our last orgasms began.  Fortunately, there
was no clock around to ground our fantastic experience in reality.  Victoria
sat up on top of me.  "Welcome to your ancestral home, Count Dracula," she
said, looking tenderly at me.  "I am your Countess for now, and all
eternity."

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*** NEXT: The vampires next door...                                        ***
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