by Susan R. Part Three: "A Date With Lucard"

Lucard sat in his office, ignoring the pile of files on his desk. His mind was on the night before. Jennifer's kiss had surprised him, but it had been the best surprise in years. He wondered how she could be falling for him after watching him kill the vampire so brutally.
          Alexander looked out the window as he thought about the night he had confessed to Margo about who he really was. At first, she didn't believe him until he showed her his true face. She fled his hotel room in a matter of seconds.
          But, Jennifer is different, he thought to himself. She didn't run away from him, but directly into his arms. And, he loved every minute of it. I will find out tonight just how she feels about me. I will create the most romantic night that she has ever had. I have much planning to do, and need to figure out how to get her out of the castle for the day.
          Lucard walked out of his office, knowing that work could be put on hold for a day. He had his driver take him back to the castle. He would convince her to go out while he had servants prepare the castle while he slept. He knew he needed the rest.

Jennifer woke up with a smile on her face. She had dreamed about kissing Alexander all night. She rushed to get ready so that she could meet Sophie in the park. She ran down to the dining room and saw Alexander reading the paper. "Good morning," she said.
          "Ah, good morning to you, too. I hope you slept well," he said as he folded up the paper.
          "Yes, and I had the most wonderful dreams."
          "That's good. Now, I hope you will forgive me for not spending the day with you, but I need my sleep as well."
          "Of course, I understand. I was going to meet my local friend that I met in the park today."
          "Oh, splendid. I have to do some decorating around the castle for tonight."
          "Tonight?" she asked curiously.
          "Yes, but it's a surprise. Will you meet me for dinner at seven-thirty? I will be waiting by the fireplace."
          "My pleasure."
          "Then, it's a date, as you Americans say." He stood up and walked over to her seat. He kissed her on the cheek and walked off.
          Jennifer sat in her chair and smiled. Could it be possible that he is falling for me, she thought. Heaven knows that I am falling in love with him. She ate her breakfast and left for the park.

Sophie started pacing in front of the park bench that Chris and Max were sitting on. "Soph, I'm sure she's fine," said Chris. "Your pacing is driving me crazy."
          "It's after nine, Chris, and she's not here."
          "Wait!" cried Max, "I see her. She's getting out of that BMW that I think belongs to Lucard."
          "Jennifer!" yelled Sophie. Jennifer ran over to them and they could all see the cross around her neck.
          "Hey, I'm sorry that I'm late but I was late getting up. So, why did you need to see me so badly?"
          "Jennifer, we don't know how to tell you this but Alexander Lucard is not the guy you want to have as a friend," said Sophie.
          "Can you please explain why?" Jennifer asked.
          "He's very dangerous. You know he runs Lucard Industries, right?" asked Sophie, and Jennifer nodded. "He's very ruthless. He'll stop at nothing, and I mean nothing, to get richer. He'll break every rule and law ever written."
          "Are you saying that he's like an organized crime boss?" she asked.
          "Worse," said Max. "He's a cold blooded killer, and he's been responsible for more murders over the centuries than Al Capone and others combined."
          "Oh, my," said Jennifer as she sat on the bench. "Don't tell me you know who he really is."
          "A vampire." said Chris. "And not just a vampire, but Count--"
          "--Dracula," said Jennifer. "I know. The question is, how did the three of you find out?"
          "Our uncle is a member of the Helsing family," said Max.
          "Like from Stoker's book?"
          "Stoker was a family friend back then," said Chris.
          "So wait," said Sophie, "If you knew about Lucard, then can you explain about the cross you wear when you are not with him, but don't wear when you are?"
          "I told you that I came to visit a friend. He is Alexander, and I've been staying at his castle for my own protection."
          "You really are staying at his castle!" cried out Max.
          "He is protecting you from what?" asked Sophie.
          "I ran away from a gang of vampires that were after me in Tampa. They call themselves 'The Dark Rulers'. They came after me because I read a diary that talked all about Dracula and his real identity. They want to destroy Dracula and take over the world. I came here, told Lucard my story, and in return he has offered to spare my life, and help me get rid of these vampires before they can cause any more trouble. One of them came after me last night after the opera, but Alexander killed him."
          "That explains why you wear the cross only sometimes," said Sophie.
          "Yes," said Jennifer, "And now I want to hear your explanation."
          "I think you had better have our uncle tell you," said Max.
          "I have all day."
          "Good, and maybe you will realize just how dangerous Lucard is," said Sophie.

Jennifer walked with them to a small two story house. She was invited in and led to a parlor on the left side of the stairs. She glanced up at the wall and saw a large cross. I bet I can guess what that is used for.
          "Jennifer Martin, we'd like you to meet Gustav Helsing," said Sophie. Jennifer smiled at the old man sitting at his desk.
          "I'm pleased to meet you," she said as she shook his hand.
          "The children tell me that you are staying at Lucard's castle."
          "Yes, and I think we both have some stories to tell each other," she said as she sat down on the sofa. Jennifer told her story with the help of Max. She then listened to Gustav talk about his family's war with Dracula over the centuries. She listened to Sophie talk about the time she had been turned into a vampire by a boy she had been dating.
          "I, too, stayed at Lucard's castle, although my memory is very hazy."
          "He is evil, Miss Martin," said Helsing. "Years ago, he took the one thing I loved away from me forever. My son, Klaus, was very rebellious as a teen. He did not believe much in vampires and thought that I was more in love with the idea of killing Dracula than with him. He got a job working for Lucard to prove that I was an old fool. Lucard jumped at the chance for revenge against me and turned m only child into a vampire."
          Jennifer was shocked and saddened. "Is he still alive?"
          "Yes, but he tried to kill both me and Lucard one night, so he has left the country for a while. And, if that's not all, Lucard went after Max and Chris's mother, Eileen."
          "But, she's not a vampire," said Max.
          "Well, that's good to hear." said Jennifer.
          "I'm sure this is hard for you to hear because I know how charming Lucard can be," said Sophie.
          "Tell me, have any of you known if he has ever fallen in love?" Jennifer asked, trying to hide her own feelings for him.
          "We're not certain, but there was one lady who came to stay with us along with her husband. Her name was Margo Burton. Her husband, Lance, had written a book exposing Lucard. Max can finish the story," said Helsing.
          "The day the two of them were flying back to the United States, I was at the airport to say good bye to Mr. Burton. Lucard was there and he told her to go with her husband instead of staying with him. They had some history before she met her husband, but I'm not sure if they had been in love with each other. Well, Lucard let them both go and then drove off."
          "I think I heard of Lance Burton. I heard that his books were nothing but fiction. Didn't something happen to him?" asked Jennifer.
          "The day their plane left, it crashed into the Atlantic a couple of hours after take off. According to the papers, it was caused by some strange gasoline," said Sophie.
          "But, I suspect Lucard may have had something to do with it," said Max.
          "But, we have no proof," said Chris.
          Jennifer looked at them as she thought about what they had said. When she had first read William's diary, she knew what kind of man Alexander was, but she had a hard time believing it after seeing how charming and sweet he was towards her. "It's a sad story, but she never told any of you about her past with Lucard?"
          Helsing shook his head. "I try and keep what I do for a living a secret from others. Most people do not believe in vampires and to say that I've hunted them all my life would make me sound crazy."
          "I understand. I didn't believe in them until one came to my house and started to smoke up the room from a few drops of holy water," said Jennifer and Max laughed.
          "So tell me, Jennifer," asked Sophie. "What is Lucard like on a daily basis?"
          "He's been very kind. He's been treating me like I'm some member of royalty staying at his castle. He is quite charming at time."
          "Yes, and that is what makes him so dangerous," said Sophie. "Believe me, I know."
          "He certainly has a way with women," said Chris with a light laugh.
          "Jennifer," said Gustav as he stood up. "I was going to make lunch for the kids. Would you like to stay and join us?"
          "I would be glad to," she said with a smile.
          Jennifer spent the rest of the afternoon listening to stories about vampires. She was not surprised to hear that Lucard had more enemies than friends.
          At five o'clock, she told them that she had to get back to the castle. "Jennifer," said Sophie, "You don't have to go back there. We can protect you here from those vampires, and Lucard as well."
          "That's very sweet of you, but really, I'm okay at the castle. Alexander promised he wouldn't hurt me."
          Sophie looked at her, "And you believe him?"
          "Sophie, I know it sounds strange, but I trust him."
          Sophie smiled. "You can try and hide it, but I can tell you like him, and more than a friend. He is very handsome and extremely charming, but that is just his nature. Every girl who looks at him falls for him in a minute. The first time I saw him at a restaurant, I thought he was very fine--that is, until I learned who he really was.
          "If he and this Margo were involved romantically, then maybe he is capable of loving someone. I just don't know what to think right now."
          "I understand. But, just so you know, we will always be here for you."
          "Thank you," she said and hugged Sophie. Gustav had offered to drive Jennifer back to Lucard's castle and she accepted. As he pulled up, he gave her his phone number and told her to call if she ever found herself in trouble. She told him thanks and good-bye. She went to her room and began to get ready for the night ahead.

"Chris, I think Jennifer is in deep trouble," said Sophie as she paced the floor. "She's falling for Lucard and you know how deadly that can be."
          "Soph, we can't force her to change her mind. Maybe Lucard will keep his promise and not hurt her," he said.
          Max started to laugh. "Please, this is Lucard we are talking about. He doesn't know what a promise is. But, with her staying at the castle, she could be very useful to us in finally killing Lucard."
          "True," said Chris. "She would be a great inside spy."
          "Yes, but I think he is planning something for her tonight, and I bet I know exactly what," said Sophie. "Do you guys feel like dropping in at the castle tonight?"
          "Sophie, Uncle Gustav will never let us go," said Chris.
          "We'll tell him that we are going to the movies."
          Max smiled. "It's dangerous, but I like it. We do have a ton of weapons, and Lucard may not know that Jennifer has even met us.
          "Yes, but he may have been having her followed while she has been away from him, and if that is the case, she could be in some serious trouble."
          "Good point, Sophie," said Chris.
          "Are the two of you with me?" she asked.
          "Yes!"

Alexander walked around the room making sure that everything looked perfect for the night. He had all of the candles lit, the chairs were set up in one corner for the small orchestra that he had hired, and the dinner table was set and ready for him and Jennifer.
          He stood staring at the fireplace watching the flames dance, when his servant announced that Jennifer had arrived. He turned to the staircase and saw her walking down. Her brown hair rested neatly on her shoulders. Her V neck black dress reached down to her ankles. He walked over to her and kissed her hand. "You look absolutely splendid," he said as he looked at her soft face.
          "Thank you, my prince. May I say you look very handsome yourself. The cape looks perfect on you." she said with a smile.
          "Are you ready for dinner? I had my chef make the best seafood salad that you will ever have," he said as he escorted her to the dining room.
          Alexander watched as she ate and thought that she could not have looked more perfect that had he dreamt this entire scene earlier. Tonight, she will be mine, he thought and smiled. He asked her about her day with her new friend.
          "She's very nice," Jennifer said. "We just had lunch together and I talked about America and she talked about her life here in Europe."
          "What is her name? I may know her."
          "So-Sonja," she said and drank some of her wine. "Did you have a good day's sleep?" she asked.
          "Yes, mainly because I dreamt about tonight," he said as he stood up and walked over to her. "Are you ready?" he asked.
          On his command, the orchestra began to play. As Jennifer walked with him, she turned and said, "Why do I have a feeling that I'm going to find a real orchestra in your main hall?"
          "Would you care to dance, m'lady?" he asked.
          "I would love to," she said as he walked her out to the center of the room.
          Alexander started to slow dance, but he was in control of the music, so he began to speed it up and the two of them began dancing around the room as if at a ball. He watched her face and could see how much fun she was having.
          "You are a marvelous dancer," she said.
          "It's been a few years since I danced with a beautiful woman in my arms," he said, never keeping his eyes off of hers. He could see her blush under her make up and it made him smile. He had the music change to a tango, and she followed his lead perfectly. As they danced, he picked a red rose up from one of the tables and held on to it. The music came to a stop, and he was holding her in his arms, with his lips almost touching hers. He took the rose and brushed it lightly across her cheek and then leaned in and kissed her passionately on the lips. She returned his kiss and wrapped one arm around his neck, and had her right hand brush though his golden hair. He dropped the rose on the floor and slid his hand slowly down her back. He was ready to lift her when he could feel his strength weaken. He could feel the power of a baptized cross on his back and knew he had guests.
          "Let her go, Lucard!" he heard Sophie say. He turned instantly to see Sophie holding a cross, Max holding a wooden stake, and Chris just standing next to them at the bottom of the stair case.
          "Why, if it isn't 'The Three Musketeers'," he said full of anger. he saw Jennifer turn and look at them.
          "Sophie, what are you doing here?" she asked.
          Alexander looked back at her as he started to move away from the cross. "Your local friend?" he asked.
          Jennifer shook her head. "I'm sorry. I wanted to tell you the truth but I didn't want it to spoil our evening. I met Max first, and then Chris and Sophie. They didn't tell me about their connection to you until this afternoon."
          Alexander took a big sigh as he walked over to one of the windows. "I'll just leave you here with your friends," he said as he jumped out the window. He transformed into a bat and flew off into the night. He was angry and hurt that she had not told him. Why should she, he thought to himself. They must have told her every horror story about me. He flew towards the woods and transformed into a wolf. He could smell a rabbit near by and wanted to kill it more for pleasure than for his hunger. In a matter of seconds, he had caught it and sank his fangs deep into its neck.

"Sophie, Max, and Chris, what are you guys doing here?" Jennifer asked.
          "I told you that I don't trust Lucard," said Sophie. "And by the looks of things, I think we got here just in time."
          Jennifer shook her head. "It's not what you think. We were just kissing."
          "Jennifer, we're sorry, but--" Sophie stopped when she saw the sad look on Jennifer's face.
          Jennifer reached down and picked up the rose. "I have to go find him," she said. "Call me crazy, but when he kissed me, I would have let him turn me into a vampire. Now, he's so angry, and I must talk to him," she said, not making much sense as she ran up the stairs.
          Jennifer raced down the halls calling out for Alexander without any response. She ran outside and over to the stables looking for him. "Alexander, please, I need to talk to you!"

Alexander licked his lips and could hear Jennifer calling out to him. He sensed some trouble and could hear Nightwind moving frantically about in his stall. Still in the shape of a wolf, Lucard ran back towards the castle. He was coming out of the woods when he heard Jennifer scream. Two seconds later he was back to the stables and in human form. He glanced down on the ground and saw the red rose. He turned to see a familiar red car pull up and Gustav Helsing get out. "Helsing, what a surprise. Come to pick up the kids?"
          "Uncle Gustav!" yelled Max as he and the others ran outside. They turned to look at Lucard.
          Lucard shook his head. "She's gone."
          "'The Dark Rulers'?" said Helsing.
          Alexander nodded his head.
          "Well, come on," said Max. "Let's go find her!"

          To be concluded in part four, "I Love You, Alexander"

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