CHAPTER LVII

The dark-themed design of Elma's apartment makes the sitting room look like a good spot for hiding if you are a creature of the night.

"Why do we always come here after we get our asses whooped?" John says.

He lies on the sofa and stretches his legs.

Elma ignores everything and rushes into her room. Her room is small and simple.

Unlike her sitting room, the room is themed with a white design and a colorful painting above her bed.

She rips the portrait from the wall and throws it onto the bed.

She reveals a safe where the portrait is supposed to be. She looks at her drying skin and hastens to open the safe.

She pulls out as many blood bags as she can and bites into the first bag like a hungry animal..

Sucking hard until it is empty.

In a few minutes, she empties four blood bags and observes as her skin returns to its past glow.

She enters the bathroom to clean herself up.

Rachael rests her back and head against the seat and Gabriel sits beside her.

"Are you alright?" he asks.

"I don't know. I can't explain it.

I am confused and my heart couldn't stop pounding back there.

I'm still trying to get a hand of things and I got to stab the devil," she says.

Gabriel makes an awkward face and shrugs.

"Sorry, he can't relate. He was born into this," Samuel says as he hands her a bottle of water while he drinks from another.

"We have to get home, I can't continue to look like this," Samuel refers to his tattered clothes.

"What about Lucifer, the devil?" Mary asks.

Her question reminds the immortals of her presence.

Her hair is messy from the fight and she presses her hands against her hair.

"Don't worry. That body won't survive. After taking Nightmare, no supernatural survives," John says.

"He will survive," Gabriel says and the witch turns to him.

"So we should do something about it," Mary says.

"He will descend to hell now that he doesn't have a body to walk in. So if you want to stop him, you have to go to hell," Samuel says.

"Oh, that's cool," Mary sighs.

"Why are you so scared?" John asks, "He says I would do well serving him. The devil told me he is interested in me," she says.

Samuel giggles, "I can relate," he glances at her and passes a glass of water to her.

Elma comes out looking fresh and clean, like she never left her home.

"Wow, I envy you. You can just be fit and energetic again in a matter of minutes," Rachael says as she sees the blond beauty.

Elma throws two bags of blood on John, "Get the fuck up from my couch.

You've got to start paying me for these freebies you get," Elma says.

"I love you too," John says with a smug smile.

"We have to get back to the club. We have to be prepared for anything.

We are sure Lucifer won't be coming at us but Dracula is still out there," Gabriel says.

"Let's all get some rest before the next time we have to face an ominous creature from a religious legend," Samuel says.

"Thank you for your help, Mary. I do hope we get to see more of you in the future," he says.

She pulls out a card and hands it to him, "I hope the next time we meet, I won't be resurrecting any of you"

"There will be no need to resurrect John," Samuel jokes.

"I will see you guys around," she winks at him.

John shakes his head as he stares at Samuel, "Man, you wish".

"I will be leaving," Mary says.

She meets Rachael, "I hope everything goes well for you babe. I wish you the best," she hugs the little woman and heads for the door.

John stands up from the seat as he taps his phone and leaves a half bag of blood hanging from the grip of his teeth.

Rachael glances at him and remembers how their lives used to be.

She smiles to herself knowing that he is still here after she had lost the most important people in her life.

Now she knows, she has a new family here. A supernatural one.

She notices as he scratches his brows, "What's wrong?" she asks.

"It's Cassandra, I've been trying to reach her but it keeps going to voicemail," he says.

"I'm sure she is fine. She is an alpha," Gabriel says.

"Not to me. To me, she is my woman," John says and Gabriel glances at Rachael.

Samuel can almost taste the emotion in John's voice.

He rolls his eyes, "Come on, let's go before you all start getting touchy on me," he urges for their departure.

1470.

HUNGARY.

It never snows in Pest County, but this year it did because the High Witch passed through on one of her unholy missions.

Justina strolls into the garden which has taken a new shape due to the snow.

The trees and flowers have turned into lighter colors from the snow's touch.

She dances and laughs as snowdrops touch her golden locks.

The breeze blows her gown and hair.

A swift wisp of cold catches her breath and the cold air enters her lungs.

She hugs herself to create warmth as her smile burns brightly away from the cloud-buried sun.

Her pink lips grow pale with the cold as she closes her eyes.

His embrace creates warmth for her and she leans back into his chest.

"I wish we can be like this forever," she says as she feels his long black hair against her neck.

"In this moment. You and I, together in the snow. Holding each other forever," Justina says.

"That means I will have to make the High Witch stay against her will," Vlad says.

"We can invite her to dinner, show a little hospitality and maybe she can stay longer," Justina suggests.

"Forever?" he asks "Forever," she says.

Vlad laughs at Justina's childish side.

"We can't stay in this moment forever. How would we make kids?" he says and she turns to face him.

She looks up into the eyes of the 6'7 feet of a man. His dark eyes carry simplicity and intent.

"Stop it, Vlad. Everyone knows you have many women in your bed.

I'm sure you plan to have kids with all your women," she says and rolls out of his grasp.

"I have met angels and deities of love and yet it is only you who have made my heart feel the way it does.

You are passionate and yet you have savagery in you," "So, I am a savage now," she giggles as he fumbles with his words.

He stops and giggles, "You are the only one that makes a monster like myself dream.

You are the one I want to spend my very long life with," he holds her hand in his palm and places a soft kiss.

He pulls something from his pocket and goes on one knee.

He presents a gold ring with a diamond piece on top of it.

Justina's eyes widen at the beauty of the jewel.

"If the sun were out, the ring would shine brighter than the stars but it all falters in comparison to your smile. I would be a lucky immortal if I can have that smile and your heart to myself.

Will you marry me, Justina Szilagyi?".

She motions him to his feet and wraps her hands around his neck.

She kisses him softly, "Yes, I will be your Queen" she says.

Vlad puts his hands around her waist and lifts her into the air while she laughs, "You already are,".