Vicky learns the Truth about Vlad Tepes, Dracul. Only one of so many Names

Vicky stood in front of the Iceberg Lounge and wondered how she could get in. It was anything but easy. She was still thinking about how to proceed. She stood opposite the club and looked at the entrance. She knew that this club had two levels. One for the normal customers and one for the somewhat special guests who wanted to remain rather unrecognized or among themselves. And a third level where he accommodated special guests who wanted to stay longer. It was said that there were about 3 or 4 rooms that were in the style of a luxury hotel. If Dracula was a guest there then it could only mean that he would stay in one of these rooms. So, she now had the option of either sneaking in through the window or trying to walk through the main entrance. While she was still thinking about what to do, she saw one of the two secretaries from the Penguin coming at her. Apparently, she had already been discovered and the lady would now reprimand her.

"Miss Vale. If you' would please follow me,' Candy smiled and adjusted her glasses.

"Sorry?" the usually so quick-witted reporter asked in amazement. She hadn' t expected such an answer, though.

"Would you please follow me Miss Vale? You are expected. Repeated Candy friendly and then pointed in the direction of the club.

However, she had not been prepared for this friendly invitation. But maybe that was exactly the possibility she had been waiting for. She nodded off and Candy led her past the doormen and into the club, Passing the metal detectors and security guards. Inside she could see the first level full of people either standing at the bar or dancing on the dance floor. But Candy went right after the entrance onto a separate staircase hidden behind a barred door. Two bouncers with sub-machine guns guarded the door eagerly and waved the door open at Candy´s It was clear that the two knew exactly who they had in front of them.

Vicky had never been on the 2nd level before, let alone on the 3rd but as it seemed it went exactly there. As she walked up the stairs, she could take a quick look into the plane of the 2nd level. She couldn't see much in the dim light but she imagined seeing some of the most dangerous criminals in the city. However, Candy made sure they kept up a brisk pace and so she couldn't look for long.

She now entered the third floor which consisted only of a long corridor and 4 doors. In contrast to the club downstairs this area was really very elegant and very fine made. Her guide purposefully went to the last door on the right only to knock.

If the penguin had called her to himself then he did not live as she had expected. But her dawned that she wasn't here on the penguin's orders. When Candy opened the door and asked her in, it was immediately clear. It wasn't the penguin waiting for the two women in the room, but Dracula. Candy stopped at the door and seemed to wait as Vicky looked around the room. It was a very nice place, suitable for this man sitting on the bed looking at them.

"I greet you Miss Vale. I've been expecting you." Dracula smiled and pointed to an armchair. As she sat down, she looked back and forth between him and Candy.

"Did she volunteer or did you manipulate her a little?" she smiled but Dracula waved off.

"That wasn't necessary." He smiled at Candy. "The young lady recognizes my power. She may not believe who or what I am but she can feel it. Is that right?

Candy became red and looked embarrassed to the side. She knew he was right. She had never betrayed her boss like that before and yet ... Dracula was right. She had felt it from the beginning that this man was something extraordinary. Everything at him seemed simply inhuman and alluring at the same time.

"Maybe it would be good then, however, if you would leave now. Surely your boss would not like that you have brought me in here. I'm sure Mr. Tepes would regret it greatly if they got into trouble, right?

"That wouldn't be in my interest, though." Nodded Dracula and Candy hurried out of the room. The two were right. If he found out that she had let this reporter into his holy of holies, she would get into real bad trouble with him for the first time. When the two were alone in the room, Dracula nodded to her.

"I was already expecting you to come, Miss Vale. However, you' d make me very happy if you wouldn't get used to speaking on my behalf. Even if, as I expected, you have interpreted my intentions correctly this time." Said Dracula friendly as he stood up and walked towards the fridge bar. Once there, he grabbed a bottle of whisky and shook it before her eyes.

With a shake of her head she refused this time. "I'm not here to drink Mr. Tepes. I'm sure you know why I'm here, don't you?"

Dracula put the bottle down again and nodded while leaning against the minibar.

"I may be powerful but not omniscient. However, I have a certain idea what brought you here. You've been thinking about my offer, right?"

" You could say so. However, I have some questions that I want answered before. First of all. What will happen to me if... I do that?"

Dracula smiled and poured herself a glass. A justified question indeed. One that he had only rarely heard. A question that was worth answering.

"Well, let's just express it. Basically, I lead you to a point where your body will die. Then you will drink my blood and be filled with my power. That will trigger a transformation that will give you part of my power."

But briefly it was interrupted by her.

"First. We don't have to be formal here. Secondly. We live in the 21st century. This... forgive me... Dracula shit does not interest me. I want facts."

"Well good. Well then facts. I've spent my life trying to understand my condition better. I can only say so much. It is something that does not come from this world and I am the first of my kind as far as I know. I have studied ancient lyrics and heard ancient songs as well. There have never been any beings like me mentioned before me".

Since she said nothing, he continued.

"They asked me last time what my real name is. What was my name when I was born right?" After she nodded, he sat opposite her on the sofa and shook the whisky glass watching the liquid slosh back and forth. "I was born in the lands you now call Syria. Are you religious?"

" Religion? How do you come up with that now?

"Quite simple. If you have read the Bible, I can save many things."

"I read the Bible as a child in class. But no. I don't know that thing by heart." She said apologetically.

"No reason to be ashamed of it. I don't know many people who have ever read this book. Never mind". He wiped through the air laughing with his hand. "It is like every book full of mistakes and half-truths. However, there are also points that are true. So, for example a story about me."

"In the Bible" she was now astonished. It was one thing to get involved with a vampire but that God should exist sounded quite crazy.

"My name, the name I was born under, was Cain. I was..." He didn't get any further because Vicky jumped up like a monkey and stared at him with big eyes. So, she had read the Bible after all.

"Cain... and Abel." The words hadn't really left her mouth yet when she was pressed against the wall. She felt Dracula's hand on her throat and barely could breathe. She had neither noticed a movement nor a twitch. But the worst was his eyes. They weren't just blood red. No, they were burning. Where his eyeballs were supposed to be were blood red flames that scared her horribly. She now looked into the true face of Count Dracula. The king of all vampires.

But as fast as this tantrum had come, as quickly he had himself under control again. He dropped her and returned to his couch where he just sat down. Vicky slipped down the wall and gasped for air. Her whole throat felt like it was burning with pain and her hands trembled with fear. Panic-stricken and insecure, she looked at Dracula sitting on his sofa looking calmly at her. She just wanted to walk. Away from this monster. Away from this being sitting in front of her.

Dracula almost felt sorry for what he had done to her. But the name Abel was a scarf for him. Now it was up to her whether she would survive this shock or not. Waiting, he sat there and looked at her. She had looked into his inner being. She had seen his true self. What made him what he was. He knew people who had died of fear at that sight. But he had now learned enough that the people of this century were different than in the past centuries

With his fist hitting the ground, Vicky screamed. The pain in her hands and the scream helped her to get a clear mind. She straightened up and plucked her dress into shape. She was still trembling like an aspen leaf and yet she tried everything to keep a clear mind.

"I... accept... accept... you... don't want to hear that... name..." she stammered and as hard as she tried, she couldn't control her voice.

He nodded proudly and pointed to the chair. "I am sorry but yes. I would prefer it if you would never pronounce that name. I should have warned you. I beg for forgiveness."

Trembling she sat down on the sofa only to get up again immediately and go to the minibar. But instead of a glass she took the whole bottle and took a big sip of it to calm down. The whisky also burned like fire in her throat but it was a much better burn than the one just before. With the bottle in her hand, she took a seat again and nodded a little safer.

"Please... I must apologize. I interrupted you."

"Well I could now correct some things from the book or leave it simple. Anyway, that's really my origin. I committed the deed that is in the book and was cursed for feeding on what I fed the land with." He said calmly and waved the glass again. "Well, no matter how it was. I am able to pass on my power to my descendants. It depends on the individual which abilities are strengthened. To explain it further. You will reach a state that would best be described as undead. Your physical decay will end. On the contrary. All your physical blemishes will disappear. You will be able to walk in the sunlight but your power will dwindle and you will become almost as weak as a mortal being. Your power will grow with each passing year." He then said calmly to explain the things to her.

"And will it hurt?" she asked hesitantly.

Thoughtfully he looked at her before he replied: "I have no idea. That means in simple terms. I have never changed a being that complained. Is that enough as an answer?

"For now. Now we come to the last question. I am a journalist and would like to solve secrets... You said that you knew who Batman is? Or at least you implied it. I want to know. I want proof that you didn't lie to me."

"Demanding little mortal." Laughed Dracula. "But all right then. At least I understand your curiosity. Although I'm a little disappointed that you haven't found out for yourself yet. A little flaw you have in my eyes. Batman is Bruce Wayne!"

"Bruce... Wayne... That... is impossible." She breathed incredulously and all the fear, all the pain and all the worry were gone. She went back and forth and her thoughts raced. That couldn't possibly be true. He had to lie. But it would explain so much. The sinfully expensive equipment Batman used. The resources and possibilities he had. Only a man like Bruce Wayne would be able to afford that. But this crazy womanizer couldn't possibly...

Angrily she grabbed the bottle of whisky and threw it against a wall. "I DON'T BELIEVE IT! HOW COULD I BE SO STUPID! I'm gonna kill this guy," she screamed angrily. Angry that she herself had been so easily deceived. That she hadn't recognized it. That this miserable guy had so easily deceived her.

"What are you waiting for" she whispered to Dracula who just sat smiling and nodded.