"Max," she said as she turned to look at him, "You scared me half to death. What are you doing here?"

"Wanted to make sure you left work safely. No strange men approached you today at work inviting you for dinner at some castle, did they?"

Cassandra laughed. "No, and you’re sweet to check up on me, but do you think that’s smart? What if Lucard walks out and sees me talking to you? Doesn’t he have spies all over the place?"

"True, but that’s kinda why I wanted to make sure you were okay. I mean, he could have found out you came over to our house last night."

"Aww, Max, thanks for caring so much. Can I offer you a ride home?"

"Sure. Find out anything on Lucard today?"

"As a matter of fact, I did find some memo about a dinner at his castle tomorrow night. I caught it on its way to a shredder, so I figure it must be important. I’ll give it to yout uncle when I drop you off."

"Great! He’ll be happy to see it."

Cassandra looked at him and smiled, smirking slightly as he looked away. "I’m sure he will."

The room was lit with candles as Lucard sat staring at the chessboard. "What did you learn today, my child?" he asked Cassandra as he took one of her pawns.

"They’re planning on coming here tomorrow night," she said with a smile. "Gustav told me that I should wait back at their house and not wander out under any circumstances. They’re beginning to fear for my safety," she moved one of her knights on the board.

"Of course, and naturally so. I don’t take kindly to spies at my company. Especially some foolish girl who steals papers from the mail room," he said with a laugh and moved his queen.

"Oh no, spies at Lucard Industries should be punished, I quite agree. It’s just a shame that my documents are all false." She moved her knight again.

"Poor Helsing. Uninvited guests again, how splendid. Such a shame that you won’t be here. So, what do you plan on doing all alone in the house of Helsing?"

"Hmm...search the house...find all the hiding places of all their weapons, from every bottle of holy water to every cross."

"And what exactly for, my dear?" he moved his queen again.

"I learned a lot about my gypsy background while in school. I found some old documents that—when translated—proved to be very useful spells...particularly one that can take away power on certain talismans. To keep the Helsings from discovering my little enchantment before they confront you, the crosses and stakes and all that will still work on other vampires, just not on you. Oh, check."

"Check? A gypsy spell to protect your dear old father...even better than I could have ever planned."

"Then, when they try to battle the evil Lucard with no power, I will take what they hold most dear...their minds. I’ll give you the vampire family you’ve always wanted, and a new public image for Lucard Industries." She watched him look at the chessboard, puzzled. "Give up father, let me call check mate."

Alexander sighed but showed his pride. "You always were daddy’s little girl."

Cassandra, walked out of LI in an old pair of jeans and a red shirt. Not her choice of clothes to wear, but she was meeting Max and Sophie for lunch and had to look her mail room part. She got in her car and reached the café in a few minutes.

"Hey you two," she said, waving as she sat near Sophie and Max’s table. "Too bad Chris can’t join us."

"Yeah, he got a job delivering stuff for one of my uncle’s friends for the day," said Max.

"Oh well, at least you get us women, huh Max?" Cassandra said with a laugh and saw his face turn a little red.

"Max," said Sophie, "Did I see you blush?"

"Sophie, don’t tease him," Cassandra said. "It’s bad enough he has a brother to do that."

"You’re coming over right after work, right?" asked Max.

"Yea. Is everyone going to the castle or is someone going to stay behind with me?"

"I’m sure Max would volunteer to stay behind to protect you, but our house is well guarded by the Cross of the Magyars, so you’re safe as can be," said Sophie.

"No one’s approached you today, right?" asked Max.

"Don’t worry, no one in the corporate offices even knows I’m alive. I made a copy of that memo about tonight’s meeting, then kept it hidden in my clothes and shredded the original; Lucard will never even know anyone looked at it. What exactly are you guys going to do anyway? Tell this poor French guy he’s making dinner plans with the wrong guy or what?"

Sophie laughed, "Let’s just say we’ve always had a way with an entrance into Lucard’s castle; it won’t be the first time we’ve interrupted something."

So I’ve heard, Cassandra thought quietly to herself. "You haven’t ever caught Lucard during a more intimate moment have you?"

Sophie laughed. "Uhh, no. But to vampires an intimate moment is when they’re about to bite, and I’ve been in that situation with Lucard before."

"Wow, almost bitten by Dracula himself."

"Yup, we have a few war stories we could tell you," Sophie said.

"Well do tell, it will make lunch more interesting," said Cassandra. After all, I’ve heard dad’s versions about a dozen times.

Cassandra knocked on the door of Gustav’s house and was welcomed in by Max. She held onto her purse tightly as she walked near the staircase and the famous cross; it could ruin her spells if she was not careful. She knew that after they left, she would have to weaken its power before she could begin. She could feel the cross’s power; had she not been invited in the house, the cross would affect her vampire bloodline and send her flying out of the house like a rag doll.

"You like my cross?" asked Gustav.

"Very powerful, I can feel it."

"Then know that it will keep you safe in this house while we are gone," said Gustav. "I’m a little worried about you guys. I know you’ve entered Lucard’s castle dozens of times, but still...do you ever think it might be your last?" she asked, concerned.

"Of course...after all, in one trip we may actually kill him, but it’s a double-edged sword," said Gustav. "Don’t fear, I have been doing this since before you were even born."

Cassandra couldn’t help but let out a little laugh. "I believe you," she said.

"We have leftovers in the fridge if you get hungry," said Max. "And plenty of drinks and snacks."

"You make it sound like I’m baby sitting. You’re not staying behind, Max?" asked Cassandra sweetly.

"No, I am Max Townsend, fearless vampire hunter."

"Don’t let him fool you, Cassie," said Chris, "he gets pretty scared."

"Max, it’s the courage that counts, and you have plenty of that," she said smiling at him.

"Thank you," said Max, who smiled at her then turned to Chris and stuck out his tongue.

"Take care of yourselves," she said as she watched them pack up a bag with a cross and stake in it.

"Yes, ma’am," said Max, turning to her and waving.

"’Bye," she murmured as she watched them get into the car and drive off. "Yes, leave Miss Lucard all alone in your house. Oh, this is too easy!" she said with a laugh. "But first things first. This cross...no, it doesn’t go here, the color scheme is all wrong! I think I prefer to stick it outside for now," she said, pulling the Cross of the Magyars off the wall.

Once the cross was outside, Cassandra pulled the lead box out from her purse and removed a small vial; it contained Alexander’s blood, necessary to re-enchant all of the weapons in the house.

"Just a little concentration and a drop of daddy’s blood, and the Helsing weapons will be powerless against him," she said as she pulled out the small scrap of paper on which the chants were written. "If only I could weaken that stupid cross, but oh well. Father said Gustav never takes it out of the house anyhow." She pulled out a skeleton key she’d talked from the ownership of the house’s realtor and grinned.

Alexander was sitting in his chair by the fire reading a book as Gustav and the three children entered the room. "Surprise surprise, it’s Gustav and the children," he said not looking up from his book.

"Lucard," said Gustav puzzled.

"Yes, that’s me. I was trying to relax after a hard day’s work and read a good classic, but you have to burst into my castle."

"Uh...sorry?" stammered Max. "We thought you had someone else here with you."

"Do you see anyone else here?" said Lucard, sounding upset.

"What about your dinner with the senator?" asked Gustav.

"Dinner...hmmm...oh! That was rescheduled. Really Gustav, you need to get new spies."

"Oops," said Chris.

"Now let me think...I did write a memo about that dinner and I sent it to the mail room to be sent out; then after it was rescheduled, I called down and told Arnold that it and the copies were to be shredded. So that means you must have a spy in the mail room."

"We have spies all over. Too many for you to find."

"Maximillian, you really are an amusing little boy. Do you honestly think I’d buy that? Well your spy is obviously not very good... So this means I may have to send someone down to find him out." Lucard glanced at Max and, noticing the look of worry on the boy’s face, smiled back at him.

"I think we should leave," said Sophie.

"Clever girl," said Lucard. "Now really, I’m just sitting here trying to read. I’m not killing anyone, and certainly not chasing after the children tonight, so I think you should leave. After all, it may be quiet now, but a vampire’s home attracts vampires more than it does vampire hunters."

"We’ll leave," said Gustav. "But one night, Lucard, we will win."

Alexander Lucard let out a laugh. "No, one night I will win," he said as he watched them exit the castle.

Cassandra made one last walk around the Helsing home to make sure everything appeared as it was. The Cross of the Magyars was back in its place, the only protection left for Gustav. All the other weapons were back, newly cleansed so that they would have no effect on her or Lucard. She lay down on the couch and turned on the television, pretending to be asleep when she heard the door open.

"Cassie?" she heard Max cry out from the hallway.

"I’m in here," she said, sitting up and stretching.

"Max, you woke her up," said Sophie.

"It’s okay, I was only napping. Everyone okay?" asked Cassandra.

"Yes, we were wondering the same about you," said Chris.

"Fine, pretty quiet here. And you, did you catch Lucard before he turned the senator into dinner?"

"There was no dinner to begin with," said Gustav. "We found Lucard reading a book in a chair by the fire."

Cassandra tried not to laugh but let out a little giggle. "I know that’s not funny, but I can’t picture Dracula sitting by the fire reading a book."

"But you’re in danger now," said Max. "He knows we have a spy in the mail room."

"He found out? Does he know it’s me?"

"No, not yet," said Chris. "You know someone named Arnold?"

"Yeah, he’s my boss."

"Well Lucard called him and told him that the memo and all its copies were to be shredded because of a change in date," said Gustav. "So we figure Arnold may start asking around if Lucard tells him about this little incident."

"So? I can lie to him. He’s pretty much a pushover anyway."

"I have a feeling if Lucard talks to him, Arnold may get more of the Lucard Industries benefits," said Gustav.

"You mean made a vampire? Just to find some little employee who accidentally didn’t shred a memo? You want me to quit?"

"No, that would give you away even more. Just be on your guard around Arnold," Gustav said, handing her the cross he was carrying with him when he had left the house.

"Oh thanks, but won’t you need this?" she asked.

"I have plenty," said Gustav.

Max handed her the wooden stake he had in his backpack.

"Take this, too, it’s my lucky wooden stake. I haven’t actually used it yet, but I think it protects me."

"Thanks Max, I’ll keep it nearby. Now, I should get going home, need that sleep."

"Do you need an escort?" asked Max.

"I’m fine, really...I’ve taken self defense classes before. It’s so great to know that you all care about me."

"Cassie, if you will please come here after sunset tomorrow," said Gustav. "I’d be more than happy to let you stay here for now, as protection."

"That is kind of you, but I might be better off not talking to you much for a while, Lucard knows I work in the mailroom and he might have someone following me. And after all, vampires can’t enter my place unless I invite them, and I normally don’t let anyone in."

"Smart girl," said Gustav. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight, all," Cassandra said as she waved to them and walked to her car. She noticed Max stood there watching until she drove off.

Cassandra turned down the road leading up to Lucard’s castle, double-checking to see if she was being followed. She gave her car keys to one of the servants to park and went into the castle, transforming back into Cassandra Lucard as she entered.

"I hate being poor," she said as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. She lay down on the bed and enjoyed its softness, relieving the tension of the tiny futon in her apartment. "And it’s bad enough having to stay at that apartment with that tiny bed, do I want the couch at Gustav’s?"

"Staying at Gustav’s now?" she heard Alexander say as he walked into her room.

"Father, how many times must I tell you to knock? You’re getting just as bad as them!"

Alexander laughed, "How dare you insult your father like that? Besides, the door was open."

"I know, so how did it go? Gustav told me his night was a disaster. And now, I need more protection because they think you will use Arnold to go after your spy."

"Arnold? Oh, yes, Ms. Drake’s boss in the mailroom. He’s not in a good enough position to deserve the honor of being a vampire. Zombie perhaps, but not a vampire."

"I agree. Father, may I stay here tonight in my room? I hate that apartment, it’s so small."

"’I want my Mercedes, I want my room in the castle’...Cassandra, darling, you have to play out your role just a little longer."

"I know father, but just for one night. Please?" she said, looking up into his eyes with a pout.

"One night, just one. And don’t give me that look any more. You know how easy it is to persuade me like that."

"I learned from you."

Sophie walked into the small jewelry store and looked around. Most of the merchandise was too expensive for her, but she liked to browse when she had the time and pretend. She could hear a lady giggling when he store clerk told her how lovely the necklace looked on her. Sophie glanced over at the young lady, seeing that she looked no more then twenty-five or so and dressed in very nice clothes; she had gorgeous, silky blonde hair that reached past her shoulders.

"You will take the necklace then, miss?" the store clerk asked her.

"But of course. I need it for the ballet this week. I just love to wear rubies...family jewel, you know."

Sophie tried to get a better look at the lady, because her voice sounded familiar, with the slightest trace of an accent. She went closer to her but looked down at the case of rings, so as not to stare.

"Goodbye, and thank you sir," she said and glanced over at Sophie, who startled; there was something familiar about the lady, yet she knew she had never seen her before. The woman had beautiful crystal blue eyes that glinted almost like gems of their own.

"Excuse me," asked Sophie to the store clerk. "Who was that lady?"

"I really don’t know. She's new in town, but she has exquisite taste."

"Did she pay by credit card?"

"No, cash. Are you interested in a ring?"

"Oh no, just looking. Thank you though."

Sophie walked out of the store and looked to see where the lady had gone. She saw a black convertible Mercedes drive off and thought that it might have been that woman. Why does she look familiar to me? If she’s new in town then I doubt I know her, Sophie thought as she walked into another shop.

Lucard burst into Cassandra's office. "Cassandra Alexis Lucard! How many times must I tell you to be careful when you go out into public?!" he asked, frowning at her.

Cassandra looked up from her desk. "Calm down father, I only wanted to get a necklace for the ballet tomorrow night. You like it?" gesturing at it around her neck.

"Very lovely indeed...but my dear, I heard Sophie was shopping in the same area. Did she see you?"

"For a second, but she didn't recognize me. I pretended not to see her."

"Very good, but please be careful. You have to do this for daddy."

"I know, but I just wanted one little present. It felt so nice to buy it. You think Cassie Drake could afford it on her salary? In any case, we’re only delaying their deaths because it’s more fun this way. If anything goes wrong, we can simply have them killed."

Alexander laughed. "You have a point. Now, I want to take you to the ballet but what will you tell the Helsings?"

"I'm going out with a co-worker."

Alexander looked at her in shock.

"Just kidding...they don't trust anyone who works here, especially since they think you’re on to Miss Drake. I'll just tell them I need to go out of town to visit family. After all, it's not a total lie. I will be out of town with...family."

"Very well. Now, about our plans for Max, how are they going?"

"Couldn't be better. Don't worry, all our dreams are going to come true."

Go on to Chapter Three