Summary: Everyone has heard the legend of Dracula but everyone knows it isn't true. When Grad student Nicole Harper travels to Transylvania to work in the castle of Vlad the Impaler, the supposed home of Count Dracula himself, she isn't worried. But when she meets the owner of the castle, the dark and mysterious ancestor of the historical count, she cannot help the quickening of her pulse and the chill that rushes up her spine. It does not take long for her to discover, that these walls were no longer a sanctuary from the hungry wolves howling outside the castle, but a prison.

Note: I am writing this story as if the events in Bram Stoker's Dracula actually occurred. Nicole would not have read the book because the book never existed. Hope that makes sense.

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Prologue:

Nicole looked up at the magnificent castle with awe and excitement in her bones. The chance to explore the castle, the corridors and secret passage ways, for her final dissertation was the chance of a lifetime. And as she looked up at the domineering towers and sharp unforgiving iron gates, she once again reminded herself to thank the owner.

The owner of the Castle, aptly named Vlad Dracula, had responded to her request quickly and matter of factly. His words were brief and to the point, immediately arousing excitement in Nicole's breast that this was actually going to happen. When he asked her age and to send him a small picture of herself Nicole had been slightly taken aback and made curious, but his explanation was enough for her.

I would like to know who will be joining me in the castle. I do not let just anyone come and explore my home.

She had assented and sent him a recent picture of her taken at a birthday party. She did not have to wait long for a letter to reply giving her permission to come to the castle. Nicole had kept Dracula's letters not because there was anything interesting in them but because of the strange way in which he wrote them.

At first Nicole had been surprised he could only be reached through letter, and when she opened his first correspondence to see the fancy script written in jet black ink on the paper her surprise increased. It was so beautifully writer, perfectly slanted and tastefully flourished, that Nicole had shown it to her advisor and friends.

"What a strange man," Nicole mused as she looked it over.

Flinging her backpack over her shoulder and grabbing onto her travel bags Nicole began to walk toward the giant heavy doors that stood before her. She could not keep the smile off her face as he walked up the steps. What a magnificent experience for her. She was going to be in the actual castle of Vlad the Impaler, living with a direct descendent of the man.

She made a list of all the things she wanted to see in her head. She wondered if Dracula would know what room his ancestor actually lived in, if any of his things had survived the centuries. Some thought her crazy for thinking this, but she did not think it was so far a stretch. The family of Dracula had been famously reclusive for the last few centuries. They rarely left the castle and when they did it was under great efforts to remain unknown. Nicole would not have been surprised if he was hiding things away in the castle.

Nicole knocked on the door, excitement budding in her chest to the point of bursting. How lucky was she to be able to spend the summer in the castle of Vlad the Impaler, the supposed home of the evil Count Dracula. Nicole giggled to herself. She had read that book Jonathon Harker had written in the early 1900s about the living count being a vampire. It was nothing but the illogical ramblings of a madman as far as Nicole was concerned. No doubt that book had caused the poor man Dracula many problems. The village people were frightened enough, holding on to old traditions and fearing something that they simply did not understand.

Nicole knocked again.

She was impatient only due to her excitement and she bounced up and down on the balls of her feet. She shifted the weight of her back pack and raised her hand to knock again. She froze when the heavy door began to swing open and took a step back. What she saw on the other side took her breath away.

Dressed in a black suit that Nicole could imagine Vlad the Impaler wearing when he was alive was the most handsome man she had ever seen in her life. Red lips the color of blood, white skin near the color of paper and high cheek bones. His eyes were dark and piercing. Nicole felt a shiver run up her spine as she looked at him. For a moment she felt lost in his stare, unable to move or think.

This was the man she was going to be living with for the next few months? No twenty three year old woman had ever been so happy. Goosebumps broke out over her skin when a small, sensuous smile spread to his lips.

"Nicole, welcome," his voice was richly accented and deep. It lulled her deeper into her haze. "Please, come in."

She moved at the invitation, picking up her bags and stepping toward him. The castle was cool as she stepped inside and as she passed by him she felt a wave of icy air wash over her. When the heavy door slid shut she heard the distinct sound of a lock clicking but she thought nothing of it. When Dracula came back around to face her the sensuous smile was still on his lips and Nicole, out of her haze, fought back the giggle that threatened to break free. She would not act like a school girl with a crush in front of this handsome, deliciously European, man.

But when he reached for her free hand, wrapped his icy, pale fingers around hand, bringing it to his lips, the giggle did break free, and her face flushed crimson.