Standing the Test of Time

Author: Erin-Starlight

Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters nor am I making money off this. This is just for fun.

Summary: When captured in the aftermath of a battle Spike finds himself at the mercy of his old rival--Count Dracula. Will he be saved before it’s too late or will he be lulled into something even more dangerous than the Counts’ wrath?

Warning: This is slash. It will have some Spike/Dracula and Spike/Angel in it. This is a challenge I took up to do a Dracula slash fic with the guys. I'm not usually a slash writer but I did it for this challenge, where I had to set in up some in my last fic.

Authors Note: This story takes place after my one shot “William Restored.”

Spoilers: For the Peter David IDW comics Spike vs. Dracula 1-5.

The search for the escaped prisoners had gone on fruitlessly until daybreak when the Count had to end his part in it. Ilie had been spirited away to be guarded with the rest of the servants as sending him back to his tribe had been forbidden until the followers of Mihai were found. Dracula had found the whole ordeal tiring and frustrating. All he wanted was to return to his chamber, perhaps to drink a glass of brandy and rest.

When he arrived he soon found that like all his other desires of late it was not to be. Sitting upon his bed was Elsa who unlike most of his brides would not take no as an answer even if she suffered for her rudeness. He knew that her appearance was because of concerns closer to the heart not material things though. The one thing that she cared about more than anything in the world (even him) was her family. Elsa had been very close to her family as a human and would not be separated from them even in death. To ensure her happiness he had granted her request to have her loved ones live with them in Romania.

For generations they worked within the castle keeping her line alive. Many had declined offers of immortality preferring to live out their lives as humans. Only five had accepted, three that had met a dusting ending while serving their master and protecting Elsa. The two surviving members were the ones she had turned herself, Hans and Jon. While the Count could not stand their slow minded nature he could not deny the results that their brutality sowed.

Madam Drake and her children were the only living family Elsa had left and they had been harmed in his absence. Caught in the crossfire of rogue demons that did not accept that the humans were under Draculas’ protection. She had been spewing her righteous fury since his return and with their own concerns about Mihai none of the other brides had intervened.

"I do not wish to discuss it at this hour, Elsa." He informed her undressing for bed. The woman acted as if he had not spoken having the nerve to advance on him.

"You have yet to hear me out early as you were busy with other affairs of state. You have not answered my question either. This is the only hour I can speak with you without interruption." Her voice rose at the last sentence bringing his attention to the new objects of her ire. At the doorways stood Marishka, Aleera, and Verona clearly waiting for the own more private audience with the Count. To tired from the days events to even consider the temptation in front of him, he dismissed the trio.

"Speak your mind and be gone then. I am in no humor to speak in circles."

"What do you intend to do about it?" She asked huffily.

In moments like these he questioned his wisdom when he fell for the beauty in front of him. Not that he had ever been wise in love, such a statement was laughable. No one truly in love could escape the fate of acting like a fool for their lovers. Still he had never found these acts of her anything but an annoyance at best. At worst she threatened to risk his wrath. Many times his other brides had to act on his behalf to set her on the right path. When she wasn’t so demanding the two of them were inseparable and he would wonder how he could have ever think such things about her. Amused by his own musings he almost forgotten that Elsa was expecting a reply. Cupping her face bringing it closer he gently wiped away a tear that had escaped.

"I have promised to protect your family my Elsa, and I will. I will avenge their losses as well. I can not do either until this matter is solved or I will risk endangering us all. Do you understand my love?"

She nodded but her shoulders slumped in defeat. Elsa never could stay angry at him for long when he was like this and hated the small defeat. Placing a chaste kiss a upon her brow he pulled her securely into his arms.

"How does the search go?" She asked hopefully.

"Not well, although three of the escapees have been captured one has eluded us." Dracula confessed willing his anger not to show otherwise it would only encourage her foul mood further. "The most puzzling aspect of these rebels is the almost smug manner that they displayed when caught. We have yet to even find any evidence of their deeds that would explain this."

"That is frustrating, I can’t say that I am not disappointed by this news." Elsa confessed glumly. "I’ve never seen such chaos and outright insanity within a land."

"Obviously you have never been to California." Dracula replied dryly.

"Please be serious."

"You know me well Elsa, you should know by now that none will escape me for long. I will make those who have harmed us suffer to the fullest extent. This I promise."

Several hours later in different bedroom another vampire sat against the headboard staring at the far wall. The dreams had returned in full force and as usual Spike couldn’t rest afterwards. Familiar desires came with them though they could not be satisfied tonight. Not that it mattered much as they never were completely fulfilled anyway.

Feeling the compulsion to do something now that he was awake Spike rose from the bed intent on finding a flaw in Draculas’ homey prison. The doorway repelled him on numerous tries failing to show any weakness. The drawn windows still showed signs of daylight outside so that option was out for the time being. Every nook and cranny was tested for useful items to no avail, and in desperation the blond had even attempted to find secret passage ways.

"Is it too much to ask for one of those sodding novels to be right for once?" Spike asked out loud.

"I assume that you are referring to the mystery novels and not the home decorating ones." A soft voice called from the doorway.

A raven haired beauty with a dark complexion greeted him apparently amused at his attempted escape. Something about her knowing look reminded him faintly of Drusilla though her sanity made those comparisons fleeting at best. She appeared to be of gypsy decedent yet her scent was that of a vampire. He never heard of a gypsy that had wanted to be one of his kind before, had he? Something nagged at his memory but was too elusive to grab onto. Deciding to just go with the flow (not to mention to cover his embarrassment at being found with his head in the fireplace) he cleared his throat.

"Uh right, just checking to make sure..." Not certain what he could claim to be looking for he changed tact. "...Is there something you’re looking for? Something that I could help you with maybe?"

Spike raised an eyebrow as his gaze drew over her form. He smirked when she turned back to the door, figuring he had upset one of Draculas’ haughty brides. Instead she cast a come hither glance over her shoulder at him. Startled he took an involuntary step backwards.

"Perhaps there is at that though I feel that you are not ready yet."

With that said she left the chamber leaving no doubt that she expected him to follow. Having no better ideas Spike did so unable to have caution overrule his curiosity. He was able to pass the barrier though somehow he wasn’t that shocked, not dwelling on the whys he followed the other. The dull hallways faded in midst of her enchanting presence, her dark hair swaying with every movement. When he was human he would have described such a sight as an image from a dream. Spikes’ dreams though were not nearly as surreal as late so he felt that it ill suited this mysterious woman.

Spike did not believe he was under a thrall either as his past experiences had left him dizzy and fatigued. Nor could he say that it was akin to love, there was an attraction to be certain but the all consuming burning desires were not present. She was not a woman of light like he had seen in Buffy nor one wholly of darkness like his princess Drusilla. He felt that he knew her of old yet she was still an enigma.

Don’t be taken in by those who are quick to charm you. Not all use magic to get their ways, William. If they take an unnerving interest in you and seek you out it is only for their profit. Never yours. It’s best to let them play their game out to see their hand before you can press your advantage.

Those were the sage words of Darla when the two of them had been split from Angelus and Drusilla. Darla had wanted to teach the younger vampire some hard learned lessons that she knew all too well. Granted that Spike had rarely used the advice given his urges and lack of patients but when he did things had always worked out to his advantage.

Given what he knew about gypsies and magic Spike was certain that he could not let himself be taken in by this woman. No matter what he had to stay focused and be in control. It was then that he realized that she had led them into a dark hallway lit by candles with large windows covered by heavy drapes. He had no idea where they were in the castle and although the designs seemed familiar enough he knew that they were a long way from his assigned room.

"That’s far enough, luv," he felt proud that his voice hadn’t betrayed his unease, "I’d like to know a few things ‘fore we go any further."

She turned to face him but he could not see her expression as the shadows hid it from his view. "Such as?"

"A name for starters I reckon, you do have me at a bit of a disadvantage. You seem to know ‘bout me so the way I see it the proper thing to do would be to have an introduction."

"Of course, forgive me. I was not certain if you would recall me."

"We’ve met?" Spike was uncertain, something was familiar about her but he doubted he could forget her if they had met her.

"In a manner of speaking no we have not." She stepped into the candlelight her dark eyes boring into his steadily. "You helped my love recover me when I was kidnapped."

The pieces finally snapped into place as Spike looked on the other vampire with this new insight. "You’re the bird that was taken by the Nazis’ that I helped that pounce save when I came for Darla. Just before that git backstabbed me!"

"Yes, that was me." She said completely ignoring his insults directed at his lover. "I am Anselina."

Before Spike could say another word Anselina was already on the move. She glided more than she walked towards him. Wary he stood perfectly still as she circled him giving the impression that she was measuring him up. Once she had come face to face with him again she stared deeply into his eyes. Wanting to look away in fear of some type of thrall but unwilling to show any weakness he stared back at her evenly. Satisfied with what she found she broke contact to take a seat on one of the benches against the stone wall.

Feeling slightly foolish Spike folded his arms waiting for the other vampire to make her move. He didn’t have to wait long.

"I must say that the rumors concerning you have been very..." her mouth twisted slightly trying to figure the right word to use, "...conflicting. I confess that I am deeply intrigued with the tales."

"That right? Bit of a legend in these parts am I?" Spike smirked liking the idea of the Counts’ people gossiping about him. The git must have been aggravated to have that much focus taken away from him and placed onto his rival. That had to have hurt the inflated ego of his.

"I suppose I owe Martha and Greta apologies for doubting their words." She went on as if he hadn’t spoken looking at him intently. "I honestly did not think that men still dyed their hair that style since the eighty at least."

His mouth dropped in dismay before glaring at her. Not that the woman had the grace to be intimated, far from it she smiled at him serenely. "I personally believe you would be quite the catch if you let your hair return to it’s natural state. You hide yourself far too much behind this appearance."

"Oi! Who are you to tell me how I should look? Not everyone can stay in the clothes they were turned in." Mumbling about nosy daft bints he slumped onto the bench further from her not interested enough to flirt with the woman any further. When she did not move for several moments he glared back at her sullenly.

"You are most entertaining William the Bloody but you misunderstand me. I did not mean to injure your pride, I tend to forget how fragile the male ego is from time to time." Anselina smiled winningly causing Spike to snort. "I just can not understand how you can hide such beauty."

Spike tried to cover his shy smile unused to such rare flattery.

"I believe you said that you wanted to know "a few things", yes? What else is on your mind?"

"Huh? Oh, right." Shaking off the lingering traces of his poet self he brought back his mask of boredom. "Just where were you planning on taking me just now?"

Anselina ignored the leer and motioned to the far left to a door down the corridor. "To your next chore, the guards are...detained at the moment and I volunteered to accompany you."

Not letting on that he noticed her slip about the guards, or that she felt confident enough to watch him alone he smirked back at her. "I take it that this is going to be an interesting task, eh?"

"I suppose you could say that." Anselina smiled secretly.