by Susan R. Part Three: The Black Queen

Warning: some material may be inappropriate for young readers. Contains sexual content.

Chapter One: Lex and Sophie
           The city of Pittsburgh was alive with lights against the dark sky. Sophie paced back and forth around her dressing room as she looked out into the city. Tonight was her night to meet Lex and she was a nervous wreck. He had sent her a dozen roses and a card wishing her the best. He had invited her to meet him for a private dinner in his hotel suite after, and she debated about going.
           "I don't know if I can trust him," she told Gretta. "He's a stranger."
           "Sophia, listen to your heart. What is it telling you?"
           "That this is the man of my dreams. I feel like I know him so well, and he knows me. We have so much in common it's like I've known him for years."
           "Hmm, maybe you have. Could he be a past love?"
           "I doubt it. The only boy I was ever close to was Chris. And we've drifted apart since college."
           "Meet Lex tonight for dinner. Besides, didn't you take self-defense classes in college? I've seen you work out and you are tough, my dear."
           "Yeah, when I was a kid I had to battle some evil monsters. I learned how to fight back."
           Gretta laughed, assuming it had something to do with a bad childhood. She knew Sophie's parents had died when she was a girl and that she lost her guardian only a few years later. Gretta wondered if her new beau could be a Prince Charming to help Sophie move on and forget her past. "Go to him."
           "Okay, Gretta, I will. You kind of remind me of my mom."
           "Thanks, Sophia, because sometimes I feel like her."
           Sophie went to a small room and warmed up. She then went to her seat and tried not to let her nerves get the best of her. When the curtain went up, she looked out at the audience but the lights were too bright and she only saw shadows. "So, Lex, which shadow are you?" she asked herself.
           During the concert, Sophie played as if she was born with a violin in her hand. She relaxed in her music and tried not to think of the concert ending. But soon, it did, and she left the stage back to her room. She heard a knock on her door. "Yes," she called.
           "Miss Metternich?" a man's voice called.
           "Yes?" said Sophie as she went to open the door. To her surprise, there stood an older gentleman dressed in a tux. He looked to be around sixty. "Can I help you?"
           "Mr. Cardulla had to handle a very important business call. He is sorry but still want to meet you for dinner. I can drive you or you may take your own car."
           "I'll take my own car, thank you. Where is he staying?"
           "Pittsburgh Hilton and Towers, penthouse suite."
           "Thank you. I'll be leaving here shortly."
           "Yes, Miss, I'll give him the message." The man walked away and Sophie sighed. She touched up her make-up and grabbed a coat to cover up her long black velvet dress. She combed her long, brown curls and walked out of the theater.
           Sophie got very nervous as the hotel attendant took her to Mr. Cardulla's suite. She smiled when she saw the candles lit in the center of the table. A bottle of champagne was chilled on one side of the table and two glasses were next to it. Sophie took off her coat as she walked around the room, looking for clues about her mysterious secret admirer. She walked around the bedroom and looked in only to see just a couple of suits hanging in the closet. She walked around the entire suite and found nothing that gave her any idea of who she was meeting. Sophie noticed the beautiful view from the window and looked out into the night sky. She was so mesmerized by the night she did not hear anyone enter the room.
           "Pittsburgh is very beautiful at night, oui?" a man asked from behind. Sophie jumped when she heard him. She began to run but he stopped her. "Not yet, my dear. I want to enjoy this view, too."
           "You're Lex," she said trying to place his voice. I know that accent, but from where? Was Gretta right? Do I know him?
           "Yes, Sophie, I've known you for years." Lex placed his hands on her bare back just above where her dress ended in a V. "And you have grown more splendid over the past decade."
           Sophie did know him. That voice, I know...."Lucard!" she said as she turned to face him. Sophie gasped as she saw him standing behind her. His hair was still golden and his eyes were as blue and gray like the sea.
           "Sophie, my dear Sophie," he said as he bent to kiss her hand.
           Sophie pulled it away as if he had tried to bite her. "How dare you come back after all these years."
           "Yes, it has been awhile. I like to keep in touch with old friends."
           "I was never your friend. I hate you."
           "Ahh, I remember when you stayed at my castle. You were a great vampire."
           "I'm not any more. If you think I'll join you, I'd rather jump from this window."
           "Suicide? That's not like you, Sophie. Besides, do you think I would go through all this trouble to kill you?"
           "Yes. Everything is a game to you. Lex Cardulla. Where did you come up with that? I should have guessed... Lex, or is it Alex. No, it's Alexander."
           "I like my new name, although you sound like an angel when you say Alexander. You always did."
           "Damn you. What the hell do you want? You want to manipulate my feelings? Make me think I'm falling for this prince when he turns out to be you?"
           "I know you, Sophie. If we had just met, and you knew nothing about me, you would have fallen for me."
           "Bullshit! I could never."
           "Ahh, but you did. You see, even though you were only sixteen when you came to my castle as a vampire, I could see through your little crush. I thought it was cute. I knew you were still too young for me but in a few years, you would mature into a perfect vampire."
           "So what if I had a crush on you? I was a vampire. But, Chris ruined your little plans didn't he?"
           "No, he actually made them better. What do you remember about the first night you came to the castle?"
           "It's vague."
           "Think," he said as he looked into her eyes.
           "I came in when you and that doctor were having a drink. He left and we talked about my future and how I would work for you. We toasted with a drink."
           "Yes, a very special drink for you. Blood. My blood."
           "What! I drank your blood?"
           "Yes, and for ten years you have been a part of me. I know what you're thinking, dreaming. I know everything about you."
           "It's not true. After all, I'm not a vampire."
           "But, you will be. My blood is very powerful. If you jumped out that window, you would wake up tomorrow at sunset as a vampire."
           Sophie pushed him away. "No, it can't be true. I can't be one."
           "It's your destiny, my sweet. I had planned it years ago. The only thing I didn't plan, was that over the past ten years, I would fall in love with you."
           Sophie turned to look at him. "Love--you know nothing of love. You know about evil and manipulation, but not love."
           "Yes, Sophie I do know about love." Cardulla wrapped his arms around Sophie and held her. "For years, I tried not to think about you, but I did. You haunted me with your music and your poetry. You love all of the things that I do. I would visit you in your dreams and you didn't see me as a vampire."
           Sophie turned to look at him. "It's true. I do have your blood. I remember those dreams. NO! I hate you, Alexander. I HATE YOU!"
           "Hate me all you want, but I love you, Sophie." She slapped his face hard. He looked back at her and kissed her hard on the lips. He pushed her up against a wall as he kissed her hard. At first she fought to push him away, but soon she was kissing him back. He let his hand drift down her bare back and felt her leg. He pushed her dress up as she lifted her leg. Alexander knew he could have her now but he wanted to wait. He wanted her to come to him.
           Alexander stopped kissing her and looked at her. He was breathing hard and he smiled at her. "Sophie, my love, you know where to find me," he said before vanishing off into the night.
           Sophie looked at the empty room. "What the hell was I thinking?" she asked herself. "I was kissing Alexander Lucard, and I liked it. No, I won't let him get to me. Damn you, Lucard," she said as she went to get a glass of water. She took one sip and then threw the glass at the wall. "DAMN YOU!"
           As Sophie walked out of the room, she could hear his laughter in her head.

Chapter Two: Return to Europe
           Sophie sat in her apartment, unable to move from her couch. It was two a.m. and all she could think about was Lucard being Lex. For months, she had waited to meet her admirer, only to find out he was her worst enemy. She laid her head on one of the pillows and closed her eyes.
           Sophie was sixteen and it felt great to be alive. Vincent had turned her into a vampire and she felt young and free. She knew where she had to go. He will be very happy to see me, she thought as she walked up the driveway to the castle.
           Sophie found her way to the main room and saw Lucard talking to another vampire. He was an old vampire as well--she sensed it. She smiled at the two of them. Lucard was her master now. She was welcomed by Lucard and introduced to the vampire doctor, Dr. Varney. He soon left and she was alone with him.
           "Sophie, you are going to be a great vampire and I'll be here to guide you. I'll start you out at Lucard Industries so you can become familiar with what I do."
           "Wonderful, Alexander. I'm so excited."
           "I want to propose a toast, but let me get a drink for you. You deserve the best."
           Sophie smiled as he walked away. Oh, she was going to love it here. As a teenager, she had always had a small crush on Lucard, but, now, she thought her little fantasies might come true. She would get to live in his castle and work with him. Something was bound to happen between them, she thought.
           Alexander returned with a golden goblet for her to drink out of. "A special drink for a special vampire," he said, giving it to her. He held up his own glass and smiled, "to the future."
           "To the future," she said as she smiled at him and than drank. It was blood, but very strange. She felt it had power in it. She felt a desire to kiss him as the blood warmed her veins.
           "Come, Sophie, let me show you to your room." She was taken through several hallways before arriving at a wooden door. Alexander opened it to reveal a beautiful bedroom. It had a large bed with white sheets and white curtains around the canopy. There was a wooden vanity table, dresser, and a desk against the walls. There was a giant closet and next to it a bathroom. "Fit for a young queen," he said.
           "Will I need a bed?"
           "You may. Rest is important to vampires, you know. And coffins can be uncomfortable, especially to new vampires. Now get a chance to settle in. I'll have my servants buy you any clothes you wish. I have other things to take care of so I'll leave you for now," he said and kissed her lightly on the forehead.
           Sophie danced around her new room. It was wonderful. Much better than that little room next to Max and Chris. She sat down on the bed. The sheets were pure silk and it was very soft. Sophie pictured making love to Lucard in this very bed. Ah, Lucard, I will seduce you. Even if it takes me a century, we'll be lovers.

           Sophie awoke to a clock chiming four. She looked around her apartment. She got up and went to the kitchen. She found a wine cooler in her fridge and opened it. She drank it as she walked around. She walked over to her window over looking the city. She glanced over to the PPG building lit up. She always thought it looked like a castle. Now, it reminded her of Lucard's castle. She remembered the night that they were to go to the embassy for a party. He had bought her a sexy red dress for her to wear. She was to persuade a senator from voting on a bill that would help Lucard Industries. She was planning on dancing with the senator and then Lucard. She was beginning to want Lucard even more.
           "God, how could I have felt that way about him. Even as a vampire," she whispered at the window. "Because he's a vampire and he has a way with women." Sophie ran into her bedroom and grabbed he suitcase. She grabbed clothes and began to shove them into it. She pulled dresses from hangers and emptied her drawers of underwear and socks. She then pulled out a trunk from her closet and opened it. It was full of things that she had kept from her parents and from Uncle Gustav. She pushed away some photos and pulled out a wooden stake. She found another along with a small box containing a gold cross. She put the items in her suitcase and zipped it up. She grabbed a smaller bag and put her make-up and other supplies inside. She ran back to the trunk and got a small bottle of holy water and put it in next to her hair spray. She grabbed her purse and made sure she had her credit cards, passport, and some money.
           Sophie walked out to the front of her apartment and saw the same servant from the night before standing next to a limo. "Miss Metternich, do you need a ride to the airport?" he asked.
           "Yes."
           "Mr. Cardulla left his private jet for you."
           "Yes, he thought of everything, didn't he. Well, good, I'll take it. I just need to stop for some breakfast on the way."
           "Very well, miss," he said as he took her bags and put them in the trunk.

           Sophie slept during most of her flight. She didn't dream of Lucard, but instead of Uncle Gustav's funeral. She had cried in Chris's arms during the ride to the cemetery. Just as she began to walk away, she saw a car drive close. She looked over at it. Black Mercedes.
           Sophie woke up crying softly. A lady came in to tell her that they would be landing soon. Sophie sat up and put on her seat belt. Oh, how I wish Uncle Gustav was still here, she thought.
           Sophie was escorted to a black Mercedes waiting for her. The driver took her though the town where she had lived as a child. More buildings had been added and some changed, but it still looked the same to her. They passed Lucard Industries and it made her stomach turn. She saw the road that would take her to the old house and it made her sad. Soon, she was going up the familiar road to Lucard's castle. It hadn't changed at all.
           Sophie followed the servant to her old bedroom. She told him to leave her bags and she would put her own clothes away. Her room had been freshened up for her. White candles were lit all over as the sun began to set. "Wait," she called out to the servant, who ran back to her. "Is Mr. Luc--Cardulla home?"
           "No, miss. He had a late meeting. He will be home in about an hour or two," the little man said. He bowed to her and then left.
           Sophie walked into the bathroom and saw that towels had been set out for her. She looked at the large bathtub and thought she needed one. Sophie relaxed in the warm bubbles that surrounded her. She closed her eyes and thought of her days as a child, playing at the park not far from the castle. "Sophie" she heard someone whisper in her ear.
           Sophie's eyes bolted open. She looked around but there was no one in the room. Lucard, she thought as she got up and grabbed a towel. He's home.
           Sophie looked at the door and saw a red dress hanging on it. It was the same dress from the embassy party, only it was longer. A note was posted to it. "Join me for dinner, my love." She ripped the note off. "Oh, yes, I'll join you for your funeral," she said as she took the dress down. Sophie couldn't believe how well it fit. She dried her hair and touched up her make up. She then took one of the stakes out of her bag and held it in her hand. She slowly walked through the castle remembering the way to the main hall. She found the door open and walked down the stairs.
           Alexander sat in front of the fire reading his news paper. "Hello, Sophie," he said.
           "Good-night, Lucard," she said as she aimed a stake right at his chair. The stake went through the velvet lining as Lucard stood behind her. He grabbed her arm and she dropped the stake. "Let go of me," she said as she tried free her arm.
           "Is that any way to treat your host?" he asked as he looked at her.
           "Go to hell," she said looking at him. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top and his tie was laying on the floor.
           "Not tonight. You look very elegant in your dress. Red is definitely your color."
           "Yes, Lex told me it was his favorite. Why did you come after me? Why create Lex?"
           "Do you really think you would read any of my letters if I signed them Alexander Lucard? Besides, I like the name Lex." He let go of her arm but picked up the stake before she had a chance.
           "Yeah, it makes me think of Lex Luther. You two have a lot in common."
           "Sophie, you are my lovely Cleopatra."
           "I remember in my letters. You used Shakespeare's quotes."
           "'You did know/ How much you were my conqueror, and that/ My sword made weak by my affections would/ Obey it on all cause.'" He took the stake and pointed it at his heart. He pierced the top of his skin so that it began to bleed.
           "Don't!" Sophie said as she pushed away the stake. She watched as his shirt began to turn red from his blood. She watched the blood and felt a desire to drink. She felt a strange hunger inside her. Sophie pressed her lips on the wound and kissed it. In an instant, it was healed. She licked up the drops of blood from his chest and then looked up at him. Sophie kissed him hard on the lips as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She pressed her body up against his as she kissed his neck and moved slowly down to his chest.
           Alexander bent down and picked her up and carried her over to one of the windows. She wrapped her legs around him as she kissed him. He began to kiss her on her neck and chest. He pulled at the material around her neck and it broke apart. He let one of his fangs touch her skin and could feel her blood flowing with his tongue. "No, Sophie, not tonight. I want to wait until you're ready to be a vampire."
           "Yes, I want to wait." Lex began to stand up. "Alexander," she said as she looked at him.
           "Yes, my love."
           "Make love to me."
           "As you wish, my queen," he said as he kissed her. He carried her up the stairs and took her to her room. He tore away her dress as he laid her on the bed. She pulled away his shirt and tossed it next to her dress. He kissed her all over and teased her before taking her. Sophie screamed out in pleasure. They continued on through the night before she was too tired to go on any more. Sophie slept in his arms as the sun began to rise.

Author's Note: I just want to acknowledge that Sophie's dream comes from "Bad Blood" and "Sophie, Queen of the Night," two of my favorite episodes that inspired me to write this. Also, from Shakespeare's Anthony and Cleopatra, Act III, scene xi. And finally, Lex Luther is a trademark of D.C. Comics and Warner Brothers.

Continued in Part Four: Check

Fan Fiction / Lucard's Home Page / lpetix@dpcc.com