For a short moment, there was a flash of anger in his eyes. The change of emotion in his eyes was so short, in fact, that if Isaac hadn't been looking, he wouldn't have been able to see it. His fist clenched and unclenched just as fast. Then, a small, reassuring smile made it's way onto his face as he turned to Isaac.
"She has? Hm.." Vlad cocked his head to the side and sighed. "Alright. We'll have to take extra precautions. I know this is Ivan's job, but since he isn't here at the moment, I want you to bump up security; cover all exits with double security. I want cameras checked to make sure all are functional, and if there are some areas that need them, get them installed there. I want extra patrols. Oh," Vlad squinted and lowered his voice, "watch Danni more closely. I don't want her giving anything away that she doesn't need to. I already talked to her, but you never know. It shouldn't be much of a problem, I already threatened that I would make her watch as her husband was tortured to death, so that should be good enough. If not, I have something else up my sleeve that just might work."
For a whole year, everything had been going to plan; his adopted daughter hadn't suspected anything. The prisoners had been unruly, there was no need for extra surveillance, nothing. Now, he brings Danni into the equation, and suddenly everything was needed to be changed. He really hoped that she wasn't going to be more trouble than she was worth, or else he would have to part with Danni, Delilah, and his oh-so-favorite inmate, Mike.
With a small sigh, Vlad continued, "Cassius is out with the search party, Isaac. They left a long time ago. They should be back..." Vlad reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a small pocket watch. The watch was nothing fancy, but that was not to say it wasn't ornate, either. It was a small, bronze watch, plated in gold, and covered with various curving lines. Upon closer examination, the small dips and rises created an image; a small knight helmet, topped with three large feathers, and surrounded by other various furls and curls. Under the helmet, was a small shape that resembled a shield, also surrounded with the furls and curls that surrounded the helmet. Inside of the shield was a castle with three towers; one on the left, one in the middle, and one on the side. Under the shield was a small scroll, with a name, barely readable now, etched inside of it.
When the small knob was pressed, the pocket watch opened up to a small clock with roman numerals, and a smaller clock, the second clock, with a short second hand ticking away endlessly. On the back of the cover, was a small engraving that read, "May our time together never run out." The initials under it were virtually unreadable, just like the name on the scroll, due to endless years of being rubbed over with a thumb. It was a gift from someone very special, someone from another time, when Vlad's life was full of smiles and care-free feelings, now a distant memory.
Vlad looked up and shook his head. "Yes, they have been gone an awfully long time. I wonder when they will be ba-"
At that moment, there was a small flash of light, and a sound that resembled the "zap" of a conductor almost touching the main sphere of a Van de Graff generator. When the flash was gone, there stood Ivan, his permanent scowl etched on his face. He turned to Vlad and shook his head.
Vlad smiled and nodded at Ivan. "Ivan, glad to see you back. Did you catch any more humans? Where is the rest of the search party?"
"I don't know where they are, Sir," Ivan mumbled. "I was separated from the group when your 'niece' ran off, yet again. I was able to finally find her, when she was walking into the complex with an unconscious human, and another supernatural. I handled the situation, and I have given the other female a choice as to whether she wants to work for us, or be tortured." Ivan shifted a bit and shook his head again. "Sir, I mean no disrespect when I say this, but I really think that you should control your 'niece' a lot better. If she is given too much slack, she might end up brining in someone who may try and kill you."
Vlad grabbed his shoulder reassuringly and nodded. "I understand your concern, Ivan. I will talk to her. In the mean time, you and I can deal with the female." Vlad turned to Isaac. "Thank you for informing me about Delilah, Isaac. I am sure you will make sure everything that I have asked of you is done. In the mean time, while I go and deal with the new situation, I want you to find Danni and Delilah, and walk with them to make sure Delilah doesn't ask any unnecessary questions, and that they don't leave the castle grounds. Thank you, Isaac. That is all for now." With that, Vlad turned and walked out of the room with Ivan.