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It was nearly midnight when Andrew finally managed to delicately excuse himself from the long conversation he had found himself involved in and invited me for a midnight stroll.

“I hope you do not mind, but I would very much like to talk with my sister alone,” Andrew said with his usual boyish smile.

Again, I sensed something peculiar in Andrew’s expression but I could not quite decipher it.

Vlad glanced toward me, nodding. “Of course, of course. The moon is almost full tonight and the gardens are beautiful by moonlight. ”

Andrew offered his arm to me and I happily let him help me to my feet. As we moved to leave the room, arm in arm, Vlad stood up and took hold of my other arm. He leaned forward and kissed my cheek affectionately and whispered so lightly no mortal could hear, “Remember. ”

I lowered my head slightly, acknowledging his threat. Andrew either took no notice of the exchange or pretended not to have seen it. Smiling warmly down at me, he guided me out of the house and down into the serenity of the gardens.

Vlad was right. The garden was lovely by night. The moon was a brilliant orb in the indigo sky. I could not help but find comfort in its soft luminescent light.

“We have hardly had a chance to really speak tonight,” An

drew said after several minutes of peaceful silence. We strolled slowly down a pathway winding our way through the slumbering flower beds. “Your husband rather likes to talk. ”

“He is a very intelligent man,” I conceded carefully. I could still sense that there was something peculiar about my brother’s state of mind.

“He seems to be very intent on moving to England,” Andrew decided in a very odd tone.

I cast a wary glance at my brother as I carefully considered my answer. “My husband is fascinated by our homeland. ”

Andrew suddenly whirled about and took me roughly by the shoulders. “What has happened to you? Where are your flippant remarks? Your sharp tongue? You answer me as though you are frightened to answer incorrectly. I do not know what is happening here, but something is deeply wrong. Wrong with you, with Vlad, with everything. Nothing is as it seems and I know it! You cannot hide the truth from me. He is not here with us now, Glynis. You must tell me the truth now. If you do not, I will refuse to help Vlad and I will find a way to free you from this marriage and take you home!” Andrew said all this fiercely, his grip tightening on my arms. His face was full of desperate anger and frustration.

Fear gripped me so tightly I could scarcely think straight. I had to calm his fears and protect him at all costs. “Andrew, please do not be upset. ”

“How must I feel, Glynis? My family died in a strange accident! My only living sister has her face hidden behind a thick veil so I cannot even look upon it! I am being forced to help a man I cannot even bear move to England. What happened, Glynis? What happened on that damned mountain? What happened to everything that was dear to us?” Andrew demanded fiercely. His eyes glittered with tears. “Please, Glynis, tell me the truth. ”

I took a wavering breath, pressing my hands against his flushed face. My touch seemed to soothe him, and he fell against me.

“Please, Glynis, please, tell me. ”

“Andrew, we have always been close. Always. We were always in trouble together and I always trusted you with my deepest secrets. Remember when I could have blundered into the most horrible trouble after I managed to meet Lord Byron. But I did not because you never told Mother and Father. Andrew, dear Andrew, I must speak to you frankly. Please, please, listen to all I say and take all to heart,” I said breathlessly, my mind racing. I had to make him believe me and to do that, I had to tell the truth or a close version to it.

My brother stared down at me fearfully, his gaze searching for the glimmer of my eyes beneath my heavy veil. “Tell me, Glynis. Tell me the truth. Please, I beg you. ”

I drew in a wavering breath then began to speak in a soft, passionate voice. “Andrew, our family died tragically in the Carpathian Mountains. Nothing can change that fact. I tried to save them, but I was helpless against those forces that took them from us. I was devastated when our family died, Andrew. Quite honestly, I went through a period of madness. I could not accept that Father, Mother, and May were dead. I was desperately lonely without them, and I could not deal with what I had become. I hated my very existence and prayed for death. I had no peace, no comfort. I was very much alone in my own personal hell. After awhile, I took comfort in knowing that our family is safe in the arms of God and that in England you were safe with Angeline. But still there were times I felt I might go mad forever. You have noticed how peculiar my relationship is with my husband. It is very difficult to explain our situation. He is my husband, my protector, and in some ways, my captor with his need for me. I cannot leave him, Andrew. I am bound to him because of all that has happened. He has my devotion, my loyalty. He demands it and I give it to him. Because of him, I am here today with you. I need you to accept these things. I know it is difficult for you to see me this way and accept that I am married to a mysterious foreign count, but this is the reality of my life now. Vlad wishes to go to England. So do I. I want to go home, Andrew. I want to see England. I want to leave this country and all the horrors that I have suffered here and find peace in England. Please, help us, please,” I finished emotionally. I collapsed into his embrace.

Andrew wrapped his arms tightly around me, fresh tears falling down his ruddy cheeks. “Oh, Glynis, Glynis. I love you, dear sister. I will do as you ask. I cannot deny your request. It just seemed so odd to see you this way. I do not know what I thought, but I was afraid that you were unhappy. I wanted to free you from Vlad. ”

“Andrew, just help us move to England and that will make me so very happy. It is all I ask of you. Please promise me, you will do what Vlad requests,” I urgently whispered.

“I promise, Glynis,” my brother swore passionately. “I promise you that I will help you. ”

I wept with relief and despair. Andrew is snagged in Vlad’s web and I have lured him into it. Bitterness filled me as I clung to Andrew in desperation.

It still fills me as I write this. I swear that no matter what happens, I will not allow my brother to endure the same fate as the rest of my family. In the end, I would rather kill myself and destroy Vlad’s plans then ever allow Andrew to suffer.

Chapter 27

The Journal of Lady Glynis Wright

8th of April, 1820

Buda, Hungary

This last month has been the most marvelous yet nerve wracking time of my short life as a vampire. After my emotional plea to my brother, Andrew has endeavored to accept my new life. Though a hint of suspicion has lingered in his blue eyes, Andrew has held his tongue. Around Vlad he is quite civil, bordering on extreme politeness.