Page 152

“Father Ignatius,” he answered, standing up slowly, letting the shadows fall from his face.

“Liar,” I answered.

“Are we not both liars?” he said with a smile, then caught my wrist, drawing me near. “Why the veil, Countess Dracula?”

“Why the cassock?” I tried to pull away, but he was stronger. He was warm from feeding.

“Are you scarred? Did the hunters hurt you? Or your husband harm you?” He reached for the veil as I pulled back. “Tell me, dearest Glynis…or shall I say Countess…why is your face covered? Are you truly mourning your family?”

Despite my absolute desire to kiss him, I was angry with him, so I fought him and tried to draw away once more. He pulled me about and pulled back the veil.

“Your face is whole,” he whispered, and I realized he was quite relieved.

I was going to make a flippant remark, but he kissed me, passi

onately, desperately, and all words were lost as I responded.

Finally, his lips left mine and he said softly, “I feared the worst when you did not come to me that night. ”

“I could not. My brother is in town and Vlad…”

“Your husband-“

“My Master. He merely calls me his wife. Vlad would have suspected me that night if I had canceled my brother’s visit. ”

“You could have sent notice,” Ignatius said reproachfully.

“No, I could not. I do not trust my servants. They are in league with my Master. ”

“So you do not love him?”

“I despise him. I play this charade to keep my brother alive. There is much you do not understand and I have not the time to tell you. But it is true my family is dead save Andrew. And I will do what I must to keep him safe. ”

“So your family did die at Bârgãu Pass?”

“No,” I shook my head, my eyes filling with tears. “No, he killed them. ”

Ignatius pulled me tight against him, his fingers stroking the nape of my neck. “I am terribly sorry, Glynis. For a moment, I was not sure what to believe of you. ”

“I cannot tell you of all that I have endured. Even now I fear that Vlad may find us and realize the depths of my betrayal. ” My voice was but a mere whisper. Tears caught in my lashes.

Ignatius leaned down to kiss me softly. “I am saddened by your predicament and wish to save you from it. ”

I looked up at him as I said in a tremulous voice, “But how? He is powerful and cruel. He holds me to him by his blood in my veins. I am but a pawn in his game and so is my brother. The web in which I am entangled threatens all I love. Even you now. ”

He looked thoughtful, his expression quite distant. His hand stilled against my neck. At last, he said, “I am at a loss. All I know is that in this moment I wish nothing more than to take you with me. ”

“Tell me you are stronger than Vlad and that you could crush him and I will go with you. ” I knew his answer before he spoke, but I had wished to hear other words.

“It is more complicated than that. Your Master has woven a greater web than you realize. ” He sighed softly. “I am restricted by that which I cannot explain to you. ”

“You do not trust me?”

“You are Vlad’s child. You know what he can do to make you do as he desires. He must not even know I am here. ” Ignatius sighed wearily, then sat down on the arm of a chair. His hands rested on my waist as he gazed up at me. “You would be truly the most complicated creature I have ever met, in personality and circumstances. And I, of course, would have to fall madly for you. ”

I could not help but smile at this. “I am rather much, am I not?”

“Exactly,” Ignatius laughed. He grew somber and pulled me close to him. Resting his head against my bosom, he whispered, “I would take you with me in this moment if I could. We shall find a way to free you of Vlad. I swear it. ”