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Vlad is consumed with his plans and now I must be consumed in my own. I cannot merely wait to see what happens. I must make my own freedom appear. I must fight for it.

Tonight I watched the men I love converse together before me. They are both worth fighting for. I am worth fighting for. I must fulfill my mother’s dying wish. I must begin now to truly plan my escape from Vlad.

Chapter 29

The Journal of Lady Glynis Wright- Buda

20th of April, 1820

This was my last night to spend with my brother-

Earlier-

I mournfully watched the moonbeams from the moon above skip merrily over the dark waters of the Danube. Sighing heavily, I tucked my hand into my brother’s, leaning against him to seek comfort.

We stood side by side staring over the waters toward Pesth. For almost a month, we had strolled along this same bank every night speaking of the life we had once shared and tentatively planning for the future. But, alas, this was Andrew’s last night in Buda.

Andrew wrapped his arms about me. “It will be all right, Glynis. You shall see. I will help your husband make plans for your move and soon you will be sipping tea with Angeline and playing with Johnny. You will be in England soon, Glynis and we will be together once more. Do not fret. ”

“I am trying not to, but England seems so far away,” I sighed.

“Yes, but you shall soon be home. I swear it. You shall reclaim your life and one day we shall sit and watch our children play together. ”

His words caused me pain, but I tried to hide it. I would never have mortal children, but my brother did not realize that. My children, should I ever create any, would be undead and deadly just as I am. “I am going to miss you so, Andrew. You have made me so very happy this last month. ”

“Here I have been feeling like a terrible nuisance,” Andrew answered with a wry grin.

“Well, yes, that as well, but always a wonderful nuisance,” I teased him. I drew back and held onto his hand, pulling him along behind me.

“I cannot wait until you are safely relocated to England then we shall all be together until death parts us,” he decided.

I could feel the tears in my eyes and I desperately tried to keep them from falling. “I will never forget this time we had together, Andrew. It has meant the world to me. ”

“Do not speak of it as if I am never going to see you again, Glynis. We shall be together once more, and we will all be quite happy. I am merely returning to England to clear the way for you to come with your husband. Then the family will be reunited and we shall be together. ”

I could not help but be maudlin. Andrew does not understand the world I now live within. He has made me human again. He has restored my faith in life and God. At the same time, he has spurred me into a desperate and enormous decision. I will kill Vlad and escape. As soon as possible, I will do it.

Andrew's thoughts were of his travels home, his dear wife and infant son, and belief that I would soon join him in England. All the while my thoughts were of darkness and murder. But my mind is quite made up. I will kill Vlad before we ever leave Buda, for once in England Vlad will wield great power over me. His threats against my brother would carry extra weight once we are on British soil. To save Andrew, I know I have to kill Vlad while he is still in Eastern Europe. I am unsure of the consequences of my actions, but I have to fulfill my promise to my mother. I will be free of Vlad.

Clutching Andrew’s hand tightly, I strolled along in silence. I tried to put on a gay exterior, but still, I could not help but wonder when I would ever see my beloved brother again, if at all.

We made our way back to the home of Sir Stephen in awkward silence. The tension grew between us. Andrew was thrilled to be leaving for home, yet torn because he was leaving me behind. I was relieved that he would soon be far away from Vlad, but I could not help but feel a heavy sadness at the reality of his departure.

“It will be odd trying to live like a normal man once more. I have become accustomed to being awake all night during my visit here,” Andrew mused.

“I am sorry for that. But I cannot bear the sunlight,” I answered truthfully.

“I know and I understand. I know that is why you will not see me off in the morning, and I do not hold it against you. You being here now is sufficient in every way. ”

I smiled ruefully and turned my face into the wind, feeling the cool breeze slipping beneath my veil and drying my silent tears. As we moved up the stone steps that lead into the home of Sir Stephen, Andrew gave my shoulders a tender squeeze as he smiled at me lovingly.

“I love you, dear sister,” he said.

“I love you, dear brother,” I answered.

Together we entered the house. Vlad was waiting for us with Doctor Baum in the sitting room. I saw his foot tapping restlessly and a bored expression upon his features. I knew instantly that he was desperate to leave. Sir Stephen hesitantly entered the room and sought out his Master’s gaze. Vlad motioned him to a chair and Stephen quickly sat down.

“Are you tired, Glynis? I know the party last night was quite a strain on you,” Vlad said evenly, his gaze piercing.