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“Yes, yes, I understand,” I whispered through slackened lips.

She moved through the thick mist and leaned over me. Her beautiful face was so ethereal and deadly, but there was a kindness in those sparkling eyes.

“What are you?” I gasped.

“A dream with truths woven within. Remember,” Glynis whispered, then pressed her lips to my forehead.

I fell back onto the bed, then once more I was outside of my body, hovering in the corner.

I watched as my sister, beautiful and not human in anyway, stood over me weeping tears tinged with blood.

Then with a sudden whoosh, the mist rolled out of the window and the curtains fell flat against the wall and she was gone. Then slowly, they once more began to dance on the night breeze…

I awoke, truly awoke, but still I was confused and frightened. I crawled from the bed and staggered through the room to the desk where I now sit writing.

A dream interwoven with truths…

I believe that, even if I cannot accept the ungodly creature in my dreams as truly being my sister. I believe what she said in my slumbering mind. It makes no sense, I know this, but I believe the dream.

Even though it makes my heart weary, I shall do my best to delay Vlad Dracula from moving to England and give my sister the opportunity to escape him.

Oh, God, dearest journal, this may sound insane, but my sister in my dream, I think she was a vampire and now my sleep-addled brain wonders, truly wonders, why was she veiled. Did her veils hide a terrible secret more horrible than scars? And what happened to me that first day in my sister’s home when I was gripped with that strange paralysis?

I must sleep, truly sleep, and get far away from this land and recover my sanity.

Then I will consider everything that I have endured here.

The Journal of Lady Glynis Wright

2

1st of April, 1820

Buda, Hungary

I have done what I must to ensure that my brother is safe. I went to him as he slept and whispered into his dreams. I left him sleeping peacefully, but also with a heavy heart. I believe he will obey and delay Vlad, but I fear that I have revealed myself to him. He is as perceptive as I, and even as I pressed myself into his dreams, I could feel his own power pushing back, seeking to reveal me fully to him. I fear he has seen my true face.

I am unsure of what fruit my actions will bear, but I now feel that Andrew is at least safe from Vlad’s manipulations. My words should haunt him and prompt him to obey my instructions. I know that I have only confirmed his doubts concerning my new life and that terrifies me. I know he can be as headstrong as I, but I have to believe he will protect Angeline and Johnny and allow me to save myself.

As I waded through the fine mist trailing over the lush lawn, a night bird called out questioningly. It was a sad, forlorn sound, and it echoed in the hollowness within me. I drew near the front gate and my hands lifted to draw the cloak more tightly about my shoulders. The night was so still that the only movement was the gentle swaying of the trees standing guard near the gate.

Shadows slinked along the wall encircling the estate and as I drew near, I realized that one particular shadow seemed to remain stationary. I stopped in mid-step, my eyes focusing intently on this one shadow. My skin began to prickle as I realized I was being watched by another dark power. A stab of terror pierced through me as the horrible thought that Vlad might have followed me came sharply to mind.

The shadow took on the form of a man as I watched in fearful anticipation. The fear that Vlad had found me overwhelmed me, and I began to draw up my power around me, preparing to flee. I knew that the dark power had seen me, but if it was Vlad I could think of nothing else but to run.

Moonlight fell through the tree branches flicking over the shape as it moved swiftly toward me. As the light from the moon washed over the figure, it cleansed away the shadows revealing the pale visage of a vampire. Slowly, the long pale face of Ignatius emerged from the gloom and he stood before me, clad completely in black.

Relieved, I flung out my hand toward him. “You frightened me!”

“My apologies,” he answered immediately. Tonight he wore a tidy beard and mustache, his long black hair curling slightly upon his shoulders.

I stomped my foot, my hands clenched. “I thought you were Vlad. I had the most awful start!”

“But I am not Vlad,” he answered, smiling.

I snorted and proceeded to walk down the street.

He immediately fell into step beside me, his hands tucked behind his back. “Where are we going?”