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“It was a shame he departed so soon. ”

Maria was staring at me openly and I realized she had never seen me without a veil. Her support of Vlad’s story of my disfigurement had helped us deceive my brother, but now I wondered if she had always known all along that it was a lie.

The idle conversation began to die down, and I realized that the humans were quite nervous. I looked toward Vlad and raised an eyebrow.

“She did not invite us here,” I said at last.

Vlad smiled at me as he took a chair near the fire. He settled into it as if it was a throne. “No, I summoned them here. ”

The pretense was over and the mortals looked even more nervous than before.

“We are at your disposal,” Sir Stephen said quickly. “Whatever you desire. ”

Maria stepped back behind her husband and cast a wary glance in my direction.

The Baroness laughed a little nervously. “Oh, come now. We are all friends. ”

“You are my servants,” Vlad said in a low voice.

The Baroness smile faded as she immediately turned and curtsied to him. “Of course, Master. Forgive me. ” She bowed her head and took a step back from him, her fingers fidgeting with her skirt.

Vlad sat comfortably in the chair, his hands folded over his chest. “Let us speak openly before my wife. It is time she understood all that has transpired. ”

The Baroness sat down sharply in a chair and looked toward me with fearful eyes.

Maria took her place next to her husband, her hand taking hold of his.

Sir Stephen looked absolutely terrified and he gulped visibly.

“It is time, Glynis, that you understand the role these humans played in bringing you to me and making you my wife. ”

“You told me that Sir Stephen summoned my family here with the intent of turning me over to you,” I said as I took my place next to his chair. I leaned my elbow on the back of it and stared at the mortals. I knew Sir Stephen’s role in the demise of my family from what Vlad had told me, but I made a mental note that I must act surprised about the Baroness’ participation.

“He summoned several families here,” Vlad said. “Did you take notice of all the English who were visiting when your family was?”

Sir Stephen looked down at his hands and frowned a little.

I thought back to all the social events I had attended in Buda then slowly nodded. “Yes, actually, I remember a few other families were also visiting at that time. ”

“It was the Baroness who felt I should pursue you. She made an effort to meet all the young English ladies. Out of all of them, she chose you. She visited me and spoke glowingly of your beauty and charms. Soon after, I sought you out at the opera. ” Vlad smiled as the Baroness squirmed in her chair. “Is that not correct?’

“Of course. She is quite lovely and I felt she would compliment your imposing stature with her vivacious personality.

“Of course, Sir Stephen did as I ordered because he fears me and is loyal,” Vlad said with a bit of a smirk. “Also, his daughter, Laura, is about to return from boarding school in Switzerland and he was fearful I would chose her. ”

Sir Stephen paled, and Maria looked absolutely terrified.

“We would have been honored if you had chosen her,” Maria said swiftly.

“So you did know all along that the veils were a lie,” I snapped at her.

Maria looked at her husband, then at Vlad. At last she said, “If you understood what a great man your husband is you would not feel any reservations-“

“He murdered my family!”

My voice was sharp and cold.

Vlad did not even look in my direction. “Therefore, all of the mortals before you have assisted me in drawing you to me and ensuring our safe passage to England. And for that, I am quite grateful. ”