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“Foul beast!” It was a woman's voice, full of hate.

A shivered in fear and weakness as the sound of battle erupted nearby. Suddenly, a female dressed in men’s clothing sailed through the air near us and into the boughs of a tree. Her body caught in the branches, resembling a rag doll tossed away by a petulant child. Long black hair was woven into a braid and it swung around her head as her form swayed in the boughs of the tree. Her throat was ripped out and her eyes were devoid of life. With an almost surreal slowness, she slipped through the branches of the tree to the ground below.

“Another dhamphir,” Ignatius whispered in my ear.

His touch was tender as I turned to gaze fully into his face. I parted my lips to speak when I was torn from his grip.

A scream almost left my lips until I realized it was Vlad who held me.

“To the ground,” he ordered.

When we landed I saw the female dhamphir sprawled nearby. Irrationally, I feared she would somehow spring to life to pursue us. But she remained dead, staring blindly toward us. I had to turn away.

“Vlad, they are everywhere,” Ignatius said in a fierce whisper.

“We keep moving,” Vlad answered tersely.

Gripping my hand, Vlad ran through the trees, dragging me along behind him. Ignatius kept pace with us, leaping with great ease over gnarled roots. Though I tried, I could barely keep up with Vlad and stumbled a few times. I felt utterly weak and helpless. I cried out with frustration. Kindly, Ignatius reached out to grip my other hand and helped me keep up. Vlad snarled with anger, but he did not fight Ignatius’ assistance. He understood how desperately in danger we were.

When we reached the wall that encircled the estate, Vlad leaped up to perch on top. I landed next to him and teetered. The weakness in my limbs was dismaying, but Ignatius' touch was comforting as he steadied me.

Gazing through the dark silhouette of the trees we saw the house on fire. Great flames were engulfing the structure I had come to love as my home. Through the smoke and fire, I could see our servants trying to defend themselves against the vampire hunters. To my dismay, I could see that they were losing as they were struck down with guns and daggers.

With a gasp, I covered my mouth in horror. “Vlad, stop them!”

Vlad was silent, his green eyes taking in the chaos that loomed just beyond the edges

of the trees. At last he turned to Ignatius and me. “We must flee Buda. ”

Ignatius started to protest, then faltered. “Of course. ”

“Arminius is among them,” Vlad said in a low voice and pointed.

A dark shape against the flames carried a large crucifix. It was the priest I had seen before when the mad vampire had been struck down.

“He will never give up hunting you,” Ignatius answered in a grim tone.

“No, he will not. Neither will his apprentices. ” Vlad shook his head and turned to me. “I am sorry, Glynis, but our time here is at an end. We must go. ”

A woman’s scream pierced the night. I gripped Vlad’s arm tightly as I saw the familiar form of my maid atop the house. She was clinging to the roof above my room and to my horror I saw the small shape of a child with her. Two vampire hunters, braving the fire, attempted to drag them off the shingles.

“Grab the bride of the devil,” someone shouted from below. “Throw her and the spawn down. ”

“Vlad, its Magda!”

Vlad turned to Ignatius as he reluctantly released my arm. “Take Glynis to the stables of Sir Stephen. Wait for me there. ”

Ignatius hesitated, then nodded. “Of course. ”

Vlad took hold of the back of my neck and stared deep into my eyes before he gave me a quick, harsh kiss. Releasing me, he flung himself into the air and vanished from sight as he drew his power about him.

Taking hold of my hand, Ignatius leaped down just beyond the ivy-laden wall where we had made love not too long ago. In silence, he pulled me along behind him. Though we moved swiftly, he was tender and mindful of my weakness. As we hurried, I could feel him shielding both of us. I knew we were but a mere shadow slipping in and out of the darkness.

Running more swiftly than any mortal, we made our way down the darkened streets to Sir Stephen’s estate. The gates were open and Ignatius hesitated.

“We could flee together,” he said softly.

I looked at him desperately, my mind whirling with the possibility. “Should we?”