Page 25

The great door to the castle swung open. Dark gypsy men poured out, torches held high. They quickly encircled the carriage, their eyes menacing. The torches crackled and popped as they threw menacing shadows across the face of the castle.

“Edric,” Mother whispered, her hand grasping his arm.

Prince Vlad swept out of the castle, his long black coat flaring out about him. I could feel tendrils of dark power pulling on me as reluctantly my gaze was drawn to him. His long auburn hair fell down his back in thick curls and his mustache was longer, the ends pointed downward at the corners of his cruel mouth. His flesh seemed unearthly pale and his green eyes flickered with light as cat’s eyes do. He smiled a fiendish smile and I saw clearly two long teeth.

“Father!” I gripped his arm tightly.

“I see,” my father whispered.

“Welcome home, my bride,” Prince Vlad said throwing out his arms. He laughed low in his throat, enjoying the sight of us cowering in the carriage behind my father.

“You monster! What sorcery did you use to bring us here?” Mother was trembling with rage and fear. “We are Christian people!”

“We are citizens of the British Empire,” Father said in a low voice. “To treat us in this manner is barbaric. You are a monster, sir, a monster. ”

Prince Vlad seemed amused by my parents’ outbursts. “I have been called a monster many a time before, Earl Wright, dear Countess. I find it to be a compliment to my power. I do not care if you are Christian people. I, too, once served the Church. I was once a defender of the faith. ” As he spoke, his voice became lower, harsher. “But those days are long past. I do have every right to do with you as I please. This is my country. My land. ” Vlad’s eyes flashed a deep red as they narrowed, his posture becoming threatening. He regarded my parents with disdain. “You were guests in my house. I offered you my hospitality, yet you denied me what I desire. ”

Prince Vlad’s eyes flicked to me, and I shrank back from his potent gaze.

“You cannot coerce me to give you my daughter’s hand!”

Prince Vlad chuckled, stroking his mustache slowly. “Ah, Edric, your words mean nothing me. We are in my country. I rule here. I have the power of life and death in this land. ” Vlad’s menacing laughter rang out. “And I will have what I desire. Come to me, Glynis. ”

Trembling with fear, I looked upon him and began to weep. His voice had resounded within me, calling me to him. I could feel my body struggling to rise.

“No!” My mother screamed, clutching me to her. “You cannot have her! Never!”

Father pressed me back behind him as he blocked the carriage doorway.

I felt as if my breath was leaving me, and I could feel my body coiling to fight him. I covered my face with my hands as I felt his power continue to pull on me. I was doomed and knew it.

“I asked you before with proper respect for your rank for your daughter’s hand in marriage. I asked you to leave her here as my bride. You ungraciously refused me and denounced my position as lowly. But now you will see my power. I have brought you here with my will. It was my power that drew you. And now, Edric, you have damned your family, and you shall never leave alive. ”

My father was stunned for a moment, then he shouted, “You cannot do this!”

We cowered behind him, in a heap of silk petticoats, crying and holding each other tightly. I embraced my sister and mother with all my strength, ignoring the sickening pull I felt ripping at me. If he called me again, I knew I would go to the Prince.

It was then that the driver and Ovidiu dashed away. They managed to avoid the gypsy guards and raced toward a path leading away from the castle. The gypsies began to pursue them, but Vlad lifted his hand and motioned them back.

“No! Let my Brides feast tonight!”

The mysterious blue fire eerily began to pursue the two frantic men. Ovidiu was almost to the path, the driver close behind, when the flames whirled up, then down upon them. Terrified screams rang out. As the men shrieked in pain and fear, I thought I heard the soft laughter of women.

Prince Vlad watched with delight as the blue fire completely enveloped the fleeing men. The twisting blue fire danced wildly for a moment, then drew in upon itself and was gone. The screams of the men abruptly ceased, and they were nowhere to be seen.

“What madness is this?” Father whispered in horror.

Two gypsies moved forward and grabbed hold of Father. Screaming, we tried to draw him back into the false safety of the carriage, but they wrenched him from us.

“Leave him be!” Mother shouted, her face fierce in the torchlight.

Prince Vlad moved swiftly toward the carriage, and Mother threw herself in front of us.

“Let us be! We never meant you any harm!”

He smirked at her, reached in, shoved her to one side, and grabbed hold of my arm. All three of us began to shriek. Mother began to hit him with her fists as May scratched at his hand. I tried to hold onto my mother and sister, but he easily pulled me from them. Drawing me out of the carriage, Prince Vlad wound his fingers in my red hair and pulled back my head.

“You, my darling, are mine,” he whispered in my ear, and licked my throat with his long, thick tongue.