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Elina hissed at me as I laughed and hurried down the hallways and staircases that would lead me back to the heart of the castle. I could hear Ariana still retelling the story until Elina managed to catch her and gag her. I laughed, then found my way to the library where my family had found a few hours of peaceful refuge just a few days before. As I neared the door, I felt what little gaiety I had gained from my storytelling with Ariana drain out of me. Once more, I felt a terrible feeling of despair.

Sighing deeply, I stood outside of the door. For one insane moment, I wished with all my heart that I would open the door to find my family seated there, waiting for me, happy to see me, and ready for the journey home. Instead, I entered and found Vlad seated at the table where my father had sat. He was intently reading a magazine in English.

“You were calling me?”

“You did not hear me?” He did not look up.

“I was with Ariana. I was reading her a story,” I answered rather primly.

Vlad looked up. He took in my English garb, then sat back in his chair. “Cneajna tells me you do not suffer the vagueness of the mind anymore. Is this correct?”

“Yes. I know who I am and what I am,” I answered very softly. I was not sure how to behave before this man who had taken not only my entire life but my very virginity as well. That intimacy was not something I felt capable of dealing with properly. All I was certain of was that I was trapped, and I had to find a way out. Perhaps, if I was sociable to this man who claimed to be my Master, I could somehow conceive of a way to escape.

“And just who and what are you?” Vlad did not seem very threatening tonight. Actually, he was being polite and somewhat lordly, rather like he had behaved when I had first met him.

“I am Lady Glynis Wright of England. And I am a vampire,” I answered.

Vlad began to chuckle. “A very good answer, Lady Glynis Wright. Now sit down. ”

I obeyed, my hands primly folded on my lap. I met his gaze full on, my eyes feeling rather bright and shrewd. I watched him carefully, trying to ascertain how I should respond to this bizarre foreign man.

“I called you here because it is important that you understand certain aspects of our existence. We are Vampires. We kill for blood: hunters, travelers, villagers if they defy us, whomever pleases us. You are now my wife, my Bride. I expect you to act as such. You are not allowed to leave the castle grounds without my permission. I hold you here under my power. There is no escape. We all sleep together in the tombs in the chapel unless I otherwise allow. I expect you to dress appropriately. In England, you may dress this way. In my home, you will dress as I please. And this,” he motioned to my dress, “does not please me. ”

“I do not want to be here,” I stated firmly. “I want to return home. ”

“I forbid it. The matter is settled. I am your Master, the Brides are your sisters, and this is your home. ”

“We shall see,” I said stoically, emulating my dear departed father. “Now, may I be excused?”

Vlad studied my face intently and the dark passion I had witnessed in his green eyes before was beginning to grow within their emerald depths. It made me vastly uncomfortable and I suddenly wanted to escape back to the Brides’ chambers.

“Have Cneajna and Ariana dress you as you were. I will have none of this Englishness in my household. You may go. ” Vlad pointedly returned to his reading.

I stood up and tossed my head in defiance. Haughtily, I strode from the room. To my surprise, I heard him chuckle to himself.

I took my time going back to the Brides’ chambers. I was feeling quite contrary and did not want to obey him. At the same time, I knew if I pushed him too far, violence would surely befall me. Honestly, all I truly wanted was a few precious moments of peace.

When I entered the room, Elina was standing at the windows gazing down at the river that cuts through the gorge below our castle. Ariana and Cneajna were sorting through some clothing and jewels, whispering softly.

“Vlad says I am not to look English,” I announced.

“The Master was grieved by your appearance?” Cneajna looked at my outfit and sighed. “I think you look rather pretty. ”

I frowned and stomped my foot. “He is such a bastard. However do you stand him?”

Elina turned sharply toward me. “He is our husband. You best remember that. ”

“Bah!” I waved my hand over my head. “He is a brute. I despise him. ”

Seeing their shocked expressions, I frowned even more. I hated this place. I hated everything about it. But at this moment, I was at a loss as to how to escape. Sighing, I began to disrobe, removing once more all that was left of my life as Lady Glynis Wright. “I like my clothes. Why ever does he want us to dress like we do? It is utter nonsense. ”

“The Master spent time in Adrianople when he was a young man and was intrigued by the female slaves of the Sultan,” Cneajna responded and drew a long filmy gown over my head.

“Ah, so he has dressing as slave women! I should have known. It is utterly preposterous. ”

Ariana giggled and wrapped an ornate belt around my waist. “Oh, Glynis, you are so very naughty. ”

I stomped my foot and tossed my head. “Really? Well, I would rather be naughty and wear my own clothing than dash about in this ridiculous costume. ” As I spoke, Cneajna laid a heavy necklace around my neck and placed bracelets around my pale wrists.