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He frowned at me. “You should have more control over your wife, my friend. ”

I feared for Maria in that moment and gulped down a desperate breath of air. “I should have told her to hand over all the letters to me. I do apologize, sir. ”

He slightly waved his hand at me. “I advise you to make it clear to your beloved wife that you are her master. I will not have her interfering in my plans again. ”

“Yes, sir. I understand, sir. I will make it quite plain to her upon my return home. But, sir, I do not know what to do. I do not know how to respond to his letter. ” My words were rushed in a trembling voice. I despised myself for being so afraid, but the Master always instills fear in me.

The Count sat back in his seat, the leather rustling beneath him, and sighed. “I had confidence in you, Stephen. It is such a shame you have failed me in this one simple request. ”

“I’m terribly sorry, sir. More than I can ever say. ”

“Well, it is of no matter. I think I shall be able to use this situation to my advantage. Yes, yes, it may be a blessing. Perhaps I shall be able to leave for England sooner than I expected. ” The Count smiled, his pearl fangs glinting. “Now, get out of my carriage. The night is young, and I wish to enjoy the pleasures of the city. ”

“Of course, sir!” I hurried climbed out. “Shall we speak later, sir?”

“Yes. Then we can discuss business. ” The Count fell back into the shadows of the carriage as the door shut.

With a sharp order from the driver, the horses trotted on and the carriage of Count Dracula rolled into the foggy night.

Delighted by my narrow escape, I allowed myself a small sigh of relief before rushing back into the hotel.

Later, he arrived looking quite rosy of face, his eyes glinting with a keen fever, and I knew he had fed well. We sat together in my hotel room to discuss his business and his demeanor was refreshingly cordial. I sat at a small desk and he sat across from me, tapping the writing paper lightly with one finger.

“You will write to Andrew Wright and inform him of the most unfortunate event that befell his family in route to my home. There was a terrible storm and their carriage was swept off the road into the river. Only his sister, Glynis, survived, and she is in my care. She has been horribly injured, but I am tending to her medical needs. ”

I wrote down all that he instructed me, my fingers slightly trembling. “You…you did make her…what you are?”

“Yes, I did. ”

“I do not understand…if she is a vampire, then why not say she is dead as well?”

“After a time, Glynis will recover, and I will marry her. Or so her brother will think. Then we shall enlist his aid in moving his beloved sister and her husband to England. ” The Count smiled wolfishly. “You see, it quite works out. ”

I could see, that yes, he was right.

As I sink further into his deceit, I find that I am relieved that it is not me who will suffer at the hands of Count Dracula. Tomorrow we travel to Buda to set our plans in motion.

The Journal of Lady Glynis Wright

27th of August, 1819

I shall try and describe the hell we endured in his absence…

Our screams have rent the night since we woke in the throes of the hunger. I was the first to run to the great doors and beat upon them with my fists. I heard my sisters rushing behind me and turned.

Ariana ran dreamily down the long staircase, her long white gown flowing around her like great wings. She looked like an angel and, for a mad moment, I wished she would carry me up to heaven out of this hell.

Elina threw herself over the railing of the great staircase, her hair fanning around her like a black halo. Cneajna fell to her knees in the center of the grand foyer, screaming. I smashed my fists against the enormous door that led to the outside world.

The hunger was driving us to insanity.

Trapped in the castle for days, the gypsies safely locked out, we have been starving. Since Vlad had abruptly left us alone, deliberately chained to this dark corrupt castle by his power, we had not fed. We could not escape to feed and we were on the verge of madness.

Our bodies and faces had thinned, and we looked strangely inhuman. Our eyes were deep-set, our limbs sinewy. Our hearts had ceased to beat and our bodies became a pale gray. We looked like wraiths. Elina landed beside me and raked her nails feverishly over the darkened wood, splinters tearing into her fingers. We were desperate and beyond reason.

Ariana ran down the stairs, her hands clutching an ancient sword. Rushing past Cneajna, she raised it over her head, jamming it into the lock.

“Help me! Help me!”