Page 97

“No, darling, she is in shock, and that is why her usual cleverness is missing from her writing. ”

Andrew wiped his eyes on the cuff of his shirt and sniffled. “Father, Mother, and May, all gone. How can I survive this pain?”

“I am here for you, my love, and soon the baby will be here. Then Glynis will return to us and we shall be a family once more. ” I took his hand and kissed it. “All will be well again. Not as it was, but it will be good. We just need to mourn their passing. ” I wondered, for a moment if my words sounded as empty to him as they did to me.

Andrew nodded numbly, holding his sister’s letter against his chest. “I want them to return home. I want them to be alive. Here, with us. ”

I looked down at the parcel on the floor and leaned over it. Lifting it up, I saw that Count Dracula’s letter remained unopened as were several small items wrapped in brown paper. “Have you not read the letter from Count Dracula yet, dearest?”

“I have not the heart to do it. Please read it to me, Angeline. ”

I carefully broke the seal on the letter, briefly taking noticing of the figure of a dragon stamped into the red wax, then spread out the pages on my lap to read. “His writing is rather flamboyant, but I think I can make it out. Shall I start to read?”

“Yes, love, yes, please do,” Andrew whispered.

“Dearest sir, it is my misfortune to write to you informing you of the deaths of your beloved family. A terrible accident on Bârgau Pass has robbed them of life and only one sister has remained alive in this world. During a severe storm, your family’s carriage was swept off the pass into the river below. All were lost with the sole exception of Lady Glynis. My men found her half-drowned on the banks of the river and brought her to my castle. Upon my orders, my men searched for days for other survivors, but they were unable to find any other members of your unfortunate family.

“After your sister had recovered from her delirium, she told me what had happened and of her narrow escape from death. She is still quite ill and her body was battered during her ordeal. There is some disfigurement, which I think will fade away in time. She does not wish for me to discuss her condition at length at this time. I will continue to send you updates on her progress and inform you of a time when I can return her to your care.

“My solicitor, Sir Stephen, can answer any other inquiries you have concerning your family and their journey. I am sending some small items that I believe belonged to your family. They were recovered on the banks of the Arges River.

“With my sincerest regards, your new friend, Count Dracula. ”

Andrew moaned and closed his eyes. “What does he mean by disfigurement?”

“It does not say, Andrew. ” I, too, had felt overwhelmed by that word. I did not want to think of what it could possibly mean for poor dear Glynis. My hands were trembling as I folded the letter. “Perhaps it is nothing permanent. ”

“My dearest sister, what has happened to you?” Andrew murmured. In his despair, he covered his face to hide his tears.

I leaned forward and drew the two items bound in brown paper from the remains of the parcel. With quivering fingers, I unwrapped the paper until my father in law’s pocket watch and May’s little gold locket fell out onto my lap. “Oh, Andrew. Look at what he has sent us!”

Andrew moved his hands away from his face and stared at the pocket watch and tiny locket for a long moment. “Oh, God. They are truly gone. It is not a dream,” he wailed.

I reached out to him as he collapsed into my embrace. Rocking him as I will my newborn babe, I whispered comforting words to him.

Oh, how shall we go on? How do we find any measure of peace when our hearts are so shattered? What am I to do?

The Journal of Lady Glynis Wright

The Castle

3rd of March, 1820

Ever since that terrifying night when I saw Erzsébet’s fate, I have bowed to Vlad’s wishes. I cannot express how difficult it has been to curb my natural inclination to defy him. But my brother and his family are all that I have left of my mortal life. I will do anything to protect them. Andrew, Angeline, and their newborn son are always in my thoughts. To save them, I must appear subservient. Reluctantly, I have accepted my fate as Vlad’s pawn.

Originally after my transformation, my only concern was escaping Vlad and the castle, but now I realize I have a greater calling. I must rescue what remains of my family from the evil designs of Count Vlad Dracula. I shall do whatever I must to accomplish that goal.

I even embark willingly to Vlad’s bedchamber now. I can grit my teeth and play the part of the loyal lover if it means I can maneuver myself into the position to free my brother from the fate of the rest of my family.

Over the last few months, there has been a flurry of correspondence between my brother and Vlad. Since I have obeyed Vlad and written letters in accordance to what he desires, I am now allowed to read my brother’s letters. I treasure those moments when I can curl up and read my brother’s stark handwriting and steal a glimpse into the world I left behind. That alone has been reward enough for my obedience.

I must admit that this game I play is a cruel and dangerous one. I feel myself slipping into a darkness that frightens me, but I am willing to sacrifice a bit of my soul if it means saving that of my beloved brother.

There is a degree of shame that permeates me as I embrace this new life and find certain comforts in it. The powers that are growing within me excite me. They are a promise of freedom and victory. Also, I find myself growing more fond of Ariana and Cneajna and feel guilt for that affection. Is it a betrayal of my family to love them? In another world, in another time, Cneajna and my mother would have been steadfast friends. I could easily see Ariana dressed modernly and joining my English friends and me in our aristocratic amusements. Elina remains aloof and cold , but she is more civil now.

Tonight, Vlad freed us from the castle as a reward for my obedience. As soon as he gave the word, we were out the door, dashing madly into the night. Winter was dying as Spring rose her head and the night was cool and fresh with life.

We ran wildly, laughing gaily, our pale limbs carrying us deep into the forest. Tormented by the hunger, our senses were acute and dangerously accurate. It did not seem long before we found the campsite of a luckless hunter. Together, we crept slowly into the firelight, revealing ourselves slowly to his mesmerized eyes.