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The torches sprang to life at Ariana’s beckoning and illuminated the impaled form on the platform. She appeared even more tortured and frail than before, her face drawn and very white, her eyes tormented by the hunger.

Erzsébet let out a soft sob of relief and held out her hand to Ariana.

“My darling sisters, you have come to me. ”

“I have come to soothe your torment,” Ariana responded, and moved toward her.

“Ariana, do not go near her! Vlad said-” I cried out in protest.

“He knows nothing,” Ariana said shortly, and moved to her sister’s side. Taking Erzsébet’s hand lovingly, Ariana smiled her sweet smile. “We fed tonight. Fresh blood, rich with life. ”

Erzsébet was weeping, her body trembling with the terrible hunger of the vampire curse. “You have not come in so long. ”

“Because of our new sister, he has not granted us the freedom required to come to you. But we will try to come again soon. And now, the blood you need. ” Ariana leaned down over Erzsébet and kissed her forehead.

“Ariana, she will drain you!”

Ariana glanced back over her shoulder at me. “Glynis, you do not know our ways. ”

Erzsébet closed her eyes and her lips trembled with anticipation.

Ariana rested her blood red lips against the pale trembling ones. Their lips parted and they were sealed in a deep kiss. Blood began to seep from between their lips, and I realized that Ariana was disgorging the blood from her gullet to feed our sister.

Overcome by the sight, I stepped back. I was almost ashamed to gaze upon this act, so intimate and strange, yet potent in its deep emotion.

“Before you came to us, we would come to feed her every few days. Since you were reborn, she has been starving,” Cneajna whispered in my ear.

Elina moved past me to Ariana’s side. Cneajna placed a comforting arm around my trembling shoulders as I found myself compelled to watch this rite of blood and sisterly affection.

Ariana drew back, her lips red with blood, and Elina leaned over to take her place. Once more soft, gentle lips were met in a soft kiss that deepened as blood flowed.

“We give her what we can. If we were to give from our veins it would weaken us. But to give the blood that still has not renewed us, it is not so much of a sacrifice. ”

“Why did you not tell me of this?” I asked.

Cneajna tilted her head, regarding me with a slightly arched brow. “You need not know all that exists in our world. You will learn as it is time. ”

Elina broke her kiss with Erzsébet as Cneajna moved to the side of the impaled vampire. She gently caressed Erzsébet’s cheek. “You are loved, my darling. ”

Erzsébet grasped Cneajna’s hand tightly and kissed it softly over and over again, then whispered, “I knew you would come. You who have always loved me best. ”

Cneajna smiled softly. “You were not forgotten. You are one of us. We cannot endure you to suffer. ” Cneajna kissed Erzsébet’s soft cheek, then covered her mouth with her own to feed her.

The other two Brides stood at their side, watching solemnly. I could not help but notice that they did not look at the iron stake, but only at Erzsébet’s lovely face. This fate was too horrible to dwell upon for long.

Cneajna finished and stood back. Her gaze turned to me. “You do not have to give if it is not your desire. ”

I hesitated, then stepped forward. “I want to know her. ”

As I drew near, I could see the ugly wound that surrounded the iron stake impaling Erzsébet. The pain she endures must be unbearable. With trembling fingers, I reached out and grabbed hold of the iron stake. With all my strength I attempted to pull it upwards and out of her, but it did not move.

“We have all tried,” Elina said. “All of us. Together. It does not move. ”

Erzsébet reached out and her cold hand closed over mine. Gently, her long fingers stroked mine. Our matching ruby rings glittered in the torchlight. She drew my hand to her lips and kissed it. Her eyes were golden and burned with a strange fever as her red lips spread into a sorrowful smile.

“There is no hope for me, my sister. I am trapped here forever. Neither alive nor dead. This is my fate. ”

“It is too cruel! To cruel a fate!” I gripped her hand tightly in mine and pressed it to my bosom. I was overcome by the woman’s serene beauty. The languid tones of her speech were soothing to my ear and I felt drawn to this imprisoned woman. She was magnificently beautiful with her rounded cheeks and delicate mouth. With a pang of sadness I realized that the vampire reminded me of my own mortal mother.