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“May I ask why Vlad Dracula is a cause for such concern? He is a bit terrifying to behold, yes, but is he as powerful as Gavril and Ilinca?” Laura asked timidly.

Ignatius arched one eyebrow as he folded his arms over his chest. His face wore a somber expression as he regarded Laura. “May I speak freely before her, Glynis?”

“She knows some of what has happened, but not all. ”

“Your mistress struck down Vlad Dracula and imprisoned him within his own coffin. He is alive, but drained of life and power. What she has done has caused complications. My own Mistress would judge her harshly if she knew what Glynis has done. ”

“Gavril and Ilinca are his sworn allies, so this would cause difficulties as well,” Astir added, his hands still drifting over the keys of the piano as he played.

“I did what I had to do to escape. I will not feel regret for my actions despite the ramifications. ”

Adem inclined his head in concurrence, but said, “Yes, but now we wait for the truth to be revealed. ”

“Will it be?” Laura wondered.

“Oh, yes. A vampire such as Vlad Dracula has ma

de a notable impression among many powerful creatures. His lack of presence in the city of Buda has already been noted. ” Astir pounded away on the piano dramatically. “It is only a matter of time before someone discovers what has happened. ”

“No one can find the castle,” I said confidently. “I have kept it hidden. ”

“But for how long?” Astir arched his brows high on his forehead, the notes he was playing becoming ominous.

I shifted uncomfortably. Ignatius lightly stroked the back of my neck with his fingers to soothe me.

“The reality is,” my love started in a somber tone, “that Vlad will find a way to rise if we do not kill him. And we cannot kill him. ”

“Why ever not?” Laura demanded. “We should go and slay him immediately so none may find out what Glynis did!”

Astir slammed his hands down on the keys of the piano and stood up. “Because should he die, he will return. Dracula can never truly die. ”

I gaped at the fallen angel in disbelief. “You lie!”

“No. He does not. Dracula is no mere vampire. ” Ignatius glanced toward Adem. “Should we divulge all?”

“Too much has been kept from her in the past. Speak the truth of it,” Adem answered tersely.

Astir snorted with contempt.

Ignatius ignored him. “There is a school of the black arts known as the Scholomance hidden away in the wilds of Transylvania near a lake with no name. It is taught by Lucifer himself. ”

Laura’s eyes widened as I narrowed mine.

“Surely you jest. ” I scoffed at the mere notion.

“Ah, no, he does not, dear Glynis,” Astir sniffed. He abandoned the piano and slumped into a chair, his long legs askew. “Lucifer does indeed teach the darkest of magicks to his students there. Ten students are selected, but only nine depart at the end of a decade. He always keeps one as payment. ”

“And you are saying Vlad was one of these students?” I was astonished.

“He studied with the devil?” Laura paled a bit more as she gazed at Astir. I had told her all about his true nature and she had been a bit unnerved by his status as a former angel. “Count Vlad Dracula studied with the devil? Satan himself?”

“Lucifer,” Astir corrected. “It was within a century of Vlad becoming a vampire. He was not satisfied with the powers that were bestowed upon him by his vampire nature. He wanted more power and was determined that he would not die again. Therefore, he sought out the Scholomance and found it. ”

“He vanished for a decade,” Ignatius continued. “He left Erzsébet and Cneajna drained and entombed until he returned. And when he did reappear, he had gained the knowledge that would allow him to live on forever. That is why the Immortal Beloved has ordered an edict that none may slay him. For should he die, he will return. ”

“But what he shall be, we do not know,” Astir added.

“Is that why she keeps him bound to his land?” I thought of the boxes of earth he carried with him. “Is that why he wants to escape her so terribly?”