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“Of course. He gained power to seize control of all vampires only to have her thwart him because she created him. ” Ignatius’s face was the picture of sorrow. “He attempted to strike her down and was swiftly defeated. She banished him to his land. He remained there until he found a way to move about with limitations. That was when I was sent to watch him. ”

“Who is the Immortal Beloved?” Laura dared to ask.

“One of the first of us,” Ignatius explained. “She is the one who created Vlad and me. We are her rare progeny. She is loath to create progeny after the corruption of Vlad. But all vampires who are aware of her existence revere her. ”

“Not all vampires are aware of their origins or of the old great vampire houses. ” Astir sighed dramatically. “There are plenty of ignorant vampires running about in this day and age. ”

“Vlad told me there is no true order to vampire society. ” I felt perturbed by my lack of knowledge.

Ignatius slightly shrugged. “There really has never been. A few vampires have tried to mold their lives after their mortal ones. Like Gavril and Ilinca, they have created vampire families and abide by their own strict rules. But there is no true set order. In this area of Europe the vampires have shaped their society to resemble the mortal royal houses and acknowledge the Immortal Beloved. Yet, in France and Germany, the vampires do as they please and rarely congregate. ”

“The point of the matter is that Vlad is a power to be reckoned with,” Astir interrupted, obviously in a foul mood. “We cannot kill him. Therefore, at some point, we will have to deal with him. ”

“And we have seen how he can influence people even from beyond his imprisonment,” Adem stated. “He was attacking you as a spectral creature. ”

“And he has been haunting the dreams of Csilla. ” I felt disturbed by this thought. “I do not think he has tried to summon Magda. ”

“He cannot. She is bound to your blood,” Adem comforted me. “But Katya could be susceptible. ”

“How can we be certain?” I was aghast with the possibilities.

“Why don’t you ask her? She’s lingering outside the door. ” Ignatius gestured toward the hall.

Adem lunged swiftly through the doorway and dragged Katya into view. Her vivid blue eyes were wide, but her sultry smile was the same as ever.

“Tell us, Katya, do you hear Vlad Dracula in your dreams?” Adem shook her roughly.

Fluttering her dark lashes, her smile broadened slightly. “Perhaps. ”

“What does he tell you?” Ignatius rose sharply to his feet.

“To bring her to him,” she answered, pointing at me. “And he promises to reward me. ”

“In what manner?” Adem shoved her deeper into the room to stand before me and Ignatius.

“To make me his Bride. ”

Studying her closely, I wondered if I should kill her. “Does this appeal to you?”

Laughing, she vehemently shook her head, her blond hair flying about her face. “Oh, no! I laugh when he offers! I should never want to be a vampire! Then I would not be able to go outside in the day. I love the sunlight. ”

“So what do you want?” Ignatius looked upon her with great curiosity.

“To drink from Countess Dracula so I may be like Magda. I wish to live a long life in servitude to the vampires. I like it when they give me their kisses. ” Katya’s gaze shifted to my lips, her expression full of longing. “I love the kisses she gives me. I want them upon my flesh. I have no desire to become a vampire and lose that exquisite joy. ”

“She’s telling the truth,” Astir decided, sounding a bit surprised.

“How can we know that?” Laura demanded. “What if she’s plotting against us?”

Ignatius tapped his chin thoughtfully. “She speaks the truth. She’s addicted to the vampire bite and her mind is so completely warped by Vlad’s interference, it is difficult to even try to control her. ”

The fallen angel let out a loud, boisterous guffaw. “Oh, you have no idea how difficult. ”

Katya smirked at him, before returning her eyes to me. The hunger lingering in their depths was disturbing in its ferocity.

Laura rushed to my side and glowered at the girl. “You are not to upset my Mistress!”

Katya frowned slightly. “I have no intention of disturbing anyone. I merely wish to serve. ”