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With a sneer, Vlad strode past me and into the chapel. He kicked his hapless Brides to the side as he passed them. “I should have known I could not trust that duplicitous, jealous woman!”

I trailed in his wake of power. It was a tangible wave of dark fury. It pressed against me once or twice, but I easily deflected it. Casting an angry look over his shoulder, he stopped.

“You came here to awaken me for what purpose?”

“You know the answer. Why ask?”

“Maybe because I wish to hear you grovel for the life of the woman that rightfully belongs to me. ”

“If you do not go to Buda and stand for her, she will die. ” As I spoke the words, I felt a sliver of fear seep into me as it occurred to me that his hatred of me may far outweigh his desire to save her and his power.

“Why should I stand for an adulterous wife?” His heavy eyebrows drew into a line over his piercing eyes.

“Shall we be honest with one another?” I tucked my hands behind my back and stared at him impassively.

He folded his arms over his broad chest, set his feet apart, and glowered at me. “Yes. Let us be honest with one another. ”

“I love her. I want her to live. And though you are a cruel, merciless tyrant, I believe you love her, too, in your own perverse way. And despite the very bad blood between us, I cannot believe you would allow Gavril and Ilinca to kill one of your Brides. In truth, I think you would be proud of her for not only vanquishing you, but surviving without you while a vampire war waged about her. She is a remarkably strong woman. ”

“She committed adultery with you. That is enough reason for me to kill her. ” He dismissed my argument with a shrug.

“She is the keeper of your power,” I reminded him.

“Give me time and I shall be more powerful than before. ”

“You need her in your plans, do you not?”

“I will find another young English aristocrat. ” He smirked. “She is disposable. I do not care if she lives or dies. But I do thank you for freeing me. Well done, brother. ”

I struggled to restrain my temper as I strode after him up the stairs into the depths of the castle. “You cannot let her die. ”

“She attacked me, drained me, and left me to cavort about Buda with you. Her death is her just reward for such actions,” Vlad said with a dark laugh.

“You will let her die. The most powerful of all your Brides?” I was aghast.

He nodded. “Well, yes. ”

“I see. ” I understood in that moment I had failed. I could see it in his eyes and I was filled with sorrow. “Very well. ”

We walked in silence until we reached the great hall where his throne sat. Looking about, he shook his head. “Those simple foolish Brides of mine. ” He kicked one of the many dead bodies out of his way. “Gluttonous fools. ”

“I shall leave you to deal with them,” I said at last.

“I thank you for reviving me. Such a pleasure to once more be among the living. . . ” he kicked another emaciated body out of his way, “. . . and the dead. ” Reaching his throne, he laid his hand upon the long golden stake that rested against it. “Ignatius, Ignatius, when I think of your dashed hopes it is almost as delicious as the thought of you impaled upon this stake. ”

“Good evening,” I said in a cold tone and turned to leave. Hearing the whistle of the wind slashed by the stake flung at me, I easily stepped aside. It punched through the door before me. I turned, bowed, and departed.

As I hurried across the bridge, leaving the castle grounds, I found myself nearly walking into the desk in Astir’s office. He sat behind it, sipping the wine. Shaking the snow from my cloak, I glanced over my shoulder to see that the castle no longer loomed over me. I was looking at a painting upon a wall instead.

“No need to ask how that went,” Astir said, then flung back his head and laughed.

Letter from Father Ignatius to the Immortal Beloved of Vienna continued. . .

My beloved Mistress, I apologize for what I must do now. I will have to kill every vampire in Buda to free Glynis. I see no other way. I know you will seek justice and my death will be inevitable. I just ask that you spare Glynis, the woman of my heart and dreams.

Your most faithful servant,

Father Ignatius