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Letter from Astir to Adem

June 6, 1820

Prepare for my arrival.

It is time to deal with our beloved Countess.

Astir

Chapter 8

The Journal of Countess Dracula

June 10, 1820

The Golden Krone Hotel, Bistri?a

There is no moon tonight and it fills me with dread.

Magda has done well arranging for my family’s coffins. She had them specially made and they are beautifully crafted. With their polished wood and delicate engraving, they are worthy of my aristocratic family. These are no mere pine boxes, but works of art. I am satisfied, but unsettled.

They lay in state in a room I procured. Despite the proprietor’s misgivings and superstitious nature, he agreed to our unusual arrangement once Adem dealt with him.

Sitting in the darkness of the room, staring at the single candle burning at the head of my father’s coffin, I cannot help but mourn them fresh and anew. Darling little May, headstrong Mother, doting Father. . . how I miss you.

Something is terribly wrong. I sense it.

Since Magda and Adem returned from the castle, I have been afraid. Though they assured me that nothing happened, I cannot help but feel trepidation.

Perhaps it is my nightmares causing me to go mad.

Vlad haunts me.

I am afraid. . .

I was just finishing writing my very dark thoughts within my journal when Adem gently knocked on the door and entered my quiet sanctuary. After a small bob of his head in the direction of the three coffins, he leaned over me.

“What is it?” I inquired, my gaze lifting to his scarred face and keen eyes.

“You have a visitor,” he answered.

I thought of Ignatius and my heart swelled with hope, but then I realized by his somber expression that I was not going to be happily reunited with my lover.

“Who is it?” I demanded in a terse tone.

“Lord Astir,” Adem replied, offering his arm.

I arose swiftly, my heart beating rapidly within my bosom. I was well-fed, flush with life, warm to the touch, and terribly afraid. The mere thought of dealing with the fallen angel made me feel utterly wretched.

“He will be arriving within the next few minutes. ” Though his tone was brisk, I felt the gentle squeeze of his hand on my shoulder. “Do not be afraid. ”

“I’m not,” I lied.

I ignored his proffered arm and swept past him out into the hallway. Magda stood near the door, her expression one of apprehension. I strode past her to the staircase that led to my potential doom. Clad in my favorite blue dress and lacy shawl, I felt regal, yet like a child. How could I deal with a creature that had existed since the dawn of man? He would not be coming here for idle chatter. Astir was coming with a purpose.

I had barely set my foot upon the floor of the foyer when the front doors of the hotel burst open and guards clad in red swept in and quickly formed a line at attention. Adem strode forward swiftly to greet the tall, lean figure descending from an ornate carriage. Clad in a long, dark green coat over a blue velvet jacket, long gray trousers tucked into shiny brown boots, and a silk white shirt with a froth of lace at the collar, the fallen angel had the disconcerting appearance of a handsome, yet strangely feminine gentleman. His long, golden curls were swept back from his face leaving a few curls to adorn his ears under his top hat. The eyes that were usually terrible flames of fire were now a cool green-blue and his thin lips spread into a wide smile upon seeing me.

“Why Countess Dracula, are you not a vision of absolute beauty and sophistication?” he exclaimed striding toward me on long legs.