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“How is this?” I asked in a low voice. “That Astir should read my letter and dispatch you all within a day’s time. ”

“He is. . . not of this world,” Adem answered. He took the chair across from me. Light and darkness played over his features. The firelight glowed against his shiny black boots. Gold rings on his fingers caught the light and sparkled. “I was summoned to his side this evening and sent to you. He was concerned for your welfare and that of your husband, Count Dracula. ”

I lifted my eyes, suddenly afraid. I had not revealed to Astir the terrible act I had committed against Vlad. Adem had not asked to speak to Vlad, but to me. Could this mean that I was suspect?

“My husband is at the castle,” I said.

“That is what I was told when I arrived. Should I travel to the castle to inform him as well?” Adem’s expression was unreadable.

“There is no need. I was returning alone to the city to establish a new home while he tends to the restoration of the castle. ” My lie came easily to my lips.

“Very well,” Adem answered. “Shall I escort you back to the castle tonight?”

Making a great show of fussing with my letters, setting them into some order, I shook my head. “There is a situation at the castle that Vlad desires to deal with alone. ”

“I see,” Adem said, and I was afraid that he did truly ascertain that I was lying.

“My vampire mother. . . Cneajna. . . ” I bit my bottom lip and fought sudden tears. “My marriage to Vlad has not set well with her. It is not safe for me to be in her presence. He is. . . dealing with the situation. ”

“That is unfortunate,” Adem decided, his dark eyes regarding me thoughtfully. “I do understand that vampire families can be complicated when there are shifts in power. ”

I nodded my head, my lips pressed tightly together. I could still remember the terror and pain when Cneajna struck her dagger repeatedly into my flesh, not to kill me, but to make me suffer.

“Lord Astir did request that I make absolutely certain you are safe. Since you will not be returning to the castle, I shall stay here with you. I have brought my own men to replace the ones that were sent by Lord Astir to deliver you and your husband safely to the castle. ”

Slowly I raised my eyes, trying to read the stoic face of the man across from me. His dark eyes disturbed me with their piercing gaze. I feared he saw through all my lies.

“I do not know if that is necessary. ”

“Lord Astir was quite explicit in his command that no harm is to come to you. I am to stay at your side until I am certain you are safe. I am not convinced you are out of harm’s way residing in this hotel so far from your husband’s side. ”

My fingers fidgeting with the edges of the letters, I sighed. How I wished I had left immediately for Buda instead of preparing my way with correspondence to Vlad’s minions and Astir. Yet, I would not want to arrive in the city to find myself pursued by the vampire hunters that had burned my home to the ground. I was also certain I would not want to face the dhamphir vampire hunter known as Gregor without Vlad or Ignatius at my side. The thought of Ignatius brought a terrible wrench of pain through my chest. How would I find him?

“Very well. I shall stay here until Lord Astir declares that it is safe for me to return,” I acquiesced.

“I shall inform him of your decision,” Adem assured me.

I was not certain if there was the hint of a threat in his tone or not. “Thank you. ”

“Shall I inform your husband as well?”

I lifted my eyes to the fire and shook my head. “He has enough to worry about. I shall send a letter via the normal post simply stating I am delayed. I do not wish for him to be unnecessarily worried. ” I felt tears once more brimming in my eyes at the thought of Vlad. Toward the end of our time together, he had been very protective of me. I knew if he believed me in danger and was capable, he would come to my defense immediately. Of course, he would also punish me for my defiance.

“I have upset you with my news,” Adem said softly. “I apologize, Countess. ”

“It is no fault of yours. I am merely overwhelmed with the events of the past week or so. It has been a troubling time. ”

Adem inclined his head in agreement. “Yes. The vampire hunters are disturbing in their relentlessness to destroy the undead and other creatures of the night. ”

The vampire hunters were the least of my worries. I had other concerns and felt very alone. I craved companionship in that moment. If only there was someone with whom to speak about my woes. But there was no one.

Standing, I held my returned letters tightly in my hand. “I do need to send correspondence to my husband’s servants in Buda. I speak for him in matters of our estate there. Could you arrange for fresh letters to be delivered?”

“Of course. ”

“I shall then retire to my room to write. ” I strolled toward the door, wishing to escape.

He quickly leaped up to open it for me. “I have ordered the proprietor to remove the guests from the rooms around yours. The guards will occupy those rooms. I shall have the one directly across from yours. I am at your disposal whenever I am needed. ”