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Adem tilted his head and gazed at me solemnly. “No. That was my choice. Your spirit, your spark, is appealing in one who is one of the undead. It is rare. I do not wish to see it lost. ”

Touched by his words, I could not find any to respond.

“What you did to Vlad Dracula is terrible, yet I commend you. I hope you will truly find freedom when we reach Buda and you are far from him. I hope that your nightmares recede and you find what will truly bring youhappiness. ” Leaning over, he took my hand and kissed it. “Now, close your eyes and sleep until the night comes. ”

As my fury seeped away, I did feel the need to rest. I slouched down, leaning my head against the velvet fabric of the seat. Adem carefully covered me with Astir’s coat, tucking it around me to hide my face and hands.

“Sleep well, my Countess,” he said softly, then departed.

I was asleep before the carriage door closed.

Chapter 11

When I next woke, a cool evening breeze flowed through the carriage, sweeping away the stale air trapped during the hours of the day. The palest swath of pink and lavender over the tops of the mountains revealed the descent of the sun. The wind rustled through the leaves of the trees lining the road as an owl called out. Night had come again.

I tossed Astir’s coat aside and noted he was not in the carriage. Katya was asleep again, curled on the seat across from me. As Magda finished opening the last window, she realized I had awakened and quickly moved to help adjust my bonnet and smooth my skirts.

I am usually a tad surly when I awaken and the cramped confines of the carriage annoyed me. Glancing out the window as Magda fixed my curls, I noted our escort was missing from view.

“Where are the guards? Where is Astir?”

“I am uncertain. Lord Astir disappeared after we stopped to freshen the horses and have a bite to eat,” Magda replied.

I snorted with frustration. “He is most likely in Buda while we are doomed to a long journey. If only I had his power we would have already arrived. I despise traveling. ”

Impulsively, I leaned out of the open carriage window to seek out Adem. With relief I saw that the guards were trailing behind on horseback.

Adem caught sight of me and spurred his mount to match the pace of the carriage. His curls bounced against his broad shoulders as the horse drew alongside.

“Where is Astir?” I demanded.

“He will return shortly,” Adem answered in a tone that was slightly evasive.

“Truly?” I said doubtfully. “When do we reach the inn?”

“Soon, but there may be a dire situation developing. We believe we are being followed,” Adem explained.

“By whom? Hunters?” I frowned at the thought. The last time I had been confronted by the vampire hunters I had been gravely wounded and forced from Buda.

“Perhaps. I have Enre scouting behind us to determine if they are actually pursuing us and if so, who they are. ”

“Keep me informed,?

?? I ordered, before sitting back in my seat and scowling.

“As you wish,” Adem answered, pulling up on the reins to fall back.

“Whoever they are, I am sure Adem can handle them,” Magda assured me. “He did well against the Brides of Dracula. ”

I felt a pang of guilt ripple through me. I had yet to release my vampire sisters from the castle and had no real desire to do so until I was further away. I was uncertain as to whether or not I could even properly wield the power that Vlad had bestowed upon me. That I was leaving them to starve as Vlad had done in the past gnawed upon my already frayed nerves. I was already quite bad tempered and increasingly hungry.

Eyeing Katya, I pondered drinking from her, but reconsidered. It was important that I maintain some distance from the girl. I had acted impulsively when I had brought her along. I had been incensed when her father had bartered with her body and life like common goods. It was a bitter reminder of how my own family had sought to marry me off to a man of power and wealth. Perhaps I was doing her no favors by arranging for her to have shelter and employment in Astir’s haven, but I had pushed myself into a corner from which I did not know how to extract myself.

As if sensing my attention, Katya opened her eyes to gaze upon me. Slowly, she tilted her head, offering.

Magda slapped her soundly. “Do not tempt the Mistress!”

“Magda, let her be. She can’t help herself,” I said peevishly. “I will not be feeding from her and she knows it. ”